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We steamed and pressed with 15 of the best clothing irons from Rowenta, CHI, Black+Decker, Hamilton Beach, and more to help you find your perfect companion.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
By Mallory Paige ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Updated May 14, 2025
Investing in an effective clothing iron is key to avoiding that just-rolled-out-of-bed look. To find the most effective clothing irons, my team and I have spent hundreds of hours testing 15 of the best irons available today.
We pressed hundreds of garments and sheets to learn which models are great for big jobs, which excel at steam output, and which are ideal for detailing. We recorded soleplate temperature, measured steam output, and directly compared the glide and maneuverability of each model.
After testing over 30 irons, my team and I found that the Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803 is the best overall iron for most people and stands out for its effective smoothing and steaming. I especially love its reasonable price tag. If you have a little extra cash to spend and want the most effective iron across all types of fabric, the CHI Lava excelled in ironing cotton, linen, satin, and polyester, and wastes no time heating up. Or if you need to perfect areas around seams, buttons, and collars on your dress shirt or uniform, the Rowenta Pro Master Xcel DW8360U1 is a master of detail work.
Ironing is an important step in keeping your garments looking sharp, but the first step is a good washing. We have tested laundry pods, and when the day is done, you can start the cycle over again by tossing it all in the laundry hamper. Aside from practical daily use, an effective iron comes in handy for the crafters out there by providing an extra level of precision in your next sewing project.
Editor's Note: I updated this clothing iron review on May 14, 2025, after my team and I purchased, tested, and rated the CHI Lava and Sunbeam Steam Master.
Quickly reaches high temps, excellent steam production, easy gliding
Built-in cord storage and retractable, excellent steam output, good ironing performance, great spray and burst buttons
Tapered nose great for detailing, performs well on a variety of fabrics, gets jobs done quickly
Powerful steam burst, pointed nose for precision, budget-friendly
Great steam output, crisp ironing performance, large water tank, excellent digital display
Excellent maneuverability and handling, small and good for detail work, lightweight
Good shape for detailing, great temperature performance, excellent ironing performance, retractable cord
Accentuated nose for detailing, good ironing performance, spray is a gentle mist
Powerful steam bursts, very affordable, convenient retractable cord
Grippy handle, lightweight, good cord length and placement
Inexpensive, portable
Lightweight, easy to handle, prominent dial
Lightweight, good detailing
Intuitive interface, display screen is easily accessible and visible
Retractable cord, low price point
Cons
Very pricey, must lie flat for steaming
Heavy, not the most agile, mediocre heat output
Expensive, heavier handling than others
Just average steam output, heating is just okay
Large and bulky, not ideal for detailing, heavy to maneuver
Requires frequent docking to reheat, inconvenient for large jobs, expensive
Tank opening is small, doesn't spray very far
Mediocre steam output, uneven heating
Leaky, short cord, poor maneuverability
Steam feature isn't very effective, struggles with polyester
Lacking in power, underwhelming ironing performance
Low steam output, water tank has no lid, average ironing performance
Poor steam output, not great on linen, unimpressive heating, remedial interface
Inconsistent and unreliable, hard to see the fill line, sometimes leaks when steam mode is on
Poor steam output, not very maneuverable
Bottom Line
Although it costs a pretty penny, this iron is very effective and efficient
While it is on the large and bulky side, this easy to use powerhouse wowed us with strong performances across the board
This iron is a solid and versatile performer that excels at detail work, but it's a bit cumbersome and expensive
A high-performing iron equipped with a powerful steam burst and the ability to effectively maneuver across most fabrics and most wrinkles
A favorite among our testing team, this large iron left our sheets satisfyingly pressed
This iron is the ultimate in maneuverability, but it comes with some tradeoffs and demands a proper understanding of its cordless operation for best results
A top-scoring product with excellent performance, heat output, and usability for less than you might expect
An excellent choice for detail-oriented folks who want a great performance without breaking the bank
This affordable iron is a bit leaky and has awkward handling characteristics, but it has high heat, great steam, and a clever retracting cord design
This is a well-designed, middle-of-the-road iron, but it's one to avoid if you place a lot of emphasis on steam performance when you iron
A steam iron that is perfect for travel but is too weak for regular chores at home
With poor steam output and no cover for the water tank, this lackluster iron doesn't impress us
Here, "classic" means old-school, simple, and lacking in many of the technological features and advances most other irons have
We experienced numerous malfunctions during testing and don't recommend buying this product due to its unreliability
An affordable but mostly ineffective iron that only works well on linen
The Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803 stands out for its excellent steam production, competitive pricing, and ability to effectively iron cotton, linen, satin, and silk. I recommend it to anyone who doesn't want to dish out over $100 to effectively iron a range of fabrics. This affordable unit is able to smooth almost every fabric we used in our tests in just a couple of passes, though it took a few extra passes to iron out polyester. But, with the help of the outstanding steam function, we removed all the wrinkles. Our lead tester, Rachael Lamore, noted, “This was the only model I tested that earned a near-perfect score for its impressive steam output.”
