The Best Hair Straighteners for Every Hair Type and Budget

We answer the most common hair straightening questions including the how’s, the why’s and what’s, as well as go into a little more detail about the best hair straighteners for every hair type.

Here at Cosmetify, we have a wide range of brands and hair styling tools to choose from, including budget-friendly options and luxury splurges. Better yet, you can find the best device for long, short, curly, fine or thick hair in one single place. Luckily, we've rounded up our faves to help speed up your search. Take a look...

Best straightener for thick hair

When searching for the best hair straighteners for thick tresses remember to pick one with larger plates as this will help save you plenty of time and effort.

Of course, the top choice for any hair type is ghd. Their Max Styler has larger, smoother plates which move effortlessly through curly and thick hair. It also has innovative ceramic heat technology which helps it stay at a consistent temperature for fast, effective results.

Best straightener for fine hair

With thinner hair you don’t want to apply too much heat for too long. You need a speedy tool which gets the job done quickly and efficiently, and the PRO Keratin straightener from BaByliss does just this. With various temperature settings to suit your unique hair type and keratin-infused ceramic plates that help control flyaways, this is the tool for all you fine-haired beauties.

Best straightener for afro hair

Now, this is an exciting piece of hair styling kit. It uses innovative steam technology and 3 heat settings suitable for fine to thick locks to help cut down styling time and ensure less damage. Plus, it contains an integrated comb which smooths your strands as you go. It’s a great option for all hair types, but particularly great for afro and curly hair.

Best straightener for curly hair

Whether you want to transform your curls into straight tresses or add more beachy waves, this pro tool is the perfect option. It has keratin-infused ceramic plates which help smooth any flyaways and are suitable for all types of hair styles. It also has 10 digital temperature settings, so you can easily customise the tool depending on your hair texture.

Best straightener for short hair

Shorter hair can be trickier to style, but never fear, ghd are here to save the day. This cordless device is perfect for shorter styles or for smoothing your new curtain bangs. The lightweight straighteners are the perfect size for travelling. Plus, it has floating plates which is great for precision styling.

Best straightener for long hair

We all know long hair takes forever to finish styling, which means you need to look out for a device with thicker plates. The wider 35mm ceramic-coated plates on these BaByliss PRO hair straighteners are ideal for longer, thicker tresses. It makes gliding through your strands as easy as pie and helps you achieve glossy, sleek locks in no time at all.

Best budget hair straightener

Can you tell we love BaByliss? It’s no secret they have some of the best and most affordable hair styling electrical devices on the market. This classic pair of ceramic straighteners use nano titanium technology for smooth, sleek results in a flash.

Best hair straightener for frizzy hair

Molly Mae is the ultimate hair inspo for smooth, sleek locks. And her straightening kit from Beauty Works helps you emulate her ‘do at home with ceramic coated plates and a vegan-friendly paddle brush. This duo helps smooth any frizz for a silky, smooth finish. Pair with the Beauty Works Anti Frizz Serum for the ultimate glossy look.

Best hair straightener brush

A little off-piste, but we thought we’d add in one of our favourite hot air brushes for easy styling. This innovative brush from Braun cuts styling time down dramatically and is ideal for on-the-go straightening while you’re travelling. It glides through your tresses and helps smooth any fizz using Iontech technology.

Best luxury hair straightener

They say save the best for last and while we love all the other options, we can’t help but lust after this sleek, minimalist (and cordless!) hair straightener. The curved plates are kinder to your hair and minimises friction so you can style at a lower temperature for less damage. With a magnetic cord and futuristic-looking charging pod, we are all in for splashing out on this luxe straighter.

Hair straightening FAQs

How do you straighten hair with a hair straightener?

Before you even think about applying any heat to your hair, make sure you have used heat protection. Then brush your hair to evenly distribute the product and to remove any knots or tangles.

Part your hair into manageable sections - it makes the entire process much easier and quicker - especially if you have extra thick or long hair. To straighten, clamp hair between the plates and move the straighteners from root to ends. Make sure you don't hold the hair straighteners in one place for too long as this can create crimps or ridges. Once you've finished straightening your hair, apply hairspray to lock in place and shine spray to give it a silky, smooth finish.

Can you curl your hair with a hair straightener?

Curling your hair with a straightener may seem a little difficult, but with some practise you'll be a pro in no time at all. After gathering your hair into smaller sections, take a strand of 1-2 inches and clamp your flat iron at the top near the root. Pull down the hair straightener and then pivot and turn the tool away from your face. Keep pulling the straightener down at angle to gently release a soft curl.

Repeat the curling process across your head, starting at the nape of your neck and working towards your hair line. For soft loose curls or beachy waves, gently brush out with a paddle brush.

What are the best straighteners for curly hair?

Look out for good hair straighteners with wider plates as these are easier to smooth out extra curly sections.

Titanium and ceramic hair straighteners are also great options for curly hair types. They help reduce frizz when smoothing and straightening your precious locks. Also, titanium hair straighteners typically heat up faster, which means you can achieve straight, silky tresses in a flash.

How often can I use hair straighteners?

This all depends on the type of hair you have and how damage your tresses are. However, experts recommend you should limit hair straightening to one to two times a week. When straightening your hair, you should ensure you use heat protection sprays or creams. They use potent and nourishing ingredients to help defend your locks against any unnecessary heat damage.

If your hair is unruly and you want sleek, smooth locks for longer periods try using a hair dryer when you get out of the shower. This helps lock in the style for longer and can be less damaging then using a hair straightener on unwashed strands. Simply smooth with the hair dryer first to get mostly straight locks and then finish with a quick once over with your flat iron.

For more styling tips and tricks take a look at The 10 Best Hair Dryers for Every Hair Type and The Best Dry Shampoos Our Beauty Editors Swear by. And of course, if you're using any of these straighteners, you'll want to check out our Top Heat Protection Sprays to keep your locks nice and lustrous.