Anyone in need of a new pair of hair straighteners will most likely end up comparing tools like the ghd Gold vs Platinum+. The hair styling brand is known for their quality styling tools that are built to last, but that doesn't mean deciding on one model is an easy task. So our beauty experts have compared these two cult classics to help you decide which ones to invest in. Throughout our combined years of testing, the woman&home team has found that ghd consistently creates the best hair straighteners, hair dryers and curling tools on the market, thanks to its line-up that caters to a variety of hair types. The ghd Platinum+ and ghd Gold are two of the brand's biggest sellers, and both have a lot to offer. While both tools come with sleek designs and floating plates, the more expensive Platinum+ levels up the Gold's dual-zone technology to the more intelligent ultra-zone predictive technology.
As two of the best ghd straighteners, both tools have their merits and will give you shiny, sleek and long-lasting results. So, we carried out a deep dive into their capabilities to help you decide which is best for you. The classic yellow ceramic plates of ghd's Original straightener will always have a place in our hearts, but you may prefer the newer models' (including both the Gold and Platinum+) upgraded sleeker, sparkly, metallic grey ones. Aside from this colour change, the Gold also boasts straight-edged floating plates, meaning they're not fully attached to offer more movement and flexibility. As for the technical specs, the Gold's plates measure 9cm long by 2.5cm wide.
The Gold's smooth and rounded barrel design bears a similar resemblance to that of the Platinum+, making them both great for creating myriad styles, including bouncy curls, sleek straight and wavy hairstyles. More similarities include the illuminated power button, which sits on the inside of the handle, and the brand's standard optimum styling temperature of 185°C. Weighing just 0.45kg, the Gold straightener is a great lightweight tool that didn't give us that dreaded arm ache while styling. It also has a 2.7 metre swivel cord, so we could reach hard-to-style sections with ease.
At first glance, the ghd Platinum+ and Gold look incredibly similar, thanks to their curved, barrel designs and metallic grey plates. However, taking a closer look, we spotted a few notable differences. The Platinum+ has an updated singled curved 'wishbone' hinge, giving the tool a much sleeker and minimalist overall look compared to the Gold. The hinge also improves styling control, allowing us to effortlessly open and close the tool without any strands of hair getting trapped, caught or pulling. As for the weight, there's also a noticeable difference here; the Gold weighs 450g, while the Platinum+ is lighter in the hand at 300g. We therefore found the Platinum+ easier to manoeuvre, especially when styling hair that's curly or on the thicker side. Though the overall design is lighter, this straightener boasts a larger barrel shape compared to the Gold, which makes it great for styling larger sections of hair.
But enough about the differences, as we also noticed a few similarities - both the Gold and Platinum+ have floating plates and a 2.7 metre swivel cord, plus a built-in timer that automatically turns the tools off after 30 minutes of inactivity, removing any fears around accidentally them on. In terms of ease of use, both stylers really impressed our testers. Even as once-devoted fans of the Original Styler, it's clear to see how much more advanced the newer models are, from their designs to their ability to create smoother results. When testing the Gold on slightly wavy hair, we found it could smooth each section in two passes, however, thicker or naturally curly strands required more passes for a super sleek, straight finish. It's also worth noting that the Gold doesn't have ionic technology, so those with naturally frizzy hair may benefit from a different model that does incorporate this technology. Although there's not a dramatic difference, the Gold is slightly heavier, which will be more noticeable for those with thicker or curlier hair that takes more time to straighten.
With an almost featherweight design, large plates and a rounded barrel shape, the Platinum+ makes for a seamless styling experience. Both our fine and thick-haired testers found the tool cut down their usual styling time in half, making the straightening process quick, easy and (dare we say) enjoyable. The easy-to-manoeuvre tool only requires one or two passes through the hair to get the desired smooth and straight finish while retaining some body. If you're on the hunt for a straightener that can also create bouncy curls and loose waves, this easy styler is also for you. While the larger barrel, plates and advanced technology mean you can create bigger, more voluminous curls, we also deem it one of the best straighteners for curly hair, too.
As for performance, the standout feature of ghd's newer tools is how quickly they heat up. The Gold reaches the optimum temperature of 185°C in just 25 seconds - which is seriously impressive - and helpfully beeps to indicate that it's ready to use. The straightener also has "dual-zone technology", a two heat sensor system that maintains even heat distribution across the hair from root to tip, ensuring smooth results. We did find the outer casing of the Gold gets quite warm and can become too hot to the touch, but the useful cool tip offers you safer control of the device when styling. This also comes in handy when styling harder-to-reach sections at the back of your hair.
Outdoing the Gold's heat-up time, ghd's Platinum+ styler reaches optimum temperature in a speedy 20 seconds - again, letting you know it's ready with a beeping sound. Like the Gold, it maintains a consistent, damage-reducing temperature through "ultra-zone technology". According to the brand, the styler's predictive technology also recognises the hair's thickness and section size, plus the speed you're styling at, and adjusts the power and temperature accordingly. Though we can't physically see this technology working its magic, we definitely think our hair was smoother and shinier after a few days of using the Platinum+, not once looking over-styled or damaged. One of the main differences between this and the Gold that its insulated casing stayed cool throughout the styling session. This is a huge plus in our book, as it reduces the risk of accidentally scorching one's hand when styling in a hurry.
