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Are you seeking the best clothing iron? We've spent hundreds of hours testing the best irons for clothes on the market to bring you 13 of the best models available today. Over the past several years, our testing experts have purchased dozens of irons and pressed hundreds of garments and sheets to learn which models are great for big jobs, which excel at steam output, and which are ideal for detailing. We record soleplate temperature, measure steam output, and directly compare glide and maneuverability. Whether you're a veteran crafter needing as much precision and power as possible or you want something inexpensive to get your work clothes ready for the upcoming week, we've got you covered.
We all use various small appliances around the house to help make life easier. Whether you need an iron for your next sewing project, or you like to keep your favorite sheets as crisp as possible, we're here to help you out.
Editor's Note: We added five new irons to our review in November 2023. We updated this article again on January 30, 2024 to edit for clarity and ensure our lineup is current and up to date.
The PurSteam Scratch Resistant 1700W is an outstanding iron across the board. It makes swift work of removing wrinkles from cotton and linens to silk and polyester materials with little effort. Thanks to its long cord, lightweight design, large fill hole, and clear temperature settings and indicators, operating this model is effortless. It excels in all our major test metrics and is affordably priced, making it an easy choice for anyone, regardless of their budget.
With such great all-around performance, the PurSteam Scratch Resistant 1700W makes it challenging to find any drawbacks. Our only minor complaint is that this clothes iron could have handled cotton just a little better. Despite being excellent overall, a couple of other models exhibited slightly better performances within certain test metrics. For example, the PurSteam will certainly suffice if you require the greatest steam output, but the Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803 earned a perfect score for a very steamy performance.
Our test team was pleasantly surprised by the strong performance of the Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803. It is the only model our team tested that earned a perfect score for its impressive steam output. This model also performed well in most of our testing and not only stands out for its excellent steam production and competitive pricing but also for giving the top model a run for the money.
Despite the strong performance, the Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803 fell a little short in its ability to do difficult detailing work. Overall, though, this is an impressive clothes iron. We highly recommend this model if you require lots of steam, but you also might want to consider the Black+Decker Professional IR1350S-T if your clothing has a lot of fine detailing.
The CHI Steam Titanium performed well across all our testing metrics and is available at a fair price, making it a great value. It has an ergonomic handle and glides across most fabrics with ease. Emitting plenty of steam, it makes quick work of wrinkles, even deep-set ones, in hard-to-work material, like silk. The extra spray on the front is one of the most mist-like options we tested, adding moisture without going overboard. These features make this clothes iron a breeze to use, as does the retractable cord, which speeds up the clean-up process and allows you to pack up without waiting for the iron to cool completely.
We found the retractable cord makes things easier, but sadly, we can't say the same for filling the water tank. A little flap inside the fill hole frequently gets in the way of the water stream, causing a good amount of spillage. Furthermore, the nose plate is not as tapered as some other models we tested, and the retractable cord compartment shifts the balance back away from the nose, making detail work a bit more challenging. We were impressed with the performance of the CHI Titanium, even on challenging fabrics, and we'd recommend it to just about anyone shopping for an easy-to-operate iron. Still, for the best all-around performance, you should consider the PurSteam Scratch Resistant 1700W.
The Black+Decker D3030 Allure is easy to use and offers great performance at a price we almost can't believe. Running hot, the Allure sailed over all the fabrics we tested with a superb front spray feature that works wonders. Its tapered nose makes precision work a breeze, and an 8-foot cord handily reaches just about wherever you need. We appreciate the matte finish of the handle and the large, obvious controls. Though this isn't the lightest model we tested, it feels light in hand and glides across fabric with ease, making it easy to maneuver around complicated corners and sensitive areas.
Unfortunately, the Allure doesn't have the most impressive steam output compared to many contenders we tested and utilizes just 23 holes around the perimeter of the soleplate. Moreover, it only hits average temperatures for products in our review, not wowing us with high heat. Despite the lower numbers, we still didn't find this impacted how well it irons even synthetic fabrics. We greatly enjoyed using this clothes iron on small projects that needed a lot of maneuverability to straighten their details. If you're looking for exceptional heating from your iron, check out the Rowenta DW2459 Access, which scores significantly better in this metric.
