The best straighteners for curly hair for sleek results in all curl types

Our experts break down the best straighteners for curly hair, with XXL plates, ceramic coatings and spot-on heat

A collage of three of the best straighteners for curly hair featured in this guide from ghd, Dyson and Remington
(Image credit: ghd/Dyson/Remington/Future)
Best straighteners for curly hair 2024: Jump Menu

1. The list in brief ↴
2. Best overall: ghd Platinum+ Styler
3. Best luxury: Dyson Corrale Straightener
4. Best budget: Remington Shine Therapy Advanced Ceramic Hair Straighteners S8500
5. Best wide: Cloud Nine The Wide Iron Hair Straighteners
6. Best speedy: T3 SinglePass X Wide Flat Iron
7. Best steam: L'Oréal Professionnel Steampod 4.0 All-In-One Professional Styler
8. Best versatile: BaByliss Brilliance Straight & Curl
9. Best long: Revamp Progloss Ultra X Shine Wide Ceramic Hair Straightener
10. Best for damage-prone hair: KEEO Genius Smart Glide Straighener
11. How to choose

To qualify as the best straighteners for curly hair, a tool will make the styling process a breeze, not requiring dozens of passes through curls to yield a poker straight section, and must be able to create lasting sleekness and shine in all types of curly hair. 

These gorgeous hair types include everything from loose waves to tightly wound coils, but just because you’re blessed with curly hair doesn’t mean you always have to wear it in its natural state. If you want to use your best hair straighteners, that’s your prerogative. "I’ve always been a huge fan of curly hair and going with natural textures,” says celebrity session stylist and BaByliss Ambassador Syd Hayes. "However, on the odd occasion, it’s great to change it up and wear your hair in a different look."

It's important to take precautions to preserve your hair's health and curl pattern. Due to its shape, curly hair is more porous than straighter types, which can make it drier and more prone to breakage. Your straighteners should also work harder for you. “I would advise finding a straightener [with] incredible plates with a smooth glide and controllable heat settings, so you don’t completely kill your hair,” Hayes adds. 

Fiona McKim
Fiona McKim

As woman&home's Beauty Channel Editor, Fiona Mckim has tried more beauty products than she’s had hot dinners. Fiona joined woman&home as Assistant Beauty Editor in 2013, working under industry legend Jo GB, who taught her everything she needed to know. She has since covered every corner of the industry, from interviewing dermatologists and celebrities to reporting backstage at Fashion Week and judging the w&h Beauty Awards.

Syd Hayes
Syd Hayes

Syd Hayes is a renowned hair stylist and the owner of the Q Cut salon in Kew Gardens, London. He is also an ambassador for BaByliss and has worked on countless photo shoots and fashion week shows during his career. 

The quick list

We have tried dozens of hair straighteners to bring you our complete roundup, but below are the top six straighteners for curly hair we put to the test. 

The best straighteners for curly hair, chosen by our beauty team

Why you can trust Woman & Home Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

The best straightener for curly hair overall

Best overall straighteners for curly hair

Specifications

RRP: £239
Temperature settings: 185ºC
Weight: 835g
Cord length: 2.7m
Voltage: Universal
Warranty: 3 years manufacturer’s guarantee
Available colours: Black, white, cobalt blue, scarlet red, rose gold, powder pink
Preheat: 30 seconds
Auto shut-off: After 30 minutes of inactivity
Added extras: Ultra-zone predictive technology, precision milled, ultra-gloss floating plates, wishbone hinge for greater control

Reasons to buy

+
Captures large sections of hair
+
Easy to use
+
Hair looks sleek and shiny
+
High-end look

Reasons to avoid

-
Not great for curling hair

The ghd Platinum+ Styler has made it even easier for those with curly hair to cut down their styling time and still be left with a sleek, straight finish. This top tool is everything we look for in a premium straightener. Not only does it get the job done faster than most other tools on the market that we tried, but it also looks good while doing so. The plush wishbone hinge and contrasting finishes work well with the sleek, streamlined shape to add a chic touch to any dressing table.  

