The best steam irons for crisp, fresh clothing in minutes

You need a hot, steam iron to achieve crisp, wrinkle-free outfits whenever you’re stepping out for work, dates or events. More importantly, you need one that doesn’t damage or burn your cute little black dress or silk office shirt.

This is often the case with traditional hot irons; they can easily burn delicate fabrics, such as polyester, satin, cashmere and silk. This is why steam irons are arguably the best alternatives. But, how do you select the best steam iron?

We’ve researched different options and hand-picked the top steam irons to consider adding to your laundry kit. This list provides the best picks with exceptional features to make your shopping (and ironing) experience seamless.

Read more: See the best espresso machines for café style coffee at home

Explore the best steam irons for home use

Best steam iron overall

BLACK+DECKER Steam Iron

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$13.99 at Target

Best steam generator iron

Rowenta Perfect Pro Stainless Steel Soleplate Steam Station

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$261.99 at Target

Best cordless steam iron

Panasonic Cordless Iron

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$117.91 at Amazon

Best basic steam iron

Black+Decker Easy Steam Compact Iron

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$10.36 at Walmart

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Best steam iron overall

BLACK+DECKER Steam Iron

$13.99

$13.99 at Target

Specifications

• Weight: 2.5 pounds 

• Capacity: 120 ml

• Warranty: Two years

• Power: 1,200 watts

Pros & Cons

• Quite an affordable option

• Lightweight design

• Easy to handle

• Possible leaks

• Print on the dial can wear off

Simple and convenient, the BLACK+DECKER Steam Iron is a workhorse for ironing tasks. Its variable steam and temperature controls allow you to customize your settings for the best results, while the spray mist button lets you moisten fabrics to remove deep wrinkles.

The durable soleplate is non-stick for a seamless experience, and the SmartTemp Technology ensures you’re ironing at the right temperature every time. It has a clear-view water tank for quick refills while allowing you to monitor the water level.

Additionally, this steam iron is lightweight, making it ideal for quick touchups whenever you’re in a hurry.

Best steam generator iron

Rowenta Perfect Pro Stainless Steel Soleplate Steam Station

$261.99

$261.99 at Target

$261.90 at Amazon

Specifications

• Weight: 11.24 pounds

• Capacity: 350 ml

• Warranty: One year

• Power: 1,500 watts

Pros & Cons

• Reduces ironing time

• Large water tank

• Supports eco mode

• Costly than other options

• Potential leaks

With a high-powered steam output of up to 430 g/min, the Rowenta Perfect Pro Stainless Steel Soleplate Steam Station removes wrinkles fast. It features a precision tip for straightening cuffs, collars, and other hard-to-reach areas.

The stainless steel soleplate has over 400 microsteam holes for seamless “glidability” and distribution, while its eco mode allows you to save up to 25% more water and energy. Its large water tank boasts a capacity of 350 ml to allow you to work longer between refills.

It features manual steam controls at the back for effortless customization, and the built-in safety features like an easy-to-use safety lock system and steam cord storage allow for convenient use.

Best cordless steam iron

Panasonic Cordless Iron

You save $12.04 (9.27%)

$117.91$129.95

$117.91 at Amazon

Specifications

• Weight: 1 pound

• Capacity: 160 ml

• Warranty: One year

• Power: 1,500 watts

Pros & Cons

• Cordless design

• Lightweight

• Temperature control

• Possible leaks

• Some reviewers say it could be hotter

Keeping your wearables and home decor wrinkle-free just got easier, thanks to this Panasonic Cordless Iron. It has a detachable water reservoir for effortless refilling every time, while its nickel-coated stainless steel soleplate glides seamlessly for great results.

This Panasonic iron is cordless for improved freedom of movement, and it comes with a heat-resistant carrying case for secure carrying and storage. The steam and spray buttons let you effortlessly control the steam distribution for different fabrics.

It has an anti-calcium system to prevent build-up from tap water, and it comes with a spray nozzle for adding an extra shot of water wherever you want. The Panasonic iron offers three temperature settings for a wider variety of fabrics and use cases.

Best basic steam iron

Black+Decker Easy Steam Compact Iron

$10.36

$10.36 at Walmart

Specifications

• Weight: 1.75 pounds

• Capacity: Manufacturer does not specify tank size

• Warranty: One year

• Power: 1,200 watts

Pros & Cons

• Costly friendly option

• Lightweight design

• Easy to use

• Possible leaks

• Labels for temperature settings can wear off

If you need a compact but reliable steam iron, the Black+Decker Easy Steam Compact Iron makes a thoughtful companion for your ironing board. The TrueGlide nonstick soleplate prevents sticking on fabric to protect your clothes from burns.

