20 Best Flat Irons For Curling Hair (At All Prices)

It may seem bizarre to use a flat iron to curl your hair, but it works and it actually may lead to a lot more natural curls.

There are plenty of methods to do so, but the best that I have personally found is to take your hair in one inch sections, starting in the neck area, and place it gently between the clamps of the flat iron. Then, just twist your wrist (away from your face) and let your hair flow over the iron. That will create the curl.

And yes, I do have super curly hair that I blow out straight... just to curl it. It’s all about control, you guys. But depending on how small or large you want your curls to be, that’ll determine how small or large a flat iron to use.

A smaller iron means smaller and tighter curls.

As for the best flat irons, they really do come in options for all budgets and of all styles.

Here are 20 of our favorite choices for the best flat iron for curling hair.

Best Flat Irons For Curling Hair Under $100

1. BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Mini Straightening Iron

The BaBylissPRO has Nano titanium-ceramic plates that help with smooth straightening along with dual voltage for worldwide usage. The size makes it great for short to medium hair, and will be good to get close to your scalp and smooth to ends. But it's also perfect as a travel iron to touch up on the go or travel.

(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)

2. HSI Professional Ceramic Tourmaline Ionic Flat Iron

This flat iron is perfect frizzier and curlier or coarse hair. It has high quality ceramic plates that use 8 HeatBalance micro-sensors to regulate the temperature and evenly distribute heat so fewer passes are needed. And that means less potential for damage on your hair.

(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)

3. Conair Infiniti Pro Rainbow Flat Iron

This budget-friendly flat iron features extra-long plates and one floating plate, which helps for better contact with hair and fast styling. The ion generator fights static and tames frizz, and it has 6 precision heat settings and 455 degrees high heat.

(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)

4. Drybar The Tiny Tress Pass

We love this super-compact detailing iron for travel and hair touch-ups during the day at work, but it's also awesome for grabbing that frizz near the roots, bangs and flyaways. It comes with a heat-resistant travel pouch that doubles as a heat protection pad and is small enough to fit in your purse!

(The Dry Bar, $49)

5. Herstyler LED Flat Iron

Herstyler recently launched an extremely innovative flat iron that's backed by LED and Infrared technology to promote hair growth. The ceramic floating plates make straightening or curling super easy. And we love easy.

(Walmart, $28.99)

6. PRO Beauty Tools XL Copper Digital Straightener

We're all about this frizz control via the extra-long plates that make straightener or curling longer hair easier than ever. Say goodbye to overly curly hair with this straightener.

(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)

7. The Beachwaver Co. Coast Pro Ceramic Styling Iron

This provides easy, professional quality results in minutes. The ceramic floating plates protect and smoothly glide over your hair. It also has Touch Sense technology, which monitors the iron to reduce heat during non-use and automatically return to previous temperature when touched.

(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)

8. Revlon Straightening & Curling Ceramic Flat Iron

The latest addition to the Revlon PRO Collection Straightener Collection, with wider and longer plates. The easy-glide detachable comb evenly distributes hair across the plate for superior control and glide. Hair will be left super smooth and shiny!

(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)

9. Amika Mighty Mini Jet Set Kit

This travel-ready bag is everything your hair needs for a road trip. It has a mini version of Amika's Repair + Smooth Blowdryer (which is not mini in power, it’s 1,000 watts!) and Digital Ceramic Styler (up to 400 degrees).

(Sephora, $80)

10. Hot Tools Black Gold 1'' Micro Shine Salon Flat Iron

This combines titanium’s durability and corrosion-resistance to styling products with Micro-Shine® Ceramic finish to minimize friction and reduce damage to your hair.

(Ulta, $119.99)

11. Sephora Collection Tame: Infrared Flat Iron

An ultra-sleek one-inch flat iron that styles with infrared heat and features polished black titanium plates, you'll find your hair with lovely curls that can hold for hours.

(Sephora, $85)

Best Flat Irons For Curling Hair Over $100

12. Drybar The Tress Press Digital Styling Iron

This dual-purpose iron allows you to quickly style even the thickest hair into super-sleek straight looks or add a bit of wave or curl. And you can check the actual temperature with the digital system.

(The Dry Bar, $165)

13. FHI Heat Platform Tourmaline Ceramic Pro Styler

FHI Heat's Platform Styling Iron creates diverse looks from smooth styles to glamorous waves and curls. Known for its red ceramic plates and durable design, this iron maintains its heat and performance style after style.

(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)

14. Remington S5500 1-Inch Anti-Static Flat Iron

This flat iron is ceramic and has titanium coating for protection, allowing it to heat off extremely quick for all your styling needs. The narrow plates heat up to 410 degrees F, and leave hair less damaged than products without it.

(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)

15. T3 SinglePass Luxe 1" Professional Straightening & Styling Iron

With beveled edges and floating plates, this flat iron doubles as a styling iron, effortlessly creating bends, waves, flips and curls. It is equipped with Digital SinglePass technology, which delivers consistent heat without overexposure and styles hair in one effortless pass.

(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)

16. Sedu ICON 1" Professional Flat Iron

This advanced professional flat iron has a titanium heating core with ceramic finish for quick styling. Heat core heats the hair straightener up in just seconds and maintains temperature through styling. This styling iron features a 60-minute auto shutoff feature and heat resistant travel sleeve for safe.

(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)

17. CHI Lava Ceramic Hairstyling Iron

The CHI Lava Ceramic Hairstyling Iron features floating plates for easy kink-free curling. It combines the power of CHI ceramic with volcanic lava derived from lava rocks. This combination allows styling at lower than normal temperature, producing less damage to the hair while offering smooth, shiny results.

(Ulta, $159.99)

18. BioSilk 1" Titanium Hairstyling Iron

Curling, flipping or waving, this professional grade iron provides a superior glide in fewer passes, allowing for faster styling time. It features ceramic and titanium elements for the smoothest, silkiest curling results. The plates heat quickly and evenly while retaining even heat distribution.

(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)

19. ghd Platinum+ Professional Performance 1" Styler

Better than having a boyfriend, this smart straightener predicts your hair needs, adapting to ensure the optimum styling temperature at all times for ultimate results with less breakage and more color protection. The heat is monitored 250 times per second so that it’s constantly at the optimum 365°F styling temperature for even healthier hair.

(Sephora, $249)

20. Bio Ionic Onepass 1" Straightening Iron

This iron has silicone speed strips that provide faster straightening and increased shine NanoIonic mineral conditions hair, seals and smooths the cuticle, and BioCeramic heaters maintain constant heat up to 400°F.

(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)

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Aly Walansky is a NY-based lifestyles writer who focuses on health, wellness, and relationships. Her work appears in dozens of digital and print publications regularly. Visit her on Twitter or email her.

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