5-in-1 Curling Wand: Which Barrel to Use for Every Look

The Bombay Hair 5-in-1 Curling Wand comes with one handle and five interchangeable tourmaline infused ceramic barrels. Each barrel makes a different curl pattern: the 19mm makes tight ringlets, the 25mm makes classic curls and Hollywood waves, the 32mm wand makes loose beachy waves and added volume, the 32mm clamp barrel produces structured Hollywood curls with a built-in clamp grip, and the 40mm Thermal Brush barrel creates bouncy blowout looks, faster and easier. This guide walks through which barrel to reach for, what each one actually does on your hair, and how to use it without leaving a crease.

If you have ever bought three or four different curling wands trying to land on the right curl, the 5-in-1 is built so you do not have to. You pick the barrel that matches the look you want for the day, click it onto the handle, and style.

Quick reference: barrel to curl pattern

Why a 5-in-1 system makes sense

A 5-in-1 curling wand gives you five barrel sizes inside one tool, so the look you want drives the barrel choice. Four of the barrels are tourmaline infused ceramic, which distribute heat evenly, help curls hold longer, and reduce frizz. The fifth barrel, the 40mm Thermal Brush, is 100% titanium with nylon bristles for smooth, shiny blowout results. The handle is black with an LED display, adjustable from 250°F to 450°F (120°C to 230°C), a 360-degree swivel cord, and dual voltage (110-240V) for travel. The handle is also detachable and compatible with other Bombay Hair styling tool barrels.

The 5-in-1 has 1,660+ reviews on the Bombay Hair store and is one of the brand's flagship tools. With one handle and five barrels, you get the versatility of multiple wands at a single price point, and a single tool footprint on your counter.

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The 19mm barrel: tight ringlets and defined curls

The 19mm is the smallest wand barrel in the set. Use this one when you want defined, springy curls. Think 90s ringlet refresh, festival curls, or retro pin-curl looks.

It works best on shorter hair, hair with layers, or anyone who wants curls that read as curls (not waves). Wrap 1-inch sections around the barrel, hold for 6–10 seconds depending on your hair's hold, and release into your hand to let the curl set before it drops.

Pair with a wide-tooth comb after the curls cool if you want to soften them into looser spirals.

The 25mm barrel: the everyday classic

The 25mm is the curl most people are picturing when they say "I want curls." It produces a defined wave with body, somewhere between a true ringlet and a soft wave. Hollywood curls, polished evening hair, and structured curls for events all come from this barrel.

Use 1.5- to 2-inch sections, wrap away from your face on the front pieces (this opens up the face), and alternate direction in the back so the curls do not all stack the same way. Hold for 6–8 seconds.

If you have one barrel you reach for most often, it is probably this one.

The 32mm barrel: beachy waves and volume

The 32mm is the largest standard barrel and the one to choose when you want soft, loose waves and big curls. It is the everyday workhorse for long hair, the wedding-guest wave, and the wave that says "I just woke up like this" but actually took five minutes.

Wrap larger sections (2 to 2.5 inches) around the barrel, hold for 5–7 seconds, and let the wave fall straight down rather than catching it in your hand. The result is a wave that drops into a soft S-shape rather than a defined curl.

This is also the barrel to choose if you have hair extensions in and want the wave to match the natural movement of your top layer.

The 32mm clamp barrel: structured Hollywood curls

The 32mm clamp barrel is the same diameter as the 32mm wand, but it adds a spring clamp that grips the section while it heats. That clamp is what gives you the classic, structured Hollywood curl, the kind you see in old-Hollywood photos and on red carpets, with a defined start, a defined finish, and bounce through the middle.

Use this barrel when you want curls that read more "done" than the wand barrels produce. New Year's Eve hair, formal events, and high-shine bouncy curls all start here. Wrap 1.5- to 2-inch sections, close the clamp, hold for 6-8 seconds, and release. Drop the curl into your hand to set.

The clamp also makes this the most beginner-friendly barrel of the five, because the clamp holds the section in place while you wrap.

The 40mm Thermal Brush: bouncy blowout looks

The 40mm Thermal Brush is the newest addition to the 5-in-1 set and the only barrel built specifically for blowout-style results. Unlike the wand barrels, this one has nylon bristles that smoothen and detangle hair while styling, so you get the look of a salon blowout faster and with less effort.
 
The 100% titanium barrel delivers shiny, frizz-free results that last. Use this barrel when you want full, bouncy volume with a polished, blowout-style finish. It works best for medium to long hair. Glide it through sections from root to mid-shaft, letting the heat and bristles smooth as you go. The result is a voluminous, frizz-free finish with movement and shine.

What is in the box

The Bombay Hair 5-in-1 Curling Wand set includes:

• 1 x curling wand handle
• 1 x 32mm (1.25") wand barrel
• 1 x 32mm (1.25") clamp iron barrel
• 1 x 25mm (1") wand barrel
• 1 x 19mm (0.75") wand barrel
• 1 x 40mm (1.57") Thermal Brush barrel
• 1 x heat-resistant glove
• 1 x curling wand rest
• 2 x claw clips

The barrels swap onto the handle in seconds. The handle stays cool while the barrels heat up, and the adjustable sleep mode is built into the handle, so it applies across all five barrels.

How to curl with the 5-in-1 (without leaving a crease)

The technique is the same across all five barrels. Only the barrel size changes.

