There are few hair tool brands more iconic than GHD. When the brand launched its first hair straightener in 2001, it changed the very landscape of hairstyling itself. There’s a reason why its often the hair straightener of choice that you’ll find in swish salons and exclusive gyms.
GHD is the dependable and stylish choice that gets the job done. I remember the very first time I tried the Original Hair Straightener, when 13 year-old me won a pair in a raffle at my local hair salon (scream). Since then, GHD has been a permanent staple in my haircare routine, and has remained the most respected hair straightener brand amongst basically all the beauty experts I know. I’ve tried various GHD models (from the GHD Duet Style to the GHD Duet Blowdry brush), but as a beauty editor I’m often asked: “What are the best GHD hair straighteners?”
With GHD offering eight different kinds of hair straighteners, it can be a little tricky (not to mention overwhelming) to choose the right one for you. Since launching the Original hair straightener in 2001, GHD keeps innovating on the classic with new and improved technology (you’ll find the latest tech in the Chronos models, which are GHD’s latest offering).
However, there are also various stylers, such as the Max, which have wider plates that are better suited to curly, thick and long hair types. If you’ve got short hair, the Mini features narrower plates that make styling bobs and pixie haircuts so much easier, as well as styling fringes. Then, you also have the Platinum+, Gold and the Unplugged to consider. I’ll admit, even I was a little confused between the differences between each GHD hair straightener.
So, to find out which is the best GHD hair straightener for you, I’ve put them all to the test first-hand. After a whole month of straightening my hair and buckets of heat protection mist later, here’s my honest review of each and every GHD hair straightener so you can choose the one that’s the perfect match for you and your hair. As someone who has also tried multiple hair tools and hair straighteners such as the Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener and Shark FlexFusion, I’m pretty hard to please, so I’m putting them through their paces. Scroll ahead for all the deets, as well as pictures of my hair after styling so you can see the results for yourself.
How I Tested
I put each GHD hair straightener to the test over the course of a few weeks to get a feel for each one. I have long, thick hair that has a slight wave and is prone to lots of frizz. That being said, it’s important to remember I’m a beauty editor who has been working in the hair industry for many years, so I’m a safe pair of hands when it comes to recommendations for all hair types.
I tested each one on my natural hair texture and noted how well is straightened and smoothed, as well as how well it works to curl or wave my hair, keeping in mind all hair types in the process. I’ve documented my thoughts below with after pictures after straightening my hair with each model.
The Best GHD Straighteners, Tried & Tested
- GHD Chronos Max Wide Plate Hair Straightener (£299)
- GHD Chronos Professional Hair Straightener (£289)
- GHD Max Wide Plate Hair Straightener (£209)
- GHD Platinum+ Professional Hair Straightener (£239)
- GHD Gold Hair Straightener (£189)
- GHD Original Hair Straightener (£139)
- GHD Mini Slim Hair Straightener (£159)
- GHD Unplugged Cordless Hair Straightener (£299)
1. GHD Chronos Max
GHD
Chronos Max Wide Plate Hair Straightener
Plate: Ceramic coated wide plate (43mm)
Heat: 185°C
Heat-up time: 35 seconds
Other key features: HD motion-responsive technology measures hair for optimum 185°C heat, automatic sleep mode after 10 minutes of inactivity, 2.7m swivel cord, wishbone hinge
The verdict: This is GHD’s newest model and it was my favourite by a mile. I have used the original Max Hair Straightener for a few years now on my very thick and long hair (hairstylists hate to see me coming) as the wider plates make all the difference, making styling quicker and easier, with each stroke accommodating more hair. I was curious to see if the new Chronos Max could be better, and it exceeded my expectations. It perfectly straightened my hair in one pass, and I did my entire hair in 5 minutes flat. The wide plates mean you don’t have to go over and over individual sections to get a perfectly sleek look, which also means you’re exposing your hair to less heat damage over time, too. I saw a noticeable difference in shine—it really left my hair so glossy, smooth and frizz-free. If you have curly, thick or long hair, I’d highly recommend going for the larger-sized plates as it will make your life so much easier when you’re dealing with a lot of hair. However, if you also want the option to use your hair straightener as a hair curler, I’d personally go for the smaller sizes (such as the Chronos, Platinum+, Gold or Original) as they’re easier to curl with, IMO. It can be done with the wider plates, but I found it left a softer wave rather than a curl. While the new model is expensive, I think this is a worthwhile investment if you straighten your hair a lot and want a hair straightener that gets the job done with both speed and style.
