The best hair straighteners to buy in 2026

Score: 92/100

Like the Airstrait (below), this is a handsome hybrid tool, which transforms hair from wet to dry and straightens in half the time. Our panel praised how soft and silky it left their lengths after drying, often without even having to use the ‘shine shot’ straightening function.

It did well in the lab, too. Our experts found it excelled in our humidity tests (meaning lengths were left sleek after use, despite humid conditions) and true-to-claim checks. Ghd assures its customers that none of the brand’s products heat above 185℃ — which it claims to be the optimum temperature for styling without damage — and our lab tests substantiated this for the Duet.

The only small complaints were that it’s heavy and the wide panels mean it's trickier to use on fringes and short hair (we had similar feedback for the Airstrait), but ultimately, this is a game-changing tool.

Read our full ghd Duet Styler review.

Score: 92/100

At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we're always keen to get our hands on the latest Dyson hair tool to see how it performs in testing. And the new Airstrait didn’t disappoint. Part of a new wave of wet-to-dry hair tools (alongside the ghd Duet), it straightens hair using a concentrated airflow, instead of the heated ceramic plates used by most, which can cause damage if the temperature is too high, they’re used too often, or you forget a heat protector – big no no. (We recommend you always apply one of our best heat protection sprays). This reflects the reduced-damage approach Dyson is known for.

Testers were incredibly impressed with this high-tech hair tool. It scored full marks for straightening hair effectively and quickly, with one person saying it only around five to eight minutes to dry and style their hair – impressive. The most popular feature? It automatically switches off when you set it down, so no more worrying about leaving them on. All this, plus you get a handy HD screen that displays the airflow and temperature settings.

“Very easy to use. Heated up quickly. Hair felt smooth after using it,” was one tester’s straight to the point feedback – speedy sleekness, what more could you want?

Score: 91/100

Ghd has billed its Sculpt straighteners as its ‘first interactive styler’, claiming the innovative heat-adaptive tech removes the guesswork (so you don’t have to select the right temperature yourself), reducing heat damage and improving styling results.

In our testing, the styler earned top marks for its sleek, lightweight design and speedy styling. Panellists loved the intelligent sensor, which left hair smooth and glossy in under 10 minutes. Everyone agreed the tool felt premium and liked the travel-friendly design, with one person describing it as “sleek and easy to travel with’, while another praised the “non-bulky” protective cover. It also impressed when it came to creating curls, with one panellist saying theirs still looked pristine the next day.

Some testers missed having manual temperature control, while others felt the price point was difficult to justify, despite the intelligent tech. But overall, our panel was impressed. They scored full marks in the lab for quickly getting up to styling temperature, too.

Score: 91/100

You may know the Gtech of household appliance fame – featuring in our best vacuum cleaner and best electric lawnmower round-ups – but what if we told you that, much like Dyson before it, the company has taken all its gadget expertise and applied it to tools that give you silky, straight hair? Well, that’s what’s happened. And our testers were pleasantly surprised with the results.

All our panellists said the tool was comfortable to hold, lightweight and easy to travel with, and – more importantly – the straightener turned hair from curly to smooth in a single swipe. Everyone agreed it left dry or damaged looking hair looking healthier, it was easy to achieve their desired look, and they didn’t have to wait long for it to heat up, either.

The only real grumbles were about the colourways available (a bottle green and white) and the fact that – if you aren’t concentrating – it’s easy to knock the temperature dial slightly. All in all, the brand’s first foray into hair tools (it's also launched a hair dryer) has been a successful one – delivering great results at an affordable price point.

Score: 87/100

Thick, coarse and curly-haired queens, listen up – mdlondon’s extra-wide straighteners are made for you. With generous ceramic plates measuring five centimetres thick and 11 centimetres long, they're designed to pick up more hair faster than your average straightener. Plus, the ionic technology helps to smooth cuticles for a flawless, frizz-free finish.

Another highlight noted by our panellists in their feedback was the range of 11 heat settings, spanning from 130ºC to 230ºC.

Score: 84/100

These wide-plate straighteners worked quickly and effectively on our testers with thicker hair. “It only took one or two passes over each section for my hair to be really smooth,” said one panellist, who was very impressed with how fast they styled her hair. This is unsurprising, really, as the tool was designed with 45mm plates specifically for styling long, thick or curly hair, although they can be used on most hair types.

The ionic plates help to smooth frizz, and they’re also infused with ‘Pro-Gloss’ oils for added shine – two standout features that were highlighted in our testers’ feedback. They were particularly brilliant for creating straight and sleek looks, although some said that due to the larger surface area, they struggled to create curls with them.

Many told us they achieved glossy lengths without any snagging, and one panellist even said they were more comfortable to use than ghds.

Score: 84/100

With its mammoth 16 heat settings, ranging from 80ºC to 235ºC, this great value styling tool offers the ultimate customisable straightening experience for all hair types, especially those with long, thick hair thanks to longer, wider plates.

If you’re looking for a smooth glider, all testers found it gripped hair without too much snagging or tangling and left them with frizz-free locks, with most seeing some diamond-like shine.

