What are the best hair straighteners? That’s a big question. To find the right straightener, you’re going to want something that suits your hair type. Whether it’s frizzy, fine, 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 are a few things you’ll want to think about:
Plate material – Ceramic, titanium, and tourmaline plates distribute heat better and more evenly, helping 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 cover 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 picking a new hair straightener.
Best overall hair straightener
If you’re looking for a hair straightener that can give you silky straight hair and long-lasting curls, while protecting your hair and without breaking the bank.
Babyliss Onyx Styler
The Babyliss Onyx Styler is a brilliant all-rounder. With black onyx ceramic plates, this ionic straightener gives you a lovely silky finish every time. It has 5 heat settings with temperatures ranging from 150°C to 235°C, so you can find the best heat setting to suit your hair type and style. No matter the temperature, it heats up in just 15 seconds! If you use your straightener to also curl, this Babyliss straightener has rounded metallic plates so you can easily style bouncy curls and beachy waves.
Best straightener for thick hair
If you have thick hair, you’ll need a hair straightener with wider plates to accommodate your hair.
Revamp Wide Ultra X Hair Straightener
The Revamp Wide Ultra X Hair Straightener> will be transformative for your locks. This hair straightener has extra-long and extra-wide ceramic plates which can straighten more hair in one go and reduce prolonged heat exposure. Its plates have ionic conditioning to give you a frizz-free style, while its intelligent heat control regulates the temperature to protect your hair. The plates also have Progloss oils like keratin, argan and coconut for the ultimate shine.
Best straightener for fine hair
For fine hair, you will need a hair straightener with low heat settings and floating ceramic plates to protect your hair from snagging or heat damage.
Remington AIRvive Hair Straightener
The Remington AIRvive Hair Straightener is perfect for fine hair. With a low temperature of 150°C and slim 22mm floating plates, this hair straightener is gentle on thinner hair. It has ionic air technology to give 80% smoother hair, and it has micro-conditioners that are released onto the hair with each stroke to prevent frizz.
Best straightener for curly hair
For curly hair, you’ll want a hair straightener with extra-wide plates to cover as much hair as possible in one stroke and a high temperature between 180°C and 235°C.
Remington Shine Therapy Wide Plate Straightener
The Remington Shine Therapy Wide Plate Straightener has all of these features and more. You can get really precise with the hair straightener’s temperature, as the Remington Shine Therapy has 9 settings between 150°C and 235°C. Its ceramic-coated plates are infused with Moroccan argan oil for a glossy finish. Its extra-wide plates spread pressure and heat evenly.
Best budget hair straightener
A budget hair straightener may save you money but doesn’t mean you need to save on features.
Remington Shine Therapy Hair Straightener
At under €40, the Remington Shine Therapy Hair Straightener is a no-brainer. With floating ceramic plates coated in Moroccan argan oil, each stroke will give your hair a frizz-free, glossy shine while the floating plates keep pressure even and reduce snagging. It has 9 heat settings from 150°C to 230°C and a turbo boost function to tackle particularly stubborn strands.
Best hair straightener brush
If you want to combine the perfect blow dry with the ability to straighten your hair, then a hair straightener brush is the perfect solution. Simply half-dry your hair, then use the brush to finish and style it. If you’re not confident using your hair dryer to blow dry your hair, this is a brilliant option.
Revamp Straight & Go Ionic Cordless Hot Brush
The Revamp Straight & Go Ionic Cordless Hot Brush is portable with a 60-minute run time so you can style on the go. It has ceramic teeth infused with Progloss oils that reach the roots of your hair to maximise volume without damaging it and give you a lovely shine. It has 10 temperature settings across 130°C to 210°C with a heat-up time of just 2 minutes.
Best air straightener
An air straightener uses heated airflow to smooth and straighten hair, while a typical hair straightener uses heated plates that clamp directly onto the hair to create a sleeker, straighter finish. An air straightener is ideal for someone who wants to style straight from the shower or to achieve a softer, more natural style.
Remington AIRvive AS8930 2-In-1 Air Styler
The Remington AIRvive 2-In-1 Air Styler has two modes: Wet Mode to gently dry and straighten wet hair, and Finishing Mode to style dry hair using heat and ionic airflow for silky-smooth hair. It has floating ceramic-coated plates to reduce snagging, and with each stroke it releases heat-activated micro-conditioners to add shine to your hair.
Best straightener to curl hair
We love when a device has a dual purpose. A hair straightener that can also seamlessly curl your hair, whether you prefer bouncy curls or creating a dreamy wave, is a brilliant device to have in your arsenal.
Remington One Straight & Curl Hair Styler
A curling wand and a hair straightener all in one, the Remington One Straight & Curl Hair Styler does it all. It has a 32mm anti-slip barrel to create bouncy curls, then slide the FlexiCover up to turn it into a straightener, and its 110mm plates will give you a sleek finish. The ceramic plates are tourmaline-infused and anti-static to reduce snagging and protect your hair from breakage. It has five temperature settings with a maximum temperature of 210°C for curling and 230°C for straightening.
FAQs
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.
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 (like a bob), 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. Look for ones with tourmaline or ceramic plates. These distribute the heat more evenly, which stops one part of your hair from getting too hot.
What are the best hair straighteners?
The best hair straighteners do it all. They combine consistent heat with flexible styling and hair protection. We suggest trying the Babyliss Onyx Styler.
What are the best hair straighteners for short hair?
For short hair styles, slim plate straighteners 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.
