The standards used to determine this "Best Of" list are; product features, customer feed back, reliability and customer support. The following review does not talk about all of the classes of flat irons or hair straighteners available on the market. Just higher quality products were examined and the costs weren't considered.

The following reviews are only based on product quality, the feedback of actual users and features. This will not take price into consideration.

1) The FHI Runway Series - This line of hair straightener is easily the very best available. It has every innovative feature; revolutionary heating plates, adjustable heat, damp-or-dry styling, 450F max temp, lightening fast heat time and the most dependable plate heating of any product out there. Runway models also have the best user feed back of any the products that we reviewed. If you want the best and most effective hair straighteners on the market this is most certainly it, and it is going to cost you. These straighteners usually about $400.

Are the Runway models really worth the money? Absolutely, if you can afford the price.

2) The FHI Platform Series - As a pioneer in the development of ceramic plating and tourmaline integration, The Platform series provides a superior hair straightener at a less expensive price. Available to buy in assorted sizes, the FHI Platform series provides 450F max heat, adjustable temperature, ultra flash heat times and PTFC ceramic heat plates. While these items are more affordable than the Runway models, it's important to note that they are still on the pricey side at about $150 - $200.

3) CHI Pink Series - The popular pink straightener provides the finest reliability and performance of any hair straightener in the Farouk CHI line of products. Flash heat times, ceramic plates, and temperature control combined with an ergonomically and comfortably designed handle make the CHI ceramic flat iron the perfect option for people who want the most out of their hair.

4) T3 Wet-or-Dry - In actuality, this hair straightener has a rank above the CHI Pink series as far as product features, but it was dropped to fourth place largely because consumers have had difficulty with returns on the warranty. Aside from that, the T3 Wet-or-Dry offers consumers a well-built ceramic design.

5) CHI Turbo Series - The Turbo series takes fifth place in our flat iron review. This line of flat irons is used by more hair styling professionals than any other model. And while its maximum temperature and flash heating aren't as good as the CHI Pink, the CHI Turbo series is a perfect option for those who want outstanding reliability and performance.

Honorable Mention

While our 2007 flat iron review features the best of the bunch, there are many other high quality, professionally designed flat irons and hair straighteners available. Here are a few:

GHD Hair Straighteners - An attractive device with a polished design incorporating many cutting edge features makes the GHD straighteners an attractive option.

HAI Hair Straightener|Flat Iron - HAI has a couple of wonderful offerings at reasonable prices; the Nu Stik and the Convertible.FHI Flat Iron|Hair Straightener - The FHI Technique series offers a Best in Class product for the more traditional models. The FHI hair straightener is a wonderful product with many of the new millennium technologies.

FHI Technique Limited Edition Purple Flat Iron Set US $50.00 Time Remaining : 13d 5h 23m

FHI MiNi Go Styling Iron TRAVEL FLAT STRAIGHTENER NEW 0 Bid US $19.99 Time Remaining : 1d 11h 54m

Fhi 1in flat iron NIB 0 Bid US $50.00 Time Remaining : 1d 17h 13m

FHI HEAT Platform 450 Degree Flat Iron US $75.00 Time Remaining : 2d 17h 40m

FHI Heat Technique Pink Edition Flat Iron 0 Bid US $40.00 Time Remaining : 2d 19h 11m

FHI pink 1 CERAMIC FLAT iron HAIR STRAIGHTENER ORIGINL US $69.99 Time Remaining : 24d 13h 13m

NEW FHI flat iron 1 PLATFORM CERAMIC PLATE NANO IONIC US $109.99 Time Remaining : 3d 17h 15m

FHI Flat Iron 1 0 Bid US $50.00 Time Remaining : 4d 16h 18m

NIB FHI flat iron 1 technique TOURMALINE PLATE CERAMIC US $69.99 Time Remaining : 22d 13h 49m

The hair straightener of CHI is one of the top rated flat irons with scores of outstanding reviews from consumers and professionals equally. And among them the CHI Farouk Pink Flat Iron and Hair Dryer Set with matching case is preferred by the most due to several valid reasons. And it is also great to hear that for every set that is bought, CHI hair straightener donates a portion of the product's sales to support the effort for finding a cure for breast cancer. It is indeed one of the noble aim and cause that CHI is working for.

Being a very popular choice of hair straightener the original CHI ceramic flat iron is the best and this is because it is the cheapest model in the CHI range and falls into the medium priced category for flat irons. Yes, the Farouk CHI flat iron is highly affordable with its unique efficiency. It was the first to have ceramic plates, making it a best seller. The presence of the ceramic plates allows the iron to heat in seconds. This Farouk CHI Turbo flat iron comes in three different plates sizes 0.75", 1" and 2" all of which are efficient and choosing the right size depends on your hair type. It is easy to select and the rule is that the shorter or thinner your hair the narrower is the plate size and conversely the longer or thicker your hair the wider is the plate size.

