Best steam irons – 9 tried-and-tested models that will power through laundry in record time with impressive results

Ironing has a bad reputation, with many of us trying to avoid it wherever possible, often to the detriment of our clothes. However, the best steam iron can make ironing a pleasure, and I'm not exaggerating here. After testing a myriad of different steam irons I learnt that certain special features, the weight and the design of an iron are all crucial to making ironing feel effortless and not laborious.

For this guide, I have tested 11 irons by ironing my way through baskets and baskets of clothing (with the help of the wider Ideal Home team). I've done my best to simulate real-life scenarios testing them in the home on different fabrics and wading through family-size laundry loads. I've rated the best steam irons on features like adjustable steam settings, a large water tank, and an easy-to-clean soleplate which make a significant difference in your ironing experience. Not all the irons that I tested made the final lineup, but for the ones that did I've highlighted the most common issues each steam iron can help you tackle.

Powerful steam, smooth-gliding soleplates, intelligent settings and more combine to make these, our favourite models, far more effective than their predecessors. Many of them have become so advanced even if you prefer to use a clothes steamer I promise you'll be impressed.

The Morphy Richards easyCHARGE Power+ Cordless Iron is the steam iron that impressed me the most in testing and claimed the title as the best steam iron. It delivers on performance at a reasonable price point. However, I know that one person's laundry basket can massively differ from another, which is why there's an iron here for every need.

Quick list

An overview of the very best irons that impressed in testing at a glance.

Best steam iron overall

I really liked the design of this Morphy Richards iron, as well as its outstanding performance. This is a cordless model, which makes it super convenient, but crucially there's no faff in returning the iron to its base when you do need more charge.

That's in part thanks to the onboard lights that let you know the exact charge level you're working with, which I think is genius. The recharging process itself is lightning fast, taking just 25 seconds to power up again so that you can go back over any creases.

I was impressed by its ability to generate steam at 35g/min (you can learn more about steam output in our how to choose a steam iron section), even if it's lower than steam-generating alternatives (which are pricier). The cordlessness made ironing so much easier during testing, and you can pump the trigger button for a 130g/min steam shot, including vertical steam.

The steam is powerful, pumped out consistently and quietly, and I enjoyed using it. It glides well and delivers impressive results, but there are a few little annoyances, such as the overpowerful water shot button, which can leave wet patches. It’s still a superb steam iron, though, and so worth it if you want a cordless iron.

Best steam generator iron

The Philips PerfectCare Steam Generator 7000 was the surprise standout favourite of our ironing test run. It was easy to hastily judge this iron on looks alone; it's very big, a bit strange-looking compared to a conventional iron and quite heavy too.

But looks can be deceiving, and it turns out that this steam generator system was an absolute dream to use. How does it work? You fill up the 1.8-litre water tank (which can last you for up to an incredible two hours of use), and then simply lift off the ultra-light iron from the base itself.

The iron itself uses OptimalTEMP technology, which means that it can automatically adjust to whichever fabric you're ironing which we found a particularly clever feature while testing. You can also use it vertically if you want to tease the creases out of your work shirt or use the continuous steam function for your sheets.

During testing, I envisioned that the Philips PerfectCare Steam Generator 7000 would be ideal for families with plenty of washing to get through, or for houses bursting with bedrooms, and therefore plenty of sheets to change. It would be especially ideal for anyone renting out rooms in their house who needs to do industrial levels of laundry.

I know that the hefty size definitely won't be for everyone, but if you do need a bigger, more heavy-duty iron, you really can't do better than the Philips PerfectCare Steam Generator 7000.

Best cordless iron

During testing, I found that I could get all the benefits of a cordless iron with the Tower CeraGlide iron. However, it does also have the option to be used as a corded iron if you want to.

With a fantastically affordable RRP of £24, it's an excellent value iron and impressed during testing, with its really quick heating time, a 40g/min steam output and a 180g/min steam boost.

If you're wondering how the ability to be both cordless and corded works, this iron uses a base that can be used for a quick burst of charge, or just be fixed to the bulk of the iron as you go, meaning there's no need to stop for a charge.

This iron doesn't have the biggest water tank of them all, but it's perfectly adequate for small to medium homes with similarly sized laundry piles.

Best corded iron

This Russell Hobbs power steam ultra iron has become the go-to iron in my household for its incredibly smooth ceramic sole plate that makes fast work of a load of laundry. In a corded model, you do lose a little flexibility, but this iron makes up for it with a rapid heat-up time (under 30 seconds) and an impressive 70g/min steam output.

It also has a long 3-metre cord so you don’t feel restricted when using it with an ironing board or when using the vertical steam function. I used this function and the 210g/min steam shot to remove deep creases out of my curtains. It was so powerful it delivered a visible punch of steam to the fabric.

