Steam Irons Reviews

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Steam Irons Reviews Reviewed
Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Steam Irons Ratings Comments on Reviews
1. Consumer Reports >> Details/Subscribe	Psssst…. Best Irons from Recent Tests Editors at Consumer Reports Nov. 2006		Consumer Reports tested eleven irons, plus one steam generator and a cordless iron. Tests included ironing on linen, cotton and a polyester/wool blend. To measure durability, each iron was filled with water and used for more than 250 hours of ironing. Editors say that expensive irons aren't necessarily more durable or better than cheaper irons and that cordless irons don't work well at all.
2. Wall Street Journal >> Details/Subscribe	A New Way to Keep Shirts Crisp Roberta Bernstein July 28, 2006		Three testers review five different steam irons that can also double as vertical steamers. This excellent article provides detailed pros and cons for each of the models tested. The Sunbeam DuraPress Iron 4064 wins both the Best Overall and the Best Value awards. The T-Fal Aquaspeed is said to have good features, but its soleplate felt too slippery to testers. The Black & Decker SteamAdvantage AS175 is "not bad," but its fabric guide is hard to read. At almost 4.5 pounds when full of water, the Rowenta Professional DX8800 is judged to be too heavy for most users’ comfort. The Conair Palm Iron was the least favored model reviewed.
3. Slate Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	The Pressing Question Tom Bartlett Oct. 24, 2006		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." Highest rated is the T-Fal Aquaspeed for its easy-fill tank and its enamel soleplate, which had the best glide. The expensive and heavy Rowenta Advancer DZ9080 finishes a close second and is the most prodigious steamer. The Black & Decker Digital Advantage is good and costs less. The Proctor Silex Mid-size iron and the Sunbeam Heritage bring up the rear.

Steam Irons Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Steam Irons Ratings Comments on Reviews

4. Real Simple	Pressing Matters Karen L. Smith May 2006		Editors of Real Simple indicate that they tested 33 irons, yet only four models are mentioned in this short article. We wish the magazine would note scores for other models, or at least mention which irons didn't make the cut. The Rowenta Effective DX1900 and Rowenta Professional DX8800 are the best steamers. The Travel Smart travel iron is light and compact, and the Oliso Auto Lift iron is deemed the "Best Upgrade," though no context for this rating is provided.
5. Which.co.uk >> Details/Subscribe	Steam Irons Editors of Which.co.uk Oct. 1, 2007		British consumer review magazine Which? put testers to task with sixteen steam irons and nine steam generators, simulating over four years of domestic use. Many irons rated here are not available in the U.S., but there are some familiar brands. Eight Best Buys are chosen. The top-rated steam generator is the Philips GC8220, and the Bosch TDA 8353GB Sensixx Comfort Secure is the top-rated steam iron. Which? provides some great advice on available features, as well as a FAQ with ironing tips. This publication also tested five travel steam irons, naming the Design Go Steam Iron to Go and the Challenge 110w Travel Iron as best picks.
6. Choice.com.au >> Details/Subscribe	Test: Irons Editors of Choice.com.au June 2006		This Australian equivalent of Consumer Reports tests eleven steam irons. Most models tested for this review are not available in the United States, however. The top ratings go to the Philips Azur Precise GC 4330 and the Sunbeam Ultura Resilium, but good scores also go the Braun Freestyle SI 6250 and Sunbeam Ultura Platinum SR5500. Both the Mistral Smart Steam MI200 and the Kambrook Steamline K1940 score poorly.
7. Consumer.org.nz >> Details/Subscribe	Irons Editors of Consumer.org.nz June 2006		This consumer magazine from New Zealand is similar to Consumer Reports. In this review, results are provided from tests performed on seven irons by an independent lab in New Zealand. Most models are not available in the United States. Ratings are based on performance and ease of use, and a checklist of things to consider when buying an iron is included. The Breville Jet Select SS2030, Russell Hobbs Steam Glide 12236 and Sunbeam Ultura SR5700 are the three recommended irons, although the editors say each has several shortcomings.

