Chi Vibes on the Edge Curved Edge Hairstyling Iron for $110: I’m a longtime Chi devotee, having owned and loved the original ceramic flat iron until it broke after a decade. So I admit, I was excited to zhuzh up my bathroom counter with this metallic-rainbow version from Chi’s Vibes line. The 1.5-inch ceramic plates actually curve around the sides of the tool, allowing the user to get closer to the roots of their hair, as well as create crease-free waves if desired. While this feature did actually do an impressive job of tamping down my flyaways (and I appreciated the unusually long 11-foot cord), I felt like this lack of buffer between a 415-degree Fahrenheit surface and my scalp, face, and ears was too big of a burn risk to use regularly.
L’ange Le Duo Airflow Styler for $119: This flat iron features a clasp similar to a curling iron. Most flat iron plates stay apart, and need to be pushed together to use, while this is the opposite. It works just as well as any other iron, and the clasp design and the rounded edges make it easier to curl too. The real draw here is the air vents that blast out cool air to lock your style in. The fan turns on automatically, but there’s a button to turn it off. (Just to clarify, it’s not meant to dry your hair—you will not be happy if you try that.) —Medea Giordano
Sleek’e for $149 and Kosa for $195: These irons are essentially the same tool. Sleek’e confirmed that they are in fact made by the same manufacturer, which is not uncommon. The Kosa felt a little lighter, but neither seemed better or worse to use. They both emit ions and have a strip of infrared lights down the middle of one of the plates, which are supposed to help distribute heat evenly and in a way that won’t damage 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. She impulse-bought it via a Groupon deal in 2014 and still consistently reaches for it, despite having tried several more flat irons since—she even prefers it over the Dyson Corrale. It’s lost some of its heat consistency over the years, and the plates occasionally snag her hair, but it still leaves her unruly curls sleek and shiny, and most important, straight. —Medea Giordano
Aesty Cordless Flat Iron for $349: This one is too expensive, but it’s cheaper than the Dyson if you’re desperate for a cordless flat iron. I found it to be similar to the Corrale, straightening my hair nicely and with all the same bulk and weight. —Medea Giordano
Avoid This One: The Sam Villa Pro Results Cordless Flat Iron for $190 is only for people who absolutely need a tiny iron to take 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
