One of the grand pleasures in life is that nothing is permanent—and as women, we get to change our look as much as we want, be it through clothes, makeup, or hair. One day, you might prefer the carefree bounce of your naturally curly hair (or those who don’t have it through DNA, may we recommend these curling irons). Other times, you want to pin down your hair to look stick straight, in which case, you’ll want one of the following hair straighteners, some of which we had hands-on experience with.
As someone with naturally curly hair, a run-of-the-mill hair straightener might not be strong enough to take on the challenge of your full curls. Even more importantly, hair straighteners for curly hair need specific features (think: temperature control and plate material) to avoid heat damage and breakage while taming frizz and flyaways. We researched and tested several of the top hot tools for curly hair on the market, judging them on ease of use, heat settings, value, and effectiveness. After finishing our in-depth analysis, these are the best hair straighteners for curly hair.
PHOTO: Ulta
What We Love: This straightening iron heats up in seconds and is blissfully smooth.
What We Don’t Love: The on/off buttons are inconveniently located—you may accidentally press them while using the tool.
This straightener uses ionic technology to smooth hair with greater precision and at lower temperatures, keeping your strands healthier and frizz-free for longer periods of time. It heats up almost instantaneously, allowing for a quick styling process that’ll create an ultrasmooth look in no time.
We found it incredibly easy to use with intuitive controls and power settings—small lights changed from green to red to indicate what temperature level the tool was operating at. The cord was long enough to allow us plenty of room to maneuver around our vanity setup. And our hair felt secure between the plates and the iron moved well throughout our curls without much tension or tugging. Because the titanium straightens at lower heat settings that are healthier for hair, we noticed that we had to grab smaller sections of hair to iron than we typically might, but that said, we were able to achieve desired results in just one pass. We’ve literally never had such a smooth silk press with any other tool we’ve used and this was only at 375 degrees!
Plate Width: 1 ¼-inch | Plate Material: Titanium | Max Temperature: 450 degrees | Cord Length: 4 feet
PHOTO: Amazon
What We Love: If your hair is already blow dried, it only takes one pass with this flat iron to achieve silky smooth strands.
What We Don’t Love: The thin plate isn’t the most efficient at styling long, thick hair in a timely manner. Luckily, the company also makes a 2-inch plate version that will smooth thicker hair much faster.
Vanessa Pro markets this as a “one pass” product, and it lives up to that hype. With 11 heat settings and the ability to reach the max temperature in 15 seconds, this super lightweight (travel-friendly!) option won’t break the bank. The 1-inch plate option comes in at less than $40, while friends with thicker or longer curls can spring for the 2-inch plate version for just under $50.
Additional features like a swivel cord and automatic shut off make this flat iron intuitive and comfortable to handle for beginners and pros alike. Plus, the titanium plates are infused with argan oil for increased silkiness and shine, so no matter how dry or frizzy your coils are they’ll look softer after using this tool.
Plate Width: 1-inch | Plate Material: Titanium | Max Temperature: 450 degrees | Cord Length: 8.08 feet
PHOTO: Dyson
What We Love: The handle remains completely heat-free, so you can say goodbye to flat iron burns.
What We Don’t Love: You only get 30 minutes of cordless use (and it takes about 70 minutes to fully charge).
While Dyson has been making waves (literally) lately with the Airwrap, we’re here to remind you that the company makes an excellent straightening iron, too. And after testing the Corrale out, we think it deserves just as much hype as the Airwrap. It features unique flexing plate technology that gathers and shapes around your hair, utilizing less heat and preventing breakage. This feature made reducing frizz and flyaways a breeze—even on our thicker, kinkier hair.
Along with the innovative technology, we were impressed with other clever features. It stayed at a consistent 365 degrees and straightened our strands without overheating. Throughout the process, our hair never snagged, and the iron completely calmed our very frizzy curls. Plus, we were able to curl our hair with the device—a flick of our wrist added gorgeous bounce and definition. We also appreciated that the base remained completely cool, eliminating the risk of accidental burns. And, because it’s cordless, it was easy to handle and maneuver around our head.
Plate Width: 1.6-inch | Plate Material: Manganese copper alloy | Max Temperature: 410 degrees | Cord Length: Cordless
PHOTO: Sephora
What We Love: Using an innovative design, this tool releases steam around the hair (without getting it wet!) to create long lasting frizz control.
What We Don’t Love: The detangling comb attachment isn’t suited for those with thicker curls.
This flat iron takes a unique approach to combating frizz, which made it immediately stand out during our test. Utilizing state of the art technology and an integrated water tank system, small holes to the side of the plates released steam while we straightened to tackle and tamp down frizz with long lasting results (seriously, it controlled our frizz for a full 24 hours!).
While this iron had an immediate smoothing effect, our extra thick and frizzy curls needed an additional pass to perfect our desired look—but, it was still quicker than most other irons and didn’t require any touch-ups. Since detangling takes so much effort, we were thrilled to discover this also has a removable comb that allowed us to detangle as we styled. Though, we think the attachment is best suited for thinner hair: We found that it created extra tension on our thick curls.
