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24 best hair straighteners for every hair type to buy this Amazon Prime Day
This is how the new ghd Unplugged cordless straightener did against the Dyson Corrale...
Straighteners are an essential in everyone's hair tool kit; don’t be deceived by their name, they can create everything from tight ringlets to beachy waves, as well as smooth out frizz.
However, there are almost constant launches from hair brands throughout the year, so it’s important to know what you’re looking for before you buy. Not to mention the best hair straightener deals to be aware of this Amazon Prime Day, so you can still get the silky-smooth result, without the hefty price tag.
To help you make the right decision for your hair type, we put 73 straighteners to the test with our panel of over 350 testers. These are the ones that made the cut:
- Best hair straighteners: ghd Gold Styler Professional Hair Straighteners
- Best hair straighteners for shine: Flower Ceramic Styling Iron
- Best hair straighteners for damaged hair: Remington PROluxe Ceramic Hair Straighteners
- Best hair straighteners for curling hair: Alfa Italia Lustro Titanium Styler
- Best hair straighteners for afro hair: Revamp Progloss Digital Ceramic Straighteners
- Best hair straighteners for temperature range: Revamp Progloss Touch Digital Ceramic Straighteners
- Best hair straighteners for wet hair: Remington Wet 2 Straight Pro Straighteners
- Best hair straighteners for design: Dyson Corrale Hair Straighteners
- Best cordless hair straighteners: ghd unplugged
- Best keratin-infused hair straighteners: Remington Keratin Protect
- Best hair straighteners for long-lasting styling: Grundig Touch Control
- Best budget hair straighteners: Phil Smith Hair Straighteners
- Best hair straighteners for curly hair: Nicky Clarke The Hair Therapy Straighteners
- Best hair straighteners for thick hair: ghd Platinum+
- Best hair straighteners for frizzy hair: T3 Lucea
- Best hair straighteners for quick heat-up time: BaByliss 9000 Cordless Straighteners
- Best hair straighteners for hard-to-reach areas: Alfa Italia Seta Ceramic Pro Style
- Best hair straighteners for travel: Cloud Nine Cordless Iron
- Best hair straighteners for quick styling: Bio Ionic Volcanic MX 10X Pro Styler
- Best hair straighteners for fine hair: Revamp Progloss Wide Ultra X Shine Ceramic Hair Straighteners
- Best hair straighteners for beginners: TRESemme Smooth 215 Straighteners
- Best hair straighteners for under £100: The Hair Lab by Mark Hill Styler
- Best hair straighteners for healthier hair: L'Oréal Professionnel New Generation Steampod 3.0
- Best Amazon Prime Day deal: BaByliss 3Q Straightener
How do you know if you need a new pair of straighteners?
Your trusted pair of straighteners should last you between 2-3 years (depending on how well you look after them).
However, there are a few things to look out for if you’re worried your pair are on their way out:
Scratched plates: after a few years, you might start to notice scratches or even dents on the plates. This can lead to snagging (ouch) and means your hair is more likely to experience heat damage. Hair products can often sink into the dents too, which not only smells unpleasant, but won’t help your hair either.
Struggling to straighten hair: straighteners should get the job done quickly, but if you’re finding it takes longer than normal, it may mean the power has been compromised, which isn’t good for your hair or your plug sockets.
Irregular temperatures: taking longer to straighten your hair might also mean the temperature settings aren’t what they used to be. Failing to reach the max temperature might be kinder on your hair, but it won’t give you the silky-smooth results you're after.
Are titanium straighteners better than ceramic?
Hair straighteners might deceivingly all look the same, but the tech each features will have some key differences.
The big question is: ceramic or titanium plates?
While ceramic plates gradually heat up – making them a safer option for fine hair or those prone to damage – titanium will be your saviour if you’re in a rush, making them not only quick but effective at tackling thicker, more hard-to-style strands.
What are tourmaline hair straighteners?
Hair straighteners with tourmaline plates contain the gem itself. It adds moisture and shine to your ends and leaves strands looking healthier and sleeker. However, it’s not the most durable material, and won’t last as long as titanium or ceramic plates.
How do I choose a good hair straightener?
Straighteners are a big investment, so you need to make sure you’ve got all your hair needs covered in one tool, before you make the commitment to buy.
If you’re not sure what all those buzzwords mean on the side of the box, we’ve simplified them below, so you can figure out what to prioritise:
Variable temperature settings: this is useful if you’re planning on sharing your device. Lower heat suits fine hair best, while thick or coarse tresses may need more heat to be effective.
Ionic technology: when there’s too much positive charge on each hair strand, they begin to repel each other, making hair static and flyaway. This technology helps to neutralise the charge, smoothing strands down instead.
Ceramic plates: they are slower to warm up than other materials, but they distribute heat more evenly. They tend to be cheaper too, but are more prone to chipping.
Titanium/metal plates: get very hot quickly but tend to be expensive. Improper usage can cause heat damage, too. We recommend leaving these hair straighteners on your locks for only a few seconds at a time.
Ceramic-coated plates: usually have a metal base topped with a ceramic layer, combining the best qualities of both materials. The outer layer can chip and wear away over time, but a good-quality model should last you at least three years if stored properly.
Additional accessories: higher priced straighteners may come with accessories such as a heat mat, gloves and a travel case.
How to choose the best hair straighteners for your hair type
Fine hair: Look for ceramic plates that distribute heat evenly and more gently. Use lower temperature settings to minimise heat damage.
Frizzy hair: Ionic technology is a must to stop water and humidity “fluffing up” your hair and creating more frizz.
Thick hair: Larger plates will save you time and reduce heat damage. Metal plates will give you the best and most long-lasting results.
Afro hair (3C-4C curl types): Consider ceramic-coated plates, which offer a good balance of effectiveness and protection. Steam hair straighteners are a good alternative for powerful styling that does less damage. There’s a pair (L'Oréal Professionnel New Generation Steampod 3.0) on our list below.
How to prevent damaging your hair
Hair is most fragile when it's wet, so make sure it’s completely dry before heat styling. Wet locks can only withstand temperatures of 40-60C, but dry (undamaged) hair can handle up to 185C. Always use a heat protection spray, too.
How we test hair straighteners
Over 350 testers – with short to long and fine to thick hair, and including straight, wavy, curly, coily and kinky textures – tried 73 hair straighteners to find the best you can buy.
They fed back on how quickly each tool heated up, how easy it was to reach their roots, whether it achieved their desired look, and how shiny and healthy their hair looked after styling.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute lab, we used an EV Standard machine to record the temperature of each straightener and assess the accuracy of its temperature settings.
Charlotte Bitmead (she/her) is the Senior Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. She has over six years experience writing about beauty and has previously written for ELLE and The Sunday Times Style, covering everything from politics to sustainability to inclusivity within the beauty industry. When she’s not writing in-depth features, testing out the newest skincare fad or trying to decide what nail art to get, you can find her overspending in bookshops or shouting at Arsenal matches. Find her on LinkedIn
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