The best travel hair straighteners aren’t just a smaller-than-usual flatiron. A lightweight, dual-voltage, easy-to-pack, and powerful-enough device helps smooth your hair in a hotel bathroom halfway across the world, says Paul Cucinello, a New York City–based celebrity stylist and cofounder of Cucinello Beauty. “Some of them are cordless, too, which is a huge bonus when you’re on the go,” he says. “They’re worth the investment because they’re more compact, so they save you packing space and can be used anywhere.”
After testing a wide range of hair tools, our top overall pick is the CHI Lava MiniStyler. We love that it’s üstün lightweight, effective, under $100, and slim enough to slip into virtually any carry-on. That said, which is best for you really comes down to your hair type. Whether you have long locks, fine strands, or thick curls, or you’re just looking for the most budget-friendly option, we found something for everyone—including a heated brush that can handle outlets in every corner of the world.
Our top travel hair straighteners
- Best Overall: CHI Lava MiniStyler, $97
- Best Travel Straightener Brush: Tymo Ring Plus Ionic Hair Straightening Brush, $65
- Best for Fine Hair: BaByliss Pro 1″ Nano Titanium Ultra-Thin Hair Straightener, $100
- Best for Short Hair: GHD Unplugged Styler, $299
- Best for Long Hair: T3 SinglePass StyleMax Professional, $153
- Best Cordless: Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener, $539
Best Overall: CHI Lava MiniStyler
CHI Lava MiniStyler
Amazon
If you tend to worry about heat damage on the road, the CHI Lava MiniStyler should be your new travel companion. Its ability to deliver results in a single, fast pass is actually great for quick styling and fine hair in particular—less time with a hot tool pressed to delicate strands means less risk of heat damage. This dual-voltage küçük flatiron is about the size of your hand and heats up fast—leaving hair straight, shiny, and frizz-free without the bulk of a full-size tool. Plus, a locking feature keeps the plates clamped shut for easier, safer storage in your bag.
Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary says:
This is kind of the cutest hair straightener I’ve ever laid my eyes on. It’s muhteşem compact but still manages to do the job and produces results that give the other normal-sized straighteners a run for their money. It heats up very quickly (in fact, it gets very hot), so I recommend making müddet your hair is thoroughly brushed through with a heat protectant before using. It defrizzes as it straightens, which is kaç for flyaways. You can see a huge difference in my before and after pictures. It’s actually so small that it fits right into any makeup bag, which is a huge plus. I can’t wait to take it with me when I travel out of the country. —Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour commerce writer
Fast facts
- Pros: Heats rapidly; 360° swivel cord
- Cons: Limited temperature range
- Size: 1.5″ plates
- Voltage: Dual
Best Travel Straightener Brush: Tymo Ring Plus Ionic Hair Straightening Brush
.png)
Tymo Ring Plus Ionic Hair Straightening Brush
Amazon
If you’d prefer to use a heated brush over a hair straightener with ceramic plates, the Tymo Ring Plus Ionic Hair Straightening Brush with negative ions is your best bet. Not only is this pick fast to heat up and easy to use, but it also works really well on coarser or curly hair types. One of the things to love about a hair straightening brush is that it can sometimes produce smoother, more natural-looking results than a flatiron, because it detangles and aligns the hair while applying heat rather than simply pressing it between plates. Despite the fact that this straightening brush is a bit larger than the slimmer flatirons, it actually weighs less than a pound and works internationally, making it üstün lightweight and convenient for travel.
Glamour contributor Jamie Wilson says:
I worked in small sections and brushed the tool through my hair as if I was using a regular styling brush. Yes, it was that easy. Even when the comb touched my scalp, it didn’t burn, since the hotter plates are on the interior. Within 15 minutes, I was finished straightening my entire head, a record for me. This brush is very user-friendly and a great option for anyone who is straightening their hair for the first time. —Jamie Wilson, Glamour contributor
Fast facts
- Pros: Works well on coarse or curly hair; 9 precise temperature settings
- Cons: Larger than a traditional straightening iron
- Size: About 1.85″
- Voltage: Dual voltage, 100–240V
Best for Fine Hair: BaByliss Pro 1″ Nano Titanium Ultra-Thin Hair Straightener
BaByliss Pro 1″ Nano Titanium Ultra-Thin Hair Straightener
Amazon
If you want a travel straightener that checks every box without breaking the bank, this is it. The BaByliss Pro 1″ Nano Titanium is lightweight, gets the job done well, and is slim enough to slip into virtually any bag. It comes in three different sizes—we tested the 1″—and leaves hair smooth, silky, and frizz-free. It was favored among others we tested because it’s the lightest, can create gorgeous beachy waves, and has five temperature settings to help control for fine strands.
