Skilled’s Ranking
Execs
- Measurement makes it excellent for travelling
- Highly effective
- Enticing design and journey case
- USB charging
Cons
- Battery life will solely offer you one styling session
- Small plate floor space for styling
- Hairs can get snagged on the fringe of the plate
Our Verdict
The Unplugged is properly made and intensely efficient, notably given its mild weight and compact type. And though it’s not low cost, it’s competitively priced – particularly if you will discover a superb deal. It undoubtedly deserves a spot in your journey bag.
Finest Costs At this time: GHD Unplugged
$299.00
Free
Manufacturers have packed hair straighteners with tons of recent options to entice us to purchase, from versatile plates to ionic jets to steam vents. However the characteristic that’s most probably to make an actual distinction to you is cordless use.
Cordless straighteners are useful when you’re going out after work, going away for the weekend, or heading off on vacation. And when you get one which’s highly effective sufficient, it’s nice to make use of at residence, as you don’t have to remain by a plug level or get twisted up in a twine.
We’ve already reviewed two cordless straighteners: the Dyson Corrale and the Revamp Liberate. The Corrale is efficient, fantastically made and can be utilized plugged in as properly, however it’s cumbersome and heavy. The Liberate is mild and pocket-sized – however a lot much less highly effective.
So can the Unplugged, GHD’s first on-the-go straightener, carry the very best of each worlds? We discover out.
GHD Unplugged design and options
- Weighs a light-weight 304g
- USB charging
- Comes with a heatproof journey case
The Unplugged is an ergonomically formed hair straightener that’s nice to carry within the hand. It’s engaging, with prime quality touches like chrome accents and understated white LED shows.
There are two color choices: you possibly can go for a mannequin with both a matt black or matt white exterior. The internal sides of the tongs are black on each fashions and the chunkier deal with tapers right down to quick, ceramic-coated plates.
The dimensions of the plates does imply you gained’t get as a lot protection per move as on a full-size straightener however that’s a compromise you’d count on from a travel-ready machine.
It’s 22cm lengthy and 4.5cm at its widest level and, at 304g, it’s mild. It’s a bit of bigger and heavier than the Revamp Liberate however simply over half the load of the Corrale (568g).
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Within the field, you’ll get the straightener, a brief USB-C cable and plug adapter, and a properly made zip-up journey case in white faux-leather. The case is heatproof – you possibly can stow the straightener in it even when it’s nonetheless heat. There’s even a separate compartment for the cable. And that’s all you’ll want for travelling.
When you’re packing a multi-point journey adapter to cost your cellphone, laptop computer or different tech, you’ll be capable of depart the Unplugged’s devoted plug adaptor at residence and simply carry the journey case and mini cable. The Unplugged may also cost from any USB-C outlet.
This provides it an enormous benefit over many different stylers when you’re making an attempt to pack mild. A plug and full-size cable are inclined to take up a big quantity of house. The Unplugged can also be designed to be flight-friendly and secure to soak up a cabin bag. These options make it the very best styler we’ve examined for travelling.
GHD Unplugged efficiency
- One styling temperature: 185°C (365°F)
- 20 minutes of styling time
- Prices in two hours
The Unplugged is a pared-down machine. There’s a single temperature setting and no extra options. However when the straightener works in addition to this one, that’s all you want.
It’s easy to make use of and fast to warmth up. As soon as the straightener is charged, you simply change it on to make use of it. It’ll chime and a white mild ring across the change will start to pulse to let you recognize it’s heating up.
It takes about 40 seconds to be prepared to be used. When it’s, it chimes once more and the sunshine ring will cease pulsing and glow. It heats to 185°C (365°F), which is the temperature GHD considers to be optimum for styling hair. You probably have delicate or very thick hair, you may want a journey straightener with extra temperature choices.
GHD says it gives you (a most of) 20 minutes of styling time. Basically, a full cost gives you both one correct straightening session or a couple of alternatives to shortly easy and tidy your hair. You possibly can see the remaining battery life in a white, five-bar LED show.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Its acknowledged charging time is beneath two hours. Whereas I used to be testing it, it charged in much less time, however I don’t assume I ran down the battery utterly.
However in the long run, the best way it prices and its equipment gained’t rely for a lot if it doesn’t have ample straightening energy. Luckily, the Unplugged’s efficiency is nearly as good as its design. We discovered it to be simply as efficient as a corded GHD straightener. It’s kind of one-pass styling, which is phenomenal in a tool as small and light-weight as this.
We solely had one challenge with it throughout testing. On one event, a hair snagged between the plate and outer casing. It solely occurred as soon as, and maybe that was unfortunate, however the truth that it occurred in any respect exhibits a little bit of a design flaw in what would in any other case be a flawless product.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
There’s a pleasant security characteristic for forgetful customers. When you depart the straightener switched on however unused for 3 minutes, it’ll robotically flip itself off.
And there are additional security failsafes. When you overuse it in a steady loop of utilizing, then charging and utilizing it once more, its Shield Mode will warn you with a flashing mild and a beep. Within the occasion of a malfunction, the heater will change off and a purple mild will flash.
We’d wish to see each machine that heats up with equally sturdy security options.
Value and availability
The GHD Unplugged is priced at $299/ £299 however on the time of writing, you may get it at a reduction whether or not you’re within the US or the UK.
Within the US, the very best worth we noticed is on the Walmart web site, the place it’s going for $237.69. Within the UK, the GHD web site is at present promoting it for £254 however the lowest worth we’ve discovered is on Amazon, the place it’s on sale for £238.99.
Verdict
The Unplugged is engaging, simple to make use of and efficient, with USB charging and a light-weight, moveable type. Better of all, there’s nearly no compromise between styling efficiency and journey comfort. We’d advocate it.
To see extra hair styling choices, try our round-ups of the very best hair straighteners and the very best hair dryers we’ve examined.