As well as looking great, we love that this feels satisfyingly sturdy and has been designed to give more control when styling. The plates are generous and robust enough to capture a large section of hair in every pass, too – but the predictive technology, which responds to the thickness of the hair, styling speed and size of the section being styled lends itself well to curly hair. Tighter curl patterns will benefit from a second glide through for a super sleek finish, but the ultra-gloss plates meant that our hair came out shiny rather than frazzled, even when doubling up.

See our full ghd Platinum+ hair straightener review for a more in-depth guide to this tool

The best luxury straightener for curly hair

Best luxury straighteners for curly hair

Specifications

RRP: £399.99
Temperature settings: 165ºC, 185ºC and 210ºC
Weight: 561g (when cordless)
Cord length: 4.34m
Voltage: Universal
Warranty: 2 years
Available colours: Grey and fuschia; purple and black
Preheat: 40 seconds
Auto shut-off: After 10 minutes of inactivity
Added extras: Intelligent heat control, flexing plates, cord-free and travel ready

Reasons to buy

+
Delivers shiny strands
+
Long-lasting results
+
Reduced hair damage

Reasons to avoid

-
Very expensive at almost £400

While hair tools have made strides in recent years, giving us the ability to style our own hair at home (thank you, ghd) but frizz can still develop within hours of styling. But the Dyson Corrale is here to change that.  

The finish we got from this styler was unparalleled, with speed and convenience thrown into the bargain. Unlike any other straightener on the market, the Corrale features flexing plates that gather around the hair while it styles, meaning that less pressure is put onto the hair shaft, which results in less damage. This was evident in the finish of our hair, as it felt shinier and straighter than we’ve seen with any other hot tool.

The cordless design is great for on-the-go touch-ups – although, with seriously long-lasting results, you may find that you can make it to your next hair wash without reaching for the irons. Unusually wide plates for a non-curl-specific device also meant that the styler could capture a large section of hair, resulting in reduced styling time – even in very thick and/or coarse locks.

See our full Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener review for a deep dive into this tool's capabilities

The best budget straightener for curly hair

Remington shine ceramic hair straighteners

The Remington Shine Therapy Advanced Ceramic Hair Straighteners - S8500

(Image credit: Remington)

3. Remington Shine Therapy Advanced Ceramic Hair Straighteners - S8500

Best budget straighteners for curly hair

Specifications

RRP: £79.99
Temperature settings: 150ºC-230ºC spread over nine settings
Weight: 368g
Cord length: 2.5m swivel cord
Voltage: Universal
Warranty: 5 years manufacturer’s guarantee
Available colours: White
Preheat: 15 seconds
Auto shut-off: After 60 minutes of inactivity
Added extras: Turbo boost function, ceramic conditioning plates infused with Morrocan Argan oil, plate lock for easy storage

Reasons to buy

+
Straightens easily with smooth results
+
Reasonable price
+
Oil-infused plates

Reasons to avoid

-
Can snag
-
Not great for waving

Here to prove that you needn't splash the cash to get your hands on a good pair of hair straighteners - the Remington Shine Therapy straightener offers a wide range of heat settings (more than most of its competitors) with nine options to choose from depending on your hair type.

Obviously, for curly hair the higher the heat settings, the better the job - leaving lengths super straight and sleek. But with higher heat usually comes a higher potential for damage. The Shine Therapy attempts to counteract that drawback with its Moroccan Argan oil-infused plates, an ingredient that's rich in nourishing vitamin E to hydrate hair with every pass. 

However, we found that the bargain price does show in the tool’s ability to curl hair (yes, those with natural texture may still want to put in a uniform wave or curl every now and then) We did find that this tool was slightly difficult to maneuver through our locks and left unwanted kinks. Plus, as smoothly as it glides through when straightening, it is a little bit more snaggy than its competitors when it comes to catching baby hairs.

