NHP is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
If you're looking for the best flat iron for natural Black hair on (kinky type 4A, 4B & 4C hair), you've hit the jackpot because we have a full list waiting for you here!
Getting your hands on the best heat tools for Black hair like like silk press flat irons for natural hair can be a major headache, right?
No stress, sis. Because...
I'll show you the best straightener for Black natural hair TODAY.
And that dang shrinkage can kiss you cutey-patootie...
Trust me, NHP knows a thing or 3 about how good it feels to go ahead and stretch out your natural hair once in a while and show your length.
Rocking long straightened natural Black hair that has lot of body and blows in the wind is an awesome go-to look and change-of-pace for a natural beauty.
PLUS:
It helps you appreciate your kinks and curls when you switch back because you don't get bored with style fatigue.
Nobody wants to rock the same styles of hair 24/7 and 365! You hear me?!?
ALSO:
Doing a perfectly silky smooth flat iron straightening is an great alternative to damaging your hair with harsh chemicals relaxers.
Still though... cheap flat irons might end up causing heat damage or just doing a janky job (especially on kinky natural 4C hair), so you need to invest in one of the best flat irons that really SLAYS natural Black hair.
The best flat irons help you avoid rough ends when straightening natural hair, are durable, give you long-term, long-lasting results and protect the health of your natural Black hair.
Here's a quick list of the 12 best flat irons for natural Black hair that we go into detail about below...
Tons of Black women with natural hair enjoy the flexibilty of being able to rock a super-straightened flat-ironed hairstyle once-in-a-while....
...that way, they can present the look of straightened natural hair without adding damaging perm relaxer chemicals, or sizzling their scalp with a hot comb to achieve a similar look.
Finding the best flat iron for natural Black hair can actually save your hair from those disasters.
Using the best flat iron for natural Black hair help you avoid lathering on tons of grease to your hair the way you would with hot comb pressing, a excessive heating process that can permanently destroy your kinks and curls.
There's a HUGE difference in your results from the worst flat irons versus the best flat iron straighteners for natural Black hair, especially kinkier 4B and 4C hair.
Ask yourself:
Why bother flat ironing your lovely locks if it's gonna turn out a hot mess? You feel me?
You straightening session should turn out looking the way you imagined it looking: FLIPPIN' AMAZING!
That's why this top 12 list for the best best flat iron for natural Black hair may be the best beauty tutorial you read this year..
Because the flat iron that you choose to straighten out your natural hair will determine if it comes out truly straight, soft, silky and shiny, or looking raggedy and half-done.
So let's get to our top 12 best flat iron for natural Black hair list:
It was a simple decision to name this BaByliss PRO Nano Titanium 2" Straightening Iron the #1 best flat iron for natural Black hair.
It couldn't be edged out by the BIO IONIC Onepass Straightening Iron because this Babyliss straightener gets to 450 degrees in temperature while the BIO IONIC only gets to 400 degrees in heat. It only made sense that the #1 best flat iron for natural Black hair would get hot enough to straighten even the kinkiest textures with ease.
For Black women who need less heat, these two straighteners are basically 1a and 1b as the best for natural Black hair, the Babyliss PRO Nano flat iron is very long-lasting, extremely durable pro-level heat tool that's worthy of being called #1 best flat iron for natural Black hair styling.
The BaByliss brand is known for its exceptionally high quality heat tools like blow dryers, curlers and more. This BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium-Plated Ionic Straightening Iron is one of the true luxury hair tool brands on Amazon right now.
1st Place on Best Flat Iron For Natural Black Hair list.
GOLD STANDARD WINNING FEATURES:
This is by far, the best of the hottest titanium flat irons for superior silk press results and ideal for naturals with Black hair longer than 10 inches, it does especially well with long hair lengths and it smoothly glides over longer sections of natural Black hair effortlessly with its wide 2 INCH plates from root-to-end to give you a shiny, smoother silk press.
This premium flat iron for natural Black hair is a very popular product with Black women the United States to the U.K. and around to Europe. Although women of all races and hair textures love the Babyliss brand, many flat iron reviewers have called this the best flat iron for naturally thick & coarse hair they have ever owned.
This Babyliss Pro Nano-Titanium flat iron smooths out natural 4C kinks and curls and eliminates frizz on straightened African-textured locks with ease, it gives your kinky Black natural hair a professional-looking salon-quality silk press straightening that can withstand even the most humid climates. See this NHP article about the top BabylissPro flat irons online - here...