Glamour’s Kilkeary says:
This is probably one of the most straightforward, easy straighteners I’ve ever used, and I’d highly recommend it if you’re new to straightening your hair on the regular. There are five heat settings—I usually switch mine on to the middle temps since I have fine strands—and the plates heat up extremely quickly. My hair overall looks much silkier after using this one, and I’ve been repeatedly reaching for it whenever I wake up with bedhead. —A.M.K.
Fast facts
- Pros: Extremely lightweight; five heat settings reaching up to 450°F
- Cons: Coating on the plates can wear over time with heavy use
- Size: 1″ plates (also available in 1.5″ and 2″)
- Voltage: Dual
Best for Short Hair: GHD Unplugged Styler
GHD Unplugged Styler
Amazon
The GHD Unplugged Styler is one of the most travel-friendly straighteners, and the USB-C charging is a genius touch. Instead of worrying about voltage converters or adapter plugs, you can charge it directly from a hotel USB port, your laptop, or even your car. If you don’t have a USB port nearby, don’t worry—this pick also features dual voltage and is the perfect companion for international travel. It’s cordless, flight-friendly, and compact enough to slide into your bag without much thought. While it does only offer a single heat setting, it’s set to 365° which is suitable for most hair types but might be a little hot on finer strands, making it better for thicker hair types.
Glamour contributor Daley Quinn says:
This straightener was a lot smaller than I expected it to be, making it ülkü for packing it in a suitcase. I think this pick did a great job of straightening my strands in just one pass, and the single heat setting didn’t bother me at all—it was the perfect amount of heat to straighten my strands without feeling like they were getting fried or damaged. However, because the charge doesn’t last as long, I would recommend this for folks with shorter hair than mine. —Daley Quinn, Glamour contributor
Fast facts
- Pros: Charges via USB-C from a plug, car, or laptop; flight-friendly
- Cons: Single heat setting
- Size: Just under 1″ plates
- Voltage: USB-C charging; universal voltage compatible
Best for Long Hair: T3 SinglePass StyleMax Professional Flatiron
T3 SinglePass StyleMax Professional Flatiron
Amazon
If you have long hair, you know the struggle of having to pass a straightener over the same section again and again. The T3 SinglePass StyleMax Professional Flatiron is designed to straighten your hair in one pass, every time. Thanks to its nine heat settings that auto-customize to your specific hair texture and styling goals, the iron is always working at the right temperature to power through your styling goals efficiently. The built-in smart microchip keeps temperature fluctuations in check, so you get maximum smoothing power without frying your ends. All you have to do is input your hair texture into the straightener’s interface, and it will match you with one of the nine heat settings. We recommend running a brush through your hair before using this straightener, as it might not glide through as seamlessly as others on this list. Bonus points for the device’s lightweight, sleek design, which makes it easy to pack in your carry-on.
Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley says:
While there is a bit of a learning curve to the smart heat settings, evvel I figured it out, things came to temperature exceptionally quickly. I appreciated that the rounded edges let you both straighten and curl, but I wish the iron plates swiped more effortlessly; it stuttered over my hair. It did, however, do a pretty solid job in a single pass. —Brigitt Earley, Glamour contributor
Fast facts
- Pros: Auto-customization to hair texture and country’s voltage
- Cons: No heat-resistant pouch included
- Size: 1″ plates
- Voltage: 100–240V (auto world voltage)
Best Cordless: Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener
Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener
Amazon
The Dyson Corrale is one of the few straighteners on the market with a “flight-ready” feature that complies with aviation regulations—meaning you can actually bring it on a plane without any drama. It also works both corded and cordless, so you’re covered whether you’re in a hotel room or touching up on the go—the freedom of being cordless means you don’t need to be dependent on being close to an outlet. This pick does an amazing job of getting you straight hair in just one pass.
