# Best hair straighteners under £250 Source: https://plateandcurl.co.uk/best/best-hair-straighteners-under-250 Publisher: Plate and Curl. Picks are based on what the Amazon listings state, not on hands-on testing. Method: https://plateandcurl.co.uk/how-we-pick You do not need to buy the newest flagship to get a very good straightener. Below the top tier sit ghd's Platinum+, Gold and Max, Cloud Nine's Original Iron and a few strong alternatives that cover most needs. The choice mostly comes down to three things. First, do you want ghd's fixed 185°C with smart sensors, or an adjustable temperature you can turn down for fine hair or up for coarse hair? Second, plate width: wide plates speed up long, thick hair but are awkward on short styles. Third, extras such as steam, wet styling or a long swivel cord. This guide compares those points using only the facts each listing states, and marks anything a listing leaves out as not stated. ## Products ### 1. ghd Platinum+ Smart Hair Straightener & Styler, 2X More Colour Protection Plates: Ceramic, precision-milled, ultra-gloss; Max temperature: 185°C; Auto shut-off: Not stated; Weight: 730 g ghd's smart straightener with ultra-zone predictive technology that adjusts heat as you style. A rounder barrel and wishbone hinge make it a good fit if you want one tool for straight looks and loose waves. In its favour: - Ultra-zone predictive technology is listed as adapting heat to your hair during each stroke. - Precision-milled plates with an ultra-gloss coating are stated to give 20% more shine. - The rounder barrel is designed for quick, snag-free styling, including flicks and waves. Good to know: - The sleep mode timer and cable length are not stated on this listing. - One fixed temperature of 185°C, with no lower setting for very fine hair. ### 2. ghd Max Wide Plate Hair Straightener & Styler, More Shine, Thick Hair Plates: Wide ceramic floating, high-gloss; Max temperature: 185°C; Auto shut-off: After 30 minutes; Weight: 770 g 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. ### 3. The Original Iron Grey Hair Straightener Starlight Grey | Variable Temperature Control Quick Heat Touch Technology Ceramic Floating Plates Spring Flex Styling | Magical Remedy Conditioner Plates: Sericite mineral-infused ceramic; Max temperature: 200°C; Auto shut-off: After 30 minutes; Weight: Not stated Cloud Nine's Original Iron offers 11 temperature settings from 100°C to 200°C, Revive Mode plate vibration and a 30-minute Hibernation Mode. This bundle adds a Magical Remedy conditioner. In its favour: - Eleven settings between 100°C and 200°C let you style fine hair gently or turn it up for thicker hair. - Hibernation Mode switches the iron off after 30 minutes of inactivity, according to the listing. - Spring-Flex floating plates are designed to cushion the hair for smoother styling. Good to know: - The listing does not state weight, plate width or cable length. - Its 200°C top setting is lower than the Faszin or Shark options here. ### 4. ghd Gold Hair Straightener & Styler in Black - Professional Styling, for Sleek, Smooth Styles with More Shine - for All Hair Types (UK Plug) Plates: Ceramic; Max temperature: 185°C; Auto shut-off: Not stated; Weight: 400 g The ghd Gold uses two heat sensors, one per plate, to hold 185°C from root to tip. A listed 400 g makes it the lightest pick here, and a sensible choice for everyday straightening. In its favour: - Dual-zone technology with a sensor across each plate is listed for even heat. - At 400 g it is the lightest straightener in this guide, which helps on longer styling sessions. - The listing describes it as suitable for wavy, curly and straight hair. Good to know: - Few extras are listed, with no sleep mode timer or cable length stated. - Fixed 185°C means no adjustment for fine or very coarse hair. ### 5. Faszin Professional Hair Straighteners, 42mm Wide-Plate Plates: 42 mm titanium, 3D floating; Max temperature: 230°C; Auto shut-off: After 30 minutes; Weight: 600 g A wide plate straightener with 42 x 110 mm titanium plates, 11 settings from 130°C to 230°C, switchable ions and an LED display. A lower-cost route to wide plates. In its favour: - The 42 x 110 mm plates are stated to be 85% larger than a regular straightener. - Eleven temperature settings from 130°C to 230°C, shown on a live LED display. - 100 to 240 V range and a 2.2 m 360° cord are listed, handy for travel. Good to know: - Faszin is a less established brand and the listing states no warranty term. - Wide plates do not suit short hair or detailed work. ### 6. L'Oréal Professionnel Steam Hair Straightener & Styling Tool, For All Hair Types, SteamPod 3, UK Plug Plates: Ceramic with steam and comb; Max temperature: 210°C; Auto shut-off: Not stated; Weight: 1.03 kg A steam straightener with a built-in water tank and comb, used on dry hair. The listing gives a 210°C maximum, and the maker claims up to 91% less damage than without steam and comb. In its favour: - Steam styling is the key feature, and the maker claims up to 2x faster, smoother results than without it. - Adjustable heat up to a listed 210°C lets you choose a setting for your texture. - The listing describes looks from straight and sleek to relaxed waves. Good to know: - A listed 1.03 kg is heavy for a straightener. - You need to refill the tank with filtered water, which adds time. ### 7. SilkiPro Hair Straightener & Dryer, Rose Petal, HT401UKPK Plates: Ceramic with airflow and 3 combs; Max temperature: 230°C; Auto shut-off: Not stated; Weight: 1.57 kg A 2-in-1 that pairs heated ceramic plates with dryer airflow. Wet mode dries and straightens from damp, and Dry mode cuts the air so it works as a normal straightener. Three combs are included. In its favour: - Wet and Dry modes let one tool handle both drying and finishing, according to the listing. - Three interchangeable combs (wide tooth, gentle and precision) are included for different hair types. - A listed maximum of 230°C gives headroom for thick or coarse hair. Good to know: - At a listed 1.57 kg it is the heaviest tool in this guide. - No auto shut-off timer or cable length is stated. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.