BaByliss vs. GHD Flat Irons

Trying to decide between a BaByliss flat iron vs. GHD? You’re not the only one.

For my money, I’d choose BaByliss any day over GHD. They’ve got more options, straighten really effectively, and cost less than GHD.

Read on if you want to know the nitty gritty details.

Well-Known Hair Styling Brands

BaByliss and GHD are both major players in the hair styling industry, each with decades of manufacturing styling tools under their belts.

BaByliss is renowned for its Nano titanium flat irons, which efficiently produce high heat and straighten hair effectively, making them a staple workhorse in many beauty salons.

They’re also very popular for everyday users at home.

GHD (which stands for good hair day) – is a UK-based company. They’re known for their single-temperature styler flat irons with only one heat setting: 365°F.

GHD has a patented ultra-zone™ technology that uses smart sensors to keep heat at a safe and consistent level for your hair so you don’t have to worry about making any adjustments.

Fans of GHD like that their flat irons are less damaging to their hair, and find their tools very durable and long-lasting.

BaByliss vs. GHD Flat Irons

Plate Technology

One of the most important features to consider when you’re buying a flat iron is plate material and technology.

BaByliss flat irons are renowned for their titanium plates, which are highly durable, lightweight, and exceptional conductors of heat.

They’re ideal for straightening your hair into gorgeously smooth, pin-straight locks due to the high-efficiency and fast heat-recovery of titanium.

GHD flat irons have aluminum plates with a ceramic coating. They glide smoothly through your hair and leave it looking shiny.

Ceramic plates produce even heat across the entire plate, reducing the risk of hot spots and damage, making GHD the safer choice for fine and medium hair types.

Titanium vs. Ceramic Flat Irons

Most BaByliss and GHD flat irons also have floating plates – where the plates flex from side to side.

Floating plates maintain consistent contact when pressed together at all times (unlike flat irons with fixed plates).

This ensures even pressure between the plates and your hair for consistent styling results.

Design

When choosing a flat iron, the build can impact how you style your hair.

If you like creating curls by wrapping your hair around the iron, a flat iron with a round casing is great.

On the other hand, a thinner, flatter housing is better for getting close to the roots or straightening hard-to-reach areas.

BaByliss makes various models with different builds from rounded barrels to a flatter, ultra-slim design, so there’s something for everyone.

GHD’s stylers are mostly rounded barrels for the most part. Their high-end platinum+ styler has a special wishbone hinge design, which makes the entire straightener one continuous unit.

In terms of aesthetics, GHD is the winner for their classy build and feel. But that’s form over function, especially when it comes to…

Heat Settings

Here’s where there’s a stark difference between BaByliss and GHD. Most BaByliss flat irons have adjustable heat settings, from as low as 240°F all the way up to 450°F.

GHD? They famously have one heat setting on all their stylers.

That’s right, peeps. ONE TEMPERATURE FOR ALL.

The company claims that 365°F is the optimal temperature for heat styling. According to GHD’s former CTO Tim Moore, any higher than that and you’ll burn off the natural oils that protect your hair.

While GHD makes it nearly impossible for you to burn your hair, the fixed temperature setting makes it challenging to achieve super smooth locks without prior chemical treatments or a full blow-out if you have natural, curly, or kinky hair.

(On the flip side, if you have baby fine hair and only need around 325°F to smooth out frizz and flyaways, the heat setting is overkill.)

That makes BaByliss the easy winner in this regard, unless you happen to have hair that straightens and styles well at 365°F.

BaByliss also has a model with digital temperature controls and display if you prefer that over a manual dial.

Size

Size matters, baby.

Standard 1″-wide plates are the most versatile, and both BaByliss and GHD make a few different models with 1″ plates.

BaByliss’ Nano Titanium Ultra-Thin 1″ and GHD’s Platinum+ Styler are their most popular 1″ irons.

But if you’ve got a long mane? A wider plate (1 ½” – 2″) will cut down on your straightening time.

BaByliss has options from 1 ¼” wide all the way up to 2″. GHD makes a super wide 2″ Max Styler.

