Beauty Hair Hair Products & Tools The 11 Best Flat Irons of 2023, Tested and Reviewed LANDOT Hair Straightener and Curler takes the crown for its smooth glide and near instant results. By Bianca Kratky Bianca Kratky Bianca Kratky is a fashion & beauty commerce writer at InStyle. InStyle's editorial guidelines Updated on April 5, 2023 @ 04:37PM Pin Share Tweet Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Other Options You Might Like Our Testing Process What to Keep in Mind Your Questions, Answered Why Shop With Us We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. InStyle / Jessica Juliao Can we all agree that switching up your hairstyle is synonymous with adopting a new personality? A quick trip to the hairdresser always has me walking out feeling like I’m in a music video. But going to the salon weekly is unsustainable, and frankly, having a great flat iron solves almost all my hair woes from the comfort of my home. But the sheer number of flat irons available is overwhelming to say the least. How do you sort through the clutter to find the best flat iron to work with your hair type? The answer is: You don’t need to — because we did. We put 29 popular flat irons through a rigorous test in our lab, trying each on different hair textures and carefully examining their ease of use, straightening abilities, glide performance, and value. After compiling the results, we narrowed down our original pool to the best flat irons you see below. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Landot Hair Straightener and Curler at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Fine Hair: Eva NYC Healthy Heat Nano Silk Styling Iron at Ulta Jump to Review Best Splurge: Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener at Nordstrom Jump to Review Best for Thick Hair: Ion Magnesium Flat Iron at Sallybeauty.com Jump to Review Best Budget: Conair Double Ceramic 1-inch Digital Flat Iron at Amazon Jump to Review Best Straightening Brush: TYMO Ring Plus at Tymobeauty.com Jump to Review Best for Curly Hair: Paul Mitchell Neuro Halo Styling Iron at Paulmitchell.com Jump to Review Best for Damaged Hair: NITION Professional Salon Hair Straightener at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Colored Hair: CHI Lava 2.0 Flat Iron at Chi.com Jump to Review Best for Frizz: FHI HEAT Platform Tourmaline Ceramic Professional Styling Flat Iron at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Landot Hair Straightener and Curler 5 Amazon View On Amazon Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Glide Performance 5/5 Value 5/5 Straightening Ability 5/5 What We Love It only takes one glide to straighten your hair. What We Don’t Love While it also allows you to curl hair, you should expect the end result to look more like beachy waves rather than tight curls. Sitting at the top of our list is this LANDOT hair straightener because it delivers results in a single glide (no matter the hair type), and you can get through your whole head pretty quickly. Made of anti-static ceramic plates, it gives hair four times the average protection against heat damage and frizz, leaving you with a silky finish that eliminates the need to complete your look with a styling product. Our tester has 3B hair texture, and she was elated by the end result: She says her hair has never been straighter. “I think this flat iron is extremely cheap and should be more expensive. I was honestly surprised when I saw the price,” she explains. And despite the slight curl in the wand, it’s still quite easy to achieve a straight glide. However, if you wish to curl your hair you can easily, but you should expect beach waves rather than voluminous curls. Price at time of publish: $66 Plate Width: 1.5” | Plate Type: Ceramic | Temperature up to 450 degrees | Special Features: 30 second heat up time, automatic safety shut off, 360° swivel cable InStyle / Tamara Staples InStyle / Tamara Staples InStyle / Tamara Staples Best for Fine Hair Eva NYC Healthy Heat Nano Silk Styling Iron 5 Bed Bath & Beyond View On Ulta View On Eva-nyc.com Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Glide Performance 5/5 Value 5/5 Straightening Ability 5/5 What We Love This flat iron automatically shuts off after 60 minutes. What We Don't Love The ceramic plate is quite thin, meaning you might not experience optimal results if you have thicker hair. The straightforward control panel and thin ceramic plates make this flat iron a dream for anyone with fine hair. Even on the lowest heat setting, the iron is still effective, easily straightening hair in a single glide. “I did one pass and was able to get to the next part of my hair,” our tester says. It uses nano silk plates — which combine minerals and ceramic nano-particles to lock in moisture and protect hair from heat damage. This is an important feature for thin hair, as it’s more prone to heat damage than other hair types. The negative ions in the plates also prevent frizz, leaving a silky finish. And, if you’re in a rush, this tool has your back because it heats up quickly and provides long-lasting results. Note that the plates themselves are thinner than those on a standard flat iron (one inch vs. 1.5 inches). Therefore, if you’re working with thick or voluminous hair, it may take longer to get through it all. However, it does get bonus points for automatically turning off after 60 minutes, so