We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. Promise.
Minimize heat damage? Yes, please.
If you like to flat iron your type-4 hair on occasion and want to minimize the possibility of, you know, extreme heat damage, you need to find the right flat iron for natural hair. But if you've been burned by a poor-quality hair straightener before (I mean that both ways), you know that finding the right styling tools for your hair type, texture, length, and budget isn't easy. What works for your friend's 3b hair might not work for your 4c hair, so you want to make sure you find a straightener that's equipped with all the features to suit your hair needs and mitigate the damage. And to help you make the right choice, we turned to celeb hairstylists Annagjid "Kee" Taylor and David Lopez to explain exactly what to look for in a flat iron.
But before we get into the key qualities, as well as 13 of the best flat irons for natural hair, now's the time to remind you just how crucial the right styling products and heat protectants are for avoiding damage when heat styling. Before you even think about blow-drying your hair, apply a moisturizing hair serum (Taylor recommends the So Shear Genius Satin Shield) to prep your strands first. After your hair is dry, Lopez recommends using an aerosol heat protectant that has a starch to it, like Kenra Professional Platinum Heat Cast Spray 12, for style longevity.
If you live in a humid climate, Lopez says a humidity-blocking formula is key for minimizing the effects of frizz so you don't have to reach for the flat iron as frequently. Less flat ironing = less heat damage. And finally, always use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner between styling sessions for hydration and nourishment. Got it? Good. Now keep reading for all the deets on the best flat irons for natural hair, plus some tips from our gold-star experts.
Whether you choose a stripped-down straightener or one with all the extra modes and features, the experts say the best flat irons for natural hair have these four core elements: high-performance plates, customization options, consistent heat, and functional design. “All of these factors lead to less passes for you to get the look that you want, which minimizes the heat contact, which minimizes the heat damage,” Lopez says. Here's what to look for in each category:
Look for ceramic or titanium flat irons for your natural hair. Ceramic (Lopez's choice) holds the heat evenly, glides through the hair smoothly, and is ideal for a beginner, because the plates don't get overly hot. Taylor recommends titanium for someone who's a bit more experienced styling hair because of its overall smoother performance. Ceramic and titanium work on any hair type, but ceramic is gentler, while titanium is more efficient for hair that's resistant to straightening and needs more heat.
The more customization, the better, but at the very least, you want an adjustable heat dial on your flat iron. “Making sure that you are able to customize the heat is very important,” Lopez says. “Not everyone can use a certain heat level, meaning some hair types do have to dip lower than most when they are flat ironing their hair, especially, for example, natural hair that’s very delicate around the hairline that’s been heat-styled often.”
When it comes to heat, Lopez says you want a flat iron that has even, consistent heat distribution across the entire plate (no hot spots). Lopez also suggests looking for a flat iron that emits negative ions, which help with static and create a shinier, smoother, more reflective surface on the hair.
A flat iron that has floating plates, beveled edges, and rounded casing all allow for fewer creases and styling versatility. Lopez explains that smaller plates are better for reaching the hairline and close to the root, while larger plates will allow for faster straightening of longer hair and bigger sections. It goes without saying that the more modes, features, and design elements, the more expensive the tool.
Now that you know what you look for, get to shopping one of our top picks, here.
You have your simple hair straighteners, and then you have this souped-up ceramic one, which takes all the guesswork out of choosing a temperature for natural hair or type-4 hair. The technology allows you to input specific attributes about your hair, like your hair length, texture, and whether or not it’s color-treated, and it'll dial in a setting that’s ideal for your hair. A favorite of Lopez, this flat iron also has a refresh mode, which dials down your settings to a cooler temperature to further minimize heat damage on days when you just need a touch-up.
This titanium flat iron from Taylor's line features a 360-degree plate that wraps around the casing for versatility. “The rounded plates outside are cooler than the inside plates, but you can create any type of style, from straight to curly,” Taylor says. Instead of stationary plates that crush your strands, this straightener has floating plates that have room for movement and sit out more than other devices to make sure there's no extra tension on the hair—key for beginners looking to prevent damage. If you can get your hands on one of these, consider yourself lucky because this flat iron frequently sells out.
