Beauty Beachwaver Company Lineup Compared: S1 Vs B1 Models Tested
The S1 and S1.25 share S-series features but create different waves. We compared their barrel sizes, curl types and best uses to help you choose.
| Factor | Beachwaver S1 Ceramic Rotating Curling I | Beachwaver S1.25 Rotating Curling Iron, |
|---|---|---|
| Barrel size | The S1 has a 1-inch barrel for classic versatile waves. | The S1.25 has a 1.25-inch barrel for voluminous loose waves. |
| Controls | The S1 offers digital display, adjustable speed and home button. | The S1.25 offers the same S-series digital controls. |
| Curl type | The S1 creates defined classic waves and curls. | The S1.25 creates bigger, looser, more voluminous waves. |
| Best hair length | The S1 suits short to medium hair best. | The S1.25 suits medium to long hair best. |
| Best for | The S1 suits those wanting classic wave versatility. | The S1.25 suits those wanting maximum volume and looseness. |
Our Verdict
The S1 wins for versatility with its classic 1-inch barrel suiting most hair. Choose the S1.25 if you have longer hair and crave voluminous loose waves. Both deliver the same excellent S-series control. Barrel size is the deciding factor.
More Top Picks in This Category
Not sold on either of these two? Here are more bestselling options worth considering.
Best for: Big-wave lovers wanting pink style.
Beachwaver S1.25 Rotating Curling Iron, Pink Catwalk
- Same S1.25 performance
- Playful Pink Catwalk finish
- 1.25-inch ceramic barrel
- Home button and speed control
Pros
- Same great big waves
- Fun colorway
Cons
- Premium price
- Not for short hair
S1 vs S1.25: Barrel Size by Hair Length
Diameter tables map to curl pattern but never to length, so here is what goes wrong. The S1's 1-inch barrel on short hair creates defined curls with good wrap. On medium hair, it is the versatile standard. On long hair, the 1-inch barrel works but the sections take longer, since each wrap covers less length. The S1.25's larger barrel on short hair produces barely-there bends rather than waves, since the hair cannot wrap enough. On medium hair, it creates the loose, voluminous wave. On long hair, it is the sweet spot, with enough barrel for full wraps and efficient styling.
The wrong-size symptoms: waves that fall out immediately mean insufficient wrap, usually a too-large barrel for the length. Styling that takes forever means a too-small barrel for the volume. The S1 wins for versatility across the broadest range, which is why it is the default recommendation. The S1.25 wins specifically for longer hair wanting loose volume. The length is the deciding factor the tables ignore, and it is the first question to answer before choosing.
Curling iron and wand comparisons are in our best curling irons and wands guide.
Rotating Irons and Burn Prevention
Burn prevention gets no practical guide, but rotating irons change the risk profile. The good news: the automatic rotation removes the manual wrapping motion, which is where most wand burns happen. The hand does not need to hold hot hair in place. The remaining risks: the barrel itself is still hot, and touching it causes the same burn as any hot tool. The ears and neck are vulnerable when the rotating barrel pulls hair close to the skin.
The prevention routine: keep the heat mat on the counter and return the tool to it between sections, since the number one burn is grabbing a hot tool by the barrel. Work in a mirror for the back sections rather than blind. Let the rotation do the work without pulling the tool toward the scalp. The auto shut-off is a backup, not a plan. Unplug when finished, every time. The rotating format is genuinely safer than manual wands for beginners, but safe is relative. Hot is hot, and the respect it deserves does not rotate away.
Rotating Form Factor Matched to Hair Type
Form factor never gets matched, so here is the rotating-iron mapping. The automatic rotation suits beginners who cannot wrap manually, buyers with limited dexterity or shoulder issues, and anyone who wants consistent results without technique. It suits medium to long hair best, where the hair wraps the barrel fully. Very short hair cannot engage the rotation effectively, and very coarse, resistant hair sometimes needs the sustained manual pressure that rotation does not provide.
The S-series control both models share, the consistent rotation speed and temperature stability, is what makes the results reliable. The buyer who gains most is the one who struggled with manual curling irons, since the motor removes the exact skill that was the barrier. The buyer who gains least is the experienced manual wrapper, who works faster without the motor. The format is not better or worse than manual. It is matched or mismatched to the user, and the honest self-assessment of wrapping skill is the buying decision.
Second-Day Refresh for Rotating-Iron Waves
Daily touch-up safety gets no guide. The refresh rules for these waves: lower temperature than day one, one pass per section maximum, and only the sections that need it, typically the front and crown. The full re-wave doubles the heat damage for diminishing returns, since the hair has already been styled once. The water-mist reactivation often suffices. Lightly dampen the flattened sections, which reactivates the wave pattern, then touch up with the iron only where the pattern did not return.
The interval extenders: dry shampoo at the roots on day two, silk pillowcases overnight, and loose pinning for sleep. The honest schedule: full styling two to three times per week, refresh days between, and the occasional heatless day. The rotating iron's consistency is an asset here, since the refresh matches the original pattern exactly. But the heat budget is fixed regardless of tool quality. The schedule preserves the hair. The tool just styles it.
BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium comparisons are in our best BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium curling irons comparison.