A good clothing iron is a laundry room essential, just behind washers and dryers in importance. Designed to tackle all your de-wrinkling needs, these handy devices can press bed sheets, spruce up clothes or even smooth out curtains. But not all models are created equal, and cheap ones often fall short when it comes to getting the job done. High-quality irons, on the other hand, are fast and effective: They heat up quickly and typically come with adjustable temperature and steam settings to work on all kinds of fabrics.
With its powerful steam and professional-grade performance, the Rowenta DW9280 Steamforce Steam Iron … [+] earns the spot for best iron, overall.
Rowenta
If you’re ready to invest in an iron, it can be tough to know where to start—especially with all the options available. When it comes to versatility, you can’t beat steam irons, as they can double as dry irons (but not the other way around). You might also want to look for models with soleplates made of ceramic or stainless steel, which move over fabrics more easily than those made of a variety of materials. Consider the cord, too. A swivel feature prevents the cord from interfering with your ironing, whereas a retractable cord makes storage simple and compact. And then, there’s the factor of weight. Whereas a heavier iron will easily press whatever you’re ironing, a lighter model can reduce fatigue if you plan on using it as a vertical steamer or have lots of ironing to do.
Not sure where to start? We looked into the top-rated models on the market, analyzing which ones have something to bring to the ironing board. After careful consideration, we’ve determined these are the best irons to keep you looking clean and crisp.
Best Iron Overall
A Powerful Steam Iron With Professional-Level Results
MOST POPULAR
For the best of the best, you’ll want Rowenta’s feature-heavy model. With its powerful steam output, the Rowenta can smooth out stubborn wrinkles on thick garments. Its stainless soleplate is easy to move over any material, and with 400 steam holes, it distributes steam evenly as you glide. It has a generous 11.8 ounce water tank for ironing piles of garments uninterrupted and an LED temperature display lets you know once it’s heated (no risky hot plate touching required). For added safety, it turns off automatically after being left untouched for eight minutes vertically or 30 seconds face down or on its side.
What the Reviews Say: “I absolutely love this iron. It just glides across the clothing and with one pass, the wrinkles are gone,” writes one Amazon reviewer. “I love the steam burst, great for the tops of pants. My only regret, I wish I would have ordered it sooner!”
Pros:
Automatic shut-off
Generous water tank
LED display
Cons:
Some users may find the extra features unnecessary
Best Budget Iron
An Affordable Model With All The Essential Features
Don’t be fooled by the budget-friendly price: The Sunbeam Steammaster is beloved by reviewers and customers alike. This steam iron has a stainless soleplate, plus 1400 watts of pressing power and variable steam control that make it easy to effectively remove wrinkles from any material. According to customers, it heats fast and it’s just as heavy as more expensive options. It also has a retractable cord for added convenience.
What the Reviews Say: “This iron has some heft to it, making pressing extremely easy,” writes one reviewer. “The surface of the iron is so smooth and just glides so easily over the fabric. This iron also has some amazing steam power.”
Pros:
Affordable
Easy-to-clean soleplate
Heats quickly
Cons:
Lower wattage
Might be too heavy for some users
Best Energy-Efficient Iron
An Innovative Steam Iron That’s Eco-Friendly
Rowenta’s Eco-Intelligence model is one of the few irons with an emphasis on energy efficiency, but it still upholds the brand’s reputation for stellar performance. Like its cousin above, the Eco-Intelligence has 400 holes on its stainless steel soleplate for emitting powerful plumes of steam. And like other top contenders, it can also be used as a steamer when held vertically.
The big difference here is its unique design: It channels steam right where you want it so less is lost, making it 25% more energy efficient than standard irons. Three settings also help to control energy expenditure (dry, eco, and boost for the most stubborn creases), and an automatic shut-off feature—after eight minutes if left upright, after 30 seconds if left horizontal or tipped over—increases safety and energy savings.
What the Reviews Say: Overall, reviewers say the Eco-Intelligence lives up to the Rowenta name. “I have owned this iron for about three months now and have to say that it is the best iron I have ever used,” shares one buyer. “I have shirts that have always been impossible to get wrinkles out using other irons and this one takes care of them with ease—and I don’t even use the steam boost. Setting it to ‘ECO’ mode gives plenty of power.”
Pros:
Energy-efficient
Can be held vertically
Automatic shut-off feature
Cons:
May not heat up as quickly as other models
Best Mid-Priced Iron
A Mid-Range Option That Rivals High-End Competitors
A cost-effective alternative to the Rowenta, the CHI also has more than 400 steam holes, resulting in even steam distribution. The oversized titanium-infused ceramic soleplate heats quickly and glides smoothly over any material, and because the temperature settings include a fabric guide, you won’t risk damaging your clothes with too much heat. Along with the powerful steam output, reviewers also appreciate that the tip of the soleplate is pointed, which makes it easier to press tight corners.
What the Reviews Say: “I was a little hesitant in purchasing this iron [but I] bought it and and fell in love with it,” says one Target reviewer. “Heats up very well, didn’t have to go over my blouse twice.” Adds another, “I’m a seamstress and need a good iron to sew. This is the Mercedes of irons.”
