Both the CHI and FHI flat irons remain a popular choice as hair straighteners. Both offer similar plate widths, instant heat for fast heat-up time, and are lightweight. But is the CHI Farouk Turbo Iron better than the FHI Heat Technique Professional Flash Iron or do FHI Irons outperform CHI Irons?
The FHI and CHI irons are similar in many ways. They offer virtually the same plate widths; the CHI Farouk Turbo iron comes with 0.7″, 1″ and 2″ plates, while the FHI irons come with 1″, 1 ¼” and 1 ¾” plates. Plus, both the CHI and FHI irons come with instant heat, so the irons are hot and ready to use in seconds. And both irons come with a one-year warranty. However, there are some key differences between the CHI iron and the FHI iron.
In my opinion, the build quality and design of the CHI iron is superior to that of the FHI iron. The CHI’s handle is more ergonomically designed and feels better in the hand; This is an important consideration if you are going to be using a flat iron for a long time and it makes straightening your hair much easier and more enjoyable. Both brands of irons come with swivel cords so you don’t get tangled, but the CHI cord is longer than the one on the FHI iron. Again, this is a plus, as a longer cord makes it easier to use a hair straightener; especially when smoothing the hair at the back.
The CHI iron also uses less energy, which saves you money in the long run and is good for the environment. The CHI Turbo Flat Iron uses only 20 – 25 watts, while the FHI Heat Technique uses 58 watts.
So with CHI vs. FHI, does the CHI iron win hands down? Not quite.
All CHI Farouk Turbos use ceramic plates. Ceramic plates are used in flat irons because the straightening surface is incredibly flat, helping to reduce tangles and knots. The ceramic plates also produce negative ions which are important because they lock in moisture, prevent frizz and keep hair straight for longer. But ceramic plates have now been superseded by tourmaline-infused ceramic plates.
CHI straighteners do not have tourmaline plates, but the FHI Heat Technique Professional Ceramic straightener does. Tourmaline plates produce up to 20 times more negative ions than ceramic plates. Tourmaline plates also protect color and slow fading by sealing in color molecules and allowing color to last up to 2 weeks longer.
The FHI Heat Professional Technique not only outperforms CHI Farouk in straightening power, it also costs less. In fact, FHI plates are considerably cheaper than CHI.
So which is better, the CHI or the FHI iron?
Well, it all depends on your needs and what you want from your iron. If you want a well designed and well built iron then the CHI Farouk iron is for you. But, if you want a tourmaline iron, then the FHI is the recommended option. Lastly, you should consider the price. FHI plates are cheaper than CHI. If you’re on a tight budget or don’t want to spend a lot on a quality iron, the FHI is the one for you. Both the CHI and FHI flat irons are top-notch flat irons. Just decide what you want and how much you want to spend.