12 Best Flat Irons For Thick Hair For 2024
Your thick hair exists for a reason; give it the style it stands for with these tools.
Lindsay Loo is a cosmetologist who has spent 10 years behind the chair in a storied salon in Chelsea. She is a certified Wella Master Color Expert and also has experience backstage at New York Fashion Week. She has a private studio and loves to make her clients feel amazing and welcomed.
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Experience: 5 yearsMedha Deb is a commerce editor with a master's degree in applied linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. She specializes in the areas of beauty, health, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is of the highest quality.
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Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.
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Experience: 8 yearsArshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.
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Looking for the best flat iron for thick hair but not knowing which one to buy? Fret not, girls. We got your back. Our curated list of flat irons will save you the time and trouble of searching for one.
Getting straight hair has always been something all us ladies fancy a lot. But we also know that doing it often damages your hair or fry it, in the worst-case scenario! To avoid this burning disaster, you need a suitable flat iron at your side. These functional tools require the tiniest bit of effort with maximum results. If you haven’t bought one yet, scroll down to check them out!
In This Article
12 Best Flat Irons For Thick Hair
1. Best For Curly Hair: HSI Professional Glider
If you have curly or coarse hair, then this flat iron is your best bet. This professional-grade straightener is made from high-quality ceramic plates and uses 8 Heat Balance micro-sensors that glide through the hair smoothly, ensuring even heat distribution. The thick plates are made using ceramic and tourmaline crystal ion plates. The plates are designed with advanced technology to ensure you get that glass-like finish on your hair. It redefines the traditional straightener iron, locking in natural moisture and transforming frizzy hair, making it look sleek and shiny. The temperature can be adjusted to best suit your needs. If you want salon-quality straight hair, then this is the straightener to invest in.
- Tourmaline-infused ceramic-coated plates
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
- Offers frizz control by generating negative ions
- No auto shut-off
"This straightener is great on my hair texture and comes with gloves that prevent burns on my fingers. It smoothly straightens with just one pass. My hair remains straight for a long time. Its dual voltage feature makes it is a solid choice for those who love traveling but cannot stay away from their flat iron for long."
"This straightener is great on my hair texture and comes with gloves that prevent burns on my fingers. It smoothly straightens with just one pass. My hair remains straight for a long time. Its dual voltage feature makes it is a solid choice for those who love traveling but cannot stay away from their flat iron for long."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
There are more than 35,236 Amazon reviews attesting to the quality of the product and endorsing its value.
2. Best Lightweight Design: VANESSA Titanium Flat Iron Hair Straightener
This titanium flat iron hair straightener has damage-free plates and releases high levels of negative ions to give you smooth and silky hair by retaining hair moisture. It offers 11 temperature settings ranging from 265℉-450℉, easy to customize depending on your different hair type. It delivers heat to your hair consistently without frying it. The special titanium plates have been designed with ionic technology to create long-lasting and lustrous results. The human-factor engineered design lets you hold the straightener at ease and style effortlessly to get shiny, frizz-free hair.
- Lightweight
- 11 temperature settings
- Reduces frizz
- Heats well and spreads evenly
- Retains moisture
- Might pull hair
"This flat iron has swiftly become my go-to item. It not only straightens my natural hair in one go but also adds fantastic curls. It heats quickly, leaving my hair salon-like in record time. This is effective for both thick and textured hair. Its compact size adds to its charm, making it perfect for those with short hairstyles."
Pro TipWhy We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 3,479 Amazon acclaimed reviews, this product is sure to find a place in everyone’s shopping bag.
3. Easy To Use: Easy To Use: Remington S9500 Pro 1″ Pearl Ceramic Flat Iron
Made with ceramic plates, this straightener is designed to cause less damage and frizz. The Crushed Pearl Infused Plates will ensure that in just one pass, your hair is silky and straight. It is perfect for all hair types and has ceramic floating plates making them easy to use. This iron heats up fast and has an auto shut-off making it an excellent investment for smooth results and sleek hairstyles.
