Curly hair is cool but we won’t blame you if you feel like transforming your curls into bone straight tresses every once in a while. Straight hair looks classy, elegant, and is more manageable.
Let’s face it – keeping those gorgeous curls on point can be challenging, and besides, change is good. So, if you’re trying to fake a poker straight look, it’s time to call in the best flat iron for curly hair.
There’s no shortage of hair straightening tools out there. But here’s the catch – heat damage is real and it can leave your hair dry, rough, and prone to breakage. Also, some tools just don’t work when it comes to hair straightening. That’s why you need to invest in a decent flat iron.
Finding the right one may seem like a nightmare but it’s actually not. To make things easier for you, we’ve collated a list of the top-notch flat irons that don’t snag or damage your strands. Let’s take a look!
Best Flat Irons for Curly Hair Reviewed
1. HSI Professional Glider Ceramic Flat Iron
If you’re looking for the best flat iron under $50, this is your greatest bet. There are so many reasons to fall in love with this straightener. First off, it has racked up over 25,000 rave reviews on Amazon.
When a product has so many happy customers around the world, you can shop with confidence. Secondly, you don’t need to pass it through your hair multiple times to get silky, smooth tresses. It heats up real quick and doesn’t snag.
The impressive heat range of 140 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit is definitely the talking point of this tool. Even if you have really rough, kinky hair, this iron will smooth your strands in no time.
What’s more, it’s powered by HeatBalance microsensors for temperature regulation and even heat distribution. That means you won’t end up damaging your hair. Thanks to its dual voltage compatibility, you can take it anywhere on your travels.
The 360° swivel cord offers great flexibility and makes it so easy to style your hair. Also, the packaging includes argan oil hair treatment to help you keep frizziness in check.
2. Solano Sleekheat450 Professional Flat Iron
For someone who is lusting after that back-from-the-salon look and also got some room for splurging, there’s nothing better than Solano Sleekheat450 Professional Flat Iron. This iron will turn those luscious curls into bone straight locks without damaging them.
As you can expect, it heats up pretty quickly (450 degrees Fahrenheit in 60 seconds). It’s pretty easy to use, too. The tool comes with adjustable temperature settings, and you can set the temperature anywhere between 170 degrees to 450 degrees Fahrenheit depending on your needs.
It will straighten your tresses even if you have super curly hair. What’s more, it features a swivel cord for effortless styling.
Even better? It uses gentler far-infrared heat that reduces the styling time to a great extent. You only need a few strokes to get perfectly sleek, frizz-free, and straight hair. And fewer strokes mean less damage to your hair.
Need more convincing? It comes with beveled plates that ensure smooth gliding and healthy hair. You can expect smooth hair in just a single pass. What more could someone ask for, right?
3. KIPOZI Professional Titanium Flat Iron Hair Straightener
If you don’t want to shell out a lot of money on hair straighteners, Kipozi Professional Titanium Flat Iron is a great choice. With an adjustable temperature range from 170F to 450F, it offers excellent flexibility and control.
It comes with a beautiful LCD display that shows the current settings such as the set temperature. The tool features a titanium plate that delivers even and consistent heat, so you don’t need to worry about damaging your strands.
The titanium plates glide smoothly through your hair without snagging. Plus, it will greatly improve the texture of your hair. You’re in for a wonderful hair straightening experience without having to spend a fortune on it.
This straightener comes with an automatic shut down feature. It will automatically turn off after 60 minutes of non-use. So, if you’re the type who often forgets to unplug their tools, you’re going to love this iron.
No matter the current situation of your tresses, you will get straight hair in under 20 minutes. And it’s suitable for all hair types ranging from natural, colored, curly, wavy, and even African-American hair.
4. GHD Platinum+ Professional Performance Styler
This flatiron from GHD is perhaps the smartest and the least damaging hair straightener on the list. It has a maximum temperature of 365 degrees, and the tool requires only 20 seconds to reach that temperature. If you’re someone who’s not tech-savvy, this is an ideal choice.
It only contains a single button that heats up the tool. Some users often struggle to achieve the perfect setting and temperature for their hair. But you don’t have to worry about that anymore as it cuts out all the guesswork with its default setting.
With an ideal hair straightening temperature of 365 degrees F (185 degrees Celsius), it will give you silky, straight hair without frying your strands.
The best part? This iron in question recognizes the thickness of your hair and adjusts the power it needs accordingly. The brand claims that this technology results in 70% less breakage.
It also provides twice the color protection. So, if you’re trying to straighten color-treated hair, nothing does it better than this tool from GHD.
What’s more, it has won Allure’s Best of Beauty awards twice. It’s an expensive product, but given the performance, we would say it’s worth every single penny.
5. Infiniti Pro by Conair Rainbow Titanium Flat Iron
Presenting a budget-friendly option from Conair that promises sleek, shiny hair fast. It boasts 6 heat settings, allowing you more control over your styling and making this tool suitable for all hair types.
This iron incorporates the latest ionic technology to eliminate static and frizziness. It has a maximum temperature of 455 F, so you can rest assured that it will straighten even the kinkiest hair.
Additionally, it has one-inch long floating plates that ensure faster styling. What’s more, it also has an auto shut off feature. The tool will turn off automatically when left unused for too long.
It can reach its maximum temperature in just 30 seconds, so you don’t need to wait around for the tool to heat up. Plus, it’s dual voltage, meaning you can use it anywhere in the world. And if you’re a frequent traveler who uses flatirons a lot, you know it’s a blessing.
