Hunting for the best flat iron for black hair or the best flat iron for African American hair isn’t an easy endeavor “thanks” to the vast variety of brands out there in the market. Chances are you might find one brand marketing their non-damaging features whilst others boasting their plate materials—either way, you’ll be bound to be on trial and error.
So how do you even start looking for the right flat iron for yourself?
While we are all made equal, flat irons aren’t, or rather not all of them are. With the abundance of choices, some irons may fail straightening your thick hair to cascading tresses whereas other flat irons may succeed instantly.
When purchasing a flat iron for natural hair, it’s important that you be clear on your needs and wants. Understanding your hair is one way to go, by identifying the types of irons that are suitable for your hair type, finding out which one of them can distribute heat evenly,
figuring out how to deal with common straightening problems, and many more.
Without beating around the bush, let’s delve into the 17 best flat irons for black hair. Behold the comprehensive list that works especially well for natural African American hair.
The BaBylissPRO is our no.1 best flat iron for black hair on the list courtesy of its affordability. You can count on it to get the job done anytime. Boasting titanium-plated ionic plates that are infused with ceramic, the technology is a breakthrough design which offers full coverage in ironing your hair. It maintains a Ryton housing that controls extremely high temperatures, making it more durable even under high pressure. If you’re not down for waiting, look no further than this flat iron which will heat up in milliseconds, yet has a speedy heat recovery system. Thanks to its lightweight body, you can easily pack things up right after you’re done styling.
Ceramic plated flat iron with great temperature control.
Lightweight
Heats up fast
Features quick recovery system
Tends to overheat
Not suitable for damaged hair
This flat iron is one to live for if you’re on a budget! Its 1-inch plate is made of ceramic and micro-sensors that evenly distributes heat through your hair. We love that this hsi flat iron comes with adjustable temperature settings that can reach a maximum of 450 Fahrenheit. Better yet, each of your purchases comes with a box that includes protective gloves, a travel pouch, and a sample of hair-loving argan oil, you’re basically getting more than what you’ve paid for!
Professional flat iron with a 1-inch, ceramic plate and micro sensors.
Features an adjustable temperature control
Heats up quickly
Reduces frizz and static
Doesn’t have an automatic shut-off feature
Bulky
We’re calling this another best flat iron for black hair because it’s truly a force to be reckoned with. The GHD Platinum + Professional Performance Styler is able to predict your hair needs and monitor the heat settings at a speed of 250x a second, all thanks to an intelligent feature. The built-in sensors can instantly pinpoint your hair type and choose the perfect heat setting for optimal results. Its ceramic 1-inch plate type caters for your preferred styling temperature, and is said to be able to reduce breakage by up to 70%, making it suitable for users with damaged hair. Another feature we love about this ghd flat iron is that it boasts a technology that ensures zero cold spots as you style your hair, helping you achieve healthy-looking and sleek hair. Rather than you pressing on your hair multiple times, it does everything for you in one run.
Ceramic flat iron for African hair with a 1-inch plate and built-in sensors.
Automatically uses the best styling temperature for each hair type
Avoids distributing too much heat
Tames down coils
Adds shine to the hair
Pricey
Non-adjustable heat setting
If you’re looking for the best flat iron for black hair that is both effective and durable but doesn’t cost you a bomb, look no further than this model by Conair. This flat iron features tourmaline ceramic plates which provide efficient hair straightening while eliminating frizz. Not to mention it’s also extremely gentle hence dry- and thin-hair friendly without them being susceptible to heat damage or burns. Despite that, we still recommend that you use a heat protectant. We find this pick one of the best ceramic flat irons for natural black hair thanks to its ability to tame even the curliest of hair strands.
Flat iron with floating plates, tourmaline ceramic plates for even heat distribution.
Distributes heat evenly on the hair
Ensures zero cold spots
Heats up within 15 seconds
Can heat up to a maximum of 450 degree Fahrenheit
Doesn’t have an LCD temperature display
Nobody likes getting their hands ache when styling their hair, in this case, we introduce to you the Croc Classic flat iron that boasts a curvy body. Its ergonomic design gives you a comfortable grip without causing pain in your fingers and wrist. It also avoids the straightener from slipping out of your hands—which is especially helpful if you have children or pets around you. We love that this flat iron for black hair has an instant heating feature together with an automatic shut-off option. It heats up within 30 seconds, even if you max up the volume to the highest level of 450 degree Fahrenheit. When left unused for more than 20 minutes, it’ll shut down on its own, which is helpful if you’re a forgetful person or just too busy in general—hands down one of the best titanium flat irons out there!
