11 best hair straighteners 2025, reviewed by experts & editors
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Like it or not, hair straighteners have always been the OG versatile hair tools that can help create virtually any hairstyle imaginable. Whether you're after pin-straight hair, beach waves, bouncy curls and everything in between, a good pair of straighteners can do it all — proving that you don't need to a fancy hair tool arsenal to nail a salon-worthy 'do.
According to celebrity hair stylist and Dyson's Global Ambassador Larry King, "hair straighteners are amazing for beginners – as you progress and your ability grows, and you’re able to create more shapes, bends and curls to the hair.”
Lucky for us, today's iterations have moved well past those damage-inducing and overheating hair straighteners of the past, which would leave our hair looking fried, dull and lacklustre. Instead, we're met with models that come equipped with advanced technology that will minimise damage, offer cordless styling and feature shine-boosting coating and flexible plates that swivel with your hair (Dyson Corrale, we're looking at you).
The best part? Buying a quality hair straightener doesn't have to cost you a fortune, either. Case in point: the Remington Shine Therapy Hair Straightener featured below will set you back just shy of £80, yet it's genuinely one of the best models we tested. Its ceramic plates are infused with Moroccan Argan oil, which helps enhance the shine and condition your hair while styling. Elsewhere, there's also no arguing that ghd hair straighteners are simply unmatched in the hair tool game. From cordless models to wide-plated options, the brand offers a healthy range that's known to work wonders on a variety of hair types.
But as is often the case, with ample choice comes a difficult decision: how exactly do you go about finding which hair straightener is right for you? To help you make your pick, we've taken the time to put together the ultimate roundup of the best tried-and-true models that are known and loved in the GLAMOUR office. Whether you’ve got long hair, a shorter bob, thicker hair, afro hair or naturally dry hair, there’s bound to be a suitable straightening tool in this edit for you. Plus, we've also included top styling tips coming straight from a celeb hair stylist. Here's everything you need to know.
Meet the expert:
- Larry King, celebrity hair stylist and global ambassador at Dyson.
All your hair straightener questions, answered:
How to choose the best hair straightener for your hair type
- If you've got fine hair: go for hair stylers with ceramic plates as they'll be more gentle.
- If you've got frizzy hair: ionic technology is key for you, as it'll protect your hair against humidity throughout the day.
- If you've got afro hair: ceramic-coated plates are the ones for you. Steam hair straighteners will also do a good job of styling your hair quickly but without too much damage.
- If you've got thick hair: wide plates like those on the ghd Max Styler will save you time.
What should I keep in mind?
| The plates | Ceramic plates take a longer time to heat up, but they distribute said heat more evenly and are gentler than metal plates, so they're good for fine hair. Metal plates like titanium plates get hot very quickly and tend to be more expensive, but they can cause more heat damage. Ceramic-coated plates are made from a metal base topped with ceramic coating, which means you get the best of both worlds. |
| Temperature settings | Consider hair straighteners with variable and adjustable heat settings so you get the optimum experience for your hair type and desired look. |
| Iconic technology | Hair straighteners with ionic technology reduce frizz, snags and fly-aways because they neutralise the positive charge that'd usually cause hairs to repel each other. |
| Additional accessories | If you're planning on taking your hair straighteners away, consider accessories like heat-proof mats, silicone plate guards and travel pouches, that'll make styling on the go much easier. |
What kind of styles are hair straighteners best suited for?
“Hair straighteners are great for creating a boho, effortlessly undone texture to the hair. You can also use them to get a poker straight look, but once you become more confident using them, start to create waves and bends in the hair for a beachy look that you can’t really recreate with curlers or hot brushes, as it needs to be a more flat," says celebrity hair stylist and Dyson global ambassador Larry King.
Larry also shares that these clever tools “are brilliant to add detail and definition, whereas curlers or hot brushes tend to give you a lot of volume.” According to Larry, using a quality hair straightener will help create a look that looks “more natural and polished."
"You can also add definition around the hairline with straighteners and add shaping around the face - I like to try bending little areas, as if the hair has been put behind the ears,” he adds.
How to use a hair straightener correctly, according to a celebrity hair stylist
According to Larry, “when using straighteners, you need to make sure you’re holding your hair in position and gliding it through in one pass.” Larry also recommends using tools like the Dyson Corrale if your goal is to “reduce flyaways.”
