The 9 Best Hair Straighteners for Travel

If you’re looking for a flat iron with major brand recognition, look no further than the Tiny Tress Press from Drybar. Devised by hairstylist Alli Webb (the woman behind the nation’s most recognizable blowout bar) the itty-bitty straightener is ideal for on-the-go use thanks to a heat protection pouch and universal voltage that makes it compatible the world over. Don’t conflate size with power, either; the tiny device packs a punch. Its titanium plates heat up to 400°F allowing the straightener to seal off hair cuticles, leaving you with a shiny, frizz-free coif. And the small plates make straightening bangs a breeze. 

If you’re as concerned with design and price as you are performance, then the Eva NYC may win you over. The mini-styling iron has all the essential features to look for: gentle ceramic plates, temperatures up to 400°F, dual voltage, a six-foot power cord, and far-infrared and ionic tech which locks in your hair’s natural moisture. But, perhaps best of all, the tiny 0.5-inch flat iron is cute, with a pastel pink hue and holographic heat pouch.

So, you’ve watched countless YouTube tutorials and still can’t figure out how to curl your hair with a straightener, huh? No problem. This 2-in-1 option from 6th Sense Styling Technology operates both as a traditional straightener and curler. It also comes with dual voltage, a heat-resistant traveling case, and can heat up to 375°F—the perfect temperature for damage-free styling. With more than 250 five-star Amazon reviews, the 2-in-1 device is a tried and true option for double the hair looks on your next vacation.

Depending on where you’re jetting off to—safari in Tanzania or hitting the beach in Bali—you may not have easy access to electrical outlets. But traveling with the Deogra Cordless USB-Rechargeable Mini Straightener means you don’t have to fuss with power sources or worry about voltage for the sake of a quick touch-up. The wireless flat iron weighs less than a pound, heats up to 410°F, comes with a heat-resistant bag, and doesn’t have to be plugged in to use. Instead, you simply charge it via a 5V 2A adapter (either a car charger or a smart phone charger) when the battery runs out. Ninety minutes of charging = 25 minutes of use.

Whether you’re looking for pin-straight tresses, beachy waves, or voluminous curls, the AMOVEE Mini Flat Iron gets the job done. More than 500 Amazon reviewers have vouched for the straightener and attested to the fact that it heats evenly (up to 410°F), leaves hair glossy and frizz free, and is ideal for overseas use. The flat iron conveniently comes with a heat-resistant glove to protect the nape of your neck when working through a bob or shield your forehead when straightening out wayward bangs. P.S. For the guys in your life: AMOVEE also markets its straightener towards men with unruly beards.

Nearly 1,000 five-star Amazon reviews are a strong indicator that the BaByliss Nano is a smart travel buy. The one-inch mini-straightener can reach temps up to 430°F and with dual voltage, it’ll work all over the world. Since it’s just six inches in length, you can easily tuck it into your purse or carry-on for a mid-commute touch up. The iron’s Nano titanium/ceramic plates heat up quickly and work well on all types of hair, even thick, curly mops, ensuring hair is left silky smooth.

At just 14.1 oz and 15 cm in length, the MHU Professional Travel-Size Mini Flat Iron’s tiny size is ideal for spur-of-the-moment use (like, say, when you check yourself out in an airport bathroom after a transatlantic flight). The compact model distributes heat (a constant 375°F) evenly among its tourmaline ceramic plates so you won’t walk away with any untamed, or worse—scorched patches. Plus, at just $15, the 0.5-inch flat iron is a major steal, especially factoring in its dual voltage.

Full disclosure: the SABUY Ceramic Professional Straightener is full size, but rest assured, the sleek white device was made with travel in mind. Kitted out with an auto shut-off feature, the flat iron will turn itself off after an hour, so you don’t unintentionally burn down your hotel room. It’s also dual voltage which means you won’t have to invest in a separate converter as the straightener can automatically detect and adjust to 110 to 220 volts of electricity. Still not sure? Read the 170+ five-star Amazon reviews, some of which even claim it’s better than the $200 CHI straightener—which has a cult following.

If you’re looking for something a little more versatile than the traditional flat iron, check out the Conair MiniPro Smoothing Brush. The lightweight styling tool is designed to be brushed through the hair, eliminating curls and kinks. It doesn’t deliver the precision of a hair straightener, but it quickly heats up to 356 degrees with dual voltage, providing luster and shine to your mane on the go.