We put Bio Ionic’s extraordinarily long curling iron to the test, which seems to be providing the perfect tool for long strands
4.6 out of 5
Model name/number: N/A
Price: $149
Shape: long barrel spring iron
Available sizes: 1”, 1.25”, 1.5”
Best for: armpit length and longer hair, medium to thick hair
What we like: extra long cool tip, easy to handle back of the head
What we don’t like: a bit bulky and heavy, not suitable for short hair
How it stands out: especially fast and efficient results on long hair as it covers a large area at one pass
Not many curling iron brands aim for specific needs and most stay on the safe side, producing the most common products that sell most. Bio Ionic seems to have considered the needs of users with longer strands in an extraordinary manner. This tool’s barrel length is 6.25” and it’s much longer than the average size found on the shelves. It provides a very speedy session as it can cover a very large area in one pass, which makes this tool also less prone to hair damage. It has ceramic material which goes gentle on the strands and heats up slowly. Its long barrel also makes things much easier in terms of styling the back of the head as well. Its cool tip is also longer than usual and very comfortable to hold and maneuver. Thinking of all these, we can say that this tool is very beginner-friendly. It has a large range of variable heat settings starting from 250°F and ending at 430°F. These numbers make this tool easily suitable for all hair types. On that note, it’s a quite bulky tool with 9.1 oz and may cause some fatigue on the arms in case you need to use your tool for longer periods. Also, needless to say, this is not the right tool for you if you have very short hair. Its 1” barrel is a very versatile one that satisfies most needs but there are many shorter barrels in the market to go for instead, for pixie or bob cuts. It’s a luxury tool with satisfying material quality and even though it is not the most budget-friendly at $145, we frankly think that it’s good value for money.
Whether you’re seeking the best curling iron for long hair or fine hair, rest assured, Bio Ionic Long Barrel Curling Iron has you covered.
Below, we share our experiences with “BIO IONIC LONG BARREL CURLING IRON”.
Shape
Bio Ionic Long Barrel Curling Iron comes in a traditional spring iron shape which is the most common one in the market. The most distinct quality of this shape is the fact that it comes with a holding clamp that holds the hair in place, attached to the barrel. This means that you use the clamp instead of your hand while styling your strands. This quality usually creates more defined curls than a clampless wand. It also creates spiral locks rather than s-shaped curls. So, if a more uniform shape is what you’re aiming for, this shape is perfect for you. The traditional spring iron has a clamp that automatically closes and manually opens, and it’s considered to be easier to use and more beginner-friendly. On that note, since spring irons are used for better precision, wands are better for beginners as they are not aiming for perfection. If what you’re looking for is a casual look, a clampless wand is a much better option for you as their curls are less defined. There are many great wands in the market such as T3 Single Pass Wave, which not only leaves out the clamp but also has a conic shape for a more natural-looking finish.
Size
Size is extremely important when it comes to choosing the perfect curling iron. When it comes to size, it’s important to consider the width of the barrel as well as its length.
Bio Ionic Long Barrel Curling Iron comes in three different barrel diameters: 1”, 1,25”, and 1.5”. The 1” one is the most commonly found size in the market as it’s really versatile. It fits all hair types and lengths and satisfies most styling needs. It can create defined curls as well as loose waves. But as you can imagine, has average-looking results that may not be satisfying if you have very specific needs. The 1.25” one is also quite versatile but is made for relatively longer strands, which are minimum shoulder length. The 1.5” size, on the other hand, is made specifically for long hair that is armpit length or longer. This tool will do wonders on your strands, combined with its long barrel.
Length of the barrel is equally important and Bio Ionic Long Barrel Curling Iron, as you can imagine, has a very long barrel. It has a length of 6.25”, which is much more than the average number of 5.4”. As the general rule is to choose a barrel length proportional to your hair length, this tool is perfect for long strands, especially mid-back length or longer. This tool can cover a very large area in one pass and tame long and thick strands in a very short time. It’s one of the fastest curling irons on our list, and perfect for you if you don’t like to spend too much time in front of the mirror.
Bigger size also means that the tool has the capacity to heat up more with its larger surface. So, it generally is more suitable for thicker strands rather than fine hair. If you have fine hair, try to stay with the 1” as this tool also has a very long barrel and the bigger diameters will get too hot for your fragile strands.
Needless to say, if you have very short hair, meaning chin length or shorter, this tool may be too long for your needs. It’s true that a longer barrel also allows easier maneuvering while styling the backside of your strands and if you have this kind of struggle, it may be helpful. But this tool is not made for short strands and in the long run, it will feel too bulky to hold. We have much shorter barrels on our list which are perfect for pixie and bob cuts. Babyliss Pro Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron has a quite compact 5” barrel and even comes in a 0.75” diameter in case you want the smallest option.
