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The best ghd straighteners for every hair style and type

Not sure which styler is right for you? We’ve ranked the brand’s straighteners

Sarah Jones
Tuesday 09 April 2024 10:30 EDT
We put the brand’s hair tools to the test, to bring you our straight-talking reviews
We put the brand’s hair tools to the test, to bring you our straight-talking reviews (The Independent)

Coveted in the world of haircare, ghd has revolutionised the way we style our tresses, with its cutting-edge range of tools that include some of the best hair straighteners.

In fact, the brand has become so ubiquitous in the beauty world, it’s difficult to remember how we coped without it. If you’ve managed to block out memories of your hair before ghd or weren’t around to witness the brand’s inception, let us remind you. Before 2001, when three entrepreneurs from Leeds launched the original IV ghd styler into salons, we had to embrace our natural frizz and texture. Or, if we were really determined to get poker-straight hair (the must-have look of the Noughties) we’d have to resort to singeing our locks with bulky, heavy flat irons that gave our strands an audible sizzle.

Luckily, it didn’t take long for ghd’s science-backed tool to start making its way into our homes. Fast forward more than 20 years, and the brand continues to set the standard. Now, ghd has an arsenal of tools under its beauty belt, adding everything from curlers and hair dryers to hot brushes along the way.

While the brand has gone on to create some of the best hair styling tools in the industry – we’re looking at you soft curl tong (£159, Amazon.co.uk) and helios hair dryer (£179, Amazon.co.uk) – it is the instant smoothing power of the brand’s straighteners that remains as apparent today as it was two decades ago.

There are now eight ghd straighteners to choose from, which can make deciding which one to invest in a tricky task. Whether you’re looking for a cordless, wide-plate or multipurpose tool, we’ve compared every single ghd straightener, to help you choose the right one.

How we tested the best ghd straighteners

Some of the ghd straighteners we put to the test
Some of the ghd straighteners we put to the test (Sarah Jones)

We’ve been using ghd straighteners ever since they first landed on the beauty scene, and have been lucky enough to try out all of the brand’s launches along the way. While all of ghd’s straighteners maintain an optimum temperature of 185C, there are differences between each model, so, we paid careful attention to everything from overall design and plate width to heat-up time and, of course, how well they styled our hair, to help you find the perfect pair.

The best ghd straighteners for 2024 are:

  • Best ghd straightener overall – ghd platinum+ styler: £229, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best budget ghd straightener – ghd original: £139, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best ghd straightener for long, thick or textured hair – ghd max styler: £209, Cultbeauty.co.uk
  • Best ghd cordless straightener – ghd unplugged: £299, Amazon.co.uk

Ghd platinum+ styler

ghd platinum.jpg
  • Best: Ghd hair straightener overall
  • Heat settings: 185C optimum styling temperature
  • Plate material: Ceramic
  • Automatic sleep mode: Yes
  • Extra features: Colour protection, ultra gloss coating, heat monitored 250 times per second
  • Why we love it
    • Increased shine
    • Easy to use
    • Perfect for all hair types
  • Take note
    • Expensive

Designed to take all the guesswork out of heat styling your hair, the platinum+ is, according to ghd, the world’s first predictive straightener, meaning it recognises the thickness of your hair via “ultra-zone” technology, to deliver the optimum amount of power required. Why? Well, the brand states all this extra tech will result in up to 70 per cent less hair breakage, 20 per cent more shine and twice the colour protection. Sounds impressive, right? The proof is, of course, in the well-groomed pudding, and while we can’t confirm if our locks have hit those exact figures, we’re pleased to report the platinum+ left our hair feeling healthy and with a visible shine every time we used it.

Our long hair took just minutes to style, whether straight or wavy, and we love the fact the impressive tech means we never need worry about causing damage or our salon-fresh colour fading. In terms of design, this model is one of the sleekest straighteners in ghd’s arsenal, and we love the introduction of the wishbone hinge, which improves handling and makes styling a whole lot easier. While the chronos trumps the platinum+ in terms of technology, this is the styler we’d recommend investing in if you style your hair every day, as it’s not only cheaper but also truly one of the best you can buy.

Read our full review of ghd’s platinum+

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Ghd original

best ghd straighteners 2024 review indybest Ghd original.
  • Best: Budget ghd straighteners
  • Heat settings: 185C optimum styling temperature
  • Plate material: Ceramic
  • Automatic sleep mode: Yes
  • Extra features: Single-zone technology
  • Why we love it
    • Upgraded design
  • Take note
    • Only uses single-zone heat technology

The one where it all started, the original IV styler is the tool that kicked off the brand’s journey to greatness and, in 2022, ghd decided it was time to give the trusty straightener a bit of an upgrade. Now with improved technology and a more contemporary look, the new model feels more streamlined than the original and comes with gloss-coated plates, while the power switch has been replaced with a single round button, to match ghd’s other tools.

The technology used has been upgraded, too. While the original IV used ceramic heat technology, which used a single sensor on just one heater plate, the new straightener uses a combined sensor system, known as single-zone, which works to control the optimum styling temperature of 185C consistently across both plates. Upon testing, we found the tool created similarly impressive results to those you get with a newer model, delivering long-lasting looks, whether we opted for a straight or wavy style. While it may lack some of the bells and whistles you’ll find in ghd’s more recent tools, we think this updated original model is a great choice for those who simply want to get the job done without blowing the budget.