For
- Wider 43mm plates offer faster styling (three times fast than previous models)
- Works better on thick, curly and long hair types
- Leaves hair glossy and shiny (with 85% more shine compared to previous models)
- Long-lasting results
- Less heat damage, as you only need to go over each section once
- Wishbone-shaped hinge makes clamping hair easier
Against
- Wide plates aren’t good for curling hair, so if you want to use your styler to curl you may prefer models with smaller plates
- It’s the most expensive GHD model
- May be too big for those with short or fine hair
- Only one temperature setting
2. GHD Chronos
GHD
Chronos Professional Hair Straightener
Plate: Ceramic coated (26mm)
Heat: 185°C
Heat-up time: 20 seconds
Other key features: HD motion-responsive™ technology measures hair for optimum 185°C heat, automatic sleep mode after 10 minutes of inactivity, 2.7m swivel cord, wishbone hinge
The verdict: Like the Chronos Max, above, the Chronos features all the same latest technology but this time in the classic 26mm size. This one heats up in just 20 seconds, so there’s minimal waiting around. The plates glide through my hair, leaving it straight, smooth and silky in just one pass. It took me a little longer in comparison to the Chronos Max (with 43mm plates), so if you have thick, long or curly hair, you may be better off spending an extra £10 for the wider plates. However, if you have mid-length hair or shorter and have straight/wavy or fine hair you’ll be just fine going for this size, which I personally think is more versatile and easier to curl with. Both the Chronos and Chronos Max feature a “wishbone” hinge which makes clamping the hair more seamless and effortless, too. It’s not an essential detail, but it does make for a more luxurious experience as you straighten your hair in comparison to the older models.
For
- Faster styling (three times faster than previous models)
- Leaves hair glossy and shiny (with 85% more shine compared to previous models)
- Long-lasting results
- Less heat damage, as you only need to go over each section once
- Wishbone-shaped hinge makes clamping hair easier and effortless
- Ideal for straightening and curling hair
- Ideal for mid-length and shorter hair
Against
- Those with thick, long or curly hair may find these plates too small compared to the Max size
- Expensive compared to other models
- Only one temperature setting
3. GHD Max Wide
GHD
Max Wide Plate Hair Straightener
Plate: Ceramic coated wide plate (42mm)
Heat: 185°C
Heat-up time: 30 seconds
Other key features: Dual-zone technology measures hair temperature with two sensors for consistent 185°C heat, automatic sleep mode after 30 minutes of inactivity, 2.7m swivel cord
The verdict: I’ve owned the Max Wide Plate Hair Straightener for about four years now. While the new Chronos Max above is my favourite, this has been my dependable hair straightener that gets the job done quickly. The wide plates (43mm) are wider than the other models (which average about 26mm), so you can get through larger sections of hair. This not only speeds up your styling time, but in my experience also reduces heat damage as I’m not needing to go over sections repetitively for a smooth finish. It glides through the hair, leaving it looking and feeling super shiny. If money were no object, I’d go for the Chronos Max only as they feel just that bit more luxurious to use. But if you want to save on the difference, I think the original Max is still brilliant and will save you £80. The only thing I’d say is that if you want to curl using your hair straightener, these are a little more tricky with the wide plate, and leaves more of a loose wave rather than a traditional curl.
