For those looking at cloud nine straighteners, I've had GHDs for as long as I can remember, 20 odd years? Then when my last pair broke, my hairdresser sold me some cloud nines about 18mths ago. They're no good in comparison. I'm waiting for them to break to replace with GHDs again. It's all personal preference, but they weren't much cheaper, and they just aren't as good which when you use them every day, is irritating.