GHD Unplugged review: is the new portable styler worth the spend?
LOVE your GHD hair straighteners? We know we do.
But, sadly, our hair doesn't always play ball for the whole day even if we have styled our tresses with these cult hair tamers - this is where the new GHD Unplugged hair styler comes in.
Tested on: 23 July 2021
- GHD Unplugged Cordless Styler, £299 at Cult Beauty -
The brand new on-the-go styler (GHD's first device of this kind) is set to make good hair days last that little bit longer, thanks to its small, portable size and GHD gold standard straightening power. We put it to the test.
Pros
- Small and compact
- Easy to charge (USB-C, you can even do it from your laptop!)
- Handbag friendly with nice carry pouch
- Easier to carry than wired options
- Perfect for touch-ups on long days out
Cons
- Charge only lasts 20 minutes - so extra thick or long hair could be a rush
- Short charge also means that starting hair-smoothing from scratch could be a task
- Pricey compared to other wired GHD stylers
GHD Unplugged: quick summary
- GHD Unplugged Cordless Styler, £299 at Cult Beauty -
Unboxing the GHD Unplugged, the first thing to notice is just how lightweight and small the styler is - but it still looks and feels expensive, like the wired GHD stylers in the range.
It doesn't look or feel a chore to put into the (included) carry case and pop in our handbag - with the carry case only being a similar size to a pencil case or small make-up bag.
Like all GHD tools, the GHD Unplugged delivers a consistent, even 185 degrees heat - the brand says that this is the optimal styling temperature for all hair types.
Like its wired siblings, the Unplugged also has dual-zone technology that helps to monitor heat and the slick, shiny plates won't snag on your hair when styling.
Safety-wise, there's a handy slide switch which helps to avoid any accidental turn ons, a heat resistant carry case and a sleep mode which kicks in after three minutes, in case you're not using the styler but forget to turn it off.
GHD Unplugged: full review
- GHD Unplugged Cordless Styler, £299 at Cult Beauty -
GHD has been wowing us with some of the most popular hair tools since 2001 - the brand is known for its trusty, fail-safe devices that last for years and are able to smooth even the frizziest of locks.
We've been a longterm fan of their products; over the years our arsenal has included the GHD IV Original Styler, GHD Platinum+ Black Styler, GHD Soft Curl Tong and even the trusty GHD Air Hair Dryer - so the GHD Unplugged seemed like a no-brainer.
It comes in either black or white and the first thing GHD lovers will notice about the Unplugged is the size - it's super compact compared to wired versions and weighs a tiny 300g (an impressive 46 per cent lighter than any competitors on the market, according to GHD).
It has a familiar USB-C charger, great for powering up on-the-go and via devices including laptops (a great plus for busy office workers who may need a quick spruce between meetings).
- GHD Unplugged Cordless Styler, £299 at Cult Beauty -
When it comes to using the device, it's just as you would expect from a top GHD product - it smooths hair beautifully and gives great shine.
The GHD Unplugged proves the ideal go-to when it came to smoothing out damp day frizz and for a quick post-commute spruce - as well as being the perfect long day out companion, when your hair just won't last the full innings.
It is worth noting, however, that if you've got thick or particularly long hair you are not likely to get a full head's styling out of the Unplugged (unless you're very practised or speedy) as the styler only holds a 20-minute charge. That being said, if your hair has already been styled once, it will certainly revamp your locks as the day goes on, and you could always re-charge throughout the day.
We'd recommend these for those who suffer with dreaded fluffy 'baby hairs' or fringes - it will sort them, no bother. It's also great for refreshing curls and flicks, smoothing kinks and re-adding shine to lived-in styles and for rectifying any 'caught in the rain' moments. They'd be equally great on a night out, or when taking a day look to night.
Overall, this is a great tool to have with you that doesn't require a huge, heavy handbag or toting clunkier, wired stylers with you everywhere. You can surreptitiously style your locks with no fussing or plug hunting.
Whether you're mid-date or pre-meeting this secret weapon is the antidote for anyone who is prone to hair 'mares day-to-day - just make sure you're happy with the 20-minute charge (and the price, of course).
- GHD Unplugged Cordless Styler, £299 at Cult Beauty -
Where can I buy GHD Unplugged straighteners?
These straighteners are brand new - so the price is pretty consistent across all retailers.
Here's where you can find them:
- £299 at Cult Beauty -
- £299 at Look Fantastic -
- £299 at Feel Unique -
- £299 at Harvey Nichols -
- £299 at GHD -
Do GHD Unplugged straighteners turn themselves off?
Yes! Just like the wired stylers, the new GHD Unplugged has a handy auto-shut down feature.
Unlike other GHD straighteners, which auto-shut down after 30 minutes of inactivity, the GHD Unplugged will turn-off after just three minutes - also helping to preserve battery life.
How does the GHD Unplugged compare to the Dyson Corrale?
The GHD Unplugged is likely to draw comparisons to another big brand wireless favourite - the Dyson Corrale.
If you were to compare both stylers, the first thing you would physically notice is the size difference - the award winning Dyson Corrale is far larger and heavier than the GHD Unplugged, weighing in at 560g to the Unplugged's 300g.
Another sizeable difference is the price - the Dyson Corrale comes with the larger price tag of £399 to the GHD Unplugged's £299.
The Dyson Corrale can also be used wired, which is a nice perk compared to the GHD option, but it definitely feels the less portable out of the two stylers - though it does also come with an attractive, protective carry pouch.
The GHD Unplugged will style for 20 minutes on a two hour charge, while the Dyson Corrale states it will style for 30 minutes on a 70 minute charge - though we found it did seem to run down quicker than this, when used on the hotter settings.
The GHD Unplugged charges via a small USB-C cable, while the Dyson Corrale has it's own, quite sizeable charging stand.
Both are fantastic tools - and those with thick or long hair or those who also want a corded option will likely favour the Corrale.
However, for a cheaper price point and super portability, the GHD Unplugged is probably the wisest choice.
- GHD Unplugged Cordless Styler, £299 at Cult Beauty -
- Dyson Corrale Straightener, £399.99, Selfridges -
Can you curl hair with GHD Unplugged straighteners?
It's easy to curl your hair with GHD straighteners. All you have to do is section your hair off, then take one section and turn the style one turn away from your face.
Then, turn the styler down your hair until you get to the end and repeat.
There are lots of tutorials all over YouTube to follow too.
How long does GHD Unplugged last?
The Unplugged straighteners by GHD lasts a full 20 minutes, which is more than enough time to style your hair.
And throughout that time, you're equipped with 185ºC heat.
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