The best hair straighteners to smooth, style, and care for your hair

From cordless to steam to curling, we've picked the best hair straighteners for every hair type and styling need

collage of three of the best hair straighteners
(Image credit: Future/Canva/Revlon/T3/Dyson)

The best hair straighteners are a pricey investment, but one that will quickly earn their keep.

Straightening irons have come a long way over the years, and so have our expectations. In the early 00s, the idea that a tool could transform unruly, frizzy hair into sleek, smooth hair was enough, but now (like the Veruca Salt of beauty) we want it all, and we want it now. We want the ability to not just iron out kinks, but to create curls and waves too. We want to be able to enjoy the best cordless hair straighteners without needing to be near a plug. And we really, really, don’t want to compromise on hair health. 

“Good straighteners are all about technology,” says Zoe Irwin, Creative Director at John Frieda Salons. “They should combine smooth styling plates which glide through the hair with ease, with a heat that’s high enough to create a lasting effect in the hair – but not so high as to cause damage.”

“They should have a range of heat settings to cater for different styles or types of hair,” adds Tyler Moore, Expert Stylist at Live True Salons. “You should also ensure that any straighteners you use have either titanium or ceramic plates, as these distribute heat more evenly and help you avoid any unnecessary harm to the hair.”

How we tested the best hair straighteners 

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.

best hair straighteners ready for testing

(Image credit: Jess Beech)

Hair straighteners are an expensive purchase, so you want to know that any reviews you read are reliable. To help you make an informed decision before adding to basket, our beauty team has tried every single straightener on this list – plus extras that didn’t make the final edit. Each hair straightener was used on multiple occasions, and, where possible, on several different hair types and textures. When comparing the straighteners to each other, we used the same shampoo, conditioner, and styling products to make sure that nothing else swayed the results. While testing each tool we assessed the following  factors:

  • How well they styled hair, as well as the condition they left our hair in after use
  • The heat control options
  • Price
  • Design
  • Ease of use

The best hair straighteners, chosen by our beauty team

GHD Platinum+ Hair Straightener

(Image credit: GHD)

1. GHD Platinum+

Best hair straightener overall

Specifications

RRP: $279 / £219
Weight: 302g
Cord length: 2.7m
Warranty: 3 years
Added extras: Heat resistant protective plate guard
Best for: All hair types

Reasons to buy

+
Swivel cord makes styling easy
+
Sleek results on all hair types
+
Heats up fast

Reasons to avoid

-
Can cause breakage if not used with care

GHD is the first name in hair straightening, so it seems right that it’s their most premium styler that tops our list. If you’re anything like us, and have been using your straighteners religiously since the early 00s, then you’ll agree that these are the kind of flat irons our singed-haired younger selves would have dreamt of. 

Everything about the GHD Platinum+ is intuitive and easy to use. Instead of a choice of heat settings, there’s just the one, which whizzes up to 185ºC (the temperature GHD recommends for optimum hair health) in a matter of seconds – making a satisfying ding when it’s good to go. The cord is long, with a 360º swivel end that means you can move it around with ease (especially handy when you’re creating curls and waves) without knotting yourself in a tangle of wires. Sounds simple, but for anyone who (like us) finds anything beyond smoothing a struggle, it’s a game-changer. The ceramic-coated plates glide through hair effortlessly and seamlessly and are “floating” which means they have a bit of bounce when pressed together. This allows you to get a good amount of tension as you move through.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a straightener that’s more of a crowd-pleaser than the GHD Platinum+. Among our team, it earns top marks for adding bends, waves, and curls to flat and fine hair, and extra brownie points for cutting down styling time for hair that’s thick and naturally curly too. Just one, relatively speedy pass is enough to leave hair smooth, and the results have genuine longevity too. This isn’t the kind of straightener that will render your styling time redundant within a couple of hours, but rather one that’ll leave you still marveling at the smoothness days later. 

See our full GHD Platinum + review

Cloud Nine The Wide Iron

(Image credit: Cloud Nine)

2. Cloud Nine The Wide Iron

The best hair straightener for thick hair

Specifications

RRP: $200 / £169
Weight: 520g
Cord length: 2.7m
Warranty: 3 years
Added extras: Protective heat guard and heat protection spray
Best for: Thick or curly hair

Reasons to buy

+
Adjustable heat settings
+
Kind to hair 
+
Impressive results in one pass

Reasons to avoid

-
Not always easy to get close to the root

Personal recommendations are always the best, and we first discovered the Cloud Nine Wide Iron Hair Straightener not through a flashy marketing campaign, but via a rave review from our Beauty Editor’s local hairdresser. Cloud Nine might not be such an instantly recognizable name compared to Dyson and GHD, but trust us when we say they more than compete when it comes to performance. 