The Rowenta DW2459 Access is a high-performing model that scored near the top of the pack and wowed us with its high temperatures. It's smooth and glides easily over even the most delicate fabrics. Hitting some of the highest temperatures of any in our lineup, it has no problem getting wrinkles out of any fabric. The narrow nose makes detailing around buttons and armpits a breeze, and the retractable cord is the icing on the cake — no more tripping as you wait for your iron to cool.
Our tests revealed the Access has relatively few flaws. The chamber for the retractable cord pulls its center of gravity back slightly, forcing us to tip it forward at times when using it for detailed work. The opening for refilling the water chamber is also pretty small, with a slope often causing water to shoot off to the side rather than funneling in. The extra spray button also doesn't shoot water very far — a detriment when ironing large swaths of fabric. Nevertheless, if you're in the market for a top-notch clothes iron that's built for high-heat jobs, this is the model we recommend. The Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot almost took the top spot for heat, but unfortunately, it didn't score well enough in other metrics to earn our recommendation.
When the Rowenta DW9280 SteamForce works properly, it easily removes stubborn wrinkles from most fabrics with its impressive steam output. There is no need for additional steam or moisture while ironing cotton and linen, but a quick press of the steam button helps eliminate wrinkles on difficult-to-work-with materials like silk and polyester. The massive amount of steam is released through hundreds of strategically placed steam holes found on the soleplate, and the iron runs nice and hot, ensuring no moisture is left behind. This clothes iron works quickly and effectively, and its pointy nose helps get into most nooks and crannies, making it very versatile.
However, the SteamForce is not only by far the priciest model we've tested, but it also has tons of reports of leakage. Across thousands of online user reviews, this iron proves to be a polarizing product. Many people use and love it, but hundreds of consumers report it leaks badly after little to no use. Some may find this to be a worthwhile gamble for a lower-priced product, but as one of the costliest options, the SteamForce is a questionable investment. Our experience using the one we have over the past several years has been overwhelmingly positive — but there's no guarantee that you, too, won't end up with a deeply flawed iron that spews water all over your garments every time you use it. We really liked this iron when it worked, but we prefer an iron like the PurSteam Scratch Resistant 1700W, which reliably offers all-around exceptional performance without errors or malfunctions in our testing.
The SteamForce is pricy and has a questionable track record of becoming leaky very quickly.
Credit: Laura Casner
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We've tested dozens of irons since 2017.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Why You Should Trust Us
Over the past several years, we have spent hundreds of hours using the clothes irons in this review, carefully measuring their steam output, timing their heating cycles, and assessing their user-friendliness. The cornerstone of our testing process focuses on the ironing performance score. Each iron undergoes numerous specific ironing tests, evaluating how well each model removes wrinkles from cotton, linen, silk, and polyester. Additionally, we critique how well each iron works on details (like between buttons on a shirt) and the uniformity and effectiveness of the spray feature. We also evaluate all the little details, like glide smoothness, handle feel and balance, cord position and storage, and evenness of heating.
Our in-depth testing process of steam irons is broken down into five rating metrics:
Ironing Performance (40% of overall score weighting)
Steam Output (25% weighting)
Heating (15% weighting)
Detailing (10% weighting)
Ease of Use (10% weighting)
Jessica Riconscente, Maggie Nichols, and Genaveve Bradshaw have put their heads together to take on this steam iron testing. Our team has a strong science and testing background. Maggie has a BS in Biology and a Master's degree in studying animal behavior. Jessica has a BS in Industrial Technology with a focus on manufacturing processes. Genaveve has degrees in music and psychology and has researched and tested over 50 clothes irons. These reviewers have collectively spent over a dozen years testing home appliances and other products for GearLab. Our team of experts has carefully researched the top models on the market and tested many products covering a wide range of price points. We purchase all the test units at full price to keep our reviews unbiased, never accepting free or discounted sample units from manufacturers.
