The 13 Best Hair Straighteners and Flat Irons for Travel [2021]
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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.
Table of contents
- Things to Look for in Hair Straighteners
- The Best Hair Straighteners for Travel
- Compact Hair Straighteners for Use Both at Home and Away
- Super-Cute Mini Straighteners From the Experts at BaByliss
- A Fixed Temperature Iron That Is Useful for Touch-Ups
- 2 Flat Irons for the Price of 1
- Straighten or Curl Your Way Around the World
- Small but Perfectly Formed for Expert Styling
- Mini Flat Iron That Delivers Professional Results
- Tourmaline Plates for Beautiful Results
- 2 for 1 From the Experts at Revlon
- Salon Quality Styling at a Fraction of the Price
- Increase Root Life and Volume With 3/4 Inch Plates
- Multi-Function Straightening and Curling in 1 Handy Iron
- A Salon Quality Appliance for Great Looking Hair
- Final Thoughts
Table of Contents
- Things to Look for in Hair Straighteners
- The Best Hair Straighteners for Travel
- Compact Hair Straighteners for Use Both at Home and Away
- Super-Cute Mini Straighteners From the Experts at BaByliss
- A Fixed Temperature Iron That Is Useful for Touch-Ups
- 2 Flat Irons for the Price of 1
- Straighten or Curl Your Way Around the World
- Small but Perfectly Formed for Expert Styling
- Mini Flat Iron That Delivers Professional Results
- Tourmaline Plates for Beautiful Results
- 2 for 1 From the Experts at Revlon
- Salon Quality Styling at a Fraction of the Price
- Increase Root Life and Volume With 3/4 Inch Plates
- Multi-Function Straightening and Curling in 1 Handy Iron
- A Salon Quality Appliance for Great Looking Hair
- Final Thoughts
Things to Look for in Hair Straighteners
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
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
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
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, so if you want gorgeous, healthy hair, never choose a flat iron that can’t handle these temperatures.
Plate Type
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 Best Hair Straighteners for Travel
Compact Hair Straighteners for Use Both at Home and Away
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, these little beauties are ideal for use on the go. Pack in your suitcase or keep close in your handbag for emergency touch-ups anywhere in the world.
Super-Cute Mini Straighteners From the Experts at BaByliss
BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Mini Straightening Iron
The BaBylissPRO 1-inch Travel Iron comes complete with super cool nano titanium-ceramic plates that heat up really 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 super smooth 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.
A Fixed Temperature Iron That Is Useful for Touch-Ups
AmoVee Mini Flat Iron Smart Ceramic Tourmaline Hair Straightener
Using smart ceramic technology, this fixed temperature flat iron can create super smooth 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.
2 Flat Irons for the Price of 1
Xtava Sleek & Shiny Flat Iron Toolkit
Offering 2 flat irons for the price of 1, this tool kit includes 1 full-size 1-inch professional hair straightener iron and 1 ½-inch mini flat iron to achieve waves and more on the go. Titanium coated plates emit negative ions to combat frizz and add shine, while the adjustable heat setting on the full-size straightener lets you find the right temperature for your hair. The mini hair straightener features 1 convenient pre-set temperature of 400°F.
These flat irons heat up super quickly and come with a thermal bag for fast cooldowns. They are dual voltage, 110-240V, and can be used with a universal adapter meaning you can look your best anywhere in the world.
Straighten or Curl Your Way Around the World
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.
Small but Perfectly Formed for Expert Styling
Wazor Mini Hair Flat Iron ½-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 356°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.
Mini Flat Iron That Delivers Professional Results
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.
Tourmaline Plates for Beautiful Results
Mini Portable Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron
Featuring ceramic tourmaline plates that gently and evenly heat the hair, these travel-sized straightening irons are 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.
Super fast 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.
2 for 1 From the Experts at Revlon
Revlon Straightening Ceramic Flat Iron Set, 1″ and ½”
If you are looking to achieve sleek looks on the go, the Revlon Ultra-Straight flat iron set has everything you need to keep the frizz at bay. With both ½-inch and 1-inch travel-size hair straighteners included in the set, you can enjoy beautiful straight hair both at home and away.
The patented Revlon True Grip Plates eliminate gaps for faster styling, and the 30 different heat setting makes it easy to find the right temperature for your hair. The constant heat sensors monitor the temperature to ensure your hair remains frizz-free to give you supermodel style on a budget.
Salon Quality Styling at a Fraction of the Price
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.
Increase Root Life and Volume With 3/4 Inch Plates
Conair Infiniti Pro 3/4-Inch Tourmaline Ceramic Mini Flat Iron
Using tourmaline ceramic technology to help reduce frizz and flyaways, this mini flat iron is an excellent choice for anyone looking to retain shiny, poker-straight hair. The high-quality 3/4-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 400°F temperature setting can carefully deliver salon-worthy results, and with a heat resistant storage sleeve and dual voltage capabilities, you could be looking freshly coifed anywhere in the world.
Multi-Function Straightening and Curling in 1 Handy Iron
Madinia 2 in 1 Hair Straightener and Curler
Upgrade your look with this cleverly combined curling and straightening tool that works just as well at home as it does on vacation. With adjustable temperature settings and an LCD, it is super easy to find the right heat setting for your hair, and the automatic turn-off function means this little flat iron is always safe.
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.
A Salon Quality Appliance for Great Looking Hair
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.
Final Thoughts
If straightening or curling your hair is part of your daily beauty routine, it stands to reason that you would 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.
Can you please suggest to me which hair straightener is best for daily use? I like to use one everyday. Also, please suggest if there is a good chemical or cream to use before/after using the hair straightener. Thanks in Advance.
Hi Linda. Since many of our readers are avid travelers, we narrowed the focus of our article to just hair straighteners that were best for travel use. We didn’t do additional research on straighteners and products that would be good just for daily use. Thank you so much for reading.