Straight hair will never go out of fashion, so neither will the best hair straighteners you can use to achieve it. Research by consumer-trends analyst Mintel suggests that over one-third of women and one-fifth of men own a set of hair straighteners, and that number is growing. GHD and Cloud Nine are the dominant names in this market, but an ever-growing number of brands promise super-sleek, frizz-free straightening and more besides. Heat settings: A flat iron with multiple heat settings allows for more customization and flexibility when styling since you’re able to select a temperature that works for your hair type/needs. Our expert testers preferred having an option of a temperature range for their flat irons, and Hughes agrees: “It is a must for all hair types. Most irons go up to 430-450ºF,” but that doesn't mean you should crank up the heat all the way! Launched by one of the founders of GHD, Cloud Nine’s Original hair straighteners glide easily through the hair without any pull or drag. They leave hair feeling silky, looking shiny, and – most importantly – poker straight. Hair health is a key drive of this product’s design: the ceramic plates are mineral-infused to reduce snagging, leaving hair with extra shine, and there are six heat settings, from 100ºC to 200ºC. The plates perform well at lower temperatures, which means less risk of damage to hair. While not as techy as other straighteners, the PROLuxe is glamorously good and delivers perfect results instantly – one swipe of each section and you’re finished. It comes with a heat resistant guard similar to the GHDs which, again, might be better as a heat mat. Still, despite only doing the basics, these are definitely the best value for money straighteners you can buy right now.

Beyond material, "some of the aspects that make a great flat iron include the heating element ... a good visual digital thermometer, the quality of the plates and the length of the cord," says Toye. "The best flat irons are ones that sit comfortably in your hands, have an even heat distribution and selection of temperatures so that you don't damage your hair," adds Porsche. Revamp Progloss Liberate Cordless Ceramic Compact Hair Straightener ST-1700: The best compact straighteners If you’re in the market for a versatile straightening tool that can handle both straight and curly styles with ease, the Babyliss 9000 is our recommendation. The Platinum Plus is GHD’s premium offering, with floating ceramic plates designed to deliver optimum heat for your hair type and maintain that temperature using intelligent heat technology that measures and adjusts it constantly while styling. The result is even heat across the plates that won’t scorch the hair, leaving hair looking glossy and feeling healthy. The smooth gliding plates and even heat distribution mean you won’t have to run the Platinum Plus through the same strands more than once to see results, and the wishbone-shaped hinge reduces the risk of catching or snagging hair as you style. Our carefully curated collection of hair straighteners and flat irons are suitable for every hair type, texture and length, each with their own unique styling results. From thin plates to wide and styling on the go, whatever your preference, find the perfect hair straightener for you with ghd. Explore our collection of award-winning stylers and achieve salon-worthy looks at home.

Pharmacy product

Revlon Smoothstay Coconut-infused hair straighteners: The best budget straighteners for a glossy finish The rounded barrel of the platinum+ is perfect for creating a myriad of on-point styles, from loose waves to a flawless straight. For ultimate styling control, the unique wishbone hinge holds the precision-milled plates in perfect alignment for ease of use and snag-free styling. With the straightener comes a heat resistant plate guard that fits over the top of the tool. White quite handy, the heat does seep through leaving the guard hot to the touch, and a mat might be preferable while styling. Key specs – Plates: Floating; Maximum temperature: 200ºC; Voltage: 100-240V; Cord length: 3m; Automatic shut-off time: 30 minutes; Warranty: 3 years

