If you’ve been personally victimized by a hair straightener (fried stands, burn marks, the list goes on), don’t worry: The best hair straighteners for curly hair have come a long way since your first attempts at smoothing a wand through your coils. To find the best ones for different curl types, we spoke with experts for their recommendations and tips. We learned that while ceramic hot plates are more gentle on strands, titanium plates offer a smooth finish for those with thicker or more resilient hair types and textures.
One of the standout flat irons we tested is from CHI, a brand that still maintains its cult status. We found that the Lava 1-Inch Hairstyling Iron was easy to use and gives silky straight hair that can last for a week or more (if we’re pushing it). Plus, with the right heat setting you only need one pass, to help minimize the chance of heat damage. (FWIW the hair stylists we spoke to say keeping a hot tool below 400°F will generally help reduce the chance of heat damage.) While the CHI LAVA came out on top for our testers, we also tested the viral TYMO Straightening Brush, the Dyson Airstraight that can be used on wet hair, and other popular options to nail down the absolute best hair straighteners for various curly hair types.
The best hair straighteners, at a glance
- Best Overall: CHI Lava 1-Inch Hairstyling Iron, $97
- Best for Beginners: Tymo Ring Plus Ionic Hair Straightening Brush, $70
- Best for Wet Hair: Dyson Airstraight Straightener, $500
- Best for Thick, Curly Hair: Hot Tools Black Gold Dual Plate Salon Flat Iron, $21
- Best for Minimizing Heat Damage: T3 Single Pass Smooth X, $160
- Best for Adding Volume: Kristin Ess 3-in-One Professional Titanium Hair Straightener, $68
- Best for Fine, Curly Hair: Drybar The Tress Press Digital Styling Iron, $119
Best Overall: Chi Lava 1 Inch Hairstyling Iron
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Jamie Wilson testing Chi Lava 1 Inch Hairstyling Iron
- Original photo from Jamie Wilson testing Chi Lava 1 Inch Hairstyling Iron
ChevronChevron
CHI Lava 1-Inch Hairstyling Iron
Amazon
Ulta
- Plate material: Ceramic
- Plate size: 1 inch extended plates
- Temperature: Adjustable up to 450°F
- Auto shutoff: 1 hour
- Cord: 11 feet
- What we love: Great quality, LED screen and temp lock setting
- What could be improved: Outside of tool can get hot
CHI hair straighteners were incredibly popular in the 2000s for anyone flat ironing their hair, and their products still have a reputation for being some of the best today. an amazing silk press.. I like that the temperature is shown clearly on an LED screen and that the tool itself is lightweight and easily glides through my hair. I used 410°F and opted for two passes when I was testing. My hair stylist also uses this for silk presses. One thing I noticed as I was straightening is that there is a temperature lock feature so that if your hand accidentally touches the temperature setting it doesn’t alter it. That came in handy. ” says Glamour contributor Jamie Wilson.
Best for Beginners: Tymo Ring Plus iONIC Hair Straightening Brush
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Jamie Wilson testing Tymo Ring Plus iONIC Hair Straightening Brush
- Original photo from Jamie Wilson testing Tymo Ring Plus iONIC Hair Straightening Brush
ChevronChevron
Tymo Ring Plus iONIC Hair Straightening Brush
Amazon
- Plate material: Ceramic bristles
- Size: N/A; not a traditional flat iron
- Temperature: 16 settings
- Auto shutoff: Yes
- Cord: 7.87 feet
- What we love: Heats up fast and has an anti-scald design to prevent scalp and hand burns.
- What could be improved: Because of the design straightening near the hairline might be difficult
Naturally, heat damage is going to be a concern for anyone with curly hair who uses heat tools especially when testing to see if a viral product lives up to its hype. When testing out the TYMO brush, Wilson made sure she applied ample heat protectant and blow dried her strands first. She loved the fact that while this tool is high tech it was incredibly easy to use. One button is for on/off while the remaining two buttons control the heat settings. “I never go over 410 degrees, and it took 30 seconds to heat up,” she says. “I worked in small sections and brushed the tool through my hair as if I was using a regular styling brush. Yes, it was that easy. Even as the comb touched my scalp at times, it didn’t burn since the hotter plates are on the interior. Within 15 minutes I was finished straightening my entire head, a record for me. This brush is very user friendly, and a great option for anyone who is straightening their hair for the first time.”
