16 Best Hair Straighteners We Tested (2024) | Wired

Chi Vibes on the Edge Curved Edge Styling Iron for $110: I’m a long-time Chi fan, and I owned and loved the original ceramic flat iron until it broke a decade later. So I admit I was excited to spruce up my bathroom counter with this metallic rainbow version from Chi’s Vibes line. The 1- or 1.5-inch ceramic plates (I tested the latter) actually curve around the sides of the tool, allowing the user to get closer to the roots of their hair, as well as create frizz-free waves if desired. Although this feature actually did an admirable job of minimizing my flyaways (and I appreciate the unusually long 11-foot cord), I felt this lack of buffer between the 415°F surface and my scalp, face, and ears It was too great a risk of burns to use regularly.

L’ange Le Duo Airflow Styler for $67: This flat iron features a clip similar to a curling iron. Most flat iron plates stay separate, and you need to push them together to use them, while this one is the other way around. It works just like any other iron, and the clip-on design and rounded edges make it easy to curl, too. The real attraction here are the air vents that pump out cool air to keep you looking stylish. The fan turns on automatically, but there is a button to turn it off. (Just to be clear, it’s not meant to dry your hair; you won’t be happy if you try). —Media Giordano

Stylish for $81 and Zucchini for $195: These irons are basically the same tool. Sleek’e confirmed that they are in fact made by the same manufacturer, which is common. The zucchini felt a little lighter, but it didn’t seem to be any better or worse to use. They both emit ions and have a strip of infrared lights down the middle of one of the panels, which is supposed to do that Helps distribute heat evenly In a way that does not harm the hair. —Media Giordano

Brilliance New York Smooth Pro Ceramic Flat Iron, $45: WIRED reviewer and fellow curly girl Lauren Strumpi swears by this hair straightener. She bought it on impulse through a Groupon deal in 2014 and still reaches for it frequently, despite trying several flat irons since then — and even prefers it over others. Dyson Coral. It’s lost some of its heat consistency over the years, and the plates sometimes snag her hair, but it still leaves her unruly curls soft, shiny, and most importantly, straight. —Media Giordano

FoxyBae Tres Sleek Flat Iron for $38: This budget titanium flat iron does a fairly good job of straightening thick, curly hair for the price, though its fragile construction, long heat-up time, and hard-to-maneuver 1.75-inch-wide plates make it less attractive. One of our top budget picks is the Conair Infiniti Pro, above.

Revlon Easy Heat Precision Flat Iron, $35: Another entry-level flat iron, this deep-pink model with easy-to-read temperature settings looks heavier and more expensive than it is. I also liked that it heats up in 30 seconds, a third of the time it takes most irons in its price category. However, I was surprised by how ineffective the 1-inch plates were on my curls, even at the iron’s maximum temperature of 450°F. Plus, my (barely) straight hair was back within minutes.