Best Hot Rollers for Short Hair

Annabelle Evans

By Annabelle Evans

| Updated 3 Days Ago

  • Hot rollers are a classic tool for adding volume and curls, particularly useful for people with short hair looking to create quick, long-lasting styles. Unlike curling irons, hot rollers work on multiple sections at once, making the process faster and more efficient. These rollers come in various sizes and materials, with ceramic rollers offering even heat distribution and velvet-covered ones providing better grip. For short hair, smaller rollers are ideal for creating tighter curls and added volume. Key factors when choosing hot rollers include heat settings, roller size, and ease of use. We tested eight sets of hot rollers on different short hair types to find those that heat up quickly, are easy to handle, and produce lasting styles without causing damage.

  • Conair Compact Multi-Size Rollers

    10

    We recommend these rollers for anyone seeking versatile, portable curling options for short hair.

    10

    We recommend these rollers for anyone seeking versatile, portable curling options for short hair.

    Pros

    • Compact case with 20 multi-sized rollers
    • Color-coded clips for easy organization
    • Dual voltage for international travel

    Cons

    • Longer heating time
    • Very hot to handle
    • Limited larger roller options

    We’ve been using these Conair Compact Multi-Size Rollers for a while now, and they’re great for creating different curl styles on short hair. The set comes with 20 rollers in three sizes: 8 small, 6 medium, and 6 large. This variety lets us mix and match to get the look we want.

    The compact case is a big plus. It’s easy to store and perfect for travel. We love that the color-coded clips fit inside the case too. No more lost clips! The dual voltage feature is handy for international trips, though you’ll need a plug adapter.

    One drawback we noticed is the heating time. It takes about 7-8 minutes to get hot, which feels long when we’re in a rush. Once heated, the rollers work well, but they’re very hot to touch. We had to be careful not to burn our fingers. For those with fine hair, the results are bouncy and full. The curls last well too.

  • Remington Compact Hot Rollers

    9.7

    We think these Remington hot rollers are a solid choice for anyone looking to add volume and curls to short hair quickly and easily.

    9.7

    We think these Remington hot rollers are a solid choice for anyone looking to add volume and curls to short hair quickly and easily.

    Pros

    • Heats up fast in 90 seconds
    • Compact size great for travel
    • Two roller sizes for versatility

    Cons

    • Only 10 rollers included
    • Clips can leave marks on hair
    • Smooth rollers may slip out of hair

    We tried out these Remington hot rollers and were pleased with how fast they heated up. In just 90 seconds, they were ready to use. This saved us time getting ready in the morning.

    The compact size of this set makes it perfect for travel. We easily fit it in our suitcase for a weekend trip. It even has worldwide voltage, so we didn’t need to worry about converters.

    With 5 large and 5 medium rollers, we could create different curl sizes. This let us add volume at the roots and tighter curls on the ends. The ionic and ceramic technology helped reduce frizz and add shine to our hair.

    We did notice a few drawbacks. With only 10 rollers, it was tricky to do our whole head at once. The smooth surface of the rollers sometimes made them slip out while setting. And the J-clips, while good at holding, sometimes left marks on our hair.

    Overall, we found these Remington hot rollers worked well for adding quick curls and volume to short hair. They’re especially handy for travel. Just keep in mind the limited number of rollers and potential for clip marks.

  • BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Rollers

    9.5

    We recommend these hot rollers for their versatility and effectiveness on various hair lengths, including short styles.

    9.5

    We recommend these hot rollers for their versatility and effectiveness on various hair lengths, including short styles.

    Pros

    • Quick heating time
    • Variety of roller sizes
    • Gentle on hair

    Cons

    • Pricey
    • Bottom rollers heat slower
    • May be too hot for some users

    We tested the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium rollers and were impressed by their performance. The set heats up fast, which is great for busy mornings. We liked that it comes with 20 rollers in different sizes, making it easy to create various curl styles.

    The flocked surface of the rollers was gentle on our hair. We found this especially useful for short hair, as it helped prevent tangling and breakage. The nano titanium technology seemed to distribute heat evenly, resulting in smooth, shiny curls.

    One thing to note is that the bottom rollers don’t heat as quickly as the top ones. We had to wait a bit longer for them to reach the right temperature. Also, these rollers get very hot, so we suggest using gloves if you have sensitive hands. Despite these minor issues, we think these rollers are a solid choice for anyone looking to add volume and curl to their short hair.

  • Remington Pro Hair Setter

    9.4

    We think this hair setter is a solid choice for those seeking quick, long-lasting curls with minimal effort.

    9.4

    We think this hair setter is a solid choice for those seeking quick, long-lasting curls with minimal effort.

    Pros

    • Fast 90-second heat-up time
    • Dual-sized rollers for versatility
    • Compact vertical design saves space

    Cons

    • Bottom layer rollers can be tricky to remove
    • Some users report difficulty with clip design
    • May not work well for very thick hair

    We tried out the Remington Pro Hair Setter and were impressed by its quick heat-up time. In just 90 seconds, the rollers were hot and ready to use. This feature is great for busy mornings when every minute counts.