Like other models tested in this guide, the iron had a dial that allows you to adjust the temperature to different fabrics. I also appreciated the auto shut-off feature that automatically turns off your iron when not in use or when knocked over. The self-clean function is another bonus if you’re looking to invest in an iron that is easy to maintain.

The biggest downside I found was when filling up the water tank. It fills up through a small door from the front, this is almost impossible to do easily without the small beaker that Russell Hobbs includes with the iron. So do keep in mind that you will need to store this beaker close by with your iron.

Like the other irons the team have tested, this particular model has a dial that you can adjust for tackling different fabrics, and a very handy 360ml water tank so that you won't have to run and fill up halfway through your ironing session.

The CeraGlide Technology speaks to the ceramic plate on this iron that makes it glide across your clothes or sheets, and the rose gold accents alongside the dark shade make this a stylish choice too, even if it's not quite as convenient as our favourite cordless iron.

Best for water tank capacity

Our Senior Digital Editor, Jenny, found the Morphy Richards EasyCharge cordless iron has great heat retention, and heats up super fast. You only need to replace the iron on its dock for a few seconds then the light turns green and you’re ready to go again.

The powerful steam function and high temperature combine to effectively remove creases after one or 2 passes of the iron. Saying this, during testing, the steam output was a tad inconsistent compared with corded irons in our list, making it trickier to remove tougher creases and wrinkles.

One of the standout features of this iron is its 350ml water tank capacity which is very impressive for a cordless iron. The water in the onboard reservoir really lasts, even when the steam function is set to max. She only had to top it up once during a 30-minute press session, which means fewer trips to the tap, allowing you to tackle larger ironing loads without constant interruptions.

Best lightweight iron

The Freemove is very lightweight, not least because it’s cordless. After around 30 seconds of ironing, the base beeps to remind you to recharge. Then it takes 11 seconds to recharge – just enough time for you to adjust the garment to a new position. The timings work. As do the ergonomics: it slides comfortably onto the base and ironing cordlessly feels very natural.

But it’s not perfect. The glide isn’t great and I wasn't that impressed with the steam and controls. Steam is on (25g/min) or off, there’s no adjustment. And as well as switching it on, you must constantly squeeze a trigger for steam. Surely one control should be enough.

Under your thumb are buttons for water spray and steam boost (115g/min) which can be used vertically, but these are quite hard to squeeze, and nowhere near as ergonomic as the rest of the Tefal. The only other button is for the anti-calc mode.

Our only major criticism of the Tefal is that the steam is mediocre and takes a while to get going and then it keeps going. Steam sometimes continues when it first sits on its base and condenses into water. Then this can get carried back to your garment as drips. It’s not a constant problem, more an occasional annoyance.

Its 250ml tank is easy to fill through a large opening. But, because of the charging base, the iron isn’t designed to sit on its heel so you must fill it sitting on its base. This works but takes a bit of getting used to. For storage, the 1.9m cord fits nicely and safely around the base and clips to itself to stay in place. It's surprisingly affordable and the best choice out there if a lightweight design is a necessity.

Best iron for shirts

This delivered powerful steam and ploughed through the ironing pile at high speed. It’s black, modern-looking and certainly has unisex appeal. You control the steam level (up to 50g/min) with a small dial under your thumb, but you can’t control the temperature. Instead, it has a single iCare setting that can’t be overridden and promises to be good for all iron-safe fabrics.

There’s a trigger button under your finger which is good for 230 g/min steam shot and vertical steam which is again powerful. It glides very smoothly and I found it possible to plough through the ironing at double speed because the steam is strong enough to do both sides of a shirt at once. Its 330ml tank is easy to fill through a large opening, and it comes with a jug, but the 2.5m cord is a bit short.

It stows looped around the heel adequately but not brilliantly. And I couldn’t see the benefits of the soleplate’s 3D design, where it curves up at the heel end. Still, the performance is excellent.

Best for sewing

Our Senior Digital Editor, Jenny, found Oliso's Pro Plus smart iron brilliant for getting through her laundry quickly and as an avid crafter, she was thrilled to see that it is also packed with features designed for quilting and sewing.

It features powerful 'Triple play' vertical and horizontal steam functions that make tackling tough creases and wrinkles a sinch, while its huge 375ml water tank means you don't have to pause to refill which feels like a real treat when you're time-pressured. The 'Diamond Ceramic Flow' soleplate effortlessly glided over cotton and even a linen duvet cover without the need to go over and over.

And the best part for our reviewer? It's also super safe with its enhanced iTouch never-lift technology, which lifts and lowers the iron with the touch of your hand, preventing burns, saving your wrists, and saving you time. It's also a great advantage as the iron is a substantial weight in comparison to its competitors on the list.

