Best Iron 2020 – Buyer’s Guide

Clothes become creased, as much as we try to avoid it. But if your current iron is just not getting through them well enough, then a steam generator iron is what you need.

This Tefal model is one of the best for ease of use as well, with a constant stream of steam to tackle the creases and kinks which make your clothes look a little scruffy. Just press the button and it is ready when you need it, making it one of the best steam irons available as you are fully in control.

We have all been rushing around before work or before meeting friends for a meal, to see that there is a crease in our trousers/shirt which is incredibly noticeable and you can’t hide with a jacket or bag as it hangs on the door. Cue trying to straighten it with hair stylers or having a last minute change of outfit – neither of which is ideal. But thanks to the vertical steam option with the Liberty SV7030, you can just hang it up and tackle the problem before you wear it, without having to drag the ironing board out.

When you are ironing like normal however, the ceramic soleplate helps the appliance glide over the material without any snags, and reduced the risk of it sticking too. A 1.5L tank ensures you can go for longer sessions without having to refill, as well. That Sunday in front of the telly as you iron suddenly seems a lot more desirable…

With the option of three intensive Ultimate380 steam boost options, you can tackle any stubborn wrinkles with just the right amount of power necessary. You can also tackle thick materials such as jumpers or furnishings.

A comfort indicator lets you know when the water tank is empty, which is perfect for those who are often too in the zone to keep checking off their own accord. It also tells you when the steam is ready so that you can get to work quickly and with the correct power.

The CeraniumGlissee Pro plate makes gliding over any fabric a breeze, as well as a three-phase layout to enjoy ideal steam distribution over any textiles.

You can also maintain the iron for longevity, using the Calc ‘n’ Clean Perfect cleaning programme at the click of a button; all the work is done for you.

All of the buttons on the back of the iron are really easy to operate, including the Eco mode and power button. You also have the benefit of the secure lock system, which locks the iron in place when it is stored on the base or being transported to keep your environment safe.

If you’ve ever had an iron which has quickly become defunct or lost power, there is a good chance that it is because of the limescale which has built up inside. This happens when water is left in the iron for too long, especially if you live in a hard water area.

TEFAL have developed a unique system to deal with this. A twist-in spoon collects 10x more limescale particles than ordinary iron collection systems, directly from the irons sizeable water tank. Simply pull the spoon out and empty the scale into the bin.

There is added steam power too, with holes not only at the base of the plate but also at the side and tip. This distributes the steam to places which traditional irons simply can’t reach.

Durilium Airglide Autoclean technology allows the plate to glide over any surface effortlessly, and you don’t have to worry about it becoming scratched should you go over a zip or fastening.

Smart Technology will also provide the perfect heat and steam production for every fabric, adjusting all of the settings for you with a press of a button. The 7 bars of pressure will also mean you get through any material quickly, even the thickest of curtains and jackets.

If you feel like a bog-standard steam iron frankly doesn’t do the job for your busy household, then a steam generator iron could be the answer.

With 6.7 bars of pressure, there is a continuous powerful steam flow rate of 135g/min which will tackle the majority of creases and crinkles in your clothing. Should you still want more, there is a steam shot button which offers a brief boost of 470g.

OptimalTEMP technology allows you to quickly switch between fabric types without having to change the temperature settings, protecting even the most delicate of clothing. You can go from jeans to wool to silk, without having to wait for the temperature to adjust or pre-sorting the piles of clothes separately. The constant powerful production of steam will also protect clothes from burns and the plate sticking.

This, combined with the Automatic shut-off, means you can leave the iron and soleplate on the fabric ironing board without risk of burning, as it will shut off after a certain amount of time when not in use – perfect if you find yourself forgetting to unplug or switch off your electricals after use.

The 1.8L tank should get you through your ironing pile without having to top it up, but when the time does come, the container can be detached from the rest of the stand and filled up under your mains tap. No need for one of those little jugs which refill your iron but always get lost within a week anyway.

A safety carry lock also means you can transport your iron and base together without worrying about dropping or damaging either part. ECO mode will also allow you to iron your clothes with less steam but no reduced power.

As a bonus, the life of your iron is prolonged with the De-Calc function. Simply remove the Easy De-Calc knob when the product is cold and discard the dirty water and scale. The iron will remind you of when to do this with both a light and sound, so half the job is already done.

Able to glide over clothing with ease, and without being restricted by cords or cables, this is a very user friendly iron.