“The plates also help gather the hair, which gives you a lot more control and means that the hair doesn’t tend to spread.”
Elsewhere, Larry recommends considering the Dyson Airstrait for when you're in a rush and want to cut down your hair drying routine as this clever tool acts as both hair straightener and a hair dryer. It will help "create a naturally straight style from wet to dry in one go, simplifying your routine from start to finish with no heat damage,” Larry adds.
How we tested hair straighteners
It should come as no surprise that, when it comes to hair tools, team GLAMOUR has a pretty impressive product testing portfolio. So naturally, our expertise in hair straighteners knows no bounds. Having reviewed dozens of models from a variety of brands (be it Remington, Dyson, BaByliss, Revlon or GHD), we've put together a carefully curated edit that only includes those that managed to impress us most.
When testing each hair straightener, we used the same styling products to prep our hair every time to ensure a fair verdict – then paid close attention to how well the tools performed on different hair types (including thick, thin, wavy and afro hair), namely when it came to the speed of styling, the longevity of the style and the long-term damage.
We also considered how portable they were, how quickly they heated up and cooled down, and whether they came with any extra technologies or accessories. Think: cordless designs, heat resistant mats, adjustable temperature controls or protective gloves. Find out more about how we test here.
Meet our testers
- Ali Pantony, GLAMOUR's Website Director: Ali is a highly experienced and award-winning editor and book author, currently serving as GLAMOUR's Website Director who oversees all of the magazines digital content. Previously Acting Features Director roles at Grazia and ES Magazine, her writing and product testing expertise is a force to be reckoned with – whether it comes down to fashion, beauty or tech. When it comes to hair styling tools in particular, Ali always seeks out innovative technologies and thick-hair-friendly designs that would help cut down her morning routine.
- Denise Primbet, GLAMOUR's Beauty Contributor: Denise has half a decade's worth of product testing experience under her belt, especially when it comes to hair tools. Having written for esteemed international publications like Vogue, GQ, Who What Wear, Refinery29, Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire, she's particularly passionate about spotlighting models that work on all hair types and democratising information on celeb-hair-stylist-approved styling techniques.
- Robyn Eugene, GLAMOUR's Social Media Manager: Since joining GLAMOUR UK as the magazine's Social Media Manager, Robyn has been leading the strategy, direction, and vision for GLAMOUR's social channels. Elsewhere, she's also heavily involved in the team's effort to elevate the site's shopping content – having reviewed dozens of fashion, interior and beauty products. As far as hair tools go, she's interested in models that cater to afro hair (particularly straighteners with thinner plates that would help with root-to-tip styling).
- Mayola Fernandes, GLAMOUR's Commerce Writer: Mayola is a highly experienced interiors and shopping journalist who's previously written for magazines like Elle, Cosmopolitan and Harper's Bazaar. Beauty-wise, her passion lies in hair tools, which is precisely why she's very particular about what makes a quality hair straightener. She loves models that minimise the damage without sacrificing on performance.
Scroll for our full edit of the best hair straighteners, as recommended by our editors.
Why we love it: If you're looking for ground-breaking technology – Dyson is your go-to. Dressed in sleek design, the Corrale Straightener features flexible plates that allow it to use far lower temperatures to deliver the best results. Coily, coarse hair can be styled on a medium heat - something traditional straighteners wouldn't normally be able to offer. This hair straightener is also cordless, with a 4-cell lithium-ion battery that gives you up to 30 minutes of cord-free styling time. Hands-down one of the best straighteners around that can also make for a very generous gift for a loved one. “As someone who has thick hair, I'm rarely lucky with hair straighteners. That is, until I got my hands on the Dyson Corrale. I loved the flexible plates and the fact that my hair didn't feel damaged at all,” says Denise Primbet, GLAMOUR's Beauty Commerce Writer.
- Type of plates: flexing copper plates.
- Maximum temperature: 210 degrees.
- Weight: 0.56kg.
- Cord length: 3.3m swivel cord.
- Heat settings: 3 temperatures.
Tester: Denise Primbet, GLAMOUR's Beauty Contributor.
