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The Top Hair Straighteners We Swear By
If you’re looking for sleek, pin-straight locks or soft, flowing waves, the right hair straightener can help you achieve salon-quality results at home. We put 19 popular models to the test on various hair types, including curly hair and different curl types, both in our lab and real-life settings. Along the way, we gathered expert tips on how to protect your hair from heat damage while getting the best results.
RELATED: Is Your Hair Too Dry? Try This Simple Test to Find Out!
Best Overall
Hot Tools Pro Signature SteamStyler
PHOTO: AMAZON
Heat Settings: 6 | Temperature Range: 300–450°F | Plate Type: Ceramic | Plate Size: 1–1 ½ inches | Auto Shut-Off: Yes
All hair types benefit greatly from this straightener's smooth glide, which doesn't tug or leave wrinkles. It efficiently straightens hair while minimizing heat damage with to its six heat settings (300°F to 450°F) and adjustable steam feature (low, high, or off set). Additionally, the water tank doesn't need to be refilled during the entire session.
The outcomes? sleek, glossy hair that was even more attractive than it was with the other flat irons we tried. Although shorter hair might be challenging to curl and fine hair can occasionally fall out, the large plates speed up styling.
Type 4 curls required a few additional passes on higher heat, but the majority of hair types just needed two. Additionally, although the automatic shut-off after an hour is a safety feature, extended style sessions may find it inconvenient. For smooth, glossy results, this straightener is still a great choice!
Best for Thick Hair
Tymo Ring Plus
PHOTO: AMAZON
Heat Settings: 9 | Temperature Range: 250–410°F | Plate Type: Ceramic | Auto Shut-Off: Yes
When it comes to thick, curly hair, the Tymo Ring Plus is revolutionary. It functions more like a hot brush than a conventional straightener, with nine heat settings (250°F to 410°F) and simple buttons that make style quick and simple.
This tool's broad, comb-like teeth allow it to go effortlessly through hair. Brushing before use helps keep hair from becoming stuck in coarse curls, yet it's lightweight, so your wrist won't become fatigued. For finer hair to stay in place, a tighter grasp might be required.
The outcomes? In just two passes, thick, coarse curls became sleek, straight locks—without turning up the heat like other straighteners do. It works well for straightening but not for curling. It's economical, efficient, and well worth the investment!
Best for Fine Hair
Drybar Reserve Styling Iron
PHOTO: AMAZON
Heat Settings: 5 | Temperature Range: Up to 450°F | Plate Type: Titanium | Auto Shut-Off: Yes
For fine hair, this straightener is fantastic! It has a dual-temperature toggle to manage the left, right, or both plates, and five heat settings that are simple to alter with the plus and minus buttons. It's quite easy to use thanks to the indicator lights.
It heats up instantly, almost burning our fingers in the process! Its large plates let it to pass through hair without pulling, leaving it smooth, frizz-free, and lustrous.
It kept curls remarkably effectively, even on fine hair. A few strands were all that most of us needed to touch up. But people with thicker hair could find it difficult to reach the roots, so they might want a more precise tool.
RELATED: Click here to test your hair type!
Best for Curling
BaBylissPro Nano Titanium Dual Ionic Flat Iron
PHOTO: AMAZON
Heat Settings: 5 | Temperature Range: 300–450°F | Plate Type: Titanium | Plate Size: 1 ¼ inches | Auto Shut-Off: No
You can achieve perfect waves without using a curling iron, as demonstrated by the BaBylissPro Professional Dual Ionic Flat Iron. It performed a fantastic job producing spiral and wavy curls! It was easy to handle thanks to the lengthy swivel chord, but make sure to turn it off manually because it lacks an automated shut-off.
It heats up uniformly thanks to its 1.25-inch titanium plates and five heat settings ranging from 300°F to 450°F. It took only 20 seconds to achieve its maximum temperature, which impressed us!
It was lightweight and manageable during testing. It moved smoothly and without pulling through wavy or fine hair. Wavy hair required two passes, whereas fine hair was sleek after one. Curly hair required a little more work, but it could be straightened with the correct method.
Among the greatest features? Rather than flattening out the hair, it preserved its original volume. We decided to give up our usual straightener because we were so impressed!
RELATED: How to Curl Your Hair Using a Flat Iron: A Step-by-Step Guide
Best Cordless
Dyson Corrale
PHOTO: AMAZON
Heat Settings: 3 | Temperature Range: 330–410°F | Plate Type: Manganese copper alloy | Plate Size: 1–1 ½ inches | Auto Shut-Off: Yes
The wireless, rechargeable Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener is a game-changer if you detest having to be hooked up to an outlet when styling. It heats up in a matter of seconds and features three heat levels that are simple to modify using the plus and minus buttons (we appreciated the sound alert when it was ready). For damage-free straightening and curling, the medium setting was ideal.
