No one likes ironing. It’s one of those tedious household chores that we avoid until our clothes are basically begging to be de-wrinkled. But while we may loathe the act of ironing itself, we *love* the way our clothes look when they’re crisp, clean and wrinkle-free. And, after hours of researching and scanning hundreds of reviews, we have to admit: The newer irons are way cooler than we’d expect them to be. Today’s iterations include everything from fabric-specific settings and self-cleaning capabilities to compact, cordless designs that are totally Shark Tank-worthy. So without further ado, here are ten of the best irons of 2022. (Plus, a few tips from the experts at IroningLab.com to consider before you checkout).
The 10 Best Irons for The Crispest Wardrobe Ever
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Best Irons, At a Glance
How we chose our picks: after researching the top-reviewed irons on the web, we vetted them based on steam settings, tank capacity, weight, and ease of use.
- Best Overall: Rowenta DW9280 Iron
- Best Value: PurSteam PSSI-01 Steamer Iron
- Best Smart Iron: Oliso TG1600 Pro Plus Smart Iron
- Easiest to Use: Nori Press Iron
- Best Steam Iron: Rowenta IXEO All in One Iron and Steamer
- Best Cordless: Panasonic Contoured Soleplate Iron
- Most Straightforward: Sunbeam Steammaster Iron
- Fastest Heating: Maytag Steam Iron
- Best Non-Stick: Black + Decker Iron
- Best for Travel: Steamfast Iron
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT IRON
Look at the Soleplate
The first thing you want to look at when you’re selecting an iron is the smooth metal part that glides across the garment (aka the “soleplate”). Before you do anything else, make sure that the soleplate’s steam holes are evenly spaced out. This will prevent spitting, pulling and bunching, and ensure you’re getting an even steam distribution as you iron. After you’ve ensured the holes are where they should be, look at what the soleplate is made of. While most traditional irons use stainless-steel for a smooth surface that glides across clothing easier, others use ceramic-coated plates to distribute heat evenly and help eliminate static. Some of the newer models use titanium soleplates, which are easier to clean and lighter than traditional plates.
Check the Temperature and Steam Settings
Before you get too excited about an iron’s fabric-specific heat settings, you want to ensure it has at least one steam option. While more advanced smart irons will automatically regulate steam based on fabric selections, others will simply have a spray button that manually doles out steam as you iron. The first option is usually pricier, but it’s probably worth the investment if you’re a frequent ironer.
Inspect the Weight and Water Tank
Something that’s often overlooked is just how *tiring* ironing can get. The back-and-forth motion alone can feel like an arm workout, and it doesn’t help if your iron is heavy. Most irons range between 1.5 to 3 pounds and have a maximum water tank capacity of 10 ounces. While larger models will have a longer steam time, they’ll also be much heavier. Smaller models usually cap the tank capacity at 7 ounces for a lightweight feel (and more refill breaks). Basically, it all comes down to your preferences—if you don’t mind sore arms and hate running back and forth to the sink, we’d say selecting a larger model is the way to go. Otherwise, stick with something that’s more lightweight and easier to store.
Best Overall
- Pros: Motion sensor controls, six fabric settings, non-stick stainless-steel soleplates, auto-shutoff, self-cleaning, spray mist feature, large water tank capacity
- Cons: Heavier than other options
All seasoned ironers can agree: There’s nothing more frustrating than repeatedly going over the same wrinkly spot and seeing absolutely no change. That’s why we have Rowenta’s DW9280 model at the top of our list. Not only does it use 1,800 watts of power to quickly remove wrinkles in a single swipe, but its 400-hole, stainless-steel soleplate ensures you won’t have any dragging or spitting as you iron. Furthermore, it’s intelligently designed with a handy LED display, and when you turn it on, you can choose from linen, cotton, wool, silk or nylon settings to make sure the fabric is handled correctly. Best of all, it has a smart steam motion sensor that automatically pauses steam when ironing stops, and an auto-shutoff feature that turns off the iron after eight minutes if left unused in the upright position.
Best Value
- Pros: Stainless-steel soleplate, burst and spray steam settings, anti-drip feature, auto shut-off and self-cleaning features
- Cons: One steam setting, heavier than other options
Need something quick, affordable and easy to use? This is your immediate add-to-cart selection. Not only does the iron have a stainless-steel soleplate for an effortless glide, but it also features a 14-ounce water tank (so you won’t have to stop for refill breaks). Plus, it has just as many bonus features as the more expensive models, including a burst-and-spray steam setting, an anti-drip feature and self-cleaning functions—and it’s under $50.
Best Smart Iron
- Pros: Auto-lift technology, extended 360-degree pivot cord, variable steam bursts, 30-minute auto shut-off, diamond ceramic-flow soleplate, large water tank capacity, three-year warranty
- Cons: Expensive, no fabric-specific settings
If you’re someone who loves gadgets and gizmos, this model by Oliso is the crème de la crème of smart irons. For starters, it features auto-lift technology so the iron easily lowers its diamond ceramic soleplate with the touch of a handle and lifts when you remove your hand; its patented scorch guards elevate the iron to prevent the fabric from being burned or scorched. Aside from its innovative design, it features 1800 watts of rapid heating power, a large 12.7-ounce fill tank, variable steam burst settings and anti-drip technology to prevent leaks. The best part, however, is that the iron includes a 12-foot cord with a 360 swivel for convenience, and it’s available in four candy-colored finishes—including pink, purple, turquoise and yellow. (Oh, and did we mention that it comes with a three-year warranty?)
