Be Wrinkle-Free With These 10 Best Steam Irons

Pretty lame, I know.

Still, I have to admit that the concept of iron is really interesting. Using steam and red-hot metal to press all the wrinkles out of clothing, leaving the surface smooth and new? Brilliant.

I’m sure you can imagine that some irons are better than others. You can also imagine that not everyone wants to spend $400 on a top-notch steam iron. Some people seldom use an iron, reserving it for their suit or dress for a major interview. Others are more fastidious and iron everything all the time.

Fortunately, there is iron out there for everyone and to fit every budget. Join me as I review ten of the best steam irons on the market.

Things to Consider

Naturally, there are a few things you want to keep in mind when purchasing a steam iron. Most of these things are admittedly pretty basic, but it can be really easy sometimes to overlook those really basic things on occasion.

I mean, who hasn’t come home from the grocery store only to remember they forgot milk or toilet paper? It happens to the best of us.

With no further ado, here are five things to remember before buying a steam iron. If it helps, you can always refer back to this list when browsing online.

1. Water Storage

Most irons are going to hold enough water for your needs, and not all irons indicate exactly what their volume is anyway. This isn’t the most important detail to consider, but one thing that does help is if the iron offers a clear view of how much water is left in your iron. Most do this, but not all.

2. Wattage

Wattage is directly related to how much power and oomph an iron will give you. The higher the wattage, the hotter and more efficient an iron will work, getting those wrinkles out all the sooner.

3. Temperature Gauge

Not all clothes are made of cotton. Polyester, wool and other materials are common in clothing. As you may know, different fabrics and materials work best with different temperatures. This is why you never want to wash wool clothes in a dryer. (I found that out the hard way.) A lot of irons have an adjustable temperature gauge that helps you regulate this.

4. Steam Holes

The number of holes present on iron has a direct bearing on the amount of steam being directed to the fabric, and therefore on the time and quality of the iron. Irons with more steam holes spread steam more evenly across the entire surface.

5. Price

At the end of the day, everything comes down to price. Just how much are wrinkle-free clothes worth to you? If you seldom iron clothes, you don’t need an expensive steam iron. But if you iron frequently, you may wish to consider a more expensive iron. Even if it costs more than you’d like to pay, the amount of time you could save may well pay off.

QUICK OVERVIEW

The Best Steam Irons

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Products	Features
EDITOR’S PICK 3.9 4,800+ 4800+ Rowenta DW9280Rowenta DW9280	Intuitive LED display Auto-off safety features PRICE RANGE: Under $150 Intuitive LED display Auto-off safety features PRICE RANGE: Under $150 Check price at Amazon
MOST REVIEWED 4.3 4,100+ 4100+ Sunbeam Steam MasterSunbeam Steam Master	Easy to check water level Auto-off safety feature PRICE RANGE: Under $50 Easy to check water level Auto-off safety feature PRICE RANGE: Under $50 Check price at Amazon
TOP PICK 4.3 760+ 760+ Panasonic Multi-Directional IronPanasonic Multi-Directional Iron	Auto-off feature Multi-directional PRICE RANGE: Under $100 Auto-off feature Multi-directional PRICE RANGE: Under $100 Check price at Amazon
TOP PICK 4.4 7,100+ 7100+ Rowenta DW7180 Everlast 1750Rowenta DW7180 Everlast 1750	Auto-off feature 1750 Watts of power PRICE RANGE: Under $100 Auto-off feature 1750 Watts of power PRICE RANGE: Under $100 Check price at Amazon
BUDGET PICK 4.4 670+ 670+ Panasonic Dry and SteamPanasonic Dry and Steam	Auto-off feature Ceramic soleplate PRICE RANGE: Under $75 Auto-off feature Ceramic soleplate PRICE RANGE: Under $75 Check price at Amazon

Under $50

Sunbeam Steam Master

The Steam Master is your basic budget steam iron. It looks and feels a little cheap, but that’s to be expected at this price. Still, the iron performs pretty well all things considered.

The Steam Master is a 1400 watt iron. It has an eight-foot power cord, and the sole plate is made of stainless steel. The iron has variable steam settings and even allows you to dry iron sensitive materials such as wool. It also has an anti-drip design. That’s a nice feature because hot water burns aren’t fun. An auto-clean feature keeps annoying rust at bay.

