We put Tymo’s affordable flat iron to a test, which claims to be gentle yet powerful
Tymo Sway Flat Iron
Model Name/ Number: HC201
Price: $70
Available Sizes: 1”
For Which Hair Type: All Hair Types
What We Like: Versatile, Affordable
What We Don’t Like: Not Durable
Rating: 4.2/5.0
Tymo Sway seems to bring it all together. An affordable tool with a large range of variable heat settings, titanium plates that brings fast and smooth results, and 1” plates that fits almost all hair lengths and types.
It starts with 140°F which appeals to fine hair that needs low temperatures for safe styling and goes up till 450°F which is more than enough to tame the unruliest strands.
It costs only $70, which is one of the most affordable flat irons on our list. The titanium brings the speed, of course with the price of being less gentle on the strands.
It has a unique sleep motion control that automatically shuts the tool off if not used. Like all budget-friendly choices, it sacrifices on durability. But in our opinion, it’s more than worth its price.
Below we share our experiences with Tymo Sway. If you’re curious about the competition, check out the article about Best Flat Irons for Fine Hair.
Table Of Contents
- Shape And Size
- Heat And Variable Settings
- Material And Performance
- Ergonomics
- Price And Guarantee
- Competition
Shape And Size
Tymo Sway comes with 1” sized plates. This is the most common size available in the market and most brands offer this option as it fits almost all hair types. If your hair is considered medium length and has medium thickness, don’t hesitate to go for this option.
If your hair is very short, on the other hand, you may want to opt for another brand that offers smaller-sized plates. FHI Platform Signature Pro Styler has an option of extraordinarily small plates with only 0.5” which does wonders on pixie and bob cuts.
If you have very long strands which are also extra stubborn, larger plates may be more beneficial for you. A tool like Bioionic One Pass Styling Iron offers 1.5” sized plates which heats more and covers a larger area at one pass.
Length of Tymo’s plates is 3.75″ and is averaged sized which contributes to this tool’s versatility.
Tymo Sway comes with rounded-edged plates. This is designed to amp up your results in case you want to curl your hair. So, we can say that Tymo is an efficient curler as well.
Size of this tool is 10.5” and is considered short. It’s compact enough if you want to travel with your flat iron.
It doesn’t have multidirectional floating plates which is definitely a downside. This feature is precious as it makes sure to keep contact between the tool and the hair at all times, bringing faster and smoother results. If you want to consider an option that has this feature, Conair Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron is worth checking out.
Heat And Variable Settings
The larger the variable heat settings are, the more versatile the tool gets. Tymo Sway has one of the largest variable options on our list and it starts from 140°F, going up till 450°F.
While the minimum setting is the lowest on our list and extremely gentle on fragile strands, the maximum temperature is high enough to tame the most stubborn hair types. It heats up in around 30 seconds which is the average number compared to most flat irons in the market.
Its handle only heats up till 78°F and is completely safe to touch and use for long periods of time. But the cool tip with 175°F and the back of its plates with 187°F, get way too hot. It should be used with caution, especially in case you have sensitive hands.
This tool comes with a led display and digital temperature control, as well as an audible warning when it reaches its desired temperature. It also has memory function that remembers your favorite setting and makes the session extra comfortable.
Tymo Sway’s signature feature is its patented auto sleep mode with motion control. It actually has a sensor which makes sure the tool is turned off if it’s not touched for 30 seconds. This is a very different technology to its alternatives which usually only offers a 60-minute auto shut-off.
Material And Performance
Different materials have different qualities and the right decision can make a big difference on your results.
Tymo Sway’s material of choice is titanium. It’s known for its capacity to heat up and recover its heat as fast as possible.
This quality is perfect for thick hair that needs high levels of heat and doesn’t get damaged easily.
But if you have fine hair that need more sensitivity, titanium plates may not be the perfect option for you. Since everything happens fast, it’s harder to control and if you’re not experienced enough, you may easily damage your hair. If you are a beginner home stylist with fine hair, you may want to opt for a ceramic flat iron instead which is much gentler on the strands. Hot Tools Purple Ceramic Digital Flat Iron comes with 3 layers of baked ceramic infused with tourmaline and provides gentle styling, as well as frizz-free results.
Tymo Sway is considered a budget-friendly product and like most low-cost flat irons, it’s not perfect. It’s less sturdy than its more expensive alternatives and cannot offer the best durability. But considering its price of $70, it still is a high-quality option and we can easily vouch for it as its worth its price.
Ergonomics
Tymo Sway weighs only 8oz and is one of the lightest flat irons on our list, right after Bio Ionic Goldpro Flat iron with 7.5oz. Combined with its dual voltage feature which allows you to use it anywhere in the world and its short size, we can say that it’s one of the most travel-friendly tools on our list.
Diameter of its handle is 4.2” and is on the slimmer side of the spectrum. This is especially great if you have small hands.
It comes with a 360-degree swivel cord which is great if you want to use this tool to curl your hair. Its cord is 8.5 ft and is more than long enough for home use.
It also comes with some accessories, including a travel bag, glove, and hair clips, which can come very handy.
Price And Guarantee
It has a price tag of $70 and is considered to be an affordable flat iron. As far as low-cost products go, we do know that this tool is still and investment. But this is the minimum price that you should be willing to pay, if you want a decent flat iron that won’t fry your hair. Tymo Sway is not a luxury product and it obviously can’t be as durable as a $200 tool. But it delivers high-quality results and you will be satisfied with this tool. Unfortunately, it comes with only 1 year guarantee which is shorter than most flat irons on our list. If you want a luxury tool and you don’t mind paying the price, there are many tools in the market with similar qualities with Tymo Sway while being more durable. Babyliss Nano Titanium Ultra-Thin Straightener is a great example of the highest quality material and costs $160.
Competition
Tymo Sway has its flaws and if you want perfection in your flat iron and you don’t mind paying the price for it, Babyliss Nano Titanium Prima 3100 1” Ionic Straighterner comes close to it. It has similar qualities with Tymo, they both come with titanium plates and go up to high temperatures. What sets them apart though, is their material quality. Babyliss has extremely durable material which is designed to be used by professional and can endure long hours of use without breakage.
If you are an inexperienced home stylist with fine hair and want a very gentle tool, we recommend a ceramic option such as Chi Original Digital Ceramic Hairstyling Iron. This will be one of the safest options on your strands combined with its variable heat settings as low as 180°F.
Sources: Tymo Sway Flat Iron
