The best hair straighteners for every hair type, need and finish
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Want smooth strands with minimal effort? These are the hair tools to have on your radar.
From your first pair of ceramic-plated Ghds to the ones that literally run on steam, hair straighteners are almost a rite of passage in many of our beauty journeys. And, as we move away from poker-straight finishes that left our ends sizzled and charred, the technology behind straighteners has come a long way over the years.
Now, we have every type of straightener imaginable, from cordless innovations that let you achieve a sleek finish anywhere to steam-powered models that minimise heat damage.
Many are also built with ceramic-coated plates for a sleek finish and heat sensors to avoid excessive damage (though the best course of action should still be prepping your hair with a heat protectant before use).
And while their main selling point is shiny, smooth and straight hair, all of these tools can also be used to achieve effortless waves and bouncy curls.
Here, we round up the best hair straighteners for every need and hair type.
Best straighteners for all hair types
Best cordless straightener: Dyson Corrale
Dyson’s clever Corrale is the only straightener that has flexing copper plates. These plates flex and shape to gather hair together every time you sweep the straightener through your hair, meaning more control and less heat damage in the long run. Plus, it’s totally cordless, so you can use it anywhere, anytime.
Best straightener for thick and afro hair: Ghd Max Styler Straightener
One of Ghd’s most legendary innovations comes with wide plates that are ideal for long, thick, curly and afro hair to speed things up without compromising on efficiency. It heats up to 185°C, and the ceramic plates leave hair with a shiny finish, thanks to its gloss coating.
Best straighteners for a smooth finish: Keeo Genius Pro+ Straightener
With multiple heat settings and contoured plates that provide a cushion effect for fragile strands, not only will you get a silky soft finish with this tool, but you’ll also notice less hair fallout during styling, thanks to the customisable tension control feature.
Best affordable straighteners: Remington Ceramic 230 Straightener S3500
These Remington straighteners heat up in an impressive 15 seconds, glide through hair with no snagging and have ceramic plates to leave hair smooth and silky.
Shop Remington Ceramic 230 Straightener S3500 at Boots, £27.99
Best straightener for hair health: Cloud Nine The Touch Iron
Cloud Nine’s The Touch Iron has floating ceramic plates that minimise the amount of drag and friction you put on your hair, meaning fewer split ends and less breakage.
Best travel-friendly straighteners: BaByliss 9000 Cordless Straighteners
Babyliss’s breakthrough 9000 Cordless Straightener solves a limited plug socket hotel problem and comes in a handy pouch, making it perfect for travel. It delivers impressive heat, and a three-hour charge provides 30-minutes of use.
Best straightener for minimal heat damage: L'Oréal Professionnel Steampod Steam Straightening Tool 3.0
Similar to the straighteners you may have used in secondary school, L’Oreal’s Steampod has an integrated water tank but its technology has come a long way. It uses steam technology to straighten your hair, minimising the risk of heat damage without compromising on a smooth, sleek finish.
Shop L’Oréal Professionnel Steampod Steam Straightening Tool 3.0 at LookFantastic, £249
Best straightener for short hair: Ghd Mini Slim Hair Straightener
It’s no surprise the straightener masterminds Ghd made it onto the list twice. These mini straighteners still pack a heated punch and are specifically designers for shorter hair, fringers and tight curls.
Images: courtesy of brands
