Clinique Is Having a Major Resurgence—Here Are the Classic Essentials That Stand the Test of Time

Plate material: Titanium | Plate size: 1, 1.5, and 2 inches | Temperature range: 240-450 degrees Fahrenheit | Dual voltage? Yes

Both Everett and Silva recommend this BaByliss Pro hair straightener, which comes in three options with one, one-and-a-half, or two-inch plates. The plates are made from titanium for quick heat-up, and with a push of the button, you can select from up to 50 temperature settings up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. The nine-foot-long swivel cord enables easy operation and tangle-free movement, and the tool’s lightweight body prevents arm fatigue while you straighten your hair.

Plate material: Ceramic | Plate size: 1 inch | Temperature range: 365 degrees Fahrenheit | Dual voltage? Yes

If you often straighten your hair, the GHD Platinum+ Styler might be well worth the extra cost. It has a predictive heating feature that adjusts the temperature to your hair type and thickness while ensuring you’re not damaging or burning your hair in the process. The one-inch plates are made from ceramic to evenly distribute heat, and the hair tool heats up in just 20 seconds, making it the fastest-heating option featured on the list. Other notable features are the nine-foot-long swivel cord and auto shut-off feature that springs into action after 20 minutes.

Plate material: Ceramic tourmaline | Plate size:Not specified | Temperature range: 280-430 degrees Fahrenheit | Dual voltage? Yes

The Sunny Styler comes recommended by Hurtado. The tourmaline-coated ceramic plates have rounded edges to smooth (or curl) hair without snags, and the tool heats up to 430 degrees Fahrenheit. Like many of the flat irons on the list, this tool also has an easy-to-maneuver swivel and an auto shut-off feature that activates after 60 minutes of nonuse. What sets it apart are its extra features: it has a venting system that, according to Hurtado, helps to reduce the risk of damage, as well as a no-heat cool shot that works to set your hairstyle in place.

Plate material: Aluminum | Plate size: 1 inch | Temperature range: 350-410 degrees Fahrenheit | Dual voltage? No

This steam flat iron is like a clothing steamer for your hair—and, according to Silva, it treats your hair as delicately as a fine fabric. “I would actually use the Steampod by L’Oreal on someone who has very damaged hair, [in addition to] heat protective sprays or crèmes,” she says. The steam helps hair retain moisture, plus it’s a cinch to use. The tool lets you toggle among the temperature settings with just a push of a button, and the large water reservoir means less refills between uses. A bonus: It comes with a removable comb to remove knots as you style your hair.

Plate material: Titanium | Plate size: 1.25 inches | Temperature range: 280-440 degrees Fahrenheit | Dual voltage? Yes

Kristin Ess’s multi-use hair straightener can smooth, wave, and even curl your hair, making it ideal for people who want a do-it-all tool. The titanium plates have rounded edges that make it great for curls and flicks without snagging your hair, and the size (1.25 inches) can help straighten more hair at a time in less time. Plus, you can select from four temperature settings, ranging from 280 degrees Fahrenheit up to 440 degrees Fahrenheit, for different hair types and textures. The nine-foot-long swivel cord also helps to bring some ease to the styling process.

Plate material: Ceramic | Plate size: 1 inch | Temperature range: 310-450 degrees Fahrenheit | Dual voltage? No

If you want a budget-friendly hair straightener, consider this ceramic option from Remington. W+G commerce writer Danielle Calma has been using it for years, and she loves that it’s lightweight and versatile. “I use this to straighten and create soft waves in my hair,” she says. “It has rounded edges that allow me to style without pulling my hair, and it works quickly, too—it heats up in 30 seconds, and one or two passes is all it takes to straighten my thick and, at times, frizzy hair.”

Originally $260, now $180

Plate material: Titanium | Plate size: 1 inch | Temperature range: 200-450 degrees Fahrenheit | Dual voltage? Yes

W+G former beauty writer Kara Jillian Brown has tried many cordless flat irons, and she wrote that this option is among the best. The hair tool is not too small to make straightening your hair a chore but not too big to take up too much space in your bathroom either. Plus, it has a wide range of temperature settings, which goes from 200 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. As for its runtime, “it lasts 60 minutes on a single charge and takes 90 minutes to reach a full battery,” says Brown, which means more time styling and less time recharging the battery.

Find more of the best cordless flat irons here.

Plate material: N/A | Plate size: N/A | Temperature range: 175-285 degrees Fahrenheit (Wet Mode) and 250-285 degrees Fahrenheit (Dry Mode) | Dual voltage? No

W+G contributor Zoë Weiner has offered the Dyson Airstrait high praise. “It typically takes me half an hour to blow-dry and straighten my hair, but this process took—and this is not an exaggeration, because I timed it—seven minutes from start to finish,” she proclaimed. What’s more, it works without using hot plates, which earns it extra points in our book. One tradeoff is that it’s (very) pricey, but as Weiner wrote, “If you’re looking to save time and mitigate damage in your styling routine, the Airstrait is a worthy investment.”

Read the full review of the Dyson Airstrait here.

Plate material: Titanium | Plate size: 1 inch | Temperature range: 170-450 degrees Fahrenheit | Dual voltage? Yes

Amika’s hair straightener features titanium floating plates to smooth your hair with little to no snagging, plus ionic technology helps reduce unwanted frizz and impart shine. You can adjust the temperature settings from 170 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and the straightener’s auto-shut off feature kicks in after 60 minutes of inactivity. It’s easy to maneuver, too: it has a nine-foot-long swivel cord that helps to prevent you from getting caught up in the cord as you smooth your hair.

Originally $140, now $120

Plate material: Ceramic titanium | Plate size: 1 and 1.25 inches | Temperature range: 370-425 degrees Fahrenheit | Dual voltage? Yes

When it comes to hair straighteners, CHI is an old reliable—and this option from the brand is worth consideration. It has plates made from both titanium and ceramic to offer the best of both worlds, and they heat up within 40 seconds to help you smooth your hair faster. Plus, it comes with three preset temperatures for fine, medium, and coarse hair, taking the guesswork out of selecting the right temperature for your hair texture. It’s available in two plate sizes: 1 and 1.25 inches.

Plate material: Ceramic tourmaline | Plate size: 1.25 inches | Temperature range: 140-450 degrees Fahrenheit | Dual voltage? Yes

FHI’s multi-tasking hair straightener can give you straight hair or bouncy curls. The plates have beveled (read: rounded) edges that allow for snag-free straightening (or curling), and the ceramic-tourmaline material helps to ensure even heat distribution. The hair tool also has a 12-foot-long swivel cord and a wide temperature range, from140 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes it ideal for most hair textures, including those with fine and/or damaged hair.

Plate material: Titanium | Plate size: 1 inch | Temperature range: 250-450 degrees Fahrenheit | Dual voltage? Yes

Another recommendation from Silva is the Tymo Sway, which she says is one of the “best in value and quality” for thick hair. Its titanium plates heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit in 30 seconds, and you can toggle among the 32(!) heat options by hitting the plus or minus buttons. With its lightweight design and 360-degree swivel cord, it allows you reach all the way around your head and make the styling process even easier. What’s more, it comes with hair clips, a glove, and a travel bag.