The 8 best straighteners for thick hair to style quickly and smoothly without singeing
Our thick-haired expert testers have chosen the 8 best hair straighteners for thick hair to suit various budgets – reviewing them in detail here
Lucy Abbersteen
Picking up any pair of highly-rated straighteners doesn't necessarily guarantee a lasting sleek finish on thick hair. It sounds obvious, we know, but the tech has to be able to effectively smooth thick strands. It's not simply a case of styling at a scorchingly high temperature and hoping for the best. Given that you can't road test a pair in a given shop before you buy them, you have to put in some research – but, fortunately enough, our thick-haired testers have done the legwork to help you make a successful purchase.
The secret to straightening thick hair speedily and effectively lies in the plates – because in this case, the best hair straighteners are wider or longer than average. “Using a wider plate straightener can make it easier to style thick hair as it’s faster to straighten large sections,” confirms Live True London hairstylist Tyler Moore. “While it’s possible to style with regular straighteners, beginners may find wider plates easier to use.”
Then, on longer hair, “Wide plates are super effective as they capture more stands in one go and remove frizz fast,” says Salon Sloane founder Belle Cannan. For the sleekest results, glossy coatings and variable heat settings are a must, regardless of whether you want a pair of the best cordless straighteners or best straighteners for curly hair.
As someone with thick hair, I can tell you from firsthand experience that the key to smoothing it out really does lie in having the right tool for the job. Learning to straighten your hair is easy, but you'll never get good results from incompatible – or just plain bad – tech. That's why, along with fellow woman&home beauty team members, I've drawn on my years of testing experience to analyse and compare the top tools on the market. Here, I've shared detailed reviews of only the very best hair straighteners for thick hair – some of which even have a discounted price tag at retailers like Boots and Sephora. These are the ones that offer a fuss-free styling process and glossy results, every time...
The best straighteners for thick hair deals
These deals were last checked on 16/03/26 and we will continue to do so to ensure that all of the products below are still in stock, still discounted and, most importantly, are the very best deals around at the moment.
The best straighteners for thick hair, reviewed by our beauty team
The quick list
An iconic pair, the ghd Max Styler almost needs no introduction. The glossy plates glide across strands without snagging and shut off after 30 minutes of inactivity – ideal if you often worry about whether or not you switched your straighteners off before leaving the house.
With the biggest temperature range of all the tools featured in this guide, I loved how quickly Revamp's wide straighteners smoothed out my thick hair. Here plates are longer, rather than wider, to style more hair at once.
While it's not the cheapest tool in our guide, this pair is unique in that it uses steam to replace moisture lost during the straightening process. My usual frizz was nowhere to be seen and the plates fit right into the roots, allowing me to create an all-over sleek and straight look with ease.
These reasonably-priced straighteners also look very chic, and while they're the narrowest option I tried, their thinner shape allowed me to tackle shorter curly hairs around the crown. Being very lightweight, these are also great at creating waves and curls, if heatless curls aren't your thing.
With "wiggly" plates that create an "air gap" to reduce damage, I found these straighteners helped to minimise the look of split ends. They also retained some of the natural volume of thick hair – a plus if you're looking for that bouncy, 90s blowout hair look.
The latest addition to the famous ghd line-up, the Chronos Max pairs the tech of the Chronos with the jumbo size of the Max Styler. Ideal for those who want those larger plates and ultra smooth, lasting results. It's sleek in every way – both in terms of the user experience and finish.
The best hair straighteners for long and thick hair
Reviewed by: Jess Beech
The ghd Max was one of the very first pairs of wide-plate straighteners on the market, but it's evolved over the years in terms of features and functionality. Within the brand portfolio, the Max is closer to the Gold than the newer ghd Chronos and Platinum+ stylers, as it lacks some of the higher-tech features. (The newer, more expensive ghd Chronos Max, also featured in this guide, combines newer tech with the Max size.) As is standard for this brand, it only styles at 185ºC due to ghd's research into the healthiest styling temperatures, which won't appeal to all.
