How to Choose the Best Flat Iron so You Don't Damage the Eff Out of Your Hair
7 options for different hair types and budgets.
Jamie Schneider
Having a good flat iron or hair straightener can be life-changing, and I'm not just saying that. Whether you just want a low-effort style for the day or something a little more elegant, having the right hot tool—along with the right hair products—can really make or break your styling experience.
Among said hair products (especially when using a flat iron!) should always be a heat protectant. But to get the best results, it’s not so much about the hair oils, volumizing sprays, and shine-boosting hair sprays you use—it's about finding the right tool for your hair type.
“When it comes to flat irons, the first thing I look at is the plate material. Ceramic tends to be the most universally favored,” says celebrity hairstylist Marc Ballance. “The next thing is heat control. A flat iron should let you adjust the temperature to suit your hair type; not every head needs 450 degrees [Fahrenheit],” he adds. “A flat iron should feel like a tool, not a chore. The good ones do!”
For more on that, plus the best editor- and expert-tested flat irons and hair straighteners to try, keep reading below.
The Best Flat Irons and Hair Straighteners, At a Glance
- Best Overall: Paul Mitchell Smooth+ Ceramic Flat Iron
- Best Value: Chi Original 1-In. Ceramic Hairstyling Iron
- Best Wet-to-Dry: Dyson AirStrait Dryer and Straightener
- Best 2-in-1: T3 Curling Straightener 2-in-1 Styling Iron
- Best for Curly Hair: BioIonic 10X 1-In. Pro Hair Styling Iron
Best Overall: Paul Mitchell Smooth+ Ceramic Flat Iron
Pros: Heats quickly, glass-smooth finish, long shelf life
Cons: Honestly, none
Plate width: 1.25 in. | Plate material: Ceramic | Heat settings: Customizable, up to 410ºF
Associate beauty editor Alyssa Brascia has been using this dependable flat iron for years, and she doesn’t see herself stopping anytime soon. The adjustable heat settings, quick warm-up time, and shine-enhancing ceramic plates all make this relatively budget-friendly straightener a knockout choice, and its pristine condition after years of use is a testament to its high performance. It can heat up to 410ºF, which can straighten very fine to very coarse hair, and its evenly distributed heat allows for fewer passes and faster styling, without the damage.
Customer review: “This straightener is amazing. It makes my frizzy hair tame and shiny. My friends think I’ve gotten my hair professionally done each time they see me.”
Best Value: Chi Original 1-in. Ceramic Hairstyling Iron
Pros: Long-lasting, durable, smooths frizz, budget-friendly
Cons: Still nears triple digits
Plate width: 1 in. | Plate material: Ceramic | Heat settings: 1, auto-heats to 392ºF
Sure, there are lower-priced straighteners on the market—but none have offered as much longevity as the one-inch ceramic Chi flat iron has for Who What Wear beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock. “I've been using the same one for close to five years, and it still looks and acts like it's brand new—which is impressive, considering I've put it through the wringer (dropping it into suitcases, throwing it into my bathroom drawer, etc.),” she croons. Though McLintock admits that she hasn’t switched out her flat irons often (it’s only her second one), she still calls it one of the most “foolproof” tools she’s ever tried. “It makes my hair look sleek, straight, and shiny, but honestly, I almost always use it to create flat-iron waves,” she adds. “The one-inch ceramic plates are perfect for creating natural-looking bends in the hair.” Score!
Customer review: “This is the second one of these that I've purchased. The first one was about 16 years ago, and I finally wore it out, much to my chagrin! I highly recommend this flat iron, as it is easy to use (compared to others that I've tried) and it's long-lasting. It also came in record time, too!”
McLintock before (L) and after (R) using the Chi Original 1-in. Ceramic Hairstyling Iron.
Best Wet-to-Dry: Dyson AirStrait Dryer and Straightener
Pros: Dries and straightens in one pass, smooths frizz, reduces risk of heat damage
Cons: Takes a long time to style each section, expensive
Plate width: 1.6 in. | Plate material: Ceramic | Heat settings: 2 modes, 3 heat, 3 speed
If you’ve ever wanted to take your hair from wet to dry with one tool (without the harmful heat damage and sizzling sound of wet strands on hot plates), you’ve come to the right place. The Dyson AirStrait is your one-stop shop for blown-out, supermodel-straight hair right out of the shower—but it does come with a high price tag. Brascia loves this tool on days that she needs to efficiently style without damaging her hair too much, but does preface that you need to spend an ample amount of time on each section in order to fully style. This takes a decent chunk of time, but it is comparatively shorter than it would take her to blow-dry and then straighten her hair.