If you have thick or naturally curly hair, then the process of straightening is rarely a quick fix. By the time you’ve dried your hair too (either naturally or with one of the best hairdryers) the process can easily take more than an hour. Wide plates then, like those on this styler, are appealing, as they allow you to work on much larger sections of hair at once. And, although the plates are wide, these have very little trim around the edges, so you can still get close enough to your hairline to tackle those wispy (and often static) baby hairs at the front as well. The edges are curved too, which, combined with the extra width, make this the perfect tool for creating looser, more laid-back waves and curls than you can with a smaller tool.

Those among us that straighten their hair so much that their flat irons would be top of their list of desert island supplies will know that heat damage is the inevitable sharp edge of the styling sword. And annoyingly, the more frazzled your hair becomes through straightening, the harder it then is to keep frizz at bay. But, we can genuinely say, hand on heart that these stylers have left our hair in the best condition of any straightening iron we’ve used. We’re not sure if it’s the way the plates glide through, the fact that you can lower the heat settings, or the fact that the results are so long-lasting that you barely need to touch up the next day –  or a triple threat of all three. Either way, if you’re serious about finding the best hair straighteners for thick hair, these are the ones to try. 

The Dyson Corrale, one of the best hair straighteners as chosen by w&h

(Image credit: Dyson)
Best hair straightener for smoothing

Specifications

RRP: £363 / $499
Weight: 561g (when cordless)
Cord length: 4.34m
Warranty: 2 years
Added extras: Cordless capability, choice of two colors, flight-ready feature for packing in carry-on
Best for: Damaged hair, versatile styling

Reasons to buy

+
Intelligent, kind-to-hair technology; luxury
+
Smooth, versatile styling
+
Cordless capabilities
+
Great for travel 

Reasons to avoid

-
More expensive than its luxury counterparts 
-
Magnetic cord can be unstable 

The Dyson Coralle is undoubtedly two things: beautifully presented and very expensive. In fact, it’s one of the priciest options on the list. It’s also (as you’d expect from Dyson) brimming with impressive tech and much like the Dyson Supersonic Dryer and the Dyson Airwrap puts the focus on hair health.

While there’s nothing here that would completely confuse a flat iron first-timer, it’s fair to say that the Corrale looks a little different from your average straightener. Where most stylers have a gap between the base of the plates and the hinge at the base, Dyson has filled this space with an OLED display control panel showing the temperature and battery life during use. In general, it’s heavier and bulkier than your average iron. Of course, the most notable difference is the lack of a cord, and 70 minutes of charge will reward you with 30 minutes of styling (which is unusually efficient, even for the best cordless straighteners). The temperature is adjustable (choose between 165°C, 185°C, and 210°C) and the plates are flexible. They do make a slightly unsettling crackling sound as they glide through the hair, but this is down to them applying a spot-on level of tension to reduce damage, rather than any actual snagging. 

Heat control is central to the Corrale experience, with integrated sensors regulating the temperature of the smart plates 100 times per second. This means no hot spots or unwanted temperature spikes. We did find that hair felt cooler to the touch after passing through the iron than when using other straighteners on the same heat settings. 

As a team, we’re a little divided on this one. Those with fine, naturally straight hair consider it an all-out success, while those with thicker, naturally curlier hair have found it takes longer to get smooth, sleek results with the Dyson Corrale than it does with other stylers. We’d say the end result is more similar to a sleek blow-dry rather than poker-straight, and hair retains more volume than normal. Depending on your hair type and desired look, this will either be an appealing or unappealing prospect. 

See our full Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener review

best hair straighteners T3 Lucea ID Smart Straightening & Styling Iron

(Image credit: T3)
Best hair straightener for intuitive styling

Specifications

RRP: £171 / $235
Weight: 391g
Cord length: 2.5m
Warranty: 2 years
Added extras: Auto turn-off function, lockable plates and screen
Best for: Regular heat stylers, long hair

Reasons to buy

+
Intelligent bespoke modes
+
Excellent design
+
Long plates great for curling and smoothing

Reasons to avoid

-
More complicated to use than others

T3 is the master of bespoke hair-styling experiences. But how do you get personal with straightening? You create a customized Heat ID profile that the T3 Lucea ID Smart Straightening & Styling Iron remembers, then styles your hair at its temperature sweet spot afterwards. That’s how. 

