What are the best hair straighteners? That’s a big question. To find the best hair straightener, you’re going to want something that suits your hair type. Whether it’s frizzy, thick, curly, an afro, or something in between, different heats and settings care better for different hair. And obviously, if you want some salon quality results, a straightener is one of the easiest ways to get them….
What to look for in hair straighteners
What actually makes a set of hair straighteners good? Here’s a few things you’ll want to think about…
Plate material – Ceramic, titanium, and tourmaline plates distribute heat better and more evenly. And that helps to reduce hair damage. So, it’s worth shelling out a bit extra for these.
Adjustable heat settings – Multiple heat settings suit different hair types and styles. From thick to thin, curly to coily.
Quick heating – A straightener that heats up fast will save you loads of time. Especially on a Monday morning.
Plate width – Wider plates covers more of your hair at once. Making styling easier and way quicker.
Auto shut-off – This is exactly what it says on the tin. If you haven’t been using the straighteners for a while, they’ll turn off automatically. Keeping you (and your place) nice and safe.
Long cord or cordless – With a long cord - or no cord at all - you can prep your hairdo pretty much anywhere. Not just in the bedroom.
Extra features – Some come with a digital display (to see the temperature), memory settings (that’ll remember settings you’ve used before) and special heat-resistant travel pouches for when you go away.
The best straightener should have a good mix of all these. So, keep an eye out when you’re on the hunt for a new pair.
Best overall straightener
Model: Shark SilkiPro Straight HT401UKPK Hair Straightener & Dryer
Why we love it: If you want a straightener that does it all, this is it. A 2-in-1 design dries and straightens your hair at the same time. So, you could hop out the shower and have a silky-smooth do in no time. And because it does both, you don’t have to keep swapping to your other tools – ideal when you’re in a rush.
Best straightener for thick hair
Model: Revamp Wide Ultra X Shine Ceramic Hair Straightener - Black
Why we love it: Got gloriously thick locks? A set of extra-long – and extra-wide – ceramic plates make it easy to work through a particularly big mane. Plus, the smart heat controls cause less damage, giving you good lookin’ results every single time.
Best straightener for fine hair
Model: Gtech StyleOnic Turbo ION Compact Straightener
Why we love it: Fine hair is far more delicate. And delicate is easier to damage. So, that’s where the 10 digital heat settings come in. They’ll let you really dial in your preferred option to find the ideal temperature for your hair. Found a fave? The ionic tech will lock in any moisture for a super shiny finish.
Best straightener for curly hair
Model: Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener - Bright Copper & Bright Nickel
Why we love it: If you’ve got curly hair, you’re covered. There are three precise temperature settings to pick from. They’re made for all sorts of hair types and looks - from long and straight, to short and wavy (and everything in between). And you’ll have loads of time to tackle those curls. With a battery that lasts up to 30 minutes, it’s not going to run out suddenly in the middle of your morning routine.
Best budget hair straightener
Model: Remington Shine Therapy S8500 Hair Straightener
Why we love it: Picking up a new straightener doesn’t have to break the bank. This one comes in at less than 40 quid. And it’s got a neat little trick up its sleeve. The plates here are infused with Moroccan Argan Oil, giving you lush feeling locks that look smoother and shinier.
Best ceramic hair straightener
Model: Remington Shine Therapy S8550 Hair Straightener - White & Blue
Why we love it: The ceramic coated plates literally glide through your hair. That means way less chance of breaks and snagging. Instead, you’ll be left with smooth and ultra-soft locks. It’ll do it quick too. Heating up in only 15 seconds, you won’t be waiting about to get styling.
Best hair straightener brush
Model: Revamp Straight & Go Ionic Cordless Straightening & Smoothing Hot Brush
Why we love it: Is it a straightener? Is it brush? Well, it’s both! A set of ceramic teeth are made to get as close to your roots as possible. This gives you better control and maximum volume, all without the heat damage. The bristles are also infused with argan, keratin and coconut Progloss oils, which leave your hair with a silky, glossy and healthy shine.
Best air straightener
Model: Dyson Airstrait Hair Straightener - Ceramic Pink
Why we love it: Instead of using hot plates like a lot of the other straighteners on our list, the Airstrait uses a high-pressure airflow to straighten your hair. And that means zero heat damage. Yes, really! It does still get hot though. But with the included heat-resistant mat, you’ve got somewhere to pop it down without burning your furniture.
Best straightener to curl hair
Model: Remington One Straight & Curl Hair Styler - Dark Grey & Copper
Why we love it: It makes it incredibly easy to try out a whole new look. With the curling wand, you can make soft, bouncy curls nice and quickly. Just wrap your hair around the 32 mm anti-slip barrel and start nailing that fresh style.
Best travel hair straightener
Model: Remington AIRvive Hair Straightener
Why we love it: This is a must pack for your summer hols. With worldwide voltage, it’s ready to use pretty much anywhere, from Europe to North America. It also comes with a handy little heat-resistant sleeve. Pop it in, and it’s ready to go, even if you’ve recently used it.
FAQ
How to straighten hair
Start with dry, clean hair. If you want to you can also use a heat protectant spray for some extra protection.
Switch on your straightener. Let it warm up until it’s at a heat you’re comfortable with (and one that matches your hair type).
Split your hair into small sections using some hair ties or clips.
Take a small bit of hair and clamp the straightener down near the root.
Glide it slowly down the hair from top to bottom. This’ll stop creases and burns.
Do the same for every section of your hair.
When you’re done straightening, let your hair cool down for a bit.
Add some oil for some extra shine. It’ll stop any annoying frizz too.
And that’s it. Now you should be a hair styling pro!
Can I curl short hair with a straightener?
It really depends on how short you’re talking about. If it’s cut super close to your head, you obviously won’t be able to get your straighteners round the hair properly. But if it’s got enough length to it (like a bob) then it can be a great gadget for creating straight and curly looks. The best straighteners will easily handle both.
Which hair straightener doesn’t damage hair?
Every hair straightener can damage your hair, as the high heat can weaken it over time. But some are made to be gentler on your hair than others. Keep an eye out for ones with tourmaline or ceramic plates. These distribute the heat more evenly, which stops one part of your hair from getting too hot.
If you want to lower the chance of any damage even more, get yourself some heat protectant spray. And don’t straighten your hair every single day too. Even if it does look really good!
What are the best hair straighteners?
The best hair straighteners do it all. They’ll combine consistent heat with flexible styling and protection for your hair. In our list, the Shark SilkiPro takes top spot, as it can dry and straighten at the same time. And that makes styling an absolute breeze.
What are the best hair straighteners for short hair?
For short hair styles, slim plates usually work the best. That’s because they’re a lot easier to move around different layers and your fringe.
What are the best hair straighteners for thick hair?
If you’ve got thick hair, grab yourself a wide plate straightener. Wider plates cover more hair with each pass, helping you to smooth out thicker hair quickly and easily.
So, now you know all there is to know about the best hair straighteners. Need some more great hairstyling tips? We’ve got you. Whether your hair is wavy, curly or straight, here’s how to style your hair. And if you’re thinking about a trim, we’ve got everything you need to know about how to cut your own hair.
