Best Hair Tools for Any Job

There are so many hair tools on the market and it can be overwhelming on where to start. It’s super easy to damage your hair, especially if you’re one to get it colored regularly! The last thing you want is to damage your fresh balayage. And you definitely don’t want your blow dryer, straightener, or curling iron to contribute to damage. Regardless of your budget, we can all agree that we want a hair tool that doesn’t cause damage, doesn’t add frizziness, doesn’t snag, or doesn’t burn the hair. I mean, that’s not too much to ask for, right?!

We’ve tested a ton of hair tools over the years and, the Milabu Team agrees, these are the best of the best. Below is a deeper dive into our picks with some honorable mentions thrown in. Now, there are some splurges on here, but, remember – healthy hair is an investment!

BEST VALUE FLAT IRON

(4.1)

:Conair InfinitiPRO Rainbow Titanium Flat Iron

Price: $49.99

Value

(4.5)

Performance

(4.2)

Controls

(3.5)

Technology

(4)

Buy now

CHEAPEST HONORABLE MENTION

(3.5)

:Revlon Smooth and Straight Ceramic Flat Iron

Price: $13.99

Value

(5)

Performance

(3.9)

Controls

(2)

Technology

(2.9)

Buy now

Why We Love It: Conair InfinitiPRO is a 1-inch titanium flat iron with rainbow plates, and is our top pick for the best cheap hair straightener. With the help of a “powerful ion generator,” this flat iron claims to control frizz and protect against heat damage. The extra-long plates have better contact with hair to eliminate hair snagging. It has 6 temperature settings up to 450°F. Taking just 30 seconds to heat up, you’ll be styling in no time! See Flat Iron in Action ▶️

Honorable Mention: At under $15, Revlon Smooth and Straight might be the cheapest flat iron on the market that actually works! The ceramic plates give great results on all hair types. It has 2 heat settings up to 400°F that give ultra-straight and sleek hair. The 1″ plates make it easy to get right up to the root, too. The one thing this flat iron doesn’t do is create curls. Because the plates aren’t rounded, you get creases in your curls. But, if you’re just looking to straighten your hair and are on a budget, this is a great option.

BEST VALUE CURLING IRON

(4)

:Conair Double Ceramic Curling Iron

Price: $19.99

Value

(5)

Performance

(3.9)

Controls

(3.5)

Technology

(3.5)

Buy now

HONORABLE MENTION

(4.1)

:Hot Tools 24k Gold Curling Iron

Price: $49.99

Value

(4.5)

Performance

(4.5)

Controls

(3.5)

Technology

(4)

Buy now

LONG LASTING CURLS

(4)

:Conair Cool Shot Hair Curler

Price: $59.99

Value

(4)

Performance

(4.4)

Controls

(3.5)

Technology

(4.1)

Buy now

BEST INTERCHANGEABLE

(4.2)

:T3 Interchangeable Curling Iron

Price: $325.00

Value

(3.8)

Performance

(4.5)

Controls

(3.9)

Technology

(4.5)

Buy now

Why We Love It

Looking for classic curls on a budget? Look no further than Conair Double Ceramic Curling Iron. This one is different from the rest with its higher ceramic content which delivers more even heat for styling and long-lasting curls. In general, ceramic plating is great for finer hair because it reduces the risk of heat damage. But, on the opposite end, ceramic plating and its variants are not the optimal choices for thicker hair because ceramic usually will not deliver or transfer heat fast enough to the hair to enable fast hair styling (please note, even if the iron can go to higher heat setting that does not mean it can transfer the heat to thicker hair fast enough – not to mention to do it evenly).

It features 30 heat settings up to 375°F to handle most hair types. Another unique feature is Turbo Heat, a 27°F burst of heat to help those difficult to style spots. This Conair curling iron has heat and damage protection along with anti-frizz control. It’s a no-fuss, easy-to-use 1″ curling iron. See curling iron in action ▶️

Honorable Mentions

Hot Tools 24k Gold Curling Iron/Wand

A curling iron that many swear by (even professionals!) is the Hot Tools 24k Gold Curling Iron/Wand. It comes in a variety of barrel/plate sizes ranging from 5/8″ up to 2″, depending on the type of curl you’re going for. Hot Tools is known for its extremely fast heating surface and even heat distribution. 24k Gold Curling Iron/Wand has heat settings up to 430°F, making it useable for all hair types and textures. This one may be a bit pricier, but you do get two hair tools in one: a traditional curling iron and wand. The only thing that would make this one even better is an upgrade with digital controls!

