Locs, box braids, twists, Bantu knots to name just a few: there is no shortage of style ideas for natural hair. But if poker-straight hair is what you’re after, then you’ll need a good flat iron for the job. In this article, we will look at the 12 best flat irons for natural hair.
The best flat irons for natural hair should have high-quality ceramic plates. For hair that is kinkier or more difficult to straighten, titanium plates work best. Flat irons with ionic technology are great for adding shine and strength, while an adjustable heat setting is essential to avoid heat damage.
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.
In A Hurry? Our Top Picks
| Image | Title | Buy |
|---|---|---|
Top | HSI Professional Glider | Ceramic Tourmaline Ionic Flat Iron Hair Straightener | | Buy on Amazon |
 | NITION Professional Salon Hair Straightener, Gold, 1 inch Plate | Buy on Amazon |
 | INFINITIPRO BY CONAIR Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron, 1-inch | Buy on Amazon |
 | CROC Classic Silver Titanium Flat Iron, 1.5 Inch | Buy on Amazon |
Why Use A Flat Iron On Natural Hair
Super straight hair is achievable using a hairdryer and brush.
However, nothing can quite compare to the shine and sleekness you get from using a flat iron.
If you have natural hair, it is important to find one that will achieve the sleekness you want while avoiding heat damage.
So, if you are on the lookout for a new flat iron, have a look through our list below. You might just find what you’re after.
12 Best Flat Irons for Natural Hair – Buying Guide
1. HSI Professional Glider
This flat iron has adjustable heat settings which go from 140 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit- great to give your hair a break from overly intense heat if needed.
The tourmaline plates help reduce frizz, while the ceramic is built to be durable and has long-lasting results on all hair types.
Why We like It
Budget-friendly
2. NITION Professional Salon Hair Straightener Argan Oil
With plates comprised of 5 layers for better performance, the NITION Professional Straightener will protect as it straightens your natural hair.
Layers of nanosilver, argan oil, tourmaline, and titanium work to lock in your hair’s natural moisture, making even the frizziest of hair shiny and sleek. The 60-minute shut-off function also contributes to peace of mind.
Why We Like It
Comes with a travel pouch bag and heat resistant glove.
3. INFINITIPRO BY CONAIR Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron
Heating up to 455 degrees Fahrenheit without hotspots, this flat iron is good for all hair types. The tourmaline ceramic guarantees pin-straight styles and eliminates frizz.
The device is fitted with an automatic shut-off for peace of mind.
Why We Like It
It has 30 different settings
4. CROC Classic Silver Titanium Flat Iron
If your natural hair is a little coarse, the CROC Classic Nano-Titanium flat iron can straighten it, stress-free.
This flat iron will relax your natural hair and give it a lustrous shine. This is perfect for fine, wavy, thick, and coarse hair.
Why We Like It
Titanium ionic plates with infra-red heat help prevent heat damage to hair
5. Paul Mitchell Pro Tools Express Ion Smooth+ Ceramic Flat Iron
A digital professional straightener, the Paul Mitchell Express flat iron comes with cushioned ceramic plates to help give you the glossy, sleek look you’re after.
The negative ions help to smooth out cuticles while locking in natural hair’s moisture. With 1.25 inch plates, it covers more hair in less time.
Why We Like It
LCD screen helps monitor and control temperature
6. ghd Platinum+ Hair Straightener, Ceramic Flat Iron
GHD Platinum + is the world’s first Smart hair straightener. It predicts your hair’s needs by monitoring the heat about 250 times per second.
So, whether your natural hair is thick or thin, you’ll get the look you want. A wishbone hinge ensures the plates are aligned for perfect styling.
Rounder barrels make it easy to create a bouncy look or a straight look- whatever your heart’s desire!
Why We Like It
Fitted with a heat resistant protective plate guard
7. BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Ultra-Thin Straightening Iron
This tool from Babyliss promises salon-quality hairstyles at home. The smooth titanium plates glide through hair, preventing snagging.
The adjustable temperature settings straighten natural hair with ease leaving you with beautifully polished hair, and no heat damage.
Why We Like It
Lightweight and ultra-thin
8. CHI Original Flat Hair Straightening Ceramic Iron
The CHI Original flat iron boasts an all-in-one ergonomic design and advanced ceramic technology to leave your natural hair silky and shiny.
It is versatile so you can straighten, flip or curl. All while remaining frizz-free due to the smooth glide of the titanium plates.
Why We Like It
It heats up quickly
9. Neuro Paul Mitchell Neuro Smooth Flat Iron
With premium titanium plates and Smartsense microchip technology, this tool helps you achieve sleek lustrous hair while avoiding heat damage.
Adjustable temperature controls mean you can be in charge of how much heat to apply. It has ‘lightning fast’ speed recovery.
Why We Like It
Has an automatic shut-off feature that you can customize.
