The Best Flat Iron Hair Straightener (New 2024)

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Hair straightening has been around since the 1800s, and it surged in popularity during the 1960s, when stick-straight hair was all the rage with women. In order to achieve this look, many women used traditional clothes irons. However, these irons led to burned hair, burnt skin, and having to sit in uncomfortable positions. These days, the modern flat iron hair straightener heats up like a clothes iron, but it’s designed just for hair.

Compare: The Top 10 Best Flat Iron Hair Straighteners of 2018

Picture	Name	Brand	Price	Rating
	HSI Professional Ceramic Tourmaline Ionic	HSI Professional	$$	4.8
	CHI Air Expert Classic Tourmaline Ceramic	CHI	$$$	4.8
	Bio Ionic Onepass Nano Ceramic	Bio Ionic	$$$	4.6
	BaByliss Pro BABNT3072 Nano Titanium	BaByliss	$$$$	4.9
	ghd Classic 1-inch Styler	ghd	$$$$	4.8
	Remington S9520 Salon Collection Ceramic	Remington	$$	4.7
	Remington S5500 Digital Anti Static Ceramic	Remington	$	4.6
	Conair Ceramic Instant Heat	Conair	$$	4.6
	MHD 1 Inch MCH Keratin Flat Iron	MHD	$$$	4.5
	BaByliss PRO Nano Titanium Mini	BaByliss	$	4.4
Picture	Name	Brand	Price	Rating

What Is A Flat Iron Hair Straightener?

Contents

A flat iron is very simple to use and only requires a bit of practice for desired results. A flat iron uses electricity to heat up the two plates. The plates can be closed together, and when placed over a section of hair, they glide smoothly over the top and bottom, perfectly straightening each section. A flat iron can be used on any hair type, and it can effectively straighten even the curliest hair. With a flick of the rest and a few interesting techniques, a flat iron can also be used to add curls or waves to hair.

What are the different types?

If you want to give yourself a new hairstyle at home without paying expensive salon prices, a straightener is just the tool you need to add to your bathroom. With so many different brands, sizes, styles, and colors, it’s easy for anyone to find their perfect hair straightener. However, the wide variety of choices also makes it quite difficult to narrow down the purchasing decision, especially if you don’t know much about styling tools. If you’re considering buying a flat iron, the first thing you need to know is the different types available to you.

Ceramic

Ceramic flat irons are the most common type of straighteners. The plates are made of ceramic, which heats evenly and helps prevent damage to your hair. These are typically the most inexpensive, although high-end models loaded with features may be just as expensive as other types of straighteners.

Titanium

Instead of ceramic, the plates on these straighteners are made of titanium. Like ceramic, you’ll get even heating and less damage. The main advantage of titanium irons are that they are more lightweight than ceramic irons, so your arm won’t get tired when straightening very long or thick hair.

Tourmaline

These are the most advanced straighteners and are also usually the most expensive. This element requires less direct heat to be applied to your hair, resulting in less damage. It also seals the cuticle, so your hair looks softer, shinier, and healthier after using it.

Rotating straighteners

Instead of two plates that click together, these straighteners have a brush clamp that works with a rotating barrel to straighten hair.

Travel flat irons

These mini flat irons are perfect for taking with you on vacation or even carrying with you for touch-ups on the go.

What are the advantages of owning a Flat Iron?

If you like to give yourself new looks for special occasions like prom, weddings, or date nights, a straightener is certainly something that you should own. A straightener allows you to transform curly, wavy, or frizzy hair into a smooth, sleek, and fashionable style. Straighteners are easy to use, and you can even use different tips and tricks to achieve a variety of styles. Flip your ends over, under, or make your hair pin straight. Try curls or waves that you can do at home in just minutes with a high-quality flat iron.

Read: The Absolute Best Blower Dryers You Can’t Live Without

Who are the contenders for Best Flat Iron Hair Straightener in 2018?

Remington S5500 Digital Anti Static Ceramic Hair Straightener

This affordable flat iron is an excellent choice for anyone new to using straighteners. Don’t be fooled by the low price, though. It boasts great features found on high-end straighteners, including auto shutoff and digital temperature controls.

CHI Air Expert Classic Tourmaline Ceramic 1-Inch Flat Iron

CHI has made a name for itself in the hair styling industry by creating quality flat irons that quickly straighten any type of hair, and this CHI Air Expert flat iron is no exception. You’ll love having smooth, straight hair in less time when you use this quality flat iron.

