Having a good flat iron (or hot brush, for that matter) can be life-changing, and I'm not just saying that. Whether you just want an effortless-looking style for the day or something a little more elegant, having the right tools along with the right heat-protectant products can really make or break your styling experience.
Not only is it important to use a heat protectant, but it's also key that you choose the right flat iron for your hair type. For more on that, plus the best editor- and expert-tested tools to try, keep reading below.
The Best Flat Irons of 2025, at a Glance
- Best for Curly Hair: T3 Single Pass X 1.5 Inch Wide Flat Iron
- Best for Wavy Hair: BaByliss Pro Nano Titanium Prima 3000 Styling Iron
- Best for Straight Hair: GHD Chronos Styler
- Best for Coily Hair: Kim Kimble Silk Quick Pass Professional 2-Inch Ceramic Tourmaline Flat Iron
The Best Flat Irons for Curly Hair
"This is my newest obsession. It's a ceramic heated brush that is a game changer for curly and coily hair types. It's similar to a flat iron but completely innovative because this flat heated brush has nylon bristles that line the side of the brush, and right behind the bristles, there's a heated edge (boom), so now when we straighten our hair, we can get right at the buckles around the hairline and roots and stretch them out for the smoothest, shiniest hairstyle. It lays the roots flat and straight but can also add volume to your hairstyle and allows you the easiest blowout touch-ups and soft waves ever." — Bridget Brager, celebrity hairstylist
Pros: Features T3 Rapid HeatIQ technology, PrecisionEdge design smooths out strands easily, adds volume to your roots.
Cons: Expensive.
Plate width: N/A
Plate material: Ceramic
Heat settings: 3
Customer review: "This tool has been a game changer for me. I have extremely thick hair, takes forever to blow dry, and straight irons seem to not give me the result I want. I love this brush because it keeps my natural wavy texture—very bombshell—while smoothing and looking styled. Unlike a straightener, which gives a polished look but ends up not enhancing my natural wavy hair, this helps me with a bouncy style and is quick and easy. Because my hair is thick, the heat is actually really appreciated. I find most tools don’t work or would take way too long to accomplish anything. I also have very long hair. This is convenient to travel with or throw in an overnight or gym bag, run it through to refresh styles, or use on naturally dried hair to finish."
"The T3 Single Pass X is perfect for thick, curly hair. The design uses a combination of tourmaline and ceramic plates that are a bit wider than what you find on most flat irons. So your straightening work is accomplished in a gentle way but more quickly and with less effort." — Jeremy Tardo, celebrity hairstylist
Pros: Wider plates are great for thick hair, HeatIQ technology delivers advanced heat precision, nine heat settings to straighten or style long, thick, or coarse hair in one pass.
Cons: Expensive.
Plate width: 1.5 inches
Plate material: Ceramic
Heat settings: 9
Customer review: "Leaves my hair full of body! The style doesn't revert either, even in high humidity that I live in Louisiana. I have fine curly hair. African/European/Indian I'm considered Creole. A little moisture would cause any style to without hairspray to end lol! But not with this!"
Celebrity hairstylist Gregory Patterson, DIY color and styling expert for Sally Beauty, calls this flat iron "the perfect everyday workhorse styling iron with tons of styling versatility and better for your heat styling." He continues, "The magnesium is super smooth and has tourmaline embedded into the plates helping to emit more negative ions resulting in shinier, more static, and frizz free results. This iron is a true day in and day out styling iron."
Pros: Contains magnesium and ceramic tourmaline for healthier, shiny and softer hair, heats up quickly, automatic shut-off function in 45 minutes
Cons: Some reviewers say it doesn't last long.
Plate width: 1.25 inches
Plate material: Ceramic tourmaline and magnesium
Heat settings: Max 450 degrees
Customer review: "My 3b/3c hair was left lightweight and blowing in the wind! It’s sleek and really gave me salon quality results! It cut the time it takes me to do my hair in half! Love this tool!"
I used to use this flat iron religiously when I heat-styled every week. (It was a dark time.) It's honestly one of the best budget options I've ever used—it really gets the job done. It has wider plates, so it's great if you have thick, curly hair, and the ceramic coating provides even heat distribution and less damage to your locks.
Pros: Budget-friendly, ceramic-coated plates help reduce heat damage, larger plates are great for thick hair.
Cons: Only heats up to 400ºF.
