8 Best Hot Rollers For Short Hair, Cosmetologist-Recommendation (2024)

Make creative hairstyles on short hair with styling tools that offer bounce and volume.

Reviewed by Lindsay Loo, Cosmetologist Lindsay Loo Lindsay LooCosmetologist insta_icon
Written by Oyendrila Kanjilal, MA, Certified Skin Care Coach Oyendrila Kanjilal MA, Certified Skin Care Coach linkedin_icon Experience: 2 years
Edited by Shiboli Chakraborti, MA (English Literature), Certified Skin Care Coach Shiboli Chakraborti MA (English Literature), Certified Skin Care Coach linkedin_icon Experience: 4 years
Fact-checked by Anjali Sayee, BTech Anjali Sayee BTech linkedin_icon Experience: 7 years
Last Updated on
All products recommended on StyleCraze are independently selected by our editorial team. If you make a purchase through any of these links, we may receive a commission. Learn more about our product selection process.

It is simply not true that women with short hair can’t use hot rollers and our list of the best hot rollers for short hair is here to shatter the misconception. It is easy to believe when you see only willowy models backstage or grannies with long silver hair put on the rollers, but trust us, your short hair can be rolled and curled just how you like them. In fact, curling short hair with rollers is one of the easiest ways to bring variety into your hairstyles. So, without further ado, take a look at our list of the 8 best hot rollers designed for short hair like yours!

Top PicksCheck Price
Best Heat-Resistant Product:Conair Compact Multi-Size Hot Rollers
Price on Amazon
Best Crease Prevention:Remington H9100S Pro Hair Setter Electric Hot Rollers
Price on Amazon
Best Anti-Frizz Option:InfinitiPro By Conair Instant Heat Ceramic Flocked Rollers
Price on Amazon
Best For Volumizing:BabylissPRO Nano Titanium Professional Ionic 30-Roller Hair Setter
Price on Amazon
Best User-Friendly Product:T3 Volumizing Hot Rollers Luxe
Price on Amazon
Best Dual-Voltage Facility:Caruso C97953 30 Molecular Steam Hair Setter
Price on Amazon
Best For Travelling:Calista Ion Hot Rollers Short Style Set
Price on Amazon
Best Compact:Kitsch Ceramic Thermal Hair Rollers
Price on Amazon

8 Best Hot Roller For Short Hair

1. Best Heat-Resistant Product:Conair Compact Multi-Size Hot Rollers

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4.1
Conair Compact Multi-Size Hot Rollers Image: Conair

Conair Compact Multi-Size Hot Rollers are perfect for any hair type and length. It is one of the best hair roller sets to get bouncy and voluminous curls. These multi-size rollers are especially great for short hair. If you want to create tangle-free salon-quality curls on your short hair, these rollers will surely serve your purpose. You can use the small rollers for tight curls, medium rollers for medium curls, and long rollers for loose curls. Watch this video detailing a tester’s experience of using this product to get a better idea about its features.

Material: Stainless Steel | Number of Items: 1 | Hair Type: Curly | Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 4 x 7.3 inches | Weight: 1.1 Pounds

Pros

  • Multiple sizes of rollers
  • Comes with a detailed instruction manual
  • Heat-resistant roller ends
  • Extended cord

Cons

  • No auto shut-off feature
  • Plastic setter may melt if it gets over-heated

protip_icon Pro Tip
Avoid using heated rollers on wet hair as they are more prone to breakage. Instead, use heated rollers on dry or mostly dry hair.

worth-buy-icon

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

A whopping 3,736 reviews on Amazon make it obvious that users genuinely love this product.

2. Best Crease Prevention:Remington H9100S Pro Hair Setter Electric Hot Rollers

Remington H9100S Pro Hair Setter Electric Hot Rollers

Remington H9100S Pro Hair Setter Electric Hot Rollers runs on Advanced Thermal Technology. It helps set your short hair in perfect curls in just a few minutes. Remington H9100S Heat Setter has a dual heating system that heats the rollers both on the inside and the outside. The advanced technology used in the hot rollers offer you perfect coiled curls on your short hair. This video of the reviewer’s experience with the product will give you a better insight into its usage.

Hair Type: Curly | Material: Ceramic | Number of Items: 1 | Product Dimensions: 5.75 x 10.88 x 7.25 inches | Weight: 3.4 Pounds

Pros

  • Comes with a detailed instruction manual
  • 4-year limited warranty.
  • Provides great hold for short hair
  • Prevents creases
  • Fast-heating
  • Bright LED light indicates once the rollers have heated up

Cons

  • Do not glide smoothly out of your hair
  • Takes some time to set the curls

protip_icon Pro Tip
Avoid curling the bottom strands first; instead, start working your way from the top to the sides of your head. Curling the bottom last helps minimize damage to the ends and create a more natural-looking effect.

