Best Flat Irons for Silky Straight Hair

Are you on the quest to find the best flat iron in the market?

Whether you’re a beginner or a pro―every new purchase is as challenging as the first one. That’s because the flat irons are evolving according to our needs. You end up seeing new products popping up every other month.

We know how overwhelming it can get for beginners and professionals alike. Since, you don’t have time― to read between the lines― to find the best flat iron for your hair.

It’s why we do the job for you.

So what’s the best flat iron for this decade? We’ve shortlisted the hottest flat irons available online. These hot styling tools leave your hair feeling silky and soft. They include special heating technology that optimizes your styling sessions. Along with an ergonomic design that is easy to handle.

If we had to pick a favorite then the sleek and stylish ghd Platinum + Professional Ceramic Flat Iron would be the one. We love the smart technology and easy handling of that model.

With that said, the one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work on flat irons. It’s why you should browse through our list before making the final decision.  

However, before we begin, let’s ask the most important question…

What Makes a Good Flat Iron?

In our experience, finding the best flat iron is like making a friend in a crowd of strangers. The beauty aisle is an explosion of flat irons and hot styling tools. Your goal is to buy a flat iron that fits your hairstyling needs to the T.

Here are some specs that will work in your favor:

Ease of use:

The size and design of your flat irons matters as much as the materials. You will struggle with heavy-duty flat irons, short power cords, and slippery handles.  These features lead to accidental burns (especially for beginners). So select a flat iron that doesn’t have these problems.

Adjustable temperature settings (180ºF/200 ºF to 450ºF):

Flat irons with multiple options are great for versatile styling sessions. They are also doable for all hair types.

Plate size:

If you have thick long hair, or extreme curls then opt for a flat iron with wide plates (1” or more).  The sleeker designs are convenient for short hair.

Advanced heating technology:

Don’t settle for standard metal flat irons.  You should pick one’s infrared heat technology and infused plating instead. They protect your hair from extreme heat damage and dryness caused by frequent use.

Auto-shutoff system:

The safety feature is a must for anybody who tends to switch off the flat iron after use. The system prevents the plates from overheating and extends its lifespan. It also prevents accidental burns (that’s always a bonus).

That’s it!

You should go over this handy list whenever you’re shopping for a new flat iron. This way, won’t waste time and money on flat irons that give away within months. 

Now, let’s look at the flat irons that more or less tick all the boxes on this checklist.

What Is The Best Flat Iron

When it comes to buying the best flat iron, you’ve got to be high-maintenance. It’s especially true for women who want to get that salon-worthy look.

So you’ve got to choose a flat iron gives you that sleek and shiny look faster and better than others. It should have a long-lasting impact that keeps your hair frizz-free for hours. Also, avoid flat irons that snag or pull our hair when we’re styling them.

Think, that this is too much to ask for?

Our list of six sensational flat irons begs to differ:

ghd Platinum+ Professional Ceramic Flat Iron

Best Professional Flat Iron

Wish your flat iron could predict your hairstyling needs?

ghd Platinum + Professional Ceramic Flat Iron makes that dream a reality.  It’s lightweight, durable, and comes with many styling features. These qualities allow you to get sleek and shiny hair in a matter of minutes.

For instance, the smart styling tool comes with predictive technology. This means, that it adjusts its styling settings according to your styling preference.

You’ll also appreciate the fact that it heats up within 20 seconds to an ideal temperature of 365F. The superior ceramic plating distributes heat evenly and prevents fluctuation. It also ensures that your hair comes out healthier and shinier afterward.

Plus, it’s got a built-in heat-proof plate guard and a sleep mode too. These safety features prevent your skin and hair from getting scorched.

The only problem is that it is pricey, which makes it a big investment for anyone who’s on a budget.

Click here to read about all of the professional flat irons we looked at before picking the ghd.

Pros

• Intelligent technology regulates heat according to your styling requirements.
• The ergonomic design makes it easy to use.
• The ceramic plating with a heat-resistant guard to promote healthy and glossy hair.
• It stays at 365F for optimal use.
• It includes an auto-shutoff system that prevents overheating.
• It’s suitable for all hair types.
• 3-year warranty

Cons

• Pricey.
• Some reviewers mentioned that they had to glide it more than once to get the desired look.

Where to Buy: Amazon

RUSK Engineering CTC Technology Professional Straight Iron

Best Flat Iron for Fine Hair

Do regular flat irons damage your fine hair?