Heat and Variable Settings
Bio Ionic Long Barrel Curling Iron has 6 different variable heat settings starting from 230 °F and running up to 430°F. Its maximum temperature is certainly hot enough to tame thick and long strands, which is what this tool is made for. The minimum temperature of 230 °F, on the other hand, might be a bit too hot for very fragile strands. When we think of this fact and put things together with its long barrel, we can say that we don’t recommend this tool for fine hair. But it’s a big success on unruly hair that needs to be tamed, allowing a very fast session. And as it can cover a very large area with its long barrel, it also is less likely to damage the strands with too many passes. If you have very fine hair and you would like to stay on the safe side, we recommend a tool with a very low heat option. A great alternative actually comes from the same brand which is Bio Ionic Goldpro Curling Iron, which offers a great alternative with heat settings starting at 170°F as well as a gentle ceramic material and is a great option for fine strands.
Material and Performance
Bio Ionic Long Barrel Curling Iron comes with a ceramic barrel. Brands usually choose ceramic for its gentleness. It also is usually a cheaper option in case you’re on a budget as well as bringing shinier results than titanium. While this tool has a long barrel and can get very hot, its ceramic material makes it more beginner-friendly as it heats up slower and more evenly than titanium. It also slows the process down a little but this tool still is one of the fastest according to our tests.
This tool is in the luxury category which makes us have high expectations of it. It’s true that the material quality is high. But after putting it through our rigorous tests, we have to say that it doesn’t have the most durable material on the market. Its clamp has a tendency to get loose after a year or two of use which is a disappointment. But other than that, it’s very sturdy to hold. There are higher-quality and more durable curling irons in the market, such as Drybar the mixologist.
Features
First of all, Bio Ionic Long Barrel Curling Iron comes with Ionic Technology. This is a great feature that emits negative ions that let the water molecules evaporate quickly, which leads to much more frizz-free results. In our opinion, every tool should have this quality, and if you have frizzy strands, it’s essential to have it.
This tool has an extra-long cool tip. This not only makes this tool much easier to maneuver and handle, but it also makes sure that you don’t burn your hands while styling your hair.
It has a smooth barrel that lets the hair glide through the tool to eliminate creasing since it minimizes friction.
It has the usual 60-minute auto shut-off feature to eliminate the risk of fire as these tools can be quite hazardous.
It has an audible warning that lets you know when it reaches the desired temperature.
Bio Ionic Long Barrel Curling Iron doesn’t come with dual voltage which is a very rare downside as most tools offer this technology. Dual voltage makes sure that your tool works anywhere in the world, and this tool lacks this quality. There are many others in the market, almost all curling irons on our list, that offer this and if you want to travel with your curling iron, this tool is not for you.
Ergonomics
Bio Ionic Long Barrel Curling Iron is quite bulky. It weighs 9.1 oz, which is much higher than average. Considering its long shape as well, this tool is not very travel-friendly. It also is not the best if you want to avoid arm fatigue. Heavy tools can get very frustrating if you use them for longer periods. It may not seem like a big deal in the beginning. But unless you have very strong arms, you probably will feel it. There are much lighter tools on our list that make very handy and travel-friendly alternatives, such as
GHD Curve Classic Curl which is still a spring iron but only weighs 7.6oz.
Its handle has a diameter of 1.08”, which is the average width. It will most likely fit your hands without any issues.
This tool doesn’t come with a digital display but there’s a digital temperature control that shows you exactly at which level you are.
It comes with a built-in counter stand to make sure the tool doesn’t touch the surfaces while it’s hot.
It has a very long cord which is 9.1 ft and makes it very convenient, as well as Velcro tape to keep it tidy. It’s swivel which makes it easier to handle and maneuver.
While this tool is generally ergonomically designed, there are some reports of users getting their hair stuck in the barrel and this can get pretty annoying in the long run.
Price & Warranty
With $150, Bio Ionic Long Barrel Curling Iron is considered to be a luxury tool and not the most affordable option in the market. Of course, it has a high-performance level. But, as much as its material quality is sufficient, we have to say that it could be better for this price. It also comes with only 1 year of warranty which is much less than the average 2 years. If you want a more affordable curling iron, Revlon Long Lasting Curl Curling Iron, for only $15, brings more than decent results.
Competition
If you have thick and long hair, we also suggest checking out the Babylisspro Nano Titanium Extended Barrel Curling Iron. This Babyliss curling iron has an 8-inch barrel, which is nearly 2 inches longer than the Bio Ionic’s. Plus, Babyliss uses a titanium barrel, which is very efficient on coarse, unruly hair.
Another Bio Ionic curling iron on our best list is the Bio Ionic GoldPro Curling Iron. It has a 1-inch shorter barrel than the Bio Ionic Long Barrel Curling Iron but has a wider temperature range, from 170°F to 450°F. This wider range is very beneficial for fine or damaged hair.