What exactly does personal mean in practice? Intelligence on your side. T3 makes the set-up process as smooth as a sheet of freshly ironed hair after an at-home keratin treatment. You will need to read the instructions, but we were chuffed to find that it’s a glossy photography-heavy booklet, not an infuriating jargon-packed manual. Once you have inputted the info and locked on the device’s touchscreen, it’ll remember your ID for next time or allow you to switch it up and work in manual mode should you choose. Let's not forget the most important bit—how did it perform on our hair? Really well, actually. It was straight, glossy, and smooth, which is what you want, and all of the above happened quickly, thanks to the unusually long plates.

One excellent feature of the T3 Lucea is Refresh mode, designed for day two when full-on heat isn’t needed, but a little style touch-up might be. The touchscreen did come with a few warnings about not pressing it in the wrong place at the wrong time, which indicates that accidents may be possible. But we didn't have any issues, so perhaps it was just overcautiousness on T3’s part. This, plus Lucea’s beautiful design, convinced us that a woman must have designed it. Or at least someone who understands how we really style our hair day-to-day, who also knows that we’d like our tech to look gorgeous and perform. Oh, and that sometimes we need a bit of saving from ourselves in the heat department. 

See our full T3 Lucea ID review

best hair straighteners GHD original IV hair straightener

(Image credit: ghd)

5. GHD Original IV Styler

Best hair straightener for simple styling

Specifications

RRP: £108 / $149
Weight: 700g
Cord length: 2.7m
Warranty: 2 years
Added extras: Automatic sleep mode, universal voltage
Best for: Everyday styling all hair types

Reasons to buy

+
Straightforward to use
+
Trustworthy design
+
Slimline plates 

Reasons to avoid

-
Non-variable temperature

You probably recognize this one. GHD Original Styler is undoubtedly the most iconic (and arguably one of the best) hair straighteners of all time. Which is why you'll rarely see it in the GHD sales. It’s the flat iron that launched a million copycats and convinced us we needed our hair in poker-straight sheets back in the early '00s. Your hair goals may have moved on since then, but there is much to be said for revisiting this classic, versatile hair straightener.

The design is stylish and straightforward. Think velvety black casing, matte ceramic plates and a narrow shape that sets this aside from other stylers, which tend towards chunkier builds. We found them to be particularly useful for short hairstyles or waves, and they boast a floating mechanism that slips over the hair very nicely, with no snagging or tugging. The controls are simple, just one flick switch to turn the device on then allow half a minute to reach its set temperature of 185°C ("any hotter damages the hair, any cooler and the result is compromised," says GHD). This will be music to the ears of anyone who feels confused by numerous heat options—sometimes, these things are best decided by the experts.

Naturally, technology has moved on since the 2001 model, with incremental improvements on everything from heating-up time, smoothness of styling and safety leading us to this version.. Nifty features like a non-tangling swivel cord—an extra-long 2.7 meter one at that—plus automatic shut-off after 30 minutes enhance the experience (and gave us maximum peace of mind). Is the GHD Original IV Hair Straightener the shiniest most high-spec hair straightener out there? Nope. it's a classic, trustworthy, and dare we say iconic piece of beauty design that has stood the test of time. They're also built to last (as owners of the 'original originals' who used them every day for the entire 2000s never once experiencing a technical glitch can attest.)

Remington Wet2Straight Pro Hair Straighteners


(Image credit: Remington)

6. Remington Wet 2 Straight Pro Straightener

Best hair two-in-one hair straightener and dryer

Specifications

RRP: £99.99 / $30.99
Weight: 14.8 ounces/420kg
Cord length: 10ft
Warranty: 5 years +1 if you register your product online
Added extras: 10 heat settings digital controls, auto shutoff, storage pouch, heat-proof pouch
Best for: Fine to medium hair, straightening only

Reasons to buy

+
Dries and straightens
+
Ultra-smooth results
+
More affordable than others
+
15-second heat-up

Reasons to avoid

-
Not for very thick hair

A hair straightener that also dries your hair sounds like it could go one of two ways; a hair-frazzling nightmare, or a genius hack that'll change your styling game forever. Luckily, the Remington Wet 2 Straight Pro Straightener definitely errs on the latter side. Run the plates over towel-dried (not soaking) hair and it'll gently evaporate excess water and release steam through its unique venting system, leaving strands dry and silky smooth in far less time than doing the two separately. In practice, it all works pretty well. In our experience, the process wasn’t a speedy one, as you have to take it section by section. For this reason, it might not be practical for very thick or curly hair types, but it certainly saved our fine, mid-length-haired tester some precious time. It also certainly didn't have any of the worrying 'sizzle' or toasting hair smell we half expected when we first heard about the device.