3. Best Anti-Frizz Option:InfinitiPro By Conair Instant Heat Ceramic Flocked Rollers

InfinitiPro By Conair Instant Heat Ceramic Flocked Rollers

InfinitiPro By Conair Instant Heat Ceramic Flocked Rollers create wonderfully dynamic and dimensional curls with their ceramic technology. The rollers distribute heat evenly to reduce frizz and give your hair the perfect curls of different sizes, varying from tiny and tight curls to big and bouncy culrs, depending on which roller you use as the pack contains small, large, medium, and jumbo-sized rollers. These rollers are also infused with an argan oil treatment that provides nourishment to your hair. It sets your hair in a beautifully smooth way and gives you shiny and voluminous curls. The heat-protective outer layer makes these the safest hot rollers as they don’t burn your fingers. Watch this video of a tester’s experience of using the product for a thorough understanding.

Material: Ceramic | Hair Type: Curly | Product Dimensions‏: ‎6.25 x 12.5 x 6.5 inches | Weight: 3.75 Pounds

Pros

  • Emit natural ions that reduce frizz
  • Heat up quickly
  • Unique clip design
  • Smoothens the hair
  • Provides instant volume

Cons

  • No space to store the clips in the case

Our Tester's Experience

"These hot rollers heat up quickly and come in different curl sizes for both long and short hair. However, the design has a few quirks. I find it challenging to place the rollers back into the unit. Also, dealing with the clips is a bit tricky, so I roll under and use alternative clips. If you have fine hair, this product may be a winner with a little practice. I think it's a decent set, especially for beginners."


protip_icon Quick Tip
If you have oily hair, you can mist your hair with a texturizing spray after taking out the hot rollers for an edgy, cool finish. If you have dry hair, use nourishing hair oil to smooth out the ends.

Conair Compact Multi-Size Hot Rollers
Best Heat-Resistant Product
Remington H9100S Pro Hair Setter Electric Hot Rollers
Best Crease Prevention
InfinitiPro By Conair Instant Heat Ceramic Flocked Rollers
Best Anti-Frizz Option
Material Stainless Steel Ceramic Ceramic
Number of Items 1 1-
Hair Type Curly Curly Curly
Dimensions 7.3 x 4 x 7.3 inches 5.75 x 10.88 x 7.25 inches-
Weight 1.1 Pounds 3.4 Pounds 3.75 Pounds
Dimensions‏-- ‎6.25 x 12.5 x 6.5 inches
Rating
Reviews3,7364,1852,111
Price$22.99$24.94$44.99
Buy NowBuy NowBuy Now

4. Best For Volumizing:BabylissPRO Nano Titanium Professional Ionic 30-Roller Hair Setter

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4.2
BabylissPRO Nano Titanium Professional Ionic 30-Roller Hair Setter Image: Babylisspro

The BabylissPRO Nano Titanium Professional Ionic 30-Roller HairSetter has ceramic rollers with nano titanium technology to offer high and even temperature for faster and damage-free styling. The product contains 4 different sized rollers – 6 small, 8 medium, 8 large, and 8 jumbo along with 12 crease-free clips. Jumbo rollers help to make your hair appear voluminous. Large rollers make your hair create beachy waves and smooth. Medium rollers turn your hair curly, and small rollers curl your hair without adding volume to the hair. They are one of the best rollers for short hair to get their desired style in a jiffy.

Material: Titanium | Hair Type: All | Product Dimensions: 6.25 x 9 x 15.8 inches | Weight: 7 Pounds

Pros

  • Multiple sizes of rollers
  • Quick heat-up
  • 2 temperature settings
  • Smoothens the hair

Cons

  • Narrow cool touch ends

Our Tester's Experience

"These rollers give me fuller and bouncier curls. They heat up quickly and hold my hair in place. They help create soft waves and tame frizz. I use them because they are travel-friendly and storage-savvy."


worth-buy-icon

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

Almost 6,018 happy users have mentioned the value and quality of this product.

5. Best User-Friendly Product:T3 Volumizing Hot Rollers Luxe

The T3 Volumizing Hot Rollers Luxe is designed with Heatcore Technology to offer quick heating and consistent heat transfer. The dual temperature settings provide the convenience of long-lasting style and hair volume for shoulder length and longer hair. Moreover, the rollers come with a velvet flocking surface to make your hair shiny. The kit also includes 8 crease-free clips to hold the rollers firmly. Additionally, the device comes with a 60-minute auto shut-off feature.

