The Best Hot Rollers For Fine Hair

Hot styling tools and fine, delicate hair aren't always a match made in heaven, but creating the right curls without causing unnecessary damage is totally possible. The best hot rollers for fine hair rely on a gentle heat source (ceramic or steam) to create the look you're going for without potentially damaging vulnerable strands. The type of hot roller you choose will come down to personal considerations, but I’ve broken down the key factors to think about when shopping for hot rollers. But first, a few things to keep in mind before using your new rollers:

Do Hot Rollers Work For Fine Hair?

Yes, hot rollers are great for all hair types — but since fine strands can have trouble holding a curl and are vulnerable to heat damage, there are a few steps you can take before using them to get the look you want. First, curls tend to hold better on day-old hair, so skip washing it or use a dry shampoo to help create volume. And before using any heat tool, apply a lightweight heat protectant to your hair to help prevent damage. Also important: After applying the rollers, let them cool down completely before removing them to give your curls time to set. Finish your look with a lightweight hairspray, and you’re good to go.

Which Type Of Roller Is Best For Fine Hair

Steam Vs. Ceramic Rollers

Unlike a typical hot roller, a steam setter uses moisture to lock in curls without any damage from heat. Using steam also tends to create longer-lasting styles. That said, these devices may not be the most convenient for travel or rushed mornings because they require two additional prep steps: The unit needs to be filled up with water and each individual barrel needs to be steamed on the base for a few seconds (or longer, if you prefer) before you can place it in your hair.

On the other hand, hot rollers with a ceramic core use dry heat, which allows for even heat distribution and a more consistent temperature, thus preventing hot spots that could comprise your strands. When the unit is powered on, you will have to wait for it to preheat, but once it's ready to go, there's no lag time between each application because the entire container heats up together. However, unless you're willing to pay a little extra for a model with an adjustable temperature dial, there's usually only one standard heat setting.

In a hurry? These are the best hot rollers for fine hair:

1. The Overall Best Steam Rollers For Fine Hair: Caruso Molecular Steam Hairsetter

2. The Overall Best Ceramic Rollers For Fine Hair: Conair Infinity Pro Instant Heat Ceramic Flocked Rollers

3. The Best Jumbo Hot Rollers: Conair Xtreme Instant Heat Jumbo Rollers

4. A Set Of Gentle Titanium Ceramic Hot Rollers: BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Roller Hairsetter

5. The Tourmaline Ceramic Rollers For Fine, Frizzy Hair: Conair Instant Heat Tourmaline Ceramic Flocked Hot Rollers

6. The Wax Core Ceramic Rollers For Long-Lasting Curls: Remington H5600H Ionic Conditioning Hair Setter

7. A Travel-Friendly Hot Roller Set: Remington Compact Ceramic Worldwide Voltage Hair Setter

8. A Compact Set Of 5 Jumbo Rollers: Conair Instant Heat Travel Hot Rollers

Barrel Material

If you're using a steam setter, the barrels will be made with a plush foam material that absorbs the moisture before it's infused into your hair. If you go with a ceramic set, you'll need to decide between ribbed or smooth, flocked barrels. The former features ridges that act like "teeth" that help make it easier to remove the barrel from your hair, but if you've got fine hair (especially if it's long), the ribs may lead to tangles rather than curls. A smooth, velvety barrel may provide a more gentle grip for finer hair.

Barrel Size

One final factor to consider when looking at the best hot rollers for fine hair is size. Smaller rollers (up to 1 inch) may be more ideal for short hair and also good for creating tighter, more uniform curls, while jumbo-sized rollers with bigger, wider barrels (up to 2 inches) can help create more volume and beachy waves.

With that in mind, scroll on to shop some of the best hot rollers for fine, delicate hair.

1. The Overall Best Steam Rollers For Fine Hair

Pros

• Gentle steam styling
• 30 rollers of varying sizes included

Cons

• May take a little longer to set up and heat the rods

Hot rollers that come in this Caruso Steam Hairsetter set shouldn't damage fine hair but should create longer-lasting curls than rollers that use other heat sources. In fact, they boast three times the steam of regular steam setters, and you should be able to set your hair within five to 20 minutes, depending on your hair length and the type of curls you’re going for. To use, you'll need to add water to the fill line in the steam pod, plug in, and let the device activate for a minute. Then, place a roller on the top of the pod and wait three to five seconds for it to absorb moisture from the steam before wrapping your hair around it. To save time, place the next roller on the spout as you apply the previous one.

