Whether you want to smooth out your curtains, press your bed sheets or spruce up your clothes, a good iron is a laundry room essential. The most versatile option is a steam iron, which can also work as a dry iron (but not the other way around). The best irons heat up quickly, have adjustable temperature and steam settings and work on a variety of fabrics. But with the number of options on the market today, you may not know where to begin.
While iron soleplates can be made of a variety of materials, aim for ceramic or stainless steel, which will move over your garments more easily. Consider the iron cord, too; a swivel feature prevents the cord from interfering with your ironing, while a retractable cord makes storage simple and compact. Weight matters, too, because a heavier iron will press whatever you’re ironing more easily, while a lighter iron can reduce fatigue if you plan on using it as a vertical steamer or have lots of ironing to do.
Here are some of the best irons for a variety of uses, according to customer ratings and reviews.
- Best Iron Overall: Rowenta DW9280 Steamforce Steam Iron
- Best Budget Iron: Sunbeam Steammaster Steam Iron
- Best Energy-Efficient Iron: Rowenta DW6080 Eco-Intelligence Iron
- Best Mid-Priced Iron: CHI Steam Iron with Retractable Cord
- Best Press Iron: The Nori Press Steam Iron
- Best Cordless Iron: Panasonic Cordless Portable 1500W
- Best Travel Iron: Steamfast Mini Steam Iron
- Best Quick-Heating Iron: Maytag M200 Speed Heat Steam Iron
Best Iron Overall
A Powerful Steam Iron With Professional-Level Results
For the best of the best, you’ll want Rowenta’s feature-heavy model. With its powerful steam output, the Rowenta can smooth out stubborn wrinkles on thick garments. Its stainless soleplate is easy to move over any material, and with 400 steam holes, it distributes steam evenly as you glide. It has a generous 11.8 ounce water tank for ironing piles of garments uninterrupted and an LED temperature display lets you know once it’s heated (no risky hot plate touching required). For added safety, it turns off automatically after being left untouched for eight minutes vertically or 30 seconds face down or on its side.
What the Reviews Say: “I absolutely love this iron. It just glides across the clothing and with one pass, the wrinkles are gone,” writes one Amazon reviewer. “I love the steam burst, great for the tops of pants. My only regret, I wish I would have ordered it sooner!”
Best Budget Iron
An Affordable Iron With All The Essential Features
Don’t be fooled by the budget-friendly price: The Sunbeam Steammaster is beloved by reviewers and customers alike. This steam iron has a stainless soleplate, plus 1400 watts of pressing power and variable steam control that make it easy to effectively remove wrinkles from any material. According to customers, it heats fast and it’s just as heavy as more expensive options. It also has a retractable cord for added convenience.
What the Reviews Say: “This iron has some heft to it, making pressing extremely easy,” writes one reviewer. “The surface of the iron is so smooth and just glides so easily over the fabric. This iron also has some amazing steam power.”
Best Energy-Efficient Iron
An Innovative Steam Iron That’s 25% More Energy Efficient
Rowenta’s Eco-Intelligence model is one of the few irons with an emphasis on energy efficiency, but it still upholds the brand’s reputation for stellar performance. Like its cousin above, the Eco-Intelligence has 400 holes on its stainless steel soleplate for emitting powerful plumes of steam. And like other top contenders, it can also be used as a steamer when held vertically.
The big difference here is its unique design: It channels steam right where you want it so less is lost, making it 25% more energy efficient than standard irons. Three settings also help to control energy expenditure (dry, eco, and boost for the most stubborn creases), and an automatic shutoff feature—after eight minutes if left upright, after 30 seconds if left horizontal or tipped over—increases safety and energy savings.
What the Reviews Say: Overall, reviewers say the Eco-Intelligence lives up to the Rowenta name. “I have owned this iron for about three months now and have to say that it is the best iron I have ever used,” shares one buyer. “I have shirts that have always been impossible to get wrinkles out using other irons and this one takes care of them with ease—and I don’t even use the steam boost. Setting it to ‘ECO’ mode gives plenty of power.”
