It's no secret that you don't have to spend a fortune these days to get a great hair styler. However, when a tool costs noticeably more than the competition, you want to know you're paying for features that actually make a difference.
That's exactly what I set out to find with the T3 SinglePass Curl X 32mm. With a premium price tag and plenty of good reviews to back it up, I couldn't wait to put it to the test. Plus, it shares a name with us here at T3, so it was always going to make its way into my review pile.
Price and availability
The T3 SinglePass Curl X starts at £159.99 for the 25mm model, whilst the 32mm version I'm testing costs £179.99. Both are available from the T3 online store and Amazon.
The 25mm model is available exclusively in white, whilst the 32mm comes in either white or a baby pink finish. I'm a big fan of the colour options, and it's nice to see a styling tool that's a little more interesting than the usual black.
Design and features
The T3 SinglePass Curl X 32mm is clearly designed with long and thick hair in mind. Its standout feature is the extra-long 6.5-inch CeraGloss ceramic barrel, which lets you wrap larger sections of hair at once, helping speed up your styling routine. The 32mm barrel is also perfect if you're after loose curls or beachy waves rather than tighter ringlets.
Compared to the previous model, the Curl X introduces T3's new ProGlide clip, which holds hair securely without catching.
Inside, Digital T3 SinglePass Technology continuously monitors and adjusts the temperature to keep the heat consistent across the barrel. This helps eliminate hot spots, reduces the need to go over the same section twice and leaves hair looking shinier thanks to the ceramic coating.
The 32mm model also offers nine heat settings – compared to just five on the 25mm version – making it easier to tailor the temperature to your hair type.
Other thoughtful features include the SmartTwist temperature dial, a ventilated cool tip for safer styling, automatic one-hour shut-off, worldwide voltage for travel and a generous 360-degree swivel cord.
Performance
The first thing I noticed when using the T3 SinglePass Curl X 32mm was just how much quicker it made the whole process. Thanks to the extra-long barrel, I could wrap much bigger sections of hair than I normally would, meaning I spent less time curling and more time enjoying the results.
The finished curls were also exactly the kind of look I tend to go for, and the 32mm barrel produced soft waves with plenty of movement. They also lasted surprisingly well, holding their shape for most of the day before naturally relaxing into loose waves by the evening.
The only feature that wasn't immediately intuitive was the new ProGlide clip. It's a little different from the traditional curling tongs I'm used to, so I had to get to grips with it during my first session. However, once I'd worked out the best technique, I had no complaints. It gripped each section firmly without leaving creases, and after a couple of uses it felt completely natural.
With nine heat settings, there's far more flexibility than many curling tongs offer, so it's easy to match the heat to your hair type. I'm also a big fan of the SmartTwist dial, which feels much more satisfying to use than repeatedly pressing buttons.
Verdict
The T3 SinglePass Curl X 32mm feels like a styling tool that's taken consumer feedback on board and come out the other side even better. It creates long-lasting curls with very little effort, speeds up styling for longer hair and quickly becomes second nature once you've mastered the clip. I found it to be a premium experience from start to finish.
Alternatives to consider
If you're looking for a more affordable alternative, the Revamp Effortless Curls Extra-Long Ceramic Tong is worth considering. It's particularly good for long hair and creates similarly bouncy curls thanks to its long ceramic barrel, although it has a simpler design and doesn't feature T3's clip.
If you'd rather stay within the T3 range but want something more versatile, the T3 Aire 360 is another excellent option. It comes with multiple styling attachments, including ceramic-coated curling barrels that use heated airflow instead of direct heat.
