Frequent styling has a side effect on natural hair. It could weaken natural hair, causing dryness, brittleness, and dullness. To prevent all these, experts recommend steam flat irons for straightening, curling, and waving natural hair.
Unlike the traditional flat irons, steam flat irons help to lock in moisture, providing you with straight, silky hair. A steam flat iron will also ensure that your natural hair no longer suffers dryness, brittleness, and dullness. Steam straighteners are much kinder and gentle on the tresses, which is great for people with kinky and curly hair, as they give you the benefits of a steamer — softening those cuticles to make them easier to style, why infusing moisture so hair doesn’t dry out. The best flat iron for natural hair will always leave your hair shiny, healthy, and silky. Here are the reviews of some of the best hair steamers for natural hair.
Top Pick
The FURIDEN Steam Hair Straightener Flat Iron is our top pick because it delivers stunning results on natural hair and other hair types. It has 38 different temperature settings, heats up quickly, and is made with high-quality, natural hair-friendly material.
Table of Contents
The Best Steam Flat Irons for Natural Hair Are:
- FURIDEN Steam Hair Straightener Flat Iron — Best Steam Flat Iron for Natural Hair
- MKBOO Professional Nano Titanium Ceramic Steam Flat Iron — Best Hair Steamer for Black Hair
- SOLOFISH Steam Hair Straightener — Best Steam Flat Iron for 4C Hair
- Conair Infiniti Pro Ionic Steam Flat Iron
- DORISILK Professional Ceramic Tourmaline Steam Straightener
- SWAN Star Professional Steam Flat Iron
- XHI Professional X-Steam Pro Flat Iron and Straightener
1. FURIDEN Steam Hair Straightener Flat Iron — Best Steam Flat Iron for Natural Hair
The FURIDEN Steam Hair Straightener Flat Iron is one of the best steam hair straighteners for natural hair. This steamer heats up quickly and easily, and it delivers notable results in a single glide through the hair. With the fast and even heat distribution of this tool, all you need is just a few glides to make your hair super straight and smooth. This steam flat iron is also great for all types of hair, as it comes with 38 adjustable temperatures.
It also comes with an LED digital display to show you the exact temperature you are working with. Every change in temperature results in a decrease or increase of 5 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also very easy to change the temperature; this means you can easily choose a temperature that is ideal for your hair type. It features a simple and lightweight design, and you can use it for an extended period without feeling any hand fatigue.
With the right temperature and steam control, this hot tool will restore the natural moisture of your hair, providing you with super shiny and smooth tresses. It is also dual voltage compatible, which means you can travel along with it to any part of the world. The steamer is made with ceramic and it is highly durable. The size of the plate is one-inch and it has a tank for you to add pure water.
Specs
- Material: Ceramic
- Size: 1 Inch
- Temperature: 265 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit
- Weight: 1.88 Pounds
Pros
- Travel-friendly
- 38 different temperature settings
- Heats up quickly
- Provides frizz-free hair
Cons
- Lacks auto-shutoff feature
2. MKBOO Professional Nano Titanium Ceramic Steam Flat Iron
— Best Hair Steamer for Black Hair
Next on the line is the MKBOO Professional Nano Titanium Ceramic Steam Flat Iron. This steam flat iron is highly durable and it delivers satisfactory performance. It comes with titanium ceramic plates, which is great for natural black hair. The tool also features an advanced steam iron generator to give your natural hair a silky and glossy finish.
This steam flat iron produces negative ions to make your hair smooth, silky, and shiny. The ceramic plates also help with even heat distribution, ensuring every strand of the hair gets the same amount of heat. It has 7 steam holes to ensure a constant 4.5g/min steam eruption.
The adjustable heat temperature of this unit is from 300 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing you to choose the ideal heat for your styling or hair type. The flat iron shuts off automatically after 60 minutes. It also comes with a swivel cord that allows you to straighten your hair at any angle.
Specs
- Material: Ceramic
- Size: 1.25 Inches
- Temperature: 300 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit
- Weight: 2.2 pounds
Pros
- Adjustable temperature
- Ceramic-coated titanium plates
- Removable 4D brush
- Heats up quickly
Cons
- A bit expensive
3. SOLOFISH Steam Hair Straightener — Best Steam Flat Iron for 4C Hair
Next on the line is the SOLOFISH Steam Hair Straightener, and it is one of the most functional steam flat irons out there. You can use this steam flat iron to straighten natural hair with ease. It comes with a 10ml tank that you can use to store water for the steaming. The tank is also very easy to remove and refill. This steam flat iron also has three different levels of steam, which means you can switch between medium and high steam.
