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Our top pick is the BabylissPRO Nano Titanium Dual Ionic Flat Iron for its lightweight design and reasonable price point Beaded Hair Extensions
Jessie Quinn is a Los Angeles-based contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE with over 10 years of experience covering all things beauty, fashion, and lifestyle. At PEOPLE, she collaborates with the PEOPLE Tested team to share our top recommendations for everything from the best shapewear to the best dark spot correctors.
Cai Cramer is a shopping writer at PEOPLE.com with 2 years’ experience in journalism and digital media. She regularly tests the best and buzziest products in the beauty and lifestyle spaces and has researched and written about moisturizers, blow dryers, clothing, and luggage, among many other popular products.
Flat irons are a multifunctional tool that can help you create silky smooth styles. “[They] are also used to seal the cuticle, meaning no frizz and added shine,” Kevin Kelly, a celebrity hairstylist and extension expert who has worked with Nicky Hilton, tells PEOPLE. But with so many factors to take into account (hair type, plate material, plate size, and more) and a seemingly endless number of tools to choose from, finding the right flat iron can be a challenge.
That’s why PEOPLE conducted thorough research and testing to determine which flat irons are worth their weight in gold. We asked testers with different hair types (thin, fine, wavy, thick, and curly) to try some of the best-selling flat irons and record their insights throughout the process. Our testers took note of how smooth the glide felt, how many passes it took to get their hair straight, and how easy the iron was to use.
Along with our in-depth testing, we also spoke to hair stylists, including Kelly and beauty expert Nick Stenson, who’s smoothed the hair of countless celebrities and created picture-perfect styles for numerous runway shows. “It’s equally important to me that the flat iron works well with all hair types and offers versatility,” Stenson tells PEOPLE.
We used a thermometer to test the maximum heat, a ruler to verify the cord lengths, and a stopwatch to time how long each iron took to heat up and shut off automatically. We also tested durability by dropping each iron twice at vanity level to see if it would break, chip, or scratch.
With so much styling potential, there are dozens upon dozens of flat irons to choose from and a lot to consider when shopping for the best one for your hair type — which is why we sent our PEOPLE Tested team on a mission to find the flat irons that can achieve the slickest and straightest finishes and most effortless waves and curls. After testing dozens of models, we landed on 14 flat irons for every hair type and concern.
Keep reading to discover the best flat irons, tested and reviewed by PEOPLE.
The temperature gauge is specifically designed for different hair types.
It features ions for a more customized style for your hair type and needs.
It has a lightweight design that makes it easier to handle while styling.
It works better at curling than most other flat irons we tested.
It works best on fine and wavy hair versus thick or curly, so it’s not really ideal for all hair types.
Our top pick for the best flat iron is the BabylissPRO Nano Titanium Dual Ionic Flat Iron. Taking only 20 seconds to heat up, this hair straightener is designed with titanium plates and features ion technology that you can turn on and off, depending on your hair type and needs. Technically, this flat iron is designed for all hair types, especially those with thick and coarse hair; however, we found that it is better for fine and wavy hair since it was a bit tricky to use on thick strands during our testing.
Nonetheless, we were impressed overall by this mid-range straightener and appreciated that it was lightweight and easy to use. On top of that, it heats up quickly and features five different temperature settings designed for specific hair types, so you don’t have to worry about causing damage to strands. Our in-lab expert even said that this flat iron was one of the best for curling — so it's truly a multi-functional tool.
Temperature Settings: 5 | Width: 1.25 inches | Material: Titanium
Four ceramic-titanium plates make it easy to maneuver on thick hair.
The 30 different heat settings are easy to adjust.
You can customize the temperature of each plate, offering a personalized styling experience.
Because of the four-plate design, it’s not ideal for curling (just straightening and creating waves).
The Hot Tools Black Gold Dual Plate Salon Flat Iron is not just the best flat iron for thick hair, it also has the best heat settings. Featuring four ceramic plates, this hot tool is super easy to maneuver over thick strands and features 30 different heat settings that allow you to customize the temperature of each plate for a truly personalized styling experience.
While the flat iron works really well at straightening, we found that the four-plate design makes curling hair a bit of a challenge, so we wouldn’t recommend it for that. However, it works well at providing a sleek and shiny look for straightening or even when adding waves.
