7 best GHD straighteners 2023 UK; tried and tested

HAIR trends come and go, but one thing remains the same and that's the best GHD straighteners.

They've been with us through sharp bob cuts donned by stars like Victoria Beckham, TOWIE-inspired bouncy blow dries and Billie Eilish bangs.

When it comes to taming your mane, whatever your hair type, you really can't fault the classic GHD straighteners.

But there are quite a few to choose from. Do you need the thick-plated bad boys? Or what about the heat-protecting Platinum Plus?

Before you get confused, we've done the long work for you and tried out all of the best GHD straighteners on the market in 2023.

Best GHD straighteners at a glance

Best overall GHD straighteners: GHD Platinum + Black Styler
Best GHD straighteners for frizzy hair: GHD Unplugged Cordless Styler
Best value GHD straighteners: GHD Original Styler
Best GHD straighteners for drying hair: GHD Duet

GHD Duet

GHD Duet, £379 at GHD - buy here

Pros: Straightens and dries at the same time, minimal effort, great for long hair

Cons: Expensive

When I tested the GHD Duet, its wet-to-dry function sounded too good to be true.

But, after a few months of testing, I'm happy to report it exceeded my expectations.

It's the ultimately lazy girl tool, allowing me to simultaneously straighten and dry my hair at the same time.

I put it up against my long mane and, within 10 minutes, it was almost completely dry.

The 'shine shot' at the end of the process left my hair smoother and shinier with a lovely sleek feel to it.

Read our full GHD Duet review here.

Material: Ceramic; Size: 42.4L x 32.5W cm; Heat settings: wet-to-dry and straightening modes; Features: Shine Shot™ mode, 45% less energy consumption, automatic sleep mode, smart styling plates; Maximum temperature setting: 185°C

GHD Unplugged Cordless Styler

GHD Unplugged Cordless Styler, £299 from GHD - buy here

Pros: 20 minutes of unplugged use, lightweight, able to charge via car or laptop, sleep mode saves battery

Cons: Charging takes two hours for 20 minutes of use

Honestly, if you're like me, then you probably think that cordless GHDs sounds too good to be true.

I wasn't buying it, until I tried them.

Yes, when fully charged you can carry them around in your handbag for when you need to do a quick style on the go.

The only catch is that you have to charge them for two hours to only use them for 20 minutes because the technology is still relatively new.

But when you can use them, they're light as a feather and perform superbly. Whether you want to have a quick run over your unruly fringe or to smooth out some frizz in humidity.

Thanks to the trusty USB-C cable, I found it so useful that I could plug them into my laptop rather than a mains plug to charge them.

Another plus? The plates didn't feel mega hot which makes sense because they heat up to 185 degrees which is supposed to be the optimum heat for styling.

Oh and the sleep mode that comes on after three minutes of no use is so great for saving the battery. Love them.

You can read our full GHD Unplugged review here.

Material: Ceramic; Size: H32.5 x W13.2 x D11 cm; Programs/Settings: 4; Features: high-speed USB-C charging, 47% lighter and 30% smaller, hybrid co-lithium technology, battery life indicator; Maximum temperature setting: 185°C

GHD Gold Hair Straightener

GHD Gold Hair Straightener, £169 at GHD - buy here

Pros: Wider plates than original for quicker straightening, uses same tech as Platinum Plus to alter the heat to suit your hair, available in several colours

Cons: None

When I received the GHD Gold Hair Straighteners, my mind was wondering what about them would be different from the Original.

Actually, though, once I used them, I realised how different they are.

The plates are bigger, they straighten your hair way quicker and because they use dual-zone technology like the Platinum Plus, they're constantly monitoring the heat which makes sure that your hair is looked after at an optimum temperature of 185 degrees.

A quick once-over was all I needed. The wider plates really work their magic.

Better still, if you shop the Alluring Jade colourway, you'll receive a free GHD styling duo gift set worth £45.

