Chi Vibes on Edge Curved Edge Hairstyling Iron for $110: I’ve long been a Chi devotee, having owned and loved the original ceramic flat iron until it broke after a decade. So I admit, I’m excited to dress up my bathroom counter with this metallic-rainbow version from Chi’s Vibes line. The 1.5-inch ceramic plates actually curve around the edges of the tool, allowing the user to get closer to the roots of their hair, as well as create seamless waves if desired. While this part did an impressive job of tamping my flyaways (and I appreciated the incredibly long 11-foot cord), I felt that this lack of buffer between a 415-degree Fahrenheit face and my scalp, face, and ears. too much of a burn risk to use regularly.
L’ange Le Duo Airflow Styler for $119: This flat iron has a clasp similar to a curling iron. Most flat iron sheets stay separate, and need to be pushed in order to be used, while this is the opposite. It works like any other iron, and the clasp design and rounded edges make curling easy, too. The real draw here are the air vents that blow cool air to lock in your style. (Just to be clear, this is not meant to dry out your hair—you won’t be happy if you try that.) —Medea Giordano
Sleek’e for $149 and Cozy for $195: These irons are the same tool. Sleek’e has confirmed that they are indeed made by the same manufacturer, which is unusual. The Kosa feels lighter, but it’s not better or worse to use. They both emit ions and have a strip of infrared lights in the middle of one of the plates, which is supposed to be helps distribute the heat evenly and in a way that does not harm the hair. —Medea Giordano
Brilliance New York Smooth Pro Ceramic Flat Iron for $43: WIRED reviewer and fellow curly girl Louryn Strampe swears by this hair straightener. He bought it through a Groupon deal in 2014 and still consistently achieves it, although he’s tried several flat irons since – he still prefers this one over the Dyson Corral. It had lost some of its warm consistency over the years, and the plates sometimes grabbed her hair, but it still left her unruly curls sleek and shiny, and most importantly, straight. —Medea Giordano
Aesty Cordless Flat Iron for $349: It’s quite expensive, but it’s cheaper than the Dyson if you’re desperate for a cordless flat iron. I find that it is similar to Corrale, which straightens my hair well and with all the same bulk and weight. —Medea Giordano
Avoid These: the The Sam Villa Pro Results Cordless Flat Iron for $190 just for people who really need a little iron to carry in their purses for emergency touch-ups. It would have taken me an entire day to straighten all my hair with it, and I had to keep pressing the power button while using it. —Medea Giordano