Steam flat irons have been around for a few decades, but they are gaining popularity now that they have impressive modern technology that leaves you with impressively smooth, shiny, and healthy hair.
With so many new steam straighteners on the market ranging in price from $20 to hundreds of dollars, you might be wondering, which ones are worth the money, how to find one that works for you, and what to look for when shopping for one.
So, what are the best steam flat irons? The best steam flat irons will leave your hair perfectly straight and sleekw without damaging your strands. They should also be safe, easy to use, and made of durable materials.
We got you covered. In this guide, we will go over the main things to look out for when picking out a steam flat iron and our top 11 picks for the best ones currently on the market.
What Is A Steam Flat Iron?
A steam flat iron, also known as a vapor flat iron, is a straightener that comes with built-in steaming technology to assist with the straightening process.
Steam flat irons usually look similar to regular straighteners, but they come with a water chamber that you need to fill with water every time you use it on your hair.
As you are gliding the steam straightener over your hair, it heats up the water and releases the vapor under the plates as it straightens your hair.
Benefits Of Using A Steam Flat Iron
Why would you want to use a steam flat iron instead of a regular one?
Well, for one, the steam assists in the straightening process making it faster and more efficient to straighten your locks. Think of clothes steamers and how easily they can get the wrinkles out of your dress.
Steam works the same way on your hair and helps smooth and straighten in minutes.
Not only that, but it also prevents the loss of moisture that is so common with regular straighteners. The steam infuses your hair with additional hydration, preventing damage, drying, and split ends.
Overall, steam flat irons are considered safer and less damaging to the hair. They help you get smoother and shinier results without drying out your hair.
For more info, check out our article Steam Straightener Vs Flat Iron.
What Hair Types Are Steam Flat Irons Best For?
Steam flat irons can be used on any hair type but they are especially great for coarse, curly, and natural hair. Because of the steam technology, they are able to straighten even the most stubborn types of hair.
Because of this, many women are choosing to use steam hair straighteners as a healthier alternative to chemical relaxers.
That being said, steam flat irons are completely safe for all hair types, even fine and thin-haired ladies can benefit because they keep the hair moisturized and silky smooth.
How To Find A Steam Flat Iron Perfect For You
When shopping for a steam flat iron, there are a few things to look out for to pick the type of straightener that will work best for you.
Like regular hair straighteners, the steam ones come with different types of plates:
- Ceramic
- Ceramic tourmaline
- Titanium
The most common material is ceramic – it’s a cost-effective material that distributes the heat evenly through the plates and gets the job done. It should be fine for most types of hair. Ceramic is corrosion-resistant and will last you a long time.
Ceramic tourmaline is similar to ceramic, except it has some tourmaline particles added into the ceramic before it’s baked. What this does is create negative ions that help tame any frizz or damage in your hair cuticles, smoothing your locks. This is a great choice for you if you have frizzy or coarse hair and your goal is to make it soft and silky.
Some steam straighteners have plates made out of titanium, which is the most durable metal on earth. This material is especially good for very thick and coarse hair because it transfers heat very quickly and evenly.
If you are someone who has had to run your straightener over a section of hair multiple times before it finally decided to obey you, try a titanium plate next time and you’ll be shocked at the difference!
Another thing to pay attention to when looking for a steam flat iron is the price. They can range from $20 to $250 and sometimes even more. Some of the fancier ones have some great built-in technologies that are definitely worth the price, but they may not be in your budget and that’s okay.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of some great options and made sure to include the best flat irons in all budgets.
While picking your flat iron, make sure to pay attention to the size and shape, too. Like regular straighteners, steam flat irons can come in different shapes: some are more flat (ideal for girls who just want to straighten their hair) and some are more round (great for variety because you can straighten and curl depending on the day!).
Size also matters. For shorter hair, you probably want to stick to flat irons that are under 1.5” in width, but if your hair is really long, you’d have more luck using a wider device that can cover more hair in a shorter period of time.
Pay attention to the size of the water tank. Some water tanks are a pain to refill, and you’ll be glad to have gotten one with a bigger tank that you only refill once every few uses.
Some steam flat irons will come with extra accessories that make the styling process easier. For example, many of them come with built-in combs that help detangle your hair as you’re straightening it. This could save you tons of time.
Lastly, pay attention to reviews. Not all steam flat irons are made the same, sometimes even the pricey ones can have flaws in their design. This is why it’s important to read reviews and determine how well they’ve worked for other people.
We did the work for you and picked some of the best-rated devices on the market (see below).
