- The top six
- 1. Best overall
- 2. Best luxury option
- 3. Best quick styling option
- 4. Best hair care option
- 5. Best hybrid option
- 6. Best wet-to-dry option
- 7. Best cordless option
- 8. Best everyday styling option
- 9. Best versatile option
- 10. Best thick hair option
- 11. Best smart option
- 11. Best attractive option
- How we test
The best hair straighteners help you achieve that envious super-sleek, frizz-free look in no time at all, saving you a trip to the salon. Whether you’ve got long locks or a short cut, they have the ability to transform a bad hair day into a good one at just the click of a button.
So, which hair straighteners will help you achieve this look? We’ve picked out some of the best straighteners available right now whether you have curly hair, frizzy hair, short hair, or poker-straight hair... here's our full guide to the best hair straighteners on the market today.
If you're looking to fully upgrade your hairstyling arsenal, then you'll also want to check out T3's guides to the best hair dryer, best hair curlers, and best hot hair brush.
Lizzie is T3's Home Staff Writer, also covering style, living and wellness. She works closely with Bethan Girdler-Maslen, T3's Home Editor, ensuring all the latest Home news, trends and recommendations are covered. Outside of T3, Lizzie can be found mooching around Bath, attempting (or at least trying to) a new DIY project or spending time with family and friends.
The top six
Best Overall
The best overall hair straighteners
These are the most advanced hair straighteners from ghd, the long-reigning king when it comes to hairstyling. They feature 'ultra-zone with predictive technology', which recognises the thickness of your hair, the section size and the speed at which you are styling, and adjusts the power accordingly.
Best luxury option
The best luxury hair straighteners
Prepare to be wowed by the new Dyson Corrale. Dyson is really stepping it up in the world of styling and the Corrale is a must-have straightener! This hybrid device offers up to 30 minutes cordless styling, meaning you can easily pack it in your handbag or suitcase for styling on the go, and quickly recharge it within 70 minutes or simply use it plugged in, too.
Best fast-styling option
The best fast styling hair straighteners
The SilkyStraight is equipped with infrared technology that reduces styling time and enhances hair protection. Unlike other models, the plates release negative ions that help preserve your natural hair oils, resulting in healthier and more radiant hair. This moisturising heat technology prioritises your hair's well-being, giving you ultimate softness.
Best for hair care
The best straighteners for hair care
The Revamp iGen Progloss Cordless Ceramic Hair Straighteners are a real treat to use. Despite its slightly long charging time (3.5 hours to be exact), there really isn't anything wrong with these straighteners! Their cordless capabilities make straightening hair much more seamless and you don't have to worry about any cords... so you can even take them with you on the go.
Best hybrid option
The best hybrid straighteners
Featuring a rounded barrel, 360º swivel cord and professional length cable, the ghd Gold Styler lets you sculpt smooth straight locks, as well as full-bodied curls and wavy textures with ultimate ease and comfort. This features makes them a great option if you looking for a straightener that doesn't just straighten!
Best wet-to-dry option
The best wet-to-dry straighteners
The ghd Duet Style has a Shine Shot button to swap it from drying mode to styling mode, and leaves hair feeling silky and looking shiny. The plates are a bit too big if you're trying to curl or wave your hair, but it delivers sleek straight locks that are dry and styled in no time. It’s also incredibly easy to use and delivers salon-worthy results.
Best hair straighteners 2024 ranking
Why you can trust T3
The best hair straighteners overall
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
These are the most advanced hair straighteners from ghd, the long-reigning king when it comes to hairstyling. They feature 'ultra-zone with predictive technology', which recognises the thickness of your hair, the section size and the speed at which you are styling, and adjusts the power accordingly. The plates monitor the heat 250 times per second to ensure the optimum styling temperature is maintained, giving you perfect results and stronger, healthier hair.
We found the new Platinum+ stylers heat up in around 20 seconds and only need one stroke to get a great finish on our hair. This comes in very handy if you're in a hurry and running late in the morning. The smooth ceramic plates and innovative wishbone joint means they don't snag stray hairs either, so they're a real joy to use.
The ghd Platinum+ feel so well made, and are so reliable that they come with an impressive 3-year warranty for peace of mind. Okay, they're not cordless like the Dyson Corrale below, but these do just as good, if not better job at straightening hair, and they're much more affordable.
Check out our full review of ghd platinum+ hair straighteners for more information!
The best luxury hair straighteners
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Prepare to be wowed by the new Dyson Corrale. Dyson is really stepping it up in the world of styling and the Corrale is a must-have straightener! This hybrid device offers up to 30 minutes cordless styling, meaning you can easily pack it in your handbag or suitcase for styling on the go, and quickly recharge it within 70 minutes or simply use it plugged in, too.
