5 Best Irons for Clothes for a Perfectly Pressed Look
You don't have to be a pro to get great results with these champs.
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If you've never given much thought to owning an iron, maybe you should. For crisp collars and cuffs and sharp pleats and creases, a great steam iron presses, finishes and de-wrinkles like no other clothing tool can. Today's best models — coupled with the best ironing board — billow out steam, have useful features and are well-designed, comfortable to hold and easy to fill. So if you prefer your clothing to have that straight-from-the-dry-cleaner look, a great steam iron is a must.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we test hundreds of new cleaning and clothes care appliances, gadgets and products each year, including washing machines and garment steamers, and, of course, steam irons. To find the best clothes irons, we test them for wrinkle removal ability, heat-up time, amount of steam produced, weight, ease of use and more. Here are our top clothing iron recommendations based on our testing.
Pros
- Produces abundant steam
- Has a soft grip handle
- Retractable cord makes for easy storage
Cons
- Easily tips over
- Water tank opening is small
Known for its top-notch heating and straightening hair care tools, CHI has adapted the same technologies to its line of clothing irons and garment steamers. In our Lab tests, CHI clothing care appliances always perform well and this iron is no exception. It not only expertly pressed linen and heavy cotton fabrics, but it also had the most powerful steam burst of the models we tested.
We found the CHI comfortable to hold with its soft-grip handle and when you make your fabric selection on the dial, the illuminated display confirms your choice. The large water tank's lid swivels out to fill — though the opening is a bit small — and a retractable cord means tidy storage too. Its scratch-resistant ceramic soleplate glides effortlessly across fabrics though we did find the CHI to be a bit prone to tipping.
This iron is such a GH Cleaning Lab favorite that we keep it on display as a top pick and think it's well worth the $100+ price tag.
| Weight | 3.5 lbs |
| Power | 1700 W |
| Auto-shutoff | After 60 seconds resting on soleplate or side, after 30 minutes resting on heel. |
BLACK+DECKER Vitessa Advanced Steam Iron
Pros
- Impressive wrinkle removal
- Retractable cord
- Well priced
Cons
- Takes a bit longer than others to heat up
- Nonstick soleplate may scratch
For those on a budget or not yet ready to invest in an expensive steam iron, Black+Decker's Vitessa is a solid pick. It was among our top performers for wrinkle removal and offers some valuable extras at a great price. We love the six different temperature settings for more customized ironing and storing it is easy with its retractable cord.
While its nonstick soleplate glided easily over our test fabrics and we didn't experience any snagging, it may not be as durable as other soleplate materials. At only 2 pounds, the Vitessa is very lightweight yet wasn't challenged by deep-set wrinkles even on cotton and linen and did a very good job producing steam.
Though it took a little longer to heat up than others we tested, once it picks up steam, it’s a cinch to maneuver. We applaud its clear water tank that allows you to easily see how much water you have left.
| Weight | 2 lbs |
| Power | 1200 W |
| Auto-shutoff | After 30 seconds resting on soleplate or side, after 8 minutes resting on heel. |
Pros
- Portable and convenient to use without an outlet
- Double-tipped soleplate
- Removable water tank to fill at sink
Cons
- Base is a bit bulky
This Panasonic 360º Freestyle Iron is the best overall pick in our review of best cordless irons. With a pointed tip at each end of the soleplate, the whole surface is functional in any direction. Holes around the perimeter emit steam all around to more easily de-wrinkle large items and because it's cordless, there's no scrunching up what you've already smoothed and items, like bedding and draperies, far from an outlet are within reach.
All cordless irons cool off quickly and you have to set them back on a base to reheat as you reposition your garment. But we never waited long for Panasonic's model to get back up to full temperature. It comes with a carrying case and although the base is a bit bulky, it automatically shuts off if no movement is sensed after 10 minutes. There's also a removable water tank you can fill at the sink.
RELATED: The Best Cordless Irons
| Weight | 4.94 lbs (with base and case) |
| Power | 1500 W |
| Auto-shutoff | After 10 minutes resting on power base. |
Conair ExtremeSteam Pro Steam Iron
Pros
- Heats up quickly
- Stable when upright
- Easy-to-read water tank
Cons
- Bulky to maneuver
- May drip when water runs low
Conair's irons and garment steamers are Good Housekeeping Seal stars that you can count on to de-wrinkle fabrics quickly. This ExtremeSteam Pro iron heats up in under 60 seconds, even to the highest heat setting, and was a top steam producer in our tests. It impressively smoothed the tough wrinkles we set into our cotton, wool, silk and linen test fabrics.
Rubber feet make it less likely to topple, though it was a little bulky to maneuver. We also found that keeping the water tank full to the max line helped prevent the occasional drips that happened as we ironed.
If you have hard water, this Conair iron resists corrosion with a calcium collector and has a self-cleaning function to ensure it keeps pumping. Adjustable temperature settings, continuous vertical steam that doesn't spit and a soft and a spray mist feature that won't drench fabrics round out its strengths.
| Weight | 3.75 lbs |
| Power | 1875 W |
| Auto-shutoff | After 30 seconds resting on soleplate or side, after 8 minutes resting on heel. |
Rowenta Smart Temp Steam Iron
Pros
- Simple to use
- Stainless steel soleplate
Cons
- Water tank isn't transparent
You won't find a typical temperature or fabric selection dial on Rowenta's Smart Temp Steam model. Instead, it's designed to iron all fabrics at optimal heat, making it super easy to use. We were wary, but in our tests, it finished in a three-way tie for best wrinkle remover and came in second in our Lab's performance tests.