As well as turning two jobs into one, the Wet 2 Straight aims to care for the condition of your hair with auto sensors that adjust the plate temperature with each pass. This allowed us to go lower on the heat while drying before gently ramping things up as we finished our style. There’s also the option of using it in dry mode, essentially your usual hair straightening experience, if it's not hair-washing day. Of the 10 temperature settings available, the hottest is 450°F/230°C and it can get there in 15 seconds before shutting off after 60 minutes automatically, which is always reassuring. Titanium and ceramic plates offer even heat, seamless smoothing without snags and help prevent heat damage down the road.

Panasonic EH-HS0E Enrich Advanced Care Hair Straightener

(Image credit: Panasonic)

7. Panasonic EH-HS0E Enrich Advanced Care Hair Straightener

Best hair straightener for damaged hair

Specifications

RRP: £149 / $200
Weight: 8.8 ounces/250g
Cord length: 5.6'ft
Warranty: 1 year
Added extras: Nanoe hydrating technology, intelligent thermal sensor, 3D flexible floating plates
Best for: Dry or color-treated hair

Reasons to buy

+
Gentle on the hair
+
Hydrates as it straightens
+
Very smooth 

Reasons to avoid

-
Could open a little wider

Panasonic's straightener looks the part with its matte black casing and champagne accents, but the real beauty of it lies in how much it cares for your hair. The main thing you'll notice is that the 3D flexible plates deliver an ultra-glossy finish that lasts incredibly well between washes. The plates gently adjust as you straighten to swiftly smooth hair in one shot without too much direct heat, which is great for the all-around condition of our hair. We found that the lowest heat (150°C) was still effective enough to passably straighten a hefty chunk of coarse hair in one go, which will be music to the ears of anyone who normally has to default to scorching temperatures for a smooth finish. They heat up fairly quickly, taking about 20 seconds to get to the lowest of the five heat settings and another ten or so to the top. 

Much like the Panasonic Nanoe & Double Mineral hair dryer, this straightener uses Panasonic's unique Nanoe technology. What does that mean? Well, it takes microdroplets of water from the air, splits them into tinier particles, and feeds them back into your hair to hydrate it from within. This is great news for dry or dehydrated hair types, but also for anyone who would prefer their hair straightener didn't frazzle their ends. Which is everyone, right? Even better, we also get an intelligent thermal sensor within the plates to make sure the heat is completely even, which does away with damaging hot spots and leaves hair uniformly silky and shiny after use.

best hair straighteners BaByliss 9000 cordless hair straightener

(Image credit: Babyliss)
Best cordless hair straightener

Specifications

RRP: £200 / $275
Weight: 810g
Cord length: 1m
Warranty: 2 years
Added extras: UK and EU adaptors, roll-up heat mat, silicone sleeve, storage case
Best for: Frizzy hair that needs top-ups

Reasons to buy

+
Convenient and portable
+
Floating plates
+
Powerful straightening
+
Lighter than you expect

Reasons to avoid

-
Long charging time

It’s not strictly true to say there were no cordless straighteners before the BaByliss 9000 Cordless Hair Straightener, but there really weren’t any worth bothering with. A disappointing bunch of weak, clunky devices that couldn’t run for 15 minutes without needing to be charged preceded this model, so no wonder it was met with a glowing reception. Our only gripe here is that the charging time is still lengthy, requiring 3 hours of plugged-in time in exchange for 30 minutes of cordless styling. 

This certainly matches the big boys and their big long wires for power and straightening results. It runs on a lithium-ion, high-performance battery and offers three heat settings. Because the plates are of the floating ceramic variety, we’re pleased to report that they don’t snag at the hair and do heat up quickly and maintain your chosen temperature throughout. We found that one pass on the lowest setting (160°C) was enough for fine hair to emerge perfectly straight but thicker hair needed a bit more heat (180°C to 200°C), The results were impressive, and definitely comparable to corded tools, with speedy styling time and long-lasting shine and smoothness. We’d especially recommend them if you’re after the best straighteners for curly hair. The only distraction was the occasional clicking noise, which we can only assume was the floating plates adjusting to the thickness of our hair. 

