Dyson Corrale Vs. GHD Platinum+: Which One Is Better?

I have spent years navigating the world of high-tech beauty tools, and if there is one rivalry that defines the hair industry, it is Dyson versus GHD. For a long time, GHD (Good Hair Day) was the undisputed queen of straightening. Then Dyson entered the chat with the Corrale, a cordless, heavy-duty disruptor promising to end heat damage with “flexing plates.”

I have used GHD irons since my high school days and switched to the Dyson Corrale when it launched to see if the hype—and the hefty price tag—was justified. After testing both extensively on my own hair (which has seen its fair share of heat styling), I am ready to break down exactly which one deserves a spot on your vanity.

A Brief Comparison Table

My Experience With Dyson Corrale

The first thing you notice when you pick up the Dyson Corrale is the weight. It is substantial.

Unlike the featherlight tools I was used to, the Corrale feels like a piece of serious machinery.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; it feels expensive and durable, but it requires a bit of an adjustment period for your wrist.

The “flexing plates” are the real game-changer here.

When I clamped down on a section of hair, I could actually feel the plates moulding slightly to gather the strands.

Instead of the hair splaying out at the edges (a common annoyance with traditional irons), the Corrale held everything in a neat bundle.²

Using it cordlessly is undeniably liberating.

I could style my hair in the back of a taxi, or just walk around my bedroom without getting tangles in a wire. The finish it gave me was interesting—it wasn’t just straight; it felt “pressed.” The tension the plates provide means you often only need one pass to get a smooth result, even on stubborn wavy sections.

However, the battery anxiety is real. I have thick hair, and on the highest heat setting, I found myself watching the battery indicator nervously as it dropped. I usually got about 30 minutes of styling time, which is just enough for me, but it meant I had to remember to charge it every single time. If you forget to dock it, you are out of luck until it gets a bit of charge back, even if you plug in the magnetic cord.

Also read: My Thoughts on Just Nutritive Shampoo For Gray Hair

Pros Of Dyson Corrale

• Cordless freedom changes your routine: The ability to style without a cord cannot be overstated. It allows you to use the straightener in places you never could before—gym locker rooms, cars, or just standing in front of a mirror that isn’t near an outlet. This portability makes it the ultimate travel companion. The “Flight-ready” tag allows you to disconnect the battery safely for air travel, meaning you don’t have to sacrifice good hair days when you are on vacation.
• Flexing plates reduce heat damage:⁶ The manganese copper plates are an engineering marvel. By flexing around the hair section, they apply even tension across every strand.⁷ This means the hair at the edge of the plate gets the same treatment as the hair in the middle. Consequently, you don’t have to clamp down as hard or pass over the same section multiple times to get it straight. Fewer passes equal less heat exposure, which over time preserves the integrity of your hair cortex.⁸
• Adjustable heat settings for versatility: Unlike the GHD, the Corrale gives you a choice: 165°C, 185°C, and 210°C.⁹ This is crucial if you have very fine, fragile hair that doesn’t need 185°C, or conversely, if you have coarse, Type 4 hair that requires that extra boost of 210°C to smooth out texture effectively. This customisability makes it a more inclusive tool for a wider range of hair types.
• Intelligent heat control: Dyson’s sensor system regulates the temperature of the plates 100 times a second.¹⁰ This ensures that the temperature you set is exactly what you get, with no dangerous spikes that could singe your hair. The OLED screen clearly displays the current temperature and battery level, giving you complete transparency and control over the styling process.¹¹

