![]() ![]() In terms of safety, look out for auto switch-off capabilities – this turns your iron off after a set period of inactivity and is ideal for banishing those haunting thoughts about whether you’ve turned it off or not. Higher wattage generally results in faster heat-up times, with the quickest irons becoming clothes-ready in little more than a minute. If you live in a hard water area, this is a must. There are a few other elements that are less essential but worth keeping in mind when you shop for your new iron.Īll models should have anti-scale and anti-calcium functions, which are important for preventing the build up of limescale in an iron’s steam vents. It’s also worth picking an iron with a large opening for easy refilling, and where you can see the water level through the tank. The capacity of our recommended steam irons varies from 0.25 to 0.4 litres, while steam generators have a much bigger tank capacity – from 1 to 2.5 litres. Tank capacity: The bigger the tank capacity, the more laundry you can iron before a refill is needed. ![]() Steam generator irons often have this feature too, and boast higher figures than steam irons – our featured irons range from 210g to 750g. The steam iron models in our round-up have a steam shot output ranging from 110g to 340g/minute. Steam shot: Use this feature when removing extra-stubborn creases in hard-to-reach areas. Anything over 50g/minute would be considered a high output for a steam iron and for steam generator irons, the range is generally 120g to 160g/minute. There are a few key things to consider before you buy:Ĭontinuous steam pressure: Measured in grams, the higher the steam output, the more effectively the iron should do its job. It wasn’t the fastest to heat, and its spray leaked a tad, but creases quickly vanished across all fabrics, and it will shut off automatically if left lying flat for more than 30 seconds.īack to top What should I look for when buying an iron? Its wide spout is easy to fill, and its handle is comfortable. Lasting for over 21 minutes on test, this steam iron should see you through plenty of ironing before you need to refill its tank. Here are our tried and tested best buys and their key features. Prices can start from as little as £10 and we found plenty of top-performers for under £40. They’re easier to store than steam generator irons too and are cheaper. Other features vary between models, but a steam shot and self-cleaning capabilities generally come as standard. The higher the steam output, the better it will be at smoothing out your clothes. They’re compact with built-in water tanks to generate steam.Īs a result, they aren’t as powerful as steam generator irons, so you may need to pass your iron over stubborn creases a few times or iron both sides of a garment. Steam irons are likely what springs to mind when you first think about an iron. Overall, it’s a speedy worker, banishing creases in under 30 seconds. Refilling it is easy too, and it had a consistent steam output on test, although it dripped a tad on lower settings. Avoid frequent tank top-ups with this Morphy Richards that houses over two litres of water at once.
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