Beauty Mermade Infrared Waver Vs Bed Head Jumbo: Which Is Better?
The Mermade M Infrared Waver and the Bed Head Wave Affair Jumbo are the two leading waver machines. One adds infrared tech, the other goes jumbo. Here is the honest head-to-head.
| Factor | Mermade Hair M Infrared Waver, 3 Barrel, | Bed Head Wave Affair Jumbo 3 Barrel Hair |
|---|---|---|
| Product | Mermade Hair M Infrared Waver, 1.18 inch | Bed Head Wave Affair Jumbo 3 Barrel Hair Waver |
| Barrels | 3 x 1.18 inch | 3 jumbo barrels |
| Key tech | Infrared light beam | Tourmaline ceramic |
| Max heat | 250F class, gentle | 410F |
| Heat-up | Fast | 30 seconds |
| Extras | Anti-scald shield | Heat glove included |
| Best for | Shiny soft waves | Fast long-hair styling |
Our Verdict
Choose the Mermade M Infrared Waver for infrared shine technology. Its premium build makes soft, voluminous waves. Choose the Bed Head Wave Affair Jumbo for the fastest styling. It suits long hair at a lower price. Both create great beach waves. Mermade wins on tech and finish quality. Bed Head wins on speed and value. Long-haired stylers on a budget should get the Bed Head. The Rozamor suits budget buyers wanting titanium barrels and high heat. All three include auto shut-off for safety.
More Top Picks in This Category
Not sold on either of these two? Here are more bestselling options worth considering.
Best for: budget titanium waves
Rozamor 3 Barrel Curling Iron Hair Crimper, 1 inch Titanium, Black
- 1 inch titanium barrels
- 5 heat settings to 420F
- Dual voltage
Pros
- Lowest price
- High max heat
- Travel ready
Cons
- Newer brand
- Titanium needs care
Want the Full Picture?
Barrel Diameter and Hair Length: The Sizing Rules
The Mermade versus Bed Head waver comparison here involves different barrel sizes, and the sizing rules by hair length are firm. Short hair above the shoulders needs smaller barrels, around 25mm or less; larger barrels cannot grip short sections and the wave never forms. Medium hair from shoulders to armpit is the versatile zone where 32mm barrels create the classic beach wave. Long hair past the armpit suits 32mm and larger, since the wave needs room to develop along the length; small barrels on long hair create tight curls that take an hour and fall into waves anyway.
The infrared feature on the Mermade deserves a plain explanation. Infrared heat penetrates the hair more evenly than surface conductive heat, which means the wave sets through the section rather than just on the outside. The practical benefit is slightly faster styling and more even results on thick hair; it does not repair damage or change the fundamental heat-styling equation. Treat infrared as a performance refinement, not a damage eraser.
When choosing between the two wavers, match the barrel to your length first and the features second. The wrong barrel size at the right price is still the wrong tool. Our curling irons buyer guide has the full barrel-size reference.
Traveling With Hot Tools: Voltage Truths
Taking a waver abroad raises the voltage question that destroys tools. The facts: most wavers are single-voltage 110V tools. Plugged into 220V abroad with only a plug adapter, the heating element draws double the intended power, overheats rapidly, and can melt internal components or start a fire. This is not a theoretical risk; it is the most common way travelers kill hot tools.
The safe options in order: a dual-voltage tool with a manual switch, set correctly before plugging in; a proper voltage converter rated for the tool's wattage, which is bulky but works; or buying a cheap local tool at the destination for the trip. What never works is hoping the tool "handles it" or relying on a plug adapter alone, which changes the plug shape but not the voltage.
Cordless tools have their own travel rules: they fly in carry-on only, never checked luggage, and the batteries must stay with the device. For frequent travelers, a dual-voltage compact waver earns its place in the kit; for occasional trips, the destination-purchase strategy is cheaper than a converter. Check the voltage label on your tool before every international trip. The flat irons buyer guide notes dual-voltage options for travelers.
Protecting Color-Treated Hair From Heat Styling
Wavers and color-treated hair have a documented conflict: heat accelerates color fade, and the combination of bleach plus regular high heat is the fastest route to breakage. The protection system has four layers. First, drop the temperature one level below your pre-color setting; compromised cuticles need less heat to shape. Second, always use a heat protectant, applied to damp hair before drying; this is non-negotiable on color-treated hair. Third, limit each section to a single pass; repeated passes are where the cumulative damage happens. Fourth, deep condition weekly to replace what heat removes.
The purple-shampoo-plus-heat question comes up constantly for blondes: the combination is fine, but sequence matters. Tone with purple shampoo on wash day, then heat style after; the heat does not destroy the toning, though excessive heat on freshly toned hair can shift the tone slightly warm as the cuticle roughens. If brass returns faster with regular heat styling, that is the heat roughening the cuticle and exposing underlying warmth, not the purple shampoo failing.
The realistic expectation: color-treated hair cannot take the same heat frequency as virgin hair. If you waved daily before coloring, plan for three to four times weekly after, with heatless styles filling the gaps. This reduction preserves both the color and the hair's integrity. Our titanium vs ceramic guide discusses which plate materials are gentlest on processed hair.