

After the Rowenta Digital Display, it did the best job at making our linen shirt look like it came straight from the dry-cleaner. This iron did a great job of de-wrinkling clothes. Made of flimsy plastic it seems susceptible to breaking off if pulled too hard. Our biggest nit is the tank cover, which opens at a hinge to fill. The 8-ounce water tank is on the smaller side, but the tank is easy to fill thanks to an extra-large input hole and it gave us about 15 minutes of total steam output, on average, before needing a refill - plenty for most ironing loads and, except for the Rowenta DW9280, a longer time output than the other irons we tested with bigger water tanks. It’s worth noting that the steam control is adjusted via a nifty slide on the handle rather than behind it, as it is with most models, making it simple to switch between no steam, high steam or something in between without having to hunt behind the handle to do so. We appreciate the steam burst and spray buttons on the handle, which are easier to press than those on other irons thanks to their soft touch and smaller size. A small dial under the handle allows you to set the temperature for four fabric types: nylon/synthetics, silk/wool, cotton or linen. We found the simple settings easy to use. It weighs in at a light 3.3 pounds, and the slightly contoured handle is comfortable to hold. It also comes with an automatic three-way shutoff, turning off after 30 seconds when it’s left lying horizontally or on its side and between seven and 10 minutes when it’s left sitting vertically. Heating up in a lightning-fast 39 seconds, the quickest of all irons we tested, it also features a handy indicator light that turns green to alert you it’s ready.Īs with most of the irons tested, this Maytag model features a self-cleaning setting with an anti-calcium system to keep its steam vents wide open and working well and doesn’t leak. Lightweight, super-steamy, able to get rid of even the stubbornest of wrinkles and priced affordably at less than $50, Maytag’s M400 practically had us looking forward to laundry day.įor starters, it takes less than a minute to get to work - and when you’re in a rush to get ready and need something ironed, stat, there’s no better option. Nearly all models also feature a durable, stainless steel soleplate (the underside of the iron that glides smoothly across your clothes), an 8-foot cord, an auto-clean button (to rid the iron of scale or dust and keep the steam holes clean and clear) and an anti-calcification system (which help rid your iron of any mineral buildup from the water).ĭespite those similarities, we observed some key differences - from how quickly the irons heated up to how well they handled wrinkles - with two ultimately proving themselves to be the best:

And of course, we took special note of how well they took the wrinkles and creases out of a variety of wrinkled, balled-up clothes, including a linen shirt, a pair of jeans, a synthetic blouse and a silk scarf.Īll models we tested - ranging in price from $22 to $105 - include an automatic shut-off system when the iron is left sitting on its base, side or lying flat, and can do double-duty as vertical steam irons (we did not test this feature). To determine which iron is the best, we rounded up the most popular options and tested everything from how easy they were to use and how fast they heated to how much water their tanks could hold.
#Best steam iron 2021 upgrade#
Ironing isn’t always fun, but when you want to dress to impress, or simply need to upgrade from rumpled to crisp (even if it’s just above-the-waist on your next Zoom call), a good iron is essential. My first being hitting my head on the top bunk bed until I faint.” Your CNN account Log in to your CNN accountĮrma Bombeck famously once said, “My second favorite household chore is ironing.
