Best Flat Irons

Top-rated flat irons in every price range

Flat irons generally come with 1-inch-wide plates. Narrower and wider sizes are available for shorter hair or longer/thicker hair, respectively.

The Farouk CHI Original Ceramic Flat Hairstyling Iron (*Est. $90) has long been a favorite of consumers. It has 1-inch-wide ceramic-coated plates that heat to 370 degrees Fahrenheit. Users at Folica.com and Amazon.com say it is easy to use and can curl and flip hair as well as straighten it. The major drawback to the CHI flat iron is that it has a fixed temperature, which may not be best if you have damaged hair that requires a lower temperature or very coarse hair, which may require more heat. Among home hair straighteners, we found the best reviews for the midpriced CHI Original Ceramic Flat Iron.

If you prefer the flexibility of adjustable temperature settings, the Farouk CHI Turbo Digital Ceramic flat iron (*Est. $120) may be a better fit. Heat varies from 176 to 392 degrees Fahrenheit and can be adjusted on the LCD display. The CHI flat iron is available in three widths (7/10 of an inch, 1 inch and 1 1/2 inches) and has automatic shut-off. Like all CHI flat irons, it has ceramic-coated plates, but users at Folica.com, Amazon.com and TotalBeauty.com claim the Turbo breaks too easily. Several complain of electrical shorts and say the Turbo stops heating up within a year of purchase. Experts at Folica.com warn that wrapping the cord around the iron while it is not in use can shorten the life of your flat iron.

The Sedu Professional Ionic Ceramic Tourmaline Flat Iron (*Est. $125) also gets good customer reviews. It has ceramic and tourmaline plates, which according to Sedu, helps to reduce static and eliminate frizz. Users at MakeupAlley.com and TotalBeauty.com insist that it cuts down their styling time and several love the lightweight feel. But others at Amazon.com and Folica.com complain that the handle doesn't insulate heat well and can cause burns. The Sedu Flat Iron has adjustable heat settings that range from 240 to 410 degrees Fahrenheit and is available in both 1- and 1 1/2-inch sizes.

If you're a dedicated hair straightener and want the very best regardless of price, consider the FHI Heat Runway (*Est. $340). Harper's Bazaar calls it the Rolls-Royce of flat irons because it has solid ceramic plates as opposed to the more common ceramic coating. This means the ceramic will never chip or peel away, but it may also be more fragile than cheaper irons. The FHI Heat was originally designed to be used at fashion shows where fast and long-lasting results are needed. Reviewers say the FHI flat iron heats up quickly and straightens hair in just one or two passes. According to FHI, the flat iron also has an integrated ceramic heating system that provides instant heat recovery, allowing the iron to maintain its temperature.

The FHI website claims the Runway has the widest temperature range in the industry, with adjustable temperatures from 140 to 450 degrees. Although editors at Allure, InStyle and Harper's Bazaar give it a high rating, we didn't find any reviews that compare the FHI flat iron to less expensive flat irons, nor did we find many user reviews for this luxury iron.

Like most of the more expensive flat irons, none of the straightening irons above have an automatic shut-off feature, so you have to be sure to unplug when you're finished with it.

Budget flat irons

We found the strongest endorsements for flat irons in the $90 to $130 range, but if you don't plan to straighten your hair every day, or just want to experiment with something inexpensive before deciding on a better quality model, you don't have to spend so much.

The Conair Instant Heat 2-inch Ceramic Straightener (*Est. $30) is a good budget option. Reviewers say its extra wide plates are especially good for thick, long hair but may not be as easy to use for shorter hairstyles. The wide plates make it hard to get close to the scalp but allow you to iron larger sections of hair, cutting down styling time. Consumers at Amazon.com are impressed with the iron's fast heat up time and affordable price tag. Several insist that the flat iron does a good job of straightening hair in minimal time but some say that it doesn't get rid of all the frizz. Experts suggest using a heat protectant and shine serum for the best results. The Conair Instant Heat Straightener comes with two brush attachments that help smooth thick, unruly hair. It has 25 variable heat settings and a limited two-year warranty.

The Revlon Perfect Heat Professional Straightener with Ceramic (*Est. $30) is another affordable option. Good Housekeeping says that it performed well in comparison tests, creating stick straight hair that lasted for long periods of time. This flat iron, however, was the big loser in a hands-on comparison of seven irons at Slate.com, where testers say it took too long to heat up and never got hot enough. Users at Folica.com are not very impressed with the iron, either. Many claim the Revlon Perfect Heat Straightener doesn't get very hot and that the ceramic begins to chip off after a period of time. Several consumers also complain that the flat iron snags hair causing breakage and damage.