Top Pick for
Best steam iron

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Top Pick for
Best steam iron
Top Pick for
Affordable iron
Top Pick for
Iron with a retractable cord
Top Pick for
Cordless iron
For this list, we chose irons based on actual customer reviews and ratings on Amazon. For every category, we carefully chose parameters based on our research and determined products with the highest review score within those parameters.
Not yet rated
Breville VIN406 PressXpress Steam Iron is our pick for the best overall steam iron you can buy in Australia right now. It has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 5,000 Amazon customer reviews.
At 2600W, the Breville VIN406 PressXpress Steam Iron features a powerful steam function that helps cut down your ironing time. It also has 170g of steam shot power that effortlessly flattens out creases. Apart from an auto shut-off feature, this iron has a large 400ml water tank and a self-clean function. The handle has up-to-temperature illumination as well.
Customers loved that the steam shot irons out creases and wrinkles in no time, suitable if you're in a hurry. The 400ml water tank is secure and doesn't leak. Reviewers mentioned that it's easy to control the temperature, while others liked that the steam channels evenly deliver steam where needed. This iron can be used for vertical steaming and features a swivel mechanism, preventing the cord from twisting when in use. However, some customers found it too heavy for their liking. Others also said the steam button breaks easily, but this seems to be an isolated concern.
Not yet rated
For the best cheap iron, we recommend the Russell Hobbs Supreme Steam Traditional Iron. On Amazon, it has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from more than 10,000 reviews.
The Russell Hobbs Supreme Steam Traditional Iron has a non-stick stainless steel soleplate and a 40g per minute continuous steam. At 100g per minute of steam shot, the iron ensures that heat is evenly distributed even through the toughest fabrics. This iron also has a 300ml water tank and a soft touch handle for easy control. Apart from a spray function, you can use this iron for vertical steaming.
The Russell Hobbs Supreme Steam Traditional Iron is a good, basic steam iron, according to reviews. It is easy to use and beginner-friendly. The steam shot distributes heat evenly for faster ironing. Customers said that the handle is quite sturdy, while others liked that it has a self-clean function. At only 300ml, several reviews said the water tank is not ideal if you plan to iron a huge pile of clothes. The iron is also difficult to use for vertical steaming, according to others.
Not yet rated
Our pick for the best model with a retractable cord is BLACK+DECKER's ICR19XS One Step Steam Iron. It has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from more than 300 reviews on Amazon.
This iron features an Even Steam Stainless Soleplate, distributing steam from tip to heel for fast ironing. It also has Smart Steam Controls – the iron automatically regulates steam levels based on the temperature chosen. Apart from spray mist and steam burst functions, it has an easy-fill water tank and an auto-clean system.
According to customers, this BLACK+DECKER iron heats up in no time, making it ideal for people with a busier lifestyle. The Smart Steam Controls are especially helpful when ironing delicate fabrics. The retractable cord reel also makes storage easy with just a press of a button. Reviewers said that this iron is lightweight but doesn't feel flimsy, while others liked that it is easy to navigate around buttons and collars using the device. However, this one is more expensive than other steam irons on the market. A few customers also said that the vapour button is quite difficult to press but added that it's not really a deal breaker.
Not yet rated
If you're looking for the best cordless iron available in Australia right now, we recommend the Tefal FV6520G0 Freemove Air Cordless Steam Iron. On Amazon, it has a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars from more than 800 reviews.
The Tefal FV6520G0 Freemove Air Cordless Steam Iron features cordless technology, which allows for easier navigation when ironing garments. It has up to 25g per minute of continuous steam and 115g per minute of steam shot to power through even the most stubborn creases. This iron also has a super-smooth ceramic soleplate that glides effortlessly over clothes. It must be placed on its base to recharge – it powers up after 11 seconds and gives up to 25 seconds of ironing time.
Many customers praised the product for being compact and travel friendly. Since it is cordless, it is also easier to navigate around creases without worrying about cables. The iron is lightweight and has a secure grip for better control. It features a 250ml water tank, which is suitable for a small pile of clothes. Reviews liked that it has an anti-drip feature that keeps garments from getting wet. It's more expensive than other steam irons, but customers said the quality and performance justify the price. However, they wished that it wouldn't beep when in use as it can be annoying.
Not yet rated
For vertical steaming, we chose the Russell Hobbs 3100W Powersteam Ultra as the best option. It has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 16,000 Amazon reviews.
With a power of 3100W, this steam iron heats up 15% faster, according to the company. It features a super smooth ceramic soleplate that glides through creases, leaving your clothes wrinkle-free. The Russell Hobbs 3100W Powersteam Ultra has a 45g per minute continuous steam, 210g steam shot and 350ml water tank. It also has a tapered tip with button grooves that let you work around buttons, collars and fastenings a lot easier.
