10 Best Portable Straighteners of 2020

1. AmoVee Mini Flat Iron (Best Budget)

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

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For most people, portable straighteners are backup devices that only become relevant during trips. This is why most people don’t like spending a lot of money on these devices. As a result, the majority of portable straighteners fall in the budget market segment.

Therefore, the fact that this portable flat iron from AmoVeeis considered one of the best budget portable straighteners is a major achievement. The reason is that it manages to offer features that aren’t common in this product group.

For instance, this device boasts of floating plates. Floating plates, if done right, allow a strong but gentle grip on the hair. The floating plates in this device are very effective except for some occasions when they can end up tugging the hair a bit. The outside housing is curved as well, which means that you can curl your hair with this device if you’re an experienced user.

The plates also boast of ceramic tourmaline technology. This means two things. The first is that the plates heat up uniformly without any hotspots, and the second is that they generate negative ions to counter frizzy and flyaway hair.

Like most budget flat irons, this one is a single temperature device. It heats up to 410 degrees Fahrenheit, which should suit the most common hair type – medium normal. People with very fine hair or very thick hair, though, will have to look at other options. The plates heat up fast too, taking only about 30 minutes.

Unlike many of the competing flat irons, this one comes with a heat resistant glove. Its inclusion is important because handling such a small hot tool can lead to burns. In fact, when compared to other portable straighteners, this device fares well because it is lightweight and compact both. Further, it is a dual voltage device that can be used anywhere in the world.

It features a safety lock on the hinge and also boasts of a 360-degrees swivel cord. The swivel cord is helpful because it prevents tangles from interrupting your straightening routine. The only problem is that the cord is incredibly short, measuring only about three feet.

Even so, since this device is available at such an amazingly low price, this flaw can be ignored. We should also add that you can get this device in three different colors – black, purple, and white.

Who’s it for: Ifyou’rein the market for a pocket-friendly portable straightener, you won’t find any device that offers more features at a lower price.

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2. HSI Professional Glider Mini Flat Iron

Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0

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HSI Professional’s standard size flat iron is very popular. While not in the same league as its bigger brother, this Mini is also a favorite for many users. Their popularity is a result of their shared feature, i.e., the micro-sensors. Both devices have a total of eight Heat Balance micro-sensors with four on each plate.

The micro-sensors monitor and manage the temperature on the plates. As a result, they prevent the plates from getting too cold too fast or hotter than they need to be. The micro-sensors, however, are unable to manage the external temperature of the device. As a result, its body can get very hot over prolonged use. Therefore, we recommend using heat resistant gloves.

The plates, themselves, are made up of high-quality, tourmaline-infused ceramic. The ceramic component ensures even heat, while tourmaline emits negative ionsthat are crucial for nullifying positively charged particles responsible for creating frizz or flyaway hair.

Like virtually every portable straightener, this is also a one heat setting device. It only operates at 450 degrees Fahrenheit but reaches that temperature very fast. Notably, this is the highest temperature amongst all portable straighteners.

This is the main reason why this portable straightener is a darling of people with very thick or very coarse hair. As you may know, styling these hair types is impossible without high heat. The curved edges, combined with a textured grip, also means that this device can be used to curl hair.

If you compare it to its competitors, you’ll find it to be heavier and bulkier. This makes this device slightly more difficult to maneuver around the head, especially since it doesn’t come with a swivel cord. However, if you have thick, coarse hair, you’ll not find a better travel flat iron. Luckily, this is a dual voltage device, so you can even take it abroad too.

In terms of pricing, this device is at par with most low-budget options out there. It won’t burn a hole in your pocket even if you only end up using it sporadically.

Who’s it for: Designed for people with very thick or very coarse hair, this HSI Mini should be an excellent purchase.

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3. MHU Professional Travel Size Mini Flat Iron

Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0

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MHU’s Travel Size Mini Flat Iron could’ve been the best budget flat iron in the market if they had not cut corners in a couple of places – the cord and the voltage support. While neither of these problem areas is significant enough to be seen as a dealbreaker, together, they can put off a lot of people.

In terms of the cord, MHU decided to forego the swivel option. The cord on this device, as a result, is standard and prone to tangling even though it is six feet long. Concerning the voltage support, this device only works on the 110V – 120V power system of North America. This means that if you travel abroad a lot, then you can’t really rely on this device.

Apart from these two flaws, this device is a very good option for people on the go. It is a compact device that doesn’t weigh too much. Further, it has tourmaline ceramic floating plates supported by a PTC heater.

The plates not only grip hair without pulling it but also generate plenty of negative ions to counter flyaway and frizzy hair. The ceramic heater, on the other hand, heats the plates fast while preventing hotspots from appearing.

This device has been designed specifically for people with fine hair. It is a fixed temperature flat iron that only heats up to 356 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, if you have thick or even normal hair, we recommend trying other devices.