Another feature I liked was the Shot of Steam. The iron allows you to shoot a direct blast of steam to try and remove stubborn wrinkles. It also allows for vertical shots of steam. The iron has an auto-off feature which automatically turns it off after 30 seconds or 15 minutes of use, depending on the circumstances.

This is not a professional grade steam iron, but for occasional home use it should hold up just fine.

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Black + Decker 2030

The 2030 has a slightly more streamlined look than the Steam, Iron Master. It is also a bit more advanced and features a digital LCD screen that allows you to verify that you’re working on the right setting quickly.

Speaking of setting, I really liked the way the 2030 handled temperature control. It features a sliding bar that allows you to fine-tune the steam temperature for perfect results every time. It is both anti-drip and auto-clean, which come in handy. The handle is comfortable, which is good if you plan on ironing a lot.

It also has a couple of different steam settings, including a quick burst of steam. It has a large water reservoir, so you won’t have to worry about constantly refilling it. It features a three-way auto shut-off that turns the iron off after 30 seconds or eight minutes.

This isn’t the best steamer I ended up trying, but it’s one of the best steamers in its price range. You’re not likely to be disappointed.

Under $75

Panasonic Dry and Steam Iron

Panasonic Dry and Steam Iron has a slight advantage over other steam irons here (except for the similar one from Panasonic.) It has a curved soleplate that has tapered nose parts on both sides, making it easier to iron back and forth. The ceramic non-stick coating ensures that it glides on all sorts of fabrics and that there are no wrinkles on your clothes.

With 1500 Watts of power, this strong steam iron has a five-setting temperature control dial that you turn according to your fabric type. Moreover, it has a safety auto shut off, meaning it turns itself off when not working.

This steam iron from Panasonic produces a lot of steam for such a small appliance. Also, it does get extremely hot after some time, so make sure you watch our hands.

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Rowenta DW5080 Micro Steam

The Rowenta 5080 is the first of four Rowenta steam irons I reviewed for this article. So I don’t repeat myself later, all Rowenta irons are made in Germany. That’s a very good thing in my opinion because I have a lot of respect for German manufacturing and craftsmanship.

The 5080 is one of the best-selling irons on the market, thanks, both for its affordability and some great features that set it apart from other steam irons. The first thing I noticed was the different design of the soleplates. The soleplates are designed with 400 holes that allow a lot of micro steam to escape, providing exceptionally thorough steam.

The rest of the features are the same as the rest of the irons I’ve reviewed: adjustable thermostat, bursts of steam, automatic shut-off, anti-calcium design, etc. The DW5080 has a 10-ounce water tank with a level indicator that lets you see just how much water is left in the iron.

All in all, this is a very nice iron. It doesn’t have an LCD screen, but the thermostat knob is very easy to read, and the 400 micro steam holes are wonderful.

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Panasonic NI-L70SR

The NI-L70SR from Panasonic is the only cordless steam iron in these reviews. This steam iron features a substantially different design from the other irons and may not be exactly what you’re used to. However, it does what it’s supposed to do very well.

Because it is cordless, the NI-L70SR relies on battery power to operate. A charging base is included with the purchase. The iron also has a detachable water tank, which makes filling the water up a cinch. Also included is a heat-resistant carrying case, making it easier to store and carry the iron after use.

This cordless iron differs from the others stylistically, but it still functions more or less the same. The iron comes with a steam temperature chart to help you determine the proper temperature for all your ironing needs. It also features an automatic shut-off, a helpful anti-drip system, and self-cleaning vents. It has three different heat settings and a variety of different steaming options.

If you’re not a fan of dealing with cords and want an iron that can be operated remotely, it’s easy to recommend this iron.

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CHI Steam Iron

CHI Steam Iron is a steam iron geared towards those who tend to rely on iron to keep their clothes looking neat and wrinkle-free. One of the biggest differences between this and the irons that came before is that it has a scratch-resistant, titanium-infused ceramic soleplate.

T iron has a fabric guide controller, making it easier to set the temperature you need for specific fabrics, even if you’re unsure what temperature to use. Moreover, it has an adjustable steam lever and over 300 steam holes that make the process of ironing a lot faster. 

