| In the ongoing battle to determine the fiercest flat | | | | Cost, Value and Warranty |
| iron, the CHI and SOLIA seem like well matched | | | | Both CHI and SOLIA are higher end professional |
| opponents. These brands are considered primo by | | | | brands so neither of these flat irons comes cheap. |
| professionals, and both CHI and SOLIA offer their | | | | The list price of a CHI Original is around $100-190, but |
| customers superior styling capability. But for the sake | | | | a quick Google search found a variety of lower prices |
| of argument, let's do a little comparison. | | | | all ranging between $70-80. Some of the retailers |
| For this round, the chosen competitors are the CHI | | | | included Amazon, Folica and Misikko. Also, CHI irons |
| Original Ceramic 1" versus the Solia Tourmaline | | | | only work in the USA and Canada due to 110 voltage, |
| Ceramic 1 ¼". I've decided to evaluate the two | | | | and cannot be used in foreign countries even with |
| flat irons based on temperature settings, materials | | | | converters. |
| and construction, cost and value and customer | | | | According to the CHI website, there is no warranty |
| reviews. | | | | policy on flat irons purchased through the Internet, |
| Hot, Hot Heat! | | | | only a 1 year warranty for products bought in |
| To begin with, temperature settings are a major | | | | professional salons. Some sites offer up to a 1 year |
| difference between these two flat irons. The CHI | | | | warranty on CHI products. |
| Original comes with just one temperature setting - | | | | The SOLIA list price is $140 but is currently available |
| 370 degrees. On the other hand, the SOLIA features | | | | for around $85 from Amazon and Folica. Unlike the |
| a range of temperature settings from 140 to 450 | | | | CHI, the SOLIA flat iron has variable voltage |
| degrees. | | | | (110-120) and can be used in a variety of locations. |
| So, what does this matter? Well, it seems that | | | | Meanwhile, SOLIA just extended their warranty to 2 |
| temperature settings vary for hair type. Based on | | | | years on all products purchased on or after October |
| the research, the CHI's set temperature of 370 | | | | 3, 2008. Good deal. |
| degrees may prove a bit weak for coarser hair | | | | Originally I was going to give this round to CHI for |
| types, but it seems that if you crank the SOLIA way | | | | being less expensive and more widely available for |
| up you can flatten and style even the thickest mane. | | | | purchase, but the lack of a warranty on such an |
| CHI - 0, SOLIA - 1 | | | | expensive item makes me a bit nervous. SOLIA wins |
| Materialistic | | | | again; a two year warranty is peace of mind for any |
| Ceramic? Tourmaline? What does that even mean? | | | | customer. |
| In terms of construction and materials, the obvious | | | | CHI-0, SOLIA-4 |
| difference between CHI and SOLIA is tourmaline. The | | | | The Customers Sound Off |
| CHI Original uses ceramic plate technology which is | | | | I chose to examine some customer reviews to see |
| non-damaging to hair, and provides even, moist heat | | | | what people are saying about the CHI Original and |
| and negative ions. | | | | SOLIA Tourmaline Ceramic. Folica lists over 1000 |
| SOLIA also uses ceramic plates, in addition to the | | | | reviews for each product, so I decided it was a good |
| special ingredient, tourmaline, to improve upon | | | | place to see customer likes and gripes. |
| professional flat irons. Tourmaline , a mineral, also | | | | In general, the CHI receives a rating of 4.14 out of 5 |
| considered a semi-precious stone, generates high | | | | stars, and the SOLIA has 4.5 out of 5 stars. |
| levels of negative ions which enhance hair and | | | | Here's some feedback on the CHI - Having read the |
| produce far-infrared heat to dry hair from the inside | | | | first 10 pages of reviews on Folica, it seems that |
| out. This means even less damage and faster styling, | | | | most CHI users really like their product. But, it seems |
| even when hair is styled damp. | | | | most liked it - until it started having electrical troubles, |
| In short, while both irons offer less-damage than | | | | like the iron failing to turn on or heating up. The other |
| traditional aluminum plated irons, SOLIA edges out | | | | main complaint of CHI users is the lack of |
| the win for using tourmaline. | | | | temperature control; some found the iron too strong |
| CHI - 0, SOLIA - 2 | | | | for finer hair and felt it caused damage. |
| Weigh In | | | | For the SOLIA, most customers seem to be ex-CHI |
| Since both flat irons use cutting edge technology and | | | | users. The 10 pages of reviews for the SOLIA seem |
| construction to provide consumers with the fastest, | | | | more positive and enthusiastic for the product than |
| non-damaging styling tool possible, it's time to look | | | | the CHI reviews. In fact, there didn't seem to be any |
| even closer. The CHI Original weighs in at two | | | | general negative comments about SOLIA. Then again, |
| pounds and SOLIA at one pound, making both irons | | | | over 64% of the reviews rate SOLIA as 5 out of 5 |
| fairly lightweight. | | | | stars or "The Best". |
| The use of ceramic technology means both irons | | | | CHI - 0, SOLIA - 5 |
| heat quickly and maintain even heat throughout | | | | And the Winner is... |
| styling. Yet, SOLIA offers the Dynamic Alignment | | | | The winner for this showdown is SOLIA, because of |
| System, with the plates self-adjusting to provide | | | | the flat iron's multiple temperature settings, |
| perfect coverage of hair eliminating damage and | | | | tourmaline plates, sturdy construction, two-year |
| pressure points. As of now, CHI lacks a comparable | | | | warranty and overall customer enthusiasm. CHI takes |
| feature. Score another point for SOLIA - lighter | | | | second place being a possibly more affordable |
| weight and flexibility. | | | | alternative that may suit some customers and hair |
| CHI - 0, SOLIA-3 | | | | types better than others. |