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If sleek, straight strands are your goal this year, well, you're in luck. Why? Because we've taken the liberty of compiling a list of the best hair straighteners of 2021, that's why. These amazing flatirons will help you score the salon-worthy hair of your dreams at home — and the best part is, we found ones for every budget.
After all, some of us aren't looking to splurge on a straightener, while others who style their hair every day are completely down to as long as the quality is there. Speaking of which: Using a good flatiron can really make all the world of difference, as you don't want to wind up with frizzy, heat-damaged hair. Hence why we only included the best of the best.
We've scoured the world of flatirons to bring you the cream of the crop, at a range of price points. So whether you've got the coins for an affordable straightener or can shell out the big bucks for a high-end hot tool, these 21 straighteners will give you that just-back-from-the-salon look — minus the scorch.
All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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Under $50: Remington Pro 2” Flatiron with Silk Ceramic Advanced Technology
Larger than most flat irons, the Remington Pro 2" flatiron has two-inch plates to straighten more hair at a time. Speaking of time, it heats up in just 15 seconds and defrizzes hair significantly thanks to its built-in silk ceramic technology. Oh, it has an auto 60-minute shut off.
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Under $50: Drybar Tiny Tress Press Detailing Iron
Drybar's Tiny Tress Press Detailing Iron puts all those small, stubborn hairs along your forehead in their place. It's so small that it catches even the finest hairs and gets right at the roots (without scalding your skin). Best of all: It includes a travel pouch that doubles as a heat-protection pad.
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Under $50: Bed Head Attention Grabber 1” Tourmaline Ceramic Straightener
The video explaining how to use the Bed Head Attention Grabber Straightener makes it actually look fun to iron your hair. They don't call it the Attention Grabber for nothin': It leaves your hair super slick and with its bright-yellow color and purple polka dots, it's a bold work of art in itself.
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Under $50: Conair Infiniti Pro Rainbow Titanium Flatiron
The rainbow titanium plates of the Conair Infinity Pro flat iron are as effective as they are pretty. The 455-degree ceramic heat gets hair straight in a snap, and with 30 temperature dial heat settings, you can adjust to best fit the thickness and texture of your hair.
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Under $100: Kristin Ess 3-in-One Flatiron
Count on Kristin Ess to bless us with high-performance hair tools that are super affordable and good lookin', too. Crafted from two titanium plates to deliver heat fast and evenly, Ess's 3-in-One iron reaches temperatures up to 440 degrees, has shine-boosting technology, and shuts off automatically. So you can forget ever having to wonder if it's still on after you've left the house.
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Under $100: Croc LED Black Titanium 1" Flatiron
Kiss humidity hair goodbye. Croc's LED Black Titanium flatiron has smooth titanium plates that glide through your hair easily, all while adding softness. Plus, its negative ions and far infrared rays help prevent hair damage and dryness.
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Under $100: One 'n Only Ceramic 1" Flatiron
First off, know this: Argan oil — rich in essential fatty acids, mega-6 and vitamin E — is a powerhouse ingredient in bringing damaged hair back to life. The ceramic plates of One n Only's Ceramic iron are infused with this magic elixir, so with every pass, it's kind of like you're conditioning your hair.
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Under $100: John Freida Slick Finish 1 1/2" Flatiron
Fifteen seconds is all that’s needed to heat John Freida's Slick Finish flat iron up to 455 degrees. Go ahead, smooth out any curls or kinks, but expect your hair to be even shinier after you use it. Also, can we talk about how gorgeous the lavender color is?
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Under $100: Sephora Tame: Infrared Heat Flatiron
Any hair texture can benefit from this iron — wavy, curly, coiled, you name it. The Sephora Tame: Infared Heat flatiron has black titanium plates that fight frizzies and strengthen hair at the same time (even though you're still clamping it between fiery hot metal plates), thanks to its infrared heat technology. Feel free to take yours anywhere in the world, as it's made with a dual voltage that's perfect for travel.
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Under $100: Hai Classic Convertible Ceramic Flatiron
Don't let the name mislead you; Hai's Classic Convertible Ceramic iron is not a Transformer and cannot actually morph into another tool. But what it can do — apart from the obvious — is curl your hair and flip your ends as well as your curling iron does.
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Under $200: Chi for Ulta Beauty Pink Temperature Control Hairstyling Iron
This flatiron from Chi sticks to the basics and is simple to use. The Ulta Beauty-exclusive Pink Temperature Control Hairstyling Iron has an LED heat control panel that ranges from 330 to 410 degrees Fahrenheit, which can be adjusted in 20-degree increments to find your perfect temperature setting. The straightener's ceramic plates also distribute heat evenly for silkier, shinier hair without excessive heat damage.