T3 Interchangeable Curling Iron

The T3 Interchangeable concept is great if you use multiple barrels to style hair. Their convertible collection offers a base and 7 different barrels to create your own unique curling iron. Some of my favorite barrels include T3 Polished Curls 1.25 inch clip and T3 Cascading Waves which is a reversed tapered wand. If you’re looking for versatility, T3 hair styling tools offer just that. See it in Action ▶️

Buy it Here:

T3 TWIRL TRIO

T3 CONVERTIBLE BASE

T3 WHIRL TRIO

Note: Be careful with finer hair textures! Because this curling iron transfers heat extremely well, the heat can sometimes be too much on finer hair. If you have thicker, hard-to-curl hair, you’ll love this one!

BEST HAIR DRYER

(4.5)

:Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer

Price: $429.00

Value

(3.9)

Performance

(4.8)

Controls

(4.3)

Technology

(4.8)

Buy now

HONORABLE MENTION

(4.3)

:GAMA Italy IQ Perfetto Professional Hair Dryer

Price: $399.00

Value

(4)

Performance

(4.2)

Controls

(4.3)

Technology

(4.5)

Buy now

Why We Love It

Dyson Supersonic is the gold standard of hair dryers, the creme de la creme if you will. Supersonic is engineered with ‘intelligent heat control’ to protect hair from extreme heat damage while helping increase smoothness by 75%, increase shine by up to 132%, and decrease both frizz and flyaways by up to 61% (vs. naturally air-dried hair). This hair dryer has 3 precise speed settings for various drying and styling, 4 precise heat ranging from 82°F to 212°F settings, plus a cold shot button to set hair after styling. With a hair dryer this technologically advanced, your hair color and scalp are protected from damage. The Milabu Team collectively agrees that this is the best hair dryer and is worth every penny. See Hair Dryer in Action ▶️

Honorable Mention

Boasted as the world’s lightest hair dryer, GAMA Professional IQ Perfetto sits at just under 1 pound despite all of its included technology. There’s a lot of technology packed into this tiny beast, including auto cleaning and a memory function that recalls chosen settings among the 18 possible configurations. It also has what GAMA calls Oxy Active Technology, which emits active oxygen with anti-bacterial properties for shiny, elastic hair. Just like Dyson Supersonic, it has a 110,000 RPM motor for powerful drying, claiming to dry up to 30% faster than conventional hair dryers.

Compared to the Dyson, its airflow mouth is at least half the size, which results in a bit longer drying time. However, this makes it great for precise styling at-home blowouts. It’s also a bit noisier! When filming the above comparison test, the dB levels on our camera doubled with the GAMA compared to the Dyson.

BEST TIGHT CURLS

(4)

:Chopstick Styler Curling Iron

Price: $60.00

Value

(4)

Performance

(4.3)

Controls

(3.5)

Technology

(4)

Buy now

Why We Love It

Tight, 80’s curls are in! Chopstick Styler is the perfect tool for creating long-lasting, extra-tight, but natural looking curls. Chopstick Styler is THE Brand that brought the 80’s back in style – the brand put so much energy behind this idea it now has many copycats. Suitable for all hair types, it promises to curl even the toughest hair and double natural hair volume, claiming sweat and humidity-proof curls. The rectangular edged barrel creates an edgier ringlet that allows curl to hold the hydrogen bonds in hair tighter, resulting in curls that last up to 3 days for a semi-permanent perm look. If you’re after that big hair, tight curl look – Chopstick Styler is the best to achieve it. See Curling Iron in Action ▶️

BEST ONE-PASS FLAT IRON

(4.4)

:Bio Ionic 10x Hair Straightener

Price: $239.00

Value

(3.6)

Performance

(4.9)

Controls

(4.6)

Technology

(4.5)

Buy now

HONORABLE MENTION

(4)

:Kristin Ess 3-in-One Flat Iron

Price: $90.00

Value

(3.5)

Performance

(4.4)

Controls

(3.9)

Technology

(4.1)

Buy now

BEST VALUE

(4.1)

:Conair Infiniti Pro Rainbow Titanium

Price: $49.99

Value

(4.5)

Performance

(4.2)

Controls

(3.5)

Technology

(4)

