While fleeting trends like dip-dye and doughnut buns come and go, tousled beach waves remain an enduring classic. Favoured by everyone from Hailey Bieber to Margot Robbie, this effortless, S-bend “mermaid hair” delivers instant volume and texture, though nailing the look with standard straighteners often takes serious effort.

That is where hair wavers step in. Typically designed with three conjoined heated barrels, these clever hot tools crimp locks into uniform, undone bends in seconds, whether you prefer loose, relaxed ripples or tighter, defined curves. While mermaid waves are a hero come summer, as someone who struggles to style my hair, the best hair wavers are an effortless way to add an attractive look to my hair all year round.

To help you find the right tool for your routine, I put the market leaders to the test, evaluating models from GHD, Mark Hill, Remington, and more.…