Overview
When you think of flat irons, it is likely the Chi brand automatically pops in your head. Having an established reputation across the board by both professionals and consumers alike, it is one of the most popular brands of flat irons out there. There are a variety of options to chose from when it comes to Chi, but two of the most popular are the original Chi flat iron and the Chi Turbo flat iron.
Settings
One of the main differences between the original Chi flat iron and the Chi Turbo are the heat settings. Adjustable heat settings is one of the upgrades from the original version. The original has only one heat option, set at 370 degrees F, while the Turbo features digital technology with an optional Celsius or Fahrenheit display. You can adjust the temperature from 176 degrees F to 392 degrees F. Both irons flash when ready, and have the fastest heating time of any flat iron. The original Chi needs only one minute to fully heat up, and the Turbo uses far infrared flash heating and fully heats up in six to 10 seconds.
Design
All Chi flat irons have a 10-foot, 360-degree swivel electrical cord with a circuit break for safety. The original is only available in the 1-inch model, whereas the Turbo flat iron comes in four models: the 7/10-inch, 1-inch, 1½-inch and 2-inch. The original Chi flat iron weighs 2.36 lbs., while the Chi Turbo is very light, at just 1.02 to 1.5 lbs., depending on model.
Price
The price can be a huge selling point of any purchase, and it is important to know what you are getting for your money. As of time of publication, the original Chi starts at $40, and the Turbo is about double in price, at $79. It is important to keep in mind that CHI Retail notes that all of its products come with a one-year warranty, but "appliances purchased over the Internet or through any Internet auction site or from any other outlet that is not a professional salon" won't be covered under the warranty.
Standard CHI Specs
Both the original and the Turbo have a curved edge plate to easily curl, straighten or flip. They are known for the ceramic ionic technology in which the flat iron instantly eliminates frizziness, so you can say good-bye to bad hair days! They are also energy savers with two ceramic plates that use only between 20 and 25 watts of energy -- so you can feel good about styling your hair.