Read our full review of ghd’s original straightener

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Ghd gold styler

ghd gold styler_ £149, Very.co.uk indybest.jpg
  • Best: Mid-range straightener
  • Heat settings: 185C optimum styling temperature
  • Plate material: Ceramic
  • Automatic sleep mode: Yes
  • Extra features: Dual-zone technology, heat monitored 200 times per second
  • Why we love it
    • Longlasting results
    • Heat monitored 200 times per second
  • Take note
    • Not as speedy as some other models

Compared with the platinum+, the main difference we found with this styler is it’s not quite as speedy to use. That being said, the difference is marginal, and you’ll only really notice it if you’re particularly short on time in the mornings. If that doesn’t apply to you, it might be worth saving yourself a few pounds and opting for this gold model.

It’s a versatile option, too – it creates a straight and glossy finish in minutes, but we found it super easy to create texture using this tool, too. Whether you’re looking for loose waves or glamorous bouncy curls, the curved design of the barrel and edges of the plate made quick and simple work of it.

This styler uses two heat sensors (there’s just one in the original model), for a more evenly distributed temperature throughout the plates. This made it easy to glide through the hair without any snagging and created a smoother, sleeker finish, compared with the original, with just one stroke.

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Ghd max styler

ghd max styler indybest.jpeg
  • Best: For long, thick or textured hair
  • Heat settings: 185C optimum styling temperature
  • Plate material: Ceramic
  • Automatic sleep mode: Yes
  • Extra features: 70 per cent larger plates, heat monitored 200 times per second
  • Why we love it
    • Speedy styling
    • Great for longer or thicker hair
    • Can be used to straighten or curl
  • Take note
    • Not ideal for shorter hair

If you have super long, thick or naturally textured hair, this could be the go-to tool for you. The ghd max offers the same dual-zone tech as the gold styler, meaning it delivers brilliant even heat distribution, but the selling point here is the 1.65in wide ceramic plates, which are 70 per cent larger than the ghd original – promising to cut styling time by half.

Despite its larger size, we were pleased to find the max doesn’t feel overly bulky or weighty, and it retains many of the same design elements of the brand’s more streamlined stylers, such as glossy plates and smooth, rounded edges.

In terms of performance, the max delivered on its claims of reducing styling time – all in all, we managed to straighten our locks in about five minutes and, while our hair isn’t naturally curly, it is fairly long, and this was a definite improvement on a job that typically takes twice as much time.

Owing to its unique design, we were dubious as to whether the max could create curls but we were really impressed to discover the beautifully loose and natural-looking waves it created, thanks to the wider plates.

This styler is a great choice for anyone with unruly hair, as it will transform it into smooth and shiny strands much quicker than a smaller model, as promised.

Read our full review of ghd’s max

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Ghd mini styler

ghd mini styler indybest.jpeg
  • Best: For short hair or fringes
  • Heat settings: 185C optimum styling temperature
  • Plate material: Ceramic
  • Automatic sleep mode: Yes
  • Extra features: Rounded, slim barrel
  • Why we love it
    • Narrow plates make it great for short hair
    • Lightweight
  • Take note
    • Uses ceramic heat technology, which gives slower results

The smallest straightener in the ghd range has a slim barrel with half-inch floating ceramic plates and the same tech as the original. This makes it ideal for those who struggle using larger plates on shorter hairstyles, and it’s great on sections of hair that need extra attention.

If you’re looking to get to the roots, opt for these plates, as they give you the best control and are perfect for pixie cuts or must-have curtain bangs. Those with texture who like to keep their length natural but struggle with kinks or cowlicks in their fringe will love this tool, too. The slender rounded edges also make easy work of creating tighter ringlet curls.

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Ghd chronos

best ghd straighteners 2024 indybest Ghd chronos
  • Best: High-tech styler
  • Heat settings: 185C optimum styling temperature
  • Plate material: Ceramic
  • Automatic sleep mode: Yes
  • Extra features: Re-engineered wishbone hinge, heat monitored 250 times per second
  • Why we love it
    • Shiny results
    • Quick styling
    • Reduces frizz
    • Sleek design
  • Take note
    • Expensive

The latest in ghd’s already impressive line-up, the chronos styler launched in February 2024 with some pretty bold claims, including that it delivers three times faster results and gives your hair up to 85 per cent more shine. So, does it live up to these promises?

On first impressions, the chronos looks fairly similar to ghd’s other tools, with a sleek, rounded barrel and single power button, which makes it incredibly easy to use. How this styler differs from the others, though, is through its technology. As well as new features such as ultra-gloss floating plates (which are designed to glide through your locks and give a shiny finish) and a re-engineered wishbone hinge, the chronos has an innovative HD motion-responsive feature, which continuously adapts to your movements while styling your hair. The benefits of this are said to include speedier styling, breakage protection, less frizz and a seriously shiny finish.