That said, there are still plenty of pros here. Firstly, the curved edges make it ideal for learning how to curl hair with straighteners. You can create anything from big and bouncy curls on long hair to soft, beachy waves on shorter lengths. I personally like using a wider styler for curls and waves. Narrower plates make the process more time-consuming and can leave my hair looking doubly thick, which isn't my end goal, but may be something you're looking to achieve if you're experiencing gradually thinning hair.
The plates do feel satisfyingly hot when you use them (controversial, I know, but I like to feel my straighteners working!) This tool also automatically shuts off after 30 minutes of inactivity, a big plus if you're often in a rush to leave the house or just generally like the peace of mind. The floating glossy plates also adapt to your hair's thickness and avoid snagging. Should you be in the market for more hairstyling tools, Ghd also makes one of the best curling irons for thick hair.
Save on your next purchase with woman&home's latest ghd discount codes
The best straighteners for thick hair that style fast
The Revamp Progloss Ultra X Shine Wide Ceramic Hair Straightener
Reviewed by: Jess Beech
Revamp might not be as recognisable a name as some other brands featured here are (such as ghd, Revlon and Dyson), but trust me, the Progloss Wide Ultra X Shine Ceramic Hair Straightener is a perfect match for long and thick hair. The plates are extra long – more than a quarter longer than the average styler – meaning you can straighten thick hair quickly and efficiently.
A decent temperature range is always a plus and this has the broadest range in our guide, from 80ºC right up to 235ºC. I’m not convinced anybody with thick hair would see much of a difference styling at 80ºC, to be honest, but if your hair is very fragile from bleaching (perhaps you overdid it with a home highlights kit), it's could be useful. Speaking of damage, this tool incorporates ionic technology, whereby positive ions that form when hair is overheated, coloured or over-processed are neutralised and replaced with negative ones to reseal the cuticle. These negative ions give hair a shiny and silky texture, plus the plates are infused with hair-loving keratin, plus argan and coconut oils.
For me, the longer plates took some getting used to, but once I'd mastered the technique this design definitely reduced my overall styling time. My only other criticism of this Revamp model would be that even the 170ºC setting left my hair feeling very hot, which made me a bit suspicious of the accuracy of the temperature settings.
The best affordable straighteners for thick hair
The Revlon Double Straight Copper Ceramic Dual Plate Straightener
Reviewed by: Jess Beech
The first thing that struck me about Revlon's Double Straight Copper Ceramic Dual Plate Straightener is its unique shape and design. Instead of the usual two plates we're used to seeing on a traditional pair of irons, here there are four narrow ones joined by a bridge at the top. The idea is that the first plate passes through and straightens the hair, then the second reinforces its smoothness. Initially, I was sceptical that this was gimmicky and my thick hair would surely escape through the gap in the middle and snag. But I was pleasantly surprised – it actually worked very well.
Despite the narrow plates, the tool seamlessly passes through hair, styling a large surface area at once. I managed to straighten quite chunky sections which, overall, shaved a good five minutes off my usual styling time. The broad temperature range spans 140°C–235°C, but I found 170°C was sufficient for my hair, so I think even those with exceptionally thick strands wouldn’t need to climb much higher. But what really stood out to me was how soft and shiny my hair felt after styling; it was seriously glossy and stayed that way until my next wash.
The best lightweight straighteners for thick hair
Reviewed by: Jess Beech
My first pair of ghds cost me £100 and I remember thinking then that was a jaw-dropping amount of money to spend on a hair tool. Thanks to new technology and inflation, today it’s not uncommon for tools to cost three times that; even the so-called "more affordable" options creep towards the £200 mark. So I'm understandably happy that the mdlondon STRAIT Hair Straightener is still a very reasonable (by 2026 standards) £119.
My initial impressions were good: though it's very narrow, the longer design means you can still style wider sections of hair at a time, cutting down overall styling time. I have a halo of shorter hairs around my hairline that often twist into ringlets, but this thin styler reached them easily without feeling like I was about to singe my forehead. There's a slightly off-putting crackling sound as it heats up, but this is neither a deal-breaker nor does it impact the performance. I also like the screen that displays the temperature increasing degree by degree during heat-up. I like to use as little heat as possible on my hair, but even at 90°C these straighteners could still smooth well – my hair felt cool as it came out the other side, not guiltily hot to the touch.