Temperature Settings: 30 | Width: Four 0.5-inch plates | Material: Ceramic titanium
This straightener glides through hair easily without any pulling or tugging.
It not only straightens but also leaves hair looking super shiny after styling.
It's not too pricey for a professional-worthy straightener.
It features a wider plate, making it easier to straighten curly strands.
It takes us a while to straighten our hair, so we wish this had a longer shut-off time.
If you have curly hair, we love the Hot Tools Pro Signature SteamStyler, which features three steam settings for a more efficient straightening effect. We found that it left our hair super sleek and shiny after using it, and we didn't experience any tugging or pulling when passing through.
Since this flat iron uses 30 percent less heat, it helps prevent damage caused by heat, and the wider 1.5-inch ceramic-titanium plates make it easier to straighten more hair at once. While this might not be a concern for all, it did take us a while to straighten our strands, which makes us wish that the flat iron’s shut-off time was a little longer. Overall, though, we found this was an amazing flat iron for well under $100.
Temperature Settings: 3 | Width: 1.5 inches | Material: Ceramic titanium
It's one of the least expensive options we tried, but it feels high quality with an innovative design that's great for multiple hair types.
The combing teeth on the plate help to straighten and smooth curly and coily textures.
Curling hair with this flat iron was more of a challenge (however, curling is not its intended use).
For straightening hair without any static, the TYMO Ring Plus can't be beaten. Unlike typical flat-plate straighteners, the TYMO Ring's plates have small ridges that comb through the hair while you pass it through so that it both detangles and smoothes the hair at the same time. The teeth are coated with nano titanium which helps to ensure even heat distribution and use ions to further seal in the smoothness. The combing teeth are especially useful in straightening curly and coily natural hair textures. Because of the comb-like teeth, though, those with tangle-prone hair might find that it tugs uncomfortably. To mitigate any potential pulling, we recommend coming through your hair with a standard brush or comb before going in with the hot tool.
This hot tool offers nine different heat settings that range from 250 to 410 degrees, making it more customizable than many of the other tools we tried in the same price range. We found that this tool is strictly for straightening — it didn't do us any favors when we tried to use it for curling different types of hair. However, it's not marketed as a tool for curling, so we only recommend if you're needing something to just straighten your hair. Overall, this is a fantastic option for straight and sleek styles that are a bit more affordable than others we tested.
Temperature Settings: 9 | Width: 2.76 inches | Material: Titanium
The concentrated air technology dries and straightens hair in one pass.
It left our medium-thick hair smooth and shiny in half the time it would usually take to blow dry and straighten.
It gave us a straight style that wasn’t flat, with a bit of natural movement.
It's one of the most expensive straighteners we’ve seen (but also does the job of a blow dryer and straightener in one).
Remember when we used to fry our strands by passing traditional straighteners over damp hair? Luckily, those days are long behind us and that hair damage is staying in the early 2000s where it belongs — because the Dyson Airstraight gave us a sleek style from wet to dry in 15 minutes without damaging our hair. The two-in-one device uses concentrated air to dry and smooth down hair, which means no need for damaging hot plates. Our medium-thick, wavy hair was left smooth, straight, and glossy after using the Dyson Airstrait.
With the Dyson Airstraight in hand, we were able to simultaneously blow dry and straighten large sections of hair at a time, which cut our styling time in half. The device is equipped with an auto-pause feature that automatically stops the airflow after three seconds of inactivity, which prevents you from overheating any section of the hair.
While the price tag might have initially inspired a dose of sticker shock, we think that the expeditious, shiny style that we were able to achieve with just this one tool (no need for a blow dryer and separate straightener) makes it worth the price if you’re willing to invest in a high-quality, truly innovative flat iron.
Plate Width: 1.5 inches | Plate Type: Plateless concentrated air technology with smoothing negative ions | Voltage: 120V | Cord Length: 9.6 feet
The cord-free design makes it easier to maneuver while styling.
It uses far less heat compared to traditional straighteners, helping to decrease damage.
It's super easy to curl and straighten hair, even for beginners.
It comes with a gorgeous storage case, which is especially helpful when traveling.
It’s a little heavier compared to other flat irons we tested.
