What type of iron should i buy

Our tough tests reveal the irons that will help make ironing a breeze and those that don't, so check our steam iron reviews before you buy. Test score. Need a hand deciding which steam iron to buy? We explain what you need to look for to find the right iron for your needs and budget. Rebecca Jakeman. In this article Video: how to buy the best steam iron Which type of steam iron should I choose? How much do I need to pay for a good iron?

Are steam generator irons better? Video: how to buy the best steam iron Watch our video, below, for our expert tips on how to choose the best iron for your needs and budget. More on this How to buy the best steam iron Which steam iron brands to buy in Related articles Washer-dryer features explained Which?

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Automatic shut-off is an important safety feature to look for when buying a steam iron. This feature cuts off the power to the iron if it's been left idle for too long.

With our busy lifestyles it doesn't take much to forget to turn off the iron in a rush to get out of the house creating a dangerous safety hazard. With automatic shut-off you can have peace of mind that the iron will turn off if you've forgotten. We've come across irons that not only lack automatic shut-off but also don't have a power-on light.

In this case the only way to tell the iron has been left on would be to feel the heat. Most irons we've tested have automatic shut-off and we've made it a necessity when recommending steam irons — we won't recommend an iron without it.

There are a few other elements that are less essential but worth keeping in mind when you shop for your new iron. If you live in a hard water area, this is a must. Other things to consider are:. Higher wattage generally results in faster heat-up times, with the quickest irons becoming clothes-ready in little more than a minute. On a practical level, consider whether the cord length is long enough for your set-up and whether weight , size and display type are deal-breakers for you. This handy gadget allows you to quickly refresh your clothes without the need for an ironing board.

There are two main types of garment steamers available: handheld and upright. Go for a handheld model if your priorities are small touch-ups and travel, but if you are looking for a machine that can tackle the bigger jobs, an upright model with a bigger tank capacity is best. The Good Housekeeping Institute experts carefully judge how well each iron removes creases from a range of fabrics — from silk to linen — on the recommended temperature setting. They also assess its ease of use, comfort, ease of cleaning and overall design.

Type keyword s to search. Hannah Mendelsohn and products tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute. Related Story. This is the reason why you should choose a clothing iron with a larger soleplate. This ensures that the steam will not only be spread more but also the quantity of steam produced will be on the higher side as well.

This is the main reason why you should always opt for a clothing iron with the bigger soleplate. Both of these irons have a larger soleplate. Moreover, they have a hole design which ensures that the amount of steam that is produced is also on the higher side. One thing however which you need to keep in mind is that the bigger the size of the soleplate, the more will be the weight of the clothes iron.

This is the reason why you need to achieve a compromise between the size of the soleplate as well as the weight of the clothes iron. You need to also keep in mind that you have to look at the form factor of the clothing iron.

Only when it is easy to hold, you can use it for a long period of time. You have to look at the mechanics of the handle as well as the control settings that are available on the clothing iron. Only when they are placed at a comfortable level, you will be able to use the clothing iron for a longer period of time without any issues.

Moreover, the form factor of these 2 irons is also pretty compact. You need to keep in mind that the wattage rating of the iron is pretty important. The higher the wattage rating, the faster will be the heating process of the iron. Moreover, the higher the wattage rating of the iron, the more will be the temperature which can be achieved as well. This is the reason why ideally, you should think about choosing an iron that has a wattage rating of more than watts.

This ensures that it is able to heat up quite quickly. Both of them provide you with the wattage rating which is higher than the normal clothing irons. This means that the temperature range which you will be able to achieve with these steaming irons will also be on the higher side. This makes them much more versatile.