If you prefer using higher heat, you’ll be pleased that these straighteners go up to 230°C, but I only went up to 210°C, which was more than sufficient for my hair. A final positive is that this tool is very light, which encouraged me to style more gently and not tug down on my hair with the irons. This will also be a plus point for anyone who finds straightening their thick hair tiring, or who wants to experiment with creating waves and curls without an accompanying arm workout.
The best straighteners for thick hair and less damage
The KEEO Genius Smart Glide-Straightener
Reviewed by: Jess Beech
I’m always interested to see brands doing things a little differently, as with the KEEO Genius Smart-Glide Straightener, which boasts wiggly plates instead of flat ones. These slot together like a jigsaw puzzle when you clamp them shut. The idea is that this leaves an "air gap" between the plates, meaning you don’t cause unnecessary damage by pulling the tool too forcefully through to the hair (something I’m definitely guilty of when I’m in a rush, which is 99.9% of the time).
Being totally honest, I was a bit dubious at first, as I couldn’t see how I’d get a super straight finish or avoid feeling like my hair was snagging as I passed it through the ridged plates, but it didn’t take long for me to be proven wrong. The styling process does take slightly longer as you have to straighten more slowly than with other tools, but this is to help reduce damage – a fair trade for fewer split ends. However, my hair did retain some volume rather than being poker straight, which won’t be for everyone. Whether or not that puts you off will depend on if (like me) you’re trying to disguise that you have very thick hair.
Also worth mentioning is that if you clamp these straighteners onto your hair, for example, when adding a wave or curl, then they will imprint. Although it can easily be straightened out, it is something to bear in mind if you like to use the best hair straighteners for thick hair to style yours in a variety of ways.
The best hair straighteners for thick hair to boost shine
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
The latest addition to the brand's straightener line-up, the ghd Chronos Max, as its name suggests, pairs the tech of the Chronos with the larger plates of the above Max Styler – which the brand calls out as being particularly good for long, curly and thick hair types. All of this tool's features feel as sleek and smooth as its results; at first, we found the only noticeable difference to be the rounded tops of the plates and slightly different-looking controls, it really levels up the straightening experience.
The special feature here is HD motion-responsive™ technology, which continuously adapts to both your styling and the size and thickness of the section of hair. But it's also designed to achieve long-lasting results even more quickly, with curved edges that we found make it that bit easier to fit the tool into the roots of our hair. Our contributing beauty editor Lucy Abbersteen's curly hair is medium thickness, but she has a lot of it, and felt the Chronos Max definitely straightened more quickly cthan other models. The shine and smoothness of these results also can't be denied, so if you have the extra budget and want to supercharge the large plates, this is the ghd tool to go for. We are impressed.
The best hair straighteners for dry thick hair
Reviewed by: Jess Beech
The Steampod almost sits in a category of its own; thanks to patented steam technology, it works completely differently to other straighteners. Moisture is often lost while using a traditional flat iron (you may see steam escaping from the tool), which can leave hair feeling dry and slightly crispy. The Steampod utilises steam to replace that lost moisture, the idea being that hair is less likely to break and snap as a result.
I barely need look at rain and my hair develops frizz, so you can imagine my initial scepticism: surely steam would make my hair more frizzy? But impressively it didn’t, probably as the steam is dry, not wet. I did find that my hair felt a little tacky afterwards compared with other stylers (though I do tend to use quite a lot of product, which could have contributed to this). However, it was still smooth to the touch with no fluffy "halo" to contend with.
Though the Steampod 4.0 is the best version yet, it’s still not totally seamless. The tank has to be filled with demineralised water, never regular tap water; it has to be held a certain way for the comb attachment to pass through hair; and it makes a rather loud humming noise while using. But ahat said, it's lighter than its predecessors, reaches closer to the roots and has curved, heated outer plates to assist styling.
