Steam irons have been around since 1926 and are still a popular household item. Why is that the case, you ask? Because these tools are extremely handy to have around the house. They can provide a professional level of fabric care that can’t be provided by any other type of iron. And nowadays, the best steam irons are not only easy to handle and produce a good amount of steam, but they are also safer than the irons of the past.
Before you can find the best steam iron for your household, you are going to have to spend some time checking out the latest models. Which probably means that you’re probably going to have to sift through some steam iron reviews. To help you out, we’ve decided to do some of the legwork for you and show you what we feel are the ten best clothes iron models currently available.
Best Steam Irons Reviews – Buyer’s Guide
#10 Rowenta DW7180 Everlast 1750
Eighty-five percent of all Americans have to deal with hard water, and no one knows this better than the manufacturer of this incredible steam iron. This German-made iron has a patented limescale that can capture up to a teaspoon of scale, and thereby prevent it from clogging its steam holes.
This 1,750-Watt unit is powerful enough to meet all of the user’s steam needs, and its 12-ounce water tank gives the user plenty of steam as well. It can provide up to 30-minutes of steam at a time and has a long 8-foot cord that gives the user the reach they need to plug this unit in a nearby outlet.
#9 Maytag M400 Speed Heat Iron
Maytag is a trusted company that’s been making quality appliances for over a 120-years, so its no wonder that this iron is one of the better models available. It can reach its operating temperature in a minute or less and can regenerate steam every 3-seconds.
It has a large stainless steel soleplate that pushes wrinkles out faster and smooths seams out better than many of the cheaper irons on the market. It has an 8.1-ounce tank capacity, is self-cleaning and has an 8-foot cord that can swivel 360-degrees. All of these features allow this iron to make ironing as quick as possible.
#8 Black & Decker F67E Classic Iron
Although Black & Deckers is probably better known for its power tools, the F67E classic iron proves that it can also make steam irons that are just as good as anyone else. This iron has a smooth aluminum soleplate that allows it to just glide over fabrics and do it without sticking. This enables it to press seams and smooth wrinkles quickly and efficiently. It also has 7 temperature settings that allow the user to choose their heat setting according to the fabric type.
And it also has a dedicated OFF switch that gives the user peace of mind and prevents them from having to worry if their iron is really off. The last safety feature found on this unit is an automatic shutoff which shuts the iron down when its left on its side or soleplate longer than 30-seconds or when its left for 8-minutes on its heel.
#7 Black & Decker D2530 Professional Steam Iron
Another fine iron from Black & Decker is the D2530. This product delivers a very high steam rate that allows the user to blast wrinkles out of their clothing as fast as possible. It also has a digital temperature control with an LCD screen that makes it super easy to set steam settings and to set fabric settings.
When the unit is ready to be used, it will tell the user with a flashing “Ready” on its digital screen. Another great thing about this iron is its stainless steel soleplate that glides over fabrics and is less likely to stick than cheaper iron models. It’s no wonder this product is always getting praised in iron reviews.
#6 Rowenta DG8520 Perfect Steam 1800-Watt
With a stainless steel soleplate and the ability to deliver 5-bars of pressure, this iron is suitable for just about any ironing chore it’s tasked with. It’s a 1,800-watt iron with a 47-ounce tank that allows it to be used for ironing for up to 90-minutes of time. This makes it ideal for big sewing projecting or for handling large items such as drapes or curtains.
This product is manufactured in France using high-quality components and is designed to be easy-to-use. Other features which can be found on this iron includes an eco-setting which reduces energy usage by 20%, an easy-to-use trigger and a safety-lock system.
#5 Steamfast SF-717 Mini Travel Steam Iron
This travel iron may be small, but that’s partially why it’s such a good iron. It’s easy to handle, easy to use and can be conveniently packed into luggage for an unexpected trip. This iron’s small size isn’t the only advantage it has. It’s also powerful and can heat up its 1.4-ounce water tank in about 15-seconds.
This 420-watt iron also has a 7.5-foot power cord that makes it easier to plug into a nearby outlet. And if you need to take this iron abroad, you can due to its dual-voltage feature. All you have to do is select between 100 and 240-Volts.
#4 Beautural 1800-Watt Steam Iron with LCD Screen
Modern technology and an innovative design come together in this high-quality iron that provides the user with some serious steaming power. This unit provides up to 1800-Watts of power and has 9 preset modes that allow the user to select the ideal steam and temperature settings for whatever fabric they’re ironing.
This product can iron out the wrinkles on a variety of different fabrics including silk, wool, cotton, nylon, and linen. And it’s easy to read LCD display always keep the user advised to what setting they’re using. Other features of this iron include a self-cleaning system, an auto safety shutoff and a double ceramic-coated soleplate.
