Best Flat Irons

BaByliss Pro offers two hot irons that garner top reviews

Need to tame coarse, curly hair? If so, you will need a flat iron that heats things up, and the BaByliss Pro Nano Titanium 1-1/4\" Titanium-Plated Straightening Iron (*Est. $95 and up) is an excellent choice.

This iron is a favorite of InStyle and Folica.com editors, and it receives rave reviews at Ulta.com and Amazon.com. The titanium plates reach 450 degrees Fahrenheit in a matter of seconds and get hair perfectly straight with just one pass; it also has a four-year warranty.

Owners' chief complaint is that the BaByliss Pro Nano Titanium can be very damaging at high temperatures; however, the temperature is adjustable to a range that's safer for all hair types.

As with most professional-grade irons, this one does not have an automatic shut-off, so use with caution. It's also possible to burn fingers on the edges of the plates, so some users recommend wearing a heat-proof glove (a wise choice for anyone who wields a flat iron).

The BaByliss Pro Nano Titanium 1\" Ultra-Thin Straightening Iron (*Est. $130) is a popular option for shorter hair. It's very similar to the larger version, but slimmer and more compact. Some say it's not quite as powerful, though it still reaches 450 degrees Fahrenheit. We also found favorable reviews for the Sedu Pro Ionic Ceramic Flat Iron (*Est. $130) -- which has wide plates that are good for very long hair -- BaByliss Pro Porcelain Ceramic 1\" Straightening Iron (*Est. $60) and the GHD Classic Styler (*Est. $185) , though none was as popular with both users and pros.

Many owners swear by cheap flat irons

Though high-end brand names reign supreme at many beauty sites and in beauty editors' closets, less expensive models from Conair, Remington and Revlon get lots of attention from users. In some cases, these drugstore offerings have features that their more expensive counterparts do not, such as an automatic shut-off and latch locks for easier storage.

The Remington Style Purple 1\" Digital Heat Ceramic Flat Iron (*Est. $25) and Remington Frizz Therapy 1\" Flat Iron (*Est. $50) stand out. These flat irons are popular among buyers at Walmart.com, Target.com and Amazon.com (among other sources). While many users praise these irons, that praise is often qualified with the phrase "for the price." Some say pricier models yield smoother results; others say these cheap flat irons break easily; still, more owners maintain there's no need to invest in a high-end model. Both have digital temperature settings, and the Remington Frizz Therapy 1" Flat Iron has an automatic shut-off and comes with a four-year warranty.