16 Best Hair Straighteners We Tested (2024) | WIRED

Chi Vibes on the Edge Rounded Hair Iron, now $110: I am a long-time Chi enthusiast and owned and loved the original ceramic flat iron until it broke ten years later. So I admit, I’m excited to decorate my bathroom counter with this metallic rainbow version from the Chi’s Vibes collection. The 1-inch or 1.5-inch ceramic plates (I tested the latter) actually curve on the sides of the tool, allowing the user to get closer to the roots of the hair and create crease-free waves when desired. While this feature did an impressive job of dampening my flight (and I appreciate the unusually long 11-foot cord), I felt the 415-degree Fahrenheit surface was too harsh on my scalp, face, and ears The lack of cushioning between them makes the risk of burns too great for regular use.

L’ange Le Duo Airflow Styler is on sale for $67 USD: This hair straightener has a clasp similar to that of a curling iron. While most flat iron plates come in separate pieces and need to be pushed together to be used, this one does the opposite. It works like any other iron, and the buckle design and rounded edges also make it easier to curl. The real draw here are the vents that blow out cool air to lock in your style. (To clarify, this isn’t meant to dry your hair—you won’t be happy if you try that.) ——Medea Giordano

Fashion now priced at $81 USD and Comfort $195: These irons are essentially the same tool. Sleek’e confirmed that they are actually made by the same manufacturer, which is not unusual. The Kosa feels a little lighter, but seems to be both better and worse to use. They both emit ions and there is a line of infrared light in the middle of one of the plates, which is what it should be Helps distribute heat evenly And won’t damage hair. ——Medea Giordano

Brilliance New York Smooth Pro Ceramic Hair Straightener is on sale for $45: Wired reviewer and curly-haired girl Louryn Strampe raved about this hair straightener. She bought it on impulse through a Groupon deal in 2014 and still uses it, despite trying several irons since—and she even prefers it. Dyson Coral. It’s lost some of its heat over the years, and the plates occasionally pinch her hair, but it still keeps her unruly curls smooth, shiny, and, most importantly, straight. ——Medea Giordano

FoxyBae Tres Stylish Hair Straightening Iron Now $38: This budget-friendly titanium hair straightener does a decent job at straightening thick, curly hair, but its flimsy construction, long heat time, and difficult-to-operate 1.75-inch-wide plates make it less attractive than our top budget pick Choose Conair Infiniti Pro higher.

Revlon Easy Heat Precision Hair Straightener for only $35: Another entry-level straight iron, this dark pink model has easy-to-read temperature settings and feels heavier and more expensive than it actually is. I also like that it heats up in 30 seconds—one-third the time of most irons in this price range. To my surprise, however, the 1-inch plates had no effect on my curls, even with the iron at its maximum temperature of 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, my (barely) straightened hair was back to its original shape within minutes.