Hair care and styling can mean so many different tools, sprays, and oils, that it can start to make your head spin. Keeping your routine simple with a few of your favorite tools and products can help get you out the door in a hurry if you need it.
For those of you who have places to go and people to see, you may need to have some battery-operated choices that you can take along with you. Whether you are doing your hair in the car, or in the bathroom at the airport while waiting for your flight, you could use a portable flat iron.
We will have a look at one of the smallest, and convenient options for hair styling available. We’ll discuss the differences between these options and the full-size models, as well as the pros and cons of using these products.
With a new portable and battery-operated flat iron, you’ll be strutting your stuff in style wherever you go.
| Budget |
|---|
 |
| Pritech Portable Flat Iron |
| 4.6/5.0 |
| Size: 7.8 inches |
| Battery Capacity: 2400mAh |
| Built-in comb teeth for detangling, battery power lasts up to 30 minutes. |
| Check Amazon |
| Best Value |
|---|
 |
| Deogra Cordless Mini Flat Iron |
| 4.7/5.0 |
| Size: 8 inches |
| Battery Capacity: 2600mAh |
| Patented JPH technology for short heating times, rounded ceramic plates. |
| Check Amazon |
| Top Pick |
|---|
 |
| SalonDepot Cordless Mini Straightener |
| 4.9/5.0 |
| Size: 8.5 inches |
| Battery Capacity: 4000mAh |
| Fast heating times, multiple heating settings, compact size for travel. |
| Check Amazon |
Portable Hair Straightening Tips and Tricks
Many men and women now use hair straighteners to get their desired look, but not everyone knows the secrets to get portable flat irons to work great for quick touch-ups.
No matter what kind of premium item you buy, you have to use the proper techniques to achieve the perfect look.
Here are some tips and tricks that will help you get the look you want with a mini flat iron.
Remember to Keep It Fully Charged
Traveling can be a hassle, and it can cause you to stress out more than usual.
Stressing can lead you to forget important last-minute details, like remembering to fully charge your flat iron the night before you leave.
Because of the compact size of these units, many of them can’t offer a long charge time as normal options can. That means that you must keep it fully charged to get the most use out of it and to keep it at high heat for the entire run time.
Forgetting to charge it completely can result in you only being able to touch up half of your hair. Let’s be honest, we’ve all seen this happen to someone. You don’t want that someone to be you.
Keep your flat iron plugged in and charging for the full time it needs, and you will be ready to use it during your travels.
Don’t Expect It To Do Your Entire Head
Portable flat irons have gotten much better in recent years, and with how fast technology is moving, we can expect them to get even better.
However, going in with the expectation of a mini flat iron able to do the work of a regular-sized iron is just setting yourself up for disappointment.
These models offer a lot of heating power and are perfect for quick touch-ups before a meeting or interview. But they are not meant to be used for straightening your entire head of hair or re-straightening a piece of hair that has gotten wet.
Using a mini flat iron that runs on batteries to do a bigger job than it was made for will only let you down.
Straightening your whole head with your regular straightener before using these mini options will yield a better final result than trying to force these options to do a job that they weren’t made for.
Stick to the basic function and only use these portable models on baby hairs, flyaways, and to touch up small sections that need fixing.
Work As Fast As You Can
Portable and battery-operated flat irons don’t hold a charge for very long. Many options will maintain its heat for only half an hour or so.
This means that you need to be able to work quickly when restyling your hair.
Having a plan of attack may sound like overkill, but knowing exactly what you will need to fix to keep your hair well-styled and polished will help get you there faster.
After a long flight, you may have to touch up the back of your head because you slept on it. This means that you should go right to the trouble area and straighten the hair as much as you can while the flat iron is running on full heat.
Many of these models will begin losing heating power about halfway through the process. This means that you should be able to finish most of the hair in the first half and focus on small fixes to polish off the look in the last few minutes of charge.
8 Best Portable and Battery-Operated Flat Irons Comparison Table
| Product Name | Battery Capacity | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalonDepot Cordless Mini Straightener | 4000mAh | 8.5 inches | Check Price |
| Deogra Cordless Mini Flat Iron | 2600mAh | 8 inches | Check Price |
| Pritech Portable Flat Iron | 2400mAh | 7.8 inches | Check Price |
| Himaly Cordless Straightener | 2600mAh | 9.4 inches | Check Price |
| Conair Unbound Cordless | 2400mAh | 12 inches | Check Price |
| Conair MiniPro | 2200mAh | 11.2 inches | Check Price |
6 Best Portable and Battery-Operated Flat Irons: Detailed Reviews
As we look at the different options available, you might think that these flat irons are not necessary because most people simply use it at home where there is a plug. However, these are not made for the average person.
These flat irons are made for those who need to style their hair while they travel, or in places where a plug might not be available. For people who are always on the run, you will benefit from owning one of these products.
We will take a close look at all the things that each of these flat irons has to offer, and after that, we will offer some tips about how to use these tools to get a great hairstyle wherever you go.
