15 Best Travel Hair Straighteners

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Good hair days matter just as much on vacation as they do on a workday, yet hair styling tools can be the first beauty item to get eliminated when packing for a trip. We get it — every inch of your weekend bag counts. You don’t want to sacrifice precious suitcase space on bulky flat irons.

Thankfully, hair straighteners have come a long way. Modern models come in smaller sizes that can fit in your makeup bag and forgo the pesky cord — perfect for chronic over-packers. (These cordless mini flat irons typically have styling time that ranges from 15 to 40 minutes before they need a recharge.) Many of these mini flat irons offer travel-friendly features like dual voltage. Others, like the Dyson Airstrait, dry your hair while simultaneously straightening it, so you don’t need to pack a travel hair dryer. In some cases, they can even bend strands better than a traditional curling iron.

Before purchasing a straightening iron, compact or otherwise, Jennifer Nast, stylist at Sharon Dorram at Sally Hershberger Salon recommends getting familiar with your hair texture. “Remember that finer hair types need less heat,” she says, “Thick and coarse textures need a higher heat setting to get results, and if your hair is currently very damaged, you may want to stay away from hot tools altogether.”

In order to find the best mini travel flat irons, we sought the advice of seven experienced hair experts, and personally road tested highly rated options. Ahead, the top 15 mini irons and travel hair straighteners you should consider snagging before your next trip.

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Most Recommended Travel Hair Straightener

The majority of our experts agree: BaByliss tools are a must for your hair styling arsenal. For Ric Pipino, a celebrity stylist at Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger Salon, BaByliss tools are a staple tool in his kit. “I’ve used a lot of their different appliances and tools over the years and they’re very reliable,” he says. “They last forever.”

What this tiny tool lacks in size, it makes up for in performance. “It features titanium plates that heat up quickly and provide smooth straightening results,” says Jennifer Korab, celebrity hairstylist and owner of the Renaissance Salon and Spa in Hillsborough, New Jersey, which means it will zap kinks fast. As for its travel capabilities, its small size, compact design, and dual voltage technology make it the perfect carry on companion.

What reviewers say: “I purchased this curling iron in 2014 and it just stopped working for me today in 2023. I am on my way to purchase my second one right now. Everyone always asks me to use this straightener because of how shiny and sleek it makes their hair. It straightens your hair so fast. It also heats up in 3 seconds. I highly recommend this iron!”

Courtesy of Ulta Beauty

BaByliss PRO Nano Titanium Prima 3000 $190 Buy Now At Ulta

Best Mini Flat Iron for Short Hair

With plates just a half-inch thick, this mini of all minis (it is one of the smallest on the list) is best used for shorter styles like bobs or modern mullets. With only one heat setting, this simple tool is designed to smooth waves, style bangs, and keep flyaways at bay. The mini travel hair straightener has ceramic plates that evenly heat each strand, and the palm-sized iron stows nicely in a duffel or shoulder bag. At just $30, this is the perfect addition to any straightforward styling routine.

Also nice: It comes with a stylish travel case for easy transport.

What reviewers say: “The Coastal Carolina humidity is murder on any style and I am outside in all conditions in my job showing homes. Bringing back some order and taming the frizz is possible with this portable quick heating little styling iron.”

Courtesy of Ulta

Eva NYC Mini Healthy Heat Styling Iron and Bag $30 Buy Now At Ulta

Best Mini Flat Iron for Edges

Thanks to its smaller plate size (.75 of an inch to be exact), this Kristin Ess tool can navigate baby hairs with the best of them. Nast recommends giving this tool a try if you need to tame flyaways or iron out thick strands. “This is a mini that does it all,” she says.

Its rounded edges allow you to get close to the root without singeing your scalp or tugging on strands. Plus, it is equipped with a 30 minute shut-off feature, so you can leave your hotel with peace of mind.

What reviewers say: “I’ve been looking for a smaller iron, but bigger than the typical tiny ones which are always disappointing. I have a short bob and standard irons are awkward to use at the nape and on the bangs. Also didn’t want to have too much weight for a long trip I’m taking, so I thought I’d try this, totally expecting to have to return it. But it’s awesome. It only goes to 380 degrees, but it works better than the full size I have that goes to 425. Also, the flips and waves I’ve made with this iron stay all day where they go flat in minutes with my standard iron.”

