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There are plenty of hair straighteners that reduce frizz and enhance shine—plus, of course, leave you with a sleek hairdo—but you’ll want to pick a model that takes into account your overall hair health. After all, it is two hot iron plates pressing against your delicate strands time and time again.
Luckily, many of today’s advanced, next-generation flat irons deliver the same linear locks that you’d get with your old-fashioned (i.e. outdated) model, yet won’t leave your hair frazzled and fried. Plus, these current designs take less time to style hair (yes, even for those with the curliest hair texture), so you won’t be standing in front of the mirror for long periods of time.
Best Hair Straighteners to Shop, at a Glance
If you’re in the market for a new hair straightener—let’s be honest, it’s probably time to ditch the one you’ve been using since your youth—we’re rounded up some editor-loved, expert-approved options that are a worthy investment.
Which Brands Are Best Known for Their Hair Straighteners?
“Some of the top companies in the hair tool world include Dyson, CHI, Sutra, GHD, T3, Babyliss Pro,” says celebrity hairstylist, Davontae Washington. “There are so many different tool companies to pick from so it is important to do your research, take your hair type into account, etc.”
Not all hair straighteners are made equal, so it’s essential to consider several factors when looking at brands, such as materials, plate width and price. For example, if you have shorter hair or areas that a thicker plated flat iron may be harder to reach (such as around your hairline), you may want to consider opting for one with a smaller plate width size, like the BaBylissPRO Mini Straightening Iron
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According to Terri Rehkopf, hair stylist, trichologist, and salon owner of Ippodaro Natural Salon, when it comes to hair straighteners, price does matter. “Opting for a lower-cost option may seem economical, but it comes with the trade-off of extended styling time, leading to a higher likelihood of hair damage. Cheaper hair straighteners often utilize inferior materials, resulting in long-term harm to your hair. Investing in a high-quality hair straightener is worthwhile. Consider the expenses involved in repairing damaged hair compared to the upfront cost of a superior flat iron. By choosing quality over cost, you not only save money on potential repairs but also spare your hair from unnecessary damage.”
Is Titanium or Ceramic Better for Hair?
Yes, material can make a difference. As Washington shared, “I always look at ceramic as the OG plate material. It is what the first generation of flat irons were made of and it continues to be a top choice for anyone with fine hair. However, you want to make sure the full plate is ceramic, not just ceramic coated. If you are looking for a more advanced iron, then go with titanium. These irons heat up quicker and are often lighter in weight since ceramic is a heavier material. You will find that more professional stylists are using titanium plates because they can style hair faster in a salon setting. If you can’t budget for a titanium iron, then a trusty ceramic will get the job done too.”
Editor Pick: T3 SinglePass Compact Portable Flat Iron
T3 SinglePass Compact Portable Flat Iron
Plate material: CeraGloss™ ceramic plates
Temperature: Fixed heat setting of 410°F
Dual voltage: Yes
“I think this is a great option for people with finer, wavy hair. It’s super lightweight and has a 1-inch plate that lets you manipulate your strands, like if you want move waves or curls (the one drawback is that you catch less hair in one go, and do have to section your hair off in smaller pieces to thoroughly straighten or style it). The heat adjustable (and goes up to 410 degrees F), and I found that it’s just hot enough to get the job done without frying my already color-treated, fried hair. It does feel silkier after I use it. I will say, while it does advertise as “SinglePass,” I do normally have to use it at least twice on each section of hair. I have naturally wavy-curly hair, though, so I do think this would work better for folks with larger waves.”
— Gina Vaynshteyn, Senior Commerce Director
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
- Adjustable temp
- Easy to pack for traveling
Cons
- May not truly be “single pass” for people with curly, or textured hair
- Thin plate, which may mean longer style time
Editor Pick: Dyson Corrale Styler Straightener
Dyson Corrale Styler Straightener
Plate material: Manganese copper alloy plates
Temperature: Three precise heat settings, 330°F, 365°F and 410°F
Dual voltage: Yes
“If you’re looking for a good cordless option, this is the best out there. I’ve been using this Corrale to style my bangs (this generally takes me only five minutes in the morning), so it’s a great investment if you have a small amount of hair to straighten and/or style, because it does only live for 30 minutes before you need to recharge it again! But before we get into that, let’s talk performance: The Corrale, like all Dyson products, excels in styling hair without damaging it. I actually switched over from an old Chi to the Corrale when I started to notice my hair fraying at the ends due to heat damage. After a trim, extra conditioning, and solely using the Corrale for a few weeks, my hair went back to its smooth, health appearance. It’s easy to use, has three heat settings (I like that it’s pretty no-frills), and goes up to 410 degrees Fahrenheit.
The drawbacks? Like I said, it only has a run time of 30 minutes. If I were to straighten my whole head of hair, I think I’d need to recharge it at some point, and that’s not super convenient. So, if you have thick, curly, wavy, or natural hair, this feature may be frustrating. If you just need a straightener to quickly smooth or add some dimension to your style, this is a great option. A full charge takes 70 minutes, so, again, not convenient. It’s also pretty heavy, which doesn’t make it ideal for travel.”
