March 20-25: Amazon's Big Spring Sale is here!
Don't Waste Your Money is supported by our readers. When you purchase an item through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Best Flat Irons

Last updated on July 13, 2023

We looked at the top 17 Flat Irons and dug through the reviews from 74 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Flat Irons.

Best Flat Iron

Our Review Process

Don't Waste Your Money is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to. Learn more.

Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in a category.

Regardless of the hair type and texture they were born with, most people have attempted to alter the appearance of their locks at one time or another throughout their lives. Chemical perms and straighteners create results that last but can be quite harsh and damaging to hair shafts and ends. That’s why many people opt to use hair styling tools to achieve the looks they desire. The flat iron, also referred to as a straightening iron, is one of those tools that can drastically change the look and texture of naturally wavy or curly hair.

In a family of gadgets that includes hair dryers, curling irons and hot rollers, flat irons have an important place. That’s because they are great at what they are designed to do — giving all types of hair a straight, sleek appearance while smoothing out the shafts of individual hairs for a uniform, stylish look. Flat irons are heated styling tools constructed with two metal or ceramic plates that open and close around strands of hair. Pulling the tool down the strands smooths and straightens the hair. In other words, flat irons are necessary when it comes to creating many of today’s straight, flowing ‘dos.

MORE: The best Prime Day beauty deals you can show now

Over the decades, stick-straight hairstyles have come in and out of fashion.  But as styles come and go, so does the desire to vary an individual hairstyle, from curly to straight whenever the feeling hits. The technology of flat irons makes it possible to sport your curls one day and have straight hair the next with minimal effort.

It’s the combination of electric-powered heat and the plates that make it possible for a flat iron to alter the appearance of hair that’s not naturally straight. However, it’s the plate material that helps protect hair from damage from the heat, as well as reduce frizz and flyaway strands. Many brands have plates that are either made entirely of ceramic or of ceramic-coated metal, like the HSI Professional Glider Ceramic Tourmaline Ionic Flat Iron. The advantage of the ceramic is that it produces powerful heat and negative ions that smooth hair while styling it, giving it a shiny finish. On the downside, plates that are made entirely of ceramic are prone to breakage, while ceramic-coated plates may peel over time. Additionally, they don’t do the best job straightening very curly hair.

Arguably the best type of flat iron for very thick, curly and frizzy hair is one that has plates that are coated with titanium. They too produce negative ions that help smooth and protect delicate hair shafts, but also heat up extremely fast to effectively straighten hair.

Titanium isn’t the only mineral that’s used in making flat iron plates that help reduce damage to the hair. Some plates are also coated in tiny crushed pieces of tourmaline that makes them smooth and durable. In turn, the addition of tourmaline, which can be found on ceramic and titanium plates, increases the output of negative ions and give hair even more shine.

Flat irons also come in a variety of sizes, from 1 inch to 2.5 inches in width. While thin plates work well on all hair lengths, those that are thicker are ideal for transforming long hair into sleek strands.

Our Picks For The Top Flat Irons

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Most Versatile

VANESSA Titanium Flat Iron Hair Straightener & Curler

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

VANESSA

Titanium Flat Iron Hair Straightener & Curler

Not only is this flat iron able to seal in moisture, but it also does a fabulous job of reducing frizz. The unit comes with 11 temperature settings, which gives the user total control. The plate on this model is also longer, which decreases the amount of time it takes to finish the job.

Overall Take

Doubles as a Curling IronThis flat iron heats up fast and can reach temperatures as high as 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

 Best Overall

HSI Professional Ionic Flat Iron

HSI Professional

Ionic Flat Iron

This flat iron hair straightener is ideal for travelers. With a handy carrying bag and a travel-size argan oil, you’ll love the ease of traveling with this product. The solid ceramic hot plates promote even heating as well.

Overall Take

Complete SetThis flat iron hair straightener is great for travel, featuring its own case and travel-size argan oil.

Pros
" It has solid ceramic plates to reduce damage, evenly heat hair, and promote shine. And, if you’re a traveler, it’s a dual-voltage iron that can be used anywhere in the world."
Cons
"The thin plates can take longer to style extremely thick or curly hair."
 Travel-Sized

BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Flat Iron

BaBylissPRO

Nano Titanium Flat Iron

This flat iron uses nano titanium technology to protect hair from heat damage. It not only smooths and straightens hair, but also makes silky smooth waves and light curls. The slim design makes it a cinch to hold, which reduces hand fatigue when spending a lengthy amount of time on your hair.

Overall Take

Slim DesignThanks to its slim design, this flat iron prevents hand fatigue.