Kristin Ess Hair NanoBlack Defining and Detailing Mini Flat Iron $60 Buy Now At Ulta

Best Travel Hair Straightener for Long Hair

Don’t let the miniature size fool you. This tiny T3 tool may be small, but it is mighty. Outside of the BaByliss, this tool earned the most expert recommendations. Celebrity hair stylist Ashley Gomila is partial to the auto world voltage feature. “It will naturally adjust to voltage changes which is great for international travel,” she says.

Korab calls out the ceramic plating which helps deliver even heat across the iron. “Single pass technology ensures even heat distribution throughout the plates, providing consistent results with each pass,” she explains, “This minimizes time spent styling, which can be beneficial when you’re on the go.”

What reviewers say: “The compact size fits well in my carry-on luggage, and the heat-resistant cover means I can stow and go in a hurry. It’s also been an “edge saver” for me, allowing me to extend my relaxers by a couple weeks before having to chemically treat my hair.”

Courtesy of Amazon

T3 Micro Single Pass Compact Iron $89 Buy Now At Amazon

T3 Micro Single Pass Compact Iron $89 Buy Now At Sephora

Best Travel Hair Straightener with Automatic Shut Off

Ghd remains a favorite hair tool for the pros. Celebrity hair stylist, Laurabeth Cabott being chief among them. “Ghd has been around for over 20 years and is always improving their technology and tools performance.” Nast echoes her praise and adds some of her own. She loves the Ghd Unplugged’s cordless design for styling here, there, and everywhere. Even without the cord, it can still tackle thick and curly manes. It is designed to deliver 20 minutes of cord free styling time and heat up in under a minute.

Though there’s only one heat setting, celebrity extensionist Priscilla Valles sees that as an advantage rather than a drawback. “We are all guilty of taking our straighteners and using them at the highest heat possible,” she says. With a max of 365 degrees, Ghd takes away the temptation.

Our favorite part? The tool is designed to shut off after three minutes of non-use, so no stressing about burning down your AirBnb while sunning on the beach.

What reviewers say: “I bought it for a trip abroad and was so happy not to have to worry about electrical outlets and adaptors (except to recharge). It works like a charm on my straight bob that has developed some weird waves in recent years. The charge lasts long enough for me to use twice.”

Courtesy of Amazon

Ghd Unplugged 1 Inch Cordless Flat Iron $299 Buy Now At Amazon

Ghd Unplugged 1 Inch Cordless Flat Iron $299 Buy Now At sephora

Best Compact Travel Hair Straightener

Like others on this list, the Balmain Hair Couture iron is about half the size of a full-sized tool. However, its smaller structure doesn’t skimp on results. For Gomila, this one ranks among the top. “It comes with all international and US converters which is awesome for any jet setters on the go,” she says. Beyond that, the cordless design eliminates any fussy wires.

The small-but-sturdy tool can take on a lustrous mane. With three heat settings, you can pick the temp that works best for your hair texture and type. “The advanced titanium floating plate technology delivers the ultimate styling results for a smooth, polished, and healthy finish,” explains Ilham Mestour, celebrity hair stylist and artistic director of Balmain Hair Couture.

What reviewers say: “These are a great little gadget. I was fed up of going to the gym in the mornings and not being able to blow dry my hair so well and having bad hair days. These straighteners heat up quickly and create enough heat to style effectively. The battery lasts well. No more hair worries for me. It’d be ideal for taking camping or traveling as well. It has 3 adapter plugs, so can be charged easily abroad, too.”

Courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue

Balmain Hair Couture Cordless Straightener $439 Buy Now At Saks Fifth Avenue

Balmain Hair Couture Cordless Straightener $439 Buy Now At neiman marcus

Best Multitasking Travel Hair Straightener

We get it: this tool isn’t exactly mini, but its multitasking capabilities make it a must-have investment for travel. Dyson is known for their technology, innovation, and celebrity hairstylist-endorsed hair tools. The Airstrait is Dyson’s latest launch, and it’s no exception. Unlike other straighteners out there, the Airstrait can take your strands from wet to straight and dry without using heat and without damaging your hair, so you can leave your bulky hair dryer at home. The catch? Outside of the cost, there isn’t one.

