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Are you seeking the best clothing iron? We've spent hundreds of hours testing the best irons for clothes to bring you 14 of the best models available today. Over the past several years, our testing experts have purchased dozens of irons and pressed hundreds of garments and sheets to learn which models are great for big jobs, which excel at steam output, and which are ideal for detailing. We record soleplate temperature, measure steam output, and directly compare glide and maneuverability. Whether you're a veteran crafter needing as much precision and power as possible or want something inexpensive to get your work clothes ready for the upcoming week, we've got you covered.
We all use various small appliances around the house to help make life easier. Whether you need an iron for your next sewing project, or you like to keep your favorite sheets as crisp as possible, we're here to help you out.
Editor's Note: On September 9, 2024, we added more comparisons and details on how each iron performs and the subtle differences our testers measured.
Excellent maneuverability and handling, small and good for detail work, lightweight
Tapered nose great for detailing, performs well on a variety of fabrics, gets jobs done quickly
Lightweight, good detailing
Powerful steam burst, pointed nose for precision, budget-friendly
Accentuated nose for detailing, good ironing performance, spray is a gentle mist
Good shape for detailing, great temperature performance, excellent ironing performance, retractable cord
Lightweight, easy to handle, prominent dial
Grippy handle, lightweight, good cord length and placement
Built-in cord storage and retractable, excellent steam output, good ironing performance, great spray and burst buttons
Inexpensive, portable
Intuitive interface, display screen is easily accessible and visible
Great steam output, crisp ironing performance, large water tank, excellent digital display
Powerful steam bursts, very affordable, convenient retractable cord
Easy to maneuver, lightweight, budget friendly
Cons
Requires frequent docking to reheat, inconvenient for large jobs, expensive
Expensive, heavier handling than others
Poor steam output, not great on linen, unimpressive heating, remedial interface
Just average steam output, heating is just okay
Mediocre steam output, uneven heating
Tank opening is small, doesn't spray very far
Low steam output, water tank has no lid, average ironing performance
Steam feature isn't very effective, struggles with polyester
Heavy, not the most agile, mediocre heat output
Lacking in power, underwhelming ironing performance
Inconsistent and unreliable, hard to see the fill line, sometimes leaks when steam mode is on
Large and bulky, not ideal for detailing, heavy to maneuver
Leaky, short cord, poor maneuverability
Short cord length, leaky, inconsistent performance, low heat
Bottom Line
This iron is the ultimate in maneuverability, but it comes with some tradeoffs and demands a proper understanding of its cordless operation for best results
This iron is a solid and versatile performer that excels at detail work, but it's a bit cumbersome and expensive
Here, "classic" means old-school, simple, and lacking in many of the technological features and advances most other irons have
A high-performing iron equipped with a powerful steam burst and the ability to effectively maneuver across most fabrics and most wrinkles
An excellent choice for detail-oriented folks who want a great performance without breaking the bank
A top-scoring product with excellent performance, heat output, and usability for less than you might expect
With poor steam output and no cover for the water tank, this lackluster iron doesn't impress us
This is a well-designed, middle-of-the-road iron, but it's one to avoid if you place a lot of emphasis on steam performance when you iron
While it is on the large and bulky side, this easy to use powerhouse wowed us with strong performances across the board
A steam iron that is perfect for travel but is too weak for regular chores at home
We experienced numerous malfunctions during testing and don't recommend buying this product due to its unreliability
A favorite among our testing team, this large iron left our sheets satisfyingly pressed
This affordable iron is a bit leaky and has awkward handling characteristics, but it has high heat, great steam, and a clever retracting cord design
The price and storage footprint of this tiny iron are its strongest features, but we found it to be lacking in key metrics like heating and detailing
We were pleasantly surprised by the strong performance and value of the Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803. Our testers noted, “It was the only model we tested that earned a near-perfect score for its impressive steam output.” This unit comes with 192 steam holes, which is higher than the majority of our lineup and perfect for equally distributing the steam so that it doesn't soak your clothes while ironing. This model also performed well in most of our testing and stands out for its excellent steam production, competitive pricing, and ability to effectively iron cotton, linen, satin, and silk. Lead tester Rachael Lamore noted, “this iron was easy to use during testing and offered ideal heat temperature.” Its measured steam output of 196 g was double to triple the output of most of the competitors.