Both also have ½” mini flat irons, but the general consensus is they don’t work as well as the standard sizes.

If you’re looking for longer plates, BaByliss’ Ultra-Thin flat iron has extended 5″ plates.

Warranty

Don’t you hate it when you purchase a shiny new flat iron only for it to die within a couple months?

Good thing BaByliss and GHD offer warranties on their styling tools. When you invest a good chunk of change into a premium hair appliance, you definitely want peace of mind that you’ll be covered if you get a lemon.

GHD has a 2-year warranty on their flat irons with the exception of the platinum+ styler, which comes with a 3-year warranty.

BaByliss wins with a limited 4-year warranty on their products, though some users have encountered less-than-stellar service when contacting the company.

Price Point

Let’s face it, you’re going to drop some dough on either brand if you want a BaByliss or GHD flat iron.

BaByliss straighteners generally cost between $100-$150 for their full-size models (their mini and ceramic-plated straighteners are less expensive).

GHD flat irons range from about $180-$280 on average, so they’re definitely more expensive than BaByliss.

Neither is cheap, but dollar for dollar, BaByliss is the better value.

Not just because it’s more affordable, but because their flat irons are more versatile and can tackle natural and curly manes with ease and efficiency.

BaByliss vs. GHD Hair Straightener – Head to Head

BaByliss Ultra-Thin Nano Titanium Flat Iron

The BaByliss Ultra-Thin Nano Titanium Flat Iron is a top-quality salon straightener that can handle even the most stubborn hair.

It heads up in 30-seconds or less and has 50 heat settings from 240°F to 450°F.

I like the extra-long 5” plates because you can get through larger sections at a time, cutting down your styling time.

It has a nice smooth glide, and you can even get decent results with just one pass if you’re really strapped for time.

Available in 1”, 1 ½”, and 2” widths, it’s versatile for various creating all sorts of styles, whether you’re straightening, curling, or touching up your bangs.

Verdict: The BaByliss Ultra-Thin Nano Titanium Flat Iron is highly rated and popular due to its exceptional performance, durability, and versatility. It’s a favorite tool across professional beauticians and home-stylists alike.

GHD Platinum+ Styler

The GHD Platinum+ Styler is a thing of beauty with it’s wishbone hinge and elegant lines.

If you don’t want to worry about figuring out what temperature is best for your hair, GHD takes the guesswork out since it only has one heat setting (365°F).

It heats up in just a few seconds and effortlessly glides through your hair for a smooth, frizz-free finish.

All in one pass too if you’re using 1″ sections of hair at a time.

Though the plates are exceptionally smooth and aligned, if you pause at all while passing hair through, you can leave dents in your hair.

Verdict: The GHD Platinum+ Styler impresses with its quick heat-up time, advanced technology, and consistent temperature maintenance. However, its single heat setting and premium price tag may not work for everyone.

GHD vs. BaByliss: Which Brand Should You Choose?

BaByliss flat irons work well on nearly all hair types – including thick, coarse, and curly hair. Most of their flat irons have adjustable heat settings, which is key.

Their titanium plates are highly efficient and durable, and they just get the job done without a lot of fuss.

Overall, you’ll get better value with BaByliss over GHD in my opinion.

However, if you don’t like fiddling with temperature controls and have fine to medium hair, GHD does a good job of smoothing out frizz and making locks shinier, often in only one pass.

(Remember to always use heat protectant no matter which flat iron you use!)

Other Favorite BaByliss and GHD Flat Irons

BaByliss

BaBylissPRO BABNT2095T Nano Titanium Digital Straightener

BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Prima Flat Iron

BaBylissPRO Porcelain Ceramic Flat Iron

GHD

GHD Original Styler

GHD Gold Styler

GHD 2″ Max Styler

Final Thoughts

BaByliss is my brand of choice when it comes to flat irons because they straighten well, are lightweight and easy to use, and allow you to adjust the heat.

For these reasons, I’d recommend BaByliss over GHD in a heartbeat – not because GHD flat irons aren’t good, but in comparison, BaByliss is more versatile and provides better overall value.