BaByliss vs CHI Flat Iron (2021): Which Should You Choose?

The flat iron has always been a trusted hair tool when it comes to straightening hair. But it doesn’t just straighten wavy or curly hair, rather, it can also provide shine and make hair extra smooth. If you’re led to this BaByliss vs CHI flat iron article, it means that you’re carefully choosing the right flat iron for your hair type. It’s the right thing to do because using the wrong flat iron can lead to hair damage in the long run.

BaBylissPRO and CHI are two hairstyling brands that are known to produce high-quality hairstyling tools. So for this article, we are comparing the features of the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Ultra-Thin Straightener and the CHI G2 Professional Flat Iron. Hopefully, by the end of this write-up, you will be able to choose which flat iron suits your hair texture and your budget.

BaByliss vs CHI Flat Iron Comparison Chart

BaByliss vs CHI Brand Overview

BaByliss and CHI are both well-known brands in the professional hairstyling industry.

BaByliss has been dominating the hairstyling business since the 1960’s. The company was started by French hairstylist René Lelièvre who wanted to improve curling tongs used by hairstylists like himself. Then in 1995, the company was acquired by Conair Corporation and the brand transformed into the BaBylissPRO that we now know. To date, the company has produced not only hair tools but also hair care products that are distributed around the world.

Meanwhile, CHI Haircare was started in 1986 by Farouk Shami, a hairdresser who aims to provide hairstylists a safer workplace and updated knowledge on the latest hairstyling and hair care trends. Shami was, in fact, the one who invented CHI’s very first hair iron. Currently, CHI Haircare manufactures not only hair tools but hair care products and hair accessories, as well. Moreover, the company continues to educate aspiring and practicing hairstylists through their CHI School Program and CHI Online Academy.

Bottomline, both BaBylissPRO and CHI were started with a vision by hairstylists for hairstylists. And their best-selling products are testaments of the passion that was put into developing their products. In our opinion, whether you choose to buy a BaByliss or CHI flat iron, you can be sure that you’re getting quality products backed by years of experience.

BaByliss vs CHI Flat Iron Design & Build

The two flat irons have almost the same length but looking at them closely will reveal a lot of differences.

The BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Ultra-Thin Straightener is part of the brand’s best-selling Nano Titanium collection. (Check out our review of the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Curling Iron.) There are more than a dozen flat iron models in this collection alone but the Ultra-Thin Straightener is the thinnest and the lightest. The plate is extra-long at 5 inches and this definitely helps in lessening straightening time. The flat iron can also be used in making beach waves and soft curls and twirling can be easily done as it has a swivel cord. As for durability, you can be sure that its housing will last for years since it is made of high quality plastic that can withstand ultra-high heat.

On the other hand, the CHI G2 Professional Flat Iron’s body is almost as long but its body is twice thicker. The plate is also shorter, probably to give more space for the flat iron’s heat control buttons. It also has an LCD temperature display panel on its outer part which is one of the major design differences it has with the BaBylissPRO. Lastly, and travel bugs will love this, the CHI G2 has an extra-long 11-foot cord and has dual voltage capability so you can use it wherever you are in the globe.

These two flat irons do not come with heat guards or alligator clips such as those included with the ghd and T3 flat irons. The CHI G2, however, includes a thermal mat that doubles as a protective wrap for the flat iron when not in use.

Heat Settings & Controls

The CHI G2 color-coded temperature display is a thoughtful safety innovation.

Both the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Ultra-Thin Straightener and the CHI G2 Professional Flat Iron can heat up quickly between 40 to 60 seconds. However, the BaBylissPRO has a higher temperature range than the CHI G2 which may be a disadvantage for CHI users with thick, coarse hair. The heat controls are also different for these two as the BaBylissPRO uses a rotating dial while the CHI G2 has (+) and (-) buttons for adjusting the plate’s temperature.

As it appears, CHI G2’s LCD display is not only a temperature display but also a safety feature of sorts. The manufacturer designed the LCD display’s color to change according to the temperature you set. This way, you will know if the heat is safe for your hair type. The manufacturer recommends the following temperature settings:

• Blue (0°F – 370°F) for fine hair
• Green (375°F – 395°F) for medium or wavy hair
• Red (400°F – 425°F) for coarse or resistant hair

Plate Technology

The BaBylissPRO’s plates are made of nano titanium metal while the CHI G2’s has titanium-infused ceramic plates.

Titanium is an expensive metal that is very durable and corrosion-free. When used on heated hairstyling tools, it gives the hair shafts a smoother and more polished look. Technically, we can say that both BaBylissPRO and CHI G2 have titanium plates. But we should take note that the BaBylissPRO actually has titanium plates and the CHI G2 only has titanium-infused ceramic plates. Theres a big difference between the two.

All hairstyling tools in the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium collection uses nano-ionic technology. With this innovation, negative ions are discharged while straightening hair so moisture is locked in each strand. Further hair damage from the extreme heat is therefore avoided. On the contrary, CHI G2’s ceramic plates are titanium-infused. Probably, this is done to make the plates more durable for a smoother straightening experience.

Don’t get us wrong. Ceramic is still a good material for heated hairstyling tools because it can distribute heat evenly and stay hot longer than titanium. In fact, the BaBylissPRO also has a ceramic heater to help its nano titanium plates have a more constant temperature.

Verdict

There’s a huge price difference between these two flat irons.

If quality and styling performance are major deciding factors for you, then we recommend you buy the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Ultra-Thin Straightener. Nano titanium is the best plate material there is. You can freely style your hair without thinking about hair damage. Also, BaBylissPRO have gained a loyal following because their products can literally last for years. Think of it as a long-term investment especially if you’re a professional hairstylist.

On the other hand, we recommend the CHI G2 Professional Flat Iron for the budget-conscious and newbie hairstylists. You get to have a flat iron with an innovative multi-colored LCD temperature display at only half the price of the BaBylissPRO. Moreover, its titanium-infused ceramic plates are still better than just standard ceramic plates.

FAQs