There comes a moment in your routine—right between towel-dried hair and heading out the door—where the straightener either saves your morning or ruins it. That’s why choosing the right one feels way more personal than it should. One false move, and your hair’s dry, frizzy, and screaming for mercy. So we decided to take a long, hard look at two straighteners that people keep talking about: the Remington S8590 and the BaByliss ST393E.
We weren’t looking for marketing fluff. We wanted to know what they’re really like once you’ve had them in your hand for two weeks and three bad hair days. Both brands have their own loyal camps, and both claim to protect your hair while giving it that polished, silky look. But let’s be honest—they go about it in completely different ways, and that’s where things get interesting.
We’re going to lay it all out: how they handle, what kind of hair they suit, and whether their promises match up to reality. This isn’t just about which one straightens faster—it’s about which one respects your hair and your time.
What these two brands bring to your bathroom shelf
There’s something to be said about legacy. Remington is the everyday favorite, the one your cousin swears by and your mom probably used too. They aim for a wide range of users with tools that are affordable and protective, always leaning on their home-styling roots.
BaByliss, meanwhile, walks in like it owns the salon floor. There’s a confidence in the way they design—sleek, no-nonsense tools that look and feel like they’re built for professionals. The ST393E reflects this with its lightweight frame, titanium coating, and ionic frizz-busting tech. It doesn’t flood the market with 20 similar models—it just does a few things and does them well.
That difference in approach shows up right away in their lineups. Remington is trying to be everyone’s straightener. BaByliss is out to be the one your stylist uses.
Shared essentials, different execution
Let’s get the basics out of the way first—both the Remington S8590 and BaByliss ST393E hit the required boxes for a modern straightener. Auto shut-off? Yep. Ceramic-coated plates? Definitely. Floating plates that adjust to your hair’s thickness? Both have them. Universal voltage? You’re good for travel.
Even the cords are generous and swivel freely, which might sound like a small thing until you’ve spent 15 minutes untangling yourself mid-styling.
But how they execute these features makes all the difference. For example, BaByliss’s floating plates feel smoother and distribute heat more evenly, while Remington’s shine in how gently they treat the hair shaft, thanks to their keratin-protective coating.
Styling focus: protection vs precision
This is where we start seeing the split.
Remington’s S8590 is all about protection. It’s designed for daily users who don’t want to fry their hair in the name of looking decent. The ceramic plates are infused with keratin, which isn’t just a buzzword here—it actively aims to reduce long-term damage.
It also heats up in just 15 seconds, with five temperature settings up to 230°C. So if you’re rushing to leave the house, that speed is no joke. And the safety lock on the plates makes it a bit easier to throw in a drawer or suitcase without worrying about damage.
On the other hand, BaByliss ST393E is all about finish. Its ceramic-titanium plates glide like butter and feel cooler on contact, even when cranked up. It offers six temperature levels, going slightly higher at 235°C, and the temperature stays consistent through every section of hair. No weird hot spots. No sudden drops.
But the real ace? Ionic technology. It actively reduces frizz and static, which makes a noticeable difference if you live somewhere humid or have hair that turns puffy with the slightest breeze.
Plate size, handling, and comfort: the little things that matter
Here’s where BaByliss subtly flexes.
The ST393E is incredibly lightweight—just 246 grams, which makes a huge difference during a long styling session. You don’t realize how sore your wrist gets until you try something lighter. It also feels slimmer and more modern in the hand. The extra-wide plates give you better coverage, meaning fewer passes per section and less heat exposure overall.
The Remington S8590 isn’t exactly heavy, but it feels more “solid”, which is another way of saying bulkier. Its narrower plates work great for precise styles or bangs, but it means more passes if you’ve got thick or long hair.
Both offer floating plates, yes, but BaByliss’s feel more adaptive when gliding through different textures, from fine strands to coarse curls. It hugs the hair better, without dragging or leaving uneven lines.
Temperature, speed, and efficiency: who gets you out the door faster?
If we’re talking heat-up time, Remington takes the crown—15 seconds flat. BaByliss follows closely at 30 seconds, which isn’t slow, but it doesn’t win this round.
But it’s not just about how fast it gets hot—it’s about how well it holds that heat. BaByliss maintains a more stable temperature, especially when working through thick sections. No dips. No “did this just cool down?” moments.
Remington’s five settings are easy to use and cover the range most people need, but BaByliss’s extra sixth level gives a bit more customization, especially if you alternate between smoothing and curling.
So while Remington is faster to start, BaByliss is smoother throughout the session.
Frizz control and finish: the silent game-changer
Let’s talk about what your hair looks like after you’re done. Because that’s where BaByliss’s ionic system goes to work.
It’s not just marketing—ionic technology matters, especially if you deal with static, humidity, or general frizz. The ST393E noticeably reduces puffiness, making hair feel smoother and shinier without adding serums or sprays. You feel the difference the moment you run your hand through it.
Remington’s S8590 doesn’t have built-in ionic tech, so you’ll likely reach for finishing products to get that same sleekness. It still straightens effectively, but the result doesn’t have that extra polish you get with BaByliss.
If you’ve got flyaways or naturally textured hair that poofs at the ends, BaByliss will tame it better right out of the gate.
Storage, travel, and safety: the practical side
Here, both models keep things simple.
Auto shut-off is included in both—no panic 20 minutes into your commute. Both have long, swivel cords, which saves your sanity in tight spaces. And they both support universal voltage, so travel won’t be an issue.
But only Remington includes a plate lock, which is one of those small features that makes storage easier. It clicks shut and stays compact, where BaByliss stays slightly open, which can be awkward when packing it.
BaByliss makes up for it by being way lighter, so while it’s a bit more open, it won’t weigh your bag down. You decide which one’s more important.
Final thoughts: what surprised us, and what didn’t
We expected BaByliss to perform well, and it absolutely does—but what surprised us was how effortless it felt. The lightweight design, frizz control, and plate glide all add up to a tool that’s a pleasure to use, not just functional. Even if you’re not styling daily, it’s the kind of tool that makes you want to do your hair more often.
Remington S8590 delivers exactly what it promises: safety, speed, and simplicity. It’s built to protect your hair and get the job done fast, without asking much in return. If you’re more focused on minimizing damage than on salon-perfect results, it’s still a strong choice.
But here’s where we land. BaByliss ST393E gives you the freedom to style without the side effects—no crispy ends, no frizz touch-ups, just sleek hair that holds.
So yeah, if we’re calling it: BaByliss wins not because it does one thing right, but because it does everything just a little better. That finish. That glide. That frizz control. It’s not hype—it’s the kind of difference you feel every time you use it.