Why does steam output matter?: Steaming is another method of de-wrinkling fabrics that is often less invasive than a hot iron and works by attaching to the fibers of your clothes and loosening them. The higher the steam output, the more effectively you can remove wrinkles. Steaming is recommended for delicate fabrics like wool and silk.
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Average Temperature
309 °F
Measured Steam Output
196 g
Cord Length
8.1'
Number of Steam Holes
192
Weight
3.4 lbs
This unit comes with 192 steam holes, which is higher than the majority of our lineup and perfect for equally distributing the steam so that it doesn't soak your clothes while ironing. Lead tester Rachael Lamore noted, “this iron was easy for me to use during testing and offered ideal heat temperature.” Its measured steam output of 196 grams was double to triple the output of most other irons we tested.
Our logged soleplate temperature results of the Hamilton Beach Duration 19803 heat test. The average was 309 degrees Fahrenheit.
Credit: Genaveve Bradshaw
Despite the strong performance, the Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803 fell a little short in its ability to do difficult detailing work. The Rowenta Pro Master Xcel DW8360U1 and CHI Lava 13113 both performed much better in our detailing tests and were more effective at smoothing polyester fabric. That said, they are more than double the cost, which may not be worth it for some users. Another top model at a great price is the Black+Decker D3030 Allure, which had solid fine detailing scores and excelled on delicate fabrics. All told, the Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803 is the model I recommend to most people. It is such a great value that in addition to winning the Editors' Choice, it is also the best value iron in our review.
The CHI Lava 13113 is the cream of the crop for ironing. This sleek iron heats up in no time, gets very hot, and is evenly heated throughout, making for incredibly smooth ironing no matter what fabric we use. “Dang, this iron heats up fast! I can see the heat rippling off of it,” our lead tester noted. I also noticed in testing that the ceramic soleplate was incredibly smooth and never snagged any fabrics, which is particularly important when ironing delicate materials.
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Average Temperature
305 °F
Measured Steam Output
127 g
Cord Length
8.2'
Number of Steam Holes
401
Weight
3.5 lbs
With 401 steam holes, this model has a very even and effective steam distribution. Overall, this iron performed incredibly well across all fabrics we tested, including polyester, which the Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803 struggled with. The CHI Lava's tapered nose also makes detailing work a cinch, and thoughtful design features like the retractable cord. “This iron is an absolute dream to use. I felt like I entered a flow state because the smooth action, heat, and steam were so perfect,” Lamore said.
The Chi Lava is one of the hottest irons we tested, and reaches over 300 degrees Fahrenheit after about a minute.
Credit: Rachael Lamore
Despite the incredibly strong performance, I realize that not everyone needs a premium-priced iron. The Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803 is easy to use, albeit a bit bulky, and has even better steam output, making it a great iron for delicate fabrics. It also clocks in at a fraction of the price. The CHI Lava is also amongst the heaviest irons we've tested at 3.5 lbs. That said, due to its ergonomic design, it doesn't feel overly heavy in use, and for many ironing tasks, the weight helps remove wrinkles more easily. But if the weight of the iron is a concern, the Panasonic Cordless Advanced Ceramic is incredibly portable and light at just 2.1 lbs. It also has a unique design that allows it to run completely cord-free with intermittent placement on the charging dock, which makes it particularly popular with quilters. However, I can't deny that the CHI Lava is a fantastic clothes iron. It may not be the cheapest, but it's certainly the iron of my dreams.
The Rowenta Pro Master Xcel DW8360U1 stood out in our testing for its solid performance and efficiency across all types of fabrics, but especially for its detailing prowess. Thanks to its tapered nose design, the Pro Master can easily navigate under seams, buttons, collars, and pleats. “I use this iron anytime I need to iron a shirt with lots of buttons or sequins,” Lamore said.
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Average Temperature
297 °F
Measured Steam Output
108 g
Cord Length
8.2'
Number of Steam Holes
550
Weight
3.1 lbs
It comes to temperature quickly and makes short work of most wrinkles in less time than many other irons we tested. Our testers noted, “I would recommend this to anyone interested in an efficient and versatile iron,” It is 3.1 lbs, which is a bit heavier than average for the group, but the handle design is comfortable and the iron glides smoothly on fabric. As for detail work, our reviewer wrote, “I felt that the tapered nose is a key part of why it is so easy to reach around tight spots like pleats and seams.”
