Hair straighteners and flat irons can help to kick unruly hair back into shape when it just won’t behave. Whether you want to eliminate frizz or create a whole new look, many of us simply could not be without our flat irons on vacation. Compact yet powerful travel-size flat irons mean that you can say “no” to bad vacation hair and travel the world looking as gorgeous as ever.
Things To Look for in Hair Straighteners
Travel hair straighteners can be compact and lightweight. Image Credit: Amar Hussain
Straighteners are uncomplicated — their main purpose is to change the appearance of your natural hair. Straighten, smooth, or, in some cases, curl as much as you want to, but be sure to consider the following before you commit to your next travel hair straightener or flat iron:
Voltage
Travel hair straighteners should have dual voltage. Image Credit: Amar Hussain
Most countries have different requirements when it comes to voltage, and most modern-day hair appliances come with a dual voltage. This means that your straighteners and flat irons will work just as well when you are away as they do at home.
Do double-check that this is the case if you are planning on taking your regular appliance with you, though. If the voltage is too low, your flat iron won’t work; too high, and it could be dangerous.
Size
Travel hair straighteners are smaller than regular straighteners. Image Credit: Amar Hussain
While most travel-sized items are generally smaller versions of full-sized items, the physical dimensions of your straighteners or flat iron may not be an issue. If you are packing your hair styling appliances in your checked baggage, your regular-size straighteners or flat irons should be just fine. They are not particularly heavy or bulky, and as long as they operate on a dual voltage, you should be able to use them anywhere in the world.
However, if you’re traveling with minimal luggage or are short on space, there are many travel-sized smaller hair straighteners on the market.
Hot Tip: If you are purchasing new appliances to take with you, remember that hot and humid conditions can make hair less than smooth and shiny, so look for an iron that offers wider plates to tame even the most unruly of hair on the go.
Temperature
Some hair straighteners have a heat display. Image Credit: Amar Hussain
Flat irons and straighteners work by heating the hair follicles to change their shape. In this case, the desired effect is soft, shiny, salon straight hair. The optimum temperature that doesn’t burn or damage the follicles is around 350°F (177°C), so if you want gorgeous, healthy hair, never choose a flat iron that can’t handle these temperatures.
Plate Type
Hair straighteners have ceramic plates. Image Credit: Amar Hussain
Plates these days are far more gentle on the hair than the old-fashioned metal ones used to be. Check before you buy that the plates are made from ceramic materials to ensure smoother results without damaging your hair.
The 12 Best Hair Straighteners for Travel
1. Compact Hair Straightener for Use Both at Home and Away
BEST OVERALL: MHD Travel Size Flat Iron
Made from premium tourmaline ceramic, this convenient option will provide you with glossy and silky hair wherever you are, whether at home or on trips. Easy to use and lightweight, this is a great choice to take with you.
MHU Professional Travel Size 0.5-Inch Mini Flat Iron Tourmaline Ceramic Hair Straightener
This professional tourmaline hair straightener is fast to heat up and offers even heat distribution for a flawless finish. Easy to use, you only need to turn on the power switch and wait just a few seconds for the plates to heat up. Maintaining a heat of around 356°F, the non-adjustable heat setting is no big deal as this is the perfect temperature for damage-free smoothing.
Extremely lightweight and measuring a very compact 6 inches, this little beauty is ideal for use on the go. Pack in your suitcase or keep close in your handbag for emergency touch-ups anywhere in the world.
What We Like
- Compact and great for carry-on
What We Don’t Like
- The temperature is not adjustable
2. Tourmaline Plates for Beautiful Results
DISCOUNT: 18%
UPGRADE PICK: LOVANI Mini Portable Flat Iron
Featuring ceramic tourmaline plates, this choice is gentle on hair but provides effective, glossy results. It includes a 3D floating plate for an optimal straightening experience. This option includes a heat resistance bag.
Mini Portable Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron
Featuring ceramic tourmaline plates that gently and evenly heat the hair, this travel-sized straightening iron is great for looking good on the go. With a dual voltage designed for worldwide travel, the 3D floating plates deliver beautiful results both at home and away.
Superfast to heat up, this flat iron uses negative ions to leave your hair looking and feeling healthy, while the unique round body shape will help you to create unique flips and curls. With a non-slip handle and its very own travel carry case, this makes a great tool to keep you looking your best wherever you may be.
