What is a good kind of straightener to buy?

I have long thick hair and straighten it every day. I own a chi straightener, it lasted a year and then the cords started pulling away at the swivel cord part. So I bought another 200 dollar chi and a year later the same thing happened!!! Returns or warranty no longer can help. No one else I know has had a problem with a chi, but I feel dumb buying another, what should I buy?