As a beauty journalist, I’ve tried my fair share of hair tools over the years. As someone with thick, wavy hair, I’ve always been on the hunt for the best hair straighteners, and after years of testing, I believe I’ve found some absolute winners. You see, although I love to embrace my natural texture, some days I wake up wanting that sleek, smooth finish that only a pair of hair straighteners can achieve.
So which ones do I turn to, I hear you ask. Luckily for you, I’ve rounded up my top picks below, including all the info on why I love them so much. I’ve even asked some of the team at Who What Wear UK which hair straighteners they can’t live without, so there are options to suit a range of hair types.
Plus, I’ve spoken to the experts to find out exactly what to look for when choosing the best hair straightener for you. Keep on scrolling for everything you need to know in order to get your silkiest hair yet…
I spoke to Samantha Cusick, UK Ambassador for GHD, who said: “When it comes to choosing the best hair straighteners for each hair type, it’s essential to consider a few factors. For fine or thin hair, I recommend a tool like the Ghd Platinum+ Styler as it’s designed to provide optimal heat and reduce hair damage, perfect for delicate strands. For thick or coarse hair, you want something that can handle higher temperatures to deliver smooth, long-lasting results. Lastly, for curly or wavy hair, opt for a straightener with wider plates that can easily tackle larger sections, making styling quicker and more efficient. Always prioritise features like temperature control, ceramic plates, and advanced technology for the best results, no matter your hair type.”
As mentioned above, there are a couple things to consider before investing in a new pair of hair straighteners. One of the main things to look into is the plates. “As a creative artist for GHD, I understand the importance of different plates on hair straighteners and how they cater to various hair types and styling needs,” explains Cusick. “Ceramic plates are excellent for even heat distribution, ensuring smooth and consistent results while minimising damage. Floating plates are a must-have feature for versatile styling as they adjust to the hair’s thickness, allowing you to create curls, waves, or straight looks with ease. Whatever your hair type or styling preference, choosing the right plates on your hair straighteners can make a significant difference in achieving the perfect finish.”
The next thing to think about is the temperature settings. Some people might prefer a range of temperature settings to see which one suits their hair the best. Others might prefer the straighteners to be set at an optimum temperature, as consistent and controlled heat can help reduce excessive heat damage.
There are other aspects to consider such as whether you want wireless straighteners for styling on the go, or whether you want straighteners that plug in for longer styling times. You can also look for straighteners with advanced technology that may help tackle things such as flyaways, so definitely read up on all the information before adding to basket.
To make things a little easier, I’ve rounded up lots of different options below for you to browse in order to find your perfect hair tool.
Who What Wear UK’s Beauty Editor, Eleanor Vousden, loves the original GHD hair straighteners. These straighteners come with floating plates, so you can create a range of different looks, and they are set at the optimum styling temperature of 185 degrees. “So many consider these as their holy grail straightening irons. These were the first hair straighteners I ever tried and it’s not hard to see why they are a crowd-pleaser. They leave hair super sleek and with an amazing shine. I’ve recently had more face-framing layers cut into my hair and they’re ideal for quickly adding shape and hold. If you’re deciding between these and the Max Styler size, I’d recommend going for the former if your hair is shoulder length or shorter and naturally straight, and the latter if you have longer or thicker hair.” Key specifications: 185 degree temperature, ceramic plates and 2.7m cable. Best for: Creating a range of different looks. Pros: Quick to heat up, easy to use and leaves your hair looking shiny. Cons: Not the best option for long or thick hair
It wouldn’t be a roundup of the best hair straighteners without the Dyson Corrale. These are some of the most impressive hair straighteners I have tried, and I wouldn’t expect anything less from the brand. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but they come with flexing plates that actually shape around your hair, making the whole process so much easier. They also come with three heat settings and have been designed with all hair types in mind. The curved ends means that you can create range of curly and wavy looks, so you’re never short of options. Oh, and you can also get up to 30 minutes cordless styling time, which is a definite bonus. Key specifications: Three heat settings, flexing plates and 360 degree charging cable. Best for: A unique styling experience. Pros: Easy to use, can create a range of looks and can get 30 minutes cordless styling time. Cons: Expensive
“I have natural 4C hair that’s quite thick and hard for me to manage,” says Who What Wear UK’s Social Media Editor, Joy Ejaria. “In the last year, I’ve chosen to wear my hair straight because it cuts down my morning routine significantly. I love a silk press and have found the key to that lustrous silky salon finish is in the tools I use. The Babyliss Rose Blush Straightener promises a super sleek finish and that is exactly what the titanium ceramic plates and 13 heat settings deliver.” Key specifications: 13 heat settings, titanium ceramic plates and 3m salon swivel cord. Best for: Thick and curly hair. Pros: Affordable, leaves a super sleek finish and has lots of different heat settings to choose from depending on your hair type. Cons: The plates can get very hot
“Up until recently, I’ve always had very long and thick hair with minimal layers, and the act of straightening my hair quickly became a chore with standard size straightening plates,” says Eleanor. “However, when I first tested the Max Styler, this all changed. It boasts extra-wide plates that allow you to straighten larger sections of hair, making the process far quicker, and it’s ideal for those who have thick or curly hair. I also love to use these to add a soft bend to my lengths for undone waves, and it never fails to leave my hair looking shiny and sleek.” Key specifications: Wide plates, 2.7m cable, 185 degree temperature and dual-zone technology to help with heat distribution. Best for: Long and thick hair. Pros: The wide plates make styling hair so much quicker and leaves hair looking silky smooth. Cons: Slightly more expensive than other models
If you want a sleek, smooth finish, but don’t want to cause too much damage, then I recommend these hair straighteners by KEEO. They have these clever plates that reduce tension on the hair, and in turn reduce any pulling and let some movement shine through. The gaps between the plates also mean that less heat is applied directly to the strands (the straighteners are set at 190 degrees), so overall they are a lot gentler and kinder. If you have thin or fine hair, then I would definitely recommend these. Key specifications: Contoured plates, 190 degree temperature and 2.7m cable. Best for: Thin and fine hair. Pros: The contoured plates reduce tension and heat. Cons: They don’t work as well on thick hair
Who What Wear UK’s Copy Editor, Georgia Seago, loves this Hot Tools Styler. “I’ve been straightening my wavy hair since before I can remember, so I have a few requirements from a pair of straighteners. They have to get hot enough (around 180 degrees for me), the plates have to be coated in something that leaves my hair smooth and silky, the cord needs to swivel and be long enough to manoeuvre around whatever room I’m doing my hair in, and they need to work quickly. These Hot Tools ones tick all of my boxes, and they also have an automatic sleep mode in case you forget to turn them off before leaving the house (one less thing to be anxious about), plus a temperature dial, so you can figure out the optimum temperature for your hair texture and avoid overheating it.” Key specifications: Gold titanium plate surface, 27 heat settings and 3m cable. Best for: A smooth, silky finish. Pros: Affordable, come with a long cable making them easier to use and have lots of temperature settings to choose from. Cons: The 25mm style might not be best for thick hair
If you want to be able to straighten your hair on the go, you can’t go wrong with the GHD Unplugged Cordless Styler. This clever cordless hair straightener is light and compact, with 20 minutes of cordless styling, making it ideal for travel. I would say that if you have longer or thicker hair it might be hard to do your whole head of hair with this, but it’s great for touch ups throughout the day. Key specifications: 20 minutes of cordless styling time, dual-zone technology and 185 degree temperature. Best for: Hair touch ups on the go. Pros: The compact size makes it easy to travel with. Cons: Only lasts for 20 minutes
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