HSI Professional Ceramic Tourmaline Ionic Flat Iron

Your hair will look like you just walked out of the salon, but you won’t have to pay hundreds of dollars with each use. This top-of-the-line straightener lets you achieve all of the latest hairstyles in just minutes. It’s easy to use, and best of all, your hair looks healthier and more beautiful than before you even used it.

Considerations for Choosing the Right Flat Iron

If you’ve decided you want to give a hair straightener a try for the first time or you’re just replacing an outdated or broken tool, you need to arm yourself with knowledge before you begin shopping. After you’ve weighed out the benefits of each type of hair straightener, consider these key features before you commit to a purchase so you won’t end up with buyer’s remorse.

Temperature settings

Flat irons typically have adjustable heat settings. To avoid damage, you want to use the lowest heat setting possible. However, if you have very thick, coarse, or curly hair, you may find that you have to use very high heat to get your hair straight. Look for a flat iron that has many temperature settings and that are easy to change.

Plate size

There are several different plate sizes to choose from. A 1-inch plate works for most hair, but if you have very fine or short hair, you might want to choose smaller plates. If you have a lot of hair or it’s very long, you can straighten more quickly with larger plates.

Safety features

While performance is very important to ensure great results, it’s also important to keep safety in mind. Features like automatic shut-offs and tangle-free cords help prevent accidents and injuries.

Price

The ceramic plates heat up quickly and evenly
It’s ready to use in just 30 seconds
Auto shutoff prevents accidents
It comes with a warranty
The price is very inexpensive
It comes in a fun purple color
It has a hinge lock for safety during storage or travel

Cons

Has a strange smell as it heats up
It may snag thicker hair
It is not dual voltage
The plastic construction feels a bit cheap when compared to other flat irons

CHI Air Expert Classic Tourmaline Ceramic 1-Inch – Best for the Money

If you want a flat iron hair straightener that’s designed to give you fast results without a lot of extra frills, this CHI Air Expert flat iron has what you’re looking for. You won’t find a lot of functions and settings, just an On/Off switch and a dial that is used to adjust the temperature of the styling tool. What you will find, however, is a professional-quality flat iron that quickly and easily straightens coarse, kinky, frizzy, curly, or wavy hair.

You can shorten your styling time dramatically with this high-quality hair straightener. You won’t have to worry about damage caused by passing over the same section over and over again. In fact, many people get straight results with just one pass. This flat iron can also be used to achieve many other styles, including spirals, curls, and waves.

Pros

The tourmaline plates provide safe, even heat for maximum straightening power
The flat iron is available in five stylish colors including Onyx Black, Fire Red, Pure Pink, True Teal, and Violet
It heats up to 410 degrees to achieve all of the latest styles
It’s easy to use
Reduces static
Leaves hair feeling softer than before
It heats up quickly
It doesn’t have a burning smell like other flat irons

Cons

Doesn’t come with any safety features
The swivel cord doesn’t swivel smoothly
The dial isn’t as easy to set as digital models

HSI Professional Ceramic Tourmaline Ionic – Overall Winner

If you love the look of straight hair but you hate fighting with a flat iron for what seems like forever, you’ll want to invest in this HSI Professional Ceramic Tourmaline Ionic Flat Iron. You can straighten any type of hair in no time at all with this professional-quality flat iron, which is also our pick for best hair straightener overall.

You’ll not only get straighter hair, but your hair will also be shinier and silkier after use due to the tourmaline plates. This iron heats up quickly, so it’s ready to use in just seconds. It’s lightweight enough to not strain your arm, but its durably constructed so you don’t have to worry about it falling apart after a few uses.

Pros

Does not snag or tug hair
Heats evenly
The design is easy and comfortable to hold
Heats up to 410 degrees for professional results
Ideal for all hair types, even curly and ethnic hair
It straightens quickly
It heats up quickly
Doesn’t have a burned smell like inexpensive irons
Helps reduce frizz
Leaves hair looking healthier
Does minimal damage

Cons

It is one of the more expensive flat irons
It doesn’t have an auto-shutoff feature

All in All

When you purchase a flat iron, it’s important that you get a professional-quality iron that not only allows you to straighten, curl, or add waves to your hair but also works quickly, so you’ll get great results without spending hours on your hair. For fast results and beautifully healthy hair, try out the HSI Professional Ceramic Tourmaline Ionic Flat Iron. Even though this flat iron is priced more expensively than others, the quality and performance stands out far above the rest.