What We Like
- Comes with a heat-resistant case
What We Don’t Like
- No swivel cord for easy maneuverability
3. Supercute Mini Straighteners From the Experts at BaByliss
BaBylissPRO Mini Iron
Made from durable premium titanium, this is an ideal choice for those looking for glossy straight hair. The ceramic plates heat up to 440 degrees, and they have excellent heat retention to ensure smooth results.
BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Mini Straightening Iron
The BaBylissPRO 1-inch Travel Iron comes complete with supercool nano titanium-ceramic plates that heat up quickly. Reaching temperatures of up to 430°F in just seconds, this little straightening iron is small enough to fit in your purse but powerful enough to leave your hair supersmooth and shiny.
The 1-inch plates are perfect for styling both long and short hair, and the dual voltage makes it an excellent choice for worldwide usage. The lightweight design and superior heat retention combine to make for exceptional smoothness and super-sexy, straight-looking hair.
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
4. A Fixed Temperature Iron That Is Useful for Touch-Ups
DISCOUNT: 15%
Amovee Mini Flat Iron
A design with ceramic and tourmaline plates that provides even heating at a fixed temperature of 410 degrees. This convenient choice is a great travel companion and provides a smooth experience.
AmoVee Mini Flat Iron Smart Ceramic Tourmaline Hair Straightener
Using smart ceramic technology, this fixed temperature flat iron can create supersmooth hairstyles or cascading curls with its ceramic tourmaline technology. The mini flat iron heats evenly to prevent hot spots, and its thin-plate size means that you can smooth and even style bangs and short hair.
The unique V-shape design of these straighteners prevents kinks at the end of the hair, and the straighteners are compact enough to fit in your purse or carry-on when you travel.
What We Like
- The floating plates stop your hair from pulling
What We Don’t Like
- The power cord could be longer
5. Straighten or Curl Your Way Around the World
6th Sense 2-in-1 Mini Flat Iron
This durable, titanium design comes with a heat-resistant case to keep everything protected while you're traveling. It heats up to 375 degrees and provides a practical way to keep your hairstyle in ideal condition on trips.
Travel Flat Iron 2-in-1 Mini Hair Straightener
This 2-in-1 mini flat iron and curling iron combo is precisely what your hair needs, both at home and away. At 11 inches long, it is still slim enough to fit into your carry-on, and its dual voltage capacity means you can take it virtually anywhere in the world.
Heating up to 375°F in a matter of moments, this fixed-temperature flat iron will style your hair with minimal heat damage. Complete with its very own carry case, you can straighten and curl your hair quickly and easily with this travel-friendly flat iron.
What We Like
- Comes with a heat-resistant carry case
What We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t work as well on thick hair
6. Small but Perfectly Formed for Expert Styling
Phoebe Mini Flat Iron
An ideal solution for short hair or to restyle bangs, this option features innovative ceramic and tourmaline ionic technology. This keeps your hair safe from heat damage and in ideal glossy condition.
Phoebe Mini Hair Flat Iron 3/4-Inch Ceramic Tourmaline Hair Straightener
This mini flat iron is designed with traveling in mind. Small enough to fit into your purse, or pack into your carry-on, this tiny little purple flat iron will have you looking fabulous wherever you may be.
With an instant heat up and a maximum temperature of 430°F, you can get ready quickly with minimal damage to your hair. Compact and easy to use, this is a great little flat iron for your next vacation.
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
- No stand to protect surfaces from the heat
7. Mini Flat Iron That Delivers Professional Results
Travel Smart by Conair Mini Hair Straightener
A convenient choice for international trips, this option uses ceramic plates and high heat to deliver premium hairstyling results. It is easy and quick to use and takes up very little packing space.
Conair Travel Smart Mini Hair Straightener
Using state-of-the-art ceramic technology, the Travel Smart mini hair straightener features ½-inch ceramic plates that glide across the hair, leaving it silky smooth and super straight. Designed to eliminate hot spots and minimize heat damage, the high heat setting will give you salon-worthy results wherever you may be.
With a 30-second instant heat-up, a compact design, and its own storage case, this is a useful mini flat iron to take away with you.
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
- The handle can get quite hot
8. Quick and Easy Styling From the Experts at Revlon
DISCOUNT: 23%
Revlon Essentials Flat Iron
This practical choice heats up quickly up to 400 degrees and includes slim plates to achieve the best straightening results. The silicone finger grips make straightening your hair a comfortable experience no matter where you are.
