The 8 Best Flat Irons for Thick Hair: Do They Really Work as Advertised?

Having thick hair can be a joy- just imagine the styling possibilities you can do. As someone with thick hair, you may sometimes get compliments on how nice your hair looks. Little do these people know the struggle you have to go through in styling your hair.

They don’t have any idea how early you have to get up in the morning to style your hair when you could still be in bed. Not to mention the wrist fatigue you have to go through in holding hot and heavy tools for hours, and the stiff neck that comes with combing and styling.

Google searching “Best Flat Iron for Thick Hair” probably took you here. you all want the best for your thick hair. So without further ado, let’s lay down the basics. Below is a review of all the best flat irons for thick hair, as well as a buying guide to help you choose which is the best for you.

Read also related articles: Best flat iron for black hair, best curling wands for thick hair, best hair heat protectant, cordless curling iron, and best rotating curling irons.

8 Best Flat Iron for Thick Hair

Check out these 8 best flat irons for thick hair that are sure to give you straight and silky hair in no time, as well as let you style your hair into as many creative looks as you want without having to worry about hair damage and breakage.

1. Bio Ionic Onepass Styling Iron

Our first pick is the Bio Iconic flat iron, which is simply the best straightener for thick and long hair. It’s made with ceramic plates that are equipped with silicone speed strips in order to more effectively grip and keep your stubborn hair strands in place while straightening.

This way, you can straighten your hair in just one pass, without having to worry about snagging and whatnot. This iron comes with digital heat adjustments with matching temperature displays, and with a heat range of up to 450°F.

What’s even better is that it comes with a memory function so you can automatically use it at your usual heat setting. It also heats up quickly, is lightweight and comfortable to use, and produces far-infrared heat that is efficient and non damaging to your hair.

2. HSI Professional Ceramic Tourmaline Ionic Flat Iron

Our second best bet is the HSI professional ceramic tourmaline flat iron, which is also one of the most popular options, likely due to its professional salon quality construction and the sheer ease of use when you use this to style and straighten your hair.

It’s made with tourmaline infused ceramic plates that not only allow for efficient straightening, but also ensure frizz and shine control. It also features adjustable heat settings of up to 450°F, and is made with dual voltage so you can use it anywhere.

Plus, it also makes use of floating plates that flex and tilt so you can enjoy a greater styling control. The best part? It’s a low priced option especially considering that it’s a professional grade flat iron, and you’re even getting a free travel bag with the iron, so it’s an awesome deal all in all.

3. Croc Classic Nano-Titanium Flat Iron

Taking the third spot is the Croc Classic nano titanium flat iron, a highly ergonomic straightener due to its signature design of a crocodile profile with a uniquely contoured shape that makes it really easy and comfortable to use while you work on your hair.

You might not think much of that, but when you’re working with lots and lots of hair, this really adds up so your arms don’t get tired as quickly. Plus, it’s lightweight as well, and is designed in such a way that there’s no chance of your hands accidentally touching the hot plates.

It also comes in an extra wide profile of 1.5-inch plates that let you straighten more hair in less time. The plates are also made of titanium so it heats up fast and keeps your hair smooth. And, it features 17 different digital heat settings ranging from 280°F to 450°F.

4. HAI Gold Convertable Professional Flat Iron

Ranking fourth is the HAI gold convertible professional flat iron, another excellent choice that is packed with must have features to make hair straightening and styling as easy as possible, especially for people with long and thick hair.

Among these features are its 1.25 inch gold plates that are designed with beveled edges to make it as versatile as possible so you can enjoy sleek hair ends or even curl your hair. These plates are even treated with a non-stick coating to minimize hair damage and prevent product buildup.

Furthermore, it uses infrared energy to ensure that your hair stays strong and healthy. It also has a wide temperature range of 250 to 450 degrees fahrenheit, and is perfect for styling pretty much any hair type, from fine to coarse, and thick to thin hair.

5. Croc Classic Flat Iron Hair Straightener

In fifth place is the Croc classic flat iron hair straighter, which, like the Croc classic, features a pair of 1.5-inch wide titanium heating plates to let you straighten and style more hair in significantly less time, making it perfect for those with thick hair.

