If you are trying to decide between the TYMO CURLPRO and the TYMO CURLPRO PLUS, this article will help you decide which curler is the right one for you. After seeing the TYMO CURLPRO show up daily in my social media feeds, I decided I wanted to give it a try.
I have naturally wavy-curly hair that can look soft and styled with the right products, but it can also turn into frizzy waves if I let it air dry without much help. My hair is just past shoulder length, thinner than it used to be, and has soft layers. I am always looking for a faster and easier way to style it, especially on busy mornings.
This TYMO CURLPRO vs. CURLPRO PLUS review is based on my experience using both automatic curlers, what felt different, what did not, and whether I think the PLUS version is really worth the higher price.
Why I Tried the TYMO CURLPRO PLUS
I originally bought the TYMO CURLPRO because I wanted an automatic hair curler that could give me loose curls or beach waves more easily and faster than with a traditional curling iron. I already own a Curl Secret, but that gives me tighter, more ringlet-style curls.
The TYMO CURLPRO felt like it might give me a softer, more casual look. It did work, but when I saw the CURLPRO PLUS on sale for close to what I had paid for the original, I decided to return the first one and try the PLUS instead.
The name made me think the PLUS might be a better version. After using it, I would say it is not necessarily a better curling iron. It is more accurately a version made to work for those who have longer hair.
CURLPRO vs CURLPRO PLUS: What TYMO Says Is Different
According to TYMO’s product comparison, the regular CURLPRO and the CURLPRO PLUS are both automatic hair curlers, but the PLUS has a longer heating area. The CURLPRO has a 66mm heating film, while the CURLPRO PLUS has a 110mm heating film. TYMO positions the original CURLPRO for short and medium hair, while the CURLPRO PLUS is positioned for medium and long hair.
TYMO also lists a difference in negative ions, with the CURLPRO listed at 500 million/cm³ and the CURLPRO PLUS listed at 600 million/cm³. I want to be honest here: I could not personally tell a meaningful difference in smoothing between the two. My hair did not seem dramatically shinier or smoother because of the PLUS. For me, the bigger and more noticeable difference was the longer curling area.
Both tools have the same three heat settings: 320°F, 365°F, and 410°F. Since my hair can be hit or miss when it comes to holding heat-styled curls, I used the highest heat setting.
What Felt Different to Me
In actual use, the two curlers felt almost the same. The biggest difference I noticed was that the CURLPRO PLUS twirls the hair around the barrel longer because it is made for longer hair. That makes sense if you have medium or longer hair because more of the strands need to be curled inside the tool.
I would not describe the PLUS as feeling dramatically easier, faster, smoother, or more advanced. To me, it performed very similarly to the original CURLPRO. The difference is more about which version fits your hair length and curl goal.
This was not necessarily a difference between the CURLPRO and CURLPRO PLUS as tools, but there was one other change. I changed barrel sizes. The first TYMO curler I tried gave me a looser curl, and when I bought the PLUS, I chose the 1-inch option because I wanted a slightly tighter curl. That difference came from the size I selected and the curl result I wanted, not because the PLUS curled differently on its own.
Is the PLUS Worth the Higher Price?
The CURLPRO PLUS usually costs more than the original CURLPRO, and I am not convinced the difference is large enough to justify the higher price or upgrading unless you have long hair.
If you see “PLUS” and assume you are automatically getting a better curling iron, I think that can be a little misleading. In my experience, the PLUS is not a completely different tool. It is still an automatic rotating curler with a very similar feel and function.
The main reason to consider the PLUS is if your hair is long enough that the extra time to wrap the hair is necessary. If your hair is short to medium length, or if the original CURLPRO already curls enough of your hair section, the PLUS is worth paying much more for.
I do think TYMO could have chosen a clearer name, because “PLUS” sounds like an upgrade when it is really more about a curling tool for a different hair length.
How I Used the CURLPRO PLUS
Before styling, I used Kenra Blow-Dry spray because you should always use a heat protectant before using any heating hair tool.