Finally, it’s easy to handle, straightens in one pass, and doesn’t burn the strands.
6. amika Illuminati Diamond Ceramic Styler
This is by far the cutest hair straightener on the list. But that’s not why this tool made it to the list. It has some really impressive features that make it stand out from the rest.
For starters, it features diamond-infused plates that keep frizziness at bay and seal the moisture, thereby ensuring healthy hair. As you may know, healthy hair is the secret to a frizz-free and sleek look.
Thanks to tourmaline technology, it will add shine and make your hair more manageable. The beautiful LED display makes it so easy to adjust the temperature according to your needs.
What’s more, you don’t need to adjust the temperature every time you use this tool. It automatically resets to the last temperature setting you used.
Furthermore, it transfers heat really quickly and will get the job done without requiring multiple passes. If you have really thick, curly hair, make sure to adjust the temperature to its highest setting.
7. Bio Ionic Onepass Straightening Iron
One stroke on each section is all it takes to get sleek-finish with Bio Ionic Onepass Straightening Iron. This has always been a cult-favorite product among hairstylists as well as regular beauty buffs.
However, the previous version of this iron was lacking one important feature. It didn’t have an auto-shutoff feature. Well, here’s good news. This upgraded version comes with an auto shut off feature making it a safe choice for someone who often forgets things.
Also, the tool boasts nano ionic infused plates that hydrate your tresses while straightening them. It also has an ergonomic thumb rest for easy handling.
The highlight of the product is its silicon strips that really help speed up the straightening process. Additionally, the tool transfers heat homogeneously and safely to each strand. So, you don’t run a risk of damaging your tresses.
It can reach up to 450 degrees F, meaning it will straighten even the most stubborn curls. Plus, the 9-feet long swivel cord allows effortless movement during
8. BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium-Plated Ultra-Thin Straightening Iron
Featuring a beautiful and slim design, this straightening iron from BaBylissPRO can smooth every hair type and texture, including curly ones. It’s one of the most lightweight options out there designed to reduce fatigue on hands while styling.
This flatiron comes with 5” long plates that can heat up to 450 degrees. And it’s available in three different widths: 1 inch, 1.5 inches, and 2 inches. You can choose one depending on your needs.
It has 50 heat settings, so you can straighten your hair with precision. Thanks to titanium plates, it glides through your hair smoothly without snagging. The heat distribution is quick and even.
For someone with damaged hair, it’s a great choice as it doesn’t fry your ends. Furthermore, it eliminates static to minimize flyaways.
Not good enough to convince you? It has over 1900 5-star reviews on Amazon. Users have been raving about its efficacy. Mind you it comes with an expensive price tag.
How to Choose the Best Flat Iron for Curly Hair?
If you want the best results, there are a few things to take into account when buying a flat iron for curly hair. Let’s take a look!
Ceramic Vs Titanium
So, you’ve come across ceramic as well as titanium hair straighteners. Which one should you choose? Well, it depends on your hair type. Titanium plates heat up really quickly and can reach higher temperatures than ceramic plates.
For someone who has thick, curly hair, titanium flat irons would be a great choice. On the other hand, if you have really fine hair, ceramic flat irons would make more sense as they’re less damaging.
Ceramic irons transfer less heat which results in less damage. They’re usually combined with tourmaline and promise great results.
Temperature
It’s also worth considering the maximum temperature a tool can reach. Thick, curly hair requires a tremendous amount of heat to straighten. In such a case, you should go with irons that can reach a temperature of up to 450 degrees F.
Additionally, it’s a good thing if the tool has various heat settings. That will allow you more control and precision over your styling.
Plate Size
It’s a matter of personal choice. But if you have long hair, go for plates that are 1½ inches wide. For someone with shorter hair, a one-inch plate will do the trick just fine.
Additional Features
Check if the iron has an auto shut off feature. This should not be a deciding factor but it’s good to have all the new features, right? Plus, it would give you some sense of security in case you forgot to unplug the device.
Another thing to look out for is the design. You would want the on/off button at a place where you don’t accidentally turn it off while styling. Also, the iron should be easy to handle.
FAQs
Should I buy ceramic or titanium flat iron?
As we’ve mentioned above, titanium flat irons are a great choice if you have naturally thick, curly hair. Even the salon professionals use titanium flat irons because they work fast and can transform even the most stubborn curls.
How long will my hair stay straight?
It depends on a number of factors including your hair type, texture, weather conditions, the quality of flat iron, etc. But you can expect your hair to stay straight for a day or two. And the moment you wash them, they’ll get back to the way they were prior to straightening.
Can I use a hair straightener without using heat protectant spray?
It’s not a good idea to straighten your hair without heat protection. The last thing you want is damaging your tresses. Never forget to use heat protection spray while using a flat iron.
Conclusion
The end result will depend greatly on the quality of the flat iron you use. So, it’s important that you choose the right product. Luckily, the flat irons we’ve reviewed above do a really good job of straightening the tresses no matter your hair type.
Just make sure you know how to properly use an iron. You can read the instructions provided by the manufacturer. It’s important to separate your hair in sections.
We hope you found this guide useful, and you’ve found the right flat iron for your hair. If you have any questions, ask away in the comments below.
Feel free to check out our roundup of the best straightening shampoos for sleek hair.