It even works in straightening hair in just a single pass, even with wavy and borderline curly hair. This doesn’t just translate to efficiency, but more importantly, it means your hair won’t be as susceptible to damage since it won’t get fried due to repeated heating.

A great feature of this product is that it’s equipped with a unique thumb grip that allows for an easier time holding the iron. It even comes with a lengthy cord so you can have more room and freedom in styling. And with the titanium plates that help you get rid of frizz, it’s an overall excellent choice if you want styled hair that’s still soft and smooth.

6. BaBylissPRO Nano-Titanium Ultra Thin Straightening Iron

Next up is the BabyBlissPRO nano titanium ultra thin flat iron, which is a staple and go-to brand for many professional hairstylists as it’s a salon grade hair straightener that produces amazing results while being easy to use.

Now, unlike most of the other options on this list, this one features ultra thin hot plates, but that just means it’s suitable for all hair types, and it’s also an excellent tool for styling and curling hair. So, if you’re fine spending a bit more time on achieving that perfect look, this is a nice tool.

These hot plates are also made of titanium, so the iron is lightweight and easy to hold even for long periods of time. The housing is also thin and weighs like a feather, and is perfect for letting you get as close to your scalp as possible for those complicated hairstyles.

7. RUSK Engineering CTC Professional Straight Iron

You might also want to consider the Rusk engineering CTC professional straight iron, a ceramic straightener that’s highly durable and is sure to last you for a long time. It’s guaranteed to give you consistently professional results at every use.

It’s made with titanium infused heating plates that heat up quickly, transfer heat evenly, and even help in sealing moisture in your hair strands so they can stay healthy and shiny. It also features a unique Sol-Gel technology that works in controlling heat so your hair doesn’t get burnt.

This flat iron is proven effective in taming frizzy hair with a heat range that goes up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. It also makes use of a somewhat bulky but definitely durable Ryton housing that won’t break all too easily.

8. KIPOZI 1 Inch Pro Nano-Titanium Flat Iron

Last but not the least, there’s also the Kipozi pro nano titanium flat iron, which is a superior yet affordable straightener that works amazingly on thick hair. It’s an up and coming brand, but it definitely delivers in terms of quality and performance.

Among its features are a digital temperature display, adjustable heat settings, pre-programmed settings that you can choose from depending on your hair type, and even a timer that lets you know how much time you’ve spent styling your hair.

The plates are made of titanium and therefore heat up quickly and leave your hair smooth, silky, and shiny after usage. This straightener even comes in a variety of colors such as rose pink, so you can get one that matches your personality.

Flat Iron for Thick Hair FAQs and Buying Guide

Looking for the best flat iron for thick hair, but don’t quite know where to start? We get it. There are hundreds and thousands of options on the market, with each one advertised as the best. It can be downright impossible to determine which ones are true to their promise.

Don’t you worry. We are here to help you out. Read on to find out about the most important things you need to consider when buying a flat iron for thick hair:

Understand your hair

The first and most important step is for you to understand and get to know your hair. For one thing, is it thick, or coarse? It may not be readily noticeable, but there’s a difference. Moreover, is it straight, or curly?

Take things further and determine whether your hair is generally healthy, or if it’s a bit damaged (and to what extent). Is it oily, or too dry? Does it get damaged and break too easily? Do you suffer from excessive hair fall and other hair related issues?

These are all important questions since they will help you figure out the best ways to deal with your hair, from buying the right hair products, and finding a hair straightener that is specially designed for your specific hair type.

How long and thick is your hair?

This one is pretty obvious. If you have thin and short hair, you can straighten it really fast, and therefore make use of just about any type of hair straightener out there, either the thinnest or the bulkiest ones.

On the other hand, working with thick and long hair is a tad more complicated. You want to be able to work fast, but that’s hard as there’s so much hair to work through. So, you need wide plates, but more importantly, lightweight irons so you don’t get exhausted halfway through.

Is your hair wavy or curly?

Generally speaking, wavy hair is much easier and faster to straighten and style than curly hair, so if you have particularly curly hair, it’s best to go with a flat iron that stays on and delivers the same heat for a longer period of time without the housing heating up way too much.