— Gina Vaynshteyn, Senior Commerce Director
Pros
- Fully cordless
- Straightens and styles hair with minimum damage
- Easy to use
Cons
- Expensive
- Only has a 30-minute run-time
Expert Pick: Sutra Beauty IR2 INFRARED 1-Inch Flat Iron
Sutra Beauty IR2 INFRARED Flat Iron
Plate material: Rose Gold Titanium
Temperature: Digital temperature control up to 450°F
Dual voltage: Yes
“This titanium iron uses far-infrared technology which offers the Healthy Heat™ benefits Sutra is known for,” he told StyleCaster. “This type of heat is very gentle on the hair yet still gets the job done in one pass. Plus, far-infrared means you are not fading your hair color as you style too.”
— Davontae Washington, celebrity hairstylist
Not only does the flat iron protect strands from damage during use, but its rose gold titanium-infused floating plates give strands a glossy finish. Whether you’re simply trying to achieve a straight look, or want to create a wavy or curly style, the straightener can do all in a quick and seamless way.
Pros
- Won’t fade hair color as you style
- Adds a glossy finish to hair
Expert Pick: BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Mini Straightening Iron
BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Mini Straightener
Plate material: Nano Titanium
Temperature: Control up to 430°F
Dual voltage: Yes
“This is a really great, affordable option for bangs, hair ends, or pieces around the face. It’s small enough to fit in your purse, and it gets hot quickly.”
— Cody Renegar, LA-based celebrity hairstylist
While you may want to have a regular size flat iron on hand as well, if you’re looking for a smaller flat iron to smooth out bumps and hard-to-reach places, the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Mini Flat Iron is the way to go. With a 0.5-inch plate width, it will tackle all areas that your larger straightener can’t, with ease.
Pros
- Travel-friendly
- Affordable
Cons
- Better for smaller areas of hair
Expert Pick: Balmain Hair Standard Cordless Straightener
Plate material: Advanced titanium floating plates
Temperature: Control up to 392°F
Dual voltage: Yes
“This one is pricey, but it is WORTH IT,” shared Renegar. “It’s cordless and compact enough to throw it in your purse or carry on. I love it for quick, on-the-go touch-ups.”
— Cody Renegar, LA-based celebrity hairstylist
While this cordless straightener may be most appealing to those who already know their way around a flat iron (it’s quite the investment!), its straight-foward design offers quick straightening and the ability to create curls and waves in seconds. Plus, the advanced titanium floating plates leave behind a silky, shiny finish that looks salon-quality. Not only that, but it’s incredibly travel-friendly for those looking to bring it on the go.
Cons
- Expensive
- Lower heat settings compared to other models
Expert Pick: T3 Smooth ID Smart Straightening & Styling Iron
T3 Smooth ID Smart Straightening & Styling Iron
On Sale 20% off
Plate material: CeraGloss™ Ceramic Plates
Temperature: 9 heat settings that adjust to your hair texture
Dual voltage: Yes
“It’s expensive but worth it to protect your hair from heat damage. It has a unique temperature-finding feature the company calls HeatID Technology. You pick your hair features via the touch controls on the iron’s handle: length, texture, whether it’s color-treated or not. It will then suggest a heat level.”
— Cody Renegar, LA-based celebrity hairstylist
If you want a hair tool that will do the work for you, consider this smart option from T3. Its custom personalization is a stand-out feature you won’t find on other flat irons, and it expertly shields your hair from too much heat exposure. Plus, it’s refresh mode allows you to touch up previously styled hair since the tool will reduce heat levels to a less intense level.
Pros
- Custom features based on hair type and texure
- Refresh mode for touch-ups
- 9 different heat settings
Expert Pick: BabylissPRO Nano Titanium Hair Straightener
BaBylissPRO Flat Iron Hair Straightener
Plate material: Nano Titanium
Temperature: Control up to 450°F
Dual voltage: Yes
“My favorite straightener? The Babyliss Pro Titanium Hair straightener is highly effective and has excellent durability. If you prefer ceramic flat irons, I recommend CHI or GHD. The materials they use in their flat irons have long-lasting performance and durability.”
— Terri Rehkopf, hair stylist, trichologist, and salon owner of Ippodaro Natural Salon
The BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Mini Straightening Iron already made our list as the best flat iron for styling smaller pieces of hair, and its larger twin is also just as worthy of a tool. This deluxe flat iron is engineered with technology that delivers a lustrous shine to your strands, while also minimizing frizz. It also helps defend against damage with even temperature levels and an adjustable control to help you customize the level of heat. Its design is also ideal for those that experience hand fatigue quickly while styling.
Pros
- Lightweight design to combat hand fatigue
- 50 heat settings
- 9-foot swivel cord
- Slim design helps with creating curls
