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Our experts pressed and steamed countless shirts and trousers to find these best steam irons Steam Generator For Cooking
This article was updated in January to ensure that all prices and deals are correct.
Love it or hate it, ironing is unavoidable. Even if you’re a clothes steamer convert, there are some creases that only a trusty iron can banish.
That said, it can be tricky to find a steam iron that will remove stubborn creases both quickly and effectively. The best iron is comfortable and lightweight to hold, with a strong steam shot and a high tank capacity.
There are a lot of models on the market, but the GHI is here to help – our testers put more than 50 irons through their paces to find your perfect match.
If you’re replacing an existing steam iron, 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.
The Good Housekeeping Institute tests each steam iron on a range of fabrics, including nylon, cotton, polycotton and linen, to assess how well they remove creases.
Our expert testers also consider the weight of each iron, how comfortable they are to hold and manoeuvre, and how easy they are to use.
We assess how quickly each one takes to reach all temperature settings too, and how accurate and stable each one is. We also time how long it takes for a full water tank to empty.
We then award each iron a score, factoring in its overall performance, design, usability and instructions.
Ironing is a doddle with this versatile model, which switches easily between being corded and cordless. Note, though, that you only get 35 seconds of cordless power at a time (recharging in 15 seconds) and the cord isn’t the longest we tried, so you’ll need a well-placed plug socket too.
Niggles aside, it’s impressive at removing creases and its tank lasted for nearly 19 minutes. Its temperature was also accurate across all three dot settings and we found it heated up quickly too, while its continuous steam was effective.
But if you press the steam button repeatedly it may leak, so use sparingly.
This stylish steam iron is also simple to use, with easily accessible buttons and continuous, powerful steam functions. It also sprays a fine mist, which means creases are removed easily.
The dot settings were accurate too, and the iron heated quickly. But despite having one of the largest tank capacities, it needed refilling in under nine minutes, while the spray button was almost too responsive, occasionally spraying when we hadn’t pressed it.
These are minor qualms though, as it’s undoubtedly a premium buy.
All the irons here are cost efficient, but this one used just 2p of electricity to iron two shirts in 10 minutes (the most expensive cost 8p to do the same). So, if you iron a lot, this would be our top choice for low running costs.
The cordless design lasts for 30 seconds between 30-second recharges, but its long-lasting tank is easy to refill and the max line is clearly visible when it's in the position for filling. The cap did occasionally pop open in use, though.
We found the temperatures accurate on test and its steam settings proved effective, but you have to hold the trigger down for continuous steam. It was also slow to heat up and cool down but it’s an otherwise reliable choice.
If you like to tackle all your ironing in one go, this is the iron for you. Its water tank lasted for over 21 minutes, giving you plenty of time to make a serious dent in that pile, while its ergonomic handle was comfortable and, overall, it reached a good temperature, especially on the three-dot setting.
Its wide spout is easy to fill and empty and the max line is well-positioned to avoid overfilling. The iron shuts off when left lying flat after 30 seconds, and it alerts you beforehand. It wasn’t the fastest to heat up on test and the spray leaked a little, while some buttons were stiff to use at first.
Creases vanished quickly though (even on the one-dot setting), and it scored full marks on cotton and polycotton. Reliable on linen and nylon too, it’s a trusty all-rounder.
Diamond isn’t merely the name given to this Breville iron; the precious gem is also used to make the soleplate, with the brand claiming it improves both durability and the way it glides over fabrics. Our testers backed this up, finding it an easy mover across all their garments and a reliable crease banisher too.
It heats up quickly, feels lightweight to use and the water tank proved long-lasting, making it well suited to those with big piles of laundry to plough through.
Testers found its steam shot powerful initially but then a little inconsistent, which may prove frustrating if your clothes are particularly crumpled. That said, they never needed more than 10 seconds of continuous steam to lift even the most stubborn of creases, making this a trusty iron for most wardrobes.
Scoring full marks with our experts for its ironing performance across all four fabrics, this iron is a worthy investment. The one-temperature setting was steady in use but it took nearly two minutes to heat up. It was impressive once it got going though, banishing creases in one quick sweep.
Its small 300ml tank capacity lasted for nearly 15 minutes and is easy to refill. The iron is steady in use too, with a well-placed steam boost trigger. It doesn’t have a spray feature and takes two minutes to shut off but the soleplate didn’t scratch when we ironed over metal clasps.
With a cable that can be neatly wrapped around its base, this iron is ideal if storage is tight, or you want a tidier finish. It heated up quickly and accurately and moved smoothly across all our fabrics on test. The steam boost was easy to use too, and its water tank lasted us for over 20 minutes of ironing, making it well suited to tackling a full basket of laundry.
It proved adept at smoothing out most fabrics, with only the odd crease left on stubborn linen. But note that the auto shut-off only kicks in after two minutes, and the cord tangled a tad when in use.