Steam Irons Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Steam Irons Ratings Comments on Reviews

8. Good Housekeeping.com >> Details/Subscribe	Super Steam Irons Editors of Good Housekeeping Apr. 2005		Four steam irons are included in these ratings at Good Housekeeping. The irons appear to have been tested, but no specifics are discussed, and editors don't tell us which irons did not make the cut. The Black & Decker Digital Advantage D2030 is rated best overall, and the best value nod is given to the Proctor Silex 17610. The Shark X-tended Steam Burst Auto-Shut Off Iron GI490 is recommended as best for "the big jobs." Editors say the Sunbeam Professional 4239 is easiest to use. We'd like to see some updated testing from Good Housekeeping. In a related article on garment steamers from April 2004, the editors recommend the T-Fal Ultraglide Diffusion 1769 when you need to iron.
9. Ricability.com	Choosing an iron that's easy to use Editors of Ricability.com Not Dated		The Research Institute for Consumer Affairs (RICA) is a London-based organization that provides information for disabled and senior consumers. Steam irons are one of their tested topics. The emphasis of the RICA testing is ease of use and comfort. There is also reference to the Which? Online testing results. The Rowenta Professional and Kenwood Emerald ST622 are both recommended here. For those with difficulty gripping handles, editors recommend the Rowenta Delphino, the Rowenta Surfline and the Ufesa PV 156 Vertinox 1500. Because this site is based in the UK, most irons covered are not available in the United States.
10. Amazon.com	Steam irons Contributors to Amazon.com As of Oct. 2007		There are more owner-written reviews here than at Epinions. The Black & Decker Digital Advantage D2030 gets an average rating of 4.5 stars from over 400 owners -- that's impressive since we read so many complaints about durability in general for irons. With over 60 reviews, the Rowenta DZ9080 Advancer also gets near-perfect scores, and the Rowenta DG5030 steam generator shows as a favorite. We found more mixed reviews for the Rowenta DX-8800 Professional and the T-Fal Ultraglide Diffusion, while 25 owners of the Oliso TG-800 Touch & Glide either totally love or hate it.

Steam Irons Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Steam Irons Ratings Comments on Reviews

11. Epinions	Steam Irons Contributors to Epinions As of Oct. 2007		There are fewer owner-written reviews for irons on Epinions than at Amazon.com. Many models receive good remarks from owners, but few individual irons receive more than a handful of comments. Black & Decker models get more ratings than others.
12. Target.com	Irons Contributors to Target As of Oct. 2007		Target.com is accumulating some consumer reviews for steam irons. Thirty owners of the Black & Decker Digital Advantage 2020 generally like it, although several say that their iron leaked or overheated. While Target is getting to be a better source for owner reviews, many irons haven't yet been rated by any owners at all.

Steam Irons Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Steam Irons Ratings Comments on Reviews

13. The Laundry Alternative, Inc.	How to Choose the Best Clothes Iron Editors of The Laundry Alternative Not Dated		The editors of this site, which sells environmentally friendly laundry products, offer a list of 12 features to look for when selecting an iron. No specific models are mentioned or rated, however.
14. Lowes.com	Choosing an Iron Editors of Lowes.com Not Dated		Lowes, the large home improvement retailer, has a buying guide to choosing an iron on its website. Basic tips are given on what to look for, although no specific irons are mentioned.
15. Consumer Guide.com	Ironing Tips Editors of ConsumerGuide.com Not Dated		The editors of Consumer Guide offer a list of tips and guidelines to make ironing go more smoothly. Included are some unique ideas for saving time while ironing and some cleaning methods for electric irons and water reservoirs.
16. YouTube.com	Rowenta Spider Ad Lodelmar Aug. 2007		This 20-second ad in French for the Rowenta Advancer demonstrates one of the iron’s steam features, and it might give you a smile as you narrow down your choices.