The BIO IONIC Onepass Straightening Iron is ranked NHP’s #2 best flat iron for natural Black hair because it a gentler flat iron than the Babyliss Pro, yet, still straightens like a high-end professional hair stylist would expect it to.
The reviews for this natural hair flat iron are filled with women raving about how this is the best hair straightening iron they have ever used.
It comes with unique PATENTED silicone speed strips that give you faster straightening and increased shine on natural Black hair, while high levels of negative ions and advanced infrared energy make natural Black hair straighter, silkier, and smoother than cheaply constructed, inferior flat irons.
This silk press flat iron for Black coarse natural hair is famous for being very gentle and smooth on your kinky Afro-texture and curls, the silicone strips are a genius addition that helps give your hair brilliance and shine.
Although this flat iron is pricey investment, it's also a smart investment in your beauty, you definitely get what you pay for with this natural Black hair flat iron.
And it will show in the way that your natural hair looks and feels.
It straightens African-textured natural hair very quickly and with fewer passes which causes less heat damage all while leaving your hair healthy and shining.
2nd Place on Best Flat Iron For Natural Black Hair list.
GOLD STANDARD WINNING FEATURES:
This natural Black hair straightener could easily become the best one you have ever owned if you have type 3B, 4A or 4B African hair texture. It takes a quarter of the time because it works to straighten natural Black hair with fewer passes and helps to keep your hair healthier with less exposure to long-term heat.
The problem with this natural Black hair flat iron is that it is often sold out and we don't understand why the manufacturer doesn't make more and solve this problem. See the current price of BIO IONIC Onepass flat irons at Amazon - FREE SHIPPING with Prime.
Best flat iron I ever bought.
"I have 4C type of curly hair and the fact that it did not burn my hair when I straighten it! I love it. It’s a very good silk press.
I bought this after my first silk press since this one was the one the stylist used. Worth the money."
If your hands ache in pain when holding boxy & wide hair straighteners, you may wanna look into buying this Croc Classic Nano-Titanium flat iron because of its specially designed curvy body.
Its ergonomic design helps you grip the flat iron without causing pain in your fingers and wrist. It also helps keep the flat iron from slipping out of your hands – which is definitely helpful if the idea of replacing a broken hair straightener isn't appealing.
This 3rd best flat iron for natural Black hair also has an instant heating feature along with an automatic shut-off option. It only takes about 30 seconds for it to heat up, even if you crank the temperature setting to the highest level of 450-degree Fahrenheit. If you leave the product unused for more than 20 minutes, the device will automatically shut off which can help you out if you’re forgetful or very busy.
The problem you might face with this flat iron is that it heats up quite quickly and you may burn yourself if you’re not attentive enough. However, this can be easily remedied by working with a pair of gloves.
3rd Place on Best Flat Iron For Natural Black Hair list.
WINNING FEATURES:
Another reason this is 3rd on the "Best Flat Iron For Natural Black Hair" list is because it features a ventilation system that releases excess high heat, preventing internal and physical damage. When the iron is left unattended for 40 minutes the Auto shut off feature is automatically activated.
This great natural hair flat iron fron CROC produces negative ions, sealing cuticles, increasing shine on Black natural hair.
It also automatically decreases temperature to 370°F (180°C) when unattended between use, great for professional hair dressers and busy stylists.
The built-in ceramic heaters enable instant heat recovery, providing consistent heat during use.
"This was a great investment for me personally.
My natural hair is short and curly, this GHD Platinum Styler flat iron is so gentle on my hair.
It makes my hair straight and soft without that burning smell that worries me and drives me crazy with cheap flat irons."
The GHD Platinum & Professional Performance Styler, Ceramic Flat Iron, Silk press 4C hair straightener is rated the fourth-best flat iron for natural Black hair because its SMART styler technology detects your specific hair type, whether coarse, kinky African-textured 4C, curly, coily, wavy or other, and predicts your hair’s needs in the moment.
It’s a breakthrough tech feature that you won’t find with other flat iron brands.
Have you ever used a Black natural hair silk press flat iron that intelligently predicts your hair’s needs and appropriately adapts to ensure your natural hair gets the optimum styling temperature of 365°F at all times?
If not, you don’t know what your tresses has been missing for the best silk press straightening job EVER!
Listen:
This bad girl monitors heat more than 4-times-per-SECOND, identifies your natural hair type and the speed in which you’re passing the flat iron in order to control the heat distribution more effectively for the perfect silk press on Black type 4 natural hair, giving you the ultimate results with visibly healthier locks.
