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Achieving perfect, summer curls can be hard. From heat damage to an inefficient curling wand, the unfortunate part is that we often don’t notice our damaged hair until we encounter more advanced signs, like a receding hairline.
This is where perm rods come in! Allowing you to ditch your electric hair tools, the best thing about natural perms is that if you can’t commit to the hairstyle, all you have to do is wash it out.
Whether you’re a fan of corkscrew coils or romantic beach waves, you can make just about any hairstyle with these curling tools. To help you navigate the expansive online marketplace, we’ve curated a list of the leading brands of 2024!
Compare the Top Perm Rod of 2024
Alimiriam Perm Rods Set — Editor’s Choice
The Alimiriam’s perm rod set is one of the most diverse products on our list. The perm rods come in packs of multiple counts, and you can easily fasten these rods to your hair without needing a pin. Available in different sizes and colors, this unique design allows you to help keep your rods better coordinated.
Another plus? Because these come in different sizes, you can dedicate certain colored rods to the different sections of your hair.
Pros
- Come in various styles
- You can choose the quantity pack
- Non-slip rods hold the hair in place
- Does not require pins to fasten hair
Cons
- Rollers can break if you pull on them
WILLBOND Perm Rods — Best Variety
If you’re looking for a set of perm rods that give you enough room to do your hair and lose a few, then WILLBOND perm rods are just for you! They come in packs of sixty, which is almost twice as much as what you need to do a full head of hair.
These rods have different sizes to achieve curls of various types. You can easily fasten your hair without using pins, and if you’re worried about tension you rest assured that these rods won't pull on your hair.
Overall, these perm rods give you the perfect curls with minimum hassle!
Pros
- Offers vents for better saturation
- Comes in a large enough quantity
- Made from durable plastic that doesn’t break
Cons
- One pack contains only one type of rods
SPTHTHHPY Perm Rods — Best Set
Sometimes, you have the perfect set of perm rods but no sectioning comb to part your hair. For instance, SPTHTHHPY’s perm rods come with their rat tail comb to make sectioning easier for you. Available in five different sizes to help you achieve different hairstyles, the vented rods allow you to dry your hair faster and apply liquid more evenly.
Another plus? You won’t have to worry about quality with this product as they are made from durable, lasting plastic.
Pros
- Pack includes rollers of five sizes
- Vented slots let hair strands dry easily
- Compatible with an overhead heat dryer
Cons
- Twenty rods are not enough
Annie Short Cold Wave Rods — Most Versatile
When it comes to varieties of wave rods to make cold waves, the Annie short cold wave rods are the best of the best. These perm rods come in nineteen different sizes for short and long hair. And depending on the one you pick, you can achieve a multitude of hairstyles.
These rods secure the hair without pulling on them, reducing overall breakage. The classic rubber and plastic design eliminates the need for a pin, and their compact size allows you to quickly put them away.
Pros
- Secures hair strands without pulling
- Can be stored easily after use
- Come in various sizes for different styles
Cons
- Tend to dent if you sleep in them
Marina Short Perm Rods — Dual Size
The final product on our list is the Marine short perm rod set. This product comes in a pack of 48 rods, which is perfect for covering a full head with room to spare. You can easily use these rods for both personal and professional use, and since the rods do not disturb your sleep or pull on your hair they’re perfect for those who live a busy lifestyle.
Instead of securing with a pin, these rods rely on an elastic to hold the hair in place. If you want chemical-free curls, these do the job perfectly fine.
Pros
- Perfect for personal and professional use
- Does not cause discomfort during setting
- Available in both short and long sizes
Cons
- Plastic is not of quality
How to Buy Quality Perm Rods: a Buyer’s Guide
Buying perm rods when you have no previous curling experience can leave you with a less than satisfactory product. To help you out, we've compiled the perfect buying guide to ensure you don’t pick the wrong products.
What Are Perm Rods Used For?
Perm Rods are plastic, horizontal tools used to curl hair. They are used to set hair during chemical perm treatments but are now a popular tool to curl natural hair. Some hairstyles that can be achieved using perm rods are as follows:
- Casual waves
- Beach waves
- Partial perm
- Pin-curl perm
- Spiral perm
- Root perm
- Stack perm
How to Use Perm Rods
Compared to other hair styling tools, perm rods are relatively easy to use. You just have to make sure you use styling products that lock in the curls for a long time. The easiest way to do a natural perm is:
- Wash your hair thoroughly.
- Dry your hair out to dampen it, and apply a leave-in conditioner.
- Brush out your hair prior to wrapping it around the perm rods.
- Lock the perm rods in place and leave them overnight. In the morning, separate the curls to achieve a full and voluminous look.
Types of Perm Rods
Depending on the length of your hair, you may benefit from one size of perm rod over the other. Some of the most common ones that you can expect to find are:
Small rods
Small rods are perfect for people with short hair that is often four inches long. The hair easily wraps around the rods and produces tight curls. Small rods are usually found in 1/8, 1/4, and ⅜ inches.
Large rods
Large rods make looser curls that are tightly coiled. They are perfect for hair that is around five or six inches in length. These rods come in 1/2, 9/16, and 11/16 inch buying options.
Jumbo rods
Jumbo rods are great for long hair and make loose waves perfect for beach or summer styles. These rods have a large area to wrap the hair around to cover long hair effortlessly. Since they are so big, you should not expect controlled curls that stay in place.
Spiral rods
Spiral perm rods are essential for anyone looking to make classic corkscrew curls. They come in various sizes for people of any hair length. These girls are very different from the traditional styles made from perm rods.
Natural Hair v. Chemical Perm
For the longest time, chemical perms have been the top choice of women looking to have curly hair. On the downside, chemical perms are known to permanently alter the structure of your hair and cause significant damage over time due to harsh chemicals like glyceryl monothioglycolate and ammonium monothioglycolate.
Using perm rods on natural hair can help keep the curls in for up to five days if you do it right. It saves you from hair damage and even helps maintain your hair’s moisture. Most people prefer to use perm rods on natural hair for effortless curls.
