The best method of trying to determine whether Sedu or CHI make the best flat iron is to collate and analyze the complaints made by real consumers. Sometimes, it's better to compare complaints rather than comparing glowing recommendations, partly because one isn't always sure if the recommendation is by a genuine person, and also, because 'glowing recommendations' tend to be non-specific whereas complaints usually are.
The complaints and comments were garnered all the comments for both flat irons made to folica.com between Jan 2006 and July 2006. I used this as my source as this was the largest collection of flat iron reviews I could find.
The top complaints made by those who bought a CHI flat iron:
- poor quality control (brand new ones don't work, they stop heating after a few months, stop working after a few minutes of use, got too hot and melted the plastic housing)
- tends to snag your hair. The edges of the CHI flat iron are not rounded and this led to hair being snagged.
- older models had no heat control whereas Sedu flat irons have an adjustable temperature settings. This perhaps could be ignored as new versions of CHI flat irons now have fully controllable temperature setting.
- hair straightening took too long. Other brands like Corioliss and GHD were reported as being much quicker at straightening hair.
- some users complained that it could not straighten their hair and so they gave up
- the cost of warranty repairs was expensive
The CHI flat iron is rated 4 out of 5 on Folica
The top complaints made by those who bought a Sedu flat iron:
- customer expected better performance from the Sedu; hair not as smooth or didn't stay smooth as they would have liked
- one customer explained that they love it but still get a better result at the salon (for more money of course)
- some reported that their hair was very dry after using a Sedu flat iron
The Sedu Falt Iron is rated 4.5 out of 5 on Folica
In conclusion, although there were many satisfied Chi customers, the quality of the CHI flat iron was called into question. Base on this survey - remember, these were randomly picked from just one website - the Sedu flat iron came out as best.
