A good flat iron is a must have hair styling tool for those looking to either straighten their hair, add waves or effects, or add shine and volume. However, the quality of a straightening iron will greatly affect how consistent the results are. Flat irons come in a range of materials with different options that often contribute to how they work with different hair types, not to mention convenience and safety. For salon quality results, it’s important to choose a hair straightener that works best with both your hair type and texture.

We invested over 32 hours into researching and comparing close to 70 flat irons to create this buyer’s guide, comparison chart and list of the six best units.

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Best Overall: Bio Ionic Onepass Hair Straightening Flat Iron

The Bio Ionic Onepass is our top pick and we give it our highest recommendation. This flat iron is named for its ability to make “one pass” through hair without catching. This is due to the fact that the heating plates are made out of both ceramic and silicone, allowing it to pass through hair much more smoothly.

Another great feature is its rapid heat-up time, which is so quick it’s almost instant. For those constantly pressed for time in the morning, a fast heating iron can be an invaluable time-saver.

Along with the mineralized heating plates, the Bio Ionic Onepass also has ionic and infrared technology. These work together to not only seal in moisture, but to fight frizz and static cling in the hair. Dry hair is more prone to frizz, but moisture sealed hair is easier to style and looks healthier and more shiny.

In addition, due to its compact size, variable heat levels and maneuverability, the Bio Ionic Onepass can be used for more than just straightening. It can be used to make fat curls, flips, add more body or make just about any other effect.

The Bio Ionic Onepass is available in two sizes, which makes it more versatile for different hair types. The larger size works better with longer hair, while the smaller size is good for shorter hair. The unit’s temperature control goes up to 400 degrees, which again, makes it a good choice for many different hair types, as very curly and coarse hair require higher temperatures.

The only real drawback of this iron that is worth mentioning is that it may not work as well for those with very thick hair. The reason is because, although the silicone on the plates helps organize the strands of hair as they pass through, it does make it slightly more difficult to get large portions of thick hair between the jaws. Read reviews on Amazon >

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BaBylissPro BABNT2094T Nano Titanium-Plated Flat Iron

The BaBylissPro BABNT2094T is another very high-quality hair straightener that incorporates a number of technologically advanced features into its design.

It’s generally accepted that metal heating plates are more likely to damage hair than ceramic ones. However, when it comes to this flat iron, it is simply not the case. The BaBylissPro BABNT2094T has plates made from nano titanium. This means titanium reduced to microscopic particles, which is then combined with far-infrared technology. This allows it to penetrate deep into the hair follicle and straighten it gently. The pure titanium plates keep a consistent temperature throughout the heating process, while natural negative ions seal the hair follicle to lock in moisture and reduce dry, frizzy hair.

The BaBylissPro BABNT2094T also features LED temperature controls and a temperature that can go up to a blisteringly hot 450 degrees F, giving it the straightening power for those with very thick, coarse and curly hair. Additionally, its long, wide plates and strong jaws hold down thick hair and pass through without grabbing. Read reviews on Amazon >

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Best Value: HSI Professional Ceramic Tourmaline Hair Straightener

Out of all the flat irons that we looked at, we felt the HSI Professional offered the best value for money spent for both professional and home users. This multi-functional flat iron has a round barrel, which enables it to curl hair as well as straighten it.

The unit’s handle has an ergonomic design with a ribbed grip that keeps the iron secure and easy to hold. Adjustable heat settings with a digital LCD readout can get the heat as low as 140 degrees and as high as 410 degrees F.

The HSI Professional is also made with current and advanced technology, such as infrared technology and ceramic heating plates coated with tourmaline, which create the negative ions necessary to counter the positive ions in dry, frizzy hair. Infrared heats deep within the hair follicle and locks in moisture for shiny, healthy-looking hair. In addition, this iron has an auto shut off feature, and comes with a bottle of Argon oil as well as a heat-resistant glove for added safety. Read reviews on Amazon >

4 Best Volumizing Hair Iron: Voloom

The Voloom is a different kind of flat iron that volumizes hair without the need for sprays or other products. The extra volume stays in the hair for days and allows for more time between shampoos.

The Voloom is mostly meant to be used on hair that is medium to long in length, and works on both heavy, thick hair and thin, fine hair of this length. The iron is used on the lower layers of hair to create hidden pockets of volume that pull the top layers up and away from the head. It lifts and separates individual strands of hair to create a full, voluminous look.

This flat iron uses ceramic plates coupled with ionic technology for even heating and protection, and to help it lock in moisture. The Voloom is designed to be used mostly on the hair near the scalp, which have natural oils to protect them from heat. It doesn’t have to be pulled through the hair or used on ends. This means that using this iron is technically more healthy for hair than a regular routine of a blow dryer and sprays or gels, as it’s only used on the area of the hair that has protective oils.

