Best hair straighteners to buy 2024 UK

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This article was updated in January 2024 with the latest prices and deals.

Ready to change up your style? It’s time to invest in a pair of the best hair straighteners to straighten, smooth and create those effortless, beachy waves.

From premium to budget buys, the Good Housekeeping Institute has tested a plethora of hair tools to find the very best straighteners to suit all hair types.

Here, at a glance, are the 19 products that stood up to rigorous judging from our panel of 285 testers. Scroll down for our more detailed reviews.

Fine hair: Look for ceramic plates that distribute heat evenly and more gently. Use lower temperature settings to minimise heat damage.

Frizzy hair: Ionic technology is a must to stop water and humidity “fluffing up” your hair and creating more frizz.

Thick hair: Larger plates will save you time and reduce heat damage. Metal plates will give you the best and most long-lasting results.

Afro hair (3C-4C curl types): Consider ceramic-coated plates, which offer a good balance of effectiveness and protection. Steam hair straighteners are a good alternative for powerful styling that do less damage. There’s a pair (the L'Oréal Professionnel New Generation Steampod 3.0) on our list below.

Our panel of 285 testers — with short to long and fine to thick hair of every type, including straight, wavy, curly, coily and kinky textures — tried a variety of hair straighteners to find the best you can buy.

They fed back on how quickly each tool heated up, how easy it was to reach their roots, whether it achieved their desired look, and how shiny and healthy their hair looked after styling.

In the Good Housekeeping Institute lab, our experts used a Bossa Nova Shuffle machine to assess how long their style lasted and how much frizz was created in a humid environment.

They also used an EV Standard machine, which records the temperature of each hair tool, to note how quickly it heated up and measure the accuracy of its temperature settings.

Our winner is a handsome hybrid model, with modern tech that transforms hair from wet to dry (and straightens, too) in half the time it takes to perform the typically two-step routine. Our panel praised how soft and silky it left their lengths after drying, often without even having to use the ‘shine shot’ straightening function.

It did well in the lab, too. Our experts found it excelled in our humidity tests (meaning lengths were left sleek after use, despite humid conditions) and true-to-claim checks. Ghd assures its customers that none of the brand’s products heat above 185℃ — which it claims to be the optimum temperature for styling without damage — and our lab tests substantiated this for the dynamic Duet.

The only small complaints were that’s it’s heavy and too wide-paddled for hard-to-reach areas, but ultimately it scored head and shoulders above the rest. Read our full review here.

Our runner up performed brilliantly in the humidity lab test, retaining frizz-free style well. Lightweight yet premium, our panel liked how the wider ceramic plates cut down on styling time, gripping sufficiently without any snagging, tangling or scorching.

Most testers found they could reach their roots comfortably, with others noticing a boost in shine. Many of those with bleached or damaged hair also thought their strands looked healthier after using it, thanks to the choice of 11 accurate heat settings to suit all hair types. In short, it’s a worthy dressing table staple.

With its mammoth 16 heat settings, ranging from 80ºC to 235ºC, this great value styling tool offers the ultimate customisable straightening experience for all hair types, including fine hair.

If you’re looking for a smooth glider, all testers found it gripped hair without too much snagging or tangling. All the panel found it left them with frizz-free locks, with most seeing some diamond-like shine.

Perhaps unsurprisingly given the brand's reputation, ghd's original offering was a hit among our testers for how straightforward it was to use, getting the job done quickly and effectively.

It heated up fast, with testers finding it easy to reach both the back of their heads and their roots. Most said it helped them achieve their desired style while keeping frizz at bay, and our lab test backed this up.

Note that it turns off automatically if left for half an hour, meaning no more mid-party panics that your house might be burning down.

Another entry from ghd, it's easy to see why it's a go-to brand for many. It lived up to its reputation in our blind tests and these lightweight straighteners were a top pick for creating poker-straight strands.

The rounded barrel makes creating curls and waves easy too, and our testers had no trouble using it for a variety of styles. They also loved how silky their hair felt after use and thought it looked healthier, too.

This ceramic straightener from Hollywood actor Drew Barrymore’s lifestyle brand claims to banish frizz without snagging hair. Our testers found it delivered on its promise, as nobody experienced any tangles or pulling while styling and testers enjoyed beautifully sleek results.