Flat iron with a curvy body for comfortable grip.
Ergonomic design
Heats up instantly
Automatically shuts off when left unused
Heats up too quickly you may burn yourself
If you have damaged, prone-to-damage, thin or fine hair, the Paul Mitchell Pro Tools Express makes the perfect hair straightener thanks to its ceramic plates and a controllable heat setting that allows you to adjust with the LCD monitor. The wide plates work to smooth down your tangles easily if your hair is extremely long and thick. Most importantly, you don’t have to spend hours trying to straighten your tresses as it can handle large sections of hair per pass with ease. On top of that, the plates are designed with a special type of silicone that prevents snagging and tangling when you’re straightening your hair. Its ionic and infrared heat technology also imparts a glossy and bouncy finish to your hairdo.
Flat Iron with high quality ceramic plates designed with a unique silicone.
Comes with an LCD monitor
Smooths downs stubborn hair and tangles
Ideal for long, thick hair
Uses infrared and ionic technology
No auto-shut off feature
Tends to produce too much heat
When it comes to searching for the best flat iron for black hair, it’s important to opt for one that’s gentle and won’t damage your hair. Lucea Electric Flat Iron boats a T3 plate material that’s made of premium ceramic, which smooths the hair while it straightens, keeping your hair healthy. The plate’s ionic technology helps tame down frizzy hair while adding shine to it, making it a great flat iron for those with African American natural or color treated hair.
Flat iron with a T3 plate material made of premium ceramic.
Uses ionic technology to reduce frizz and add shine to the hair
Distributes heat evenly
Lightweight design and non-slip grip
Smooths the hair as it straightens
Has an automatic shut-off feature
Slightly pricey
We know how it feels to be stuck with a hair straightener that promises everything else but the ability to deal with thick hair. The FHI HEAT styling iron is one to count on for that matter. It comes in fairly lightweight, making it easy to hold and boasts a slip-resistant coat that allows you to hold it firmly while using. Coming In 4 different sizes: ½ inch, 1 inch, 1 ¼ inch, and 1 ¾ inch, it works well whether you have short, medium or long hair. The variety of sizes also offer more flexibility when straightening or curling natural hair. It has nano-titanium plates and adjustable heat settings, so you’ll never have to worry about frying your follicles, or damaging your hair cuticle, ever again—also making it one of the best flat irons for dry and damaged hair.
Flat iron with 4 different plate sizes to cater for every hair length.
Has a 2-year warranty
Reduces frizz
Starts with a temperature of 176 degrees and ends at 450 degrees
Easy to use
Boasts several great features
Malfunctions after months of use
This innovative hair flat iron by Infrashine is one of the best irons for natural hair and has some of the greatest features you’ll ever find in styling tools. The ergonomic design is easy to grip, and the 1-inch ceramic plates are ideal for all hair texture and types. This heavy-duty silk press flat iron for black hair comes with a 9-foot cord that prevents tangles, and will make straightening 4c hair a breeze. This product features premium tourmaline crystal ion plates that are infused with micro-silica to help reduce frizz and add shine while you style.
Ergonomic flat iron with tourmaline crystal ion plates that are infused with micro-silica to fight frizz and add shine.st you for up to six weeks.
Glides smoothly down the hair
Reduces frizz and adds shine
Features a temperature dial for easy adjustment
Prone to overheating
Though not available on Amazon, we’re letting it pass because we think this is one high quality flat iron that deserves some recognition! The Kipozi professional flat iron is pure ceramic-plated and is wrapped in titanium that does more than just smoothing out insane frizz. The sleekness you’ll get from it is straight up superior. It comes with an LED light that serves to give you a signal and stop sending heat whenever the plates reach the set temperature—deliver silky smooth and visibly healthier hair while keeping your kids and pets safe! The nano-titanium and PTC ceramic make a great combination, plus, you can simply engage the locking system, leave it plugged in, and not worry about your children accidentally turning it on when you’re not around. Catering to all hair types, this flat iron for black hair has adjustable temperature settings from 170 degrees Fahrenheit to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ceramic flat iron with plates wrapped in titanium.
