If you are gray or going gray, you’ll need the right kind of flat irons. This is to ensure you can style your hair while minimizing heat-related damage. Read on for our round-up of the 12 best flat irons for gray hair on the market right now.
This post contains affiliate links and we may earn if you click on them (at no extra cost to you). Please read our full disclosure policy here.
Our Top Picks
1. BEST OVERALL
HSI Professional Tourmaline Ionic Flat Iron Hair Straightener
2. BEST FOR FRIZZ CONTROL
Revlon Salon Straight Copper Smooth Hair Flat Iron
3. BEST FOR LONG HAIR
4. BEST FOR FAST RESULTS
5. BEST 2-1 STRAIGHTENER/CURLER
12 Best Flat Irons For Gray Hair
1. HSI Professional Tourmaline Ionic Flat Iron Hair Straightener – Top Pick
Highlights
This flat iron by HSI has tourmaline-infused ceramic plates which are gentler on gray hair. It also has HeatBalance technology which helps reduce the time that hair is exposed to heat.
Features
- 8 HeatBalance microsensors ensure even heat distribution
- Tourmaline-infused ceramic plates
What We Like About It
We like that this device regulates the temperature meaning you need to spend less time applying heat to gray hair to achieve the style you want. It comes with a few useful accessories to help you style including a heat-resistant glove, a carry pouch, and an argan oil hair treatment.
What We Don’t Like About it
While the HeatBalance technology is an asset for some, others may find this heat management inconvenient for times you want to ramp up the heat.
2. Revlon Salon Straight Copper Smooth Hair Flat Iron
Highlights
This flat iron from Revlon allows you to keep the heat at a manageable setting for your gray hair- between 180°F and 300°F is advised. The plates are ceramic coated which helps them to glide smoothly over hair.
Features
- 30 heat settings
- Tangle-free swivel cord
What We Like About It
We like the Smart Heat Memory System which retains your last heat setting and heats up accordingly when you switch it on. This product leaves gray hair soft and silky.
What We Don’t Like About it
It heats up very quickly, so do remember to adjust the heat setting to low for gray hair if the setting has been changed.
3. Conair Double Ceramic Flat Iron
Highlights
This flat iron has a high content of ceramic which produces an even, gentle heat and delivers frizz-free shiny results. The extra-long floating plates allow for faster styling with minimal exposure to potential heat damage.
Features
- 5 heat settings (reaching 410°F)
- Floating plate for better hair contact
What We Like About It
This is gentle on gray hair yet can achieve the desired shine and smooth finish. We like how it comes with clear temperature suggestions based on your hair type.
What We Don’t Like About it
If you have thicker hair or lots of hair, the 1-inch plates could mean it takes you a while to achieve your desired results.
4. Remington S9520 Pro 2″ Pearl Ceramic Flat Iron
Highlights
A lightweight option, this flat iron from Remington delivers salon-worthy hair in minutes. Pearl ceramic technology allows the device to pass smoothly over the hair to combat frizz.
Features
- Automatic shut off
- LCD temperature display
What We Like About It
Two-inch-wide plates mean you can style hair with fewer passes. This flat iron leaves gray hair frizz-free and smooth with its feature of 8 times more ceramic.
What We Don’t Like About it
Some reports suggest it takes a long time to achieve the desired smooth results.
5. VANESSA Titanium Plate Flat Iron
Highlights
The Vanessa flat iron emits high levels of negative ions to keep gray hair conditioned as you style. Heat is distributed evenly across the plates to leave you with professional-quality hair that is free from damage.
Features
- Variety of temperature settings
- 360° swivel cord
What We Like About It
We love that this flat iron seals in moisture and does a good job of reducing frizz in gray hair. The longer plates mean you can style hair in a shorter time.
What We Don’t Like About it
Some models seem to lack an instruction manual which some consumers would find useful to have.
6. Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener
Highlights
This cordless flat iron by Dyson has tourmaline-edged complex manganese copper alloy plates. It regulates the temperature 100 times per second keeping your chosen temperature stable.
Features
- 3 temperature settings
- Cordless model
What We Like About It
The flexing plates mean you need fewer passes of the appliance through your hair. This means less heat exposure and less damage to fragile gray hair. Being cordless makes it very convenient to maneuver as you style.
What We Don’t Like About it
This is at the top end of the price scale so definitely an investment piece.
7. ghd Platinum+ Styler
Highlights
This flat iron from ghd strengthens hair as it styles. The advanced, precision milled, floating plates allow the device to smoothly pass over hair, so it is gentle on gray hair.
Features
- Ultra-zone with predictive technology guarantees consistent heat across the plates
- Automatic sleep mode after 30 minutes
What We Like About It
The rounded barrel allows you to style hair without pulling or snagging it. This leaves gray hair really smooth, shiny, and looking healthy.
What We Don’t Like About it
It is a little pricy, but we feel it is quite possibly worth the investment for a piece of equipment you’ll have for years.
8. CROC Classic Silver Titanium Flat Iron
Highlights
With 1.5-inch plates using negative ion technology, the CROC Classic can style gray hair while avoiding heat damage. The ceramic heating system promotes one-pass styling.
Features
- Adjustable heat settings
- Automatic shut off after 40 minutes
What We Like About It
The CROC Classic heats up quickly and is comfortable to use. We like how you can set the temperature low and use gentle heat to tackle frizz in gray hair. It produces smooth salon-worthy results.
