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The best budget irons and clothes steamers for under £50
They may be cheap, but they don’t compromise on performance
Tested by Blossom BoothroydHomes Testing Manager
The best irons can banish stubborn creases in seconds. But, you don’t have to splash the cash on a premium buy to get the same results.
Many of the best cheap steam irons have the same useful features as their counterparts and will leave your wardrobe wrinkle-free, for less. Or, if you want to forgo ironing altogether, you can achieve a similar smooth effect with a handy (and affordable!) clothes steamer.
Whether you can't resist the look of a freshly ironed shirt or bedsheet, or only get the steam iron out occasionally, this roundup is for you. Our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have scoured the market and spent hours steaming various fabrics to ensure you don’t spend a penny more than you need to when buying the best steam iron or clothes steamer for your home.
What is the best budget iron or clothes steamer to buy?
We’ve rounded up our top-scoring crease-banishers for under £50 here, but scroll on for our detailed reviews.
If you’re replacing an existing iron or clothes steamer, there are plenty of places for you to safely recycle your old one. Find your nearest electrical recycling point, or read our guide on how to donate or dispose of your appliances and tech for extra guidance.
Do I need an iron or a clothes steamer?
Our expert buying guide details everything you need to consider before you invest in a new iron or garment steamer. In a nutshell, though, if you have lots of delicate clothes, a steamer would be a safer bet. It uses steam to relax the fabric, making creases fall out. Unlike an iron, a steamer should never come into contact with the fabric, so there’s little risk of damage.
If you usually have a large laundry pile, an iron is a better choice, as they have a larger tank capacity than handheld garment steamers. This means you won’t need to keep refilling the water tank, saving you time.
How we test budget irons and clothes steamers
The Good Housekeeping Institute experts put a range of irons and clothes steamers through their paces in the lab, scoring them according to their performance, design, ease of use and instructions.
They time how long they take to heat up, how effectively they remove creases from a range of garments and fabrics, and how long their water tanks last for. They also check for any spitting and water leakage, and assess how comfortable they are to hold, before awarding each a final score.
These are our best-performing buys for under £50.
Pros
- Cordless design
- Excellent at removing creases
Cons
- The cord isn't that long
Score: 92/100
This iron can be used with or without its cord. In cordless mode, it lasts for 35 seconds before needing a 15 second recharge. When you do need to plug in, just make sure you're near a socket as its cord isn't that long.
It did an outstanding job removing creases though, and its tank lasted for 19 minutes. We found its temperature settings were accurate on test, but just watch out for the steam button – if you press it too much, too quickly, it can leak.
Key specifications
| Weight | 1.2kg |
|---|---|
| Tank capacity | 360ml |
| Steam rate | 40g |
| Steam shot | 180g |
| Wattage | 2400W |
Pros
- All settings pre-heated in less than 40 seconds
- Water tank lasted 19 minutes on test
Cons
- Lengthy self cleaning mode
Score: 92/100
It’s a happy day when both of our winning irons come it at an affordable price point, and if you want a top-scorer that’s corded, you’re in luck. This one glided across most fabrics with ease (apart from nylon where the textured soleplate caught a little) and removed creases from everything swiftly – especially when using its continuous steam setting.
Our experts loved the overall design too, which was intuitive to use with colour-coded settings, a decent length lead and comfortable handle. What a box-ticker.
Key specifications
| Weight | 1.38kg |
|---|---|
| Tank capacity | 380ml |
| Steam rate | 195g |
| Steam shot | 50g |
| Wattage | 2800W |
Pros
- The tank lasted over 21 minutes
- The ergonomic handle makes it comfortable to use
Cons
- The spray and steam buttons are slightly stiff
Score: 88/100
This model is a great option if you like to get all your ironing done in one hit, thanks to its hefty water tank – one of the largest of all the steam irons we tested. The water goes a long way too, lasting for a whopping 21 minutes and 30 seconds, so you won’t need to keep topping it up.
Our panel also found it easy to use thanks to the ergonomic handle and noted that only a sweep was needed to remove creases from cotton.