It also has a “no-steam” option, and at this point, it would function just as a normal flat iron. When it comes to performance, this unit delivers quick and effective heating. It heats up in just 15 seconds, and it can heat up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit in that little time. It also has different heat settings, with a maximum temperature of 450 degrees Fahrenheit. The variable temperature range makes it ideal for different types of natural hair.
For the safety of the user, this tool comes with an automatic shut-off feature that turns the device off after a period of inactivity. The package also includes gloves to prevent your hands from burning. The power cord of this tool is a 360-degree, tangle-free swivel that allows for easy and more comfortable use. The design and features of this steam flat iron also make it great for first-time steam flat iron users. This unit also comes with anti-static technology and digital controls for different types of hair.
Specs
- Material: Ceramic
- Size: 1 Inch
- Temperature: 300 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit
- Weight: 12.35 Ounces
Pros
- 15 seconds quick heat up
- Nanoceramic and 3D technic
- Safety features
- Anti-static design
Cons
- The tank requires frequent refilling
4. Conair Infiniti Pro Ionic Steam Flat Iron
The Conair Infiniti Pro Ionic Steam Flat Iron is one of the best steam flat irons for thick, long natural hair. This steam flat iron comes with nano silver tourmaline ceramic plates that deliver exceptional results. The plates emit negatives ions that help to make your hair silkier and softer. This tool will make your natural hair feel much better than when you use a regular straightener. It is also designed to lock in healthy moisture in your hair strand, ensuring your natural hair is always healthy.
It features five preset heat settings with an LED screen display to show you the temperature you are working with. The tool also heats up quickly, and you can start using it 30 seconds after turning it on. The maximum temperature of this tool is 455 degrees Fahrenheit while it features a quick temp setting that heats up to 395 degrees Fahrenheit.
It also features a retractable comb that helps to detangle your hair while gliding the plates through. The comb eliminates the need to comb through it before using the hot tool. You can remove the comb and also adjust the height depending on what you need. It also comes with a pouch that makes it easy to store. There is also an auto-shutoff feature that turns the iron off after 60 minutes.
You can also check out other InfinitiPRO flat irons here.
Specs
- Material: Ceramic
- Size: 1.5 Inches
- Temperature: Up to 455 degrees Fahrenheit
- Weight: 16 Ounces
Pros
- Nanosilver tourmaline ceramic coated plates
- Electronic temperature control
- Swivel cord and storage pouch
- 3-position retractable combs
Cons
- It requires distilled water to prevent clogging
5. DORISILK Professional Ceramic Tourmaline Steam Straightener
This is one of the most versatile steam flat irons on the market. It is great for straightening and curling hair. You can also use it to make beachy waves. The steam flat iron also allows for easy temperature adjustment. It is ideal for use on all types of hair textures, especially natural hair, thanks to its six different temperature settings. This steam flat iron has five conditioning steam vents, and the vapor that comes out from it moisturizes every strand of your natural hair, providing you with thoroughly hydrated and shiny hair.
It comes with 3D floating plates that make it a great hair curling too. The 2-in-1 functionality of this tool sets it aside from other steam flat irons for natural hair. This means you do not have to purchase a straightening and curling tool separately. It takes only 60 seconds for the ceramic-coated plates to heat up, and the heat is distributed evenly to provide you with soft and glossy hair.
The infusion of the steam will help make your natural hair healthier while minimizing the chances of breakage and heat damage. You can also turn off the steam function and use this tool as a regular flat iron. It comes with a 360-degree swivel cord for easy maneuverability. The temperature range of this steam flat iron is from 300 to 455 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also dual-voltage compatible, making it a travel-friendly steam flat iron.
Specs
- Material: Ceramic
- Size: 1.25 Inches
- Temperature: Up to 455 degrees Fahrenheit
- Weight: 1.2 Pounds
Pros
- Leaves your natural hair smooth, shiny, and soft
- Curls and straightens
- Variable temperature settings
- Automatically shuts off after one hour
Cons
- The water tank is small
6. SWAN Star Professional Steam Flat Iron Hair Straightener
The SWAM Start Professional Steam Flat Iron Hair Straightener is another great steam flat iron for natural hair. In addition to delivering superb results on natural hair, you can use this steam flat iron on almost all hair types. It has six different heat settings, allowing you to choose a temperature range that is ideal for your hair type.
This hair styling tool is also designed to protect your tresses from getting too dry, thanks to its infrared heating technology. It comes with ceramic-coated plates that emit mineral ions into the hair strands when heated. This leaves your natural hair looking glossy, less vulnerable to breakage, and much healthier. It takes only 30 seconds for this tool to heat up and get ready for use.
