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Best Flat Irons of 2024
We Tested and Reviewed the Top Flat Irons for Healthy, Damage-Free Straightening
As a hairstylist with 20 years of experience, I’ve had many clients ask if I can repair damage from dyeing, overprocessing, and other salon treatments. Thankfully, I’ve been doing this for a long time, so I can help transform their dry, damaged hair into soft, silky strands.
But I’ll let you in on a secret: it’s all about having the right hair tool. Your hair frames your eyes, lips, and smile, so it’s not surprising that healthy-looking locks can shave years off your appearance.
But here’s the big thing most of us forget. You only get one shot at a first impression, so what does your hair say about you when that happens? Will it complement who you really are?
IN THIS ARTICLE
Sometimes, we just don’t have the time to dress to impress. But you don’t have to settle for a bad hair day. Modern hair straighteners have come a long way with impressive features that make styling faster and easier.
A good straightener makes your hair sleek, less frizzy, and stylish. A bad straightener can fry your hair and cause damage. The main culprit behind damaged hair from straighteners is heat. Too much heat burns the hair cuticle, causing irreparable harm. Yet, properly used heat brings luster to your hair.
This is why having an excellent hair straightener is a great ally in your corner — so it’s worth doing a little research before spending your hard-earned cash on one. But we know how time-consuming this process can be, so we researched, tested, and reviewed the “most raved about” hair straighteners on the market for you.
As a stylist with two decades in the haircare industry, I know firsthand that having the right tool is vital. Plus, current technology on hair straighteners is better than ever. Why not take advantage of it?
Our top choices are the champions of the bunch, ready to help you achieve silky smooth hair and gorgeous beach waves or get you out the door faster on those hectic mornings.
1. Floating Ceramic Plates – Floating plate technology allows the plates to tilt at varying angles in response to the tension you apply when the straightener slides down your hair. It prevents snagging and breakage. Ceramic plates distribute the heat evenly, reducing the risk of hot spots that can fry your hair.
2. Adjustable Heat Settings – Hair varies in thickness, and yours may need more or less heat than other people. Some of the best flat irons on the market have digital displays that allow you to see the exact temperature, which helps you avoid damage.
3. Infrared Infrared Technology – Infrared light penetrates deep into your hair cuticle, sealing in its natural moisture and adding silky shine.
4. Versatility – The best ones can straighten, curl, or add beach-style waves to your hair.
5. Dual Voltage and 360° Swivel Cord – Flat irons that have dual voltage capability and a 360° swivel cord provide effortless styling anywhere, anytime.
Our Testing Process
In our pursuit to uncover the best hair tools, we enlist the expertise of professional hairstylists with decades of relative experience. Their insights are instrumental in developing a comprehensive evaluation framework, focusing on what truly matters in a high-performing flat iron.
Our criteria for assessing each flat iron were both thorough and varied. We looked closely at the features offered, particularly the range of heat settings, to determine each tool’s effectiveness and versatility. The integration of these flat irons into daily styling routines, straightening performance, and the overall quality of the hairstyles achieved were key factors in our evaluation.
We didn’t overlook the details that enhance user experience, such as the weight and cord length, the placement of buttons for ease of use, and how versatile each flat iron was when it came down to creating curl and wave styles.
After testing each flat iron, we compiled and analyzed the data to identify the standout models. This process helped us not only to discover the best performing flat irons but also to spotlight the top picks for specific needs, ensuring you find the perfect tool for your styling preferences.
Here Are Our Top Hair Straightener Choices for Healthy, Damage-Free Straightening
Regular Price: $259
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Hands down, the Infrarose Steam Styler is our number one choice! This straightener uses “steam-tech” to prevent dryness and brittleness. The steam chamber is what really wowed us when it came down to effectiveness and overall hair health after straightening.
The Infrarose Steam Styler checks off all the items above and creates healthier-looking hair. High-end flat irons like this one elevate your hair-styling routine, and they are engineered to last, making your investment pay for itself over years to come.
Top hair stylists are using the Infrarose Steam Styler. Celebrity stylist Jessica Rose told us, “The infrarose steam styler is my new secret weapon to give my clients beautifully styled hair with minimal damage — it produces awesome shine too!”
Between the steam, the infrared technology, and the wide plates, the Infrarose Steam Styler is a time-saving hero — which makes a big impact when you’re trying to get out the door in a hurry!
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PROS:
- Ceramic plates are great for over-processed hair.
- Infrared light technology promotes hair health
- Steam technology adds healthy moisture with every pass.
- Intelligent heat control to help protect your hair
- Plate locking switch for easy storage and travel
- Dual voltage and 1-hour auto shut off
- Perfect for all hair types
- Extra wide 2-inch plates
CONS:
- Only sold online
Regular Price: $499
Our second option, the Dyson Corral, stands out for its versatile features.
A noticeable downside: many users report this cordless flat iron doesn’t hold charge for very long, which can slow down the styling process. Others find its weight and bulkiness make the handling and storage less convenient.
The Dyson Corral straightener offers commendable hair straightening capabilities, earning the second spot on our list.
PROS:
- Decent choice for different hair types
- Cordless feature
- Flexing plates
CONS:
- High cost
- Doesn’t have infrared technology
- Complaints that it doesn’t hold a charge long enough
Regular Price: $499
We were notably impressed by the Dyson Airstrait’s features. Its adaptability to different hair types and lengths caught our attention, and the “hot air” approach and user-friendly nature were definite positives.
PROS:
- For different hair lengths
- Uses “hot air” technology to straighten
CONS:
- Steep price tag
- Doesn’t have infrared or steam technology
What Does Shopper Advocate Verified Mean?
Did you catch a glimpse of the Shoppers Advocate verified seal at the top of this article? Well, this lets you know that our dedicated team of evaluators have tested and reviewed every item featured here. Shoppers Advocate selections represent the products we genuinely stand behind, tested to ensure they meet your high standards as much as they do ours.
Conclusion
After comparing different steam straighteners, we found the ultimate winner: Infrarose Steam Styler.
It impressed us because it has the most innovative and effective features out of all the straighteners that we tried. Everyone on our team who used it noticed how soft, shiny, and healthy their hair looked. We loved it so much that we decided to make it our top pick for the best steam hair straighteners of 2024.
Sure, some of the other straighteners have their own advantages, but Infrarose Steam Styler seems to be the most effective for smoothing and straightening hair, adding shine and moisture, and reducing frizz…making it the most common sense choice for us.
So if you’re looking for a trustworthy, high-quality steam straightener that actually works, we highly recommend trying Infrarose Steam Styler.
It can help give you super sleek hair, silky smoothness, a beautiful shine, and healthier-looking hair that lasts all day.
Beau Dieda
Want a closer look at the testing and review process behind this article? Here’s a peek inside the Shoppers Advocate testing lab to show how we ensure the accuracy and reliability of our findings.
