Best Steam Iron of 2023
1. BEST OVERALL STEAM IRON
CHI Steam Steam Iron with Titanium Infused Ceramic Soleplate
PROS
- Great steam
- Soft grip handle
- Retractable cord
CONS
- Easy to tip over
You may be familiar with the CHI brand from its curling irons, hair straighteners, curling wands and more. Thankfully, what CHI has done for hair they are now doing for what you wear. This CHI model not only smoothed tough-to-iron fabrics like linen and heavy cotton superbly, but it also had the most powerful steam burst of any iron in our test.
It’s comfortable to hold, and once you’ve turned the fabric selection dial, the illuminated display makes it easy to see that you’ve made the right choice. The water chamber is large and easy to fill, and the retractable cord means it takes up less storage space. We found the scratch-resistant ceramic soleplate especially easy to glide across fabrics.
This iron is such a Lab favorite that whenever someone comes in to borrow an iron, we hide this one away! Take note that we did find this iron easy to tip over.
2. BEST VALUE STEAM IRON
Black+Decker Vitessa Iron
PROS
- Great wrinkle removal
- Retractable cord
- Well-priced
CONS
- Takes a bit longer than others to heat up
Even with a small price tag, the Black+Decker Vitessa ICR2020 tied for first place in our wrinkle removal tests. We love that it has six different temperature settings, allowing for a more customized ironing experience. Its nonstick soleplate gives a smooth glide that rarely snags the edges of fabric.
Storing this steam iron is as simple as pushing a button, thanks to the retractable cord. It took a little longer than others to heat up, but once it picks up steam, it’s hard to put down. Combined with an easy-to-fill water tank and long cord, it’s a powerhouse budget iron.
3. BEST STEAM IRON FOR BEGINNERS
Rowenta DW3261 Smart Temp Steam Iron
PROS
- Easy to use
- Auto shut off after 30 seconds face down or on its side
- Lightweight
CONS
- Water tank isn’t transparent
The Rowenta Smart Temp Steam Iron is designed to iron all fabrics at optimal heat, without any temperature dials. While we haven’t tested this exact model in our Lab yet, we tested a similar model from Rowenta with the same smart temperature function. It earned the highest average score for wrinkle removal and was rated the second-highest in our Lab performance tests. To start ironing, just fill the reservoir with water, plug in the iron and press away. Because the water tank isn’t transparent, it is a little difficult to tell how much water is inside.
With a 4.1-star rating on Amazon, we aren’t the only ones loving this steam iron from Rowenta, with one reviewer saying, “I am most impressed with the amount of steam generated by this iron.” A stainless steel soleplate and anti-calc system to keep your steam iron working and looking good as new for years to come are the icing on the cake.
4. FASTEST HEATING STEAM IRON
Conair ExtremeSteam Pro Iron
PROS
- Heats up quickly
- Stable when upright
- Easy to access water tank
- Vertical steam
CONS
- Bulky to maneuver
The Conair ExtremeSteam Pro GI300 Iron has a heat-up time of fewer than 60 seconds, even at the max heat setting. It earned top scores in our steam-producing tests, and it successfully de-wrinkled cotton, wool, silk and linen test fabrics, so you can count on it to get out tough wrinkles. This iron has rubber feet to help keep it stable and make it less likely to tip over, but it was a little bulky to maneuver. The transparent water tank helps you see exactly how much water is in the reservoir. (Tip: Avoid drips by filling it up to the max line.)
This Good Housekeeping Seal-holder is corrosion-resistant, thanks to its calcium collector and self-cleaning function. With adjustable temperature settings, a continuous vertical steam that doesn’t drip or spit and a misting function that doesn’t leave fabric too damp, the ExtremeSteam Pro has all of the features we look for in a great steam iron.
5. BEST CORDLESS STEAM IRON
Panasonic 360º Freestyle Cordless Iron
PROS
- Removable water tank for easy filling
- Double-tipped soleplate
- Deep button grooves around soleplate
CONS
- Base is a bit bulky
We named this unique iron best overall in our most recent cordless iron test — and close to 6,000 five star reviews on Amazon seem to agree. It has a pointed tip at each end of the soleplate, which means the entire soleplate is usable and you can iron in any direction. Plus, holes around its perimeter allows the iron to emit steam for all directions. You’ll be able to de-wrinkle larger items in no time and won’t have to worry about the flat end scrunching up what you’ve already gone over.
The iron also has a removable water tank for easy filling at the sink, and the steam, spray and temperature controls are conveniently located on the handle. We appreciate the deep button groove that runs around the entire soleplate so you can easily skip over a button, zipper or snap while ironing. Although bulky, the base will automatically shut off if no movement is sensed after 10 minutes.
6. BEST SMART STEAM IRON
Reliable Velocity 270IR Steam Iron
PROS
- Eight settings to automatically adjust heat and steam output
- Auto-program settings printed on the iron base
- Eight-minute auto shut-off
CONS
- Pricey
Reliable continues to make improvements to its Velocity line of steam irons. We haven’t tested this model in the Lab yet, but we tested an older version, the 200IR, which has many (though fewer) of the features of this new model. We found it comfortable to hold and like that it had very powerful steam production. This model uses touch sensor technology to release steam as soon as you grasp the handle, and it has a helpful chart on the base of the iron that tells you what each number on the settings dial means. The 270IR takes the guesswork out of ironing, making it a great option for all skill levels.
With an 8-foot-long cord, eight fabric settings and an auto shut-off bypass, you can steam through big batches of clothing easily. Keep the auto shut-off option on for safety — it takes just eight minutes to kick in. It’s pricier than other irons on this list but uses 1,800 watts, making it a bit more powerful than the others.
7. BEST STEAM IRON FOR SEWING PROFESSIONALS
Rowenta Perfect Pro Station
PROS
- Great for quilters and sewers
- Produces more and longer lasting steam than a traditional iron
- Removable water tank
CONS
- Difficult to store
If you iron in batches or do a lot of sewing or quilting, a steam station might be for you. With no automatic shutoff and a huge water tank, it’s perfect for nonstop use. We haven’t tested this exact model but tested the similar Rowenta Perfect Steam Station DG8520 which delivered powerful steam blasts and smoothed fabrics from silk to heavy cotton.
The base of the station is large, so before you invest in this type of iron, make sure you’ve got a place to store it. Still, the iron is lightweight and offers easy-to-navigate controls, plus it makes maneuvering around buttons and folds painless. Also, it has an eco-mode, allowing you to reduce its energy consumption by up to 20%.
8. BEST STEAM IRON FOR SMALL JOBS
oliso M2 Mini Project Steam Iron with Solemate
PROS
- Included Solemate provides easy storage option
- Heats up quickly
- Great for travel
CONS
- Very short steam burst
This small but mighty steam iron from Oliso is a good option for someone who doesn’t iron often. It’s great for travel or for ironing small details like collars and hemlines. In the Cleaning Lab, we were impressed by how well the M2 Mini pressed wrinkles out of a heavily creased button-down shirt and a pillowcase that had been balled up in the bottom of a laundry basket for weeks. While some may find the body a little too small to comfortably hold, we found the handle remained cool to the touch even after using the iron at the highest temperature setting.
With three temperature settings and a steam burst button on each side, the M2 can be used on fabrics as delicate as silk to sturdier fabrics like cotton. Note that the steam burst is very short, lasting only about one second. Even with a full tank of water, this iron is light and easy to maneuver. It’s great for sewing, quilting and crafts. When you finish your project, simply attach the included Solemate silicone rest to the iron and hang it from the loop to store.
