For many hair lovers, the ghd hair straightener is the holy grail of flat irons. It was one of the first on the market, and in spite of its higher price point, it has consistently been a top seller and is a highly rated product. If you’re looking for a durable, high quality, and effective hair straightener, the ghd has always been a go-to.
But with new hair straighteners constantly being launched, you could start to question whether the ghd hair straightener is still the best option. It’s undeniably expensive and is by no means a totally flawless product. To truly find out whether it lives up to the hype, we’ve compiled an extensive and definitive review of the ghd hair straightener.
What Is a ghd Hair Straightener?
A ghd hair straightener is a type of flat iron for hair. It uses heat and ceramic plates to iron out the hair follicle, whether you’re eliminating kinks or creating a whole new style. There are two plates connected by a hinge. You take a section of hair close to the root and run the ghd hair straightener through the hair to the tip. Doing it this way straightens the hair, plus adds a certain sleekness and shine.
Key Features of a ghd Hair Straightener
Any ghd hair straightener will have ceramic plates. These ceramic plates heat up to the optimal hair styling temperature without causing excess damage to the hair. Ceramic also heats up very quickly, and the ghd straighteners take only 30 seconds to be ready to use. The floating plates allow for extra control while styling. Ceramic is also a very smooth surface, which gives the ghd hair straightener its signature glide. It also stops hair from catching on the plates and being pulled out.
The rounded plates are a signature feature of a ghd hair straightener. They allow for more styling control and mean the product can also be used to creates curls and waves in the hair. So the ghd offers two or three products in one.
All ghd products have universal voltage, which means you can travel with your ghd hair straightener and use it around the world without any potential electrical issues. The straighteners also have an automatic sleep mode after 30 minutes, which is an excellent safety feature, and perfect for those who get “did I leave it on?” anxiety.
All of the ghd hair straighteners have a professional length 9-foot cable. Any ghd product comes with a two-year warranty when purchased through the official site.
How We Reviewed
We based our ghd hair straightener review with information collected from various review sites online. These included verified purchases from online ghd hair straightener retailers, alongside information from online beauty magazines such as Get The Gloss and the Independent. For any specific product information, we used the official ghd site.
Different Styles Available
There is a selection of different ghd hair straightener models on the market. While for this review we will be primarily focusing on the Classic Original 1-inch Styler, it’s important to note the large variety of different options. The information in our previous section applies to every ghd hair straightener.
On top of these different ghd hair straightener models, the flat irons also come in a variety of different colors and patterns. These aesthetic options come down to personal preference. We will be primarily focusing on the features and specifications of the products rather than any different color choice.
ghd Classic Styler
The Classic Original is the first ghd hair straightener. It has a 1-inch barrel and heats up to 365 degrees Fahrenheit.
ghd Mini Styler
The Mini Styler is for shorter hair or fringes — although those wanting to save space could purchase one of these as an alternative to the Classic Original option. They have 0.5 inch plates and a body length of 13 inches.
ghd Max Styler
The ghd Max Styler is designed for those with, particularly long, thick or curly hair. It has larger plates in order to help speed up the hair styling process. The plates on the Maxi Styler are two inches, although the body length is the same.
ghd Gold® Styler
The ghd Gold® styler is a step-up from the Classic Original, quality wise. Rather than relying on one heat sensor per plate, the Gold Styler has two, which makes sure it distributes the heat evenly across the hair. This helps make the straightening process quicker and easier. The Gold Styler also heats up in 25 seconds (as opposed to the Classic’s 30).
ghd Platinum+ White Styler
ghd Platinum+ Hair Straightener, Ceramic Flat Iron, Professional Hair…
- ghd’s 1st smart professional hair straightener predicts your hair’s needs for ultimate results and stronger, visibly…
- Unique ultra-zoneTM with predictive technology monitors heat over 250 times per second, ensuring the perfect temperature…
- Healthier styling: 365ºF optimal styling temperature minimizes hair damage, for 70% stronger hair and 2X more color…
The ghd Platinum+ White Styler is the premium option for a ghd flat iron. It uses ultra-zone with predictive technology to guarantee homogenous heat across the entire plate for more efficient styling. The plates have a gloss finish for a smoother feel through the hair. The Platinum Styler also features a wishbone hinge for easier control and a swivel cord for easier movement. GHD Platinum products come with a 3-year warranty as opposed to the other ranges’ 2-years.
Customer Reviews
The ghd Classic has a largely positive reputation online. The positive reviews focus on the high quality of the product. People love how quickly it heats up, and say it creates an exceptionally smooth and shiny finish. Reviews also comment on the high-quality feel and durability of the ghd hair straightener. People often think of the ghd hair straightener as the highest quality flat iron on the market.
