Hair Straighteners & Curlers: TYMO, Ikrr & Xiaomi Review — Best Chinese Brand Styling Tools

Introduction

The Chinese hair styling tools market has exploded with innovation over the past few years. TYMO (缇茉), Ikrr (艾可瑞), and Xiaomi Mijia have emerged as top contenders, offering straighteners and curlers with negative ion technology, ceramic/titanium plates, and smart temperature control — often at a fraction of the price of Dyson, ghd, or BaByliss.

With 300,000+ combined reviews on JD.com and 95-98% positive rates, these brands have proven that Chinese-made hair tools can compete with international premium brands. This review covers the top models across straighteners, curlers, and multi-stylers.

Product Overview

Model	Brand	Type	Price	Key Features	Best For
TYMO Switch Straightening Brush	TYMO	Straightening brush	¥299	Ceramic bristles, 2M ions, auto-shutoff	Quick daily straightening
TYMO Ring Plus	TYMO	Auto-curler	¥399	Rotating barrel, 4 temp settings, 30min auto-off	Curls without skill
Ikrr Lizi Smart Straightener	Ikrr	Flat iron (straightener)	¥229	Titanium plates, 5 temps (140-220°C), 2M ions	Sleek straightening
Ikrr Air Curler	Ikrr	Air-curling iron	¥459	Cool air setting, 6 barrels included, 3 temp levels	Volume curls
Xiaomi Mijia Ionic Straightener	Xiaomi	Flat iron	¥99	Ceramic plates, 2M ions, 5 temps, auto-shutoff	Budget straightening
Xiaomi Mijia Hair Curler	Xiaomi	Curling iron	¥149	Ceramic barrel, 3 temps (160-200°C), 30min	Basic curling

TYMO — The Social Media Favorite

TYMO Switch Straightening Brush

The Switch is a straightening brush — a cross between a brush and a flat iron. Ceramic bristles heat up and straighten hair as you brush through. The 2 million/cm³ ionic output reduces static and frizz. The 30-minute auto-shutoff is a safety feature all TYMO products share.

The brush is designed for quick touch-ups rather than full straightening — it’s excellent for morning touch-ups on naturally straight to slightly wavy hair. For very curly hair, a traditional flat iron is still needed.

Heat settings: 3 levels (160°C / 180°C / 200°C). Heat-up time: 30 seconds. The bristles reach set temperature quickly and maintain it.

TYMO Ring Plus

The Ring Plus is an automatic curler — place a section of hair in the slot, press the button, and the rotating barrel pulls hair in and curls it. It’s designed for users who struggle with manual curling techniques.

The 4 temperature settings (160°C / 180°C / 200°C / 220°C) cover fine to thick hair. The 30-minute auto-off and beep alerts indicate when a curl is complete.

Ikrr — The Performance Brand

Ikrr Lizi Smart Straightener

The Lizi features titanium-coated plates — titanium heats more evenly than ceramic and glides through hair more smoothly. The 5 temperature settings (140°C to 220°C in 20°C increments) cover fine hair to coarse, thick hair.

The smart chip maintains temperature to within ±2°C of the set value — preventing hot spots that can damage hair. The 2-million/cm³ ion generator eliminates static. The round barrel design also works as a curling iron (twist for curl, straight for sleek).

Ikrr Air Curler

The Air Curler uses a cool air system that curls hair and then sets it with cool air — reducing heat exposure. It includes 6 different barrel sizes for different curl types. The 3 temperature levels and 3 time settings cover various hair types.

The negative ion generator includes a concentration ring that focuses ions onto the hair strand.

Xiaomi Mijia — The Budget Option

Mijia Ionic Straightener

At ¥99, the Mijia straightener is remarkable value. It features ceramic glazed aluminum plates that heat to 5 selectable temperatures (160-220°C). The 2-million ion generator reduces frizz, and the 30-minute auto-shutoff ensures safety.

The build is all-plastic and lightweight (310g). The included heat-resistant pouch adds value. The 1.6m swivel cord prevents tangling.

Mijia Hair Curler

The ¥149 curling iron features a 25mm ceramic barrel (classic size for medium curls) with 3 temperature settings. It heats to 160°C in 30 seconds. The cool tip allows easy handling without gloves.

“TYMO Switch直发梳太方便了，早上起来梳两下头发就直了，不像夹板那么费时间。离子护发真的有效，梳完头发有光泽不毛躁。但卷发用效果一般，主要还是适合拉直。” — JD.com 宋** ★★★★★* “The TYMO Switch straightening brush is so convenient — brush through in the morning and hair is straight, saves time compared to a flat iron. The ion treatment really works — hair has a shine without frizz. But for curly hair the results are moderate — mainly works for straightening.”

“Ikrr Lizi直发器用了半年，比之前100多的杂牌好太多了。钛金面板滑起来很顺，不会夹住头发。温度控制很准不会烧焦头发。229的价格比ghd便宜了十倍但效果有八成。” — 小红书 发型日记 *“Used the Ikrr Lizi for six months — much better than the ¥100+ no-name brands I used before. Titanium plates slide smoothly without catching hair. Temperature control is precise — no singed hair. ¥229 vs ¥2,000+ for ghd — delivers 80% of the results.”