Material: Aluminum | Number of Items: 8 | Hair Type: All | Product Dimensions: 8.38 x 4.1 x 3.5 inches | Weight: 2.07 Pounds

Pros

  • Insulated rim
  • Easy to use
  • Long-lasting volume
  • Makes hair shiny
  • Suitable for all hair types

Cons

  • None

6. Best Dual-Voltage Facility:Caruso C97953 30 Molecular Steam Hair Setter

Caruso C97953 30 Molecular Steam Hair Setter

Looking for maximum styling versatility for your short hair? Get your hands on the Caruso C97953 30 Molecular Steam Hair Setter. This pack of 30 rollers consists of 6 petite, 6 small, 6 large, and six jumbo hair rollers. These foam hair rollers are best suited for creating long-lasting curls. The rollers fit all hair lengths, ranging from long to shoulder-length to short. They come in a storage bag for easy organization and transportation. Reviewers on Amazon have highly recommend these foam rollers for consistent use.

Material: Foam | Number of Items: 1 | Hair Type: All | Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 5.75 x 6.25 inches | Weight: 1 Pounds

Pros

  • Contains rollers of all sizes
  • Dual-voltage facility
  • Come with a storage bag
  • Create bouncy curls.

Cons

  • Curls take longer than usual to dry
  • Clips don’t stay in place

7. Best For Travelling:Calista Ion Hot Rollers Short Style Set

The Calista Ion Hot Rollers Short Style Set designed with PTC heater ensures safe and gentle heat transfer. It works on ionic technology to offer damage-free curling, frizz-free and smooth hair. The kit includes 3 different barrel sizes– short set, long set, and body waver set. You can use all the 3 sets on short and long hair. It also includes butterfly clips to hold the rollers in a place. This set will give you soft waves, tight ringlets, or gorgeous curls, along with providing volume for an envious mane.

Material: Plastic | Hair Type: Curly | Package Dimensions : ‎ 10.63 x 6.73 x 6.61 inches | Weight: 2.93 Pounds

Pros

  • Suitable for all hair types
  • Light indicator
  • Travel case
  • Dual temperature setting

Cons

  • No dual voltage settings

Our Tester's Experience

"These rollers heat up quickly to give smooth and frizz-free curls. They work wonders for vintage styles with the clips holding everything in place quite well. However, the set could benefit from more rollers, especially for those with thicker hair."


8. Best Compact:Kitsch Ceramic Thermal Hair Rollers

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4

The Kitsch Ceramic Thermal Hair Rollers feature ceramic-coated barrels to give you voluminous and long-lasting curls with zero heat damage. These are high-quality rollers made of self-gripping material that provides a strong grip and prevents snagging. This set of 8 rollers comes in three sizes, which can be used on all hair lengths to quickly style your hair into various hairstyles. The rollers are packed in a compact bag, which makes them easy to store in any space!

Hair Type: All |Material: Ceramic | Number of Items: 8 | Product Dimensions: 9.13 x 6.02 x 2.56 inches | Weight: 3.53 Ounces.

Pros

  • Long-lasting results
  • Evenly distributes heat
  • Adds lift at the roots
  • Easy storage
  • Portable

Cons

  • Can turn hair slightly frizzy
*The prices provided in this article are based on the latest available information. However, they may vary due to changes in pricing by the seller and/or promotional offers.

Now that you know which hot rollers are great for styling short hair, let’s check out some things that you need to consider before buying a set.

Buying Guide For Hot Rollers

  • Roller Size: Hair rollers can be of different sizes – large, medium, and small. You need to pick the right size for the curls that you want. Large rollers create loose waves, medium rollers create loose-ended curls, and the smaller ones give you tight, bouncy curls.
  • Quantity: The quantity of hair rollers depends on the length of your hair. If you have short hair, just 8 hot rollers will do. On the other hand, if you have long hair, you need a minimum of 12 rollers.
  • Material: Before buying rollers, you need to keep in mind their material and how your skin reacts to it. The standard rollers are usually made of plastic. Flocking and Velcro rollers offer a more natural grip if you have short hair. Hot rollers coated with ceramic and/or tourmaline make your hair shiny. You can watch video reviews to check what kind of material to look for your hair type.
  • Heat Technology: The hot hair rollers heat up using the following three technologies:
  • Conduction rollers take around 5-10 minutes to get heated up.
  • Steam technology is the second heating method, where it takes 10 seconds to heat the foam surface of the rollers.
  • Induction technology takes just 8 seconds to heat the rollers.
  • Types Of Hair Rollers: There are also many different types of hair rollers that you can choose from:
  • Hot Hair Rollers: Hot hair rollers are used to achieve different hairstyles. They easily adjust to all hair lengths and are easy to clip on. However, you need to give them ample time to cool down before removing them.
  • Velcro Hair Rollers: These rollers work best for people who have wavy hair.
  • Flexi Rods: As the name suggests, these are long, thin, and flexible rods that help you create spiral curls.
  • Foam Rollers: Foam rollers are safe options as they do not transmit the heat to your hair. These rollers work best on pat-dried hair.
  • Brush Rollers: These rollers help you brush out and give your hair a bouncy look when you blow dry it.