Weighing just shy of 900g when empty, this is one of the more accessible irons we tried. Its two-in-one design also means you can use it as a cordless iron should the cable get in the way.
It heats up quickly on all three dot settings and reached a good temperature on the second and third settings, but it was 20 degrees out on the first.
You can fill the tank by placing its wide spout under the tap and it lasted over 14 minutes. It sprayed a lot though (although the button is stiff) and the steam boost sometimes leaked. We also spotted some scratches on the soleplate after ironing clasps.
Given its affordable price, however, we’d forgive those niggles. A versatile buy.
With accurate temperature settings and a quick heat-up time, this scratch-resistant iron is great value. It maintained a steady temperature throughout use and its tank is straightforward to fill.
You can also press the spray button with the same hand that's holding the iron. The button does leave some droplets on garments though, and the steam boost was stiff to activate at first.
The tank lasted for 15 minutes on test, making it a better choice for single households or occasional use. It impressed on cotton, polycotton and linen and our expert liked its auto shut-off feature, which turns the iron off after 30 seconds of lying flat.
This is the only iron on our list with an eco-mode, which uses less steam and consumes less energy than its standard settings. The iron is made with some recycled materials, and its packaging is entirely recyclable. Testers were impressed with the way it regulated its temperature and effectively removed creases from all our fabrics on test.
You can see clearly into the water tank, and all its controls are accessibly positioned. The handle was comfortable too. It didn’t quite reach the temperatures we’d expect for each of its dot settings, but as this didn’t impact its overall efficacy, it’s a minor qualm. You’ll need to refill the water tank after about 15 minutes’ use, too.
Scoring full marks for its rapid heat-up time across all three dot settings, this compact and intuitive iron is the one to turn to if you’re often in a hurry. The temperature dial, burst steam function and labels are all intuitive and its tank is effortless to fill and empty.
It needs frequent recharging (as expected for cordless irons), its temperature accuracy was average – its three-dot setting was the best – and it leaked at times on test. But it’s a great price and should prove a trusty buy, especially if you only iron from time to time.
Before and after: the clothes we use to test irons
When you hear the word "iron", a traditional steam iron is probably the first thing that springs to mind. These compact models feature a built-in water tank that heats up and releases steam to relax the fabric and remove any creases.
The higher its steam output, the more effective it will be. Features vary, but even with budget models, a steam shot and self-cleaning capabilities generally come as standard.
If you tend to have a large laundry pile or big items to press (say, a wardrobe full of long-sleeve dresses), then consider a steam generator iron instead. These irons have separate water tanks, allowing them to emit more steam at a higher pressure.
They’re a lot bulkier than standard steam irons, so you’ll need enough free storage space. They’ll also cost you more, but they’re godsends if you’re forever behind an ironing board.
Testing irons on cotton; measuring temperature stability and accuracy
Before you buy a new steam iron, consider the following.
Continuous steam pressure: Measured in grams, the higher the steam rate, the more effective the iron. Anything over 50g/minute would be considered high for a steam iron, with those on our list ranging from 30g to 85g.
Steam shot: When creases just won’t budge, a powerful steam shot is a must. The models in our roundup have steam shot outputs ranging from 130g to 260g/minute.
Tank capacity: The tank capacity of our recommended steam irons varies from 0.25 to 0.4 litres, but the tanks on steam generator irons are much bigger – anything from 1 to 2.5 litres. Your choice will depend on the size of your ironing pile and factors including the size of the opening for refilling and whether it's important for you to see the water level through the tank.
Depending on your set up at home, there are plenty of other features that may come in handy but aren’t as essential. Consider the following.
Cordless irons can be practical and convenient, but they’re generally not as powerful as corded models and they have to be frequently reheated on the base. They’re a good choice if plug sockets are few and far between at home, but so is an iron with a long cord.
Nearly all steam irons have anti-scale and anti-calcium functions. These are particularly important if you live in a hard water area, as calcium in the water supply will form limescale over time, which eventually clogs the steam vents.
Higher wattage generally means a faster heat-up time, with the quickest irons usually ready in just over a minute – ideal if you’re looking to freshen up your clothes before going out.
Look for an auto switch-off capability for safety and consider whether the weight, size and display type are right for your needs.
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.
Blossom is our Senior Homes Tester. Passionate about finding the best home products and appliances for our readers, she has tested everything from blenders to pizza ovens. Blossom enjoys delving into the intricacies of products and refining testing protocols for hundreds of items. Innovative items like robot vacuum cleaners and wine coolers are among her favourite tests to date, and her most notable accomplishment is toasting 360 slices of bread in a determined bid to find the best toaster. In her free time, Blossom openly admits to being a music geek and indulges her creative side through crocheting, baking, singing and writing.
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