It is quick at recharging, which is great if you always tackle the ironing in one go and can’t wait around too long. Plus, the charging base is horizontal. This makes it much safer than others which use vertical chargers and risk water running out or the device tipping over.

You can just slide the iron on and off the base without lifting. Not that lifting is a pain, as it is a lightweight piece of kit. A smart light on the base of the iron tells you when it needs a boost of power, so you’ll never have to stop mid-blouse.

Anti-drip technology prevents damage to your clothes from excess water release, and if it is left untouched for more than 8 minutes on the base, it turns off automatically. This should prevent a fair few accidents.

The cable is an annoying factor in ironing. You can only reach so far, you have to constantly move it so you don’t run over it, and it is a trip hazard.

Going cordless means optimum comfort. A light lets you know when it is charging, ready to use or heating up so you always know when you’re ready to go. And, a 300ml water tank leaves you plenty of room to get the ironing pile done all at once, plus you’re able to see when it needs topping up.

As it is cordless, you could even use the steam shot function as a vertical steamer to clean and freshen curtains or sofas without removing the fabric.

It is lightweight and the steam pressure is good. And after the initial heat up, further heating is short in time. Just be aware it has to be charged when standing or we did find water leaked onto the base, which could be dangerous.

Incredibly powerful at coming in at an incredibly good price too, this iron is a high-end standard steam model without all the fanciness and fuss.

It heats up quickly and maintains this temperature too, so even if you have a pile of ironing as tall as yourself to tackle, it will help you power through. Talking of power, the high wattage and 50 g/min steam output work together to cut through the toughest of creases, and you can even iron vertically if you have a dress or suit hanging up.

Limescale build up is a big issue when it comes to irons so the built-in calc container, which will collect particles during ironing, can help you to care for it and give it a longer lifespan. The titanium-oxide coated soleplate is another design feature which makes life easier – the iron can now glide effortlessly over the clothing without risk of burning or catching.

Thanks to the Auto Steam Control function, all you have to do is select the temperature for the material and the exact amount of steam will be available at the touch of a button. You also don’t have to worry about any accidents happening, as if the iron is tipped over, it will automatically turn off. It will also do the same if left unused for a period.

We really liked the extra pointy tip which helps get into all those tricky angles and around buttons, and the other standout is the ironing board clip. Attach it to the board, and the cord is kept out of the way from the clothes so you won’t risk getting tangled up. It may seem like a small addition, but it makes a big impact.

If you hate having to store your iron away with the long cord getting tangled, bent and wrapped around everything else, then this easy store model is perfect.

Simply wrap the cord around the specially designed base, and then tuck the plug away in the designated holder. Perfect if you are short on storage space or are worried about the wire becoming damaged when stowed away.

Keeping the iron well maintained is also easy; with a burst of steam, all lime scale is forced out through the holes with the residual water.

The 45g/min steam shot rate is powerful enough to get rid of the creases and folds of any material, with little need to constantly change other settings such as ramping up the temperature or going over the same spot two or three times.

The power and water tank capacity aren’t quite as high as the Morphy Richards Breeze, but the dedicated storage method could give it an edge if that is one of your biggest concerns.

With a smooth ceramic soleplate, this Morphy Richards Breeze will glide over any material effortlessly, making light work of your ironing pile.

The 350ml water tank is on the generous side for the price, meaning you won’t have to keep refilling it and interrupting your flow.

Any stubborn wrinkles can be addressed easily with the 45g/minute steam shot rate, and you can even tackle any garments which are hanging up thanks to the vertical steam option.

You don’t have to worry about the build-up of lime scale, as the anti-scale technology will take care of all the internal cleaning no matter what your water type.

If you want a top-of-the-range travel iron, then this Swan SI3070N is for you.

When you are on holiday, ironing is not going to be the top of your priority list. Therefore you’ll just want something which can quickly go over the creases in your clothes to smarten them up. Your clothes are probably pretty lightweight anyway, especially if you are in a hot climate.

Ergonomically designed, the soleplate glides effortlessly over all fabrics and tackles any creases efficiently without taking much time out of your day.

Helping you look your best when you are away from home. This Russell Hobbs travel iron is perfect for taking away with you in your case.

The stainless-steel hotplate will make light work of any material. There are water spray and variable steam features to give you an extra boost if needed, too. You can also choose the best temperature for maximum control.

To give it a slight edge, there is a larger water tank than with other travel iron models. This means you can take care of several pieces of clothing in one sitting – handy if you are away with the full family.