How to Choose a Flat Iron in 7 Simple Steps (2023)

Looking for a new flat iron? Here are a few simple steps to follow if you've been wondering how to choose the right flat iron that works for your hair.

Buying a flat iron because it’s trendy, promoted by a celebrity, or just because you like the color may be tempting, but it is a serious mistake that may cost the shine, smoothness, and health of your hair - which can be extremely difficult to reverse.

A flat iron is a long-term purchase that not only should last you for years (if you choose the right tool), but should also allow you to straighten your hair without damage.

Unfortunately, there are too many flat irons on the market that can do the trick, but are not a high-quality, long-term solution for your frequent hair styling. At the end of the day, the results that you are getting shouldn’t be at the cost of your hair’s health in the long run.

For this reason, it's extremely important to do your due diligence, and we are here to help. This article will show you how to choose the right flat iron for your hair in 4 simple steps. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into it:

1. Don’t go for the cheapest options on the market

If you are wondering how to choose a flat iron or any other type of heat styling tool, the first step is to avoid going for the cheapest options available on the market.

While a $20 flat iron may be able to get you the look you want, the long-term consequences of using low-quality products on your beautiful hair are simply not worth the few bucks that you are going to save.

Here are some of the biggest discrepancies between cheap and pricier flat irons:

1.1. Heating power

Professional flat irons are designed in a way that helps you achieve the best results while applying the minimum amount of heat on your hair, typically through adjustable heat settings.

Temperature control is extremely important - especially if you have thin and already damaged hair, because high heat may cause the hair to lose elasticity, get frizzy, and become even more prone to damage.

However, cheaper flat irons don’t have the same level of temperature control (or don’t have adjustable heat settings at all), requiring you to pump up the heat all the way up, oftentimes unnecessarily.

While you may not notice the damage after using the cheap flat iron a couple of times, the long-term consequences are frizzy, damaged, and vulnerable hair.

1.2. Uneven heat distribution

Another thing to keep in mind before you choose a flat iron is heat distribution. Low-quality, cheap hair straighteners usually don’t distribute heat very well.

Inconsistent and unevenly distributed heat means that you will have to make more passes over the same hair strands, which can cause unnecessary heat damage. It also leads to hot spots, making you end up with half-frizzy, half-styled hair that looks like a hot mess.

1.3. Plates with shorter life

The material of the plates is extremely important when choosing a flat iron - some materials are long-lasting and cause less damage, while others have a shorter life, conduct heat poorly, and tend to be more damaging.

For example, the NuMe Megastar Flat Iron uses tourmaline plates with proprietary far infrared technology for gentle hair styling, less damage, perfect temperature control, and long-lasting results.

At the other end of the spectrum, inexpensive flat irons almost never have plates that last for long. They are typically made from metal (or glass), which not only conduct heat poorly and deliver unsatisfying results, but also have a shorter life.

2. Choose an established brand that invests in innovation

With the rise of social media, newly established brands and products are constantly popping up on your feed, inviting you to purchase the latest overhyped product.

Short, exaggerated, overly stimulating videos are the norm on Instagram Reels and YouTube Story, seeming almost too good to be true - which is most often the case.

Tomorrow, a new trend will leave you dissatisfied with the flat iron that you just purchased out of impulse, because there is this new, so much better product.

So, if you are looking to choose a flat iron that will be your true ally when it comes to hair styling, avoid falling into the common traps of clickbait and social media.

Instead, do due diligence and look for established brands that are not only highly valued by customers and have a proven track record of selling high-quality products, but also continuously invest in innovation and product development - such as NuMe.

Established in 2009 and recognized as Brand of the Year by the Hollywood Beauty Awards 2017, NuMe proudly serves over 2 million happy customers across 52 countries - and counting.

As a leading industry innovator, NuMe continuously invests in improving today’s existing technologies for thermal hair styling to achieve a more gentle and healthier form of heat styling.

The results speak for themselves - the NuMe Megastar Flat Iron was voted Best Flat Iron 2022 by Glamour Magazine, thanks to its innovative tourmaline and far-infrared heat and negative ion conditioning technologies for long-lasting results minus the damage.

So, if you are wondering how to choose the right flat iron that works for your hair styling goals, start with doing your due diligence, and invest in a high-quality solution that will not take a toll on your beautiful hair.

3. Choose the right flat iron for your type of hair

To choose a flat iron that works for you and delivers the best results possible without causing severe damage to your hair, the next step that you will need to take is figuring out your type of hair. Is it thin and damaged? Or thick and coarse?

3.1. Hair type

If you are wondering how to choose the right flat iron that works for your hair, one of the most important steps you'll need to take is to know your hair type.

There are different types of hair, which can be summed up in 4 main categories:

• Straight
• Wavy
• Curly
• Coily

Curly hair textures tend to be more prone to frizz, and can be more challenging to straighten. In this case, a flat iron with wider plates that allow for more grip and straightening larger portions of your hair in one go. On another hand, narrow plates work well for fine hair or short hair.

Luckily, there are easy and versatile solutions to this issue - the NuMe Megastar Flat Iron comes with flexible floating plates so they can align to the exact thickness of the hair section that you are straightening.

In addition, depending on your type of hair, you may need to apply more or less heat when styling your hair:

• Thin hair - use the lowest heat setting
• Average thickness - medium heat, ideally between 300-350°
• Thick hair - high heat, between 400° and 450°

So, when looking for the best flat iron, make sure to select one with adjustable heat settings - you don’t want to apply more heat than necessary.

