If you frequently like to style your hair but realize the severity of hair damage that comes with it, then you are likely in search of a tool that gives you the desired results while protecting your hair from intensive damage from heat and chemicals at the same time.
Flat irons are the best option for hairstyling that not only protect your hair from excessive heat but also nourish and hydrate it, making your hair look silky, smooth, and healthy.
This article suggests some top flat irons to help you choose the best one for your hair.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Steam Flat Iron
- OUR TOP PICK: MKBOO Hair Straightener with Steam
- Professional Ceramic Tourmaline 2-in-1 Straightening Iron
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Tourmaline Ceramic Vapor Steam Flat Iron
Comparison of the Best Steam Flat Irons
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What is a Steam Flat Iron?
Regular use of hair straighteners will degrade the moisture molecules because typical flat irons use the natural moisture of your hair to produce sleek and perfectly straight hair. During the straightening process, steam flat irons are designed to rejuvenate moisture without causing any damage to your hair. Just like the way you use a steam iron to eliminate wrinkles from your fragile clothing, the vapor produced from the hair straightener plates helps you to attain straight and elegant hair.
MKBOO Hair Straightener with Steam
It's hard to manage thick, coarse hair with a traditional flat iron. It requires more time and heat for this type of hair to obtain the look you want and also requires regular touch-ups to keep your hair smooth. A steam flat iron requires steam blasts to rapidly straighten even highly troublesome hair, which is resistant to heat straightening, resulting in longer-lasting effects than conventional hair straighteners.
How Does a Steam Flat Iron Work?
Steam flat irons work on the principle of vapor infusion technology to straighten the strands more effectively than conventional straighteners, as they keep your hair safe from heat damage. The steam locks moisture to your hair to avoid excessive dryness and creates smooth, healthy hair looks. Based on your hair type, texture, and preferred results, you can choose among high, medium, or low steam settings. Hence, these steam flat irons may work well for dry hair, as they lock additional moisture to the hair.
A reusable water tank is incorporated in steam flat irons, which need to be filled with distilled water before straightening the hair. The lifespan of the flat iron may be reduced if you use tap water for the water tank. A full tank can allow eight to ten minutes of continuous styling based on the brand. To activate the steam feature, you need to hold the unit at a downward angle. The steam will escape into specially designed holes in the plates as soon as you press the plates together. Since the plates become wet with the steam, they reduce heat damage to your hair significantly and give you shiny, healthy-looking, straightened hair.
What Makes a Great Steam Flat Iron?
The main characteristics in steam flat irons with outstanding performance are the following:
Ceramic Material
Typically, experts recommend ceramic as a key iron content when buying the best hair straightener. During a styling session, ceramic heats up slowly and retains a consistent temperature. These plates have a ceramic coating. Rather than a whole sheet of material to form the final product, a layer of the material is bonded or fused to plastic or an aluminum plate. They are somewhat less popular than stainless steel, but perform equally well.
Teflon Coating
Look for a product having a Teflon coating if you decide to buy a steam flat iron. This coating prevents the iron from cutting off any irregular hair at the ends. Scorching heat can cause damage if you straighten your hair with tiny hairs stuck to the iron. Hair usually falls off Teflon, enabling consistent heating without burning any hair to the iron's surface. Use a heat-protective spray to prevent additional damage to your hair. This process will require a minute, but gives you good, straight hair by adding a preventive coating to the hair cuticle.
Adjustable Temperature Range
Some flat irons only allow you to set your temperature settings on high, medium, or low without allowing for maximum heat based on your hair texture. Yet, some allow you to choose among a wide range of temperatures to suit your hair type. The range of temperatures vary from brand to brand.
Review of the Best Steam Flat Irons
To make sure you end up with nothing but the best, here’s a breakdown of the top steam flat irons available. Choosing any of these will make a great investment.
Best Overall:
MKBOO Hair Straightener with Steam
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers reported that the product was durable, easy to use, and a healthy option for straightening hair. A few buyers complained that the comb did not stay attached well to the straightener. However, the majority of the buyers gave positive feedback and were happy with the results.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This model contains ceramic plates. Ceramic is a great heat distributor and guarantees you an even look, with no problem areas that could leave some strands of hair burned and not evenly straightened like the rest. This product causes minimal heat damage and harm to your hair. You do not need to pass your hair through the straightener again and again to get a smooth finish because the plates heat equally.
Who Will Use This Most
Since the product has a good range of adjustable temperature settings, customers can easily customize it for different hair textures like thick or thin, curly or wavy, rough or smooth. Hence, it is suitable for all hair types. However, it is best suited for people having rough, coarse, and dry hair since it adds additional moisture to the hair and makes it healthy and smooth.
Bottom Line
The large water tank is the best feature of this straightener. You're not going to have to stop styling your hair to keep filling the tank. There is a comb to keep your hands free during the whole process. Another great thing is its adjustable temperature range that can be locked to your desired temperature during the straightening process. Hence, all these amazing features give this product a bang for the buck.
