How to choose the best wet-to-dry straighteners for your hair

Wet-to-dry straighteners are a fantastic tool, allowing you to dry and style your hair simultaneously. You can enjoy faster styling times, leaving you with sleek hair in no time, but how do you choose the right straighteners for your hair? Finding the perfect straighteners can be challenging, with many different models claiming to be the best. You can easily find yourself confused and overwhelmed, unsure where to turn or who to trust. To help you, we have a guide that outlines the key factors and features to consider when narrowing your choice and finding the perfect wet-to-dry straighteners.

Consider the material

First, consider the material of the straighteners, looking for those with ceramic plates. Ceramic plates offer excellent heat distribution, evenly distributing the heat across the plate. This ensures that your hair dries and is straightened evenly, preventing any kinks or unevenly dry areas.

Ceramic-coated plates are also available, offering excellent heat distribution at a lower cost, making them a better option for those with a tight budget. Another option is titanium, which heats up quickly, allowing you to use the straighteners sooner. It holds high heat consistently, too, making it a good option for thick or coarse hair. It can be too harsh for finer hair, so consider your hair type when choosing the right plate material.

When selecting the material for your straighteners, look for one that is both lightweight and durable, allowing you to easily handle them to achieve your desired style. Plastic and aluminium are commonly used, with aluminium being a more durable option.

Consider the plate width

Alongside the materials, you need to consider the plate width, as this dictates how much of your hair you can style in one movement. You will want to consider the thickness of your hair, how much you have, and how much you want to style in one go when choosing your plate width. There are several options available, but typically you will find the following sizes:

• 1-inch plates - which are ideal for short hair, fringes, and wanting precision when styling
• 1.5-inch plates - are a good choice for medium to fine hair, offering a balance of control and speed
• 2-inch plates - are better suited to long and thick hair, covering more area for faster drying and styling

Consider the heat settings

You also need to consider the heat settings, paying attention to the top temperature the straightener can reach. You want it to be hot enough to dry and style your hair, without worrying about heat damage. Like with any hair tool, we recommend prepping your hair first with heat defence products to minimise heat damage.

We also recommend purchasing wet-to-dry straighteners that come with adjustable heat settings. This allows you to adjust the temperature to suit your hair, ensuring you won’t overheat it. This might be a choice of three settings, or the chance to program in your desired heat, adjusting it if needed when using the straighteners on dry hair.

Consider the technology

Not all wet-to-dry straighteners are made the same, so spend some time comparing their technology to see which is best for you and your needs. We recommend looking for the following features:

• High-speed motors - to control and deliver powerful airflow to dry your hair quickly
• Lock features - to prevent the heat from shutting off or adjusting mid-use
• Auto-shut off - to ensure the straighteners turn off after inactivity to keep you safe
• Multiple modes - that allow you to use your straighteners on wet or dry hair, add ‘cool shots’ to style or ‘shine shots'for added gloss
• Venting systems - to prevent overheating and ensure that hot air is not constantly blowing in your direction

Consider your hair type

When choosing a wet-to-dry straightener, you need to ensure it is suitable for your hair type. Whether you have thin, thick, or coarse hair, you need a straightener that is powerful enough to style your hair without damaging it. Depending on your hair type, we recommend the following:

• For short hair or bangs - a narrow plate is best, as it provides more control and precision
• For long or thick hair - wider plates are better as they allow you to style your hair quicker
• For damaged or fine hair - ceramic plates and adjustable heat settings are best, as these will minimise heat damage

Consider the warranty

You should check the warranty too, ensuring you are getting the protection you need. When purchasing a wet-to-dry straightener, you need to know that, should anything go wrong, you are protected. Many will come with a two-year warranty, but it's worth looking for models that offer an extended warranty, sometimes coming with five years of protection.

A long warranty ensures that you are covered, so if anything breaks, you won’t be left paying for repairs. Before purchasing the straighteners, it's worth seeing what the warranty covers or if there is an option to extend the warranty. Many manufacturers will offer an extended warranty, where, for a fee, you can add additional years of protection.

Consider your budget

Finally, you should consider your budget to ensure you can purchase the perfect wet-to-dry straighteners for you. There are many different options on the market to suit any budget, so you don’t need to worry too much about your budget. Consider how much you are happy to spend and the features you want to narrow your choice and find the right styling tool.

Find your wet-to-dry straighteners today

By considering all of the features we have outlined today, you can easily narrow your choice and find the perfect wet-to-dry straighteners for your needs. When looking for yours, we recommend checking out GHD, who have an impressive range of wet-to-dry straighteners. Their hot air styler is safe for all hair types and easy to use, with powerful technology to dry and style your hair. Head to GHD to check out their straighteners designed for wet-to-dry styling.