Plate Width: 1-inch | Plate Material: Anodized aluminum coating | Max Temperature: 410 degrees | Cord Length: 9.75 feet
PHOTO: Ulta
What We Love: With dual sided plates, this iron offers two passes in one go.
What We Don’t Love: Hair can sometimes snag when using this tool as a curling iron.
When we tested this Dual Plate Flat Iron from Hot Tools, it cut down styling time by half thanks to its unique four plate design. The half-inch plates seamlessly glided over our course coils, matching the effort of multiple passes in one quick swipe for a maximally protective and effective outcome.
The dual plate technology offered unparalleled heat customization, which ultimately transformed our hair straightening process. We could set each plate at a different temperature to completely personalize our styling experience. We achieved the best results by setting one plate to 410 and the other to 250, ensuring that the lower temperature plate was the first to touch our hair. This method created perfectly straight strands without any heat damage. Along with longer pieces, the iron managed to tame our postpartum baby hairs without making them look too creased or ironed.
Plate Width: Four ½-inch plates | Plate Material: Ceramic-titanium | Max Temperature: 455 degrees | Cord Length: 9 feet
PHOTO: Sephora
What We Love: The 2-inch plates are designed to quickly and easily style very thick hair.
What We Don’t Love: This iron doesn’t have multiple heat settings—it’s automatically set to 365 degrees, which may seem low to some, but is actually the recommended temperature for maximum hair health.
If you’ve ever thought your hair was too thick to straighten on your own, let us introduce you to this Ghd flat iron. With 2-inch plates and dual zone heat technology, it can efficiently straighten textured hair in half the time of most other tools.
The iron heats up in just 30 seconds to the proven safest temperature of 365 degrees, making for quick and easy styling without fear of burning or breaking your hair. It offers even heat distribution with next gen sensor technology to create a silky, frizz-free look that’s long lasting and salon quality. Whether you’re seeking flawlessly straight strands or beachy loose waves, the rounded design allows for multiple styling options with a healthy, shiny finish.
Plate Width: 2-inch | Plate Material: Ceramic | Max Temperature: 365 degrees | Cord Length: 8.8 feet
PHOTO: Amazon
What We Love: Great for type three and four curls, this brush glides through hair, combining detangling and styling prowess.
What We Don’t Love: You might also need a flat iron to fully reach and smooth out roots.
A straightening brush is such an underrated tool in a curly hair styling arsenal—the combination of detangling and heating capabilities saves time and energy when getting ready for your morning routine or a night out on the town. This tool from Amika utilizes iRed beam technology that simultaneously locks in moisture and removes frizz for the smoothest, shiniest effect that’s completely damage-free. With cool touch tips, the ceramic bristles make the styling process safe and easy, while a unique temperature lock function maintains the desired heat throughout. Overall, the brush makes for a convenient two-in-one time-saving tool, but it’s not perfect at reaching those roots—a regular iron may be needed to finish the job and flatten those edges.
Bristle Material: Ceramic | Max Temperature: 450 degrees | Cord Length: 9 feet
PHOTO: Sephora
What We Love: The plates are infused with graphene, a heat conducting technology that creates more even distribution and less breakage.
What We Don’t Love: Because this iron operates at a lower temperature for healthier hair, it’s not going to get the job done in one pass.
Bio Ionic has coated the plates of this styling iron with graphene, a volcanic derived material that works to distribute heat more evenly and at lower temperatures than other tools. This ensures less breakage and promotes healthier hair. In addition to graphene, the plates are infused with a mineral complex that locks in moisture to seal hair cuticles for the smoothest, shiniest strands. This iron will deliver results for curls both fine and thick, but if your hair is on the coarser end, you’ll have to do a few more passes to fully achieve that flawless finish (the iron maxes out at 385 degrees so as not to cause overheating or damage).
Plate Width: 1-inch | Plate Material: Ceramic | Max Temperature: 385 degrees | Cord Length: 9 feet
PHOTO: Ulta
What We Love: The lava infused plates are especially beneficial for fine hair that’s fragile and prone to breakage.
What We Don’t Love: Compared to other flat irons on our list, this one doesn’t have the smoothest glide.
Similar to the Bio Ionic graphene iron, this Chi tool also utilizes volcanic derived materials for sleek styling at lower temperatures. The lava creates more even heat distribution, and it produces hair strengthening ions that seal in your curls’ natural moisture for an overall healthier straightening process. This attribute makes the iron ideal for fine, color-treated, or dehydrated hair. For fine hair specifically, the brand recommends not exceeding the 370 degree mark for optimum protection (though heat settings can be tuned in increments of 10 between 200 and 450 degrees).
It’s important to note that although the straightener provides incredible results, it doesn’t have the smoothest glide. You may feel some minimal tugging, but the outcome is worth that minor inconvenience.