The Rowenta Pro Master heated up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit in less than 2 minutes, but the average temperature of 297 was a pretty middle-of-the-road performance. This iron excelled in other tests, just not this one.
Credit: Rachael Lamore
However, the Pro Master isn't without its flaws. It's heavy and somewhat cumbersome to handle compared to lighter irons. The weight of this iron may be fatiguing for back-to-back jobs, but it's worth mentioning that a heavier iron generally does a better job of applying pressure and removing stubborn wrinkles.
The Pro Master demonstrated impressive steam burst capability visually thanks to 550 steam holes, but that didn't translate as well to the fabric as with other irons, which was disappointing. Lastly, the Pro Master is on the expensive side of the spectrum. If you want something with slightly better performance than the Pro Master in most of our metrics and you don't place as much emphasis on detail work, I recommend the Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803. If you want great value in a detailed model, I recommend the Black+Decker D3030 Allure, which is about half the list price of the Rowenta.
This partial tour of our in-house testing of clothes irons highlights some of the measured performance, with the Pro Master scoring at the top of our ironing tests.
The Black+Decker D3030 Allure is the only iron we tested that removes wrinkles from silk in satin with just a couple of passes. It sailed over all the fabrics we tested with a superb front spray feature that works wonders. “Its tapered nose makes precision work a breeze, and an 8-foot cord handily reaches just about wherever I need it,” Lamore said.
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Average Temperature
304 °F
Measured Steam Output
87 g
Cord Length
8'
Number of Steam Holes
23
Weight
1.9 lbs
I love the matte finish of the handle and the large, obvious controls. Though this isn't the lightest model we tested, at 1.9 lbs, it's about half the weight of most other top-scoring models, like the CHI Lava 13113, which is 3.5 lbs. It felt light in the hands and glided across fabric easily, making maneuvering around complicated corners and sensitive areas easy.
The D3030 Allure was able to reach 300 degrees in less than 60 seconds.
Credit: Jessica Riconscente
Unfortunately, the Allure doesn't have the most impressive steam output compared to many contenders we tested. We measured 87 grams, whereas irons like the CHI Lava 13113 produced an impressive 127 grams. The Allure utilizes just 23 holes around the perimeter of the soleplate, whereas the CHI has 401, which allows the steam to be distributed evenly throughout the soleplate. Moreover, the Allure only hits average temperatures for products in our review (304°F), not wowing us with high heat, which made it take a little longer to iron denser materials like polyester, but not terribly so.
Despite the lower numbers, we still didn't find this impacted how well it irons most other fabrics. I greatly enjoyed using this iron on small projects that needed a lot of maneuverability to straighten their details. If you're looking for exceptional heating from your iron, check out the Rowenta DW2459 Access, which reaches up to 320°F on average. But, if you want great steam and value, check out the Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803.
We highly recommend the Panasonic Cordless Advanced Ceramic if you want an excellent iron for quick, small ironing jobs. Our testers noted, “I love that this iron is tether-free by using an electric dock to reheat its soleplate.” Not only is it completely unobstructed by a traditional cord, but it is lightweight and nimble enough to be a pleasure for serious detail work, thanks to its dual taper-ended design.
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Average Temperature
337 °F
Measured Steam Output
29 g
Cord Length
6'
Number of Steam Holes
32
Weight
2.1 lbs
The Panasonic effortlessly navigates around buttons, seams, and other tricky obstacles to eliminate wrinkles in either direction. It's no surprise that quilters love this iron since it is so nimble, effective, and easy to use.
The Panasonic Cordless Advanced Ceramic made it to 300 degrees around the 1:30 (min:sec) mark.
Credit: Rachael Lamore
The problem with the 360 Ceramic Cordless is that there is no such thing as a truly cordless iron. As I mentioned, you will have to frequently dock this iron so it can recharge and reheat its soleplate. That dock is plugged into the wall with a cord. This isn't a big deal, and it can be worth the tradeoff in efficiency as long as you're not planning on using this iron for long sessions day in and day out. Looking past that shortcoming, the 360 Ceramic is one of the most expensive irons in our review for a potentially niche product.
It has one of the lower steam outputs we measured: half to a tenth of the output of the top-scoring models. If you can live without the tether-free design and all the many benefits that go along with it, I recommend the Black+Decker Vitessa Advanced Cord Reel to get you part of the way there. While that iron does have a cord, it is on a retractable reel, making it easy to reel in and store when you're done using it. It is also a fraction of the price of the Panasonic.
