Best steam irons 2023: Which? Best Buys and expert buying advice - Which? (2023)

The best steam irons help you fly through the laundry pile, heating up quickly and removing creases with ease. But not all models are up to scratch – some take ages to steam, and show signs of limescale build-up and soleplate damage after just a few uses.

To help you avoid a dud, we've handpicked the top Best Buys, the energy-efficient Eco Buys and the Great Value irons in our tests that iron brilliantly, are easy to use and built to last.

Go straight to our steam iron reviews to compare all the irons we've tested.

Only logged-in Which? members can view our recommendations in the table below. If you're not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access.

Best steam iron

Best steam generator iron

Best cheap iron

Best cordless iron

Best eco iron

Last updated: June 2023

Not found the right iron for you? See all our steam iron reviews.

Video: how to buy the best steam iron

Watch our video below for our expert tips on how to choose the best iron for your needs and budget.

Which type of steam iron should I choose?

There are two main types of iron to choose from: steam irons – including cordless steam irons – and steam generators.

These differ in features and performance, but also in price, so the amount you want to spend may well influence your decision.

You'll also want to consider where you plan on storing your iron, as steam generators are considerably more bulky than traditional steam irons.

Are some steam irons heavier than others?

Yes, weight varies from model to model. Generally (and surprisingly, given that they're usually bulkier) steam generators tend to be lighter in use than traditional steam irons, so this is something to consider if weight is important to you.

We address questions of weight throughout the text below. Plus, our detailed steam iron reviews can tell you the precise weight of individual models.

Steam irons

Regular steam irons use a combination of steam and heat to smooth out creases. Prices range from less than £10 to more than £100 – more expensive irons tend to have fancier features and higher steam power.

An ordinary iron will suit you if you mainly iron smaller loads of laundry, purely because the water tanks tend to be on the small side.

They're a little heavier when in use than steam generators, but most are still light enough that you shouldn't have any issues and small enough that they're easy to store.

The one major downside of steam irons is that they generally produce significantly less steam than the larger generators, so you may have to work harder to get the creases out of your clothes.

Steam iron pros

• Far cheaper than steam generators
• Easy to store and carry
• Can be used on a normal ironing board
• Very quiet during use

Steam iron cons

• Produce less steam than a steam generator
• Will need refilling more often
• Can be heavy with a full water tank

Cordless steam irons

Cordless steam irons are still a relatively new concept, but we're starting to see more and more pop up as they grow in popularity.

They're designed to make ironing quicker and easier thanks to the lack of a restrictive power cord, giving you more freedom to move around the ironing board.

Cordless irons come with a baseplate that has to be plugged in during use. You need to periodically place the iron back on the baseplate while ironing to keep it hot and steamy.

Unfortunately, most cordless models use non-replaceable lithium-ion batteries. Once yours gets to the point where it no longer recharges properly between uses, you'll need to buy a new iron. This is something to consider if sustainability is important to you.

Cordless steam iron pros

• Freedom to move round the ironing board
• No power cord to snag your freshly ironed clothes
• Tend to be lighter than corded irons

Cordless steam iron cons

• Gradually lose heat during use
• Batteries can't be replaced
• Not many models to choose from

If you want to find out if making the move to a cordless iron is right for you, check out our cordless iron reviews.

Steam generator irons

Steam generators are designed to produce vast amounts of steam for longer, to make light work of large piles of ironing.

They're typically able to hold around three times as much water as a standard steam iron, so you won't have to stop to refill as often. They're also lighter to hold when you're at the ironing board because the water is held in a separate tank.

The best steam generators undoubtedly make the ironing experience faster and easier, and will leave you with flawlessly smooth clothes. But they are expensive and won’t be right for everyone.

Steam generator pros

• Produce much more steam than a standard iron
• Smooth creases quickly and effortlessly
• Lighter than most irons
• Won't need refilling as often

Steam generator cons

• More expensive than a standard iron
• Bulky to store and heavy to carry
• Noisy
• Some are too heavy to sit on a normal ironing board

It’s worth investing in a steam generator if you regularly iron big piles of laundry and large items, such as duvet covers and sheets, and if your priority is to get through the ironing as quickly as possible.

But there are big differences between the best and worst steam generators. Our tests show that some are actually less steamy than the best standard irons, so check out our steam generator iron reviews before you buy.