One reviewer on Amazon said, "I am most impressed with the amount of steam generated." A stainless-steel soleplate is smooth and easy to clean and an anti-calc system assures the iron keeps steaming. One hiccup is the dark water tank, which makes it hard to see how much water is inside and when it needs to be refilled.
| Weight | 3.7 lbs |
| Power | 1725 W |
| Auto-shutoff | After 30 seconds resting on soleplate or side, after 8 minutes resting on heel. |
How we test irons for clothes
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we dedicate a minimum of 10 hours to testing each iron. For our last test of 15 irons, we wrinkled, pressed, and graded 90 fabric swatches and conducted nearly 400 performance and ease-of-use evaluations, logging over 150 hours of testing.
When we test irons, we grade them in 14 categories, including the amount of steam they produce and at what rate. We measure the temperature of the soleplate at various settings and the temperature swings (highs and lows). We also check how hot the handle and body of the iron get, for safety.
We weigh the irons and time how long each takes to heat up. We assess how user-friendly the controls and sprays are and how easy the water tank is to fill. Using a gauge, we record how many pounds of force it takes to tip each iron over if placed on a wobbly board.
Finally, we wrinkle and ball up cotton, linen, wool, silk, nylon and other synthetic fabrics and allow the creases to set overnight. The next day, we iron each swatch and rate it on a smoothness scale of one to five, using standard visual guides employed by the textiles industry.
What to look for when shopping for an iron for clothes
Keep these tips in mind, whether shopping for an iron in-store or online.
✔️ Size: It's important to choose an iron that is right-sized for you, if possible, making sure it is comfortable to lift and handle. Our picks range from 2 pounds to almost 5 pounds with most models weighing between 3 and 4 pounds. To cover more surface area in a single pass, choose an iron with a larger soleplate. If you plan on long ironing sessions, scope out a larger water tank that can go the distance, especially one that's transparent, so you can see how much water you have left.
✔️ Power: Generally, we've found that the best-performing irons require 1700 to 1875 watts of power. Steam is your friend when tackling tough wrinkles and a more powerful iron with a stronger, longer stream of steam will press fabrics better (and faster).
✔️ Safety features: Most irons today automatically shut off when tipped. We prefer those that turn off quickly when landing in any direction, not just onto the soleplate. The CHI iron automatically shuts off in 60 seconds if it lands on either its side or the soleplate but stays on for 30 minutes if positioned on its heel, which quilters and sewers appreciate when going back and forth to the ironing board.
✔️ Ironing needs: Choose an iron with steam burst and spray features for zapping tough wrinkles if you iron lots of cotton and linen fabrics. Vertical steam works well for drapes, bed skirts and other home furnishings. Consider a steam station with a large water tank, vertical steam and a sturdy base to hold the iron when not in use if you'll be quilting, sewing or handling big batches of rumpled garments.
FAQs
Is a heavier iron better?
Heavy irons do put their weight into removing wrinkles, but they can also be cumbersome and tiresome to use and who wants that? Too lightweight and you'll end up exerting extra pressure and working harder to remove wrinkles. What's ideal is finding a model that you can easily lift and slide, is comfortable to hold and produces great steam. Ultimately it's the combination of steam, heat and weight that removes wrinkles best. Powerful irons that weigh between 3 and 4 pounds seems to be the sweet spot for best performance and ease of use.
Can I use tap water in my iron?
Tap water is usually fine in your iron unless your home has very hard water, meaning it contains high levels of dissolved calcium and magnesium. If so, mixing 50% tap water with 50% distilled water is a good option. It's not recommended, however, to use water that's gone through a whole home water softening system as it's often softened by passing through salt. In that case, using distilled water is best so you won't end up with mineral deposits inside your iron.
When should I use an iron instead of a steamer?
An iron beats out a clothes steamer when it comes to producing perfectly crisp dress shirts and setting sharp pleats. Irons are also better at smoothing tablecloths, napkins, curtains and any big swaths of fabric that are easier to smooth when laid flat on an ironing board than hung vertically to steam. Sewers and quilters prefer irons for pressing hems, seams and pattern pieces that need flattening and smoothing during a project.
How long should an iron last?
With proper handling, an iron can last for years. Make sure to keep the soleplate clean, empty the water tank after each use and flush or self-clean the iron every few months to ensure the holes in the soleplate are open and clear. Poor maintenance can lead to a shorter lifespan, and many irons break when accidentally knocked over. To avoid this, be sure to use a sturdy ironing board so your iron stays stable even if you or your pet happen to bump into the board.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Carolyn Forté has tested dozens of steam irons and steamers in over 40 years of experience researching, testing and writing about appliances like the best dryers, washers and vacuums. As the executive director of the Cleaning Lab, she oversees all testing done by our reviews analysts, including the most recent tests of steam irons and steamers. She also produces or oversees all the home care and cleaning tips and advice content appearing in the magazine and on the website.
Contributing writer Alice Garbarini Hurley has written about home, food and style for more than 40 years for Seventeen, Good Housekeeping, Coastal Living and other magazines. She still has the ironing board her friend's mother gave her as a bridal shower gift, and she loves the short story she first read in college called "I Stand Here Ironing," published by busy mother Tillie Olsen in 1956.
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
Alice Garbarini Hurley has been a lifestyle and consumer writer since a pizza parlor taste test for the Dumont High School Periscope. She wrote about prom dresses and mascara at Seventeen, then about everything that matters at Good Housekeeping as a senior lifestyle writer for 10 years and as a GH freelancer for 10 more. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Coastal Living and InStyle. She has published essays and has blogged at Truth and Beauty since 2010. Writing keeps Alice calm and focused while raising a teenage girl. She loves bluebells and daffodils, Cape Cod, accessories, cream in her coffee and reading cookbooks cover to cover.
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