As someone whose flat iron once started smoking in a hotel in France (despite the fact that I was using the correct adapter), I understand the importance of finding a reliable flat iron that is there for you when you need it! If you’re looking to find the best flat iron for your hair, you can’t go wrong with the Chi line of products. With that said, depending on your hair type, lifestyle, and personal preferences, the best chi flat iron for you will differ. The review I’ve done for you of these Chi flat irons will give you an in-depth understanding of which one to choose, taking into account each product’s features, as well as the feedback from other consumers.
An Introduction to the Chi Brand
Chi products are made by Farouk Systems Inc. which is a Houston-based company whose goal is to provide the beauty industry with products that are of superior technological quality. They abide by their mission statement, which is “Environment, Education and Ethics.” The Chi range of products includes colouring products, hair-care products and various hair-care tools. In line with their motto, Farouk Systems’ website allows consumers and beauty industry professionals access to helpful tutorial videos and online manuals.
Best Chi Flat Irons Reviews
Chi Original Ceramic Tourmaline
This Chi flat iron is marketed as a product that helps you eliminate frizz and add shine to your hair. The Chi Original Ceramic Tourmaline distributes heat evenly on your hair, allowing you to shape it into any style you want. Whether you want to tight curls, a loose wave, or pin-straight hair, this Chi flat-iron can deliver it all.
Pros:
- Can use this flat iron directly on damp hair without needing to blow-dry it first
- Reduces the amount of frizz control product needed in hair
- Easy to bring along for travel
Cons:
- Longevity of the product is variable
- Does not have adjustable heat settings
- May require multiple passes of the iron to achieve straight hair
Who does this best suit?
This 1-inch flat iron weighs 2 lbs. and is designed to be used in a professional salon setting, but can also be useful to individuals who want to have that polished salon look on an everyday basis. It is probably the right iron for you if you are interested in saving time in the morning when straightening your hair, or if you have hair that tends to get frizzy easily. Read more reviews here
Chi Digital Titanium
The Chi Digital Titanium flat iron has an adjustable temperature setting that goes up to 425 degrees and also weighs around 2 lbs. It is great for those with coarse hair who have not had success with other flat irons in the past. However, due to the adjustable temperature settings, it will also work if you have thinner hair.
Pros:
- Handle does not become excessively hot and therefore does not burn you while you are styling your hair
- Adjustable temperature settings that allow you to apply more or less heat, depending on the texture of the hair you are styling and the style you are going for
- Extremely efficient heating, meaning that you are not waiting around for the iron to heat up
Cons:
- Temperature will reset if you put the iron down for too long
- Temperature adjusts on its own as well, as you are styling your hair, which caused some users to have to keep re-adjusting the temperature
- Lacks a feature that allows you to clamp the two sides of the iron to one another when you place it on the counter, which can present a burn risk
Who does this best suit?
Overall, this product had extremely positive reviews and would be good for those who have been consistently frustrated with flat irons in the past, and are looking for a reputable product. Due to the concerns about temperature fluctuations, you may wish to look into another flat iron if you have extremely thick, curly hair. Read more reviews here
Chi PRO Air
The Chi PRO Air flat iron, at just 1 lb., is lighter than the first two chi flat irons discussed. Like the Chi Digital Titanium iron, it comes with adjustable temperature settings, this time ranging between 180 and 410 degrees.
Pros:
- Straightens hair better than similar products from other brands
- Creates silky and smooth hair for many consumers
- Has a button that blinks while it is heating up to let you know when it is ready to use
Cons:
- Product is not always built for longevity — it has a tendency to stop heating up thoroughly after some amount of use
- Material used seems to be cheaper than that used on other chi flat irons. Customers previously happy with chi flat irons were often not pleased with this product
- Several reports of the product catching on fire while in use presents a possible safety concern for this product
Who does this best suit?
