Included in the wonderfully versatile T3 Switch Kit is the styler handle plus three attachments: a 0.5-inch barrel for tight, defined curls and for enhancing the texture of natural hair; a 1.25-inch barrel for soft, natural curls; and a 1.5-inch barrel for larger curls and waves, which comes with a clip to help keep hair in place. For my fine, shoulder-length hair, the 1.25-inch barrel gave the best results. Not only did it create natural-looking yet defined curls, they lasted for hours. The larger barrel created great-looking, large curls that fell almost immediately, with an end result more akin to bouncy waves. Finally, the curls of the smallest barrel were very tight but ideal for the short pieces of hair around my face.
Each of these attachments twists and locks into place with a small dial on the side. Swapping them in and out mid-styling can be tricky, because of how hot these attachments get, but once it’s cooled down, they’re just as easy to remove. Plus this detachable design makes the Switch Kit an easy appliance to store. There are nine heat settings—ranging from 260° to 410° Fahrenheit—though you can’t choose a specific heat. You need to cycle through the settings from 1 through 9 and experiment to find the one that suits your hair best. For me, setting 4 offered a good balance of styling, longevity, and shine. This will vary depending on your hair type and thickness, though—WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano (another Switch Kit fan) prefers setting 5 and the smallest barrel.
If you’re happy to play around, the T3 Switch Kit will reward you with consistently great results. We love its versatility, its ease of use, and the fact that styles can be dialed up or down to suit different hair types and occasions. This Switch Kit has a minor issue, in that the cooling tip is almost indistinguishable from the hot barrel, but it also comes with a heat glove to minimize your risk of burning.