For the price of this iron, you might expect high quality and up-to-the-minute technology — and you'd be right. The Dyson Corrale flat iron features unique flexing copper alloy plates that conform to the shape of your hair to straighten it in less time and produce less damage. Even on curly type 4 hair, the Dyson iron straightened the hair in one pass. For straighter hair, the Dyson also excelled with one pass, leaving no static at low temperatures of 365 degrees. Speaking of benefits, this iron can be used cordless for up to 32 minutes (we tested it until the battery ran out), making it more practical than ever to style your hair on the go.
Despite its portability, the tool is pretty heavy. Though its weight (1.32 lbs., to be exact) doesn't initially seem heavy, after some time with your arms up straightening your hair, you start to feel those extra ounces. During our lab tests, the iron took 35 seconds to heat up to the maximum temperature and turned off automatically after five minutes of not being used — which is especially great because it preserves battery life. As far as durability goes, there was no damage at all after dropping the iron a couple of times.
Overall, this fast-heating flat iron offers salon-quality styling for all hair types, so if you're looking to invest in a durable and smart hair tool, we think that the Dyson lives up to (and surpasses) all of its hype.
Temperature Settings: 3 | Width: 1 inch | Material: Copper alloy
This straightener is lightweight, making it easier to use when styling.
The heat settings are designed for specific hair types.
It glides easily through the hair without pulling or tugging.
We wish the plates were a little longer, which would make curling hair easier.
For wavy hair, we recommend Drybar Reserve Dual-Plat Styling Iron, which is designed with two half-inch plates and ionic technology that helps reduce frizz. After testing this straightener, we were super impressed by its lightweight design, which makes styling a lot easier and more comfortable.
We also love that the heat settings are designed for specific hair types, so you can rest assured knowing that you won’t cause too much damage to your strands by overheating. While we liked the overall curling effect, we would love to see this straightener with slightly longer plates to make curling a little bit easier; however, this issue wasn’t a deal-breaker for us, and we still think it's a high-quality tool for the price.
Temperature Settings: 5 | Width: Two 0.5-inch plates | Material: Titanium
This straightener features air vents that cool hair and seal curls.
It's less expensive than most flat irons we tested.
You can easily straighten fine strands with one pass.
The clamp style is a little awkward at first, but you get used to it after some practice.
If you have fine hair, we found that the L'ange Hair Le Duo 360° Airflow Styler works best for this hair type. We love this flat iron because it works well at both straightening and curling and features air vents that are designed to cool hair to set the style and seal in curls.
While it takes a few passes to straighten thicker hair, the straightener works with one pass on fine hair, making it super efficient for this hair type. The clamp style is also a bit awkward at first, but you get used to it with some practice. This styler was one of the less expensive tools we tested, making this an excellent value for those with fine hair who need a straightener that won't burn their hair to a crisp.
Temperature Settings: 5 | Width: 1 inch | Material: Titanium
Hair passes through the flat iron with ease for a more efficient curl.
It features heat personalization and adjusts temperature based on your hair texture and length.
It provides a beautiful loose curled style.
We wish the smart settings were a little more intuitive.
When using a straightener to curl strands, you can achieve the most gorgeous loose curls and waves. Our top pick for this is none other than the T3 Smooth ID Flat Iron, which features smart technology that uses an algorithm to personalize and adjust the temperature based on hair texture and length. The smart straightener also has plenty of slip, making it easy to achieve a beautiful loose and effortless curl. While we wish the smart settings were a little more intuitive, once you figure it out, this flat iron is truly impressive and allows you to achieve a sleek style that helps keep damage at bay.
Temperature Settings: 9 | Width: 1 inch | Material: Ceramic
It's designed for easy straightening, waving, and curling.
It features good tension without tugging and pulling.
It's easy to straighten and curl all four types of hair we tested it on.
It has a slight chemical smell at first, but that goes away after a while.
You don’t have to purchase a straightener from a beauty supply store to get a high-quality hot tool. For the best drugstore flat iron, we recommend the Kristin Ess 3-in-1 Titanium Flatiron, which is designed for straightening, waving, and curling and does an excellent job at achieving each style.
During our test trial, we were most impressed by how quickly it warms up and how well it clamps onto strands without tugging and pulling, making for an effective style in just one pass. We also found this works on all hair types — it was easy to both straighten and curl the strands of the four different hair types we tested on. Instead of a locking mechanism like many other flat irons we tested, this flat iron includes a plastic ventilated sleeve to store the iron in after use.
