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Whether you need to quickly press a collar for work or steam a dress for a party, steam irons (in conjunction with a sturdy ironing board) can get the job done in a flash. While clothes steamers can also remove wrinkles, a steam iron gives you the added bonus of a firm press for crisp lines. Top models heat up quickly and have ergonomic grips for comfortable holding. They steam without dripping and are easier to use with see-through, removable water tanks and retractable cords. Smart Washing Machine
What's the best steam iron? We recommend the CHI Steam Iron with Titanium Infused Ceramic Soleplate as the best overall steam iron of 2023. A Lab favorite for a reason, the CHI Steam Iron smoothed hard-to-iron fabrics and has an easy-to-fill water chamber, a retractable cord and a scratch-resistant ceramic soleplate. If you are looking for a budget option, we love the Black+Decker Vitessa Iron. It tied for first place in our wrinkle removal tests and has six different temperature settings.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we test thousands of appliances and gadgets each year, including washing machines, vacuum cleaners, dishwashers, robot vacuums and, of course, steam irons. With the scores from these in-Lab tests together with the online customer reviews, our cleaning experts select the best steam irons.
We put steam irons through rigorous standardized performance tests, scoring them for how well they remove wrinkles from different fabrics, how long they take to reach the maximum temperature setting and the amount of steam they produce. Some of our ease-of-use tests include evaluations for weight, maneuverability and robustness of each model's user manual.
At the end of this guide, learn more about how we test and how to choose the best iron for your home, plus advice on improving the lifespan of your iron. If you're interested in learning more about clothing care, check out our explainer on the dry cleaning process and how to hand wash clothes.
You may be familiar with the CHI brand from its curling irons, hair straighteners, curling wands and more. Thankfully, what CHI has done for hair they are now doing for what you wear. This CHI model not only smoothed tough-to-iron fabrics like linen and heavy cotton superbly, but it also had the most powerful steam burst of any iron in our test.
It's comfortable to hold, and once you've turned the fabric selection dial, the illuminated display makes it easy to see that you've made the right choice. The water chamber is large and easy to fill, and the retractable cord means it takes up less storage space. We found the scratch-resistant ceramic soleplate especially easy to glide across fabrics.
This iron is such a Lab favorite that whenever someone comes in to borrow an iron, we hide this one away! Take note that we did find this iron easy to tip over.
Even with a small price tag, the Black+Decker Vitessa ICR2020 tied for first place in our wrinkle removal tests. We love that it has six different temperature settings, allowing for a more customized ironing experience. Its nonstick soleplate gives a smooth glide that rarely snags the edges of fabric.
Storing this steam iron is as simple as pushing a button, thanks to the retractable cord. It took a little longer than others to heat up, but once it picks up steam, it’s hard to put down. Combined with an easy-to-fill water tank and long cord, it's a powerhouse budget iron.
The Rowenta Smart Temp Steam Iron is designed to iron all fabrics at optimal heat, without any temperature dials. While we haven't tested this exact model in our Lab yet, we tested a similar model from Rowenta with the same smart temperature function. It earned the highest average score for wrinkle removal and was rated the second-highest in our Lab performance tests. To start ironing, just fill the reservoir with water, plug in the iron and press away. Because the water tank isn't transparent, it is a little difficult to tell how much water is inside.
With a 4.1-star rating on Amazon, we aren't the only ones loving this steam iron from Rowenta, with one reviewer saying, "I am most impressed with the amount of steam generated by this iron." A stainless steel soleplate and anti-calc system to keep your steam iron working and looking good as new for years to come are the icing on the cake.
The Conair ExtremeSteam Pro GI300 Iron has a heat-up time of fewer than 60 seconds, even at the max heat setting. It earned top scores in our steam-producing tests, and it successfully de-wrinkled cotton, wool, silk and linen test fabrics, so you can count on it to get out tough wrinkles. This iron has rubber feet to help keep it stable and make it less likely to tip over, but it was a little bulky to maneuver. The transparent water tank helps you see exactly how much water is in the reservoir. (Tip: Avoid drips by filling it up to the max line.)
This Good Housekeeping Seal-holder is corrosion-resistant, thanks to its calcium collector and self-cleaning function. With adjustable temperature settings, a continuous vertical steam that doesn't drip or spit and a misting function that doesn't leave fabric too damp, the ExtremeSteam Pro has all of the features we look for in a great steam iron.
We named this unique iron best overall in our most recent cordless iron test — and close to 6,000 five star reviews on Amazon seem to agree. It has a pointed tip at each end of the soleplate, which means the entire soleplate is usable and you can iron in any direction. Plus, holes around its perimeter allows the iron to emit steam for all directions. You'll be able to de-wrinkle larger items in no time and won't have to worry about the flat end scrunching up what you've already gone over.
The iron also has a removable water tank for easy filling at the sink, and the steam, spray and temperature controls are conveniently located on the handle. We appreciate the deep button groove that runs around the entire soleplate so you can easily skip over a button, zipper or snap while ironing. Although bulky, the base will automatically shut off if no movement is sensed after 10 minutes.
Reliable continues to make improvements to its Velocity line of steam irons. We haven't tested this model in the Lab yet, but we tested an older version, the 200IR, which has many (though fewer) of the features of this new model. We found it comfortable to hold and like that it had very powerful steam production. This model uses touch sensor technology to release steam as soon as you grasp the handle, and it has a helpful chart on the base of the iron that tells you what each number on the settings dial means. The 270IR takes the guesswork out of ironing, making it a great option for all skill levels.
