The best temporary hair straighteners are the gold plated varieties. These heat up fast, and are plated, so they do minimal damage to the hair itself while getting fairly quick results. They are typically much better than the silver plated ones that tend to burn hair on impact, whether wet or dry.
Any straightener from the "Chi" Line is a great hair straightener. The best is the Chi Turbo, which heats up to top heat in under sixty seconds. In addition, it has several different settings, so you can turn the temperature up or down.
Straitening balms such a Fred strait makes the hair smooth and straight and no chemical is there in this product. Mini styler and straitening irons is another straitening method. The Ceramic flat iron works by placing the hair in between the 2 heating pads and straightens the hair easily.
In terms of chemical straighteners, I've had luck with the EasyStraight system. If you have very curly hair it will not completely straighten it, but it will drastically cut down on your styling time. It is easy to use at home and lasts about 3-6 months.
I find Revlon hair straighteners to be very afforadable and they do their job. Conair also has very good straighteners. The thicker plates straighten thicker hair better.