Temperature Settings: 4 | Width: 1.25 inches | Material: Titaniumtage
This simple straightener is easy to use and effective at styling.
The 30-minute auto shut-off is helpful for those who are new to styling and may forget to unplug the tool.
It moves easily through hair when straightening and curling.
It's a little pricey for a beginner straightener.
The ion Magnesium Flat Iron is the best flat iron for beginners because it features a simple yet high-quality design that is easy to use and effective for both straightening and curling. We love this straightener because it not only features a design that doesn’t overwhelm beginners, but it also has a 30-minute auto shut-off, which is quicker than a lot of other options and helps ensure safety in case you leave it on by mistake.
From a styling perspective, we found that this straightener was not only easy to maneuver due to its lightweight design, but it also glides easily through hair for a quick style. While we think it's a bit pricey for some beginners, it is one of the cheaper ones relative to those on this list, meaning it's a high-quality tool that's designed to last.
Temperature Settings: Up to 450 degrees | Width: 1 inch | Material: Ceramic tourmaline
It features a slim design that makes it ideal for travel.
The lightweight design makes it easy to maneuver when styling.
It's effective at smoothing strands for a more slick look.
It works best on fine hair, so it’s not ideal for all hair types.
Hot tools can get a little heavy, making it a challenge to not only style but also travel with. After testing several straighteners, we were most impressed by the FHI Heat Platform Tourmaline Ceramic Professional Styling Flat Iron which features a half-inch straightening plate and weighs only 1 lb., making it super easy to hold and style hair without causing fatigue. In addition to its weight, this straightener is designed with negative ions to prevent moisture loss while heat styling and has a temperature range of 140 to 450 degrees, so you can customize your heat settings depending on your hair type and needs.
Temperature Settings: 140-450°F | Width: 0.5-inch | Material: Ceramic
It took us only 10 minutes to straighten our hair with this flat iron.
It reduces frizz for a more sleek and smooth hairstyle.
It's designed with Chi Lava minerals and ceramic to reduce damage.
We wish it had a little more slip for curling purposes.
It’s no secret that hot tools can cause damage to strands, so if you’re worried about damage or already have damaged strands and want something that is gentler on hair, we recommend the Chi Lava 4D Hairstyling Iron. Designed with Chi Lava minerals and ceramic plates to lower the chances of hair damage, the hair straightener glides easily through strands and effectively styles hair in just 10 minutes.
After testing this flat iron, we were most impressed by how quickly it straightens strands but also how well it targets frizz for a smooth and sleek hairstyle. Although we wish it had a little more slip when curling, we found that it still worked well for straightening and adding waves to hair.
Temperature Settings: 5 | Width: 1 inch | Material: Chi Lava minerals, ceramic
It features steam technology that makes it easier to straighten strands.
It includes a built-in comb for easy styling and helps reduce frizz.
It provides hair with a slick and straight style.
It's a little bulkier compared to others we tested.
It doesn't curl or style beyond straightening, like some others we tested.
Flat irons aren’t just used for straightening hair; however, if you want one that gives you that amazing slick and straight look, we recommend the L’Oreal Professional Steampod Flat Iron & Styler. This salon-worthy hot tool features a wide design that, albeit a little bulky, works really well at straightening strands without any kinks or flipped ends. The straightener does so thanks to the steam technology that makes it easier to achieve a more slick look, as well as a built-in comb for easier styling.
Temperature Settings: 3 | Width: 3.5 inches | Material: Aluminum
When shopping for a flat iron, Joseph Maine, a celebrity hairstylist who has worked with Katie Holmes, Ashley Benson, Ariel Winter, and Priyanka Chopra, says to consider the materials as this can not only tell you its overall quality level but also determine how damaging a hot tool — including a straightener — is on the strands. “Ceramic, titanium, and tourmaline are popular choices for flat iron plates, each with its own set of advantages,” he explains.
For consistent and even heat distribution, consider ceramic, which also minimizes the risk of damaging hotspots. Titanium, on the other hand, is best for thicker hair as it heats up quickly and holds high heat well. “Tourmaline is a crystal that is ground into a fine powder and infused into the plates, which can help reduce frizz by generating negative ions,” Maine adds.