    The set comes with 20 rollers in two sizes: 12 large and 8 medium. We found this mix ideal for creating different curl styles. The larger rollers gave us loose, bouncy waves, while the medium ones produced tighter curls.

    One thing we really liked was the vertical design of the base. It takes up less counter space than traditional horizontal setters. This is a big plus for those of us with limited bathroom real estate.

    We did notice that removing rollers from the bottom layer can be a bit tricky. It takes some practice to get them out without disturbing the others. The clips also gave us some trouble at first, but we got the hang of it after a few uses.

    The ceramic coating on the rollers helps distribute heat evenly. Our curls came out smooth and shiny, without the frizz we’ve experienced with other setters. The curls also lasted longer than we expected, even in humid weather.

    While this setter worked well for our fine to medium hair, those with very thick hair might find they need more rollers for a full head of curls. But for most hair types, we think this Remington Pro Hair Setter offers good value and performance.

  • Conair Jumbo Ceramic Rollers

    9.3

    We think these hot rollers are a great choice for anyone looking to add volume and waves to their short hair quickly and easily.

    9.3

    We think these hot rollers are a great choice for anyone looking to add volume and waves to their short hair quickly and easily.

    Pros

    • Heats up fast in 85 seconds
    • Ceramic technology for even heat distribution
    • Includes helpful clips and pins

    Cons

    • May be too large for very short hair
    • Some users report a plastic smell at first
    • Curls might not last long for some hair types

    We tried out these Conair Jumbo Ceramic Rollers and were impressed by how fast they heated up. In just 85 seconds, they were ready to use. This is great when we’re in a rush to get ready.

    The ceramic technology really seemed to make a difference. Our hair felt smooth and looked shiny after using these rollers. We liked that they didn’t seem to damage our hair like some other hot tools we’ve used.

    One thing we noticed is that these rollers might be a bit big for very short hair. They’re 1.5 inches in diameter, which is great for medium to long hair, but could be tricky for pixie cuts or very short bobs.

    We appreciated the included clips and pins. They held the rollers securely in place while we finished getting ready. This made the whole process much easier than some other roller sets we’ve tried.

    At first, we did notice a slight plastic smell when using these rollers. It went away after a few uses, but it’s something to be aware of if you’re sensitive to smells.

    Overall, we found these rollers easy to use and effective for adding volume and waves to our hair. They’re a good option for anyone looking to style their short hair quickly at home.

  • Conair Ceramic Jumbo Rollers

    9.1

    We think these Conair hot rollers are a solid choice for creating voluminous curls on short hair, though they have some drawbacks.

    9.1

    We think these Conair hot rollers are a solid choice for creating voluminous curls on short hair, though they have some drawbacks.

    Pros

    • Heats up quickly in 85 seconds
    • Two roller sizes for versatile styling
    • Ceramic technology for even heat distribution

    Cons

    • Clips don’t hold rollers securely
    • Only 12 rollers included
    • May be too large for very short hair

    We tried out these Conair ceramic hot rollers on our short hair. The set comes with 12 rollers in two sizes – 1.5 inch and 1.75 inch. This gave us options for creating different curl sizes.

    The rollers heated up fast, in about 85 seconds. We liked the ceramic technology, which seemed to distribute heat evenly. This helped our curls last longer than with some other rollers we’ve used.

    While the rollers worked well, we struggled with the clips. They didn’t hold the rollers securely in our hair. We had to be careful not to move around too much or the rollers would slip out. For very short hair, even the smaller 1.5 inch rollers may be too big to wrap hair around fully.

    We found 12 rollers weren’t quite enough to do our whole head. With short hair, you might be able to make it work. But if your hair is shoulder-length or longer, you’d likely need to buy a second set.

  • T3 Volumizing Hot Rollers LUXE

    9

    We think these rollers are a solid choice for adding volume to short hair, but they’re not perfect for everyone.

    9

    We think these rollers are a solid choice for adding volume to short hair, but they’re not perfect for everyone.

    Pros

    • Easy to use and store
    • Heats up quickly
    • Adds nice volume and shine

    Cons

    • Expensive compared to other options
    • May be too large for very short hair
    • Some users report curls don’t last long

    We tried out the T3 Volumizing Hot Rollers LUXE set and found them to be a mixed bag. The set comes with 8 rollers in two sizes: 4 XL (1.75″) and 4 Large (1.5″). They heat up fast and are simple to use, which is great for busy mornings.

    When we put them in our hair, we noticed they added nice volume and shine. The clips held the rollers securely in place. We liked how the set was compact and easy to store when not in use.

    But we had some issues too. The rollers might be too big if your hair is really short. We also saw that some people with fine hair said their curls fell out quickly. The price is pretty high compared to other hot roller sets we’ve tried.

  • Conair Hot Sticks

    8.7

    We think these silicone rollers are a solid choice for creating curls in short hair quickly and easily.

    8.7

    We think these silicone rollers are a solid choice for creating curls in short hair quickly and easily.

