I remember buying my first Conair hair straightener fifteen years ago. My college roommate had one and I'd borrow it before dates, always burning my ears because I didn't know about ceramic plates. Things have changed - Conair flat irons now come with infrared technology and automatic shut-off. But with dozens of models available, how do you choose? Having tested eight different Conair straighteners over the years, I'll help you cut through the noise.
Why Conair Flat Irons Stand Out in the Crowd
Conair's been making hair tools since the 1950s. They weren't my first straightener brand - I went through three cheap ones before realizing why my hairstylist cousin swears by Conair. It's not just about durability (though my Infinity Pro lasted five years of daily abuse).
What makes Conair hair straighteners different? Three things:
- Consistent heat distribution - no cold spots that leave sections frizzy
- Actual temperature controls - not just "low/medium/high" settings
- Affordable innovation - they add salon tech at drugstore prices
But let's get real. My first Conair straightener wasn't perfect. The cord twisted like a phone charger and the plates stained after six months. They've fixed these issues in newer models, but I'll point out where certain versions still fall short.
Conair Straightener Models Compared
| Model | Price Range | Plate Material | Temperature Range | Best For | Heats Up In |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conair InfinitiPro | $25-$40 | Ceramic | 325°F-400°F | Fine to medium hair | 30 seconds |
| Conair Double Ceramic | $20-$35 | Double ceramic | 300°F-400°F | Thick or frizzy hair | 45 seconds |
| Conair Tourmaline | $35-$60 | Tourmaline ceramic | 275°F-455°F | All hair types | 20 seconds |
| Conair Steam Straightener | $50-$80 | Ceramic with steam | 300°F-400°F | Extremely curly hair | 60 seconds |
The InfinitiPro remains Conair's bestseller for good reason. At Target last week, I compared it side-by-side with a $150 salon brand. Unless you have hair down to your waist, you won't notice enough difference to justify triple the price.
My tourmaline Conair hair straightener survived three international trips - until I plugged it directly into a 220V socket in Lisbon. Poof! Lesson learned: always use a voltage converter. Now I travel with their dual-voltage mini straightener.
Key Features That Actually Matter
After frying my hair with bad flat irons in my 20s, I've learned what specifications make a real difference:
- Plate width: 1-inch plates work for most people. Go wider only if your hair is thick or waist-length
- Temperature precision: Fine hair needs 300-350°F while coarse hair requires 400°F+
- Auto-shutoff: Essential if you forget appliances like I do (my husband found my old straightener still on after 9 hours!)
Using Your Conair Straightener Like a Pro
I learned these techniques from a Conair stylist at a beauty expo - they changed my straightening game:
- Start with completely dry hair (damp hair causes bubbling)
- Divide hair into 2-inch sections
- Clamp near roots and glide slowly down - don't press too hard!
- For flipped ends, rotate the straightener as you reach the ends
Pro Tip: Spritz sections with heat protectant first. I use the Conair Thermal Shield spray ($6 at Walgreens) because it doesn't make hair crunchy. Apply to mid-lengths and ends only - roots get oily faster.
Cleaning and Maintenance Must-Dos
My first Conair straightener died because I never cleaned it. Black gunk built up until it stopped heating evenly. Don't make my mistake!
Weekly cleaning routine:
- Unplug and cool completely
- Wipe plates with damp microfiber cloth
- For residue, use rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab
- Store in the included heat-resistant pouch
Every six months, deep clean with Conair's ceramic plate cleaner ($5 online). It removes mineral buildup from hard water that regular cleaning misses.
Solving Common Conair Straightener Problems
Why won't my Conair hair straightener heat up?
First, check the outlet with another device. If it's not the outlet, look for blinking lights - 3 flashes means overheating. Unplug for 30 minutes. Still dead? The thermal fuse probably blew. Replacement costs $15 but requires soldering skills.
My straightener pulls my hair - what's wrong?
Chipped plates are the usual culprit. Run a tissue over the plates - if it snags, plates need replacing. For Conair models with snap-in plates, replacements run $10-$25 on their website. Otherwise, it's time for a new Conair flat iron.
Is the steam function worth it?
For tight curls, absolutely. My sister has 4C hair and says the Conair Steam Straightener cuts her styling time in half. But if your hair is wavy or loosely curled, save the $30 - standard ceramic plates work fine.
How Conair Compares to Other Brands
| Feature | Conair | Chi | Revlon | Remington |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price Range | $20-$80 | $100-$200 | $25-$60 | $30-$70 |
| Warranty Length | 2 years | Lifetime | 1 year | 2 years |
| Heat Settings | 10-30 | 1-30 | 5-15 | 5-20 |
| Plate Material Options | 4 types | 3 types | 3 types | 3 types |
Where Conair Falls Short
Let's be honest - no brand is perfect. Through trial and error, I've found Conair's weak spots:
- Cords: Still too stiff on budget models. The cord on my InfinitiPro eventually frayed where it meets the iron
- Temperature accuracy: My infrared thermometer showed the $25 model ran 20°F cooler than indicated
- Button durability: The power button on two models became unresponsive within 18 months
That said, for under $50, you're getting remarkable performance. Just manage expectations - this isn't a $200 Dyson.
Where to Buy and What to Pay
Prices fluctuate wildly. Last month I tracked Conair hair straightener pricing across retailers:
| Retailer | InfinitiPro Price | Tourmaline Price | Steam Straightener Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $29.99 | $44.99 | $59.99 |
| Walmart | $31.88 | $42.50 | $62.40 |
| Target | $34.99 | $46.99 | $64.99 |
| Ulta | $32.99 | $47.50 | $67.00 |
Amazon usually has the best deals, but check Kohl's during 30% off events. I got my backup Conair straightener there for $21 last Black Friday.
Watch Out: Third-party sellers on eBay and Walmart Marketplace sell counterfeit Conair irons. Stick to authorized retailers. Fakes overheat dangerously and lack safety certifications.
Caring for Your Hair During Straightening
After years of heat damage, my hairstylist gave me this recovery regimen when using any Conair flat iron:
- Weekly: Protein treatment (I like Olaplex No.3)
- Before heat: Silicone-free heat protectant (look for dimethicone)
- Monthly: Trim ¼ inch to prevent split ends
- Every 3 months: Stop straightening for 1 week to let hair recover
If your hair feels like straw, cut back to straightening twice weekly and use the lowest effective temperature on your Conair hair straightener.
The Verdict: Who Should Buy Conair Straighteners
Based on my experience with eight models, here's who gets the most value:
- Best budget pick: InfinitiPro (under $35)
- Best for thick hair: Double Ceramic ($40)
- Best for travel: Mini Pro (dual voltage)
- Best splurge: Tourmaline with digital display ($60)
Skip Conair if you have professional salon needs or waist-length hair that requires extra-wide plates. For everyone else? Grab an InfinitiPro during Amazon Prime Day and pocket the savings. My current Conair hair straightener has given me two years of perfect silky hair mornings - once you learn its quirks, it outperforms irons three times the price.
Just remember - no straightener works miracles on damaged hair. Pair your Conair flat iron with good hair care, and you'll save both time and money compared to weekly salon visits. That's been my experience anyway - let me know how yours goes!