InStyler Max Review: 2-Way Hair Straightener and Curler

by Epic.Reviews Staff

• Versatile straightening/curling device
• Heats up quickly
• Multiple heat options
• Helps with frizz on most hair types

• Learning curve to use properly
• Operates too hot for some people
• More expensive than most flat irons or curling irons
• Noisy while in use

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With its 2-way rotating barrel, InStyler Max offers a flexible styling experience that is generally well-received from reviewers online and our own product testers. Different hair types, curling-vs-straightening, and temperature settings will all affect individual consumer satisfaction. The product maintains about a 3.9 star rating from online reviewers, our readers, and our staff.

InStyler Max

InStyler Max is a rotating iron which can curl or straighten hair. Read our InStyler Max review plus additional information.

Claims & Features

2 sizes: large (1.25″ barrel) and small (.75″ barrel)
Straightens and polishes
Builds volume and body
Can straighten or curl hair
2-way rotating technology
Heated rotating barrel
Ionic bristles
4 heat settings
30-second heat-up
Auto shut-off
6-foot swivel cord
380% more straightening surface than standard flat irons

Cost & Availability

You can find InStyler Max online or in stores.

A large InStyler Max costs about $100-$120, while the smaller unit can be found as low as $90. The official website also offers a buy-one-get-one offer which adds extra shipping, raising the cost to about $155.

The official website is instylermax.com.

InStyler Max Commercial

The following TV commercial has been airing as of April 2016.

Transcript:

If you’ve been wondering which of the hundreds of different flat irons is the absolute best for straightening your hair, according to a new study by a leading independent lab, the answer is none of them.

The best way to straighten your hair isn’t with a flat iron, it’s with a rotating iron. The new Instyler Max Rotating Iron. Here’s why. The max ceramic rotating barrel provides 380% more straightening surface than the market leading flat iron. In fact, in an independent study versus a $250 ceramic flat iron, Max was proven superior for straightening for creating brilliant shine, for fighting frizz, and for transforming even the toughest hair into the smoothest, silkiest, perfect texture. And according to a recent consumer study, 9 out of 10 women overwhelmingly chose Max over the number one selling salon quality flat iron.

And it gets even better, for the first time, the new Instyler Max allows you to control the direction of the rotation so it’s always providing the maximum result. And if your hair loves the heat, the new Max has multiple settings up to 425 degrees. So if you want the number one tool for straightening, for fighting frizz, and for creating the ultimate shine, and you want the control to transfer your hair into any style you like, you don’t want any of these. You need the one, the only, Instyler Max Rotating Iron.

So now you can replace hundreds of dollars worth of tools with the one tool that does it all better. You can find the Instyler Max at any of these fine stores or be one of the first 500 to people to call in the next 30 minutes and try it for 30 days for only $14.99 and when you keep your Max at the regular low price, you’ll get a second Max absolutely free. So what are you possibly waiting for? This offer will never ever be available in stores. Ask for priority processing to get your Max or go to www.instyler.com.

InStyler Max Reviews

InStyler Max is advertised as a superior alternative to the hundreds of flat irons currently on the market.

We found that opinions on the product as a curling iron were better than that of a flat iron. Of course there were those who felt the opposite, and this seems to be directly related to hair types and temperature used.

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While opinions seem to vary significantly as to whether or not it lives up to the hype, the most common complaint we have found is related to ease of use. Some consumers have expressed frustration at the learning curve required to properly operate the InStyler Max. Not all consumers have expressed this concern, but there do appear to be some people who do not initially possess the technique required to properly use the product.

While review sites tend to lump positive and negative reviews together into a single star rating, it seems fair to separate what is generally liked about the product versus what is not liked. When matching up hair types with options such as heat settings and curled or flat, one can see that there are many potential results. Long, thick hair, for example seems to respond better to higher heat settings and a curled look. Conversely, a lower heat setting and straightening effect may be better for those with thin hair.

Another point to note: Although the product has 4 heat settings, it automatically heats up to the highest setting when turned on.

Ultimately, your mileage may vary, but we feel that the majority of users will find this product to be a worthy investment. We suggest purchasing InStyler Max locally to facilitate the returns process if the product does not suit your needs.

There are a number of helpful videos on the InStyler website which may help you more quickly learn how to use the product properly.

Pro tips: Be sure to move slow and methodically, and use on dry hair.

For a less expensive curling option by InStyler, see our review of the InStyler Tulip.