Anytime we hear whispers of a new ghd launch, we are all ears. The brand’s products always perform well with our panel in testing, as well as anyone remotely interested in endless good hair days (who isn't?). The brand claims the Speed Ionic is its fastest and safest hairdryer yet, so we were dying to get our hands on it.
But what makes it so special, you may be asking. As well as speed – more on that below – it features innovative air technology, which cuts out any heat damage. But does it deliver? Read on for the finer details, as well as our verdict.
ghd Speed Ionic Hairdryer at a glance:
- Ionic technology works to reduce frizz and minimise damage
- Four heat settings, plus a cool shot
- Four speed settings
- 5 different attachments available to buy separately
What makes the Speed Ionic Hair Dryer different to other hairdryers?
With the Speed Ionic Hair Dryer, quicker doesn’t mean hotter. This speedy styler features ghd’s halo dual-technology airflow – let us explain. The hot airflow is essentially surrounded by a cooler layer of air to reduce the hair temperature by around 20℃ (hence the ‘halo’ in the name). This protects strands from prolonged and intense heat damage, which can cause dryness and brittleness.
Plus, that halo effect means it won’t burn your scalp, so you can get closer to the root for more voluminous styling in less time. Then there are the four heat settings, so you can select your preferred temperature. Most hairdryers only have one temperature and a cold shot setting.
The Speed also has four speed settings to choose from, so you can completely personalise your drying experience to your hair type and needs (slower drying can protect the hair’s natural hydration levels and enhance shine, but it’s good to have the option to increase the speed on those slept-through-my-alarm days).
Once you’ve found your favourite setting, you can lock it in with the switch on the back of the handle, which automatically applies your preferred choice when you switch the hairdryer on.
The panel verdict
We had to test the Speed hairdryer with our discerning panel of readers. We particularly wanted to get their feedback on drying time (is it as fast as the brand claims?) and general performance – did it leave hair smooth and shiny? Well, the results are in and the claims checked out. Most people agreed that the hairdryer is very powerful and fast. “It dried my hair really quickly, leaving it without frizz and styled how I wanted it,” said one panel member.
Others praised how aesthetically pleasing it is and how sleek it looks on counter tops. Obviously, not essential, but we like our tech to look good, too. The tool itself wasn’t the only thing that looked polished either – when we compared our sample tresses before and after styling, using our specialist lab equipment, it left hair smooth and frizz-free.
The only real drawback was that some people thought it was slightly bulky and heavy, but this shouldn’t be too much of an issue thanks to the extremely speedy drying time. It’s easy and intuitive to use too, with testers saying they didn’t need the instructions.
Our editor's verdict
By Maddie Evans, GH Lifestyle Writer
“I’ve only ever used ghd straighteners and I’m a big fan of the Chronos Max wide-plate hair straighteners. I’ve never been massively fussed about what brand or model I use to dry my hair, though. However, the Speed has made me sit up and take notice, and it’s also made hair wash night much less of a palaver.
I love that you can change the different heat settings, and I like the whole concept of the halo airflow. It doesn’t burn my scalp, as it simply doesn’t get that hot, which reassures me that it’s doing minimal damage to my hair.
And it’s easy to use. The interface that displays the light and speed settings changes colour when you make tweaks – I usually opt for the second lowest heat setting with the highest speed, and my hair will be dry within 10 minutes, if that. My hair is shorter than it used to be, but I can only imagine how much more revolutionary it would be for anyone with long, thick, curly hair.”
The final word
The Speed Ionic Hair Dryer does come at a cost – £300 to be exact – but it’s worth it for the innovative tech, which means you not only save time, but you minimise damage, too. And it should last you for years – there’s a two-year warranty for extra peace of mind.
Plus, there’s the option to purchase further styling heads to suit your hair type, including a diffuser or a comb. Expect good hair days ahead...