Each Airstrait is equipped with tension bars instead of heated plates. These perform similarly, smoothing strands without heat and without excess pressure. Yes, the tool requires some investment upfront, but for the end result, it feels well worth it.

What reviewers say: “I have 4a curly hair. My hair usually takes 30 minutes or more to blow dry and then another 45 minutes to straighten. Then another 30 minutes to curl. The Airstrait dried my wet curly hair and made it bone straight in 15 minutes!”

Editor testing and review notes: “The Dyson Airstrait is a tool that always gets precious real estate in my packing cubes and carry-on luggage. It takes my thick, naturally curly hair to straight and polished in 10 minutes flat. I love the feature that allows you to lock the arms and use the tool as a standard hair dryer to target roots, too.”

Courtesy of Bluemercury

Dyson AirStrait Straightener $499 Buy Now At Sephora

Dyson AirStrait Straightener $499 Buy Now At Dyson

Related:Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler Review 2023: Two Beauty Editors Put the Hair Tool to the Test.Dyson Supersonic Editor Testing ReviewThe Best Hair Dryer Brushes

Best Travel Hair Straightener for Damaged Hair

If your hair is damaged, limiting heat styling is the advice for reviving your strands. However, if you need to use a hot tool, make sure it has a variety of temperature settings. See, heat doesn’t start damaging your hair until somewhere over 300 degrees. Nast loves that this mini straightener boasts over 13 temperature options. “This will help to ensure that you are not damaging your hair,” she says, “Keeping the tool on a lower setting cuts down on the damage.” Its inexpensive price point is a bonus.

What reviewers say: “I went to Italy and only took this hair tool. It’s a little heavy but it worked great and I’m so glad I had it. The temperature control is what sold me. I don’t like to burn my hair at 400 degrees like some of the other travel irons without temp control.”

Courtesy of Amazon

Pritech Mini Flat Iron Portable Hair Straightener $21 $18 Buy Now At Amazon

Best Mini Flat Iron With Temperature Control

This mini flat iron from HSI Professional is a great budget-friendly option for travelers. Korab ranks it among her favorites and over 55,000 five-star Amazon reviews tend to agree. Each plate is made from a ceramic tourmaline blend which helps your strands absorb moisture rather than pull it out. It also boasts eight sensors to ensure even heat distribution across the plates, so you can achieve your desired look in just one or two passes.

What reviewers say: “I just received my second HSI Professional Straightener about a week ago and one thing I absolutely LOVE about this straightener is that there is no chemical smell, even on the very first use.”

Courtesy of Amazon

HSI Professional Glider Ceramic Flat Iron $49 Buy Now At Amazon

Best Affordable Travel Hair Straightener

Celebrity hairstylist Laura Polko is always traveling with her clients for red carpets and events. This mini straightener from Conair remains her go-to. “It is great for quick touch-ups because it is cordless, and holds a charge for a long time,” she raves. She also highlights the ceramic-coated plates which help smooth the hair and glide easily over the strands without tugging or snagging.

At under $30, this easy to use tool won’t make a big dent in your wallet or travel bag.

What reviewers say: “I have taken this on two trips, one international, and it worked very well. It is slightly heavier than I would like and I had to charge it right before I used it and it didn’t stay hot very long but it did get me the curls I needed on my mid-length hair.”

Courtesy of Amazon

Conair Unbound Petite Flat Iron $29 $27 Buy Now At Amazon

Best Travel Hair Straightener for Color-Treated Hair

Though this Gama G Evo flat iron isn’t technically designed to be a travel iron, Pipino insists he cannot leave home without it. At around 16.5 inches, it isn’t a mini per se, but Pipino insists it is worth it to pack. “It heats up super fast if you need to straighten your hair quickly and works well on all hair types in all climates, even if traveling to humid summer locations,” he says.

He isn’t the only one who lauds the tool. Gama is one of the oldest and best Italian hair tool brands and has earned a reputation for flattening the kinkiest strands in a single pass. This tool in particular boasts oxygen infused plates that are designed for color-treated hair. Instead of pulling color from your hair, this tool extends its life and turns up the brightness.