1. SalonDepot Cordless Mini Straightener (Top Pick)
Editor’s Rating: 4.9/5.0
This cordless mini straightener packs a big bunch in a little package and comes from the SalonDepot. This brand and line are made from those who really understand hair, and what you need to style it to look your best.
With their stores being the go-to place to get professional-grade hair styling products, you can’t go wrong.
This cordless mini model straightener has a sleek and modern design with a bright white finish that really pops. With the biggest battery charge and power of all the options, this small flat iron can last up to 45 minutes on a single charge.
This flat iron also offers a fast heat-up time that has three different temperature settings. From 320 degrees all the way up to 400 degrees, this mini flat iron can give you the high heat that you need to straighten even the most stubborn textured hair.
Ceramic plates are smooth so they won’t cause any tugging of hair strands so you won’t have pieces of your hair being pulled out while you use it. The ceramic ions that are released when heated up will work to lock in the moisture of your hair so the final product will come out looking healthier and shinier.
The compact size of this model is perfect for taking trips for work when you have to get ready in an airport or small hotel room, and it is small enough to work for short pixie cuts and bangs.
With a 1-year warranty included with the purchase of this model, you can return or replace the unit if there are any signs of defects of malfunctions.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Battery power: 4000mAh |
| Size: 8.5 inches |
| Temperature levels: 3 |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Cordless |
| Made from a trusted and experienced brand |
| Sleek, white design |
| Fast heating times |
| Multiple heating settings |
| Ceramic heating plates |
| Compact size for travel |
| Most powerful battery for portable flat iron |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Takes a while to get to full charge |
| May not be the best for extremely textured hair |
| Higher on the price range than other options |
2. Deogra Cordless Mini Flat Iron (Best Value)
Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5.0
This Deogra portable flat iron is the second most compact option of the products listed. With its 8-inch length, you can easily fit this into any of your carry-on bags for a flight, or into a suitcase for a long road trip.
With 2600mAh of battery power, this model can hold its charge long enough to touch up your entire head so that you can keep your straightened style for your entire trip. The patented JPH technology included keeps the heating times short so you can use it right away and helps the iron to recover from the heat quickly.
The Deogra model has rounded ceramic tourmaline plates that, when heated, release negative ions into your hair that helps maintain the shine and health of your hair so you can protect your hair from heat damage.
The rounded edges of the plates keep the flat iron from pulling out single strands of hair as you move it through sections of hair.
At ½-inch width, the plates are perfect for use on short hairstyles and front bangs so that you can get to the root of the hair easily. It is also safe enough to use on children’s hair so they can look their best as well.
This model also has a shiny, iridescent finish that sparkles in the light and shines blue, green, and purple, depending on how you angle it. With this glamorous finish, you will have the best-looking flat iron around.
This flat iron has a preheat feature that takes three minutes to heat up, which is recommended for the best heat.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Battery power: 2600mAh |
| Size: 8 inches |
| Preheat time: 3-minutes |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Second smallest option |
| 2600mAh battery power |
| Patented JPH technology for short heating times |
| Rounded ceramic plates |
| 1/2-width for sleek design |
| Iridescent finish for unique look |
| Has a preheat feature for better heat |
| The Cons |
|---|
| The battery charge doesn’t last that long |
| You will have to charge the battery every day |
| Not meant for thicker hair |
3. Pritech Portable Flat Iron (Best Budget)
Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5.0
This Pritech portable flat iron is a perfect fit for travelers who don’t want to spend too much on a compact product. This is the cheapest choice of all the options and is budget-friendly for even the most frugal buyers.
With 2400mAh of battery power, you can heat this iron up quickly and keep the charge long enough to do any touch-ups that you might need after a long trip.
This model comes equipped with small built-in teeth on the edge of the plates so you gently comb the hair as you straighten. Comb teeth work to detangle your hair as the flat iron heats it so you cut down on the styling time.
The battery can be charged through the USB port and the cable to do so is included with your purchase. The flat iron takes about four hours to completely charge, and the power can last between 20 and 30 minutes of use.
This budget option is the most compact flat iron of the list and only measures 7.8 inches in length. The size is easy to fit in a bigger purse or suitcase and can come with you on any sort of trip that you take.
Although this straightener is not able to work for a full head of hair, users with very short haircuts could use it as their everyday flat iron.
Backed by a 1-year warranty, this model offers you peace of mind knowing that any issues with the flat iron will be taken care of by the manufacturer, and you will receive a replacement or a refund.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Battery power: 2400mAh |
| Size: 7.8 inches |
| Charge held: 20-30 minutes |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Budget-friendly option |
| 2400mAh of battery power |
| Built-in comb teeth for detangling |
| Charges with USB |
| Battery power lasts up to 30 minutes |
| Most compact option on list |
| Backed by a 1-year warranty |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Useful for touch-ups or short hair only |
| Power button can be bumped easily in the current placement |
| Battery power doesn’t last as long as others |
4. Himaly Cordless Straightener
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
The Himaly cordless straightener provides a gentle heat that will help keep your hair healthy and more resistant to heat damage.