We’ll also note that it doesn’t deliver perfectly pin-straight length—it’s half-blow-dryer, half-straightener, so the look is going to be a bit “fluffier” and lived-in compared to a sleek, straight one. The thickness of the plates also makes it hard to get close to the roots, so we recommend pressing the plates together to emit hair dryer-like airflow that dries the roots first before styling the rest of the hair.
Customer review: “I bought this a month or so ago, and I am extremely happy with this purchase! I have lots of fine but curly/frizzy-prone hair, and it saves me so much time and frustration! With the AirStrait, I can dry and straighten at the same time without the damage or frizzing. Wish I had had this a long time ago!”
Best 2-in-1: T3 Curling Straightener 2-in-1 Styling Iron
Pros: Doubles as flat iron and curler, auto-world voltage, heats and styles quickly
Cons: Slightly pricey
Plate width: 1 in. | Plate material: Ceramic | Heat settings: Customizable
If you’re a frequent flyer or someone who simply asks more of their hair tools, this is the flat iron for you. Brascia waxed poetic about T3’s Curling Straightener after taking it on an international trip with two other beauty editors—one of whom was already a fan, and the other soon became one. Its rounded ceramic plates heat up evenly on all sides, allowing the tool to straighten hair between its inner flat plates and form a full curling iron barrel when pressing the curved plates together. The slim tool allows you to get close to the roots to smooth out any kinks, while the curved edges make it easy to curl loose, flipped ends à la Gigi Hadid’s flipped bob. Though it’s slightly pricey, it’s a worthwhile investment considering that it’s great for travel and covers two hot tool categories.
Customer review: “Waaaay better than a Dyson! (And I have had a Dyson Airwrap for years!) I have thick wavy hair with a mind of its own that often can't hold curls and often can't stay straight, both of which are so frustrating. This product can quickly straighten AND curl my hair, and even without *ANY* hairspray, it holds for DAAAAYYYS! My new favourite hair tool. It lives on my bathroom counter.”
Best for Curly Hair: BioIonic 10X 1-In. Pro Hair Styling Iron
Pros: Extended barrel, smooths frizz, heats quickly, protects hair from heat damage
Cons: On the pricey side
Plate width: 1 in. | Plate material: Ceramic | Heat settings: Customizable, vibration setting
“I've tried a dozen flat irons as my hair is always, always straightened, and this one is my absolute favorite,” says Who What Wear fashion editor Sierra Mayhew. She appreciates the tool’s extended barrel, which makes it easier to pick up more strands (“I have a lot of hair,” she explains) without causing excess heat damage. It’s designed with curved plates and an ergonomic handle for easy, versatile styling, and the ionic mineral complex within its ceramic plates leave smoother, shinier hair after every use. “I also find the vibrating plate feature to be underrated because I can get away with using fewer passes when I have that feature turned on,” she adds—a perk for those with damaged or dry hair.
Customer review: “This flat iron is futuristic, who knew they had the ability to vibrate! In researching ‘sonic vibrating plates’ I found they achieve high shine and smooth styles in which I instantly noticed after the first pass… Some other great aspects of design are the 4.5’ long ceramic floating plates that glided through the hair like silk, the temperature quickly heating to 400 in about 60 seconds with a digital temp display of 450, its ability to remember the last heat setting used, automatic shut off after an hour and the company conveniently including a heat glove, which was very thoughtful. All in all, this flat iron is a 10/10 and worth investing.”
Mayhew after using the BioIonic 10X 1-In. Pro Hair Styling Iron.
Best for Straight Hair: Ghd Chronos Styler
Pros: Features predictive technology that helps keep hair free of damage, strong, and healthy; works great as a curler
Cons: Expensive at full price, only has one heat setting
Plate width: 1 in. | Plate material: Ceramic | Heat settings: 1
"This flat iron is great for straighter textures because it can be used to smooth the hair but is also really easy to use as a curler to add waves or curls to the hair," says Tardo. Celebrity hairstylist Justine Marjan also considers it her "all-time favorite," noting how easily it glides through the hair without any snagging whatsoever. "It also closes the cuticle layer of the hair when in use, making the hair shinier, frizz-free, and so much faster to style," she shares.
Customer Review: "I was hesitant because I have thick, medium-to-coarse hair and didn't think the 'automatic' heat would work on my hair, but it does. I would have bought one years ago if I had known it could handle my hair without 450-degree settings."
Schneider after using the Ghd Chronos Styler.
Best for Fast Styling: Gussi Mane Squeeze 1-in. Flat Iron
Pros: Has a one-hour shutoff function, temperature display, comes with a heat-resistant mat, heats up in 60 seconds
Cons: Those with thick hair might want to use wider plates
Plate width: 1 in. | Plate material: Titanium and ceramic | Heat settings: 9
Gussi's flat iron is one of the best for straight hair that's either thick or thin. It has ceramic and titanium plates that provide efficient styling and evenly distribute heat, therefore requiring fewer passes on the hair. The heat settings go as low as 330°F and as high as 420°F, so it can work for many different types of strands.