The set comes with matching comb clips that hold the rollers in place and won't leave kinks in hair. One reviewer provided this handy tip: Hold the comb clip over the steam for a few seconds to help your curls set. You can buy additional 1.75-inch rollers in a pack of six.

One reviewer wrote: "I love this! I have tried hot rollers in the past and couldn't really get my hair to look great or get them to work. These are fantastic. I have pretty fine hair and when I would curl it with just a curling iron I'd have to spray my hair with hairspray to get the curls to stay, which felt like I was just damaging my hair. With this I did spray in some thermal protection stuff first, but I love how natural my hair felt when I took these rollers out. The curl lasts all day and my hair is still soft.”

Rollers included: 30 (6 of each size: 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, and 1.5 inches) | Type: Steam

2. The Overall Best Ceramic Rollers For Fine Hair

Pros

• Each curler is wrapped in velvet to protect hair strands
• Includes an ionic generator to help reduce frizz
• 12 heat settings to choose from
• Fast, two-minute heat time

Cons

• Butterfly-style clips may be difficult to use for those with short hair

These ceramic rollers heat up using gentle, infrared heat and are wrapped in flocked velvet to help keep hair protected. The setter has an ionic generator so that rollers emit ions that help reduce unwanted frizz and add shine. This set's standout feature is temperature control, with 12 heat settings to choose from. Once turned on, the set is ready to use in just two minutes. Though the hot rollers come with 20 plastic, butterfly-style clips, reviewers with short or super fine hair recommend getting wire clips to keep the rollers snug.

One reviewer wrote: “These rollers are great. They’re gentle on my hair and the clips don’t leave ugly crimp marks that many other clip types do. I have very fine difficult to curl hair, but these do the trick. Highly recommend."

Rollers included: 20 (6 x .75-inch, 6 x 1-inch, 8 x 1.25-inch) | Type: Ceramic

3. The Best Jumbo Hot Rollers

Pros

• Jumbo rollers are ideal for big waves or extra long hair
• Quick, 85-second heat-up time

Cons

• 12 rollers may not be enough for all styles

The jumbo rollers in this Conair set are ideal for creating bigger waves and voluminous curls. They feature ceramic heating that provides even, long-lasting heat, and the heat-up time is just 85 seconds. The flocked rollers are covered in a soft, velvety material to help prevent your fine hair from becoming damaged. These larger rollers are great for adding lift at the roots to create the appearance of enhanced body. The set comes with 12 jumbo butterfly-style clips, which are useful for keeping rollers snug on medium-length hair.

One reviewer wrote: “Use these every day. I have shoulder length hair and it is straight and unmanageable as can be. It takes me mere minutes to put these on. I can do my make up, get dressed and quickly and easily slide the curlers off. Hair comes out soft and styled in minutes.”

Rollers included: 12 (8 x 1.5-inch, 4 x 1.75-inch) | Type: Ceramic

4. A Set Of Gentle Titanium Ceramic Hot Rollers

Pros

• Nano-titanium delivers even heat without hot spots
• Comes with both butterfly clips and metal pins so you can choose the one you prefer

Cons

• Takes a little longer than most to heat up

Not only do these nano titanium ceramic hot rollers use far-infrared heat to gently style your hair, but they’re also flocked in soft velvet that’ll go easy on fine strands. The nano titanium delivers heat evenly so there are no hot spots, and it helps style hair faster to prevent damage. In addition to 20 rollers, the set comes with 20 butterfly clips and 20 color-coded metal pins. This set is also easy to operate with a simple on/off switch, indicator light, and a heat-ready light. The set takes about five minutes to heat up, according to reviewers.

One reviewer wrote: “I really love these hot rollers. I was worried about frying my hair, as I have baby fine hair. But these rollers very gently create beautiful curls without damaging my hair. And the curls really last (for several days). You just have to leave the rollers in your hair until they cool completely.”

