The best hair straighteners for all hair types, tried and tested (2024)

Our panel of 285 testers — with every type of hair, including straight, wavy, curly, coily and kinky textures — tried a variety of hair straighteners to find the best you can buy.

They fed back on how quickly each tool heated up, how easy it was to reach their roots, whether it achieved their desired look, and how shiny and healthy their hair looked after styling.

In the GHI lab, our experts used a Bossa Nova Shuffle machine to assess how long their style lasted and how much frizz was created in a humid environment.

They also used an EV Standard machine, which records the temperature of each hair tool, to note how quickly it heated up and measure the accuracy of its temperature settings.

Score: 92/100

Here at GHI beauty HQ, we're always keen to get our hands on the latest Dyson hair tool to see how it performs in testing. And the new Airstrait didn’t disappoint. Part of a new wave of wet-to-dry hair tools (alongside the ghd Duet below), it straightens hair using a concentrated airflow, instead of the heated ceramic plates used by most, which can cause damage if the temperature is too high, they’re used too often, or you forget a heat protector. This reflects the reduced-damage approach Dyson is known for.

Testers were incredibly impressed with this high-tech hair tool. It scored full marks for straightening hair effectively and quickly, with one person saying it only around five to eight minutes to dry and style their hair – impressive. The most popular feature? It automatically switches off when you set it down, so no more worrying about leaving them on. All this, plus you get a handy HD screen that displays the airflow and temperature settings.

“Very easy to use. Heated up quickly. Hair felt smooth after using it,” was one tester’s straight to the point feedback – speedy sleekness, what more could you want?

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Score: 92/100

Like the Airstrait, this is another handsome hybrid model, which transforms hair from wet to dry and straightens in half the time. Our panel praised how soft and silky it left their lengths after drying, often without even having to use the ‘shine shot’ straightening function.

It did well in the lab, too. Our experts found it excelled in our humidity tests (meaning lengths were left sleek after use, despite humid conditions) and true-to-claim checks. Ghd assures its customers that none of the brand’s products heat above 185℃ — which it claims to be the optimum temperature for styling without damage — and our lab tests substantiated this for the Duet.

The only small complaints were that’s it’s heavy and the wide panels mean it's trickier to use on fringes and short hair (we had similar feedback for the Airstrait), but ultimately this is a game-changing tool. Read our full review here.

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Score: 86/100

Our runner up performed brilliantly in the humidity lab test, holding frizz-free styles well. Lightweight yet premium, our panel liked how the wider ceramic plates cut down on styling time, gripping sufficiently without any snagging, tangling or scorching.

Most testers found they could reach their roots comfortably, with others noticing a boost in shine. Many of those with bleached or damaged hair also thought their strands looked healthier after using it, thanks to the choice of 11 accurate heat settings to suit all hair types. In short, it’s a worthy dressing table staple.

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Score: 84/100

With its mammoth 16 heat settings, ranging from 80ºC to 235ºC, this great value styling tool offers the ultimate customisable straightening experience for all hair types, especially those with long, thick hair thanks to longer, wider plates.

If you’re looking for a smooth glider, all testers found it gripped hair without too much snagging or tangling and left them with frizz-free locks, with most seeing some diamond-like shine.

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Score: 82/100

ghd's original offering was a hit among our testers for how straightforward it was to use, getting the job done quickly and effectively.

It heated up fast, with testers finding it easy to reach both the back of their heads and their roots. Most said it helped them achieve their desired style while keeping frizz at bay, and our lab test backed this up.

Note that it turns off automatically if left for half an hour, meaning no more mid-party panics that your house might be burning down.

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Score: 82/100

Another entry from ghd, it's easy to see why the brand has built its reputation as a market-leader. We weren't disappointed in our blind tests – these lightweight straighteners are a top pick for creating poker-straight strands.

The rounded barrel makes creating curls and waves easy too, and our testers had no trouble using it for a variety of styles. They also loved how silky their hair felt after use and thought it looked healthier, too.

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Score: 81/100

You don’t want to spend ages lovingly styling your hair, only to watch it transform into a frizzy mess as soon as you step outside. Happily, this device got the thumbs-up from our testers who struggle with frizz, who said it kept flyaways at bay for a sleek finish. Their locks stood up to the elements, as everyone said their chosen style lasted till the end of the day.

The “stylish and luxurious” design was a hit, too, and most found it easy to use, hold and handle. Only a handful of testers experienced some slight discomfort during use.

Key specifications

Score: 81/100

This time-saving device lets you straighten wet hair (rather than using a hair dryer as a middle man). Its unique 'moisture sensor' measures the dampness of your mane and adjusts the temperature accordingly, with excess water particles evaporating through the holes in the plates – that’s seriously smart tech.

Our testers liked how easily it glided through their hair, and were impressed by how quickly they achieved their desired style. Many thought their hair looked healthier, shinier and smoother after use, making it perfect for anyone in need of speedy, salon-worthy results.

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Score: 80/100

The Chronos is ghd's latest release. But what makes it different from the rest? The brand claims the motion-responsive straightener is three times quicker at styling hair than the ghd original styler. And our panel backed this up, with all agreeing it was effective at quickly styling hair. “It straightened my hair without having to go over it multiple times,” said one tester.

It has two gloss-coated ceramic plates, which leave hair sleek and frizz-free in just one glide. There’s also a re-engineered wishbone, which keeps the plates in perfect alignment, so you have total control over styling, whether you’re opting for a pin straight 90s ‘do, or soft mermaid curls.

You can choose from a sleek, classic black or white colourway, but there’s also an eye-catching limited edition lime green for brightening up your dressing table.

Score: 80/100

These high-end hair straighteners have unique flexing plates, which help gently gather the hair for styling. Our testers agreed that they gripped hair easily, straightening it quickly with a single stroke.

