GHD’s new Chronos Max straightener promises faster styling with wider plates and advanced heat tech for long, thick or hard-to-manage hair
GHD has just released the Chronos Max, a new wide-plate straightener designed to speed up styling, particularly for people with long, thick, or curly hair.
It’s a bigger, more powerful version of the original GHD Chronos, which launched last year, and has gone all-in on efficiency.
It promises 3x faster styling compared to the GHD Platinum+, smoother results in one stroke, and a finish that the brand claims lasts up to 24 hours.
So what’s new, who’s it for, and is it worth the investment?
FURTHER READING: Best GHD straightener UK: Discover which GHD straighteners best suit your hair type and budget
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GHD The biggest change is the plate size.
The Chronos Max features 43mm plates, which are 85% wider than those on the original Chronos (26mm). This increase in surface area means more hair can be straightened in a single pass—ideal for people who usually find themselves going over the same section multiple times.
This isn’t just about size, though.
Like the original Chronos, the Max uses HD motion-responsive technology, which GHD claims is its most advanced heat control system to date. Sensors inside the tool monitor your styling movements 250 times per second and adapt the heat accordingly. The goal is to deliver consistent, even styling with less risk of heat damage—without the need to manually adjust settings.
Despite the wider plates, the Max remains lightweight and easy to manoeuvre, thanks to its curved outer barrel and floating plate design. The result is a tool that works just as well for sleek straight styles as it does for soft waves, although curls may be trickier to achieve given the plate width.
GHD According to the brand, the Chronos Max is “engineered for speed without compromising hair health”. The wider plates are designed to reduce styling time by up to three times, compared to the GHD Platinum+, create a high-gloss, long-lasting finish in just one stroke, minimise frizz and flyaways and create styles that last.
As you can read in our GHD Chronos review, this is largely true. It’s fast, it’s smooth and if you’re used to using a straightener to curl your hair, you’ll get a lot out of this styler. It’s more compact than the Platinum Plus too.
As the Chronos Max runs on the same technology, we’d expect it to follow suit. Other than the compact design.
Of course, these are best-case outcomes and will depend on your hair type, how much heat your hair can tolerate, and how you use the tool but GHD Chronos Max reviews online are largely positive so if you can afford it, then it looks like a good investment.
Read more in our GHD Platinum Plus review and our GHD Chronos vs Platinum Plus guide
GHD The Chronos Max is ideal for people with:
It’s less suited to people with short styles or fine hair, where a smaller plate will give you better control and precision. For that, the original Chronos or GHD Gold may be a better fit.
FURTHER READING: GHD sale: Get the cheapest prices on GHD stylers
At £299, the Chronos Max sits at the top of GHD’s price range. For that price, you’re getting cutting-edge heat control, a wider plate than any other GHD straightener (other than the original Max, of course), and the usual build quality the brand is known for.
BUY NOWIf you already own the original Chronos or a Platinum Plus and your current tool is working well for your hair, it may not be a must-have. But if you regularly struggle with time-consuming styling, especially on thicker or curlier hair, this could be a game changer.
GHD Below we explain the differences between Chronos Max vs Chronos to help you choose which is the best GHD straightener for you.
Both tools feature GHD’s newest sensor technology and fixed 185°C temperature. The decision mostly comes down to your hair length and texture.
If you have long or thick hair, the Max will save you time and reduce repetition.
For shorter or finer hair, the regular Chronos offers more control and is easier to manoeuvre for detailed styling like curls or flicks.
| Feature | Chronos Max | Chronos |
|---|---|---|
| Plate width | 43mm | 26mm |
| Best for | Long, thick, coarse hair | Most hair types, short to medium length |
| Styling speed | Up to 3x faster than Platinum+ | Faster than Platinum+, but not as wide |
| Technology | HD motion-responsive | Same |
| Price | £299 | £299 |
| Colours | Black, White | Black, White, Transcendent Pink* |
*Transcendent Pink is a limited-edition colour as part of the Futurescape collection.
Below we explain the differences between Chronos Max vs the original Max to help you choose which is the best GHD straightener for you.
The GHD Max Styler is still a solid option for wide-plate straightening, but it lacks the real-time heat responsiveness and smoother glide of the Chronos Max.
On the plus side, it’s significantly cheaper at £209, which makes it more budget-friendly but if you straighten regularly and want faster results with less potential damage, the Chronos Max is a clear upgrade.
| Feature | Chronos Max | Original GHD Max |
|---|---|---|
| Plate width | 43mm | 42mm |
| Technology | HD motion-responsive | Dual-zone ceramic heat |
| Styling speed | Up to 3x faster than Platinum+ | Slower, requires more passes |
| Finish | HD gloss, smoother in one stroke | Good finish, but less advanced heat control |
| Price | £299 | £209 |
| Cord | 2.7m swivel | 2.7m swivel |
| Colours | Black, White | Black, White |
Victoria is founder and editor-in-chief of mamabella, freelance journalist and Mum. She has a passion for empowering people to feel beautiful whatever their age, size, skin type and budget
