📝 usncan Note: Best Hair Straighteners 2025 – Forbes Vetted
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Whether I’m in the mood for a pin-straight finish or loose waves, a high-quality flat iron is one of my go-to beauty tools. With a panel of three other testers, I set out to find the best hair straighteners that transform hair with minimal effort and heat damage. Based on our findings, the T3 SinglePass StyleMax earned the top spot thanks to its variety of manual settings, even heat distribution and smooth results. We also recommend the Chi Original 1-Inch Ceramic Iron, which is affordable and versatile enough to create waves and soft bends.
Our panel of four testers determined the nine best hair straighteners, with the T3 SinglePass StyleMax earning the top spot on our list.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Katherine Louie For Forbes
Here is the list of winners that earned the highest marks for different hair types.
Our testing panel evaluated each hair straightener based on its maneuverability, performance and features, with testing periods ranging from a minimum of a few months to over a year. Then, we assembled our testing notes to determine our top picks. The final list was reviewed and approved by in-house beauty expert and deputy editor Jane Sung. Below, find the best hair straighteners of 2025, along with helpful shopping tips from two expert hair professionals.
T3’s SinglePass StyleMax stands out from the competition thanks to its nine manual heat settings, ranging from 260 to 410 degrees Fahrenheit, including three pre-programmed ones that correspond to your hair type (ensuring you’re not using too much heat and scorching your strands). The CeraGloss ceramic plates heat evenly and glide through hair without tugging or pulling. During my testing on my thin, wavy hair, I was able to straighten each section in one pass—with only a few stubborn sections requiring two—to achieve my desired look. I also appreciated the rounded edge barrel that didn’t leave creases in my hair when I experimented with using the iron for waves and loose curls.
The T3 SinglePass StyleMax stands out thanks to its nine manual heat settings and versatility.
Katherine Louie For Forbes
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Although you can’t adjust the temperature on this straightener, it delivers impressive results, whether you’re after super straight hair, loose waves or curls. I’ve owned a Chi ceramic iron for over ten years, and it’s a staple in my arsenal because it consistently leaves me with smooth, shiny results. The ceramic plates heat quickly and provide even heat throughout use. It’s also incredibly easy to maneuver thanks to the extra-long swivel cord and compact size.
The Chi’s smooth ceramic plates heat quickly and provide even heat as you work through your hair.
Molly Calhoun For Forbes
Another long-haired tester with fine, wavy strands—but a lot of hair overall—has used this flat iron for over a year and agrees that it works quickly and efficiently. “Despite having just one heat setting of 392 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature was enough to reshape all sections of my hair in just one pass (although I did have to do two passes on the layers around my face),” she says. “This was refreshing because I get a little anxious about heat damage when I have to go over the same section several times.”
For a higher-end hair tool that leaves you with enviously sleek, shiny and healthy-looking strands, we recommend the GHD Platinum+ Styler. Its unique wishbone-style design sets it apart from other models, and the continuous barrel doesn’t have a hinge with a gap that could accidentally pinch your hand. The button placement on the inside of the flat iron also ensures you don’t change the setting while you style your hair.
The GHD’s unique wishbone-style design sets it apart from other models.
Katherine Louie For Forbes
Similar to the Chi Original Ceramic Iron, this has one heat setting of 365 degrees Fahrenheit that’s designed to be the ideal temperature for straightening strands without causing excess heat damage. After testing, I found that the set temperature worked well for my hair and left my strands surprisingly shiny and smooth. The flexible ceramic plates heated up quickly and didn’t tug or pull my hair. And the sleek white barrel is also comfortable to hold and feels fairly lightweight in my hands.
If you’re traveling, commuting or want an easy way to style your hair after the gym, this mini hair straightener is a great option. I tested a very similar model, the now discontinued Kristin Ess Mini, which shares the same dimensions with the NanoBlack Mini. (The main difference between the two is that the NanoBlack Mini has ceramic plates, while the Mini has titanium plates.) It’s lightweight and compact, meaning you can easily stash it in your purse or overnight bag, and it’s exceptionally easy to maneuver. There’s only one heat setting—380 degrees—which is a good middle-of-the-road temperature that should work for different hair types and textures.
The Kristin Ess Mini Flat Iron is lightweight, compact and exceptionally easy to maneuver.
Katherine Louie For Forbes
This temperature worked well for my type 2A wavy hair, and the rounded body didn’t leave any unwanted bends when creating different hairstyles. I also brought this flat iron to a workout class, and it was easy to use to touch up my face-framing layers afterward. Plus, the universal dual voltage is a nice feature for travel, along with the automatic shut-off for peace of mind. Just keep in mind that it will take much longer to style long or thick hair, as this is much smaller than your standard straightener.