However, determining your hair type gets even more complicated when you consider other factors such as:

3.2. Hair density and structure

If you are looking for tips on how to pick a good flat iron, another thing to keep in mind will be your hair structure and density.

Hair density refers to the number of hairs that a person has on their head. The more hairs there are, the higher the density.

Hair structure, on another hand, is essentially the thickness of the strands of hair, which can be summed up in:

• Fine
• Medium
• Coarse

According to the World Trichology Society (WTS), hair thickness varies per person, with the average thickness being 0.003-0.005 inches. Some people have finer hairs by nature.

Studies have shown that natural redheads tend to have the least amount of hair strands - 80,000 on average, while brown hair has about 110,000 on average.

This means that thick, curly hair may require a hair straightener that reaches higher temperatures as opposed to thin and vulnerable hair, which requires lower temperatures to avoid further damage.

3.3. Hair porosity

Hair porosity refers to the amount of moisture that hair can absorb and hold, and is highly dependent on how many gaps or tears are present in the cuticle layer (the outer layer of the hair, whose purpose is to protect it from wear and tear).

In other words, it serves as an indicator of how easily moisture is able to penetrate the hair. While it is mostly determined by genetics, it can also be altered by other factors such as hair dying, bleaching, as well as heat and chemical processing.

For this reason, if your hair doesn’t have a good ability to absorb and hold moisture, it becomes even more important to invest in a high-quality flat iron such as NuMe. NuMe’s proprietary far infrared heat technology has the ability to lock in moisture and reduce heat damage.

4. Look for these must-have features

And last but not least, when choosing a flat iron, there are some essential features that you should not compromise with - especially if you want to hear shiny, smooth and healthy hair for longer. Let’s take a look:

• Temperature control - as we mentioned previously, adjustable heat settings are an absolute must if you want to reduce hair damage and find a healthier long-term solution for your heat styling.
• Automatic shut-off - if you haven’t panicked at least once that you left the flat iron on, you probably never use it. Hair straighteners like NuMe shut off after 60 minutes to ensure that you always have peace of mind, especially when you are not at home.
• Floating plates - flat irons like NuMe come with floating plates to ensure that you have the flexibility to adjust to the thickness of the section of hair that you are straightening.
• Far infrared heat strip - this innovative technology sends a gentle heat directly into the hair follicle, preserving moisture and protecting the hair from overdrying over time.

5. Understand the difference between price and value

In order to choose a flat iron that actually works for your hair type, health, and preferences, another thing to keep in mind is that you should understand the difference between price and value. 

Sometimes, the most expensive flat irons on the market are not necessarily the ones that bring you the best results. Of course, it's also important to consider that cheap, low-quality flat irons generally tend to be made of poor materials, making them damaging and even dangerous over the long run.

Consider the long-term value a flat iron brings to the table—features like adjustable heat settings, advanced technology, and durability all contribute to its overall worth.

A slightly higher upfront investment in a quality flat iron with ceramic or tourmaline plates, for example, may prove cost-effective over time by minimizing heat damage and offering superior styling results.

Don't just be swayed by a budget-friendly tag; assess the features, materials, and technology to ensure you're investing in a flat iron that not only fits your budget but also delivers lasting value for your hair care routine.

6. Consider your lifestyle

Another factor that is often underestimated is your lifestyle - for example, how often you are traveling should also have a say in your final decision on choosing a flat iron.

While you can perfectly bring a hair straightener on a plane (as long as you don't turn it on during the flight!), certain flat irons may not be ideal due to voltage and plug compatibility issues.

For example, flat irons with a fixed voltage (e.g., 110V or 220V) may not work in regions with a different voltage, so it's better to opt for a flat iron with a dual voltage. Using a single voltage flat iron in a region with a different voltage can result in malfunction or damage.

Bulky or heavy flat irons may be inconvenient for travel due to limited luggage space and weight restrictions. Consider compact and lightweight options for easier portability.

You can also opt for a travel set with a mini flat iron and other tools which are perfectly designed for traveling nationally and internationally!

7. Pay attention to warranty

Another important factor to consider if you want to choose a flat iron that works for you is warranty. A manufacturer's willingness to offer a warranty reflects confidence in the product's quality. A longer warranty period often indicates that the company stands behind the durability and performance of the flat iron.

On another hand, a lot of low-quality, poor-material flat irons don't offer any warranty at all. 

Knowing that your flat iron is backed by a warranty provides peace of mind. In the event of unexpected malfunctions or defects, you have the assurance that the manufacturer will address the issue, minimizing stress and inconvenience.

Conclusion

As we just saw, there are multiple factors to keep in mind if you are wondering how to choose a flat iron that works for your hair type, structure and porosity.

If you are still wondering what hair straightener to buy, the easiest option would be to opt for a highly versatile flat iron that’s suitable for all hair types and structures, such as the NuMe Megastar Flat Iron.

Built with innovative tourmaline plates and far infrared heat technology, the NuMe Flat Iron will be your best ally when it comes to effective and gentle heat styling without damage.

FAQ

How frequently should I replace my flat iron?

As a general rule of thumb, a flat iron should be replaced every 2 to 4 years depending on how frequently you use it. Another factor is the quality - a good flat iron made with high-quality materials that are less damaging for the hair will last you a lot longer than a cheap alternative.

How do I choose a good flat iron?

To choose a good flat iron, start by looking at some of the must-have features a flat iron should have, such as adjustable heat settings, digital display, and automatic shut-off.

Next, carefully assess the prices and brands - look for established brands that continuously innovate, and have a proven track record on the market.