# ghd Platinum+ vs ghd Gold Source: https://plateandcurl.co.uk/blog/ghd-platinum-vs-gold Published: 2026-10-11 Publisher: Plate and Curl **In short:** Both ghd stylers work at a fixed 185 °C (365 °F) with ceramic plates. The Platinum+ adds ghd's ultra-zone predictive technology, which the maker says reads your hair as you style and adjusts power, plus a wishbone hinge and claims of more colour protection. The Gold uses dual-zone sensors, one per plate. Choose the Platinum+ for thick, coloured or hard to style hair; the Gold for most people who want ghd results for less outlay. The ghd Gold and the ghd Platinum+ are the two stylers most people weigh up when buying ghd. They share the same temperature and plate width, so the question is whether the Platinum+ technology is worth it for your hair. ghd makes strong claims for the Platinum+, including colour protection and stronger hair; we set those out as the maker's statements and explain what the hardware differences actually are. Everything below comes from ghd's listings and widely documented features. ## Spec comparison from the listings Neither styler lets you change the temperature. ghd's position is that 185 °C (365 °F) is the optimum styling temperature, and both models are designed to hold it. The difference is in how they hold it and in the shape of the arms. The table below uses the Amazon UK listing facts for each model. | Feature | ghd Gold | ghd Platinum+ | | --- | --- | --- | | Styling temperature | 185 °C, fixed | 185 °C, fixed | | Plate material | Ceramic | Ceramic | | Heat technology | Dual-zone: a sensor across each plate | Ultra-zone predictive technology | | Hinge | Standard | Wishbone hinge for control | | Plate finish | Ceramic floating plates | Precision-milled plates, ultra gloss coating | | Barrel | Rounded | Sleek design, rounder barrel | | Maker claims | Even heat, shine | 2x more colour protection, 70% stronger hair, 20% more shine | ghd Gold and ghd Platinum+ (from the Amazon UK listings) ## Dual-zone against ultra-zone predictive technology The Gold's dual-zone system places a heat sensor across each plate, so each side is topped up independently as hair draws heat away. That is a solid, proven design and gives even heat for most hair types. The Platinum+ goes further. ghd says its ultra-zone predictive technology predicts your hair's needs as you style, recognising the thickness of the section and how fast you move, then adjusts the power to keep the temperature consistent. The intended benefit is one stroke styling with less need for repeat passes. If you have thick or coarse hair that cools the plates quickly, that is where predictive control has the most to do. On fine hair the gap between the two is smaller. ## The colour protection and strength claims ghd markets the Platinum+ with two headline claims: 2x more colour protection and 70% stronger hair, compared with a ghd styler without the technology, based on the maker's own testing. These are ghd's statements, and the listing marks them with footnotes. We do not add to them. The practical idea behind both is that a steady temperature avoids spikes of excess heat, which is why ghd links its sensor technology to colour and hair condition. If you colour your hair regularly, the Platinum+ is the model ghd aims at you. Whatever styler you choose, use a heat protection product as the maker recommends and avoid repeated passes over the same section. ## Handling, hinge and shape The Platinum+ has a distinctive wishbone hinge, which ghd says gives more styling control by keeping the plates aligned. Its barrel is sleek and rounded, aimed at quick, snag free styling and at curling and waving as well as straightening. The Gold also has a rounded barrel and floating plates, so both can curl; the Platinum+ is designed to feel more controlled in the hand. If you plan to use your straighteners for curls, read our guide to [curling with straighteners](https://plateandcurl.co.uk/blog/how-to-curl-hair-with-straighteners) and see the [best straighteners for curling](https://plateandcurl.co.uk/best/best-straighteners-for-curling). ## Who should buy which Most people get excellent results from the Gold. It is the long running core model and its dual-zone sensors handle everyday straightening well. The Platinum+ makes sense if your hair is thick, long or coloured, if you want the most help achieving a one pass finish, or if you like the wishbone hinge. If you are considering spending more again, the ghd Chronos is the newest step, and our [ghd straighteners compared](https://plateandcurl.co.uk/best/ghd-straighteners-compared) guide shows how it fits in. - Fine to medium hair, straightening most days: ghd Gold. - Thick, coarse or long hair: ghd Platinum+. - Coloured hair where you want ghd's colour protection technology: ghd Platinum+. - Want to stay within a tighter budget: see our [lower priced premium straighteners](https://plateandcurl.co.uk/best/best-hair-straighteners-under-250) guide. [See lower priced premium straighteners](https://plateandcurl.co.uk/best/best-hair-straighteners-under-250) ## Safety reminders Both stylers heat to 185 °C (365 °F) within seconds and stay hot after switching off. Use the protective plate guard or a heat mat, keep the plates away from skin and unplug after use. Both have an automatic sleep mode; check your manual for the timing on your model. Note: Hot plates can burn skin instantly. Never leave a switched on styler unattended, and keep it away from water and children. ## Frequently asked questions **Is the ghd Platinum+ hotter than the Gold?** No. Both are fixed at 185 °C (365 °F). The Platinum+ differs in how it predicts and controls heat as you style. **Is the ghd Platinum+ worth the extra over the Gold?** It is most worthwhile for thick, long or coloured hair, where ghd's predictive heat control has more work to do. For fine or easy hair, the Gold gives very similar results. **Can both ghd stylers curl hair?** Yes. Both have rounded barrels designed for curls and waves as well as straight styles. **Do the Gold and Platinum+ have the same plate width?** Both are standard width ghd stylers. For wider plates, look at the ghd Max or Chronos Max. ## Buying guides on this topic - https://plateandcurl.co.uk/best/ghd-straighteners-compared - https://plateandcurl.co.uk/best/best-hair-straighteners-under-250 - https://plateandcurl.co.uk/best/best-straighteners-for-thick-hair ## Sources - [ghd UK](https://www.ghdhair.com/uk)