The discharge of negative ions commences with the heating of the ceramic plates. These negative ions are highly made use in the hair straightener to close the cuticle layer to create a smooth, silky hair surface and seal in the hair's natural moisture. This further reduces the frizzness of hair. Though it is said that the discharge of negative ions is more from Tourmaline plates than from Ceramic plate and many manufacturers are now infusing Tourmaline on to the ceramic plates but the manufacturer of CHI hair straightener has not use it yet. May be they are in search of some other material that is advantageous even on Tourmaline plates.

Among the other useful features of Farouk CHI Turbo flat iron is the 10 foot swivel cord that is advantageous over the 8 feet of cord that makes this hair tool to handle easily when reaching behind to straightening hair at the back. Safety is highly paid attention to. The Farouk CHI Turbo flat iron comes with a circuit break for safety and uses only 20-25 watts of electricity thus reducing your electric consumption and bills as well. Specially designed to heat up fast enables you to accomplish your work within a few seconds and this also reduces the electric consumption. The ergonomically designed handles are easy to grip and its light weight makes the work easy and non tedious.

FAROUK CHI 1 CERAMIC ORIGINAL FLAT IRON HAIR IRONS NEW 27 Bids US $61.00 Time Remaining : 4h 43m

BRAND NEW CHI 1 INCH FLAT IRON HAIR STRAIGHTENER 0 Bid US $61.99 Time Remaining : 5h 10m

CHI 1 CERAMIC ORIGINAL FLAT IRON HAIR STRAIGHTENER NEW 6 Bids US $61.00 Time Remaining : 5h 13m

NEW 4 BOTTLES FAROUK CHI FLAT HAIR IRON SILK INFUSION 6 Bids US $2.25 Time Remaining : 5h 43m

CHI Turbo Digital Flat Iron Black 1 NIB 1 Bid US $58.00 Time Remaining : 6h 21m

NEW CHI 1 ORIGINAL CERAMIC FLAT IRON HAIR STRAIGHTENER 13 Bids US $52.00 Time Remaining : 7h 40m

You might think it’s a good idea to buy the same iron your best friend has, but if your hair texture is different, your results may never be the same.

Everyone asks me “Which flat iron is the best?” and I always answer, “What is your hair type?” before I answer with a specific flat iron. Unless you’ve tried it firsthand, chances are the iron you are thinking of buying might not be the best one for your hair. Let’s narrow down the choices with a few key questions.

Which plate width?

Determine which plate width you need – one inch does not fit all. Selecting a plate width for your specific hair length will save you styling time and prevent damage. Not all irons come in all sizes so this can help you narrow down your selection.

Fixed or variable temperature settings?

Flat irons come in fixed or variable temperature settings. The type that works best for you depends on your hair’s texture and your styling needs.

Is your hair thin, delicate, damaged or fine? Choose a flat iron with a variable temperature setting so you can control the heat and keep the iron from getting too hot.

Is your hair thick and hard to straighten? A fixed temperature would be a good choice for you so you can crank up the heat on those pesky pieces that just won’t straighten.

Is your hair is somewhere in between? Most likely you will be fine with either choice. My personal preference is a variable setting – I like control.

Does it create curls?

Most flat irons today will create curls, but (ahem) the curls are only as good as the user who creates them, so brush up on those curling techniques.

Which Technology?

Ok, this is really the source of most flat iron confusion. Most flat irons on the market today have similar straightening technology, but which is best? Again, that depends on your hair type and styling needs.

Ceramic/Ionic

Almost all professional grade flat irons are Ceramic and Ionic these days. This technology is important in generating negative ions to smooth the hair cuticles. What you may not realize is NONE of the flat iron plates are 100% Ceramic. That’s a myth. All plates are infused with Ceramic (and/or other materials) to straighten and smooth the hair. I kid you not!

Industry research shows that pure Ceramic plates would be too soft to get the job done, so all manufacturers (this means all of them!) use Ceramic along with a much stronger, heat conducting surface such as Aluminum, Titanium, etc. to straighten the hair’s cuticles. And boy do they work.

Aluminum

Some older, lesser quality flat irons are pure Aluminum. These irons are usually referred to as the “drugstore variety” and do not contain Ceramic. This is why you notice a huge difference when you upgrade to a pricier iron – the addition of Ceramic.