Material: Ceramic; Size: H12.6 x W14.1 x D34.2m; Programs/Settings: 1; Features: Dual-zone tech, Automatic sleep mode, 360º cord; Maximum temperature setting: 185°C

GHD Platinum+ Black Styler

GHD Platinum+ Black Styler, now £183 from GHD - buy here

Pros: Alters the heat to suit your hair, easy to use, doesn't dry hair out, heats in 15 seconds, curved edges prevent you from burning yourself, long-lasting results

Cons: None

Newer to the block than most of the others, GHD’s Platinum+ Black Styler took five years to develop as it features ground-breaking ‘smart’ predictive technology that alters the heat to suit your hair. Mind-blowing.

First impressions? They’re super sleek, in a matte black with a simple, neat button that is much easier to use than the OGs that GHD is more famous for.

It is hard to immediately tell that the sensors heat 250 times a second, but they leave your hair feeling so shiny and smooth rather than dry like some straighteners do.

Once I turned them on, I only had to wait a mere 15 seconds before they rang to say they were good to go. The frame feels sturdy to use, with curved edges that make you feel confident that you won’t burn yourself too.

I’m “blessed” with a curly mane which makes straightening a hefty process but actually, after ten minutes, my hair was dead straight. The kind of straight that would have all the noughties pop stars jealous.

The best part is how long-lasting the results are. My hair felt smooth and straight for two days after, which was so impressive, as though I’d actually been to the salon.

For long-lasting straight or wavy effects, this easy-to-use gadget is a must-have.

You can read our full GHD Platinum Plus review here.

Material: Ceramic; Size: H32 x W12 x D9 cm; Programs/Settings: 1; Features: Ultra-zone™ with predictive technology, Automatic sleep mode, Wishbone hinge, 360º cord; Maximum temperature setting: 185ºC

GHD Platinum+ Hair Straightener in Pink Peach

GHD Platinum+ Hair Straightener in Pink Peach, £239 from GHD - buy here

Pros: Pretty in pink, matching heat-resistant bag, hair feels glossy

Cons: More expensive than the black version

Everything is better in pink, so I was really excited to try out the rosy version of the Platinum+ Hair Straighteners.

Although they do exactly the same thing as the original, they do it with a gorgeous marshmallow-coloured heat-resistant bag and pretty pink outer shade to match.

Again, the wait time for them to heat up is unmatched in comparison to other straighteners on the market.

The tie-dye shade is pretty too. Our favourite feature about them? They're printed with the words "take control now", which is also written across the bag too.

These aren't just straighteners, they're a reminder to feel empowered and "love yourself" as GHD say.

They also give you straightened locks that feel glossy for an extended period of time, whether you are giving yourself a wavy look or want a mane that is straighter-than-straight.

READ MORE:

GHD Original Styler

GHD Original Styler, £119 from GHD - buy here

Pros: Update on the original classic, lightweight, perfect medium width, hair looked sleek and glossy, quick results, heats in 20 seconds

Cons: Not as suited to short hair due to size of plates

The OG GHD Original Styler barely needs an introduction because of how much of a classic it is.

However, it's a new version of the Original Styler, with a slight update that definitely makes the difference.

First of all, I noticed how weightless they are — ideal for taking on holiday as we all know how much hassle keeping in the weight of your suitcase requirements can be.

Between super thick and super thin plates at the perfect medium width, they work a treat on wavy hair so can imagine they're great on both curly and straight too.

Some strands of hair did fall out of the plates when I tried to curl my shorter hair, but that's unavoidable for any regular-sized tools and not prohibitive.

Because of the upgraded technology, I was left with glossy locks that looked sleek and styled in no time at all, which was an added bonus for a quick refresh the next morning before rushing out of the door for work.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it, and the GHD Originals certainly aren't broken, although the upgraded design with an on/off button, the ability to heat up in around 20 seconds and a round barrel for soft waves are a welcome improvement on the well-loved archetypes.

