The difference is plate width and what that rules out. Chronos takes a 26mm plate and curls as well as straightens. Chronos Max takes 43mm, covers far more hair per pass, and is too wide to wrap a curl around.
On long or thick hair the Max halves the number of passes, and that is what it is for. On a bob it is unwieldy and the narrower styler is better.
ghd Chronos
26mm plates, 185°C, HD motion-responsive heat control, three-year warranty. The rounded barrel means it curls, so it is the one styler that covers both jobs.
On hair past the shoulder blades it takes noticeably longer than the wide-plate version.
What We Like:
- Straightens and curls
- Three-year warranty
- Fits close to the roots
What We Don't Like:
- Slow on long thick hair
ghd Chronos Max
43mm plates with the same 185°C and the same motion-responsive heat control. Two-year warranty.
The width is the point and also the limitation: it will not curl, and it is awkward on a fringe or close to the scalp.
What We Like:
- 43mm covers far more per pass
- Same heat control as the standard Chronos
What We Don't Like:
- Too wide to curl, two-year warranty
Side by side
| ghd Chronos | ghd Chronos Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $300–350 | $300–350 |
| Plate width | 26mm | 43mm |
| Styling temperature | 185°C | 185°C |
| Heat control | HD motion-responsive | HD motion-responsive |
| Curls as well as straightens | Yes | No |
| Warranty | 3 years | 2 years |
Figures are from ghd's Australian product pages, checked on 21 September 2026 while ghd was running a sale, so the prices shown are sale prices rather than list prices.
What actually differs
Passes per head. A 43mm plate takes roughly two-thirds more hair per pass than a 26mm one. On hair past the shoulders that is the difference between twenty minutes and twelve.
Curling. Only the narrower styler does it. If the plan is one tool for straight and wavy, the Max is out.
Close work. A wide plate cannot get near the roots on a short layer or a fringe without catching the scalp.
Warranty. Three years on the standard Chronos and two on the Max, which is the opposite of what the price suggests.
Who each one suits
ghd Chronos suits shoulder-length or shorter hair, anyone who also wants curls, and anyone weighing the warranty.
ghd Chronos Max suits long, thick hair straightened often, where passes are the thing worth cutting.
FAQs
Is there a wide-plate ghd other than the Chronos Max?
Yes, the ghd Max at 42mm, which uses the earlier heat control and lists at around $399.
Does a wider plate damage hair more?
No. The temperature is the same 185°C; the plate simply contacts more hair at once, so fewer passes are needed, which if anything is gentler.
Can the Max be used on a bob?
It will work, but it is hard to keep flat near the roots and awkward at the ends. The narrower styler suits short hair.
