Why you possibly can belief TechRadar
We spend hours testing each services or products we assessment, so that you may be positive you’re shopping for one of the best. Find out more about how we test.
Gtech StyleOnic: two-minute assessment
Within the hunt for the best hair straighteners, Gtech will not be a model that instantly jumps to thoughts. Nonetheless, with the launch of the StyleOnic Turbo ION hair straightener (and Gtech DryOnic hair dryer alongside) the model recognized primarily for its glorious vacuum cleaners has moved into haircare.
Designed to scale back frizz, enhance shine, and make styling simple, the StyleOnic makes use of ionic expertise and ceramic plates to create clean, glossy outcomes, and mushy curls. It additionally options an LED show that exhibits every of the ten exact temperature controls, starting from 140 C / 285 F to 230 C / 445 F, making it appropriate for a variety of hair varieties and kinds.
In testing, the StyleOnic carried out nicely at straightening my lengthy, positive, naturally-curly hair; heating up rapidly and gliding easily with out snagging. It wasn’t as clean as different straighteners, just like the GHD Chronos (be taught extra in my GHD Chronos review), however nonetheless spectacular. The beveled edges make it simple to create curls or waves, though the outcomes have been usually inconsistent – largely as a result of I usually needed to squeeze the 1 in / 2.5cm plates collectively more durable than I might have appreciated to ensure the entire hair strand was evenly styled, which brought on my hand to ache.
I appreciated the light-weight, slim dimensions of the StyleOnic. It weighs 8.4oz / 239g and measures 9.8in / 25cm and these dimensions, coupled with its heat-protective case, makes it nice for journey or storage. Nonetheless, the styler itself has a cheap-looking construct, attributable to its mixture of supplies and colours. Elsewhere, it is troublesome to press the temperature button due to the place it is positioned on high of the styler. I usually struggled to get sufficient buy to vary the setting with out the plates hitting collectively.
I really feel like these flaws are a sacrifice you make for the StyleOnic’s worth, although. Gtech isn’t attempting to compete with salon-grade manufacturers like GHD or Dyson, however as an alternative provides a sensible, comparatively inexpensive different with a deal with comfort. This makes it a worthwhile choice when you prioritize portability and ease of use over high-end design and flawless efficiency. Simply do not count on miracles.
Learn on for my full Gtech StyleOnic assessment…
Gtech StyleOnic assessment: worth & availability
- Checklist worth: £99.99
- Accessible: UK solely
- Launched: January 2025
The Gtech StyleOnic prices £99.99 and is just at present out there within the UK direct from Gtech, or a spread of third celebration retailers. Gtech is but to verify if, or when, it is going to be offered in different areas. For this worth, you get the styler, a protecting warmth glove and a storage bag.
The Gtech StyleOnic sits alongside different decrease mid-range fashions together with the BaByliss Hydro-Fusion and Bellissima Italia Creativity Infrared. One in every of my favourite stylers, the mdlondon STRAIT, is marginally dearer at £109 however is without doubt one of the closest like-for-like fashions by way of design, options and specs.
Within the STRAIT’s favor are its longer plates – 11cm vs the Gtech’s 8.9cm. This makes them higher suited to completely different hair lengths and make it nice for curling. It additionally provides 11 temperatures versus the Gtech’s 10 settings. Past this although, each the StyleOnic and STRAIT are very related with digital shows, swivel cords, auto-shut off options and a spread of colours.
The Gtech StyleOnic barely takes the sting in opposition to the BaByliss mannequin by providing twice variety of temperature settings. BaByliss does not have a digital show however every thing else is near-on an identical, from its ceramic plates, ionic expertise, form and measurement.
The Bellissima mannequin is a greater choice if in case you have broken hair. The infrared expertise – one of many biggest hair trends of the second – kinds the outer layers of the hair with out stripping moisture from the within. The remainder of its settings are the identical, though the clunky design of the Bellissima leaves slightly to be desired.
All this thought of, the Gtech StyleOnic is sweet worth for cash by way of the vary of settings and options it provides, and the security extras you get as commonplace. Little separates it from different straighteners in its worth bracket and it isn’t reinventing the wheel, nevertheless it’s a strong debut nonetheless.
Gtech StyleOnic specs
|
Energy: |
Mains |
|
Twine size: |
6.5ft / 2m |
|
Temperature settings: |
10 |
|
Temperature vary: |
140C / 285F to 230C / 445F |
|
Plate width: |
1″ / 2.5cm |
|
Weight: |
8.4oz / 239g |
|
Dimensions: |
9.8 x 1.5 x 1.5″ / 25 x 3.8 x 3.8cm |
Gtech StyleOnic assessment: design
- 1 inch vast, ceramic-coated plates
- 10 completely different warmth settings
- Longer-than-usual plates
Having lately reviewed the Gtech DryOnic hair dryer, and been actually impressed with its stylish, premium design, I used to be slightly disenchanted with how the StyleOnic seems.
I examined the Oyster mannequin and whereas I appreciated the satin end of the cream-colored areas, and the gold accents on the plates and controls, they have been let down by the black, glass band discovered on the highest – which homes the LED show. This mixture of supplies makes the StyleOnic not solely look low cost, however really feel low cost within the hand.
On the base of the styler is a 2m / 6.5ft wire. That is shorter than the 3m common, and whereas it will be positive if in case you have an influence outlet positioned close to your dressing desk space, it will get annoying rapidly when you do not.
Above the show, the place the black glass meets the cream plastic are two skinny buttons – one turns the straighteners on and off; the opposite is used to cycle by way of the ten warmth settings. Fairly than having particular styling modes, the StyleOnic Turbo ION depends on you figuring out which warmth setting most closely fits your hair sort. That is nice by way of versatility, however can take some experimentation.