LED light signals and stops distribute heat when desired temperature is reached
Locking system prevents the flat iron from being accidentally switched on
Great for all hair types
Affordable
Low versatility
Maybe you don’t want to shell out a ton of money for a flat iron no matter how great of a tool it is, then the Remington 1-inch anti static flat iron is for you. This budget-friendly hair straightener styles hair quickly while being the most gentle. It only takes 30 seconds to reach a high heat and you can adjust the temperature to a maximum of 410 degrees Fahrenheit on a handy digital display. To ensure some peace of mind, there’s also a 60-minute automatic shut-off feature if you happen to leave the flat iron unattended.
Affordable ceramic flat iron with floating plates.
Heats up quickly
Has floating plates
Has an automatic shut-off feature
Requires longer styling time for long, coarse hair
To fight frizzes, knots, tangles, and split ends while you straighten your naturally curly hair, opt for hair straighteners with ionic technology. This pick by BaBylissPRO utilizes the power of four advanced technologies: graphite, titanium, ceramic, and ionic to evenly distribute heat and gently straighten hair, especially those that are damaged.
Advanced flat iron with four technologies: graphite, titanium, ceramic, and ionic.
Boasts multiple technologies
Suitable for those with fine or damaged hair,
Has dual voltage for travel
Pricey
This best flat iron has extra-long four-inch titanium plates that maximizes surface area for fast performance and even heat distribution. The titanium plates glide smoothly and seamlessly for silky, frizz-free styles, adding extra shine. The digital display it comes with gives precise temperature control of up to a maximum of 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Better yet, it has an automatic shut-off feature.
Titanium flat iron with four inch plates.
Ideal for long hair
Smooth titanium plates
Shuts off automatically when left unattended for 60 minutes
Pricey
Compared to all the premium flat irons, this one is value for money. It boasts almost 200 five-star reviews on Target. The reason it’s called a “3-in-1” iron is because of its curved plates, which you can use for creating smooth waves, curls, and sleek straight styles. It heats up fairly quickly, and comes with a long, nine feet cord so you can maneuver with ease. We love that it also includes an auto-shutoff feature so you don’t have to rush home because you can’t remember if you switch the flat iron off or not.
Flat iron with a rounded body and 1 ¼ curved plates.
Affordable price for a professional styling tool
Fast-heating Titanium plates
Comes with a digital display and 4 temperature presets
Includes an auto shutoff feature
Malfunctions rather quickly
Sedu’s ceramic plates don’t just make your hair straight, they are perfect for sealing the hair’s cuticle to reduce frizziness before it starts to form. It’s one of the best hair straighteners out there—it can reach a maximum of 450 degrees Fahrenheit, but is also adjustable if you want to precisely control the level of heat you put into your hair.
1” Ceramic flat iron with adjustable heat settings.
Adjustable temperature
Heats up to 450 degrees fahrenheit
Prevents frizzy hair
Comes with a 60-minute auto shutoff feature
A long-lasting product
Pricey
This hair straightener from ghd features one heat setting only—an optimum 365 degrees, so if you prefer to have more control over your iron’s temperature, this one is probably not for you. Still, it makes a great tool for creating all types of waves and curls on African American. It even has a 30-second heat-up time and top-notch floating plates that makes this styler glide easily through hair strands to straighten, smooth, and reduce frizz.
Hair straightener with only one heat setting.
Heats up quickly
Features a dual voltage for travel
Floating plates create less frizz and heat damage
Doesn't offer adjustable heat settings
This is one of our favourites because of the consistent heat level that the iron delivers. Its plates feature a unique blend of germanium, nano-ceramic, and nano-tourmaline to maintain optimal health benefits for the hair, avoiding putting your hair through the extra damage. What’s more? When you purchase this hair straightener off of Amazon, you’ll receive a complimentary serum and boar bristle brush to perfect your locks, too!
Flat iron with consistent heat technology.
Heats up evenly
Automatic shut-off feature
Top-quality plates with germanium, naon-ceramic, and nano-tourmaline
Limited online reviews
When it comes to flat ironing natural hair, ceramic plates make a great option courtesy of their ability to evenly distribute heat while minimizing damage to the hair. This plate material may heat up rather slowly but more evenly. It also requires less passes to straighten the hair, hence reducing heat damage. Having said that, if you have kinkier, harder-to-straighten hair texture, opting for titanium plates would help since they heat up quicker and transfer heat much faster than ceramic.