11 Best Steam Flat Irons
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | L’Oreal Professionnel Steampod | Smooth plates, detachable comb |
| 2. | DoriSilk Steam Straightener For Hair | Ceramic tourmaline, rotating cord |
| 3. | MKBoo Hair Straightener With Steam | Largest water tank, ionizing plates |
| 4. | Cortex Professional Vapor Flat Iron | Argan oil, ceramic tourmaline |
| 5. | Furiden Pro Steam Hair Straightener | 39 settings, ideal for 4C hair |
| 6. | SoloFish Steam Hair Straightener | Ceramic tourmaline, fast and efficient |
| 7. | DoriSilk Hair Straightener Infrared Steam Flat Iron | Sleek design, infrared, heat-resistant |
| 8. | Kemei Steam Hair Straightener | Ceramic ionizing plates, 5 settings |
| 9. | Carejoy Steam Hair Straightener Comb | 3-in-1 tool with comb, infrared |
| 10. | Xtava Steam Flat Iron | Ceramic tourmaline, heat-resistant bag |
| 11. | Maxiglide RP Hair Straightener | Detangling, large water tank |
1. L’Oreal Professionnel Steampod
The L’Oreal Professional Steampod steam straightener is one of the highest-rated flat irons on the market. It is definitely at the higher end as far as pricing goes too, but we think it’s worth it.
This 1” flat iron comes with anodized aluminum floating plates, which provide even heating and pressure, allowing you to create long-lasting styles from straight hair to beachy waves.
The steam comes out of 7 little holes that are strategically placed to evenly blast every hair strand, and a little detachable comb assists in detangling your locks as it goes. The flat iron even has little arrows on it showing you which side of it should point down as you pass it over your hair.
There are three heat settings from 350 F to 410 F, so you’ll easily be able to find the right setting for your hair type. We’ve seen some great results on really curly hair as well as fine straight locks.
Overall it looks pretty sleek, albeit a little clunky, which is no surprise considering it packs a water tank that’s big enough to tackle 600 ft of hair (L’Oreal claims that’s how much hair is on one full head of thick hair). The steam holes release vapor at a rate of 0.8 g per minute, which is just enough to get results without over-steaming.
The reason it is so popular is that it is one of the most well-rounded steam flat irons on the market. It delivers smooth and shiny results that typically last over a day. Most reviewers noted that the plates are very smooth and they haven’t experienced any tugging or pulling.
With so much going for it, it’s no surprise that people are willing to pay a little premium for a product that delivers so well.
Key Features:
- Can be used for curling and straightening
- Smooth plates
- Detachable comb
- Rotating cord
- Large water tank
2. DoriSilk Steam Straightener For Hair
For a more affordable option, look no further than this DORISILK steam flat iron, which has very comparable technologies to the L’Oreal Steampod.
This flat iron is 1 1/4” wide and has a slightly round shape, allowing it to be used for straightening and curling. It features a 15 ml water tank, a rotating cord, and six heating settings.
The DoriSilk features smooth ceramic tourmaline plates, which a perfect for you if you’re looking to tame frizz and eliminate static.
The six heat settings range from 300°F to 450°F, and the flat iron comes with a little guide that helps you figure out the best setting for your type of hair. Because the settings start as low as 300 F, this straightener could be a good fit for someone who has over-processed or fragile hair.
This steam flat iron also allows you to shut off the steam completely, in case you wanted to use it as a regular straightener. It also lets you choose out of two steam settings, letting you experiment until you find the most ideal routine for your hair.
Users reported that it leaves their hair straight and silky, although some have noted that they had to stop to refill the water tank during use.
While it doesn’t come with a built-in comb or any other accessories, overall we’d say it’s one of the best steam flat irons on the market. And for the price – you really can’t beat it.
Key Features:
- Ceramic tourmaline plates
- Can be used for curling and straightening
- Temperature options
- Great for fragile hair
- Steam volume options
- Rotating cord
3. MKBoo Hair Straightener With Steam
The MKBOO Steam Hair Straightener is another great option if you’re looking for all of the bells and whistles at a reasonable price.
Although not as sleek and compact as some of the other flat irons we mentioned here, it definitely packs a punch. It features 1 ¼” titanium ceramic plates that distribute even heat and ionizing technology, eliminating frizz in their way.
The straightener uses releases 4.5 g of water vapor per minute making it one of the most hydrating options on the market (great for very stubborn and coarse hair). The 40ml water tank is large enough to last multiple times before you’d need to refill, which explains why the device is on the bigger side. Small price to pay.
The five heat settings range from 300°F to 450°F so you can match the temperature to your specific hair type. And it even comes with a detachable comb to help detangle as you go.
Overall, we would say this is a professional-grade steam straightener that has everything you’d need and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. It delivers impressive results – shiny, smooth hair that stays silky for multiple days.
Key Features:
- Largest water tank on the market
- Temperature options
- Ionizing plates
- Great for long hair
- Great for stubborn and coarse hair
4. Cortex Professional Vapor Flat Iron
Do you love using argan oil while styling your hair? Then you’ll love this Cortex steam flat iron that comes with an argan oil Infusion that you use instead of water.
Yes, you read that right. This flat iron creates vapor out of the argan oil infusion, which is then used to style your hair while depositing a thin and light layer of argan oil into your tresses, leaving them shiny and moisturized.
The only downside is that you’ll have to keep buying argan oil Infusions when the tank is empty.
The instructions explicitly state that you cannot use regular water because the vapor chamber is intended to be used with oil only. If needed, you can turn the steam off and use it as a regular straightener while you wait for your argan oil refill to arrive.
Because of the tourmaline plates, argan oil vapor, and a wide range of temperature settings, we think this is one of the top steam straighteners for anyone who is struggling with damaged and fragile hair. This flat iron will allow you to keep heat styling your hair while preserving its health and infusing it with much-needed nourishment.