1. Prep with heat protectant. Always. Tourmaline infused ceramic distributes heat evenly, which helps, but extension hair and natural hair both need a barrier between the barrel and the strand.
2. Section the hair. Divide into a top half and bottom half. Clip the top up. Work in 1- to 2-inch sections from underneath first.
3. Choose the right barrel. Match to the look you want from the table above.
4. Wrap, do not clip. A clipless wand depends on the wrap. Hold the section straight out from your head, wrap away from your face (front pieces) and alternate direction in the back.
5. Hold for 5–10 seconds. Less time for fine hair, more for coarse or extension hair. Pull the wand straight down to release.
6. Drop the curl into your hand and cool. Letting the curl cool in a loop "sets" the shape. Skipping this step is the #1 reason curls drop.
7. Brush or finger-comb at the end. A wide-tooth comb softens curls into waves. Fingers preserve the curl shape. A finishing spray locks it in.

If you are styling hair extensions, curl the extensions first (off your head, on a styling mat) and your natural hair second. That way the curl pattern on the extensions matches the curl you set on your own hair, and the result reads as one continuous head of hair.

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Pairing the wand with hair extensions

The 5-in-1 is heavily used by Bombay Hair extension wearers because the brand's extensions are 100% cuticle Remy human hair, thick from root to tip, and fully heat-styleable. The 25mm and 32mm barrels are the two most-used for blending extensions because the wave size matches how natural mid-shaft hair tends to fall.

The 40mm Thermal Brush is especially useful for longer sets (22"+) where you want smooth, blowout-style volume across the full length, with a polished, frizz-free finish that blends seamlessly with your natural hair.

A few extension-specific notes:

• Use a heat protectant on the wefts before curling.
• Curl on a styling mat or a Hair Extension Holder if you want maximum control of the wrap direction.
• Cool the curl flat on the mat before clipping the weft into your hair. Heat-set curls hold better.

For the broader extension-care context, see Hair Extensions Aftercare and Curly, Straight & Wavy Hair: Best Styling Tools.

Heat settings and safety

The 5-in-1 has an LED display with temperature control from 250°F to 450°F (120°C to 230°C). The 360-degree swivel cord keeps the wire from tangling while you wrap, the handle stays cool to the touch during use, and the included heat-resistant glove protects your wrapping hand.

Use the lowest effective heat for your hair type, with a heat protectant on every use. Coarse, thick, or processed hair tolerates a higher setting. Fine or color-treated hair holds curl at lower settings. Extension hair generally curls well at mid-range settings, so go lower first and step up only if the curl is not setting. The dual-voltage handle (110-240V) makes the tool travel-ready as well.

Caring for the wand and barrels

Wipe each barrel down with a soft, dry cloth after it cools. Product buildup is the main thing that shortens a wand's life. If you use a lot of finishing spray, occasionally clean the barrels with a damp cloth (cooled wand, unplugged) and dry fully before storing.

Store barrels separately in the original box or a heat-safe pouch so the surfaces do not scratch against each other.

Which barrel for which hair length

These are starting points. Once you have the tool, mix barrels in one styling session. A 25mm through the back with a 32mm framing the face is the easiest way to get dimension without re-prepping the tool.

FAQ

Which barrel is best for beach waves?

The 32mm barrel. Wrap larger sections (2 to 2.5 inches), hold for 5–7 seconds, and let the wave drop straight down. For a more relaxed wave, brush through with your fingers once cool.

Which barrel makes Hollywood-style curls?

The 25mm. Wrap 1.5- to 2-inch sections away from the face, hold for 6–8 seconds, and drop into your hand to set. Brush out with a wide-tooth comb when fully cool to soften into a wave.

Can I use the 5-in-1 on hair extensions?

Yes. Bombay Hair extensions are 100% Indian Remy human hair, thick from root to tip, and heat-styleable. Use a heat protectant, curl on a styling mat or a Bombay Hair Doll for control, and let the curls cool flat before clipping the wefts in.

Does the 5-in-1 have a temperature display?

Yes. The 5-in-1 has an LED display with temperature control from 250°F to 450°F (120°C to 230°C). Use the lowest effective heat setting for your hair type, and always pair with a heat protectant.

How long does each barrel take to heat up?

A few minutes is typical for tourmaline infused ceramic barrels of this size. The handle stays cool throughout. Wait until the barrel is fully heated before the first wrap so the first section sets as cleanly as the last.

Is the 5-in-1 worth it compared to buying separate wands?

A separate 19mm, 25mm, and 32mm wand would cost more than the 5-in-1, which lists at $150 USD on bombayhair.com (sale pricing is often lower, so check the live product page). You also would not get the 32mm clamp barrel or the 40mm Thermal Brush in a single-wand setup. For most wearers, the 5-in-1 covers every curl pattern they want without taking up additional counter space.

Can I leave a barrel on the wand all day?

Yes, but swap to the curl you want first. The adjustable sleep mode protects against accidental on-time, but for daily use, unplug after styling and store the barrels separately.

The short version

The Bombay Hair 5-in-1 Curling Wand is one handle and five interchangeable barrels. The 19mm wand makes tight ringlets, the 25mm wand makes classic curls and Hollywood waves, the 32mm wand makes loose beachy waves, the 32mm clamp barrel produces structured Hollywood curls, and the 40mm Thermal Brush creates bouncy blowout looks. Pick the barrel to the look. Pick the barrel to the look. With one tool you cover everything from festival curls to a polished blowout. Bombay has been making styling tools for 13+ years and now serves 500,000+ customers across hair and tools. The 5-in-1 is one of the brand's most-reviewed products for a reason.

Shop the 5-in-1 Curling Wand or browse all Bombay Hair styling tools.