Pros & ConsPros- Minimises damage
- Has flexible plates
- Cord-free design
Cons- Expensive
Why we love it: A game-changing model when it comes to on-the-go styling, ghd's lightweight and extremely portable cordless hair straighteners are a great choice for regular travellers. They work on an array of hair types – serving up softer strands even on afro hair – and they help achieve a plethora of styles including straight hair, beachy waves and tight curls. They come with a luxury carry case, and they hit ghd's standard of 185 degrees in temperature. “Having used this straightener for over a month now, I've grown to love the cordless design, which allows me to style my hair effortlessly wherever I go," says Mayola Fernandes, GLAMOUR's Commerce Writer.
- Type of plates: ceramic.
- Maximum temperature: 185 degrees.
- Weight: 0.94kg.
- Cord length: N/A.
- Heat settings: 4 temperatures.
Tester: Mayola Fernandes, GLAMOUR's Commerce Writer.
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Pros & ConsPros- Super portable
- Great for beginners
- Lightweight
Cons- Takes a while to charge
BaByliss Hydro Fusion Anti Frizz Hair Straightener
Why we love it: Featuring Advanced Plasma technology, the BaByliss Hydro-Fusion model will help you achieve that ultra-glossy look in one stroke (almost as though you've just had a keratin treatment) — all courtesy of the moisture balancing dual ionic system that combines both positive and negative ions to hydrate the hair during styling. When testing this straightener, we noticed that the hair felt noticeably smoother and shinier, despite having spent 20 minutes styling it. It's super lightweight too, meaning it also won't make you feel as though you've just had a full arm workout post-styling.
- Type of plates: ceramic.
- Maximum temperature: up to 235.
- Weight: N/A.
- Cord length: 2.5m.
- Heat settings: 5 temperatures.
Tester: Ali Pantony, GLAMOUR's Website Director.
Pros & ConsPros- Reasonably priced
- Delivers a glossy shine
- Offers a lasting result
Cons- The plates might not be wide enough for thick hair
Dyson Airstrait Hair Straightener
Why we love it: The entire beauty community is still abuzz with the launch of the Dyson Airstrait, an innovative wet-to-dry straightening tool that eliminates the damage out of hair styling thanks to the complete absence of hot plates. Using powerful airflow, the Airstrait smooths and straightens with ease, leaving your hair effortlessly shiny and healthy-looking in minutes.
- Type of plates: none
- Maximum temperature: 140 degrees.
- Weight: 0.906kg.
- Cord length: 1.98m swivel cord.
- Heat settings: variable.
Tester: Denise Primbet, GLAMOUR's Beauty Contributor.
Pros & ConsPros- Innovative technology
- Easy to use
- Saves time
Cons- Expensive
- Features a bulky plug
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Why we love it: The ghd Chronos is often considered as the brand's ultimate hair straightener, and to be honest, we can't argue with that. With this hell of a multi-tasking machine, you can style hair with ease (whether it's to straighten it or create a natural wavy look) without damaging it. That's all thanks to the smart temperature-adjusting technology, which adapts to each individual section. Oh, and it also works wonderfully to create Hollywood-worthy curly hairstyles for those days when you're feeling a lil' bit extra.
- Type of plates: not specified.
- Maximum temperature: 185 degrees.
- Weight: 0.8 kg.
- Cord length: 2.7m swivel cord.
- Heat settings: N/A.
Pros & ConsPros- Can help create a variety of hairstyles
- Ensures minimal damage
- Features automatic temperature control
Cons- Expensive
Remington Shine Therapy Hair Straightener S8500
Why we love it: Whoever said that quality hair straighteners have to come with a premium price tag clearly didn't meet this innovative tool from Remington. Despite being the best budget model in this edit, the Shine Therapy hair straightener packs a punch thanks to the heated plates that are infused with argan oil to will keep your hair nice and conditioned while styling. So whether you're aiming for wavy hair or a pin-straight look, this tool has got you covered. The result? Lasting results with maximum shine and minimal effort.
- Type of plates: ceramic, infused with Moroccan Argan Oil.
- Maximum temperature: 230 degrees
- Weight: N/A.
- Cord length: N/A
- Heat settings: 9 temperatures.
Tester: Robyn Eugene, GLAMOUR's Social Media Manager.
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Pros & ConsPros- Affordable
- Leaves the hair feeling conditioned
- Great for damaged hair
Cons- Not as lightweight as expected
Why we love it: This ghd hair straightener is ideal for styling thick or curly hair types, thanks to its innovative technology and wider plates. Whether your goal is to straighten hair, touch up your look or to create a wavy 'do, the ghd Chronos Max is unmatched when it comes to delivering shine and reducing frizz all while ensuring no heat damage. In usual GHD fashion, this tool maintains optimal styling temperature of 185°C throughout the whole time, which results in breakage protection and longer-lasting results. Suitable for all hair textures.
