Best hair straighteners for every budget and hair type

If there's just one tool you need in your haircare tool kit, finding the best hair straighteners is arguably all you need. But, making sure you've chosen the right ones that suit your hair type can be an overwhelming task, especially as there are so many on the market these days. Whether it's wide thick plates that work wonders on long and curly hair, or 2-in-1 straighteners that do the job of a curling wand - curling hair as well as straightening. Straighteners have come on in leaps and bounds in recent years, with most helping you to create flawless hairstyles without creating instant hair damage.

Are you looking to upgrade your old styler with something that will cause less damage? Or want a smarter hair straightener that adapts to your hair type? We've done some extensive research and scoured the haircare space for the best straighteners out there right now. From ultra-high tech from brands such as ghd, Cloud Nine and Dyson as well as dupes if you're looking to save a little more cash.

Best hair straighteners at a glance:

• Best overall: ghd Platinum Hair Straightener - View on ghd
• Best value: Remington Shine Therapy Hair Straightener S8500 - View on Boots
• Best for damaged hair: Remington Hydraluxe Pro Hair Straightener - View on Amazon UK

Furthermore, listed below are our hair tools FAQs. We made sure to answer your burning questions about how to store your gadgets, as well as recommendations for hair products to help along the way. With the right tool and hair products, you can style your hair as well as protect it from long-lasting heat damage caused by straighteners, hair wavers, and more.

Best hair straighteners UK

Best hair straighteners FAQs

Do hair straighteners damage your hair?

The short answer is yes, but not as much as they used to and there is so much you can do to prevent severe heat damage. The heat from the straightener not only can break the hair, but it makes it weaker. This leads to frizz, which leads to using a flat iron, and that leads to more damage. Unfortunately, this is going to be an ongoing cycle of damage to your hair, especially if you use hair tools, like this or a hair curler, every single day.

How long do hair straighteners last?

Although many of us are guilty of holding onto our trusted pair of ghd straighteners for over ten years, some experts say hair straighteners normally need to be replaced every two to three years. If you notice yours becoming less and less effective, it could be time to switch to a new set. Wrapping the cord around your straighteners is also a big no-no, and can cause a lot of power problems - even if you think they're still working fine!

Marie Nieuwoudt, Creative Ambassador at CLOUD NINE advises, “A lot of us are guilty of clinging onto a pair of hair straighteners that have served us well for five years and some even a decade. However, it’s important to note that the longer you use the straighteners, the greater the risk of hair damage.

“There are a couple of signs to look out for to know when it's time to part with your straightener.   Check if the heat plates have started lifting off the straightener's body, Once this happens it can trap your hair as you straighten causing breakage. The temperature gauge in older straighteners can often lose accuracy meaning you can be unaware that you are burning your hair.

We’d recommend replacing your straighteners every 2-3 years to ensure of your product is working at its best and reduce the risk of hair damage. When the time comes to get a new pair, trade in your old pair at CLOUD NINE and receive a discount on a new styler.”

Hannah Mellin has been working in the Journalism industry for over a decade and has written for an array of brands. When she's not writing, perfecting her skincare routine, researching or testing products, she's renovating her Victorian terrace and chilling in the garden with her sausage dog Waffle.