The best wide straightener for curly hair

Cloud Nine The Wide Iron Hair Straighteners

Cloud Nine The Wide Iron Hair Straighteners

(Image credit: Cloud Nine)

4. Cloud Nine The Wide Iron Hair Straighteners

Best wide straighteners for curly hair

Specifications

RRP: £199
Temperature settings: 100-200°C
Weight: 0.52kg
Cord length: 2.7m
Voltage: 100-240v
Warranty: 1 year
Available colours: Black
Preheat: 20 seconds
Auto shut-off: After 30 minutes of inactivity
Added extras: Mineral-infused floating plates, variable temperature control technology, protective heat guard

Reasons to buy

+
Great for styling thick hair fast
+
Adjustable heat settings
+
Speedy preheat
+
Mineral-infused plates

Reasons to avoid

-
Won't work for all hair lengths
-
Fairly chunky 

We've tried many straightening irons over the years and this Cloud Nine model almost always comes out on top. If your hair is both curly and thick, or curly and long (or all three), then the straightening process can be a lengthy, labour-intensive and arm-ache-inducing one. But not with this tool. The speedy pre-heat time means you can get started within 20 seconds, while the wide plates can capture larger sections of hair at a time for far faster styling. This meant we could straighten an entire head of (very thick) hair in just three quick sections. 

As we’ve already mentioned, curly hair is more prone to damage, so your straighteners need to be designed with this in mind. That the heat settings go as low as 100°C also stood out for us and spoke to this styler's versatility. For example, we like to use a higher heat post-wash when hair is at its fluffiest, and a lower one for any touch-ups afterwards. The plates are ceramic and infused with minerals, which means the heat is distributed evenly across them with no strand-singeing hotspots, and they glide through the hair easily without snagging or catching. With extended use, you’ll notice that hair feels and looks healthier compared to the results of other tools on the market. 

The best speedy straightener for curly hair

T3 SinglePass X Wide Flat Iron

The T3 SinglePass X Wide Flat Iron

(Image credit: T3)

5. T3 SinglePass X Wide Flat Iron

Best speedy straighteners for curly hair

Specifications

RRP: £190
Temperature settings: 127-210°C spread across five settings
Weight: 290g
Cord length: 2.7m swivel cord
Voltage: Universal
Warranty: 2 years
Available colours: Universal
Preheat: 90 seconds
Auto shut-off: After one hour of inactivity
Added extras: Digital T3 SinglePass technology to deliver consistent heat, wide 1.5in ceramic plates for faster styling, tourmaline technology for a shiny finish

Reasons to buy

+
Wide plates make for super-fast styling
+
Straight and glossy finish
+
Luxurious feel 
+
Even temperature regulation

Reasons to avoid

-
Difficult to catch baby hairs and short bits around the ears
-
Not a multitasking styler

When a product promises to cut down on styling time, we're interested. That's exactly what this straightener from T3 is designed to do, ensuring styling is quick and – especially for anyone with curly hair.  

We found the ultra-wide plates worked extremely well on thick sections of hair, passing over smoothly and straightening them in one go. This also comes down to the brand’s signature singlepass technology, which means that just one swipe leaves hair straight and frizz-free. An internal microchip also regulates the temperature so that plates are consistently heated, which allows for even styling and fewer damaging hotspots. Oh, and tourmaline-infused ceramic plates also left an unusually glossy finish on our 3c curls, which can look a little frazzled after styling.

That said, if you’re looking for a multitasking hair hero, this is not the one. The straight edges of the styler mean you aren't able to create different styles, while the width of the plates also makes it difficult to catch those little wispy baby hairs. But the tool is a great option for anyone with curly hair who simply wants to straighten strands fast.

The best steam straightener for curly hair

L'Oréal Professionnel Steampod 4.0 All-In-One Professional Styler

The L'Oréal Professionnel Steampod 4.0 All-In-One Professional Styler

(Image credit: L'Oreal)

6. L'Oréal Professionnel Steampod 4.0 All-In-One Professional Styler

Best straighteners for curly hair with steam

Specifications

RRP: £299
Temperature settings: 180°C to 210°C
Weight : 600g
Cord length: 2.5m
Voltage: 220-240 V
Available colours: White
Preheat: 60 seconds
Auto shut-off: After 30 minutes
Added extras: Integrated comb

Reasons to buy

+
Smoothes hair with minimal damage
+
Comes with built-in combs 
+
Lovely glossy finish 

Reasons to avoid

-
Bulky design 
-
A little bit more complicated to use

This innovative hair styler from L’Oréal Professionnel has had a few different versions over the years, and this is its best yet. The concept behind the Steampod is that, by combining steam with heated straightening iron plates, moisture that would normally be lost during the styling process is retained. It’s a great tool for curly hair and really helps to reduce the risk and appearance of split ends and damage.