Buy now

Why We Love It

Bio Ionic 10x is set apart from the rest largely due to its vibrating plates. They make this straightener a true one-pass flat iron. The feature can be turned on and off, but with it off you do have to go over the section of the hair at least two times. The rounded plates help with ease of styling when both straightening and creating waves/curls. High heat up to 450°F and a 9-foot cord is a must for pro users. This hair straightener is truly one of the best hair tools on the market to this day for pro and novice users. See Flat Iron in. Action ▶️

Honorable Mention

Kristen Ess 3-in-One Flat Iron gives great results at a fraction of the price. The alloy plates are made of titanium and gold metal, which heats up quicker, and gives more even heat distribution. It has rounded plates that help with multiple styling options, from straightening to waving to curling. A special thing about this flat iron is the 1 1/4″ floating plates that adjust to your hair texture, allowing you to cover more surface area for faster, more even styling. The results of this combination give snag-free, seamless results that glide smoothly through the hair. It features 4 heat settings up to 440°F, as well as an auto shut-off after 30 minutes. Celebrity hairstylist Kristen Ess made a good one.

BEST LUXURY FLAT IRON

(4.4)

:Dyson Corrale Straightening Iron

Price: $499.00

Value

(3)

Performance

(5)

Controls

(4.4)

Technology

(5)

Buy now

HONORABLE MENTION

(4.3)

:L’Oreal Professional Steampod Flat Iron

Price: $250.00

Value

(3.5)

Performance

(4.6)

Controls

(4.5)

Technology

(4.4)

Buy now

PRO STANDARD FLAT IRON

(4.4)

:Bio Ionic 10x Hair Straightener

Price: $239.00

Value

(3.6)

Performance

(4.9)

Controls

(4.6)

Technology

(4.5)

Buy now

Why We Love It

What makes the Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener so great? In our opinion, it’s technology. Out of all the flat irons we have tried, this one gives the best results time and time again. It is useful in creating multiple hairstyles, from straight to wavy to curl with its consistent and even heat distribution. Corrale is cordless for ultimate styling flexibility and is still powerful for being battery-powered. But, the secret flex plates (made of alloy metal – manganese and copper) are what really set this straightener apart from the rest. They work to guide hair and keep it together between the plates from root to end, flexing with the hair for extra control.

Our complaints with Dyson Corrale are minimal. Most competitors have more than the 3 heat settings it has, an area where we hope Dyson flat iron will improve. It also is prone to snagging hair if you’re not careful. The little “teeth” can catch hair, and hair can also catch near the battery pack. Another thing we personally haven’t experienced, but many others have, is the battery life not being consistent. Some consumers are saying the battery starts dying fast after the first month or so of use. But, overall, we find that Dyson Corrale is the best performing hair straightener to date. See Flat Iron in Action ▶️

Honorable Mention

L’Oreal Steampod is a great option for those with coarse, thick hair that is hard to straighten. Most steam flat irons leak and run out of water quickly, but this one doesn’t. Floating aluminum plates glide smoothly through the hair with little to no snagging, especially when compared to other steam hair irons. Yes, it’s pricey, but L’Oreal Steampod is the only steam flat iron worth looking into.

Bio Ionic 10x is our pick for the best fastest results flat iron. Its even heat distribution and smooth plates give a smooth, sleek straightened hairstyle without snagging hair. What sets this flat iron apart from the rest is the vibrating plates, which make it a true one-pass flat iron. For a flat iron (with a cord!) that suits most hair types and is a bit cheaper than Dyson Corrale, Bio Ionic 10x is the next best option.

BEST HEATED STRAIGHTENING BRUSH

(4.2)

:TYMO Heated Hair Straightening Brush

Price: $59.99

Value

(4.5)

Perfomance

(4.8)

Controls

(3.5)

Technology

(3.8)

Buy now

HONORABLE MENTION

(4.3)

:Padcist Heated Hair Straightening Brush

Price: $34.99

Value

(5)

Performance

(4.8)

Controls

(3.5)

Technology

(3.8)

Buy now

Why We Love It

TYMO RING is phenomenal for achieving a smooth, sleek look on curly, thick, coarse hair types. The shape is unique with its 3D triangular-shaped plates that comb through the hair, lightly grabbing strands for great results. Each tooth/plate is heated with PTC (positive temperature coefficient) Heat Technology to ensure even heat distribution as you comb through hair. For best results, use a bit of tension as if you’re using a regular comb. In our experience, TYMO Straightener Brush works better than all other heated brushes and combs because of its 3D teeth and how it holds and glides through the hair. See Heated Brush in Action ▶️

Honorable Mention

The Padcist version is made at the same factory as TYMO RING. You may not get the same guarantees as you do through TYMO direct as this is a white-label product. There will be a lack of quality control because of this. But, if you’re looking for a more affordable option – look into this one.

