Dyson Airstrait vs a flat iron

Hot air vs hot plates

A flat iron clamps a section of dry hair between two heated plates and pulls it straight. Heat plus tension flatten the hair shaft. This is why flat irons give a very smooth, reflective finish, and why most makers warn against using them on wet hair. Our can you flat iron wet hair explainer covers that point.

The Airstrait works on wet hair. Its listing describes heated high-pressure airflow projected through the section as you style, drying and straightening at once. Dyson's no-heat-damage claim applies when used in wet-to-dry mode. There are no hot plates touching the hair.

Spec table from the listings

Facts below come from each Amazon listing. We chose two corded plate irons that sit at different points on heat control.

Finish and hair type

Plate irons are the tool for a pin-straight, glossy result. The ghd Platinum+ is fixed at 365F, which suits many medium hair types without any choice to make. The BaBylissPRO Ultra Thin goes up to 450F across 50 settings, which gives coarse and very curly hair more headroom, and its listing says the long 5 inch plates mean fewer passes.

Air straightening generally leaves more body and movement. Some people prefer that, especially with fine hair that can look flat after an iron. If you want a sleek finish on tight curls or coils, a plate iron is usually the more dependable choice; see how to flat iron natural hair and our flat irons for natural hair.

Routine and time

The Airstrait's best case is someone who washes, blow-dries and then flat irons. It can turn those two steps into one. If you wash at night or style on second-day hair, you will still need something for dry hair, and the Airstrait is not built around that.

A flat iron works any time your hair is dry, which makes it better for touch-ups, fringes and short styles. Our how to use a flat iron guide walks through sectioning and passes.

1. 1

   Wash and towel-dry if you are using the Airstrait; dry fully first if you are using a flat iron.

2. 2

   Apply a heat protectant suited to your tool.

3. 3

   Work in small sections from the back forward.

4. 4

   Finish with a cool shot or let hair cool before brushing.

Cost per job

At $499.00 the Airstrait costs more than two of the plate irons here combined. That is fair only if you count it as a dryer and a straightener. If you already own a good dryer and mainly style dry hair, a $180 to $225 plate iron covers the job. Read is the Dyson Airstrait worth it for the full value case.

Compare all straighteners →

When to stick with a flat iron

Stay with a flat iron if most of your styling happens on dry hair, if you have short hair or a fringe that needs precise control, or if you want the flattest finish possible. Narrow plates are also easier around the hairline than the wide arms of an air straightener. Our flat irons for short hair picks focus on that kind of detail work.

A flat iron is also the safer bet on a tighter budget. The two irons in the table are listed at $179.99 and $222.99, and both curl and wave as well as straighten. If you are new to flat irons, how to choose a flat iron explains plate material, width and heat settings.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Airstrait replace a hair dryer? It is designed to dry and straighten together, so for straight styles it can. For other styles you may still want a dryer.

Is the Airstrait safer than a flat iron? Dyson claims no heat damage when used wet to dry. Any flat iron can damage hair at high heat, so use the lowest temperature that works.

Can a flat iron be used on wet hair? Most makers say to use flat irons on dry hair only. See our explainer on flat ironing wet hair.

Which is better for thick, coarse hair? A plate iron with high heat options, like the BaBylissPRO Ultra Thin up to 450F, usually gives coarse hair a sleeker result.