Some of our top-rated irons are on sale during the holiday weekend. For even more savings, check out our full list of the best Labor Day sales here.
A good clothing iron is a laundry room essential, coming in just after washers and dryers in terms of importance. Designed to tackle all your wrinkle-removing needs, these handy appliances make easy work of pressing bed sheets, sprucing up clothes and smoothing out curtains—that is, so long as you buy a quality model. Following careful consideration, our top pick overall is the Rowenta DW9280 Steamforce Steam Iron, a powerful machine that can tackle loads of wrinkled garments at once, thanks to its generous water tank. But that specific iron may not be right for you—in which case, we’ve rounded up plenty of other great options to consider.
The Sunbeam Steammaster is one of our top picks—it all but guarantees an easier laundry day.
When shopping for irons, it can be tough to know where to start. At minimum, you want a model that comes with adjustable temperature and steam settings, both of which allow them to work well across all kinds of fabrics. Also stay on the lookout for steam irons (which are the most versatile option) featuring soleplates made of ceramic or stainless steel, as these materials easily glide over fabrics. Beyond that, you may want to consider whether the iron’s cord is retractable (which makes for the simplest storage) and how much the iron weighs. While heavier models are better at pressing materials, using them can quickly become tiring.
Ahead, find our picks for the very best irons you can buy right now. And if you’re still not sure what you should be looking for in the appliance, check out our buying guide below, featuring expert tips from Patric Richardson, author of Laundry Love: Finding Joy in a Common Chore.
Labor Day sale: Amazon is hosting a slew of Labor Day discounts this holiday weekend, including 23% off our favorite iron overall.
For the best of the best, you’ll want Rowenta’s feature-heavy model. With its powerful steam output, the Rowenta can smooth out stubborn wrinkles on thick garments. Its stainless soleplate is easy to move over any material, and with 400 steam holes, it distributes steam evenly as you glide. It has a generous 11.8 ounce water tank for ironing piles of garments uninterrupted and an LED temperature display lets you know once it’s heated (no risky hot plate touching required). For added safety, it turns off automatically after being left untouched for eight minutes vertically or 30 seconds face down or on its side.
What the reviews say: “I absolutely love this iron. It just glides across the clothing and with one pass, the wrinkles are gone,” writes one Amazon reviewer. “I love the steam burst, great for the tops of pants. My only regret, I wish I would have ordered it sooner!”
Don’t be fooled by the budget-friendly price: The Sunbeam Steammaster is beloved by reviewers and customers alike. This steam iron has a stainless soleplate, plus 1400 watts of pressing power and variable steam control that make it easy to effectively remove wrinkles from any material. According to customers, it heats fast and it’s just as heavy as more expensive options. It also has a retractable cord for added convenience.
What the reviews say: “This iron has some heft to it, making pressing extremely easy,” writes one reviewer. “The surface of the iron is so smooth and just glides so easily over the fabric. This iron also has some amazing steam power.”
Rowenta’s Eco-Intelligence model is one of the few irons with an emphasis on energy efficiency, but it still upholds the brand’s reputation for stellar performance. Like its cousin above, the Eco-Intelligence has 400 holes on its stainless steel soleplate for emitting powerful plumes of steam. And like other top contenders, it can also be used as a steamer when held vertically.
The big difference here is its unique design: It channels steam right where you want it so less is lost, making it 25% more energy efficient than standard irons. Three settings also help to control energy expenditure (dry, eco, and boost for the most stubborn creases), and an automatic shut-off feature—after eight minutes if left upright, after 30 seconds if left horizontal or tipped over—increases safety and energy savings.
What the reviews say: Overall, reviewers say the Eco-Intelligence lives up to the Rowenta name. “I have owned this iron for about three months now and have to say that it is the best iron I have ever used,” shares one buyer. “I have shirts that have always been impossible to get wrinkles out using other irons and this one takes care of them with ease—and I don’t even use the steam boost. Setting it to ‘ECO’ mode gives plenty of power.”
A cost-effective alternative to the Rowenta, the CHI also has more than 400 steam holes, resulting in even steam distribution. The titanium-infused ceramic soleplate heats up quickly and glides effortlessly over materials; plus, the soleplate’s pointed tip fits easily into tight corners. This model is also user-friendly, thanks to the handy fabric guide on the temperature settings.
What the reviews say: “I was a little hesitant in purchasing this iron [but I] bought it and and fell in love with it,” says one Target reviewer. “Heats up very well, didn't have to go over my blouse twice.” Adds another, “I'm a seamstress and need a good iron to sew. This is the Mercedes of irons.”
Labor Day sale: Get 25% off sitewide during Nori’s Labor Day weekend sale.