Which styler is best for you?
Boasting advanced technology, both of these two tools are in leagues of their own, offering professional salon-worthy results in a speedy time, while minimising damage and without snagging on strands. Design-wise, both the Gold and Platinum+ set to make an elevating addition to your dressing table, but also have a luxurious feel when holding them. But while both ghd stylers are seriously intelligent and great investments, one straightener undoubtedly came out on top. When weighing up between the two, we'd say the Platinum+ takes the lead - just. The more advanced technology and user-friendly design gives it an edge over the Gold. That said, the significant price difference between the two has to be factored in here, as the Platinum+ costs £50 more, so it's worth considering your hair type before choosing which tool to invest in.
Those with thicker, coarser or naturally frizz-prone hair (or hair that's all of the above) would benefit from the Platinum+ as it styles more quickly. This would also be the clear choice for those with dry or damaged hair, thanks to its ultra-zone technology preventing the hair from being exposed to excessive heat. However, if your hair is on the finer, straighter and/or thinner side, the Gold would still be a worthwhile investment to meet your hair's needs, saving you a few pennies, too.
Before writing this guide, both of our testers had already used almost every ghd tool, including the brand's best hair dryers and best hair curling tools. However, both tools were re-tested to ensure we were working with the freshest insights possible. Ensuring we tested both tools fairly, we styled half our hair using the Gold and the other using the Platinum+ and used each tool several times separately, so that we could physically compare the results side by side as well as assessing the overall look that each styler created. We also kept a close eye on how our hair looked through the day with each passing hour to see how well the straight results lasted. We also compared differences in designs, how easy each tool was to use and whether the smart technology of the Platinum+ really made a difference.
Emma Stoddart is a freelance beauty journalist who has worked for some of the UK’s top titles and brands, including NET-A-PORTER, Stylist and Grazia. Her experience spans online and print as well as producing editorial shoots with some of the industry’s biggest artists. Having used many of ghd's styling tools over the years, she very familiar with both the Gold and Platinum+, and was the main tester for this guide. Aleesha Badkar is woman&home's Beauty ecommerce Editor, covering all things beauty shopping on the site, from the best tools to the newest products. Emma Stoddart is a freelance beauty journalist and skincare aficionado with over five years’ industry experience. Emma has worked for some of the UK’s top women’s titles including Net-A- Porter, Stylist and Grazia. Her experience spans online and print as well as producing editorial shoots with some of the industry’s biggest artists, including Val Garland.
Looking to invest in a GHD Platinum Plus styler? We've reviewed this hair straightener to help you decide whether it's for you. It's definitely one of the best hair straighteners money can buy since it looks the part and plays the part pretty well while being safe to use. It's also an incredible performer and the quality is like no other - GHD stlyers last for years and years of daily use. Let's talk about price: it's definitely more expensive than the GHD Original, retailing at £199. You could buy during Black Friday to score a deal, though. See our GHD Black Friday page for discounts.
We tested the GHD Platinum Plus styler on both shorter, older hair and medium-length slightly wavy hair. In both instances, this hair straightener wowed us with incredible results. Heat-up time: 30 seconds Technology: Ceramic heat Colour: Various Heat settings: 1 Temperature: 185ºC Auto shut-off: 30 mins Cord length: 2.7m
GHD Platinum Plus: heating setting and performance. These hair straighteners have technology that adapts the heat for your specific hair; there is one heat setting - with 185ºC optimum heat - yet heat is constantly monitored thanks to sensors throughout the plates, meaning the power is adjusted accordingly. GHD puts it like this: these straighteners ‘respond to each section of your hair and styling speed to deliver the optimum temperature of 185ºC more effectively, ensuring 70% stronger hair [than using a straightener at 230ºC], 20% more shine [than naturally dried hair] and two times more colour protection. Like on the GHD Original Styler, the swivelling cord of the Platinum+ is a handy feature that makes using them less of a faff. These straighteners also have floating plates, meaning styling and curling is made easier.
Get small space home decor ideas, celeb inspiration, DIY tips and more, straight to your inbox! And yes, we did find them easy to use. The plates are a little bigger than those of the Originals, which doesn’t make a massive difference but does make using them really easy. And yes, like the Original, they sit on their side, so you can pick them up and put them down again without worrying whether you’re going to burn your furniture.
Who should choose which?
- Platinum Plus: best for thick, coarse, frizz-prone or damaged hair; faster styling and cooler insulation; ideal for bigger, voluminous curls and for those seeking optimal heat control.
- Gold: solid all-rounder with lighter feel, great for finer or straighter hair; more affordable and still powerful with strong heat distribution.
Where to buy the GHD Platinum Plus? You can buy GHD's Platinum+ hair straightener from any of the retailers below.
- Official GHD store
- Major beauty retailers
- Online marketplaces
