In the search for the best straighteners for curly hair, finding straighteners that won’t damage curls is a must. With curly hair types prone to heat damage more so than other hair types, treating curls with care when straightening by using the best hair straighteners is one way to achieve salon smooth locks without the damage.
Embracing curls can mean ditching the straighteners in favour of a look that’s au naturel. However, as we know, hair straighteners are not only a tool for straightening the hair – but also for curling it. A hair straightener can do it all, from allowing you to switch up your look with straight hair or balance your hair out by adding more curls.
Grazia’s best straighteners for curly hair at a glance:
Editor’s choice: ghd Max Styler Straightener, £199 on Lookfantastic
Best Dyson straighteners for curly hair: Dyson Corrale™ Cord-Free Hair Straighteners, £399.99 on Dyson
Best budget straighteners for curly hair: Remington Shine Therapy Hair Straightener S8500, £29.99 on Boots
Whether it’s the best ghd straighteners or the best Dyson straighteners, if you have curly hair, you might want to go for straighteners with wider plates. Especially to account for thicker hair that may, sometimes, accompany curly hair types. This will allow the plates to cover a wider area of hair which will not only be more effective but take you less time in your morning haircare routine.
Blow-drying your hair as straight as possible with an air concentrator and then going in with a straightening brush, followed by your straighteners is the best bet for lasting pin-straight hair. A styling serum to finish is the perfect way to achieve salon-worthy locks. If this is the look you’re going for, here are the best straighteners for curly hair that you can shop on the high street now.
SHOP: The best straighteners for curly hair
ghd
Price: £155.22 (was £199)
ghd’s are among some the best in the hair tool world. And, the ghd Max Styler Straightener is hailed for its ability to deliver flawless results. Given that it has advanced wide plate styling, it can straighten thick, curly hair in half the time to give you a professional-looking finish with a superior shine. Its contoured plates with curved edges also make it the perfect curling tool if you want to add some body to your curls.
Tried & tested by Senior Commercial Content Writer, Hannah James: “Having thick, coarse afro hair, I have always used ghd straighteners. These are really easy to use and heat up quickly. I find these are the only straighteners that leave me with a professional salon-looking finish. My hair looks sleek and flawless especially when I have used the ghd heat protection spray.”
Pros & Cons
Pros
Has smooth, contoured plates with curved edgesDual-zone technology to monitor temperatureAutomatic sleep mode after 30 minutes
Cons
Can get very hot and only has one temperature setting
Price: £155.22 (was £199)
Best Dyson straighteners for curly hair
John Lewis
It’s not just the Dyson Airwrap that’s been a game-changer in the haircare business, but the Dyson Corrale™ Cord-Free Hair Straighteners. Using innovative flexing copper plates that have been engineered for all hair types, they adapt to your hair to achieve versatile styling. From straight sleek hair to bouncy curls, the curved outer body is also engineered to support curl structure, meaning you can create whatever look you choose depending on your mood.
Tried & tested by Senior Commercial Content Writer, Caitlin Casey: “Overall? This is a very nifty hair tool that may have been overlooked in favour of the Dyson Airwrap and hairdryer, but this product is just as good in its own right. With clever technological features and options for different hair types, it’s a great choice for everyday styling and has the reviews to back it up. A worthwhile investment of a straightener, if you ask me.”
