This is the one real difference between the two brands, and it runs through every model. ghd fixes the styling temperature at 185°C and offers no control at all. Cloud Nine gives you variable temperature, from around 100°C for fine or bleached hair up to 200°C on the wide iron.
Which is right depends on whether you want the decision made for you. ghd's argument is that 185°C is the correct temperature and a dial only lets people damage their hair. Cloud Nine's is that fine, coloured or fragile hair should be styled cooler, and thick coarse hair hotter.
The two ranges at a glance
| Plate | Temperature | Warranty | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ghd | ||||
| Mini | 15mm | 185°C fixed | 2 years | $300–350 |
| Gold | 26mm | 185°C fixed | 2 years | $250–300 |
| Platinum+ | 26mm | 185°C fixed | 3 years | $300–350 |
| Chronos | 26mm | 185°C fixed | 3 years | $300–350 |
| Chronos Max | 43mm | 185°C fixed | 2 years | $300–350 |
| Max Wide | 42mm | 185°C fixed | 2 years | $350–400 |
| Cloud Nine | ||||
| The Slim Iron | Slim | Variable | 3 years | $250–300 |
| The Touch Iron | Standard | 165–195°C | 3 years | $250–300 |
| The Original Iron | Standard | Variable | 3 years | $300–350 |
| The Wide Iron | Wide | 100–200°C | 3 years | $300–350 |
| The Cordless Iron | Standard | Variable | 3 years | $300–350 |
Figures are from each brand's Australian product pages, checked on 21 September 2026. ghd was running a sale at the time, so its prices are sale prices rather than list prices.
ghd Chronos
ghd's current flagship: 26mm plates, 185°C held by motion-responsive heat control, three-year warranty. It curls as well as straightens.
There is no temperature control, on this or any other ghd.
What We Like:
- Heat control that tracks your styling speed
- Straightens and curls
- Three-year warranty
What We Don't Like:
- No temperature choice at all
Cloud Nine The Original Iron
Cloud Nine's standard iron with variable temperature settings and mineral-infused plates, covered for three years.
Cloud Nine has nothing like ghd's retail presence in Australia, so there is less chance of finding one discounted and fewer places to handle one before buying.
What We Like:
- Set your own temperature
- Three-year warranty across the range
- Cordless version available
What We Don't Like:
- Harder to find in a shop
What actually differs
Temperature. ghd: 185°C, always. Cloud Nine: a dial. For bleached, fine or heat-damaged hair the ability to work at 140 or 160°C is a genuine advantage. For someone who would just turn it to maximum, it is a way to cause damage.
Warranty across the range. Cloud Nine covers every iron for three years. ghd runs two or three depending on the model, with the wide-plate and entry stylers at two.
Cordless. Cloud Nine sells one. ghd does not.
Availability. ghd is in department stores, pharmacy chains and salons across the country. Cloud Nine sells mainly online here, which affects both the chance of a sale price and the ease of a warranty claim.
Plate width choices. ghd covers 15mm to 43mm, including a mini for fringes and two wide-plate models. Cloud Nine's spread is narrower.
Which brand suits which head
ghd suits someone who wants the temperature decided for them, wants a specific plate width, or wants to buy from a shop they can walk into.
Cloud Nine suits fine, bleached or fragile hair that should not be styled at 185°C, anyone who wants a cordless iron, and buyers who value three years across the whole range.
FAQs
Is 185°C too hot for fine hair?
It is the temperature ghd argues is correct for all hair types, and plenty of fine-haired owners use one without trouble. Colourists more often recommend styling bleached hair cooler, which is the case for a variable iron.
Do mineral-infused plates matter?
Cloud Nine's plates are coated rather than bare ceramic, which affects glide. It is not the reason to choose the brand; the temperature control is.
Which is better value?
They are close on price at the same plate width. Cloud Nine's three-year warranty applies across the range, where ghd's three years is limited to the Platinum+ and Chronos.
