12 Best Flat Irons for Natural Hair That'll Give You a Flawless Silk Press
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Natural hair girlies….*it’s timeee* (screams in Mariah Carey's voice) to get your silk press on! The cooler temps mean you won’t have to worry about sweating out your blowout, so if you plan on straightening your curls, we’ve got you covered with the best flat irons for natural hair.
But before you reach for a hot tool, there are a few things to keep in mind to help you get beautifully shiny, sleek-straight stands. You can find professional flat irons designed for all hair textures (check out some of our fav Dyson Airwrap dupes here) that come with features catered to straightening curly hair patterns, such as various heat temperatures, specific plate materials, and functional designs (we know how painful it can get holding up a heavy flat iron at the back of your head).
To help you find the best straightening irons, we consulted with a few expert hairstylists: Michelle O’Connor, award-winning NAHA hairstylist and Ulta Beauty Pro Team Member, and Myiesha Sewell, beauty director at Sephora.
“Look for an iron with flexing plates to minimize tugging at the strands,” says Michelle. You should only flat iron your hair a handful of times yearly. You must also always use a heat protectant and set your temperature on the lowest possible setting for your hair type,” she explains.
Getting the healthy blowout of your dreams is achievable. You’ll just need to invest in the right hair tools, curly hair products, and practice the proper hair care.
"In addition to heat protectant, it’s also important to minimize passes by leading the flat iron with a brush or comb,” says Myiesha. “Don’t let the goal of achieving straight hair distract you from the importance of upkeep. Moisturizing and protecting before applying heat is the key to healthy hair!”
Now that you’ve got some tips, it’s time to check out the best expert-recommended flat iron picks for natural hair below.
What is the least damaging hair straightener?
You’ll need to give your hair some extra TLC when using a flat iron to prevent heat damage. “High heat settings can damage curls like a clothing iron has different heat settings for different fabrics. Anything over 400 degrees on any hair type would be too damaging. Curly hair is generally more delicate, and extreme heat can damage the elasticity and the curl's ability to revert,” says Michelle.
Prepping your hair correctly before straightening can also help prevent damage. “Use a clarifying hair wash and a bond-building or leave-in mask. Your hair should also have a heat protectant in the styling aid,” suggests Michelle.
Are ceramic flat irons good for natural hair types?
“You should look for ceramic plates or titanium. Ceramic provides even heat distribution, whereas titanium plates are electrically charged once heated and can produce negative ions which fight against frizz,” Michelle explains.
Teen Vogue’s Top Picks:
- Best flat iron for natural hair silk press: Dyson Corrale Straightener, $500
- Best flat iron for black hair on Amazon: BaBylissPRO Nano Hair Straightener, $160
- Best flat iron for thick hair: GHD Platinum+ Styler 1” Flat Iron, $195
- Best drugstore flat iron for natural hair: InfinitiPRO By Conair Titanium Flat Iron Smooth & Shine Luxe Series, $50
“The best luxury flat iron for curly hair is hands down the Dyson Corrale, ” says Michelle. “With its flexing plates gathering the hair for control, you can achieve smooth and shiny results with 50% less damage to those delicate curly strands.”
Pros: Cord-free, Intelligent heat control, Flexing plates for reduced reliance on heat
Cons: Customers note it feels heavy
Ulta Customer Review: “I didn't think it was possible to love a hair tool more than the Dyson hair dryer, but this straightener has me over the moon. It’s everything as advertised and it heats up in seconds and works like a charm. The iron is weighty but balanced perfectly. The outer shell does not get hot—no burns or need for protective gloves. I highly recommend it.”
Plate Type: Flexing manganese copper alloy plates
Plate Width: 1.6in
Max Temp: 410ᵒF
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Conair is one of our favorite drugstore beauty brands, from scrunchies to hair clips, and flat irons, they truly have it all when it comes to hair styling. And this flat Infiniti pro iron has made a lasting impression on customers thanks to its straightening capabilities. The features include a ceramic heater, which reaches up to 455 degrees. It also has floating plates designed to move and align to your hair texture for better results.