Key specifications
| Weight | 1.4kg |
|---|---|
| Tank capacity | 380ml |
| Steam rate | 45g |
| Steam shot | 140g |
| Wattage | 2400W |
Pros
- Particularly effectively on polycotton fabrics
- Tank lasts for over 2 minutes
Cons
- Some fabrics were left slightly damp, so it's not one for last-minute steaming
Score 87/100
This trusty clothes steamer left all our clothes looking pristine. In fact, our polycotton shirt looked as if it had been ironed.
Some fabrics were a bit damp after steaming though, so you’ll need to leave time to dry before wearing, and it also spat occasionally in use. However, it gave us two minutes of steam before a refill was needed, making it an overall reliable buy.
Key specifications
| Tank capacity | 0.23L |
|---|---|
| Transparent water tank | Yes |
| Hanging equipment | No |
| Included accessories | Steam brush |
| Wattage | 1500W |
Pros
- Scored full marks on viscose, silk and cotton
- Compact design makes it good for taking on holiday
Cons
- Some spitting
Score: 87/100
This proved a reliable de-creaser across most fabrics, surprising our tester with how many creases it removed from linen given its low steam rate. That did require more sweeps than the likes of viscose (for which it scored full marks), silk and cotton, but if you’re taking it on holiday, you can rest easy knowing it should competently tackle all your capsule wardrobe.
The handle is heavy and there was some spitting, so make sure you factor in drying times before getting dressed. Choose between one of three vibrant colours.
Key specifications
| Tank capacity | 0.7L |
|---|---|
| Transparent water tank | Yes |
| Hanging equipment | No |
| Included accessories | Reversible head to cater to different fabrics and travel bag |
| Wattage | 1300W |
Pros
- Can be used cordless
- Heated up quickly
Cons
- Leaked a bit when we used the steam boost
Score: 86/100
Another two-in-one iron that can be used cordless or corded, this lightweight buy heated up rapidly on all three dot settings, with the second and third proving most effective. The tank can be filled by placing its spout directly under the tap and it lasted for over 14 minutes in use.
Note, the spray function dispersed a lot of water and the steam boost was leaky. The soleplate also scratched a tad when we ironed metal clasps, so be careful when navigating zips.
Key specifications
| Weight | 1.45kg |
|---|---|
| Tank capacity | 300ml |
| Steam rate | Unspecified |
| Steam shot | Unspecified |
| Wattage | 2800W |
Pros
- Cable can be wrapped neatly around the base
- Tank lasted over 20 mins
Cons
- Linen needed an extra sweep
Score: 86/100
If you’re short on storage space, then this steam iron should squeeze into your cupboards nicely, thanks to the way its cable wraps neatly around the base and secures tidily in place with a clip.
Pre-heating across all settings was quick and our experts found the iron plate glided smoothly across most fabrics (linen was a little tricky though, with some creases needing an extra sweep). Testers also liked its easy-fill, long-lasting water tank.
Key specifications
| Weight | 1.4kg |
|---|---|
| Tank capacity | 320ml |
| Steam rate | 40g |
| Steam shot | 180g |
| Wattage | 2400W |
Pros
- Great for larger piles of laundry
- Heats up quickly
Cons
- Not suited to nylon or silk
Score: 83/100
Okay, this is slightly over budget, but bear with us – if you want a steam generator iron to tackle larger piles of laundry, this is as affordable as they come, and it was reliable on test as well.
It’s compact and heats up quickly (it reached its lowest setting in 16 seconds on test) but it’s not well-suited to nylon or silk as it caught on the fabric. We also noticed that it needed to reheat frequently to keep up its steam output, but for a cheap steam generator iron, this is a great buy.
Key specifications
| Weight | 3.15kg |
|---|---|
| Tank capacity | 1500ml |
| Steam rate | 40g/min |
| Steam shot | Unspecified |
| Wattage | 2600W |
Pros
- Compact and easy to use
- Speedy heat-up time
Cons
- Has to be recharged regularly due to cordless design
Score: 81/100
Ready to iron in a jiffy, this model heated up quickly across all three dot settings. It’s also compact and straightforward to use with clear labels and an easy-to-fill tank.