The external housing of this device is conducive to people who like to use flat irons to curl their hair. Also, the housing is designed to be non-slip, improving the grip of the user. The fashion-savvy amongst you will be pleased that this flat iron comes in two colors – black and purple.

For the price at which this travel flat iron is available, all these features are very impressive. This is particularly true since most portable flat irons aren’t designed for people with fine hair.

The low price does mean that this device isn’t as durable as standard higher-quality straighteners. In simple words, this device won’t survive any rough handling.

Who’s it for: If youhave fine hair and don’t travel outside North America, get this travel flat iron from MHU.

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4. LOVANI Mini Flat Iron

Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0

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For a lot of people, the LOVANI Mini Flat Iron is the best portable straightener available in the market. While this is an excellent travel flat iron, we don’t entirely agree with that judgment for one explicit reason. It isn’t as lightweight or compact as its competitors.

However, if its bulkiness and weight don’t bother you, then it might just be the best one for you. Two things make this flat iron stand out amongst its competitors.

The first is that it comes with an incomparable heat resistant travel bag that has a special compartment for the cord. The cord fits snugly into the little pocket too.The other is that you get to choose what type of plates you want. Two variants of this device are available – one has nano titanium plates while the other has ceramic plates.

If your hair is very susceptible to frizzing or you get flyaway hair at the drop of a hat, we suggest getting the ceramic variant. The plates on both the variants arearranged in the floating configuration, but the design of the device varies from one to another.

For instance, the nano titanium variant has horizontal lines on the outside that may interfere with efforts to curl with the device. The ceramic variant, on the other hand, has a smoother external housing. It is also the cheaper of the two versions.

If you do plan on using this portable straightener to curl your hair, then we advise carrying a heat resistant glove with you. The fact that the housing of this device heats up can make it difficult to use it without proper protection.

The plates on this device are heated by a PTC heater which achieves the fixed temperature in less than 60 seconds. Incidentally, the fixed temperature is 410 degrees Fahrenheit, which should suit most people, except for those with very thick or fine hair.

While the device is neither lightweight nor compact, it does come with a handle lock for easy transportation. More importantly, this is a universal voltage device, which means that it can be used anywhere in the world.

One flaw of this device is that it doesn’t have a swivel cord. The standard power cord, however, does have a hang loop for storage when you’re not traveling with this device.

This portable straightener is available at a very pocket-friendly price.

Who’s it for: If you don’t mind a slightly heavy and bulky portable straightener and love a good travel pouch, get this device from LOVANI.

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5. BaByliss PRO Mini Hair Straightening Iron

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

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Despite being more angular than rounded, the BaByliss PRO Mini Hair Straightening Iron is equally good at curling hair as it is at straightening it.

However, this is a device that is better suited to people with thick hair. It is a one temperature device that heats up to 440 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature will be too high for people with fine hair and even for some people with normal but brittle hair.

The high temperature means that the housing of this device, including the handle, can get quite hot. In fact, it gets hot enough to become uncomfortable if you’re not wearing a heat resistant glove.Another great quality of this device is that you can get it with different plate widths.

For instance, if you have thick long hair, then we recommend the widest option, i.e. the one-inch device. If you have short hair, though, you can go for the thinnest option, i.e. the 0.5-inch device. There’s also the medium width option, i.e. the 0.75-inch variant. It is also possible to get a pouch with this device but only with the 0.5-inch variant.

The plates, themselves, are built with nano titanium ceramic technology. This technology ensures even heating and durability of the plates. The ceramic in the plates also generates negative ions that counter positive charge in the hair and eliminate frizz.

This portable straightener is very travel-friendly as well. It is a lightweight device that isn’t too cumbersome. While opting for wider plates will affect the profile of the device you own, it will remain travel-friendly when compared to other similar devices. The universal voltage rating of this hair straightener means that it can be used all over the world as well.

One little flaw that you must consider before going for this flat iron is that it doesn’t come with a swivel cord. The standard cord that it does come with, however, is six feet long.

While not the cheapest in the market, this device is priced quite competitively. The price is especially attractive if you take the numerous features it boasts of.

Who’s it for: If you have very thick hair and are in the market for a portable straightener, get the BaByliss PRO Mini.

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6. 6th Sense 2 in 1 Mini Flat Iron Curling Iron

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

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While you can use any flat iron to curl your hair, it does take an enormous amount of effort and skill. Moreover, there is always the risk of crimped hair when you try to use a flat iron to curl your hair.

Therefore, if curling is high on your priority list, then you’d be better off with a 2 in 1 device. Unfortunately, there aren’t many options in the market when it comes to portable 2 in 1s. We have managed to find one, though, in the form of this 2 in 1 Mini from 6th Sense.

