Tourmaline flat irons are all the rage in the beauty industry right now.
This material makes for amazing flat irons that not only straighten hair but also reduce frizz, and static, and give your hair an overall shiny look.
But not all these tools are the same and I am here to help you in the search for the best tourmaline flat iron.
I have tried some of the top tourmaline flat irons on the market and am here to give you a detailed review of all of them.
Read on to find your next favorite flat iron, along with answers to some of your other burning questions.
Top 7 Best Tourmaline Flat Irons Reviewed
- FHI HEAT Platform Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron — Top Pick
- Sam Villa SLEEKR Professional Ceramic Tourmaline Ionic Flat Iron — Runner Up
- Rusk Engineering W8less Str8 Iron — Great Value
- AG Hair Midnight Heat Tourmaline Professional Flat Iron
- HSI Professional Tourmaline Straightener
- CHI Expert Classic Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron
- INFINITI PRO BY CONAIR
1. FHI HEAT Platform Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron — Top Pick
You can also find this product on Walmart.
FHI Heat products have been my go-to lately, and my clients have mostly been impressed with their performances as well. This brand has been around for over 15 years and is well-trusted in the beauty industry.
- Plate Type: Tourmaline Ceramic
- Voltage: 120-240V
- Weight: 1 pound
- Temperature settings: 140-450F
- Color: Black with red plates
This flat iron is designed for people who have dry hair in mind. Usually, my clients who have drier hair end up with frizziness and flyaways after styling and this tool works to counteract that with a technology that seals in moisture and reduces frizz by repelling humidity.
This is why it is my top pick among tourmaline flat irons. It will help maintain the moisture in your hair while also achieving a sleek straight hair look.
The plate size varies with the flat iron size so it’s up to you to choose a convenient plate size. The varying plate sizes make it great for people with different hair needs.
Love these features:
- Floating plates provide flexibility while straightening
- Works well on all types of hair, including dry and frizzy
- Various sizes available
- Auto shut-off after one hour
Could do better:
- May snag hair while straightening
2. Sam Villa SLEEKR Professional Ceramic Tourmaline Ionic Flat Iron — Runner Up
The runner-up on my list of the search for the best tourmaline hair straightener is the SLEEKR flat iron from the brand Sam Villa. This company was founded by the professional hairstylist Sam Villa, so you know his products will be top-notch.
- Plate Type: Ceramic with Tourmaline
- Plate Width: 1 inch
- Weight: 1.99 pounds
- Temperature settings: 375-410F
- Color: Black
This flat iron is incredible as it has many convenient features you wouldn’t find in other straighteners.
The three unique heat temperatures are designed for different types of hair, low for fine hair, medium for color-treated hair, and high for virgin or highly resistant hair.
This means, that no matter your hair type, you will find the perfect heat setting to style your hair.
The tourmaline plates on this flat iron are rounded, meaning you are at low risk for snagging during straightening. This flat iron is sleek, ergonomic, and does the job well.
Love these features:
- Heats up very quickly
- Rounded edges prevent snagging
- Ionic plates for sleek straightening
- Auto shut-off after one hour
Could do better:
- The temperature LED indicator may be inaccurate
3. Rusk Engineering W8less Tourmaline Str8 Iron — Great Value
You can also find this product on Walmart.
RUSK is a brand created by hairdressers from Scotland and they produce amazing styling products. Their tools are usually very affordable and are great for people who want high quality on a budget.
- Plate Type: Ceramic with Tourmaline
- Plate Width: 1 inch
- Weight: 0.75 pounds
- Temperature settings: 375-410F
- Color: Silver
As you probably noticed already, this straightener is super lightweight, so it’s easy to hold which is great for people with longer or thicker hair who need more time to achieve that sleek look.
This straightener is also one of the best tourmaline ceramic flat irons for people with frizzy hair who have a lot of flyaways.
It only takes a few glides to perfectly straighten hair of any thickness and length. Of course, all this at a very affordable price.
Love these features:
- Easy to hold and very light
- Straightens hair quickly
- Straightened hair remains straight even at high humidity
Could do better:
- No automatic turn-off
4. AG Hair Midnight Heat Black Tourmaline Ionic Professional Flat Iron
The AG Hair team is truly a veteran in the business, having been around for over 33 years and creating high-quality hair styling products and tools. Their products can always be trusted and you will never be disappointed with what they offer.
- Plate Type: Ceramic with Tourmaline
- Plate Width: 1 inch
- Weight: 1.41 pounds
- Temperature settings: up to 450F
- Voltage: Dual
The one-inch floating plates on this tourmaline ceramic straightener do wonders for thicker hair. This flat iron is designed to tame thick and long hair, helping you get that shiny straight look.