The Panasonic Cordless in some of our key ironing tests at our testing facility.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
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My team and I have pulled out all the stops and all the tools to take iron testing seriously, year after year.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
How We Tested
Over the past several years, my team and I have spent hundreds of hours using the clothes irons in this review, carefully measuring their steam output, timing their heating cycles, and assessing their user-friendliness. The cornerstone of our testing process focuses on the ironing performance score. Each iron undergoes numerous specific ironing tests, evaluating how well each model removes wrinkles from cotton, linen, silk, and polyester. Additionally, we critique how well each iron works on details (like between buttons on a shirt) and the uniformity and effectiveness of the spray and steam features. We also evaluate all the little details, like glide smoothness, handle feel and balance, cord position and storage, and evenness of heating.
Our in-depth testing process of steam irons is broken down into five rating metrics:
Ironing Performance (40% of overall score weighting)
Steam Output (25% weighting)
Heating (15% weighting)
Detailing (10% weighting)
Ease of Use (10% weighting)
Check out our How We Test article to go more in-depth on how we tested these irons.
The heat map test clearly shows which irons get the hottest.
Our test supplies.
We measured each cord.
We put each iron through a series of rigorous tests to see which one came out on top. Here is a behind-the-scenes look at our testing.
Why Trust GearLab
My team and I have a strong science and testing background that we've utilized to carefully craft GearLab's clothing iron review.
I'm Mallory Paige. I have a Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado State University, which prepared me to analyze large datasets. I have been a writer for more than a decade, with a focus on creating detailed and useful gear reviews. As an avid crafter and burgeoning seamstress, I know the importance of finding a good clothes iron and the frustration of working with a bad one. I'm also a mother of three, and have spent countless hours using clothing irons.
Lead tester Rachael Lamore has a degree in Biological Sciences and a background in studying and testing in laboratory settings. She also served as a personal assistant, where her favorite task was starching and ironing clothes. “It's such a satisfying activity to smooth out wrinkles!” says Lamore.
Additionally, Jessica Riconscente has a BS in Industrial Technology with a focus on manufacturing processes.
Genaveve Bradshaw has degrees in music and psychology and has tested over 50 clothes irons. Having worked at GearLab for several years, she knows the importance of creating detailed tests that get to the heart of what a user needs. Maggie Nichols has a BS in Biology, a Master's degree in studying animal behavior, and a knack for recommending the best home appliances.
My team and I have collectively spent more than a dozen years testing home appliances and other products for GearLab. We purchased all of the irons at full price to keep our reviews unbiased, and we never accept free or discounted sample units from manufacturers.
I've reviewed dozens of irons over the years.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Analysis and Test Results
Superficially, I've found that all clothes irons seem the same. However, you start to notice the subtle differences that can significantly impact the chore of an ironing session once you've spent months ironing every fabric imaginable with many different clothes irons. No matter your needs or budget, our test results represent an effort to make the task of choosing the best iron as pleasant as possible.
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
The top performers in our lineup come with reasonable price tags that make them all high-value products for different types of ironing. Mostly, we were ecstatic to find that one of the most affordable irons we tested, the Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803, performed well across the board, making it a great, well-rounded option for folks who iron a variety of fabrics and types of tasks frequently.
The Black+Decker Allure also performs well with every fabric we tested and is highly maneuverable, making it a great choice for detailing work. It is also a great, affordable option for those who own a lot of silk or satin fabrics.
Take a look at the myriad of soleplate designs with regard to shape, size, and steam ports.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Ironing Performance
An iron's ability to smooth out wrinkles is non-negotiable. While all the clothes irons we tested will eventually get out wrinkles, some did it in a single pass, while others required more effort. To uncover the sometimes subtle differences between models, we ironed huge swaths of different types of fabrics to see how many passes or extra bursts of steam we needed for the most stubborn wrinkles.
Cotton
The PurSteam Pro, Panasonic, and Rowenta Access had some of the best ironing performances in our cotton testing. The PurSteam Pro powered through, never needing more than a momentary hover to get out even the toughest wrinkles. It may not have the highest number of steam holes, but they're well-distributed and very effective, helping us achieve that satisfying flatness only a good iron can produce.
The CHI Lava impressed me, especially when we turned on the cotton steam setting. With 404 steam holes, this unit knows how to get steamy. Below, you can see just how effective this iron is on cotton fabrics, removing all signs of wrinkles in just a couple of passes.
BeforeAfter
You can slide the toggle to the left and right to see the CHI Lava's performance on cotton.