Best for Wet Hair: Dyson Airstraight Straightener
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Malia Griggs testing Dyson Airstraight Straightener
- Original photo from Malia Griggs testing Dyson Airstraight Straightener
ChevronChevron
Dyson Airstraight Straightener
Amazon
Dyson
- Plate material: N/A
- Size: 1.6 inches
- Temperature: Three presets in wet mode (175°F, 230°F, 285°F); two presets in dry mode (250°F or 285°F)
- Auto shutoff: Auto-pause after three seconds of inactivity; standby mode after 5 minutes
- Cord: 9.6 feet
- What we love: The tool stays cool to the touch
- What could be improved: The tool pauses when not in contact with hair which can be irritating to go on and off while moving on to a new section of hair.
Malia Griggs, Glamour commerce editor rarely straightens her because she worries about hot plates burning her strands so the biggest draw for her was that the Dyson Airstraight is mean to reduce heat damage by using heated air flow instead of hot plates. Additionally, it can be used as both a straighter and as a dryer/straightener in one. “I used it fresh out of the shower with dripping wet hair, which I sectioned and sprayed with heat protectant,” says Griggs. “ I set it to ‘Wet’ and adjusted its heat (there are three heat settings and three airflow settings). I was wowed by how quickly it dried and smoothed my hair—I pressed each section slowly three times each and they were super dry. In total, it took about 15 minutes to dry my entire head of hair, and I was left with a stick-straight, shiny blowout. I really liked that the tool stayed cool to the touch (no burned fingers) while in use. It also would automatically start when it touched my hair and pause when not in contact. I liked that this reduced the noise, although it was a tad irritating to have it going on and off while I moved between hair sections. Not a dealbreaker. Overall, I was pleased—I’m not someone who likes having daily straight hair, so I may not use this very often, but if you are someone who prefers this look, then it could be a great purchase. It’ll certainly save you time.”
Best for Thick, Curly Hair: Hot Tools Black Gold Dual Plate Salon Flat Iron
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Paton Hardy testing Hot Tools Black Gold Dual Plate Salon Flat Iron
- Original photo from Paton Hardy testing Hot Tools Black Gold Dual Plate Salon Flat Iron
ChevronChevron
Hot Tools Black Gold Dual Plate Salon Flat Iron
Amazon
- Plate material: Ceramic
- Plate size: ½ inch
- Temperature: Up to 360°F
- Auto shutoff: Yes
- Cord: 8 feet
- What we love: The ability to heat up each plate individually
- What could be improved: Needs to be at a hotter setting to reduce frizz
While this hair straightener might need to be at a hotter temperature to minimize frizz, the fact that it only goes up to 360°F is actually a good thing. One of the experts interviewed for this story, hair stylist Wissam Robehmed, maintains that a range between 350°F and 385°F can help to produce sleek results while reducing the risk of “stress and damage to the hair.” Paton Hardy, Content Licensing Associate at Condé Nast who tested this product on her fine, curly hair likes the dual plate feature which allows you to iron bigger sections of hair. She did note that “if you’re looking to reduce frizziness you might have to crank it up,” but overall loved the ability to heat up each plate individually.
Best for Minimizing Heat Damage: T3 Single Pass Smooth X
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Jamie Wilson testing T3 Single Pass Smooth X
- Original photo from Jamie Wilson testing T3 Single Pass Smooth X
ChevronChevron
T3 Single Pass Smooth X
Amazon
- Plate material: Ceramic
- Size: 1 inch with extra long plates
- Temperature: 9 heat settings with a smart microchip to prevent heat fluctuations
- Auto shutoff: 1 hour auto-off
- Cord: 9-foot cord with cord wrap
- What we love: That is straightens in one pass
- What could be improved: It doesn’t show the actual temperature with when changing heat settings
Worrying about getting heat damage when straightening curly hair is one reason why some might just leave it to the professionals. However, a flat iron that touts straight hair in one pass might be worth trying out as it can lead to less damage to a curl pattern. “I wanted to see if this flat iron could really do the trick with one pass,” says Wilson. “I loved the longer plate design which made working with more hair easier. I also liked that the straightener felt secure in my hands while I was flat ironing my hair. However, I wasn’t a fan of the heat settings being nine dots that light up once you reach that setting. I prefer to know the actual temperature (but this wasn’t a dead breaker). I chose to use the fourth setting while doing my hair since it was somewhere in the middle. I liked that this did work with just one pass, although out of habit I caught myself going for a second, but it also did a good job at curling the ends of my hair too.”
