The 9 Best Flat Irons of 2024, Tested and Approved

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Best flat irons collaged against a gray surface

Byrdie / Marcus Millan

Flat irons are a must for anyone who wants a sleek look. However, if you choose the wrong one (or use one for too long), they can damage your hair. According to hairstylist Gina Rivera, choosing a quality flat iron makes all the difference. “The right flat iron ensures you don’t need to pass your hair several times and further increase the likelihood of damage,” she says. 

With hundreds of flat irons on the market, it can be tough to know where to start. The good news? We’re making shopping easier for you. We handpicked over 20 different flat irons and took each for a spin in our Manhattan-based testing facility as well as at home. We paid attention to how well each flat iron worked on a number of different hair types (including fine, thick, wavy, 4C curls, you name it), how comfortable each tool felt in our hands, and how smoothly each iron glided through hair. We then combined these results with our own research and expert recommendations. The highest-rated products made this carefully curated list of the best flat irons money can buy.

Best Overall

BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Dual Ionic Flat Iron

BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Dual Ionic Flat Iron

BaBylissPRO

Our Ratings
  • Ease of Use
    4.8/5
  • Glide Performance
    4.9/5
  • Value
    4.9/5
  • Straightening Ability
    4.9/5
What We Like
  • Swivel cord

  • Ions fight frizz

  • Lightweight 

What We Don't Like
  • Can pull if you work too fast

In order to take the top spot as best overall, a straightening iron really needed to impress us. After testing this flat iron on all hair types, we can honestly say that the BabylissPRO did just that. Thanks to its ionic technology and pure titanium-coated plates, the tool reduces frizz and delivers a smooth, straight finish sans breakage. We also really loved that the stay-cool housing resists ultra-high heat for comfortable styling; the cherry on top is that the iron is lightweight and easy to hold for a while.

Temperature: 300°F - 450°F | Auto Shut-Off: Yes | Cord: Yes | Plate Size: 1.25 inch

Best Budget

Tymo Ring Plus

TYMO Ring Plus

TYMO

Our Ratings
  • Ease of Use
    4.9/5
  • Glide Performance
    4.1/5
  • Value
    5/5
  • Straightening Ability
    4.6/5
What We Like
  • Gentle yet effective

  • Nine temperature options

What We Don't Like
  • Non-existent curling capabilities

The straightening capabilities of the TYMO Ring Plus are top-notch. It gets the hair super straight in one or two passes, and you don’t have to rely on the highest heat setting to get the job done well. It’s equipped with nano titanium coating and comes with nine temperature settings (and the ability to adjust to your hair’s unique texture and length). Unfortunately, the curling capabilities are virtually non-existent, but if you’re looking for a tried-and-true flat iron, this is a great budget pick. It performed consistently across the four different hair types we tested on and makes for an excellent addition to any styling tool collection, regardless of your skill level.

Temperature: 250°F - 410°F | Auto Shut-Off: Yes | Cord: Yes | Plate Size: 1.25 inch

Best for Beginners

Drybar Reserve Styling Iron

Drybar Reserve Dual-Plate Styling Iron

Ulta

Our Ratings
  • Ease of Use
    4.8/5
  • Glide Performance
    4.4/5
  • Value
    4.5/5
  • Straightening Ability
    4.7/5
What We Like
  • Easy-to-control buttons

  • Long cord

What We Don't Like
  • Can pull if you work too fast

To put it plainly, we found this flat iron a luxury to use. Admittedly, it is a bit bulkier than standard flat irons, but it’s because this one features two iron plates on both sides. Despite the size, it’s not heavy by any means and is actually very easy to hoist above your head for minutes at a time. As for functionality, once you turn it on, you’re able to understand what every single button does (for example, plus and minus buttons indicate higher and lower temperatures), which isn’t usually the case with hot tools. The manual explains that the temperature of the iron will display in the form of lights—so one to three lights indicate that the iron is 250-350°F, while four and five lights depict  440°F and 450°F, respectively. What’s more, the cord is long enough to comfortably style hair while being plugged into an outlet, and the vibrating technology creates the perfect tension to straighten or curl hair like a pro. Just take note that if you pass the straightener through your hair too fast, it might snag,; so take your time.

