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Buying guide

Best straighteners for curly and afro hair

Chosen from what the Amazon listings state, not tested by us. How we pick

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Top picks at a glance

Compare them all

  • Best overall

    Dyson Airstrait: straightens curly and coily hair from wet

    Dries and straightens in one step, which the listing says saves up to 8 minutes per style.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

  • Best value

    Faszin 42 mm titanium: up to 230°C for coarse curls

    The 42 x 110 mm plates are stated as 85% larger than a regular straightener, so thick hair takes fewer sections.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

  • Most features

    ghd Chronos Max: 85% larger close-edge plates

    The listing explicitly states it can straighten, curl and wave, with technology that adapts to your styling movements.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Curly, coily and afro hair asks more of a straightener than straight hair does. Tight curls need firm, even plate tension so each section is smoothed in as few passes as possible, and coarse textures may need more heat than fine hair. That makes temperature control important: you want enough heat to straighten, but the option to stay lower when it is not needed. Wider plates help with volume and length, and comb attachments add tension for a silk press style finish. Some tools also dry and straighten from wet, which can shorten wash days. This guide compares picks for curly hair on plates, maximum temperature, wet styling and included combs, using only listing facts.

All products compared

Details as stated in the Amazon listing or by the manufacturer. See the current price on Amazon.

The products in detail

No. 1 · Dyson

Dyson Airstrait: straightens curly and coily hair from wet

Dyson's straightener uses two jets of air instead of hot plates to dry and straighten wet hair at once. Wet and Dry modes, 4 heat settings and 3 airflow settings are listed.

In its favour

  • Dries and straightens in one step, which the listing says saves up to 8 minutes per style.
  • No hot plates touch the hair, with an integrated comb for tension instead.
  • Wet and Dry modes let it straighten freshly washed or dry hair.

Good to know

  • It only straightens, with no curling barrels.
  • Power in watts is not stated in the listing.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Dyson Airstrait™ Straightener and Dryer

No. 2 · ghd

ghd Chronos Max: 85% larger close-edge plates

A wide plate Chronos for long, thick and curly hair. The listing says it can straighten, curl and wave, with close-edge plates that reach the root and motion-responsive heat that adapts as you move.

In its favour

  • The listing explicitly states it can straighten, curl and wave, with technology that adapts to your styling movements.
  • Close-edge plates are designed to style right from the root, which helps start a curl high up.
  • A 10-minute sleep mode switches it off when idle, according to the maker.

Good to know

  • Wide plates make tight curls harder, so expect looser waves and big curls.
  • There are no adjustable temperature settings; it holds 185°C.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Chronos Max Wide Plate Hair Straightener & Styler for Thick Hair

No. 3 · ghd

ghd Max: wide plates made for thick or curly hair

ghd's wide plate straightener for long, thick or curly hair, with plates the maker says are 70% larger than its standard models. It lists universal voltage and a 2.7 m swivel cord.

In its favour

  • The maker says the 70% larger plates style hair in half the time, a real help with long or thick hair.
  • A 30-second heat up and a 30-minute sleep mode are both listed.
  • Universal voltage and a protective plate guard make it easier to take away.

Good to know

  • Wide plates are less precise near the roots and on short cuts.
  • Plate width in millimetres is not stated in the listing.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: ghd Max Wide Plate Hair Straightener & Styler, More Shine, Thick Hair

No. 4 · Cloud Nine

Cloud Nine Original Iron: 11 settings to 200°C

Cloud Nine's Original Iron offers 11 temperature settings from 100°C to 200°C, Revive Mode plate vibration and a 30-minute Hibernation Mode. This bundle adds a Magical Remedy conditioner.

In its favour

  • Eleven settings between 100°C and 200°C let you style fine hair gently or turn it up for thicker hair.
  • Hibernation Mode switches the iron off after 30 minutes of inactivity, according to the listing.
  • Spring-Flex floating plates are designed to cushion the hair for smoother styling.

Good to know

  • The listing does not state weight, plate width or cable length.
  • Its 200°C top setting is lower than the Faszin or Shark options here.
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Listing title: The Original Iron Grey Hair Straightener Starlight Grey | Variable Tem...

No. 5 · Faszin

Faszin 42 mm titanium: up to 230°C for coarse curls

A wide plate titanium straightener with 42 x 110 mm plates, 11 settings from 130°C to 230°C and an LED temperature display. It also lists 100 to 240 V for use abroad.

In its favour

  • The 42 x 110 mm plates are stated as 85% larger than a regular straightener, so thick hair takes fewer sections.
  • Eleven settings from 130°C to 230°C and a live LED display make it easy to set and check the heat.
  • Wide 100 to 240 V voltage range and a 2.2 m 360° cord are listed.

Good to know

  • The brand is far less established than ghd or Cloud Nine, and no warranty term is stated.
  • Wide plates are awkward for short hair and fringes.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Faszin Professional Hair Straighteners, 42mm Wide-Plate (Carbon)

No. 6 · Shark

Shark SilkiPro: wet mode plus 3 combs, up to 230°C

A 2-in-1 that pairs heated ceramic plates with dryer airflow. Wet mode dries and straightens from damp, and Dry mode cuts the air so it works as a normal straightener. Three combs are included.

In its favour

  • Wet and Dry modes let one tool handle both drying and finishing, according to the listing.
  • Three interchangeable combs (wide tooth, gentle and precision) are included for different hair types.
  • A listed maximum of 230°C gives headroom for thick or coarse hair.

Good to know

  • At a listed 1.57 kg it is the heaviest tool in this guide.
  • No auto shut-off timer or cable length is stated.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: SilkiPro Hair Straightener & Dryer, Rose Petal, HT401UKPK

No. 7 · L'Oréal Professionnel Paris

L'Oréal SteamPod 4: steam with combs for each hair type

The fourth-generation SteamPod uses steam and a choice of combs. The listing says it creates bouncy, defined curls as well as straight looks, with heat you set for your hair texture.

In its favour

  • The listing states it creates bouncy and defined curls, not only straight styles.
  • Heat is adjustable up to a listed 210°C, so you can tune it to fine or thick hair.
  • Different combs are supplied to match your hair type and the look you want.

Good to know

  • At a listed 1.4 kg it is the heaviest tool here, which can tire your arm when curling.
  • It needs filtered water in the tank; the listing warns against tap water.
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Listing title: L'Oréal Professionnel SteamPod 4, Steam Hair Straightener, UK Plug

Read before you buy

More buying guides: Hair types and plate sizes

Plate and Curl chooses every product independently, based on what its Amazon listing states. We may earn a commission on purchases made through the affiliate links above. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.