Best for Adding Volume: Kristin Ess 3-in-One Professional Titanium Hair Straightener
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Kristine Straker testing Kristin Ess 3-in-One Professional Titanium Hair Straightener
- Original photo from Kristine Straker testing Kristin Ess 3-in-One Professional Titanium Hair Straightener
ChevronChevron
Kristin Ess 3-in-One Professional Titanium Hair Straightener
Amazon
- Plate material: Titanium
- Size: 1.25 inch
- Temperature: Offers three settings and reaches up to 485°F
- Auto shutoff: 30-minute auto shutoff
- Cord: 9 feet
- What we love: Heats up quickly, and 3-in-1 design to add volume
- What could be improved: Might sometimes snag hair
Titanium-plated hair straighteners are known for their ability to heat up quickly, and that can be a plus when straightening curly hair. While titanium might not be the first choice for individuals with finer hair, when it comes to a curlier hair texture, another benefit is that the material can lead to a smoother, sleeker finish. “As someone with extremely curly 3C hair, I found this iron to be very effective. It heats up quickly and offers three distinct heat settings,” says Glamour tester Kristine Straker. “The lowest setting was my preferred choice. My hair felt smooth and manageable after use. I appreciate the sleek design and was able to utilize the 3-in-1 function (you can straighten, curl, and add beach waves) to add some body to my hair, as I typically prefer it with volume rather than styled sleekly.”
Best for Fine, Curly Hair: Drybar The Tress Press Digital Styling Iron
- Courtesy of brand
- Original image by Glamour commerce director Brie Schwartz
- Original image by Glamour commerce director Brie Schwartz
ChevronChevron
Drybar The Tress Press Digital Styling Iron
Amazon
- Plate material: Titanium
- Plate size: 1 inch
- Temperature: Adjustable up to 450°F
- Auto shutoff: 60 minutes
- Cord: 9 feet
- What we love: Heats quickly; frizz-reducing ionic and infrared tech; digital temperature control
- What could be improved: Outside of tool can get hot
If it’s a two-in-one straightener and curling iron hybrid you’re looking for, consider the top-selling Drybar styler—a favorite of more than one Glamour editor. “I’m mostly inept at curling hair, let alone at using a flatiron to do anything other than run it over my already flat-as-a-board hair,” Glamour contributor Lindsay Schallon says. “But Drybar’s flatiron makes it easy, since it has rounded edges that mimic a curling wand,” she says. “It’s also super lightweight, which makes it easier to wield.”
Glamour commerce director Brie Schwartz has owned this straightener for more than five years and is a fan of how straight it gets her 3C curls. “I’ve been using a flatiron for over 25 years, and I’ve tried at least 10. I used to be loyal to the popular GHD, but I find the Dry Bar option is even better for my fine, midlength curly hair since it has a narrow barrel, and is super lightweight so my wrists don’t hurt after a styling sesh. (The GHD is a bit longer.) Despite being the daughter of a hair dresser and having been exposed to all the best hair tools out of the womb, I didn’t get her skills, and this has by far been the easiest to work with and gets as hot as the professional one she used. My wand has stayed in great shape, and despite dropping it countless times, it hasn’t broken. The one thing to note is that, after about a year, the outside started getting hotter to the touch, so I’ve had to be careful about how I grip it.” Schwartz also likes the digital temperature control that lets you know what temperature you’re operating at, up to 450°F.
Best for Textured Curly Hair: Shark Beauty FlexFusion Air
Shark Beauty FlexFusion Air
Amazon
- Plate material: Ceramic
- Size: 1.25 inch
- Temperature: Three settings plus a cool shot up to 203 ºF
- Auto shutoff: Yes
- Cord: 8 feet
- What we love: Can be used on wet hair, straightens quickly, heats up fast
- What could be improved: Attachment makes the tool heavy
For anyone interested in styling wet hair or looking to re-style dry hair without the heat damage or having to re-wash, the Shark Beauty FlexFusion Air and Ceramic System with Air Straightener is a product to consider. It works on different hair types including our tester’s textured 3C hair which is kept 90 percent dry when testing. “I knew I would get the best result for my hair type that way vs. it being totally wet,” says Wilson. “The straightener attachment was simple to put on and take off. I worked in small sections, and it only took one pass to straighten my strands (although I did a second pass out of habit). The ceramic plates didn’t take long to heat up, and I liked my results. I routinely sleep on a silk pillowcase with my hair in a silk hair tie and the style has held up for a few days now without me having to touch it up. The one thing I didn’t love was that the attachment made the styling tool feel a lot heavier than most straighteners would. It initially felt bulky and clumsy in my hands, but I eventually got the hang of it.”