Cons Of Dyson Corrale

• The weight can be fatiguing: At over half a kilogram (561g), the Corrale is nearly double the weight of the GHD Platinum+.¹² If you have a lot of hair or intricate styling needs that take 40+ minutes, your arm will get tired. It lacks the ergonomic ease of lighter tools, making it less ideal for professional stylists who are working on clients all day or users with dexterity issues.
• Battery life is limited: The 30-minute cordless runtime is a strict limit. If you have very long or thick hair, you might not finish your whole head on a single charge. While you can use it with the cord attached (Hybrid mode), the battery must have some charge to operate. If you drain it to 0%, you have to wait for it to charge slightly before you can use it again, even when plugged in. This interruption can be frustrating when you are in a rush.
• Exorbitant price tag: The Dyson Corrale is significantly more expensive than the GHD Platinum+.¹³ You are paying a premium for the battery technology and the flexing plates. For many users, the difference in the final result (straight hair) isn’t vast enough to justify paying nearly double the price of a market-leading competitor like GHD.
• Bulky design: The device itself is physically larger and thicker than the sleek GHD.¹⁴ This makes it slightly harder to get right into the roots for volume or to style short bangs (fringes) precisely. The thickness of the barrel can also make creating tight curls a bit more challenging compared to the slimmer profile of the GHD.

Maintenance Tips For Dyson Corrale

• Clean the copper plates regularly: The flexing plates have tiny grooves that can trap hair oils and styling products. If you don’t clean them, they can become sticky and pull on your hair. I recommend wiping them down with a damp, lint-free cloth when the device is cool. Avoid abrasive scrubbers that could damage the copper alloy.
• Battery health management: To prolong the life of the lithium-ion battery, try to keep the device on the charging dock when not in use. However, if you are storing it for a long period, don’t leave it completely empty or fully charged (aim for 50%). Also, engage the flight-ready tag when not using it for extended periods to completely disconnect the battery and prevent slow drainage.
• Charging dock care: The charging dock relies on contact pins. Keep these clean and free of dust. If the straightener isn’t charging, check that the pins on the dock and the contact points on the straightener are aligned and clean. A quick wipe with a dry cloth usually solves any connection issues.

My Experience With GHD Platinum+

Going back to the GHD Platinum+ after using the Dyson felt like switching from a heavy SUV to a nimble sports car.

It is incredibly light. I found myself moving much faster because the tool was so easy to manoeuvre around my head.

The “wishbone” hinge that GHD uses is fantastic; it keeps the plates perfectly aligned without me having to squeeze hard.

The standout feature for me with the GHD is the “glide.” The plates are coated in a high-gloss finish that allows hair to slip through effortlessly.³ There is zero dragging.

The GHD Platinum+ operates at a single temperature of 185°C.⁴ GHD claims this is the optimum temperature for hair health, and honestly, for my hair type, they seem to be right.⁵ It straightened my hair quickly and left it looking incredibly shiny—perhaps even shinier than the Dyson. However, because the plates are solid ceramic and don’t “flex,” I did find that I sometimes had to do a second pass on the ends to get them perfectly sealed. But the speed of the device makes up for it; it heats up in seconds with a cheerful beep, and because it is corded, I never had to worry about it dying halfway through a styling session. It felt like a reliable, no-fuss workhorse.

Pros Of GHD Platinum+

• Predictive technology for consistent results: The “Ultra-zone” technology monitors heat 250 times per second across the plates.¹⁵ It recognises the thickness of your hair and the speed at which you are styling, adjusting the power to maintain the optimum temperature of 185°C.¹⁶ This ensures that you get consistent results from root to tip without having to fiddle with settings. It takes the guesswork out of styling.
• Incredibly lightweight and ergonomic: Weighing around 300g, the GHD Platinum+ is a joy to hold. It feels balanced and agile. The wishbone hinge aligns the plates perfectly, so you don’t have to apply heavy pressure. This reduces hand strain and makes it easy to rotate the tool for curls and waves. It is nimble enough to style short hair, fringes, and difficult-to-reach areas at the back of the head.
• Superior glide and shine: The coating on the GHD plates is exceptional. It offers a “glass-like” slip that allows hair to pass through with zero friction. This results in a high-gloss finish that looks professionally done. If you want that liquid-hair look, the GHD Platinum+ delivers it effortlessly.¹⁷
• Always ready (Corded reliability): Because it is corded, it is always ready to go. You never have to worry about charging it. It heats up in about 20 seconds—faster than the Corrale.¹⁸ The cord is a professional length (2.7m) and swivels 360 degrees, so it rarely gets in the way. For daily reliability, the cord is actually a feature, not a bug.