    Pros

    • Heats up fast in 85 seconds
    • No clips needed to secure rollers
    • Two roller sizes for versatile styling

    Cons

    • Can be hot to handle
    • Takes practice to use effectively
    • Limited number of rollers included

    We tried out the Conair Hot Sticks and found them to be a handy tool for curling short hair. The silicone rollers heat up in just 85 seconds, which is great when we’re in a rush. We like that there’s no need for clips – the flexible design lets us twist and lock the rollers in place.

    The set comes with 14 rollers in two sizes. This gave us options to create different curl styles, from tight ringlets to looser waves. We noticed the tourmaline ceramic coating helped reduce frizz and added some shine to our hair.

    Using these rollers takes a bit of practice. At first, we burned our fingers a few times. But once we got the hang of it, styling became quicker and easier. For best results, we left them in for about 20 minutes. The curls lasted pretty well, though fine hair might need some extra hold spray. While 14 rollers were enough for our short hair, those with thicker or longer styles might want more.

  • Conair InfinitiPRO Ceramic Rollers

    8.7

    We think these hot rollers are a solid choice for creating voluminous curls and waves on short hair.

    8.7

    We think these hot rollers are a solid choice for creating voluminous curls and waves on short hair.

    Pros

    • Quick 85-second heat-up time
    • Variety of roller sizes for different styles
    • Ceramic flocking for even heat distribution

    Cons

    • Clips may not hold well for some users
    • Heat level could be higher
    • Limited number of heated clips

    We’ve tried many hot rollers, and these Conair InfinitiPRO rollers stand out for their quick heating time. In just 85 seconds, they’re ready to use. This is great when we’re in a rush to style our hair.

    The set comes with 20 rollers in three sizes. We like this variety because it lets us create different curl types. The largest rollers work well for loose waves, while the smaller ones give tighter curls. For short hair, we found the medium and small rollers most useful.

    These rollers have a ceramic flocked coating. In our tests, this helped spread heat evenly through our hair. It also seemed to reduce damage compared to other hot rollers we’ve used. The velvety texture gripped our hair well, making it easier to roll.

    We did notice a few drawbacks. The clips don’t always hold hair securely, especially for those with very fine or slippery hair. Also, while the rollers heat up fast, they don’t get as hot as some other brands we’ve tried. This means curls might not last as long on some hair types.

    One thing to keep in mind is that only 12 clips can be heated at once. If you have thick hair and need to use all 20 rollers, you’ll have to wait for more clips to heat up. This can slow down the styling process a bit.

  • Caruso Steam Roller Set

    8.6

    We think these steam rollers are a great choice for anyone looking to add volume and curls to short hair without causing damage.

    8.6

    We think these steam rollers are a great choice for anyone looking to add volume and curls to short hair without causing damage.

    Pros

    • Gentle steam heat reduces hair damage
    • Comes with 30 rollers in 5 sizes
    • Dual voltage for travel use

    Cons

    • Takes practice to use effectively
    • Curls may not hold as long as traditional hot rollers
    • Can be time-consuming to set all the rollers

    We tried out the Caruso Steam Roller Set and were impressed by how gentle it was on our hair. The steam heat felt much less harsh than traditional hot rollers, which is great for those of us with delicate or damaged locks.

    The set comes with 30 rollers in 5 different sizes, giving us lots of options for creating different types of curls. We liked using the smaller rollers near our face for tighter curls and the larger ones on top for more volume. The foam rollers are soft and comfy to sleep in if you want to set your hair overnight.

    One thing to note is that these rollers take some getting used to. Our first few attempts were a bit messy, but after some practice, we got the hang of it. The curls didn’t last quite as long as those from traditional hot rollers, but they looked more natural and felt healthier. We found that using a light hairspray helped the curls stay put longer.

Buying Guide

When shopping for hot rollers for short hair, we recommend considering a few key factors:

Size Matters

Look for smaller roller sizes between 3/4 inch and 1 inch in diameter. These work best for shorter styles and create tighter curls.

Material

Ceramic or tourmaline rollers distribute heat evenly and reduce frizz. Foam rollers are gentler but may not hold curls as long.

Heat Settings

Multiple heat settings let you customize the temperature for your hair type and desired style. Lower heat is safer for fine or damaged hair.

Clip Type

Secure clips or pins keep rollers in place. We prefer butterfly clips for their ease of use and strong hold.

Heating Time

Fast heat-up times of 2-5 minutes make styling quicker and more convenient.

Quantity

Sets with 10-20 rollers usually suffice for short hair. Having extras allows for touch-ups or fuller styles.

Portability

A compact carrying case makes travel and storage easier. Look for one with a heat-resistant lining.

Here’s a quick reference table for key features:

FeatureRecommendation
Roller Size3/4″ – 1″
MaterialCeramic or tourmaline
Heat SettingsMultiple options
Clip TypeButterfly clips
Quantity10-20 rollers

By keeping these factors in mind, we can choose hot rollers that work well for short hair and meet our styling needs.