Best Infrared Hair Straighteners

Thankfully, hair straightening has come a long way since the 50s and 60s, when women would straighten their hair with literal irons on ironing boards. The latest innovation in hair straightening tech uses infrared heat, designed to smooth strands and minimize damage while maximizing shine.

Traditional flat irons can still get the job done, of course, but infrared hair straighteners offer far better results while protecting the health of your hair at the same time.

Especially if you’re someone who uses a flat iron often (or even daily), an infrared straightener can help your hair stay strong, shiny, smooth, and soft to the touch.

My Infrared Hair Straightener Picks (At A Glance)

Compare:	Price	Plates	Temp Range
Ella Bella	$99	Titanium, 1.5”	250–450ºF
Sutra IR2	$175	Titanium, 1.5”	Up to 450ºF
SA Quantum	$500	Chrome, 1”	210–450ºF
KOSA Elite	$195	Tourmaline and ceramic, 1.75”	Up to 450ºF
CROC Pico	$269	Titanium, 1.5”	280–450ºF

I’ll tell you everything you need to know about my personal picks and why I recommend them. I’ll also explain the difference between infrared and traditional flat irons, along with what to look for when you’re shopping for a hair straightener.

The Best Infrared Hair Straighteners To Try

Depending on your budget and needs, there are a lot of great infrared straighteners to consider. My favorite (and top pick) is from Ella Bella because it offers a wide temperature range, titanium plates with a decent width, and a very comfortable price point under $100. 

But all of my recommendations below are on this list for a reason, so let’s take a closer look at each.

Ella Bella Infrared Hair Straightener

Hands down (or hair down, rather), the Infrared Hair Straightener from Ella Bella earned my highest recommendation because of its effectiveness, design, and price tag.

Ella Bella’s infrared flat iron features 1 ½-inch titanium plates that heat quickly, no matter where you set the temperature (up to 450ºF). A digital display right on the handle lets you know exactly where the tool is set at all times.

The vibration feature is what really sets this straightener apart from the others in this list. The vibration function, which is totally optional, helps the plates to glide along the hair more smoothly and easily. This allows you to style faster, of course, but it also minimizes the pull and drag along each section of hair you’re straightening.

Most sections of my hair achieve poker-straight results in a single pass with the Ella Bella straightener, although a few toward the back need a second or third. That said, I use this on a lower setting (around 340ºF) to protect my most heavily bleached areas.

What I really love about this flat iron is how easily it slides along each section I’m styling. At no point do I feel hairs being plucked from my scalp as it moves, and the results… well, I think they speak for themselves:

As great as this hair straightener is, there are some pros and cons to share if you’re considering getting one for yourself.

Ella Bella Infrared Pros:

• Lightweight and easy to handle
• Buttons are on the side and aren’t easy to bump accidentally
• Rubber thumb rests help with control during use
• Precise temperature control (with or without vibration)
• Auto shut-off after 60 minutes
• Swivel cord avoids tangles
• Includes a heat-resistant glove and silicone case
• Has a locking mechanism to lock the iron closed when not in use

Ella Bella Infrared Cons:

• The plate-end is hot to the touch, even on the back side
• No color options
• Ella Bella (directly) only delivers within the United States

Sutra IR2 Wide Flat Iron

The IR2 Wide Flat Iron from Sutra features rose gold titanium floating plates that glide along each hair section effortlessly, resulting in a frizz-free finished style that’s healthy-looking.

The IR2 has a plate width of 1 ½” (although there is a 1” option available too), and an ion generator releases negative ions that add a smooth and glossy shine after each pass. 

As with all of the straighteners in this list, infrared heat (up to 450ºF) penetrates the hair shaft deeply to minimize external damage.

The overall design of the Sutra IR2 is sleek, with a matte black finish that looks (and feels) luxurious, especially with the rose gold plates.

(I’m a sucker for rose gold… what can I say?)

Sutra IR2 Pros:

• Extended cool tip edges along the plates
• Auto shut-off
• Precise temperature control
• Swivel cord to avoid tangles

Sutra IR2 Cons:

• Higher price point ($175) compared to Ella Bella
• No color options

Straight Ahead Quantum Infrared Flat Iron

The most expensive flat iron in this list, the Quantum Infrared from Straight Ahead Beauty, has floating rose gold chrome plates, which provide even heat distribution and minimal hair-pull during styling.

Featuring a digital LCD temperature display, the Quantum Infrared has a temperature range from 210º to 450ºF so you can set it precisely to match your hair’s texture, health, and needs.

Of all the flat irons in this list, however, the SA Quantum is available in multiple color options. Personally, I really love unicorn:

The biggest drawback to this iron is that the plates only have a 1-inch width, so it’s more effective on hair that is shorter, finer, or both. Those with long or thick hair may find it takes quite a while to achieve a fully straightened hairdo with this one compared to the others.