- Comes with auto shut-off
- Heats up fast
- Flat iron does not grip the hair
4. Best Versatile: Kristin Ess Titanium Flat Iron
The Kristin Ess Titanium Flat Iron is a multi-purpose hair styling tool that can be used to straighten, wave, and curl thick hair. It has titanium plates that heat up quickly and allows for even heat distribution. It has four temperature presets ranging from 0°F to 440°F, a digital display, and an automatic shut-off feature. It has a rounded body that helps you create subtle curls easily on thick hair.
- Versatile
- Heats up quickly
- Automatic shut-off feature
- Rapid heat technology
None
"My thick wavy tresses found a friend in this easy-to-use straightener. What I love, is its ability to offer a sleek look to hair and create beautiful S-wave curls. It leaves my hair smooth and holds the curl all day. It's a bit of an investment, but given that it works better than previous ones I've tried, it's worth it. It actually cut my straightening time in half! Recommend it."
Pro TipWhy We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has received 138 reviews from customers on Amazon, indicating its popularity and reliability.
5. Best Travel-Friendly: xtava Professional Infrared Hair Straightener
When it comes to hair woes, it’s best to trust the most modern solution, and this straightener is truly an answer to all your prayers. Its 2-inch wide, ceramic tourmaline technology floating plates can glide through even the coarsest of hair, rendering it smooth and frizz-free. It has a heat-resistant travel case, and dual voltage, making it super travel-friendly. Designed with 90-second rapid heat up technology and an 8-foot long swivel cord, this straightener is functional and reliable.
- Has a 90-second rapid heat up technology
- Has an 8-foot long swivel cord
- Heats your hair from inside for long-lasting effects
- Plates are placed close to where it should be held
"This flat iron works amazingly on my thick, long hair. It heats up quickly and smoothes out my unruly tresses in no time. It tames my frizzy strands and provides a glossy finish. It also comes with an auto-stutoff function which is very convenient and safe. The only downside is that it is not very effective on my roots."
"This flat iron works amazingly on my thick, long hair. It heats up quickly and smoothes out my unruly tresses in no time. It tames my frizzy strands and provides a glossy finish. It also comes with an auto-stutoff function which is very convenient and safe. The only downside is that it is not very effective on my roots."
6. Best For All Hair Types : Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener
The Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener is designed to deliver precise styling with less heat and less hair damage. This hair straightener employs flexing plates that adapt to your hair, perfectly grouping it after each pass. It has an intelligent heat control system, which regulates the temperature of the plates to prevent excessive heat damage on thick hair. With a cordless design, this hair straightener gives you the freedom to style your hair wherever you want.
- Portable
- Reduces frizz
- Intelligent heat control
- Cordless design
- Suitable for all hair types
None
7. Best For Curly Hair: Revlon Copper Smooth Hair Flat Iron
The Revlon Copper Smooth Hair Flat Iron is designed for all hair types. It has copper technology which helps it glide onto thick hair smoothly. The true-grip, rounded plates are engineered with advanced technology that can create curls or loose waves easily with minimal heat transfer and damage. It has a 10-second quick heating time and digital precise heat settings up to a professional-level 455 °F, making it suitable for achieving smooth, straight, and shiny styles in no time. The flat iron features a tangle-free swivel cord and 30 programmable digital LCD heat settings along with anti-static properties for total styling flexibility.
- Reduced heat damage
- Advanced copper technology
- Suitable for all hair types
- Quick heat-up time
- Easy to use
None
"I've found this straightener to be a great tool for my thick, frizzy hair as it heats up instantly, efficiently tames my mane, and lasts the day. From heat control to avoiding hair snag, I've enjoyed using this product. Genuinely noteworthy."
8. Best With Wide Plates: Hot Tools Signature Series Ceramic Digital Flat Iron
This flat iron features ceramic technology that gives you flawless styling by taming frizz and reducing shine. It heats up to 450°F in just 30 seconds, meeting the fast styling needs of various hair textures and types. The iron has 1 1/2 inches wide plates, suitable to style longer sections of hair faster. In addition, the dual voltage of this iron makes it a perfect carry-on while traveling so that you can get sleek and shiny hair wherever you go.
