AI hair straightener: Is the new styler from ghd worth the money?
24.9.2026
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Anika Schulz
The Sculpt Styler works with artificial intelligence. I am testing it on the thick, slightly unruly mane of my colleague Debora. Spoiler: Her hair looks great now.
«450 euros for a hair straightener?!» I'm hyperventilating. Let's be honest: the new Sculpt Styler from ghd is expensive. So the question isn't whether the device works, but whether it's enough to justify its price.
In any case, the advertising manufacturer's description is reminiscent of buzzword bingo. «The groundbreaking AI-powered machine learning algorithm, trained on a multitude of different hair types and styles, allows the styler to adjust performance and heat output with the highest precision», writes ghd on a press flyer that was kindly included with my free test product.
What I read into this is: this hair straightener has artificial intelligence. Okay, that explains the price. But I have questions, many questions. And I'm asking them to ghd before the straightener even touches a single hair on my head.
What does the AI do in the hair straightener?
I want to know: how does the temperature and hair detection work? According to the manufacturer, the styler doesn't just measure the plate temperature, but «continuously assesses the needs of the hair». This is made possible by four measuring systems that provide data to a small AI processor in the device: whether there is hair between the plates, how much of it there is, how fast the tool is moving, and at what angle.
Okay, that sounds more like a spaceship than a hair straightener. But fine. So there's a small, fast computer inside.
And what does that look like in practice? The plates are supposed to adjust the heat, but as we know, metal takes a while to cool down. It's hard for me to imagine that I can use the styler on my colleague (very thick hair) and then on myself (lots of fine hair) without it frying my hairstyle.
However, according to ghd, that is exactly what is supposed to work: the hair straightener processes «up to 2,900 measurements per second», so that the heat output is adjusted in real time. A waiting time when switching between different hair types should therefore be unnecessary. The system automatically detects changed conditions and regulates the heat accordingly.
This answer isn't really tangible for me. Nevertheless, I want to believe the manufacturer and imagine scenarios where the styler is shared with other people: in a hair salon, in the family, in shared apartments.
By the way, the temperature measurement isn't entirely new. In other ghd models, such as the Platinum+ Styler or the Chronos, sensors also regulate the heat of the plates. Unlike the AI, however, they measure the temperature on the metal and keep the straightener at a constant 185 degrees Celsius, which is supposed to be very gentle on the hair – just not particularly individual. The Sculpt Styler, on the other hand, measures directly at the hair and adjusts the plate temperature accordingly.
The practical test: smooth and fast
Enough technical talk. I'm testing the device on the aforementioned lion's mane of my colleague Debora. She previously applied a heat protection oil to further protect her blonde-highlighted hair.
I press the on/off button on the straightener and after 20 seconds, a short melody sounds, telling me that the tool is now heated up and ready to go. I find the 2.7-meter-long cable practical: it allows me to work my way around Debora's head without having to do a little dance around the power outlet with my colleague. Furthermore, the hair straightener sits well in the hand and can be closed with gentle pressure, so I don't get a cramped arm.
Although Debora's hair is very thick, long, and (sorry!) slightly stubborn, the styler glides through smoothly. I only have to go over each strand twice at most and it's straight. Really mirror-smooth. No annoying kinks like you might know from cheap straighteners, no frizz, no static crackle. It takes less than fifteen minutes and I'm finished with her entire mane.
Finally, I try out how curls turn out with the styler. To do this, I wrap a strand around the white plastic housing, place the end between the heating plates, press the straightener shut, and pull the hair through. And what can I say? The curl is perfect. «I look like I'm on TV», Debora marvels. «And my hair is so soft.»
I am also impressed. I also have a ghd hair straightener at home and have known the brand for a long time. However, my device is about 12 years old, so it is not technically comparable to the new Sculpt Styler. I paid about 200 euros for it back then and thought that was insanely expensive. Nevertheless, the investment was worth it: the thing still works perfectly to this day!
Sure, 450 euros or 315 Swiss francs is a hell of a lot of money for the new, tested styler. But if you use the tool for over ten years, the pain in your wallet is at least a little bit relative, right? Besides, Christmas is coming soon.
In a nutshell
Beautiful hair? Oh, YES!
The ghd Sculpt Styler is a luxury segment hair straightener. If you are willing to shell out a fair amount of money, you get a device that delivered great results in my test. The AI in the hair straightener is designed to ensure that the plates never get too hot and damage your hair. You should still apply heat protection just to be on the safe side.
Pro
- long cable
- feels good in the hand
- AI-powered temperature control
- fast styling
Contra
- high price (for those who mind)
Header image: Anika Schulz
Anika Schulz
Teamleader Editorial
Anika.Schulz@galaxus.deAs a child, I was socialised with Mario Kart on SNES before ending up in journalism after graduating from high school. As a team leader at Galaxus, I'm responsible for news. I'm also a trekkie and an engineer.