The Hamilton Beach Durathon had a smooth glide on cotton and only took two passes to remove all wrinkles. The Black+Decker Allure also held its own with cotton, requiring only three passes to get the job done. I should note that it also worked well without the use of steam.
BeforeAfter
Comparing the cotton fabric before and after using the Hamilton Durathon.
Linen is a very sturdy fabric and thus requires very high heat to remove wrinkles. During this test, I immediately noticed that the Panasonic Ceramic worked very well. It's very maneuverable, which allowed us to easily control placement and movement. It is a smaller iron, so it takes a few more passes, but overall, it was very efficient.
We make sections in our test fabrics to measure performance across everything from light wrinkles to deep and stubborn creases.
Credit: Rachael Lamore
The CHI Lava got noticeably hot and, after two quick passes, had easily removed even the most stubborn of wrinkles. The Black+Decker Vitessa, Rowenta Access, and Allure also did very well with linen. Each of these machines heated up quickly and were able to easily smooth the fabric. The Hamilton Beach Durathon was adequate in this test, but did require a third pass to remove all wrinkles, whereas other units did it in two. Surprisingly, the PurSteam Pro struggled a bit in this test. It took several passes and a concentrated use of manual steam to remove wrinkles.
BeforeAfter
The CHI Lava does exceptionally well with Linen fabrics.
Satin can be challenging to iron because it requires low heat. This is where it helps to have even-heating throughout the soleplate. The Black+Decker Allure and Rowenta Access both wowed me and were able to remove all wrinkles in just three passes, likely because their soleplates have very even heating throughout. The Allure also has steam with this setting, which likely played a role in its effectiveness.
The Black+Decker Allure works well on delicate fabrics like silk.
Credit: Laura Casner
The CHI Lava removed most of the wrinkles in a couple of passes, making the fabric delightfully smooth. The Rowenta Pro Master performed in a similar fashion. The PurSteam Pro was able to remove wrinkles without any steam, but our testing team found it worked much easier with just the slightest use of manual steam. The Sunbeam Classic, Hot-2-Trot, and Hamilton Beach Durathon all performed sufficiently in this test. They eventually managed to remove wrinkles and did not scorch the delicate fabric.
Anyone who has ironed a favorite vintage store find, knows that ironing polyester can be a particular pain. This fabric requires very minimal heat, but also has the ability to get rather deep wrinkles. The PurSteam Pro did notably well in this test, requiring just two passes to remove most wrinkles. We did have to use a bit of steam and spray with the Black+Decker Vitessa, but after several passes the fabric was smooth.
BeforeAfter
The CHI Lava was one of the few irons that did exceptionally well at ironing synthetic fabrics like polyester.
The Rowenta Pro Master, Panasonic Ceramic Cordless, and CHI Lava all took about 12 passes to remove the wrinkles, which was more time than we'd ideally like to spend ironing but in the end got the job done. Unfortunately, I found that the Black+Decker Allure did not get hot enough to remove wrinkles. Though I appreciate that this iron didn't want to scorch delicate materials, in the end, it isn't wasn't very effective for denser materials like this one. The Hamilton Beach Durathon really struggled in this portion of the test. We had to set it to its highest setting and make many passes to get the job done.
BeforeAfter
The Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803 was only challenged by polyester materials.
After countless hours spent ironing four distinct fabrics, we've compiled the data for the overall Ironing Performance scores into the chart below.
Iron Performance Tests
Product
Cotton
Linen
Silk/Satin
Polyester
Black+Decker D3030 Allure
8
9
9
7
Rowenta DW2459 Access
8
9
9
7
PurSteam Pro 1800W
9
7
8
9
Panasonic 360 Ceramic Cordless Freestyle
9
9
7
8
Rowenta Pro Master Xcel DW8360U1
9
7
8
8.5
CHI Lava 13113
8
9
8
7.5
Black+Decker Pro Steam IR1350S-T
8
8
7
8
Black+Decker Vitessa Advanced Cord Reel
8
9
5
9
Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803
9
8
7
5.5
Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot
6
7
8
6
CHI Professional Corded 13101
8
8
6
4
Beautural 1800-Watt
7
7
6
5
Sunbeam Classic GCSBC
7
4
8
5
Black+Decker Easy Steam IR40V
6
6
7
4
Sunbeam Steammaster 32610014
5
7
2
3
Here's how our irons performed across four different fabrics. We established these scores in side-by-side tests using the same fabric samples for each test. Click on each material name to isolate the scores you are most interested in.