- Heats up in 30 seconds
- Wide plates to style longer sections of hair faster
- Reduces frizz and adds shine
- Auto shut off feature
- The heat doesn’t last long
"The quick heating time and effectiveness of this flat iron impressed me. My hair is coarse and thick and the tool is suitability for both my hair and extensions. I believe I'll use it for a long time."
9. Best Smart Design: Hot Tools Pro Nano Ceramic Hair Straightener
The Hot Tools Pro Nano Ceramic Hair Straightener is designed to deliver shiny, frizz-free results. The nano ceramic technology helps to distribute heat evenly and offers damage prevention while delivering salon-worthy styles. It has wide plates with variable heat settings, making it ideal to create different styles on thick hair. It also has a unique heat memory technology that remembers your most recent temperature, making it simple to use. It has a tangle-free swivel cord along with a locking switch, which makes it easy to travel with and store in compact spaces.
- Free-free hair
- Compact and lightweight
- Suitable for all hair types and lengths
- Easy to use
- Convenient for storage
- Portable
None
"I enjoyed this straightener quite a lot. It's perfect for my thick hair, effortlessly gliding over the strands. It heats up in no time. It's robust and swift. Overall, a delightful tool. A must-try!"
10. Best With Multi Heat Settings: FURIDEN Hair Straightener And Curler
If you want an iron that has a wide variety of settings to choose from, then this is the one for you. It comes with 20 heat settings. It takes only 15 seconds to heat up, thereby saving you loads of time. The plates are made from ultra-smooth mirror titanium, which is the best for when straightening coarse, curly, or coily hair.
- Ultra-smooth titanium plates. ‘
- Plates retain moisture
- 20 heat settings
- Hard to create tight curls using this iron
"This straightener is fast-heating and has easy heat adjustment settings. It's lightweight and flawlessly straightens my hair and leaves it lustrous. I also use it for curling, and adding volume. Works well."
11. Best For Wet Hair: Rosily Stylish Iron Plus Flat Iron
This stylish flat iron comes with innovative vents that channel steam, making them the perfect iron to use on dry and wet hair. With this design, you no longer have to wait for your hair to dry to start styling it. Instead, you can towel dry it and immediately start styling it with this iron. It is built using smooth titanium plates that help conduct heat to your hair and resist corrosion. With 5 different temperature controls, this iron is perfect for those mornings when you are running late as it saves time and is flexible.
- Unique steam vents
- Adjustable temperature settings
- Does not grip hair very well
"The hair straightener does an excellent job at making my coarse, wavy hair silky-straight and shiny. It's lightweight and swift and comes with a long cord. It's practical and functional for daily use and makes my hair look great in minutes."
12. Best Dual Voltage: CHI Ceramic Hairstyling Iron
The CHI Original Digital Ceramic Hairstyling Iron has a professional-grade salon model and dual voltage system for convenient usage while you travel. It has a 1-inch ceramic plate and features a multipurpose, ergonomic design and cutting-edge ceramic technology. The ceramic heater of the iron is designed with advanced technology that heats it up in just 60 seconds. The iron helps you achieve silky, lustrous, and frizz-free hair with minimal heat damage. It also includes a 1-hour auto shut-off feature.
- Travel friendly
- Offers heat protection
- Offers versatile styling options
- Auto shut-off feature
- Easy to use
- Slightly expensive
"This flat iron has been a dependable choice. It heats quickly and has a long cord. It doesn't damage my thick, colored hair, especially with a heat protectant. Best for tackling persistent flyaways. Good decision overall."
Now that we have seen the 12 best straighteners in the market, we will understand how you must choose the product that is best suited to your needs.