Frequently asked questions
What type of hair straightener is best for curly hair?
AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron
“Ceramic takes the crown,” says Lauren Middleton, owner of Hair Majesty in Sola Salons. “It offers gentle, consistent heat that preserves moisture, unlike titanium, which, while lightning-fast and ultra-sleek, is best left to professionals (think of titanium as a Formula 1 car: thrilling, but high stakes). Ceramic’s forgiving nature and curl-friendly design make it the everyday hero for textured hair.”
Wissam Robehmed, stylist at Maven A Collect adds, “the most effective type of hair straightener for curly hair features plates infused with tourmaline. Tourmaline is a crystal that emits negative ions, helping to smooth the hair and enhance shine, particularly in damaged or frizzy strands.” He continued,”tourmaline is often combined with ceramic or titanium plates in hair straighteners, making them gentler on the hair and minimizing heat-related damage.”
While the type of plate is important, other factors like design also play a role in ensuring a hair straightener is the right choice. “For curly hair, a flat iron with wider plates is highly recommended as it can straighten more hair in one pass, reducing styling time and minimizing heat exposure,” says Dallan Flint, Oli G educator & creative artist. His go-to is from JRL Styling Tools. Flint also notes that a straightener with rounded edges is beneficial for anyone looking to create soft curls or waves versus having their hair bone straight.
What’s the best heat setting to avoid heat damage?
AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron
Minimizing heat damage is often top of mine for anyone with curly hair, wavy hair or textured hair. One of the worst feelings is going back to curly hair only to notice the curls not bouncing back. “To minimize heat damage, it’s ideal to use a hair straightener at a temperature below 400°F,” says Robehmed. “Hair that has been over-processed from coloring or frequent heat styling is more prone to breakage and discoloration. Maintaining a temperature range between 350°F and 385°F helps achieve smooth, sleek results while reducing the risk of further stress and damage to the hair.” Flint adds, “starting at a lower temperature allows you to gauge how your hair responds before increasing the heat if necessary.”
What should someone look for when shopping for a heat protector?
AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron
A good heat protecting product is a must-have when straightening hair or using any hot tools in general. Middleton suggests finding one that offers both thermal protection and hydration. “Key ingredients like silicone (a heat barrier) and argan oil (moisture retention) are non-negotiables,” she says. “Bonus points if it’s lightweight and has a luxe scent, because protection shouldn’t feel like a compromise.” Flint’s top pick is the Oli G Chemical Addiction Bonding Spray which touts nourishing properties to keep curls healthy and hydrated despite heat styling.
Robehmed notes that finding the right one isn’t one-size-fits-all. Factors like hair texture and density play a big role too. “Individuals with medium to coarse hair may benefit from richer products, such as serums or oils, while those with fine or soft hair should opt for lightweight sprays to avoid weighing the hair down,” he says. “When choosing a heat protectant, look for ingredients that help retain moisture such as keratin and natural oils like aloe vera, coconut oil, or argan oil. Maintaining moisture is essential for protecting the hair from dryness and preventing further damage.” One tip he shares is to apply heat protectant in small sections. To ensure even distribution he suggests brushing through each section. “If you need to touch up your hair with a flat iron the following day, apply a healing oil to the mid-lengths and ends of dry hair beforehand. This adds a layer of protection and helps maintain the hair’s moisture and integrity,” says Robehmed.
Is ceramic or titanium better for curly hair?
AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron
Flint notes that choosing the right straightener depends on the texture of your curls as well as its health, explaining that while ceramic plates are “more favorable,” titanium plates “can be advantageous” because of their ability to heat up fast and provide a sleek finish. For fine or thin hair, Robehmed suggests a ceramic straightener because it typically provides gentle, even heat. For medium to coarse hair, he notes that a titanium-plated straightener is more effective because it usually offers higher heat and a smoother finish that those with thick hair or more resilient hair types might need and can tolerate.
Meet the experts
AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron
- Wissam Robehmed, stylist at Maven A Collect
- Lauren Middleton, owner of Hair Majesty in Sola Salons
- Dallan Flint, Oli G Educator & Creative Artist
The post 8 Best Hair Straighteners for Curly Hair 2025, Tested & Reviewed appeared first on Glamour.