Like all 2 in 1s in the market, this one is built with plates that extend all around the arms. On the inside, they’re flat while on the outside, they’re rounded. Moreover, the device comes with a clamp on the outside too. This makes it equally adept at curling and straightening the hair.

However, this device suffers from one big problem. This is the fact that its effectiveness is limited to a very small group of medium-haired people. People with very fine hair and very thick hair complain about this device for different reasons.

It is unsuited to fine hair because the plates aren’t close enough. This means that if you don’t use a lot of hair between the plates or squeeze the arms hard, the hair will just slip out. On the other hand, it is unsuited to very thick hair because it is a one temperature device that can only heat up to 374 degrees Fahrenheit. Even though it heats up pretty fast, the final temperature isn’t enough to curl or straighten thick and coarse hair.

In terms of its travel-friendliness, you’ll find it to be very compact but a little on the heavier side. It is also a dual voltage device, which is a crucial feature for people who travel abroad a lot. This portable 2 in 1 comes with a high-quality heat resistant case as well.

In fact, many users go as far as to say that this device is worth buying for the carry case alone. The reason for this is that the carry case is heavily insulated on the inside and has a unique print on the outside.

The device is available in two different colors – black and white. Further, it comes with a six-feet long swivel cord. The only problem is that it is a bit rigid when it comes to swiveling. However, this is an insignificant flaw if you consider how affordable this device is.

Who’s it for: If curling is important to you and you find it difficult to use a flat iron to curl your hair, get this 6th Sense 2 in 1.

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7. CROC Baby Flat Iron (Best Value)

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

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CROC’s Baby Flat Iron may not be the cheapest out there, but it isn’t the most expensive either. It falls somewhere in the middle and justifies it with extra features too.

What we find to be the coolest aspect of this device is that it comes with a very effective heatproof case that transforms into an equally effective heatproof mat. Having a heatproof mat handy can be very useful when you’re traveling because it will nullify the risk of property damage at the hotel.

In terms of its core function also, this device performs well. In fact, its features suggest that it is designed to be suitable to as many people as possible. For instance, it comes with 0.75-inch ceramic plates that heat up to 410 degrees Fahrenheit.

This means that the plates are wide enough for the device to be effective for short-haired and long-haired people. Further, the temperature of this device is in the range that both fine-haired and coarse-haired people will be able to use it. Even the ceramic component is important because it produces negative ions that nullify flyaway and frizzy hair.

This portable straightener is as easy to use as it is to travel with. It heats up in less than 30 seconds and comes with a swivel cord that measures more than six feet. Further, it is a lightweight dual voltage device that can be used anywhere in the world without a voltage converter.

The only problem is that it is a little on the bulkier side, owing to CROC’s typical design. You would also do well to wear a heat resistant glove while using this portable straightener because its external body can get hot too.

Another reason why this device is unique is the colors it is available in. It offers the most options for a user to choose from including red, pink, green, and fuchsia apart from the usual black and white.

Who’s it for: If you find a carry case turning into a heat mat cool and want offbeat color options, get this portable CROC straightener.

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8. T3 – SinglePass Compact Styling Iron (Top Pick)

Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0

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Portable straighteners typically don’t have advanced, premium-level features such as automatic shutoff. T3’s SinglePass Compact Styling Iron is one of two that do, however. It comes with a 60-minute automatic shutoff feature, just like the full-sized T3 SinglePass.

In simple terms, T3 have shrunk their primary offering to create its compact version. In fact, they’ve not only managed to do this without any loss of quality but have instead ended up adding a great feature.

The new feature we’re talking about is the heat resistant cap. The cap sets this device apart from all other travel-friendly or portable straighteners in the market. The cap goes on top of the plates and ensures that they’re not damaged in transit.

The heat resistant cap dovetails wonderfully well with the dual voltage feature this device. Of course, they’ve also managed to make it lightweight and compact without making any compromises.

Apart from the heat resistant cap, the Compact T3 SinglePass has all the same features and qualities as its bigger brother. All this makes this device one of the best offerings in the portable straightener market segment, regardless of which price bracket you look at.

T3 uses the SinglePass moniker to convey that users don’t need to run its flat irons over the same section of hair repeatedly. For the most part and most people, this claim holds. It is only people with extremely thick or coarse hair who won’t see the same results.

The plates on this device combine T3’s custom ceramic blend and ionic technology, which means that they generate plenty of negative ions for people dealing with frizz in their hair.

They only go up to a single temperature of 410 degrees Fahrenheit, however, which is another reason why thick or coarse-haired people may have to work harder to get the right results. On the other hand, this temperature should be good enough for most people.

The plates’ temperature is very constant and doesn’t deviate even a little. This is possible because the company has incorporated a microchip into the design to monitor and manage the amount of heat generated and retained.