Plate Width: 1-inch | Plate Material: Ceramic | Max Temperature: 450 degrees | Cord Length: 11 feet
What to Keep in Mind
Plate Type: Flat irons are mostly made using one of two plate types: Ceramic or titanium. According to renowned New York-based hairstylist Jackie Seabrooke, knowing the difference between the two is crucial for protecting hair from damage and achieving your desired look. “Ceramic irons often take longer to heat up and transmit heat through infrared technology, straightening your hair from the inside out, while titanium irons conduct heat almost immediately and heat your hair from the surface,” she explains. “Straightening your hair from the inside out is the most gentle, which is why ceramic irons are recommended the most because they are safer, especially if you have fine, thin, or damaged hair. However,” she continues, “if you have thick, coarse, or kinky hair, you may find that ceramic irons do not get your hair as sleek and straight as you would like, which is why I lean towards titanium irons in this case.”
Temperature Settings: Temperature ranges on flat irons span anywhere from around 200 to 455 degrees, though settings and precise temperature selection abilities vary from tool to tool. For example, some tools offer only one setting, which the brand recommends for optimum hair health and styling effect. Yet, other tools offer multiple temperature settings or complete customization. Typically, if you have coarser hair, you’ll need a higher heat setting to effectively straighten it in one go. Those with finer hair should stick with irons with lower settings (around 365 degrees) to prevent damage.
Auto Shutoff: Say goodbye to the days of leaving for work in the morning and panicking over whether or not you forgot to turn your straightener off. Nowadays, most flat irons have an automatic shutoff feature to ensure safety and peace of mind. Auto shutoff will typically engage anywhere from 10 minutes to two hours after last activity, depending on the product.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ceramic or titanium better for curly hair?
While Seabrooke dives into the specifics in the above section, here’s the simple answer. “Titanium will get the job done faster because it heats up more, but ceramic is healthier for the hair,” says Mona Lisa Arfuso, owner and head stylist of Salon Mona Lisa in Cresskill, New Jersey.
It comes down to the overall health of your hair, its coarseness, and your time. The thicker the hair, the longer it’ll take to straighten with a ceramic iron. “I recommend ceramic over titanium because ceramic plates are much more gentle on the hair shaft,” adds New York-based celebrity hairstylist and beauty educator, Karen Miller. “Especially for at-home use.”
What heat setting is best for curly hair?
This depends on your hair type and texture. Though, Seabrooke states that the recommended styling temperature for most hair types with no extreme heat damage is around 365 degrees. “And, just because you have curly hair does not mean you automatically classify as having kinky or coarse hair. Curly hair can be fine and damaged as well, but you may just have a lot of it,” she notes.
For fine and fragile curly hair, she suggests staying around 250 to 300 degrees; for wavy or medium-thick hair sticking to 350 to 375 degrees; and for very coarse or kinky hair going up to as high as 370 to 410 degrees. “To avoid burning the hair, start at a lower temperature and see how the hair handles it. Once you have tested it, you can raise the temperature setting,” adds Arfuso.
How should you prep curly hair before straightening it?
Starting with a leave-in conditioner or a hydrating treatment is a great way to prep curly hair for heat. After rinsing it off in the shower, spray your wet hair with a heat protectant spray. If you would like to go through once with a blow-dryer, you may do so. Otherwise, wait until the hair is dry and then start using the hair straightener.
What is the healthiest way to straighten curly hair?
Start with completely dry hair. “Use a boar bristle brush to smooth out some of the curl prior to straightening to limit heat exposure,” says Arfuso. Depending on the coarseness of your curls, you might have to use a blow dryer as a first pass, according to Seabrooke. And, heat protectant is a must.
“Heat protectant seals in hydration and provides cuticle protection that acts as a barrier between the iron and your hair,” says Seabrooke. Plus, Miller reminds us that investing in high-quality tools that won’t cause breakage or burning is another great way to retain hair health.
Does straightening curly hair damage it?
Any time you put heat on your hair, there’s likely to be a little bit of damage. However, you can minimize damage by limiting how often you straighten your hair. When you do straighten curly hair, it’s crucial to be cautious about the temperature setting on your straightener and apply an expert-backed heat protectant, which will act as a shield between the heat and your hair (while also preventing frizz, boosting shine, and smoothing texture).
How do you keep curly hair straight after straightening it?
For straight hair that lasts and lasts, start by using the lowest temperature that makes sense for your strands. Higher heat may seem more effective, but it actually drains moisture from your hair, which can lead to frizz and re-curling. You can also wrap your hair in a silk or satin head wrap to help preserve the style (and add a silk pillowcase if you’re feeling extra fancy). Finally, apply a touch of hair oil, which will help lock in moisture and seal the style for hours.
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Linne Halpern is a freelance beauty, fashion, and lifestyle writer. She is a member of InStyle’s evergreen commerce team where she extensively researches and reviews countless products. For this story, she consulted three hair experts to discover the healthiest ways to use hot tools on fragile curls. Renowned New York-based hairstylist Jackie Seabrooke, celebrity hairstylist and beauty educator Karen Miller, and owner and head stylist of Salon Mona Lisa Mona Lisa Arfuso provided their tips and tricks for achieving shiny, smooth, and damage-free strands.