Pros
" Titanium plates are the latest advance in hair straightener technology. While I always advise against going for metal plates and recommend ceramic to anyone who asks, titanium is different. This metal is the best-known conductor of negative ions. These charged..."
Cons
"It is expensive and that is a major letdown for some of us. It is not available in drugstore and must be bought online or stores like Ulta. It does not have a mechanical lock and that makes it less..."
 Also Great

CHI Original Ceramic Hair Straightening Flat Iron

CHI

Ceramic Hairstyling Flat Iron

Skip the salon and put this professional hair straightener to use. The unit quickly heats to 392 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot enough to work on hair that is thick and coarse. Hair glides easily through the ceramic plates, leaving hair feeling silky smooth to the touch.

Overall Take

Leaves Hair SilkyIn addition to an elegant black, this hair straightener is also available in a sparkly silver.

Pros
" Separates itself from the pack in terms of performance, features, and durability. Incredibly versatile with respect to all hair types."
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
24

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the flat irons available to purchase.
17

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

View All Product Rankings

74

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: BestReviews, Hair Straightner Models, InStraight, Flat Iron Review, Hair Straightner Studio.

135,229

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 17 Flat Irons and also dug through the reviews from 74 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Flat Irons.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval
Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in their category.

What to Look For

  • Do you plan to take your flat iron along when traveling? A model that has around 1- to 1.5-inch plates will work well for your needs without taking up too much space in your bag.
  • If you are new to using a flat iron, it can take a little practice to get used to it. Try practicing with your new hair styling tool while it’s turned off and cool first. This will give you a feel for how to use the flat iron and help prevent accidental burns.
  • Did you know that flat irons can also be used on straight hair to create waves and curls? Try twisting the tool in a back-and-forth motion down strands of hair for waves or wrapping strands around it like you would a curling iron to create soft curls.
  • The majority of flat irons have variable heat controls that allow you to select the best temperature for your hair type as well as the style you want to achieve. For hair that’s very curly or difficult to straighten, the highest temperature, usually around 450 degrees Fahrenheit, is the best choice.
  • For best results, don’t try to place very thick strands of hair between the plates of your flat iron at once. Typically, dividing strands into sections of about 1 to 2 inches works best. Here are 7 more flat iron tips for perfectly straight hair.
  • Today’s flat irons do a decent job protecting hair from heat damage, thanks to ceramic, titanium and tourmaline technology. However, frequent use can still take a toll on hair, making it prone to breakage. Using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner will help keep your hair looking its best.
  • Some flat irons are available at very low prices, but remember that you may not save money in the long run if you buy a cheap tool. That’s because inexpensive flat irons are more likely to have finishes that peel, may not produce effective heat and are more likely to damage hair.

Flat Iron Rankings

1. VANESSA Titanium Flat Iron Hair Straightener & Curler

Overall Score: 9.3
Reviews Included: 1

2. HSI Professional Ionic Flat Iron

Overall Score: 9.3
Reviews Included: 15

3. BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Flat Iron

Overall Score: 9.1
Reviews Included: 10

4. CHI Original Ceramic Hair Straightening Flat Iron

Overall Score: 9.1
Reviews Included: 4

5. Remington Anti-Static Flat Iron Hair Straightener

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 14

6. NITION Argan Oil Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron, 1-Inch

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 9

7. Mixcolor Hair Straightener and Curler 2 in 1

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 7

8. Revlon Straightening Iron

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 1

9. CONAIR INFINITIPRO Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 13

10. ghd Platinum+ Straightening Iron

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 4

11. BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Wet & Dry Flat Iron Hair Tool

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 7

12. Paul Mitchell Neuro Flat Iron

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 6

13. ROSILY Instant Heat Flat Iron Hair Straightner

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 6

14. Rusk W8less Ceramic Tourmaline Flat Iron

Overall Score: 8.8
Reviews Included: 4

15. Paul Mitchell Pro Tools Express Flat Iron

Overall Score: 8.7
Reviews Included: 3

16. BIO IONIC Onepass Straightening Flat Iron

Overall Score: 8.4
Reviews Included: 5

17. Remington Pro Flat Iron

Overall Score: 8.1
Reviews Included: 2

More to Explore

Achieving the sleek looks you love is easy using a flat iron, but the beginning of the technology dates back to more than 140 years ago. In 1872, Marcel Grateau used heated rods in attempts to straighten her hair, which is thought to be the earliest example of channeling heat to alter the appearance of curly hair.  Various patents for hair-straightening devices were issued over the years, including one in 1912 to Lady Jennifer Bell Schofield, who invented a heated hair styling tool that closely resembled today’s flat irons. However, before modern flat irons became readily available, women often resorted to using standard clothes irons to smooth out their curls — a process that’s definitely not safe and one that you certainly don’t have to resort to today, thanks to the numerous modern flat irons that are available on the market.

More to explore