The negative ion technology integrated into this flat iron means there won’t be any snagging of hair and your hair will really shine after a few passes.
The tourmaline-infused ceramic plates will also help reduce overall frizziness, which is great for people with dry hair.
Love these features:
- Auto-shutoff after 50 minutes
- Long swivel cord to make straightening easier
- Adjustable temperature with display
Could do better:
- Buttons on the inside may lead to accidental pressing while straightening
5. HSI Professional Glider Ceramic Tourmaline Ionic Flat Iron
You can also find this product on Walmart.
Next on the list is the HSI professional glider, another one of the more affordable flat irons I tried out. HSI products are professional and salon-level, however, at a reasonable price meaning, you can style your hair without having to blow your budget.
- Plate Width: 1 inch
- Plate Type: Ceramic Tourmaline
- Weight: 1 pound
- Voltage: Dual
- Temperature settings: 140F-450F
Don’t let the low price of this tool fool you, it’s an amazing flat iron for thick African American hair.
Of course, it also works well on other types of hair, but as a stylist, I know how hard it can be to straighten thicker curly hair, so when I find a flat iron that does the job I will surely praise it.
The integrated micro-sensors in the tourmaline plates are designed to regulate heat so you won’t have to worry about damaging your precious hair.
The tourmaline crystal ions in the plates also contribute to achieving a shiny and silky straight hair look. The different technologies and heat settings of this flat iron will make sure your hair is never frizzy.
Love these features:
- Extendable swivel cord
- Temperature control options
- Comes with a cute travel bag
Could do better:
- No automatic shut-off function
6. CHI Expert Classic Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron
You can also find this product on Walmart.
Chi is a styling brand that consistently puts out high-quality tools you would see in a salon at a price that won’t shock you.
So you can purchase a flat iron with professional tourmaline-infused plates without using up your entire budget.
Their products work on all hair types and I have had many clients satisfied with all the CHI tools they have used.
- Plate Width: 1 inch
- Plate Type: Ceramic Tourmaline
- Weight: 1 pound
- Voltage: Dual
- Temperature settings: 140F-450F
The biggest advantage of the CHI tourmaline-infused ceramic plates is that they generate negative ions which means the present water molecules can enter the hair shaft to minimize frizz and static.
So, you can get silky straight hair without worrying about your hair looking messy and untidy due to frizz.
These are also floating plates meaning your hair won’t be snagging and you can easily straighten all of your hair.
Most CHI flat irons also have built-in micro-sensors with HeatBalance technology so heat is evenly distributed and it takes you much less time to straighten hair.
Love these features:
- Extendable swivel cord for flexibility
- Comes in a range of sizes (great for traveling)
- Very light-weight
Could do better:
- No temperature display or indicator
7. INFINITI PRO BY CONAIR Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron
You can also find this product on Walmart.
And the last contender on our list is the INFINITI PRO flat iron. Conair has also been in the industry for quite some time, and their team is known for tools that are affordable yet highly durable.
- Plate Type: Tourmaline Ceramic
- Voltage: Dual Voltage (with adapter)
- Weight: 1 Pound
- Temperature settings: Up to 455F
- Color: Black
What makes this flat iron unique are the long plates. This makes sure that heat distribution is even so your hair will be straight after even one pass.
The fact that this flat iron is last on my list doesn’t mean that it lacks in quality or straightening performance I can assure you.
If you wish to achieve a smooth and straight look with minimal frizz, this is the flat iron for you.
Although I am not too sure how it works on super curly African American hair, it’s been great on all other hair types I’ve tried it on so far.
Love these features:
- Affordable price
- Minimal frizz
- Long floating plates for flexibility and heat distribution
Could do better:
- Heat damage may be visible on the plates (discoloration)
What is a tourmaline hair straightener?
Tourmaline is a material usually used to coat hair tools like straighteners, curling wands, and other tools.
It is a crystal boron silicate mineral, and although these terms may not mean anything to you, generally it’s a material that helps smooth down hair and minimize frizz.
The material releases negative ions that act against the positive ions in damaged or dry hair leading to smoother hair. It also helps seal in the moisture of your hair, so it won’t make it drier.
Who needs a tourmaline flat iron (hair types, etc)
Tourmaline flat irons are great for people who consistently dye their hair, have damaged hair, or dry hair. It works to seal in moisture, so your hair won’t be dried out.
