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Buying guide

ghd straighteners compared: Gold, Platinum+, Chronos, Max and Unplugged

Chosen from what the Amazon listings state, not tested by us. How we pick

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Top picks at a glance

Compare them all

  • Best overall

    ghd Chronos Pink edition: HD motion-responsive, bag included

    ghd lists 3x faster one-stroke styling, with results that last up to 24 hours.

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  • Best value

    ghd Max: dual-zone wide plates, 30-second heat up

    The maker says the 70% larger plates style hair in half the time, a real help with long or thick hair.

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  • Most features

    ghd Platinum+: ultra-zone predictive, rounder barrel

    Ultra-zone predictive technology is listed as reading your hair's needs and adjusting heat during each stroke.

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Every ghd plate straightener styles at the same 185°C, so the differences sit elsewhere. The heat technology changes from model to model: Gold uses dual-zone sensors, Platinum+ adds ultra-zone predictive technology, and Chronos uses HD motion-responsive technology that adjusts power as you move. Plate width splits the range too, with Max and Chronos Max offering much wider plates for long or thick hair. Unplugged is cordless for travel, and Duet Style is a separate wet to dry hot air styler. This guide sets the current ghd range side by side by heat technology, plates, corded or cordless power and sleep mode timing, so you can see what each step up adds. We use only what each listing states.

All products compared

Details as stated in the Amazon listing or by the manufacturer. See the current price on Amazon.

The products in detail

No. 1 · ghd

ghd Chronos Pink edition: HD motion-responsive, bag included

ghd's Chronos in a limited edition dusted pink with a heart design. HD Motion-Responsive technology adjusts power to keep 185°C, and a matching bag is included.

In its favour

  • ghd lists 3x faster one-stroke styling, with results that last up to 24 hours.
  • A sensor light shows when the plates are ready to use.
  • Part of ghd's Pink Collection, which supports Breast Cancer Now, per the listing.

Good to know

  • It is a limited edition, so the colour may not stay on sale.
  • Temperature is fixed at 185°C with no adjustment.
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Listing title: ghd Chronos Hair Straightener & Styler, 3X Faster, One-Stroke Styling

No. 2 · ghd

ghd Unplugged: cordless, 20 minutes per charge

ghd's cordless straightener, charged by USB-C, with up to 20 minutes of styling per charge. The listing states universal voltage, a heat-resistant carry case and that it is cabin luggage friendly.

In its favour

  • Cordless use for up to 20 minutes means no hunting for a socket near a mirror.
  • A heat-resistant carry case, USB-C cable and plug are included, and it charges within 2 hours.
  • The listing says it is cabin luggage friendly and has universal voltage.

Good to know

  • It cannot be used while charging, so a flat battery means waiting.
  • Twenty minutes may not cover a full straighten on long or thick hair.
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Listing title: ghd Unplugged Cordless Travel Hair Straightener & Styler, 20-Min Batte...

No. 3 · ghd

ghd Platinum+: ultra-zone predictive, rounder barrel

A smart straightener whose ultra-zone predictive technology adjusts heat to your hair as you style. The listing highlights a wishbone hinge and a rounder barrel for snag-free styling, which suits people who also curl with it.

In its favour

  • Ultra-zone predictive technology is listed as reading your hair's needs and adjusting heat during each stroke.
  • The rounder barrel is stated to give quick, snag-free styling, helpful for flicks and waves as well as straight looks.
  • The maker claims 2x more colour protection, a point worth noting if your hair is dyed.

Good to know

  • This listing does not state the sleep mode timer or cable length, so check before buying.
  • Like other ghd models it runs at one fixed 185°C, with no adjustable temperature settings.
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Listing title: ghd Platinum+ Smart Hair Straightener & Styler, 2X More Colour Protect...

No. 4 · ghd

ghd Chronos Max Pink edition: widest Chronos plates

The wide plate Chronos Max in dusted pink, created for long, thick or curly hair. Wider plates style larger sections in fewer passes, and HD motion-responsive technology holds 185°C.

In its favour

  • Wide plates take bigger sections, which speeds up long or thick hair.
  • ghd lists 2x more breakage protection and styles lasting up to 24 hours.
  • Comes with a matching heat-resistant bag.

Good to know

  • Wide plates are less suited to short hair and fringes.
  • Amazon lists 1.07 kg, which may include the bag and packaging.
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Listing title: ghd Chronos Max Wide Plate Hair Straightener & Styler for Thick Hair

No. 5 · ghd

ghd Max: dual-zone wide plates, 30-second heat up

ghd's wide plate straightener for long, thick or curly hair, with plates the maker says are 70% larger than its standard models. It lists universal voltage and a 2.7 m swivel cord.

In its favour

  • The maker says the 70% larger plates style hair in half the time, a real help with long or thick hair.
  • A 30-second heat up and a 30-minute sleep mode are both listed.
  • Universal voltage and a protective plate guard make it easier to take away.

Good to know

  • Wide plates are less precise near the roots and on short cuts.
  • Plate width in millimetres is not stated in the listing.
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Listing title: ghd Max Wide Plate Hair Straightener & Styler, More Shine, Thick Hair

No. 6 · ghd

ghd Gold set: dual-zone sensors, brush and bag

The ghd Gold with two heat sensors, one across each plate, plus the All-Rounder Paddle Brush and a luxury heat-resistant bag. The entry point to ghd's current range.

In its favour

  • Dual-zone technology uses two sensors to keep 185°C from root to tip, per the listing.
  • Contoured floating plates and a rounded barrel are stated to suit curls and waves too.
  • The All-Rounder Paddle Brush and heat-resistant bag are included.

Good to know

  • It lacks the predictive or motion-responsive sensing of Platinum+ and Chronos.
  • The sleep mode timer is not stated in this listing.
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Listing title: ghd Gold Hair Straightener & Styler in Black - Professional Styling, f...

No. 7 · ghd

ghd Duet Style: wet to dry hot air styler

Not a classic straightener but ghd's 2-in-1 hot air styler, which takes hair from wet to styled. The listing adds a shine shot for dry hair and claims up to 48 hours of softness.

In its favour

  • Dries and styles from wet in one tool, according to the maker.
  • A shine shot mode for dry hair is listed, with 2x more shine claimed.
  • The maker says it protects hair's natural moisture.

Good to know

  • Plate details, settings and weight are not given in the listing.
  • It works differently from ghd's plate models, so it suits a different routine.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Duet Style Wet to Dry Hair Straightener, 2-in-1 Styler, No Heat Damage

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Plate and Curl chooses every product independently, based on what its Amazon listing states. We may earn a commission on purchases made through the affiliate links above. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.