you don’t need to worry if you ever forget to unplug it. Price at time of publish: $80 Plate Width: 1” | Plate Type: Ceramic and Nano silk | Temperature up to 450 degrees | Special Features: Releases negative ions to smooth out frizz InStyle / Tamara Staples InStyle / Tamara Staples Best Splurge Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener 4.2 Dyson View On Nordstrom View On Walmart View On Sephora Our Ratings Ease of Use 3.7/5 Glide Performance 3.8/5 Value 3.4/5 Straightening Ability 4.4/5 What We Love This flat iron is cordless. What We Don’t Love It has a short battery life and takes a while to heat up. Though the Dyson Airwrap gets boundless attention, the brand’s Corrale Hair Straightener is just as worthy of praise. The high-tech tool is a breeze to use, particularly due to its cordless feature, which according to our tester, is amazing. “I can turn the flat iron whichever way I need to get to those hard-to-reach places like behind my ears and the back of my head,” she says. It also means you don’t have to station yourself next to a power outlet in order for it to work. The flat iron is powered by the charging cable and dock (which come with the product) and takes about an hour to fully charge. Once ready to use, you can choose between three temperature settings — 330, 364, or 410 degrees. It does take roughly six minutes to heat up, which is a pretty long time compared to other options. We recommend turning it on while working on your makeup, and it will be ready to use when you apply your last touch of blush. Though the unique features differentiate it from other flat irons, the end result is the true selling point. With minimal tugging, the plates glide through strands like butter, and hair is left looking and feeling silky soft. That being said, the battery does drain quite quickly while in use. Our tester started working through her hair at full charge, and it was already down at 25 percent with only half her head done. You should expect to charge this device after each use if you don’t want to run into any last-minute time constraints. Price at time of publish: $500 Plate Width: 1.6” | Plate Type: Copper Alloy | Temperature: up to 410 degrees | Special Features: Comes with a heat resistant travel pouch InStyle / Tamara Staples InStyle / Tamara Staples InStyle / Tamara Staples Best for Thick Hair Ion Magnesium Flat Iron 1.25 Inch 4.8 Sally Beauty View On Sallybeauty.com Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Glide Performance 5/5 Value 4/5 Straightening Ability 5/5 What We Love It leaves a nice finish, making ends look healthy rather than damaged. What We Don’t Love It starts with a 400 degree temperature setting (which is pretty high), and the temperature adjustment system is not straightforward. It’s rare to be impressed with a product right out the box, but the ion Magnesium Flat Iron took us by surprise. Even though the sleek tool has slightly shorter and thinner plates than most, its high temperature range (maximum 450 degrees), and magnesium and ceramic tourmaline-infused plates deliver powerful styling capabilities for thick hair. From the start, the device was built with thick hair in mind, as it uses patented Korean magnesium technology that targets resistant hair. “It was a smooth process from top to end,” reveals our tester, who has thicker hair. “It took about one swipe through [each section] to fully straighten.” The result looks sleek and healthy down to the tip, so if damaged ends are a concern of yours, this helps eliminate your worries. The one downside is that the temperature adjustment system isn’t very straightforward, which can make it difficult to use. Rather than having an LCD screen, you have to adjust the dial to your desired temperature and wait until the temperature indicator stops flashing to know it’s at the right heat level. Price at time of publish: $82 Plate Width: 1.25” | Plate Type: Magnesium and Ceramic tourmaline | Temperature: Up to 450 degrees | Special Features: Dual voltage for worldwide usage InStyle / Tamara Staples Best Budget Conair Double Ceramic 1-inch Digital Flat Iron 4.9 Amazon View On Amazon Our Ratings Ease of Use 4.5/5 Glide Performance 5/5 Value 5/5 Straightening Ability 5/5 What We Love It comes with five temperature presets so you can adjust the heat for your hair type. What We Don’t Love The ergonomics of the product feel a little flimsy, with the “on” button being difficult to press. For a budget friendly option, the Conair Double Ceramic Digital Flat Iron comes with a lot of perks: First, it recommends the best temperature setting based on your hair texture. The five presets (set at 265, 300, 340, 375, and 410 degrees), allow you to find the optimal heat for your hair. That being said, you can still go outside of the settings and customize a temperature that works for you. You can even lock said temperature in to avoid any accidental heat changes. The finished result delivers a natural shine instead of looking flat, too. “There was still movement [in my hair] and it was very shiny,” explains our tester. Once you get past the finicky “on” button, you’re pretty much set for a quality hair straightening experience. It’s possible you might find a few flyaways depending on your hair texture, but otherwise for less than $40, you get a powerful flat iron. Price at time of publish: $35 Plate Width: 1” | Plate