It scored highly for temperature accuracy in the lab and heated up rapidly — ideal for pre-event touch-ups. Its rounded edges helped those with straight hair to create soft curls and it proved comfortable and easy to manoeuvre. Our testers with afro hair said it glided through their coils quickly to produce a shiny, healthy-looking finish that lasted all day.

You don’t want to spend ages lovingly styling your hair, only to watch it transform into a frizzy mess as soon as you step outside. Happily, this device got the thumbs-up from our testers who struggle with frizz, who said it kept flyaways at bay for a sleek finish. Their locks stood up to the elements, as everyone said their chosen style lasted till the end of the day.

The “stylish and luxurious” design was a hit, too, and most found it easy to use, hold and handle. Only a handful of testers experienced some slight discomfort during use.

This time-saving device lets you straighten wet hair (rather than using a hair dryer as a middle man). Its unique 'moisture sensor' measures the dampness of your mane and adjusts the temperature accordingly, with excess water particles evaporating through the holes in the plates – that’s seriously smart tech.

Our testers liked how easily it glided through their hair, and were impressed by how quickly they achieved their desired style. Many thought their hair looked healthier, shinier and smoother after use, making it perfect for anyone in need of speedy, salon-worthy results.

ghd claims that the plates on this straightener can detect the thickness of your hair and the speed at which you are styling, before auto-adjusting the power accordingly.

Our testers loved it, with nearly all saying how pleased they were with their newly silky and soft hair. It was quick to heat up and the large plates styled and gripped hair well. The indicator sound when it turns on and off gives peace of mind, too.

These high-end hair straighteners have unique flexing plates, which help gently gather the hair for styling. Our testers agreed that they gripped hair easily, straightening it quickly with a single stroke.

They loved that this styler could be cordless and said the charging stand and heat-resistant travel pouch gave it a premium feel. Notable extra features include a flight mode, which temporarily disables the battery, and an OLED screen. One downside is that they’re a bit heavier than normal straighteners.

Many of our panellists fancied this travel-friendly tool for their next trip abroad because of its compact size, speedy results and ability to retain style in humid weather. They also liked how lightweight it felt to hold and how quickly it heated up to deliver a sleek finish.

Its unique 3D floating plate claims to move in all directions to straighten strands evenly, and all testers agreed that it gripped hair easily yet gently. The majority saw frizz minimised, while one tester commended the “quality finish” and said it made their hair feel softer.

Infrared tech isn't the first thing that comes to mind when looking for a great pair of hair straighteners, but this titanium Nicky Clarke tool certainly makes a case for it. Infrared light is supposed to help balance moisture and seal hair cuticles, but did it work?

Most testers were pleased to notice some mirror-like shine after styling, with frizz largely banished, even for those with afro hair.

Our lab test showed that it minimised flyaways and kept locks intact, even in humid conditions, making it a top pick for those with curly, bleached or damaged hair. There are 10 heat settings, too, but these weren’t always accurate.

You may have spotted him on Celebrity Gogglebox as Davina McColl’s partner, or in one or two Garnier adverts over the years (he’s an ambassador), but Michael Douglas — not to be confused with the Hollywood star — is also a celebrity hair stylist.

He’s been a hair professional for 35 years and knows what he’s talking about when it comes to tools. His brand, mdlondon, is adored by hairdressers and beauty journalists alike with many recommending the brand’s hair dryer over pricier competitors.

So, when we heard the brand had new straightener coming out, we had to get it tested at the GHI. And it didn’t disappoint. Panellists said it was “light to hold”, so your arms won’t get sore when styling your whole head, making getting ready a less stressful experience.

They also praised the quality feel, sleek design and fast work, all of which are also true of the brand’s hair dryer. The only niggle came from those with thicker, coarser hair who would have preferred chunkier plates.

This mini cordless option means you never have to find a plug socket for on-the-go touch ups. If you're concerned about it being less powerful than its bigger wired counterparts, rest assured that it effectively styled most of our panel’s hair at pace.

Nearly everyone enjoyed a shinier, frizz-free finish, but our lab test gave it a moderate rating for retaining style in humid conditions. Overall, most testers were left with healthier-looking hair, with everybody agreeing that they'd keep this in their handbags.