Like the other irons, the CHI iron has anti-drip and anti-calcium designs and a variety of steam options. Unfortunately, you can’t see the water tank in this one. It’s perfect for people who have little time for ironing and want to have their clothes ready in a minute.

Under $150

Rowenta DW9280 Steam Force

The Rowenta DW9280 is a very modern-looking iron that once again delivers a great performance. Like other Rowenta steamers, it is specially designed to make it easier to reach any area of your garment or material, making steaming easier. 400 steam holes in the soleplate evenly distribute the steam, and up to 210 grams of steam can be issued as an answer for tough wrinkles.

At 1800 watts, the DW9280 has a lot of power, but you never have to worry about getting the job done. The iron uses a pump injector to project more steam into the fabric than regular steam irons – up to a 30% increase. More steam means wrinkles are taken care of faster, making this an ideal iron for anyone who finds themselves ironing on a regular basis.

One of the features I liked was its handy LED display setting controls. The display indicates when the iron has reached appropriate temperatures for linen, cotton, silk, wool, and nylon. This visually striking design removes second-guessing, letting you know for sure when the temperature is right.

Another cool feature is a motion sensor that regulates variable steam. When the iron is not in motion, the iron stops producing variable steam, which saves money while also limiting the water usage. The iron has all the other features you’d expect from an iron, including an anti-drip design, offers a three-way automatic shut-off and has a self-cleaning system. An excellent choice.

Under $200

Panasonic Cordless Multi-Directional Iron

This 1500-watt steam iron is the bee’s knees. It has a lot of features that make ironing safer and easier. For example, Panasonic Cordless Multi-Directional Iron has a double-tipped soleplate, which enables you to iron corners with both ends of the iron.

The iron also has a vertical steam technology that can work on garments that you want to iron on a hanger. The detachable see-through water tank, on the other hand, helps you to see how much water you have left for steaming.

The iron heats up very quickly. It has a retractable power cord on the base and anti-drip soleplates. Automatic shut-off, three different steam settings, and a see-through carrying case make this a very capable iron. It’s a little on the expensive side, but it’s perfect for people who like quilting, crafting, and sewing.

Under $300

Rowenta DW7180 Everlast 1750

The strong 1750-Watt Rowenta DW7180 is a real machine. It has a soleplate with 400 micro steam holes and a removable lime-scale collector and an anti-calc system. After 8 minutes of inactivity, the iron will shut off automatically with a 3-way auto-off feature.

The steam can go vertically on your clothes and you can see how much water’s left in the see-through 12 oz water tank. The powerful steam burst that’s mounted on top and the steam coming through the soleplate can iron your clothes in no time.

Rowenta’s iron comes with an extremely long cord that comes in handy when you’re ironing large pieces of fabric.

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Rowenta DG8520 Perfect Steam

I mentioned earlier that all the Rowenta irons are made in Germany. This one is actually made in France, but that doesn’t diminish its quality in any way. The Rowenta DG8520 is a very futuristic-looking iron. If I didn’t know what it was, I might have mistaken it for a robot. As an iron, it has a lot going for it.

The first thing I noticed, right off the bat, is that it has a huge water tank. Its 47-ounce tank holds just under three quarts of water, allowing you to iron continuously for over an hour and a half without refilling your iron.

The iron comes with a digital workstation that provides a lot of information to make your ironing go easier. A display light informs you when you need to refill your water tank. A control panel lets you monitor different settings at a glance. And an energy-saving eco setting reduces your power output by 20%.

Everything else is just as you would expect. Like all Rowenta irons, it has 400 steam holes in the pressure plate. It also features automatic safety shut-off, variable temperature and steam settings and more. This iron is pretty expensive and not for the faint of heart. But for those who need a professional-grade iron that doesn’t need to be refilled a lot, you can’t go wrong here.

Conclusion

There is a perfect iron out there for everybody. For some, it may be the budget-friendly Sunbeam Steam Master.

Others will prefer the improved performance of the Black + Decker. Ironing enthusiasts can’t go wrong with any of Rowenta’s fine irons, such as the DW9280.

Whether you decide to buy one of these irons or another similar one, I hope this information helps you make an informed decision.