It was really simple to use, especially when curling, thanks to the cordless option. We had complete control over how tight or loose our curls were because to its smooth movement and ability to hold our hair in place. It was easy enough to use even for novices!
However, several of us with coarse hair had to go over portions more than once since we couldn't get close to the roots. Additionally, the battery is somewhat heavy and might not endure for long styling sessions. Nevertheless, for those looking for a simple, portable straightener, this is a must-have!
How to Shop for Hair Straighteners Like a Pro
Heat Configurations
Selecting the ideal heat setting is essential to achieving the greatest results without causing damage to your hair.
- To stop additional damage to fine or damaged hair, use lower heat (250°F to 300°F).
- For most people with normal or thick hair, temperatures between 300°F and 425°F are ideal.
- Color-Treated Hair: To preserve your color, especially if it has been over-processed, keep it between 300°F and 375°F.
Material of Plates
Titanium or ceramic plates are commonly seen in hair straighteners:
- Plates made of ceramic: Excellent for wavy, damaged, or fine hair since they apply a softer heat.
- Titanium plates provide more powerful heat for faster results, making them ideal for thick, coarse, or textured hair.
Size and Shape of the Plate
- Round plates glide through hair more easily and are more adaptable for curling and straightening.
- Flat plates: Perfect for straight, sleek hair, they speed up style and work well for larger portions.
- Plate Length: For thick, long hair, wider plates (1–1.5 inches) work best because they cover more ground and expedite the process. If used for curling, they produce looser curls. Narrow plates are ideal for fine or short hair because they offer control and accuracy.
Which kind of hair straightener is the healthiest?
Heat is always a potential source of damage when it comes to hair straighteners. There are strategies to lessen the damage, though. Although no straightener is 100% "damage-free," steam or hot air equipment are generally kinder to your hair than conventional heated plates.
The secret to maintaining good hair is preparation:
- Step 1: To shield your hair from the heat, start with a high-quality style cream.
- Step 2: Allow your hair to air dry to between 40 and 50 percent. As a result, less heat is exposed directly.
- Step 3: After your hair has mostly dried, blow-dry it fully with a vent brush. This guarantees that the majority of the work is done by the heat from the blow dryer.
- Step 4: Set your straightener to approximately 375°F or 400°F when you're ready to straighten. By starting with a foundation that has been blow-dried, the straightener won't have to work as hard, which lowers the possibility of heat damage.
In addition to protecting your hair, this method will give you a longer-lasting style—especially if you have frizz or unmanageable hair.
Preparation is your greatest bet for keeping healthy, glossy hair, even though steam or hot air straighteners are less harmful.
Are Titanium or Ceramic Plates Better for Your Hair?
The "better" option for your hair straightener truly depends on your hair type and the desired outcomes when deciding between ceramic or titanium plates.
- Ceramic plates: These plates distribute heat more evenly because they heat up gradually from the inside out. Ceramic is a fantastic option for finer or color-treated hair because it helps to lessen hot spots. It emits negative ions that help reduce frizz and boost shine for a sleek, silky finish, and it glides through hair effortlessly, lowering the chance of snagging and breaking.
- Titanium plates are perfect for thick, coarse, or textured hair that needs higher temps since they heat up more quickly and transfer heat more evenly. Compared to ceramic straighteners, titanium straighteners can style larger portions of hair considerably more quickly, but if not used carefully, they run the risk of overheating and possibly harming your hair.
Which Is Better to Pick?
- Because ceramic plates provide a softer heat and superior protection against damage, they are ideal for fine, normal, or color-treated hair.
- For thick or coarse hair that needs more strong heat for smooth, straight results, titanium plates work best.
Your hair type and the amount of heat your hair requires for styling will ultimately determine which plate material is best for you.
Do Pricey Hair Straighteners Make Sense?
Generally speaking, spending more money on a high-quality hair straightener can be worthwhile. Even while a less expensive straightener could seem like a good deal, using one frequently results in longer styling times and more hair damage. Cheaper versions frequently use subpar materials, which over time may do greater damage.
Selecting a high-end straightener lowers the possibility of harming your hair and ultimately saves money by preventing the need for repeated repairs or replacements. High-quality straighteners are frequently made to last, providing years of dependable performance and durability.
However, some pricey versions have "bonus" features like additional styling tools or cordless design. You might not need to spend a lot of money on these extra features if your main goal is consistent results; instead, opt for a straightener with high-quality materials and temperature-controllable settings to get the most out of your investment.
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