I remember trying to straighten my curly / wavy (Type 2A) hair in middle school by blowing it straight with a hair dryer and a round brush… which was mildly effective, but also left a lot to be desired on the frizz front as well as in regards to styling. My mom told me that she and her friends used to use literal clothing irons on each other’s hair to get the sleek straightened look when they were younger! Thank goodness the hair-specific flat iron straightener was invented! There have been many iterations since they first appeared on the market, but my favorites (of the straighteners that I have tried) are the two that I am sharing about today.
At one time CHI was the top-of-the-line straightener option, but now I believe that title is held by GHD (and for good reason!). This 1″ ceramic plate straightener still gets the job done and I have been very pleased with it over the past decade.
I had been lusting after the Dyson Corrale Straightener for a while and my husband surprised me with it last year as a birthday gift! My CHI was still working just fine so I wasn’t planning on getting a new straightener until I absolutely needed to, but getting the Dyson while I still had my CHI was actually nice because I could compare the two. Thus, the idea for this post was born!
Controls:
CHI: On / Off Switch (I just leave in “On” position so that the straightener automatically starts heating up when I plug it in).
CHI has determined what they feel is the best heat temperature (392°F) for effective and maximum straightening so it’s up to you to discern how long to leave it on your strands to get the desired results while causing the least amount of damage.
Dyson: Power button to turn on / off as well as a sliding lock mechanism to keep straightener closed for easy storage and travel.
Dyson provides three temperatures options to choose from: Low (330oF), Medium (365oF), and High (410oF) depending on your hair type and styling needs. I usually stick with the Medium temperature because that’s all my hair needs, but I love having the options to go lower or higher if I need to.
Heating Plates:
CHI: Uses a 1″ Tourmaline ceramic hot plates to evenly and safely smooth and straighten your hair. CHI Flat Iron produces an exceptionally high amount of negative ions, and Far Infrared, which reduces static electricity for achieving sleek, straight style.
Dyson: Uses thermal flex-plates to smooth and straighten, but also to accommodate larger groupings of hair strands. “Our flexing plates are precision machined to the width of a human hair with 15 micro-hinged segments on each plate. This means they can flex and adapt to hair, controlling it during styling. They are made of a manganese copper alloy, chosen for its strength, flexibility and thermal conduction.”
How long do they take to heat up?
My CHI’s red indicator light will go from solid “on” to “blinking” when it’s heated up and is pretty quick to heat up — it takes a minute and twenty seconds until it’s ready to straighten.
The Dyson has the cutest little *chime* to alert you that your straightener is hot and ready to go! I couldn’t believe that it took almost 1/3 of the time as the CHI to heat up. I knew it was fast, but the CHI never seemed to be slow to me before the Dyson.
Size / Weight:
CHI: A bit lighter, slimmer and shorter in length, but I attribute that to the fact that the electricity to power the device is provided from the swiveling power cord. The total device’s weight is listed at 1.4 lbs, but that has to include the cord weight because the straightener itself is easily lighter than the Dyson.
Dyson: The straightener has a nice weight to it (1.23 lbs), but I don’t find it to be super heavy; it just feels substantial. For housing both the battery and the smart heating element, I find the size to be quite agreeable.
Battery / Charging:
CHI: This products offers an 11 ft. long Swivel Cord for convenience that comes with a Velcro strap for storage.
Dyson: I would say that the stand is unnecessary, but a stylish and helpful way to charge the device if you have the counter space to spare! It is just as easily charged just by plugging the power cable into the base of the straightener itself, especially if you need to charge while the straightener is in use (also love that the power cable and receivers are magnetized for ease of use!). The power cord will swivel when attached to the straightener so it won’t hinder your usage.
Regarding battery power time: “From full charge, you can achieve up to 30 minutes cord-free styling from the Dyson Corrale straightener. Exact run time depends on your hair type and styling habits. A full charge takes just 70 minutes. To maximize your run time, place on the charging dock when not in use and in between styling sections. The OLED screen and chime will indicate that your machine is charging properly. We recommend always beginning with 100% charge for maximum run-time.”
Travel:
CHI: Features dual voltage for ease of travel, but will require an adaptor when traveling internationally. “If you want to use your curling iron outside the U.S., you’ve got to look for one with dual voltage capabilities. Keep in mind, too, most curling tongs will come with a standard American plug, so you’ll need a plug adapter to fit European outlets. Don’t leave the States without it!”
Dyson: Because the battery in the Dyson is so powerful, it will often trigger the TSA detectors when going through security. Be sure to disable the battery before traveling with the device so that it is airplane safe! The sleeve that the machine comes with is not only great for absorbing / protecting against heat, but it has a specific holder to protect the battery plug when it is not actively engaged in the machine. Note: You will only need to disengage this item when traveling on an airplane, not for regular use. Includes built-in universal voltage for ease of charging while traveling abroad.
*Note: Stricter regulations in Japan mean you will not be able to fly in or out of any Japanese airports with your straightener.
(Click here for my travel outlet adaptor recommendation!)
All in all, I think that the Dyson Corrale straighter is way more convenient (cordless option, quick charge) and it has features that I find to be revolutionary (flex plates, smart heat, etc.). I believe that the Dyson is absolutely worth the investment, especially if you are someone who frequently straightens their hair. I absolutely adore mine and my only complaint is that I didn’t get it sooner!
I will say that if you choose to invest in the Dyson Corrale, I would personally wait to buy it on sale to get the most for your money! Often times it is included in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale as well as Sephora’s bi-annual sales so if upgrading your straightener isn’t an emergency purchase (read: replacing one that stopped working), saving up for one of those sales would definitely be my recommendation.
My Favorite Straightening Products:
TRESemmé Heat Protectant spray for minimizing damage. I adore the spray bottle; it has the most even misting spritz in the game. I attribute this product to helping me minimize breakage and split ends between haircuts! Speaking of extending haircuts, you can read my love letter to Olaplex’s magic hair potion here — it’s my holy grail for hair repair / care especially regarding heat damage.
Spritz the heat protectant all over your hair post-shower while it is is still damp (avoiding the scalp) and gently comb through to make sure that you distribute the product evenly throughout your strands for maximum protection coverage before you start drying!
CHI Silk Infusion hair product gives a silkiness to your hair as well as prevents frizziness and flyaways — I use a ~nickel sized drop on my long hair after drying / styling and comb through. I love the “dry oil” feel; it’s not sticky at all and a little bit goes a long way. A 6 oz bottle will last for a LONG time… I bought this 12 oz bottle over a decade ago at TJMaxx and it’s still going strong! haha
If you are curious about the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer, I wrote a similar post sharing a comparison with the T3 Featherweight hairdryer here and my full review + styling tips for the Dyson Airwrap styler here!
Happy styling, friends!
Sending hugs —
xx, Natalie
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