Customer Review: "After one pass with the flat iron my hair is straight. It literally doesn’t even take me 5 minutes to do my hair anymore! It’s amazing and the design is super cute!"
How to Choose the Best Flat Iron
"The most important things to keep in mind [when selecting a flat iron] are the temperature, plate material, plate shape and size, and the technology," Taylor shares.
- Plate material: "For fine to medium hair, a flat iron with ceramic plates infused with tourmaline and or magnesium would be a great choice," shares Patterson. "Titanium plates would best be for hair textures that are stronger and thicker because titanium can retain hotter heat better to assist with the smoothing of the hair," he says. (We'll go over more details on ceramic versus titanium plates in just a moment!)
- Plate size: Those with thicker, coarser hair might fare well with wider plates to efficiently grab larger sections. On the other hand, folks with finer hair might want to use a flat iron with a narrower build.
- Technology: "A high-quality flat iron will have the best plates, allowing for many heat adjustments, auto shutoff features, and dual voltage, especially if you’re a traveler," adds Patterson.
- Design: "I love a flat iron that has rounded edges that expands the styling options and allows for you to create waves and curls as well as sleek looks," adds Marjan. Make no mistake: Flat irons are for more than just sleek, straight styles!
- Hair type: As always, keep your hair type top of mind. "If you have fine, chemically processed hair, you won’t have the same needs from your iron that a thicker or coarser hair texture will need," Patterson notes.
What Is the Best Temperature Setting to Use?
"As a rule, I would get the iron hot enough to smooth your hair in just one pass," says Patterson. "This not only minimizes physical damage to the hair but also helps to minimize heat damage. Every hair type, texture, and quality of hair will need its very own tailored heat setting, though." Those with finer hair shouldn't use a ton of heat, as that could cause major damage, while those with thicker hair might need to crank up the temperature a bit to get their desired smoothness.
For those with curls, Taylor recommends using a flat iron that reaches no more than 450ºF. "Otherwise, you're going to really damage your strands and curl pattern," she notes. Generally, sticking to 400ºF or below is a good rule of thumb—and don't forget to apply heat protectant!
Ceramic vs. Titanium Flat Irons
When shopping for flat irons, the most common materials you'll see are ceramic and titanium. While one is not necessarily "better" than the other, they each do have advantages for certain hair types.
"Ceramic plates are made the same way ceramics are made—layer on top of layer and baked. This makes the flat iron plates strong and smooth with great heat retention to them," explains Patterson. They's also typically gentler on the hair, as they allow for better temperature control, notes Marjan. "Just make sure you’re getting real and true baked ceramic plates, not an aluminum plate 'coated' with ceramic. They are not the same," Patterson adds.
Then you have titanium irons, which Patterson notes are "the smoothest plates available that also have the highest heat retention and recovery." He adds, "While these are great choices for a thicker, more coarse-curly texture, I wouldn’t recommend them for finer hair textures. They’re much too powerful."
Which Flat Iron Causes the Least Hair Damage?
Look, heat harms your hair, no matter how you slice it. No flat iron on this list (or anywhere) will prevent damage entirely, but tools that have smart sensors, even-heat technology, or automatic heat settings are a good place to start. Try GHD's Platinum+ Styler, which keeps the temperature at an ideal 365ºF, or T3's Lucea 1-Inch Professional Straightening & Styling Flat Iron, which features special, synchronized heaters for fast, one-pass styling.
"Technically speaking, any time you’re heat styling your hair, you’re creating both heat and physical damage," Patterson caveats. "To minimize damage, always use heat protection, and never style hair above 390 to 400ºF—ever."
"Remember that heat styling will cause moisture loss, so make sure your heat protectant is super moisturizing to combat the drying effects of the heat," adds Taylor. You can find all of our favorites in our guide here, which also come recommended time and again by hairstylists.
How We Chose the Best Flat Irons
When it comes to our testing process at Who What Wear, personal recommendations always come first. Beauty writer Shawna Hudson first chose the flat irons she specifically swears by for her own curls, making sure to include a variety of price points, sizes, and materials. Customer reviews are also important to keep in mind, so we scoured the review sections of our favorite retailers while creating this list.
We also consulted trusted experts: celebrity hairstylists Kee Taylor, Bridget Brager, Jeremy Tardo, Justine Marjan, Gregory Patterson, and Marc Ballance. With their tips on what to look for in a high-quality flat iron (plus their personal recommendations), we were able to whittle down our list to the final 16 options you see here.
Why Trust Who What Wear
At Who What Wear, we know that beauty isn't one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they're affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we'd truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.