Not all hair straighteners are created equal! When shopping for your next hair straightener it is important to keep in mind several factors that will help you choose one that will perform well for you, and allow you to achieve professional looking results by doing it yourself!

First of all, avoid cheap hair straighteners that use inexpensive metal plates without ceramic coating. Like poorly designed curling irons, metal plates do not heat evenly and will burn your hair or damage it by drying it out. The results will include frizzy hair, stressed locks, fried tresses, and lack luster looks. Always look for ceramic, ceramic tourmaline, or titanium plates, all of which heat evenly, pull gently through hair, and won’t dry it out.

Secondly, choose the right width for your hairstyle. If you have short to medium hair, use a hair straightener with a more narrow set of plates, in the ¾ inch to 1 ¼ inch range. The nice thing about narrower plates is that they are also useful for styling curls and textures. For longer hair, a unit with plates 1 ¾ to 2 or more inches wide will work best. Many home users have a hair straightener with wide, 2+ inch plates to get the straightening done quickly and effectively, and then employ the narrow unit to craft the style they want. If you have longer hair and the budget for it, this might be the way to go. Styling with a hair straightener that used ceramic/ceramic tourmaline/Titanium plates will be better for your hair than a curling iron. By the way, coarse hair also responds better to wide plates, since there is more heating surface to do the work of ironing out the kinks.

Thirdly, if you have hair that has been damaged by perms, bleach, blow drying or any kind of harsh processing, use the types of plates we have indicated, but also consider using a Wet to Dry hair straightener. These remarkable units employ design technology that allows you to skip the blow drying process – and blow dryers are known to damage hair badly with over use. Peruse the models that feature at Hair Straighteners Reviews for several wet to dry models that will give you healthier hair and fantastic hair styles.

Fourth, look for models with function features that make their use easier and more effective. These include ergonomic handles, which is especially important if you have hand or wrist problems. Also select a model with an automatic shut off switch, for peace of mind, but also because leaving your hair straightener on when not in use will reduce its life span. Quick heat functionality is nice, and a light indicating when it is ready will save you time. Finally, a unit with adjustable temperature settings is absolutely essential. If you have thin hair, you need heat in the 325 to 375F range. Medium hair does best with heat 350 to 400F, and coarse or ethnic hair requires heat from 375 to 450F.

Fifth, while they cost a bit more, choose a professional quality hair straightener over a discount store variety. Pay the extra to get much better performance that won’t damage your hair, plus greater durability. You might pay two or three times more, but get a unit that lasts 5-10 times longer, which is a much better value. All of the hair straighteners we feature on this site are professional grade and perfect for home use, too.