Steam Output
How effectively an iron puts out steam affects how straightforward and painless your overall ironing experience will be. The amount of expelled steam is a large part of this, but how it is dispensed is also essential. We measured the amount of steam each model released over a measured period. We also noted how many holes each model has for the steam to escape and their size and configuration. We then evaluated the effectiveness of delivering the steam where and when we needed it.
The Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803 was handily the best model for producing consistent qualities and volumes of steam. Its exceptional steam performance earned it a nearly perfect score in our testing, which is rarely awarded by our test team. However, based on data collected from the calculated mass of steam that produced an impressive 196 grams and the absence of any leaks, we can affirm that the score was objectively earned through science and data. The CHI Lava also impressed during this test. It released 127 grams through its 404 steam holes and we appreciated how consistent and fine the steam mist is.
I love that the steam feature on the CHI Lava works great, distributing 127 grams of water during our test.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
The CHI Professional Corded also did well for steam output, although it's a distant second place behind the Durathon, at 116 grams of steam. Other notable mentions for steam output were the Black+Decker Vitessa with 111 grams of steam output and the Rowenta Pro Master with 108 grams of steam output. However, we noted that the Pro Master didn't put all that steam down on the fabric meaningfully during our tests. We were impressed with the bursts of steam that it made, but it did not do as much to de-wrinkle as we expected.
Strong bursts of steam are just one of the many great features of the PurSteam.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The PurSteam Pro wasn't far behind the best for steaminess. Over five minutes, we measured this impressive contender, releasing 110 grams of steam. The PurSteam Pro manages efficient steam output with just 64 medium-sized holes with directional V-shaped channels.
Large buttons make it easy to use the incredible steam performance of this model.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
While we counted all the holes at the bottom of each iron, we ultimately found that the number of holes was not perfectly correlated to steam performance (as you can see in the charts below).
Overall Steam Output
For this metric we measured steam holes, took notes, and measured the amount of water each iron used during a standard 5-minute steam ironing session. Below is the data for the overall Steam Rating scores.
Heating
The faster a model heats, the sooner you can get your work done, and the more evenly it heats up, the more effective it is. While all irons get hot, and all the models we tested eventually take out wrinkles, differing heat levels are required for different types of fabrics. Getting hot enough for some materials can make all the difference in removing stubborn creases and pressing out wrinkles.
We measured the soleplate temperatures on High for every iron we tested. Notice that some do not get hot enough, or aren't evenly heated throughout.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Two clothes irons stood out for their hot performance in our heating tests: the Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot followed by the CHI Lava.
The Hot-2-Trot may be small, but it packs the heat.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The hottest clothes iron we tested was the Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot. This travel-sized unit averaged soleplate temperatures of 380°F, with its hottest point on the left side at 418°F. The CHI Lava had an average of 344°F, with hot spots ranging from 329-389°F.
With the heat map photos it's easy to see which irons get the hottest. Seen here the CHI Lava gets much hotter than the Sunbeam Steammaster.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
The Rowenta Access was the next hottest model in our lineup, with an average temperature of 320°F. Compared to the average temperature among all irons we tested (303 degrees Fahrenheit), other notable models offered a range of performance from exceptional to above average. The PurSteam Pro 1800W offered nearly as exceptional performance as the top models, averaging 321°F fairly evenly across its entire soleplate. Impressively, it's also one of the few we tested that didn't experience a temperature dropoff after the initial heating process.
Overall Heating
After systematically using probes to measure four distinct spots on each iron, here are the overall scores for Heating.
Detailing
We tested each model's ability to maneuver around complicated details, into tight spaces, and across oddly shaped areas. We noted how the shape of the soleplate factored into detailing ability and how easily each model can change directions. We also considered the comfort of the handle, the weight of the product, and the overall balance of each contender insofar as how it affected our overall detailing experience.
The Rowenta Pro Master Xcel DW8360U1, Panasonic, and Sunbeam Classic GCSBC all offered great detailing performance. Each of them feature tapered nose designs that help get under seams and buttons.
The Sunbeam Classic is a mid-sized iron that's thinner and lighter than many and glides well across fabrics. The Pro Master reigned supreme in our details testing for its excellent nose design and versatility, but the Ceramic 360 wasn't far behind. Some benefits of the latter are that it has tapers on both ends of the soleplate and is cordless and lightweight, making it an absolute breeze to work with. Just don't expect it to be as efficient on large jobs as the Pro Master due to its need to be docked frequently for reheating.
The CHI Lava's tapered nose excelled at getting in tight spots and around buttons when detailing.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
The Black+Decker Allure andBlack+Decker Pro Steam IR1350S-T also proved capable of fine detailing with their tapered noses. Both have a great balance and a smooth glide, despite the one-pound heftier weight of the Allure.