Pros: Floating plates designed to move and adjust to your hair texture, Five temperature settings
Cons: Some reviewers note they needed to do multiple passes on coarser hair types
Ulta Customer Review: “This flat iron is working wonders on my long hair and I do not have to worry about all the damage that other irons may cause. It makes my hair so shiny and visibly less frizzy. My hair has been so much more manageable using this. Plus, I can finish all my hair in half the time it was taking with my other straightener. I would recommend this to all my friends and family.”
Plate Type: Titanium
Plate Width: 1” or 1.25”
Max Temp: 455ᵒF
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“The best pro iron is the GHD. It’s preset to a temperature of 365 degrees, giving you 70% stronger hair and 75% more shine,” says Michelle. It’s also great for single-pass styling and heats up in 20 seconds."
Pros: Comes with a heat-resistant, protective plate guard, Rounded barrel design helps with snag-free styling
Cons: Some users note that it feels heavy
Ulta Customer Review: “I am happy that I bought this product. I'm transitioning my hair back to its curly pattern so I was looking for something that wouldn't damage my hair too much, and this is it. Also, it straightens my hair without much effort.”
Plate Type: Ceramic
Plate Width: 1”
Max Temp: 440°F
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“I got this at a beauty sale while I was an intern in 2016, and I promise it’s still so good seven years later. My hair is medium curly (so not super tight curls, but definitely more than wavy), and I have thick, long hair. It takes me maybe 20 minutes tops to straighten my hair. I love it and will use it until the day it dies,” says Arielle Weg, a satisfied customer who responded to our Instagram callout for the best flat irons.
Pros: Floating beveled plates, Precision LED temperature display, 60-minute auto shut-off
Cons: Some users note that it takes multiple passes to straighten the hair.
Customer Review: “I had a Sedu Revolution for several years until it quit heating, so I ordered this as a replacement. The only gripe is that it has a weird grippy coating on the plastic parts, and I feel like it doesn’t glide like the Revolution, as that had a hard, smooth plastic finish. Otherwise, it’s great, just like I would expect from Sedu.”
Plate Type: Titanium core
Plate Width: 1”
Max Temp: 450ºF
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When straightening natural hair, it’s essential to get down to the roots, or else you’ll end up with a weird-looking poofy fluff at the top, with sleek straight strands towards the end of the lengths. And sometimes hot tools can feel too hot when getting close to the scalp. That’s where this flat iron comes in to save the day! It has a unique teardrop shape that allows the iron to get super close to the roots without causing any buns. “The Babyliss root teacher is my fave to really get into the roots,” says Ariel Baker, a satisfied customer who responded to our Instagram callout for the best flat irons.
Pros: Limited 5-year warranty, Optional auto-shutoff feature
Cons: Some users noticed a faint smell from the plastic during use.
Customer Review: “I was pleasantly surprised by this unit. It was smaller than I anticipated, but don’t let the size fool you! Though it is small, it’s mighty. It dries my hair in less time than my old hairdryer, and my hair looks so healthy!”
Plate Type: Ceramic
Plate Width: 1.5”
Max Temp: 450°F
Save on the best flat irons for natural hair with these Ulta promo codes.
This is the only flat iron I’ve seen my hairstylist use every time I get a silk press. So, it has definitely earned a spot on this list. It’s made with ionic technology, which helps to reduce frizz, creating sleek, straight strands. It also has a ceramic heater that instantly heats up, so you don’t have to wait for the iron to get hot. I’ve seen my stylist straighten and add big, bouncy curls to my hair with this fantastic hot tool.
Pros: Ultra-smooth titanium plates, Digital ionic technology emit millions of negative ions
Cons: Some users note you have to squeeze the paddles hard to contain the hair
Customer Review: “I have very thick, African American hair (bra strap length, natural/no perm, etc.) This is a legit game-changer. The silkiness...the smoothness...I felt like Beyoncé circa crazy in love. The plates were long and strong. No snagging! Smooth plates, hair never got stuck, no tears for my fallen end pieces."
Plate Type: Titanium
Plate Width: 1 1/4”
Max Temp: 450°F
Save on the best flat irons for natural hair with these Amazon promo codes.
Hello yellow! How fun is this bright-colored flat iron?! It’s an award flat iron that is designed to straighten all hair types. The best part? You’re guaranteed to get straight hair with just one pass. It heats up in less than 60 seconds and shuts off automatically.
