Straighten hair usually a two-day affair. I washed all of the product off the night before and applied a moisturizing protectant. I let it air dry, then braid it before going to bed so that the next day, the curls are looser and easier to manage. Then, and only then, can I come in with a flat iron.
WIRED’s Gear members have a wide range of curls, styling needs and tips, and we’ve all tried them. so many, so much of the straightener in our lifetime. Some flat irons left us with brittle hair and cramped hands, while others, like the ones listed here, left us with shiny hair. There are a ton of options out there, but hopefully our favorite hair straighteners can help narrow down your search.
Update December 2021: We’ve added more of our favorite straighteners, including the Bio Ionic 3-in-1, a cool-air L’ange iron, and two honorary mentions.
Gear Readers Special Offer: Get One 1 year subscription for WIRED for $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com and our print magazine (if you will). Sign up to help fund the work we do every day.
If you buy something using the links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our press. looking for more information. Please also consider sign up for WIRED
