New TSA Rules Are in Effect—Here’s What You Need to Know

Cordless hair tools were once a boon for travelers, with their portable, bulk-free designs that didn’t require a special adapter when visiting overseas. Now, new guidelines from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) no longer permit cordless curling irons, hair straighteners, and more in checked bags as they can catch fire in the cargo hold (the gas cartridges and lithium batteries that power them are highly flammable).

Fortunately, you don’t have to stop traveling with them altogether. Per the new TSA rules, you can take cordless curling irons and straighteners only in a carry-on, and they must have a safety cover “securely fitted over the heating element.” They must also be protected from accidentally turning on in your luggage. By keeping them in the cabin, the flight crew has access to them if they accidentally catch fire.

Of course, carry-on luggage space is precious, and your cordless straightener might not always make the cut. When your checked bag is the only option, regular plug-in styling tools will just have to do. Thankfully, the world of hair tools has evolved to include countless travel-friendly electronics that don’t take up nearly as much suitcase space as they used to. Below, we’ve rounded up the best packable curlers, flat irons, and stylers worth your dollar that can safely fly in your checked bag without issue. 

L’ange Hair Le Duo Grande 360° Airflow Styler

This is one of the top three best-selling flat irons on Amazon, and it has more than 9,000 five-star ratings from shoppers, many of whom said it’s great for travel. People mostly love the two-in-one functionality; in addition to straightening, it can also create curls and waves with its curved barrel.

“I purchased this product because I travel a lot personally and professionally, and I was tired of having to pack multiple styling tools,” one reviewer wrote. “I was skeptical that it would both curl and flat iron well, but I was wrong! It did both fabulously and left my hair silky and shiny.” The Le Duo Grande 360° Airflow Styler also has a built-in fan that helps set your style right away. And it’s dual-voltage—perfect for international travel.

BondiBoost Mini Interchangeable 2-in-1 Hair Straightener Brush and Curling Iron

This mini BondiBoost multitool helps consolidate your load with two different attachments: a hot brush and a 1.25-inch ceramic-coated curling iron. “The compact design is a lifesaver for travel,” said one Sephora shopper, “and it heats up fast, making styling a breeze.” The tool gets up to 360 degrees, is dual-voltage, and comes with a travel case and heat mat included. About 78 percent of people who bought it from Sephora rated it five stars, including one who wrote: “Don’t let the size fool you, [it’s] just as amazing and powerful as the larger stylers.”

Drybar The Baby Brush Crush Mini Heated Straightening Brush

Can’t fathom leaving your Drybar Brush Crush at home? Then pack this travel-sized version, measuring less than 3 inches wide and about 10 inches long. While its big sister offers digital temperature control up to 450 degrees, the mini has just one setting of 400 degrees. It uses ionic technology to straighten and smooth over hair without creating frizz. “I travel on weekends to visit family, and this is small enough to fit my toiletry bag,” an Amazon shopper wrote. As a bonus, it costs less than half the price of the full-size Brush Crush.

Conair 1-inch Travel Curling Iron

This sleek Conair curling iron takes up only about 5 inches of suitcase space. The 1-inch ceramic barrel heats up within 30 seconds, according to the brand, giving you sleek waves within the tightest windows of freshening up time on your itinerary. “I used to travel with a heavy curling iron to do the job this one can do with almost no weight,” a customer said. At just 10 ounces, the curler “lets me lighten my luggage load considerably.”

Revlon One-step Volumizer Hairdryer and Styler

The Revlon One-step Volumizer is a fan-favorite hot-air brush, even among professional hairstylists and flight attendants (“After all day of my hair being in a bun, it straightens my hair out for my cocktail hour,” according to one crew member). It’s amassed a whopping 518,000-plus ratings on Amazon, 399,000 of which are five-star. The two-in-one hairdryer and styler is not specifically designed for travel, but you can detach the 2.8-inch oval head for easier packing. Pro tip: Purchase a hardside case to pack it in so you don’t damage the bristles.

BaBylissPro Nano Titanium Mini Flat Iron

Another travel-size best-seller, the BaBylissPRO mini flat iron has a titanium plate measuring six inches long and half an inch wide. It’s “tiny but mighty,” reviewers say. One wrote that they even brought it on a month-long backpacking trip in Europe, and it turned out to be “just enough” to dress up their hair. The straightener is dual-voltage, so it works with Europe’s standard electrical current, and it comes with a thermal travel pouch. It has just one heat setting, keeping it at 430 degrees.

T3 Aire 360 Multi-styler and Blowout System

If you’re willing to splurge on great vacation hair, consider this T3 Aire 360 five-piece set. In addition to the T3 Aire 360 base, you get two 1.35-inch curling iron attachments (one for the right, one for the left), an oval brush head, and the SoftAire drying concentrator. Choose what you need for your trip or pack it all up in the included vegan leather carrying pouch. People actually compare it to the much more expensive Dyson Airwrap, which isn’t dual-voltage and therefore not compatible with all electrical systems abroad. Instead of $600, you’ll pay $250 for this T3 alternative while it’s on sale.

Wavytalk Mini 0.7-inch Flat Iron

For a wildly affordable yet still highly rated option, the Wavytalk mini flat iron has about 6,000 perfect Amazon ratings and costs only $14 (it’s 30 percent off $20 right now). It has a 6.3-inch by 0.7-inch ceramic plate and one 390-degree heat setting. One reviewer who’s been a hairdresser for 45 years took a chance on it for a trip to Alaska. Their feedback: “This small but very effective flat iron did a great job in flattening my bangs as well as curling the back of my hair with ease.” It’s also super lightweight at just over five ounces.

Sussie Daddy Mini Collapsible Hair Curler

Mini versions and multitools with detachable heads are just a couple of the many different ways a hot tool can be “travel-friendly” by design. Another way is by folding in half, which is the superpower of this Sussie Daddy curling brush. Hinge it between the base and the 1-inch-wide curling wand when you need to pack it, then flip it out and lock it for quick curls after a short 30-second heat-up period. The curler is coated in a layer of tourmaline ceramic that releases negative ions to eliminate frizz and static.

Tymo Airflow 2.0  2-in-1 Hair Straightener and Curler

If you like the two-in-one format of a flat iron that can also give you a structured wave, then the Tymo Airflow 2.0 might be your tool. It’s equipped with a 1.25-inch titanium plate for straight hair days and a rounded barrel with a built-in setting fan for creating curls and waves. When you’re working with a limited number of items you packed in a suitcase, it’s a rare treat to be spontaneous about your beauty choices. Unlike a lot of travel-friendly hot tools, this one has five heat settings ranging from 280 to 430 degrees. It’s on sale for $70 on Amazon.

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