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 predicitive 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 – which is particularly useful given that both tools are already in the early ghd Black Friday sale. Here's our thorough head-to-head analysis, put together by two of our experts with more than 15 years of experience testing beauty tools between them.
The best deals on the ghd Gold and ghd Platinum+
Quick comparison: Which one should you buy?
RRP: £189
Heat-up time: 25 seconds
Features: Smooth floating plates, 185°C styling temperature, universal voltage, automatic sleep mode, 2.7m cable, heat-resistant plate guard
Pros: Cheaper of the two; dual-zone technology; floating plates
Cons: Not as technologically advanced as the Platinum+, whose results are better
RRP: £239
Heat-up time: 20 seconds
Features: Wishbone hinge, ultra-gloss plates, 185°C styling temperature, universal voltage, automatic sleep mode, 2.7m cable, heat-resistant plate guard
Pros: Ultra-zone predictive technology; floating plates; universal voltage
Cons: More expensive than the ghd Gold by £50
ghd Platinum+ vs ghd Gold: Our beauty experts' full comparison
Specs
ghd Platinum+ |
ghd Gold |
|
|---|---|---|
Temperature settings: |
185ºC |
185ºC |
Weight: |
0.3kg |
0.45kg |
Cord length: |
2.7m |
2.7m |
Available colours: |
Black, White |
Black, Mystic Aqua, Cherry Chic |
Auto shut-off: |
After 30 minutes of inactivity |
After 30 minutes of inactivity |
Added extras: |
Ultra-zone predictive technology, and precision milled, ultra-gloss floating plates |
Dual-zone technology, gloss finish floating plates |
Review rating: |
4/5 |
4/5 |
ghd Gold vs ghd Platinum+ Design
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. Overall, when it comes to design, we love how these straighteners look and feel: sleek, stylish and professional.
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, wheile 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.
ghd Gold vs ghd Platinum+ User experience
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. But overall, we'd still recommend the Gold because it's easy to use and can create curls and waves, too, thanks to the plates' rounded edgees.
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. Both stylers can effortlessly glide through strands, but this one has the edge with its curved ceramic plates that never ever catch or snag and a wish bone hinge that offers more control when opening and closing the plates.
ghd Gold vs ghd Platinum+ performance
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. It is worth pointing out that the plates aren't the widest or longest, so if your hair is especially thick or naturally curly and you prefer a larger styler, we’d recommend the ghd Max Hair Straightener or Chronos Max, as the extra-large plates will significantly cut down styling time.
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. Tick, tick, tick.
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. We also found this styler worked equally well when straightening, curling and waving hair, making it a true multitasker.
ghd Gold vs ghd Platinum+: Which styler is best?
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. If you're still weighing up the options, take a deeper dive into the techy side of the Platinum+ with our in-depth ghd Platinum+ Hair Straightener review – you may also find our Dyson Corrale vs ghd Platinum+ comparison helpful.
How we tested the ghd Gold vs ghd Platinum+ Hair Straighteners
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. It was also important for us to find out whether each of the models catered to specific hair types and styling needs, so we gave both tools to other testers with different hair – including short and curly to thick and long strands.
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