Let’s face it: It’s unlikely you’ll sacrifice beauty essentials — and consequentially, sleek hairstyles — when packing for a big trip. Rest assured, you can leave your everyday hair straightener behind and get similar pin-straight results without the extra baggage. Smaller and more compact, mini flat irons can match the heat packed in regular versions, making it well worth the swap. Don’t let a lack of travel plans stop you, either — maneuver around short hair and bangs with ease or stash them in a gym bag for on-the-go touchups.
In finding the best mini flat irons out there, our Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab evaluated several models to see whether they are worth the investment, while a panel of consumer testers gave their overall feedback on how well each straightened their hair. The following picks are based on a combination of top performers and brands we love from other expert testing by our beauty editors. Here are the best mini flat irons for all hair types, including ones for curly hair and thin hair, that’ll make it easier to part from your full-sized straightener.
Our top picks:
Read how exactly we tested mini flat irons ahead — plus, advice on what to look for when shopping. You can pair these pint-sized hot tools with a travel hair dryer worth slimming down for.
1
Best Overall Mini Flat Iron
CHI
Ceramic Dual Voltage Mini Flat Iron
| Dual voltage |
Yes |
| Plate width |
0.75 in |
2
Best Value Mini Flat Iron
Conair
MiniPRO Ceramic Flat Iron
| Dual voltage |
Yes |
| Plate width |
0.5 in |
3
Best Mini Flat Iron for Curly Hair
BaBylissPRO
Mini Straightening Iron
| Dual voltage |
Yes |
| Plate width |
0.5 in |
4
Best Mini Hair Straightener Brush
Amika
Mini Polished Perfection Straightening Brush
5
Best Cordless Mini Flatiron
ghd
Unplugged Cordless Styler
| Dual voltage |
Adapter needed for charger |
| Plate width |
0.8 in |
6
Best Mini Flat Iron for Fine Hair
T3
SinglePass Compact Travel Styling Flat Iron
| Dual voltage |
Yes |
| Plate width |
0.8 in |
7
Best Mini Flat Iron for Short Hair
DryBar
The Tiny Tress Press Detailing Iron
| Dual voltage |
Yes |
| Plate width |
0.5 in |
8
Best Mini Flat Iron for Bangs and Touch-Ups
Eva Nyc
Mini Healthy Heat Ceramic Styling Iron
| Dual voltage |
Yes |
| Plate width |
0.5 in |
How we tested the best mini flat irons
Our Beauty Lab experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute regularly test hot tools, from curling irons to hair dryer brushes. When we tested mini flat irons, we evaluated 10 models against five full-sized Lab-tested straighteners.
The Lab scientists honed in on safety and effectiveness by assessing temperatures of surfaces that can touch skin and handling of the controls. We measured the inner plate and surface temperature heating profiles of the flat irons and compared them to the temperature of the full-sized straighteners we previously tested and recommended. We also tried the hair tools on 15 consumer testers who gave satisfaction ratings based on how well it straightened, its surface heat and straightening temperature, then commented on what they liked and disliked about it.
What to consider when shopping for a mini flat iron
✔️Dual voltage is always a good idea as it’s one less worry when traveling internationally. Still, we recommend finding an appropriate travel adapter for plugging into outlets as some voltages may vary depending on where you are.
✔️Most mini flat irons feature a 0.5-inch wide plate. For consumers with long, thick or curly hair, it may take more time or effort to do their regular styling with a travel iron, so consider this before you ditch your regular one on your next trip.
✔️For travel irons that are relatively short in length and compact in size, the controls may be too close to the hot plates or the hinge. The user can then face burning their fingers or have difficulty adjusting settings including turning it on and off. Aral suggests that they look for simple controls, like one with auto on/off and easy-to-reach settings.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Executive Director of the Beauty Lab Birnur Aral evaluates nearly every beauty category under the sun, including GH’s guides to sulfate-free shampoo and hair masks. In addition to her 15 years of leading clinical and consumer testing in the Beauty Lab, she contributes her industry knowledge with her R&D experience in testing the above products and brands in Lab.
Associate Product & Reviews Editor Jacqueline Saguin wrote this story according to research and tests sourced from the GH Beauty Lab. She also added comprehensive shopping advice based on Aral’s expertise and tips.
Jacqueline Saguin
GH Institute Associate Product & Reviews Editor
As an Associate Product & Reviews Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute, Jacqueline Saguin writes about all kinds of top-tested products across beauty, home, lifestyle and more.
