Not all beard straighteners are created equal. That's why we reached out to KJ Hughes, owner of Washington D.C.-based barbershop Manifest, on what specs to look for.

Cordless vs. corded

Shaping a beard's nook and crannies requires a straightener that's easy to maneuver, which is why Hughes always opts for cordless options. "You need the flexibility to get those hard-to-reach angles to get the look you desire."

Heat

To really straighten your beard, you need a straightener that's packing heat. "Be sure it has the heat settings you desire," he says (the ideal temp for heat on hair is 385 degrees Fahrenheit). "The thicker the beard, the higher the heat needed." If the temperature is too low, you'll spend more passes trying to straighten your beard."

Strong bristles

Beards can be tough to handle, especially for courser hair types. That's why you need bristles that are sturdy. "Beard hair can be thicker especially as it grows longer," Hughes says. "This applies to all types of hair."