What reviewers say: “This definitely does work even when in a big hurry. I tried it when I only had a few minutes before I had to leave and it made a noticeable difference. It really flattens hair to the core. My daughter has very thick 4c hair so this was safe on her hair. It will give you the best silk press of your life!”

Courtesy of Amazon

Gama G Evo Silk Chrome Titanium ⅘ Inch Flat Iron $100 Buy Now At Amazon

Best Dual-Voltage Travel Hair Straightener

Chi is known for their affordable yet high-quality styling products. This mini tool does the work of a full-sized iron without skipping a beat. The inner plates get nice and steamy, but don’t worry, the outer material remains cool to the touch. The on and off button is tucked on the inside of the tool, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally knocking it while styling.

This travel straightener’s dual voltage design means it can work overseas without a converter, which means less of your suitcase and designer handbag devoted to hair tools and more devoted to souvenirs.

What reviewers say: “It’s been thrown, dropped (100 times), the plates fell out so I used gorilla glue to put them in. It still works! It is the longest she’s ever used any hair tool.”

Courtesy of Amazon

Chi Ceramic Mini Hairstyling Iron $60 $55 Buy Now At Amazon

Best Travel Hair Straightener For Beginners

Try as we might, hair styling isn’t a natural gift for everyone. Priced at just $36, this simple but effective tool is a great place to start. Free of bells and whistles, this tool focuses on the basics, aka zapping unwanted texture from your hair.

It has just about every advantage of a full sized tool without going overboard. Korab recommends this tool for its worldwide voltage, compact size, ceramic plates, and adjustable heat settings. “This flexibility helps prevent excessive heat exposure and reduces the risk of hair damage,” she says.

What reviewers say: “My daughter and I have very thick hair and it works amazing. I was skeptical because its so small. But it straightens our hair very well.”

Courtesy of Kohls

Remington Pro Travel Compact 1” Flat Iron $36 Buy Now At Kohl’s

Best Cordless Mini Flat Iron

Valles trusts Harry Josh for all things hair tools. For her, the brand is synonymous with high quality. Their latest cordless launch is a must for travel. The iconic mint green plates are just as powerful cord-free, and they hold a charge for a whopping 40 minutes of styling. The silky ceramic plates glide over your strands without snagging, so you can straighten or use to create Farrah Fawcett level waves.

Courtesy of Goop

Harry Josh Cordless Ceramic 1 Inch Styling Iron $350 Buy Now At Goop

Most Versatile Travel Hair Straightener

Pipino dubs this tool one of his go-tos for travel and touch ups. “It’s a dual process,” he says, “You can switch the blades for either a straightener or a curling iron.” This of course saves room in your travel bag or designer work bag and allows for multiple styles. Thanks to the titanium blades, this tool heats up quickly and can straighten hair quickly which is one of Pipino’s biggest priorities as a stylist. Bonus: though its full price is $40, the tool frequently goes on sale for $25.

What Reviewers Say: One reviewer credits this tool for “saving space, time, and sanity.” Though it was originally purchased to use on vacation this user was so impressed with the results, they started using every day. Another raves about how the iron didn’t catch on their fine hair.

6th Sense 2 in 1 Mini Flat Iron and Curling Iron $40 $25 Buy Now At 6th Sense

Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as “the fashion bible” — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women’s and men’s fashion, retail and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD’s breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections.

In order to find the best travel hair straighteners, our team combed the market for options from top brands. We read through ratings, examined features, and personally tested different models to see if they lived up to their claims. We considered top factors for travel friendly flat irons like size, voltage, temperature settings and plate material. On top of that, we spoke to professional hair stylists for their expert opinion. We also considered the best retailers to shop when selecting the best travel hair straighteners, reading customer reviews and cross-checking with Google’s new top-quality store badge (a rating that indicates retailers with quick shipping, clear return policies, and positive shopper reviews). Learn more about WWD here.

Anneke Knot is a freelance writer in the fashion and beauty space based in San Francisco, California. With over seven years of experience in beauty product testing and writing, she has extensive knowledge of hair tools and beyond. Aside from WWD, her editorial work can be found in publications like InStyle, The Strategist, Byrdie, Forbes, and more.

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