Best steam iron features to look for

• Limescale filter It's worth checking whether an iron has a scale filter before you buy it. The amount of steam your iron produces can be severely hampered by the build up of limescale over time, which is why you need to clean your iron.
• Self-cleaning system This helps you get rid of any limescale that does form. But we've found some systems take lots of time and effort, such as soaking the filter in lemon juice for four hours, so check our reviews.
• Comfy handle The best handles are soft or smooth and not too wide. Some handles can rub uncomfortably after you've been ironing for a while.
• Thin, tapered soleplate This type of soleplate is easy to slide under buttons and into tight pleats. Chunky soleplates tend to snag on buttons and zips.
• Auto shut-off This turns off your iron if it's not used for a while, which is handy if you're ever worried about whether you've forgotten to switch it off.
• Easy-to-fill tank Look for a wide filler hole. Also check it has clear maximum fill markings – otherwise water will glug back out.

Our tough tests reveal the irons that will help make ironing a breeze and those that don't, so check our steam iron reviews before you buy.

How much do I need to pay for a good iron?

You can buy a steam iron fairly cheaply these days. Prices for basic models start at around £10 and go up to more than £100 for top-of-the-range ones.

Our tough tests have uncovered fantastic Best Buy models for around £30. But we've found there are also a lot of dud models at the cheaper end of the market.

Looking for the best cheap irons? Have a look at our great value irons.

Are steam generator irons better?

A steam generator iron will produce lots more steam for you to work with, but comes at a price – a top-end steam generator iron could set you back more than £300.

We've also come across premium irons that have an internal pump for producing pressurised steam, giving you extra oomph to get through tough creases. They can be a good compromise if you don’t have the space or budget for a full-on steam generator.

These premium irons tend to be bulky and expensive compared with traditional irons, though. And we've found some traditional irons that can deliver just as much steam power.

Find out whether a steam generator is right for you by reading oursteam generator iron reviews.

Can I buy an eco steam iron?

Buying and replacing your steam iron less often will reduce the impact on the environment of producing new steam irons and disposing of old ones.

Our tests found that although different steam iron models do indeed use different amounts of electricity when heating up and producing steam, these differences are fairly negligible. Their main environmental impact, and the thing you can have most control over, is how often they are replaced and manufactured.

That's why we've started recommending Eco Buy steam irons. These are models that perform well in our ironing tests, while also being durable and long-lasting. We look at how easy they are to maintain – how simple it is to clean them or use their self-cleaning functions to prevent limescale buildup – and how scratch-resistant their soleplates are.

To find out more on how we choose Eco Buys, see our how we test steam irons page. To see the models we've selected so far, read our steam iron reviews and filter for 'Eco Buys'.

Pressurised vs non-pressurised steam generators

There are two basic types of steam generator to choose between:

Non-pressurised steam generator

These are typically the cheapest type of steam generator. They work in a similar way to standard irons, but produce more steam.

The large separate water tank means you won't have to refill it as often.

Pressurised steam generator

These blast high-pressure steam deep into fabrics, making it even easier to smooth creases. They're more expensive than non-pressured generators.

A pressurised generator could be a good investment if you regularly iron lots of laundry, as a good one will whizz through your pile of ironing quicker than any other type of iron.

Steam irons compared

We've tested all the top steam irons, ranging from budget supermarket models to pricier steam irons with extra tech.

Below, we list the key specs and features for some of the more popular steam irons and generators.

Table last updated: March 2023

As the table shows, irons' prices, weight, and steam flow vary significantly and can serve as a useful gauge of their capabilities. But relying solely on these factors may not give a complete picture. For instance, while a higher steam flow typically gives a better ironing performance, other critical factors such as the heat, soleplate or weight of the iron can also have a significant effect on how well it does its job, making it hard to specify which model would be right for you.

If you're looking to find the best iron for your needs, check outour reviewsfor more detailed insights.

What are the key steam iron brands?

Click to see our reviews from each key brand:

• Braun steam iron reviews
• Breville steam iron reviews
• Morphy Richards steam iron reviews
• Philips steam iron reviews
• Russell Hobbs steam iron reviews
• Tefal steam iron reviews

You'll also find own-brand steam iron models available from big supermarkets, such as Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco, along with stores including Argos and John Lewis & Partners.

Find out more about the models on offer from these brands atbest iron brands.