The T3 Micro SinglePass Curl X is the latest addition to the brand’s bestselling curler range and I’ve been putting it to the test on my long hair
Achieving salon-worthy curls at home can often feel like a challenge – but the right tool can help deliver the desired effect. But finding a curling tong that works well on long hair without feeling like a full arm workout is harder than it should be.
I’ve tried and tested countless curlers, and all too often, styling tools are let down by short barrels and awkward clamps, with curls that usually drop before even leaving the house. I recently tried out the T3 Micro SinglePass Curl X to see if the premium styler earns its price tag, and what snazzy updates it has on the previous model.
Launched in the UK in late 2025, it’s positioned as an upgrade to the brand’s bestselling curling iron range, and after testing it on my long hair, I can see why it’s getting attention. Reduced to £143.99 (was £179.99) at Debenhams, the T3 Micro SinglePass Curl X promises to solve a lot of common complaints when it comes to curling irons.
Straight out of the box, the T3 tool looks the part. The design is sleek, lightweight and far less bulky than some other curling tongs I’ve used, which means my arms didn’t ache half as much after styling.
The standout feature is definitely the barrel length. It’s noticeably longer than some standard curling irons, and that makes a huge difference if the user has long or thick hair. I was able to wrap full sections of hair around the barrel without awkwardly re-curling the ends or splitting sections in half.
Single Pass Curl
£179
£143.99
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The T3 SinglePass Curl X professional curling iron lets users style wide sections, long hair, or hard-to-reach areas in one quick pass. A ProGlide clip design features a super-responsive clip lever for effortless control with a smooth glide.
It comes with nine heat settings, which allows users to select a temperature that’s best suited to their hair type. This is one thing I feel is missing from my go-to ghd Rise volumising hot brush, which is the same price. It styles at what ghd consider to be the ‘optimum’ styling temperature of 185°C – but more flexibility would be appreciated.
I found it pretty straightforward to use, too. The instruction booklet suggests clamping the ends of hair and twisting upwards, which is simple enough and easy to get the hang of fairly quickly. The clamp makes this a really good entry-level tool for hair styling beginners, allowing for more control and the use of a free hand to adjust things where needed, unlike with wands which often require both hands to be in use at any one time.
When designing the tool, T3 discovered that those with certain hair types, such as fine or straight, find themselves frustrated by clamp marks, so worked with engineers to adjust the force of the clip and update the hinge design to help reduce this. While clamp marks weren’t totally eliminated from my style, they certainly were less noticeable than other tools I’ve tried.
As for the finished result, the curls themselves came out soft, glossy and held well throughout the day, which I expected from a tool at this price point. I also really liked the redesigned cool tip, which allows for quick and easy styling.
The biggest frustration for me, though, is that there doesn’t seem to be an actual off button – it needs to be switched off at the plug. For a tool at nearly £150, that feels like a strange omission. It also doesn’t come with a heat mat, and it’s not really designed to be placed down safely while still hot. That means users either need something heatproof ready to rest it on, or somewhere sturdy to balance it while styling.
Personally, the ghd Rise remains my curling tool of choice, with a self-standing design, no clamp marks and the ability to curl, straighten and add volume. For those seeking a more budget-friendly curler, I love the Mark Hill Pick ‘n’ Mix device. The handle is priced at £21.99, and users can switch out the barrels to deliver a whole host of curl styles. The barrels are priced between £10-20 depending on the ones selected, making it more affordable than some of the other interchangeable devices on the market.
As for the T3 Micro SinglePass Curl X, it creates beautiful, soft curls, feels luxurious to use and the longer barrel genuinely makes styling easier and faster. It’s not perfect, with some notable details missing, but if the priority is glossy, long-lasting curls with less effort on longer lengths, this is still an impressive styling tool.