This flat iron offers 2600mAh of battery power that gives you the high heat you need for proper styling. With a maximum heat of 450 degrees, you can straighten out those flyaways and revamp your straight style in just a few minutes of touch-ups.
The iron heats up quickly and reaches the maximum heat temperature within just 30 seconds. This small model also allows for curling so you can choose whatever style you want while you travel.
Plugs can often be a pain to deal with when traveling because not all of them are compatible. This model is made to be used worldwide and can be fully charged through a phone charger, power bank, or car charger.
Although this flat iron gets to high heat, it won’t damage your hair follicles because of the gentle heat it provides. The iron uses ions to close the cuticles of the hair to prevent heat damage from occurring while you’re styling.
The curved edges of the ceramic heating plates keep your hair from getting caught and ripping out while you are touching up your hairdo.
This model is 9.4 inches long, which is not the smallest of the options here, but is still relatively smaller than the average flat iron, and can fit inside smaller bags for short trips.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Battery power: 2600mAh |
| Size: 9.4 inches |
| Reaches max heat: 30 seconds, 460-degree max heat |
| The Pros |
|---|
| 2600mAh of battery power |
| 450-degree maximum heat |
| Reaches max heat in 30 seconds |
| Can be charged from many sources |
| Uses ions and gentle heat |
| Curved ceramic plates for no hair pulling |
| 9.4 inches long for compact choice |
| The Cons |
|---|
| The comb teeth may rip out some hair |
| Battery doesn’t hold charge very long |
5. Conair Unbound Cordless
Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5.0
This Conair Unbound cordless flat iron is made by a trusted company that has been a well-known name in the hair business for many years. With a range of products from curling irons to blow dryers, customers know the name and connect it with quality.
This flat iron is no exception.
The Conair Unbound is a titanium-made model that is durable and can take a few drops before breaking. Titanium is a metal that offers a low density that keeps the item lightweight but also has a high strength for durability.
The 1-inch width of the heating plates keeps the iron slim but still can straighten a good amount of hair at one time.
The cordless nature allows you to move the flat iron freely around your head so you’re able to reach the toughest spots. Although it is a cordless model, it is a high-performance option that doesn’t sacrifice heat power.
For a 25-minute run time, you need to charge the battery for three hours in total for the initial charge. After this first time, charging will take less than three hours.
This flat iron offers up to 400 degrees of heating power to straighten your hair with, even without a cord. There are four heat settings to choose from, so you don’t have to use the full heat if you would like to stay at a cooler temperature.
An LED temperature display will clearly show you which temperature setting you chose.
This model also features an automatic shut-off so the flat iron won’t stay on during times of non-use.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Battery power: 2400mAh |
| Size: 12 inches |
| Running time: 25-minute |
| Auto shut-off feature: Yes |
| The Pros |
|---|
| 2400mAh of battery power |
| 12-inches in length |
| 1-inch width heating plates |
| 25-minute run time |
| 400-degree maximum heat |
| Three-hour initial charge |
| Three-hour initial charge |
| Led display |
| Automatic shut-off |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Doesn’t offer as much battery power as other options |
| Longer than other compact options |
| Only usable for touch-ups and short hair |
6. Conair MiniPro (2200mah 11.2 inches)
Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5.0
As I mentioned before, the name Conair is synonymous with the hair care industry and many customers likely have one or two of their products already.
With a name that you know and trust, you will find the confidence that you don’t have when taking a chance on a brand that you haven’t heard of or used before.
This Conair MiniPro is a compact option that is slightly smaller than the Unbound model. With 11.2 inches in length, instead of the 12-inch Conair model, you will find space for this mini option in whatever bag you bring along.
The heating power in this model is 2200mAh and offers enough heat to straighten or curl your hair for touch-ups on the road. This tiny model can be used in the car, on a train, or in the airport, if needed.
The ¾-inch ceramic heating plates are slim enough to straighten bangs and baby hairs, but can still hold a large enough amount of hair to go over the rest of our head for trouble spots.
This model heats up quickly and offers a high heat that will be just enough to smooth out flyaway’s. This mini flat iron heats up in just three minutes and will keep its heat for up to 20 minutes of use.
Unlike the other choices above, this flat iron doesn’t run on batteries, and instead uses a ThermaCell butane cartridge. This uses fire to ignite the straightener and runs for as long as the cartridge stays lit. Instead of changing out the batteries, you will be changing the butane cartridges.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Battery power: 2200mAh |
| Size: 11.2 inches |
| Heating time: 3 minutes |
| Using time: 20 minutes |
| The Pros |
|---|
| 2200mAh of heating power |
| 11.2 inches in length |
| ¾-inch ceramic plates |
| Heats up in three minutes |
| Keeps heat for up to 20 minutes |
| Runs on butane cartridges |
| Don’t have to change out batteries |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Butane could be a fire hazard |
| Not to be used by children |
| Must buy a new butane canister every time |
| Clamp is a bit too weak to hold hair completely |
Conclusion
Trying to keep your hair from getting wet or damp from moisture as you travel can be tough, but it will make touch-ups much easier.
Stay dry as much as possible, and maybe even think about getting a portable blow dryer, if needed.
