Ready to get that perfectly sleek straight hair or make totally lustrous curls with your flat iron? We've narrowed it down to the top four most fabulous flat irons on the market. However, finding the right one for you can't just come from a list alone. Picking the right one on the top flat irons list begins with figuring out your hair needs. We'll help you break it down. No more feeling overwhelmed when you're getting started with hot tools or upgrading your old flat iron! Before you begin, decide which features work best for your hair to get that perfect hairstyle. Let's go!
Ceramic v. Titanium
Ceramic flat irons take longer to heat up, but they're more gentle on your hair and help keep the hair's integrity. These are best if you're concerned about damage. Ceramic is best for frizzy hair, as titanium can be a little too harsh. These work for all hair types, but are best for fine, soft, or easy to curl hair.
Titanium flat irons heat up almost instantly. They smooth hair and take fewer passes to get the results you want. These are best for thick, coarse hair. Some say titanium is a little more rough on their hair, but if you're looking for something quick and effective, titanium is the way to go. Those with healthy hair or those that don't use heat on their hair often can benefit from a titanium-plated flat iron.
Size of the Plate
If you have thin, fine, or short hair, a 1" plate should do just fine. For longer or thicker hair, you should shoot for something a little wider. Most people with thick, long hair prefer something between 1.25" and 2" for the best results since it covers more surface area at one time. If your hair is below your shoulders, thick, or coarse, you'll want to lean more towards around a 1.25" - 1.5" while those with even longer hair may find it beneficial to use a 2" for their tresses. This cuts down significantly on styling time. This also ensures that you don't miss any hard to reach areas like the back of your head.
#1 - T3 Lucea
This amazing flat iron has all the bells and whistles! This makes the $175 flat iron well worth every penny. It's great for all hair types from straight to coily hair and gives you the style you want in one pass. It comes in a 1.5" for those with very thick or long hair. The cera-gloss ceramic plates are longer than most and give you shiny, frizz-free hair. The T3's signature StyleEdge design gives straightened hair or curls a smooth, snag-free glide. It has a unique temperature finding feature known as HeatID technology. This allows you to select your hair's texture (fine/medium/coarse), the length, and whether or not it's color treated. This will suggest a heat setting that's best for your hair, and there's something for everyone due to the nine heat settings. Whenever you turn off your flat iron, it remembers the heat setting you chose. The smart micro-chip advanced dual heaters also manage heat output and and consistency for perfect heat distribution. It even has a "refresh mode" for little touch-ups at a lower temperature. It's known to create a smooth, sleek look when straight as well as with the gorgeous curls it helps you create. With a one hour shut off time, you don't have to worry if you don't remember to turn it off. This one gets stellar reviews in all areas!
Pros:
Single pass to style
Personalized heat settings with HeatID technology
Can achieve curls by holding for 5-6 seconds
Cons:
Some say it has too many bells and whistles, making it complex
Very thick hair may need the 1.5" plate instead of the 1" original
#2 - GHD Platinum+
This amazing tool has won Allure's "Best of Beauty Award" for best flat iron three times and received a spot in their official Hall of Fame. The price tag comes in at $249, but we think it's worth it for the benefits. This iron stays at 365°F to ensure there's no heat damage from styling. GHD boasts an increase shine by a staggering 75%, increasing strength of hair by 70%, and two times the protection for color treated hair. With the rounded barrel, you'll have snag-free styling with straight hair, curls, or the beautiful waves it can create.
It uses a patented Ultra-Zone predictive technology that recognizes hair's thickness to adjust accordingly for speed of styling while monitoring the heat output 250x per second. For thicker hair, it will use more power to achieve perfect styling while maintaining the 365° temperature, resulting in a single-pass to save you some time. Heating up in a swift 20 seconds is great for those of us that don't have much time. It uses floating ceramic plates to protect the hair from heat and snagging. If you leave it unattended for 30 minutes, it will shut off automatically, which is great for those of us that can be a little forgetful. It also has a patented wishbone hinge for greater control over your style.
Pros:
Lightweight
Fast styling
Minimized heat damage
Cons:
Pricey
Some reported that their naturally curly hair appeared a little more fluffy than flat
#3 - Dyson Corralle
This is the best flat iron out there if you're willing to splurge. Coming in at $499, it's actually worth the investment. This cordless flat iron has 30 minutes of cord-free use and charges fully on its magnetic charger in 70 minutes. The plates are made of magnesium, copper, and alloy to enhance strength, flexibility, and thermal conduction for optimal heat protection. The flexing plates style hair with less heat. It includes an ionic smoothing technology that Dyson says cuts breakage by 50%. Those using it said their normally dry hair looked smooth and shiny, which is something we've only found with Dyson.
There are three heat settings to choose from: 330°F, 365°F, and 410°F. There's an automatic shut off once it's been unused for 30 minutes. Frizz and flyaways are no match for the Corralle. Even those stubborn hairs end up looking sleek and smooth. It's completely safe for color treated hair and even boasts that there is no color fading! There's a safety latch to keep it closed and out of harm's way when it isn't being used.
Pros:
High performance and protection
Fast styling
Shiny and smooth hair every time
Cons:
Pricey
Some say it's bulky or heavy
#4 - Babyliss Pro Nano-Titanium Flat Iron
This titanium-plated flat iron is an amazing choice for coarse or curly hair. It will run you around $150 for this little gem. With a heat range of 240°F - 450°F, it has 50 heat settings. It comes in three sizes, 1", 1.25", and 2" plates. With a lengthier head plate of 5", it allows for wider sections at a time and can reach all the way to the scalp to get those stubborn, new growth short hairs. A ceramic heater paired with the titanium plates make for an amazing instant heat-up. This is the choice of women with short hair. Keep in mind that brittle hair should probably steer clear of titanium flat irons.
Pros:
Lightweight
Longer plates
Cons:
No automatic shut-off
May not be best for thick hair
Could get a little too hot for some
Now that you've got the rundown on the hottest flat irons out there, you can find the magical match for your hair! No more guessing or sticking with your old flat iron because you don't know where to begin when replacing it. Using this handy little guide, you're sure to find the one that works perfectly for you. Go out and get that flat iron that will give you that pin straight look and luscious curls you've been dying for!
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