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The Best Straighteners for Curly Hair

Kaitlyn Neese
Written by Ashley Neese
best straightener for curly hair

Curly hair is already pretty amazing on its own, but you can also go for different looks by using different hair tools. Since most hair straighteners tend to leave curly hair looking a bit frizzy, it can be difficult to get the exact look you’re going for when choosing to style your hair straight. To help straighten curly hair, you need a straightener with multiple heating options and strong plates. If you’re on the market for a straightener, check out our top picks for straighteners for curly hair in 2024!

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Straightener for Curly Hair: A Buyer’s Guide

Curly hair is majestic and requires a lot of care and maintenance to keep it healthy and retain length. One of the benefits of having curly hair is the versatile hairstyles you can rock! When you don’t know how to style it, your hair can often end up with heat damage, which is why you should try to find the best hair tools that give you the upper hand. If you're looking to try straight hairstyles while managing frizz and breakage, there are a few things you need to know.

Things To Look For in Straighteners for Curly Hair

Here are some important considerations you should keep in mind while shopping for an efficient hair straightener to help straighten your hair with no damage to your natural curls:

Shape

This is an important factor since a basic flat iron may not work on all hair types. When you have curly hair, you need to look for a wide flat iron, which can really help with curling your hair. This design can straighten bigger locks of hair at once, which can be perfect for thicker curly hair. And if you are looking for a hair iron that can be used for other hairstyles like soft waves, a circular straightener can be a good choice. Since these versions have a barrel shape, they can be used to straighten your hair while giving it a little bounce as well. There are some other cool shapes that you can choose from, too. Just try to avoid using narrow flat irons on curly hair.

Plates

Plates also play an important part when it comes to picking a straightener for curly hair. If you go for a flat iron with basic narrow plates, your hair might end up getting snagged between them. And since curly hair is extremely textured, it’s more likely to get snagged between these plates, which can be very painful. So, try to look for straighteners with floating plates since they move along with your hair and help prevent tugging. And you should make sure that you get one with ceramic plates since they can give your hair a shinier look.

Temperature

Make sure you get a straightener that has multiple temperature settings. You don’t want a model with low-heat options that can barely straighten your hair. And you don’t want one that straight-up damages your hair with extreme heat either. Another feature to look for is a temperature lock that helps keep the heat consistent while using a flat iron. Flat irons that stay hot can offer better results when straightening curly hair.

How To Straighten Curly Hair

If you want to straighten your curly hair without it turning into a frizzy mess, there are a few things you should try doing. Remember to start with freshly washed hair that’s already been dried, preventing shock from the iron, making it nice and smooth before you start straightening.

You should also de-tangle your hair and use a heat protectant spray before you start straightening. Using a heat protectant spray can help reduce damage to your hair. You should generally use a higher heat level when you have curly hair, but remember not to use your iron in the same spot more than two times (or for longer than a few seconds at a time).

These steps can offer you better results and help protect your hair from damage in the long run.

Reviewing the Best Straighteners for Curly Hair of 2024

1

Furiden Flat Iron Hair Straightener and Curler

Pros

  • Sleek, compact design
  • Tangle-resistant swivel cord
  • Great for all hair types

Cons

  • The plates could be a bit longer

Buying several hair styling products can get expensive, so a hair tool with both straightening and curling capabilities is truly ideal. The Furiden Flat Iron Hair Straightener and Curler is an amazing tool for curly hair, whether you’re trying to straighten it or maintain your beautiful curls. This easy-to-use straightener has a rotating dial for temperature control and allows you to pick from several heating options. We love how fast it heats up too, helping you save time. Another cool feature of this straightener is that the plates are balanced on springs, which helps prevent snagging while you’re styling your hair. Plus, there’s even a handy safety lock so you can carry it around when you travel.

2

Bcway Extra Large Professional Hair Straightener

Pros

  • Includes a long, convenient swivel cord
  • Turns off automatically after an hour
  • Easy-hanging cord loop
  • Features a safety lock

Cons

  • Design is a bit bulky

If you’re looking for a hair straightener that can hold more hair strands at once, the Bcway Professional Hair Straightener is the perfect choice. The plates on this straightener are wider, so you're able to straighten your hair faster and straighten larger sections at a time. It also heats up in 30 seconds, letting you start working faster. What I think is really cool is that you can choose from five different temperature settings depending on your hair type and whether your hair is fine or thick, there's a setting for you. There’s even a hair care mode that can work well with keratin treatments while also keeping moisture locked inside your hair!