If you’re looking for a cordless hair straightener, the Dyson Corrale is our top pick for its innovative design and strong performance. A full charge gives it 30 minutes of continuous use, which I’ve found is plenty of time to style my hair; but if you have very long (or thick) hair, you may need more time. Another standout feature is the flexing manganese copper alloy plates, which help to gather hair and give you more control when styling. I typically use this on the medium setting of 365 degrees Fahrenheit (it also comes in 330 or 410 degrees), and it glides smoothly through my strands and does a great job of eliminating frizz.
The Dyson Corrale has three temperature settings (330, 365 and 410 degrees) and heats up quickly.
Katherine Louie For Forbes
It charges quickly and comes with a nice heat-resistant travel pouch that prevents it from getting scratched in my overnight bag. Two downsides I’ve noticed are the weight, as it weighs about 20 ounces—more than the other flat irons we tested—and it was a bit trickier to use for creating waves or curls.
Thick hair can take longer to style, but the Bio Ionic OnePass Styling Iron’s slightly wider plates enable you to corral more hair in each section. The adjustable heat, up to 450 degrees, also caters to different hair types and gives you more control. “It’s the best straightener I’ve ever had,” says our tester with thick hair. “It requires very few reps—sometimes just one pass through is enough.”
The Bio Ionic Moisturizing Heat Technology is said to help infuse each strand with more moisture and prevent heat damage.
Bridget Chapman For Forbes
Another benefit? According to the brand, its proprietary Bio Ionic Moisturizing Heat Technology helps infuse each strand with more moisture and prevent heat damage. “I have a lot of hair, and it’s super effective at not only straightening any parts I need done quickly, but also not hurting the quality of my hair. Instead, it helps smooth it out,” says our tester. For those with longer hair, this straightener is also available in a 1.5-inch version.
With its ceramic construction and wider plates, this flat iron is a great option for those with long, thick or unruly hair. The broad plates allow it to handle more hair at a time while still effectively straightening strands, and the wide range of temperatures lets you find the right heat for your hair type. “The iron’s ceramic floating plates have an extremely smooth glide, and the plate’s beveled edges allow me to angle the iron as I move it through my hair to create waves sans creases,” says our tester. She also notes that it was difficult to use on short hairs around her face and required slightly more wrist strength.
The BondiBoost Flat Iron stands out for its lowest temperature out of all the ones we tested, 210 degrees Fahrenheit, which is helpful for those with thin, fragile or damaged hair. The ceramic plates infused with Australian aloe powder are said to help boost shine and eliminate frizz with every use. When I first used this, I was afraid residue might be left on my strands, but I was pleasantly surprised that my strands just felt healthy afterward—no powder or stickiness in sight.
The ceramic plates on the Bondi Boost flat iron are infused with Australian aloe powder to help boost shine and eliminate frizz.
Katherine Louie For Forbes
Although I usually opt for a middle-of-the-road temperature closer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, I tested this on the lowest setting and found that at that temperature I had to make a few passes through each section to achieve a slick-straight look. However, I think the lowest setting is a great option for those concerned about their hair health who want to eliminate frizz and add some shine quickly.
While this flat iron is adept at straightening all hair types thanks to gentle ceramic plates, it stands out for its innovative design and nine temperature settings. “I used to use a traditional straightener and brush combo, and this tool combines the two,” says our tester with tight-textured hair. “It heats up super quickly and gets the job done in just a few passes. It’s an awesome heat styling tool if you’re especially worried about damaging your roots.” We also appreciate that it comes with convenient accessories such as a travel bag, protective glove and two hairpins.
The Tymo Ring Plus is a combination of a hot comb and a straightener; it heats up super quickly and gets the job done in just a few passes.
Whitney Bruno For Forbes Vetted
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
At Forbes Vetted, our beauty and grooming vertical contains dozens of haircare stories. To create these guides, our team of editors and writers rigorously researches, evaluates and tests a wide array of products to determine the best options for every shopper.
- Relatedly, we’ve published roundups of styling tools—many of which we tested ourselves—including curling irons, hair dryers and blow dryer brushes.
- Author Katherine Louie is a lifestyle editor with over seven years of product testing under her belt. She has personally tested six of the hair straighteners in this guide and many others over over the years as part of her daily routine.
- This story was assigned, produced and edited by deputy editor Jane Sung, who oversees the beauty and grooming category and has over two decades of experience covering lifestyle topics.