Plate width: 2 inches
Plate material: Ceramic coating
Heat settings: 4
Customer Review: "A lot of straighteners of this size pull your hair out, but this one pulls through hair smooth and efficiently, getting the job done fast!"
The Best Flat Irons for Wavy Hair
This Hot Tools Pro straightener allows you to cut down on the number of passes needed to achieve a sleek, straight look. It also has a dual heater controller that allows individual customization between the left and right plates for a smoother style and less damage.
Pros: Dual heater controller gives it a "two passes in one" feature for less damage and easier styling, rounded edge design provides extra grip and control.
Cons: Expensive.
Plate width: Four 0.5-inch plates
Plate material: Black gold technology
Heat settings: 30
Customer review: "It works great and flat ironed my thick hair in one pass."
Celebrity hairstylist Kee Taylor loves this flat iron for all hair types, but it works especially great for wavy hair because it delivers one of the smoothest finishes if you're going for a straight style or can make even a curly look ultra smooth. It also adds a ton of extra shine to the hair.
Pros: Designed to be used as a curler and straightener, temperature can reach up to 465ºF, making it great for thick hair.
Cons: Expensive.
Plate width: 1 inch
Plate material: Titanium
Heat settings: 5
Customer Review: "This will give you a SILK PRESS finish in no time!! I love it! It's heavy but performs effortlessly without hand aches from squeezing. I barely have to do anything. IT HAS A LOCK SWITCH! I have long, thick, curly, strong, coarse biracial hair (Like the movie Brave) and this iron straightens it in one pass...Ladies...I never leave reviews, but this thing has seriously changed me. I would dread washing my hair knowing that I had to flat iron afterward. This makes me happy to do my hair and cuts the time by half. Best money I've spent at Ulta."
Mini flat irons are perfect for on-the-go styling and traveling. If you just need a quick touch-up or want to create some fast beach waves, this is the tool to do it.
Pros: Budget-friendly, compact size is great for traveling, great for edges and quick fixes.
Cons: Tends to be really hot to the touch.
Plate width: 0.5 inches
Plate material: Titanium
Heat settings: 1
Customer Review: "Very compact for travel. Wish the heated portion of the barrel was maybe an inch longer but overall exactly as described. I use it every day."
Nition's five-in-one tourmaline ceramic flat iron is infused with argan oil to lock in extra moisture and smooth baby hairs or frizz. It's also great for those with long, thick locks because it has a longer heating plate so you can style more hair at once.
Pros: Two-in-one straightening and curling iron, ceramic-coated heating plates are infused with argan oil to condition the hair, avoids pulling or damaging hair.
Cons: Lock button can be faulty.
Plate width: 1 inch
Plate material: Ceramic tourmaline coating
Heat settings: 6
Customer Review: "I am very happy with this straightener. It feels like an extension of my hand, is light and smooth, plates warm quickly, and holds temperature during the entire styling process. The plates glide smoothly, are longer, and press evenly along each hair section. I can easily straighten or curl my medium-length hair and when I’m done just lock the plates and securely store it in the pouch."
The Best Flat Irons for Straight Hair
"This flat iron is great for straighter textures because it can be used to smooth the hair but is also really easy to use as a curler to add waves or curls to the hair," says Tardo. Marjan also considers it her "all-time favorite," noting how easily it glides through the hair without any snagging whatsoever. "It also closes the cuticle layer of the hair when in use, making the hair shinier, frizz-free, and so much faster to style," she shares.
Pros: Features predictive technology that helps keep hair free of damage, strong, and healthy, works great as a curler.
Cons: Expensive, only has one heat setting.
Plate width: 1 inch
Plate material: Ceramic
Heat settings: 1
Customer Review: "I was hesitant because I have thick, medium-to-coarse hair and didn't think the 'automatic' heat would work on my hair, but it does. I would have bought one years ago if I had known it could handle my hair without 450-degree settings."
Gussi's flat iron is one of the best for straight hair that's either thick or thin. It has ceramic and titanium plates that provide efficient styling and evenly distribute heat, therefore requiring fewer passes on the hair. The heat settings go as low as 330°F and as high as 420°F, so it can work for many different types of strands.
Pros: Has a 1-hour shut-off function, temperature display, comes with a heat-resistant mat, heats up in 60 seconds.
Cons: Those with thick hair might want to use wider plates.
