GHD Platinum and NuMe Megastar: How the Plates Differ

Both the NuMe and GHD flat irons have one-inch wide plates, but they have many differences when it comes to design. For example, one is ceramic while the other one is a tourmaline ceramic blend.

Plate Material

The GHD hair straightener is ceramic. This type is known for providing balanced heat and reducing frizz using low-intensity heat. 

Meanwhile, the Megastar is pure tourmaline ceramic. The material provides the additional benefit of generating more ions to combat frizz. Tourmaline is also well known for adding shine to hair, along with the benefits of regular ceramic. 

Finally, the tourmaline ceramic combination provides a smooth surface without friction for less breakage and conducts heat well with the negative ions. Not only that, but NuMe also designs its styling tool with an infrared light strip and ion booster, which provide considerably more benefits than ceramic alone (as discussed later in this review). 

Megastar vs. GHD Plate Design

Both flat irons have floating plates, but these plates differ in design. For GHD Platinum, the plates are milled and aligned via a wishbone hinge for easy styling. They also have an ultra-gloss coating for quickly moving through the hair.

In comparison, the Megastar features beveled plates (curved edges instead of sharp) that are unique in that they move from side to side to prevent damaging the hair. These floating plates also don’t ever touch completely when looking at the tool from the side, which is done purposefully.

This thoughtful design is ideal for beginners who tend to hold straighteners too tight and unexpectedly damage their hair. This intended gap between the plates is, therefore, an excellent feature for healthier hair. More seasoned users will also enjoy that the plates don’t tug at the hair.

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Other Design Similarities and Differences

There are two other aspects of design on which to compare Megastar vs. GHD. Let’s start with their barrels and then analyze how they look.

Body Design

The GHD and NuMe models both have a rounded body that enables a range of hairstyles. In addition to being a straightener, you can use either one to create a range of hairstyles, from loose waves to super straight, thanks to this design. 

Also, the Megastar features a digital display on it so you can see right away the current temperature. That enables you to adjust it and to know when it reaches the desired heat setting. The Platinum+ does not have this digital feature.

Appearance

The GHD flat iron has a traditional look and comes in black or white. NuMe’s Megastar has a similar shape, with the addition of the previously-mentioned digital display. 

The Megastar comes in a range of fun colors, too, so you can pick the shade you like the most. Choose from pink, black, turquoise, or rose gold.

Megastar vs. GHD Flat Iron for Temperature

The heat of styling tools is another important consideration when comparing these two. The Megastar has a wide range of heat settings available for you to use, ranging from 190-450 degrees Fahrenheit.

This variety is great to have as it enables use on different hair types, from fine to thick and unruly. Being able to easily adjust the temperature to the one best for your strands allows you to get the best styling looks from this top-rated tool.

In contrast, the GHD Platinum works at 365 degrees Fahrenheit with special sensors. The assumption is that this heat setting is ideal for protecting hair and helping keep it strong. GHD explains that their Platinum+ provides 70% stronger hair and two times more color protection than a typical flat iron.

However, you cannot adjust the heat when you want it higher or lower, unlike NuMe’s iron. That means that you must trust that the GHD technology is working right for your hair every time you use it. Not feeling in control of the heat can frustrate some users, along with not being able to reach over 400 degrees.

Different Technology

The integrated tech is another way to compare Megastar vs. GHD hair straighteners to find the best one for your needs. They use different heat technology, and Megastar excels with the addition of infrared.

Heat Tech

The GHD Platinum uses ultra-zone technology that predicts what the hair needs while using it on your locks. This system uses two infinity sensors to provide the predictive behavior, which means it customizes to your hair for a polished look based on your hair type and length. 

It works quickly to complete this process. The Platinum+ monitors heat 250 times a second. 

Megastar, in comparison, features digital heat control. Easily adjust the temperature as low as 190 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 450 degrees.

Controlling the heat this well is a definite advantage of the top-rated Megastar. Plus, it heats up in only 30 seconds, so you can quickly begin straightening or curling your locks with minimal wait time. When you have a busy day, this design is convenient.

