Curls and waves are beautiful. But when you want to smooth them out, these hot tools—irons, brushes, and combs—work wonders.
STRAIGHTENING MY HAIR is typically a two-day affair. I wash all the product out the night before and load my hair with hydrating protectants. I let it air-dry, then I braid it before bed so that the next day, the curls are looser and easier to work through. Then, and only then, can I go in with a flat iron.
WIRED's Gear team has an array of curl types, needs, and hair-styling tricks, and we've all tried a lot of hair straighteners in our lifetimes. Some flat irons have left us with crispy ends and cramped hands, while others, like the ones listed here, gave us sleek hair. There's a dizzying number of options around, but hopefully our favorite hair straighteners can help narrow down your search.
A Dryer-Straightener Hybrid
There are a bunch of good straighteners on this list, but the RevAir is the only product that has made straightening my hair less of a chore (and something I can choose to do without hours of planning). If you can afford it, and find a cabinet it fits in, the RevAir is incredible. In goes wet, curly hair and out comes straight dry hair without much effort on your part. I was obsessed with the first RevAir and even more impressed with the second iteration (9/10, WIRED Recommends). It's a bit smaller and lighter, but more expensive than the last one.
I was terrified that its vacuum-like hose would rip my hair right out, but my follicles are still intact. It creates enough tension to remove the curl without actually pulling, and it works way faster than a blow-dry brush. For me, I still wanted to smooth out my hair with an iron, but those with smoother curls won't need to do that extra step—I tested it on a friend and she ended up with perfectly straight hair after.
MEDEA GIORDANO - April 15, 2023
See Full List of Best Straighteners Here >> wired.com
Featured Product
REVAIR
Reverse-Air Dryer
