The more expensive hair straightenersgenerally have better features and heat up more quickly than the cheaper hair straighteners. The most common problem encountered with ceramic heat straighteners and other hair irons is that the hair iron is not hot enough to straighten hard to manage hair. Choose carefully as not all hair irons are the same!

Higher temperature straighteners (170°C and above) produce the best results. Variable heat straighteners give you the most flexibility and control. High temperature results in less hair stress and faster styling.
Straighteners with smaller width plates are perfect for straightening, flipping and twisting short hair. Wider plates are best for afro or thick hair or people with a lot of hair.

Ceramic coated plates are not the most important factor. The heating element is however! A ceramic heating element will ensure almost instant heat up. Most hair straighteners and hair irons will take anywhere from 10 seconds to 90+ seconds to heat up!

All hair straighteners we sell are suitable for use within the United Kingdom ONLY.

If in doubt, select a hair straightener from our list of best sellers below.

Useful facts about hair straighteners

Ceramic hair straighteners protect the hair using heat to lock in moisture and natural oils, creating a smooth polished effect with added natural shine.

Most ceramic straighteners have alloy plates that are coated with a layer of ceramic. The alloy plates actually conduct the heat. A ceramic coating is used because it dissipates heat well over the surface of the plates and is also extremely smooth and hard wearing. Many hair irons now come with solid ceramic plates and use a new form of heating element. However, ceramic plates are not an essential component; in fact GHD™ hair irons don't use ceramic plates at all. A quality heating element is actually more vital to the performance of a heating iron.

Ceramic coatings on plates can be either dipped, painted or baked. Baked or crystal coated ceramic plates are by far the best. Most manufacturers do not divulge this information, unless they are using an expensive process like crystal coating, which is worth advertising.

Look for hair straighteners with a ceramic heating element, these offer heat up times usually below 10 seconds. Heat up times vary considerably, but are usually no more than 90 seconds.

How long will a hair iron last? This answer is approximately 12-18 months with average use. You must remember that these styling tools generate intense heat. The heat eventually affects the ceramic coating on plates (crystal coated or baked ceramic lasts the longest) and heating elements eventually burn out. Nothing lasts forever!