Ceramic vs Titanium Curling Irons

By: | Last Updated: March 21, 2021

When choosing a curling iron it is hard to know where to start. With all the additional features, it can be confusing to know which barrel material will give you the best results. 

You may be asking, is Titanium or Ceramic better for hard to curl hair? Which material is better for thick hair or thin hair? Or, will they affect my damaged hair

Don’t worry, I have put together this quick guide to tell you everything you need to know about the pros and cons of ceramic and titanium curling irons.

Ceramic Curling Irons

Traditionally associated with pottery, technology has advanced to the stage where ceramic is now incorporated into lots of electrical devices. Believe it or not, this includes hair curlers.

This non-metallic material is smooth and evenly conducts heat along its surface. Emitting negative ions while you style, it’s an excellent barrel choice for soft and frizz-free curls.

Ceramic curling irons can be used at lower temperatures, making them a great choice for fine or damaged hair.

They also radiate far-infrared heat to the center of the hair strand, allowing it to heat your hair from the inside out. This process forms your curls while protecting the hair from drying out and overheating.

Although ceramic is a good heat conductor, it is slower to warm up than other curlers. So if you are pushed for time when styling, another styler may be the better choice.

Ceramic Curlers At A Glance

Pros:

  • Evenly distributes heat
  • Far-Infrared technology allows styling at lower temperatures
  • Negative Ions deliver a smooth finish
  • Less damaging than other curlers 
  • Great for fine/damaged hair

Cons:

  • Heavy material
  • Weakens at high temperatures over time
  • Can be expensive
  • Slower to heat up

When looked after, ceramic curling irons can last for years. But, when used at high temperatures they can become more brittle, and are more prone to cracking when dropped or mishandled. These kind of curlers are also heavier than other. So if you tend to be clumsy, as many of us are, you may prefer a sturdier material in case you drop them!

Some curling irons are sold coated in ceramic but with a metal center. Although the surface layer will distribute heat evenly, the inside will not. This may result in a longer styling time as it can take more than one attempt to get an even curl.

Solid ceramic curlers are some of the most expensive on the market. But this price reflects the quality of the appliance, effortlessly delivering luscious curls with minimal heat exposure. 


Titanium Curling Irons

Titanium is a naturally occurring metal that’s as strong as steel and diverse enough to manufacturer into airplanes, architecture, and the humbler hair curler!

Thanks to its low density, the metal is incredibly lightweight, while remaining extremely strong and able to withstand high temperatures. This makes titanium a fantastic choice for thick, coarse hair, allowing you to style at the high temperature necessary for your curls to hold.

Titanium Curlers At A Glance

Pros:

  • Strong durable material
  • Fast heat-up time
  • Lightweight
  • Produces negative ions
  • Great for coarse/thick hair

Cons:

  • More likely to cause heat damage
  • Prone to cold spots
  • Can heat-up too fast/too much

As well as being a fantastic conductor of heat, has been proven to be very robust. It’s an anti-corrosive metal so it will not rust, and chemicals or hair products will not cause the surface of your curler to degrade over time. I still recommend giving them a clean after usage to avoid product build-up, but with care, titanium curlers are sturdy enough to last for years!

Titanium really is a terrific choice to quickly style thick, unruly hair into beautifully soft curls.

Being such a superb heat conductor can lead to titanium curlers heating too fast or to too high a temperature. As such, I wouldn’t recommend a titanium curler to someone with damaged hair. 

Titanium, although great at maintaining high temperatures, can be prone to cold spots. This can lead to uneven curls or a few attempts to get the perfect look, increasing heat exposure time to your hair. So make sure to always apply heat protection before curling.

Their fast heat-up time makes titanium curling irons a good choice if you are in a hurry to style and get out of the door. Hard-to-style hair will also benefit from the negative ions that titanium produces. Just like ceramic, they will leave you with a smooth finish and reduce fly-aways. 


Which Should You Choose?

There are a few factors to consider when choosing between ceramic and titanium curling irons – budget, durability, and your hair type.

compare curling irons – Curling Diva

Budget

Solid ceramic curling irons are some of the most expensive on the market. That being said, high-end titanium irons can be equally as costly. You will usually be able to find a good mid-range curler in both materials, however, the cost can also equal the quality. When buying a budget curler ensure all general and electrical standards are met.

Durability

Titanium is not only light-weight and easy to handle, it is one of the most robust materials on the market. If you want assurance that your curler can stand the test of time, then a titanium curler may be the one for you.

Ceramic is more fragile and must be handled with additional care, but when looked after it can also be very durable. It is also heavier when handling, something you may want to take into consideration before making your purchase.

Hair Type

One of the most important factors you should consider when choosing a curling iron, is will it suit your hair type? For those of you with damaged hair, ceramic is the better choice, its ability to evenly style hair at lower temperatures will help prevent further damage to your sensitive tresses. 

Check out the healthiest curling irons that won’t damage hair!

Thin hair also requires less heat to achieve a beautiful curl. If heat exposure is a concern for you, a ceramic curling iron can deliver great style with less heat. Thick or coarse hair requires higher temperatures to achieve a strong curl that lasts all day. Titanium can withstand such heat to give you the resilient curls you crave. 


FAQs: Ceramic vs Titanium Curling Irons

small barrel curling iron for short hair – Curling Diva

Is ceramic better for fine hair?

Wondering which is better: ceramic or titanium curling iron for fine hair? It’s most definitely ceramic. Fine hair does not need the high heat capabilities of titanium curling irons. You can easily fry your hair if you’re not careful. 

Is Titanium or Ceramic better for hard to curl hair?

It depends on your hair type.

Hard to curl hair can either by fine thin hair that won’t hold a curl or stubborn thick hair.

If you have thicker hair that needs enough heat to curl properly, get a titanium curling iron.

But for those with fine hair, choose ceramic. There are things you can do to make curls stay in fine hair, even if your hair is really hard to curl.

Are titanium curling irons better than ceramic?

Titanium curling irons heats up faster than ceramic and can reach higher temperatures. They’re also very durable and last long. But this doesn’t necessarily mean that titanium curling irons are better.

It all boils down to your hair type. Faster heat up can either mean quick hairstyling (for those with thick, unruly hair) or accidentally burning your hair (if you have fine thin hair).


The Bottom Line

You can achieve fantastic results from both ceramic and titanium curling irons, however, each material has its benefits and drawbacks

When choosing which curling iron to buy, I recommend filtering your search by the barrel material best suited to your hair type. 

Depending on your budget you can then tailor your search to include any additional features you may like. Just remember, the finish of your curls can be greatly impacted by the barrel you choose!

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