Glamour

Hair

12 Best Hair Straighteners and Flatirons, According to Our Testers

 

Our favorite flat irons of all time.

The best hair straighteners have come a long way in the past decade. The word flatiron alone is enough to bring back flashbacks of fried, damaged hair, snagged strands, and burned ears. While not all flatirons are created equal, new technology and advances have revolutionized the humble hair tool. Today's hair straighteners get the job done—without the damage or the drama. In fact, they often go above and beyond and can double as a curling iron, smooth frizzy hair, and even condition. There’s a flatiron option for everyone, from folks with the tightest of curls to fine, straight hair.

Our top picks for best hair straighteners

Best Overall: Chi Original Lava 1" Ceramic Hairstyling Flat Iron, ($100) $65
Best for Thick Hair: GHD Max Styler 2" Wide Plate Flat Iron, $249
Best Hair Straightener for Curly Hair: Hot Tools Pro Artist Nano Ceramic Flat Iron, $55
Best Flatiron for Fine Hair: T3 Lucea Straightening & Styling Iron, $170
Best Hair Straightener for Damaged Hair: Dyson Airstrait, $499

What are the types of hair straighteners?

The three main types have ceramic, tourmaline, or titanium plates.

Ceramic (and ceramic-coated) plates are the most common—and generally safe to use on most hair types. Rodger Azadganian, founder of Az Craft Luxury Haircare, explains that ceramic plates “use an infrared technology that straightens hair from the inside out, which is generally more gentle and considered a safer option.” What does this mean for you? Smoother results, fewer flyaways, and less damage.
Tourmaline plates produce negative ions that fight frizz. “This not only straightens but also smooths the hair while locking in moisture to keep it shiny,” says Azadganian.
Titanium plates can handle high heat and reach their full temperature ASAP, which makes them a great pick for anyone on-the-go. “The plates heat up quickly and straighten the hair with just a couple of passes,” says Azadganian.

What should you look out for in a hair straightener?

Set your sights on a flatiron with ceramic plates, says Lacy Redway, Unilever stylist and celebrity hair artist. Raven Hurtado, a stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, says, “Ceramic takes longer to heat and is lighter with passes, which makes it okay to use daily on normal-to-colored or fine hair.” What's more, ceramic plates are often combined with tourmaline, “a mineral that helps smooth and adds shine while locking in moisture,” Hurtado explains. Think less static and frizz.

If you have curly hair or coarse hair…

Consider a flatiron with titanium plates, which heat up faster and maintain a higher temperature. Redway explains that the quick heat-up time and temperature require fewer passes on the hair. Of course, the hotter your setting, the more likely it will damage your hair. Always apply a heat protectant before you start straightening. Redway likes the Tresemmé Keratin Smooth Heat Protectant, which she recommends applying to damp hair and then, once it's completely dry, “proceeding with the flatiron at a safe temperature for your hair type.”

What’s the ideal temperature setting for your hair texture and type?

Fine-to-medium hair: Experts recommend lower temperature ranges of 250°F to 300°F.
Curly-to-coarse hair: Experts recommend staying within the 350°F to 450°F range. But you'll want to use a protective spray or serum beforehand and smoothing oils afterward to balance out the extreme heat.
Colored or damaged hair: Experts recommend using heat sparingly, as bleaching and highlighting dries out and damages hair—and if you do use heat, stick to the lower ranges of 250°F to 300°F.

Ready to find your new flatiron? We asked professional hairstylists and Glamour editors with all different hair types and concerns to recommend the hair straighteners they actually use—and here are the results, including a few Glamour Beauty Award winners.

All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Best Overall: Chi Lava Ceramic Hairstyling Iron

If you're in the market for a best-selling, under-$100 flatiron, the Chi Lava is an enduring classic. It heats up in one minute, has an 11-foot charging cord (longer than many of its competitors), and lets you adjust its temperature up to 395°F—making it a suitable choice for those with wavy hair.

What reviewers say: Some regrettable experiences (and photos) in middle school have left me a little straightener-shy as an adult. Typically I avoid them in favor of a good round brush, terrified of winding up with crispy-looking ends and limp roots. But my hair is frizzy, so even after a blowout, it tends to be unruly by day two. I used the Chi Lava on second-day hair and was impressed—my hair was smoother without falling flat, and my ends felt silky and full. —Macaela MacKenzie, Glamour contributor

Plate material: Ceramic
Plate size: 1"
Temperature: Adjustable heat up to 395°F
Auto-shutoff: After 60 minutes
Cord: 11'
Pros: Fast-heating (60 seconds); long cord, customizable temperature
Cons: May not be hot enough for some; cord gets tangled easily.