Our logged soleplate temperature results of the Hamilton Beach Duration 19803 heat test. The average of 309 F was a good but not exceptional performance.
Credit: Genaveve Bradshaw
Despite the strong performance, the Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803 fell a little short in its ability to do difficult detailing work. Our second highest scoring model, the Rowenta Pro Master Xcel DW8360U1, performed much better in our detailing tests and had a better ironing performance score. That said, the Rowenta is over double the cost, had about half the steam output in our measured steam output test, and the measured average temperature of 297 was 10-20 degrees lower than most of the other top scorers. Another top model at a great price is the Black+Decker Professional IR1350S-T, which had the best fine detailing scores at its price point. Any model that scored higher for ironing performance was much more expensive. All that said, the Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803 is the model we recommend to most people. It is such a great value that in addition to winning the Editors' Choice, it is also the best value iron in our review.
A glimpse of some of our key in-house tests that led to us declaring the Durathon the best iron for most people. We used FLIR imagery and multiple probes to measure temperatures and consistency in addition to several real-world tests.
The Rowenta Pro Master Xcel DW8360U1 stood out in our testing for its solid performance and efficiency across all types of fabrics, but especially for its detailing prowess. Thanks to its tapered nose design, the Pro Master can easily navigate under seams, buttons, collars, and pleats. It comes to temperature quickly and makes short work of most wrinkles in less time than many other irons we tested. Our testers noted, "anyone in the market for a super-efficient and versatile iron should have a long look at this one."
The Rowenta Pro Master heated up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit in less than 2 minutes, but the average temperature of 297 was a pretty middle-of-the-road performance. This iron excelled in other tests, just not this one.
Credit: Rachael Lamore
However, the Pro Master isn't without its flaws. It's heavy and somewhat cumbersome to handle compared to lighter irons. While the Pro Master gets jobs done quickly, the weight of this iron may be fatiguing for back-to-back jobs. The Pro Master demonstrated impressive steam burst capability visually thanks to 550 steam holes, but that didn't translate as well to the fabric as with other irons, which was disappointing. Lastly, the Pro Master is on the expensive side of the spectrum. If you want something with slightly better performance than the Pro Master in most of our metrics and you don't place as much emphasis on detail work, we recommend the Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803. If you want great value in a detailed model, we recommend the Black+Decker D3030 Allure, which is about half the list price of the Rowenta.
This partial tour of our in-house testing of clothes irons highlights some of the measured performance, with the Pro Master scoring at the top of the Ironing metric.
The Black+Decker D3030 Allure is easy to use and offers great performance at a price we almost can't believe. Running hot, the Allure sailed over all the fabrics we tested with a superb front spray feature that works wonders. Tester Adam Stout stated, “Its tapered nose makes precision work a breeze, and an 8-foot cord handily reaches just about wherever you need it.” We appreciate the matte finish of the handle and the large, obvious controls. Though this isn't the lightest model we tested, at 1.9 lbs, it is about half the weight of most other top-scoring models. It felt light in the hands and glides of our testers across fabric easily, making maneuvering around complicated corners and sensitive areas easy.
The D3030 Allure was able to reach 300 degrees in less than 60 seconds.
Credit: Jessica Riconscente
Unfortunately, the Allure doesn't have the most impressive steam output compared to many contenders we tested and utilizes just 23 holes around the perimeter of the soleplate. Moreover, it only hits average temperatures for products in our review, not wowing us with high heat. Despite the lower numbers, we still didn't find this impacted how well it irons even synthetic fabrics. We greatly enjoyed using this clothes iron on small projects that needed a lot of maneuverability to straighten their details. If you're looking for exceptional heating from your iron, check out the Rowenta DW2459 Access, which scores significantly better in this metric. And if you want great steam and value, check out the Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803.
