Is ghd worth it? An honest answer

Updated November 2026.

We sell ghd, so read this with the scepticism it deserves. We also use these tools every day, on other people's hair, and we have firm opinions about where the money is worth spending and where it isn't. This guide is about one decision: ghd or a cheaper straightener. If you've already decided on ghd and want to pick a model, our which ghd straightener guide sorts them by hair type.

Is ghd worth it? What the money actually buys

The temperature. Every ghd styles at 185°C. That isn't a marketing number. ghd's research puts it as the temperature that restyles hair reliably without the damage you get from running hotter. Many cheap straighteners get much hotter than that, and hot isn't the same as good. The most common reason we see fried ends in the salon is a cheap tool run too hot.

Heat that stays even. A ghd holds its heat across the whole plate, pass after pass. A cheap styler often has hot spots, so you go over the same section three times to get it straight. That's three lots of heat for one result.

The warranty. Genuine NZ stock comes with the two-year ghd warranty. Most cheap tools offer far less, and when they fail, they go in the bin.

Why is ghd so expensive?

Because the part you can't see costs the most to get right. Holding one steady temperature across a plate, and in the newer models adjusting that heat as you style, takes sensors and engineering that a budget tool skips. You're also paying for a tool that's built to be used daily for years, with a warranty behind it. You can see what each model costs today in our ghd price guide, which we keep up to date.

ghd vs a cheap straightener

How long does a ghd last?

Looked after, a ghd lasts for years. The warranty covers the first two, and plenty of clients bring in stylers that are well past that and still working. The most common failure we see isn't the plates, it's the cord, and it's nearly always from wrapping it tightly around the handle. To get the most years out of yours:

• Let it cool fully before you put it away, and don't wrap the cord around it.
• Wipe the plates with a damp cloth once they're cool, so product doesn't build up.
• Use it on fully dry hair. Straightening damp hair is harder on the hair and the tool.
• Keep your receipt, so a warranty claim is easy if you ever need one.

Where ghd is not worth it

The colourways. A limited-edition colour is the same tool as the black one. Buy it because you love it, not because it styles better.

Upgrading from a working ghd. If you have a ghd gold that still works, a chronos won't change your life. Put the money into a good brush and a heat protectant instead.

The most expensive one, by default. ghd Sculpt is the most advanced tool ghd makes. It isn't several times better than a ghd original. Most people are well served a few rungs down the range. Our ghd Sculpt guide explains who it's really for.

Occasional use. If you straighten once a month for a night out, a cheaper tool used carefully, with protection, is a fair choice.

Which ghd is the best value?

For most people, the ghd gold: even heat, a reliable result, and no need to think about it again. If your hair is coloured, the ghd platinum+ is worth the step up, because its colour protection matters when you've paid for the colour. If money is tight, the ghd original still does most of what the dearer models do. Short hair, the ghd mini. Looking for a cheap ghd? Buy the model you need when it's on promotion, from a retailer supplied by ghd NZ. Our guide to when ghd goes on sale explains how to tell a real deal from a risky one.

The same logic applies to dryers: a good dryer does more for your hair than a pricier straightener. Our ghd air vs helios vs Speed guide covers the ghd helios, the dryer we'd buy, and if you'd rather skip the straightener on some days, the ghd duet review looks at wet-to-style.

Heat protection with a ghd

Whatever you buy, use a heat protectant. It's a small cost next to the tool, and it's the difference between hair that survives years of styling and hair that doesn't. If your ends are already suffering, start with our guide to repairing damaged ends.

Our pick is Kérastase, chosen by hair type:

• Nectar Thermique for dry or thick hair that needs softness and shine.
• Genesis Défense Thermique for fine hair that breaks easily.
• Chroma Thermique if your hair is coloured and you want the colour to last between appointments.

If you'd rather keep it all ghd, the ghd bodyguard heat protect spray is the brand's own option. Whichever you use, put it through damp hair before you blow-dry, so it's already there when the straightener goes on.

Is ghd a good brand to buy from Crew?

We're working stylists in Queenstown, and ghd is what we reach for on clients. Authorised ghd stockist: genuine ghd, supplied direct by ghd NZ, with the full two-year ghd warranty. Free NZ shipping over $75. Discount codes don't apply to ghd, so the price you see is the price. If you want a second opinion before you buy, book in with us in Queenstown and ask your stylist.

Shop the tools in this guide

• ghd gold styler
• ghd platinum+ styler
• ghd original styler
• ghd Sculpt interactive styler
• ghd helios hair dryer
• Kérastase Nectar Thermique