Plate width: 1 inch
Plate material: Titanium and ceramic
Heat settings: 9
Customer Review: "After one pass with the flat iron my hair is straight. It literally doesn’t even take me 5 minutes to do my hair anymore! It’s amazing and the design is super cute!"
"One of my go-to flat irons is definitely the Lucea 1-Inch. It has Ceragloss ceramic plates for even heat and nine heat settings to choose from to keep your hair healthy even when styling. Plus, the Lucea has curved corners, which makes it super easy to not only straighten the hair but also to add waves and curls." — Brager
Pros: Features Rapid HeatIQ technology to deliver advanced heat precision, nine temperature settings, designed to smooth and straighten hair in one pass.
Cons: Expensive.
Plate width: 1 inch
Plate material: Ceramic
Heat settings: 9
Customer review: "Before purchasing the T3 Lucea flat iron, I was using the Paul Mitchell flat iron, which I absolutely loved… until I tried the T3 Lucea. This flat iron is amazing. I am so glad I purchased it. It does everything that it says it does and more."
This Hot Tools versatile styler creates salon-level looks in minutes. It's great for straighter hair types that would like to create loose waves or tighter curls on a time crunch, as it rotates easily, heats up quickly, and has rounded edges for smoother results.
Pros: Can heat up to 455ºF, ceramic-titanium plates help reduce damage, travel-ready with dual voltage.
Cons: Smaller plate size may not be ideal for thick hair.
Plate width: 1.25 inches
Plate material: Titanium and ceramic
Heat settings: Max 455℉
Customer review: "I recently lost a different high-end flat iron and found myself searching for a replacement on Prime Day shopping. I have been extremely happy with this flat iron. It's a great quality product and it gets really hot so watch your temperature. Lol. Works as advertised definitely and I would buy again if I list this one."
The Best Flat Irons for Coily Hair
"I love this flat iron that's created by the iconic Kim Kimble. It has beveled edges, which enable you to tame frizz and flyaways close to the roots without crease lines. The heating element stays consistent and can go up to 450ºF if your coily hair needs it. I also love that the two-inch ceramic plates allow for easy, user-friendly smoothing." — Tardo
Pros: Can heat up to 450ºF, has beveled edges to help tame frizz and flyaways, great for thick, curly hair.
Cons: Can be really hot to the touch.
Plate width: 2 inches
Plate material: Ceramic tourmaline
Heat settings: Max 450℉
Customer review: "Never heard about this brand until now and I was pretty impressed with this flat iron. I used the leave-in conditioner, same brand, and it left my hair really nice and soft. I was really impressed. This flat iron was effortless. Did a great job. I have thick hair and it worked great."
"This is one of my favorite flat irons because the technology used in it is gentle on the hair and leaves it looking very healthy." — Taylor
Pros: Infrared technology provides gentle heat on the hair for less damage, tourmaline and ceramic plates seal the hair cuticle and tame frizz.
Cons: Expensive, pulls the hair a bit.
Plate width: 1 inch
Plate material: Ceramic tourmaline
Heat settings: Max 450℉
Customer review: "Flat iron works very well on my hair, especially happy with dual voltage features."
This titanium flat iron has extra-long floating plates for better contact and faster styling, making it a great option for tighter coils. The ceramic and titanium technology also protects against heat damage and helps control frizz.
Pros: Longer plates for better contact and faster styling, heats up to 450°F, ceramic and titanium technology protects against heat damage.
Cons: Can be hot to the touch.
Plate width: 1 inch
Plate material: Titanium
Heat settings: 30
Customer review: "It was time to get a new straightener. After a while, they tend to start pulling hair. This one glides through like butter, as expected! Heats up really quick and the buttons are on the side so you don't turn it off as you're using it. I would purchase again."
Designed to help preserve moisture levels, boost shine, and smooth frizz, this iron is great for coils. It's also designed to be a one-pass straightener. Now, I'll admit doing only one pass doesn't always work for those with curls, but it will at least cut down on the number of passes you'll need to style.
Pros: Heats up in under one minute, heats up to 450°F, designed to straighten in one pass.
Cons: Expensive.
Plate width: 1 inch
Plate material: Ceramic
Heat settings: Max 450℉
Customer Review: "I got this as a Christmas gift for my mom, she loved it! Warms up pretty quick and it's super smooth. Love L'ange products, 100% recommend."