If you don't have a lot of money to spend on a flat iron, this 1-inch tourmaline ceramic straightener has everything you need for a fair price. Equipped with a whopping 30 heat settings, this baby can reach up to 455 degrees. It also features floating plates that move and bend as you work. FYI, Taylor generally recommends only going up to 410 degrees on your natural hair but adds that hotter temps can be beneficial for hair extensions that are more difficult to style.
This flat iron has 1.25-inch titanium plates and a ceramic heater that allows it to heat up (it has a max of 450 degrees, jsyk) and recover quickly so it doesn't fluctuate in effectiveness as you move from section to section over curly or natural hair. The digital ionic technology reduces frizz for smooth, sleek styles, which is why this straightener is another one of Taylor's favorites.
This one-inch flat iron has multi-directional floating plates with rounded edges and an 8-foot-long swivel cord so you can move freely and achieve creaseless styles every time. With a maximum heat setting of 450 degrees, the titanium plates have the ability to reach super-hot temps, but the digital display allows you to easily set the temperature at a level that's safe and effective for your hair.
This flat iron checks all the boxes and then some. It's got titanium plates, ionic technology, consistent heat that can reach 440 degrees, and an auto shut-off feature so you never have to wonder if you unplugged it before you left. But if you're someone who likes to curl your hair with a straightener, you'll especially love the rounded casing that mimics the shape of of a curling wand. A swivel cord might sound like a small detail, but Taylor points out how key this feature is for easy maneuvering—especially if you'll be spinning it around to create curls or waves.
Whether you have longer hair and want to speed up styling time or prefer creating larger curls or wavy hairstyles with your flat iron (or all of the above!), this device with 2-inch plates is your best option. Equipped with tourmaline ceramic floating plates, an adjustable temperature that reaches 430 degrees, and far-infrared heat (which means it heats the hair from the inside of the hair strand out to protect the cuticle), this flat iron is gentle on the hair so you can achieve the style you want with minimal damage.
This 1-inch ceramic straightener works particularly well on curly, textured, and thick hair, thanks in large part to the vibrating plates that spread the strands evenly between them. It also emits negative ions, which help with static and shine, uses far-infrared heat to protect the hair cuticle, and has a MCH heater for better heat conductivity and efficiency. In other words, it's gentle and limits the number of passes on each section. What more do you want?!
Anyone else always burn their fingertips from touching the end of the flat iron when trying to curl their hair?! Not only does this titanium straightener with an ergonomic grip and soft touch shield your fingers from getting scorched, but it also protects your strands with floating plates and adjustable temperature. But wait! There's more! It also has 1-hour auto shut-off and even comes with a heat-resistant pouch to protect the rest of your belongings, too.
A best-seller for the brand, this 1.25-inch flat iron has titanium plates with rounded edges for versatile styling. You'll love how fast it heats up (it only takes 45 seconds to reach its max of 450 degrees) and how quickly and evenly it recovers. And with the customizable auto shut-off for up to 2 hours, you'll love how safe it is, too.
No need to stress over finding the ideal temperate for your hair with this smart straightener. Choose the setting that suits your texture, whether you have coarse, style-resistant hair, medium hair, or fine hair, and let this flat iron figure out the rest. The titanium-infused ceramic plates and ceramic heater make it versatile to use on any and all hair types and textures.
If you have short pixie cut and even a 1-inch flat iron is too big to get the look you want, try this 1/2-inch tourmaline ceramic straightener with beveled plates that make it easy to create bends and curls without the creases. Not only that, but Lopez says a smaller iron would be beneficial for anyone with curly hair because larger irons make it harder to reach tighter areas, close to the root, and the hairline.
Looking to cut down on styling time? Say no more. A combination of the long 4-inch floating plates, MCH heater for fast heat recovery, and negative ion technology makes this titanium flat iron one of the most efficient for straightening and styling long hair, coarse hair, thick hair—you name it.