Best Hair Straighteners UK (2026)
A straightener's plate width and heat consistency matter more than raw brand name for how well it performs on your specific hair type. This guide compares straighteners tested by Marie Claire UK, spanning budget picks, cordless options and steam-based tools for damaged hair.
We have not hands-on tested these products. Our picks are based on published independent tests and reviews, listed at the bottom of this page. How we pick.
Our top pick
ghd Chronos Hair Straightener
Best all-rounder
Marie Claire's pick for the best all-rounder, delivering consistent, salon-quality results across hair types.
- Consistent, reliable results
- Well suited to most hair types
Quick comparison
| Product | Best for | Key spec | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| ghd Chronos Hair Straightener | Best all-rounder | £299 | Check price |
| Cloud Nine The Contouring Wide Iron | Best for versatility | £229, wide contoured plates | Check price |
| Remington Shine Therapy | Best budget | Budget pick | Check price |
| Dyson Corrale | Best luxury | Cordless, flexing plates | Check price |
| Shark SilkiPro Straight | Best 2-in-1 dry and straighten | Dries and straightens in one tool | Check price |
| ghd Unplugged | Best cordless | Cordless | Check price |
| ghd Chronos Max | Best for thick hair | Wide plate styling | Check price |
| L'Oreal Steampod 3.0 | Best for damaged hair | Steam-based styling | Check price |
Our picks in detail
Best all-rounder
ghd Chronos Hair Straightener
Marie Claire's pick for the best all-rounder, delivering consistent, salon-quality results across hair types.
- Price guide
- £299
Pros
- Consistent, reliable results
- Well suited to most hair types
Cons
- Expensive
Best for versatility
Cloud Nine The Contouring Wide Iron
Wide, contoured plates that make it easy to both straighten hair and create waves or curls with the same tool.
- Price guide
- £229
Pros
- Versatile for straightening and styling curls or waves
- Wide plates cover more hair per pass
Cons
- Premium price
Best budget
Remington Shine Therapy
Marie Claire's recommended budget buy, offering solid everyday performance without the premium price tag of salon brands.
Pros
- Affordable
Best luxury
Dyson Corrale
Marie Claire's luxury pick, with flexing plates designed to gather more hair per pass and cordless operation for use anywhere.
- Design
- Cordless, flexing plates
Pros
- Cordless operation
- Flexing plates gather more hair per pass
Cons
- Expensive
Best 2-in-1 dry and straighten
Shark SilkiPro Straight
A combined dryer and straightener that reduces the number of tools and steps needed to finish a style.
- Function
- Dries and straightens
Pros
- Combines drying and straightening in one tool
- Saves styling time
Best cordless
ghd Unplugged
Marie Claire's pick for the best cordless straightener, giving freedom to style anywhere without a nearby plug socket.
- Design
- Cordless
Pros
- Fully cordless
- Freedom to style anywhere
Cons
- Battery life limits continuous use
Best for thick hair
ghd Chronos Max
Marie Claire's pick for thick hair, with wider plates that cover more hair per pass to cut down styling time.
- Plates
- Wide
Pros
- Wide plates suit thick hair
- Reduces styling time
Cons
- Premium price
Best for damaged hair
L'Oreal Steampod 3.0
Uses steam alongside heat to add moisture while styling, rather than just applying dry heat, which Marie Claire recommends specifically for damaged hair.
- Technology
- Steam-based
Pros
- Adds moisture while styling
- Gentler option for damaged hair
Cons
- Premium price
Buying guide
How wide should the plates be?
Narrower plates suit shorter or finer hair and give more precision for smaller sections. Wider plates cover more hair per pass, which suits thicker or longer hair and can cut down overall styling time.
Ceramic, titanium or tourmaline plates?
Ceramic plates heat evenly and are gentle on hair. Titanium heats up faster and reaches higher temperatures, suiting thick or coarse hair. Tourmaline-coated plates are designed to reduce frizz and add shine as you style.
Is a steam straightener worth it for damaged hair?
Steam-based tools like the L'Oreal Steampod add moisture while styling rather than relying purely on dry heat, which can be gentler on hair that's already damaged or prone to dryness.
Is a cordless straightener practical for everyday use?
Cordless straighteners are useful for travel or styling away from a socket, but battery life limits how long you can use them continuously. For daily use at home, a corded model gives unlimited styling time.