Revlon Essentials Ceramic Flat Iron 1-Inch
If you are looking to achieve sleek locks on the go, the Revlon Essentials flat iron set has everything you need to keep the frizz at bay. With a 1-inch ceramic plate, this straightener is small enough to take on your domestic travels, so you can enjoy beautiful straight hair both at home and away.
Choose between low and high heat settings, depending on your hair type and style, with comfort and control with the silicone finger grips. The constant heat sensors monitor the temperature to ensure your hair remains frizz-free to give you supermodel style on a budget.
What We Like
- Low and high temperature settings
What We Don’t Like
- No swivel cord, so this can get tangled up
9. Salon Quality Styling at a Fraction of the Price
CROC Baby Mini Travel Iron
This practical design includes stationary ceramic plates that use negatively-charged ions to achieve silky and glossy results. It quickly heats up to 430 degrees to deliver a convenient hairstyling experience anywhere.
CROC Baby Flat Iron Travel Size Hair Straightener
This compact flat iron may be small enough to take anywhere, but it still offers salon-quality styling for a fraction of the price. Perfect for styling short hair, bangs, and taming flyaways, this is a useful little tool for keeping your hair on point.
With ceramic stationary plates that emit negative ions, a static temperature of 410°F, and dual voltage capability, you can achieve professional-looking hair wherever your vacation takes you. Complete with an additional heatproof case, this little flat iron is ready to go when you are.
What We Like
- Comes in a variety of bright colors
What We Don’t Like
- Only has 1 temperature setting
10. Increase Root Life and Volume With 1-Inch Plates
InfinitiPro by Conair Flat Iron
A titanium design that uses ceramic plates to provide an even and frizz-free experience. It heats up to 455 degrees in 15 seconds and can be used to achieve glossy results with either wavy or straight hair.
Conair Infiniti Pro 1-Inch Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron
Using tourmaline ceramic technology to help reduce frizz and flyaways, this flat iron is an excellent choice for anyone looking to retain shiny, poker-straight hair. The high-quality 1-inch plates get close to the roots to increase lift and volume, and the smooth gliding design protects hair from damage and adds shine.
The 455°F temperature setting heats up in just 15 seconds, and with 11 different digital heat settings, you can choose the right temperature for your hair type or desired style.
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
- Can be turned off easily by accident when using
11. Multi-Function Straightening and Curling in 1 Handy Iron
JYFeel 2-in-1 Mini Flat Iron
This stylish design features rose gold-plated ceramic that includes a PTC heater for even results. It is practical and easy to use for both straight and wavy hairstyles. It includes a heat-resistant pouch for easy storage.
JYfeel 2 in 1 Hair Straightener and Curler
Upgrade your look and cut down on your packing with this cleverly combined curling and straightening tool. Heating up to 430°F in just 30 seconds, you can choose from sleek straight locks or beautiful frizz-free curls at home or on vacation. The 360-degree swivel cord allows for easy styling, and when you’re done, just pop it back into its heat protective pouch.
Dual voltage capabilities make this particularly useful for adventures overseas, and the tourmaline ceramic-coated heating panel will ensure that your hair is soft and shiny no matter how often you style it.
What We Like
- Saves packing a separate flat iron and curler
What We Don’t Like
- Can sometimes pull your hair
12. A Salon Quality Appliance for Great Looking Hair
T3 Micro Styling Iron
This compact and highly portable choice delivers excellent results through ceramic plates that ensure smooth hair. You can use it for straight or wavy hairstyles or to touch up bangs with 1 pass.
T3 – SinglePass Compact Styling Iron
This top-of-the-range flat iron uses digital T3 SinglePass Technology for gorgeous glamour on the go. With an internal microchip that continuously measures and maintains an even temperature, your hair will never become burnt, dry, or damaged when styling.
The custom blend of ceramic and ionic technology will leave you with a smooth, glossy finish, and the smooth ceramic plates will straighten, curl, or shape easily and with precision.
The small-size plates make this little beauty perfect for taking with you, but with extremely powerful plates, you can also use this at home, too. Incredibly smart and designed to impress, this dual voltage straightening iron is worth every penny.
What We Like
- Comes with a heat-resistant cap for storage
What We Don’t Like
- Can be too hot for fine hair
Final Thoughts
If straightening or curling your hair is part of your daily beauty routine, it stands to reason that you would want your appliances to travel with you. Whether you are off on vacation or traveling the world, make sure you invest in a travel-size straighter or hair iron before you go.
