Being blessed with natural curls is a wonderful thing — but it’s still fun to switch up your style every so often. While curl patterns vary from person to person, one thing everybody has in common is the fear of heat damage. Fortunately, the best straighteners for curly hair are here to save the day.
All curls are beautiful, but it’s hard to resist the heat as there are benefits to straightening hair that go beyond the aesthetics. For those with kinkier, tighter curls that are prone to stubborn knots, straightening can actually reduce frequent tangling and hair loss. Plus, straightening can make your daily hair routine much more manageable.
Flat irons with ceramic plates, multiple heat settings, and even temperature distribution are going to be the best tools to use on your curly hair. It should go without saying that, like curls, not all straighteners are exactly alike — and it’s not all about curl pattern. The porosity of the hair is an important indicator of how much oil your strands receive from the scalp, and coarser textures are going to need to take some extra precautions (like by using a heavy heat sealant) before applying heat.
So, if you like straightening your hair, but hate the risk of damage that goes along with it, consider investing in one the best flat irons for curly hair.
1A Budget-Friendly Flat Iron That Reduces Static
Remington Pro 1” Digital Heat Flat Iron With Anti-Static Ceramic Technology, $18, Amazon
This flat iron will seamlessly straighten strands without leaving hair frizzy. The long ceramic plates are specifically designed to control static, and it heats up to 410 degrees Fahrenheit in less than 30 seconds. It has auto shut-off for added safety, and an easy-to-read LCD screen to adjust its settings. At $18, this is a super solid and affordable option for everyday use.
2A Splurge-Worthy Straightener That's Great On Afro-Textured Hair
BaByliss Pro Nano Titanium Plated Straightening Iron, $130, Amazon
This hair straightener may cost you a pretty penny, but it’s a small price to pay to keep your kinky coils from bouncing back after each straightening sesh. The floating ceramic plates make it easy to move throughout the hair without applying too much heat in one area, and it can even be used on wide sections for quicker styling. It's also great for moving through the density of afro-textured curls, and you can create waves and loose curls with this multi-purpose tool.
3An Ionic Tourmaline Flat Iron That Reduces Damage
Hepburn S Ceramic Tourmaline Flat Iron, $30, Amazon
A protective tourmaline ceramic technology on this flat iron keeps combination curls shiny and damage-free. The five different temperature settings allow you to adjust the heat according to areas that are more prone to dryness, and the anion — a type of negative ion — reduces damage. It’s safe for use on all hair types, has a 360-degree swiveling cord for ergonomic styling, and is designed with floating plates that prevent pesky pulling and snagging. It comes with a few extra perks, too, including a storage bag, hair clips, and clear nail polish.
4A Multi-Styling Tool That's Perfect For Fine Hair
Chi Air Expert Classic Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron, $82, Amazon
Chi is a beloved brand among hair experts and novices alike, and they consistently produce some of the best straighteners on the market. This flat iron is made with ionic tourmaline technology that lets you distribute heat evenly. The heat settings go down to 180 Fahrenheit, making it a great option for fine-textured curls that experience static and frizz. It also allows you to straighten, wave, and enhance your natural curls, so you’ll have plenty of safe-styling options to choose from. The one-inch plates make styling fine hair into small sections easy, and is also great for bangs and edges. It comes with a conveniently long swivel cord, making far-away plugs a non-issue.
5An Ultra-Safe Straightener That Minimizes Damage To Fragile Curls
KIPOZI Pro Flat Iron, $36, Amazon
If you have fragile curls and are afraid of causing damage, this is the hair straightener for you. It comes with a range of temperature settings between 170 and 320 degrees, so you can adjust the heat output depending on your hair's fragility. And, in case you aren’t sure which temperature is right for your curls, the digital display offers three different options: “Fragile”, “damaged”, and “healthy”. It's small enough to style bangs and bobs, heats up in 90 seconds, and has an auto shut-off after 90 minutes.
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