There's also an extended 30-minute auto shut-off, but if the iron accidentally tips over, it has a 30-second auto shut-off so you'll not get into any danger. The two-inch detailer tip is also perfect for seams and tight corners so you can press pleats, pockets, collars and cuffs way more easily.

Best value steam iron

If you are looking for a heavy-duty iron at a lower price point, then the Beldray Steam Surge Pro is a great alternative to the Philips PerfectCare Steam Generator 7000. Beldray is well known for its affordable range of irons and the Steam Pro surge didn’t disappoint delivering brilliant value for money.

For the RRP of £55, you get an iron with a 1.2L water tank that delivers 30 minutes of continuous steam, which easily got me through a load of laundry. The iron doesn’t automatically adjust the temperature of the iron like the Phillips one, however, you can manually adjust the heat setting to the fabric you’re ironing. It can also be used vertically to get creases out of shirts.

The 2-metre power cord meant I easily reached the end of the ironing board but, I found that it kept getting in the way when ironing large items. However, I found the built-in cord storage in the base handy for keeping the cord out of the way when ironing smaller items.

The main downside was that the iron plate didn’t deliver as smooth an experience as others that I had tested. It also struggled with ironing out deep-set creases and occasionally left some water splatters.

How we test steam irons

At Ideal Home we know how important it is to have hands-on experience with products before we recommend them to you, in line with our testing protocol. That's why I've tested every iron in this round-up extensively at our test facility before coming to the conclusion in this ranking. Some of the irons have also been tested at homes by other members of our team.

That included testing them on shirts, linen, and bedsheets to check their credentials. We looked at how many passes it took each iron to blast through the worst creases, how ergonomic and powerful each iron was and subsequently how each would fare getting through an average household's laundry pile.

We've also rated the irons you can see here in terms of how user-friendly they are, as well as affordability and specialist features, making sure to include options for smaller homes as well as those who have a lot of washing to un-crease.

Below you can read more about exactly who tested each of these irons.

Molly Cleary

Molly is the Ecommerce Editor for Ideal Home, covering all things appliance related - including irons! She tested the choices above at Future's test facility in Reading, and was a convert to the art of ironing. She loved the Tower options on offer - both corded and cordless.

Jenny McFarlane

Jenny McFarlane joined the Ideal Home team as Senior Digital Editor in 2023 following a couple of years working across sister brands Real Homes, Homes & Gardens, Livingetc and Gardeningetc. As part of Ideal Home's commitment to how we test the products we recommend, she tested a number of these steam irons while tackling a never-ending laundry mountain in her busy family home. She loves the Olisio smart iron for its clever liftaway feature - a winner for crafting.

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How to choose

You don’t want just any old iron. Look for strong steam and a smooth-glide soleplate to power through the ironing pile. If the steam is strong enough, you save even more time because it penetrates through the garment, ironing both sides at once. Premium models also offer intelligent controls that save time and hassle, because you can iron all garments on a single setting.

Thea Whyte, a steam iron expert at AO shares her advice: 'Before spending your money, it’s always worth considering what additional features the appliance has.'

'Whether its unique technology that removes limescale from your iron or perhaps a special soleplate design that helps distribute steam evenly, there are many bonuses that the higher-tier irons have that make ironing easier.'

What else should I look for?

• Constant steam: Measured in g/min (grams per minute), the bigger the number the more powerful the steam, which relaxes the fabric weave to make it easier to smooth out creases.
• Steam shot: Again measured in g/min, press a button for an extra boost to tackle stubborn creases. The bigger the better.
• Vertical steam: Hold the iron up and press the steam shot button to refresh and un-crease hanging garments and curtains.
• Water spray: Most irons also offer a simple spray of water at the press of a button, another useful tool for creases but we prefer steam for most fabrics.
• Intelligent temperature setting: Some irons – usually pricier models – don’t need you to select the temperature, they just automatically get it right for all fabrics. This saves time because you don’t need to look at garment labels or divide them into one-dot, two-dot and three-dot piles. Iron in any old order.
• Soleplate: You want a material that glides smoothly over all fabrics, with plenty of holes to deliver steam and a groove above it, so you can easily iron under shirt buttons. An all-round soleplate is best, so you can iron in any direction.
• Auto off: The power should switch off automatically if the iron is left flat for a couple of minutes, or left upright for longer.
• Anti calc: All the irons here feature a limescale filter that removes impurities from the water. You can push a button to clean the filter, forcing out deposits using the iron’s own steam.
• Anti-drip: Water is cut off if there’s not enough to create steam, to prevent drips.
• Cord: Some models have a power cord that’s too short. It depends where your socket is, but we prefer a 3m length.
• Storage: All these irons are designed so the cord wraps around the base when not in use. But some are designed better than others. We want our cord to stay put when the iron’s in the cupboard.

