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This guide is for anyone who wants sleek, smooth or wavy hair at home, and for anyone buying straighteners as a Christmas present. First, match the straightener to the hair: wide plates suit long, thick or curly hair, and adjustable heat suits fine or fragile hair. Then match it to your routine: a wet-to-dry tool if you style straight after the shower, or a classic ghd if you want a no-fuss gift.
ghd Platinum+ smart hair straightener and styler
Best for most people
A smart hair straightener and styler from ghd that adapts to your hair as you go. You get sleek, glossy hair in one stroke per section.
Who it's for: Buy it for anyone who wants ghd's smart styler and a smooth, shiny finish every day.
The facts that matter
- ghd's smart styler, with Ultra-zone predictive technology for one-stroke styling and, ghd says, 70% stronger hair.
- Precision-milled plates with an ultra-gloss coating for 20% more shine, and 2x more colour protection.
- A distinct wishbone hinge for styling control, and a sleek design with a rounder barrel for quick, snag-free styling.
Why it made the list: Ultra-zone predictive technology aims for one-stroke styling, and ghd says it gives 70% stronger hair. The ultra-gloss plates promise 20% more shine and twice the colour protection, which is great news for colour-treated hair. The wishbone hinge and rounder barrel give you control and quick, snag-free styling.
Worth knowing: Its maximum temperature is 185°C, lower than the Remington Wet2Straight Pro (230°C) and the Revlon Salon Straight XL (235°C).
Check price on Amazon(paid link)ghd Original hair straightener
Best for a classic gift
The original ghd straightener, which holds one steady heat across both plates. You get sleek, smooth hair, curls or waves without fiddling with settings.
Who it's for: Buy it for a mum, sister or friend who wants a trusted name and no fuss.
The facts that matter
- Single-zone technology holds 185°C consistently across both plates for sleek, smooth results with no extreme heat.
- Smooth ceramic floating plates with a gloss coating, and a rounded shape for straight looks, curls and waves.
- Heats up in 30 seconds, goes to sleep after 30 minutes of non-use, and works on universal voltage.
Why it made the list: Single-zone technology holds 185°C across both plates, so the spec promises sleek results with no extreme heat. It heats up in 30 seconds and goes to sleep after 30 minutes of non-use. Universal voltage means it can come along on holiday too.
Worth knowing: It comes with a 2-year ghd guarantee, against 5 years (plus 1 when you register) on the Remington Wet2Straight Pro.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)ghd Chronos hair straightener and styler
Best for speed and shine
ghd's speed-focused styler, built for quick, high-shine straightening. You get glossy, smooth hair that ghd says lasts 24 hours.
Who it's for: Buy it for the busy person who wants salon-sleek hair before the morning rush.
The facts that matter
- ghd says it is 3x faster, with one-stroke HD results that last 24 hours.
- 85% more shine, 2x less frizz and up to 3x more breakage protection, ghd says.
- A re-engineered wishbone hinge keeps the ceramic floating plates in line, and the ultra-gloss coating gives easy-glide styling.
Why it made the list: ghd says it is 3x faster, with one-stroke HD results. It also promises 85% more shine, 2x less frizz and up to 3x more breakage protection. A re-engineered wishbone hinge keeps the floating plates lined up for easy, gliding strokes.
Worth knowing: Sleep mode switches it off after 10 minutes unused, so a long break mid-style means heating it up again.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)ghd Max wide plate hair straightener and styler
Best for long, thick or curly hair
A wide-plate ghd straightener for big, heavy or curly hair. You cover more hair per stroke, so you finish sooner.
Who it's for: Buy it for anyone with long, thick or curly hair who's tired of endless sections.
The facts that matter
- Plates 70% larger than ghd's regular straighteners, to style hair in half the time.
- Dual-zone technology for sleek, smooth results with no extreme heat, and high-gloss ceramic floating plates for 80% more shine.
- 30-second heat-up, a 2.7m swivel cord, sleep mode after 30 minutes and a protective plate guard.
Why it made the list: Its plates are 70% larger than ghd's regular straighteners, to style hair in half the time. Dual-zone technology and high-gloss ceramic plates promise sleek results and 80% more shine. A 2.7m swivel cord, a 30-second heat-up and a plate guard make it easy to live with.
