GHD Gold vs. Platinum vs. Original vs. Max – What are the differences?

The hair straightener is one of those accessories that cannot be missing in many houses, because they are essential to maintain a perfect hairstyle in a very simple way. And, if we think of hair straighteners, it is inevitable to think of GHD, the leading brand in this sector. But, would you know which of all its models is most suitable for you? In this comparison we show you the most relevant differences between four of the best-selling hair straighteners: GHD Gold, GHD Platinum, GHD Original and GHD Max.

Apparently the most different hair straightener from the rest is the GHD Max, although if we look closely, there are several aspects that vary slightly between the other three hair straighteners as well. However, seeing the price differences that exist, we intuit that they do not have the same functionalities. Of course, there are some characteristics that are common to all of them, such as the use of ceramic plates or the fixed temperature that they maintain.

On the other hand, there are other issues, such as the time it takes to heat up or the heating technology, which are not the same, and which are what will help you choose which of the four hair straighteners best suits your needs. But, so that you can see for yourself, we are going to show you the summary of the most outstanding qualities of each one and, later, we will analyze it in detail. Do not miss it!

GHD Gold vs Platinum vs Original vs Max – Comparison Table

Next, we show you a table in which we collect the characteristics that you should know about the four GHD hair straighteners that we have compared:

(Slide the table to see all the content)

Let’s discuss the design

As we advanced in the introduction, the design is quite similar in three of the hair straighteners, and somewhat different in another. The GHD Gold, Platinum and Original are narrower because they have thinner plates than the GHD Max, whose plates are 70% wider. Other than that, the Gold and Platinum have a curved but peak-shaped edge, while the GHD Original and Max have the curved edge as well, but more straight.

In addition, the GHD Platinum is the one with the most different design in the joint between plates. Unlike the GHD Gold, Original and Max have a V-shaped joint, with the brand’s logo as a link, the GHD Platinum has a different design on the shaft, completely curved and without the logo plate.

Likewise, the colors in which we can buy each iron also vary. All of them are available in black; the GHD Platinum can also be purchased in white, and the GHD Max in rose gold. Finally, it should be noted that all four have heat-resistant protectors.

Heating technology

All hair straighteners have ceramic plates, but not all have the same heating technology. The GHD Gold and Max have Dual-Zone technology, with two new generation sensors that maintain temperature control from the roots to the tips. The GHD Original has been equipped with Single-Zone technology, with a single sensor that distributes the temperature on the two plates.

And finally, the GHD Platinum has Ultra-Zone technology, with what the brand calls an infinity sensor. It is a predictive technology with which the temperature is monitored about 250 times per second. This allows the hair straightener to recognize the thickness of the hair and adapt the power to always maintain the optimum temperature, which in all four cases is 185ºC, the optimum temperature common to all GHDs.

Warm-up time and automatic shutdown

Another issue to take into account is the time it takes for the hair straighteners to reach the optimum temperature of 185º. The differences are very small, actually, but any difference can be important. The fastest hair straightener is the GHD Platinum, which takes just 20 seconds. It is followed by the GHD Gold, with 25 seconds, and the GHD Original and Max, which take 30 seconds.

As for the time during which the hair straighteners are kept on after using them, it is the same in all four: half an hour. This means that after 30 minutes of inactivity, the hair straighteners automatically turn off even if they have not been unplugged.

Cable: length and rotation

None of the four GHD hair straighteners we’re reviewing are cordless. Therefore, it is important to look at the length of the cable, which can determine in which rooms you can or cannot use the iron. And, in this regard, the answer is common to all four: the cables have an extension of 2.7 meters. In addition, they are rotatable, so you can place it so that they do not remain folded at any time.

Additional characteristics

Let’s see, now, other additional benefits that the four hair straighteners that we have analyzed have. All of them have universal voltage and, although the cover can be purchased separately, it is not included in the standard equipment.

We would like to highlight a small functionality that only the GHD Original has and that, although it does not influence its performance, gives it a very original and personalized touch. We refer to the on and off button with light indicator, so that it lights up when it is turned on.

GHD Gold vs Platinum vs Original vs Max: Which hair straightener do we prefer?

The decision on which hair straightener to choose will depend, fundamentally, on the budget that we want to spend and on how your hair is. The first thing to keep in mind is that any of them guarantees the best possible hair care, because they all have the GHD guarantee and technology. That being said, if your hair is rather thick or curly, the hair straightener that you will find most interesting is the GHD Max. By having the wider ceramic plates, their effectiveness when styling this type of more rebellious hair is greater.

With that being said, the main difference between the four hair straighteners is the heating technology. The GHD Original, which is the one with the simplest mechanism, is the cheapest. However, we think the GHD Gold or Max are better value for money , with an average price but slightly more advanced technology than the Original model. For its part, the GHD Platinum is the highest hair straightener of the four, and this is demonstrated by its predictive technology. Of course, its price is also higher.

Therefore, think about what type of hair you have and how much budget you want to spend at most to choose the perfect hair straightener. What we can guarantee is that you can make the choice with complete peace of mind, knowing that the quality and care of the hair is maximum in all models.