Every feature and detail is considered throughout our rigorous testing process.
We measure and record all the little details to help you find your perfect match.
The PurSteam Pro is slightly heavier than many others and isn't as easy to change directions for going around minute details.
Year after year, we take iron testing seriously.
Analysis and Test Results
Superficially, all steam irons may seem pretty much the same. However, you start to notice the subtle differences that can significantly impact the chore of an ironing session once you've spent months ironing every fabric imaginable with many different clothes irons. No matter your needs or budget, our test results represent an effort to make this task as pleasant as possible.
Value
The top performers in our lineup all come with reasonable price tags that make them all high-value products for different types of ironing. The CHI Titanium performs well across the board, making it a great well-rounded option for folks who iron a variety of fabrics and types of tasks on a frequent basis. The PurSteam Pro is one of the most affordable of this bunch. While it falls short on detailing work, we adore using it for large swaths of material that need to be smoothed quickly and efficiently. The Black+Decker Allure also performs well across the board and is highly maneuverable, making it a great choice for detailing work. The Rowenta Access is another solid choice. Despite a few annoying little details that lower its Ease of Use scoring, this very hot model is our go-to when we need high temperatures for stubborn fabrics.
The cordless feature of the Panasonic NI-L70SR makes it easy to maneuver around large swatches of fabric in addition to small detailed areas.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ironing Performance
An iron's ability to smooth out wrinkles is non-negotiable. While all the clothes irons we tested will eventually get out wrinkles, some did it in a single pass, while others required more effort. To uncover the sometimes subtle differences between models, we ironed huge swaths of different types of fabrics to see how many passes or extra bursts of steam we needed for the most stubborn wrinkles.
The Black+Decker Allure, PurSteam Pro, and Rowenta Access had the best ironing performances in our testing. The tapered nose of the Allure allows for easy navigation around hard-to-reach spots. Its fast-working, ergonomic soleplate removes most wrinkles with a single swipe at high heat and just three swipes over more delicate fabrics like silk and satin. A powerful steam burst and misty water spray help significantly with deep wrinkles and folds without dampening the garment.
Here's how our irons performed across four different fabrics.
Credit: Rachael Lamore
The PurSteam Pro powered through all types of fabrics, never needing more than a momentary hover to get out even the toughest of wrinkles. It may not have the highest number of steam holes, but they're well-distributed and very effective, helping us achieve that satisfying flatness only a good iron can produce. The Rowenta Access has a silky glide and hundreds of tiny steam holes distributed across the soleplate to put steam anywhere you need. It, too, had no problems dispensing with stubborn creases and can achieve the high heat necessary to work with challenging fabrics.
The Rowenta Access is one of several irons we tested that offers great performance for a reasonable price.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The PurSteam Scratch Resistant 1700W and CHI Steam Titanium weren't far behind in ironing performance, competing admirably on most fabrics. It took more time, effort, and steam boosts to rid all wrinkles with the CHI Steam Titanium than it did with the PurSteam Scratch Resistant, but both still managed to handle each task with relative ease.
The CHI Titanium performs well across all fabrics, aided by excellent steam efficiency.
Credit: Laura Casner
The Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803 and the Black+Decker Pro Steam IR1350S-T also proved to be above average in our ironing performance tests. Both did great on cotton and linen, but both also required a little more effort to remove wrinkles from silks. The Hamilton Beach was a little more challenged by stubborn wrinkles in polyester.
The Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803 was only really challenged by polyester materials.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Steam Output
How effectively an iron puts out steam affects how straightforward and painless your overall ironing experience will be. The amount of expelled steam is a large part of this, but how it is dispensed is also essential. We measured the actual amount of steam each model released over a measured period of time. We also noted how many holes each model has for the steam to escape and their size and configuration. And we evaluated the effectiveness of delivering the steam where and when we needed it.
The Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803 was handily the best model for producing consistent qualities and volumes of steam. Its exceptional steam performance earned it a perfect score in our testing, which is rarely awarded by our test team. However, based on data collected from both the calculated mass of steam produced, an impressive 196 grams, and the absence of any leaks, we can affirm the score was objectively earned through science and data.