This tool also does a great job of removing frizz, especially in humid weather conditions. The water tank of this unit is a bit large, and you can remove and refill it with ease. It also comes with a tangle-free, 360-degree swivel cord to ensure you have stress-free and easy hairstyling sessions.
It comes with a 2 inches plate, which is great for people with long and thick natural hair. The tool is also travel-friendly, thanks to its dual voltage compatibility. The temperature range is from 300 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Specs
- Material: Ceramic
- Size: 2 Inch
- Temperature: 300 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit
- Weight: 2.26 Pounds
Pros
- Locks in moisture
- Eliminates frizz
- Varied temperature settings
- Ideal for all hair types
Cons
- A bit weighty
7. XHI Professional X-Steam Pro Flat Iron and Straightener
The XHI Professional X-Steam Pro Flat Iron and Straightener is not one of the most popular steam flat irons, but it is one of the best hair steamers for African-American hair. This is one of the first flat irons to come with an internal motor for better efficiency. It also features an inbuilt water pump that provides a more powerful X-steam. It produces steam at a very fast rate, which in turn, makes the process of straightening your hair quicker.
In addition to being fast, this steam flat iron will provide you with smooth and glossy hair. It comes with high-quality plates that are designed to prevent hair-pulling. If you are looking for the best hair steamers for African American hair, this is a great option to consider, as it generates X-steam that is gentle on different types of hair.
The flat iron also comes with a detangling comb that smoothes out dense and coarse hair in just a few seconds. This unit can generate heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. It is ideal for different hair types, including damaged hair and coarse hair. The minimum temperature of this unit is 300 degrees Fahrenheit and it allows for versatile temperature control.
Specs
- Material: Ceramic
- Size: 1 Inch
- Temperature: 300 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit
- Weight: 2 Pounds
Pros
- Heats up in 30 seconds
- Removable detangling comb
- Six heat settings and LED display
- Very easy to use
Cons
- Not suitable for curling hair
Things to Consider When Buying a Flat Iron for Natural Hair
Plate Materials
Like a regular hair straightener, the plate materials of a steam flat iron also matters.
For natural black hair, what you need is a material that will not snag your hair. Ceramic plates are great for natural hair, as it makes it easy to straighten. Steam emits negative ions, but you can opt for tourmaline plates also.
Titanium is also great, as it is more durable. It is also great for stubborn and resistant hair.
Ceramic seems to be the best material for natural hair, as it distributes heats evenly across the hair.
Adjustable Temperature Settings
You should go for a steam flat iron that has adjustable temperature settings. You might have fine natural hair that might not need a high amount of heat, as such; you want to have control over the temperature of the iron. If your natural hair is colored or treated, it needs a low amount of heat.
Depending on your hair type, there are certain heat ranges that you do not need. First, you want to make sure the steam flat iron comes with a heat range that is ideal for your hair type and texture. Secondly, you want to make sure the temperature is adjustable so you can regulate it to suit your styling pattern and hair needs.
Don’t forget to use some kind of hair product for heat protection while straightening, to keep you natural black hair strong and healthy.
Large Water Drum
Steam flat irons come with a water storage tank. The volume of water in the tank will determine your styling time.
If the tool has a large tank, you can style your hair for a long period without having to refill more often. So you want to pay close attention to the tank of the tool.
If you spend about 20 minutes straightening or curling your hair with a regular flat iron, you might not spend up to 10 minutes achieving the same result with a steam iron. The steam hastens the process, but you do not want to go through the stress of frequent refilling, which is why you should opt for a tool with a high-capacity water drum.
Plate Size
Different people have different hair textures, and that’s why plate sizes differ.
The length and thickness of your hair would determine the plate size you need.
1-inch plates are the most common and versatile. For fine hair, you can go for 1-inch plates or less.
For medium hair length, 1 to 1.5 inches plates would do the job. If you have very thick long hair, you should go for plate sizes ranging from 1.5 inches to 2 inches.
The larger the size, the faster the process. However, small plate sizes allow for more complex styling.
Wrapping Up
Having known the functionalities and benefits of steam flat irons, you might not want to go back to the regular flat irons. Steam flat irons allow for quicker and more efficient hairstyling, and they are great for natural hair.
With the reviews of some of the best steam flat irons for natural hair on this guide, choosing your next steam flat iron should no longer be an issue. Our top recommendation is the FURIDEN Steam Hair Straightener Flat Iron because it is made with high-quality materials and it features 38 different heating settings, making it ideal for all types of hair.
