7 Best Mini Flat Irons and Travel Straighteners for All Hair Types
Keep your strands sleek on the go.
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Fighting off frizz, flyaways and otherwise dull or puffy hair typically results in breaking out your good ol' flat iron. But when you are taking a quick weekend getaway or need to maximize your packing space for all of your other necessities, the bulky hot tool can easily fall off your list. That’s why relying on a mini flat iron to keep your locks sleek and pin straight whenever you’re on the go is a great option.
Unlike picking out mini toiletries, which is usually a no-brainer (they have a literal section dedicated to “travel-size” items at most big box retailers), shopping for a mini flat iron can be a bit trickier. While the minis are conveniently smaller and more compact, making them perfect space savers, not all are created equally. You may be hunting around trying to find a model that is cordless, distributes heat evenly or has small enough plates to grip shorter strands. Regardless of your needs, we’ve tapped our pros in the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab to point you in the right direction so that your shopping experience will be as easy as clicking “add to cart.”
CHI Ceramic Dual Voltage Mini Flat Iron
Pros
- Straightened hair effectively
- Cool to the touch
- Heats up quickly
Cons
- Slightly bigger than other mini flat irons
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. Many even 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.
| Dual voltage | Yes |
| Plate width | 0.75 in |
| Plate material | Ceramic |
| Auto shut-off | Yes |
Pros
- Heats up quickly
- Great compact size
Cons
- Not as straightening as others
For under $25, 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.
| Dual voltage | Yes |
| Plate width | 0.5 in |
| Plate material | Ceramic |
| Automatic shut-off | Yes |
Pros
- Lightweight
- Holds charge for 40 minutes
Cons
- Not as small as other options
A cord-free straightener, loved by our Lab pros for its maximum portability and effortless styling, this Harry Josh model earned a mention in our Beauty Awards. It is compact and lightweight, heats up quickly and stays powered for 40 minutes, Beauty Lab testing found.“I liked its sleek design, ease of use and reachable controls,” said GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann.
| Dual voltage | Yes |
| Plate width | 0.5 in |
| Plate material | Ceramic |
| Automatic shut-off | Yes |
Pros
- Very lightweight
- Rated highly by testers for not snagging hair
Cons
- Not ideal for long or dense hair types
Travel light with the Sam Villa cordless flat iron that weighs only half a pound. Hair straightening is made easy thanks to its simple instructions and easy-to-use power button. GH testers even rated it high for not pulling or snagging hair. It may take longer to run through long hair with its plate size, but we love it for its convenience. Stash the cordless rechargeable flat iron in its included travel case.
"It's small enough to not take up much room in a carry-on suitcase and even has a lock button to keep it closed," said a tester. "I can also see myself dropping it in my purse for quick touch-ups, which is especially great for my frizzy hair."
| Dual voltage | Adapter needed for charge |
| Plate width | 0.5 in |
| Plate material | Tourmaline |
| Automatic shut-0ff | Yes |
BaBylissPRO Mini Straightening Iron
Pros
- Even heat distribution
- Great for taming frizz
Cons
- Some online reviews say it took longer to heat up
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. "One of my top recommendations is the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Mini Straightening Iron," says Leo Izquierdo, the co-founder of IGK Hair Care. "It features titanium plates that provide even heat distribution and can reach high temperatures quickly, making it effective for smooth and sleek results."
"Not only did this save me from a bad hair day, but it also worked wonders on my hair!" said 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.
| Dual voltage | Yes |
| Plate width | 0.5 in |
| Plate material | Titanium |
| Auto shut-off | No |
ghd Unplugged Cordless Styler
Pros
- Rounded edges are great for curling hair
- Heats up quickly
Cons
- Pricey
Nearly identical to the brand's full-sized straightener we tried, this mini cordless version aims to impress with its ceramic plates and rounded edges 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 cool down in 15 minutes.
Several hairstylists we tapped recommend GHD for its flat iron models that R+Co Vice President Adam Federico says "prioritize performance while being compact and travel-friendly." Shoppers at Sephora were equally amazed, appreciating that it "heats fast and leaves my hair sleek and shiny. Perfect for travel!"
| Dual voltage | Adapter needed for charger |
| Plate width | 0.8 in |
| Plate material | Ceramic |
| Automatic shut-off | No |
KISS Red Pencil Ceramic Tourmaline Flat Iron
Pros
- Allows for more precise styling
- Great for creating tight curls
Cons
- Isn't as hot as other flat irons
Pixie cuts, rejoice! The pencil-sized ceramic plate on this iron works great for even the shortest of hairdos. "I like it for creating small waves or curls," says Sophia Emmanuel, a certified trichologist at Mane Advocates salon and a V&Co. Beauty ambassador. You can even nab coarse hair along the hairline.
Reviewers online seem to like it, too. With it, some shoppers tackled baby hairs, while others styled their bobs. "I can make super tight kinky curls," wrote one. "And it warms up lightning fast." Just note that it doesn't heat up as much as other flat irons, according to Emmanuel.
| Dual voltage | Not listed as a feature |
| Plate width | 0.3 in |
| Plate material | Ceramic and tourmaline |
| Automatic shut-off | No |
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
✔️ "Look for plates made from ceramic, tourmaline, titanium or a combination," says Federico. "Ceramic plates distribute heat evenly. Tourmaline reduces frizz by emitting negative ions. Titanium heats up quickly and evenly."
✔️ 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. "Narrow plates are good for short hair or precise styling, while wider plates are better for longer hair or thicker textures," per Federico.
✔️ 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. Federico suggests that they look for simple controls, like one with auto on/off and easy-to-reach settings. Also, consider the weight and ergonomics of the flat iron.
✔️ Federico recommends opting for a flat iron with adjustable temperature settings. "Different hair types require different heat levels; fine or damaged hair needs lower temperatures (around 250-300°F), while thicker or coarser hair can handle higher temperatures (up to 400°F)," he says.
Meet the experts
- Leo Izquierdo, the co-founder of IGK Hair Care, started styling hair in Paris at 14 years old. At 25, he and his brother, Franck, opened a salon that caters to celebrity clientele in Miami's Design District.
- R+Co Vice President Adam Federico has years of experience in the hair industry, with titles like Master Educator, Creative Director and Stylist under his belt.
- Sophia Emmanual, a certified trichologist, consults within the Mane Advocates Salon based in New York City. She has two decades of experience as a cosmetologist, specializing in hair and scalp.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Staff Writer Cameron Jenkins most recently updated this story. She has written on several hair care topics, including the best edge control and best curl creams. For this story she consulted with the GH Beauty Lab to select the top performing products on the market today.
Former Commerce Editor Jacqueline Saguin wrote this story based on research and tests sourced from the GH Beauty Lab. She also added comprehensive shopping advice based on hairstylists' expertise and tips.
Jacqueline (she/her) was a commerce editor for Good Housekeeping from 2021 to 2024. Prior to joining GH, she was a style and beauty reviews fellow at Insider, testing viral trends, reviewing sustainable brands and more. She's a graduate of the University of Florida's School of Journalism, with a specialty in magazines and mass communication.
Cameron (she/her) is a staff writer for Good Housekeeping, where she covers everything from holidays to food. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, where she received a B.A. in magazine journalism. In her spare-time she can be found scrolling TikTok for the latest cleaning hacks and restaurant openings, binge-watching seasons of Project Runway or online shopping.