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Under $200: Beachwaver Co. Coast Pro Titanium Styling Iron
Plenty of people already swear by Beachwaver Co.'s super easy-to-use Beachwaver, but this styling iron from the brand is equally as notable. The beauty of its Coast Pro Titanium Styling Iron is the fact that you can achieve multiple looks with it. Use as is for a sleek, straight look or apply the black Coast Pro attachments (that are shaped like a round brush) and glide the iron down each hair section, rolling your wrist under towards the ends to create the illusion of a professional blowout.
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Under $200: Nume Megastar X 1.75” Hair Straightener
Nume's Megstar iron is the LBD of all hair straighteners. With 100 percent pure tourmaline ceramic plates, the classic tool will never lose its luster (and neither will your hair). No need to tug or pull, as this tool is made with a small suspension system — the floating plates adjust to compress your hair while styling. And with a fully-rotating swivel power cord, you’ll have all the control in your hands.
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Under $200: BabylissPro Nano Titanium Prima3000 Stainless Steel Straightening Iron
Professional hairstylists love BabylissPro's Nano Titanium Prima3000 Stainless Steel Straightening Iron for a good reason: It reaches a temperature of 465 degrees Fahrenheit in seconds and has titanium plates that are longer than usual to help speed up the smoothing process. And since the device is ultra thin, it easily catches and straightens all those shorter baby hairs.
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Under $250: GHD Wide Plate Styler
The GHD Wide Plate Styler is a must-have for anyone with thicker or longer hair, which is why it nabbed a Best of Beauty Award this year. Its 2-inch plates cover larger sections of hair without tugging or pulling in the process — this helps minimize the risk of frizz and breakage, by the way. This flatiron also has built-in sensors that evenly distribute heat at 365 degrees Fahrenheit, creating more shine with a lower risk of heat damage.
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Under $250: Harry Josh Pro Tools Ceramic Flat Styling Iron 1.25 Inch
Gisele uses this flatiron. Need we say more? OK, maybe a little bit: From the same hairstylist whose blow-dryer launch nearly broke the Internet, Harry Josh's green-plated Ceramic Flat Styling Iron is equally as buzzworthy. It has plates that are larger than most other irons (meaning fewer passes) and rounded edges that prevent snagging or pulling. And because it shuts off automatically after an hour, it's ideal for those of us who constantly forget to unplug our flatiron before running out the door.
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Under $250: Bio Ionic 10x Pro Styling Iron
Sure, it's an investment, but the return on Bio Ionic's 10x Pro Styling Iron will pay off every single time you use it. The ceramic plates are infused with natural volcanic minerals help lock in shine. Pass this over your hair and get ready for strands that are silky, smooth, and impeccably straight.
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Under $250: GHD Platinum+ Professional Performance Styler
GHD nabbed itself Best of Beauty Award in both 2018 and 2019 with this miracle of a flatiron. The Platinum+ Professional Performance Styler maintains a constant temperature of 365 degrees Fahrenheit, but get this: It reads the thickness or thinness of the sections you use so it can adjust the amount of power it exerts. That way, it keeps the same temperature while straightening your hair and gets all the sections evenly straight without you having to worry too much about heat damage. "My hair felt relatively healthy after ironing which I am not used to," says Tracey Zane, former director of content development for Allure. "The tool moves much effortlessly across my hair, and actually makes it feel silky smooth once ironing."
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Splurge: Dyson Corrale Flatiron
The Readers' Choice Award-winning Dyson Corrale Straightener may have taken seven years to create, but only seconds for our very tech- and beauty-savvy readers to fall in love with. The flatiron features three targeted heat settings, which can straighten up to 4B curls, and has the ability to be used cordless for up to 30 minutes.
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Splurge: T3 Lucea ID Hair Straightener
T3 has taken the idea of personalization to a game-changing level and our hair will be eternally grateful for it. The 2020 Best of Beauty Award-winning Lucea ID Hair Straightener is a smart device for your hair. Input your hair texture, length and details on any color-treatments you have and the device customized the perfect heat setting to get hair straight with one pass while saving it from heat damage.
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Splurge: L'Oréal Professionnel Steampod
A venting system and water tank on the L'Oréal Professionnel Steampod pump out a light mist to help impart moisture into hair. The result is a more hydrating, sleek, and shiny finish. There are also three heat settings and a built-in comb that helps detangle hair as you style.
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Keywordsbeauty productshair productsflatironhair toolhaiBaBylissSedut3Harry Joshbio ionicRemingtonBed HeadConaircrochetone n onlysephoraJohn FreidaAmikabeachwavernumeGHDChihot toolsrepackageBaBylissPROAllure Readers' Choice Awardsshoppingshopping guideBest of Beauty 2021Allure Best of Beauty