This means your hair won’t get “crunchy” or have that burning smell present using other straighteners.
Tourmaline flat irons are also great for those who have thicker or coarse hair since this material helps spread heat more evenly.
Since the heat distribution of this material is better, that applies that you will require fewer passes with the straightener to get flat straight hair.
Fewer passes means less exposure to heat which means less risk of heat damage. If you use your flat iron daily, then a tourmaline flat iron is surely the one for you.
Tourmaline offers an added layer of protection which is great for daily use.
Benefits of using tourmaline straighteners
Less damage
Tourmaline is a great material for flat irons since it damages hair less than other materials. It emits negative ions which means all the positive ions around the hair are converted to negative ions.
This means the moisture of the hair is sealed into the shaft, and your hair won’t dry out.
Since dryness of hair is the culprit behind split ends and overall damage, using tourmaline straighteners means you will avoid a lot of heat damage.
Healthier look
This benefit is the logical continuation of the previous benefit. Since tourmaline straightener plates will trap moisture into your hair, your hair will look hydrated and sleek after straightening.
These plates will also add an extra layer of protection and smoothness to your hair, so you will have healthy-looking hair with no frizz or flyaways.
Works for all hair types
Another benefit of tourmaline flat irons is that they will straighten all types of hair, no matter the type.
Whether your hair is fine, dry, coarse, thick, curly, or straight, a tourmaline flat iron will give you great results.
The plates will easily straighten all textures of hair, so you don’t really have to consider your hair type if you are thinking of purchasing a tourmaline straightener.
What to look for in tourmaline flat irons (additional features)
Temperature settings
One of the best features to look for in a tourmaline flat iron is adjustable heat settings. Flat irons with a single temperature can be inconvenient since this temperature may not work well with your hair.
Straighteners with a few temperature settings, like most of the reviewed straighteners in the above-mentioned list, are best since you will find a temperature that works for your hair no matter the type.
Finer hair will require lower temperatures while thick hair or dyed hair will require higher temperatures for a sleek straight look.
Auto shut-off
If you are anything like me, and constantly forget whether you shut off your heat tools before leaving the house, then this is a feature you should look for in a flat iron.
Although this isn’t going to affect the actual hair look achieved at the end, it’s an added feature that will help you ease your anxieties.
With an auto shut-off feature, a straightener will automatically turn off after a specific amount of time, usually about an hour.
So, even if you did leave your flat iron on while in a rush to leave the house, you can go about your day knowing your straightener will turn off by itself.
Swivel cord
This is a feature that again isn’t going to directly affect your achieved look, however, it plays a large role in the actual straightening process.
With a swivel cord, you won’t have to constantly readjust your head or your chair to reach the backs of your hair.
As you move your arm, your straightener cord will move with you. This is a great feature especially if you have longer hair, so your arms will surely not get tired.
FAQ
Is tourmaline good for hair?
Tourmaline isn’t necessarily “good” for hair since it doesn’t have any major benefits, but when it’s present on styling tools, your hair is at a lower risk of heat damage since it seals in moisture and emits heat more evenly.
What is better titanium or tourmaline?
They are both great materials for styling tools. Titanium flat iron is better at taming thick and dense hair while tourmaline is great for damaged or dull hair since it provides an added shine after styling.
Do tourmaline ceramic straighteners damage hair?
Out of the straightener materials, tourmaline is probably one of the lesser damaging ones. Of course, using too much heat without heat protectant will damage hair no matter the material, but tourmaline tools are usually of higher quality and less damaging.
Summarizing our tourmaline flat iron reviews
I hope I have now convinced you that no matter your hair type, a tourmaline flat iron is a good choice for you.
So whether you choose to try out my top pick FHI HEAT Platform Tourmaline Ceramic flat iron or any of the others on the list, it’s up to you!
What are your thoughts on tourmaline flat irons and experiences with the flat irons on this list? Let everyone know below!
Also read:
- Best Hair Straightener and Curler
- Best Flat Iron for Natural Hair Silk Press
- Best Flat Irons for Waves
- Best Steam Straighteners
- Best Mini Flat Iron for Short Hair
References:
- Tourmaline – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourmaline
- KNOW YOUR BEAUTY TOOLS – CHOOSING A FLAT IRON – https://www.empire.edu/blog/beauty-tips/know-your-beauty-tools-choosing-a-flat-iron
Allyson Carter
Ally is a professional hairstylist with more than 6 years of experience, but hair has been her passion since early childhood. Here, at Hair Spies, she blogs about all things hairdressing, hair tools, and everyday hair care. Read more about Allyson here.