Read our full Dyson Corrale™ Hair Straighteners review here
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cordless with OLED displayFlexing copper plates adapt to all hair typesUses intelligent heat control
Best highly rated straighteners for curly hair
Amazon
Enhanced with ceramic-coated plates that are infused with keratin and almond oil, the Remington Keratin Protect Hair Straighteners work to distribute shine evenly throughout the hair. Not only that, but the patented intelligent heat protection sensor continuously measures your hair’s moisture levels, all while adapting to the optimum temperature for your hair.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Uses patented intelligent heat protection sensorDistributes moisture evenly throughout dry hairEnhanced ceramic-coated plates
Cons
Has narrower plates than others
Best budget straighteners for curly hair
Boots
Price: £29.99 (was £79)
If you’re not prepared to break the bank, you might be thankful that the Remington Shine Therapy Hair Straightener S8500 is now on offer. Despite being an affordable option, these quality straighteners provide sleek hair that’s free from frizz with their enhanced coated plates, infused with Moroccan oil and vitamin E to nourish.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Enhanced ceramic-coated platesHas nine different temperate settingsFloating plates for even pressure on the hair
Cons
Plates are narrower than others
Price: £29.99 (was £79)
Best hair straighteners for curling hair
John Lewis
If you curl your hair with straighteners as much as you straighten it, these BaByliss Titanium Brilliance Straight And Curl Hair Straightener beauties could be the buy for you. The stainless steel outside of the straighteners aids their curling function no end.
Pros & ConsSpecificationsFeatures
Pros
235°C maximum temperatureUltra-smooth stainless steel outer housing for flawless curlsA cheaper alternative
Cons
May need replacing sooner Plates:Extra-long styling platesHeat settings:Up to 235CSafety features:3m swivel cord, cool tips for easy styling, heat protection wrapExtra-long styling plates, covering more hair in one swipeIonic system that releases frizz-controlling ions to boost the shineUp to 235C high heat
Best wet-to-dry straighteners for curly hair
ghd
If there’s one tool that’s going to save you time in the morning, it’s the ghd Duet 2-in-1 Hot Air Styler. While you might be nervous about a straightener that claims to dry hair – and with good reason – these ghd’s are the real thing. The smart, wide styling plates are equipped with infinity sensors to predict your hair’s needs. Using air fusion technology, curly hair can be dried and styled at the same time without any heat damage.
Tried & tested by Beauty Writer, Chloe Burcham: “Now I have curly hair that’s fine, but there’s a lot of it. I usually blow-dry my hair and use my straighteners to style it afterwards. The thought of halving my styling time is decidedly enticing. That said, I was immediately impressed with how well the ghd Duet dried and styled my hair in one. If you’re looking for a purely wet-to-straight hair tool, this gets top marks from me.”
Read our full ghd Wet-To-Dry Duet Styler review here
Pros & Cons
Pros
Smart plates equipped with sensorsConcentrated airflow with even temperatureNo damage to hair
Best recommended straighteners for curly hair
Boots
Cloud Nine are huge competitors in the haircare industry, with an award-winning range of hair tools that provide promising results. Given their precision approach to styling, it’s no surprise these straighteners use predictive ionic heat technology to evenly distribute the temperature throughout the hair. And that’s all on mineral-infused plates. A salon finish in no time.
Tried & tested by Commercial Content Writer, Gemma Lavers: “I’ve used the Cloud Nine Original Iron straighteners for over 11 years now, and it’s fair to say they are my holy grail hair gadget. It sounds dramatic, but honestly without them I’d be lost. No curl is a problem for them (my hair can get quite frizzy and curly when freshly washed), but the ceramic plates easily smooth and straighten hair without tugging, and even though it reaches a max temperature of 200 degrees, my hair doesn’t feel damaged at all. I like to use them on 150 or 180 degrees as I find that gives me a look that holds the entire day. My absolute favourite part of the Original Iron straighteners is the fact that when they haven’t been used in half an hour, they turn themselves off. There’s been so many times where I’ve left the house, and forgotten to turn them off, but this Hibernation Mode has well and truly saved me. Honestly I would recommend these straighteners to anyone, thick hair, thin hair, straight hair, curly hair, they are truly the best. “
Pros & Cons
Pros