Save when you shop the best hair straighteners with these Amazon promo codes.

Best for Professional Styling: GHD Platinum+ Styler

There's a lot to love about this sleek styling tool, which won a Glamour Beauty Award. Digital director Perrie Samotin raves about its ability to clamp sections of her thick, frizzy hair without getting any of it caught: “Plus, there’s no temperature to choose from,” she says. “It's a ‘smart iron,’ meaning it uses predictive technology to recognize the thickness of your hair and the speed at which you’re styling and adjusts its power accordingly, with an optimum temperature of 365°F.”

What reviewers say: It heats up in seconds and lets you know it’s ready with a satisfying ping—a small detail but one I appreciate as much as its ability to smooth and flatten in minutes. —P.S.

Plate material: Ceramic
Plate size: 1"
Temperature: One setting (365°F)
Auto-shutoff: After 30 minutes
Cord: 8.8'
Pros: Fast-heating, easy to use; predictive technology
Cons: No adjustable temperature

Save when you shop the best hair straighteners with these Amazon promo codes, Ulta promo codes, and Sephora promo codes.

Best for Curly Hair: Hot Tools NanoCeramic Flat Iron

Here's another affordable flatiron that's a good pick for anyone with hair that's harder to tame (talking to you, curly- and coarse-haired girlies). It has a huge heat range with 30 temperature settings that go all the way up to 450°F—hot enough to take on the wildest of manes. Its LCD display makes it easy to keep an eye on the temperature, and it'll remember the last heat you used when you turn it off, so you don't have to adjust it every time you turn it on.

What reviewers say: The Hot Tools Ceramic Flat Iron and I go way back—we’re talking high school dance recitals. I rarely flatiron my hair since it’s so thick and long and takes forever. But whenever I want to do my best Rosalía high pony, I can always count on this to make my hair look pin-straight and frizz-free. —Tara Gonzalez, Glamour contributor

Plate material: Ceramic
Plate size: 1"
Temperature: Adjustable heat up to 450°F
Auto-shutoff: After 2 hours
Cord: 8'
Pros: Under $50; LCD temperature display, high temperature range, travel lock; technology remembers last temperature used.
Cons: Auto-shutoff time is quite long.

Save when you shop the best hair straighteners with these Amazon promo codes.

Best for Damaged Hair: Dyson Airstrait

The Glamour commerce team put the buzzy Dyson Airstrait to the test and were blown away (pun intended). The Aistrait can act as a flatiron and a dryer at the same time, and instead of pressing your hair between hot plates, it dries it with hot air (using the same technology as our favorite Dyson Airwrap). TL;DR: It doesn't have heating plates at all—and thus is way less damaging than your standard straightener. Here's our full review.

What reviewers say: Since my curls are on the tighter side, it’s crucial that my roots dry first, so I was happy to learn about the rough-dry option, where I lock it in place and let the air do its thing. After about 10 minutes, the first section of my hair was super straight, and I was shocked. I expected it to be straight, but not that straight. As I worked it through the rest of my head, it took about an hour for my hair to fully dry with it (the temperatures are lower than a regular hair dryer, so no surprise here). The bottom line is that it works and delivers what it promises, especially since I’m used to drying my hair at much hotter temperatures. Since then, I’ve tried it on dry hair and really love the final result. My hair’s a lot smoother and more pin-straight than it would be after a regular blow-dryer touch-up. —Andrea Navarro, Glamour commerce writer

Plate material: There are none!
Size: 1.6"
Temperature: Three preset settings in wet mode (175°F, 230°F, 285°F), two preset temperatures in dry mode (250°F or 285°F)
Auto-shutoff: Auto-pause after three seconds of inactivity; standby mode after 5 minutes
Cord: 9.6'
Pros: Less hair damage, wide range of styling settings and modes (wet, dry, rough-dry, smoothing boost), LCD screen, intelligent airflow temperature control
Cons: Very expensive

Save when you shop the best hair straighteners with these Amazon promo codes, Dyson promo codes, Sephora promo codes, and Ulta promo codes.

Best Travel Iron: T3 SinglePass Compact Thin Flat Iron

Here's another baby flatiron that's little but gets the job done with ceramic plates that hug strands of hair for even tension and heat. It's under an inch in width, making it easily maneuverable around bangs and flyaways. Plus, its included heat-resistant cap lets you throw it in your bag and go without worrying about it burning your belongings (or hand!).

What reviewers say: Don't let the size of this cutie fool you. It packs some serious styling power. Because it's smaller, it obviously takes a bit longer to run through your whole head, but the strong heat (there's only one setting) helps keep it efficient, so you don't have to run it over every section twice. It also comes with a heat-resistant cap, allowing you to throw it in your bag or luggage without worrying it'll melt or burn all your other stuff. —L.S.