Material: Ceramic; Size: H7 x W13 x D32 cm; Programs/Settings: 1, Features: Single-zone™ tech, Updated ghd interface, 30-second heat up time; Maximum temperature setting: 185ºC

GHD Max Straightener

GHD Max Straightener, £199 from GHD - buy here

Pros: Extra thick plates cover a lot of hair, ideal for thick or super curly hair, wavy hair was straight within a few minutes, easy to use

Cons: Can't curl your hair with these (but you can create flicks)

Another OG GHD that has had people hooked for decades, the Max Straightener is good for covering a lot of hair because of the extra thick plates.

70 percent larger, they are 1.65 inches in width, ideal for extra thick or super curly hair.

Once you start using these, it's pretty hard to return to the thinner designs because it's just so much quicker. I found that I could tame my wavy mane within just a few minutes, which is ideal as I'm someone who hates taking ages to get ready.

Even if you don't have thick hair, they're just generally a lot speedier and less finicky to use. The only downside is that you can't really curl your hair with these, although you can definitely create a flick at the end and give yourself some volume all the same.

Read our full GHD Max review here.

Material: Ceramic; Size: H31 x W9.3 x D9.1 cm; Programs/Settings: 1; Features: Dual-zone technology, 30-second heat up time, ghd's widest plates, Automatic sleep mode; Maximum temperature setting: 185ºC

What is the best GHD straightener?

Really and truly, the best GHD straightener depends on what your needs are.

For our wild maned girls blessed with curls, then the larger plates will work better, whereas the smaller GHD Mini Hair Straightener is ideal if you simply want to keep your fringe in check.

However, we'd probably say the Platinum Plus works a treat on all types of hair. Take with that what you will.

What does GHD stand for?

Great hair, doll? Good hair do?

Actually, the acronym GHD stands for Good Hair Day, which is what you'll apparently always have when using them.

Do GHD straighteners turn themselves off?

Luckily, they do. No matter which GHD styling tool you choose to buy, it'll have it's own signature auto-shut down feature.

Though each tool heats up to 185 degrees in anywhere between 15-30 seconds, when most of them are inactive for 30 minutes, they will automatically go into sleep mode, no questions asked.

No need to panic if you leave the house and can't remember if you left the straighteners on or not.

How to curl hair with GHDs?

Curling hair is actually a lot easier than it may seem when you have GHDs.

It's best to start by splitting your hair, picking up a small section each time you want to curl.

Turn the tool 180 degrees and the pull straight down. Carry on this method, alternating the direction of your curls with each section of your hair for a relaxed, textured finish. Once you've finished a layer, draw another line with the end of your comb to create a second layer and then repeat with a third and final layer.

After you've completed all of your hair, don't forget to use a wide-toothed comb to loosen the curls otherwise you'll end up with seriously overdone waves. Get your hairspray back out to set everything in place.

Is the GHD Platinum+ Styler better than the original GHD?

In short, the original ticks all of my boxes for everyday styling, but of course, the real benefit of the Platinum+ design is that it looks after your hair.

That being said, the original is cheaper so if you are on a budget, it's probably best to opt for that.

How long do GHD straighteners last?

GHD Straighteners last a lot longer than most relationships. Some people have reported them lasting as long as over 15 years.

Most designs come with a two to three-year warranty but with the longevity that has been proven time and time again, there's no doubt those years will fly by without a hitch.

Obviously, they won't last years if you don't look after them. Keep them clean, especially if you're prone to using products that could burn or damage the plates.

Does GHD go on sale?

They might seem a bit pricey, but fear not, there are GHD sales.

The official GHD Special Offers page frequently has money off. Right now, there are even deductions on some of their best sellers so don't miss out.

Where to buy GHD straighteners?

You will find that most of your favourite beauty stores sell GHDs because they're a household name in the hair department.