Standing in the aisle of a store looking at the vast number of flat irons can prove daunting. How to know which ones won't break, won't damage hair and will work the fastest? We've done the work for you, researching the best flat irons and hair straighteners on the market. You'll find the pricey flat irons the pros love and the more affordable flat irons that won't break on you.
1. The Sleekest, Smoothest Flat Iron on the Market -- FHI Heat Runway
Perhaps the best flat iron on the market today, the FHI Heat Runway is a favorite among the pros because it creates sleek, smooth hair with just one or two passes, according to stylist Jonathan Hanousek in the 2009 issue of InStyle Magazine, which named it a Best Beauty Buy for 2009. With a price tag of more than $300, the FHI Heat Runway (with tourmaline plates, of course) will last a lifetime. 
2. Best All-Around Flat Iron: Hai Ceramic Flat Iron
Hai's ceramic plates are coated to protect hair from heat. This flat iron gets hot enough to straighten hair (and hair stays straight) but not too hot as to damage hair. Plus it's ready to use in under 30 seconds. An InStyle magazine best beauty buy for several years running.
3. The Hair Stylist's Favorite Flat Iron: Farouk Systems' CHI
If I had to pick just one flat iron for my beauty closet (I have several), I would have a hard time choosing between the CHI and the HAI (see above). This flat iron is an all-around good bet and worth the price tag (from $200 on up). You'll have this baby for many, many years.
4. Best Inexpensive Flat Iron: Revlon Perfect Heat Professional Straightener
So you don't want to pay for the extra-special professional flatirons. No problem. A favorite of Lucky Magazine, this inexpensive flat iron is basic and dependable. A steal at about $25.
5. The Reader's Favorite Flat Iron: Sedu Ionic Ceramic Tourmaline
This is one of the most popular flat irons on the market right now. Go to any of the big review Websites and you'll see the women rate this hair straightener very highly. It's also an Allure favorite, which warrants placement on my list alone. The price tag (about $130) makes it a good mid-range choice.
6. Best Travel Flat Iron: Hana Mini
Hana's mini flat irons are perfect for travel or keeping in your purse for touch-ups. Highly rated and perfect for any hair texture, these ceramic and tourmaline flat irons come in blue or pink, making them perfect gifts for teens and adults alike.
7. Best 'As Seen on TV' Flat Iron: The Instyler
My friend Deirdre has hard to straighten hair. It's short and wavy and she likes to wear it sleek and straight. In the past, she had to get professional blowouts for film premieres and such (she's a documentary filmmaker}, but recently she found the secret to straightening her hair: the Instyler. [p]
Why it's so amazing: The Instyler is a rotating hot iron that has 4 rows of bristles that act like a brush. The first set of bristles separates hair, then the rotating cylinder polishes the hair, smoothing and straightening it. I know it sounds crazy, but Deirdre swears by it and we even tried some of the above straighteners on her hair and this one by far was the best.
8. Best Wet or Dry Flat Iron: T3 Tourmaline Professional Ionic Wet or Dry Iron
At $200, this flat iron better be good. It's not just good, it's amazing, straightening wet, curly hair in a matter of minutes. That's right, it dries hair while it straightens it. How does it work? According to the company, the tourmaline-infused ceramic plates carry a negative ionic charge. As the water evaporates, frizz is smoothed out.