Then you should ditch them for RUSK Engineering CTC Technology Professional Straight Iron. The hot styling tool includes titanium-infused ceramic plates that protect your fragile hair.  The flat iron accommodates quick styling sessions with ease. It also includes high-tech styling specs that professional hairstylists rave over.

These include CTC technology that keeps the flat iron at an optimal temperature. It also maintains an even temperature across the ceramic plates. All this minimizes hair damage and dryness. Adding to this is the special sol-gel coating that lets you glide the hair straightener with ease.

Besides this, the flat iron comes with a memory mode that records your last heat setting. It allows you to the desired temperature with a single touch. It also comes with safety specs like a heat-proof Ryton housing and an auto-shutoff system.

On the surface, this looks like the perfect flat iron for fine hair. There is a chance that you might face durability issues along the way. That’s why we recommend that you hold on to that 2-year warranty if the flat iron shows signs of wear and tear.

Read our article on the best flat iron for fine hair to find out how we came to pick the RUSK.

Pros

• Lightweight and easy to use.
• 9 ft long swivel cord for flexibility.
• High-quality titanium-infused ceramic plates for safe and speedy styling.
• Sol-gel technology and CTC technology prevent heat-damage.
• Memory mode for quick temperature recall.
• Ryton housing system makes it cool-to-touch.  
• Manages to smoothen out the finest hair without any kinks.

Cons

• Not suitable for short hair.
• Users have complained about a faulty shut-off system.

Where to Buy: Amazon

Panasonic Nanoe Hair Styling Iron EH-HS99-K

Best Flat Iron for Thick Hair

Is it impossible to straighten your thick and coarse hair?

Then you should give the Panasonic Nanoe Hair Styling Iron EH-HS99-K a try. The high-grade hair styling tool manages to smoothen out the toughest hair with ease.

How?

The built-in Nanoe technology nourishes your hair and locks in the moisture. This prevents your coarse hair from drying out when it’s exposed to heat. It’s also got ceramic coating that makes it easier for you to run the flat iron through thick hair.  Both features decrease hair breakage and heat-damage caused by frequent styling. Then there are five heat settings that let you fiddle with the heat to suit your hair type. 

Besides this, the flat iron has handy features like a steady grip and a 360º swivel cord.  It’s also got an auto-shutoff system that puts it to sleep after an hour. With so many fantastic specs, we wish it was lighter so that we could carry it around.

In short, this hot styling tool is a wonderful addition to your styling kit. But you’ll have to pay a hefty price to enjoy the many benefits.

Pros

• Ergonomic design with a sturdy grip.
• Advanced Nanoe technology that keeps your hair hydrated.
• Super smooth ceramic plates for effortless gliding.
• Adjustable heating modes (270F- 395F).
• The auto-shutoff system prevents overheating.

Cons

• Expensive.
• The clunky size is a disadvantage for beginners.

Where to Buy: Amazon

Panasonic Nanoe Hair Styling Iron EH-HS99-K

Best Flat Iron for Natural Hair

Didn’t we discuss this flat iron already?

Yes, but this flat iron is ideal for natural hair too. That made it necessary for us to cover the Panasonic EH-HS99-K twice from the perspective of different users. 

If you’ve got natural healthy hair, then you don’t want it to get burned with a hot styling tool. The flat iron is the ultimate choice for this situation. That’s because it’s innovative Nanoe technology promotes natural shine and eliminates dryness.

You also get the feasibility to use a lower temperature to avoid heat damage. While the ceramic plating and heat stabilizer reduces uneven heating.  It’s also got grooves that stop your silky hair from escaping. The combination of these features protects your hair and keeps it nourished.

Also, as we mentioned before, the iron includes all safety features. This guarantees hassle-free styling sessions for beginners and professionals.

However, you might struggle with the size, if you’ve got small hands.  It isn’t portable either, which makes it the wrong traveling companion.

The only thing stopping you from enjoying this product is the price tag. So you should start saving up if you want a salon-quality experience.

Pros

• The steady grip prevents slips.
• Ceramic plates and Nanoe technology promote healthy hair.
• Prevents loss of natural moisture and shine.
• Versatile heating options that protect your natural hair.
• 9-ft swivel cord prevents restrictive styling.
• It’s got a reliable auto-shutoff feature.

Cons

• Costly purchase.
• Not suitable for traveling.

Where to Buy: Amazon

RUSK Engineering CTC Technology Professional Straight Iron

Best Flat Iron for Curly Hair

Do you believe that your curly hair is untamable?