The GHD Platinum+ adapts constantly in order to give you the optimum flat iron styling temperature for elite results with 70% less hair breakage and 2x more color protection. Also has an automatic sleep-mode that shuts off your natural hair flat iron after 30 minutes of inactivity.
Now let’s come to the flat iron that you must have if your natural hair is thin, damage-prone, or already damaged. The Paul Mitchell Pro Tools Express is a very gentle hair straightener due to its ceramic plates and a controllable heat temperature setting that you can adjust with the LCD monitor.
This digital professional hair straightener with ceramic plates is one of the best flat irons for natural Black hair because it smoothes and polishes strands quickly and gently for healthy-looking results with incredible shine.
The wide plate types will let you smooth down your Afro-textured tangles with ease if you have really long and thick hair. You don’t have to worry about taking hours to straighten your type 4 tresses as it can handle larger sections of textured hair with no problem.
5th Place on Best Flat Iron For Natural Black Hair list.
FEATURES:
The plates on this great flat iron for natural Black hair are designed with a unique silicone that prevents snagging and tangling while you’re straightening African-textured hair. Its infrared and ionic technology also ensures a glossy and bouncy finish to your hairdo.
Sadly, the device has no auto shut-off technology, so you must remember to shut it off once you’re done with your styling. You should be cautious with the temperatures you choose, as the device is prone to overheating. This isn’t something you should be using around children or animals as it lacks those safety options.
Digital professional hair straightener with ceramic plates smoothes and polishes strands quickly and gently for healthy-looking results with incredible shine.
Another downside is that because of the existence of (ceramic) BIO IONIC Onepass Straightening Iron, we can't call the PAUL MITCHELL the best ceramic flat iron for natural Black, but it's a lower priced value pick in comparison.
This is the ideal flat iron straightener for Black natural short hair, it’s made with good quality materials to be durable and long-lasting.
Even though this flat iron hair straightener is slightly lower rated than the GHD Platinum & Professional Performance Styler, it’s also the more economical choice between the two. So you can decide between slightly lower performance while keeping more dollars in your pocket or making the beauty investment needed for the ultimate silk press.
So, what is the best flat iron for Black natural 4C hair? The GHD Gold Professional Styler is one of the best silk press flat irons for type 4C hair and it feels durable and sturdy in your hands, doesn't feel like it's overheating and is not a constant burn threat like the knock-off, cheap $15 off-brand silk press flat irons.
You won’t worry about smelling your hair burning because this is one of the best flat irons for Black natural hair in the world of profession-level straighteners, it only takes a few seconds to get to proper straightening temperature and it simply does its job better than rinky dink, soon-to-break, cheap flat irons.
When straightening flat iron for Afro-textured kinky hair, you get what you pay for, and everyone will see it when you walk outside. So let's keep it cute!
This is one of the best flat irons for thick coarse Black hair and for tenured-veteran naturals who have higher hair tools standards and know where to invest and when they shouldn't to pinch pennies.
This flat iron is a natural hairstylists favorite and a treat to use…
I’d hate to take the risk of spending half the money for something that doesn't last or simply doesn't make my natural hair look the way I need it to look when I’m out on the town, ya know?.
6th Place on Best Flat Iron For Natural Black Hair list.
FEATURES:
The CHI PRO G2 instantly gives you a silky straightening on Black natural hair that’s shiny and frizz-free and has earned it’s way on to this best flat iron for natural Black hair list.
Among flat irons in its price range it gives you superior performance with a lot of customization options, the makers of this silk press flat iron gave it an innovative all-digital display for a more modern look and feel.
7th Place on Best Flat Iron For Natural Black Hair list.
FEATURES:
CHI hairstyling silk press irons have always been famous for their ceramic floating press plates, and this version is even more advanced because it is infused with high-grade titanium.
Titanium makes the flat iron plates stronger, they last much longer and are more durable than before, titanium silk press flat irons for Black 4C hair make styling your 4C virtually snag-free, you get great-looking hair faster and smoother than ever.
The CHI G2 Ceramic and Titanium is known as a fast and powerful flat iron for silk press styling 4C natural hair, if your silk press normally would take you 30 to 45 minutes, you can expect to do it in about 20 minutes with this flat iron.
Don't got the message twisted though... this flat iron can't even compare to the Babyliss Pro titanium for its perfomance on natural Black hair, STILL THOUGH...
...the CHI silk press flat iron is a value pick choice for the lower price point. Expect to get your money's worth, but better than many cheap drugstore straightening irons.
This NITION Professional Salon Hair Straightener Argan Oil Tourmaline Ceramic Titanium flat iron is highly-rated for the cheaper models that made this list.
