Best Curved Plate Flat Irons

You can curl your hair using most regular flat irons.

But what if I tell you there are straighteners with curved plates, that look like flat irons but practically work as seamlessly as curling irons and volumizers?

Today, we’ll be talking about curved plate flat irons, designed to give you beautiful curls and waves while also smoothing and creating volume (who knew a flat iron could do that?!).

Best Curved Plate Flat Iron Reviews

BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium U-Styler

BaByliss is a well known brand for hair styling tools, and first up we’ll be discussing its U Styler.

The BaByliss PRO Nano Titanium U Styler has 2 separate types of plates – the regular flat plates, and curved side plates on one side.

Its plates are composed of titanium and ceramic, resulting in a powerful combination of intense and uniform heating.

This iron has innovative “Sol-Gel Technology” – basically a process that takes minute particles of titanium and ceramic, and converts them from liquid to solid, thus providing a high concentration of these materials.

This means that the plates are stronger and smoother, and the tool is more resistant and durable. Who doesn’t love a long-lasting product, right?

While the plates on this tool get really hot, the tip remains cool, and it also has a rubber thumb rest which makes it really convenient to hold the iron.

However, it has only three fixed heat settings – 340°F, 400°F and 450°. It would be pretty unbeatable if it had more temperature options, but alas.

The power button is also placed a little inconveniently – right in the middle of the side – and it is a slider instead of a button which you can hold down and press. You can accidentally change the heat setting with your hand or fingers if you’re not paying attention.

Another version of this appliance is the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium C-Styler, where the plates don’t extend sideways over the edge, but are curved so that one is convex and the other is concave. Both plates fit together in a shallow “C” or crescent moon shape when pressed closed.

The C Styler also has extra long 5″ plates (and are 1 ½” wide); but it is not so much meant for straightening as it is for volumizing and creating waves.

Andis Professional Curved Edge Flat Iron

This Andis Curved Edge Flat Iron wins points straight away for the variety it has in color options – black, black and gold, and red and gold. It is also available in 2 different plate sizes, 1” and 1 ½”.

It has plates that extend downward along the side of the iron to give the curved surface.

The tourmaline plates and nano ceramic heater provide even heat distribution and generate negative ions for smooth results.

This straightener heats up really fast and has 20 heat settings, which can be selected by a rotating dial. 

However, the dial is only numbered from 1-20 with no actual corresponding temperature.

The maximum setting it can reach is 450°F, but I’ve noticed that the iron gets extremely hot. If you work too close to your scalp or face, you may even end up burning your skin.

Also, it might end up burning whatever surface you place the iron on since the heated plates extend over the sides.

For this reason, it’s a good idea to get a thermal mat to rest it on while using.

Overall, it is an affordable product and works decently for both curling, flipping, and styling.

CHI ¾” Miss Universe Titanium Volumizing Iron

CHI is one of the leading hair styling brands and this iron from its Miss Universe line up is an amazing pick if you are looking for a curved flat iron.

The CHI ¾” Miss Universe Titanium Volumizing Iron has one concave and one convex plate, similar to the BaByliss PRO C-Styler; and the plates also wrap around both the edges. 

This narrow plate size is perfect if you have short hair, and the design allows you to work closer to the roots to add volume. 

Besides the plate design, the outer barrel of this tool is also rounded, making it ideal for adding curls to your locks.

This straightener has titanium plates, so it heats up really quickly. It gets to a maximum of 410°F, and works great on fine hair as well as on thick hair.

When I first got this iron, I was concerned that concave-convex plates might leave kinks in the hairstyle.

But after using it for a while, I have concluded that using the right technique for curling with this iron may take some time, but once you do, you can get absolutely perfect curls.

What Is a Curved Plate Flat Iron?

In a curved plate flat iron, the plates extend around the side of the appliance, like the Andis Professional Curved Edge Flat Iron, to form a side plate.

Alternatively, the two plates may also be curved in a concave-convex manner, and fit together when the appliance is closed, like the BaByliss Pro Nano Titanium C Styler.

Curved Edge Plates vs. Beveled Plate Edges

With all this talk about curved edge plates, you might wonder if they’re the same as a beveled edge plate. While beveled plates have rounded corners, they’re still standard hair straighteners that are less likely to leave a crease or dent from a 90° corner.

In curved plate flat irons, the plates themselves wrap around the side to create side plates – this is what sets them apart from simply beveled edges.

What Are The Benefits Of Curved Edge Plates?

Flat irons with curved plates are purpose-built for curling and in addition, allow straightening just like any other flat iron does.

But what are the features that make curved edges better for curling than a regular straightener?

Curved Plates Eliminate Snagging 

Plates with curved edges that wrap around the side(s) of the iron create a continuous styling surface, so when you flip your iron over to curl, hair doesn’t get caught in the gap between the plate and the exterior barrel.

In this way, curved plates allow smooth, snag-free styling, and you get beautiful curls without kinks in them.

Extended Styling Surface

The rounded edges that go down the sides extend the heated area from a flat one to a more curved and beveled one. 

Essentially, it creates a styling surface similar to that of a curling iron, with its curved edges.

Versatility 

Straighteners with curved plates aren’t just all about straightening and curling.

One thing I love about such tools is that you can use the rounded edges to create volume at the roots. If you have fine hair, the extra volume works really well to give your head a fuller look.

Other Features To Consider

Plate Material 

With any flat iron, it is important to consider the plate material before making a purchase. But it is even more important in a flat iron with rounded edges, as there is more plate area coming in contact with your locks.

Ceramic plates are most commonly found in most hair straighteners. It is a non-metallic material, which provides even heat across the plate without forming hot spots.

Ceramic plates are also pretty smooth and gentle on the hair, and hence a good option if you have fine hair.

Next up is titanium, a metal. It is an efficient conductor of heat and hence titanium plates achieve very high temperatures really fast.

Titanium plates also generate negative ions when heated. Negative ions are known for being good for your body. With dry, frizzy hair having an abundance of positive ions, negative ions work as a counterbalance, leaving hair smooth and giving it shine.

Another frequently used material is tourmaline. Tourmaline is normally blended with ceramic to boost its negative ion production and help combat frizz.

Temperature Control Settings

I always recommend flat irons with adjustable temperature controls, preferably digital. It makes it very easy to use the appropriate heat setting for your hair, but an analog control dial works fine too.

If you are conscious about heat damage and want to style at the minimum possible temperature, then this is one thing you must look for in your straightener.

Should You Get a Curved Edge Flat Iron?

Whether you need to specifically invest in a curved edge flat iron depends on how you use your flat iron.

Many people are able to curl using regular flat irons and yes, they do a decent job at both straightening and curling.

However, if you already have nearly straight hair, and use your flat iron more for curls and waves rather than pin-straight locks, then a flat iron with curved edges may be worth the investment.

This is especially true for those with fine or thin hair. You can use a curved flat iron to jazz up your tresses with volume and movement for both special nights out as well as your everyday look.