- Louie, who has medium-length and thin, wavy hair, recruited three additional testers with varying hair types. The additional panel testers include beauty writer Molly Calhoun, who has long, wavy hair that’s fine; senior mattress and sleep editor Bridget Chapman, whose long hair is thick with a slight wave; and editorial assistant Whitney Bruno, representing tight-textured, curly hair. These three team members have several years’ collective experience evaluating and reporting on products.
- Louie also gathered key insight and guidance from two industry experts: Drew Schaefering, creative director and stylist at Brooklyn-based Rob Peetoom Salon and Bri Anderson, stylist at Belle Sirène Salon in La Jolla, CA.
- We update this story regularly to ensure that all product information and pricing is relevant and current. It was most recently refreshed in August 2025 by beauty writer Claire Epting, who expanded upon our section of frequently asked questions.
How We Tested The Best Hair Straighteners
Our testing panel consisted of four Forbes Vetted team members, who represent a variety of hair types, including thick, wavy, thin and curly. When rating each hair tool, we focused heavily on maneuverability and performance. Additional criteria such as temperature options, material and plate size were also noted.
Maneuverability
To determine maneuverability, we assessed each iron’s weight, cord length (or cordlessness) and swivel, which contribute to overall ease of use. Straightening your entire head can take more than 30 minutes—depending on your hair type and texture—and a lightweight tool can help avoid arm strain. An extra long or swivel cord also enables you to work around your head and move freely around your bathroom as you work.
Effectiveness
We also assessed whether the iron works as advertised and how many passes each one required to effectively straighten hair and leave it smooth and shiny. Before testing each tool, we started with clean hair that was freshly washed, conditioned and air dried. We also noted the longevity of the finished style and whether hair needed to be touched up after a few hours.
Our panel of editors tested top flat irons on various hair types.
Katherine Louie For Forbes
Heat Damage
Additionally, we checked for split ends and broken, dry or damaged strands. Heat damage can be difficult to determine after a few uses, but excessive dryness or brittle ends after extensive use can indicate that the tool has caused some damage.
How To Pick The Best Hair Straightener
To ensure you pick a flat iron that leaves you with sleek, straight and healthy strands, we consulted several professional hairstylists with extensive experience using hot tools. Here’s what to look for.
Temperature Settings
Many hair straighteners have pre-programmed low, medium and high heat settings, while more basic options have just one setting. There are also higher-tech models that let you set the exact temperature of the plates, giving you more control over your styling. While it varies depending on the exact model, many multi-setting flat irons start at around 210 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and go all the way past 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Those with thick, coarse hair benefit from a hair straightener with a higher temperature range, while users with thinner hair should opt for one with a lower temperature range.
Whichever type of hair straightener you choose, pay attention to the temperature of the plates to avoid heat damage. As a rule of thumb, “thin or fine hair shouldn’t exceed being exposed to a temperature of 300 degrees, medium hair shouldn’t exceed 375 degrees,and thick or coarse hair shouldn’t exceed 450 degrees,” says Anderson.
Design
Straightening your entire head can be time-consuming, depending on your hair type and texture. Look for a tool that’s lightweight, easy to maneuver and comfortable to hold. Extra features like an extra-long or swivel cord are also worth considering. If you don’t want to be tied to an outlet, the cordless Dyson Corrale is a great option if you’re willing to spend a bit more and not daunted by the added weight.
Plate Material
Consider your hair type to determine which material is best and which will cause the least heat damage. Ceramic, tourmaline and titanium are all good options for flat irons; here’s a breakdown on each:
- Ceramic: “Ceramic is the best option overall for a safe and less damaging hot tool because of the infrared technology, which works to straighten the hair from the inside out,” says stylist Bri Anderson. Ceramic also heats evenly and is gentler on strands, making it optimal for thin, color-treated or damaged hair.
- Tourmaline: Tourmaline straighteners are ceramic or metal irons coated with a mineral that produces negative ions, helping create a smooth, almost glass-like finish. “Tourmaline is excellent at controlling frizz and giving shine thanks to its negative ion-emitting properties,” says stylist Drew Schaefering. Anderson agrees: “Tourmaline irons are a good choice for almost any hair type, but especially for those looking to reduce frizz.”
- Titanium: Titanium plates heat up the fastest and hold higher temperatures, typically requiring fewer passes through your hair. “Titanium has high heat retention and durability, which is great for thicker hair types,” says Schaefering.
Plate Width
When it comes to plate width, consider the length and thickness of your hair. Wider plates can quickly straighten long locks, but as a general rule, 1-inch plates work great for most hair lengths and styles.