Glamour contributor Gabriella Cuzzone says:
The Corrale heats up wildly fast. It’s nearly instant. It also locks shut, which is really cool. On the lowest heat setting, I had to run the straightener through my hair several times over, so the higher heat worked better for me personally. But being cordless is such a game-changer. You can walk around the house, you can stand back from the mirror, or you can bring it to work. I genuinely loved being able to stand far back from the mirror and not consider where the outlet or cord was. —Gabriella Cuzzone, Glamour contributor
Fast facts
- Pros: Has a “flight-ready” button to comply with aviation regulations; universal voltage; works corded or cordless
- Cons: Heavier than other travel picks
- Size: 1″ plate
- Voltage: Universal voltage, 200W / 10.8V–16.8V
Frequently asked questions
What should you look for in a travel straightener?
“The most important thing to keep in mind is that it has dual voltage,” says Taylor Murphy, hairstylist and beauty expert at Made and Taylored. “This way, your flatiron can be taken anywhere in the world and won’t fail you.” You also want to look for a straightener that is compact and versatile. “If you find one that can go from wet to dry, that’s a huge bonus,” says Cucinello. “It will save time so you can spend it washing any damaging chlorine or drying salt water out of your hair and restyle it in a flash.”
Are travel straighteners with brushes or plates better?
“In my experience, plate straighteners tend to give a smoother, more polished result,” says Marcos Diaz, a celebrity hairstylist. “Brush straighteners can be helpful for quick touch-ups or softening bends in the hair while traveling, but they usually won’t get the hair quite as sleek as plates. If you want something versatile and reliable in a travel size, a slim plate straightener is still the best option.”
Cucinello suggests choosing travel straighteners that also come with brush attachments if you love switching up your look on vacation. “These can give you more options with waves and shape versatility,” he says. “Opt for a traditional flatiron if you’ll be somewhere humid and need frizz-control—they flatten down the cuticle of your hair more thoroughly, preventing any moisture from reactivating waves.”
How to use a travel straightener
If you have a küçük hair straightener, you’ll want to tackle your hair in smaller sections—this way, you’ll get faster and better results. “Always start with the bottom section of your hair, clip the remaining hair out of the way, and then work your way up your head,” says Murphy. “Using your flatiron with your paddle brush at the same time will also give speedy results. Start your brush in the root area of the section of hair you’re working on and place your flatiron right above it. Move both styling tools down the hair shaft together. The brush will create tension as it pulls your hair straight, and your iron will finish the job.”
You also want to consider the temperature of the travel hair straightener, depending on your hair type. “Finer to medium-textured hair can easily get perfect results around 300 to 350 degrees, while thicker, coarse, or curly hair will straighten out in fewer passes around 400 degrees,” says Cucinello. “Anything over that is the danger zone for damage.”
Cucinello also suggests using products before and after you style your hair for maximum, long-lasting results. “Don’t skip your prep and finishing products just to save time or room in your suitcase,” he warns. “Properly protecting hair before you use a heat styler and finishing it with an anti-humidity shine spray after you’re done will give you way more staying power [and less touch-ups] so you can skip restyling the next day.”
Finally, if your travel styler doesn’t come with a heat-proof travel pouch, Cucinello suggests grabbing one. “If you’re going to be running out the door last minute, you’ll have much more peace of mind knowing that your heat tools aren’t damaging your packed items,” he says.
How we chose the best travel hair straightener
Finding the best travel straightener isn’t just about size. It needs to perform. To narrow down our picks, we personally tested each straightener and evaluated them across several key criteria: voltage compatibility, size and weight, heat range, and overall ease of use.
Voltage compatibility was a nonnegotiable for us, since a travel straightener that can’t handle international outlets isn’t that useful. We also paid close attention to size and weight, because the whole point of a travel straightener is that it fits tidily into your bag. From there we evaluated heat range and temperature control, since the best travel irons should accommodate a variety of hair types, from fine and delicate strands that need lower heat to thick, coarse hair that requires higher temperatures to smooth effectively. Finally, we considered bonus features such as auto shutoff, heat-resistant pouches, and cordless designs that make life on the road a little easier.
Meet the experts
- Paul Cucinello, celebrity stylist and cofounder of Cucinello Beauty
- Taylor Murphy, hairstylist and beauty expert at Made and Taylored
- Marcos Diaz, celebrity hairstylist