Strong bursts of steam are just one of the many great features of this iron.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Rowenta SteamForce also excels in this metric, living up to its name. It's one of several models with hundreds of holes for steam to escape, strewn across the surface of the soleplate. Here again, the SteamForce we tested was an absolute beast of a steamer, both in quantity and quality. However, we are extremely cautious about extrapolating our experience to this product as a whole based on the hundreds of user reviews reporting leakage issues.
The Hamilton Beach Durathon had incredible steam output results compared to the rest of the test lineup.
Credit: Rachael Lamore
The CHI Steam Titaniumand PurSteam Pro weren't far behind regarding steaminess. Over five minutes, we measured these impressive contenders releasing 110 grams and 105 grams of steam, respectively. The CHI Titanium has around 400 steam holes, while the PurSteam Pro manages efficient steam output with just 64 medium-sized holes with directional V-shaped channels. The next best models we tested were the Black+Decker Allure and the PurSteam Scratch Resistant 1700W. Both produced mostly even steam, although the PurSteam Scratch Resistant produced a greater 124 grams of steam, whereas the Allure did an effective job with only 87 grams.
Large buttons make it easy to use the incredible steam performance of this model.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Heating
The faster a model heats, the sooner you can get your work done, and the more evenly it heats up, the more effective it is. While all irons get hot, and all the models we tested eventually take out wrinkles, differing heat levels are required for different types of fabrics. The ability to get hot enough for some materials can make all the difference in being able to remove stubborn creases and press-out wrinkles.
Two clothes irons stood out from the rest for their hot performances in our heating tests. The Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot followed by the Rowenta DW2459 Access.
The Hot-2-Trot is a portable model that's low on steam but high on heat.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The hottest clothes iron we tested was the Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot. This travel-sized unit averaged soleplate temperatures of 380 degrees Fahrenheit, with its hottest point on the left side, at 418 degrees Fahrenheit. The Rowenta Access was the next hottest model in our lineup, though it came in about 20 degrees lower than the Hot-2-Trot, with an average temperature of 361 degrees Fahrenheit. Its hottest area was its nose — ideal for detailing work — which we measured at an impressive 430 degrees Fahrenheit.
The average surface temperature of irons in our latest update.
Credit: Rachael Lamore
Compared to the average temperature among all irons we tested (327 degrees Fahrenheit), other notable models offered a range of performance from exceptional to above average. The two PurSteam models, the PurSteam Scratch Resistant 1700W and the PurSteam Pro 1800W offered nearly as exceptional performance as the top models and were trailed only slightly by the Black+Decker Pro Steam IR1350S-T.
The PurSteam Scratch Resistant 1700w heat distribution.
Credit: Genaveve Bradshaw
The PurSteam Pro averaged 335 degrees Fahrenheit fairly evenly across its entire soleplate. Impressively, it's also one of the few we tested that didn't experience a temperature dropoff after the initial heating process.
We measured the soleplate temperatures on High for every iron we tested.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Detailing
While the ability to remove large wrinkles is most important, small creases around collars and buttons can make or break the overall look of a garment. We tested each model's ability to maneuver around complicated details, into tight spaces, and across oddly shaped areas. We noted how the shape of the soleplate factored into detailing ability and how easily each model can change directions. We also considered the comfort of the handle, the weight of the product, and the overall balance of each contender, insofar as how it affected our overall detailing experience.
The Rowenta SteamForce and the Sunbeam Classic GCSBC also all offered great detailing performance. The SteamForce has an accentuated nose that makes it simple to work into tight spots. The Sunbeam Classic is a mid-sized iron that's thinner than many, light, and with good glide across fabrics.
Good detailing performance from the 2.1 lbs Black+Decker Pro Steam IR1350S-T.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Black+Decker Allure, Black+Decker Pro Steam IR1350S-T, and PurSteam Scratch Resistant 1700W also proved capable of fine detailing. The Black+Decker models both have accentuated noses for reaching those hard-to-get spaces, while the PurSteam Scratch Resistant does not. All three models have a great balance and a smooth glide, despite the one-pound heftier weight of the Allure and the fact that the Scratch Resistant lacks an accentuated nose.
