I am an avid user of the full sized CHI flat iron, and I definitely have an appreciation for pro level hair tools. I got this iron as part of a combination travel pack (with a case, a mini hairdryer and some mini CHI products). I bought this set solely because of the CHI name (and I needed some travel tools), but I have found the mini flat iron to fall somewhat short. It does work and it does warm up, but it feels like I'm using a drugstore brand straightener again - my hair doesn't get that instantly straight, shiny and smooth look that I get when using the full size CHI. It's size is good for travel, and since I don't use it as my everyday iron, it does well enough, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it for daily use and it is something of a disappointment coming from the CHI brand.

LasVegasKitty

Las Vegas, NV, USA

I am a huge fan of CHI flat irons because they seem to work the best with my hair type [naturally curly, but fine]. I have multiple "normal" size CHI's but I also have this mini one. Generally, I use this mini CHI for when I travel because it is easier to store than the standard size ones and more lightweight. Recently, I got my hair cut in a bob, which is quite a bit shorter than I normally have it. I was struggling to use my normal size CHI with this short of hair and I decided to try my mini one. Turns out this is a great flat iron for shorter hair! You are not going to get any weird creases like you will get with a lot of normal size flat irons. Although, this works excellently for me, I can see how it would not be practical with other types of hair, such a thick, ethnic, or long hair. For thin and shorter hair this is an excellent flat iron! Although CHI's are pricey, I promise they are worth it! They are extremely durable and quickly straighten your hair, which remains straight all day. Effectiveness Quick and effective. Durability CHI's are extremely durable. My oldest one I have had for almost 8 years and it still works great. I have had this mini one for around 3-4 years and have had no problems.

evlmidget

Undisclosed

     So I was about to go on vacation when i realized that my flat iron was to big.. So then I went out and bought the CHI travel mini flat iron because I have the regular version of it so i was almost pretty sure that this would be great. I usually go out for formal dinners when I go on vacation so I like to curl my hair and straighten it on vacation. I love the way that the curls look when i curl it with a flat iron and they look extra good with a mini one so yay for the chi. This does straighten on one time you go through on one strand of your hair. This also gets rid of the frizz in your air. The curls and the straightness of what ever you did to your hair will stay for almost the whole day, even without a hair spray. This I sometimes do use when I'm not on vacation. I love love love this for my bangs because I have a big bulky straightener and it sometimes burns my face so I like how this is not 

Kylielee15

Schenectady, NY

The mini Chi is awesome in concept, not so great on performance. I thought Chi's were known for their high heat and reputation for protecting your hair while styling. A Chi was the ultimate straightening tool that every girl should have. Pros: I love the size, I can take it anywhere. The swivel cord makes it super easy to maneuver and the plates are the perfect size for my short punky layers. There are no tracks left after styling, no pieces that catch my hair and the finished look is shiny and healthy looking. Cons: Though shiny and healthy looking, the heat doesn't get high enough to get my hair perfectly stick straight. I end up burning my fingers, but not getting the finished result I am wanting in the end. I wish it came with the heat settings I have seen on the larger modes and maybe a built in brush as well to minimize the burnt digits!!! I will buy another Chi, but never another Mini. : ( 

deannaembry

Franklin, TN

I already had the Chi straightening iron and loved it so I bought this mini for my traveling. I have used Chi mini travel iron for the last one year for my business and personal trips and it has been great. It is really light so fits into smaller bags also without adding much weight. It straightens your hair really well for such a small hair iron. Like the bigger Chi straightener it does not damage hair as much as some of the other hair irons because the plate quality is better. Also I have noticed my hair looks shinier after straightening with this iron versus some other products. I bought a converter for it and can now use it on international trips as well without any trouble. Also it comes with a one year warranty. Cons: The downside is it takes a while to straighten your hair because of its smaller surface area. My hair is shoulder length and fairly thick so it takes me about 45 minutes to straighten. Overall a great buy if you travel frequently.  

AmisM

Carlsbad, CA

About a year ago, i went to a Beauty Center near my house, and found a small straightener by Chi. This Straightener wasn't very expensive for a chi straightener. The offical name was the Chi Mini Travel Iron, and it was about 2/3's of the price of a normal chi straightener. I used it for about 2 or 3 months, and it would work flawlessly. it would tame frizz, straighten, and make it shiny. My only dislike about about it at first was it wouldn't keep it straight for that  long.  My main point of buying a straightener was because i straighten my hair for school. When school started this year, i realized it wasn't getting as hot as it used to be, and would take longer to straighten my hair.    Now, When i try to use it, it doesn't warm up at all. It turns on, gets warm, but never hot enough to straighten. Now i can wait till it says it's heated up, and still be able to touch the plates and it won't burn myself.    This straightener, in my opinion, was just a waste of money on my part. Don't buy this straightener in less you have a oddly large amount of disposable income. 

brunetteszili

Berkeley, CA

The CHi Mini Iron is a great tool to have for your collection. It is easy to take with you anywhere.....and so easy to use for everyday use as well. I have this with me all the time to do touch ups on my hair when out and about....it is something I cannot live without! I also have the full size CHi Iron which is a great tool to have at home at all times. This product will truly help straighten your hair and give it the shine you want.....and it keeps it looking so healthy.

slawsgrl

Manchester, NH

this straightener is the only one i will use now. i have been through so many straighteners. i used to go thru 2 a year. but ive had this one for 3 years now and it is still good as new. i may have paid alot for it but it was deff worth it.

phonejnke

Mcalester, OK

If you are searching for the ultimate flat iron, please purchase a CHI. When one thinks of flat irons, the brand name CHI typically comes to mind. This is not the first flat iron I have purchased. In the past, I have had cheaper versions of this product. Now that I have tried the CHI, I will never go back. My version of the CHI has no temperature options. However, I purposely purchased a version without this option. Why would I do such a thing? Personally, I always opt for the highest temperature. Therefore, having the option to alter the temperature is not important to me. I do not know for certain that my hair is not damaged at the highest temperature. However, I have experienced no changes in my hair quality and quantity since using this product. It is important to note that the CHI does feel too hot to the touch when using it. Before the CHI, I bought and used a cheaper flat iron. Every time I heated it, I could barely hold the product. It would scald my hands. I feel safe when using the CHI. I have never burnt my hands.

WasabiPea

Saint Louis, MO

There is a lot of hype around the Chi products and I've had several throughout the years. The Chi flat irons are miracle workers and leave your hair feeling so soft. I went through iron after iron trying to "save money" before I finally bought this flat iron. I ended up spending a lot more on the other irons combined than I would have if I had just bought the best to begin with. My hair is very very thick and curly and so the flat iron has to work well to do a good job on my hair. This Chi is amazing for the job and allows me to spend less time in the bathroom fixing my hair and more time out doing the things I need to be doing or would rather be doing! I love, also, that the flat iron not only straightens your hair but it can also curl it when you twist it slightly. So, not only do you have a straightener but also a curling iron in ONE product. I wish I had bought the Chi Flat Iron first before trying all the other ones out there - I wasted so much money and time!

chosengurl

Saint Louis, MO