So what’s new in the Steampod 4.0? Well, the plates are wider, so you can straighten larger sections of hair at a time. There’s also now a choice of three different combs (there used to be just one), which means you can select one that's best suited to your hair type. For curly hair, we’d recommend the one with the teeth set widest apart to avoid any snagging. It may feel counterintuitive to curl or wave your hair when your hair is curly in the first place, but if you do want to create a different type of curl, then the new addition of heated, curved outer plates will make that easy to do with this tool, too.

We found the results from the Steampod to be smooth, but not rod straight, with a single pass delivering a similar finish to the best hair straightener brushes. If you’re after a poker straight hairstyle, we recommend passing through each section twice – moving the tool slowly as you go. Unfortunately, the Steampod 4.0 still has some of the same cons as its predecessors. It still has to be filled with demineralized water, requiring more faff than your average iron, it’s still quite cumbersome and it still makes a noise like a steam train when you style. Is it worth it for the reduction in damage, though? We’d say so, and overall it’s a good choice for straightening curly, thick, coarse, or hair that's all of the above. 

The best versatile straightener for curly hair

BaByliss Brilliance Rose Gold Straight and Curl Straightener

The BaByliss Brilliance Rose Gold Straight and Curl Straightener

(Image credit: BaByliss)

7. BaByliss Brilliance Rose Gold Straight and Curl Straightener

Best versatile straighteners for curly hair

Specifications

RRP: £125
Temperature settings: 5 temperature settings, up to 235°C
Weight: 585g
Cord length: 3m
Warranty: 5 years
Available colours: Black with rose-gold metal accent
Preheat: 15 seconds
Auto shut-off: After 72 minutes
Added extras: Extra-long styling plates, Ionic frizz-control for a smooth finish

Reasons to buy

+
Tames frizz
+
Can curl and straighten
+
Several temperature settings
+
Smooth ceramic plates

Reasons to avoid

-
Results aren't as long-lasting as we'd like

If you love to switch up your look from curly to straight hairstyles and vice-versa, this could be the styler for you. The BaByliss Brilliance Straight and Curl is a versatile tool that can create endless looks on all hair types, including curly. As well as straightening, it suits those who want to create other styles, too, such as bouncy curls or Hollywood waves.

For a straight finish, simply select your preferred heat (there are five to choose from) and glide the tool down the length of your hair as you would with any pair of straigheners. Thanks to the true titanium ceramic plates and ionic technology, the heat is evenly distributed and as a result, our hair was left frizz-free. We were really impressed with the smooth, shiny results. 

Far from a one-trick pony, this tool also expertly waves and curls hair, with rounded edges and cool tip that can be used for extra control. We twisted the iron as we moved down our hair for a voluminous, curly 'do. While the five temperature settings offered styling versatility, we did find the curl we created dropped out quickly after using lower heat, so it's best to stick to the hotter temperatures when restyling an already thick or curly 'do.

The best long straightener for curly hair

Revamp Progloss Ultra X Shine Wide Ceramic Hair Straightener

The Revamp Progloss Ultra X Shine Wide Ceramic Hair Straightener

(Image credit: Revamp)

8. Revamp Progloss Ultra X Shine Wide Ceramic Hair Straightener

Best long straighteners for curly hair

Specifications

RRP: £99.99
Temperature settings: 80ºC to 235ºC
Weight: 470g
Cord length: 3m
Warranty: 2 year
Available colours: Black
Preheat: 15 seconds
Auto shut-off: Yes
Added extras: Extra-long and wide ceramic floating plates

Reasons to buy

+
Extra long and wide plates speed up styling
+
Infused with Keratin, Argan and Coconut oils
+
Hair is left shiny and straight 

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the easiest to control
-
Won't work for curling

Sometimes bigger is better and that’s definitely the case with these extra wide, extra-long ceramic straighteners from Revamp. The perfect tool for curly and long hairstyles, this tool cut our tester's styling time almost in half without compromising on the results; expect smooth and sleek hair that stays straight for hours. 

There’s a choice of temperatures on offer here, varying from 80ºC to 235ºC, to cater to different hair types and we found that the floating plates allowed for snag-free styling, something that can be a big ask for larger plates. What’s more, the plates are infused with the brand’s Progloss super smooth oils (including keratin, argan and coconut oil) to bolster shine and help to smooth hair. 