Type: Ceramic | Temperature: up to 410 degrees | Special Features: 30 second heat up, ability to lock heat setting. InStyle / Tamara Staples The 20 Best Hair Dryers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Best Straightening Brush TYMO Ring Plus 4.6 TYMO View On Tymobeauty.com Our Ratings Ease of Use 4.8/5 Glide Performance 4.1/5 Value 5/5 Straightening Ability 4.6/5 What We Love It serves a dual purpose of brushing out and straightening hair and comes with a variety of accessories like gloves and hair clips. What We Don’t Love The heat up time is a little long. At first glance, this device looks a little intimidating: The brush portion of the iron doesn’t look like your typical straightening brush — instead there’s a row of horizontal plates — but the confusion really ends there. Once you start the process of brushing and straightening, you’ll find that the ease of use and results both exceed expectations. Plus, it works on all hair types. Featuring a nano titanium coating that allows for even heat distribution, the unique iron-brush hybrid locks your style in place without over exposing your hair to unnecessary heat. Not only does it complete the job quickly and effectively, but it also leaves a shiny, natural finish that is long lasting. Our tester says that after using this her hair had never felt softer. As an added bonus, you even get a set of gloves, hair pins, and travel bag with your purchase. Altogether, it’s quite the steal. Price at time of publish: $70 Plate Width: 2.76” | Plate Type: Nano Titanium Coated Brush | Temperature: up to 410 degrees | Special Features: Comes with international dual voltage InStyle / Tamara Staples Best for Curly Hair Paul Mitchell 1-Inch Neuro Halo Styling Iron 4.6 Ulta View On Paulmitchell.com Our Ratings Ease of Use 4/5 Glide Performance 5/5 Value 5/5 Straightening Ability 4.5/5 What We Love This device glides smoothly — even on curly hair. What We Don’t Love The tip of the product heats up as well, making it difficult to hold while styling. We tested this flat iron on 3C hair, and saw astonishing results: The change in texture was near instantaneous, with just a few swipes creating a sleek, smooth finish in a matter of seconds. This was thanks to the design of the straightener — the fluid and easy glide allowed for no tugging, which is a relatively rare occurrence for those with super curly and coarse hair. “It is genuinely one of the best products I’ve used, and I’ve tried at least 10,” says our tester. It’s a fast working flat iron, too. “I have curlier hair so it usually takes 4 hours to completely straighten my whole head, but in this case it took about 30 minutes.” This is one of the few options on this list that’s made of titanium rather than ceramic. Celebrity hair stylist Takisha Sturdivant prefers this material for thick, curly, coily, and natural coarse hair. “It’s a lighter tool that smoothes the strands out quickly,” she says. We only advise to touch the tip of the iron carefully, as there’s no protective covering, making it kind of difficult to hold. Price at time of publish: $180 Plate Width: 1” | Plate Type: Titanium | Temperature: Up to 450 degrees | Special Features: Dual-voltage for worldwide use, adjustable auto-shut off time InStyle / Tamara Staples Best for Damaged Hair NITION Professional Salon Hair Straightener 4.4 Amazon View On Amazon Our Ratings Ease of Use 4/5 Glide Performance 4.7/5 Value 4.6/5 Straightening Ability 4.3/5 What We Love The iron glides through your hair effortlessly thanks to the nano silver and argan oil-infused plates. What We Don’t Love You can’t adjust the temperature outside of the six preinstalled settings. A few glides through your hair with this device will leave you with sleek and shiny results. Our tester was so impressed with the glossy, salon-like finish. The reason you get dazzling results is in the plates: They’re infused with argan oil to lock in natural moisture and help prevent damage. And, unlike most flat irons, it allows you to adjust the temperature with a dial on the tip of the wand. The temperature settings are preinstalled, so you won’t be able to adjust the temperature outside of those settings, but we find that there are solid options for every hair type. Using this straightener takes some getting used to, though. It heats up quickly — even on the outer edges of the plates — so make sure to utilize the provided gloves. “There’s not much of a barrier with the plates, so it’s best to wear heat resistant gloves when using,” says our tester. Luckily, it comes with one. Price at time of publish: $70 Plate Width: 1” | Plate Type: Argan oil-infused ceramic-coated tourmaline and titanium | Temperature: up to 450 degrees | Special Features: 60 minute auto shut-off, dual voltage for worldwide compatibility InStyle / Tamara Staples Best for Colored Hair CHI Lava 2.0 Flat Iron 4.8 JC Penny View On Chi.com Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Glide Performance 5/5 Value 4/5 Straightening Ability 5/5 What We Love It comes with a really long cord, giving you some freedom to step away from a power outlet. What We Don’t Love The lowest temperature setting starts at 370 degrees, which is quite high and not ideal for thin hair. Flat irons can all start to look and sound the same, but this one is truly different because it’s made with lava minerals, which reduce damage and frizz. As