CHI Steam Titanium Review

The Titanium performed admirably across all our metrics and was most impressive in ironing performance and steam output. Read on to learn all the nitty-gritty details.

Performance Comparison

Ironing Performance

We took the time to test each steam iron on many different kinds of fabric, from silk and cotton to synthetics, like polyester. The CHI Steam Titanium performed well with all of them, particularly on cotton and linen.

The Titanium requires very few passes and no additional steam on both cotton and linen. It takes roughly two passes to smooth over both materials completely, and there was no issue with deep-set wrinkles created by long-term folding or compression of the garment. While this steam iron leaves a few small moisture drips on materials that require additional steam, it is still an efficient option. The Titanium rids hard-to-work with materials like silk of most wrinkles, leaving no watermarks behind.

Polyester can be difficult to work with because, like many synthetics, the risk of it melting if the iron reaches a high enough temperature is eminent. The CHI Titanium takes a few extra swipes to get the ball rolling, but there aren't many wrinkles that it can't handle once the steam gets flowing. The water spray emits in the form of a fine mist, which helps keep from soaking the fabric underneath while still offering enough moisture to release deep-set wrinkles.

Steam Output

It is no surprise that steam is what sets a steam iron apart from a regular iron, which is why this is a vital metric. The addition of hot moisture allows for efficient wrinkle-reducing and helps the user avoid burning their garments. We were extremely pleased with the results of the Titanium in this metric.

The CHI Titanium emits a well above average amount of steam. The soleplate has over 400 steam holes strategically placed to ensure that the maximum amount of steam is being released at any given time. With so many small holes covering the soleplate, steam is more easily distributed evenly instead of pooling in certain areas. This is one of the steamiest irons we tested and one of the most effective irons in our lineup.

Heating

While ironing performance and ease of use are important, a steam iron wouldn't be much of an iron if it didn't pack some heat. The Titanium performs admirably, but there is a little room for improvement here, as it puts off just average heat levels among the irons we tested.

After roughly five minutes, the average heat across the soleplate of the Titanium was 324°F, which is about average within our lineup. The right and left sides had very different temperatures, hitting 341°F and just 283°F, respectively. Like most irons, the coolest portion was the bottom, which we measured at 280°F. The nose stayed hot, though, at 355°F, helping with detailing. Though this isn't the hottest iron of the bunch, but by cleverly combining average temperatures with impressive steam, it powers through tough jobs.

Detailing

The Titanium navigates buttons, collars, and pleats easily, but it is rather heavy, requiring the user to put a little extra effort into their ironing. It slides well across the fabric, though, and is remarkably easy to maneuver into tight spots and corners. The compartment for the retractable cord changes the balance of this iron slightly, adding bulk behind the handle and making it feel even heavier than it is.

The nose is plenty pointed, but the taper is slightly less aggressive compared to some of the Rowenta models in our test suite. We did not find this an issue with most garments, but it is important to note for those seeking the highest level of precision. Because of the light imbalance of the retractable cord compartment behind the handle, we found ourselves needing to compensate slightly by pressing down on the nose of the iron during detailing work. This wasn't as pronounced as some of the others we tested, but this balance style isn't our favorite when it comes to detailing.

Ease of Use

The Titanium performs above average in this metric as well. During our hands-on testin], we considered the cord design, handle ergonomics, and ease of filling. While this iron is a bit of a struggle to fill, overall, it's a pleasure to use.

A retractable eight-foot cord allows for a quick and easy clean-up, even if the iron is still hot. An eight-foot cord also makes it easier to iron larger fabrics, like bedsheets. The nose of the soleplate tapers in a way that makes navigating pleats, buttons, and collars a breeze, although it is not quite as tapered as others.

We have just two issues with the Titanium. The metal accents are slick, which makes holding the appliance a little slippery when wet. The second is that there is no way to move the small flap in the fill hole, making it difficult to fill without making a mess.

Should You Buy the CHI Steam Titanium?

This above-average iron is a great purchase. It falls somewhere between our most and least expensive options, and we feel it's a great investment. It also checks the boxes if you are looking for specific features like a retractable cord and a mist-like water spray.

What Other Irons Should You Consider?

With a retractable cord, over 400 steam holes, and an ergonomic soleplate, it's hard to go wrong with the CHI Steam Titanium. That said, if you need better detailing performance, the Black+Decker D3030 Allure is another top-notch option that costs less. The PurSteam Pro 1800W is our favorite budget-friendly model, producing crisp and satisfying results on large items like perfectly pressed sheets. But if you value a lot of steam to smooth your linens, the CHI Titanium is an excellent all-around option.