The Allure is highly maneuverable, helping it to detail more easily.
Credit: Laura Casner
Ease of Use
Ease of use may be less critical if you're more concerned with performance attributes like steam output, but it's still an important consideration in the overall experience. When testing for this metric, we considered several factors, including cord length, indicator lights and sounds, ease of filling the water tank, and the effectiveness of extra spray features.
The CHI Steam Titanium, PurSteam Scratch Resistant 1700W, Rowenta DW9280 SteamForce were some of the best performing irons in this metric. The CHI Steam combines a retractable cord that is stored internally in the iron when not in use and is also one of the easiest irons to fill up due to its large fill hole. Each setting has its own indicator and will blink until it reaches the selected temperature. Once reached, the iron actually alerts you with beeps. The spray button produces a nice fine mist and doesn't soak the fabric too much. Every feature and function of the CHI is well thought out, intuitive, and works well.
The very easy to use CHI Steam Titanium.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The PurSteam Scratch Resistant 1700W offers a cord length that is just a little shorter than other top models at 7 feet 11 inches and can easily be wrapped in an area under the soleplate when stowed away. Its circular 1-inch water fill hole is larger than on other irons and is located on the top of the iron.
The PurSteam Scratch Resistant 1700W is easy to use.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The PurSteam Scratch Resistant 1700W also incorporates temperature lights on the top of the handle that are easy to read. They even change colors to indicate when the iron has reached its optimum ironing temperature. The iron will also beep, and a light will flash green if the iron's internal safety switch is activated. Settings are clearly labeled with words and dots, and it is easy to see the temperature status and the selected setting.
Behind the top two models, the Rowenta DW9280 SteamForce offered an incredibly futuristic ironing experience with an incredibly intuitive digital display that makes heat and setting selections a breeze. Our unfortunate caveat with the Rowenta is that we experienced frequent malfunctions, so we can only attest to how great this model is to use when it actually operates, but we can't recommend it in general.
The Allure makes operation of all its features and functions a breeze.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Black+Decker D3030 Allure follows suit with a convex curve to the base of the iron under the sole plate where you can securely wrap the cord. There is also a large and easy-to-fill hole that funnels water nicely, as well as an indicator for each setting. This model blinks until it reaches the selected temperature setting. The Allure is an intuitive model with great ease of use features and design and is elevated by its spray and mist functions.
The Hamilton Beach Durathon 19803 performed just as well as the Black+Decker D3030 Allure. This clothes iron provides an 8.1-foot cord for ample working space and a soleplate design and materials that glide smoothly over most fabrics. The fill hole is only half an inch, but it is not too difficult to use. An indicator light on the handle illuminates when the iron is on, and the settings dial, located under the handle, is well-labeled.
You'll love how easy it is to use the Hamilton Beach Duration 19803.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
A couple of other models we tested have retractable cords, including the Hamilton Beach Durathon and Rowenta Access. Though it seems like a small feature, we always appreciate it when a model has this, as it stops the cord from being a tripping hazard while you wait for your iron to cool.
The Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot is built to head with you on your vacations and outings, easily slipping into your suitcase or duffel bag. While it's not a great all-around iron, its ability to travel with you can make it appealing. The PurSteam Pro has a fully digital display located on the top of the handle that is clear and easy to use. It beeps to indicate when it's heating up and flashes before it's ready for use. The large, crisp text is easy to read, and the settings are simple to navigate. It's by far our favorite display, putting all the other sliders and dials to shame.
The digital display on the PurSteam offers clear indicators for settings, and temperature and indicates when the iron is hot enough to use.
Credit: Jessica Riconscente
Conclusion
Our goal is to help you identify a reasonably priced model that provides the functionality and features you need. We are always striving to make chores less painful, and we know there are many features and a lot of information to sort through. We hope our test results can help you zone in on the attributes that matter most so you can find your perfect iron.
