In heat styling circles, ceramic is king. It’s the go-to material for styling tools if you’re after gentle heating. But titanium flat irons more than hold their own, especially if you need to tame wild curls. Titanium gets hot fast and stays hot and has superior heat transfer capabilities.
One of the most popular titanium flat irons that captivated my interest is the Croc Classic Nano-Titanium. Will this straightener be able to tame coarse, lumpy locks? Find out in this Croc Flat Iron review.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Flat Iron
Before we delve into the pros and cons of the Croc Classic Flat Iron, let’s take a refresher course on the things to consider when shopping for a new hair straightener. Remember that a titanium flat iron is one of the best materials for straightening coarse and curly hair but it’s not suited for damaged hair.
Temperature Settings
Firstly, you need to control the amount of heat you’re subjecting your hair under. Multiple temperature settings minimize damage and allow you to personalize the temperature for your hair type.
Plate Size and Shape
If you have thick hair, a hair straightener with a 2-inch plate will cover sections better and in fewer passes, saving you lots of time. You should also consider the shape of the flat iron. Rounded edges create a variety of hairstyles, not just pin-straight locks.
Material
Titanium is a material best suited for people with healthy hair that’s coarse or thick. It has a quick heat up time and conducts heat efficiently. That means it can straighten hair rapidly with shorter waiting periods. Just be wary of using a temperature that’s too high because that can fry your hair.
Heat Technology
Another way to prevent heat damage is to look for flat irons that have infrared heat or ionic technology. These can dry hair more efficiently and make hair look smooth and moisturized.
CROC Flat Iron Review – Classic Nano-Titanium Hair Straightener
The Croc Classic Nano-Titanium Flat Iron is a straightener with a shape that resembles crocodile jaws, a trademark of the brand. It’s equipped with fully digital display and controls and 1.5-inch silver titanium plates with built-in ceramic heaters. It has a heat range of 280 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
The flat iron also comes with an auto shut off safety feature, an ergonomic design, a ventilation system and negative ionic technology. This is best for coarse, frizzy, thick, and curly hair because of its heavy-duty components. However, people with damaged or thin locks need to be wary because it can exacerbate the condition of their tresses.
Pros
- The ergonomic crocodile design makes the flat iron easy to use
- Heats up quickly and has multiple temperature settings
- Comes with an auto shut off feature and dual voltage
- Remembers your previous heat setting and has a digital display
- Uses floating plates with ceramic heaters that emit negative ions
Cons
- Durability needs to be improved because the Croc Black Titanium flat iron is not drop-resistant
- Some reviewers say the flat iron has a short lifespan
- Not for fragile, thin, or damaged hair
Features & Benefits
Plates
The CROC Nano-Titanium Flat Iron has 1.5-inch silver titanium plates with ceramic heaters. I like the size of the plates because it can accommodate a variety of hair types. You can straighten your hair quickly if you have thick hair and have damage-free heating if your locks are on the thin side.
Titanium is an amazing material if you’re looking for rapid heat up times when straightening your hair. It escalates in temperature and maintains the optimal temperature setting throughout the styling session. Titanium also has exceptional heat transfer, so you don’t have to go over your hair multiple times when straightening them. That’s why experts recommend titanium flat irons like these for hair that’s coarse, curly, and frizzy.
To complement the serious firepower of titanium, the plates of the Croc flat iron use ceramic heaters which recovers heat fast when you’re pausing in between hair sections. Consistent heat is advantageous if you want even results all throughout the hair.
Temperature Settings and Technology
The flat iron has an extensive range of temperature controls to suit different hair types and uses a fully digital temperature control. The heat can go as low as 280F up to 450F. The black titanium plates can be as gentle or as toasty as you’d like it to be, depending on what fits your hair best.
The digital temperature control’s display flashes the temperature setting you’re on. As the flat iron warms up, the numbers increase on the screen as well. It’s like having a live update on your flat iron’s internals while you wait.
Another cool feature is the automatic temperature adjustment when you leave your flat iron unattended. It decreases the heat to 370°F for added safety.
With the Croc flat iron, it’s better to start slow and gentle on the temperature control because the titanium plates are not fooling around–they get really hot. Once you’ve landed on the right heat setting, though, you’ll be straightening away without a hitch. It’ll make your hair smooth and shiny in as little as two passes.
The higher temperature capacity of the Croc titanium flat iron is an advantage because you don’t need to subject your locks to extended heating periods.
To boost your hair’s smoothness, the Croc flat iron uses negative ion technology. The negative ions seal the hair cuticle and eliminate frizz, so hair looks straight and shiny.
Even after you’ve turned off the Croc flat iron, it remembers your previous heat setting so the next time you style your hair, you don’t have to adjust it again. I think this is a highly underrated feature that saves a lot of time.
Ease of Use
Now, let’s talk about the Croc Flat Iron’s design. If you’re familiar with the brand, you’ll know that this croc-like hinge is their signature. Aside from the intriguing looks though, the build of the Croc flat iron is functional. The handle has a thumb grip where you can rest your finger while straightening to reduce fatigue. It also makes handling more secure so the plates can hold on to the hair better.
