Iron buying guide: How to find the best appliance for you
We'll help you choose the perfect iron to keep your clothes looking clean, crisp and wrinkle-free.
Ironing can be a tedious and repetitive chore. While putting in a long shift in front of the ironing board is something most of us will never look forward to, investing in a good-quality iron can make the ironing process faster and easier – not to mention produce better results.
Iron prices start at $35 and go up to $200, with models ranging from basic to high-end professional units with a host of advanced wrinkle-busting features. Our guide will examine the key features you need to compare to find the best iron for your needs.
Compare some of the best irons
Data obtained December 2018. Prices are subject to change and should be used only as a general guide.
Pros
There are some facets of life where wrinkled clothes simply won't cut it. For many of us, the workplace is a key motivator for investing in an iron – turning up to the office in a shirt or dress that looks like it's been plucked from the bottom of the washing basket simply won't do.
There are also plenty of social occasions when a clean, crisp look is essential, making an iron a sensible purchase. And if you need to keep your entire family looking their best, your iron might be one of the most-used appliances in your entire house.
Cons
There are two main reasons why buying an iron may be a waste of money:
If you don't need to look professional. If neither your job nor your social life requires perfectly crisp and wrinkle-free clothes, there's no need to bother with an iron.
If you want to get the wrinkles out another way. Maybe an iron isn't the best choice for the amount of clothing you need to de-wrinkle. For example, if you're looking for a quick and easy way to remove wrinkles from clothes and delicate fabrics, check out our guide to buying a garment steamer. Meanwhile, families with a large amount of ironing to get through might be better off with a steam station, which we'll explore in more detail further down the page.
What types are available?
When comparing irons, one of the key features to consider is the soleplate – this is the metal plate at the bottom of the iron that you press onto the fabric. The material used here is important because it affects how smoothly the iron will glide over your clothes, how well it resists scratching and how easy it is to clean.
There are several different soleplate materials to choose from:
Typically used on entry-level irons, aluminium is cheap and will do the job. However, it may become "sticky" over time, creating more wrinkles as you iron.
Irons with a non-stick coating on the soleplate glide smoothly over clothes and avoid sticking. They're generally quite easy to clean, but you'll need to be careful not to scratch off any of the coating.
Stainless-steel soleplates are a popular choice and available in both entry-level and top-end models. They provide an even spread of heat and smooth performance but zippers and buttons will scratch them.
Durable and reliable, ceramic soleplates conduct heat efficiently and should glide smoothly over clothes. However, they tend to be expensive.
These are the most commonly available options, but palladium, titanium and a number of other materials and coatings can also be used. Research the performance and claimed advantages of the soleplate material before making a purchase.
How to compare irons
While irons appear to be fairly basic appliances on the surface, there are several factors you need to take into account when comparing your options:
Does the iron have dials, slides or digital controls? Are the controls easy to understand and use, and are they positioned in such a way that they're unlikely to be accidentally bumped? Are all fabric settings clearly marked?
Check how easy it is to fill the water tank, move the iron around, use its steam and spray functions and adjust the temperature.
Check the power output (expressed in watts) of any iron you're considering, so you can get a better idea of how quickly and efficiently it produces and maintains heat. Higher wattage means a shorter heat-up time and better performance. Entry-level models have around 1,400-1,500w, while more expensive models could have up to 3,000w.
The more water your iron holds, the more clothing you can get through before needing to refill. This is an important feature for anyone who regularly needs to iron a large pile of clothes.
Also, check whether the water tank is translucent, so you can easily see when you need to top it up.
A good iron will heat up to your desired temperature quickly, but also allow you to adjust the heat to suit whatever fabric you're ironing. While basic units will simply allow you to adjust the temperature as you see fit, the more advanced models will feature specific settings designed for different fabrics.
Many irons will offer one or more of the following steam features:
Vertical steam. This feature allows you to use the iron to steam hanging clothes or large items such as curtains. However, a garment steamer usually provides the best vertical steaming.
Variable steam. This feature automatically adjusts the iron's steam output to suit different fabrics.
Steam burst. The steam burst feature provides an additional burst of steam when you need a little extra heat to smooth out a stubborn wrinkle.
Continuous steam. Provides a continuous output of steam to help you quickly remove wrinkles.
Check the number of steam holes in the soleplate and how they are located to provide even steam distribution. While some models have 15 steam homes, others have up to 400.
Heavy irons can provide better pressing ability but be tiring to use. Check how much the iron weighs and how comfortable it is to hold for long periods.
Check what material is used on the soleplate – ceramic is generally considered to be a good choice, but other materials do have their advantages.
The size and shape of the soleplate are also important. A larger soleplate will help you cover a big area as quickly as possible, but a narrow tip is important for ironing in tight spaces, for example on collars and around buttons.
Anti-drip features stop water from dripping from the soleplate and potentially staining clothing. It also prevents water spitting when you use the steam boost function.
The longer the cord, the more flexibility you have to move around the ironing board and attack creases from different angles. Some irons even have a retractable cord for easier use and storage. Also consider where the cord attaches to the iron, as some models can be difficult to use if you're left-handed.
All irons should feature an automatic shut-off feature that switches off their power if they're left unattended or they tip over. Other safety features may include lights to warn you when the iron is turned on and has reached ironing temperature.
Some irons feature a system that pre-treats the water to prevent the formation of limescale. Entry-level products typically don't have this feature and may require the use of limescale cleaning products.
Check the length of the manufacturer's warranty – most provide one to two years of protection – and what the warranty covers.
While you can pick up an entry-level iron for around $35, premium irons generally range from $100 to $200.
Which iron is best for me?
The best iron for you depends on your personal circumstances, including how often you iron, the amount of clothing you have, the results you want and how much money you want to spend. With this in mind, you'll need to think about your own requirements before you start shopping around.
To help make it easier to compare irons, we've compared the pros and cons of five popular steam irons in the table below:
The good
The bad
Black & Decker Digital Advantage D2030
Digital display
Three-way auto shut-off
Not the lightest
Steam setting can be unintentionally changed
Sunbeam Steam Master GCSBSP-201
Affordable
Easy to use
Leaking issues
Lacks advanced features
Tefal TurboPro Anti-Calc FV5648
Powerful performer
Fast heating time
A little pricey
Heavy
Rowenta Pro Master DW8080
Durable and powerful
400 steam holes
Short cord
Uses water quickly
Shark Ultimate Professional GI505
Reasonable price tag
Comfortable and easy to use
Heavy
Steam button susceptible to breaking
Steam irons vs steam stations
If you seem to be eternally working through a never-ending pile of ironing, you might want to consider a steam station instead of a steam iron. Also known as steam generator irons, steam stations feature a large water tank with a boiler designed to heat the liquid up quickly. They generate more steam pressure than a regular iron, allowing you to iron more clothes in a shorter period of time, and because the water tank is separate, the iron itself weighs less than a conventional steam iron.
If you need to work through a large pile of clothes as quickly as possible, for example, if you're doing laundry for a family of four or five, a steam station could be a wise purchase. However, they're more expensive than your humble steam iron – prices generally start at $200 but can go much higher – and require more storage space, so they may not be the perfect choice for every home.
Consider your ironing needs before deciding on the best solution for your creased clothes.
Tim Falk is a writer for Finder, writing across a diverse range of topics. Over the course of his 15-year writing career, Tim has reported on everything from travel and personal finance to pets and TV soap operas. When he’s not staring at his computer, you can usually find him exploring the great outdoors.
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