We highly recommend the Panasonic Cordless Advanced Ceramic if you want an excellent iron for quick, small ironing jobs. Our testers noted, “This unique iron provides a tether-free ironing experience using an electric dock to reheat its soleplate.” Not only is it completely unobstructed by a traditional cord, but it is lightweight and nimble enough to be a pleasure for serious detail work, thanks to its dual taper-ended design. It effortlessly navigates around buttons, seams, and other tricky obstacles to eliminate wrinkles in either direction.
The Panasonic Cordless Advanced Ceramic made it to 300 degrees around the 1:30 (min:sec) mark.
Credit: Rachael Lamore
The problem with the 360 Ceramic Cordless is that there is no such thing as a truly cordless iron. As we mentioned, you will have to frequently dock this iron so it can recharge and reheat its soleplate. That dock is plugged into the wall with a cord. This isn't a big deal, and it can be worth the tradeoff in efficiency as long as you're not planning on using this iron for long sessions day in and day out. Looking past that shortcoming, the 360 Ceramic is one of the most expensive irons in our review for a potentially niche product. It also has one of the lower steam outputs we measured: half to a tenth of the output of the top-scoring models. If you can live without the tether-free design and all the many benefits that go along with it, we recommend the Black+Decker Vitessa Advanced Cord Reel to get you part of the way there. While that iron does have a cord, it is on a retractable reel, making it easy to reel in and store when you're done using it. It is also a fraction of the price of the Panasonic.
The Panasonic Cordless in some of our key ironing tests at our testing facility.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
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Credit: Natalie Kafader
How We Test Clothes Irons
Over the past several years, we have spent hundreds of hours using the clothes irons in this review, carefully measuring their steam output, timing their heating cycles, and assessing their user-friendliness. The cornerstone of our testing process focuses on the ironing performance score. Each iron undergoes numerous specific ironing tests, evaluating how well each model removes wrinkles from cotton, linen, silk, and polyester. Additionally, we critique how well each iron works on details (like between buttons on a shirt) and the uniformity and effectiveness of the spray feature. We also evaluate all the little details, like glide smoothness, handle feel and balance, cord position and storage, and evenness of heating.
Our in-depth testing process of steam irons is broken down into five rating metrics:
Ironing Performance (40% of overall score weighting)
Steam Output (25% weighting)
Heating (15% weighting)
Detailing (10% weighting)
Ease of Use (10% weighting)
Check out our How We Test article to go more in-depth on how we tested these irons.
We took thermal photos of each iron in addition to logging their temperature.
Our test supplies.
we measured each cord.
We put each iron through a series of rigorous tests to see which one came out on top. Here is a behind-the-scenes look at our testing.
Why Trust GearLab
Rachael Lamore, Jessica Riconscente, Maggie Nichols,Genaveve Bradshaw, and Adam Stout have put their heads together to take on this steam iron testing. Our team has a strong science and testing background. Rachael has a degree in Biological Sciences and a background in studying and testing in laboratory settings. Maggie has a BS in Biology and a Master's degree in studying animal behavior. Jessica has a BS in Industrial Technology with a focus on manufacturing processes. Genaveve has degrees in music and psychology and has researched and tested over 50 clothes irons. Adam has a background in technical writing, bringing complex data to the page in clear and accessible language. These reviewers have collectively spent over a dozen years testing home appliances and other products for GearLab. Our team of experts has carefully researched the top models on the market and tested many products covering a wide range of price points. We purchase all the test units at full price to keep our reviews unbiased, and we never accept free or discounted sample units from manufacturers.
Analysis and Test Results
Superficially, all steam irons seem the same. However, you start to notice the subtle differences that can significantly impact the chore of an ironing session once you've spent months ironing every fabric imaginable with many different clothes irons. No matter your needs or budget, our test results represent an effort to make this task as pleasant as possible.
What's the Best Value?