The cordless capabilities are clearly the biggest draw and will appeal to anyone who carries their straighteners with them during the day. Being able to smooth away frizz post-commute or add speedy waves before a night out without the need for a plug is a huge pro. Sure, the Babyliss 900 is a bit heavier than your average iron and the charging time could be better, but we think it’s more than a fair trade for the performance. 

See our full BaByliss 9000 Cordless Hair Straightener review 

L’Orėal Professionel Steampod 4

(Image credit: L'Oreal)
Best hair straightener for dry hair

Specifications

RRP: $356 / £299
Weight: 600g
Cord length: 2.5m
Warranty: 1 year
Added extras: 3 removable combs, heat-resistant travel pouch, water tank filing bottle
Best for: Anyone serious about hair health

Reasons to buy

+
Very effective on thick or curly hair
+
Adds shine
+
Good for curling and waving

Reasons to avoid

-
Filling the tank is time-consuming

For those familiar with the SteamPod, you’ll know that the 4 is not L’Oreal’s first rodeo when it comes to steam styling. It is however its sleekest and best version yet – especially when you remember that earlier versions came with a large connected water tank. 

Let’s start with the initial concept. Regular straighteners can steal moisture from the hair, which is why you can sometimes notice the hair steaming as you style. L’Oreal wanted to turn this on its head, with the logic that purposely adding steam while heat styling the hair will re-infuse moisture, so your hair is soft and silky (instead of dehydrated and a bit frazzled) after use. The newest features on version 4 are wider plates so you can straighten more hair at once, the choice of three different combs based on your hair type, and curved outer plates which heat to 100°C to help lock curls and waves in place. The latter is definitely a sign of a shift towards consumers wanting their flat iron to do more than just straighten. 

The set-up for the SteamPod is slightly more labored than your average styler, as you need to add water to the tank before you begin. Normal tap water isn’t recommended (the brand takes no responsibility for damage caused to the tool by scaling) and instead they suggest you use lime-free, demineralized water. You can buy this relatively inexpensively, but it’s a bit of a faff, so try and stock up in bulk. When the time comes to turn your styler on, there’s a choice of three temperatures spanning 180ºC to 210ºC and it heats up quickly. 

There’s no denying that using the SteamPod is clunkier and noisier than a regular straightener, but you really can feel the difference in the texture of your hair. Instead of feeling very dry, our hair felt almost tacky with moisture. This did make our naturally curly-haired Beauty Editor initially recoil (as excess water almost always equals frizz) but it didn’t cause her hair to poof or fluff, it just left it smooth and sleek. 

See our full L’Oréal Professionnel SteamPod 3.0 review

Revlon Double Straight Copper Ceramic Dual Plate Straightener

(Image credit: Revlon)

10. Revlon Double Straight Copper Ceramic Dual Plate Straightener

The best hair straightener for adding shine

Specifications

RRP: $64.99 / £60
Weight: Not specified
Cord length: 2.5m
Warranty: 4 year
Added extras : n/a
Best for : Adding shine to hair fast

Reasons to buy

+
Innovative shape 
+
Wide range of temperatures 
+
Easy to grip 

Reasons to avoid

-
Might be too wide for some

Every now and again, a beauty product comes along that really surprises you. The first thing you’ve probably noticed about the Revlon Double Straight Copper Ceramic Dual Plate Straightener is that it looks more like a fork than a straightener. Instead of the traditional two plates, it has four, with each pair joined together at the top. You’ll have to forgive our cynicism, but our initial thoughts were that the unique design is purely a marketing gimmick. Surely if this was the optimum shape for our hair then other brands would have caught on earlier? Luckily we don’t mind being proven wrong, because we were – and quickly. 

We almost didn’t give the Revlon Double Straight Copper Ceramic Dual Plate Straightener a fair trial, using it on naturally curly hair that had probably been left to air-dry for too long before blow-drying and without adequate styling products. But it rose to the challenge with bells on, leaving hair silky smooth and just-stepped-out of the salon shiny with minimum effort. We’d say the effect is the same as a wide-plated styler, but the fact that there’s a gap in the middle means less heat is coming into contact with the hair – which surely reduces damage comparatively. Revlon has created this design with the concept that the first plate straightens the hair, and the second re-inforces its work – like a smoothing tag team. For clarity, it’s not that one plate has different capabilities from the other, so it doesn’t matter which way around you hold or use the styler. 