For
- Wide 42mm plates are 70% larger than other GHD models, offering faster styling vs the Original hair straighteners
- Works better on thick, curly and long hair types
- Leaves hair glossy and shiny (80% more shine compared to previous models)
- Long-lasting results
Against
- Wide plates aren’t suited to curling
- One of the more expensive models
- May be too big for those with short or fine hair
- Only one temperature setting
- A little heavier than the other stylers
4. GHD Platinum+
GHD
Platinum+ Professional Hair Straightener
Plate: Ceramic coated floating plates (26mm)
Heat: 185°C
Heat-up time: 20 seconds
Other key features: Ultra-zone technology measures hair temperature to guarantees even heat across the whole plate at 185°C, automatically adapt to your hair’s thickness and your styling speed, sensors monitor heat 250 times a second, automatic sleep mode after 30 minutes of inactivity, 2.7m swivel cord, wishbone hinge
The verdict: I was really impressed with the Platinum+ Professional Hair Straightener. It feels luxurious to hold and use, barely needing any effort to style as it glides through your lengths. The floating plates flex to accommodate every movement, making them a dream to use whether you’re straightening or curling your hair. What’s most impressive is that they automatically adapt to your hair’s thickness and your styling speed to offer optimum results for your hair. I actually found these heated up a lot quicker than 20 seconds (more around 10 seconds when I tested them), so if it’s speed you appreciate then these are a great pair to invest in. The wishbone handle (which is also featured on the Chronos and Chronos Max) makes them feel really effortless to use—no need to vigorously clamp down on your hair here. I found they left my hair really sleek and smooth in just one pass over each section, and it lasted well into the following day after styling. I actually got a lot of compliments on the shine after using these, too. They’re one of the more expensive models amongst GHD’s hair straighteners, coming in at £239, but if you want something that look and feels a little more sleek while delivering professional-looking salon results, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Platinum+—the Chronos does deliver elevated results, but only fractionally.
For
- 26mm plates are ideal for most hair types and lengths
- Sensors monitor heat 250 times a second
- Leaves hair glossy and shiny
- Wishbone hinge makes styling effortless
- Long-lasting results
Against
- Still quite expensive in comparison to the Gold and Original models, but more affordable than the latest Chronos model
5. GHD Gold
GHD
Gold Hair Straightener
Plate: Ceramic coated (26mm)
Heat: 185°C
Heat-up time: 25 seconds
Other key features: Dual-zone technology measures hair temperature to guarantees even heat across the whole plate at 185°C, automatic sleep mode after 30 minutes of inactivity, 2.7m swivel cord
The verdict: Prior to owning the Max hair straighteners, I used these Gold hair straighteners for several years. One thing that is always fun about GHD is it often offers limited-edition colourways, designs and collaborations—my pair pictured above were designed with Lulu Guinness in 2018. The Gold doesn’t have the most up-to-date technology, but I stand by the fact that it is still a very good hair straightener. While it doesn’t glide quite as smoothly through my lengths as the more advanced, newer models, or leave it quite as glossy-looking, it does leave my hair looking sleek with just a few passes on each section. They’re very versatile, achieving both sleek, straight looks and curls and waves depending on what style you’re wanting to achieve. This is a good middle-ground pair to try if you want something more advanced than the Original while keeping the cost under £200. It’s great for straightening but does a great job at creating waves and curls with a professional-looking finish.
For
- Dual-zone technology guarantees even heat across the whole plate
- Ideal for straightening, curling or waving hair
- Feels more premium than the Original
Against
- Doesn’t include the most up to date technology featured in the newer models
- A fair bit more expensive than the Original
- Those with thick and curly hair textures may prefer the wider plates of the Max, and the boosted technology of the Platinum+ or Chronos
6. GHD Original
GHD
Original Hair Straightener
Plate: Ceramic coated (24mm)
Heat: 185°C
Heat-up time: 30 seconds
Other key features: Single-zone ceramic technology measures hair temperature to guarantees even heat across the whole plate at 185°C, automatic sleep mode after 30 minutes of inactivity, 2.7m swivel cord
The verdict: This is the icon that started GHD’s legacy, and is has recently been given an upgrade to be even better. It’s the most affordable of GHD’s hair straightener offering and is a brilliant option if you want to enjoy everything that’s brilliant about the brand’s hair straighteners while keeping the cost to under £150. Since I’ve been comparing all of the best GHD straighteners, one thing that sticks out is how lightweight this one feels in comparison to the newer models. If you want to travel with your hair straightener, you don’t have to worry about this taking up precious weight in your suitcase. The plates are narrower, and while this wasn’t a huge problem for me, if you have very thick or curly hair it will notably take a lot more time to style as you’ll need to use smaller sections. On my hair, I needed to go over sections a few times to get a poker-straight finish. However, this is a very dependable hair straightener if you have mid-length to short hair or have a hair texture that’s on the straighter and finer side.
