The Difference Between These Best-Selling ghd Tools (and Which One's Best For You)

Anyone who's ever mourned the death of a hair straightener knows just how much of a tong-shaped hole it leaves in your life.

Regardless of whether yours served you faithfully for years or was taken too soon, the loss of a hair tool is... a first world problem, but annoying nonetheless.

One of the most common questions I'm asked as a beauty editor is, what is the best hair straightener?

Second to that, it's... what is the best hair curling wand?

And fair enough, because hair tools are expensive, and the kind of purchase you want to get right the first time.

But the best hair tool for you also depends on your hair type and your budget.

So, to make things really bloody easy, here's a definitive guide to the very best ghd hair straightener and hair tool to suit you.

The Best ghd Hair Straighteners and Tools

1. ghd Original Hair Straightener.

What: ghd original hair straightener - The original ghd hair straightener that started it all.

How much: RRP $240.

Main features:

• Two 24 mm floating heat plates with one sensor, that easily glide through the hair (no snagging!).

• One heat setting at 185ºC which is the optimum temperature for styling while preventing hair damage.

• Universal voltage (for travel).

• Sleep and shiver modes that automatically switch off the straightener after 30 minutes of inactivity, and prevent it from turning on when the surrounding temp is below 7ºC (this protects the tool from condensation damage).

Best for:

If you don't straighten your hair all that often, have fine or manageable hair, or are after an entry-level ghd hair straightener that still does a bang up job, this one's for you.

2. ghd Max Wide Hair Straightener.

What: ghd max hair straightener - A wide-plate ceramic hair straightener ideal for very long or coarse hair.

How much: RRP $330.

Main features:

• Wide 4.2cmx9cm ceramic plates that can straighten larger or coarser sections of hair, faster.

• 70 per cent larger plates than the original ghd hair straightener for styling twice as fast.

• Heats up to ideal styling temperature of 185 degrees in 30 seconds, with dual-zone technology to guarantee even heat distribution.

• Adds gloss and shine, and minimises frizz.

• Can be used to straighten hair or create loose round-brush blowout waves.

• Light and easy to manoeuvre with a 2.7m swivel cord.

• Sleep mode means it switches off automatically after 30 minutes of inactivity.

Here's a video of me showing just how quickly this wide hair straightener smoothed and straightened my long, frizzy hair!

Best for:

If you have long, thick, curly, frizzy and/or coarse hair that usually takes you FOREVER to straighten. Or anyone who wants to cut their hair straightening time in half.

You can read my full ghd max wide straightener review here.

3. ghd Curve Creative Curl Wand.

What: ghd curve 2.0 creative curl wand - One of the easiest curling wands to use, ever.

How much: RRP $250.

Main features:

• Unique round-to-oval tapered curling wand to help you create tousled, undone styles.

• Tapered barrel from round 28mm to oval 23mm tip.

• Protective cool tip to give you a safe place to hold your hair while you curl.

• One optimal heat setting at 185ºC is hot enough to lock your look in place, and to prevent damage.

• ghd’s exclusive ultra-zone technology delivers gorgeous, shiny curls that stay locked in place.

• Results are achieved in 5-8 seconds, to save both your hair and your time.

• Sleep mode: switches off if not used for 30 minutes.

• Hannah's been loving using the ghd Creative Curl Wand to achieve this zero effort glam look.

Best for:

Anyone who's always wanted to get that effortless tousled waves hair look, but didn't know how!

Or if you want great-looking waves and curls, fast.

4. ghd Platinum+ Styler.

What: ghd platinum+ black hair styler - The world's first smart hair styler that predicts your hair's needs.

How much: RRP $375.

Main features:

• Ultra-zone predictive technology, which basically means the straightener knows what your hair needs before you do for stronger, shinier, colour protected hair.

• Advanced, precision milled, floating plates with ultra gloss coating for your shiniest hair, ever.

• Ultra gloss coating provides 20 per cent more shine.

• One consistent heat setting at 185ºC, smart technology for faster styling and minimised heat damage, single stroke styling.

• Universal voltage (for travel) and protective plate guard.

• Sleep mode for auto shut off after 30 minutes of inactivity.

Best for:

If you want the top of the line ghd hair straightener, you style your hair most days, and/or you have coloured or damaged hair, the ghd Platinum+ is the best choice because it's a smart hair straightener. (This means it predicts and constantly adapts to ensure the optimum styling temperature at all times.)

5. ghd Glide Hot Brush.

What: ghd Glide Professional Hot Brush - A heated hair straightening brush that tames and smooths hair quickly and easily.

How much: RRP $240.

Main features:

• Ceramic and ionic technology smooths hair ridiculously quickly.

• The combination of high density short and long bristles = you can style large sections of hair at once, without having to go over the hair multiple times.

• Tames and smooths hair for a glossy, frizz-free finish that still has natural body and movement.

• Long handle and cord make the tool super easy to manoeuvre.

• Heats up to 185ºC for safe, effective styling.

• Suitable for all hair types and textures.

• Sleep mode for auto shut off after 60 minutes of inactivity.

Best for:

After smoother, frizz-free, fast styling, but don't want your hair to look too straight? The Glide is the lazy/busy person's best friend that gives you a glossy blow dry-like finish.

6. ghd Rise Volumising Hot Brush.

What: ghd Rise Volumising Hot Brush - A volumising round heated brush to create long-lasting big hair.

How much: RRP $280.

Main features:

• Hot brush to create volume, waves and curls on dry hair.

• Use this tool to recreate the result of bouncy, shiny professional blow dry.

• 32mm tapered barrel with 5mm smooth bristles.

• Heats to 185 degrees Celsius in 25 seconds.

• Smart technology to ensure consistent temperature.

• 2.7m swivel cord and cool tip for easy use.

• Sleep mode - switches off after 30 minutes.

Best for:

If you’d describe your hair as limp and lifeless, and you’re after serious volume, without the skill/coordination requirements of a round-brush blowout.

7. ghd thin wand hair curler.

What: ghd thin wand hair curler 14mm- an ultra thin curling wand to define curls and add effortless texture.

How much: RRP $250.

Main features:

• Thin 14mm barrel for defining naturally curly hair.

• Heats to 185 degrees Celsius in 3 seconds.

• Barrel is 38% longer than regular curlers, for ease of use.

• Cool tip and swivel cord for ergonomic styling.

Best for:

If you're into a super tight curl, or just want to define your natural texture, then this unique curling wand was designed specifically for you.

Now, all you have to do is decide which ghd hair straightener is the right one for you...

You can shop ghd hair tools here. Want more hair content? Check out these stories below:

• No Regrets: The 20 Best (and Worst) Hair Trends From the Last 20 Years

• Got Long or Thick Hair? This Hair Tool Saves Me SO MUCH TIME

• Let Me Show You How to Get a Salon Blow Dry... Without Using a Hairdryer

Social image via @natalieannehair using ghd platinum+ for @ ghdhair_anz.