SA Quantum Pros:

• Lots of pretty color options to choose from
• Cool tips along the plate area
• Precise temperature control

SA Quantum Cons:

• Hefty price tag of $500 (it is by far the most expensive flat iron on this list)
• 1” plate width, no larger size(s) available
• No automatic shut-off
• Questionable return success and service accessibility, according to some customers

KOSA Elite Infrared Styler

The Elite Infrared Styler from KOSA features floating plates that combine ceramic and tourmaline. Ceramic is known for its even heat distribution, and tourmaline generates negative ions that reduce frizz and add glossy shine.

The results from the KOSA Elite, especially on thick hair, are impressive:

Designed to be a “true one-pass ceramic styler,” the Elite prioritizes hair health, especially on strands that are thick, coarse, long, or all three. As the flat iron with the widest plates on this list, the KOSA Elite is my top recommendation for those with hair that usually takes a long time to straighten or heat style. The plate size, infrared heat, and temperature settings on this one should cut down styling time considerably.

KOSA Elite Pros:

• 1.75-inch plates are ideal for those with thick or long hair
• Adjustable heat up to 450ºF
• Automatic shut-off after 60 minutes
• KOSA is a Black-owned beauty brand

KOSA Elite Cons:

• Higher price-point ($195) compared to my top pick
• No color options

CROC Pico Infrared Flat Iron

CROC’s Pico Infrared Flat Iron features floating nano black titanium plates that glide effortlessly along each hair section, leaving behind strands that are shiny, smooth, and frizz-free.

The temperature setting ranges from 270ºF (fragile or fine hair) up to 450ºF (very thick hair), and in addition to seeing that displayed on a digital screen, it includes a temperature indicator color-changing tip.

The only major drawback on this one is that the infrared heat doesn’t come on automatically. The infrared light has to be turned on separately and intentionally (by pressing the power button twice, rather than just once).

When the infrared is turned on, you’ll see “IFr” on the digital display, and the LED light bar on the plate will blink red. This isn’t difficult, but the Pico is the only flat iron on this list that has infrared as an optional setting.

CROC Pico Pros:

• Ventilation system releases excess high heat
• Automatic shut-off after 30 minutes of inactivity

CROC Pico Cons:

• Infrared must be activated separately
• No color options

What To Know About Infrared Hair Tools

Right about now, you might be wondering whether “infrared” is simply a popular buzzword or something more.

“Infrared” is a term you’ve likely heard before, and it refers to a part of the electromagnetic spectrum that’s invisible to the human eye. 

If you were looking at a rainbow, infrared (IR) light would lie just beyond the red end of the spectrum you can see. I won’t bog you down with the science, but longer-wavelength infrared, often called far-infrared (FIR), emits heat, and this is what is used in infrared styling tools.

How Infrared Heat Works On Your Hair

Far-infrared waves emit heat that penetrates the hair shaft deeply, essentially heating each strand from the inside first, before radiating outward to the surface.

Traditional flat irons, on the other hand, deliver heat directly to the outside of the hair shaft, penetrating inward as the iron is pressed against the strands.

Is Infrared Better For Your Hair?

Generally, yes. Infrared heat is more effective at lower temperatures compared to traditional heat, which means you can get great results with less damage to the outer layer of your hair (also known as the cuticle).

Infrared heat is gentler overall, but it also helps your hair to retain more moisture compared to traditional flat irons, which results in a glossier, smoother, and frizz-free finish.

Not only that, but infrared styling is faster since you’re heating the strands from within.

What To Look For In An Infrared Straightener

When you’re shopping for an infrared flat iron (or any other, for that matter), some things you’ll want to consider include:

• Plate materials like titanium (high heat conductivity, which is especially good for thick or coarse hair), ceramic or chrome (even heat distribution), and tourmaline (releases negative ions to reduce frizz and promote shine). Many flat irons combine materials for maximum benefit.
• Floating plate technology, which means the plates move very slightly to create even pressure on the hair as the tool is used.
• Plate width that’s appropriate for your hair: narrow (around 1”) is good for short hair and bangs, or hair that is fine; standard/wide plates (1.5” and up) are best for mid-length or longer hair that is thick.
• Ionic technology, which emits negative ions that further reduce frizz while adding shine.
• Adjustable heat settings, so you can tailor your temperature to your hair’s texture and health.
• Automatic shut-off, if you’re at all concerned about accidentally leaving your styling tool on.

Closing Thoughts

When it comes to straightening your hair with hot tools, infrared flat irons are a game-changer because they deliver sleeker, shinier results with less damage compared to traditional straighteners.

If you love rocking a glossy, just-left-the-salon shine, infrared flat irons are more than just a trend: they’re a smarter way to style, especially if you straighten your locks every day.
The best infrared flat iron is the one that matches your budget and makes styling easier, faster, and safer; all of the hot tools on this list are worth checking out, and hopefully, it’s helped you to find the perfect one for your home salon.