Plate material: Ceramic
Size: 0.8"
Temperature: Fixed setting (410°F)
Auto-shutoff: After 60 minutes
Cord: 9'
Pros: Beveled plates, swivel cord, heat-resistant travel cap
Cons: Temperature is not adjustable.

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Best for Bangs and Touch-Ups: BaBylissPro Nano Titanium Mini Straightening Iron

If you're someone who's always on the move or who's hunting for a straightener to throw in your bag, you'll get a lot of mileage out of this mini titanium flatiron, which is teensy enough to fit in a purse—maybe even a clutch. It's just half an inch in width and six inches in length, which is roughly the size of a toothbrush. It gets hot quickly and is super handy for smoothing stray hairs and refreshing your look at the end of a long day.

What reviewers say: If you primarily use a straightener to style your bangs, face-framing pieces, or ends (as I do)—or you’re looking for a compact yet powerful tool for travel—the itsy-bitsy Babyliss is made for you. I originally got mine to keep at my desk in case of beauty “emergencies” but have come to love it so much that I now use it in place of my other straighteners at home. Again, I mainly use it for my bangs and tiny touch-ups, but for how compact it is, it works remarkably well. If your hair is on the thinner side (which mine is), this could replace your regular hair straightener too. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that it’s conveniently small enough to tote in your day bag. —Danielle Sinay, Glamour associate beauty editor

Plate material: Titanium
Size: 0.5"
Temperature: Up to 430°F
Auto-shutoff: None
Cord: 6'
Pros: Under $50, great for touch-ups
Cons: Not suitable for allover styling as it's quite small; no auto-shutoff

Save when you shop the best flat irons with these Amazon promo codes.

Best for Coarse Hair: Hot Tools Pro Artist Black Gold 1" Micro Shine Flat Iron

Self commerce writer Jessica Kasparian likes this Hot Tools iron for how quickly it heats up, easy it is to read its LED display, and smoothly it glides across her hair. It's able to reach a very high heat, which is useful for anyone who has hair that's trickier to style, whether it's super coarse or curly.

What reviewers say: I love this flatiron, and it gets heavy use for me! I rely on it for one of my income streams, which is wedding hairstyling. It heats up quickly, stays hot, and has an easy way to change the temperature and a lock, which keeps it closed for when I'm transporting. This item has a long cord, which is important in a salon setting or some bridal suites. The flatiron makes hair smooth without snagging. I use it for smoothing and curling with no issue. —Emily, reviewer on Amazon

Plate material: Ceramic and titanium
Size: 1" or 1.25"
Temperature: Adjustable up to 455°F
Auto-shutoff: After 60 minutes
Cord: 9'
Pros: LED temperature display, heat-safe glove, floating plates, travel lock; tone lets you know when device reaches desired temperature.
Cons: May feel too hot for some; pricey.

Save when you shop the best hair straighteners with these Amazon promo codes and Ulta promo codes.

Best Splurge: Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener

Dyson's hair tools come with steep price tags—but undeniable results. The Corrale is a state-of-the-art hair straightener with unique flexing plates that gather around sections of hair (instead of clamping down on them), creating more even heat distribution and less breakage. It's also cordless, so you won't trip on any wires (or even need to be anywhere near an outlet).

What reviewers say: My hair-straightening routine used to involve sitting on my bedroom floor for 45 minutes with both windows open so I wouldn't set off the smoke alarm. That was until I tried Dyson's straightener. Right away two things stood out to me: First, no cord means no outlet hunting or, really, anything getting in the way between the hair on the back of my head and a hot flatiron. Second, the flexible copper plates hugged the hair being straightened, creating less heat damage and cutting my styling time in half. —Talia Gutierrez, Glamour contributor

Plate material: Manganese copper alloy
Plate size: 1.25"
Temperature: Three settings (330°F, 365°F, 410°F)
Auto-shutoff: After 10 minutes
Cord: Cordless, but includes 10.9' cord
Pros: Cordless; reduced heat damage with intelligent heat control technology, flexible plates, temperature display, accessories (travel dock, magnetic charging cable, heat-resistant pouch), two-year warranty
Cons: Expensive; doesn't have adjustable temperature.

Save when you shop the best hair straighteners with these Amazon promo codes, Ulta promo codes, and Sephora promo codes.

Best for Fine Hair: T3 Lucea Straightening & Styling Iron

The T3 Lucea is a go-to for New York–based hair colorist Nikki Ferrera, who says it's a versatile tool for all types of looks. “You can create beachy waves and smooth flatiron waves,” she says. So who needs a curling iron, really? It offers an array of heat settings, the lowest of which starts at 260°F, which is an ideal low temperature for thin, fine hair or dry, damaged, or colored hair.

