WIRED just wrapped the most exhaustive hair straightener testing ever conducted by a major tech publication, putting 30 models through rigorous trials to crown definitive winners for 2025. The surprise leader? Paul Mitchell's Smooth+ Flat Iron, which beat premium competitors like Dyson and GHD to claim the top spot across all hair types.
WIRED's beauty team just concluded what might be the tech world's most comprehensive hair straightener evaluation, testing everything from $20 drugstore models to $540 luxury tools. The results challenge conventional wisdom about premium brands and reveal surprising value plays across every price point.
Paul Mitchell's Smooth+ claimed the overall crown, delivering what reviewer Kat Merck calls "the perfect nexus of reliability and performance for all hair types." The ceramic iron's 1.25-inch CeraShine plates and 250-410 degree range proved versatile enough to handle fine waves through stubborn curls, beating out flashier competitors with its consistent results.
The victory comes as a shock to an industry dominated by premium players. Dyson's $540 Corrale, despite innovative segmented plates and cordless convenience, earned criticism for its "crunching sound that seems as if you're pulling or ripping your hair." The British brand did secure the cordless category, with testers appreciating the 30-minute battery life and magnetic charging.
GHD's Chronos Max captured the fine hair segment with sensor technology that maintains exactly 365 degrees Fahrenheit. The wide 1.75-inch plates minimize heat damage through consistent temperature control, though the single setting proves limiting for thicker textures.
For stubborn curls, titanium emerged as the material of choice. Sutra's IR2 Infrared Flat Iron dominated this category with 190-450 degree capability and rapid 23-second heat-up times. The infrared strip, while "seeming a bit gimmicky" according to testers, did add extra shine to finished styles.
The testing revealed surprising insights about premium versus budget performance. Conair's InfinitiPro at $41 delivered results comparable to irons costing five times more, though reviewers noted the lightweight construction felt "pretty flimsy" during extended use.
Air-powered tools are reshaping the straightener landscape. Shark's Glam Hot Tool system impressed with five interchangeable attachments and ceramic heating that reaches 302 degrees. While it couldn't fully replace traditional flat irons for type 4 hair, the versatility proved compelling for users wanting multiple styling options.