Temperature: 250°F-450°F | Auto Shut-Off: Yes | Cord: Yes | Plate Size: 1 inch

Best For Fine Hair

Hot Tools Pro Signature SteamStyler

Hot Tools Pro Signature SteamStyler

Target

Our Ratings
  • Ease of Use
    4.3/5
  • Glide Performance
    4.8/5
  • Value
    5/5
  • Straightening Ability
    4.7/5
What We Like
  • Steam styling

  • Helps straighten with less heat

What We Don't Like
  • Short cord 

Despite having a shorter than normal cord, we really loved this Hot Tools iron, especially for fine hair. It glides through hair with ease (shoutout, charcoal ceramic plates!) and doesn’t tug or pull at individual strands. What really set this one apart from other irons is that it uses less heat to straighten hair; in fact, it relies on steam and the brand’s signature plates to smooth hair in less time. As much as we love the technology, we appreciate that the iron gives you the option of styling without it, too.

Temperature: 300°F-450°F | Auto Shut-Off: Yes | Cord: Yes | Plate Size: 1.5 inch

Best for Thick Hair

ion Magnesium Flat Iron

ion Magnesium Flat Iron

Sally Beauty

Our Ratings
  • Ease of Use
    4.9/5
  • Glide Performance
    4.5/5
  • Value
    5/5
  • Straightening Ability
    4.4/5
What We Like
  • Comfortable hold

  • Straightens hair in one pass

What We Don't Like
  • Default temperature is the hottest

Have thick hair? This flat iron is about to become your new best friend. It heats up to 450°F, maintains a stable temperature, and leaves hair looking and feeling shiny and smooth. Due to a combination of magnesium and ceramic tourmaline, the iron recovers heat quickly after every pass through your hair, resulting in less damage and requiring less time. Those of us with thicker hair were impressed by how straight our hair looked after two passes. We were even more pleased to discover that sleek styles from this iron remained intact and frizz-free, even on rainy NYC days. We’d be remiss not to mention the comfortable, silicone-like texture of the handle, which allowed us to get a better grip on the tool as we worked it through our hair. The only thing we didn’t totally love is the fact that the iron’s default temperature is the hottest, right off the bat.

Temperature: Up to 450°F | Auto Shut-Off: Yes | Cord: Yes | Plate Size: 1- and 1.25 inches

Best Splurge

Dyson Corrale

Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener

Dyson

Our Ratings
  • Ease of Use
    4.1/5
  • Glide Performance
    4.4/5
  • Value
    3.9/5
  • Straightening Ability
    4.4/5
What We Like
  • Cordless option

  • Flexing plates

  • Great for damaged hair

What We Don't Like
  • More cumbersome to hold

True to the Dyson name, this flat iron features some of the coolest technology we’ve ever seen in a straightener. It boasts unique flexing plates that conform to the shape of your hair to straighten it in less time and with less damage. Another perk? It can be used cordlessly for up to 32 minutes (don’t worry—we tested it until the battery ran out), making it easier than ever to style your hair wherever you are. The downside is that the tool is pretty heavy; we would compare it to the weight of a Macbook Pro. It clocks in at 1.23 pounds, to be exact, and its large battery is to blame. That, plus the higher price tag, isn’t our favorite, but when you consider how fast the iron heats up to its max temperature (we timed it—it’s under a minute) paired with an auto shut-off button that springs into action after five minutes of not being used, we’d say it’s worth it.

Temperature: 330°F-410°F | Auto Shut-Off: Yes | Cord: Removeable | Plate Size: 1 inch

Best for Breakage

Chi Lava 4D Hairstyling Iron

Chi Lava 4D Hairstyling Iron

Ulta

Our Ratings
  • Ease of Use
    4.6/5
  • Glide Performance
    4.8/5
  • Value
    4.4/5
  • Straightening Ability
    4.8/5
What We Like
  • Long cord 

  • Gentler on hair 

What We Don't Like
  • Lowest temperature could be less hot

Respect the integrity of your hair and prevent further breakage with this flat iron from Chi. It harnesses the power of the brand’s laval mineral composition (made of silicon, iron, magnesium, sodium, titanium, and more) so you can use lower heat while achieving a consistently smooth style. The perfectly calibrated, lava-coated plates smooth hairs in one pass, while outer plates prevent resistance and help aid with glide. This is great news for those with existing breakage—the less tension, the healthier your hair will be. We were also impressed with the 11-foot cord and the cool-tip finger grips for an easy (and, more importantly, safe) grip.