This chi flat iron would be ideal for those with medium to thin hair in the market for an easy-to-use flat iron. It is unclear whether the flat irons do present a legitimate safety concern with the reports of sparking and fire, so you will have to make a judgement call on whether you would like to investigate other chi flat irons that may be more reliable. Read more reviews here
CHI Original Ceramic
This is a 1-inch flat iron that removes frizz from hair and is appropriate to be used in a professional salon setting. To lessen the static and frizz in your hair, it uses a far infrared heating technology. Whether you have short/mid/long hair or any hair type, this is suitable. It's also narrow and suitable for bangs!
Pros:
- This product is perfect for removing frizz from unruly, difficult hair
- It can last up to six years
- It is narrow enough to be used to style bangs
- It gets pretty hot and can sometimes get the job done in one swipe only
Cons:
- Takes longer to style hair than with some other products
- Does not have temperature settings
- Plates may be too narrow to work effectively on very thick hair
Who does this best suit?
This product seems ideal for those with thinner hair who want a product that will last a long time. In addition, if you are an individual or a professional looking for a product to style bangs with, the Chi Original Ceramic flat iron may suit your needs. Read more reviews here
Chi Ceramic Flat Keratin Gold
The Chi Ceramic Flat Keratin Gold flat iron is a gold-coloured 1-inch iron. At 3.3 lbs., it is heavier than the other chi flat irons reviewed so far, but when used in conjunction with other chi styling products, can create styles that last between 5 and 6 days.
Pros:
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Velcro tie to clamp the two sides of the iron together
- Only takes one use of the iron to style hair, which can prevent any additional damage to hair from heat
Cons:
- Gold paint can chip after some amount of use
- Heat is not adjustable
- Does not come with storage bag
Who does this best suit?
This product would be perfect for those who want great smoothing ability in a flat iron, but are not concerned about the ability to adjust the heat of their flat iron. Since it does not come with a heat-resistant bag, it may not be ideal for those who want to be able to travel with their flat iron. Read more reviews here
Chi Pro ¾ inch Titanium Volumizing
This chi tool is different from the others reviewed so far because it has ¾ inch irons, giving you a thinner tool to work with. It also has some curve to the iron, allowing for added volume. It has a shiny, pink exterior and is between 1 and 2 lbs. It’s temperature capability is comparable to some of the other chi flat irons reviewed above, with a range of 210 to 410 degrees.
Pros:
- Is a mix between a flat iron and a curling iron, which makes it a versatile product
- Titanium plates heat up quickly
- Does not leave a crease in hair after styling
- Durable product
Cons:
- The curvature in the iron blades may decrease the ability of the iron to clamp hair while straightening
Who does this best suit?
This chi iron is perfect for those with short hair looking to add a bit more volume. This may not be the product for you if your hair is very thin, as it may leave too large a space between the two iron blades. In addition, if you prefer the pin-straight look and your hair already has a bit of volume, you may want to consider a more traditional chi flat iron. Read more reviews here
Chi Travel
This chi flat iron is ideal for travel. Although a reduced size, it still comes with 1-inch plates and heats up to 400 degrees. This product also comes with a travel case, making it easy to style your hair on the go.
Pros:
- Beautiful pink colour
- Travel case means that you don’t have to wrap the cord around the plates, which can cause damage to the iron
- Creates very silky look
- Good value for money
Cons:
- May require more passes over your hair than other chi flat irons
- Might not be as hot
Who does this best suit?
If you are someone who likes to travel or needs a go-to iron to bring with you to use after your gym session, this is probably the chi flat iron for you. This iron is attractive and functional, and while you may be sacrificing a bit of efficiency in favour of a more compact size, this iron should still be able to tame your hair effectively. Read more reviews here Hope my chi flat irons reviews helped!
Conclusion
Overall, Farouk Systems Inc.’s line of chi flat irons has a wide range of options when you are looking for a tool to fit your needs. Whether you value adjustable temperature settings, portability, or versatility, there is sure to be a flat iron here that can help your hair look its best! Also Read: Why these flat irons are great for black hair