#3 Smagreho Travel Steam Dry Iron
Small, compact and easy-to-use, this mini steam iron is ideal for use at home, on the road or in the dorm. It’s a 420-Watt unit that can hold up to 1.4-ounces of water that allows enough steam for quick touchups. It has 3-different temperature settings and heats up in 15-seconds or less.
It also has one-touch steam control, a non-stick soleplate and dual voltage capabilities that allow it to be used just about anywhere. This product also comes with a measuring cup and a travel bag for convenience. This might not be the biggest iron available, but it does do a good job for most small ironing jobs.
#2 Chi Steam Professional Grade Iron
This iron can glide smoothly over most fabrics and also delivers a great amount of steam. It has a titanium-infused ceramic soleplate with 300-steam holes in it that helps to deliver just the right amount of steam to the fabric being ironed.
This product also has a sleek handle that has a comfortable to use grip and a long 10-foot power cord. Other features found on this 1,700-watt iron include a steam blast feature, anti-drip technology, a three-way auto-shutoff feature, and matte chrome accents. All of which come together in this high-quality iron to give the user the right tool for just about any ironing job.
#1 Ivation Mini Dual-Voltage Steam Iron
This mini-iron has a number of features which make it quite useful on the road or at home. It’s a 420-watt unit that can remove wrinkles from just about any type of fabric and has a nonstick ceramic soleplate that prevents the unit from sticking.
This iron also has variable voltage control so it can be used just about anywhere and has a one-touch steam control feature. It heats up in 15-seconds or less and features three different heat power settings. With a 7.5-foot cord, it’s always easy to find an outlet to plug the unit it, too. All things considered, this product is designed to handle all kinds of different ironing jobs.
Steam Iron Guide
Everyday household chores can be a pain, especially when you don’t use quality tools for the job. To make the thankless task of ironing a lot easier, many people turn to the best steam irons to make the process simple.
The better products glide across clothes, smoothing the creases in an instant, this is better than pushing back and forth for minutes on end, especially if you are ironing before work. To prevent a long stay at the ironing board, we have outlines everything you need to expect from a quality steam iron below.
What To Look For In A Steam Iron
Brand Reputation
Although it is an obvious place to start, there aren’t many start-ups making quality steam irons at a reasonable price. The choices are often cheap, low-quality products or reliable steam iron brands. Some give you better value than others but will all do a great job of keeping your work shirts and favorite dresses looking their best.
Value
This is hard to gauge as everyone has a different budget but value is generally a product that will last a long time and has enough features to make light work of stubborn creases.
Wattage
This is a big one as the bigger the wattage, the better the power output. When a steam iron has some serious power behind it to get that plate nice and hot, you’ll be able to get the job done quicker. Anything around 1,700 will have plenty enough for daily use and it can even help to generate more steam.
Anything below 1,000 watts will struggle to give you the impact you need and you’ll end up keeping it on for longer to finish the job, which won’t help with the electric bills.
Water Tank Capacity
The bigger the water tank, the less frequently you will need to top it up. This is better if you let the laundry pile stack up and want to get it all done in one go.
Steam
Of course, a steam iron is only as good as the amount of steam it can produce and to make those big creases disappear, you are going to need a little help here. The best steam irons will produce over 30g/min and most people prefer a button mechanism to release the steam. There are other types including a lever but a button gives you more control.
Auto Switch-Off
The longer a steam iron is left unattended, the more of a potential hazard it is. The better products will come with safety features such as auto switch-off when not in use. This might be when left for 30-minutes or less but it is always better to have something like this in place, particularly if you have left the house for the day.
Adjustable Settings
Most steam irons give you a fair bit of freedom in terms of temperature and adjusting for the type of material you are ironing. Some of the better brands will give you different options for steam output and should be easy to understand so you can get the most out of the iron.
Self Cleaning
Because a lot of people live in waters with hard water, this can produce a scale that blocks vents and only gets worse over time. Some brands offer a self-cleaning feature to make sure this problem doesn’t affect you.
Corded Vs Cordless Steam Irons
With a few differences, you can find the right appliance that suits you best:
Corded – These are usually more cost-effective than other versions but do have restrictions in terms of how far they can reach. On the plus side, they are powerful and last as long as you need them to per use. If you want to go for a corded steam iron, make sure it gives you adequate reach so you can move freely.
Cordless – The built-in battery is convenient and makes moving around the ironing board a breeze but you are at the mercy of the battery life and they tend to be heavier because of the battery pack. Also, you have to wait for it to recharge but as long as you stay on top of these minor inconveniences, they are handy, to say the least.
Steam Iron Guide Conclusion
Although some people tend to go for a steam iron that is on offer assuming they are getting good value, if it doesn’t tick the above boxes, it is not going to make ironing as easy as it should.
When you know what to look for, you tend to get more out of a steam iron, including a longer life span.
