Which Is the Best Hair Straightener? 2026 Expert Guide & Reviews
Anyone who has ever tried to smooth out frizz with a dodgy straightener knows the misery of uneven heat and wasted minutes. The truth is that different hair types, textures, and styling habits demand completely different tools.
Expert Reviews overall pick (2025): GHD Platinum Plus Styler ·
Best budget pick: Remington Shine Therapy ·
Most recommended brand by hairdressers: ghd ·
Best cordless model: BaByliss 9000 Cordless
Quick snapshot
- GHD Platinum Plus Styler — Expert Reviews UK’s 2025 top pick (Expert Reviews UK)
- GHD Chronos Max Wide Plate — Who What Wear’s top GHD model (Who What Wear)
- Remington Shine Therapy Straighteners — £45–55 range (Expert Reviews UK)
- BaByliss 9000 Cordless — top cordless pick (Expert Reviews UK)
- ghd Max Wide Plate Hair Straightener (Woman & Home)
- Revamp Progloss Wide Ultra X Shine Ceramic (Woman & Home)
Which is the best hair straightener to buy?
Four top contenders, one pattern: UK reviewers consistently recommend picking a straightener by your hair type and routine rather than by brand alone. The table below shows the key attributes of the best-rated models across different categories.
| Model | Category | Plate Material | Temperature Range | Price (approx.) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GHD Platinum Plus Styler | Best Overall | Ceramic | 185°C fixed | £180–£200 | Expert Reviews UK |
| Remington Shine Therapy | Best Budget | Ceramic with argan oil | 140–220°C | £45–£55 | Expert Reviews UK |
| BaByliss 9000 Cordless | Best Cordless | Ceramic | 120–230°C | £130–£150 | Expert Reviews UK |
| ghd Max Wide Plate | Best for Thick Hair | Ceramic | 185°C fixed | £170–£190 | Woman & Home |
The market is split into clear use-case camps. A buyer with thick, curly hair gets little benefit from a narrow-plate budget model — the ghd Max or Revamp Progloss are built for that job. Cordless models like the BaByliss 9000 add genuine portability but often cap heat settings, making them better for touch-ups than full styling.
The answer depends on your hair type and styling habits.
What is the best brand for hair straighteners?
The brand landscape is dominated by ghd, but Dyson, Cloud Nine, and BaByliss all appear in UK comparisons. The consumer champion Which? (UK consumer watchdog) has tested models from ghd, Dyson, Cloud Nine, and BaByliss — and consistently recommends choosing by hair type first. Expert Reviews UK calls ghd the most prominent premium brand in the market, a view backed by the number of ghd models that appear in best-of lists.
Top brands ranked by consumer tests
- ghd — Most recommended by hairdressers; five of its models make Who What Wear’s top-five GHD list.
- Dyson — Tested by Which? and noted for wet-to-dry innovation, though not ranked above ghd in UK roundups.
- BaByliss — The 9000 Cordless is a category leader, per Expert Reviews UK.
- Remington — Best value: the Shine Therapy model outperforms many pricier rivals.
ghd vs BaByliss vs T3 vs Dyson
Direct head-to-head comparisons are rare, but Which? includes all four brands in its testing pool. Among expert rankings, ghd models occupy the top tier. Who What Wear’s best-GHD list alone features the Chronos Max Wide Plate (1st), Chronos Professional (2nd), Max Wide Plate (3rd), Platinum+ (4th), and Gold (5th). BaByliss and Remington compete in the value and cordless segments, while Dyson remains the premium wet-to-dry alternative.
The pattern: ghd leads across multiple use cases, but budget and cordless options have their own strengths.
Which type of hair straightener is best?
The type of straightener — plate material, width, and corded vs cordless — determines how well it works for your hair. Woman & Home specifically recommends wide-plate models for thick hair, naming the ghd Max and Revamp Progloss Wide Ultra X Shine Ceramic. Expert Reviews UK treats cordless straighteners as a separate buying category, not a feature add-on.
Ceramic vs titanium vs tourmaline plates
UK testers overwhelmingly use ceramic-plate models — every top pick in the research uses ceramic or ceramic-coated plates. Titanium plates are faster to heat and suit coarser hair, but no major UK review gave a titanium model a top award. Tourmaline-infused ceramic (often called “tourmaline ceramic”) is marketed for frizz reduction, but the research does not isolate its effect in controlled tests.
Plate width and shape considerations
Wide plates (1.5–2 inches) save time on long, thick hair. Narrow plates (0.5–1 inch) allow curling and detail work. Woman & Home’s thick-hair picks all use wide plates.
Wet-to-dry vs traditional dry straighteners
Dyson’s Airstrait is the only leading wet-to-dry model, but the research does not include a direct test against traditional dry straighteners. Which? includes Dyson in its recommended test list, implying it has been evaluated.
The implication: for most UK buyers, a ceramic-plate, corded straightener with a plate width matching their hair length is the safest choice. Cordless adds convenience but reduces heat consistency.
Is Dyson or ghd better?
ghd
- Consistent 185°C heat
- Salon professional standard
- Lighter and more portable
- Fixed temperature on some models
- No wet-to-dry capability
Dyson Airstrait
- Wet-to-dry innovation
- Reduces heat damage
- Very expensive (£400+)
- Heavier than corded models
- Limited to one use case
The two brands rarely go head-to-head in the same test category. ghd’s Chronos Max Wide Plate ranked #1 in Who What Wear’s GHD-only list, while Dyson’s Airstrait is a completely different product category — wet-to-dry. Which? has tested both and includes them in its buying guide, but does not declare a single winner.
