The Diva Pro Styling Wide Digital Straightener and Styler is a high-quality product that is built to last. Crafted with attention to detail and using premium materials, this straightener is designed to withstand regular use and deliver consistent results. We liked the sleek design of these straighteners that come with a two-in-one protective storage sleeve that doubles as a styling mat. The ample three-metre swivel cord and slim handle meant it was comfortable in hand too, and they were ready to use in an impressively fast 15 seconds. These straighteners offer three heat settings – 160°C, 180°C and 200°C – and heat up in just seconds. The battery charges fully in three hours and lasts for 30 minutes, which will be sufficient to style most types and lengths of hair. The floating ceramic plates heat up evenly, and it’s easy to operate the tool using a single button that controls both power and heat selection. The cordless straighteners are perfect for styling on the go and come with a handy travel bag. On paper, it also doesn’t appear to offer much versatility in terms of temperature settings but this is the same across the entire GHD range because 185°C is, according to the brand, the optimum temperature to achieve maximum styling ability with minimal hair damage. It’s also a shame that GHD has relied on an older version of its dual-zone sensor technology, taken from the mid-range GHD Gold, instead of the ultra-zone technology seen on the hair brand’s flagship model, the Platinum Plus (below). In reality, this seemingly means very little to the performance of the Unplugged, and its ability to protect our hair while styling. Certainly not to a noticeable extent. Yet when paying a premium price, you expect premium technology.

The use of steam opens the hair follicle. This lets moisture in while straightening or curling and makes steam straighteners typically less harsh and drying, particularly on curly or more delicate hair types. Our models were impressed with how glossy and defined their hair looked after using the Revamp Progloss Steamcare and after a fortnight of use, many said their hair felt softer and seemed to be in better condition overall. There was also a noticeable improvement in how long fresh colour lasted on hair when using these straighteners. The best designs come with optimum heat settings or automatic heat modes that adapt to suit your hair. Heat plates that can maintain the heat output, or come infused with minerals, will also work well if your aim is to smooth frizzy hair. Remington’s 'OPTIheat' technology targets heat where your hair most needs it, which delivers genuine long-lasting results and the PRO+ setting keeps the temperature at a responsible 185°C to protect your hair.Katie particularly liked the fact that the mineral-infused wide ceramic plates glided over hair smoothly, without any snagging. The plates are, in fact, designed to be ‘floating’ plates– rather than clamp down on your hair, for a more seamless feel when straightening.

Fine hair: Look for ceramic plates that distribute heat evenly and more gently. Use lower temperature settings to minimise heat damage.Revamp Progloss Liberate Cordless Ceramic Compact Hair Straightener ST-1700: The best compact straighteners Ceramic plates: they are slower to warm up than other materials, but they distribute heat more evenly. They tend to be cheaper too, but are more prone to chipping.

While not as techy as other straighteners, the PROLuxe is glamorously good and delivers perfect results instantly – one swipe of each section and you’re finished. It comes with a heat resistant guard similar to the GHDs which, again, might be better as a heat mat. Still, despite only doing the basics, these are definitely the best value for money straighteners you can buy right now.

The best straighteners for thick hair in 2023

Q: Are the ceramic plates of this straightener snag-free? A: Yes, the ceramic plates of the Diva Pro Styling Wide Digital Straightener and Styler are designed to be snag-free, ensuring smooth gliding through your hair without causing any tangles or pulling. Key specs – Plate width: 1.4in; Type of plates: Ceramic; Ionic technology: Yes; Number of heat settings: 17; Maximum temperature: 235ºC ; Auto shut-off: Yes (60 mins); Heat-up time: 15 secs; Cord length: 3m; Weight: 470g; Accessories included: Heat-proof mat The Platinum Plus is GHD’s premium offering, with floating ceramic plates designed to deliver optimum heat for your hair type and maintain that temperature using intelligent heat technology that measures and adjusts it constantly while styling. The result is even heat across the plates that won’t scorch the hair, leaving hair looking glossy and feeling healthy. The smooth gliding plates and even heat distribution mean you won’t have to run the Platinum Plus through the same strands more than once to see results, and the wishbone-shaped hinge reduces the risk of catching or snagging hair as you style. Advanced diamond’ ceramic coating (claims to include 10 times more ceramic than your standard straightener)

Key specs – Plates: Floating; Maximum temperature: 200ºC; Voltage: 100-240V; Cord length: 3m; Automatic shut-off time: 30 minutes; Warranty: 3 years Straight hair will never go out of fashion, so neither will the best hair straighteners you can use to achieve it. Research by consumer-trends analyst Mintel suggests that over one-third of women and one-fifth of men own a set of hair straighteners, and that number is growing. GHD and Cloud Nine are the dominant names in this market, but an ever-growing number of brands promise super-sleek, frizz-free straightening and more besides.Q: Can I use this straightener on wet hair? A: No, it is recommended to use this straightener on dry hair. Using a straightener on wet hair can cause damage and is not recommended. With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work. The styling head itself is longer than most at 100mm, with rounded edges that allow easy curling and waving as well as straightening if you like to switch up your style. The Smoothstay is light in the hand and in your handbag at 410g, making it perfect to carry with you for styling touch-ups between work and play. For the price, Revlon’s Smoothstay delivers very good results and leaves hair shiny and frizz-free. The best hair straighteners you can buy 2023 1. GHD Platinum Plus Styler: The best hair straighteners for straightening curly hair The Contouring Iron also comes equipped with an impressive temperature range, with 11 temperature settings between 100°C and 200°C. There’s also a “Revive” mode, which fixes the temperature at 150°C, but uses micro-vibrations in the plates during styling to help create longer-lasting styles, despite the low heat. This is a step up from the Cloud Nine Original Iron, featured above, and worked remarkably well in our testing. There’s no getting around the fact that this is an expensive curling iron, but it’s the perfect all-in-one styler for those willing to splash out.