Pros:
Even steam distribution
Heats quickly
Multiple fabric settings
Cons:
Some reviewers complain of durability
Best Press Iron
A Dual-Plated Iron That Makes Things Easy
If you’d rather rock a wrinkled blouse than pull out the ironing board, The Nori Press is for you. This dual-sided iron is designed to press and steam clothes with minimal effort required. It has six heat settings—poly, silk, wool, cotton, denim and linen—and a water reservoir that generates steam without any leakage. The aluminum plates glide easily over any garment, smoothing out the front and back at the same time. Weighing just 1.4 pounds, it’s an excellent option for travel, too.
What the Reviews Say: The Nori Press is adored by everyone who tries it. One permanent convert writes, “Nori is absolutely amazing and I will never go back to normal ironing (or shower steaming). It is effortless to iron or touch up any clothes even when in a rush. My boyfriend is also Nori’s biggest fan. He bought one and now irons his shirts every time he leaves his apartment.”
Pros:
Dual-sided for low-effort pressing
Six heat settings
No leakage
Cons:
Best Cordless Iron
A Rechargeable Iron With No Annoying Cord
The Panasonic makes everyday ironing hassle-free—just charge it, choose your temp and wait a minute for it to heat up. The cordless feature prevents snags, but to keep the iron at your desired temperature, you’ll have to reheat it on the base. You can also use the Panasonic as a vertical steamer and it comes with its own carrying case for storage or travel.
What the Reviews Say: Customer say this iron rivals corded options with its stainless soleplate and steam power, but it’s not as heavy because it’s portable. “It heats up quickly and steams well…and [it’s] very light,” writes one reviewer. “It just glides along with little effort on my part. And I can’t tell you how much I love NOT fighting an electrical cord.”
Pros:
No cord to fuss with
Vertical steamer feature
Variable temperatures
Cons:
Best Travel Iron
A Mini Model For Smoothing Wrinkles On The Go
Whether you’re traveling or low on storage space, the Steamfast Mini is a solid pick. It heats in under a minute and glides easily with its non-stick soleplate. The iron has three heat settings, ideal for quick touchups, and while it only holds 1.4 ounces of water, reviewers say it generates plenty of steam for everyday ironing jobs.
What the Reviews Say: “I cannot, cannot say enough great things about this little iron,” one reviewer raves. “It comes with the iron, a little bag to put it in and the cup to fill the reservoir so you don’t make a mess. The cord wraps around it so you don’t have cord all over the place and it’s perfect for travel, on the go or for everyday use!”
Pros:
Heats quickly
Three heat settings
Easy to hold and use
Cons:
Best Quick-Heating Iron
A Budget-Friendly Iron That Heats Up In Less Than A Minute
Looking for a fast-heating iron that uses the power of steam to press out wrinkles? This cost-effective option features a corrosion-resistant Titanium soleplate, plus a self-cleaning feature to ensure you don’t transfer stains to your clothes. Even better news: It heats up within 60 seconds, even when you’re using the highest heat setting. Choose from this 1875-watt iron or a less expensive 1550-watt one.
What the Reviews Say: “Have been completely satisfied with this iron. It’s doesn’t have all the lights and whistles but it can steam a ton of laundry,” says one five-star reviewer. “I like to work fast and this is the first iron that keeps up with me. Ask Amazon. I’ve sent back quite a few irons. I’m very happy. Thank you Conair!!!!”
Pros:
Heats up quickly
Two wattage choices
Heavy enough to press clothes
Cons:
What to Consider When Buying A Clothing Iron
Practical as they are, clothing irons are an investment, so you don’t necessarily want to pick up the first model you come across. According to laundry expert Patric Richardson, author of Laundry Love: Finding Joy in a Common Chore, here’s what you should consider before buying one for your home.
Materials
When it comes to soleplates, Richardson recommends ones made of stainless steel or ceramic, as the materials are durable and easy to clean. While non-stick materials may seem convenient, the coating can peel off over time, meaning you might end up having to replace your iron prematurely.
Weight
Another factor to consider is the iron’s weight. Generally speaking, Richardson prefers heavier models over ones that aren’t as weighty. “Something with a little heft always helps press out the wrinkles,” he says. That being said, if you’re looking for something you can tote around, it might make sense to go for a lighter, more portable model.
Steam output
Steam is key to tackling wrinkles. However, according to Richardson, many affordable irons don’t produce enough steam to make a difference in the appearance of your clothes. If you’d rather not drop $100-plus on a powerful steam iron, you have an alternative: Buy a heavy model and use a spray bottle to moisten the fabric as you go.
Other features
If you’re going to be ironing a wide variety of fabrics, it’s best to choose a model with precise temperature settings. For example, rather than one with “low” and “high,” look for a model with dedicated silk, cotton, and linen settings. Richardson always recommends irons with long or retractable cords, too. ‘There’s nothing more frustrating than an iron with a short cord,” he says.
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