People do draw attention to the fact the GHD hair straightener has only one heat setting, and question whether it is worth the high price point. That is particularly prevalent when you consider the cheaper options on the market.
ghd Hair Straightener Pros and Cons
Below are some of the straighteners’ pros and cons
Pros
The ghd is an undeniably high-quality hair straightener. For those who straighten their hair often, or have particularly curly or thick hair, it’s likely the ghd hair straightener will be an excellent product. It’s very easy, quick to use, and leaves hair exceptionally straight, sleek and shiny. The build-quality alongside the longer warranty means the ghd is worth its higher price point.
- Heats up quickly
- Durable product
- Effective at straightening
- Can be used to curl and wave
- Leaves a shiny finish
cons
For those who only straighten their hair sporadically, or who have fairly straight hair, to begin with, the ghd hair straightener may provide more heat and higher quality materials than actually necessary. The ghd hair straighteners come with only one heat setting, which some people find annoying. It’s also worth noting that flat ironing your hair will always cause damage to the follicle. While the ghd hair straightener is no worse than other flat irons, it’s also no better.
- Only one heat setting
- Catches and snags on hairs
- Can damage hair
- High price point
A Few Competitors
While the ghd hair straightener is possibly the most famous flat iron, there are many other options on the market. Here we review three of them in order to gain perspective on the ghd hair straightener and better know whether to recommend it.
Cloud Nine Original Iron
Cloud Nine Original Iron Hair Straightener
- everything you need to make the most of your style
- Suitable for all hair types, they use state-of-the-art temperature control technology, allowing you to create lots of…
The Cloud Nine Original Iron is another high-end straightener. It features three different heat settings, and silky ceramic plates to allow for a smooth glide. This flat iron also features a 360-degree swivel cord for easier movement. The Cloud Nine Original Iron heats up to maximum temperature in under 20 seconds and has a 1-inch barrel.
Pros
- Different heat settings
- Heats up quickly
- Effective at straightening
- Doesn’t pull or snag on hairs
Cons
- Higher price point
- Can damage hair
- Only a one year warranty
HSI Professional Glider
This flat iron has tourmaline infused ceramic plates and eight temperature sensors to evenly distribute the heat to your hair. The HSI Professional Glider also has floating plates to allow for more control. There are a wide variety of different heat settings for great control and to minimize potential damage. It also comes with a one year warranty. The HSI Professional Glider is also much more affordable than the ghd hair straightener.
Pros
- Heats up quickly
- High quality
- Low price
- Variety of different settings
Cons
- Slower to reach high temperatures
- Less special features
- Lack of variety
BabylissPRO Nano Titanium-Plated Ultra-Thin Straightening Iron
BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium 1-1/2″ Ultra-Thin Straightening Iron
- The BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Ultra-Thin hair straightener has a slim design that helps eliminate hand fatigue while…
- High heat levels provide excellent straightening results while Nano Titanium technology protects hair from damage.
- Use this Nano Titanium flat iron to smooth & straighten hair. Can also be used to create loose, beachy waves.
The BabylissPRO Nano Titanium-Plated Ultra-Thin Straightening Iron uses titanium plates with ionic technology to create perfectly smooth and straight hair. They offer a variety of different temperature settings and heat up almost instantly. The heat is evenly distributed across the plates to avoid hair damage.
Pros
- A lower cost hair straightener
- Heats up quickly
- Variety of heat settings
- Fun blue color
Cons
- Less suited to thick or curly hair
- Bulky and difficult to transport
- Less durable than more expensive options
Remington 1” Flat Iron with Anti-Static Technology and Digital Controls
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The Remington 1” Flat Iron uses titanium coated ceramic plates and anti-static technology to deliver a frizz-free hairstyle. The barrel is one inch wide, and there are a variety of heat settings — although it doesn’t get quite as hot as other options on the list. The Remington 1” Flat Iron has an automatic off-switch after 60 minutes.
Pros
- Extremely good value
- Heats up quickly
- Combines ceramic and titanium plates
- Variety of heat settings
- Portable and attractive
Cons
- More cheaply made
- Takes longer to straighten hair
- Off-putting chemical odor
- Less durable
Is the ghd Hair Straightener Worth the Hype?
There’s no denying that the ghd hair straightener is a top quality product. If you rely on your hair straightener for frequent use because you have curly, thick or long hair, we would highly recommend the ghd hair straightener for you. While it comes at a higher cost, the durability, quality and longer warranty mean it’s worth the investment.
However, if you only straighten your hair for special occasions, or have shorter or thinner hair, you’ll likely be equally as satisfied with a cheaper flat iron. Both the HSI Professional Glider and the Remington 1” Flat Iron with Anti-Static Technology and Digital Controls are great options depending on your budget. If you’re simply buying the GHD hair straightener because of the name, you may end up spending more money than you need to.
Have you ever tried a ghd hair straightener? Did it live up to its reputation and price point? Let us know in the comments below.