Cordless Irons

Cordless irons -- how convenient are they?

Cordless irons: What's not to love? It may seem like a good idea, but some expert reviewers are skeptical. True, cords catch on fabric and create wrinkles; they get in the way and can even cause irons to tip over. They also need to be constantly reheated on the base unit, which is why many reviewers -- like testers at ConsumerReports.org -- don't really recommend them. Nevertheless, a number of user posts reveal that cordless irons are popular among owners.

There aren't that many cordless steam irons to choose from, however. Among the most popular is the Panasonic Cordless NI-L70SR (*Est. $60) , which has three heat settings; a sturdy charging base (with retractable base cord); an anti-drip system and stay-clean steam vents; stainless soleplate; and adjustable steam, vertical steam and burst-of-steam functions. In a separate review, Good Housekeeping editors examine the merits of this 1,500-watt iron and say while cordless is "a great idea in theory," this Panasonic has a weaker steam output than traditional corded models. However, they say it does an acceptable job with wrinkles, and they like its ergonomic handle-top controls, auto shutoff and removable water tank.

The Panasonic Cordless gets roughly 160 reviews at Amazon.com, where users say it stays hot long enough to do the job and glides easily across a variety of fabrics. Seamstresses and quilters like the convenience; one quilter says the iron works especially well for pressing quilts and handmade pieces because there's no cord to get in the way. Users say the Cordless heats up quickly and works even better if you leave it in its charge base between items. They also like its transparent, removable water tank. More temperature settings would be nice, says one poster; another complains the iron doesn't hold heat long enough for larger jobs. Yet on the whole, words such as "wonderful" and "great iron" abound in these reviews. As an added plus, the Panasonic Cordless has a heat-resistant carrying case so you can put it away while still warm.

The Panasonic New Concept 360 Freestyle NI-WL600 (*Est. $95) also gets attention from reviewers, including online magazine Wired, where writer Erik Malinowski likes the range of motion you get from a cordless model. This iron has a lot of the same features as the less expensive Cordless NI-L70SR, including three heat settings, a removable water tank and a charging base. It also has three steam settings. While the two irons are almost identical features-wise, the 360 Freestyle has a more modern design than the Cordless. Malinowski says the Freestyle's shortcomings mainly involve the minuscule water tank, which constantly needs refilling, and the tank opening is far too small for quick refills at the faucet. You also need to really press hard on some heavier fabrics (like denim) to get the job done. Still, he says it's a good cordless model overall, and Amazon posters seem to agree. Nearly 40 posters say the 360 Freestyle heats up fast and is convenient, but is expensive for what you get. The more moderately priced Cordless garners more enthusiasm in reviews.