One thing to note about the Voloom is that it should not be used on wet or even damp hair. To start, you would brush your hair to remove tangles and part it like you normally would. Then you would clamp the Voloom over the thinner, under layers near the head for a few seconds, continuing on to each under layer. You would then flip the top layer back over the newly textured hair and continue this process until you’re finished. Read reviews on Amazon >

5 Best Steam Flat Iron: Furiden

The Furiden is a relatively unique flat iron compared to the other models on this list, as it uses steam to help moisturize and heat hair while straightening it. This iron heats up quickly and goes through the hair smoothly so only one pass is needed. The steam function helps straighten hair that is dry, frizzy or curly.

The benefit of using a steam iron is that steam can more effectively moisturize hair as well as minimize damage, creating shinier and softer hair. It works by venting steam during the straightening process, which reverses any flattening normally caused by the heat.

The Furiden comes with a nice package of features, including a built-in LCD digital display, 6 different temperature levels (ranging from 350 to 450 degrees F), a long swivel cord and dual voltage, which will allow you to use this iron outside of the US making it great for travel. The temperature controls include a 350 to 390 range for delicate, fine hair, 390 to 410 for normal hair and 410 to 450 for thick or coarse hair. This makes the iron suitable for virtually every type of hair and length. Read reviews on Amazon >

6 Best Budget Model: Kipozi Pro Hair Straightening Flat Iron

For those of you looking for a good, inexpensive flat iron that you can buy for about the price of a dinner for two at a nice restaurant, we recommend the Kipozi Pro.

Like the BaBylissPro, this iron uses nano-titanium with a ceramic heater and far-infrared heating technology to add negative ions for the proper ionic balance. It features adjustable temperature controls that range from 270 to 320 degrees for delicate hair, 330 to 380 degrees for damaged hair and between 390 to 450 degrees for most healthy hair types. And in case you’re not sure which temperature to set it at it, don’t worry as the Kipozi Pro’s LCD temperature readout will conveniently show you what temperatures are best for what type of hair. For example, when it’s at 270F, the screen will read “fragile” and when it’s at 410F it will read “healthy”.

Additionally, the Kipozi Pro has floating 3D plates to stop hair pull and, like other professional flat irons, it has the ability to both straighten, curl and add waves. Read reviews on Amazon >

Buying Guide: How To Choose The Best Flat Iron

Flat irons, also commonly referred to as hair straighteners or straight irons, are the opposite of curling irons in that they generally are used to straighten hair rather than curl it. The basic shape is like a curling iron with two “jaws” to put hair between. However, with a flat iron, both jaws are flat surfaces. These tools are used both in professional hair salons by stylists and also in homes by those who want to straighten their hair on a regular basis. They work by placing a strand of hair between the heated jaws of the iron and then drawing it across the strand slowly once or twice. The heat seals the moisture in the hair, which results in straight, glossy strands.

Flat irons have evolved greatly since they first came on the market. Early versions provided only uneven heat and could cause hair damage. They also didn’t last very long. The current generation of flat iron is usually an easy-to-use tool that provides consistent results and does not damage hair. Not only that, but consumers can easily find the same type of quality in an iron as they would experience in a salon.

As straightening irons are every day tools for most users, it’s important to pick a quality product that will produce good results every time and won’t damage the hair. Consumers can find flat irons in just about any store selling hair products, from large retailers to hair salons, or they can be bought online.

Factors to Consider

The ideal method for using a flat iron is to use it on already dry hair, however it is possible to find irons that will work on wet hair to both dry and straighten it. While this is a convenient tool, it should only be used now and then and on damp hair, not soaking wet hair. This is because wet hair is more easily damaged than dry hair. It’s possible to buy flat irons with digital temperature readings to make adjustment for the right heat easier. It’s also possible to buy mini flat irons that work for travel or on the go. Other options include temperature control, accessories and different plate sizes.

Plate Size

Each end of a flat iron jaw contains a metal plate and these plates can come in various sizes in terms of both the length and the width. The most important dimension is the width. Wider plates will straighten more hair at once, but narrower plates can be used more flexibly. Narrow plates can be used closer to the roots without burning the scalp and they can also create interesting effects like flips and fat curls. When deciding on a plate size, consumers should match it with their hair length. Short hair works better with a narrower plate while long hair does better with a wider plate.

Temperature Reading & Adjustment

Temperature control is a nice feature to have, but it not necessarily required. Many flat irons have fixed temperature controls such as low, medium and high. Consumers who have very fine hair or hair damage may wish to get a more finely tuned flat iron with more temperature control and a digital readout. For safety reasons, there are also flat irons with an auto shutoff feature. When choosing this feature, it’s good to get one that shuts off in around 20 minutes and not longer than an hour.

Accessories

Accessories add safety, convenience and additional performance to the tool. Brushes are a popular accessory and are sometimes fixed onto the iron or are able to be retracted when not in use. It’s also possible to get mounts that either set up on a smooth surface or can clamp onto a shelf or table. Heat resistant mats are a nice feature and they may even come in a combination of mat and storage bag. Some flat iron makers also provide maintenance kits like cleaning tools and replacement plates. Protective gloves and hair products are other potential accessories.

