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Chi Vibes on the Edge Curved Edge Hairstyling Iron for $110: I’m a long time Chi’s devotee, I had and loved the original ceramic flat iron until it broke a decade later, so I admit I was excited about this metallic-rainbow version of Chi’s Vibes 1″ or 1.5″. ceramic plates (I tested the latter) actually bend around the sides of the tool, allowing the user to get closer to their hair while this feature actually did an impressive job of compressing my flyaways (and I appreciated the unusually long 11-foot cord), I felt that the 415-degree Fahrenheit surface and my head, face, and ears was the lack of a buffer between. Too much risk of burning for regular use.
L’ange Le Duo Airflow Styler for $67: This flat iron has a clasp that is similar to a curling iron. Most flat irons stay apart and you have to press them together to use them. It works just like any other curling iron and the rounded edges make curls easier, too.The real attraction here is the vents that blast cool air to lock your style in automatically turns on, but there is a button to turn it off. — Medea Giordano
Sleek’e for $81 and: Convenient for $195: These irons are essentially the same tool. Sleek’e confirmed they are actually made by the same manufacturer. The Kosa felt a little lighter, but none the less. They both emit ions and have a stripe of infrared light in the middle of one of the plates, which is supposed to helps distribute heat evenly and so as not to damage the hair. — Medea Giordano
Brilliance New York Smooth Pro Ceramic Flat Iron for $45: WIRED reviewer and curl girl Lauryn Strump swears by this straightener. She bought it on an impulse through a Groupon deal in 2014 and still reaches for it consistently, even though she’s tried a few more flat irons since then, she even prefers it over it Dyson Corral. It’s lost some of its heat stability over the years, and the plates sometimes snag her hair, but it still leaves her unruly curls sleek and shiny, and most importantly, straight. — Medea Giordano
FoxyBae Tres Sleek Flat Iron for $38: This budget titanium flat iron does a pretty decent job of straightening thick, curly hair, though its flimsy build, long heat-up time, and awkward-to-maneuver 1.75-inch plates make it less appealing than our top budget pick, the Conair Infiniti Pro above.
Revlon Easy Heat Precision Flat Iron for $35: Another entry-level flat iron, this deep pink model feels heavier and more expensive than it is, with easy-to-read temperature settings.I also liked that it heats up in 30 seconds, a third of the time of most irons in its price category. However, I was surprised at how ineffective the 1-inch plates were on my curls, even with the iron maxing out at 450 degrees F. Plus, my My (barely) straightened hair was back to normal within minutes.
