Seven years ago, I made the decision to cut out heat tools and no longer straighten my curly hair. I did the well-known "big chop" and decided to start over in hopes of giving my hair the revival it needed after over a decade of straightening it religiously.
Admittedly, I wish I could go back in time and tell my younger self that straightening my hair on occasions was okay but protecting your curls from heat damage is important too. I would also tell her that she needs to swap out her straightener, stat. I have a very clear memory of using my neon-pink cheetah-print flat iron that I purchased from Justice and holding on to it for dear life until eventually swapping it out for a Conair one that lasted me all through high school.
The key lesson I learned over all those years? The quality of the tools you use is just as important as the products you put in your hair. Since then, I've also learned a lot about what to look for in a good hair straightener for curly hair. Below, I've put together a tailored list of the top hair straighteners I would recommend to any curly girl who wants to protect her strands but also wants to switch things up and wear different styles. Read on for all the details.
1. Best Overall: Dyson Airstrait Wet-to-Dry Straightener
My top pick may not be budget-friendly, but it is worth every penny. This Dyson flat iron was designed specifically with wavy, curly, and coily hair in mind. While you can wait for your hair to dry before using it, waiting is also an option. Unlike many others on the market, the Dyson Hyperdymium motor can dry hair as it straightens, cutting the time it takes to style in half. Additionally, the arms contain glass-bead thermistors that regulate temperature to reduce heat damage—a must for delicate curls.
Pro: Prevents heat damage
Con: Expensive, not many heat settings
Heat settings: 3
Customer review: "If you're a lazy girl like me this is perfect. I normally have really thick curly long hair and shower at night so normally don’t have the energy to blow dry and straighten my hair. This honestly changed my life! It straightens and drys faster than I find my normal straightener and dryer. 10/10 recommend."
2. Best for Frizz: Chi 1-Inch Titanium Flat Iron
Anyone with curly hair will tell you that managing frizz can be a real struggle. That's why this option from Chi is such a popular pick. It has a built-in ion generator that reduces frizz and flyaways while boosting shine. The titanium plates also heat up evenly for safe styling that's also effective. Not to mention, it has six heat settings to prevent damage.
Pro: Prevents heat damage
Con: Expensive
Heat settings: 6
Customer review: "This flat iron is amazing at straighten my hair! Silky smooth blowout hair just like a salon visit."
3. Best 2-in-1: T3 Curling Straightener
So you want a hair tool that can do it all? I'm a big fan of two-in-one products and totally get the appeal. This pick from T3 is a major time-saver since it doubles as a curling tool. You can go pin straight or create waves and big curls.
Pro: Doubles as a curling iron, lightweight, adds shine
Con: Not the best for creating tight curls
Heat settings: 9
Customer review: "I'm officially in love with this T3 curling straightener! Not only does it look great on my vanity, but it works wonders on my hair. It smooths out my frizz and gives me the prettiest waves that don't fall out. I couldn't be happier with it!"
4. Best Volumizing: Kristin Ess Flat Iron Hair Straightener and Curler
Some flat irons leave hair looking super sleek but also a bit flat. As much as I used to love a polished look, there were times when all I wanted was a little more volume. If that sounds like you, consider this buy from Kristin Ess. The titanium plates on this straighter can also curl hair, making it perfect for creating just the right amount of volume.
Pro: Adds volume
Con: Not the best for making defined curls
Heat settings: 4
Customer review: "I can do my hair in about 6 minutes with this guy and it lasts. Such a time saver. It looks nice too. I've since started buying more KE products because I like this item so much."
5. Best Budget: Tymo Ring Plus Ionic Hair Straightener Brush
Getting the results you want doesn't always mean you have to break the bank. This straightener doubles as a brush with a keratin ceramic coating that allows the teeth to easily move through hair. The nine heat settings make it usable for a wide range of hair type and textures.
Pro: Detangles, adds shine to hair, budget-friendly
Con: Expensive
Heat settings: 9
Customer review: "My hair is very wavy, very frizzy, and very fine. This tool straightens my hair perfectly and much faster than a flat iron. It's silkier and stays straighter in the humidity than with a flat iron."
6. Best Splurge: GHD Platinum+ Styler 1-Inch Flat Iron
If you don't want to spend the price of my overall pick but still want to splurge a bit, you'll appreciate this pick from GHD. As someone who's witnessed the performance of this tool firsthand, I can tell you that this is a must for fighting frizz regardless of your hair type. It prevents color fading while adding shine and strength.
Pro: Reduces frizz, adds shine
Con: Expensive, only one heat setting
Heat settings: 1
Customer review: "I'm obsessed with this straightener! I have frizzy, curly hair, but after using it, my hair feels incredibly silky and smooth. Absolutely love it, definitely a must have!"
7. Best for Avoiding Breakage: Drybar Reserve Vibrating Flat Iron
If you're someone who has curls that are prone to breakage like myself, you'll appreciate the technology behind this straightener from Drybar. The heated plates on this tool vibrate to create the perfect tension for straightening without overpulling. It also has five heat settings, which cater to different hair types and textures. Meanwhile, Ionic Technology boosts shine and reduces frizz.
Pro: Prevents breakage, many heat settings, prevents damage
Con: On the bulkier side
Heat settings: 5
Customer review: "I absolutely loved this straightener! As a curly haired girl, I always wanted a straighter that could get me super slick hair with minimal time and heat. This straighter does just that. I recommend this to all my family and friends!"
8. Best for Travel: Chi Lava Ministyler
Just because you're traveling doesn't mean you should have to compromise on style. Luckily, this travel-sized Chi tool can fit easily in your luggage or carry-on thanks to its small size. It has 1.5-inch floating plates that heat up to 410°F. The rapid ceramic heater speeds up the heating process, cutting down wait time.
Pro: Has color-lock protection
Con: Not many heat settings
Heat settings: 3
Customer review: "I love the tiny size with a larger surface area to straighten my hair. Perfect size for travel as well."
What to Look for in a Straightener for Curly Hair
Price is one of the biggest factors that come with purchasing anything beauty related, let alone hair tools. If you've already skimmed the list above, you likely know that many of the straighteners that deliver high quality aren't exactly the cheapest. That said, you don't have to spend a ton of money on a straightener that works for you. There are plenty of options on the market that are $100 or less, so if you're on the fence about splurging and decide to do so, definitely look into all of the features that are available to make sure it's worth your money.
Heat settings are also extremely important. Not only do they allow you to have more control over the straightener, but they can also prevent you from damaging your hair even more (depending on the state of your hair). For example, if you have very damaged hair, a straightener with many heat settings or a lower temperature range may be best. If you have thick or coarse hair, you'll want a tool that can go higher in heat.
A few other factors you might want to consider include whether or not the straightener can be used for other styling purposes, the plate material and length, and the weight of the tool.
How We Chose
As with all of our buying guides at Who What Wear, we compile our edits based on original testing and expert recommendations. To find the best straighteners for curly hair, we leaned heavily on firsthand testing and our knowledge as beauty experts. We also considered several factors, including heat settings, materials, and customer reviews. We're aware of how important these factors are for a wide range of needs and preferences, so we made sure to list out all the helpful details.
Why Trust Who What Wear
Since 2006, Who What Wear has been a digital fashion, beauty, and lifestyle publication and community where people can discover the latest brands, trends, and must-have products to help define and evolve their personal style. Think of Who What Wear as your most trusted style and shopping resource.
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