Read more: My Thoughts on Meidu Hair Dye Shampoo

Cons Of GHD Platinum+

• Fixed temperature setting: The GHD is locked at 185°C.¹⁹ While this is safe for most, it is not ideal for everyone. If you have extremely fine or bleached hair, you might prefer a lower setting like 150°C-165°C. If you have very resistant, coarse hair, 185°C might take a few extra passes to get perfectly sleek. The lack of flexibility is its biggest downside compared to the Dyson.
• Tethered to the wall: You lose the freedom of movement. You are stuck within 2.7 meters of a power outlet. If your mirror is far from a plug, or if you are travelling to places with inconvenient socket locations, this can be annoying. The cord can also get in the way when you are trying to do complex curling manoeuvres around the back of your head.
• Can flatten volume: Because the plates are flat and the tool is designed for sleekness, it can sometimes leave hair looking a bit too flat if you aren’t careful with your technique. The Dyson’s flexing plates tend to leave a bit more body in the hair because they don’t squash it as aggressively (despite the GHD’s floating plates).
• Exterior gets hot: After prolonged use (20+ minutes), the outer casing of the GHD Platinum+ can get quite warm to the touch, especially near the tips. This can make it uncomfortable to hold the tip of the iron for leverage when curling, whereas the Dyson’s tips tend to stay cooler.

Maintenance Tips For GHD Platinum+

• Wipe the plates after every use: Product buildup on the high-gloss plates can ruin the “glide” factor.²⁰ Once the iron has cooled down, wipe the plates with a soft, slightly damp cloth. This ensures that the predictive sensors can read your hair accurately and prevents dragging.
• Cord care is essential: The most common point of failure for GHDs is the cord. Do not wrap the cord tightly around the body of the straightener when storing it. This puts strain on the internal wiring and the swivel mechanism. Instead, loop the cord loosely in a figure-eight or a circle next to the device.
• Clean the body: The white version of the Platinum+ can sometimes pick up stains from hair dye or makeup. Wipe the exterior body with a damp cloth to keep it looking pristine. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners that could strip the soft-touch coating.

Comparison with other options

• Dyson Corrale vs. GHD Unplugged: If you are looking specifically for cordless, these are the two rivals. The GHD Unplugged is tiny, truly travel-sized, and very light.²¹ However, it only has a 20-minute battery life and takes a long time to charge. It is great for touch-ups but terrible for styling a full head of hair. The Dyson Corrale is a full-performance straightener that happens to be cordless; the GHD Unplugged is a miniature straightener designed for handbags.
• Dyson Corrale vs. GHD Gold: The GHD Gold is the step down from the Platinum+. It uses dual-zone technology (two sensors instead of infinity sensors). It is significantly cheaper than both the Platinum+ and the Corrale. If you have easy-to-style hair and don’t need the absolute best tech, the GHD Gold is the “best value” option. But the Corrale and Platinum+ are noticeably superior in terms of protecting hair health.
• Dyson Corrale vs. GlamPalm: GlamPalm is a Korean brand often compared to GHD. They offer adjustable temperature settings (unlike GHD) and have a similar “healing stone” coating on their plates. They are a strong middle ground—lighter than Dyson, more adjustable than GHD. However, they lack the flexing plate technology and the cordless convenience of the Corrale.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

Choosing between the Dyson Corrale and the GHD Platinum+ is a choice between innovation and perfection.

I would recommend the Dyson Corrale to you if you are a frequent traveller, a gadget lover, or someone with hair that is notoriously difficult to smooth. The flexing plates provide a grip and tension that is genuinely unique, taming frizz and flyaways better than any other tool I have used. The ability to lower the heat to 165°C is a safety net for fine hair, and the cordless feature is a luxury that, once experienced, is hard to give up.

I would recommend the GHD Platinum+ to you if you want a reliable, lightweight, and effortless daily styler. It is the sensible choice. It is lighter on the wrist, faster to heat up, and guarantees a “good hair day” with zero fuss. The shine it produces is spectacular, and the price point, while high, feels justified for the quality you get. If you don’t need cordless, this is likely the better straightener for your actual daily routine.