So you know what Ceramic does, but what about all of those other materials you keep hearing about? Tourmaline, Nano-Titanium, Nano Silver, Nano anything? These are additional materials used in the plates to enhance the smoothness of the plate’s surface, generate additional negative ions to smooth your hair quickly, and create a snag free glide down the strands. Here’s a breakdown:

Nano

This is a process where the material, say Tourmaline, is micronized into superfine particles and infused into the plate surface. Whenever you see Nano, think teeny, tiny pieces of a smoothing material infused into the plates. Nano-Ceramic, Nano-Silver, you get the idea.

Ceramic and Nano-Ceramic

Smaller particles of Ceramic to contribute to your smoothing process. This is good for every hair type. Most flat irons with Ceramic technology provide silky, straight results but there are a variety of price points. As for most irons I’ve tried, the pricier Ceramic irons really are better. Plus the more expensive irons usually come with additional features and benefits so be sure to look into this if you are considering a Ceramic iron.

Nano-Titanium

Super smoothing surface, great heat conduction, straightens hair up to 40% faster. Is it necessary? If your hair is hard to straighten, this is one of the best materials out there for you, newer technology but comparable to Tourmaline. If you want the latest technology you’ll like this.

Nano-Silver

A smooth surface that eliminates bacteria on the appliance creating a germ-free environment every time you use it. Great for a stylist, or germ-a-phobe. It straightens hair well, but do you have to have it? Probably not.

Nano-Tourmaline

Tourmaline is a semi-precious gemstone known for its negative ion generating and smoothing properties, and is infused into the flat iron plates. This is earlier technology than Nano-Titanium and Nano-Silver. I sometimes find that Tourmaline causes static, but still a very good material for smoothing most hair types.

Does it come with a warranty?

The warranty is another biggie to think about. Some manufacturers will only honor a warranty if you buy the flat iron in a salon. I would consider that a fine idea if the salon in my area carried every flat iron. Truth is, they don’t. But I have noticed the irons they do carry are way more expensive than online. What gives?

If you are buying a flat iron in a store or online, look for a flat iron that has a 1 year warranty or longer. We’ve all heard the rumors about a certain flat iron that breaks after only a few months. Honestly, it does. You might want to think about it. ‘Nuff said.

If you use a flat iron every day you want it to last. Make sure you select a flat iron guaranteed to survive your daily styling habits. If you use a flat iron sporadically, go for a less expensive Ceramic iron without all the technological bells and whistles.

FAROUK CHI 1 CERAMIC ORIGINAL FLAT IRON HAIR IRONS NEW 27 Bids US $61.00 Time Remaining : 4h 43m

BRAND NEW CHI 1 INCH FLAT IRON HAIR STRAIGHTENER 0 Bid US $61.99 Time Remaining : 5h 10m

CHI 1 CERAMIC ORIGINAL FLAT IRON HAIR STRAIGHTENER NEW 6 Bids US $61.00 Time Remaining : 5h 13m

NEW 4 BOTTLES FAROUK CHI FLAT HAIR IRON SILK INFUSION 6 Bids US $2.25 Time Remaining : 5h 43m

CHI Turbo Digital Flat Iron Black 1 NIB 1 Bid US $58.00 Time Remaining : 6h 21m

NEW CHI 1 ORIGINAL CERAMIC FLAT IRON HAIR STRAIGHTENER 13 Bids US $52.00 Time Remaining : 7h 40m

These days most celebrities talk about hair straighteners and appear on the television with their curly, unruly hair straightened out and sleek. Are they fooling us or is it really possible to straighten out stubbornly curly hair? The answer is yes  IT is possible to tame your unruly hair and straighten them like the celebrities do. You can also have shiny and sleek silky hair with the Chi flat iron. Let’s have a look at Chi flat iron review.

Chi Flat Irons are one of the most admired flat irons today. The Chi flat iron pioneered the use of ceramic plates in the history of hair straighteners. Hence Chi hair straighteners are well known for their quality and long standing goodwill in the industry.  Chi hair straighteners work for curly and frizzy hair too. Most people swear by the Chi hair straighteners and admit that had they not been there, they hair would have been in knots. Chi hair straighteners come in many varieties, the most popular being the Chi Flat Iron.

The Chi flat iron is comparatively cheaper than its competitors but has a better quality. The handle is ergonomically made which means that your hand won’t get cramped while you straighten your hair. The design is pretty neat and intelligent too. The Chi flat iron has a long chord that is about 10 feet long and a swivel base, so there is no danger of you getting entangled in it. Moreover, you don’t need to stand near an electrical outlet, so you can sit at your dresser and straighten your hair.

