Best Steam Irons

best steam irons

Our editors independently research the best products online to produce this list. We may receive commission on purchases made from the links below but this will never affect our product choices.


Kiss the creases in your clothes goodbye by investing in a high-quality, reliable steam iron. Compatible with all fabrics, they provide professional results for work or everyday attire. But sifting through the vast selection on the market can be gruelling, as there are many features to look out for. That’s why we’ve done the hard work for you and collated a diverse list of the top seven best models you can buy right now. Continue reading to explore your options for a wrinkle-free wardrobe.

How We Compared Steam Irons

To find the right steam irons, we considered multiple factors, including:

  • Pressure and Steam Output
  • Soleplate
  • Water Tank Size
  • Auto Modes
  • Design

Our team planned comparison points and specifically looked for products that would cater to all kinds of needs. We spent countless hours researching, consulting customer reviews and comparing features to come up with this list.

Steam Iron Reviews

Philips Azur (Editor’s Choice)

Experience fast ironing and powerful performance with 2,600 watts, a 250-gram steam boost (for deeper penetration) and 50 grams/minute of continuous steam. This product is easy to use and offers various temperature settings to suit an array of materials. 

The Philips Azur features a SteamGlide Advanced soleplate that easily glides on all fabrics. It’s also equipped with a 300-ml water tank and drip-stop system to prevent leaks. This appliance includes a quick calc release in just 15 seconds for long-lasting steam and convenient ironing. 

Philips designed this model with an ergonomic handle for a comfortable hold during use. Meanwhile, there’s a versatile temperature range with a practical turn dial to alternate between different textiles and a water spray function.

Pros:

  • SteamGlide Advanced soleplate
  • Large water tank
  • Quick calc release
  • 250-gram steam boost
  • Drip drop system

Cons:

  • The 2.5-metre cord length might be shorter than other steam irons
  • The lowest temperature setting may not produce any steam

Philips PerfectCare Elite (Luxury Choice)

This model combats creases with ease by providing up to 135 grams/minute of steam. Plus, it features an extra steam boost up to 470 grams and automatically adjusts its settings to suit your clothing. 

The Philips PerfectCare Elite comes with opticalTEMP technology. This feature prevents any items from being burned, even if you leave your iron resting on them. It’s also designed for easy storage and fits conveniently on any ironing board.

Another impressive characteristic is its vertical steaming, which lets you remove creases from clothes and accessories while still on the hanger. This is perfect for quick fixes and more oversized items like coats. Lightweight and compact, it has a 1.8-litre water tank and heats up in only two minutes. This appliance also comes with a T-ionicGlide Ceramic plate for wrinkle-free results.

Pros:

  • 135 grams/minute of continuous steam
  • OptimalTEMP technology
  • Automatic setting
  • Vertical steaming 
  • Large water tank

Cons:

  • The base might be bulkier than other irons on this list
  • You may have to leave it to cool down for two hours after descaling

Russell Hobbs Pearl Glide (Best Value)

Experience a smoother glide against fabrics with a pearl-infused ceramic soleplate. This design reduces snagging for smoother results and prevents the risk of damaging your clothes.

The Russell Hobbs Pearl Glide has a 150-gram steam shot and 40 grams of continuous steam to tackle creases effortlessly. Additionally, it includes a self-clean function that prevents limescale buildup, enhancing efficiency and improving its lifespan.

This appliance also has an anti-drip feature to eliminate water leaks on your ironing board and wardrobe. Meanwhile, the 315ml water tank prevents you from having to refill it constantly during use.

Pros:

  • Self-cleaning
  • Pearl-infused ceramic soleplate
  • Anti-drip design
  • 40 grams of steam
  • Bright, eye-catching design
  • 315ml water tank

Cons:

  • The two-metre power cord might be too short for some
  • It may not include a cord clip for storage

Morphy Richards easyCHARGE 303250 (Best for Manoeuvrability)

Quickly reheat this wireless model between ironing with the 360-degree charging base. Its lightweight structure glides through your garments and delivers impressive steam.

Remove wrinkles from clothes with the Morphy Richards easyCHARGE 303250. It features a powerful steam boost that combats stubborn creases, while the ceramic soleplate glides over all clothing items. 

It has a self-cleaning function to remove limescale and auto shut-off after eight minutes for additional safety. Moreover, this iron completely reheats in 25 seconds, and the steam automatically adjusts to the temperature.

Pros:

  • 360-degree charging base 
  • Cord-free
  • Ceramic soleplate 
  • Self-cleaning 
  • Auto shut-off

Cons:

  • The soleplate might stick to some garments
  • It may not hold heat for as long as other irons

Russell Hobbs 24440 (Best for Performance)

Thanks to 100 grams of steam output, this iron softens fabrics for a smooth result, even with the toughest wrinkles. It also has an auto shut-off feature, giving you peace of mind if you leave it unattended for some time.

