The 10 Best Flat Irons For Curling Hair

If there’s one styling tool to invest in, it’s a flat iron. The multi-tasking tool can give you sleek, straight hair with a single pass, but rotate the iron as you glide it through your hair, and you can also achieve bouncy curls or beachy waves. The best flat irons for curling hair (and straightening, too) have rounded edges. “Flat irons with rounded edges allow for smooth curling without leaving creases or lines in your hair,” celebrity hairstylist and Mane Addicts artist Irinel de León tells Bustle. Hairstylist Meredith Kirkland adds that a flat iron with floating plates will also help your hair move through the iron without snagging. The rest all comes down to personal preference. You can choose a flat iron with smaller, 1-inch plates for tighter curls, or plates that are 1.5 to 2 inches for a softer wave. You can also opt for plates made from ceramic, tourmaline, or titanium depending on your hair texture and health (more on each, ahead). But when in doubt, Kirkland recommends choosing a ceramic flat iron because “it distributes heat evenly and respects the integrity of the hair.”

The Experts

Irinel de León is a Los Angeles-based hairstylist and Mane Addicts artist whose celebrity clients include Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, and Chrissy Teigen.

Meredith Kirkland is a hairstylist with more than 17 years of professional experience and is the national education manager for ghd North America.

Shop The Best Flat Irons For Curling Hair

In a hurry? Here are the best flat irons for curling hair:

1. Best Splurge For A Flat Iron That Creates Curls: ghd Platinum+ Styler
2. Best Splurge For A Flat Iron That Creates Soft Waves: T3 Lucea
3. Best Flat Iron Under $100 For Curling Hair: Hot Tools Pro Artist Black Gold Evolve Ionic Salon Flat Iron
4. Best Flat Iron Under $100 For Soft Waves: BabylissPro Porcelain Ceramic Straightening Iron
5. Best Flat Iron For Curling Hair, According To Amazon: HSI Professional Glider Flat Iron Straightener
6. Best Anti-Static Flat Iron For Curling Hair: Remington Anti-Static Flat Iron
7. Best Mini Flat Iron For Curling Hair: Kristin Ess Defining + Detailing Mini Flat Iron

1. The Pro’s Pick: Best Splurge For Creating Curls

What We Like:

• Made by a pro-favorite brand
• Has a swivel cord
• Sensor technology monitors temperature for heat retention
• Comes with a heat-resistant plate guard

What We Don’t Like:

• Expensive
• Can’t adjust temperature

As the national education manager for ghd North America, it’s no surprise that this ghd Platinum+ Styler gets Kirkland’s top pick. But it’s also my go-to flat iron for styling hair quickly — and without too much damage. The flat iron is lightweight and smooths through the hair effortlessly, whether you’re passing it straight through or rotating it a full 360 degrees to achieve gorgeous curls. The iron also heats up instantly, thanks to the brand’s ultra-zone technology to ensure that the ceramic plates are evenly and consistently heated to the preset temperature of 365 degrees Fahrenheit. While that may be a dealbreaker for those who prefer to adjust the temperature themselves, Kirkland deems this the “optimum temperature” for styling hair. “If you use a tool set too high, this can result in damage to the internal structure of the strand, while using too little heat can result in inconsistent results and styles that don’t last,” she says, adding that when the temperature is set too low, it can lead to over-styling. “You may damage the external portion of the hair strand when using too little heat, as you’ll be tempted to pass over the hair multiple times,” she says.

Relevant Review: “By far my favorite straightener! I own a couple of brands of straighteners (including CHI) and this one is by far the best. It heats up quickly, straightens with 1 pass and my hair stays straight. I have hard to curl hair and this straightener curls hair well too. Curls stay better with this tool than the ghd curler! I have not noticed any damage to my hair (I do use heat protectant) and it’s superior to my other tools.”

Plate Material: Ceramic | Plate Size: 1 inch | Floating Plates: Yes | Heat Settings: None | Auto-Off: Yes | Universal Voltage: Yes

2. Best Splurge For Creating Soft Waves

What We Like:

• Made by a pro-favorite brand
• Has a swivel cord
• Available in two plate sizes
• Wider, longer plates are great for those with longer hair

What We Don’t Like:

• Expensive
• Heat settings don’t display temperature

For those who prefer more of an undone wave or have longer hair, de León and Kirkland recommend investing in a flat iron with larger plates. This T3 Lucea features 1.5-inch ceramic plates that were designed with the brand’s CeraGloss technology to minimize frizz and leave hair looking shinier, plus rounded edges to ensure a smooth finish as you move the iron down the length of your hair. The iron will shut off automatically after an hour, and it features an 8-foot swivel cord, so you won’t get tangled up as you style.

Relevant Review: “Not only does it straighten beautifully, but I can make loose curls with it, and s-shaped waves as well, without leaving creases. My hair doesn’t get stuck in the plates at all, it glides through seamlessly. This is the nicest iron I’ve ever used, and totally worth the price tag.”

Plate Material: Ceramic | Plate Size: 1.5 inches | Floating Plates: Yes | Heat Settings: 9 | Auto-Off: Yes | Universal Voltage: Yes

3. Best Flat Iron Under $100 For Curling Hair

What We Like:

• Inexpensive
• Has a swivel cord
• Available in two plate sizes
• Includes heat-protective glove

What We Don’t Like:

• Temperature dial can accidentally be moved while in use

If a $200 flat iron is out of your budget, you can still find rounded flat irons with floating plates that are as great for creating curls as they are for pin-straight hair. The Hot Tools Pro Artist Black Gold Evolve Ionic Salon Flat Iron uses ceramic-titanium plates to give you the even heat distribution and shine of a ceramic flat iron with titanium’s ability to heat up faster (and to a higher temperature if your hair needs it). A dial on the front of the flat iron allows you to adjust to the temperature you need, with your heat setting of choice digitally displayed so there’s no confusion. It will also automatically start up at the last temperature you had it set to, so once you find your ideal heat setting, you won’t have to mess with it again.

Relevant Review: “I am a professional hairstylist and I used this tool everyday to straighten and curl hair. Works great and has very little wear and tear even after using it very often.”

Plate Material: Ceramic and titanium | Plate Size: 1 inch | Floating Plates: Yes | Heat Settings: Adjustable up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit | Auto-Off: Yes | Dual Voltage: Yes

4. Best Flat Iron For Soft Waves Under $100

What We Like:

• Inexpensive
• Has a swivel cord
• Available in several plate sizes

What We Don’t Like:

• Isn’t dual voltage for travel
• Doesn’t turn off automatically

For softer waves, this BabylissPro Porcelain Ceramic Straightening Iron is available in a 1.5-inch and 2-inch size depending on your preference. Whichever size plates you choose, the flat iron features floating plates made of ceramic for even heat distribution and a glossy finish. The lower price tag means there aren’t as many bells and whistles on this flat iron, which isn’t dual voltage and won’t turn off automatically. But it does still include a dial along the side of the iron to adjust the heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

Relevant Review: “Absolutely love this flat iron! I have natural (no relaxer) wavy hair after [blow drying]. I can quickly curl my hair, my [curls] hold for days, no roller setting. This iron holds temp, glides thru hair, no snagging or pulling your hair.”

Plate Material: Ceramic | Plate Size: 2 inches | Floating Plates: Yes | Heat Settings: Adjustable up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit | Auto-Off: No | Dual Voltage: No

5. Best Flat Iron For Curling Hair, According To Amazon

What We Like:

• Inexpensive
• Has a swivel cord
• Includes heat-protective glove
• Comes with travel bag

What We Don’t Like:

• No exact temperature display
• Doesn’t turn off automatically

There are more than 50,000 five-star ratings on Amazon for this HSI Professional Glider Flat Iron, which, for less than $50, includes many of the key features the pros love (floating plates made of tourmaline-infused ceramic and adjustable heat settings). There’s no auto-off feature on this flat iron, so you will need to be careful about manually shutting it off and unplugging it after each use, but it is dual voltage for travel and comes with a heat-protective glove and mini pouch for easy storage.

Relevant Review: “This flatiron is amazing. I was totally floored by the quality—it straightens/curls as easily and effortlessly as high-end flat irons do for literally a fraction of the price. Your hair won’t pull or snag doing curls and you only have to do one pass to get the curl (assuming you use the right temperature for your hair type).”

Plate Material: Ceramic and tourmaline | Plate Size: 1 inch | Floating Plates: Yes | Heat Settings: Adjustable between 140 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit | Auto-Off: No | Dual Voltage: Yes

6. Best Anti-Static Flat Iron For Curling Hair

What We Like:

• Inexpensive
• Has a swivel cord
• Features anti-static technology

What We Don’t Like:

• Isn’t dual voltage for travel

Another Amazon favorite with just under 30,000 five-star ratings, this Remington Anti-Static Flat Iron was designed to reduce negatively charged particles to better combat unwanted flyaways and frizz. The titanium-coated ceramic plates help the iron heat up faster (though you’ll want to be mindful to start at a lower setting to avoid heat damage), and the 1-inch, floating plates will help you create more defined curls.