The top performers in our lineup come with reasonable price tags that make them all high-value products for different types of ironing. The Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803 performs well across the board, making it a great, well-rounded option for folks who iron a variety of fabrics and types of tasks frequently, and it's available at a highly enticing price for all that capability. The PurSteam Pro is another affordable option of this bunch. While it falls short on detailing work, we adore using it for large swaths of material that need to be smoothed quickly and efficiently. The Black+Decker Allure also performs well and is highly maneuverable, making it a great choice for detailing work. The Rowenta Access is another solid choice. Despite a few annoying little details that lower its Ease of Use scoring, this very hot model is our go-to when we need high temperatures for stubborn fabrics.
Take a look at the myriad of soleplate designs with regard to shape, size, and steam ports.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Ironing Performance
An iron's ability to smooth out wrinkles is non-negotiable. While all the clothes irons we tested will eventually get out wrinkles, some did it in a single pass, while others required more effort. To uncover the sometimes subtle differences between models, we ironed huge swaths of different types of fabrics to see how many passes or extra bursts of steam we needed for the most stubborn wrinkles.
The Black+Decker Allure, PurSteam Pro, Panasonic, and Rowenta Access had some of the best ironing performances in our testing. The Allure's tapered nose allows for easy navigation around hard-to-reach spots. Its fast-working, ergonomic soleplate removes most wrinkles with a single swipe at high heat and just three swipes over more delicate fabrics like silk and satin. A powerful steam burst and misty water spray help significantly with deep wrinkles and folds without dampening the garment.
Iron Performance Tests
Product
Cotton
Linen
Silk/Satin
Polyester
Black+Decker D3030 Allure
8
9
9
7
Rowenta DW2459 Access
8
9
9
7
PurSteam Pro 1800W
9
7
8
9
Panasonic 360 Ceramic Cordless Freestyle
9
9
7
8
Rowenta Pro Master DW8360
9
7
8
8.5
Black+Decker Pro Steam IR1350S-T
8
8
7
8
Black+Decker Vitessa Advanced Cord Reel
8
9
5
9
Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803
9
8
7
5.5
Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot
6
7
8
6
CHI Professional Corded 13101
8
8
6
4
Beautural 1800-Watt
7
7
6
5
Sunbeam Classic GCSBC
7
4
8
5
Black+Decker Easy Steam IR40V
6
6
7
4
Utopia Home
6
6
5
6
Here's how our irons performed across four different fabrics. We established these scores in side-by-side tests using the same fabric samples for each test. Click on each material name to isolate the scores you are most interested in.
The PurSteam Pro powered through all types of fabrics, never needing more than a momentary hover to get out even the toughest wrinkles. It may not have the highest number of steam holes, but they're well-distributed and very effective, helping us achieve that satisfying flatness only a good iron can produce. The Rowenta Access has a silky glide and hundreds of tiny steam holes distributed across the soleplate to put steam anywhere you need. It, too, had no problems dispensing with stubborn creases and can achieve the high heat necessary to work with challenging fabrics.
The Rowenta Access is one of several irons we tested that offers great performance for a reasonable price.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Rowenta Pro Master and Panasonic also demonstrated excellent performance across a wide variety of fabrics, and both of these irons enjoy the benefits of tapered tip designs that help them to excel at detailing around buttons and seams in your clothing.
We make sections in our test fabrics to measure performance across everything from light wrinkles to deep and stubborn creases.
Credit: Rachael Lamore
The Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803 and the Black+Decker Pro Steam IR1350S-T were above average in our ironing performance tests. Both did great on cotton and linen but required more effort to remove wrinkles from silks. Stubborn wrinkles in polyester a little more challenged the Hamilton Beach.
The Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803 was only really challenged by polyester materials.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Steam Output
How effectively an iron puts out steam affects how straightforward and painless your overall ironing experience will be. The amount of expelled steam is a large part of this, but how it is dispensed is also essential. We measured the amount of steam each model released over a measured period. We also noted how many holes each model has for the steam to escape and their size and configuration. We also evaluated the effectiveness of delivering the steam where and when we needed it.
The Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803 was handily the best model for producing consistent qualities and volumes of steam. Its exceptional steam performance earned it a perfect score in our testing, which is rarely awarded by our test team. However, based on data collected from the calculated mass of steam that produced an impressive 196 grams and the absence of any leaks, we can affirm that the score was objectively earned through science and data.
Strong bursts of steam are just one of the many great features of this iron.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The CHI Professional Corded also did well for steam output, although it's a distant second place behind the Durathon, at 116 grams of steam. Other notable mentions for steam output were the Black+Decker Vitessa with 111 grams of steam output and the Rowenta Pro Master with 108 grams of steam output. However, we noted that the Pro Master didn't put all that steam down on the fabric meaningfully during our tests. We were impressed with the bursts of steam that it made, but it did not do as much to de-wrinkle as we expected.
The PurSteam Pro wasn't far behind the best for steaminess. Over five minutes, we measured this impressive contender, releasing 110 grams of steam. The PurSteam Pro manages efficient steam output with just 64 medium-sized holes with directional V-shaped channels.
Large buttons make it easy to use the incredible steam performance of this model.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
While we counted all the holes at the bottom of each iron, we ultimately found that the number of holes was not perfectly correlated to steam performance (as you can see in the chart below compared to our steam output chart above).
Heating
The faster a model heats, the sooner you can get your work done, and the more evenly it heats up, the more effective it is. While all irons get hot, and all the models we tested eventually take out wrinkles, differing heat levels are required for different types of fabrics. Getting hot enough for some materials can make all the difference in removing stubborn creases and pressing out wrinkles.
We measured the soleplate temperatures on High for every iron we tested.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Two clothes irons stood out for their hot performance in our heating tests: the Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot followed by the Rowenta DW2459 Access.
The Hot-2-Trot is a portable model that's low on steam but high on heat.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The hottest clothes iron we tested was the Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot. This travel-sized unit averaged soleplate temperatures of 380 degrees Fahrenheit, with its hottest point on the left side at 418 degrees Fahrenheit. The Rowenta Access was the next hottest model in our lineup, though it came in about 20 degrees lower than the Hot-2-Trot, with an average temperature of 361 degrees Fahrenheit. Its hottest area was its nose — ideal for detailing work — which we measured at an impressive 430 degrees Fahrenheit.
The average surface temperature of irons in our latest update.
Credit: Rachael Lamore
Compared to the average temperature among all irons we tested (303 degrees Fahrenheit), other notable models offered a range of performance from exceptional to above average. The PurSteam Pro 1800W offered nearly as exceptional performance as the top models and trailed only slightly by the Black+Decker Pro Steam IR1350S-T.
Our heat testing was done by hooking up heat probes across the soleplate of the iron to record the average temperature of each zone over the course of five minutes. The water bottle assisted in keeping the cords from melting on the soleplate.
Credit: Rachael Lamore
The PurSteam Pro averaged 335 degrees Fahrenheit fairly evenly across its entire soleplate. Impressively, it's also one of the few we tested that didn't experience a temperature dropoff after the initial heating process.
Detailing
While the ability to remove large wrinkles is most important, small creases around collars and buttons can make or break the overall look of a garment. We tested each model's ability to maneuver around complicated details, into tight spaces, and across oddly shaped areas. We noted how the shape of the soleplate factored into detailing ability and how easily each model can change directions. We also considered the comfort of the handle, the weight of the product, and the overall balance of each contender insofar as how it affected our overall detailing experience.
The Rowenta Pro Master Xcel DW8360U1, Panasonic, and Sunbeam Classic GCSBC all offered great detailing performance. Each of them feature tapered nose designs that help get under seams and buttons. The Sunbeam Classic is a mid-sized iron that's thinner and lighter than many and glides well across fabrics. The Pro Master reigned supreme in our details testing for its excellent nose design and versatility, but the Ceramic 360 wasn't far behind. Some benefits of the latter are that it has tapers on both ends of the soleplate and is cordless and lightweight, making it an absolute breeze to work with. Just don't expect it to be as efficient on large jobs as the Pro Master due to its need to be docked frequently for reheating.