Temperature: 370°F-410°F | Auto Shut-Off: Yes | Cord: Yes | Plate Size: 1 inch

Best Drugstore

Kristin Ess 3-in-1 Flatiron

Kristin Ess 3-in-1 Titanium Flatiron

Target

Our Ratings
  • Ease of Use
    4.9/5
  • Glide Performance
    4.6/5
  • Value
    4.9/5
  • Straightening Ability
    5/5
What We Like
  • Sturdy

  • Digital display

  • Comfortable grip

What We Don't Like
  • Changing temperature isn’t intuitive 

While there are cheaper drugstore flat irons out there, this one is our top pick of the bunch. It’s a stylist's fave, too: “Some of my favorite features are the 30-minute automatic shut-off, four temperature settings, and the 9-foot-long swivel cord that makes it comfortable to hold and use,” says hairstylist Erlis Aguilar. In our testing, we can stand by all of this. The flat iron did take 30 minutes to turn off after not being used; it also took one minute and 16 seconds to heat up to its highest temperature. The best part is that it gave our hair a sleek look, and all it took was one or two passes per section and very little effort. It’s also comfortable to hold for an extended period of time, which is key if you’ll be hoisting it above your head to get those hard-to-reach strands of hair.

Temperature: 280°F-440°F | Auto Shut-Off: Yes | Cord: Yes | Plate Size: 1.25 inch

Best Multi-Use

L'Oreal Professionnel Steampod Flat Iron & Styler

L'Oreal Professionnel Steampod Flat Iron & Styler

Sephora

Our Ratings
  • Ease of Use
    4.8/5
  • Glide Performance
    4/5
  • Value
    4.8/5
  • Straightening Ability
    4.6/5
What We Like
  • Two-in-one straightening and curling iron

  • Utilizes steam technology

What We Don't Like
  • Hefty

This two-in-one flat iron-slash-curling iron from L’Oréal Professionnel relies on steam technology (yes, you read that right) and an attached comb to transform all hair types to either pin-straight or beachy and wavey. While it is on the bulkier side, it’s really efficient; the accompanying water bottle fills the tool up, and after a few minutes, the steam function works in conjunction with the hot plates to safely style hair.  It’s a great option for someone who uses hot tools daily and is concerned about damage since the steam technology surrounds hair with a steady amount of steam that is less harmful to hair. Ironically, it’s tough on frizz and helps achieve that sleek, super-straight finish we’re all after.

Temperature: 350°F-410°F | Auto Shut-Off: No | Cord: Yes | Plate Size: 1.25 inch

Final Verdict

The BabylissPRO Nano Titanium Dual Ionic Flat Iron took the cake as our best overall, thanks to its accessible price, smooth ionic plates, and the fact that it works well on all hair types—fine, wavy, thick, curly, you name it. For a more budget-friendly pick, you can’t go wrong with the TYMO Ring Plus, a top-notch hair-straightening tool that helps smooth hair in one or two passes. Those looking to splurge should consider the Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener; its innovative flex plates and rapid heat-up time will be sure to impress.

Meet the Expert

  • Gina Rivera is a beauty expert, stylist, and founder of Phenix Salon Suites. She’s from a family with over 90 years of experience in the beauty industry.
  • Erlis Aguilar is a professional hairstylist. She is the co-owner of Mane House Salon in New Jersey, where she specializes in both custom hair extensions and dimensional color. 
  • Joseph Maine is a celebrity hairstylist based in both Los Angeles and New York City. He has styled global campaigns for corporations, Fashion Week, red carpets, and more.

How We Tested Flat Irons

Byrdie editors did extensive research on popular flat irons, taking expert recommendations and consumer reviews into account before choosing 29 to test out first-hand. Our testers used the flat irons on freshly dried hair. Each tool was assessed based on ease of use, comfort, and efficacy before deciding on a rating from one to five. Those with the highest scores made the list. All tests were performed in The Lab, our Manhattan product testing facility.