This is a good flat iron for African-textured naturals with 3B and 4A type hair, it may not stand up against the other Black hair flat irons on our list if you have very thick and coarse, coily 4C hair. Some reviews from women with very thick and coarse 4C hair say that their natural hair didn’t come out as straight as they would have liked.
So you need to decide on whether to buy this silk press flat iron depending on the thickness and density of your natural Black hair texture. Hey, speaking of Argan oil, check out NHP's article about Argan oil for hair straightening...
8th Place on Best Flat Iron For Natural Black Hair list.
FEATURES:
On the upside, for Black naturalistas with looser curl patterns... this flat iron for natural Black hair is a good choice because it gets hot quickly and is a breeze to use.
The travel bag, clips, glove and comb are subpar in comparison though...
The travel bag isn't insulated, making it impossible to put the flat iron directly into your travel bag soon after use without potentially burning your stuff.
The hair clips that come with this Black hair flat iron look fancy, but in use, they don't grab on to much hair. It does come with a rattail comb, travel case and heat gloves, so that’s a bonus.
The HSI professional flat iron is an Amazon best-seller because folks like cheap price and presentation, but it’s also not a bad styling tool. It's a favorite among inexperienced naturals on a budget.
It deserves it’s spot on NHP’s best flat iron for natural Black hair list because the HSI Professional Glider flat iron heats up faster than expected and the straightening iron's temperature can be adjusted between a wide range of 140-450°F, which gives you a lot of control in manually matching the heat level to whatever is needed for your natural Black hair type, regardless of porosity or texture.
9th Place on Best Flat Iron For Natural Black Hair list.
FEATURES:
The tourmaline infusion on this HSI professional flat iron helps reduce natural Black hair frizz by producing negative ions, the ceramic is built to last a long time, even if not as long as the other professional-grade flat irons on this list.
That’s to be expected at this low of a price point, again, you get what you pay for and it will show in one way or another.
Many of you know about the popular HSI floating plates that give you the flexibility to curl, silk press, flip or straighten your natural hair, all with the same silk press flat iron.
Please understand:
This made NHP’s best flat iron for natural Black hair list as a value pick.
Yes, there are superior flat irons on this list, but strictly for those who don’t have the money to step up a level for better styling results, this HSI professional flat iron is a battle-tested option. Expert trichologists and scalp doctors often advise that you take precautions to protect your hair from damage, this especially true with 2nd-tier silk press flat irons on Black natural hair.
The GHD Max Styler is an oldie but goodie, a longtime classic go-to silk press flat iron for Black natural hair that was seen as the "GO TO" straightener for naturally coarse hair and silk press styling back-in-the-day.
These natural hair flat irons are known to be very durable, lasting up to 10 years and more.
Many of the reviews talk about how much natural hair Black women love the broad plates which make for easier and quicker styling on thicker, coily and coarse hair.
The GHD MS is a professional-grade flat iron. It's high quality ensures that you don't suffer from tugging on your natural hair, no burning, and no snagging or catching on your 4C hair.
This silk press flat iron leaves Black natural hair smooth & frizz free after very few passes, which gives you the results of a silk press steam flat iron, but fan cleaner and better.
10th Place on Best Flat Iron For Natural Black Hair list.
WINNING FEATURES:
For natural Black hair, NHP suggests that you buy the 2 inch model because it holds more hair than the 1 inch, this make it possible to do fewer passes on your natural hair, and so less hair heat damage is done.
For best use, be sure that the flat iron is as close to your roots as possible before closing the ironing plates. Gently move toward the tip of the section you’re working in one smooth gliding motion. Repeat the process with each section of your naturally coarse type 4 hair, gliding once from roots to ends or as needed. See more reviews of the GHD MAX Styler at Amazon...
This KIPOZI Professional Titanium Flat Iron Hair is good for the price…
Many reviewers love that it is wide so you can fit more Afro-textured natural hair in it while flattening for your silk press. It also heats up rather quickly.
11th Place on Best Flat Iron For Natural Black Hair list.
FEATURES:
This silk press flat iron works decently enough for flattening kinks so that you don’t have to worry about your natural hair frizzing out too rapidly due to heat and humidity.
It’s a good economical buy and we do recommend this cheap natural hair flat iron if you aren't able to grab one of the professional-level, more durable flat irons on this list, you can find this flat iron for natural Black hair at Walmart and other online shopping venues.