Easiest to Use
- Pros: Allows simultaneous ironing of a garment’s front and back, six fabric-specific heat settings, good for travel, easy to store, lightweight, automatically shuts off after 10 minutes
- Cons: More expensive than other models, not suited for larger items
If you’ve seen our viral TikTok of this baby in action, then you already know what the Nori iron can do. If you haven’t, let us fill you in: This compact device makes ironing a breeze because it’s built like a large hair straightener, and it’s ready to use after three minutes of warming up. Its design features two, non-stick aluminum plates that come together and clamp as you press and pull, and when you turn it on, the LED screen displays six fabric-specific options—including poly, silk, wool, cotton, denim and linen. Like most modern irons, the Nori is equipped with a steam reservoir that can hold up to 29 milliliters of liquid. Best of all, you don’t need to purchase an additional ironing board for this one, and it’s ideal for removing wrinkles on the go.
Best Steam Iron
- Pros: All-in-one steaming and ironing solution, smart board can be laid flat or used as a garment rack, self-cleaning, temperature and steam adjust to all types of fabric, easily refillable tank, adjustable height and position
- Cons: Expensive, not great for small spaces
Looking for the mack daddy of irons? Rowenta’s IXEO iron and steamer provides everything you need in a unique, all-in-one solution. The IXEO features an upright design with a built-in, three-position Smart Board for easier ironing, its attached steam iron is ultra-lightweight and heats up in 45 seconds, and it offers up to five-bar pumps of pressure. It also has an automatic temperature adjustment feature, and the Smart Board’s ergonomic design allows you to hang clothes for steaming or lay them flat on the board as you iron.
Best Cordless
- Pros: Charging base included, adjustable steam and temperature settings, automatic shut-off and self-cleaning, includes a retractable power cord, comes with a convenient carrying case
- Cons: May experience water leakage, could need recharging during use
There is almost nothing we hate more than being distracted by pesky cords when we’re in our ironing groove. And we’re pretty sure Panasonic had that exact dilemma in mind when they created this cordless model. All you have to do is leave the iron in its charging base, and when you’re ready to use it, just set the temperature for the fabric you're ironing. That’s it. In a minute or two, the iron is ready to use. The best part? It has a non-stick soleplate and a curved design that glides seamlessly over fabrics without tugging or wrinkling, and when you set the iron on the base, it reheats if needed and automatically turns off after 10 minutes.
Most Straightforward
- Pros: Lightweight, stainless-steel soleplate continuously releases steam, retractable cord for easy storage, shot of steam function, large water tank capacity
- Cons: Soleplate only has 15 holes, burst of steam is weaker than others
While the idea of having multiple bonus features is good in theory, it’s easy for things to get complicated. If you want something simple, efficient and straightforward, we’d recommend going with the Sunbeam Steammaster. It has everything you need for a flawless ironing job: 1,400 watts of power, a stainless-steel nonstick soleplate and an anti-drip system to prevent water leakage at any temperature setting. It also has a self-cleaning feature that makes it great for long-term use, and an eight-foot retractable cord makes that allows for easy storage. This no-frills option has a four-setting steam controller that keeps things streamlined and stress-free.
Fastest Heating
- Pros: 40-second heat time, three adjustable steam settings, automatic shut-off, digital thermostat, 81-ounce tank capacity
- Cons: Prone to spitting, not self-cleaning
This one goes out to our antsy ironers out there. With a 40-second heat-up time, this 500-watt-powered iron has one of the fastest heat-up times in the game. And it comes with an 81-ounce removable tank and pearl ceramic soleplate that makes it extra durable. It’s also packed with other handy features like an eight-foot swivel cord, three adjustable steam settings and four temperature control options that automatically adjust to specialty fabrics (linen, cotton, silk, wool, nylon and synthetic).
Best Non-Stick
- Pros: Enhanced non-stick soleplate, steam control, temperature setting for different fabrics, compact and lightweight, a spray mist feature
- Cons: Tank requires frequent refilling, temperature settings aren’t precise
This Black + Decker model is known for its stainless-steel, enhanced nonstick soleplate that’s designed to glide effortlessly across all fabric types. The iron’s dial control allows for manual temperature setting, and its SmartSteam technology automatically regulates the amount of steam, based on the selected temperature. This option is great for ironing newbies and features a lightweight design, a durable soleplate and a few bonus features that are self-explanatory and easy to use.
Best for Travel
10. Steamfast Iron
- Pros: Lightweight and compact, dual voltage, three heat settings, fast heating, comes with a measuring cup and travel bag, affordable
- Cons: Handle can get hot, too small for large items, not long-lasting
This tiny little iron redefines the concept of small but mighty with 420 watts of power and a 15-second heat-up time. Its nonstick soleplate has the same easy-glide capabilities as its larger competitors, and the iron’s 1.4-ounce water capacity makes it lightweight and easy to travel with. Plus, it has anti-slip accents on the handle that provide a secure hold, three easy-to-use temperature settings and an ultra-fast heat time that’s ready in just 15 seconds. As an extra bonus, the iron also comes with a measuring cup for adding water and a travel bag to keep it protected when not in use.
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