10. Remington S5500 1″ Anti-Static Flat Iron
The 1 inch wide floating plates allow these flat irons to glide through your natural hair and achieve your style.
Anti-static technology means you can enjoy static-free hair and reduced flyaways. The titanium layer means these flat irons heat up faster making them more efficient. It is lightweight and has adjustable heat settings.
Why We Like It
Lightweight so easy to travel with
11. DORISILK Professional Infrared Flat Iron Hair Straightener
A very versatile steam flat iron, this allows you to adjust the heat settings with ease. It is designed for use on all hair textures and is especially good for natural hair. It has 5 conditioning steam vents to hydrate every strand of your hair.
Why We Like It
Ceramic coated plates ensure heat is distributed evenly
12. Bed Head Pixie 1/2″ Straightener
Bed Head has created this easy-to-use styling tool with a tourmaline ceramic system allowing you to style hair without damaging it.
The ½ inch plates mean the straightener can be used for both long and short natural hair.
Why We Like It
Reaches desired temperature in less than 30 seconds
How To Best Use A Flat Iron On Natural Hair
When you style your hair using a flat iron, it is important to keep hair moisturized and nourished in order to prevent hair from becoming damaged and brittle.
Although your flat iron might be a vital styling tool for you, it does apply a lot of heat to your hair. If possible, give your hair a break from heat styling from time to time to avoid excessive damage.
Treat your locks to a nourishing protein mask once a week. This helps replenish lost moisture and avoids hair becoming weak, damaged and eventually breaking.
How To Choose The Best Flat Iron For Natural Hair
When it comes to the purchase of a flat iron, there are a few things you should take into consideration:
Type And Length Of Hair
The length, texture, and condition of your hair should all be taken into consideration when choosing a flat iron.
If you have thicker, coarser hair then consider going for a flat iron which can heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit as thicker hair can withstand this.
However, if you have thinner hair, or it is already damaged or color-treated, then go for a gentler flat iron where temperatures can be reduced as required.
Adjustable Temperature Settings
Many straightening irons on the market right now are fitted with adjustable heat settings.
This helps protect your natural hair as you have control over the heat generated by the tool. It also means you can adjust the heat according to what style you want to achieve.
Plate Size
The size of the plate on your flat iron matters and you should choose the plate size according to the length and thickness of your hair.
Long thick hair would benefit from a thicker plate, one that is over an inch thick. Whereas thinner shorter hair will benefit from plates 1 inch in thickness or less.
Plate Material
The plate material is another factor to think about. Different brands of flat irons use different materials, however, the most commonly used ones are titanium and ceramic.
Titanium has the benefit of heating up quickly and it is strong and durable, while ceramic heats up more slowly but more evenly. Many flat irons use both so you can get the best of both worlds!
Safety Feature
This is an important feature to factor into your buying options.
An automatic shut-off timer is great if you can be a bit forgetful- and let’s face it, with the busy lives we lead, we are all prone to forgetfulness at some time or another.
This function means that after a certain amount of time of being left idle, the tool will shut itself off, thus avoiding becoming a potential fire hazard.
Ergonomic Design
The design of the flat iron you choose should mean that you can style easily and comfortably.
You should be able to hold the tool comfortably and without fear of dropping it so look for a handle with slip resistance.
In addition, you should be able to easily access the control buttons or dials, yet not trigger them accidentally.
The cord should have the maneuverability to avoid becoming tangled as you move or swivel to style your hair.
Ion Technology
Ionic hair straighteners are designed to smooth hair and eliminate frizz while strengthening. It ensures hair retains moisture to avoid becoming brittle and damaged.
Multi-functionality
It is useful to have a flat iron that not only straightens but can also be used to add waves, curls, and flips.
The versatility of a multifunctional straightening iron pays dividends if you like to travel with your flat iron.
Frequently Asked Questions
A few questions you may have as you research the type of flat iron you want to buy, and answers to help you:
Which is the least damaging flat iron?
When it comes to flat irons, there is no one-size-fits-all. Different hair types have different requirements, so the least damaging tool is one that is suitable for your hair type.
How often can I use a hair straightener?
As a general rule of thumb, you should not expose your hair to excessive heat too often. The more limited your use, the better it will be for your hair.
What kind of flat iron works best for natural hair?
Both ceramic and titanium-plated flat irons will work for natural hair, but which one exactly depends on the individual texture of your hair.
Ceramic plates are good for switching between straight and curly styles, while kinkier or harder to straighten hair will see the most benefit from titanium plates.
Ion technology is also a good feature to have for your natural hair to ensure smooth hair free from frizz.
What temperature should a flat iron be for natural hair?
This varies according to the texture of your natural hair.
Thicker hair can be safely styled with temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas thinner hair should be styled with a lower temperature, ideally below 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
With so many choices out there, your biggest problem is going to be trying to decide which flat iron to choose. Hopefully, our guide above has given you food for thought.
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.
