What does the best hair straightener look like? It depends on your hair type and your requirements... Which one will smooth your hair perfectly and which one will help you create curls or casual beach waves? We present quality hair straighteners that you can choose from!
A top quality hair straightener should be gentle enough on your hair, which is doubly true for fine hair that breaks easily or falls out. In this case, you should choose from ionising and steam models.
Look for a straightener with a ceramic surface which heats up quickly and evenly. Some hair straighteners also have plates infused with keratin, almond or argan oil, which adds to the final hair shine and smoothness and makes the entire straightening process even gentler.
The temperature at which you straighten your hair is key. Today, really good quality hair straighteners offer a wide range of temperature settings from 150°C to 230°C.
If you don't want to risk damaging your hair, try setting the straightener at 185 °C at the highest. It always depends on your hair type though. Ideally, consult your hairdresser about what temperature you should use to keep your hair healthy. Before straightening, always use high-quality hair protection in spray, serum, milk or cream form.
If you want to use the hair straightener not only for straightening, but also for creating waves, you should choose from hair straighteners for waves with longer, rounded plates.On the other hand, you are more likely to straighten your hair with a straightener with a shorter and wider surface. In principle, however, the best hair straighteners should be able to straighten as well as curl without any problems.
After straightening, be sure to wipe the cooled hair straightener with a clean, slightly damp cloth. This way, impurities that would otherwise get into your hair when you use it again will be removed from the hair straightener's plates.
What I liked the most: The Remington Keratin Protect S8540 hair straightener has a ceramic surface infused with keratin and almond oil. It also has a special PRO+ function that automatically sets it to the ideal temperature of 185°C to prevent damage to hair while straightening.
Advantages: I was intrigued by its nine-stage temperature setting range from 150 °C to 230 °C. I also welcome the speed of heating up - it was ready to use after just 15 seconds! And as I'm always forgetting things, I was also grateful for its safety feature, where it switched itself off an hour after use. For me, probably the best quality hair straightener in the whole test.
Disadvantages: It has a longer straightening surface, so it is more suitable for those who want to straighten their hair with it. If you're after curls, I'd recommend looking for a different option.
What I liked the most: The professional BaByliss Steam Shine Styler ST496E steam hair straightener has a unique Advanced Ceramics™ heating system that spreads heat across the ceramic plates quickly and evenly. In addition, this straightener has an integrated comb that keeps hair smooth while straightening.
Advantages: You can not only straighten your hair, but also easily curl it into waves thanks to the rounded metal tip. The removable comb helps you comb out tangles and the ionisation function prevents frizzing. Finally, the electric steam generator ensures a continuous stream of steam that's as gentle as possible on your hair. My opinion? Without a doubt the best steam hair straightener!
Disadvantages: I have no complaints about this hair straightener. I didn't find any faults with it, except for the higher price compared to other models, but I would say it's worth it.
What I liked the most: Thanks to the rounded tip, the Philips Series 5000 BHS520/00 hair straightener not only gives you a perfectly smooth hairstyle, but also beach waves or even curls. Its ceramic plates are infused with argan oil, so it glides through your hair very easily. This speeds up the overall straightening process by up to half!
Advantages: Compared to other hair straighteners, it offers heat treatment from 120 °C. Thanks to the ionization function, it also keeps hair smooth without static. In my eyes, this is probably the best ionizing hair straightener I've ever had the opportunity to test.
Disadvantages: It shuts itself off after thirty minutes, which can be relatively quick for owners of thick, long hair. But I have thin hair and only medium length, so half an hour was enough for me to straighten or curl it.
What I liked the most: Thanks to the infuser with argan oil, the Rowenta Express Shine Argan Oil SF4630F0 will give your hair a glamorous shine. Plus, it has an anti-static ionising effect, so your hair doesn't get static when you straighten it. In addition, its attractive appearance also deserves praise, because black combined with a rose gold shade is just cool!
Advantages: It offers 8 temperature modes including the caring setting of 170°C which is safe for hair. It is extremely light and has a swivel cord, making it easy to handle. Thanks to the rounded tips, you can make waves yourself. My opinion? The best straightener for waves that you can treat yourself to!
Disadvantages: It bothered me that there was no heat-resistant case or at least a pad included, as is common nowadays even with cheaper models of hair straighteners.
What I liked the most: The BaByliss Ceramic Straight 230 ST089E hair straightener will perfectly smooth your hair as well as create beach waves. It heats up relatively quickly and is very easy to handle thanks to the swivel cord and its small size. The price-performance ratio? Great choice!
Advantages: Compared to other hair straighteners, it's significantly smaller, making it an ideal option for travelling. I think this will be my top hair straightener which I will always happily pack for my holiday, or throw into my sports bag for quick hair straightening after training.
Disadvantages: Unfortunately you can only choose from two heat settings when straightening, and you can't see the exact temperature at which you're straightening your hair with either option. I have fine hair and I don't want to ruin it, so this is the only thing that bothers me about this hair straightener.
What is the best hair straightener in your opinion? Do you have your own at home which you swear by, or has it stopped working so you're looking for an adequate replacement? If so, we hope that this test has made it easier for you to choose, and now you're clear about your favourite!