Are expensive curling irons worth it over a $20 drugstore model?

Reviewers are genuinely split here. High-end picks tend to win on heat consistency, recovery time, and curl longevity in expert testing, but budget Conair-class irons rack up tens of thousands of positive verified-purchase reviews. If you curl daily or have thick hair, the upgrade pays off; for occasional styling, the consensus is that a sub-$30 iron is fine.