What We Don’t Like About it
Some reports suggest it is not very durable and one knock or bang could be game over for this flat iron.
9. Paul Mitchell Pro Tools Express Ion Smooth+ Ceramic Flat Iron
Highlights
Favored by many, this flat iron achieves sleek results in record time. The ceramic plates have infra-red and ionic technology to combat frizz and seal in moisture to gently style gray hair.
Features
- Adjustable heat settings
- Digital display for easy temperature control
What We Like About It
We love how the rounded edges of this flat iron minimize any hair snagging and leave gray hair feeling and looking soft and smooth.
What We Don’t Like About it
This is more suited to straightening hair rather than waving or curling so it might not be the one for you if you’re looking for a versatile model.
10. T3 Lucea ID Digital Ceramic Flat Iron
Highlights
With this product, heat is personalized according to hair texture, length, and color treatment. There is no need to expose fragile gray hair to unnecessary heat and potential damage.
Features
- 9 heat settings
- T3 heat ID technology
What We Like About It
We were impressed with how the smart microchip monitors heat fluctuations to ensure a consistent temperature application. The plates glide easily through hair, leaving it smooth and shiny.
What We Don’t Like About it
The touch screen interface can be a little tricky to get the hang of.
11. AXUF Professional Hair Straightener
Highlights
This flat iron by AXUF allows you to straighten and manage gray hair without causing further damage. The 3d floating plates allow for even heat distribution and anti-static technology combats frizz.
Features
- Automatic shut off function
- Rounded edge plates
What We Like About It
We like that we can adjust the temperature to give gray hair some respite from intense heat. The 360° swivel cord makes styling easier and rounded edges help avoid snagging.
What We Don’t Like About it
Some people may find this flat iron a little on the bulky side. It can be tricky to get close to the roots of the hair with this model.
12. MONDAVA Professional Ceramic Tourmaline Flat Iron Hair Straightener
Highlights
This ionic pulse vibrating flat iron generates up to 3 million negative ions per minute which help reduce heat-related damage in gray hair. This premium-grade hair straightener promises to leave hair smooth and straight.
Features
- Tangle-free swivel cord
- Industry-leading ceramic tourmaline technology
What We Like About It
We love how this is gentle enough to use on fragile gray hair but still manages to tame it with just one pass. It also comes with a few extras like a heat-resistant glove, clips, and a pouch for safe storage.
What We Don’t Like About it
It may be tricky to achieve curls or waves with this model.
Things To Be Aware Of When Straightening Gray Hair
There are a few things to be aware of when straightening gray hair.
The Material
When using a flat iron on gray hair, it is a good idea to opt for a product with plates made of glass or ceramic.
This makes the plates smoother so they can pass through the hair without any snagging.
Ceramic coated with tourmaline is another good option if you’re using flat irons on gray hair. Tourmaline, a semi-precious stone, is ground and layered over ceramic plates.
Tourmaline generates negative ions which help in replenishing gray hair and lock in moisture. The tourmaline technology means less heat is required to manage frizz in gray hair.
The Heat Setting
With gray hair, it is best to opt for a flat iron that has multiple heat settings. Ideally, you should go no higher than 300°F to protect your precious silver locks.
Multiple heat settings mean you will be able to choose the lowest heat setting that gives you the desired results without damaging your hair.
You should also try to minimize the number of passes you make with the flat iron on your hair to further reduce heat damage on fragile gray hair.
Use Heat Protectant
Intense heat can break down the keratin in your hair; this can affect the hair’s texture and strength.
In other words- it can be very damaging for gray hair which is already susceptible to damage.
It is widely recommended that you use a heat protectant before using a flat iron on gray hair. This can come as a spray, a serum, or a cream.
Heat protectant acts as a barrier between your flat iron and your hair, helping to seal in moisture and minimize damage caused by heat.
TLC
If you want to continue using flat irons on gray hair, you need to invest time in to showing your hair some love.
Apply a deep conditioning treatment or a pre-shampoo nourishing hair mask once or twice a week.
Try using treatments with coconut oil, aloe vera, or avocado as these are rich in moisture.
You should also avoid shampooing your hair every day as this strips away the scalp’s natural oils which your gray hair needs.
Invest In Quality
Avoid opting for a flat iron that is the cheapest available. These can be less reliable and even prone to damaging your hair.
If you invest in a styling tool, you are more likely to reap the rewards. Your hair will thank you for it!
How To Avoid Further Damage To Gray Hair
There are several things you can do to avoid further damage to gray hair.
Getting the right vitamins is important to keep gray hair healthy-A, B, D, and E are the vitamins that help with this.
You can also try to make sure you get enough minerals such as zinc and iron, as these play an important role in the growth and repair of your hair.
Avoiding smoking, covering your hair in the sun, and avoiding harsh shampoos are all further ways you can avoid further damage to gray hair.
So, if you’re looking for the best flat iron for gray hair, our round-up should help.
With the right tool and a little care you can enjoy beautiful silver locks for years to come
Frequently asked questions
No, hair straighteners do not damage gray hair, provided you do a little research and choose straighteners suitable for fragile gray hair.
Yes, this is important. Using a heat protectant before styling provides your hair with a protective barrier. It also works to lock in moisture and smoothens the cuticle of the hair.
Disclaimer: This site is not intended to provide professional or medical advice. All of the content on LovedByCurls.com is for informational purposes only. All advice should be followed at your own discretion. Ingredients may change at any time so always check the product label before using. Check our full disclaimer policy here.