After putting the chronos to the test, we were impressed, to say the least. While we usually have to give each section of our hair two or three passes, this styler gave us sleek results with just one stroke, which cut down our styling time. Our hair, which can often appear dull and is prone to flyaways, also looked less frizzy and even had a noticeable shine. We tried curling our hair with the new tool, too and were equally as impressed by how seamlessly it passed through our tresses, with no snagging, to deliver smooth waves that lasted all day and into the next.

Read our full review of ghd’s chronos

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Ghd duet hair straighteners

best ghd straighteners 2024 review indybest Ghd duet
  • Best: Wet to styled hair straightener
  • Heat settings: Low for drying hair, 185C for styling
  • Plate material: Ceramic
  • Automatic sleep mode: Yes
  • Extra features: Shine shot for dry hair, heat monitored 250 times per second
  • Why we love it
    • Dries and styles hair simultaneously
    • Less heat damage
    • Replaces the need for two tools
  • Take note
    • Bulky
    • Expensive

With this launch, ghd has created a hybrid tool that combines both drying and heat technology, to help speed up your styling routine. So, if you’re fed up with having to rough dry and then style your hair using a hair dryer, followed by a straightener, this could be the one for you. The duet works by using “air-fusion” technology to channel airflow through a drying chamber, which is designed to work in combination with four smart and low-temperature styling plates that efficiently dry and straighten hair. You then finish with the shine shot mode, which turns the styler into a standard ghd straightener (working at the brand’s optimum 185C), to boost sleekness and shine.

Essentially, the tool looks like a pair of wide straighteners, only with a covert blow dryer hidden between the plates, but this extra tech means the tool is on the bulky side and can feel quite cumbersome to use. That being said, it’s incredibly user-friendly and, in our experience, delivered great results.

Designed to be used on damp hair in the same way you’d use straighteners, the tool was put to the test on our locks around 10 minutes after washing. Once turned on, the duet takes a short while to heat up and for the fans to kick in – we were pleased to discover it isn’t too noisy. Once the familiar ghd beep chimed, we clamped the styler to the top of our hair and slowly passed it down the lengths.

We did find it slightly tricky to get right to the roots, owing to the tool’s size, which could be an issue for anyone with curly or coarse tresses. It took two or three passes for our hair to feel fully dry and we then switched the tool to “shine shot” mode. We found this setting really helped give the hair more of a style – largely due to the duet’s rounded edges, which make it great for giving you a bouncy blow-dry finish.

Altogether, it took us around 25 minutes to take our hair from damp to styled, and we loved the finished look, which left our hair feeling soft and looking shinier.

It’s worth noting you can’t curl your hair with the duet, but it’s a great option for anyone who loves having straight locks and wants to simplify their hairstyling routine.

Read our full review of ghd’s duet

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Ghd unplugged

best ghd straighteners 2024 review indybest Ghd unplugged
  • Best: Cordless straightener
  • Heat settings: 185C optimum styling temperature
  • Plate material: Ceramic
  • Automatic sleep mode: Yes
  • Extra features: Luxury carry case, heat monitored 200 times per second
  • Why we love it
    • Great for travel or touch-ups while out and about
    • Same results as plugged stylers
    • Lightweight
  • Take note
    • Battery only lasts around 20 minutes

Following in the footsteps of Dyson, ghd launched its first cordless straightener, unplugged, in 2021. Designed to give you good hair days anywhere and anytime, the brand claims the styler is 46 per cent lighter than any competitors on the market, while also being flight-friendly and able to be charged from almost anywhere – even from your car or laptop. After putting the portable styler to the test, we were thoroughly impressed.

Unplugged is, as the brand claims, incredibly lightweight and compact, weighing just 300g, meaning it can be packed easily into your handbag. But don’t let its size fool you, as the styler still packs some punch and features the same technology seen in other ghd tools, including dual-zone heaters that ensure a consistent optimum styling temperature of 185C across both plates.

It’s really easy to use, too. Simply charge the straightener, using the provided USB-C cable and plug (this took around two hours), slide the switch on, wait around 45 seconds and you’re ready to start styling. We tested the styler on its ability to both straighten and curl hair, and we were pleased to find it delivered the same results we’d usually get from a standard ghd straightener. The battery lasted around 20 minutes, which was more than enough time for us to style our hair but this could be something worth noting for anyone with particularly thick locks.

Read our full review of ghd’s unplugged

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The verdict: Ghd straighteners

The ghd brand is so well-loved and trusted, after more than 20 years of bringing salon-worthy styling results into the comfort of our own homes. There’s not a single styler in its repertoire that doesn’t make easy work of creating sleek styles or glamorous bouncy curls alike. Your choice will depend on many things, including your hair type, length, and, of course, your budget.

While we absolutely love the all-new chronos styler, which is a fantastic option for those wanting the latest and greatest tool (with a price tag to match), our overall winner is the trusty ghd platinum+ styler. Marginally cheaper than the chronos, it delivers equally as impressive results, has great hair-saving qualities and can work for any type of hair or length. It’s a fail-safe option that, if our experience is anything to go by, will last you many, many years.

For more hair -tools, read our review of the best hair straighteners

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