Technology and Materials

The metal plates on flat irons used to be made of aluminum, which did not heat evenly and meant that the iron had to be passed over the hair several times to straighten. The surface was also rough and resulted in friction, which in turn caused hair damage. In the present day, consumers have a range of choices for both technology and plate material. Examples of new material include ceramic, tourmaline and silver, while new technologies include nano-plating, ionic process and infrared. These new technologies and materials keep even heat and smooth contact with the hair to avoid damage and create a glossy shine. They also seal the hair and moisturize. Consumers should be aware of the technology and material choices when looking for a new flat iron.

Ceramic plates have small particles that formulate a smooth surface. This is a non-metallic, solid material, but in its pure form it is too soft to function as a flat iron plate. Therefore, it is combined with various other materials such as titanium. Ceramic irons produce negative ions that help straightened hair to last a long time.

The ionic process is combined with ceramic plates to combat dry and frizzy hair. This state is caused by the positive ions found in dry hair. The combination of ceramic and the ionic process creates negative ions that interact with the positive to achieve a neutral state where the hair is shiny and silky.

Another material type is tourmaline, which is made by grinding the stone into a powder. It’s possible to get purely tourmaline flat irons or, more commonly, ones mixed with ceramic. The big benefit to tourmaline irons is they boost negative ions even higher, which means improved straightening and hair quality results.

Silver is another material used and it is very smooth, easy to clean and is germ resistant. Titanium is commonly used to make tools and it also gives the benefit of additional smoothness and works to evenly heat hair.

Infrared technology heats hair in a slow and gentle process. The rays get deep into the hair follicle and shaft with even heat. It aids plate material in balancing the negative ions.

Nano particles are materials that have been reduced to a microscopic size. All of the previously mentioned materials can be turned into nano particles. This technology improves plate smoothness and also creates more negative ionization. Flat irons with nano technology have better heat conduction and can straighten hair much faster than other types.

Hair Type

When making a decision on the type of flat iron to buy, it’s important to consider hair type. There are many different hair types, from fine to coarse. Hair health is another consideration as some people have very damaged hair. Hair wave can range from quite straight to wavy to curly.

Those with tight curls and coarse hair are likely to find the straightening process more difficult. The best iron for this hair type is one capable of high heat and these are often professional grade. People with normal, healthy hair or wavy hair are the easiest to straighten and most flat irons will work well for them.

People who have straight hair, fine or thin hair, or damaged hair also have special needs. They can benefit most from irons with variable temperatures and easy temperature controls. This allows them to start with a lower temperature around 200 degrees and then increase it as necessary.

When other styling tools are unable to give the desired finish of glossy, full hair, a flat iron can generally do the job. Just about anyone can benefit from the use of a flat iron to balance the hair’s positive ions with negative ones. Current flat irons can deliver consistent, even heat while not grabbing or pulling hair.

Comparison Chart

Our Top Pick

Price Level
$$$$$

Plate Material
Silicone & Ceramic
Plate Width
1.5 inch
Adjustable Temperature
Yes
Weight
1.7 lbs
5 Year Warranty

Best Value

Price Level
$$$

Plate Material
Ceramic
Plate Width
1 inch
Adjustable Temperature
Yes
Weight
1.7 lbs
1 Year Warranty

Best Budget Model

Plate Material
Nano-Titanium
Plate Width
1 inch
Adjustable Temperature
Yes
Weight
0.9 lb
1 Year Warranty

Best Steam Flat Iron

Price Level
$$

Plate Material
Ceramic
Plate Width
1 inch
Adjustable Temperature
Yes
Weight
1.5 lbs
6-month Warranty

Top Rated

Price Level
$$$$

Plate Material
Nano-Titanium
Plate Width
1.25 or 1.75 inch
Adjustable Temperature
Yes
Weight
1.4 lbs
3 Year Warranty

Very Good

Price Level
$$$$

Plate Material
Ceramic
Plate Width
1 inch
Adjustable Temperature
Yes
Weight
1.7 lbs
3 Year Warranty

Good

Price Level
$$$

Plate Material
Ceramic w/ Keratin
Plate Width
1 inch
Adjustable Temperature
Yes
Weight
0.7 lb
4 Year Warranty

Good

Price Level
$$

Plate Material
Ceramic
Plate Width
2 inch
Adjustable Temperature
Yes
Weight
1.8 lbs
2 Year Warranty

Decent

Plate Material
Ceramic
Plate Width
1 inch
Adjustable Temperature
Yes
Weight
1 lb
5 Year Warranty

Best Volumizing Iron

Price Level
$$$$

Plate Material
Ceramic
Plate Width
2 inch
Adjustable Temperature
Yes
Weight
1.7 lbs
1 Year Warranty