How To Straighten Thick Hair With Flat Iron
Here is a guide to straightening your hair using a flat iron:
Step 1: Comb your hair out and divide it into sections (1:13)
Step 2: Heat the iron up to the desired temperature, depending on the hair texture (0:41)
Step 3: Apply a heat resistant spray if you like, as this can prevent excessive damage to your hair (1:33)
Step 4: Starting from the crown, move the iron in a fluid downwards motion (2:53)
Step 5: Move onto the next section and continue this until all your hair is straightened (4:56)
Once you are done, you could use some hairspray over the length of your hair. This helps maintain the styling for a longer period.
Flat Iron For Thick Hair-Buying Guide
We understand how confusing it can be when choosing a flat iron. Here is a list of a few things you should keep in mind before purchasing one:
- Temperature for thick hair
Usually, the temperature needs to be set between 350-400°F.
- Right plates
Ceramic: Less damaging to the hair. Heats up from the inside.
Titanium: Heats up faster, and the outside heats up first.
- Plate size for thick hair
Choose a plate that is wide and can hold more hair if you have thick hair.
- Technology:
Make sure that the technology used to design the straightener is one that allows heat to be distributed evenly.
- Temperature Range:
Ensure the straightener has many temperature controls and can be adjusted for preference.
Other factors that you must consider:
- Grip: Ensure the iron is easy to hold onto and will not slip.
- Weight: Should not be uncomfortably heavy and as lightweight as possible, so it is easy to carry around.
- Auto turn-off: Must have this feature, wherein it shuts off automatically if not used for a while.
What Safety Features Should A Flat Iron Have?
A flat iron should have Instant Heat Recovery System, auto shut-off, and dual voltage as these features make it reliable and highly functional for daily use. Lindsay Loo, an expert cosmetologist reminds you in this context, “Always use a heat protectant that is formulated for flat ironing your hair. This will help maintain your hair health while you rock a fabulous style.”
Infographic: Mistakes To Avoid While Using A Flat Iron For Thick Hair
Straightening thick hair with a flat iron can be a daunting task. You may be tempted to skip a few guidelines to get quicker results. This may end up damaging your hair and making it more difficult to manage. The infographic below covers some common mistakes that you should avoid to get pin-straight hair without damaging your tresses. Check it out!
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
Thick hair appears voluminous and makes you look like a diva. But it also requires special styling tools and hair care products to stay healthy and damage-free. This hair type needs special flat irons with adjustable temperature settings and ceramic or titanium plates to minimize the damage. For example, the HSI Professional Glider comes with tourmaline crystal ion plates, the xtava Professional Infrared Hair Straightener has ceramic tourmaline floating plates, and the Revlon Copper Smooth Hair Flat Iron has copper ceramic plates. In addition, these flat irons help retain moisture and minimize frizz. You should consider investing in expert-recommended flat irons that come with wide plates to hold more hair and allow even heat distribution. However, you should avoid products with no auto shut-off features as there could be a risk of scalding. You can always read through honest unbiased reviews of the irons online before purchasing one to make an informed decision.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Medha Deb, the author of this article, is a hair care enthusiast and loves writing comprehensive articles on the same. She conducted in-depth research about the best flat irons for thick hair by carefully analyzing online user reviews. Thick hair needs special flat irons that won’t damage the hair and control the frizz. The products listed above come with uniquely designed hair plates that boost shine and make your tresses look healthy and gorgeous.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I clean my flat iron?
You should clean it once a month.
Do you need to use a protective glove when operating a flat iron?
Using a glove is a great way to prevent scalding and accidental burns.
How should I choose my flat irons?
You should choose a flat iron based on your needs and the features it has. You must also factor the technology used in designing the plates and the temperature range it offers.
What is the difference between ceramic and non-ceramic plates?
The difference between the two is that ceramic plates heat from the inside, while non-ceramic plates heat up from the outside.
What products should I use to flat iron my thick hair?
Any of the flat irons mentioned above will do an exceptional job at straightening curly hair.
Will I damage my hair if I use a flat iron every day?
Yes, it can do serious damage to your locks as the heat can cause thinning of hair, split ends, etc.
Can I use a flat iron to do different styles?
If the iron is designed to double up as a curler, then yes, you can use it to style your hair differently.
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