If you’d rather rock a wrinkled blouse than pull out the ironing board, The Nori Press is for you. This dual-sided iron is designed to press and steam clothes with minimal effort required. It has six heat settings—poly, silk, wool, cotton, denim and linen—and a water reservoir that generates steam without any leakage. The aluminum plates glide easily over any garment, smoothing out the front and back at the same time. Weighing just 1.4 pounds, it’s an excellent option for travel, too.
What the reviews say: The Nori Press is adored by everyone who tries it. One permanent convert writes, “Nori is absolutely amazing and I will never go back to normal ironing (or shower steaming). It is effortless to iron or touch up any clothes even when in a rush. My boyfriend is also Nori’s biggest fan. He bought one and now irons his shirts every time he leaves his apartment.”
The Panasonic makes everyday ironing hassle-free—simply charge it, select your temp and wait a minute for it to heat up. The cordless feature prevents snags, but to keep the iron at your desired temperature, you have to reheat it on the base. You can also use the Panasonic as a vertical steamer and it comes with its own carrying case for storage or travel.
What the reviews say: Customer say this iron rivals corded options with its stainless soleplate and steam power, but it’s not as heavy because it’s portable. “It heats up quickly and steams well...and [it’s] very light,” writes one reviewer. “It just glides along with little effort on my part. And I can't tell you how much I love NOT fighting an electrical cord.”
Whether you’re traveling or low on storage space, the Steamfast Mini is a solid pick. It heats in under a minute and glides easily with its non-stick soleplate. The iron has three heat settings, ideal for quick touchups, and while it only holds 1.4 ounces of water, reviewers say it generates plenty of steam for everyday ironing jobs.
What the reviews say: “I cannot, cannot say enough great things about this little iron,” one reviewer raves. “It comes with the iron, a little bag to put it in and the cup to fill the reservoir so you don't make a mess. The cord wraps around it so you don't have cord all over the place and it's perfect for travel, on the go or for everyday use!”
Looking for a fast-heating iron that uses the power of steam to press out wrinkles? This cost-effective option features a corrosion-resistant Titanium soleplate, plus a self-cleaning feature to ensure you don’t transfer stains to your clothes. Even better news: It heats up within 60 seconds, even when you’re using the highest heat setting. Choose from this 1875-watt iron or a less expensive 1550-watt one.
What the reviews say: “Have been completely satisfied with this iron. It’s doesn’t have all the lights and whistles but it can steam a ton of laundry,” says one five-star reviewer. “I like to work fast and this is the first iron that keeps up with me. Ask Amazon. I’ve sent back quite a few irons. I’m very happy. Thank you Conair!”
For even more Labor Day Weekend savings opportunities, head over to our Labor Day coupon page to check out additional sales from some of our favorite brands.
Practical as they are, clothing irons are somewhat of an investment, so you don’t necessarily want to pick up the first model you come across. According to laundry expert Patric Richardson, author of Laundry Love: Finding Joy in a Common Chore, here’s what you should consider before buying one for your home.
When it comes to soleplates, Richardson recommends ones made of stainless steel or ceramic, as the materials are durable and easy to clean. While non-stick materials may seem convenient, the coating can peel off over time, meaning you might end up having to replace your iron prematurely.
Another factor to consider is the iron’s weight. Generally speaking, Richardson prefers heavier models over ones that aren’t as weighty. “Something with a little heft always helps press out the wrinkles,” he says. That being said, if you’re looking for something you can tote around, it might make sense to go for a lighter, more portable model.
Steam is key to tackling wrinkles. However, according to Richardson, many affordable irons don’t produce enough steam to make a difference in the appearance of your clothes. If you’d rather not drop $100-plus on a powerful steam iron, you have an alternative: Buy a heavy model and use a spray bottle to moisten the fabric as you go.
If you’re going to be ironing a wide variety of fabrics, it’s best to choose a model with precise temperature settings. For example, rather than one with just “low” and “high,” look for a model with dedicated silk, cotton, and linen settings. Richardson always recommends irons with long or retractable cords, too. “There’s nothing more frustrating than an iron with a short cord,” he says.
Whereas a dry iron uses heat to press clothes, a steam iron is essentially a mix between a steamer and an iron. Dry irons have soleplates that heat up, and you use them by pressing the appliance onto clothing to remove wrinkles. Steam irons can be used the exact same way—but they can also use hot steam to eliminate wrinkles.
To use the steam function, yes. Before using your iron, simply add water to the holding tank and wait for it to heat up. During use, the holes in the soleplate emit hot mist, which helps smooth out wrinkles. If you want to use your steam iron as a dry iron, though, you don’t need to add water.
Dry ironing and steaming serve different purposes, so one isn’t definitively better than the other. A dry iron’s hot soleplate comes into contact with your clothing and presses the wrinkles out, giving you more control. Steaming, on the other hand, uses hot mist to smooth out clothing. Whereas dry irons work best on thicker fabrics, steaming can be used on a wide variety, and is the preferred method for smoothing out delicate fabrics like silk. That’s why steam irons are hard to beat—they can perform both functions.