BEST AUTOMATED CURLS

(4.3)

:Beachwaver S1 Rotating Curling Iron

Price: $149.99

Value

(4.5)

Performance

(4.3)

Controls

(4.2)

Technology

(4.2)

Buy now

Why We Love It

If you struggle with getting the perfect beachy waves, this is the tool for you. You get consistently good results with this semi-automatic hair curler. Its hassle-free automation is great for both novices and pros when it comes to creating waves. Beachwaver is great at creating waves, but not much else. It only allows you to create three different styles: defined curls, relaxed waves, and glam waves. Since it is an automatic curler, it’s hard to have versatility with this hair curler. It does have adjustable heat from 290°F – 410°F, and a home button to easily reset the rotation at the center. Even though we wish there were more controls for more versatility, there is a market for more automation and hassle-free hair tools. See Curling Iron in Action ▶️

SAFEST HAIR CURLER

(4.5)

:Dyson Airwrap

Price: $599.00

Value

(4)

Performance

(4.5)

Controls

(4.3)

Technology

(5)

Buy now

HONORABLE MENTION

(4.3)

:Shark FlexStyle

Price: $249.00

Value

(4.4)

Performance

(4.4)

Controls

(4)

Technology

(4.4)

Buy now

Why We Love It

Dyson Airwrap truly does it all – from drying, curling, smoothing, and drying hair. And, it does it without damaging heat. Dyson was the first to market to use the Coanda effect, an aerodynamic phenomenon that pulls in the surrounding air on curved geometry with proper airspeed and pressure. This is how Airwrap creates the “spinning vortex” of air that wraps the hair around the barrels. Because it guides the hair for you and uses no damaging heat, this is one of the safest hair tools on the market.

Dyson Airwrap continues to innovate and bring more attachments to its arsenal using aerodynamic laws and great engineering principles. The attachments work on virtually all hair types and all are useful for styling. Plus, the newer attachments are backwards compatible with older models.

While we love Dyson Airwrap, there are a few things we feel we can nitpick about this $600 hair tool. It doesn’t have the best ergonomic design as the body design is very long and can be awkward to hold. The quality when it comes to securing the attachments to the base is also inconsistent – some users report it feels wobbly. Finally, the one thing we think could make Airwrap even better, is the option to purchase the base and attachments individually. As of right now, you have to buy a complete set of the base + attachments. See Airwrap in Action ▶️

Honorable Mention

New to the market Shark FlexStyle hair styler brings Dyson Airwrap-like hair tools at 1/2 the price. One new great element that Shark has incorporated into their hair tool is the ergonomic design to make handling the hair styler much easier. It’s a great addition to the market, which has been asking for a cheaper version of the luxury Dyson hair tool.

Check out the videos above for more details about both of these styling tools.

BEST ONE STEP STYLER

(4)

:Revlon One-Step Volumizer

Price: $64.99

Value

(4)

Performance

(4.4)

Controls

(3.5)

Technology

(3.9)

Buy now

:

Why We Love It

shark See Hair Styler in Action FB ▶️

BEST UP & COMING

(4.3)

:Shark FlexStyle

Price: $249.00

Value

(4.4)

Performance

(4.4)

Controls

(4)

Technology

(4.4)

Buy now

BEST TECHNOLOGY

(4.5)

:Dyson Airwrap

Price: $599.00

Value

(4)

Performance

(4.5)

Controls

(4.3)

Technology

(5)

Buy now

Why We Love It

New to the market Shark FlexStyle brings interchangeable hair tool attachments that can create multiple hairstyles. First, the best part about Shark FlexStyle is its ergonomic design and flexible handle for easy styling. The second best thing is that it’s half the price of the Dyson Airwrap! However, it’s a carbon copy of top sellers, including the Dyson Airwrap and Revlon One-Step hair styler. It uses the same original Coanda technology as the Dyson to attract hair to the barrels and attachments without any effort. Shark FlexStyle is safe for hair with no excessive heat damage. It’s a great option for those looking for the benefits of the Airwrap barrels without the cost. See FlexStyle in Action ▶️

^{Edited by Maddie}