Infrared Technology

NuMe uses far infrared technology for its flat iron, unlike GHD. Not only that, but the Megastar also has an integrated infrared heat strip. This heat strip passes heat to the hair, which smooths the cuticle, for longer-lasting hairstyles. 

The gentleness of the infrared heat means that there is less chance of damage to the hair, even when it is at a high temperature. Having this feature provides peace of mind for those who have thick or coarse hair and need a higher temperature setting like Megastar to achieve a straight style.

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What about Ions?

The GHD hair straightener does not have negative ion conditioning technology, unlike the Megastar. Not having this feature is a big limitation in our eyes. The negative ions are important as they counteract the positively charged ions that emit naturally from a heat styling tool.

The negative ions that the NuMe tool generates are effective at reducing frizz and taming annoying flyaway pieces of hair. That gives you a more polished look after using the Megastar. 

GHD doesn’t have an ion booster, either. As its name suggests, a booster increases the number ions that the tool releases, which improves the negative ion conditioning effect.

The Megastar has a built-in ion booster, so it provides 100% more negative ions. That makes it great for on-the-go looks that are salon beautiful. 

Plus, the ion booster locks in moisture for hair that is silky to the touch. It is healthier heat styling, too, given that it exists in combination with the far infrared heat.

Megastar vs. GHD Platinum+ User Experience

Both styling appliances are designed to be easy to use. The GHD flat iron provides good styling control with a wishbone hinge design attached to the plates. They align for simple styling without snagging the hair. 

Meanwhile, Megastar’s floating plate system adjusts to the hair cleverly. The plates move side to side for easy straightening without pulling the locks for a pain-free experience. Also, the Megastar has soft touch finish with a no-slip grip that makes for a comfortable styling session.

Reviewers online give high marks to both straighteners for being able to create curly, wavy, and straight looks. They are versatile, which means you do not have to buy a separate curling iron. That is one less tool to store in your bathroom and to buy for your beauty routine!

Plus, if you choose the Megastar, you will benefit from the infrared tech that keeps the hairstyle in place longer. That means there is no need to touch up your hairdo later in the day, which saves you time.

Speaking of speed, the Megastar heats up in only 20 seconds, and many reviewers explain that they often only need one pass of the hair with the tool to straighten it. The GHD is also fast with its sensors that feel for your hair’s thickness and other qualities to reduce styling time. 

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Other Considerations for the Two Flat Irons

Did you know that using a heat styling aid can improve the shine of your hair? GHD boosts shine by 20%, according to its website. Megastar’s ionic generator also produces high-shine results. Both models also give salon-quality looks, as per many online reviewers.

Also, you may want to know whether they have universal voltage. The answer is yes to both, which means they are designed for use overseas.

What about auto shut-off? Yes, GHD’s Platinum flat iron goes to sleep mode after 30 minutes of not using it, which is a great safety feature. 

NuMe goes a step above by allowing users to set the length of time for it to shut off automatically. Choose from 1 hour or 30 minutes. That means you have no worries about whether you turned it off and safety, even with kids in the house.

They both also come with manufacturer warranties for your protection as a consumer. The GHD Platinum+ hair straightener comes with a 3-year warranty, while Megastar is 1-year.

But the Megastar is significantly less expensive than the GHD model while still having the latest tech and salon-quality styling results. If the price is one of the main deciding factors, then Megastar comes out ahead. The GHD model is at the high end of the range of flat irons.

Final Words on Megastar vs. GHD Hair Straightener

The GHD Platinum flat iron has some similarities with the Megastar, but it is clear there are many more differences between the two. Overall, Megastar has more thoughtful features, including a digital temperature display for precise heat control and an ion booster for frizz-free locks with a polished appearance.

The Megastar is also more affordable than the GHD flat iron, all while providing a negative ion booster for extra shine and gentle infrared heat for healthier styling. With so many benefits, we feel NuMe’s Megastar comes out ahead of the GHD hair straightener and is the winner of the two.

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