A deep look at Babyliss’s spring iron with an extra-long barrel, designed to create uniform curls for the longest and thickest strands
4.5 out of 5
Model name/number: BNTW100XLUC (1″), BNTW125XLUC (1 1/4″), BNTW150XLUC (1 1/2″)
Price: $80
Shape: spring iron
Available sizes: 1”, 1.25”, 1.5”
Best for: long and thick hair
What we like: longest barrel in the market for extra-long strands
What we don’t like: very bulky and lowest heat setting not gentle enough for fine hair
How it stands out: can tame long and thick strands very fast and brings long-lasting results with great precision
While everyone has different needs and demands from their curling iron, if you have thick and long strands that need to be tamed fast and efficiently, this tool is a no-brainer. Babyliss really impresses us with its different curling irons for specific needs, and this one stands out with its extra-long barrel and its high heat setting that can tame even the unruliest. The 8” barrel is by far the longest that we’ve ever come across in the market and can easily wrap all your hair no matter how long it is. Its highest temperature is 430°F, a very effective number for thick strands. It’s a bit disappointing to see that the minimum heat is 285°F and not gentle enough for fine hair. Its titanium material is also a big help for thick strands as it can reach very high temperatures very quickly. So, this tool will satisfy you if you’re looking for speed. It’s a really affordable curling iron, considering its high-performance levels and durable material. We have to say that this tool is very bulky with its weight of 10.3oz and extra-long body, as well as thick handle, something to consider if you struggle to hold your tool for longer periods, as well as if you’re aiming to travel with your curling iron.
Whether you’re seeking the best curling irons for thick hair or the best curling iron for long hair, rest assured, Babylisspro Nano Titanium Extended Barrel Curling Iron has you covered.
Below, we share our experiences with “Babylisspro Nano Titanium Extended Barrel Curling Iron”.
Shape
This tool is a classically shaped curling iron with a clamp called a traditional spring iron. It’s the most common curling iron in the market and for good reason. First of all, it brings ease to your session with its holding clamp that holds the tips of your strands attached to the barrel, saving your second hand from heat damage. It also provides great precision as the whole hair receives an equal amount of heat. The curls that it creates are spiral-shaped and quite perfect looking as it requires you to wrap the strands close to each other. It has a cylinder shape so the curls are uniform. The results are perfect looking and if this is what you’re aiming to achieve, don’t think twice. But if you’re one of those who would prefer a more casual hairstyle that looks like you just left the bed, this tool may not be for you. In this case, a curling wand that leaves out the clamp may be a better option and there are so many great ones in the market such as the Babyliss Nano Titanium Curling Wand which also is great for thick hair but comes without a clamp for looser waves.
Size
When it comes to size, the aspect that stands out the most about this tool is its barrel length. It has the longest barrel ever and with 8oz and is perfect for strands that are mid-back length or longer. It is by far the longest barrel in the market as the average is 5.4” and can cover a super large area at one go, basically your whole hair. This quality not only brings very high speed to your session, it also makes it safer for your strands as you can finish the session with fewer passes and expose your strands to less heat.
There’s also the aspect of barrel width, which is very important as well. This tool comes in three different sizes, 1”, 1.25”, and 1,5”.
The 1” one is the most versatile one in the market and all brands offer this size. This size is much more suitable for finer hair types, yet still a bit too big and too hot for them.
Since this tool is kind of designed for longer strands, it’s logical that it offers larger barrels. The 1.25” one is still versatile in terms of the size of curls that it can create and for which hair type and length it’s for.
The 1.5” one though, is obviously, designed specifically for long strands and creates quite large curls. It also is much more suitable for thick strands as the large barrel heats up more.
If you have short strands, this tool clearly is not the most suitable option for you and it’s worth checking out tools with shorter barrels. Conair Double Ceramic Curling Iron is perfect for short strands with its 4.75” barrel length and a small (0.75”) barrel width option.
Heat and Variable Settings
When it comes to variable heat settings, we can’t really say that this tool is the most versatile. First of all, it has only 5 settings, and compared to many in the market that offer as many as 50, this number is not very satisfying. It does have a very high maximum temperature which is 430°F, and it’s perfect for very thick and unruly strands. But its lowest temperature is too high for fine hair. 285°F is not gentle enough for very fine and thin strands and combined with its titanium material, is likely to cause heat damage to your strands. If you have fine strands and still would like to benefit from a long barrel, Bioionic Long Barrel Curling Iron is a much gentler option with a lower minimum temperature and ceramic material.