It needs regular recharging, while temperature accuracy was best on the three-dot setting. We found steam output wasn’t consistent but it's ideal for quick ironing jobs every now and again.
Key specifications
| Weight | 1.39kg |
|---|---|
| Tank capacity | 350ml |
| Steam rate | 30g |
| Steam shot | 130g |
| Wattage | 2400W |
Pros
- Lightweight
- The trigger switch is comfortable to use
Cons
- Sometimes required a second sweep to remove creases
- Clothes were left damp, so factor in drying time
Score: 78/100
This lightweight steamer is perfect for slipping into your suitcase. It heats up in 30 seconds, has two heat settings and a brush for delicate fabrics.
It quickly removed creases from viscose linen, silk, cotton and polycotton, although a second sweep was required from time to time. The tank fills easily and the trigger switch is comfortable to use. Some clothes were a little damp after steaming, though.
Key specifications
| Tank capacity | 0.27L |
|---|---|
| Transparent water tank | Yes |
| Hanging equipment | No |
| Included accessories | Measuring cup, fabric brush |
| Wattage | 1500W |
The verdict on budget irons and clothes steamers
Our experts' winner, the Tower T22008 CeraGlide, can be used cordless or corded for maximum flexibility and left all fabrics crease-free in our tests. It also costs under £25.
If you don't want to worry about refilling the tank as you tackle your laundry pile, we recommend the Russell Hobbs Colour Control Pro Ultra Steam Iron, which lasted 19 minutes.
If you prefer the ease of a clothes steamer, the colourful Tefal Pure Pop has a compact design that lends itself to travel, ensuring your holiday wardrobe looks pristine. It even comes with a handy pouch.
And if you want to tackle larger piles of laundry, a steam generator iron is best for speed, making the compact Beldray Mega Steam Pro a savvy buy for less than £60.
Why you can trust the Good Housekeeping Institute
We have tested hundreds of irons and clothes steamers at the Good Housekeeping Institute over the years, so we know what separates the reliable performers from the time-wasters.
Blossom Boothroyd, our senior homes tester, has developed rigorous protocols to measure each one against, from timing how long they take to heat-up and use up their water tank, to assessing their crease-removal capabilities. Having reviewed hundreds of models, she knows what she's looking for.
Our writers, Hannah Mendelsohn and Megan Geall, have also written up hundreds of reviews between them, so know what questions to ask to ensure they're giving you all the detail you need to make an informed decision.
Hannah is our homes editor, specialising in reviewing the latest kitchen appliances, cleaning products, mattresses and bedding, and crafting equipment. Hannah has written about hundreds of products, from air fryers to smoothie makers to pillows, and is committed to finding the most reliable and best value for money buys.
Hannah is also interested in sustainability in the home and has completed a course with the University of the Arts London in sustainable textiles, so she can help cut through the noise on what’s green and what’s not. Hannah has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously worked as a freelance lifestyle and women’s sports journalist, working for Stylist, Sky Sports and more.
Hannah has also previously worked in a florist and can normally be found caring for her house plants or sewing something new for her home or wardrobe.
Megan is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s senior homes and lifestyle writer. She loves diving into the latest product releases to find the very best buys on the market and has written hundreds of product reviews on everything from the best vacuum cleaners and coffee machines to the best ice cream makers and robot window cleaners.
When she’s not writing about the newest gadgets and gizmos for your home and garden, you’ll find her running every distance from 5km to 100km or relaxing at home with her cat – there really is no in between.
Megan has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously written for Stylist, Glamour, Women's Health, TimeOut, SquareMeal, and YOU magazine. You can find Megan on Instagram @meganlouisegeall.
Blossom is passionate about finding the best home products and appliances for GH readers. As head of the homes testing team, she has led reviews across multiple categories, from pizza ovens, and smart plugs to portable fans and hobs. She enjoys delving into the intricacies of products and refining testing protocols to ensure we’re testing them against their claims. Her aim is to find the top-performing products on the market, to help take the hard work out of housework. Blossom’s most notable accomplishment in the lab has been toasting 528 slices of bread in her quest to find the best toasters money can buy. In her free time, she openly admits to being a music geek and indulges her creative side through crocheting, baking, singing and writing.
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