GHD Helios review

We've tried and tested the GHD Helios, GHD's newest hair dryer. Here's how it fared...

GHD Helios: white hair dryer on display
(Image credit: GHD)
Real Homes Verdict

A super-smooth hairdryer – looks and performance-wise – that'll blow-dry your hair in a matter of minutes while leaving an impressive finish. If you can afford the price tag...

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Well-built

  • +

    Attractive

  • +

    Fast

  • +

    Great for frizz

  • +

    Good gift

  • +

    2 years manufacturer's guarantee

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Expensive

  • -

    May be heavy for some

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Jennifer Oksien
By
published

After using the GHD Helios for a while now, we've decided that it's the very best hair dryer you can buy. Not only does it perform well (on all hair types, too) but it's easy to use, it looks the part and it boasts several settings. It also comes with attachments and it's pretty durable. In other words, it ticks all our boxes.

What about the price? It retails at £159, but should you be after a discount it might be on sale for Black Friday. See our GHD Black Friday page for deals.

We tested the GHD Helios hair dryer on past-shoulder length, pretty thick hair, so the hairdryer had a lot to take on. Keep scrolling to read our thoughts on the GHD Helios.

GHD Helios: specifications

GHD Helios Hair Dryer - Professional Hairdryer (Black)

(Image credit: GHD)
  • Colours: 6
  • Attachments: 3 (one included)
  • Speeds: 3
  • Heat settings: 3
  • Cool shot function: Yes
  • Cord length: 3m UK, 9ft US
  • Weight: 0.78kg 
  • Plug: UK three pin or US two pin

Who will the GHD Helios suit?

The GHD Helios will suit anyone with hair! Obviously if you have thick hair then it will take a little longer to dry than someone who has fairer hair, but it will cater for anyone.

GHD Helios: setup

GHD Helios with box, mint

(Image credit: GHD)

Once you've removed the GHD Helios from the lovely box it arrived in and unwrapped it from the plastic bags (not ideal but there were only a few, and they could be used for something else) then you're golden. It was a bit tricky to put the nozzle on – push don't twist – but that, and plugging it into the mains, was the only real part of setting up. 

GHD Helios: heat settings and performance

The GHD Helios offers a range of heat settings and speed settings, including a Cool Shot function. It benefits from two buttons on the back of its handle – one for heat with three options, another for speed with three options. 

Performance-wise, this hair dryer offers speedy drying no matter your hair type. When used correctly, you will also benefit from zero flyaways and zero frizz, too. More on that below.

GHD Helios: ease of use 

Using the GHD Helios was a dream. It has a mega powerful airflow of 120kmh, which took me by surprise the first time I tried it. My hair, which usually took a good few minutes to get dry-to-the-touch, took less than one minute with this hair dryer. And I was blown away to see that I had NO flyaways and NO frizz.

What I would say though is that on initial power up, on the top power control, I noticed that there is a split second time lag until any air comes through. After this though, the hairdryer is super quick to get up to temperature (there's two to choose from, plus a cool shot) and blow dried my hair in no time at all.

Also, since the GHD Helios comes with a concentrator nozzle, it's easier to use. You can also get a diffuser nozzle for it, too. See how to use the GHD Helios below.

ghd helios and the diffuser attachment are a match made in curl heaven ✨😍 @jhair_stylist shows you just how it’s done 👆💥 #ghd #ghdhelios #ghddiffuser #diffusingcurls #diffuser #naturalhair #naturalcurls #naturaltexture #texture #afrohair #definingcurls ghd hair

A photo posted by @ghdhair on Nov 3, 2020 at 6:11am PST

GHD Helios: design

GHD Helios design: all different colours

(Image credit: GHD)

Hair dryers are very much an accessory, rather than a tool, now so when I saw a selection of colours available to choose from it instantly caught my attention. I tested the GHD Helios in the ink blue colourway, but it is also available to buy in in mint, white, black, plum and powder pink. The varying colours of the plastic shell is also covered in a smooth coating that feels almost like silicone to the touch, which gives it a wonderful, luxurious feel.  

It does have a fairly well balanced design when holding, but what I would say is that it was a little heavier than what I was expecting on initial pick up. This is something you do not notice, however, when drying your hair.

The GHD Helios also has a 3m long cable which is ideal if your mirror is some distance away from your plug like mine is.

GHD Helios: verdict

In GHD's own words, 'For your most glamorous blow-dry to date...', and I would agree, if it was bought for me as a gift. Retailing at £159 for just the hairdryer, let alone any accessories you may require to buy with it, the GHD Helios certainly wouldn't be an impulse buy but is one which is to be considered an investment. It is a really brilliant example of hairdryer engineering, and it certainly worked wonders on my hair. It does come with a two year manufacturer's guarantee so it would be a confident purchase, too.

GHD Helios: where to buy?

You can buy the GHD Helios from a range of retailers – UK and US. See them below and click through to buy. 

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Jennifer Oksien
Jennifer Oksien
Large Appliances Editor

Jennifer (Jen) is our Large Appliances Editor on the Homes eCommerce team.  Jen is constantly on the look out for the latest tech which claims to revolutionise how we wash our clothes, rinse the dishes, keep our food chilled and our floors dust-free. When she's not doing this she can be found at home in her Victorian terrace which she has lovingly (patiently) been renovating with her husband over the past few years. Jen also likes tea and homemade cake, very much.