An in-depth look at FHI’s versatile and very durable flat iron
Model Name/ Number: PF7001
Price: $101
Size: 0.5”, 1”, 1.25”, 1.75”
For Which Hair Type: all Hair Types, All Hair Lengths
What We Like: has the lowest starting heat among flat irons available on the market
What We Don’t Like: doesn’t Have Digital Display
Rating: 4.7/5.0
FHI Heat Platform is a popular flat iron, especially among professionals, and for good reason. It heats up very well for thick hair and has an extra low-temperature setting of 140°F for the very fragile strands.
It also comes with 4 different plate width options of 0.5”, 1”, 1.25”, and 1.75” which makes this tool very versatile.
It’s a very lightweight tool with only 7.7 oz (one of the lightest on our list). It has 3 layers of baked ceramic plates infused with tourmaline and this combo makes this tool gentle and brings frizz-free results.
Most importantly, FHI has a very high-quality material that is sturdy and long-lasting.
It doesn’t have the digital display which makes it easier for beginners and it’s definitely not the most budget-friendly with $100 but it would be a product worth the investment.
Below we share our experiences with FHI Heat Platform Signature Styling Iron. If you’re curious about the competition, check out the article about Best Flat Irons for Fine Hair.
Shape And Size
Flat irons come in many different sizes and it’s one of the most important factors to consider for a perfect session. FHI Heat Platform Signature is a highly versatile tool that comes in 4 different widths; 0.5”, 1”, 1.25” and 1.75”. You’ll surely be able to find a perfect size for you among those choices.
- 0.5” plates are perfect for short hair, especially pixie, bob cuts and coily textures as this size can come super close to the roots and style the hair with great precision.
- 1” plates are the most common in the market and they fit most hair lengths if you’re undecided it’s wise to go for this option.
- 1.25” is also a medium size but has a bit of a wider space and will provide faster results, especially if your hair is on the longer side.
- Finally, 1.75” is perfect for long hair as it covers a large area at one go and style the hair faster and more efficient.
It’s also important to mention that this tool has multi-directional floating plates which ensures that there’s always perfect contact between the plates and your hair. It also has beveled edges for maximum smoothness as it allows the plates to move with the hair while styling.
The length of its heated plates is 3.55”, which is below average. There are longer ones in the market that can cover wider sections and they may be more beneficial for thick and very long strands. For example, Babyliss Nano Titanium Ultra Thin with 4.74” length, has a really long plate. While longer plates have their benefits, shorter plates are faster at recovering their heat with their smaller surface.
Length of the whole tool is 10.5”, which is one of the shortest on our list right after CHI Original Lava Ceramic Hairstyling Iron with 10.25”. If you want to use your flat iron for curling hair, shorter tools are easy to maneuver and offer precise styling capabilities. A shorter tool is always much more compact and travel-friendly in case this is your priority. But in case you have long hair, and also want to use your flat iron for curling, we recommend you to check out Babylisspro Prima3100 Straightener which has 12.5″ plates for faster styling.
Heat And Variable Settings
FHI Heat Platform has a very large range of variable settings and fits every hair type from super fragile to extra thick. The low setting starts from 140°F which is safe for even the most delicate strands and the high setting is maximum 360°F.
On its website its advertised that it goes up to temperatures such as 455°F but our tests shows that the maximum heat remains between 340°F and 360°F. After 45 seconds it goes up to 358°F and when we keep it on for 8 minutes, it remains around 342°F. These numbers are still high enough to tame thick and long hair so we still consider this tool very powerful.
There are some flat irons on our list that goes up to higher temperatures such as Bioionic 10X Styling Iron with 417°F and if you have very stubborn hair you may want to consider one of them.
The temperature of its handle goes up till 75.4°F which is a very safe number even for the most sensitive hands. The backside of its plates on the other hand, after 8 minutes of use, heats up till 135°F. Now this can be too hot for some and must be used with caution. There are other options on our list such as Babylisspro Nano Titanium Vented Ionic Flat Iron that that remains as low as 87°F.
FHI comes with a 60-minute auto shut-off technology that puts the mind at ease and provide extra safety. It doesn’t have a digital display nor any mechanism such as digital temperature control or memory function. It only has temperature dial. It’s perfect for the professionals that are used to using these tools but if you’re beginner another flat iron with led displays such as Hot Tools Black Gold Evolve or Drybar the Tress Press may be better options.
Material and Performance
FHI’s plates are made of 3 layers of baked ceramic infused with tourmaline. This means it has the benefits of both ceramic and tourmaline.
Ceramic plates provide a gentler styling session as they heat up slowly and are easy to regulate. They’re more suitable for everyday use and for beginners.
Tourmaline plates are superior at providing frizz-free results as they create high levels of negative ions. They can also straighten the hair at much lower temperatures.
So, combining the two, the plates of FHI are highly desirable and in our opinion the best option in the market.
This tool doesn’t have ion generators but it compensates with its tourmaline plates.
There’s another material which is superior at fast heating and retaining the heat, and its titanium. If you have long and thick hair and you want speedy results, titanium plates may be a better choice for you. There are many options on our list with this material such as BabylissPro Nano Titanium Ultra-Thin.
The best part of FHI Heat Platform Signature is its performance. It may not have digital display and a fancy look from outside, but boy this tool can straighten the hair. It also has the highest quality material that will last you from many years to come. It is a fair investment with more than $100 and it deserves its price with its quality.
Ergonomics
The weight of any hair tool can be overwhelming, especially if used for long periods of time. FHI has a weight of 7.7oz, which is one of the lightest on our list, right after Bio Ionic GoldPro Flat Iron with 7.5”.. This is a positive aspect for the ones that want to avoid arm fatigue.
Diameter of its handle is 4.5” and is average sized which would fit most hands.
It has a swivel cord which Is 12 feet long. This is the longest size available in the market and it’s very useful if you don’t have a plug right next to your mirror.
It has dual voltage which makes it travel-friendly since you can use it anywhere in the world.
Price And Guarantee
FHI Heat Platform is a luxury product that is used a lot in hair salons and it has a price of $101. It may not have a fancy led display which may be beneficial for beginners but this tool does its job very efficiently and has very high-quality material. For these reasons in our opinion, it’s a value-for-money product that deserves its cost.
It comes with a 2-year limited guarantee which is the average among hot hair tools.
If this price is not affordable enough for you, there are many other tools on our list that also provide a quality styling session for a more budget-friendly price such as Conair Double Ceramic Flat Iron which also offers higher ceramic content.
Competition
If your hair has been chemically treated or is damaged, consider the T3 Smooth ID as an alternative to FHI. It features a built-in ion generator that reduces frizz and improves the appearance of frizzy, dry, and dull hair. What makes T3 ideal for damaged hair is its heat technology, that automatically adjusts to your hair’s needs, helping to protect uneven textures and damaged strands from further heat damage.
If you’re looking for a different option, consider the TYMO Sway flat iron. It starts at a gentle 140°F, similar to the FHI, which is great if you prefer styling your hair with lower heat settings to protect it.