Before and after curling, I used Kristin Ess Dry Finish Working Texture Spray and then a little hairspray. My curls hold better when my hair has some texture, especially if it is at least day-old hair. Freshly washed hair does not always hold curl as well for me.
Here is a short video of the TYMO CURLPRO PLUS in use. The key is to pull the hair down and taut through the slot so the tool can grab it and curl the section properly.
How Long It Took to Curl My Hair
For me, this was not faster than using a regular curling iron. It took at least 40 minutes to curl my hair with the CURLPRO PLUS. I know automatic curlers often advertise that they are faster, but for me, no automatic curling tool has been quicker than simply using a traditional curling iron.
That does not mean the product is not useful. It is easier in some ways, especially if you are not comfortable with a curling iron or curling wand. You do not have to manually wrap your hair around the barrel, and you are not working with a hot, exposed iron near your fingers. But easier does not always mean faster.
For me, this tool is more about comfort and consistency than speed.
What I Liked About the CURLPRO PLUS
The feature I liked most is the ability to change the curl direction. You can curl to the right or to the left, which is helpful when styling both sides of your head. That makes the curls look more natural and gives you better control over how the pieces frame your face. Also, if you change the direction of your curls, they are more likely to stay separated and full.
I also liked that it felt safe. I did not feel heat near my face or scalp, and I did not feel like I was going to burn my fingers. My hair did not tangle, and the tool did not pull at my hair.
I am comfortable using a curling iron, and it is usually faster for me, but this tool still takes away some of the awkwardness of wrapping, holding, and releasing each section. That may be especially helpful for someone who does not feel as comfortable with a curling iron or wand.
What I Did Not Love
The biggest downside is that it is bulky. That is true of most automatic curlers, but it matters when you are working around the back of your head. A traditional curling iron is slimmer and easier to maneuver, especially with shorter layers. This allows you to get the curl a little tighter to your head.
The other downside is the time. Since it took me around 40 minutes, this is not the tool I would reach for if I needed the fastest possible styling option. It may get quicker with more practice, but I do not want to oversell the automatic part as a major time-saver. Obviously, the larger curls you want, the faster it will be as you take more hair at a time.
Curl Hold and Results
The curls held well throughout the day, with the right prep and finishing products. I do think the CURLPRO PLUS deserves some credit for creating a defined curl, but I also think curl hold depends on more than the curling tool itself.
For my hair, curls tend to last better when my hair is not freshly washed. Day-old hair usually has a little more grip, which helps the curl hold its shape. I also think product makes a big difference. Using texture spray before and after curling, then finishing with a setting hairspray, gives my hair a better chance of holding the style.
That is why I would not judge this tool based on freshly washed hair and no product. If your hair does not hold curl easily, the CURLPRO PLUS may help create the shape, but the products you use before and after styling will likely matter just as much.
My Honest Take on the TYMO CURLPRO PLUS
After using both the TYMO CURLPRO and the TYMO CURLPRO PLUS, I do not think they are different enough tools to warrant an upgrade or purchasing the higher-priced PLUS option. They perform very similarly, and the main difference is that the PLUS has a longer heating area designed for medium to long hair.
I do like the tool. It curls my hair, feels safe, does not tug, and gives me the option to curl each side in the direction I want. I also like that I chose the 1-inch barrel because it gives me a little more curl definition than the larger barrel I tried originally.
Would I say the CURLPRO PLUS is worth it for everyone? No. I think it depends on your hair length, the sale price, and whether you want an automatic curler because it feels easier than a curling iron.
For my hair, the CURLPRO PLUS is useful, but it is not a huge upgrade over my traditional curling iron. It is easier in some ways, but not faster. It gives me soft, defined curls, but the final result still depends on my styling products, hair texture, and how well my hair decides to hold curl that day.
If you are deciding between the TYMO CURLPRO and CURLPRO PLUS, I would focus less on the word “PLUS” and more on your hair length. If you have medium to long hair and the price difference is small, the PLUS may be the better choice. If your hair is shorter or you do not need the longer heating area, the original CURLPRO may be enough.