The best hair straighteners for any brief, hair type and budget

Literally don't like to be tied down? Roam free (as long as you're charged up) with Dyson's straightener offering. It features both flexible styling plates and intelligent heat control, which is basically the science-y Dyson way of saying it'll deliver all the results you're after without putting the hair under too much stress. It displays battery level during use, so you'll know how long you have left to style, but rest assured, it recharges to 90% in just 40 minutes, so you'll never have to wait too long. And let's be honest: the blessing of being cord-free cannot be overstated, so we can show a little patience every so often. And just in case you needed an extra nudge, we have four words that'll convince you to add to cart: Hailey Bieber uses it.

$699 at The Iconic

They say if you can't handle the heat, get out of the kitchen, but we have an alternative suggestion: just get a straightener with 'cool shot' technology instead. This styler is committed to making sure your hair doesn't sacrifice its precious health to look good, with tiny air vents built in to its body, allowing it to hit just-heated hair with a burst of cool air. It's a double win, too; not only does this cool shot help to limit damage but it also serves as a seal that locks your style in for longer. As for other pros, the swivel-factor is unmatched, and it's lightweight enough to toss in any travel case without weighing it down/taking up too much valuable space.

$109.95 at Adore Beauty

Not sure which plates suit your hair? Or do you just want options depending on what style catches your eye that day? You're going to want to grab this guy. With two sets of interchangeable plates (one set of 25mm plates for more precision styles and one set of 42mm plates for grabbing more hair with every pass), you'll be treated to a lot more options than with just one set. And honestly, the value is amazing.

$299.95 at Hairhouse

Got a lot of hair? Or hell, just a lot of frizz? A wide plate straightener will be your winner. This type of styler is committed to cutting down time spent on straightening, all by making each 'pass' as powerful as can be. The generous 38mm plates allow you to take in more hair at a time, and the silver titanium plates mean your hair won't be dealing with any pesky frizz-encouraging friction as it turns from unruly to sleek. It's basically able to help you tame and polish thick hair in half the time; what a winner. FYI, we've got a few other straightener suggestions for thick, frizzy hair types, too...

$264.95 at Oz Hair & Beauty

Perhaps you've come in search of an option that offers the exact opposite of thick plates? Allow us to present the precision styler you've been waiting for. Anyone with a chic pixie cut or some type of fringe will understand the fury that comes with A) a forehead burn and B) not being able to easily access the areas you want to. This styler was specifically designed to meet the needs of those with short hair, allowing you to get way closer to the roots without risk of burning. It is, however, currently an international import (as Australia hasn't caught onto this dire need yet), so we suggest picking up a universal adaptor to ensure you can use it wherever you please.

$79 at Amazon

If you're determined to pick up a new styler for under $50, this one scrapes in without compromising on quality. It's just as kind to your hair as it is to your bank account though, with keratin-infused plates that help to bring out hair's natural shine. It's speedy, easy to use, and delivers sleek, smooth hair that you wouldn't guess was the work of a budget buy. It also looks very luxe for the price; a glitzy metallic finish will do that.

$49.95 at Myer

We know we said there's no 'best' across the board, but if we had to pick, this would be our desert island straightener. Boy, we hope we can find a plug. An option that'll suit basically everyone, it's long been hailed as one of the top hair tools of all time. But while all ghd straighteners are of the highest quality, this Platinum+ offering is in a league of its own. Its nifty ultra-zone™ technology is even able to predict the needs of your hair as it moves, recognising the thickness of your hair, and the speed with which you're styling, controlling the heat based on how you're working. This allows for a completely personalised styling experience that tailors itself to your specific hair and habits. We told you it was a smart straightener!

$395 at ghd

Craving new technology or a colourful twist? This retro-inspired iron is one of the newer options on the straightening block, but it's already set to become a fast favourite. Available in this spritely orange as well as pink, yellow, and blue, it's designed for everyday straightening on thin to medium hair. Its biggest selling point (besides the colours, of course)? The glide factor and the gloss it leaves you with. The plates are mineral-infused (fancy, we know), allowing the tool to glide through the hair, minimising drag and friction (AKA reducing the knock-on effect of split ends and breakage). As for which minerals are involved, it's the powers of healing sericite that allow the styler to seal the hair's cuticle as it moves, reducing moisture loss and enhancing shine.

$269 at The Iconic

If your hair routine involves multiple steps (we’re talking straightening to smooth and then curling), we’ve got the perfect, multifunctional tool to transform your routine. Yep, this two-in-one styler is revolutionising the way you style your strands. No more bulky styling tools taking up too much room. This wonder just takes a simple slide of the curling barrel cover and you’ll go from poker-straight strands to being on your way to bouncy, voluminous curls. 

$129.95 at Priceline

In addition to being the prettiest hair tool we ever did see (shoutout to the lilac shade of our dreams), this straightener is every bit as effective as it is aesthetic. Lightweight and versatile (with the ability to create everything from gleaming glass hair to soft waves), it's been blessed with a speedy heat-up time, ionic technology that helps to close the hair's cuticle as it styles (great for gloss), and Metal Ceramic Heater Technology which means it's committed to straightening each section of hair in a single pass. Talk about a time-saver!

$119.96 at Hairhouse