FAQs

How much should I spend on an iron?

We tested a number of mid-priced and premium models, with prices ranging from £60 to £160. £60 buys you a perfectly good steam iron but spend more and you’ll get more powerful steam that piles through the ironing pile faster.

You may also get more intelligent features, so you can disregard settings completely and get on with the job in hand.

How often should you replace your steam iron?

Irons are notorious for burning out early. Some might last for a year, while others could still be working for years to come. 'Every appliance has a lifespan and irons are no different. Typically speaking, an iron should last around five years before you should be looking to replace this,' explains Thea from AO.com.

'But of course, this depends on usage. If you’re using the steaming function too frequently or have damaged the cord or handles, this may cause the iron to deteriorate faster.'

Leaking, residue build-up, vent clogging and more, there are several faults you could encounter and there's no way of predicting if or when they might happen. Thea adds, 'If your iron is leaking then this is a sign to replace your appliance. Unfortunately, once a leak has started repairing this becomes an expensive cost you can do without. Check your iron over for any rust or gunk that may have led to this.'

David Foulstone, Marketing & Communications Director at Morphy Richards adds, 'The lifespan of a steam iron can vary significantly, but with proper care and maintenance, it should last you a long time. Top tip: make sure you keep limescale at bay as this can be the death of any iron.'

So, like any other appliance, it depends on how much you use it and also how you maintain it. Before tossing it, we recommend learning how to clean an iron and see if that might fix the problem.

'A handy tip to prolong the life of your iron would be to wipe down the soleplate monthly with vinegar to remove any build-up clogging the steam vents,' explains Thea.

However, if all else fails, most irons have a warranty of one year, so if it starts leaking within the year, reach out and get yourself a new one.

Is a ceramic soleplate better than stainless steel?

There are a few things to consider when choosing between a ceramic or stainless steel sole plate. Stainless steel and aluminium are the most popular materials for iron soleplates due to how durable and affordable they are, as well as the fact that they are scratch-resistant and heat up quickly.

Ceramic, on the other hand, is often preferred for its smooth glide and heat distribution. Although It doesn't scratch, it can be quite fragile and may break more easily than its stainless steel counterparts.

Morphy Richards' Marketing & Communications Director, David Foulstone agrees, 'A ceramic soleplate can be considered better than a stainless steel one for several reasons. Ceramic soleplates typically heat up faster and provide better heat distribution, which can make ironing quicker and more efficient.'

We also asked Komal Sawley, Marketing Manager for Groupe SEB who owns Tefal, for her thoughts.

'Neither one can be labelled as better, both have their pros and cons.'

'Stainless steel soleplates are a great option for ease as they heat quickly, remove creases easily and have even heat distribution. They offer a smooth iron and are durable and easy to clean and maintain.'

'Ceramic coatings glide smoother than stainless steel soleplates, are less likely to scorch fabrics at high temperatures and eliminate static from fabrics. However, some may find the upkeep harder as they are prone to chipping and peeling and so require extra care to protect the sole plates from damage.'

Is it better to get an iron or a steamer?

Morphy Richards' Marketing & Communications Director, David Foulstone explains that 'choosing between an iron and steamer largely depends on your specific needs and the types of garments you frequently handle. An iron is generally better for tackling tougher creases, making it an excellent choice for achieving a crisp finish on items like dress shirts.'

'Both remove wrinkles from clothing and household linens however each appliance has its own benefits,' explains Komal Sawley, Marketing Manager for Groupe SEB.

'Irons offer more control and a better result, so you can get a crisp edge, control the precise area you apply heat to and control the temperature. Most irons will include a built-in steam feature, so arguably gives you the best of both options.'

'Some prefer to use a steamer as they can often be faster to use and are generally lower in cost than irons. Steam power removes odours and kills up to 99.99% of viruses, bacteria and germs with no detergent or chemicals. Handheld steamers can easily be taken with you in luggage when travelling and can be used on delicate and thin materials with less chance of burning fabrics.'

'We’d recommend having both in the cupboard as they both serve different purposes.'

What makes a good steam iron?

'Many features make a good steam iron! Firstly, high wattage ensures rapid heating, enabling quick and efficient wrinkle removal,' explains David Foulstone, Marketing & Communications Director at Morphy Richards.

'Secondly, a quality soleplate, preferably made of materials like ceramic or stainless steel, ensures smooth gliding over fabrics and even heat distribution. Additionally, a long power cord offers greater flexibility and convenience during ironing sessions.'