a matter of fact, it produces more ions than traditional styling tools, helping to protect your colored hair by maintaining vibrancy. Thanks to this feature, it can actually help create healthier, stronger hair, making it an ideal option for both damaged and colored hair. Our tester was thoroughly impressed, saying that her hair looked “beautifully straight” after one or two passes per section. The long term effect this tool has on hair quality, as well as its durability set it apart from the rest. It delivers quick results and removes a bit of that guilt that comes with applying intense heat to your hair. That being said, the lowest temperature setting is 370 degrees. It’s quite a high starting point, making it less than ideal for thin hair. We recommend sticking to the lowest temperature setting and using a heat protectant spray for optimal results. Price at time of publish: $200 Plate Width: 1.24” | Plate Type: Lava mineral composition | Temperature: up to 425 degrees | Special Features: Lava mineral-infused plates for reducing damage InStyle / Tamara Staples Best for Frizz FHI HEAT Platform Tourmaline Ceramic Professional Styling Flat Iron 4.2 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Jcpenney.com Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Glide Performance 4.6/5 Value 3.6/5 Straightening Ability 3.7/5 What We Love This flat iron’s lowest heat setting is 140 degrees, which is one of the lowest we’ve seen and is ideal for taming frizz. What We Don’t Love The glide performance was not the slickest. Nearly no one is immune to frizz. Those with straight and curly hair have experienced dreaded frizz popping out when the weather gets humid, even after carefully straightening their hair. Taming said frizz can feel like a nightmare, but one way to do so is by using a flat iron on a low heat setting — and since this one can be set at 140 degrees, you have a fighting chance. The iron heats up fast, allowing you to quickly make small adjustments before running out the house. While our tester liked the tool overall, she was disappointed by the glide. “It wasn’t entirely the slickest, but it did the trick,” she says. Once you get a feel for the iron, though, you’ll find that it delivers great results in a short amount of time. Price at time of publish: $140 Plate Width: 1.25” | Plate Type: Ceramic | Temperature: up to 450 degrees | Special Features: One hour auto-shut off, low temperature settings InStyle / Tamara Staples Best Multi Tool Kristin Ess 3-in-One Flat Iron 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon View On Target View On Walmart Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Glide Performance 4.5/5 Value 5/5 Straightening Ability 5/5 What We Love You can curl, wave, and straighten all with this one device. What We Don’t Love The device sits a little heavy in the hand. If you enjoy switching your hair style from straight to curly to wavy, then this device is your one-stop-shop for all looks. The usage is very straightforward, with only one button serving as the on and off switch as well as the temperature dial. Our tester found the experience very pleasing, saying that it glides easily with little effort. “My wavy hair looks beautifully straight after only using one to two passes per section,” she says. While she didn’t get the chance to test out its curling abilities, reviewers of this product state that it works like a dream. There is a handy tutorial video on the product’s site as well, should you need some guidance. Note that we found that the device is a little heavy, which may cause some arm strain if you’re not experienced with styling your hair. Price at time of publish: $90 Plate Width: 1.25” | Plate Type: Titanium | Temperature: Up to 440 degrees | Special Features: Auto shut-off InStyle / Tamara Staples Other Options You Might Like L'Oreal Professionnel Steampod InStyle / Tamara Staples To love the L'Oreal Professionnel Steampod (amazon.com, $250), you must first understand it. It comes with a refillable water tank that surrounds your hair with steam (while never getting it wet). This protects your hair from ever overheating, and allows for optimal styling conditions. There is also a removable comb, which you can use to brush and straighten your hair at the same time. If we’re talking results, the brush and steam combined create more of a feathery softness, rather than a silky smoothness. “My hair felt soft to the touch and not dry, unlike how it usually feels from heat,” says our tester. However, the small plate means it takes her much longer to straighten every section of hair. That said, it delivers impressive results and is an ideal option for heat sensitive fine hair T3 Lucea Professional Straightening & Styling Iron InStyle / Leticia Almeida T3 is known for their professional grade hair tools that provide effortless results. And while the Lucea Professional Straightening & Styling Iron (t3micro.com, $190) might not look super fancy, it contains a specialized microchip to select one of nine heat settings that is best suited for your hair — but you wouldn’t expect that from its modest, no-frills design, which is why our tester felt like the price was a bit too high. We think that if this special feature was called out, our tester may have ranked it higher, as shoppers on Amazon rave about its ease of use and longevity. Our Testing Process We spent