Key Features:
- Ceramic tourmaline plates
- Temperature options
- Steam volume options
- Comes with argan oil infusion
5. Furiden Pro Steam Hair Straightener
The Furiden Pro is probably the most stylish steam flat iron we’ve seen with its pink, slightly rounded body and compact water tank.
This flat iron is advertised as a great option for curly 4C type hair, and many reviewers confirm that it works well even on the kinkiest of hair.
Because of its compact size, you do have to sacrifice somewhere. The water tank will probably need to be refilled with every use, if not more often.
Overall, this is a great flat iron for someone looking for fast and effective results even for stubborn hair without a huge price tag.
Key Features:
- Sleek design
- Temperature wheel with 39 settings
- Works great on 4C type hair
6. SoloFish Steam Hair Straightener
SoloFish came out with another well-rounded and reasonably-priced steam flat iron that is quickly gaining popularity.
The water tank is on the smaller side at 10 ml, but aside from that, it’s a great little straightener.
The SOLOFISH is 1” wide, which is the most versatile side that will work on long hair as well as short hair. It is also slightly rounded and capable of curling in addition to straightening.
The plates are ceramic tourmaline – perfect for those looking for ionization that will smooth and seal the cuticles. It has five temperature settings from 300°F to 450°F.
Overall, it has positive reviews from users impressed with how quickly it can straighten kinky hair and how long-lasting the results are. We think this is a great steam straightener for the price.
Key Features:
- Ceramic tourmaline
- Temperatiure options
- Fast and efficient
7. DoriSilk Hair Straightener Infrared Steam Flat Iron
Another DoriSilk flat iron makes it on the list! This one features infrared heating technology and a sleek forest green shell.
In addition to its steam technology, the infrared light heats your hair from the inside of the shaft, sealing in any natural moisture and keeping damage to a minimum.
This is a great steam flat iron for those who are conscious of the health of their hair and are looking for the least-damaging ways to heat style their hair.
Key Features:
- Sleek design
- Infrared technology
- Ceramic tourmaline plates
- Curls and straightens
- Temperature options
- Comes with a heat-resistant glove
8. Kemei Steam Hair Straightener
The Kemei Steam Straightener is a budget-friendly option that does what you need without the extras.
This steam flat iron comes in a bright red body with a compact water tank, five different heating settings, and ceramic plates. It is simple to use, just fill up the tank, attach it to the flat iron, and set a temperature before gliding it over your hair.
While it doesn’t have any of the “extras” like ionized plates, detachable combs, and other perks, this is a good starter model that would be great for someone who just wants to dabble in steam devices without spending a lot of money.
Unfortunately, the temperature you set for the plates is also the temperature of the water, so it needs to be high enough to generate vapor for this device to work. This is one of the biggest downsides of this product.
However, if you normally use 300°F or more for your hair, you should be fine as that’s hot enough to get it steaming.
Key Features:
- Ceramic plates
- 5 heat settings
- Affordable
9. Carejoy Steam Hair Straightener Comb
Looking for a 3-in-1 tool? This steam hair straightener comb might be the perfect solution for you. This is the only one of our picks that can be safely used on damp hair, so it’s a huge time saver!
This hair straightener uses steam, infrared technology, ceramic tourmaline plates, and a full comb to brush, detangle, heat the hair from the inside and eliminate frizz.
While it’s not the cheapest tool out there, we think it’s worth it for those of you who are limited on time in the morning.
While it doesn’t deliver the same silky-smooth results as some of the other flat irons on this list, it will get your hair to a point where it is styled and frizz-free.
Key Features:
- 3-in-1 tool includes a comb
- Can be used on damp hair
- Infrared technology
10. Xtava Steam Flat Iron
If you’re looking for a bargain, look no further. The xtava steam flat iron is probably the most affordable option on our list, but it performs like some of the luxury products we’ve mentioned.
This is a 1” iron with ceramic tourmaline plates, multiple temperature settings, and a sleek design. The water tank is on the smaller side, supporting about 8-10 minutes of use before you need to refill.
Users have praised how well it straightens their hair and gives them a glossy style for days. For the price, we think this is definitely a hidden gem of steam flat irons!
Key Features:
- Works well on stubborn hair
- Ceramic tourmaline plates
- Sleek design
- Comes with a heat-resistant bag
11. MaxiGlide RP Hair Straightener
The MaxiGlide RP is a steam straightener that uses patented technology for retractable detangling pins.
This unique technology allows you to straighten your hair and detangle at the same time, avoiding the “chase” method so many people use while straightening their hair.
The pins are made out of ceramic, like the plates. A robust water tank keeps you supplied with steam for a long time, and the steam is manually released by you, which saves you lots of water too.
Although lots of people love this tool, there are some who have concerns about the retractable pins pulling on their hair during use. We’ve found that for girls with extra curly or tangled hair, this may not be the best option, although most people will have no problem using it after a good brushing.
Key Features:
- Ceramic plates
- Unique detangling technology
- Large water tank
- Temperature options
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