Mineral-infused plates lock in moistureHibernation mode means automatic sleep mode after 30 minutesVariable temperature control suitable for all hair types
Cons
Sometimes hair products can build up on the ceramic plates
Best salon quality straighteners for curly hair
Amazon
As used in salons, the Toni & Guy Wide Plate Hair Straightener XXL is, therefore, trusted to deliver salon-worthy hair. Designed to protect your hair with the triple ceramic tourmaline plates, its advanced ionic technology is developed to enhance shine and reduce damage.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Has advanced ionic tourmaline platesWide rounded plates make it ideal for curlsHas ten different temperate settings
Best straighteners for curly hair with wide plates
Boots
Cloud Nine’s The Wide Iron has been designed with thicker hair in mind. Styling is so much quicker with its wide mineral-infused plates that lock in moisture, protecting the hair’s natural structure while conditioning it with shine. To cushion the impact, ceramic floating plates with Spring-Flex Technology™ is gentle against the hair. Looking for plates that are even wider? There’s also the Cloud Nine The Wide Iron Pro.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Mineral-infused plates lock in moistureDesigned with Spring-Flex Technology™Variable temperature control suitable for all hair types
Cons
Not as effective on fine hair
Best straightening brush for curly hair
ghd
Using ionic technology, the ghd Glide Hot Brush tames hair for smooth results. Its combination of high-density short-length and longer-length bristles allows for a larger area of hair to be straightened, perfect for thick, curly hair. Meanwhile, the optimum styling temperature heats up consistently for healthier hair.
Tried & tested by Beauty Writer, Lucy Morris: “So, does it work? On a good day I have 3B curls and on a bad day 3A. If that last sentence meant nothing to you, it’s likely you’ve already got straight(ish) hair. If so, this brush will be a last minute fall-back for when you’ve slept in a ponytail and have a big kink across the nape of your neck. My review is for those girls that, like me, have ringlets and S-shaped curls, that live with frizz and flyaways on a constant basis.”
Read our full GHD Glide Professional Hot Brush review here
Pros & Cons
Pros
Quick and easy stylingUses optimum ionic temperatureLightweight in design
Cons
Not as precise as a straightener
Best sleek straighteners for curly hair
John Lewis
Despite having a streamlined design, the BaByliss Super Smooth Wide Straightener packs impressive wide plates that make them ideal for straightening curly hair. These tourmaline ceramic coated plates include ionic frizz control to smooth the hair, with the advanced heating system ensuring an even heat for consistent results on all hair types.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Has wide tourmaline ceramic coated platesAdvanced Ceramics™ heating systemIonic frizz-control
How To Protect Your Hair When Straightening?
There are several ways to help protect your hair when it comes to using heat styling tools. A heat protectant spray should never be missed when using heat on your hair. Some leave-in conditioners also include a heat protectant which will add a protective layer while keeping the hair moisturised. A fitting option for curly hair types who need more moisture than most.
Another way to protect strands against damage is to section the hair. This will allow fewer pass-throughs, meaning you will not need to use as much heat on your hair. Try to only straighten a section once, but if needed a second time, allow your hair to cool before passing through again. Following on from this, always keep the tongs moving and do not hold them in the same place for more than three seconds.
Unless stated otherwise, only use a straightener when your hair is completely dry. If you use them while damp, it causes more damage because your hair is more fragile. In terms of temperature, for fine hair, use 180C, and for thicker, use around 200C.
What Curl Pattern Do I Have?
Knowing how to work out your curl pattern will help you to make healthy and effective decisions on your hair products and hair tools, whether that’s your shampoo or your straighteners. Wondering where you stand with your curls? Follow our handy guide on hair types for recommendations.
Samantha ‘Sam’ Price is a Beauty, Fashion & Wellness Products Writer at Grazia magazine. In 2021, Sam began her journey as a Storytelling Executive at Closer and heatworld on an internship, creating beauty and fashion content across these brands. It was 2022 when Sam was employed as a Commercial Content Writer writing about Family Life on Yours, Mother & Baby and Spirit & Destiny. Now, she specialises in beauty, fashion and wellness content across many brands.
