ghd Speed Hairdryer Review: A Game-Changer for Time-Pressed Styling
For anyone who finds the ritual of blow-drying their hair a tedious chore, the latest launch from ghd promises a revolutionary solution. The ghd Speed hairdryer has been generating significant buzz in the beauty world, with claims of ultra-fast, heat-damage-free performance. As someone who typically lacks the patience for lengthy styling sessions, I put this new tool to the test to see if it truly delivers on its ambitious promises.
Innovative Technology and Design Features
Priced at £299, the ghd Speed hairdryer incorporates advanced dual-airflow technology, which simultaneously produces hot and cold air streams. This innovative approach aims to accelerate drying while protecting hair from excessive heat damage. The device offers four distinct heat settings and four speed options, providing ample customisation for different hair types and styling preferences.
A particularly clever feature is the lock button mechanism that prevents accidental power-off when handling the dryer. The rear of the device features a circular LED display that clearly indicates your selected settings, making operation intuitive and straightforward.
Practical Attachments and User Experience
What sets this hairdryer apart from competitors is its magnetic attachment system. Unlike traditional dryers where attachments can be fiddly to secure, the ghd Speed comes with five magnetic accessories that snap effortlessly into place. These include a standard styling nozzle, wide nozzle, curl diffuser, high-strength comb, and professional concentrator nozzle.
The design is notably slimmer than ghd's popular Helios model, and remains cool to touch even during extended use. Another intelligent feature is the memory function, which recalls your last used settings for convenience during subsequent styling sessions.
Performance Testing and Results
As someone with fine, straight hair that typically requires about twenty minutes to blow-dry completely, the ghd Speed delivered remarkable results. Switching from my usual Dyson Airwrap with its drying attachment, I achieved fully dried hair in just eight minutes – a sixty percent reduction in styling time.
The device proved particularly effective at preventing scalp overheating, a common issue with powerful hairdryers. The smoothing attachment worked exceptionally well for my hair type, creating a sleek finish without excessive effort. While the dryer isn't feather-light, its efficiency meant my arms didn't experience the usual fatigue associated with longer styling sessions.
Operation and Practical Considerations
Navigating the controls is refreshingly simple. Separate buttons for power, speed adjustment, and heat control make operation intuitive, while a dedicated snowflake button delivers a burst of cool air to set styles. The LED display changes colour from orange to blue when activating the cold shot function, providing clear visual feedback.
Although slightly louder than some premium competitors, the noise level is a reasonable trade-off for the dramatically reduced drying time. At £299, this represents a significant investment, but compares favourably to alternatives like the Dyson Airwrap at £479.99. Given ghd's reputation for durable products that stand the test of time, this represents solid long-term value for regular users.
Final Verdict and Recommendation
The ghd Speed hairdryer genuinely lives up to its performance claims, offering professional-quality results with substantially reduced effort and time commitment. For individuals with busy schedules who prioritise efficiency in their beauty routines, this tool represents a worthwhile investment that delivers tangible benefits from the first use.
Whether you're seeking to minimise heat damage, reduce styling time, or simply upgrade your haircare arsenal, the ghd Speed provides a compelling combination of innovative technology and practical design that makes achieving salon-quality results at home more accessible than ever before.