The Allure is highly maneuverable, helping it to detail more easily.
Credit: Laura Casner
The CHI Lava also held its own during this test. The tapered nose efficiently managed to get in between buttons and in tight places. I found that the smooth plate made it easy to do detail work, and never had any issues with running over buttons.
Overall Detailing
Based on hours upon hours spent ironing button-up shirts, creating crisp collars and perfect creases, our overall scores for Detailing can be found in the chart below.
Ease of Use
Ease of use may be less critical if you're more concerned with the end product, but it's still an important consideration in the overall experience. When testing for this metric, we considered several factors, including cord length, indicator lights, sounds, ease of filling the water tank, and the effectiveness of extra spray features.
Ease of Use Tests
Product
Cord Design
Ease of Filling
Temperature Indicator
Water Spray
Rowenta Pro Master DW8360
8
9
7
8
Panasonic 360 Ceramic Cordless Freestyle
10
6.5
4
9
Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803
9
5
7
7
Black+Decker D3030 Allure
7
7
7
7
PurSteam Pro 1800W
7
6
9
5
Beautural 1800-Watt
7
4
9
6
CHI Professional Corded 13101
8
6
7
5
Black+Decker Pro Steam IR1350S-T
7
6
4
8
Rowenta DW2459 Access
9
4
5
5
Sunbeam Classic GCSBC
5
4
5
8
Black+Decker Vitessa Advanced Cord Reel
4
4
7
7
Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot
3
8
6
2
Black+Decker Easy Steam IR40V
6
2
5
6
Utopia Home
3
5
4
6
First, the 360 Ceramic Cordless, as the name implies, is a cordless iron with a slew of benefits when it comes to ease of use, maneuverability, and lightness being chief among them. I appreciated the clearly labeled light-up setting indicators differentiating between low, medium, and high-temperature settings. I also loved the detachable water reservoir with the wide fill port to replenish water for steam functions.
Our ease of use test looks at how easy it is to change settings, fill the steam reservoir, and store the cord.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Back to corded irons, I appreciated the maneuverability of the Rowenta Pro Master's 8.2-foot cord, especially since it was attached higher up to the base of the iron, keeping it neatly out of the way while moving across the ironing board. The one-inch-wide water fill port was easy to fill using the sink faucet, with a clearly visible max fill line on both sides of the iron.
Irons with large and intuitive water fill ports and innovative water reservoirs score big in our ease of use metric, like the Panasonic.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
The Black+Decker D3030 Allure follows suit with a convex curve to the base of the iron under the sole plate where you can securely wrap the cord. There is also a large and easy-to-fill hole that funnels water nicely, as well as an indicator for each setting. This model blinks until it reaches the selected temperature setting. The Allure is an intuitive model with great ease of use features and design and is elevated by its spray and mist functions.
We found the Allure quite easy to fill.
Credit: Laura Casner
The Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803 provides an 8.1-foot cord for ample working space and a soleplate design and materials that glide smoothly over most fabrics. The fill hole is only half an inch, but it's not too difficult to use. An indicator light on the handle illuminates when the iron is on, and the settings dial, located under the handle, is well-labeled. This iron is simple, but that's what we like about it.
You'll love how easy it is to use the Hamilton Beach Duration 19803.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The CHI Lava earned high marks for its 8.2-foot retractable cord, clear water tank, and safety features. I like that it clearly alerts you when the iron is ready to use. It also has an auto-shutoff feature after 30 minutes without use or after just 1 minute left facedown or on its side without movement. This iron gets hot, so I appreciate the built-in safety modes. The interface is also very easy to read and use, which makes it a breeze to know you're on the right fabric setting.
The indicator screen on the CHI Lava is very easy to read.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
A couple of other models we tested have retractable cords, including the Hamilton Beach Durathon and Rowenta Access, and the Black+Decker Vitessa Advanced Cord Reel. Though it seems like a small feature, I always appreciate it when a model has this, as it stops the cord from being a tripping hazard while you wait for your iron to cool.
The Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot is built to head with you on your vacations and outings, easily slipping into your suitcase or duffel bag. While it's not a great all-around iron, its ability to travel with you can make it appealing. The PurSteam Pro has a fully digital display located on the top of the handle that is clear and easy to use. It beeps to indicate when it's heating up and flashes before it's ready for use. The large, crisp text is easy to read, and the settings are simple to navigate. It's by far my favorite display, putting all the other sliders and dials to shame.
