8 Best Mini Flat Irons of 2022 - Top Travel Hair Straighteners

2022-10-22 20:23:07 By : Mr. Michael Zhu

We’ve been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Touch up short hair and unruly bangs on the go.

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.

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.

Every one of our consumer testers agreed the CHI straightened their hair to perfection, and a majority gave it a top score for reaching the right temperature to straighten effectively. In fact, many praised its "smooth iron," "lightweight" feel and quick heating. A majority of mini models we tested felt too hot to the touch, while this was the only one to keep cool on the surface. Our pros also love that its dual voltage makes it a good option for overseas travel. Keep in mind that its on/off switch is located on the inside of its handles. Since this iron was one of the longest among the mini flat irons we tested, the switch is not as close to the hinge of the handles, making it easier to reach.

Conair's MiniPro may not pull out all the bells and whistles, but it certainly gets the job done. At eight inches, it's small and compact for easy traveling. Those with bangs may appreciate this more as some online reviews say it gives a "blown out" effect rather than totally sleek. Others attested to its quick heating, with a red light that blinks off once it reaches the temperature setting. We haven't tested this in Lab yet, but our pros appreciate its dual voltage capabilities.

Its big sister iron is our Beauty Lab's standard for some anti-frizz studies. The curved edge makes it easier to smooth frizz from top to bottom. "Not only did this save me from a bad hair day, but it also worked wonders on my hair!" says one Ulta reviewer. "This made my frizzy bangs bone straight." Plus, it comes with a heat-resistant pouch that you can rest it on when not in use.

No thoughts, just silky strands. Though we've yet to try this mini hair straightening brush, our editors named the full-sized Amika brush in our best hair straighteners roundup, loving that it styled hair with ease. It's a happy medium between a straightener and a dryer, smoothing flyaways while maintaining volume.

Nearly identical to the brand's full-sized straightener we tried, this mini, cordless version aims to impress with its ceramic plates that ensure smooth flattening whenever curling or straightening hair. The brand claims it keeps a full 20-minute charge, plus a consistent temperature of 365º for even styling. When getting ready in a hurry, it's said to heat up in 45 seconds and cools down in 15 minutes.

Run this T3 through hair sections to reveal silky smooth ends on the other side, then slip its heat-resistant cap on for quick and easy storage. In Lab tests, we discovered that its plate temperatures measured up to its packaging claims. What's more, its curved ceramic plates resemble the ones of the full-sized T3 that testers reported made fine hair noticeably shiny without creases or tugs.

Our editors and pros alike covet DryBar hot tools — hair dryers, curling wands, travel hair dryers (winning best overall) — as the brand always performs exceptionally on the road and in our Lab tests. At just six inches in length, its compact build tucks away nicely into carry-ons and purses. One DryBar reviewer with short hair said it made it easy to curl or straighten those hard-to-grab pieces. Plus, the included travel pouch doubles as a heat protection pad, so don't worry about marring countertops.

A teeny-tiny flat iron may be exactly what you need to tame flyaways or to fix bangs on-the-go. We appreciate that this Eva NYC straightener offers dual voltage with adjustable temperature settings. Beauty lovers rave about Eva NYC for its cutely packaged yet reliable hair care products — this one's no different thanks to its unique hand ridges that make it harder for the iron to slip out of your hand.

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.

✔️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.

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.