The 15 Best Flat Irons for Curly Hair

Ladies with curls are always on point when it comes to rocking voluminous, bodied ringlets, whether it’s sexy beach waves or a cute and coily afro.

But now and then, even curly girls think of spicing up their look a bit with a hairstyle that’s different from their usual.

One common go-to to get more double-takes from people is switching up to sleek, straight hair.

It’s easy to achieve smooth and straight hair if you have a good flat iron.

But not all straighteners are created equal. Some are a better fit for those with curly hair.

Is it okay to straighten curly hair with a flat iron?

Yes, it’s completely okay to straighten your curly hair with heat tools.

The important thing to remember is to protect your hair before you do so to prevent heat damage.

There are many ways to do it, from using a heat protectant spray to silicone-based products before ironing your locks.

Silicons and other ingredients in heat protectants can help create a protective layer around your hair so that you don’t end up burning it or damaging the cuticle with direct heat.

Another way to protect your hair from damage is to pamper it before heat styling.

Wash your hair with a nourishing shampoo and conditioner for curly hair, and think about giving yourself a deeply moisturizing treatment mask.

This restores and fortifies the overall health of your hair, so it’s ready for the hot iron.

Find a good flat iron that is safe on hair, like ceramic and titanium plates.

Use a light hand when straightening your hair, and don’t let the iron linger too long in one spot. These can save you from disastrous, burned hair.

A word of warning to all curly ladies: If you don’t protect your hair from heat damage and iron your hair frequently, you could end up making your hair brittle and dry.

If your hair becomes so damaged that it can’t retain its natural texture, you could even lose your fabulous curl pattern! 

What kind of flat iron is best for curly hair?

The first thing you want to look for is temperature. You want an iron that can get very hot so you can straighten your curls with as few passes as possible.

However, you don’t want an iron that’s so hot it can burn your hair on contact.

Around 365-400°F is a good benchmark of what an appropriate hair iron temperature should be.

It can straighten your hair and seal your hair cuticle without losing that much moisture. That way, your hair becomes healthy and shiny even after heat styling.

You don’t want heat over 450°F because your locks can be susceptible to damage right off the bat by completely melting your hair protein.

You also don’t want anything too low in temperature because you’ll be stuck with frizzy hair that isn’t as straight as you’d like.

Another factor you should look out for is what kind of plates the iron has.

Ceramic plates heat up gradually and are good for curls that are quite easy to straighten, like wavy hair. These plates use infrared technology to heat up the hair, so it’s the gentler option.

If you have more kinky, coily curls that are more challenging to work with, you can go for titanium plates.

These plates heat up a lot more quickly and can be more powerful when it comes to straightening. 

That said, titanium plates tend to deal more heat damage on the hair, so you have to be diligent in protecting your hair with the right products.

Here are some of the best flat irons for your curly hair:

The 15 Best Flat Iron for Curly Hair

1. HSI Professional Glider

And if you want more control of how hot the iron is when it touches your hair, you can adjust the heat settings anywhere from 140-450°F.

2. Revlon Salon Straightener Copper + Ceramic Flat Iron

It’s on the more affordable side, which is excellent for those on a budget.

It also heats up in just ten seconds, so it’s a fantastic option for ladies who are always in a rush to get ready in the morning.

3. Remington S5520 1 ¾” Anti-Static Flat Iron

Its titanium-coated ceramic plates make hair super easy to straighten, so it’s perfect for those with type 4 curls that are very coily and springy. 

The iron has six heat settings to choose from, so you have full control of how hot you want to go.

4. ghd Classic Original IV Hair Straightener

This award-winning straightener can eliminate all frizz from your hair and effortlessly keep your strands smooth and gorgeous for you to flaunt all day long!

5. KIPOZI Hair Straightener

It emits negative ions that keep your hair moisturized as it straightens, so at the end of your styling process, you can enjoy shiny and soft hair.

It also protects hair color from fading.

6. LANDOT Professional Ceramic Tourmaline Ionic Flat Iron

The heat is adjustable anywhere between 140 and 465°F, so it’s perfect for all curly hair types, from fine and thin hair to thick and coily curls.

7. INFINITIPRO BY CONAIR Rainbow Titanium Flat Iron

The iron heats up in as fast as 30 seconds, which is great for style-and-go mornings.

It has six temp settings to choose from, so you’re always in control of how hot your iron is before it touches your hair.

8. Furiden Professional Hair Straightener

This iron provides some everyday conveniences too. It saves a lot of your time because it only takes 15 seconds to heat up.

It also has a dual voltage, so you can bring it with you as you travel the world.

9. CHI G2 Ceramic and Titanium 1 1/4″ Straightening Hairstyling Iron

But coupled with titanium, they provide intense durability for your iron.

This combo also keeps your hair looking smooth and sleek every time you use this iron.

You can set your temperature when working with this iron.

Each setting is color-coded according to your hair type, making it easy to see if you’re adding way too much heat to your hair.

10. INFINITIPRO BY CONAIR Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron

The iron plates are made with tourmaline ceramic, which reduces damage and breakage from heat styling.

It seals in your hair cuticle instead of opening it up and creating gaps, leaving your hair healthier and smoother.

11. CHI Expert Classic Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron

This iron heats up very quickly and has a built-in dial for adjustable temperatures.

12. Remington S9500PP Pearl Pro Ceramic Flat Iron

It also keeps your hair looking shiny and healthy throughout the day.

This iron goes as high up as 450°F and is easily read and adjusted thanks to its digital display screen.

13. Elchim Nature’s Touch Professional Flat Iron

Instant heat-up technology allows your iron to get hot in as quick as 17 seconds, so it’s great for those with time constraints while getting ready.

14. Conair Double Ceramic Flat Iron

This iron has a cute and charming white and rose gold color motif, which is great for girly girls out there who love aesthetically pleasing beauty tools.

It also makes a fantastic gift to curly girls who want to straighten their hair healthily.

15. BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Ultra-Thin Straightening Iron

Thanks to its slim, thin design, it’s lightweight and easy to use, so you won’t get any hand fatigue as you style your curly hair.

This is also a flat iron which is suitable for natural hair silk press with nano titanium technology.

Conclusion

You can embrace your naturally curly hair but want a smooth, pin-straight look to be a bit more playful and chic whenever you want.

Both looks are gorgeous and won’t take away from your hair’s beauty.

But it’s important to keep your hair as healthy as possible even when you experiment with different styles, so a good flat iron is always vital.

Try one of the straighteners in this list, and you can go from curly girl to sleek and chic in a matter of minutes without sacrificing your hair health!

See also: Hot comb vs Flat iron: What’s the Difference?