Best Steam Irons

Updated October 2011
You can spend anywhere from 15 bucks all the way up to $200 for a new steam iron. But here's the kicker: In the hundreds of user reviews we read, there are as many complaints about leaks, drips and total breakdowns for cheap irons as there are for fancy models that cost $100 more. Furthermore, users seem just as happy with some inexpensive irons as pricier ones. The irons below are chosen not only for their performance in expert reviews, but for their better durability ratings over the long run.
 

Best steam iron

Black & Decker Digital Advantage D2030 *Est. $50 Compare Prices

Slate.com: Product reviewer Tom Bartlett admits that he hates ironing, but he nonetheless picks the top three irons that make the chore the least arduous.

Amazon.com: Amazon users love the Black & Decker Digital Advantage and post more than a whopping 1,200 reviews, most of which are highly positive.

Buzzillions.com: There are just a few reviews here for the Black & Decker Digital Advantage, mainly reprinted from Drugstore.com.

No-frills iron

Black & Decker SteamAdvantage F1060 *Est. $25 Compare Prices

ConsumerReports.org: The Black & Decker SteamAdvantage is among more than 40 steam irons tested at ConsumerReports.org.

Amazon.com: The Black & Decker SteamAdvantage receives an average rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars from more than 65 owners at Amazon.com.

Walmart.com: In more than 30 reviews posted to the Walmart website, owners are fairly split on this iron.

Viewpoints.com: There are less than a dozen reviews for the Black & Decker SteamAdvantage at Viewpoints.com.

Cordless iron

Panasonic Cordless NI-L70SR *Est. $60 Compare Prices

ConsumerReports.org: ConsumerReports.org includes the Panasonic NI-L70SR and one other cordless steam iron in tests along with 40 corded models.

Good Housekeeping: In this separate product review on the Panasonic Cordless steam iron, Good Housekeeping editors say it has a weaker steam output than its corded colleagues but does do an acceptable job removing wrinkles.

Amazon.com: This Panasonic cordless model gets more than 160 mostly positive reviews from users who say it stays hot long enough to do the job, is easy to use and glides smoothly over a variety of fabrics.

Wired: The more expensive but similar Panasonic Cordless NI-WL600 is reviewed by this technology magazine.

Buzzillions.com: Posters on this review aggregate website like the Panasonic Cordless, and the majority give it 4 or 5 stars out of 5 for its ease of use on a variety of fabrics, flexible temperature settings, cordless convenience, reasonable price and quick heat-up time.

Steam generator

Rowenta Pro Iron Steam Station DG5030 *Est. $170 Compare Prices

ConsumerReports.org: ConsumerReports.org includes the Rowenta Steam Station in its overview of 42 steam irons.

Amazon.com: While a number of posters say their models leak, on the whole, Amazon users are relatively enthusiastic about the Rowenta Steam Station; most of the nearly 200 owner reviews say it makes wrinkles disappear instantly.

Macys.com: Of the roughly 30 reviews posted on Macys.com, most are very pleased with the Rowenta Steam Station.

Travel iron

Rowenta First Class Travel Compact Steam Iron *Est. $40 Compare Prices

Real Simple: The experts at Real Simple choose the Rowenta First Class Travel Compact Steam Iron as one of their favorite steam irons, thanks to its 1,000 watts, powerful burst-of-steam button, 200 steam-hole soleplate and compact design.

Amazon.com: Amazon reviewers tend to like this travel iron because of its great steam output, burst-of-steam button and dual voltage; if you need a travel iron, this is the one to get, they say.

Williams-Sonoma.com: Williams-Sonoma customers like this Rowenta travel iron for the same reasons Amazon customers do -- it's lightweight, it has dual-voltage and burst-of-steam capabilities, and it's impressive for so small an iron.

Steam Irons Runners Up:

Rowenta Steamium DW9080 *Est. $140

3 picks including: Amazon.com, Real Simple…

Rowenta Focus DW5080 *Est. $90

2 picks by top review sites.

T-fal Ultraglide FV4379 *Est. $40

1 pick including: Amazon.com…

     
   
 
 
 
     
   
 
 
 
     
 
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- Shark Lightweight Professional Iron
In Stock.
Average Customer Review:  
 
 
 
 

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