I've had GHDs for about 10 years and they're still going strong. I really love them, but having had a play with Cloud 9s if I was buying new ones I'd go that way rather than the GHDs. The GHDs are VERY hot, whereas the Cloud 9s are temperature adjustable - DD 1 occasionally will ask for ringlets or something but I'm really reluctant to use the excessive heat of the GHDs on her ultra fine hair. I think they're about the same price too.