What reviewers say: One of the biggest problems I have with flatirons is that the heat is always too strong for my very fine hair. That's what I love about this straightener. It's made with nine different heat settings, so I can boost it up on days I've freshly washed my hair and turn it down for second- and third-day touch-ups. The edges are beveled, so it's good for both straightening and curling, and it's got ceramic plates, which helps keep the heat evenly distributed. Even when my hair is extra dry, it doesn't leave me with split ends or burnt hair smell. —Lindsay Schallon, Glamour contributor

Plate material: Ceramic
Plate size: 1" or 1.5"
Temperature: Nine heat settings (260°F to 410°F)
Auto-shutoff: After 60 minutes
Cord: 8'
Pros: Fast-heating; temperature control, paddle hair brush and clips for styling; doesn't require an adapter when traveling.
Cons: A bit pricey

Save when you shop the best hair straighteners with these Amazon promo codes.

Best for Thick Hair: GHD Max Styler 2" Wide Plate Flat Iron

When you're dealing with a whole lot of hair, turn to the GHD Max Styler, which has the two-inch plates—the widest on this list. “This offers faster styling for thick, long hair because its wider plates cover more surface area, reducing styling time and providing smoother results,” says celebrity hairstylist David Cruz. “It's designed to maintain a consistent temperature, minimizing damage and creating a smoother finish.”

What reviewers say: I have extremely thick hair and lots of it. The single-temperature setting on this iron is perfect. The device is simple and really good at its job. Nothing fancy, but it produces high-quality results in a reasonable amount of time. Never has my hair felt so soft upon straightening. —JR, reviewer on Ulta

Plate material: Ceramic
Size: 2"
Temperature: Preset to 365°F
Auto-shutoff: After 30 minutes
Cord: 8.8'
Pros: Heats in 30 seconds; wide plates, heat-resistant guard.
Cons: No heat adjustability; may be unwieldy; not the best pick for short hair, pricey.

Save when you shop the best hair straighteners with these Amazon promo codes, Sephora promo codes, and Ulta promo codes.

Best Cordless: Harry Josh Pro Tools Cordless Ceramic Styling Iron 1 Inch

A big ol' downside of most flatirons is undeniably the cords. Who among us hasn't gotten all tangled up in one while switching sides of the head? Meet the Harry Josh Pro straightener, which Glamour senior beauty editor Ariana Yaptangco calls the “holy grail of cordless styling tools.” Not only does it stay strong for over 30 minutes, but it includes an extra battery that you can swap in when the one you're using runs out of power. Pretty genius.

What reviewers say: My hair is long and thick, so it takes a good chunk of time to style. With other battery-operated tools, I'll find myself with half a head styled after the battery inevitably dies. But Harry Josh's new cordless straightener promises 40 minutes of styling, thanks to the interchangeable smart battery, which you can reload when needed. Another plus? It's super lightweight, so you don't feel like your arm is falling off by the time you're finished. —A.Y.

Plate materials: Ceramic tourmaline
Size: 1"
Temperature: Three heat settings (320°F, 335°F, 425°F)
Auto shut-off: After 60 minutes
Cord: Cordless
Pros: Cordless; extra rechargeable battery, digital temperature control
Cons: Only three heatings; pricey

Save when you shop the best hair straighteners with these Dermstore promo codes.

Best for Curling Hair: Drybar The Tress Press Digital Styling Iron

Of course, if it's a two-in-one straightener-curling-iron you're looking for, consider the top-selling Dryber styler—a favorite of two Glamour editors. “I’m mostly inept at curling hair, let alone at using a flatiron to do anything other than run it over my already flat-as-a-board hair,” Schallon says. “But Drybar’s iron makes it easy. It has rounded edges, so it mimics a curling wand but is super lightweight and easier to navigate. My favorite thing about it is that it’s perfect for getting that slight bend every Insta-girl has.”

What reviewers say: I have fine, curly hair, and through the years I've tried what feels like a zillion flatirons. My mom was a hairdresser so I was an early adapter. While I also like the T3 on this list, the Drybar tool is my go-to. It's the one that can most effectively straighten my hair (it gets hot!). I can use it create waves, even though I didn't inherit my mom's skills and I have no idea what I'm doing, and it's super lightweight.

Plate material: Titanium
Plate size: 1" or 1.25"
Temperature: Adjustable up to 450°F
Auto shut-off: After 60 minutes
Cord: 9'
Pros: Heats quickly; frizz-reducing ionic and infrared tech, digital temperature control; good for creating curls and waves
Cons: Expensive