They loved that this styler could be cordless and said the charging stand and heat-resistant travel pouch gave it a premium feel. Notable extra features include a flight mode, which temporarily disables the battery, and an OLED screen. One downside is that they’re a bit heavier than normal straighteners.

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Score: 80/100

Many of our panellists fancied this travel-friendly tool for their next trip abroad because of its compact size, speedy results and ability to retain style in humid weather. They also liked how lightweight it felt to hold and how quickly it heated up to deliver a sleek finish.

Its unique 3D floating plate claims to move in all directions to straighten strands evenly, and all testers agreed that it gripped hair easily yet gently. The majority saw frizz minimised, while one tester commended the “quality finish” and said it made their hair feel softer.

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Score: 78/100

Infrared tech isn't the first thing that comes to mind when looking for a great pair of hair straighteners, but this titanium Nicky Clarke tool certainly makes a case for it. Infrared light is supposed to help balance moisture and seal hair cuticles, but did it work?

Most testers were pleased to notice some mirror-like shine after styling, with frizz largely banished, even for those with afro hair.

Our lab test showed that it minimised flyaways and kept locks intact, even in humid conditions, making it a top pick for those with curly, bleached or damaged hair. There are 10 heat settings, too, but these weren’t always accurate.

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Score: 75/100

You may have spotted him on Celebrity Gogglebox as Davina McColl’s partner, or in one or two Garnier adverts over the years (he’s an ambassador), but Michael Douglas — not to be confused with the Hollywood star — is also a celebrity hair stylist.

He’s been a hair professional for 35 years and knows what he’s talking about when it comes to tools. His brand, mdlondon, is adored by hairdressers and beauty journalists alike with many recommending the brand’s hair dryer over pricier competitors.

So, when we heard the brand had new straightener coming out, we had to get it tested at the GHI. And it didn’t disappoint. Panellists said it was “light to hold”, so your arms won’t get sore when styling your whole head, making getting ready a less stressful experience.

They also praised the quality feel, sleek design and fast work, all of which are also true of the brand’s hair dryer. The only niggle came from those with thicker, coarser hair who would have preferred chunkier plates.

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Score: 74/100

This purse-friendly option is currently less than £30, so bargain hunters, look no further. It claims to heat up in just one minute but our lab test found it took slightly longer to reach its maximum temperature.

Still, our testers appreciated how simple it was to use and were impressed by how lightweight it was to hold and manoeuvre. Overall, they agreed that it styled their hair as they wanted, and they praised the mirror-shine it left on their strands.

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Bio:Ionic Volcanic MX 10X Styling Iron

Score: 74/100

This 11-setting styler’s innovative vibrating plates claim to give you perfectly coiffed hair in less than 10 minutes. It works to seal the cuticle (preventing damage), which in turn cuts down your styling time.

Our testers didn’t specify exactly how long it took them, but most were happy with the speed and appreciated their smooth results. Those with afro hair found it quick to style, leaving a healthy, shiny finish that the majority said lasted all day. The slight gap between the plates made it tricky to grip the hair properly, but that was a minor issue.

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Score: 71/100

Using innovative heat control and steam tech to straighten hair faster with less damage, this steampod was unique among the straighteners on test. It comes with a built-in brush and our testers said their silky style lasted throughout the day.

The majority agreed that it straightened hair instantly and most thought their hair appeared healthier and shinier. Not much water is needed per use and the panel appreciated the sturdy design and innovative steam iron technology. Some even found the steam made their hair feel more hydrated.

Key specifications

Score: 71/100

This reasonably priced tool offers a mammoth 30 heat settings, giving those with more fragile hair the option to style gently. It heated up rapidly and our lab test found it accurate at hitting its promised temperatures.

The extra-long plates (125mm) proved perfect for those with longer locks; they got through strands at pace, leaving newfound shine. Our testers liked that they cooled down quickly too, with one loving that they “didn’t need to touch up throughout the day.”

Key specifications

If you want to invest in the latest tech and take your styling seriously, opt for one of our joint winning wet-to-dry stylers. The Dyson Airstrait will transform your hair from wet to sleek fast and its auto-pause feature means you also won’t have to turn around mid-commute to check you haven’t burnt the house down. The Duet Style from ghd is equally impressive, delivering shiny, straight lengths in half the time (minimising any heat damage).

But for a more affordable option that doesn’t skimp on performance, we recommend the Remington Wet2Straight styler. And, of course, you can’t go wrong with some classic ghds – the brand’s original styler is easy to use, heated up fast and gets the job done.

Straighteners are a big investment, so you need to make sure you’ve got all your hair needs covered in one tool before you make the commitment to buy. If you’re not sure what all those buzzwords mean on the side of the box, we’ve simplified them below, so you can figure out what to prioritise.

Variable temperature settings: this is useful if you’re planning on sharing your device. Lower heat suits fine hair best, while thick or coarse tresses may need more heat to be effective.

Ionic technology: when there’s too much positive charge on each hair strand, they begin to repel each other, making hair static and flyaway. This technology helps to neutralise the charge, smoothing strands down instead.

Ceramic plates: they are slower to warm up than other materials, but they distribute heat more evenly. They tend to be cheaper too, but are more prone to chipping.

Titanium/metal plates: these get very hot quickly but tend to be expensive. Improper usage can cause heat damage, too. We recommend leaving these hair straighteners on your locks for only a few seconds at a time.

Ceramic-coated plates: they usually have a metal base topped with a ceramic layer, combining the best qualities of both materials. The outer layer can chip and wear away over time, but a good-quality model should last you at least three years if stored properly.

Additional accessories: higher priced straighteners may come with accessories such as a heat mat, gloves and a travel case.