Infographic: Tips To Use A Hot Roller On Short Hair For Achieving Perfect Curls

Using a hot roller on shorter hair calls for a lot of practice and precision, especially if you want to master the art of curling your hair. However, knowing how to use the hot roller correctly can make this task quite easy even if you are a beginner. Check out the infographic below to learn a few tips and tricks on using a hot roller correctly on short hair to get that salon-like curls.

Tips To Use A Hot Roller On Short Hair For Achieving Perfect Curls (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

The Bottom Line

Short hair is equally fun to style as long hair. It is just a common hairstyling myth that women with short hair cannot use hot rollers. Short hair too, can be rolled and curled to make different quirky hairstyles; even expert hairstylists agree to this. Good quality hot rollers, coated with tourmaline or ceramic, make your hair glossy and shiny. While you’re looking to buy, The Conair Compact Multi-Size Hot Rollers are perfect for quick and easy styling. And the BabylissPRO Nano Titanium Professional Ionic 30-Roller Hair Setter will give you smooth, bouncy curls. Also, this T3 Volumizing Hot Rollers Luxe ensures voluminous curls. Opt for the one that suits your styling needs for beautiful hair transformations. These are available in different types, sizes, and prices. These hot rollers heat up quickly and are long-lasting. Quick tip, always use a heat protectant before using the rollers to maintain healthy hair.

Lindsay Loo

, hair color expert and cosmetologist, suggests, “Make sure your hair is completely cooled down before removing the rollers. If you remove them too soon while the hair is still hot/warm, this can make the style not last along with unexpected results.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you use hot rollers on short hair?

Using hot rollers on short hair is not that difficult. You need to keep in mind the following things:

  • Make sure you know the kind of rollers you are using for your hair.
  • Short hair also needs the right amount of protection before using heated rollers. Your hair should be clean, and you must use a heat protection spray before using the rollers.
  • Divide your hair into even sections to get the right curls.
  • Do not overheat the rollers before using them.
  • Give your hair ample time to cool down before removing the rollers.
  • Use an anti-frizz serum as a finishing touch.

Do hot rollers work for short hair?

Yes, you can curl short hair using hot rollers.

Are hot rollers better for your short hair than curling iron?

Hot rollers do not damage your hair as much as using curling irons do and hence are better.

Do you use rollers on wet or dry hair?

For the best results, use rollers on damp hair. It helps form better curls that last longer.

How many hot rollers do I need?

Depending on your hair thickness, you may need 4-5 hot rollers.

How long do hot roller curls last on short hair?

Hot roller curls last for 8-10 hours on short hair if done properly.

Can you leave hot rollers on overnight?

No, leaving hot rollers on for a long time will definitely damage the hair.

Why do my hot roller curls fall out?

Not prepping the hair with the right products may make your hot roller curls fall out.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

Oyendrila Kanjilal is a hair care enthusiast and likes trying out various hair and styling products for her readers. She has prepared a list of the best hot rollers for those seeking to add twists and curls to their hairstyle. Before curating the list, she has researched the products and checked many user reviews and feedback. The rollers included in the list are shortlisted considering factors like size options, types for convenience, and budget.


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Lindsay Loo
Lindsay LooCosmetologist
Lindsay Loo is a cosmetologist who has spent 10 years behind the chair in a storied salon in Chelsea. She is a certified Wella Master Color Expert and also has experience backstage at New York Fashion Week. She has a private studio and loves to make her clients feel amazing and welcomed.

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Oyendrila Kanjilal
Oyendrila KanjilalCommerce Writer
Oyendrila holds a master's degree in English Literature from the University Of Calcutta, West Bengal, and is a certified skin care coach. As a beauty and lifestyle writer with two years of experience, she writes about everything that the modern woman needs to know about grooming and self-care.

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Shiboli Chakraborti
Shiboli ChakrabortiCommerce Editor
Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.

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Anjali Sayee
Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor
Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

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