The ten temperature settings are:
- 140 C / 284 F
- 150 C / 302 F
- 160 C / 320 F
- 170 C / 338 F
- 180 C / 356 F
- 190 C / 374 F
- 200 C / 392 F
- 210 C / 410 F
- 220 C / 428 F
- 230 C / 446 F
If in case you have thicker or longer hair, or your hair has been broken from chemical compounds or over-styling, you may get far more use and profit from having such a large temperature vary. I’ve by no means wanted such a variety as a result of my positive hair is fairly malleable. Nonetheless, I welcomed the power to drop or improve the warmth as and when wanted.
It takes over a minute to warmth as much as the utmost 230 C / 445 F, which is greater than twice the size of rival stylers from the likes of GHD and T3. Nonetheless it ought to be famous, the 30-second heat-up time of those different stylers takes their respective plates to ~185 C / 365 F, which is significantly cooler than Gtech’s mannequin.
To change the styler on and alter the temperature, it’s essential to apply a good quantity of strain to the buttons for them to register. Nonetheless, as a result of these buttons are positioned on the outer aspect of the highest plate, it’s troublesome to get sufficient grip to take action. To use the required strain, you first must squeeze the plates collectively to stop the styler from shifting and turning into a security hazard. Or you must place your fingers on the underside of the arm, which may really feel harmful when the plates are on.
You possibly can see when the straightener reaches your chosen temperature through the LED show and despite the fact that I do not love how massive the show is, from an aesthetic viewpoint, it does make it fast and straightforward to see the setting at a look.
The plates are the usual 1 in / 2.5cm vast and three.5 in / 3.8cm lengthy however the StyleOnic is noticeably lighter and extra compact than different straighteners I’ve examined. It weighs simply 8.4oz / 239g and measures 9.8 x 1.5 x 1.5″ / 25 x 3.8 x 3.8cm. This makes it compact and light-weight sufficient for straightforward dealing with and for packing in a suitcase or bag, with out being too small to work on longer hair.
I additionally appreciated different smaller touches which helped to alleviate a few of my design disappointment. Particularly the journey lock, which helps preserve the plates closed when not in use; a 30-minute auto shut-off; its journey case and security glove.
- Design rating: 3.5 out of 5
Gtech StyleOnic straightener assessment: efficiency
- Big selection of temperatures swimsuit a number of wants and hair varieties
- Beveled edges nice for curling
- Easy however inconsistent styling
Given Gtech’s status for sensible, well-designed residence home equipment, I hoped the StyleOnic would comply with swimsuit. Whereas it may possibly’t fairly compete with dearer straighteners I’ve examined, the StyleOnic nonetheless does job of making frizz-free, clean kinds. Albeit with some caveats.
The straightener is not the quickest. Not simply by way of heat-up time, however in how lengthy it took to model my hair. I discovered I wanted to make a number of passes at instances to totally straighten sections, even on greater settings. This elevated styling time (to a median of 4 minutes) in addition to the potential warmth injury.
The StyleOnic additionally is not the smoothest flat iron I’ve tried (that prize goes to the GHD Chronos), however its ionic expertise and ceramic plates do clean and seal the hair nicely. Whereas the styler’s beveled edges make curling simple, permitting for waves and motion with out leaving sharp creases.
Throughout the board although, efficiency assorted and these outcomes have been inconsistent. That is largely due to the way in which the plates are positioned.
Each plates ‘float’ inside their respective arms, which implies they transfer barely to comply with the movement of your hair. Nonetheless, they sit nearer to one another on the tip of the styler than the place they meet on the hinge. That is deliberate, to assist you to create completely different sized curls, nevertheless it additionally means the strain on the hair is not constant all the way in which down the plates. I discovered one of the best ways to ensure a extra even end was to squeeze the arms more durable than regular, however that brought on my hand and wrist to ache.
If you happen to get the strain and temperature excellent, the model not solely seems nice nevertheless it lasts for hours, although. Curls that might often drop stayed outlined and in place till I bought residence from an evening out. Plus, the swivel wire provides loads of room and motion, and the burden of the straightener is balanced sufficient that it helped relieve a few of the aching from gripping the plates collectively.
As my hair is of course curly, I often solely use a flat iron to knock out this frizz somewhat than straightening it fully. Tremendous glossy, straight kinds have a tendency to go away my skinny hair trying limp and flat, and this was the case with the Gtech StyleOnic. This says extra about my hair than the styler itself, although. If something, for folks with thicker, coarser hair or for these searching for tremendous glossy kinds, this can be a optimistic, and precisely what you are after.
- Efficiency rating: 3.5 out of 5
Ought to I purchase the Gtech StyleOnic?
|
Part |
Notes |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
|
Worth |
Affords a variety of warmth settings and styling versatility for its worth. Competes nicely with related mid-range fashions. |
4/5 |
|
Design: |
Compact and light-weight with helpful options, however feels low cost, and button placement is awkward. |
3.5/5 |
|
Efficiency: |
Easy outcomes, however plates design provides inconsistent outcomes. Requires a number of passes and hand positioning may be uncomfortable. |
3.5/5 |
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
How I examined the Gtech StyleOnic
- Examined a spread of temperature settings
- Created a spread of straight and curly seems
For my Gtech StyleOnic Turbo ION hair straightener assessment, I spent two weeks utilizing it as my important sizzling styling device. I created a collection of seems for various events together with straight, curly and wavy kinds and put the vary of temperature settings to the check. I timed how lengthy the kinds took to finish, how nicely they lasted and monitored the end and situation of my hair.
First reviewed: February 2025