You can control steam and temperature using one simple dial for your convenience, while the SmartSteam technology maintains the ideal temperature based on the fabric you select. The transparent water tank makes it easy to monitor the water level.

This Black+Decker steam iron features a 360° pivoting cord to prevent the cord from tangling, and the spray mist lets you sprinkle water where you need it more for quick ironing. Its anti-drip system stops water from dripping when the temperature is too low.

Best travel steam iron

Impress Compact & Lightweight Steam & Dry Iron

$25.95

$25.95 at Walmart

$49.99 at Kohl's

Specifications

• Weight: .87 pounds

• Capacity: 30 ml

• Warranty: One year

• Power: 1,200 watts

Pros & Cons

• Lightweight, compact design

• Value for money

• Easy to use

• Potential leaks

• Inconsistent heat

If you’re always traveling and need a portable and compact steam iron, the Impress Compact & Lightweight Steam & Dry Iron is an impressive option. This lightweight steam iron features multi-function temperature control for six different fabric options.

Its 360-degree swivel cord allows for versatility and optimal control while ironing, while the non-stick soleplate smoothes away wrinkles without sticking on the fabric. The adjustable steam levels let you select your preferred level for quick softening.

The soleplate features a tapered tip to make it easy to iron pockets, collars, and other hard-to-reach areas.

Best steam iron for tank capacity

Electrolux Essential Iron Blue

$59.99

$59.99 at Target

Specifications

• Weight: 3.6 pounds

• Capacity: 355 ml

• Warranty: One year

• Power: 1,700 watts

Pros & Cons

• Heats up quickly

• Easy to use

• Wrinkle-free

• You have to unplug and plug it back in when it auto-shuts off

• Not the most energy-friendly

With a tank capacity of 355 ml (12 ounces), the Electrolux Essential Iron Blue keeps you ironing longer before the next tank refill. At 1700 watts, this steam iron delivers optimal power for professional results. The adjustable garment steamer lets you pick the right amount of steam for your fabric.

It has a modern, ergonomic design with a matte finish for an elegant look, and the sharply angled tip lets you access hard-to-reach corners. Its scratch-resistant ceramic soleplate glides seamlessly on different fabrics while preventing burns.

This Electrolux steam iron comes with auto shut-off for safety and minimized power consumption, and the quick heat-up function delivers your desired temperature quickly. Its easy-grip handle offers a comfortable hold during extended use, while the extra-long 10-foot power cord ensures freedom of movement.

How do I choose a good steam iron?

A good steam iron caters to your needs and offers the features you want for everyday ironing convenience. When shopping for one, consider the following factors.

Water tank capacity

If you dislike frequent refills when ironing clothes, go for a steam iron with a higher water tank capacity. A tank size of 300 ml or more should be OK. Another plus is if the tank is transparent for easy monitoring of water levels. Some tanks are removable for simple refilling, which adds convenience.

Quality of soleplate

The soleplate should be non-stick, scratch-resistant and rust-resistant. Because of these requirements, stainless steel is the most popular finish. A good option must have a ceramic coating for even heating and smooth glide to prevent damage to your clothes.

Design

Get a steam ion with an ergonomic and user-friendly design if you will use it regularly. The handle should be comfortable during extended use, and you should easily operate it without referring to the manual every time.

Wattage

The heating rate of a steam iron depends on its wattage; so the higher the wattage, the faster it heats for better performance. A well-working iron offers between 1,200 to 1,700 watts. Note that a higher wattage means increased power consumption, but some models have eco-modes and auto-shutoff functions to minimize energy use.

Weight

Both lightweight and heavyweight steam irons have their benefits. Weighty models remove creases and wrinkles faster than lightweight options, but it can get tiresome to use them. Most weigh between 1.5 to 4 pounds with an empty tank.

Settings

Also, consider picking an option that allows you to control and customize settings for temperature and steam. This is important since you’re likely to iron different fabrics with unique temperature requirements.

Extra features

Some models also come with different features to simplify your experience. For example, some have an auto-self-clean function to prevent rusting due to hard water, while others have anti-drip technology to prevent leaks.

Which steam irons get our vote?

When choosing your steam iron, it’s important to take your time and compare different options — while reviewing their design, wattage and features. Customer reviews can also be pretty insightful and resourceful in understanding different models. To help speed up the research process for you, we’ve selected our favorites out of our list of the best steam irons to narrow down your selection. These are our top three that are worth buying now.

• For a cordless option, this Panasonic Cordless Iron lets you move in any direction for hassle-free ironing.

• If you want a versatile steam iron for home use and travel, go for the Impress Compact & Lightweight Steam & Dry Iron — which only weighs 1.5 pounds. 

• For its high-tank capacity, we’re big fans of the Electrolux Essential Iron Blue — since it will keep you ironing for longer between refills.

Prices updated on 08/04/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.