Relevant Review: “I was very surprised this product is so affordable. It works just as good as any of the more expensive brands I have used in the past. It is easy to use for curling or straightening. I have wavy, fine hair and it does not pull or add static to my hair. The temperature lock feature is probably my favorite! You can lock it at the setting of your choice.”

Plate Material: Ceramic and titanium | Plate Size: 1 inch | Floating Plates: Yes | Heat Settings: 8 | Auto-Off: Yes | Dual Voltage: No

7. Best Mini Flat Iron For Curling Hair

What We Like:

• Smaller size for traveling or short hair
• Uses a swivel cord
• Comes with travel bag

What We Don’t Like:

• Can’t adjust temperature

Whether you’re looking for a smaller iron because you have short hair or you’re always on the go, this Kristin Ess Defining + Detailing Mini Flat Iron includes many of the essential features of its full-size counterparts. The titanium plates heat up quickly, and the iron also uses rounded, floating plates to allow you to rotate the iron as you move it down the length of your hair without pulling or snagging. Despite its mini size, it still has a swivel cord that measures 6 feet in length, and the dual voltage iron will automatically shut off after 30 minutes. The only downside is that you can’t adjust the temperature, which is set to 380 degrees Fahrenheit and may be a touch too hot for hair that’s super fine or already damaged.

Relevant Review: “This styler is perfect for me. It heats up fast, provides silky hair when flat ironed or curled, and is very lightweight. Perfect!”

Plate Material: Titanium | Plate Size: 0.75 inches | Floating Plates: Yes | Heat Settings: None | Auto-Off: Yes | Dual Voltage: Yes

FAQs

How Do I Use A Flat Iron To Curl Hair?

Like any styling technique, using a flat iron to curl your hair takes a bit of practice to master. Before you start, de León stresses that you’ll always want to apply a heat protectant to your hair to prevent excessive damage. “Divide your hair into smaller sections to help manage the hair while curling to create consistency throughout the hair,” de León says, adding that you should “start from the bottom sections and work your way up.”

As for how you get a curl, you’ll want to clamp the flat iron at the base of the section you’re working on close to the scalp, being careful to use light pressure. “Hold your tool horizontally and pull out and away from the head for a bigger, bouncy curl similar to a blowout look,” Kirkland advises of how to wield your iron as you rotate it through each section of hair. “For a looser, more elongated curl similar to a beach wave, hold the tool vertically and glide down the strand,” she suggests.

What’s The Difference Between Plate Materials?

Ceramic plates are always a safe bet because they evenly and consistently distribute the heat while helping to seal the hair cuticle for a smoother finish. But de León explains that flat irons with tourmaline-infused plates are also great for minimizing frizz and static, while titanium plates might be preferred by those with a thicker hair texture. “Tourmaline flat irons are gentle on the hair and are great for adding shine,” says de León. “Titanium flat irons heat up quickly and maintain high temperatures, making them efficient for thick or coarse hair,” she notes.

What Does The Plate Size Mean?

The size of the plates on your flat iron will help to determine your curl, with 1-inch plates being the most popular. “This size is perfect for creating all types of waves and curls,” Kirkland says of its versatility. De León adds that you’ll typically be able to create tighter curls and more defined waves with the 1-inch size. “Smaller plates are ideal for short to medium-length hair,” she adds. If you have longer hair or you’re more into undone waves, de León and Kirkland suggest an iron between 1.5 and 2 inches. “The curls you create will be larger as the plates are wider,” Kirkland explains.

How Do I Know What Temperature To Use?

Using a flat iron or any hot styling tool too often or incorrectly can result in dry, brittle hair, which is why it’s important to monitor the temperature that you have your tool set to (in addition to always, always using a heat protectant first, of course). There’s no hard-and-fast rule to follow when it comes to the heat setting that you use, but Kirkland calls 365 degrees Fahrenheit the “sweet spot” for most hair types. The lower the temperature you can use while still effectively styling your hair (and getting that style to hold) is best, so you may need to adjust the heat settings for a few styling sessions before you get it right. “Fine or damaged hair should be styled at lower temperatures around 265 to 285 degrees Fahrenheit,” de León says of where to start. “Thicker or coarse hair can handle higher temperatures up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.”

About The Author

Marissa DeSantis has worked as a beauty writer and editor for nearly 10 years. Her pieces can be found across print and digital publications like Bustle, Evening Standard, Teen Vogue, and InStyle.

Experts:

Irinel de León, Los Angeles-based hairstylist and Mane Addicts artist.

Meredith Kirkland, hairstylist and the national education manager for ghd North America.