Choosing a pair of hair straighteners is a long-term commitment, so careful consideration is essential. The best models can transform a bad hair day into a great one, delivering smoothness and shine while offering styling versatility. Whether you are replacing a decade-old pair, need to tame frizz and curls, or want to create waves in straight hair, we have you covered.
Best Hair Straighteners: Quick List
- Best overall: GHD Chronos Max
- Best for thick hair: Cloud Nine New Contouring Wide Iron
- Best for damaged hair: Babyliss Sensor Protector Styler
- Best wet-to-straight: Shark Silkipro
- Best for curly hair: L’Oréal Professional SteamPod 4.0
- Best budget: Remington Shine Therapy
How We Test
When testing hair straighteners, we use them exactly as we would on a typical day. I washed my hair as usual, then either blow-dried or air-dried before styling with heat protection. Key factors assessed include straightening speed, temperature range, ease of use, and value for money compared to similar products.
1. Best Straighteners Overall: GHD Chronos Max
The GHD Chronos Max features HD motion-responsive technology that adapts to your styling and adjusts power for consistent heat. It heats up rapidly and straightens hair effectively. With wide plates for more coverage, it can create waves and flicks, though less precisely than thinner models. The fixed 185°C setting minimises damage while delivering sleek results. However, for thick hair, the temperature may not be sufficient, requiring multiple passes. It produced a glossy, healthy finish that lasted 24 hours, making it ideal for medium-thickness hair and those prioritising damage reduction.
2. Best for Thick Hair: Cloud Nine New Contouring Wide Iron
Designed with wide plates for faster styling of long, thick hair, this straightener took only 20 minutes on my coarse hair. Curved plates allow versatile styling, including curls and flicks. Its unique Revive Mode uses vibrating plates to distribute heat evenly and reduce breakage, enabling styling at a lower 150°C. My hair looked healthier and super straight despite the lower heat. It is easy to use and leaves hair flawless, but the high price may not justify the performance compared to cheaper alternatives. A £70 hair repair kit is included.
3. Best for Damaged Hair: Babyliss Sensor Protector Styler
This straightener monitors hair temperature 50 times per second and adjusts heat to prevent damage. For my dry, bleached hair, it produced a sleek, shiny look while minimising damage. The Protect Mode can toggle the breakage shielding feature. It is straightforward to use and works well with thick hair, though multiple passes may be needed at lower heat. It offers a luxury finish at a more affordable price than GHD or Cloud Nine.
4. Best Wet-to-Straight: Shark Silkipro
The Shark Silkipro excels at taking hair from soaking wet to straight quickly, ideal for busy evenings. It has a Wet mode for drying and a Dry mode for a sleek finish. Included attachments are a wide-tooth comb for rough-drying and a precision comb for smoothing. Heat sensors reduce unnecessary heat exposure. While heavy, it is significantly cheaper than the Dyson Airstraight and delivers fantastic results.
5. Best for Curly Hair: L’Oréal Professional SteamPod 4.0
This straightener uses steam to tame frizz and curls, leaving hair silky smooth and soft. It comes with three comb attachments for different hair types and high-pressure steam for versatile finishes, including curls and flicks. The plates heat to a constant 100°C for defined curls. The style lasts until the next wash, and hair feels healthier. However, it requires demineralised water for optimal performance, which is an extra step. The high price is justified for regular use.
6. Best Budget: Remington Shine Therapy
These affordable straighteners heat up in 15 seconds and have nine heat settings up to 230°C. Plates infused with Moroccan argan oil reduce frizz and add gloss, but may cause greasiness at high temperatures. They offer no special heat protection, so use a heat spray. Ideal for quick, straight styles on a budget.
Our Verdict
The GHD Chronos Max is our top all-rounder, suitable for most hair types with wide plates and lower heat settings for healthy locks. For thick or curly hair, the Shark Silkipro or L’Oréal Steampod are excellent choices. Budget-conscious buyers will appreciate the Remington Shine Therapy for fast results, though with less damage protection.
Expert Tips
Session stylist Syd Hayes emphasises ensuring roots are completely dry before straightening and using tension with one slow pass for best results. Avoid straightening wet or damp hair unless using a wet-to-straight tool, as it can cause severe damage. To maintain style, sleep on a silk pillow and avoid touching hair excessively; dry shampoo can help with oily roots.