The RUSK Engineering CTC Technology Professional Straight Iron can change your mind. The ceramic-titanium infused flat iron is a powerful styling tool for curly hair.

Why?

That’s because of its super-hot titanium plates help straighten out your curly hair. While the ceramic heater maintains an even temperature throughout. This way, your curls won’t get exposed to excessive heat damage.

Adding to this is the Ryton housing that reduces the chances of singes and burns. Then there is the memory mode that adjusts it to the desired heat setting when you switch it on.

You’ll also love the sol-gel coating that makes way for swift movements. It also reduces any snagging or tugging which is common for curly hair. Plus, this feature makes it a good choice for afro-textured hair.

With that said, some users have commented on a faulty auto-shutoff system. So you should watch out for that if you plan to opt for this model.  

Read our roundup of the best flat irons for curly hair for more information.

Pros

• Ergonomic design.
• 9 ft long swivel cord that doesn’t restrict movement.
• Ultraheat titanium-infused ceramic plates that straighten out cowlicks and kinks.
• Sol-gel coating for easy gliding.
• CTC technology reduces exposure to heat.
• A memory mode for automatic temperature recall.
• Heat-resistant Ryton housing system for easy handling.  

Cons

• It is inconvenient for short hair.
• Not durable in the long run.

Where to Buy: Amazon

Nume Style Setter Hair Straightener

Best Titanium Flat Iron

Looking for the best titanium flat iron?

The Nume Style Setter Hair Straightener is hands down the best choice for you. It has superior titanium plates and far-infrared heat technologies. These leave your hair feeling soft, nourished, and moisture after use.

Plus, the advanced ion conditioning minimizes hair static and frizz. You can also adjust the heat settings according to your styling need.  All this is perfect for taming your thick and coarse hair and other hair types too.

On the whole, this is the best titanium flat iron out there. We wish that it had an auto-shutoff feature for safer use.  

Check out our article on titanium flat irons to find out how we came to choose the Nume Style Setter as the best.

Pros

• Sleek and stylish design.
• Beveled floating plates for versatile styling.
• 100% titanium plates to get the silky smooth look.
• The signature far-infrared heat promotes healthy hair.
• Includes anti-static negative ion technology.
• Many heating options 140F to 450F.
• Works well for all hair types.

Cons

• Limited lifetime warranty.
• It doesn’t have an auto-shutoff feature.

Where to Buy: Amazon

The Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?

In the end, your choice depends on your hair type and budget. If you’re ready to splurge then go for the ghd Platinum+ Professional Ceramic Flat Iron with its snazzy styling features. Or you can experiment with the Panasonic Nanoe Hair Styling Iron EH-HS99-K which is great for most hair types.

Both flat irons help you get that professional salon-worthy look every single time.

However, if you are on a budget, the Nume Style Setter Hair Straightener is a doable option. You simply have to get around the lack of auto shutoff mode.

So which one of these best flat irons would you get?

Frequently Asked Question

Which Type of Flat Iron Is Right for You?

The pros and cons of titanium vs. ceramic vs. ionic flat irons are debatable.  Everyone has their preference depending on their hair type.

Here’s what you should consider before buying yours:

• Titanium/Tourmaline flat irons are great for taming thick and coarse hair because they heat up quickly.
• Ceramic flat irons promote even distribution to prevent your hair from getting fried.
• Ionic flat irons lock the moisture to reduce dryness and enhance natural hair shine.   
• Combination plates (tourmaline-ceramic) are suitable for all hair types.

We like to choose something that is between to reap in the benefit of all types of flat irons. The combination allows you to get sleek and shiny hair with minimal damage. 

However, if you can’t find infused plates, then buy the next best thing.

What’s the Optimal Temperature for a Flat Iron?

The ideal temperature for a flat iron varies from person to person. Your choice depends on your hair type, texture, and style you want.

Here’s the breakdown of perfect temperature settings for each hair type:

• Below 300F for fine/chemically treated hair
• 300-350F for normal healthy hair
• 350-400F for thick/curly hair

The best idea is to select a heat setting that doesn’t leave your hair dry and damaged. So experiment with the lower settings before opting for the higher ones.

Pro tip: Buy a flat iron with adjustable settings for more flexibility.

Do the Best Flat Irons Work for Short Hair?

Sometimes standard-sized flat irons won’t’ work well on short hair. You often end up with indentions or flyaways afterward.

If that’s the case then replace it with a miniature model or travel size version. You can also find regular flat irons with a ½ or ¾ inch plate. Both types of flat iron will make your styling sessions more manageable.