Ionic hair straighteners are designed to straighten and smooth the hair simultaneously while also improving its strength. This will give you a shinier, frizz- and damage-free finished style.
We recommend you also opt for a flat iron model with adjustable heat settings so you can customize the temperature to your liking. On top of that, the safest and most effective temperature always depends on your individual hair type and texture, so having options is important.
Last but not least, it’s also important to go for a flat iron that has good, even closure between the plates so you can straighten your hair evenly. Suppose your current iron is becoming loose or has trouble closing properly, it’s about time to replace it.
Both ceramic and titanium flat irons work well for this type of hair, but which one always comes down to your individual hair texture. Ceramic flat irons are perfect for swapping between straight and curly styles; while those with kinkier coils or hair that’s tough to straighten shall opt for flat irons with titanium plates. Be on the lookout for ion technology to ensure smooth, shiny, and frizz-free finish. Finally, it’s crucial to find an option with adjustable heat settings so you can easily achieve your desired look without damaging your hair.
When it comes to the perfect temperature range to flat ironing black hair, once again, it varies from texture to texture. Say you have thick, coarse hair, you can go up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit; if you have thin, fine hair, we generally suggest you stay under 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
We can’t stress enough the importance of applying a heat protectant before using any hot tool, including a hair dryer, hair straightener, and hair dryer brush. Heat protectants act as a barrier between the hot plates and your delicate tresses. We highly recommend using a serum-based heat protectant instead of a liquid spray. This is because natural hair reverts to curly when they’re wet. Some sprays are bound to wet the hair, causing a slight curl that can lead to burning or scorched hair, and you don’t want any of that.
Now that you’ve read about all the products to use before flat ironing your precious strands, it’s important to know the exact method so you can achieve bone straight hair every time.
Before proceeding with the ironing, hop into the shower and thoroughly wash your hair with a good hydrating shampoo and conditioner. If you suffer from dry, damaged hair, we highly recommend a weekly deep conditioning routine to enhance your hair health.
After shampoo and conditioner, make sure you properly cleanse them off to avoid residue. If you start with your hair containing dirt and product residue, you’ll be pushing the grime to penetrate deeper into your hair cuticles, clogging them with filth and making them more susceptible to damage.
Let your hair air dry and add a heat protectant afterward to safeguard your strands from direct heat. It serves as a protective barrier against high heat hence mitigating damage. It’s also important to keep your temperature settings to medium or low to avoid excessive heat. To yield optimum results, keep your flat iron between 390 to 450 degree Fahrenheit.
If you want to avoid the awkward half-straight and half-curly look, make sure you section your hair properly with a clip before going in with a flat iron. Address each section of hair by first, combing it down and then moving on with the flat iron to press your hair down into long, sleek strands. To prolong your results, flat iron your hair strands only when it’s completely dry.
To accelerate the drying process, you can wet wrap your hair under a bonnet hair dryer until your hair has absorbed all the moisture. This is especially helpful if you don’t want to blow-dry your hair.
Say you go into flat ironing without fully drying your hair beforehand, it’ll lead to additional frizz and crooked straightening, and I’m most definitely sure you don’t want that.
Adding nourishing oils or serums after finishing your flat-ironing routine makes a great aftercare. You can add a little weight to your locks with a polisher or serum if you prefer a glossier look. This will return some of the nutrients your hair and cuticle has lost during the straightening process and prevent the likelihood of tangling or any other “mishaps” that stops you from achieving the perfect straight hair look.
You don’t want all that hard work to go down the drain. To retain your silk straight tresses throughout a good night’s sleep, we recommend wrapping your head with a silk or satin scarf, or even a bonnet before going to sleep. This will help retain all that moisture in your hair and wake up with the same beautiful hairdo just like the night before. By neglecting this important step, not only will you risk ruining your hard work and effort but will also make your strands more brittle and fragile due to friction.
Natural black hair is very unique and versatile as it offers ample styling options. But it’s also important to know how to take care of your hair as you indulge in the fun of experimenting with different styles. Beware of frying your hair!
To yield maximum results with any hairdo that you attempt to perform on your African-American hair, remember to follow through with the proper methods and choose only the best flat iron for black hair that caters to your needs. Not all hair straighteners will help you out and give you your desired look, so it’s paramount to be well-informed of the various options and technologies available.
Featuring titanium-plated ionic plates that are infused with ceramic, the technology of this flat iron for African hair is a breakthrough design which offers full coverage in ironing your strands.
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