A hair straightener can transform your hair. This is, without a doubt, one of the most important hair tools you can buy. And buying the best model makes for long-lasting effects without the worry of causing significant damage to your hair.
It's often the case that people assume GHD dominate the world of hair straighteners and there are no other options. Wrong. While GHD do create good hair straighteners – the GHD Classic Flat Iron Styler is our top pick – we have also found several different models that can do the job equally as well, for a much friendlier price tag. See them below.
GHD Classic Flat Iron Styler
It heats up in just 30 seconds
This is the best for everything – it's great for straightening as well as creating curls, waves, and flicks. It's also affordable and it styles at 365ºF.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Quick heat up time
- Safe to use
- Fast, long-lasting results
Cons:
- One temperature setting
The GHD Original heats up in 30 seconds making it great if you're often in a rush – spend 8 to 10 seconds on each strand for long-lasting results. It features floating ceramic plates and works at the optimum styling temperature of 365ºF. The automatic sleep mode turns the iron off if left unattended for 30 minutes and it has a long, 8ft cable. As for design, this hair straightener comes in black and gold and it's fairly lightweight.
GHD Platinum Professional Styler with Tri-Zone Technology
Incredibly smart and high priced for good reason
This straightener is GHD's newest released model. Built inside is up to date technology to straighten and improve the condition of your hair.
Pros:
- Quick to heat up
- Leaves hair shiny
- Smart
- Great for curling and waving
Cons:
- Expensive
- No temperature control
The GHD Platinum features ultra-zone technology to predict the needs of your hair as you style. This technology also guarantees even heat distribution from root to tip. The plates are floating and it features a wishbone hinge to make them easier to use whether curling or straightening. They turn off after 30 minutes and heat up in 20 seconds. In the box comes a heat-resistant plate guard, too.
DAFNI Allure Portable Hair Straightening Brush
A cordless hair straightening brush that packs a punch
This straightener brush is a great buy if you're a frequent traveller. It's also easy to use and comes with a storage pouch.
Pros:
- Cordless
- Easy to use
- Comes with pouch
- Great for frizz
- Turns off after 15 mins
Cons:
- Heavy
- Longer heat up time than others
The DAFNI Allure Portable Hair Straightening Brush is handbag sized making it great for traveling and perfect for quick touch-ups. It's also cordless – one charge gives it 30 minutes of power – and it styles hair at 365°F. It works pretty much the same as a brush but you need to do the process slower for better results. It also comes complete with a pouch.
KIPOZI Professional Titanium Flat Iron Hair Straightener
Wide plates and an LCD screen are the perfect combo
This KIPOZI model may be easy on the wallet but it's packed with features.
Pros:
- Digital LCD display
- Easy to use
- Lots of temperature settings
- Great for hard to manage hair
- Affordable
Cons:
- Flimsy
The KIPOZI Professional hair straightener has an LCD display to select a temperature from 270ºF to 410ºF. Use the former temperature on fragile hair, the middle option (350ºC) on coloured or damaged hair and the highest temperature on healthy hair. This hair straightener turns itself off after 60 minutes of inactivity and it features titanium plates for a tighter press. It's suitable for all hair types and budgets and it has a dual voltage making it great for frequent travellers.
GHD Gold Professional Styler Flat Iron
Great for thicker hair and bigger curls
Wider plates mean less work and bigger curls. It also has an auto-shut off mode for safety reasons.
Pros:
- Great for thick and long hair
- Good at curling
- Heat up fast
- Auto shut off
Cons:
- One temperature setting
The GHD Max has two broad two-inch (50.8mm) plates to get the job done faster. It's a great option for thicker and longer hair types. And, it has a rounded barrel to make curling long hair that little bit easier. It styles at 365°F, heats up in 30 seconds and automatically turns off after 30 minutes. It has an 8.8ft cable and in the box comes a protective plate guard.
Remington Shine Therapy Advanced Ceramic Hair Straighteners
With Moroccan Argan Oil and Vitamin E infused plates
With oil infused plates, this hair straightener will add shine to your hair as you style. It also has nine heat settings to choose from.
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Infused with Moroccan Argan Oil and Vitamin E
- Digital temperature display
- Nine heat settings
Cons:
- Effects aren't super long lasting
The Remington Shine Therapy is a great option for damaged, fragile hair types. Its plates are infused with Moroccan Argan Oil and Vitamin E to give your mane a shiny finish. This hair straightener has nine different heat settings to choose from starting at 300ºF to 445ºF. It heats up in just 15 seconds. It also turns off after 60 minutes and it retails at a bargain price.
The verdict
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The best hair straightener you can buy is the GHD Original Styler. If you're strapped for cash try out the KIPOZI Professional model and if you're prepared to spend more, check out the GHD Platinum hair straighteners. If it's a travel-friendly model you're after, the DAFNI Allure is your best option and if you need a wide styler, the GHD Max is the one for you. Last but not least, the Remington Shine Therapy is a great option for damaged hair.