This straightener is very easy to use as well. For one, it doesn’t make you wait because the plates take only about 30 seconds to heat up. Additionally, this device happens to have one of the longest cords we’ve seen at eight feet. This is not only true for the portable straightener market segment but also the flat iron market in general.

This long cord will particularly be useful for people who plan on using this flat iron to curl their hair. The curved corners and edges also help in this regard. However, we do suggest being extra-careful because sometimes this straightener can pull hair.

Even the appearance of this portable straightener is special with its elegant white and rose gold color combination. In fact, the only flaw of this device is its cost. It is very much on the expensive side, but a two-year warranty does show that the device is long-lasting and durable.

Who’s it for: For people who value premium-quality devices with the most advanced features, the T3 SinglePass Compact will be the perfect buy.

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9. BaByliss PRO Nano Titanium Straightening Iron

Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0

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This is the second item on our list from the BaByliss PRO series. It isn’t marketed as a portable straightener, but many people use it as such. In terms of length and breadth, this device isn’t really portable but it is so thin that it barely takes up any space in the luggage.

The extra length means that this device is better for curling hair than most portable straighteners. It is also heavier than all portable flat irons but considerably lighter than standard-sized hair straighteners. Therefore, this device is a good compromise between full-fledged flat irons and portable straighteners.

Another reason why many people choose this hair straightener over smaller options is that it offers multiple heat settings. While most mini, travel, or portable straighteners only have one heat setting, this one offers 50, ranging from 300 degrees Fahrenheit to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Naturally, varied heat settings mean greater versatility.

The plates on this device are made up of titanium, which ensures greater durability and more uniform heat. There are three options when it comes to plate widths too. These are one inch, 1.5 inches, and two inches. There’s even a 1.5-inch wet to dry variant available.

The heat in this device is generated super-fast by a ceramic heater, and its housing is made up of Ryton. According to the company, Ryton is more durable than generic plastic. Even so, it is prone to getting hot to the point that even the handle can become uncomfortable. We recommend using a heat resistant glove to hold and manipulate this device.

If you don’t, the hot handle may make you feel rushed. If you use this device in a hurry, it will end up catching and pulling your hair too. Another flaw of this device is button placement. A lot of users say that its buttons get in the way of the grip. This is especially problematic if you’re wearing gloves.

Manipulating this straightener around your head will not be a problem since it has a very long swivel cord. However, you should remember that you can’t take this device beyond North America. It doesn’t support the 220V – 240V power systems used in Asia, Europe, and Africa.

The fact that this device is bigger and boasts of more features than most portable straighteners also means that it is considerably more expensive.

Who’s it for: If you have difficulty using portable straighteners and want something bigger but travel-friendly, get this BaByliss PRO flat iron.

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10. ghd Classic Flat Iron Styler

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

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Like the T3, ghd’s Classic Flat Iron Styler also boasts of the automatic shutoff feature. However, it isn’t as small and compact as that device. Even though it isn’t as large as standard flat irons, it is still considerably bigger and bulkier than the T3 Compact. In a nutshell, this device can be seen as one of the largest portable straighteners available in the market right now.

Even so, it isn’t as bulky as most standard-sized hair straighteners. Its relatively larger size amongst portable straighteners has allowed this device to carve out a completely new niche. Its slightly bigger size means that it is neither difficult nor time-consuming to use.

Another difference between the T3 Compact and this device is that it has a 30-minute automatic shutoff feature instead of a 60-minute one. Overall, this device is as popular as the T3 Compact. In fact, it is an award-winning device.

It has a sleek profile with curved edges. This means that it is great for straightening and curling hair. It boasts of floating plates for a more dynamic grip along with ceramic heat technology which ensures negative ions to combat frizz and flyaway hair.

Like most portable straighteners, though, this device has only one heat setting – 365 degrees Fahrenheit. This is its biggest flaw because apart from making it inflexible, its single heat setting limits its usefulness to fine to normal hair type.

It does heat up very fast, though, taking only about 40 seconds. More importantly, it has audio-visual indicators that make things very easy for the user. There is a light that starts blinking when the device is turned on, indicating that it has started heating up. When it has reached the right temperature, the light stops blinking and the device beeps.

While bulkier than most portable straighteners, this device still manages to be lighter than the majority of them. It is also a dual voltage device, which means that you can take it anywhere in the world. Further, it has one of the longest swivel cords we’ve come across in the industry. The 8.8-feet long cord is longer than what most standard-sized straighteners can claim.

While there are no color or plate width variants of this device, you can choose to get it with or without a ghd heat spray. In both scenarios, you’ll be spending a considerable amount of money, since this is one of the most expensive portable straighteners in the market. However, the company will protect your investment by backing its device with a two-year warranty.

Who’s it for: If you want a state-of-the-art portable straightener with slightly bigger plates, try the Classic ghd.

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