Chi Vibes On Edge Curved Edge Hairstyling Iron for $110, I'm a longtime Chi devotee, I owned the original ceramic flat iron and loved it very much, until it broke after a decade. So I admit, I was excited to outfit my bathroom counter with this metallic-rainbow version of the Chi Vibes line. The 1- or 1.5-inch ceramic plates (I tested the latter) actually wrap around the sides of the device, allowing the user to get close to the roots of their hair, as well as the crease if desired. Can also create free waves. While this feature actually did an impressive job of reducing my flyaways (and I appreciated the unusually long 11-foot cord), I felt like it was sweltering between the 415-degree Fahrenheit surface and my scalp, face, and ears. There was a lack of buffer. The risk of burning with regular use is very high.
Lange Le Duo Airflow Styler for $119, This flat iron has a clasp similar to a curling iron. Most flat iron plates remain separate, and require pushing them together to use, whereas this one is the opposite. It works just like any other iron, and the clasp design and rounded edges make it easy to curl, too. The real attraction here are the air vents that release cool air to lock in your style. The fan turns on automatically, but there is a button to turn it off. (Just to clarify, it's not intended to dry your hair – you won't be happy if it tries to do that.) -Madea Giordano
Smooth for $81 And whip for $195, These irons are essentially the same device. Sleek'E confirmed that they are indeed made by the same manufacturer, which is not unusual. The whip felt a little lighter, but it felt neither better nor worse in use. They both emit ions and have a strip of infrared light in the middle of one of the plates, which is supposed to Help distribute heat evenly And in such a way that the hair will not be damaged. -Madea Giordano
Brilliance New York Smooth Pro Ceramic Flat Iron for $45, Wired reviewer and fellow curly girl Lurin Stramp swears by this hair straightener. She bought it through a Groupon deal in 2014 and is still holding on to it, despite trying several other flat irons since then—even this one she loves. dyson coralIt's lost some of its hot consistency over the years, and the plates sometimes break her hair, but it still leaves her unruly curls smooth and shiny and most importantly, straight. -Madea Giordano
Foxybay Tres Sleek Flat Iron for $40, This budget titanium flat iron does a pretty good job of straightening thick, curly hair for the price, though its flimsy-feeling structure, long heat-up time, and difficult-to-move 1.75-inch-wide plates make it less appealing. Are. Our top budget pick, the Conair Infinity Pro, above.
Revlon Easy Heat Precision Flat Iron for $30, Another entry-level flat iron, this dark-pink model with easy-to-read temperature settings, feels heavier and more expensive in comparison. I also liked that it heats up in 30 seconds—one-third the time of most irons in its price range. However, I was surprised by how ineffective the 1-inch plates were on my curls, even at the iron's maximum temperature of 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, my (barely) straightened hair got messed up again within minutes.
Avoid this: The Sam Villa Pro results in a $190 cordless flat iron This is just for those who need a small iron in their purse for emergency touch-ups. It took me a whole day to straighten all my hair and I had to keep pressing the power button while using it. -Madea Giordano