The Best Flat Irons

HSI Professional Glider

The Sleekest Hair on the Block

If you want ultra-sleek hair, this versatile flat iron will deliver.

Best Overall

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The thing with a flat iron is that you need it to work quickly with as few passes as possible over your locks. The reason? Heat damage. It’s important to have a fast-working flat iron that’s effective with minimal passes. That’s part of the reason why we love this HSI Professional Glider. Made with high-quality ceramic plates and 8 built-in HeatBalance micro-sensors, you’ll get lovely hair in a fraction of the time with as little damage as possible. And while those are all really great reasons to go with this flat iron, the fact that you can use this tool to also create dramatic flips and curls means you’ll have a multi-functional hair tool in one.

Pros:

• With adjustable heat settings (140-450 degrees F), you’ll eliminate that dreaded frizz for the sleekest hair.
• 1-inch plate width that’ll even work on bangs.
• 360-degree swivel cord allows for ultimate freedom of movement.

Cons:

• With no built-in automatic shut-off button, you’ll need to remember to unplug when you’re done.

Remington Solar S5500 Anti-Static Flat Iron

Zero Static

With a built in static protector, you don't have to worry about the dreaded frizz ruining a good hair day.

Best Runner Up

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Love a straight hair look but hate that static that often accompanies it? The Remington Solar S5500 is built specifically with anti-static in mind with a specially designed Anti-Static Technology. With 1-inch floating plates, you’ll get a smooth glide quickly, which, in turn, will create less static in your hair. Ceramic plates are known to hold heat for longer, too, which means you’ll be able to reach the desired temperature and pass the unit over your hair in less time, creating less damage to your hair in the long run.

Pros:

• Built-in Titanium Protection Coating, which may help protect against further hair damage.
• 30-second heat-up.
• Built-in hinge lock for safekeeping that makes storing this flat iron easy.

Cons:

• If you’re looking for extra high heat, this flat iron will only reach 410 degrees F.

KIPOZI Professional Titanium Flat Iron

No Bad Hair Days

Wherever you find yourself, this travel-friendly flat iron will give you the best hair days imaginable.

Best Travel-Friendly

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With an adjustable heat setting from 170F to 450F, you’ll get optimal results in less time and with less damage. KIPOZI delivers consistent results due to its precise melding technique for each plate. And with a multi-use function within this flat iron, you can get both straight, flipped, and ultra high-volume hairstyles, as well. The plates are a bit thicker, if you prefer that, at 1.75″ wide. And if you travel frequently, the available universal voltage makes that an easy process for you.

Pros:

• Sports a safety feature every flat iron should have: a built-in automatic shut-off feature that’ll kick in after 60 minutes of non-use.
• Non-tangle, full-swivel cord that reaches 8 feet.

Cons:

• If you prefer a longer, more narrow plate, you might want to skip this flat iron in favor of a more narrow version. This one is 1.75 inches wide.

BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Straightening Iron

Salon-Quality at Home Hair

If you want to invest in a professional, salon-quality flat iron, this is as good as it gets.

Best Professional

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If you’re looking for an ultra-lightweight, high-heat flat iron, go for this one from BaBylissPro. This flat iron features extended 5-inch-long plates with 50 different heat settings. Despite that, it’s still lightweight and narrow, allowing for deft movements and quick and controlled movement over your hair. You can create a multitude of styles, from straight to curly to everything in between. The titanium plates resist corrosion, hold heat, and will style your hair gracefully.

Pros:

• 50 different heat settings up to 450F.
• The lightweight build may lead to less hand and arm fatigue over time.

Cons:

• A little on the pricier end.

NITION Platinum Professional Styler

Versatile and Virtually Damage-Proof

With high heat, gloves, and all the tools to create that perfect hairstyle, you'll love this flat iron.

Best Complete Kit

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If you’re really looking for a full-on flat iron hair kit, this professional-level hair iron from NITION fits the bill. With a 5-in-1 ceramic-coated heating plate system, you’ll be able to effortlessly transform your hair into whatever it is that you’ve been dreaming of. With the included Argan oil, you’ll be left with gorgeous, shiny, sleek, and healthy-looking hair.

Pros:

• 6 built-in and ultra-precise temperature options for all hair types.
• Ultra-long and efficient heating plates will provide more contact with your hair, which results in less use-time. This may help to reduce damage.
• 9-foot cord and 360-degree swivel at the base.
• The kit comes with a travel pouch, heat-resistant gloves, salon comb, salon clips, and Argan oil.

Cons:

• This flat iron handles a bit hotter than others, making the gloves a necessary item.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a flat iron damage my hair?

While the high heat of a flat iron does lead to damaged hair over time, there are products on the market that’ll help with that. Notably, all of these flat irons listed above heat quickly and work efficiently, which may help to reduce time spent with heat directly on the hair. Because of this, it may lead to less damage over time. Using oils may also be an effective way to curb the damage done to the hair, as well. You can always talk to your hairstylist to figure out any tips or tricks for protecting your hair.

What types of products should I use in my hair before and after using a flat iron?

While this depends on your own specific hair and hair health, it’s a good idea to use a heat protectant. For the best one for your hair, consult with your hairstylist.