two weeks researching the bestselling flat irons on the market, taking reviews, as well as expert and editor recommendations into account. After reviewing the ratings and feedback, we compiled the 29 most popular products and put them to the test in our Manhattan-based testing lab. 15 volunteers tried out the flat irons for themselves, analyzing each in four important categories: Ease of use, straightening abilities, glide performance, and the overall value of the tool. Once the testers provided their feedback, we were able to narrow down the pool to the 11 best flat irons. Testing in Progress Since we published this story, several flat irons have achieved viral status, so we are taking a look at these buzzy new options to see how they hold up against our top picks. Most notably, we’re testing the ghd Duet Style 2-in-1 Hot Air Styler, which allows you to dry and style hair simultaneously, as well as the T3 Smooth ID Flat Iron, which offers nine precise heat settings for increased heat protection. We’ll update this page with our findings. What to Keep in Mind Temperature The general consensus when it comes to the right temperature is as follows: The thicker the hair, the higher the heat it can withstand, and vice versa. Celebrity hair stylist SeungHyun Suh recommends setting your flat iron between 350 and 400 degrees if you have thick hair. Thinner hair is at higher risk of heat damage, so it is vital to opt for lower temperatures. Aim for 250 to 300 degrees, and opt for products with a lower heat range like the FHI Heat Platform instead. We recommend testing out different levels of heat until you find the lowest setting that delivers your desired result. Make sure to always use a heat protectant spray as well. Celebrity hairstylist Kahh Spence recommends the OGX Beauty Silk Blowout Quick Drying Thermal Spray, which he uses on all his clients. Material Two of the most common materials used in flat irons are ceramic and titanium. “Ceramic heats up slower but smooths the hair from the inside out. Titanium, on the other hand, smoothes from the outside in,” explains Cherin Choi. What exactly does that mean, though? Well, ceramic tools, like the LANDOT hair straightener and curler and the Conair Double Ceramic Digital Flat Iron, use infrared technology that goes straight to the core of the hair, whereas titanium applies heat directly onto the outer shell. Titanium options, such as the TYMO Ring Plus and the Paul Mitchell 1-Inch Neuro Halo Styling Iron, are better for those with curlier hair as it smooths out coils more quickly and efficiently. You will notice throughout this article that we’ve mentioned products with lava minerals, nano silk plates, or argan oil as well. Each of these add an additional layer of protection or benefit to your hair. Your Questions, Answered How do you curl your hair with a flat iron? A simple twisting technique in the wrist will transform your flat iron into a curling wand. For tight curls, clamp down on a chunk of hair and turn your wand 180 degrees inward. Gently pull down and through, keeping your hand in that angled position. Alternate between flipping inward and outward for the most natural results. Make sure to apply a layer of heat protectant spray, as this technique will add more strain to your hair. Is a titanium or ceramic flat iron better? This truly depends on your hair texture. Coily, curlier hair will benefit from titanium, as it heats up quickly and can withstand higher temperatures. For hairs that need an extra push to form into shape, titanium will get the job done more efficiently and in less pulls. Ceramic plates on the other hand take a little longer to start up. They can, however, distribute heat more evenly, and, as a result, are safer for hair. “For my fine hair ladies, I like to use the ceramic iron because it’s not as hot,” says Sturdivant. “Plus, it has infrared technology so it won’t damage hair with heat.” How do you clean a flat iron? If you regularly use styling products (i.e. heat protectant spray, hair spray, etc.) while straightening your hair, then you’ve probably noticed some build up on the flat iron. To keep it running as it should, you’ll want to clean your iron about once a week. First, make sure the device is fully cooled down and unplugged. Next, take a cotton ball and dip it into rubbing alcohol. Swipe away any of the accumulated product, and then wipe it down with a wet cloth. Be sure to allow it to fully dry before using again. Can you bring a flat iron on a plane? Yes, TSA does not have any restrictions in place for flat irons or curling wands. However, there are some complications surrounding battery operated items, so if you are working with a cordless flat iron, it may be safer to pack it in your checked luggage. Why Shop With Us Bianca Kratky is a commerce writer for InStyle with two years of experience covering fashion and lifestyle products. In her opinion, her hair is her most valued asset and she spends a decent amount of time making sure it’s healthy and luscious. In order to write this article, she poured over the ratings from our team of testers, selecting the top-rated options, and consulted celebrity hair stylists Cherin Choi, Kahh Spence, SeungHyun Suh, and Takisha Sturdivant to get professional insight on what to consider when shopping for the best flat iron. The 9 Best Hot Air Brushes of 2023, Tested and Reviewed