Best Hair Straightener in Australia for Thin, Thick and Frizzy Hair

The best hair straightener depends on your hair type. For thin or fine hair, choose one with low, adjustable heat like the CLOUD NINE The Original Iron. For thick or coarse hair, choose titanium plates that reach 230°C. For frizzy hair, look for ionic, tourmaline-coated plates. For long hair, choose wide plates.

That's the quick answer. Below, we cover what to look for, our pick for every hair type and how to straighten without frying your ends. You can also browse the full hair straighteners range to compare every option.

Ready to find your match? Let's get into it.

What to Look For in a Hair Straightener

Price and brand matter less than getting these features right for your hair:

• Plate width: narrow plates (around 2.5cm) suit short hair, fringes and curling with a straightener. Wide plates (around 3.5cm and up) cover more hair in each pass, so they're faster on long or thick hair.
• Plate material: ceramic heats evenly and suits most hair types, tourmaline-coated plates add negative ions to help reduce frizz, and titanium heats up fast and holds high heat for thick or coarse hair.
• Adjustable temperature: look for a range of settings in °C so you can keep fine, coloured or damaged hair on a lower setting and only turn the heat up for thick, coarse hair.
• Floating plates: plates that flex as you glide help keep even pressure on each section, so you're less likely to snag or crimp the hair.
• Auto shut-off: an automatic switch-off is a simple safety feature that matters most if you style in a rush.
• Travel-friendly: a mini straightener is easier to pack, and dual voltage means it can be used overseas.

Match these to your hair and you'll get smoother results with less heat.

Quick Comparison: Best Hair Straightener by Hair Type

The Best Hair Straightener for Every Hair Type

CLOUD NINE The Original Iron

Best for: thin or fine hair

Fine hair straightens quickly and damages easily, so control over heat is everything. This iron has 11 heat settings between 100°C and 200°C, and CLOUD NINE's Revive Mode vibrates the plates 8,000 times per minute to reduce direct heat contact. According to CLOUD NINE, the sericite-infused, cushioned plates help lock in moisture for a glossy finish. Shop CLOUD NINE The Original Iron.

Silver Bullet Keratin 230 Titanium Hair Straightener

Best for: thick or coarse hair

Thick, coarse hair often needs more heat than an average straightener can give. This one reaches up to 230°C with titanium floating plates, which Silver Bullet describes as friction-free. The controls sit on the inside of the handle so you can't bump the setting mid-style, and Silver Bullet says it's ideal for use with keratin straightening systems. For more options, see our edit of the best hair straighteners for thick hair. Shop Silver Bullet Keratin 230 Titanium Hair Straightener.

Bondi Boost Aloe Plated Flat Iron 1" Ceramic Plated Hair Straightener

Best for: frizzy hair

Frizz needs smoothing as well as heat. Bondi Boost infuses these plates with Australian aloe powder for shine and frizz control, and pairs them with ion technology and ceramic-coated tourmaline floating plates for even heat. The adjustable range runs from 100°C to 250°C, so keep the top end for coarse hair only. Shop Bondi Boost Aloe Plated Flat Iron 1" Ceramic Plated Hair Straightener.

CLOUD NINE The Wide Iron

Best for: long, thick hair

Wide plates cover more hair in every pass, which cuts styling time on long or thick hair. CLOUD NINE designed this iron for longer, thicker hair, with the same 11 heat settings from 100°C to 200°C, Revive Mode and sericite-infused plates as The Original Iron. It also creates bouncy curls. Shop CLOUD NINE The Wide Iron.

CLOUD NINE The Slim Iron

Best for: short hair and fringes

Short styles and fringes need narrow plates that can get close to the root without catching your skin. CLOUD NINE made this slim iron to touch up fringes, straighten shorter styles and create defined curls, with 11 heat settings between 100°C and 200°C and Revive Mode. Shop CLOUD NINE The Slim Iron.

Silver Bullet Mini Straightener - Gold

Best for: travel and quick touch-ups

A full-size straightener takes up half a carry-on, so a mini is worth having for trips and gym bags. Silver Bullet says this one measures just 22cm, uses ceramic plates for even heat and has a dual voltage circuit for travel. It handles sleek straightening or curls for quick touch-ups. Shop Silver Bullet Mini Straightener - Gold.

KALEO The Pro Steam Styler

Best for: a salon-style steam finish

If you want a premium tool that does more than heat, steam stylers add moisture as you straighten. KALEO combines steam technology with ceramic plates, which it says reduces heat damage and boosts shine. Adjustable temperature settings suit different hair types, and it can create curls as well as sleek, straight styles. Shop KALEO The Pro Steam Styler.

How to Straighten Your Hair

• Step 1: Start with completely dry hair. Most flat irons are made for dry hair only, and straightening damp hair can cause damage.
• Step 2: Apply heat protectant. Mist a heat protectant such as Evo Icon Welder Heat Protection Spray 200ml through your lengths and let it dry before you start.
• Step 3: Choose the lowest heat that works. Start low for fine, coloured or damaged hair and only increase the temperature for thick or coarse hair.
• Step 4: Section your hair. Clip up the top layers and work from the bottom in sections about 2–3cm wide.
• Step 5: Make one slow, steady pass. Clamp close to the root and glide down to the ends at an even pace. One slow pass is gentler than several fast ones.
• Step 6: Let your hair cool. Give it a minute before brushing or adding finishing products so the style sets.

Not sure which protectant suits your hair? Our heat protectant guide breaks it down.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Temperature Should I Straighten My Hair At?

Use the lowest temperature that straightens your hair in one pass. Fine, coloured or damaged hair suits the lower settings, while thick or coarse hair may need the higher end. Adjustable straighteners like the CLOUD NINE range (100°C to 200°C) make it easy to stay low.

Is a Ceramic or Titanium Straightener Better?

It depends on your hair. Ceramic heats evenly and suits most hair types, especially fine or damaged hair. Titanium heats up faster and holds higher heat, which makes it better for thick or coarse hair.

Can You Straighten Wet Hair?

Not with a standard flat iron. Most straighteners are designed for dry hair only, so dry your hair completely first. Our guide to straightening wet hair explains the options.

How Often Can I Straighten My Hair?

As little as possible, and never without heat protectant. Giving your hair a few heat-free days each week and keeping the temperature low will help reduce damage over time.

Can You Curl Hair With a Straightener?

Yes. Narrower plates and a rounded edge make it easier. Our step-by-step guide to curling hair with a straightener shows you how.

Are Expensive Straighteners Worth It?

They can be, if you style often. Premium irons tend to offer more precise temperature control and features designed to reduce direct heat contact. We weigh up one popular premium brand in our guide to whether ghd stylers are worth the money.

What Is the Best Type of Hair Straightener?

The best type is the one matched to your hair. Ceramic plates heat evenly and suit most hair types, tourmaline-coated plates help reduce frizz, and titanium plates hold high heat for thick or coarse hair. Whichever you choose, look for adjustable temperature and floating plates.

Can Men Use Hair Straighteners?

Yes. A straightener works the same way on anyone's hair. On shorter cuts, a slim iron like the CLOUD NINE The Slim Iron is easier to use close to the root, and the same rules apply: dry hair, heat protectant and the lowest heat that works.

The Bottom Line

Choose your straightener by hair type: low, adjustable heat for thin hair, titanium and higher heat for thick hair, ionic or tourmaline plates for frizz, wide plates for long hair and slim plates for short hair and fringes. Whatever you pick, use heat protectant and the lowest heat that works.

Shop the full hair straighteners range at Oz Hair and Beauty to compare every option by plate size and heat.

Here's to sleek, smooth hair that actually stays that way.