Best Mid-Priced Iron
A Mid-Range Option That Rivals High-End Competitors
A cost-effective alternative to the Rowenta, the CHI also has more than 400 steam holes, resulting in even steam distribution. The oversized titanium-infused ceramic soleplate heats quickly and glides smoothly over any material, and because the temperature settings include a fabric guide, you won’t risk damaging your clothes with too much heat. Along with the powerful steam output, reviewers also appreciate that the tip of the soleplate is pointed, which makes it easier to press tight corners.
What the Reviews Say: “I was a little hesitant in purchasing this iron [but I] bought it and and fell in love with it,” says one Target reviewer. “Heats up very well, didn't have to go over my blouse twice.” Adds another, “I'm a seamstress and need a good iron to sew. This is the Mercedes of irons.”
Best Press Iron
A Dual-Plated Iron That Makes Things Easy
If you’d rather rock a wrinkled blouse than pull out the ironing board, The Nori Press is for you. This dual-sided iron is designed to press and steam clothes with minimal effort required. It has six heat settings—poly, silk, wool, cotton, denim and linen—and a water reservoir that generates steam without any leakage. The aluminum plates glide easily over any garment, smoothing out the front and back at the same time. Weighing just 1.4 pounds, it’s an excellent option for travel, too.
What the Reviews Say: The Nori Press is adored by everyone who tries it. One permanent convert writes, “Nori is absolutely amazing and I will never go back to normal ironing (or shower steaming). It is effortless to iron or touch up any clothes even when in a rush. My boyfriend is also Nori’s biggest fan. He bought one and now irons his shirts every time he leaves his apartment.”
Best Cordless Iron
A Rechargeable Iron With No Annoying Cord
The Panasonic makes everyday ironing hassle-free—just charge it, choose your temp and wait a minute for it to heat up. The cordless feature prevents snags, but to keep the iron at your desired temperature, you’ll have to reheat it on the base. You can also use the Panasonic as a vertical steamer and it comes with its own carrying case for storage or travel.
What the Reviews Say: Customer say this iron rivals corded options with its stainless soleplate and steam power, but it’s not as heavy because it’s portable. “It heats up quickly and steams well...and [it’s] very light,” writes one reviewer. “It just glides along with little effort on my part. And I can't tell you how much I love NOT fighting an electrical cord.”
Best Travel Iron
A Mini Iron For Smoothing Wrinkles On The Go
Whether you’re traveling or low on storage space, the Steamfast Mini is a solid pick. It heats in under a minute and glides easily with its non-stick soleplate. The iron has three heat settings, ideal for quick touchups, and while it only holds 1.4 ounces of water, reviewers say it generates plenty of steam for everyday ironing jobs.
What the Reviews Say: “I cannot, cannot say enough great things about this little iron,” one reviewer raves. “It comes with the iron, a little bag to put it in and the cup to fill the reservoir so you don't make a mess. The cord wraps around it so you don't have cord all over the place and it's perfect for travel, on the go or for everyday use!”
Best Quick-Heating Iron
A Budget-Friendly Iron That Heats Up In Less Than A Minute
The Maytag Speed Heat Steam Iron is a cost-effective option, but that’s only one reason customers love it. Its stainless steel soleplate reaches max temperature in less than a minute, and it only takes three seconds to regenerate steam, resulting in a quick and convenient ironing process. The Maytag is also versatile thanks to its precision thermostat with six fabric settings—plus, you can use it as a vertical steamer on clothes or curtains. Further, its vertical steam function enables you to de-wrinkle hanging garments and fabrics, as well.
What the Reviews Say: “Best iron ever!” says a happy buyer. “The Maytag is a dream: Excellent temperature control, steady steam, easy to fill and lightweight enough that my wrist doesn't hurt even after a couple of hours at the ironing board. Highly recommend!”
