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While hot tools like curling irons serve their purpose when it comes to hairstyling, the best hair straightener can pull double duty, offering more than just a straight, sleek look, but also flyaway-free waves and curls with the flick of a wrist. While there are lots of options when it comes to buying a straightener, not all of them may be a fit for the needs of your hair. That’s where we come in. We’ve spoken to professional hair stylists to figure out what you need to know when choosing the best flatiron for your hair.
The Difference Between Titanium and Ceramic
Titanium and ceramic are the most common types of straighteners, and experts suggest understanding the difference between the two before investing. “Titanium straighteners get hotter faster, which means fewer passes through the hair,” celebrity hair stylist Gabrielle Corney tells SELF. “Ceramic plates won’t give you the same results as titanium iron since the plates don’t get as hot, but this type is best for those at home who don’t have much experience with using hairstyling irons.”
When deciding between titanium and ceramic styling tools, consider your hair type. Celebrity hair stylist Nate Rosenkranz says that while ceramic flatirons tend to be a more popular choice for shoppers because of their uniform heating abilities, those with thick hair types may find the intensive heat of a titanium flatiron better equipped for a pin-straight style. For those with damaged or medium to fine hair that requires less heat to straighten, experts recommend ceramic straighteners.
“Ceramic heat is very evenly dispersed and functions better on lower temperatures, which is important for those with fine or more delicate hair,” Rosenkranz tells SELF. “Titanium heats faster and to higher temperatures, which helps cut down on styling time, especially on thick or textured hair.”
How to Use Your Hair Straightener
First, spray a heat protectant on your hair to help keep heat damage at bay. “You should use a good heat protectant before even blow drying your hair prior to straightening,” hair stylist Lucy Garcia Planck explains. She advises blow drying damp hair in four or more sections with a round brush (or let your hair air dry throughout the day and add a little styling cream). Then, smooth the ends through with a styling iron.
Although it may be tempting to crank your flatiron up to its highest setting for optimal smoothness, it’s not great for hair health. Many stylists actually recommend starting on the lowest heat setting possible to still effectively straighten the hair, then increasing as needed. “If you really feel like you must use a flatiron every day, you can, but it’s extremely important to be sure to lower the heat setting for quick and easy touch-ups, especially on second-day hair,” says celebrity hairstylist Laura Polko.
To avoid crease marks, use a flatiron with rounded edges or one that has plates that offer a bit of wiggle room, so that heat and pressure distribute evenly across each section of hair.
The Best Hair Straighteners and Flatirons
To figure out which flatirons are actually worth the frizz-free fuss, we asked more than a dozen hair stylists to tell us some of the best hair straighteners for every hair type. Below are some of the best flatiron and hair-straightener brush options from best-selling brands like Dyson, Chi, Ghd, Babyliss, T3, and more, that pro stylists love to use on themselves, and their clients.
Ceramic Hair Straightener: Ghd Platinum+ Professional Performance Styler (1-inch)
Sephora
GHD Platinum+ Professional Performance Styler (1-Inch)
This flatiron heats at a consistent 365 degrees across its plates, which helps ensure minimal heat damage to hair while still getting silky smooth in one pass. The plates also swivel and can produce both waves and superstraight hair, which I love. —Derek Yuen, celebrity hair stylist
My go-to hair straightener is the Ghd Platinum+. I love that it has one heat setting that is perfect for all textures. Its curved edges allow you to straighten, curl, wave, and crimp your hair. Plus, it automatically turns off when it senses it’s been left on accidentally. Your mid-drive iron anxiety thanks you. —Clayton Hawkins, celebrity hair stylist
Ceramic Hair Straightener: RED by KISS Styler (1.25-inch)
Amazon
RED by KISS Styler 1.25-Inch Flat Iron
For general, all-around hair straightening, I love using the one-inch Red Kiss Ceramic Flatiron, since I can seamlessly execute a silk press in no time at all. Its plates heat up evenly and smooth out every bump without drying hair or creating heat damage. —Princess Belton, artist and hair stylist
Editor's note: While the one-inch model of this flatiron is currently unavailable, this slightly wider model is still on sale.
Ceramic Hair Straightener: T3 Lucea (1-inch)
Nordstrom
T3 Lucea 1-inch Styling Iron
The best hair straightener out there is the T3 Lucea Flatiron. It’s great for straightening, but also works when styling S-waves and curls. The iron has floating plates that offer great control and make it easy to style hair, and it even reheats itself to maintain a set temperature. —L.P.
Ceramic Hair Straightener: Amika The Confidante Moisture Maintenance Styler (1-inch)
Amazon
Ceramic Hair Straightener: Amika 1-Inch The Confidante Moisture Maintenance Styler
I love this Amika hair straightener. Its technology smooths the hair and keeps it silky and healthy in one quick pass. I use it on fine straight hair without damaging it, as well as when straightening super curly hair. —Rubi Aguilar Jones, celebrity hair stylist
Ceramic Hair Straightener: Kiss Red Ceramic Tourmaline Pencil (3/10-inch)
Amazon
Ceramic Hair Straightener: Kiss Red Ceramic Tourmaline 3/10-Inch Pencil Flat Iron
I really like using the Kiss Red Ceramic Pencil Flatiron because it makes it super easy for me to style hard-to-reach areas (like edges or the nape of the neck), as well as my short-haired clients, specifically the ones with pixie cuts. —P.B.