Performance comparison: Dyson Airstrait vs ghd Chronos Max
No UK source directly compares the two in a controlled test. ghd models are lighter and more portable; the Dyson Airstrait combines blow-dry and straightening. Price is a differentiator: ghd’s top model retails around £180–£200, while the Dyson Airstrait costs £400+.
Price and value
Expert Reviews UK gives ghd the overall best award, making it the better value for most users. Dyson buyers pay a premium for the wet-to-dry feature and the brand cachet.
User reviews and expert verdicts
ghd receives higher expert ratings across UK roundups. Who What Wear ranks ghd models 1–5; neither Dyson nor any other brand appears on that list. The trade-off is clear: ghd is the safer, more tested choice; Dyson is the niche innovation.
If you style dry hair and want proven performance, ghd wins. If you want speed from wet hair and are willing to pay double, Dyson is the only option that offers that.
The trade-off: ghd for proven reliability, Dyson for wet-to-dry innovation.
What straighteners do hairdressers recommend?
Salon professionals overwhelmingly use ghd. Expert Reviews UK notes that ghd is the most frequently recommended brand in its research. The Which? testing pool also includes Cloud Nine and BaByliss, which are common in professional settings.
Professional brands trusted by stylists
- ghd — The salon standard. Every UK expert source that ranks brands places ghd at the top.
- Cloud Nine — Less visible in this research, but Which? includes it as a tested brand.
- BaByliss Pro — The cordless line is especially popular in salons for quick touch-ups.
Why ghd is the salon favourite
ghd’s predictive heat technology maintains a consistent 185°C, which reduces heat damage while ensuring even results. Who What Wear’s ranking puts four different ghd models in the top four slots, reflecting the brand’s depth of options.
The pattern: professionals trust brands that offer reliable heat consistency and plate quality. ghd delivers that across its range.
Which hair straightener is least damaging to hair?
Damage reduction depends on plate material, temperature control, and user behavior. Which? advises choosing a straightener with adjustable heat settings and even heat distribution. Ceramic plates, used by all top-rated models in this research, are gentler than uncoated metal plates because they heat evenly and reduce hot spots.
Low-heat settings and ionic technology
Models like the Remington Shine Therapy offer a low temperature of 140°C, suitable for fine or damaged hair. Ionic technology (present in many ceramic models) is said to reduce frizz, though the research does not isolate its effect.
Ceramic and tourmaline vs metal plates
All expert-recommended straighteners in the research use ceramic or ceramic-based plates. Metal plates, common in very cheap straighteners, heat unevenly and cause more breakage.
Tested least-damaging models
Who What Wear ranks the GHD Platinum+ (which uses predictive heat) at #4, and the GHD Gold (also with even heat) at #5. Expert Reviews UK gives the GHD Platinum Plus Styler the overall top spot, implying it is among the gentlest tested.
The catch: no UK source publishes a controlled damage test. The safest approach is to choose a ceramic-plate model with adjustable temperature and keep the heat as low as your hair type allows.
“Straightening was effortless, leaving hair shiny and healthy-looking.”
— Good Housekeeping tester on the ghd Chronos Max, as cited in editorial reviews
“Earned top spot thanks to its variety of manual settings, even heat distribution.”
— Forbes writer on the T3 SinglePass StyleMax, as cited in editorial reviews
The choice, then, hinges on your priority: ghd for proven reliability and salon approval, Remington for budget without sacrifice, BaByliss for cordless freedom, or Dyson only if wet-to-dry is essential. For the average UK buyer with dry hair, the safest recommendation is a ceramic-plate ghd model matched to your hair thickness. For more hair care tips, see our guide on how to cut your own hair and our Wella Colour Fresh Mask guide.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I replace my hair straightener?
Most experts suggest replacing every 2–3 years, or when plates start to chip or heat unevenly. Warmer plates can also degrade over time.
Can hair straighteners damage hair permanently?
Yes, repeated high-heat styling can cause permanent damage. Using a ceramic model with adjustable temperature and a heat protectant reduces the risk.
What plate material is best for curly hair?
Ceramic or tourmaline-coated ceramic plates are best because they distribute heat evenly and reduce frizz. Titanium can be too harsh for curly textures.
Are titanium straighteners better for thick hair?
Titanium plates heat faster and can be effective for thick, coarse hair, but they are less forgiving. Many top thick-hair picks use ceramic wide plates instead.
How do I clean my hair straightener?
Unplug and wipe with a damp cloth after it cools. Use a cotton bud with rubbing alcohol for stubborn product buildup.
What temperature should I use for fine hair?
Keep it between 120–150°C. The Remington Shine Therapy’s lowest setting (140°C) is suitable.
Do ceramic straighteners work on wet hair?
Most ceramic straighteners are designed for dry hair. Wet-to-dry models like the Dyson Airstrait are specially engineered for damp styling.
Is a cordless hair straightener as effective as a corded one?
Cordless models like the BaByliss 9000 are convenient but often have lower maximum heat and shorter battery life. For full styling, a corded model is more reliable.
For UK shoppers weighing price against performance, the pattern is clear: ghd leads across multiple use cases, Remington offers the best value, and cordless is a distinct category. The best hair straightener is the one built for your hair type — and the evidence points to ceramic plates, adjustable heat, and a trusted brand as the winning formula.
For the buyer with fine or damaged hair, the trade-off is between cost and gentleness: a ghd Platinum+ or Gold is the lower-risk choice. For thick, curly hair, wide-plate ceramic models from ghd or Revamp are the clear winners. In every case, the data says: avoid metal plates, prioritise heat control, and let the lab tests guide you.
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