How long do straighteners last?

What wears out first

The cable is the most common failure point. Wrapping it tightly around the hot tool, pulling it from the socket by the lead or twisting it as you style all stress the wires near the handle. Swivel cords help, but they still wear.

Plate coatings wear or chip, especially after drops or cleaning with abrasive pads. Hinges and the springs behind floating plates can weaken, so plates stop meeting evenly. Heaters and sensors can fail, showing up as uneven heat, slow heat-up or a tool that cuts out. On cordless straighteners, the lithium-ion battery gradually holds less charge.

• Cable: fraying, kinks, scorch marks near the handle.
• Plates: chips, scratches, rough spots, sticky patches that will not clean.
• Hinge and springs: wobble, plates that do not line up.
• Heater and sensors: uneven heat, slow heat-up, cutting out.
• Battery: much shorter run time than when new.

Signs it is time to replace them

Stop using straighteners straight away if the cable or plug is damaged, the housing is cracked, or you smell burning plastic. Those are safety issues, not just performance ones.

Other signs are gradual. If straighteners pull or snag hair even after cleaning, the coating may be damaged; see why do straighteners pull hair. If they take longer to heat up, show warning lights or need more passes than they used to, the heater or sensors may be failing. Our guide to ghd straighteners not working covers common faults on ghd tools.

Note:Never tape up or repair a damaged cable yourself. Unplug the tool, stop using it and contact the manufacturer or replace it.

Guarantees and repairs

A guarantee is a useful guide to how long a maker expects a product to last without faults. ghd lists a two-year manufacturer's guarantee on current stylers and runs a repair service, as our ghd warranty explainer explains. Dyson lists a two-year guarantee on its hair tools. Other brands vary, so check the box. Keep your proof of purchase and register the product.

Repairs by the manufacturer can extend the life of a premium styler, especially for cables and batteries. That can be better value, and less waste, than replacing a good tool for one worn part.

Cordless straighteners and curling tools

Cordless stylers add a battery that ages with charge cycles and time. Expect run time to drop gradually over the years. Charging in a cool room, avoiding leaving it completely flat for long periods and following the maker's charging advice helps. Our guides on how to charge the ghd Unplugged and the Dyson Corrale not holding charge cover the details.

Curling wands and tongs wear in similar ways: cable, coating and, on tongs, the clamp spring. The same care habits apply.

How to make straighteners last longer

Most wear comes from heat, drops and cable strain, so the simple habits below make a real difference. If you are replacing yours, our best hair straighteners guide compares current premium models, many with heat resistant pouches and swivel cords.

1. 1

   Let the tool cool before putting it away.

2. 2

   Store it in a heat resistant pouch, not wrapped in its cable.

3. 3

   Unplug by the plug, never by pulling the lead.

4. 4

   Coil the cable loosely, away from the hinge.

5. 5

   Clean the plates regularly when cool, without abrasive pads.

6. 6

   Avoid dropping it; rest it on a stable, heat proof surface.

See the best hair straighteners →

Frequently asked questions

How long do ghd straighteners last? It depends on use and care. ghd lists a two-year guarantee and offers repairs, and many owners keep them longer with good care.

How long do cordless straighteners last? The body can last as long as a corded tool, but the battery gradually holds less charge over time.

How long do curling irons last? Similar to straighteners: the cable, coating and clamp spring are usually what wear first.

Should I replace straighteners that still heat up? Replace them if the cable is damaged, the coating is chipped or they snag hair, even if they still heat.