When testing, we did find it’s not the best tool for curling hair, but it can create wavy hairstyles when rotated for added movement. As well as the straightener, this tool also comes with a heat-resistant mat to protect surfaces.  

The best straightener for curly hair prone to damage

KEEO Genius Smart Glide-Straightener

The KEEO Genius Smart Glide-Straightener

(Image credit: Keeo)

9. KEEO Genius Smart Glide-Straightener

Best straighteners for curly hair prone to breakage

Specifications

RRP: £179
Temperature settings: 190℃
Cord length: 2.7m
Voltage : 100-240V
Warranty: 1 year
Available colours: Black
Preheat: 30 seconds
Auto shut-off: 35 minutes
Added extras : Unique shape plates

Reasons to buy

+
Kind to hair
+
Doesn't snag or pull
+
Great for fine, curly hair

Reasons to avoid

-
Can crimp the hair by accident

When you straighten your hair, there are a couple of things that can cause damage. The first is the obvious one, which is heat, and the second is the tension that you create as you pull the straighteners through your hair. This is where KEEO have focused a lot of its attention, creating a straightener with a “precision air gap” between the plates that won’t clamp tightly onto the hair. It’s achieved through innovatively shaped plates, which are wavy with grooves that slot (almost) into each other when pushed together. 

We found that this makes for a silky glide and our hair was left smooth, but not flat. The only downside is that we found that if you try to curl or wave your hair with the KEEO, the motion of pressing the straighteners can create a crimped effect halfway down your strands.

This tool will be best suited to anyone whose hair is curly but also fine or prone to breakage, as it’s very gentle on the hair. The fact it doesn’t rob hair of its volume will appeal to this hair type too, as the shift from curly to poker-straight hair can sometimes feel quite harsh. The plates are narrow, and we needed to move slowly through the hair for the sleekest results, which made for a time-consuming process. It’s nice and easy to set up (plug in, press the button wait 30 seconds and you’re good to go) so there’s no time wasted reading the instructions. An exciting launch from a forward-thinking new brand. 

How we tested the best straighteners for curly hair

a selection of the best straighteners for curly hair ready for testing

Some of the best straighteners for curly hair that we tested for this feature

(Image credit: Jess Beech)

To ensure you’re well-informed on a straightener model before spending your hard-earned cash, we tried and tested every pair of irons on this list on several occasions. They have been trialed by women with curl types ranging from 2a to 4c to ensure that they work well on all kinds of curls. To make this list, they had to deliver on the following criteria.

  • How well they styled our hair: All of the best straighteners for curly hair made this list because they left our hair smooth, silky and most importantly, straight. 
  • Whether they were kind to our hair: Heat styling will always inflict some level of damage, but we want to see that a brand has thought about ways to minimize this. Functions and technologies like floating plates, adjustable heat settings and smart sensors all earned points here. 
  • The price: Most things are becoming more expensive and beauty products are no exception. If a tool is pricey, we need the extra investment to be justified. 
  • Ease of use: It might be one of the best straighteners for curly hair, but if using it requires reading an instruction manual longer than our arm and a degree in physics, then it’s not worth it. They should be simple and intuitive to use and lightweight enough that you don’t feel like you’re breaking a sweat by the end. 
  • Design: A sleek or chic design is also a plus. We don’t want to sound shallow, but if you’re splashing out on a tool you want it to look the part, too. 

How to choose the best straighteners for curly hair

As well as our testing insights, there are a few other considerations to make before settling on a new pair of straighteners. 

  • Temperature range: “When looking for a straightener for curly hair, it’s best to check temperature settings and whether it can style all hair types,” explains celebrity hair stylist and Dyson ambassador Larry King. Between around 180–210°C is the recommended temperature for thick, coarse and curly hair types. 
  • Size of plates: For thick or curly hairstyles, wider plates will usually do the job better as they can straighten a larger section of hair at once, cutting down the overall styling time. 
  • Type of plates: Ceramic plates are helpful to ensure even heat distribution and make styling seamless, while tourmaline plates are great for damaged or coloured hair, as they help to reduce frizz and seal the hair cuticle, which retains moisture. 

FAQs on the best straighteners for curly hair

Larry King

Larry King is a celebrity hairdresser and the founder of Larry King Salons and haircare brands. He is also an ambassador for Dyson. 