We measured the weight of each iron on the same scale but ultimately found that not only was there not that much differentiation, but that didn't impact the performance in any of the metrics.
The digital display on the PurSteam offers clear indicators for settings, and temperature and indicates when the iron is hot enough to use.
Credit: Jessica Riconscente
Overall Ease of Use
After measuring irons, filling steam reservoirs, measuring cords, and looking at all factors related to how easy to use each iron really is, we've compiled the complete Ease of Use ratings, as seen in the chart below.
Ease of Use Tests
Product
Cord Design
Ease of Filling
Temperature Indicator
Water Spray
Rowenta Pro Master Xcel DW8360U1
8
9
7
8
Panasonic 360 Ceramic Cordless Freestyle
10
6.5
4
9
CHI Lava 13113
8.5
7
8
6
Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803
9
5
7
7
Black+Decker D3030 Allure
7
7
7
7
PurSteam Pro 1800W
7
6
9
5
Beautural 1800-Watt
7
4
9
6
CHI Professional Corded 13101
8
6
7
5
Black+Decker Pro Steam IR1350S-T
7
6
4
8
Rowenta DW2459 Access
9
4
5
5
Sunbeam Steammaster 32610014
8.5
4
5
5
Sunbeam Classic GCSBC
5
4
5
8
Black+Decker Vitessa Advanced Cord Reel
4
4
7
7
Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot
3
8
6
2
Black+Decker Easy Steam IR40V
6
2
5
6
How to Pick the Best Iron
Define Your Mission
If you're seeking the ultimate clothing iron for your job or household, you should first identify the type of ironing you do most often. For instance, if you iron a lot of bed sheets, you'd want an iron that maintains its heat and has a large soleplate to remove more wrinkles in fewer passes. You may not place too much emphasis on an iron's detailing capability in that scenario. However, you should still pay attention to our testing on which fabric types each iron did best with, especially if you're ironing silk and satin materials regularly. If you frequently iron garments with many buttons, seams, pleats, collars, and other features where it's crucial to get in and under tight spaces and features, you should opt for a model that scored well in our detailing tests. Most of these irons will feature a tapered nose and a soleplate that can slide under buttons and seams.
A Word on Steam
Our review focuses on the type of traditional steam irons commonly found in most homes, not garment steamers. The traditional iron features a perforated soleplate that heats up and applies steam directly to the fabric to relax wrinkles and creases. If you like to use the steam feature on your iron, you will want to pay attention to the steam output testing we did in this review. In most instances, the units with the most steam output performed better in steaming clothing. However, there were occasions when a unit would have impressive steam output but still didn't effectively distribute the steam to the fabric when ironing.
Manueverability
Maneuverability and handling can be crucial in both big and small ironing jobs. The best maneuverability comes from cordless irons or irons with longer cords. Cordless ironing is tether-free bliss on an ironing board, but the downside is that there is no such thing as a truly cordless iron. These irons must still be periodically docked on their corded charger to bring the soleplate back to ironing temperature. That's well worth the tradeoff if you're doing quick ironing jobs in succession and dock the iron between them, but if you're trying to iron a sheet with a cordless iron, efficiency will take a hit while you wait out the recharge cycles. We tested a few corded irons with retractable reels. These don't do much for maneuverability; they're more of a storage feature, so pay close attention to the length of those cords. You don't want too short of a cord or a cord that doesn't attach from the rear of the iron where it stays out of the way during motion. The most maneuverable corded irons tended to have a raised cord attachment coming off the back of the iron, which helps to elevate it above the ironing board, out of the way. Regarding iron maneuverability, a lighter iron is almost always better, as long as the cord and soleplate design don't hold it back.
Every Day Use
Other everyday considerations for your iron purchase are how easy it is to fill the iron's water reservoir for steam and spray functions, its handle ergonomics, settings, and buttons. Irons with wider fill ports and clearly labeled max fill lines make a big difference if you want to avoid a wet mess during refills. We measured and made comments about every iron's fill port. Another essential consideration for ease of use is how well control settings are labeled and how buttons are designed and placed. We found it too easy to make accidental inputs on the spray and steam burst functions on many irons, especially if the iron has a slick handle with integrated buttons. Irons with dedicated indicator lights or displays to give insight into the iron's temperature or settings are also nice for ease of use and less ubiquitous than you'd think.
Cord length matters for manueaverability and storage.
Credit: Rachael Lamore
Conclusion
Our goal is to help you identify a reasonably priced model that provides the functionality and features you need. We are always striving to make chores less painful, and we know there are many features and a lot of information to sort through. We hope our test results can help you zone in on the attributes that matter most so you can find your perfect iron.