According to customers, this steam iron is ideal for regular ironing and vertical steam. It has a 3m cord that makes manoeuvring easier. It can be used to iron out curtains and other tough fabrics as well. The steam shot is powerful and distributes steam evenly, which makes the task a lot easier. Many reviews praised the device for having an auto-switch off function and tapered tips, perfect for a busy household. A few customers said it's not lightweight, while others mentioned that the steam button gets stuck after a couple of uses. But these seem to be minor issues.
Not yet rated
Our pick for the top iron for beginners is Tefal's FV4040 Ultraglide Steam Iron, which has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from over a thousand reviews on Amazon.
The Tefal FV4040 Ultraglide Steam Iron features a Durilium Technology soleplate that helps the iron glide effortlessly over fabrics. It has 2400W and a 150g per minute steam boost. Apart from an easy cord system, it has a double anti-scale and a self-clean feature for easy maintenance. This iron has an automatic steam regulation and a steam trigger as well.
At under $85, this iron is quite affordable. Customers liked that it glides easily even over tough fabrics. The vertical steam shot function also makes vertical steaming quicker. The iron is easy to navigate around awkward creases, while the easy cord system keeps the cord out of the way when in use, making it ideal for beginners. However, some customers experienced leakage just after a couple of uses. Others also wished it had a steam adjustment for better control.
Not yet rated
The Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot 800-Watt Compact Non-Stick Soleplate Travel Iron is our choice for the best travel iron. It has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from more than 7,000 Amazon reviews.
This steam iron has a steam shot feature that helps press out wrinkles and creases quickly. It has a dual voltage system at 240V and 120V and an indicator light that lets you know when it's hot. Apart from a soft touch handle for extra comfort, this iron has heat-settings for most fabric types.
At only 500 grams, the Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot 800-Watt Compact Non-Stick Soleplate Travel Iron is lightweight and easy to store. Many customers used this iron to press seams when sewing. It heats up quickly and provides ample steam to smoothen out creases in no time. However, there were complaints about the water leaking when in use. It is also more expensive than other steam irons.
While most steam irons will offer similar functions, not all models are up to the same standard. Here are some things to look for when you are comparing steam iron models:
Main image: Getty
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 soleplate material affects how smoothly the iron glides over your clothes, how well it resists scratching, and how easy it is to clean.
There are several different soleplate materials to choose from. Aluminium, non-stick, stainless steel and ceramic are the most commonly available options, but palladium, titanium and other materials can also be used for irons.
In addition to the material, check the size and shape of the soleplate. A larger soleplate will help you cover a big area as quickly as possible, but a narrow tip helps you iron in tight spaces such as on collars and around buttons.
While irons might seem like basic appliances on the surface, there are several factors you should take into account when comparing your options:
When comparing irons, you should also consider these features:
If you spend a lot of time ironing, a garment steamer or steam station could help make your chores quicker.
Garment steamers quickly remove wrinkles from clothes and delicate fabrics. However, they cost more than a standard iron and can't provide the crisp, pressed look that an iron can.
For more information, check out our guide to buying a garment steamer.
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.
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, compared to irons, they're quite expensive with prices generally starting at $200. Steam stations also require much more storage space than irons.
Total Score | Overall rating | Value for Money | Ease of use | Performance | Safety & features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Philips | 8.21 | 4.43 | 4.33 | 4.53 | 4.63 | 4.47 |
Sunbeam | 8.10 | 4.36 | 4.42 | 4.44 | 4.36 | 4.42 |
Tefal | 8.08 | 4.35 | 4.15 | 4.62 | 4.38 | 4.46 |
Russell Hobbs | 8.03 | 4.35 | 4.26 | 4.39 | 4.52 | 4.39 |
Braun | 7.91 | 4.22 | 4.22 | 4.48 | 4.43 | 4.26 |
Kambrook | 7.81 | 4.27 | 4.32 | 4.34 | 4.29 | 4.17 |
Electrolux | 7.72 | 4.14 | 4.07 | 4.36 | 4.14 | 3.93 |
Panasonic | 7.46 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 3.92 | 3.92 | 3.92 |
Kogan* | 7.26 | 4.00 | 4.29 | 4.14 | 4.00 | 4.29 |
Kmart | 7.18 | 3.80 | 4.24 | 4.16 | 3.78 | 3.82 |
Target Essentials | 7.11 | 3.92 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 3.58 | 3.83 |
Easy Home (Aldi)* | 7.04 | 3.56 | 4.11 | 4.11 | 3.78 | 3.89 |
Other | 6.88 | 3.70 | 4.00 | 3.70 | 3.70 | 3.70 |
Stirling (Aldi)* | 6.83 | 3.50 | 3.50 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 3.50 |
Allowing you to iron different fabrics without the wait time in between, this nifty product will cut your ironing time in half.