As someone with very curly hair who rarely visits a salon to keep costs down, a reliable straightener is my go-to beauty ally for achieving straight styles, beachy waves and even curls. I’ve been using flat irons to straighten my hair for as long as I can remember. Unlike blow dryers, flat irons deliver that sleek, smooth finish I love. It's essential for managing the frizz and tension my hair experiences on humid days.
However, not all straighteners are created equally. They need the right components, features and materials to perform at their best. That’s why I committed to testing a variety of hair straighteners over three months — to evaluate their quality, efficiency and heat performance.
To ensure I found the best options, I consulted industry professionals for their recommendations and tested several models to discover which ones deliver a salon-worthy finish. I also interviewed two experts to gain deeper insights into what makes a great straightener. These are the best hair straighteners, Ranked.
Editor and expert-approved$90.00$95.00
Best for straight styles$139.99$179.99
What to look for in a hair straightener
Anari LaBoard, lead hair trainer at Blushington beauty salon, says you should look for the following features when shopping for a hair straightener:
- Plate material: "When shopping for a flat iron, I always pay attention to what the plates of the iron are made of and how wide the plates are," shares LaBoard. She emphasizes in choosing the right plates, preferably titanium or ceramic.
"Titanium plates are my go-to choice for curly or oily hair. They heat quickly and maintain high heat well," she says. "Ceramic-plated flat irons work well for fine-to-medium types of hair and they help to retain moisture."
- Range of temperature: LaBoard and celebrity hairstylist Mia Santiago say a range of temperature selections is an indicator of good flat iron performance. "One of the most important features is having an adjustable temperature control because if your hair is baby fine or has any color damage you don’t want to be using excessive temperatures," notes Santiago.
- Ergonomics: This means how comfortable it feels in your hand, how smoothly it glides through your hair and how well it performs overall. “Design really plays a part here,” says LaBoard. “Most flat irons with a rounded shape can easily create a nice curl or wave, making them more versatile than flat-edged models. Also, consider how big the iron is, if it's a comfortable fit in your hand and how well you move with it. "
Best overall hair straightener
Plate material: 5/5 | Range of temperature: 5/5 | Design: 5/5 | Overall average score: 5/5
The Kristin Ess hair straightener was my top choice for several reasons. Its 1.25-inch plates make it easy to straighten, curl or create waves, offering versatility in styling. The titanium ion gold plates heat up quickly and reach up to 440 degrees Fahrenheit, while a small digital display lets you monitor temperature settings with ease.
Although there was a slight learning curve at first — I had to hold the power button for a few seconds to turn it on and off — the performance won me over. My hair stayed smooth and styled all day, and I only needed one pass to achieve sleek strands or effortless waves. Compared to other models I tested, the plates heated up faster and glided through my hair without snagging, making this straightener a clear winner.
LaBoard also recommends this hair straightener for its range of temperature. "The Kristin Ess 3-in-One flat iron uses negative ions to combat frizz and has titanium plates that reduce the number of passes that need to be made over the hair. I use this iron a lot when I do silk presses and has great temperature range from 280-440 degrees."
