This is my first straightener. I bought it at Kmart for 9.99 on sale. If I get my hair straight with a hair dryer, then finish it off with the iron, I can get it pin straight but that takes half an hour or more. Also, it's supposed to heat up in 30 seconds, but I find that it doesn't get hot enough for about 5 minutes. I find it to be quite damaging, but aren't all straighteners? I do like the small size though, I don't know how I would feel about one of those huge flat irons. I took this flat iron over my 4th of July vacation to Virginia City, Yellowstone, and the Tetons and it worked great in my duffel bag. I'd definitely recommend this to someone who isn't trying to get their hair pin straight, just straight...if you know what I mean!