The handle is heat-resistant and ergonomic and the Croc titanium flat iron has a cool tip to prevent burns. The 9-foot swivel cord garners the Croc flat iron extra points for convenience. It adapts to whatever angle you’re holding the flat iron at and makes reaching the back of your head easy.
Another feature I like is the floating titanium plates that help the flat iron glide through the hair as it straightens. Flat irons that pull or snag on the locks are unacceptable but sadly, quite common, so I appreciate the addition of floating plates on the Croc Titanium Flat Iron.
Other Features
The Croc flat iron makes a great travel straightener because it has dual voltage. Whatever continent you’re on, straight hair is within reach.
As an added safety feature, the Croc titanium flat iron also comes with an automatic shut off. It powers down after 30 minutes of idle time.
The flat iron’s silver nano-technology keeps it odor and germ-free even after multiple uses, which is handy because out straighteners often accumulate gunk from sebum and styling products.
Social Proof
The Croc Classic Flat Iron has amassed many fans, many of whom praise its supreme heating capabilities and it’s ability to glide through the hair effortlessly. Here’s are some of the Croc flat iron reviews that stood out.
Alternatives
The following flat irons are in the same league as the Croc Nano Titanium Flat Iron, with a few differences. Check them out if you want to compare features and benefits before making the splurge.
BaBylissPro Nano Titanium Straightener
Another titanium flat iron to consider is this one by BaBylissPro with extended 5-inch long and 1.5-inch wide plates to provide more coverage when straightening. Just like the Croc Classic, it can heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it has double the heat settings of the Croc Classic. A ceramic heater provides instant heat recovery. It has a thin and lightweight build, making it easy to use. However, it lacks floating plates, worldwide voltage, and an auto shutoff timer. Some users also say that the plates don’t close all the way.
- Has 1.5-inch titanium plates50 heat settings up to 450F
- Uses ceramic heaters
- Thin and lightweight
- No auto shutoff, worldwide voltage and floating plates
KIPOZI Hair Straightener
This KIPOZI flat iron is one of the best high quality budget alternatives if you find the price of the Croc Classic too steep for your liking. It has the same nano titanium floating plates and worldwide voltage. The plates are narrower than the Croc flat iron, at 1 inch. The temperature can go as high as 450F so it can suit all hair types. There’s a digital readout display and manual controls. The flat iron has an advertised 15-second heat up time and automically shuts off after 90 minutes of non-use. Some users have noted that the plates can tug on hair and the buttons are placed in an awkward location.
- 1-inch nano-titanium plates
- Worldwide voltage with an auto shutoff
- Affordable15-second heat up and multiple heat controls
- Can tug on hair and the buttons can be clicked accidentally
CHI G2 Ceramic and Titanium Straightener
The CHI Pro G2 heats up in just 40 seconds and is fitted with ceramic floating plates infused with titanium. The flat iron glides on hair and the plates make this a durable product. The CHI Pro G2 straightener has color-coded temperature controls from 0 to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. The plates are 1.25-inches wide so it provides a good middle ground for long and short hair types in terms of coverage. It’s versatile because it can be used to curl hair, as well. Like the Croc Classic, it comes with a dual voltage so it’s travel-friendly.
- 40-second heat up and multiple heat controls
- Made of ceramic floating plates with a titanium infusion
- 1.25-inch plates glide on hair
- Worldwide voltage and versatile
Things to Consider Before Buying a Flat Iron
Before we delve into the pros and cons of the Croc Classic Flat Iron, let’s take a refresher course on the things to consider when shopping for a new hair straightener. Remember that a titanium flat iron is one of the best materials for straightening coarse and curly hair but it’s not suited for damaged hair.
Temperature Settings
Firstly, you need to control the amount of heat you’re subjecting your hair under. Multiple temperature settings minimize damage and allow you to personalize the temperature for your hair type.
Plate Size and Shape
If you have thick hair, a hair straightener with a 2-inch plate will cover sections better and in fewer passes, saving you lots of time. You should also consider the shape of the flat iron. Rounded edges create a variety of hairstyles, not just pin-straight locks.
Material
Titanium is a material best suited for people with healthy hair that’s coarse or thick. It has a quick heat up time and conducts heat efficiently. That means it can straighten hair rapidly with shorter waiting periods. Just be wary of using a temperature that’s too high because that can fry your hair.
Heat Technology
Another way to prevent heat damage is to look for flat irons that have infrared heat or ionic technology. These can dry hair more efficiently and make hair look smooth and moisturized.
Conclusion
That ends our in-depth review on the Croc Classic Nano Titanium Flat Iron. Do you think it’s worth the buy? Whether this will suit you depends on your hair type and what you want in a flat iron. I like that it has extensive heat settings and safety features. The flat iron has an ergonomic design and is a pleasure to use. As reviewers can attest, it straightens hair quickly and heats up fast. Unless you have damaged or fine hair, it’s a compelling option if you’re in the market for a new straightener. Check out the Croc Classic Flat Iron if any of these features pique your interest. Happy styling!
