Is the Dyson Corrale worth it?

What the Corrale does differently

Most flat irons have rigid plates. The Corrale's plates flex to wrap around a section of hair and gather it. Dyson says this gives more control and lets you get the same style with less heat. It is the main design difference, and the reason Dyson gives for the price.

The second difference is the battery. Dyson lists up to 30 minutes of cord-free styling, a full recharge in 70 minutes, and the option to use it corded. It comes with a travel charging dock that folds for packing. There is an OLED screen showing battery and temperature, chimes for status, auto shut-off after 10 minutes of inactivity, and a safety lock.

Key specs from Dyson's listing

Why is the Dyson straightener so expensive?

Several things push the price up: the flexing plate mechanism, the lithium-ion battery and charging system, the screen and electronics, and the Dyson brand itself. Cordless straighteners that match corded heat need a battery big enough to keep the plates hot, and that is a costly part.

Whether that is good value depends on how you style. If you never use it cordless, you are paying for a battery and dock you do not need.

Corrale vs premium corded irons

The irons below are on our lists and cost less than the Corrale. They all straighten well when used with good technique on dry hair. The question is which features matter to you.

Corded irons heat continuously and never run out of battery during a long session on thick hair. Many offer more heat control: the BaBylissPRO Ultra Thin lists 50 settings up to 450°F, and the T3 SinglePass StyleMax has 9 settings plus auto world voltage. ghd's Platinum+ and Chronos remove the choice entirely with a fixed 365°F, which some people like for simplicity. ghd's rounded housings also make curls and waves easier than the Corrale's flat profile. Dyson Corrale vs ghd goes deeper on that matchup.

Who the Corrale suits

• People who touch up hair away from an outlet: at work, at the gym, in the car before an event
• Frequent travelers who want one compact iron with a dock, and who are fine with battery rules on flights
• Anyone who likes the idea of styling at a moderate setting with plates that gather hair
• Shorter to medium hair that styles within the battery run time

Who should skip it

If your hair is long and thick and a full straightening session takes a long time, a corded iron with wider plates, such as the ghd Max or BaBylissPRO 2 inch, is usually more practical; see flat irons for thick hair. If you mostly want curls and waves from your flat iron, a rounded-housing iron is easier; see flat irons that curl. And if budget matters, the corded irons above do the core job for much less.

If you like the idea of a Dyson but want to start from wet hair, the Dyson Airstrait is a different tool that uses air; see Dyson Corrale vs Airstrait.

The bottom line

The Corrale is a well-featured straightener whose extra cost goes mostly into cordless use and the flexing plate design. Pay for it if you will use it cordless. If you will not, a premium corded iron from our flat iron guide or hair straightener guide is the better value.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Dyson Corrale better than a ghd? It is different rather than simply better. The Corrale is cordless with three settings and flexing plates; ghd irons are corded with a fixed 365°F and rounded housings that make curling easier.

How long does the Corrale battery last? Dyson lists up to 30 minutes of cord-free styling and about 70 minutes to recharge. It can also be used corded.

Does the Corrale prevent heat damage? No iron can promise that. Dyson says its flexing plates let you style with less heat. Use the lowest setting that works and a heat protectant.

Can you curl hair with the Dyson Corrale? Yes, with the twist and glide method, though many people find rounded-housing irons easier for curls.