[RELATED: See The Best Straightening Irons To Make Waves]
The CHI PRO G2 Digital Titanium Infused Ceramic 1" Straightening Hair Styling Iron is one of the best flat irons for less-kinky natural hair silk presses although it can't compare to the Babyliss Pro ceramic flat iron according to reviews.
Still though, it does a great job at protecting your natural Black hair from heat damage when you use it along with a good heat protectant.
It's also a good silk press hair straightener for curling your natural Black hair instead of using curling wands.
12th Place on Best Flat Iron For Natural Black Hair list.
FEATURES:
Many reviewers with looser natural kinks and curls use this flat iron, the 1 inch version works better for less coily hair types. They also love that it has the on-and-off button, as well as the heat buttons inside and below the clamp, that way you don't accidentally turn it off while using it.
One main problems complained about with this flat iron is that many reviewers have mentioned that the heat level goes back to the highest setting by itself if you try to adjust it. Which is weird...
Besides this flaw it seems to do its job well and makes your looser pattern natural hair look good. See this natural hair flat iron at Amazon.
Tons of Black women with natural hair enjoy the flexibilty of being able to rock a super-straightened flat-ironed hairstyle once-in-a-while....
...that way, they can present the look of straightened natural hair without adding damaging perm relaxer chemicals, or sizzling their scalp with a hot comb to achieve a similar look.
Finding the best flat iron for natural Black hair can actually save your hair from those disasters.
Using the best flat iron for natural Black hair help you avoid lathering on tons of grease to your hair the way you would with hot comb pressing, a excessive heating process that can permanently destroy your kinks and curls.
There's a HUGE difference in your results from the worst flat irons versus the best flat iron straighteners for natural Black hair, especially kinkier 4B and 4C hair.
Ask yourself:
Why bother flat ironing your lovely locks if it's gonna turn out a hot mess? You feel me?
You straightening session should turn out looking the way you imagined it looking: FLIPPIN' AMAZING!
That's why this top 12 list for the best best flat iron for natural Black hair may be the best beauty tutorial you read this year..
Because the flat iron that you choose to straighten out your natural hair will determine if it comes out truly straight, soft, silky and shiny, or looking raggedy and half-done.
You’ve worked too hard to grow your natural hair and retain it's length, so let's not jack errrthang up with an 'el cheapo' flat iron that belongs in the trash instead of in your hair.
And, even though many natural hair salons are equipped with some of the best flat irons for natural Black hair...
...they're often not focused enough on hair health and safety, so to get you done quickly and get more butts in the seats they use excessive heat on your natural Black hair which can severely damage your strands.
THAT IS A BIG NO-NO!!!!
Because using too much heat or a low-quality flat iron can cause heat damage and can completely burn out your kinks and curls to the point where it will be nearly impossible to get them back.
Although this is not always the case and it can be avoided by taking the proper precautions, for example, using the proper equipment as well as high-quality heat protectants.
One error many natural hair honey make is opting for the cheapest flat irons available and not realizing that you get what the heck you paid for when it comes to the best flat irons for natural Black hair and doing a superior silk press straightening on 4C strands.
By using the best flat iron for natural Black hair, you get a silky smooth, relaxed look with relative ease. All the hot styling tools that we’ve listed in this best flat iron for natural Black hair list are highly-rated, reviewed and many are among the best sellers on Amazon.
You can rest assured that these hair tools made NHP's best flat iron for natural Black hair top #12 list because of their outstanding performance, value-to-price ratios, and advanced features that make them perfect for coarse natural hair!
They’re the perfect straighteners for giving you silky straight tresses that are bouncy, shiny and full bodied.
P.S. Some naturals were surprised that FHI flat iron reviews for African American hair weren't added to this top 12 best flat iron for natural Black hair list.
The problem is that even though they are high quality and FHI makes some of the best blow dryers and silk press flat irons, for natural hair these didn't make our list because they are all 1" and we always advise you to use a wider flat iron (atleast 1 1/2" or more like the Babyliss 2") if you have coarse natural Black hair.
[ See my latest article: Is Babyliss better than GHD? GHD vs Babyliss Flat irons...]
This "best flat iron for natural Black hair" top 12 list is due to change through the years as newer products come to market. We'll always keep you updated. Stay tuned and check out our main Flat Iron Buyers Guide.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Melissa Lee
Melissa Lee is a Contributing Editor to NHP and a former owner of the BlackhairOMG website. She formed 4C Trichology Growth Services, LLC., a US based hair care consultation service. She has also contributed as a writer and consultant for various hair and beauty websites. Melissa can be followed on Twitter here.