For
- Single-zone technology guarantees even heat across the whole plate
- Ideal for straightening, curling or waving hair
- The most affordable hair straightener from GHD
- Very lightweight in comparison to the other models
Against
- Slightly smaller plate size than the newer models
- May require multiple passes for thicker and curly hair types
- Doesn’t feel as luxurious to use as the latest hair straighteners above
7. GHD Mini
GHD
Mini Slim Hair Straightener
Plate: Ceramic coated (15mm)
Heat: 185°C
Heat-up time: 30 seconds
Other key features: Dual-zone ceramic technology measures hair temperature to guarantees even heat across the whole plate at 185°C, automatic sleep mode after 30 minutes of inactivity, 2.7m swivel cord
The verdict: While they might not be the ideal straightener for my hair length, if you have a short hairstyle such as a pixie or bob haircut, or have a fringe, the Mini is about to become a game-changer in your hairstyling routine. These are GHD’s narrowest hair straighteners (coming in at 15mm wide) that make straightening fringes a breeze. They’re also great for short haircuts, as the narrow plates allow you to get right to the root, whether you’re going for a sleek look or want to add curls to your hair. Of course, these aren’t the most practical for long hair types, but they’re a worthwhile addition if you’re thinking about getting a fringe or going for a short haircut. They create tighter curls than the other hair straighteners. Personally, I find these great for capturing the frizzy flyaways that congregate around my roots and crown, which the other hair straighteners couldn’t get to quite as easily.
For
- 15mm plates are nimble enough to style right at the roots
- Perfect for styling fringes and shorter haircuts such as pixies or bobs
- Dual-zone technology guarantees even heat across the whole plate
Against
- Not suitable for long hair
8. GHD Unplugged
GHD
Unplugged Cordless Hair Straightener
Plate: Ceramic coated (15mm)
Heat: 185°C
Heat-up time: 45 seconds
Other key features: Travel-friendly cordless design, dual-zone ceramic technology measures hair temperature to guarantees even heat across the whole plate at 185°C, USB-C charging means it can charged from plug, laptop or car, features battery indicator, 20-minutes of use at full charge, automatic sleep mode after 3 minutes of inactivity, 2.7m swivel cord, comes with heat-resistant travel pouch
The verdict: Finally, we have GHD’s cordless offering, the Unplugged. While I’m yet to get my hands on a pair at the time of writing, these allow you to style your hair without being tethered by a cord, which is pretty cool. Beauty director, Shannon Lawlor, has had the opportunity to try these, though. “If I was somebody who was religious about straightening my hair, I’d probably consider the Unplugged one of my most cherished beauty products. They’re lighter in weight than all of the other cordless straighteners I’ve tried, and slip into your handbag with ease—and they really do deliver GHD results on-the-go. It’s really worth noting though that they’re very expensive and you only get around 20-30 minutes of charge out of them, so they’re more of a quick touch-up tool,” she says.
They are suitable to take on the plane (aside if you’re travelling to or from Japan, where the rules differ) and can also be charged via a USB-C port, which means you can charge them up from a plug, or even your laptop or car which is very neat. However, they do require two hours to fully charge and only offers 20 minutes of styling time before running out. For the price, I’d personally want a bit more styling time for the two hours needed for a full charge. Plus, if you have thicker or curly hair, 20 minutes is hardly enough to style your full hair. However, if you have shorter or finer hair, these are a great option for quick touch-ups on the go, whether it be heading from the office to after-work plans or just to keep in your bag on standby.
For
- Portable and convenient for on-the-go styling
- Compact and lightweight design
- Includes a heat-resistant travel pouch
- Can be charged up from a plug, your laptop or car
Against
- Limited usage time per charge
- Not ideal for longer styling sessions on thick or long hair
- Higher price point for the cordless feature
- On the first use, it must be fully charged for 120 minutes
- Only 20 minutes of use per charge
- Slower heat-up time
