Buying guides
Buying guides, one product type at a time
Each buying guide covers exactly one type of product and compares a handful of listings on the facts they state.
Choosing straighteners
- Best hair straighteners under £250Premium straighteners from ghd, Cloud Nine, L'Oréal, Shark and Faszin compared on plates, temperature range, auto shut-off and listed weight.
- Best hair straighteners in the UK: premium models comparedPremium hair straighteners from ghd, Cloud Nine, L'Oréal, Faszin and Dyson compared on plate type, maximum temperature, auto shut-off and weight.
- Best straightener and hair dryer sets and 2-in-1 toolsA BaByliss straightener and dryer set plus 2-in-1 tools from Dyson, Shark and ghd compared on how they straighten, how they dry and wet hair use.
- Best hair straightener gift setsStraightener gift sets from ghd and Cloud Nine compared on the main tool, what else is in the box, temperature and whether a bag is included.
Hair types and plate sizes
- Best straighteners for curly and afro hairStraighteners for curly, coily and afro hair from ghd, Faszin, Dyson, L'Oréal, Shark and Cloud Nine compared on plates, heat, wet styling and combs.
- Best straighteners for fine hairStraighteners for fine hair from Cloud Nine, Faszin, ghd, L'Oréal and Dyson compared on temperature range, number of settings, plates and auto shut-off.
- Best straighteners for thick hairStraighteners for thick or long hair from ghd, Faszin, Shark, L'Oréal and Cloud Nine compared on plate size, maximum temperature, heat up and weight.
Curling wands and tongs
- Best curling tongs for short hairSmall-barrel curling tongs, a thin wand and air stylers compared for bobs and short layers on barrel size, type, stated heat and short hair use.
- Best curling wands for beach wavesLarge and tapered curling wands, tongs and Airwrap stylers from ghd and Dyson compared on barrel size, tool type, stated heat and hair length.
- Best curling wands and tongs for beginnersAuto-wrap air stylers and clamp tongs with cool tips and gloves compared for beginners on how they curl, listed aids, barrel size and type.
- Best curling wands and stylers for hair extensionsAir stylers and curling tongs compared for use on extensions by stated maximum heat, whether heat adjusts, barrel size and tool type.
- Best curling tongs and wands for fine hairSmall-barrel ghd and BaByliss curlers, Dyson and Shark air stylers and a volume hot brush compared on barrel size, stated heat and heat control.
- Best curling wands and tongs for long hairLong and wide curling barrels from ghd and Dyson compared on barrel size, tool type, stated heat and the hair lengths each listing names.
- Best curling wands and tongs: premium picksPremium curling tongs, wands and an air styler from ghd, BaByliss and Dyson compared on type, barrel size in mm, temperature and listed weight.
- Best hot air brushes and hot brushesHot air brushes and heated hot brushes from ghd, Dyson and Shark compared on wet or dry use, stated heat, brush head and power.
- Best straighteners for curling and waving hairStraighteners that also curl and wave, from ghd, L'Oréal and Shark, compared on body shape, plate type, heat settings and listed weight.
Cordless and travel
ghd, Dyson and Cloud Nine
- Best Dyson Airwrap alternativesShark FlexStyle and Glam, ghd Duet Blowdry, Dreame and Revamp air stylers compared on curling method, attachments, power and heat control.
- Best Dyson hair stylers: Airwrap, Airstrait, Airsmooth and SupersonicDyson Airwrap Co-anda 2X, i.d. and Origin, Airstrait, Airsmooth and Supersonic compared on type, hair type, heat, attachments and power.
- Best pink straighteners and stylersPink ghd straighteners and curler, Dyson Airstrait and Airwrap in ceramic pink, and Shark SilkiPro compared on type, colour, heat and extras.
- Best wet-to-dry straighteners like the Dyson AirstraitWet-to-dry straighteners and air stylers from Dyson, ghd, Shark and Dreame compared on type, temperature, heat and airflow settings, and weight.
- ghd straighteners compared: Gold, Platinum+, Chronos, Max and UnpluggedEvery current ghd straightener compared on heat technology, plate width, corded or cordless power and sleep mode, from Gold to Chronos Max and Duet Style.