Adam Reed
Adam Reed

Adam Reed is a leading hairdresser and the founder of the ARKIVE Headcare brand and salon. At the time of writing, he was also an ambassador for ghd. 

Charlotte Mensah
Charlotte Mensah

Charlotte Mensah is an award-winning hair stylist, founder of the Hair Lounge salon and her own eponymous haircare brand, and the author of Good Hair: The Essential Guide to Afro, Textured and Curly Hair. When this article was first published, she was also an ambassador for ghd.

Sam Burnett
Sam Burnett

Sam Burnett is a hairdresser and the founder of the Hare & Bone salon, as well as an ambassador for KAO brands including KMS. 

What straighteners are best for frizzy hair?

Want to know what the experts think? Unsurprisingly, ghd gets global hairstylist, founder of ARKIVE Headcare and ghd Global Ambassador Adam Reed's vote. “The best straighteners for frizzy hair are the ghd Platinum+,” he says. “I think the Dyson Corrale (as well as the Dyson Airwrap) are amazing at maintaining your hair’s condition and smoothing frizz,” adds Sam Burnett. “I also think the ghd Duet wet-to-dry Styler is great.”

Is it OK to straighten naturally curly hair?

There is absolutely reason why you can’t straighten naturally curly hair, but it does come with a few caveats. “It’s only OK if you care for your hair correctly,” says Burnett. “I would always suggest using a light amount of heat by blow-drying your hair first, and then straightening on a low setting.” 

A blow-dry spray that speeds up drying time will mean you’re not using heat for as long, while products like your best shampoo and conditioner for dry hair and the best hair styling products for curly hair will help to restore any moisture lost through the process. A final thing you need to consider is that the more you straighten your hair, the more you’ll distort your natural curl pattern. Heat styling causes damage to the hair, and also gets it used to being in a different position, both of which can impact the bounciness of your curls or coils. If you’re really trying to protect this, you might want to lay off the irons for a while. 

Is it better to straighten curly hair wet or dry?

Unless the styler is specifically designed with this function in mind (like the ghd Duet Style) you should never straighten your hair when it’s wet. “Never ever dry your hair with a straightener,” Reed stresses. “Always dry it first.” Not only does straightening wet hair risk damaging your tool (a non-ideal scenario when the best straighteners for curly hair aren’t cheap), but your hair, too. 

“A straightener applies heat directly to the hair at a high temperature,” says Burnett. “And when your hair is wet and at its most fragile, it can quickly be heated to scorching temperatures. This results in burnt or even broken hair.” By drying the hair first, you can also smooth it out with a brush, which will mean your straighteners won’t have to work quite so hard to smooth your hair afterwards.

How to protect curly hair while straightening

“One of the best hair care tips, which is very often ignored, is using a heat protective spray on your hair before any heated tools,” says Charlotte Mensah, hair stylist and ghd ambassador. “If you prep your hair using ghd Bodyguard Heat Protect Spray before applying any heat, you’ll love how your hair looks even after the styling wears off. Follow this commandment, and your hair will really thank you for it.” 

Mensah recommends caring for your curls in between styling sessions, too. Noticed split ends?  “Trim your hair every six to eight weeks to maintain your style and keep your ends healthy,” she adds. When straightening curly hair, doing this will ensure the edges look sharp and in good condition, too. 

Another top tip is to consider what you’re sleeping on. “The rougher texture of cotton and linen pillowcases can cause unnecessary hair damage,” warns Mensah. “Sleeping on cotton pillowcases can also draw moisture out of the hair, which contributes to breakage,” she adds. “Wrapping your hair in a silk scarf or sleeping on one of the best silk pillowcases to ensure healthier hair.” 

Jess Beech

Jess Beech is an experienced fashion and beauty editor, with more than eight years experience in the publishing industry. She has written for woman&home, GoodtoKnow, Now, Woman, Woman’s Weekly, Woman’s Own and Chat, and is a former Deputy Fashion & Beauty Editor at Future PLC. A beauty obsessive, Jess has tried everything from cryotherapy to chemical peels (minus the Samantha in Sex and The City-worthy redness) and interviewed experts including Jo Malone and Trinny Woodall.

With contributions from