Pros: Protective cool-touch tip, Fully heats in under 60 seconds
Cons: Some users note that the temperature heat settings are not enough.
Customer Review: “This straightener has very great packaging and a thoughtful design! It is very good quality and very user friendly. I have been using it with my naturally curly hair and I’m happy with the results. I would recommend it for anyone looking for a digital display or anyone who loves yellow! The display is helpful for people who want to see the heat due to heat sensitivity or specific temp requirements for their hair.”
Plate Type: Titanium Plates
Plate Width: 1”
Max Temp: 420°F
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“This tool contains a microchip that keeps heat consistent throughout the ceramic plates to ensure even styling,” says Myiesha.
Pros: Lightweight design, Automated heat customization
Cons: Some users note that you need more than one pass-through to get the hair straight.
Customer Review: “This is by far the best straightener I’ve ever used. I am so impressed by how well this straightens my hair and gets rid of frizz and flyaways, creating a beautiful sleek look while also not damaging and destroying my hair. I have very thick and somewhat wavy hair, and I love that a single pass is enough to give me my desired look.
Plate Type: Ceramic
Plate Width: 1”
Max Temp: N/A
This unique flat iron has not only two but four plates to give you precision flat iron styling. The features include rounded edges, an LCD digital display, a two-hour display, and a dual heater controller.
Pros: Rounded edge design for grip and control, 9 ft tangle-free swivel cord
Cons: Some users note that it can cause snagging.
Customer Review: “I have thick, curly hair and have tried many products to get straight hair. This has been the first straightener that has left my straight hair feeling smooth and flowy, rather than a frizzy, coarse mess. Very impressed with the result of this product.”
Plate Type: Black Gold
Plate Width: 4 1/2”
Max Temp: 455°F
Save on the best flat irons for natural hair with these Ulta promo codes.
This isn’t just your standard flat iron. It’s a 3-in-1 hot tool that will change how you style your hair. Thanks to the rounded body and floating plates, you can use it to straighten, curl, and add waves.
Pros: Automatic shut-off after 30 seconds, Temperature sensing, rapid heat technology
Cons: Some users note it’s not a good tool for curling hair.
Customer Review: “This straightener is great and easy to use. The quality is fantastic, so much so that the staff at my salon wanted to look at it and make note of the brand. It was recommended that I set it only up to 365 degrees for my thinner hair. The 200+ temp did nothing. I also bought one as a gift, too.”
Plate Type: Titanium
Plate Width: 1 1/4”
Max Temp: 440°F
Save on the best flat irons for natural hair with these Amazon promo codes.
This gorgeous flat iron is a fan favorite amongst Ulta beauty shoppers. It’s designed with ceramic-infused volcanic lava extracted from lava rocks - how cool is that?! This also helps to create smoother strands by locking in moisture and helping to prevent frizz.
Pros: Contains ceramic infused with volcanic lava, Ergonomically designed for easy use
Cons: Some users do not like that there are no temperature settings included
Customer Review: “I have spent so much money on high-end, flat irons and cheaper ones. I’ve probably bought over 20 of them in the last five years. Well, look no further. I have coarse curly hair, well, really frizzy more than curly, and this flat iron does the trick. My hair is shiny and no frizz. I very highly recommend it to my frizzy sisters.”
Plate Type: Extended 4” plate
Plate Width: 1”
Max Temp: 450°F
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“This is a convenient cordless option. It is rechargeable, so it’s perfect to use after the gym, on-the-go, or reshaping fringe,” says Myiesha.
Pros: Works to increase shine, Cordless, High-gloss plates
Cons: There are no heat temperature adjustment settings
Customer Review: “I LOVE GHD! This one is truly a game-changer. It's small enough to put in my bag or glove compartment, always charged & ready to go. It does the same great job as the regular-sized one, heats up in a snap & has a semi-flat side to it where you can rest it on the counter without it flopping over & burning your counter. I'm in love with it & recommend it!”
Plate Type: Ceramic
Plate Width: 1”
Max Temp: 365F
Save on the best flat irons for natural hair with these Sephora promo codes.
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