ghd Platinum+ Styler Flat Iron Hair Straightener, White

Why it's worth it

The Platinum+ is a 1-inch ceramic iron that runs at a fixed 365°F and adjusts itself as you move. You can't turn it up, which is exactly why it works. For most people, it removes the single biggest cause of heat damage: guessing.

It holds one temperature, and that's the entire idea. The Platinum+ is preset at 365°F, and ghd's ultra-zone system monitors the plates and adapts to your hair and how fast you're moving. There's no dial to nudge upward on a morning when your hair won't cooperate. ghd claims up to twice the color protection compared with hotter stylers, and reviewers who straighten colored or fine hair consistently rank it first for that reason.

The rounded barrel means you're buying two tools. Clamp and pull for straight hair. Or wrap a section around the outside of the barrel and you get a loose wave or a soft curl instead. Plenty of flat irons have squared edges that make this awkward. This one doesn't, so if your usual routine is straight roots and bent ends, you won't need a second appliance sitting on the counter.

From our review of 5 hair straighteners and flat irons, by Sarah Wright, Editorial Associate

What we like

• +It holds one temperature, and that's the entire idea
• +The rounded barrel means you're buying two tools
• +The plates float, so it doesn't fight you
• +The small stuff is sorted

What to know

• –You can't change the temperature, at all
• –One inch is narrow for a lot of hair
• –It's a serious purchase for occasional use