Score: 83/100

This model impressed our panel with its speedy heat-up and intelligent styling. Testers loved the sensor mode, with one saying it automatically detected their hair type and thickness, while another said it worked “really well to straighten my curly hair” compared to other models. This is because BaByliss has built in a microprocessor, which monitors the temperature 50 times a second and automatically adjusts heat for your hair.

It also delivered sleek, shiny results in a single pass, with testers loving the fact it left strands smooth without repeated styling. The thoughtful design, including a silicone plate guard and stand, was a real highlight that was mentioned in most of our panel feedback. However, a few testers found the highest heat setting too hot and wished the controls displayed exact temperatures rather than light indicators.

In the lab, the straighteners scored full marks for heating up quickly, and almost full marks for eliminating frizz when assessed in our humidity chamber.

Score: 82/100

ghd's original straightener was a hit among our testers for how straightforward it was to use, getting the job done quickly and effectively.

It heated up fast, with testers finding it easy to reach both the back of their heads and their roots. Most said it helped them achieve their desired style while keeping frizz at bay, and our lab test backed this up.

Note that it turns off automatically if left for half an hour, meaning no more mid-party panics that your house might be burning down.

Score: 82/100

Another entry from ghd, it’s easy to see why the brand has built its reputation as a market-leader. And we weren’t disappointed in our blind tests – these lightweight straighteners are a top pick for creating poker-straight strands.

The rounded barrel makes creating curls and waves easy, too, and our testers had no trouble using it for a variety of styles. They also loved how silky their hair felt after use and thought it looked healthier, too.

Score: 81/100

This time-saving device lets you straighten wet hair (rather than using a hair dryer as a middle man). Its unique 'moisture sensor' measures the dampness of your mane and adjusts the temperature accordingly, with excess water particles evaporating through the holes in the plates – that’s seriously smart tech.

Our testers liked how easily it glided through their hair, and were impressed by how quickly they achieved their desired style. Many thought their hair looked healthier, shinier and smoother after use, making it perfect for anyone in need of speedy, salon-worthy results.

Score: 81/100

ghd claims that the plates on this straightener can detect the thickness of your hair and the speed at which you are styling, before auto-adjusting the power accordingly.

Our testers loved it, with nearly all saying how pleased they were with their newly silky and soft hair. It was quick to heat up and the large plates styled and gripped hair well. The indicator sound when it turns on and off gives peace of mind, too.

Score: 80/100

This is the previous iteration of our winning Chronos Max straightener and given that it’s only £20 cheaper, we'd probably opt for the Max if you’re looking for premium ghds. However, the motion-responsive straightener is three times quicker at styling hair than the ghd original styler. And our panel backed this up, with all agreeing it was effective at quickly styling hair. ‘It straightened my hair without having to go over it multiple times,’ said one tester.

It has two gloss-coated ceramic plates, which leave hair sleek and frizz-free in just one glide. There’s also a re-engineered wishbone, which keeps the plates in perfect alignment, so you have total control over styling, whether you’re opting for a pin straight 90s ’do, or soft mermaid curls.

Score: 80/100

Many of our panellists fancied this travel-friendly tool for their next trip abroad because of its compact size, speedy results and ability to retain style in humid weather. They also liked how lightweight it felt to hold and how quickly it heated up to deliver a sleek finish.

Its unique 3D floating plate claims to move in all directions to straighten strands evenly, and all testers agreed that it gripped hair easily yet gently. The majority saw frizz minimised, while one tester commended the ‘quality finish’ and said it made their hair feel softer.

Score: 75/100

You may have spotted him on Celebrity Gogglebox as he’s Davina McCall’s partner, but Michael Douglas — not to be confused with the Hollywood star — is also a celebrity hair stylist.

He’s been a hair professional for 35 years and knows what he’s talking about when it comes to tools. His brand, mdlondon, is adored by hairdressers and beauty journalists alike.

And the brand’s straightener didn’t disappoint in testing. Panellists said it was ‘light to hold’, so your arms won’t get sore when styling your whole head, making getting ready a less stressful experience.

They also praised the tool’s quality feel, sleek design and fast work, all of which are also true of the brand’s Blow hair dryer. The only niggle came from those with thicker, coarser hair who would have preferred chunkier plates.

Score: 74/100

This purse-friendly option is currently less than £25, so bargain hunters, look no further. It claims to heat up in just one minute but our lab test found it took slightly longer to reach its maximum temperature.

Still, our testers appreciated how simple it was to use and were impressed by how lightweight it was to hold and manoeuvre. Overall, they agreed that it styled their hair as they wanted, and they praised the mirror-shine it left on their strands.

Score: 71/100

Using innovative heat control and steam tech to straighten hair faster with less damage, this steampod was unique among the straighteners we tested. It comes with a built-in brush and our testers said their silky style lasted throughout the day.

The majority agreed that it straightened hair instantly and most thought their hair appeared healthier and shinier. Not much water is needed per use and the panel appreciated the sturdy design and innovative steam iron technology. Some even found the steam made their hair feel more hydrated.