- Type of plates: ceramic floating plates.
- Maximum temperature: 185 degrees.
- Weight: N/A.
- Cord length: 2.7m swivel cord.
- Heat settings: N/A.
Pros & ConsPros- Great for thick hair
- Easy to manoeuvre
- Features automatic temperature control
Cons- Expensive
Shark FlexFusion Straight 5-in-1 Air Styler & Dryer
Why we love it: Is it a hair dryer, a hot air brush, a hair curler, a diffuser or a hair straightener? Yes to all. This clever device is ideal for those looking for a versatile tool that does it all without sacrificing the extra space in your haircare cupboard. Not only does it ensure no heat damage whatsoever, but it also combines heat-controlled ceramic plates and powerful airflow to curl, straighten and volumise your hair with ease from a damp state. It's light, ergonomic and super intuitive to use. A great fit for all hair types.
- Type of plates: ceramic plates.
- Maximum temperature: 110 degrees.
- Weight: 0.79kg.
- Cord length: 2.44m swivel cord.
- Heat settings: variable.
Pros & ConsPros- Offers versatile styling methods
- Works on all hair types
- Minimises damage
Cons- Expensive
- Bulky
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L'Oréal Professional Steampod At Home
Why we love it: Taking a break from chemical formulas from time to time should be a no brainer – hair care included, and this L'Oréal straightener is as close as we'll ever get to naturally straightening your hair. This steam hair straightener, which promises soft, shiny and velvety hair, comes with a little pod, which you fill with water to steam your hair straight – and it totally works. Styling with less heat damage, it's unique and innovative, coming with a built-in brush which results in a style which lasts all day long. Hair feels shinier and softer after use, and the steam makes your hair feel more hydrated. So good that it'll save you money on heat protection sprays too.
- Type of plates: double technology plates.
- Maximum temperature: 210 degrees.
- Weight: not specified.
- Cord length: not specified.
- Heat settings: smart heat control between 180 and 210 degrees.
Pros & ConsPros- Uses steam for gentle styling
- Leaves the hair feeling soft
- Has a built-in brush
Cons- The results aren't as long-lasting
Why we love it: If you're just as impatient as we are and are looking for a tool with near-instant heat-up time, allow us to introduce you to Cloud Nine's The Touch Iron, which is one of the best mid-range flat irons we've tried. The mineral-coated plates are proven to be kinder to hair, which will also ensure a high-shine finish and a silky-soft feel. Powered by unique “Spring-Flex Technology,” this heat styling tool offers a cushioning feel rather than the clamping and dragging motion that is often associated with traditional hair straighteners. And if that wasn't enough, the Touch Iron also features hibernation mode, which means the tool will automatically turn off after 30 seconds of inactivity.
- Type of plates: mineral-infused plates.
- Maximum temperature: 195 degrees.
- Weight: 0.43kg.
- Cord length: 2.7m swivel cord.
- Heat settings: variable.
Pros & ConsPros- Not as damaging to the hair
- Delivers a lasting result
- Has mineral-infused plates.
Cons- May not be wide enough for those with thick hair
BaByliss 9000 Cordless Hair Straightener
Why we love it: If you're after sleek hair anywhere (whether you have short hair or long hair), Babyliss' latest 9000 cordless straightener is magic. The trailblazing tool offers three heat settings and gives up to 30 minutes of styling time at the hottest temperature, thanks to a lithium-ion battery. And, if you're worried about it switching on in your bag, it has a safety feature that prevents it from turning on accidentally and a heat-proof cover that enables you to pack it away straight after use.
- Type of plates: ceramic.
- Maximum temperature: 200 degrees.
- Weight: 0.45kg.
- Cord length: N/A.
- Heat settings: 3 temperatures.
Pros & ConsPros- Cordless technology
- Heats up quickly
- Leaves hair silky-smooth
Cons- Requires regular charging
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After more hair content? Head this way for the best hair dryers, in this direction for travel hair dryers, and over here for curling wands. We've also got the lowdown on the best hot rollers, best hot brushes, as well as the best hair curlers and tongs and the best shampoos and conditioners.
