Steam Irons: Expert and User Reviews

Our AssessmentConsumerReports.org tests 42 irons on steaming rate (calculated for 10 minutes; cordless irons are calculated for three minutes), and evaluates each iron's performance on fabrics ranging from silks and cotton-poly blends to wools and linens. Editors also check the thermostat and soleplate pattern (for uniformity in heat distribution), and measure temperature swings. Finally, they rate the iron on how easy it is to fill, how leakproof it is and how well the iron steams at every setting. In tests, irons with nonstick soleplates don't perform as well as their stainless-steel counterparts, and editors aren't impressed when cordless models need to be reheated frequently. In the end, three steam irons are chosen as best buys and another three are tagged as recommended.

Our AssessmentThis roundup at Real Simple isn't dated, but judging by the included products, we'd guess it was posted within the last year. Another annoyance: Although editors say they tested 40 steam irons, they identify only their six favorites, leaving us to wonder about the lesser-performing models. Neither do editors reveal exactly how or who performed the testing. Write-ups for each favored iron are short and skimp on detail. Picks include the Euro-Pro Shark Rapido Electronic as the best budget iron; best all-around is the Rowenta Steamium. The Oliso Smart Pro is lauded for its anti-scorch feature while the T-fal Ultraglide wins as "best topple-proof" due to its wide, sturdy base. The Panasonic 360 Freestyle cordless iron and the Black & Decker First Impressions (with its retractable cord) are also highlighted, along with the Rowenta First Class travel iron and the DeLonghi Easy Turbo that's said to glide easily.

Our AssessmentGood Housekeeping tests steam irons in the $40 to $120 range in another older review. The Shark Lightweight Professional GI462 has fewer temperature fluctuations than other models tested and its light weight makes it easy to use (but also easy to tip over). The Black & Decker Classic is a retro-styled, updated version of a classic 1960s iron. It's cool-looking but basic, with weaker steam output and no burst of steam feature, but does an "acceptable" job on wrinkles.

Our AssessmentQVC sells several irons on its site and on TV, and owners are invited to comment on their purchases. However, not many irons get a critical mass of reviews. The Rowenta Steamium has the largest number of ratings (more than 150), but it actually gets more 1-star scores than 5-star. The Rowenta Pro also has a similar split in owner opinion. While the Rowenta Acti-Steam has only two dozen reviews so far, its rating is higher.

Our AssessmentThe Macy's website isn't a convenient place to read user reviews. There's no easy way to see ratings at a glance; you have to click through to each item to view ratings, then click again to read reviews. Most irons get between a dozen and 20 owner comments. The Rowenta Steamium earns some enthusiastic posts here, with about a dozen users attesting to the professional results of this model. One calls it the "Bentley of irons." There are about 30 mainly positive reviews here for the Rowenta Steam Station, but they come with a couple of leak complaints due to a faulty steam knob.

Our AssessmentBack in 2006, Tom Bartlett tested seven irons on a variety of fabrics, including cotton, silk and a polyester blend. In this review, he rates the irons on ease of use, the "feel factor," steaming power and how well the iron eliminates wrinkles. Bartlett writes, "I ironed until my wrist became tired, my back achy, my soul deadened." This is an excellent comparison review of irons, but many of the models tested have since been discontinued.