Another pro for reducing damage is the range of ten different temperatures. These options are broader than any others we’ve seen and span from 140°C to 235°C. We’d recommend toggling to as low a temperature as possible and found 170°C to be the perfect sweet spot. The final tick comes from the fact that the styler automatically resets to the last temperature you used every time you turn it on, saving you precious seconds in the morning. 

Cloud Nine The Cordless Iron Pro

(Image credit: Cloud Nine)

11. Cloud Nine The Cordless Iron Pro

Best hair straightener for travel

Specifications

RRP: £349 / $492 (approx.)
Weight: 290g
Cord length: Cordless
Warranty: 1 year
Added extras: Faux leather style case, white faux leather roll bag, charging pod, protective heat resistant guard, universal voltage charger and plug adaptors, luxury travel bag, boar bristle dressing brush
Best for: Medium thickness hair, quick top-ups and holidays

Reasons to buy

+
Revive mode to shine
+
Colour protection technology
+
Light and easy to take on-the-go
+
Rounded barrels for versatility

Reasons to avoid

-
Not hot enough for very thick, curly hair

While there are several great cordless straightener models on the market, with some already included in this guide, the Cloud Nine Cordless Pro is the one we would opt for regular travel—and it's all thanks to its light and agile design. 

At only 290g this is probably one of the lightest stylers we have ever come across, meaning it's not only a sensible option for travel, it's also perfect for throwing in your handbag if you're frizz-prone and want a midday top-up. The long-lasting battery also means that it will see you through a few hair straightening sessions and the chic charging pod will top-up the battery in no time.

Like other Cloud Nine models, this boasts the brand's unique vibrating revive mode, which limits the plates contact time with your hair in order to prevent heat damage. Variable temperature control also helps to prevent heat damage. Our one niggle is the top temperature of 170°c. While that'll keep your tresses healthy, it's not quite hot enough to leave a completely smooth and sleek finish on coarse or very thick and curly hair. However, it does a great job of ironing out kinks on the go, tackling baby hairs and bouts of frizz so still has its uses for those hair types. The rounded barrels also mean that you can use this styler to add volume or even throw a few curls or waves into the hair, once you've perfected your twisting action.

Glamoriser Smart Straightener

(Image credit: Glamoriser)

12. Glamoriser Smart Straightener

Best straightener with bluetooth connectivity

Specifications

RRP: £155.99 / £89.99
Weight: 8.8 ounces/250g
Cord length: 3m
Warranty: 2 years
Added extras: Includes heat mat, ionic technology, variable temperature 175-455°F/80-200°C
Best for: Tech fans who want bespoke settings

Reasons to buy

+
Bluetooth function
+
Good value
+
Bespoke settings via app
+
Slimline floating plates

Reasons to avoid

-
Complex to set up

There is much to recommend using this straightener in terms of smooth, snag-free styling, a long swivel cord and slimline floating plates that are particularly useful on short hair or for bangs. But really, the USP worth shouting about with the Glamoriser Smart Straightener is Bluetooth connectivity. This links up to an app on your phone, which you can then use to turn the irons on and create customized settings based on your hair type, which it will remember for every use. Possibly most useful of all, you can adjust the auto shut-off feature from 5-20 minutes after use to ensure your flat iron isn't frying the carpet while you drive to work. 


Aside from the clever app-controlled settings, which will appeal to some as much as it'll put other technically challenged types off (you can use it without the app if that's the case) This also boasts a digital display so you can keep an eye on heat, which comes in an unusually large range from 175-455°F/80-200°C. The ionic plates help combat frizz and universal voltage means they'll work wherever you take them. Yes, the app might be a little more complicated than simply plugging the flat irons in and pressing the on button, but the nifty tech will reward you for the extra effort. 


How to choose the best hair straighteners

There are so many uses for hair straighteners, so a key thing to consider before purchasing is how (and how regularly) you’ll be using them. If you have coiled or frizzy hair that you straighten daily, floating plates and customizable heat that protect your hair’s health should be a priority. If you have fine hair and are as adept at how to curl hair with straighteners as you are smoothing, long narrow plates and a curved outer edge will make life a lot easier.