The ceramic heating plates of Chi Flat Iron are smooth over the hair and do not cause them to break. Earlier copper coils caused a lot of friction in the hair when they were used, which lead to a lot of hair loss. Another good point about the ceramic plates is that they have a tendency to heat evenly. So, you don’t need to worry about over done spots in your hair. Most hair salons use this technology, so you can do the same thing at home and save money.

Most flat irons tend to damage colored hair but Chi Flat Iron is different. The technology used in Chi flat iron causes it to emit negative ions that help in hair sealing and minimizing shaft damage. This also helps to lock the color for colored hair.

People who travel a lot will find Chi Flat Ion handy since its sleek and compact and will fit into any bag. So all you need to do is pack it in your bag and have great sleek hair wherever you go.

The Chi flat hair iron has some other uses too. You can use it to style your hair into curls, crimps and flips. So this is more like an All in one tool. Chi flat iron is one of the best hair straightener for your hair.

FAROUK CHI 1 CERAMIC ORIGINAL FLAT IRON HAIR IRONS NEW 27 Bids US $61.00 Time Remaining : 4h 43m

BRAND NEW CHI 1 INCH FLAT IRON HAIR STRAIGHTENER 0 Bid US $61.99 Time Remaining : 5h 10m

CHI 1 CERAMIC ORIGINAL FLAT IRON HAIR STRAIGHTENER NEW 6 Bids US $61.00 Time Remaining : 5h 13m

NEW 4 BOTTLES FAROUK CHI FLAT HAIR IRON SILK INFUSION 6 Bids US $2.25 Time Remaining : 5h 43m

CHI Turbo Digital Flat Iron Black 1 NIB 1 Bid US $58.00 Time Remaining : 6h 21m

NEW CHI 1 ORIGINAL CERAMIC FLAT IRON HAIR STRAIGHTENER 13 Bids US $52.00 Time Remaining : 7h 40m

Straightening your hair to get a smooth silky finish is all the rave these days. To determine which ceramic flat irons are best I decided to do some research and ask some friends about their experiences. Firstly your selection of a ceramic hair straightener versus the old metal types is a great idea. Ceramic plates tend to heat up faster and more evenly and are less damaging to your hair.

The ceramic emits negative ions which helps preserve moisture and the natural oils plus it seals the hair cuticle and reduces static. I looked at some of the top selling ceramic straightening irons and here is a summary of their features plus the pros and cons to help you decide for yourself.

Farouk CHI Flat Hairstyling Iron

The Farouk Chi Ceramic Flat Iron is the probably the top selling ceramic flat iron these days. It heats up in seconds and stays hot - temperature reaches up to 410 Degrees. It has a long 10 foot swivel cord which makes it comfortable to style entire head. Also it is great for not just straightening but also flipping and curling your hair. Hair comes out shiny and smooth after one pass. The draw backs are first it has no temperature control and second many people have had problems with it breaking down within months. Even so I have friends who swear by it and say it it worth every penny and the shortcomings.

Ceramic Tools Professional Flat Iron

The Ceramic Tools Flat Iron and is very economical and provides very good results. It heats up fast and stays hot evenly. Unlike the CHI this one comes with 25 different heat settings which go up to 446 degrees and it has on on/off switch with an indicator light.I also like the soft grip handle. It has rounded edges which help hair glide easily and allow for curls or flips also.

Solia Ceramic Flat Iron

The Solia is also a very popular brand for straightening irons and they also claim you can use it on damp hair or dry hair. I don't recommend that kind of heat on wet hair but some people claim it works great and does not do any additional damage to your hair. The Solia does heat up fast and goes up to 450F. It maintains it temperature and the iron plates are smooth and don't snag hair. The handles are very comfortable and the extra long 9 foot cord is ideal.

All the above ceramic flat irons work very well. After you take into account some of different features and your budget I think you will be happy with whichever one you select. Hope this information helps you decide which ceramic flat iron is best for you.

Solia Profess Ceramic Ion Flat Iron 3 4 Plate 0 Bid US $40.99 Time Remaining : 12h 47m

SOLIA PRO CERAMIC ION FLAT IRON FOR HAIRCARE 125PLATE US $88.99 Time Remaining : 19h 14m

Solia Tourmaline Ceramic Ion Flat Iron 1 3 4 pouch US $99.99 Time Remaining : 3h 27m

Solia Ceramic Flat Iron US $80.00 Time Remaining : 1d 23h 31m

NIB PINK SOLIA Limited Edition CERAMIC IONIC FLAT IRON 1 Bid US $65.00 Time Remaining : 2d 8h 16m

Solia Tourmaline Ceramic Ion Flat Iron 0 Bid US $40.00 Time Remaining : 2d 20h 17m