3

Bekind Apex Hair Straightener Flat Iron

Pros

  • Five different temperature settings
  • Comes with hair clips and ties
  • Easy, single-button operation
  • Powers off automatically after 30 minutes

Cons

  • The label might come off easily

We highly recommended the Bekind Apex Hair Straightener Flat Iron for those with curly hair. Besides the fact that this straightener comes in many beautiful colors like coral and peach, it also has a circular design, so it's easy to use for several hairstyles. So, whether you want to straighten your hair or give it some bouncy waves, this innovative design allows you to achieve your desired results. Plus, this flat iron also has floating plates that prevent your hair from snagging while you straighten it. It’s also very lightweight and portable, so you can easily travel with it.

4

Hot Tools Pro Ceramic Digital Hair Flat Iron

Pros

  • Adaptable, dual-voltage design
  • Lightweight and easily fits into luggage
  • Long, tangle-resistant 6-foot cord
  • Ceramic plates for even heating

Cons

  • The buttons are a bit small

The Hot Tools Pro Signature Ceramic Digital Hair Flat Iron is a wide flat iron with 1.5" plates for fine hair that can give you salon-like results at home. Since the plates on this option are made of ceramic, you get a sleeker, frizz-free look that's perfect for fine hair. We like that you can choose from multiple heat settings, which provide customizable, longer-lasting results. Plus, this option has a comfortable and ergonomic grip and rounded plates, making it easy to curl your hair as well. It has an LCD screen that displays the temperature and there’s even an auto shut-off option for added safety. 

5

MINT MIRA Titanium Flat Iron Hair Straightener

Pros

  • Heats up in 15 seconds
  • Curved plates for versatile styling
  • Even and consistent heating
  • 1 1/4 inch rose gold titanium plates

Cons

  • A bit expensive

The MINT MIRA Titanium Flat Iron Hair Straightener is the ideal hair straightener for those with curly hair. Its standout feature is its lightning-fast heating capability; it reaches its maximum temperature in just 15 seconds, eliminating the waiting time typically associated with flat irons. This professional-grade straightener maintains its heat consistently throughout styling, ensuring efficient and quick results. One of the most impressive aspects of this straightener to us is its ability to require only one pass over on each section, even on the thickest hair. It means less overall heat exposure, reducing the risk of damage. The 1 1/4 inch rose gold titanium curved plates on the outside of the iron make it versatile for straightening and curling, giving you endless styling options.

People Also Ask

  • Q: How should I maintain my straightened hair?

    A:After you have straightened your curly hair, make sure you avoid getting it wet since it can bring back your curls and make your hair frizzy. You should also make sure you wrap it with a silk cap before you sleep. This can help keep your hair straight for a couple of days, so you won’t have to keep using your flat iron. You can also use dry shampoo to give your hair some volume.

  • Q: How often should I use my straightener on my curly hair?

    A:Make sure you don’t use your flat iron more than once or twice a week. While it can give you sleek-looking hair, it can also cause major damage in the long run. You should also use a heat protectant spray before using any heated styling tools; every single time! It's recommended to use a hydrating and repairing hair mask when you revert your hair back to curly to give it that boost of moisture.

  • Q: What should I avoid when straightening my curly hair?

    A:Do not use a flat iron on wet hair since this can quite literally fry your hair. Your hair should be dry and clean before you straighten it. Also, try to avoid doing multiple passes on a single strip of hair when flat ironing, as this can cause heat damage.

  • Q: How do I prevent frizz when straightening curly hair?

    A:To prevent frizz, use a smoothing serum or anti-frizz cream before straightening, work in small sections, and use a flat iron with ceramic plates. Finish with a light hairspray to seal the style.

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Kaitlyn Neese

By Ashley Neese

Hi, I'm Ashley Neese and I graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.  I'm passionate about all things beauty, fashion, and wellness — specifically skin care, makeup, and natural health. I love writing about things that help people feel like their best selves, whether it's finding their perfect lip color or a supplement to alleviate anxiety. In my free time, I am usually reading a romantic comedy or playing with my two dogs.

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