Material and Performance
It’s not surprising that this tool comes with a titanium barrel, as this is most Babyliss tools’ material of choice. As they’re preferred by professionals who really like titanium, they like to keep it this way. It can heat up very fast and recover its heat very quickly, as well as being able to retain its high heat for longer periods of time. So, if you want a very fast session for your long and thick hair, this is the perfect tool for you. Beware that this is not a very beginner-friendly material and it doesn’t give much room for mistakes. It’s perfect for unruly and thick strands but not the best for fine hair and you’ll be much better off with a ceramic curling iron if this is your case. Babyliss Porcelain Ceramic Spring Curling Iron seems to bring together a great alternative for fine strands with a much lower minimum heat of 230°F and a porcelain ceramic barrel.
Like all Babyliss hair tools, it has a very durable and sturdy material. Especially when we look at its affordable price, we can say that the price vs performance of is tool is just delightful. It’s true that it’s a bit bulky for a luxury product but within the acceptable range considering its extended barrel.
Features
Ionic technology ensures a satisfied smile when we come across it. We believe it’s one of the more important features of hair tools. This tool will eliminate the frizz from your strands successfully as it promises and if you have frizz issues, we definitely recommend aiming for a product with this feature.
It has an ultra-smooth barrel and your hair glides through it without getting stuck. This is to provide shinier results.
There’s no auto shut-off technology in the tool, which we think is a big drawback. Hot hair tools can be quite hazardous if they’re left switched on and if you have a forgetful mind. If you feel you fall into this category we suggest you consider options that come with this feature. Babyliss leaves out this feature on purpose for professionals who want to keep their tools on for longer periods of time, and in this scenario, it can be beneficial.
It comes with dual voltage so you can use this tool anywhere in the world, with different plugs. But honestly, this tool is way too bulky to travel with and we recommend aiming for a more compact tool if you’re a frequent traveler.
Ergonomics
We’re not going to lie, Babylisspro Nano Titanium Extended Barrel Curling iron is a bulky tool. 10.3oz is one of the highest numbers on our list and way above the average of 8oz. This is a very important point to think about as some users struggle with arm fatigue while styling their strands, especially if the session lasts long, which may be the case as this product appeals to long and thick strands.
Its handle is also quite thick 1.22”. It is totally okay for normal-sized hands but if your palms are very small, it may get a bit uncomfortable to hold.
It doesn’t have any digital display but you can adjust the temperature with buttons. As there are only 5 variable heat settings to choose from, it’s quite straightforward to use.
It has a very comfortable cool tip and it allows you to handle the tool very easily, making this tool quite ergonomic.
It comes with an integrated counter stand that prevents your hot tool from touching the surfaces, but it actually gets so hot that it almost burns, so it’s pretty useless.
It has a swivel cord which has a length of 8 oz, a useful and above average size that is probably long enough for most needs. Unfortunately, it isn’t equipped with a Velcro tape to keep the cord neat and tidy.
Price & Warranty
The price of Babyliss Nano Titanium Extended Barrel Curling Iron is below the medium range and can be considered a budget tool. But it has the material quality of a luxury brand which is highly durable and sturdy to hold. So if you’re wondering if this tool is value for money, the answer is, absolutely. It will last you for many years to come as well as offers a 2-year warranty which is the average number in the market. It may not be the most lightweight tool but other than that it’s quite ergonomically designed. $80 is a very fair price and it’s a clear yes from our side in case of doubt.
Competition
If you have long but fine or damaged hair, you’ll want a gentler tool like the Bio Ionic Long Barrel Curling Iron. Its barrel is nearly 2 inches shorter than Babyliss’, but it’s still above average at 6.25 inches. Bio Ionic has a ceramic barrel and can work at 250°F, which is 35°F cooler than the Babyliss.
If you’re on a budget and looking for a high-performance, high-quality tool, consider the Hot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold Curling Iron/Wand. It features a 5.5″ barrel, which exceeds the average size, and its 24k gold barrel ensures a gentle yet efficient styling session. This Hot Tools curling iron shares the same temperature range as the Babyliss.