Ceramic Hair Straightener: Bio Ionic One-Pass (1-inch)
Sephora
Ceramic Hair Straightener: Bio Ionic 1-Inch One-Pass Straightening Iron
My favorite straightening iron I love to use on my clients is the Bio Ionic One-Pass Straightening Iron, because, like the name says, I can literally go over each section once and see great end results. —N.R.
Ceramic Hair Straightener: T3 Singlepass X (1.5-inch)
Amazon
Ceramic Hair Straightener: T3 Singlepass X 1.5-Inch Styling Iron
T3 makes a beautiful iron that does the trick in one pass. I love using this one when styling my clients with thick, curly hair, because it’s designed with slightly wider plates that make it easy to smooth through each section. —C.R.
Ceramic Hair Straightener: Chi G2 (1-inch)
CHI
Ceramic Hair Straightener: CHI 1-Inch G2 Flat Iron
There are several types of ceramic straighteners available, but Chi is one of my favorites to use on my clients. I’ve been doing hair for over 25 years (not to date myself), and this iron is one of the best I’ve seen. It helps infuse the hair with volume and body, and has even heat distribution to get it pin-straight with minimal damage. —Starr Austin, salon owner and celebrity hair stylist
Ceramic Hair Straightener: Hot Tools Nano (1.25-inch)
Ulta
Ceramic Hair Straightener: Hot Tools Nano Ceramic 1.25-Inch Flat Iron
This flatiron is really good at protecting hair against being accidentally burned from a too-high setting while styling (it heats up to 450 degrees). Since you can easily adjust its temperature and it has a flexible swivel cord, it’s a great straightener to use to keep hair looking crisp. —Lucy Garcia Planck
Titanium Hair Straightener: Babyliss Pro Nano (1-inch)
Amazon
Titanium Hair Straightener: Babyliss 1-Inch Pro Nano Titanium Digital Straightener
I love using my Babybliss Pro iron on customers who have keratin treatments, or hair that’s on the thicker side. It has titanium plates that can get very hot, which make it easy to glide through hair with minimal damage. —Loretta Wollner, celebrity hair stylist
Titanium Hair Straightener: Paul Mitchell Neuro (1.25-inch)
Amazon
Titanium Hair Straightener: Paul Mitchell 1.25-Inch Neuro Smooth Flat Iron
This flatiron is excellent because it heats quickly and leaves all hair textures with an extra smooth look. Plus, its curved plates make it easy to add bouncy curls to the hair with the iron, or just simply straighten it. —Monaé Everett, celebrity hair stylist and author
Titanium Hair Straightener: Babyliss Pro Nano Titanium Ultra-Thin (1-inch)
Amazon
Titanium Hair Straightener: Babyliss Titanium Ultra-Thin 1-Inch Straightening Iron
My absolute favorite straightener is the Babybliss Nano Titanium Ultra Thin Straightening Iron. It’s sleek, easy to handle, and has great adjustable temperature settings. Plus, it heats up quickly and makes the hair shine, which ultimately means fewer passes through to straighten it. I recommend Babybliss for every texture. —Gabrielle Corney
As far as titanium irons go, I’m a big fan of Babyliss. I’ve been using them for years and they will get any hair pin straight. They get super hot and come in different sizes. The bigger ones get the job done quickly, but this thinner version can straighten an entire head of hair and still get really close to your edges. —C.R.
Copper Hair Straightener: Dyson Corrale
Dyson
Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener
I like the Dyson Corrale because it is cordless and heat stays consistent for up to 30 minutes (though after half an hour, the iron needs recharging), but it's more than enough time than anybody needs to use an iron on their hair. Creating ribbon curls is amazingly easy, especially since there’s no cord to deal with. —Leda Fazal, master colorist and owner of Tone Salon
Hair Brush Straightener: HastarNegativeIon
Amazon
Hastar Negative Ion Hair Straightener
I like the Haster Hair Straightener Brush because most people do not know how to use a comb with their flatiron to properly create a smooth, straight look. Having the brush attached to the iron makes it easy for my guest to create this salon look easily at home. Having the brush attached also means less damage to your hair, because the brush detangles, smooths, and straightens in one move, so you don't have to go over the same piece of hair as many times as you would with a standard straightener. —L.F.
Ceramic Hair Straightener: Fhi Heat Platform Tourmaline (1.25-inch)
Amazon
FHI HEAT Platform Tourmaline Flat Iron
The FHI flatiron is reliable. It heats up quickly and evenly, and moves smoothly through hair. It has a slightly rounded edge, making it a great choice for versatile styling. I can create glamorous waves, beach-y texture, and sleek, glassy, straight hair with it. —Calista Sanderson, stylist at Andy Lecompte Salon