What to Look for in Flat Irons

Temperature

According to celebrity hairstylist Joseph Maine, nearly every time you sandwich your hair between two hot plates, it’ll straighten. The temperature you use matters, though—the higher the temperature, the more it’ll straighten and smooth your hair. So, if you have curlier, more textured hair, a higher temperature is going to get you the sleek look you’re after. “Damaged and highlighted hair should use a lower temperature,” Maine explains. If you aren’t sure what temperature is suited for your hair type, start at a low temperature and see how your hair responds. The TYMO Ring Plus, for example, features a wide range of temperatures (nine, to be exact), so you can play around with heat and find an option that works for your specific hair type. 

Auto Shut-Off

We have all walked out the door just to panic about whether or not we turned our hot tools off. Never worry about burning the house down again by opting for an iron that has an automatic shut-off button that cools the tool down when it’s not in use. Some, like the TK, take an hour, but others, like the Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener, shut off in just five minutes. 

Plate Size

Flat irons come in all different sizes. One-inch plates are perhaps the most commonly found size—they’re great for straightening strands as well as making loose waves and tight curls. The larger the plate gets (1.5, 1.75, or 2 inches, for example), the easier it will be to straighten long, curly, coarse, and thick hair types in less time. (The ion Magnesium Flat Iron is great for this.) If you wish to style bangs and shorter hairs, reach for a plate size that’s less than one inch, as it will be easier to get close to your scalp. If you’re not sure which plate size is best for you, we recommend opting for one-inch plates as it’s the most versatile option. 

FAQ
  • How do you use a flat iron?

    Start by making sure your hair is completely dry and combed through so that there are no tangles, and then divide your hair into sections. Run the iron over each section with a consistent speed, not letting it sit in one area for too long. 

  • How do you clean a flat iron?

    If you use a heat protectant (which you should!), chances are your iron will begin to harbor some excess product. To keep your flat iron in mint condition, Rivera suggests wiping down the plates with a cotton pad soaked in rubbing alcohol—once the iron is dry, of course. Then, give each plate a wipe-down with a clean cotton pad to make sure everything is completely dry before revving up the heat again. 

  • How do you curl hair with a flat iron?

    Taking one section of hair at a time, clamp the hair in the flat iron at mid-shaft and wrap the rest of the hair (except for the very ends) gently around the flat iron, says Rivera. Then, gently pull down and release. 

  • Is a ceramic or titanium flat iron better?

    According to Maine, ceramic flat irons are better for all hair types, including coarse or kinky-curly hair. Look for flat irons that have floating plates so that they move with your hair, instead of pulling at it.

  • Which flat iron do hairstylists recommend?

    While every hairstylist has their own favorite hair tool, each of the experts we spoke to agreed that a good flat iron should have three key features: flexible plates (to avoid tugging and breaking hair), adjustable heat options (to prevent heat damage), and a comfortable grip (since you’ll be holding the tool for a while). 

  • What flat iron is the least damaging?

    Our testers found the CHI Lava 4D Hairstyling Iron to be the least damaging of all the flat irons we tested. The iron’s lava mineral plates are made of silicon, iron, magnesium, sodium, titanium, and more to ensure a sleek finish in a shorter amount of time and with less heat, preventing even more damage. 

What is Byrdie Verified?

Did you notice the Byrdie Verified seal of approval at the top of this story? This seal means that our team has researched and tested every product on this list using a unique methodology that’s designed to focus on what our readers really want to know—and to deliver insights that you can’t find anywhere else. Occasionally, beauty brands and PR agencies will send us samples for coverage consideration, but our thoughts and opinions are fully our own. If you visit links within our content, we may receive commissions from your purchases, but we never receive any compensation or consideration for the content of our recommendations. In short, the Byrdie Verified seal stands for product recommendations you can trust.

Why Trust Byrdie

Caitlyn Martyn is an experienced beauty writer and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She has been a staff writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers makeup, skincare, hair care, and more. She has been using flat irons since 2009 and although she doesn’t use them as frequently anymore, she considers herself an expert in the topic. She has tried many different brands, including several on this list.

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