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."
More hair straighteners, as tested by the author
Best for beach waves:
Plate material: 5/5 | Range of temperature: 4/5 | Design: 5/5 | Overall average score: 4.67/5
The T3 flat iron quickly became one of my favorites for its sleek, feminine design. I love the soft pink color and the rounded edges, which make it easy to create curls and waves in addition to straight styles. The beveled plates deliver a smooth finish with just one pass, and they glide effortlessly through hair for a frizz-free, shiny result.
One thing to note: the edges around the wand get extremely hot. With long fingers, I occasionally touched them by mistake, so extra care is needed. These raised edges do serve a purpose — they keep the plates elevated when placed on a counter, preventing direct contact with any surface. Overall, this flat iron delivers professional-quality results and versatility in styling.
Best for travel:
Plate material: 4/5 | Range of temperature: 4/5 | Design: 5/5 | Overall average score: 4.3/5
The TYMO curling flat iron stood out for its ability to create curls effortlessly. Its design includes cool air vents that help lock in shape, allowing you to achieve flawless curls with a single glide. While the waves looked salon-worthy right after styling, they didn’t hold as well as I expected — by the end of the day, my strands were slightly frizzy.
I do appreciate its compact size, which makes it travel-friendly and easy to pack. The plates heat up quickly and the tool features a 60-minute auto shut-off for added safety — a great feature if you tend to forget to turn off your styling tools. Overall, I think this straightener is best suited for someone with fine hair who wants a versatile tool for curls.
Best for straight styles:
Plate material: 5/5 | Range of temperature: 5/5 | Design: 3/5 | Overall average score: 4.3/5
BaBylissPRO was one of the first brands I used when I started styling my hair and it remains a strong contender. Its ultra-thin plates are ideal for creating sleek, straight hairstyles and the titanium material works beautifully on frizz-prone hair. Like the Kristin Ess model, it offers a wide temperature range up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit — so it’s powerful enough for even the most stubborn strands.
That said, the plates get extremely hot, so caution is key when handling. My only drawback was the temperature control dial. It felt a bit awkward to adjust, and the tiny numbers aren’t ideal for anyone with vision issues. I prefer digital buttons for ease of use. Still, if you’re looking for a professional-grade straightener that delivers smooth, straight results quickly, this one is worth considering.
How we chose the best hair straighteners
We consulted industry experts for their recommendations and reviewed flat irons with the highest ratings and reviews. Based on their advice, I tested seven hair straighteners across different price points, focusing on key features such as design, heat settings and plate material performance. Each straightener was tested twice over a three-month period to ensure consistency.
For every test, I washed and blow-dried my hair before using the straightener to create waves. After styling, I evaluated how well the waves held up throughout the day, even after exposure to outdoor conditions. This process allowed me to assess not only the initial performance but also the longevity of each style.
Why trust Shop TODAY?
Jannely Espinal is the SEO commerce writer at Shop TODAY where she creates stories for the Ranked series, gift guides, fashion features and more. She’s well-versed in product testing across multiple categories and plays a key role in developing and following testing guidelines to ensure accuracy and quality in every review.
Meet the experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on a given topic. We also make sure that all expert guidance and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Anari LaBoard is a lead hair trainer at Blushington, a beauty salon that offers skin care, makeup and hair services.
- Mia Santiago is a celebrity hairstylist who began her career at the legendary Sharon Dorram at Sally Hershberger salon in NYC, honing her craft in cutting and styling.
- Madison Sullivan is a New York City-based hairstylist and L’Oréal Professionel artist.
- Davide Marinelli is a a New York City-based hairstylist and the owner of Davide Hair Studio.