You can be sure your hair is in good hands with Dyson’s new technology that offers flexible plates that provide the same quality of style but with less heat, promising up to 50% less breakage. The flexible plates also mean fewer flyaways as they gather the hair and provide extra comfort and control when styling.
While these straighteners are certainly on the pricier side, we’ve been very impressed with Dyson’s hair stylers, including the Dyson Supersonic hairdryer, and their new Dyson Airwrap which we’ve also featured in our best curlers. If you want that salon-quality, then you might want to consider investing in the Corrale.
Before you purchase, it's worth checking our Dyson discount codes before you read our full review of the Corrale.
The best hair straighteners for quick styling
3. Silk'n SilkyStraight Infrared Hair Straightener
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Whether you’re on a budget or not, the Silk'n SilkyStraight Infrared Hair Straightener is a fantastic investment. It's equipped with infrared technology that reduces styling time and enhances hair protection. Unlike other models, the plates release negative ions that help preserve your natural hair oils, resulting in healthier and more radiant hair.
Of course, the best bit is that there's a dynamic LED display with 12 temperature settings, ranging from 120ºC to 230ºC. The plates also heat up in under 15 seconds, so you can get to styling right away. Unfortunately, the straighteners are often sold out, but a lot of larger retailers now sell them too, so you'll be able to find a pair if you shop around a little.
The best hair straighteners for hair care
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Revamp iGen Progloss Cordless Ceramic Hair Straighteners are a real treat to use. Despite its slightly long charging time (3.5 hours to be exact), there really isn't anything wrong with these straighteners! Their cordless capabilities make straightening hair much more seamless and you don't have to worry about any cords... so you can even take them with you on the go.
Like other Revamp products, the plates of the Revamp iGen Progloss Cordless Ceramic Hair Straighteners are infused with oils for healthier hair. Our reviewer noticed that her hair smelt great and felt healthy and nourished. It easily tackles frizzy and curly hairs, and the straighteners cool down surprisingly quickly and are backed with intelligent safety features.
Read our full Revamp iGen Progloss Cordless Ceramic Hair Straighteners review.
The best hybrid hair straighteners
5. ghd Gold Styler
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Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
ghd is a classic brand that have never let us down when it comes to styling, especially straightening. We love the fact that these stylers are available in a number of different colours. The fact that it’s so compact and comes in a handy heat proof travel bag means it’s perfect for styling on the go- holidays and festivals are sorted.
Featuring a rounded barrel, 360º swivel cord and professional length cable, they let you sculpt smooth straight looks, as well as full-bodied curls and wavy textures with ultimate ease and comfort. This features makes them a great option if you looking for a straightener that doesn't just straighten!
This straightener runs at 185-degrees which is the optimal styling temperature and isn’t as hot as other brands which is good for weaker and dryer hair. These ghds also automatically switch off after 30 minutes of inactivity so you never have to worry about whether you’ve left them on again. They are on the higher end of the scale but a good price for limited edition. Plus, ghd's are an investment and tend to last a lot longer than some other inexpensive brands.
The best wet-to-dry hair straighteners
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Unlike conventional hair straighteners that use heated plates, the Airstrait channels precise airflow from 1.5mm apertures located in the device’s arms. This helps to protect your hair’s natural moisture and shine whilst providing styling options for different hair types. It also offers two modes – Wet and Dry – along with additional settings like 'Cool' and 'Root Drying' for enhanced versatility.
Priced at £499.99, it's no secret that it's a pricey tool. However, you get what you pay for with Dyson, and we couldn't recommend it enough.
Check out our full review of the Dyson Airstrait to find out more.
The best cordless hair straighteners
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The ghd Unplugged are excellent cordless straighteners for styling while on the move. They bring the style, power and practicality we've come to expect from ghd, and packed it into a more petite body. Yes, they're expensive and we'd appreciate longer battery life, but if you're a frequent traveller or always styling on-the-go, then these are the straighteners for you.
Of course, the ghd Unplugged are pretty expensive, so you really need to question whether you need the added flexibility that going cordless creates. If you do most of your styling at home, then we'd recommend buying one of ghd's corded yet still excellent hair straighteners, but if you do find yourself in need of a compact hair styling tool on the go, then the ghd Unplugged can't be beaten.
Have a look at our full review!