Worth knowing: The wide plates are built for long, thick or curly hair; for short hair the regular-size ghd Original is the better fit.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)Dyson Airstrait straightener and dryer
Best for skipping the blow-dry
A 2-in-1 straightener and dryer that uses air instead of hot plates. You go from wet to straight in one step and skip the blow-dry.
Who it's for: Buy it for the person who hates drying their hair before styling it.
The facts that matter
- Dries and straightens at the same time using only air, with no hot plates, and saves up to 8 minutes per style wet to dry.
- Up to 66% less frizz and flyaways, with an integrated comb that adds tension for a sleek, straight finish on all hair types.
- Wet and Dry modes, 4 heat settings and 3 airflow settings, with the airflow temperature measured up to 500 times a second.
Why it made the list: It dries and straightens at the same time and saves up to 8 minutes per style, wet to dry. A built-in comb adds tension for a sleek finish on all hair types, with up to 66% less frizz and flyaways. Wet and Dry modes, 4 heat settings and 3 airflow settings let you set it up your way.
Worth knowing: It weighs 0.92 kg, about double the 427 g Remington Wet2Straight Pro.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)Cloud Nine Original Iron hair straighteners with Revive Mode
Best for fine or fragile hair
A straightener with 11 heat settings and a clever vibrating mode. You get sleek hair at a heat that suits your hair.
Who it's for: Buy it for anyone with fine or fragile hair who wants control over the heat.
The facts that matter
- 11 temperature settings from 100°C to 200°C, so you style at the heat that suits your hair.
- Revive Mode vibrates the plates to cut the time your hair spends under direct heat.
- Floating ceramic plates infused with Sericite, a moisture-locking mineral, and a protective guard and styling case in the box.
Why it made the list: Eleven settings run from 100°C to 200°C, so you choose the heat, not the straightener. Revive Mode vibrates the plates to cut the time your hair spends under direct heat. The ceramic plates are infused with Sericite, a mineral that locks in moisture, and a guard and styling case come in the box.
Worth knowing: Its top temperature is 200°C, below the 230°C on the Remington Wet2Straight Pro.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)Remington Wet2Straight Pro hair straightener (S7970)
Best for straight from the shower
A straightener that works on towel-dried, damp hair as well as dry hair. You shower, towel off and straighten without a blow-dry.
Who it's for: Buy it for anyone who wants a faster routine without switching to an air styler.
The facts that matter
- Wet Mode works on damp hair, so you can shower, towel dry and straighten; Dry Mode works as a standard straightener.
- A moisture sensor adjusts the plate temperature on each pass to your hair's water content, and a venting system releases the steam.
- A 5-year manufacturer's guarantee, plus 1 extra year when you register online.
Why it made the list: Wet Mode handles damp hair, and a moisture sensor adjusts the heat on each pass to how wet your hair is. A venting system lets the steam out as you go. It comes with a 5-year manufacturer's guarantee, plus 1 extra year when you register online.
Worth knowing: Wet Mode is for towel-dried, damp hair, so dripping-wet hair needs a towel first.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)Revlon Pro Collection Salon Straight XL Copper hair straightener
Best for choosing your own heat
A dial-up straightener with copper-look style and coconut-oil-infused plates. You get sleek, shiny hair at the exact heat you pick.
Who it's for: Buy it for anyone who likes to choose their own heat, or who travels a lot.
The facts that matter
- 25mm triple-coated ceramic plates infused with coconut oil for sleek, smoother, shinier looks.
- 10 LED temperature settings up to 235°C.
- Floating plates with rounded edges straighten or curl with no crease marks, and dual voltage plus a storage pouch make it travel-ready.
Why it made the list: Ten LED temperature settings go up to 235°C, so you set the heat that works for you. The 25mm triple-coated ceramic plates are infused with coconut oil for smoother, shinier looks. Rounded floating plates straighten or curl with no crease marks, and dual voltage plus a storage pouch make it travel-ready.
Worth knowing: Its 25mm plates are regular width, so long, thick hair takes more sections than with the wide-plate ghd Max.
Check price on Amazon(paid link)