Temperature control is also important to consider as this ensures you can adjust the heat to your preferences. “Lower heat settings are suitable for fine or damaged hair, while higher settings are needed for thick or coarse hair,” notes Maine. Some hair straighteners (including a majority on our list) have pre-set heat settings, while others such as the FHI HEAT Platform Tourmaline Ceramic Professional Styling Flat Iron feature a heat range that allows you to select your preferred heat setting.
It’s also worth considering the plate size, which can vary depending on the length of your strands and your styling needs. “I typically recommend 1-inch plates as it is plenty of surface to straighten any hair type while being small enough to curl or wave the hair,” says Maine.
Most straighteners on our list feature a 1-inch plate width, however, if you want something a little wider, the Kristin Ess 3-in-1 Titanium Flatiron and BabylissPRO Nano Titanium Dual Ionic Flat Iron are 1.25 inches wide. We also recommend the TYMO Ring Plus, which is 2.76 inches wide.
After conducting extensive research on flat irons, reading product reviews, and interviewing experts, the PEOPLE Tested team tried dozens of popular flat irons on various hair types and lengths.
We took note of how smooth the glide felt and how many passes it took to get their hair straight. We also utilized a meat thermometer to test the maximum heat and used a stopwatch to time how long each iron took to heat up and shut off automatically. Durability was evaluated by dropping each iron twice at vanity level to see if it would break, chip, or scratch.
Throughout the testing period, we reviewed everything from ease-of-use to safety features to heat settings and heat range. We also considered how each hot tool styled hair, including how easy it was to use the straighteners to curl and wave our strands.
After the testing period, we compiled our notes and rigorously compared each experience to determine which hot tools are the best of the best. Each flat iron was judged on a 1 to 5 scale (5 being the best) against the following attributes: ease of use, glide performance, straightening ability, and value. The tools that received the highest average scores earned our PEOPLE Tested seal of approval and are on this list.
After testing several flat irons, we found that the BabylissPRO Nano Titanium Dual Ionic Flat Iron is the best straightener overall because it features ion technology that allows you to customize your heat styling, a lightweight design that is easy to maneuver, and heat settings designed for different hair types so you can easily choose the best temperature for you.
According to Maine, ceramic and titanium are both worth considering in a hair straightener, and the choice between the two depends on hair type and needs. “Ceramic irons heat evenly and are less likely to cause damage, making them a good choice for fine or damaged hair,” he explains. “Titanium irons heat up faster and can reach higher temperatures, making them suitable for thick, coarse, or difficult-to-style hair; however, they can potentially cause more damage if not used carefully.”
No matter which type of flat iron you use, it’s always a good idea to use a heat protectant to add a layer of protection between the hot tool and strands. Heat protectants can also provide nourishment and hydration which can help combat some of the negative effects of heat styling.
Flat irons can damage your hair if not used carefully. The surface or cuticle of the hair shaft becomes damaged at temperatures above 300 degrees. While there are ways to minimize the potential damage such as using thermal protectors and sticking to one pass per section, some risk is associated with using any high-heat styling tool, especially on clip-in extensions that can't revitalize themselves.
According to Stenson, it’s important to use a heat-protectant cream or spray when using any hot tool. “Another damage-reducing practice is to work in small sections so that the heat can penetrate evenly throughout,” Stenson advises. “Last, keep your flat iron moving as you straighten the hair and avoid allowing the iron to sit in the hair for any prolonged period of time.”
Both of these are tools to straighten the hair. But just like succulents and cacti, not all straighteners are flat irons but all flat irons are straighteners. Straighteners are a general category of tools and flat irons are just one type. Other types include hot combs, hot air brushes, and hair dryers. Flat irons use two plates to iron the hair straight.
Jessie Quinn is a contributing commerce writer for PEOPLE and has written for publications such as Byrdie, InStyle, The Spruce, NYLON, and more. When covering the best flat irons, Jessie thoroughly reviewed the PEOPLE Tested team’s real-world testing insights for a better idea of each experience, how they compared, and which ones were the most noteworthy. She also reached out to hair experts for their insights on what to look for in a flat iron and answered some of our most pressing questions about flat irons, including what to look for when shopping for the best straightening hot tools. Cai Cramer is a commerce staff writer for PEOPLE who updated this article with her own insights after test-driving the Dyson Airstrait straightener.
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