Runner-up:
Professional Ceramic Tourmaline 2-in-1 Straightening Iron
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers were pleased with everything about this product from packaging, price, delivery, quality of the iron, and other features. According to customers, it worked quite well for all hair types and retained moisture in the hair. Overall customer feedback was quite positive and buyers recommended the product.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This model produces rich negative ions and steam, which can effectively remove frizz and make your hair look smooth while protecting it from any damage. Not only can you alternate between six temperatures, but you can also regulate the steam level from off, low, or high while using this steam hair straightener.
Who Will Use This Most
For fine, dense, strong, delicate, wavy, long, short, or curly hair, this hair straightener does a great job of creating a smooth, sleek, and frizz-free look. Briefly, it suits all hair types. However, it is best suited for people having long hair because it has a plate size of 1.5 inches that can cover large portions at one time.
Bottom Line
This flat iron comes with incredible features like ceramic plates for even distribution of heat, tourmaline technology for preventing hair from frizz, an adjustable temperature range, 360-degree rotatable cord, and rounded, curved edges for straightening and curling your hair. The product suits every hair type and texture quite well. Hence, you can trust this steam flat iron to invest in.
Best for the Money:
Tourmaline Ceramic Vapor Steam Flat Iron
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers gave quite positive reviews about this steam flat iron. They were satisfied with the results, as it produced smooth, healthy-looking hair. The product suited all hair types and it also prevented customers’ hair from getting frizzy. The buyers were quite happy with their purchase and gave good feedback about it.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This straightener's plates are made of tourmaline that helps them emit more negative ions to remove static damage and protect hair strands from heat. The straightener glides through the hair due to a 3D floating design and does not pull it. The system has two variable levels of steam and a large capacity water tank, which makes it very easy to use.
Who Will Use This Most
The product is equally suited for customers with any hair type and texture. With its steam spray switch, it allows people to turn the steam effect on or off per their requirements. People having dry and rough hair can turn it on to hydrate their hair and lock moisture inside to give a healthy, smooth look. On the other hand, people who have thick, hydrated hair can turn the steam switch off to prevent extra moisturizing of hair and avoid a greasy look.
Bottom Line
This steam flat iron is a product based on the innovative technology of tourmaline plates. Here, we have powerful heat production with 3D floating plates. This distributes the heat uniformly on the hair due to the floating effect. Various styling options can be created with the unique build of this steam flat iron.
Best Steam Flat Iron for Natural Hair:
Magicfly Ceramic Tourmaline Ionic Steam Flat Iron
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers reported that the product worked great for different hair types. It straightened their hair but did not cut down the volume. Some also said that it saved them a lot of time since it worked pretty rapidly, covering big portions of hair at every pass. Hence, they highly recommended this product to those looking for good steam flat irons.
Why it Stands Out to Us
By adding extra moisture and shine to your hair while straightening, your hair becomes softer and smoother. Unlike many other steam flat irons, this one comes with two-inch broad plates that cover hair strands in just a few runs, which saves you a great deal of time.
Who Will Use This Most
The product is said to suit all hair types and textures since it has a steam spray switch for people whether they have thick and hydrated hair or thin and rough hair. It can add moisture to thin and rough hair when the switch is turned on, while it can prevent thick and healthy hair from getting overhydrated by turning off the switch. Moreover, it is more suited for people with long hair since it has two-inch plates that can cover large hair portions with each pass.
Bottom Line
As far as heat for natural hair is concerned, this steam appliance has some options that resolve natural hair issues. The high temperature and increased moisture combine to create a moisturized, shiny finish. The steam straightener also has voltages suitable across different countries, so you can use it wherever you go. With this product, you do not have to worry about the humidity or moisture of outdoor weather while on a vacation or holiday.
Best Steam Flat Iron for African American Hair:
Professional 450F Ceramic Vapor Steam
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers reported that this flat iron worked well for every hair type, especially kinky hair. The product made their hair smooth and softer. The hair did not smell burnt and the iron even helped manage their frizzy hair. They liked its LED display and six temperature settings. The overall customer feedback remained overwhelmingly positive.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The protective glove allows you to style your hair without burning your hand. It works fast and helps you to control the flat iron without worries. You get ceramic plates to straighten your hair to achieve your desired look. The steam technology provides sufficient oxygen to tackle the hair portions that are difficult to straighten. This steam technique also helps to add smoothness and shine to your beautifully styled hair.
Who Will Use This Most
It is well-suited for all hair types, lengths, and textures. However, with the infusion of argon oil and steam blasts, it is recommended most for people who have dry, rough, and coarse hair. It not only nourishes their hair but also adds extra moisture to give hair a healthy appearance. Moreover, it is best suited for people having kinky and curly hair when used at the highest temperature.
Bottom Line
The product protects you from getting burned by providing you with gloves, while hair is protected from any kind of heat or frizz damage by using the latest tourmaline technology and ceramic plates. Not only that, but it also has additional argon oil to provide nourishment to your hair and make it look shiny and healthy.