The Contouring Iron also comes equipped with an impressive temperature range, with 11 temperature settings between 100°C and 200°C. There’s also a “Revive” mode, which fixes the temperature at 150°C, but uses micro-vibrations in the plates during styling to help create longer-lasting styles, despite the low heat. This is a step up from the Cloud Nine Original Iron, featured above, and worked remarkably well in our testing. There’s no getting around the fact that this is an expensive curling iron, but it’s the perfect all-in-one styler for those willing to splash out. Beauty heavyweight Revlon offers a simple but good-value option in these straightening irons. The ceramic coating on the floating heating plates is infused with moisturising coconut oil, paired with ionic technology to maintain hydration in the hair shaft and discourage frizz and flyaways. The platinum+, a ghd hair straightener so intelligent it predicts your hair's needs and constantly adapts the power to ensure the optimum styling temperature, at all times. Heat is monitored over 250 times per second thanks to infinity sensors throughout the plates, ensuring a precise reading to adjust the power accordingly. So, no matter what your hair type or styling technique, ghd platinum+ will ensure you always receive the perfect amount of heat for your hair needs, personalised to you.Pros: Compact yet powerful; cord-free design allows for more freedom of movement; making creating complex hair styles easier; USB-C charger This straightener doesn’t have a swivel cord, but the cord is long enough not to get in the way and, besides, the way this straightener felt on our hair, it was hardly noticeable. Trust us. The 'Ultimate Glide' ceramic coated plates do exactly what it says on the tin. They glided effortlessly over our hair and its possible this is the smoothest straightener we’ve ever used. It felt nothing short of professional and, despite the lower price point, should be considered luxury. There was absolutely zero snagging, making this the most comfortable straightener on this list too.

The iron eliminates the guesswork by selecting a temperature based on your hair type, with options for fine, medium and coarse. It also has a "curl mode" which lowers the temperature for creating curls. "Far too many times, people use a hotter setting than they actually need," our Lab pros say, but with nine temperature settings, this iron has the perfect fit for everyone, meaning you won't scorch even super fine hair. Featuring hybrid co-lithium technology, the ghd unplugged is powered by a bespoke lithium-ion battery to deliver long-lasting power and luxury ghd performance. Flight-friendly and complimented by a heat-resistant, chic styling case to protect your straightener after styling, unplugged empowers you the feeling of a good hair day no matter where you are. Design-wise, the wireless Corrale straighteners are heavier in the hand than some other brands, due to the added weight of their rechargeable battery. Their portable nature helps them stand out against rival models. With a 30-minute battery life, these hair straighteners have enough juice in the tank for the majority of people to get their hair straight and sleek. The ceramic floating plates have sensors which monitor heat 250 times a second – 2.5 faster than the Dysons – to help protect your hair and minimise damage. The 2.7 metre cord is long enough not to be irritating and the 360°C swivel feature, combined with the wishbone-shaped handle, make this tool a winner on ergonomics. Side note: the rounded tip is perfect for curling as well as straightening.

What’s the best hair straightener to buy in 2021?

The floating plates (set on springs) ensure an even pressure and grip on the hair, helping it to pass through the tool smoothly. There are nine heat settings that make it easy to select the correct heat for your hair type and texture. It’s also easy to switch between temperatures, so you can use a recommended 180°C for the bulk of the hair and a cooler setting for the thinner, more fragile front sections. The straighteners heat up in just 15 seconds and feature automatic switch-off after one hour. With universal voltage, you can be as fierce as you want anywhere in the world and with the automatic sleep mode after 30 minutes of non-use, worrying about if your straighteners are switched off is a thing of the past. Our professional range of multi-use hair straighteners are the perfect addition to your styling essentials, whether you’re after big, bouncy curls, loose, beachy waves or a sleek, poker-straight finish. Discover ghd’s range of hair straightening tools for ultimate, long-lasting results without compromising hair health. Key specs – Plates: Ceramic-coated, “floating spring” plates; Heat settings: 185ºC; Maximum temperature: 185ºC; Voltage: Universal; Cord length: N/A; Automatic shut-off time: 3 minutes; Warranty: 2 years They come with adjustable heat control, so you can select the right temperature for your hair texture, from 165ºC to 210ºC. The intelligent heat-control system takes 100 measurements per second to ensure the temperature remains even throughout the process, so there’s no risk of damage from scorching.