The best hair straighteners for frizzy thick hair
Reviewed by: Jess Beech
As with the Supersonic Hair Dryer before it, the Dyson Corrale really was a hairstyling innovation when it hit the market. Perhaps the most impressive is the cordless design and, unlike other wire-free stylers, that it doesn’t need a huge amount of charging beforehand; 70 minutes gives you 30 minutes of cordless use, but if you've forgotten to power the battery in advance you can just use it with the wire, too – something that many cordless straightener models don't allow.
Another strong feature is the plates. They’re very flexible, meaning they move with your hair, holding tight where needed and loosely where it isn’t. They seem to make a slight crunching noise as you style – down to the "corraling" – but you quickly get used to it. There's also a flight-ready feature that’s perfect for travel, plus built-in sensors that maintain the optimum temperature across the plates.
All this makes the Corrale pretty brilliant and certainly one of the best cordless options – but I personally didn’t fully love the results. The tool did smooth my hair, knocking out curls and kinks, but it didn’t leave my hair as sleek and straight as I’m used to. It also still had a fair amount of body, with the finish looking more like a smooth blow dry than poker straight. But while this was a downside for me, I know it will be a plus for many – if you love your thick hair's natural volume, the Corrale will leave it far from flat and lifeless.
How we tested the best straighteners for thick hair
Each candidate for the best straighteners for thick hair was used on my incredibly thick and curly hair, with some also tested by fellow woman&home contributors for a broader range of insights. The entire selection of tested tools included everything premium and more affordable brands to ensure the final selection catered to various budget levels.
Not only do I have a lot of hair, each individual strand is thick, too, making it thick in more ways than one. Straightening can therefore be as strenuous as a 45-minute gym workout; both leave me feeling like a sweaty mess, with only one of them doing something for my fitness levels. What I'm trying to say is that a pair of straighteners needs to be well equipped to not lengthen an already time-consuming styling process.
And so, when testing these tools, I used the same shampoo and conditioner for my hair type and blow-dried my hair in the same way, with my best hair dryer, throughout the testing process to ensure each one that made it to the final guide had undergone a fair test. All of the following factors were taken into account as part of my evaluations.
- Price: Needed to perform well in line with this to offer good value for money as a tool for thick hair.
- Design & materials: Including plate size, was it clear that thicker hair been considered and catered to in the overall design?
- Cable length: Though we aren't working in a salon, the cable needed to be long enough that it didn't
- Heat settings and additional "modes": Were there enough heat styling options for customisable styling – and/or tech that helped preserve hair health and boost results?
- Any cordless functionality: Convenient for travel or on-the-go styling.
- How easily they glided over hair: Was styling a smooth and snag-free experience?
- Added extras: Extras like a travel case are both handy and can add to a tool's value for money.
How to choose the best hair straighteners for thick hair for you
Though we've assessed a lot of these factors for you, some research is required to pinpoint the best hair straighteners for thick hair that suit your specific needs. Here are a few things to consider before finalising your purchase.
- Plates: Irons designed for thick hair often have wider and or longer plates than average – especially if you have longer hair. On the other hand, narrower plates tend to work better with shorter hair, as wide plates don't always reach the roots easily.
- Added extras: If you travel with straighteners regularly, accessories like a heat mat, travel case or cordless functionality are always useful – and boost the given tool's value for money.
- Price: Consider how often you'll use your straighteners before investing in a more expensive pair. Most good straighteners for thick hair are often pricier than their narrow-plated counterparts, but we recommend the Revlon or mdlondon models featured here for smaller budgets.
- Temperature: Thick hair needs a pair of straighteners that heat to an effective temperature – and fast. Depending on what you find works best for your hair while styling, you might prefer adjustable heat settings.
Our expert panel
Jess Beech is an experienced fashion and beauty editor with more than eight years of experience in the publishing industry. She has written for woman&home, GoodtoKnow, Now, Woman, Woman’s Weekly, Woman’s Own and Chat, and was formerly deputy fashion & beauty editor at Future plc.
Tyler Moore is an experienced hair stylist working for Live True's salons in London, who has contributed his expertise to this guide to choosing and using the very best straighteners for thick hair.
Belle is a renowned hairstylist with more than three decades of experience in the industry. She is also the founder of London's Salon Sloane and has shared some of her expertise in straightening thicker hair for this guide.