And, if your hair is coarse and a bit resistant to straightening, try to find flat irons made with titanium plates and offer higher heating temperatures so you can enjoy higher heat power to straighten your hair.

Do you have chemically treated hair?

Though thick hair has a higher tolerance for high heat, this doesn’t extend to all thick hair types, especially if your hair has recently gone through chemical treatments where strands are in their weakest state.

The good thing is, most flat irons of today have the advanced technology of ceramic, tourmaline, and titanium incorporated into the plates. These elements promote healthy styling as they generate far infrared heat that doesn’t overly dry your hair so it retains moisture for a shinier finish.

How often do you straighten your hair?

The basic rule when buying anything is that you want it to be able to work effectively and last for as long as possible. When it comes to flat irons, this is even more important especially if you will be using it quite often, or even daily.

But, more than being durable, you also want the flat iron to not be as damaging to your hair, even with constant and prolonged heat exposure. You can achieve this by selecting certain plate materials such as ceramic and tourmaline.

How to pick the right flat iron for your thick hair?

Each hair fiber is built up with three strong layers; the cortex, medulla, and cuticle, all of which are rich in protein. While this is the advantage of having thick tresses, it’s also the downside. This is because thick hair can be stubborn and resistant to hairstyling. So, how do you pick a flat iron that works well for your hair type?

Heat range

According to hair experts, 350F-400F is the ideal temperature range for the heat to work on thick, curly, and coarse hair. Depending on the thickness and porosity of hair, you can even go above this range.

Thus, flat irons with a decent range of adjustments are ideal. Just remember, while your hair can pretty much tolerate heat, you still have to be careful on using the full heat setting. Every hair has its own elasticity, and excessive use of heat can leave permanent damage.

Plate size and width

Thick hair typically takes more time to style, and this is something you’d want to avoid. This is not something you envisage doing with a small plated iron. Consider your hair length and thickness.

In general, the ideal plate width is 1-2 inches. Some irons even have wider plates that can cater to all hairs of any length and thickness. Besides, flat irons are often used to style hair. So, you may want to opt for an iron that has a wide plate to back your styling precisions.

Price vs quality

There’s a lot of affordable flat irons to choose from that are priced as low as $10 to $500. But, don’t just go for the cheapest one. Consider your budget and weigh the product’s pros and cons.

Ask yourself, will an inexpensive flat iron last long, or even work as advertised? On the contrary, does an expensive product live up to its name and is actually worth the price, or are you just paying for the brand name and some creative marketing?

Other important factors to consider

Aside from those mentioned above, there are also other factors and features you might want to look out for when buying a flat iron so you can be sure you’ll end up with the right one for you, and therefore get the best value for your money with a flat iron that you are sure to enjoy using.

Automatic shut off. This is a great feature for everyone, as it ensures your safety. Even if you’re not particularly forgetful, it’s always nice to stay on the safe side. Sometimes, you’re just too busy to remember every single thing, or other times, there might be an emergency that requires your immediate attention.

Memory function. A lot of hair straighteners nowadays come with pre-programmed heat and styling settings for you to choose from depending on your hair type. They also come with memory functions so you can readily start with the last temperature you used to style your hair.

Floating plates. If you are into styling, you want a hair straightener that can give you just that. This means it needs to be versatile enough, which is typically made possible with thinner plates and floating plates that flex and tilt.

Dual voltage. For travelers who want to always look their best no matter where they are, having a dual voltage flat iron is ideal, so you can always use it regardless of the country you’re in.

Final Thoughts

The best flat iron for thick hair is one that checks off all the important boxes and meets all your needs and requirements when it comes to straightening and styling hair, as well as keeping it healthy and strong, not to mention soft, shiny, and silky smooth.

This means that the flat iron needs to have a decent heat range, a wide plate size, and overall excellent quality with all the must-have features, all without making a huge dent on your budget.

What we’ve found that sounds exactly like what we just described is the Bio Ionic Onepass Styling Iron. it’s lightweight and ergonomic, it reaches up to 450 degrees, it makes use of ceramic plates, and it even has silicone guard strips to keep you safe. Trust us, you’ll love this.