Good detailing performance from the 2.1 lbs Black+Decker Pro Steam IR1350S-T.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Black+Decker Allure andBlack+Decker Pro Steam IR1350S-T also proved capable of fine detailing with their tapered noses. Both have a great balance and a smooth glide, despite the one-pound heftier weight of the Allure.
The Allure is highly maneuverable, helping it to detail more easily.
Credit: Laura Casner
Ease of Use
Ease of use may be less critical if you're more concerned with performance attributes like steam output, but it's still an important consideration in the overall experience. When testing for this metric, we considered several factors, including cord length, indicator lights, and sounds, ease of filling the water tank, and the effectiveness of extra spray features.
Ease of Use Tests
Product
Cord Design
Ease of Filling
Temperature Indicator
Water Spray
Rowenta Pro Master DW8360
8
9
7
8
Panasonic 360 Ceramic Cordless Freestyle
10
6.5
4
9
Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803
9
5
7
7
Black+Decker D3030 Allure
7
7
7
7
PurSteam Pro 1800W
7
6
9
5
Beautural 1800-Watt
7
4
9
6
CHI Professional Corded 13101
8
6
7
5
Black+Decker Pro Steam IR1350S-T
7
6
4
8
Rowenta DW2459 Access
9
4
5
5
Sunbeam Classic GCSBC
5
4
5
8
Black+Decker Vitessa Advanced Cord Reel
4
4
7
7
Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot
3
8
6
2
Black+Decker Easy Steam IR40V
6
2
5
6
Utopia Home
3
5
4
6
The big winners in this category have garnered accolades throughout the review. They were the Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803, Rowenta Pro Master Xcel DW8360U1, Black+Decker D3030 Allure, and the Panasonic.
Operating all the features and functions of the Allure is a breeze. Here, we highlight one of the easier water spray buttons in our tests.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
First up, the 360 Ceramic Cordless, as the name implies, is a cordless iron with a slew of benefits when it comes to ease of use, maneuverability, and lightness being chief among them. We appreciated the clearly labeled light-up setting indicators differentiating between low, medium, and high-temperature settings. We also loved the detachable water reservoir with the wide fill port to replenish water for steam functions.
Back to corded irons, we enjoyed the convenience of the 8-foot 2-inch cord on the Rowenta Pro Master, which provided excellent maneuverability and reach, especially since it was attached higher up to the base of the iron, keeping it neatly out of the way while moving across the ironing board. The steam water fill port, which is one inch wide, was easy to fill using the sink faucet, with a clearly visible max fill line from both sides of the iron. The traditional dial-style heat controller is conveniently labeled with different fabric settings and steam usage options for easy use. Additionally, wrapping the cord around the iron base after ironing was really convenient.
The Black+Decker D3030 Allure follows suit with a convex curve to the base of the iron under the sole plate where you can securely wrap the cord. There is also a large and easy-to-fill hole that funnels water nicely, as well as an indicator for each setting. This model blinks until it reaches the selected temperature setting. The Allure is an intuitive model with great ease of use features and design and is elevated by its spray and mist functions.
The Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803 performed just as well as the Black+Decker D3030 Allure. This clothes iron provides an 8.1-foot cord for ample working space and a soleplate design and materials that glide smoothly over most fabrics. The fill hole is only half an inch, but it is not too difficult to use. An indicator light on the handle illuminates when the iron is on, and the settings dial, located under the handle, is well-labeled.
You'll love how easy it is to use the Hamilton Beach Duration 19803.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
A couple of other models we tested have retractable cords, including the Hamilton Beach Durathon and Rowenta Access and the Black+Decker Vitessa Advanced Cord Reel. Though it seems like a small feature, we always appreciate it when a model has this, as it stops the cord from being a tripping hazard while you wait for your iron to cool.
The Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot is built to head with you on your vacations and outings, easily slipping into your suitcase or duffel bag. While it's not a great all-around iron, its ability to travel with you can make it appealing. The PurSteam Pro has a fully digital display located on the top of the handle that is clear and easy to use. It beeps to indicate when it's heating up and flashes before it's ready for use. The large, crisp text is easy to read, and the settings are simple to navigate. It's by far our favorite display, putting all the other sliders and dials to shame.
We measured the weight of each iron on the same scale but ultimately found that not only was there not that much differentiation, but that didn't really impact the performance in any of the metrics.
The digital display on the PurSteam offers clear indicators for settings, and temperature and indicates when the iron is hot enough to use.
Credit: Jessica Riconscente
How to Pick the Best Iron
Define Your Mission
If you're seeking the ultimate clothing iron for your job or household, you should first identify the type of ironing you do most often. For instance, if you iron a lot of bed sheets, you'd want an iron that maintains its heat and has a large soleplate to remove more wrinkles in fewer passes. You may not place too much emphasis on an iron's detailing capability in that scenario. However, you should still pay attention to our testing on which fabric types each iron did best with, especially if you're ironing silk and satin materials regularly. If you frequently iron garments with many buttons, seams, pleats, collars, and other features where it's crucial to get in and under tight spaces and features, you should opt for a model that scored well in our detailing tests. Most of these irons will feature a tapered nose and a soleplate that can slide under buttons and seams.
A Word on Steam
Our review focuses on the type of traditional steam irons commonly found in most homes, not garment steamers. The traditional iron features a perforated soleplate that heats up and applies steam directly to the fabric to relax wrinkles and creases. If you like to use the steam feature on your iron, you will want to pay attention to the steam output testing we did in this review. In most instances, the units with the most steam output performed better in steaming clothing. However, there were occasions when a unit would have impressive steam output but still didn't effectively distribute the steam to the fabric when ironing.
Manueverability
Maneuverability and handling can be crucial in both big and small ironing jobs. The best maneuverability comes from cordless irons or irons with longer cords. Cordless ironing is tether-free bliss on an ironing board, but the downside is that there is no such thing as a truly cordless iron. These irons must still be periodically docked on their corded charger to bring the soleplate back to ironing temperature. That's well worth the tradeoff if you're doing quick ironing jobs in succession and dock the iron between them, but if you're trying to iron a sheet with a cordless iron, efficiency will take a hit while you wait out the recharge cycles. We tested a few corded irons with retractable reels. These don't do much for maneuverability; they're more of a storage feature, so pay close attention to the length of those cords. You don't want too short of a cord or a cord that doesn't attach from the rear of the iron where it stays out of the way during motion. The most maneuverable corded irons tended to have a raised cord attachment coming off the back of the iron, which helps to elevate it above the ironing board, out of the way. Regarding iron maneuverability, a lighter iron is almost always better, as long as the cord and soleplate design don't hold it back.
Every Day Use
Other everyday considerations for your iron purchase are how easy it is to fill the iron's water reservoir for steam and spray functions, its handle ergonomics, settings, and buttons. Irons with wider fill ports and clearly labeled max fill lines make a big difference if you want to avoid a wet mess during refills. We measured and made comments about every iron's fill port. Another essential consideration for ease of use is how well control settings are labeled and how buttons are designed and placed. We found it too easy to make accidental inputs on the spray and steam burst functions on many irons, especially if the iron has a slick handle with integrated buttons. Irons with dedicated indicator lights or displays to give insight into the iron's temperature or settings are also nice for ease of use and less ubiquitous than you'd think.
Cord length matters for manueaverability and storage.
Credit: Rachael Lamore
Conclusion
Our goal is to help you identify a reasonably priced model that provides the functionality and features you need. We are always striving to make chores less painful, and we know there are many features and a lot of information to sort through. We hope our test results can help you zone in on the attributes that matter most so you can find your perfect iron.
—
Rachael Lamore, Jessica Riconscente, Genaveve Bradshaw, and Adam Stout