What Chinese Users Say

Aggregated Ratings: 4.3/5 ★ (300,000+ reviews)

Quote 1 — 唐* ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (TYMO Switch)** “早上省了至少15分钟，刷几下就顺了。头发不打结，比传统直发夹板温和很多。温度有三档可选，我细软发用160度就够了。推荐给每天需要拉直的上班族。” 💡 “Saves at least 15 minutes in the morning — a few brush strokes and done. No tangling — much gentler than traditional flat irons. Three temperature levels — I use 160°C for my fine hair. Recommended for office workers who need daily straightening.”

Quote 2 — 冯* ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Ikrr Air Curler)** “冷风定型的Air Curler效果很好，卷完喷冷风定型持久一整天。6个卷棒头很全，大卷小卷都能做。就是操作需要练习，新手建议先看视频教程。” 💡 “The Air Curler’s cool-set function works well — curls last all day after the cool blast. The 6 barrel heads cover everything from loose waves to tight curls. But the technique needs practice — beginners should watch tutorial videos first.”

Quote 3 — 韩* ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Xiaomi Straightener)** “99块钱买到离子直发器，还要啥自行车！温度可调，加热快，拉直效果很好。塑料机身虽然不够高级，但性价比已经拉满了。学生党人手一个。” 💡 “¥99 for an ionic straightener — what more can I ask for! Adjustable temperature, fast heating, good straightening results. The plastic body isn’t premium, but the value is maxed out. Every student should have one.”

Pros and Cons

Product	Pros	Cons
TYMO Switch	Quick, gentle, good ions	Not for curly hair, limited temps
TYMO Ring Plus	Auto-curling, easy to use	Bulky, learning curve for placement
Ikrr Lizi	Titanium plates, precise temps	Pricey vs Xiaomi, no auto-curling
Ikrr Air Curler	Cool-set function, many barrels	Expensive, technique required
Xiaomi Straightener	Unbeatable ¥99 price, ions	Plastic build, basic
Xiaomi Curler	Cheap, fast heat	Only 3 temps, no ion display

FAQ

Q1: TYMO vs Ikrr vs Xiaomi — which brand is best?

TYMO is best for convenience — the Switch brush and Ring Plus curler are designed for users who want quick, easy styling without skill. Ikrr is best for performance — titanium plates, precise temp control, and salon-quality results. Xiaomi is best for value — ¥99-¥149 for functional styling tools.

Q2: Are negative ions actually beneficial?

Yes. Negative ions neutralize the positive charge in damaged, dry hair — sealing the cuticle, reducing static, and adding shine. All three brands include ion generators. The difference is the ion output count — higher numbers (2M+ / cm³) provide more noticeable frizz reduction.

Q3: What temperature should I use for my hair type?

Fine/thin/damaged: 140-160°C. Medium/normal: 160-180°C. Thick/coarse: 180-200°C. Very thick/curly: 200-220°C. TYMO and Ikrr allow finer temperature adjustment than Xiaomi’s broader ranges.

Q4: Can I use these tools on wet hair?

No. All models require dry hair for safe use. Using on wet hair can cause steam burns and severe hair damage. Some users apply heat protectant spray before styling — this is recommended for all tools above 160°C.

Q5: How do I clean the straightener plates?

Unplug and let cool completely. Wipe plates with a damp cloth (not wet). For residue buildup, use alcohol wipes designed for electronics. Never use abrasive cleaners or metal implements. For the TYMO brush, the bristles can be cleaned with a soft brush.

Who Should Buy

✅ Buy TYMO Switch: Morning touch-ups, quick straightening, low-skill users.

✅ Buy Ikrr Lizi: Precision styling, high-heat needs, performance-focused users.

✅ Buy Xiaomi Straightener: Budget purchase, occasional use, students.

❌ Skip if: You need a professional-salon-grade tool (buy ghd). You have extremely thick/coarse hair that needs 230°C+.

Buying Advice

Budget Straightener — Xiaomi Mijia at ¥99: The best ¥99 you can spend on hair styling. Functional, safe, and effective.

Best Everyday — TYMO Switch at ¥299: The convenience of a brush with the effectiveness of a straightener. Best for daily use.

Premium Styling — Ikrr Lizi at ¥229: Titanium plates deliver the smoothest glide and best results. Worth the premium for regular users.

Verdict

Chinese hair styling brands have closed the gap with international competitors to an impressive degree. The Xiaomi Mijia straightener at ¥99 delivers functional, safe straightening for the absolute budget. The TYMO Switch at ¥299 offers unbeatable convenience for daily straightening. And the Ikrr Lizi at ¥229 brings titanium-plate performance within reach. For the vast majority of users, any of these options will outperform what’s available from international brands at the same price.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (8.5/10)

• Xiaomi Value: 10/10
• TYMO Convenience: 9/10
• Ikrr Performance: 8/10
• Build Quality: 7/10 (Xiaomi), 8/10 (TYMO), 9/10 (Ikrr)
• Styling Results: 8/10