How to Choose the Best Flat Iron
"The most important things to keep in mind [when selecting a flat iron] are the temperature, plate material, plate shape and size, and the technology," Taylor shares.
- Plate material: "For fine to medium hair, a flat iron with ceramic plates infused with tourmaline and or magnesium would be a great choice," shares Patterson. "Titanium plates would best be for hair textures that are stronger and thicker because titanium can retain hotter heat better to assist with the smoothing of the hair," he says. (We'll go over more details on ceramic vs. titanium plates in just a moment!)
- Plate size: Those with thicker, coarser hair might fare well with wider plates to efficiently grab larger sections. On the other hand, folks with finer hair might want to use a flat iron with a narrower build.
- Technology: "A high quality flat iron will have the best plates allowing for many heat adjustments, auto shut off features, and dual voltage, especially if you’re a traveler," adds Patterson.
- Design: "I love a flat iron that has rounded edges that expands the styling options and allows for you to create waves and curls as well as sleek looks," adds celebrity hairstylist Justine Marjan. Make no mistake: Flat irons are for more than just sleek, straight styles!
- Hair type: As always, keep your hair type top of mind. "If you have fine, chemically processed hair, you won’t have the same needs from your iron that a thicker or coarser hair texture will need," Patterson notes.
What is the best temperature setting to use?
"As a rule, I would get the iron hot enough to smooth your hair in just one pass," says Patterson. "This not only minimizes physical damage to the hair but also helps to minimize heat damage. Every hair type, texture and quality of hair will need its very own tailored heat setting though." Those with finer hair shouldn't use a ton of heat, as that could cause major damage, while those with thicker hair might need to crank up the temperature a bit to get their desired smoothness.
For those with curls, Taylor recommends using a flat iron that reaches no more than 450 degrees. "Otherwise, you're going to really damage your strands and curl pattern," she notes. Generally, sticking to 400 degrees or below is a good rule of thumb—and don't forget to apply heat protectant!
Ceramic vs. Titanium Flat Irons
When shopping for flat irons, the most common materials you'll see are ceramic and titanium. While one is not necessarily "better" than the other, they each do have advantages for certain hair types.
"Ceramic plates are made the same way ceramics are made—layer on top of layer and baked. This makes the flat iron plates strong and smooth with great heat retention to them," explains Patterson. They's also typically gentler on the hair, as they allow for better temperature control, notes Marjan. "Just make sure you’re getting real and true baked ceramic plates, not an aluminum plate 'coated' with ceramic. They are not the same," Patterson adds.
Then you have titanium irons, which Patterson notes are "the smoothest plates available that also have the highest heat retention and recovery." He adds, "While these are great choices for a thicker more coarse-curly texture, I wouldn’t recommend them for finer hair textures. They’re much too powerful."
Which flat iron causes the least hair damage?
Look, heat harms your hair, no matter how you slice it. No flat iron on this list (or anywhere) will prevent damage entirely, but tools that have smart sensors, even-heat technology, or automatic heat settings are a good place to start. Try GHD's Platinum+ Styler, which keeps the temperature at an ideal 365ºF, or T3's Lucea 1-Inch Professional Straightening & Styling Flat Iron, which features special, synchronized heaters for fast, one-pass styling.
"Technically speaking, anytime you’re heat styling your hair you’re creating both heat and physical damage," Patterson caveats. "To minimize damage, always use heat protection and never style hair above 390-400 degrees Fahrenheit—ever."
"Remember that heat styling will cause moisture loss, so make sure your heat protectant is super moisturizing to combat the drying effects of the heat," adds Taylor. You can find all of our favorites in our guide here, which also come recommended time and again by hairstylists.
How We Chose the Best Flat Irons
When it comes to our testing process at Who What Wear, personal recommendations always come first. Beauty writer Shawna Hudson first chose the flat irons she specifically swears by for her own curls, making sure to include a variety of price points, sizes, and materials. Customer reviews are also important to keep in mind, so we scoured the review sections of our favorite retailers while creating this list.
We also consulted trusted experts: celebrity hairstylists Kee Taylor, Bridget Brager, Jeremy Tardo, Justine Marjan, and Gregory Patterson. With their tips on what to look for in a high-quality flat iron (plus their personal recommendations), we were able to whittle down our list to the final 16 options you see here.
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.