Best Professional Steam Flat Iron:
GRAWILLE Ceramic Tourmaline
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers reported that the product was quite easy to handle and convenient to style hair. They were pretty satisfied with larger plates that helped them style hair quickly. It did not result in any frizz, thus it created a silky, shiny look and the price suited the budget for the majority of buyers. Hence, customer reviews were quite positive.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This flat iron has tourmaline technology that reduces frizz and static in your hair. With PTC elements, it rapidly heats the iron. Its ergonomic design makes handling very convenient and it also has a swivel cord that allows you to rotate it in any direction without tangling. Moreover, the temperature can be adjusted to four different levels to suit different hair types and textures.
Who Will Use This Most
This flat iron suits all hair types and textures, as it allows buyers to choose among the options of different temperatures suited for their hair texture. The user manual included in the package suggests different temperature levels for thick, normal, textured, delicate, and thin hair and also a heat level for oil treatment.
Bottom Line
This flat iron includes tourmaline tiles, which create anions for producing smooth, silky hair. After using a flat iron, your natural hair should feel so much better. Each hair strand is infused with appropriate moisture. It also can heat up quickly to save your time and energy.
Best Ceramic Steam Flat Iron:
KEMEI Steam Straightening Hair Irons
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers have given quite positive reviews about this product. Its tourmaline technology has helped them produce frizz-free hair without causing excessive damage to the ceramic plates. This flat iron created sleek, beautifully-styled hair, and they really liked it auto shut-off feature. The overall feedback from customers was great.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Despite hair sticking to the plates, the ceramic coated surfaces will straighten a large section of hair in one go. Gone are the days when you had to sit 30 minutes waiting for the straightener to heat up. In just 30 seconds, the ceramic plates reach 220 degrees C.
Who Will Use This Most
This steam flat iron does a good job for every hair type. Its adjustable temperature range allows people with different textures to set the heat to suit their hair type. However, it is reported to show excellent performance for thin, delicate hair but does not really well for thick, curly hair.
Bottom Line
The tool can do wonders with wavy or thin hair. When you stay away from humidity and don't wash your hair, the hair can stay straight for up to two days. On the downside, for those with thick, curly hair, it doesn't perform that well. However, this flat iron offers amazing features at a reasonable price, which makes it worth your valuable investment.
What Do I Need to Know Before Buying a Steam Flat Iron?
Before investing in a steam flat iron, you need to take the following important aspects into consideration to help you make an informed decision about your purchase:
Size of the Plate
The size of a flat iron plate is the most important aspect. We classify the structure of the hair into three general kinds. The hair can be thin, medium, and thick. For delicate and short hair, 1⁄2-1-inch plates work best. 1–1.5-inch sheets are ideal for the texture of medium hair. However, 1.5–to 2-inch heating plates are required for long and thick hair.
The Shape of the Plate
Well, for the straightening process, common plates work just fine. But the plates will give outstanding performance if they have rounded corners. Therefore, beveled edges bring numerous styling choices like flicks, waves, curls, and sleek, straightened strands, etc. Hence, it is best to look for irons that have rounded and beveled edges on their plates.
Material
The plate material dictates how smoothly your hair slides over the iron, while the plate diameter affects the amount of time you're going to spend on straightening your hair. Ceramic is the most common option when it comes to the material of flat iron plates. This metal is a perfect distributor of heat and its smooth shape does not trap or pull hair, unlike what you can experience with aluminum plates.
Cost
The cost of buying the right steam hair straightener is yet another thing to keep in mind. Although there are a variety of price ranges that suit every budget, know that, just like everything else, you get what you pay for. High-quality flat irons are more likely to work well for a long time and make your hair look stunning while causing minimal damage. This is most likely not going to be the case with the cheapest options available in the market.
Conclusion
After going through the article, you can see that it takes considerable time and care to select the perfect flat iron for yourself. To keep your natural hair protected against heat damage, there are many options for good steam irons that have been reviewed in this article. Depending on a hairstylist for the whole straightening process may seem enticing, but it can be costly. You'll save money in the long run if you pick the right steam flat iron based on your hair texture.
People Also Ask
The article has listed and reviewed some of the top flat irons to help you find the right one based on your hair texture. It not only discusses the features of irons from different brands but also helps you understand the workings of products and important considerations. However, to clear any further ambiguities, read on to find answers to frequently asked questions by buyers.
Are Steam Flat Irons Better For Your Hair?
Yes, steam flat irons are far better than regular straighteners. They use Vapor Burst technology that can add and lock moisture inside your hair instead of drying it out while heating. Hence, due to the added hydration and nourishment, the end result is beautifully styled, healthy-looking hair.
How Long Should You Steam Your Hair For?
The time required for steaming your hair depends on the method you use before straightening. If you massage your hair with a heated towel, then you need to steam your hair for about twenty minutes. However, without any previous steps taken, you generally need to steam your hair for fifteen to thirty minutes, depending on the hair texture you have.
What Should We Do After Steaming Hair?
After you are done steaming your hair, you need to wait for it to cool down completely. Since the hair goes through a protective procedure with additional nourishment, it cools down quickly. It is also recommended to blow your hair with cool air so that it closes the pores to lock the moisture inside.
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