This purse-friendly option is currently less than £20, so bargain hunters, look no further. It claims to heat up in just one minute but our lab test found it took slightly longer to reach its maximum temperature.

Still, our testers appreciated how simple it was to use and were impressed by how lightweight it was to hold and manoeuvre. Overall, they agreed that it styled their hair as they wanted, and they praised the mirror-shine it left on their strands.

These luxe straighteners come with a hefty price tag and the accompanying array of accessories, including a heat-resistant guard, make it a strong choice for beginners with cash to splash.

Our panel found its compact cordless design suitable for travelling and fantastic for styling the entire head without straining your neck. It left testers with frizz-free strands and they liked the low 160°C temperature option – ideal for those keen to avoid excessive heat damage.

Whether you're a fan of Love Island or not, there's no denying that those women know how to use hair tools. So, the GHI was intrigued to see whether former contestant, Molly-Mae Hague, had nailed it with this pair of straighteners.

Barely anyone reported any snags, with most finding the slim plates reached their roots easily. It tamed flyaways and kept styles looking good in our lab test, with our panel loving their shiny, frizz-free results. It also offers a generous 29 heat settings but takes a little while to heat up.

Using innovative heat control and steam tech to straighten hair faster with less damage, this steampod was unique among those on test. It comes with a built-in brush and our testers said their silky style lasted throughout the day.

The majority agreed that it straightened hair instantly and most thought their hair appeared healthier and shinier. Not much water is needed per use and the panel appreciated the sturdy design and innovative steam iron technology. Some even found the steam made their hair feel more hydrated.

This reasonably priced tool offers a mammoth 30 heat settings, giving those with more fragile hair the option to style gently. It heated up rapidly and our lab test found it accurate at hitting its promised temperatures.

The extra-long plates (125mm) proved perfect for those with longer locks; they got through strands at pace, leaving newfound shine. Our testers liked that they cooled down quickly too, with one loving that they “didn’t need to touch up throughout the day.”

Straighteners are a big investment, so you need to make sure you’ve got all your hair needs covered in one tool before you make the commitment to buy. If you’re not sure what all those buzzwords mean on the side of the box, we’ve simplified them below, so you can figure out what to prioritise.

Variable temperature settings: this is useful if you’re planning on sharing your device. Lower heat suits fine hair best, while thick or coarse tresses may need more heat to be effective.

Ionic technology: when there’s too much positive charge on each hair strand, they begin to repel each other, making hair static and flyaway. This technology helps to neutralise the charge, smoothing strands down instead.

Ceramic plates: they are slower to warm up than other materials, but they distribute heat more evenly. They tend to be cheaper too, but are more prone to chipping.

Titanium/metal plates: these get very hot quickly but tend to be expensive. Improper usage can cause heat damage, too. We recommend leaving these hair straighteners on your locks for only a few seconds at a time.

Ceramic-coated plates: they usually have a metal base topped with a ceramic layer, combining the best qualities of both materials. The outer layer can chip and wear away over time, but a good-quality model should last you at least three years if stored properly.

Additional accessories: higher priced straighteners may come with accessories such as a heat mat, gloves and a travel case.

Florence is our Senior Beauty Writer, specialising in expert-tested beauty and grooming reviews — from toothbrushes to the latest skincare launches. She’s committed to sharing recommendations for products that truly work and make people feel confident and healthy. Prior to this she was at Tropic Skincare, where she worked closely with biochemists in the lab, delving into the functions of each fresh, natural ingredient and conveying its efficacy to her audience in easy-to-digest terms.

With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work.

When she isn’t packing for a trip away, working out, eating out or reading up on retinol serums, you’ll probably find her experimenting with her film camera and building her portfolio of portraits. Florence’s photography can be found at florencereeves-white.com, her Instagram is @florencereeveswhite and her twitter is @floreadsnwrites

Orla is our Senior Beauty and Grooming Tester and has extensive knowledge of skin and hair composition thanks to her first class bachelor's degree in cosmetic science from the Universy of the Arts London. She also spent time as a Formulation Chemist intern at Amelia Knight Cosmetics.

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