With an 8-foot-long cord, eight fabric settings and an auto shut-off bypass, you can steam through big batches of clothing easily. Keep the auto shut-off option on for safety — it takes just eight minutes to kick in. It's pricier than other irons on this list but uses 1,800 watts, making it a bit more powerful than the others.
If you iron in batches or do a lot of sewing or quilting, a steam station might be for you. With no automatic shutoff and a huge water tank, it's perfect for nonstop use. We haven't tested this exact model but tested the similar Rowenta Perfect Steam Station DG8520 which delivered powerful steam blasts and smoothed fabrics from silk to heavy cotton.
The base of the station is large, so before you invest in this type of iron, make sure you’ve got a place to store it. Still, the iron is lightweight and offers easy-to-navigate controls, plus it makes maneuvering around buttons and folds painless. Also, it has an eco-mode, allowing you to reduce its energy consumption by up to 20%.
This small but mighty steam iron from Oliso is a good option for someone who doesn’t iron often. It's great for travel or for ironing small details like collars and hemlines. In the Cleaning Lab, we were impressed by how well the M2 Mini pressed wrinkles out of a heavily creased button-down shirt and a pillowcase that had been balled up in the bottom of a laundry basket for weeks. While some may find the body a little too small to comfortably hold, we found the handle remained cool to the touch even after using the iron at the highest temperature setting.
With three temperature settings and a steam burst button on each side, the M2 can be used on fabrics as delicate as silk to sturdier fabrics like cotton. Note that the steam burst is very short, lasting only about one second. Even with a full tank of water, this iron is light and easy to maneuver. It's great for sewing, quilting and crafts. When you finish your project, simply attach the included Solemate silicone rest to the iron and hang it from the loop to store.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab's most recent evaluation of irons, we dedicated a minimum of 10 hours of testing for each iron. For the 15 irons we tested in this round, we wrinkled, pressed and graded 90 fabric swatches on top of nearly 400 performance and ease-of-use evaluations over a total of 150 hours.
When we test irons, we grade 14 aspects, including the amount and rate of steam they produce, the temperatures of the bottom soleplate at various settings, the temperature swings (highs and lows) at each setting and how hot the handle and body get for safety. We time how long the irons take to heat up and we weigh how heavy they are. We assess how easy the controls and sprays are to use, how easy the water tank is to fill and how likely the iron is to tip over if placed on a wobbly board.
Finally, we wrinkle and ball up cotton, linen, wool, nylon and other synthetic fabrics and allow the creases to set overnight. The next day, each swatch is ironed on the appropriate setting and we rate it on a scale of one to five for its smooth appearance using the standard guides that are part of the Textiles industry testing methods.
✔️ Size: Ensure the iron is the right size for you. For safer ironing, find one that's comfortable to hold. Check or look for the iron’s weight to make sure it’s not too heavy. If you want to cover more surface area in a single pass, check for a larger soleplate. If you do a lot of ironing in one session, a larger water tank may come in handy, especially one that's see-through.
✔️ Steam Power: Although it's difficult to pin down steam output, generally, we found that the best-performing irons are usually at 1,700 to 1,800 watts. Steam is your friend when ironing out tough wrinkles, so an iron with a stronger, longer stream of steam will press your fabrics better (and faster) than those without.
✔️ Safety Features: Most irons today automatically shut off when tipped or knocked over, and we prefer those that turn off quickly when tipped in any direction, not just onto the soleplate. This is an important feature for all steam irons, but especially for beginners.
✔️ Ironing Needs: If you iron a lot of linen, heavy cotton or denim, make sure your iron comes with a steam burst and spray feature. If you’re looking to expand beyond clothing, check for a vertical steam feature to smooth out drapes, bed skirts or whatever else you need to de-wrinkle. Crisp creases and well-pressed dress shirts are harder to achieve with steamers. However, steam ironing stations are good for quilters and people who like the steam feature for large batches of clothing.
While steam generally de-wrinkles best, virtually all irons can be used either dry or with steam and we recommend getting an iron that does both. Which you choose depends on the fabric you are ironing. Steam is best for removing deep wrinkles from sturdy fabrics. To get rid of tough set-in creases in cotton, linen and cotton-blended clothing, use the spray feature and a strong burst of steam at a high-heat setting. However, for more delicate fibers that are easier to smooth, such as silk or synthetics, you'll need lower temperatures and, especially if the fabric is prone to water spots, a dry iron without steam. Most irons today have adjustable steam levels and can produce low levels of steam even on low or medium heat settings to better de-wrinkle delicates. Bottom line: Whether you use an iron dry or with steam depends on the fabric and how easily it releases wrinkles.
As with other appliances, the longevity of the product is reliant on how well you take care of it. With proper care, 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. While poor maintenance can lead to a shorter lifespan, some irons break when they accidentally get knocked off an ironing board. To avoid this, purchase a stable and sturdy ironing board so your iron is less likely to wobble and fall over if you or your pet happen to bump into the board.
Carolyn Forté has tested dozens of steam irons and steamers in over 40 years of experience researching, testing and writing about appliances like washers, dryers 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.
Elizabeth Berry is the updates editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she ensures all product reviews are current and fresh. She has two years of post-graduate experience writing lifestyle content from the best grout cleaners to cleaning your glass shower door. Prior to her role at GH, she was an editorial assistant at Woman's Day.
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.
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.
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