Top 6 Best Flat Irons for 2022

A good flat iron is a must have hair styling tool for those looking to either straighten their hair, add waves or effects, or add shine and volume. However, the quality of a straightening iron will greatly affect how consistent the results are. Flat irons come in a range of materials with different options that often contribute to how they work with different hair types, not to mention convenience and safety. For salon quality results, it’s important to choose a hair straightener that works best with both your hair type and texture.

We invested over 32 hours into researching and comparing close to 70 flat irons to create this buyer’s guide, comparison chart and list of the six best units.

Flat irons, also commonly referred to as hair straighteners or straight irons, are the opposite of curling irons in that they generally are used to straighten hair rather than curl it. The basic shape is like a curling iron with two “jaws” to put hair between. However, with a flat iron, both jaws are flat surfaces. These tools are used both in professional hair salons by stylists and also in homes by those who want to straighten their hair on a regular basis. They work by placing a strand of hair between the heated jaws of the iron and then drawing it across the strand slowly once or twice. The heat seals the moisture in the hair, which results in straight, glossy strands.

Flat irons have evolved greatly since they first came on the market. Early versions provided only uneven heat and could cause hair damage. They also didn’t last very long. The current generation of flat iron is usually an easy-to-use tool that provides consistent results and does not damage hair. Not only that, but consumers can easily find the same type of quality in an iron as they would experience in a salon.

As straightening irons are every day tools for most users, it’s important to pick a quality product that will produce good results every time and won’t damage the hair. Consumers can find flat irons in just about any store selling hair products, from large retailers to hair salons, or they can be bought online.

Factors to Consider

The ideal method for using a flat iron is to use it on already dry hair, however it is possible to find irons that will work on wet hair to both dry and straighten it. While this is a convenient tool, it should only be used now and then and on damp hair, not soaking wet hair. This is because wet hair is more easily damaged than dry hair. It’s possible to buy flat irons with digital temperature readings to make adjustment for the right heat easier. It’s also possible to buy mini flat irons that work for travel or on the go. Other options include temperature control, accessories and different plate sizes.

Plate Size

Each end of a flat iron jaw contains a metal plate and these plates can come in various sizes in terms of both the length and the width. The most important dimension is the width. Wider plates will straighten more hair at once, but narrower plates can be used more flexibly. Narrow plates can be used closer to the roots without burning the scalp and they can also create interesting effects like flips and fat curls. When deciding on a plate size, consumers should match it with their hair length. Short hair works better with a narrower plate while long hair does better with a wider plate.

Temperature Reading & Adjustment

Temperature control is a nice feature to have, but it not necessarily required. Many flat irons have fixed temperature controls such as low, medium and high. Consumers who have very fine hair or hair damage may wish to get a more finely tuned flat iron with more temperature control and a digital readout. For safety reasons, there are also flat irons with an auto shutoff feature. When choosing this feature, it’s good to get one that shuts off in around 20 minutes and not longer than an hour.

Accessories

Accessories add safety, convenience and additional performance to the tool. Brushes are a popular accessory and are sometimes fixed onto the iron or are able to be retracted when not in use. It’s also possible to get mounts that either set up on a smooth surface or can clamp onto a shelf or table. Heat resistant mats are a nice feature and they may even come in a combination of mat and storage bag. Some flat iron makers also provide maintenance kits like cleaning tools and replacement plates. Protective gloves and hair products are other potential accessories.

Technology and Materials

The metal plates on flat irons used to be made of aluminum, which did not heat evenly and meant that the iron had to be passed over the hair several times to straighten. The surface was also rough and resulted in friction, which in turn caused hair damage. In the present day, consumers have a range of choices for both technology and plate material. Examples of new material include ceramic, tourmaline and silver, while new technologies include nano-plating, ionic process and infrared. These new technologies and materials keep even heat and smooth contact with the hair to avoid damage and create a glossy shine. They also seal the hair and moisturize. Consumers should be aware of the technology and material choices when looking for a new flat iron.

Ceramic plates have small particles that formulate a smooth surface. This is a non-metallic, solid material, but in its pure form it is too soft to function as a flat iron plate. Therefore, it is combined with various other materials such as titanium. Ceramic irons produce negative ions that help straightened hair to last a long time.

The ionic process is combined with ceramic plates to combat dry and frizzy hair. This state is caused by the positive ions found in dry hair. The combination of ceramic and the ionic process creates negative ions that interact with the positive to achieve a neutral state where the hair is shiny and silky.

Another material type is tourmaline, which is made by grinding the stone into a powder. It’s possible to get purely tourmaline flat irons or, more commonly, ones mixed with ceramic. The big benefit to tourmaline irons is they boost negative ions even higher, which means improved straightening and hair quality results.

Silver is another material used and it is very smooth, easy to clean and is germ resistant. Titanium is commonly used to make tools and it also gives the benefit of additional smoothness and works to evenly heat hair.

Infrared technology heats hair in a slow and gentle process. The rays get deep into the hair follicle and shaft with even heat. It aids plate material in balancing the negative ions.

Nano particles are materials that have been reduced to a microscopic size. All of the previously mentioned materials can be turned into nano particles. This technology improves plate smoothness and also creates more negative ionization. Flat irons with nano technology have better heat conduction and can straighten hair much faster than other types.

Hair Type

When making a decision on the type of flat iron to buy, it’s important to consider hair type. There are many different hair types, from fine to coarse. Hair health is another consideration as some people have very damaged hair. Hair wave can range from quite straight to wavy to curly.

Those with tight curls and coarse hair are likely to find the straightening process more difficult. The best iron for this hair type is one capable of high heat and these are often professional grade. People with normal, healthy hair or wavy hair are the easiest to straighten and most flat irons will work well for them.

People who have straight hair, fine or thin hair, or damaged hair also have special needs. They can benefit most from irons with variable temperatures and easy temperature controls. This allows them to start with a lower temperature around 200 degrees and then increase it as necessary.

When other styling tools are unable to give the desired finish of glossy, full hair, a flat iron can generally do the job. Just about anyone can benefit from the use of a flat iron to balance the hair’s positive ions with negative ones. Current flat irons can deliver consistent, even heat while not grabbing or pulling hair.