Rollers included: 20 (6 x 0.75 inch, 6 x 1 inch, 8 x 1.25 inch) | Type: Titanium ceramic

5. The Tourmaline Ceramic Rollers For Fine, Frizzy Hair

Pros

• Emit ions to help reduce frizz and boost shine
• Heats up in just 85 seconds
• Indicator light to let you know when they’re ready

Cons

• Eight rollers may not be enough for those with long hair

Made from tourmaline ceramic, these 2-inch hot rollers emit ions to help reduce frizz and boost shine, and the large rollers are great for creating volume in medium to long hair. Each set includes eight rollers that are flocked in soft velvet, and eight two-prong clips are included to hold the rollers in place without creating dents in your hair. The set heats up in just 85 seconds, and there’s an indicator light that lets you know when they’re ready to use.

One reviewer wrote: “My hair is medium-long and fine but I have lots of it. These are perfect for giving my hair body and volume and it is SO EASY. Now I can let my hair air dry and then pop these in for a finished look. Much more gentle on my hair than having to blow dry as well.”

Rollers included: Eight, 2-inch rollers | Type: Tourmaline ceramic

6. The Wax Core Ceramic Rollers For Long-Lasting Curls

Pros

• Thermal wax core allows them to retain heat longer
• Ionic conditioning

Cons

• Take a little longer to heat up

Featuring a thermal wax core, these Remington hot rollers retain heat for longer to help create long-lasting curls. The set includes 20 rollers in three different color-coded sizes, and each roller is flocked in velvet with ionic conditioning to help reduce frizz and leave hair shiny. You’ll also get 20 color-coded J-clips to gently hold each roller in place. However, wax core rollers take a little longer to heat up than other options — about 10 minutes, according to reviewers — so you’ll need to give yourself more time when styling. An indicator light will let you know when they’re ready to use.

One reviewer wrote: “I just ordered my third set of these hot rollers b/c I don't ever want to be without them again. I have very fine (like a baby according to my stylist) shoulder length hair that wants to frizz [...] when left on its own. Because it is so fine, I have to be careful not to damage it with heat, but I must do something using heat or it frizzes horribly. [...] I've bought many, many curling irons, flat irons and hot rollers over the years and these are by far the best hot rollers for my fine hair”.

Rollers included: 20 (4 x 0.75 inch, 10 x 1 inch, 6 x 1.25 inch) | Type: Thermal wax core

7. A Travel-Friendly Hot Roller Set

Pros

• Compact design
• Wrapped in a rubber-like material that reduces hair slip
• Quick heat-up time

Cons

• 10 rollers may not be enough for all styles

Compact and lightweight thanks to its soft-sided case, this Remington hot roller set weighs just 1 pound and is compatible with voltages worldwide, though you'll still need an adapter to fit international plugs. The rollers have a ceramic core and ionic conditioning to create smooth, shiny curls. They're also wrapped in a smooth, rubbery material that offers a more substantial grip for fine hair, without the risk of snagging. The set comes with color-coded J-clips to keep the rollers in place and heats up in just 90 seconds.

One reviewer wrote: “Best hot rollers I’ve ever owned. I have a lot of hair & thought no way these 10 rollers would work for all my hair. They don’t fall out when you move your head. Very secure with rolller pins. Don’t dint my hair. Gives full body to my straight fine hair. So small and easy to pack for my cruise or any travelers destination.”

Rollers included: 10 (5 x 1-inch, 5 x 1.25-inch) | Type: Ceramic

8. A Compact Set Of 5 Jumbo Rollers

Pros

• Compact, travel-friendly design
• Indicator light tells you when they’re ready to use
• Dual voltage for international travel

Cons

• Five rollers may not be enough for all styles

If you want a compact hot roller set that’s easy to store at home and pack when you’re traveling, this Conair set is a highly rated option. It includes five jumbo ceramic rollers with soft velvet flocking, and there are five clips to hold the rollers in place. The roller set heats up in just two minutes and an indicator light lets you know when they’re ready. Plus, the set has dual voltage for international travel.

One reviewer wrote: “I have super fine hair and these hold the best out of all the hot rollers and velcro rollers I tried. the clips really hold them into place so you can be active while they are in and wont slip out. They heat up really quick. I unplug them as soon as I am ready to roll so I don't forget later. Gives great volume, like a blow-out with a nice shiny finish.”

Rollers included: Five, 1.5-inch rollers | Type: Ceramic