The best hair straighteners for everyday styling
8. Cloud Nine The Original Iron
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Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
These straighteners were not only a joy to use, straightening my hair quickly and efficiently (even my signature kinks required only a single pass) but people commented on how shiny my now sleek and straight hair was. The best bit – the morning after straightening (a full 24 hours) our hair was still straight and sleek and we didn’t have to re-do it! Is there a better accolade that that?
These come with a luxury heat protective carry case and a heat guard. We love that the plug can be adapted to use in Europe, really handy if you travel a lot!
The best versatile hair straighteners
9. BaByliss Straight and Curl Brilliance Hair Straightener
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
These Babyliss straighteners are a game changer for those who want an all-in-one style. The extra-long plates and advanced ceramics make them ideal for all hair types, including thicker hair, and allow you to create that ultra-sleek look as well as a number of other styles.
The product’s black and rose gold accents are beautiful with a stainless steel curved outer coating which makes them easy to hold. These straighteners have an auto shut off after 72 minutes, perfect for those who can be a little forgetful when getting ready to go out.
The best hair straighteners for thick hair
10. T3 Singlepass X Straightening Iron
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Reasons to avoid
The T3 Singlepass X Straightening Iron is a godsend for anyone with thick or coarse hair (it will also delight those who don’t). These straighteners maintain consistent heat while styling so you can straighten your hair in a single glide – they really do make fast and light work of the most unruly of dos. Our hair was straight and shiny all day long. This straightener even remembers your heat setting for next time (there are five to choose from) – a true friend!
Watch out if you have a fringe though - the extra width of the iron (1.5-inch plates) that makes them so great for difficult hair makes styling fringes a little tricky.
The best smart hair straighteners
11. BaByliss 3Q Hair Straightener
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
These have 12 heat settings and a ‘protect’ mode, which adjusts temperature according to your hair. Hair was straight and super shiny in no time using the BaByliss 3Q Hair Straightener. The shine is thanks to their ionic conditioning technology but unfortunately this is what also makes a noise.
They come with a sticker on the straighteners to tell you any noise from the ionic port is normal but we just couldn’t relax with it. You also have to press the button very firmly to turn them off but the auto shut off function eased our paranoia there.
The best attractive hair straighteners
12. Remington Proluxe Ceramic Hair Straighteners
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Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Currently half price at Amazon, the Remington Proluxe Ceramic Hair Straighteners are ideal for looking after damaged hair. They have nine heat settings ranging from 150 to 230 degrees centigrade, including the unique Pro+ mode that works at 185 degrees.
Thanks to a 'ultimate glide ceramic' coating, Remington claims these are five times smoother to use than standard ceramic straighteners, and produce hair that is up to 50% straighter in one pass, compared to other Remington straighteners. The Proluxe Ceramic come with a heat-resistant travel pouch.
How to choose the best hair straighteners for you
Hair straighteners are the ultimate hair tools. A good set of hair straighteners should provide frizz-free, polka-straight styling that lasts all day without damaging your hair. They should be thought of as an investment – you get what you pay for – and cheap models end up doing more damage to your hair than good.
However, whether you want the most expensive product on the market or you’re looking for something more affordable, we’ve got you covered with these top recommendations. Of course, before you decide which set to buy, you should consider the specific requirements of your locks – if you have particularly thick hair or a fringe for example.
If you have thin or damaged hair then look for straighteners that have a low temperature or temperature control, so you’re not putting too much strain on your hair. The GHD and Dyson Corrales are great examples of this.
If you have long, thick hair, wider plates might make styling a bit more manageable for you. They're faster and can take on larger chunks of hair at a time. Conversely, if you're looking for some precise styling, then you'll want stylers with a narrow barrel.
One final consideration is whether you travel often. You might want to opt for a lightweight, compact wireless set of straighteners. These are super convenient but often less powerful than their wired counterparts.
How we test
We spend a lot of time reviewing the best hair straighteners, so when it comes to recommending what styler to buy, you can be safe in the knowledge that we'll recommend the best options for you.
We'll usually spend a week or longer testing new hair straighteners, and the review process is fairly straightforward – we use them to straighten and style our hair. This helps us understand their ease of use and how to achieve a desired hairstyle.
It also lets us test whether the hair straighteners damage our hair (yes, we're really putting our bodies on the line here) or whether they leave hair feeling smooth, glossy and healthy.
If the hair straighteners have any advanced features, such as cordless battery life or quick-heat settings, then we'll try these out to test if they work and if they're worth you spending extra money on.
Where possible we'll test the straighteners on different types of hair, including thick long hair, and thinner curly hair. Although, it's worth noting that this isn't always possible.
Once the initial review period is complete, we will publish a full review, give the hair straighteners a star rating, and add an abridged review to this guide.