What to consider when buying hair straighteners

  • Price: Some of the best hair straighteners are big-ticket items, but if you're on a budget or have low-maintenance hair, you can get away with a simpler (read: cheaper) model.
  • Heat settings: Thick hair generally needs a high temperature for efficient smoothing. If you have fine or damaged hair, look for options with the flexibility to go low.
  • Accessories:  If you take your straighteners everywhere with you, then extras like a travel case or heat matt are handy additions.
  • Plate size/width: Your straightener should accommodate your hair type. This means larger plates for thick, long hair and narrower irons for short or finer types.
  • Plate material: Flat iron plates can be made of many materials, with ceramic, titanium and tourmaline generally considered the best for protecting hair condition. 

Which temperature should I use for my hair?

Your iron’s temperature should be based on your hair type. The finer your hair is, the lower the heat setting needs to be. Only those with coarse, thick hair will probably need to use the highest settings. 

To prevent heat damage to your hair, we recommend the following:

For thin hair types: set your iron anywhere between 150-180°C.

For thick hair types: set your iron anywhere between 180-200°C. 

How can I tell if my straightener is set too high?

Major indications of heat damage include hair dryness, dullness, and split and snapped-off ends. You might not notice these overnight, but within a couple of weeks, you’ll start to see a change in your hair. An immediate consequence you’ll notice is limpness, which will affect your hair’s ability to hold your desired style throughout the day. As a good rule of thumb, reserve your flat iron for special and specific events rather than for everyday use (if you can help it). Turning down the temperature on days when your hair is playing ball and doesn’t need too much taming will make a difference too. Or, consider investing in one of the best hair straightener brushes instead, which are designed to minimize heat damage.

Which hair straightener plates are best?

There are a few plate materials to choose from when it comes to buying hair straighteners. Ceramic plates evenly distribute heat, eliminating cold and/or overheated spots and thereby reducing hair damage. Ceramic-coated plates are similar (and still help with consistent heat across the plates) but can chip and wear out – exposing the metal beneath. 

Titanium irons heat up quickly and stay hot consistently, allowing you to create silky locks in a fraction of the time. Some titanium also features an ionic charge, which smooths hair and prevents frizz, while tourmaline requires less heat than ceramic and titanium but still delivers similar results. Less heat means less damage down the road.

How often should I clean my flat iron?

We recommend cleaning your flat iron once a month, which seems excessive but We recommend cleaning your flat iron once a month. That might seem excessive, but trust us – it’s important.

Learning how to clean straighteners properly will stop your flat iron from accumulating a gunky combination of build-up heat protectant and styling products. This residue can inhibit the effectiveness of your flat iron. So, the cleaner your iron, the better the styling, and the more likely you are to achieve your desired style. It’s that simple.

What type of heat protectant should I use?

As a barrier between your hair and flat iron, the best heat protection for hair comes in the form of products that don’t simply shield, but work to condition and strengthen your hair too. Here’s what to look out for when it comes to the best heat protection for hair:

  • Humectants: Humectants attract moisture and block frizz, which is especially important for healthy hair maintenance. The result? Hydrated, shiny, and enviable locks. Humectant examples include glycerin, panthenol, and propylene.
  • Amino Acids: Amino acids work as strengthening and conditioning agents. In the world of haircare, their main function is to supply nourishing antioxidants and repair surface damage. For example, keratin, as a structural protein, makes hair more damage-resistant and revives dried-out, overheated and overprocessed hair. 
  • Natural oils: Natural oils seal and protect your hair cuticle, all while locking in moisture. They add sheen and slip to your hair too, which is especially welcome when using a heat styling tool. If we’re calling out superhero ingredients, then coconut oil deserves our attention. Coconut oil repairs split ends and shields your locks against the effects of heat-styling tools. It tends to be good value too, as a little goes a long way.
Fiona McKim
Beauty Editor, womanandhome.com

 As woman&home's Beauty Channel Editor, Fiona Mckim has tried more products than she’s had hot dinners and nothing makes her happier than raving about brilliant finds on womanandhome.com or her instagram grid (@fionamckim if you like hair experiments and cute shih-tzus). Fiona joined woman&home as Assistant Beauty Editor in 2013 under industry legend Jo GB, who taught her everything she needed to know (learn about ingredients and employ extreme cynicism). 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.