You can store the Russell Hobbs 24440 in an upright position, so you can keep it anywhere. It also includes two helpful carry handles for easy transport and extra guidance while ironing.

This appliance only takes 60 seconds to fully heat up and comes with three steam settings, a ceramic soleplate, cord and hose storage, and a 1.3-litre removable water tank. Best of all, its anti-scale cartridge purifies water into the tank to reduce limescale buildup.

Pros:

  • Auto shut-off
  • Stores upright
  • Two carry handles 
  • 60-second heat up 
  • 1.3-litre water tank

Cons:

  • The steam release might not be as powerful as other irons
  • The steam might only emit out of small holes

Breville DiamondXpress (Best Design)

Featuring a 400-ml water tank, you won’t need to constantly fill up this steam iron. It illuminates the temperature for easy reading, and steam remains at the heart of the soleplate for excellent precision. 

The Breville DiamondXpress has a large, multi-directional diamond ceramic soleplate for smooth and fast ironing. It also has 200-gram steam shot that powers through creases, so you can quickly get on with your pile of clothes. 

Moreover, it includes a three-metre power cord for freedom and automatic shut-off, anti-scale, anti-drip, and self-clean features. These traits allow you to iron far away from the plug socket and not worry too much about maintaining this appliance.

Pros:

  • 400-ml water tank
  • Temperature illumination 
  • Anti-scale and anti-drip
  • Multi-directional diamond ceramic soleplate 
  • Three-metre power cord

Cons:

  • It might leak water from the steam vents
  • It may be heavier than other options

BEAUTURAL 2400W (Best Lightweight)

This iron comes with nine preset modes for all textiles, including silk, nylon, wool, jeans, linen and cotton. Plus, you can easily adjust the temperature and steam settings with the digital LCD display.

The BEAUTURAL 2400W features a double ceramic-coated soleplate with a super smooth bottom that glides across all fabrics to remove creases from clothes. It comes with a 340ml water tank and takes only 60 seconds to heat up.

In addition, it has an automatic safety shut-off function to avoid ruining your garments and prevent accidents. This steam iron is also designed to be durable with a self-cleaning system that removes calcium deposits to improve its performance and increase its lifespan.

Pros:

  • LCD display
  • Nine preset modes
  • Double ceramic-coated soleplate
  • One-minute heating time
  • Durable design

Cons:

  • It may leak water onto your clothes
  • The soleplate might not be as smooth against fabrics as other steam irons

How to Choose a Steam Iron

Not sure which of the above steam iron is for you? Below are some essential factors to keep in mind throughout your buying search. We’ve considered the power and performance of the appliances as well as the design and usability. There are also some extra functions that you might prefer, such as automatic modes and a large water tank.

Pressure and Steam Output

Anything over 50 grams/minute is considered to have excellent steam output. The more powerful the steam release, the more capable the appliance is in removing the toughest crinkles. Additionally, look into the bar pressure your potential iron offers. The general bar range is between five and eight. The higher the figure, the easier and more successful it is in penetrating through materials in a shorter amount of time. 

Soleplate

This is the part of the unit that comes into contact with your attire. Generally speaking, there are three soleplate materials: ceramic, stainless and titanium. For the smoothest results (and with ease), consider a ceramic option, as this allows the iron to glide across your garments while offering scratch protection. 

Water Tank Size

The last thing you want is to constantly stop because you need to fill your iron with water to continue. Opt for at least a 300ml water tank, as this will provide enough water for the average ironing session. Bear in mind that a bigger water tank means a larger unit, which equates to the overall weight. Alternatively, a smaller reservoir might suffice for ironing just a couple of items. 

Auto Modes

Some of the best steam irons have automatic functions and modes to prevent burning your garments. For example, an auto temperature setting means the appliance chooses the temperature for you based on the fabric. This makes it easier to toggle between different materials and helps to protect your outfits.

There are additional auto modes to remember, such as auto shut-off after a specific time. This is highly beneficial if you tend to worry that the iron is still on when you leave the house. Some smart models can detect if you leave them on your items for too long and will power off to prevent scorching materials.  

Design

Contemplate the size, weight, and appearance of your device. A lightweight design reduces stress on your wrist, but a heavier weight helps tackle wrinkles.

Additionally, would you prefer a cordless model? These are beneficial to eliminate restrictions, enabling you to iron anywhere. If a wireless appliance is your preferred choice, consider the maximum battery life and how long it takes to charge fully. Alternatively, check the cord length of a wired product. Built-in cord storage also improves organisation after ironing your wardrobe.

Summary

The Philips Azur is our top pick for the best steam iron in terms of usability and performance. It offers 50 grams/minute of continuous steam and 2600 watts to diminish crumples. It’s also equipped with a SteamGlide soleplate, so it can efficiently slide across all textiles. Another impressive characteristic of this appliance is the drip-stop system to keep your garments moisture-free when ironing. Above all, the large water tank and the 15-second quick calc release enhance its overall quality and effectiveness.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *