Beauty & Grooming · Head-to-head
T3 SinglePass Curl X 1-Inch Curling Iron vs Hot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold Extended Barrel Curling Iron (1.25-Inch)
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Curling Irons: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The T3 SinglePass Curl X is the best blend of curl quality, heat intelligence, and hair health for most people who curl regularly. The Hot Tools 24K Gold extended barrel delivers most of that performance for far less money, especially on thick or coarse hair.
T3 SinglePass Curl X 1-Inch Curling Iron
Buy itA precise, gentle-heating ceramic iron that produces polished, long-lasting curls with a single pass - the best all-around tong you can buy.
- Nine heat settings across a wide range, so fine, color-treated, and coarse hair all get an appropriate temperature
- Even ceramic heat means curls set in one pass with less cumulative damage, per independent testing
- Long barrel handles thick and longer hair without awkward sectioning
- Comfortable clip tension and auto-off safety
- Premium price for a single-barrel tool
- T3 does not publish the temperature range behind its nine settings
Hot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold Extended Barrel Curling Iron (1.25-Inch)
Buy itThe stylist-kit classic: a gold extended barrel that gets seriously hot, holds its temperature, and costs a fraction of the premium tools.
- 24K gold extended barrel maintains consistent heat, with variable settings up to 450°F for coarse and resistant hair
- Extra barrel length makes long, layered hair much easier to wrap
- A decades-long salon favorite with a strong reliability track record in owner reports
- Costs far less than premium and flagship rivals
- Top temperatures can be punishing if misused on fine hair
- Barrel exterior and clip get very hot - technique and a heat glove matter
Side by side
The 7 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| T3 SinglePass Curl X 1-Inch Curling Iron Our pick | Hot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold Extended Barrel Curling Iron (1.25-Inch) | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Anyone who curls regularly and wants salon-quality, repeatable results with the least heat damage - especially fine or color-treated hair. | Budget-conscious buyers, thick or coarse hair, and anyone who wants the same style of iron working stylists actually keep in their kits. |
| Price tier | $$$ · premium | $$ · mid-range |
| Styler type | Classic clip curling iron | Classic clip curling iron (extended barrel) |
| Barrel size | 1-inch long barrel | 1.25-inch extended barrel |
| Heat control | Nine heat settings on a twist dial | Variable heat up to 450°F |
| Curl style and hold | Defined, polished curls with strong hold | Loose glam waves and curls with strong hold |
| Best hair type | Fine to medium, color-treated | Thick, coarse, long, resistant |
| Ease of use | Easy - classic technique, forgiving heat | Moderate - hot surfaces demand technique |
| Extra versatility | Curling only | Curling only |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the T3 SinglePass Curl X 1-Inch Curling Iron if
anyone who curls regularly and wants salon-quality, repeatable results with the least heat damage - especially fine or color-treated hair.
Know before buying: premium price for a single-barrel tool.
Pick the Hot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold Extended Barrel Curling Iron (1.25-Inch) if
budget-conscious buyers, thick or coarse hair, and anyone who wants the same style of iron working stylists actually keep in their kits.
Know before buying: top temperatures can be punishing if misused on fine hair.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the T3 SinglePass Curl X 1-Inch Curling Iron - A precise, gentle-heating ceramic iron that produces polished, long-lasting curls with a single pass - the best all-around tong you can buy. Choose the Hot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold Extended Barrel Curling Iron (1.25-Inch) instead if budget-conscious buyers, thick or coarse hair, and anyone who wants the same style of iron working stylists actually keep in their kits.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Curling Irons: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).