In a perfect world, most of us would confine hair styling to the comfort of our homes. But busy schedules, humidity, and a sudden opening in the sky can put a major damper on our hair. Enter the best mini flat irons, which are made to fit inside our bags, so styling on-the-go is a less difficult task. Of course, just because these straighteners are smaller doesn't mean they're any less effective.
Like their full-size counterparts, not all mini flat irons are created equal. Some of the best straighteners for healthy hair have plates made of titanium — a strong, lightweight metal that heats up quickly — and tourmaline, which doesn't need as much heat to straighten. Ceramic is also a great option as it penetrates strands quickly and evenly, resulting in a shorter styling time. If you're willing to spend a bit more, you might want to consider a ceramic-tourmaline combination, which produces the least amount of damage.
Besides the type of plates, there's also cost, size, and temperature control to consider when choosing the best straighteners for travel. And some offer other handy features — like being cordless or having the ability to curl, too.
If sifting through all the options for the perfect mini straightener is making your hair stand on end, don't fret: The five mini flat-irons below are ready to fire up your styling needs.
1A Budget-Friendly Mini Flat Iron That's Perfect For Short Dos And Beards
Conair MiniPRO 1/2-inch Ceramic Flat Iron, $15-$22, Amazon
This mini flat iron uses a ceramic technology that's known to add shine and reduce frizz. The plates are just half an inch wide, which makes it perfect for navigating pixies and other short styles. Even bearded customers on Amazon are singing its praises for its effortless straightening ability. It comes with one powerful heat setting that fires up quickly and results in an even temperature distribution. Since it has dual voltage, it'll adjust to international power supplies, which means you can use it abroad with the proper adaptor. The best part is, it's super affordable.
2A Travel-Sized Two-In-One Tool That Straightens And Curls
6th Sense 2-In-1 Mini Straightening & Curling Iron, $25, Amazon
If you like to switch up your look, this is the mini flat iron for you. Its built-in two-in-one system allows for easy straightening and effortless curls, and the nano silver and tourmaline technology heats up quickly and provides a shiny finish. Dual voltage means it can be used anywhere in the world (with the correct adaptor), and it comes with a cute, heat-resistant traveling case, too.
3A Cordless Mini Straightener That Adds Shine And Is Great For International Travel
NexGadget Rechargeable Mini Cordless Flat Iron, $40, Amazon
This ultra-convenient cordless hair straightener uses a micro USB to stay charged (you can even charge it with your phone), so it's perfect for people who travel abroad often and don't want to deal with added cords and adaptors. It also has a safety feature that ensures it doesn't accidentally turn on, as well as an automatic sleep mode that activates after thirty minutes of idle time. Aesthetics aside, this pint-sized straightener offers smooth styling with high-quality ceramic tourmaline plates that'll leave your hair shiny, straight, and free of damage.
4A Travel-Sized Straightener That Comes With Extra Tools And Works Well On Dense Curls
Lanxim Profession Flat Iron, $27-$33, Amazon
This mini ceramic straightener is coated with tourmaline and offers gentle, even heat distribution, which is ideal for afro-textured hair, as you won't risk causing unnecessary damage by going over the same section of curls. For dense, fragile curls, multiple heat settings are a must, and this flat iron has a temperature range of 265 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. It also comes with a glove, clips (which are great for sectioning curls), and argan oil — a trusty hair sealant for straightening. You can throw them all in the travel bag that's included and rest assured the iron stays protected.
5A Wet & Dry Flat Iron That Straightens Thick, Coarse Hair
Jose Eber Wet & Dry Flat Iron, $60, Amazon
While this flat iron isn't technically branded as a mini, it's small and light enough to be considered one. It has the ability to straighten both dry and wet hair, which saves time on blow drying, and the floating plates prevent pulling and snags. It has four heat settings, dual voltage, and, since the plates are wider than most minis, it straightens hair fast, making it ideal for thick or coarse locks that want to be sleek and shiny all day.
6A Luxury Mini Flat Iron That's Ideal For Fine Hair And Reduces Frizz
T3 SinglePass Compact Flat Iron, $89, Amazon
This compact mini flat iron is perfect for those with fragile or fine hair because of its plate size and tourmaline-ceramic technology, which fights frizz and helps retain moisture while you style. You can also use it to curl and create flips, and it'll leave hair looking soft and shiny. The auto world voltage means you can use it abroad with an adaptor, and it has a trusty auto-off option built-in for added safety. It's light, sleek, and, as the name indicates, straightens strands in a single pass.
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