The 8 Best Steam Irons of 2020

• 01 of 08

  Best Overall: Rowenta DW5080 Focus Steam Iron

  

  Very Good

  Buy on AmazonBuy on WalmartBuy on Home Depot

  

  In the world of steam irons, Rowenta is one of the most well-regarded brands, as its products are typically powerful, efficient, and fairly priced. Given this stellar reputation, it’s really no surprise that one of the best steam irons you can buy is the Rowenta 1700-Watt Micro Steam Iron. This model features a 10-ounce water tank and a stainless steel soleplate with more than 400 steam holes, and it generates an impressive 1700 watts of power!

  The microsteam soleplate on this iron provides superior steam distribution thanks to its many holes, and the high-precision tip lets you target pleats, get in between buttons, which makes ironing easier. The iron has an anti-drip design that prevents spitting and leaking, and it also features an anti-calcium system that prevents mineral buildup, which can compromise the lifespan of the iron. Additionally, the iron is equipped with important safety features, such as quick automatic shutoff if it’s left horizontal or tipped over. Reviewers say this steam iron delivers amazing results, cutting through wrinkles quickly with its powerful steam.

  Interested in reading more reviews? Take a look at our selection of the best ironing boards.

  Rowenta DW5080 Focus Steam Iron Review
• 02 of 08

  Runner Up, Best Overall: T-fal FV4495 Ultraglide Steam Iron

  

  Very Good

  Buy on AmazonBuy on Walmart

  

  Shopping for an iron can be a daunting task. Another top-quality steam iron that comes at an unbeatable price is the T-fal Ultraglide Easycord Steam Iron. This product sports a nonstick, scratch-resistant soleplate with a lifetime warranty, and it generates over 1700 watts of power to give you powerful bursts of steam. Wrinkles don’t stand a chance!

  This T-fal Steam Iron has a large number of microholes for better steam distribution, and the “ultraglide” ceramic soleplate lets you push it across any fabric with ease. The cord on this iron is a whopping 12 feet long, and there’s an extra-large water inlet that allows for easy filling of the 9-ounce water tank. The iron is equipped with anti-scale and anti-drip features, and there’s a 3-way auto-shut off features to keep your home and family safe. Reviewers say the soleplate on this iron is a dream, and it does a great job smoothing out clothes.

  T-fal FV4495 Ultraglide Steam Iron Review
• 03 of 08

  Best High-End: Rowenta DW9280 Steam Force LED Display Iron

  

  Very Good

  Buy on AmazonBuy on Walmart

  

  If you want the best of the best when it comes to steam irons, you need the Rowenta Digital Display Steam Iron, a high-end model that does practically everything besides folding your clothes for you! This iron produces an impressive 1,800 watts of power, allowing it to blast wrinkles from just about any material, including curtains and blankets.

  The Rowenta Digital Display Steam Iron has 400 steam holes on its stainless steel soleplate, as well as an 11-ounce water tank. It produces 30 percent more steam than comparable products, and you’ll love the LED digital display, which lets you select settings for linen, cotton, wool, silk, and more. The iron includes a smart steam motion sensor that automatically turns off the steam when the iron stops moving, helping to save water and electricity, and you can even use it to steam things vertically, so you never have to deal with wrinkly curtains again! And, of course, this high-end steam iron has anti-drip and anti-calcium technology, as well as an automatic shut-off.

  Rowenta DW9280 Digital Display Steam Iron Review
• 04 of 08

  Best Budget: Sunbeam Steammaster Steam Iron at Amazon

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  Some steam irons have surprisingly high price tags, but you don’t have to drain your wallet to get a high-quality product. The Sunbeam Steammaster is a highly rated steam iron that comes at an affordable price, and while it may not have the sheer power of other models, it comes with several convenient features you’re sure to love.

  The Steammaster generates 1,400 watts of power and sports a stainless steel nonstick soleplate and and 8-foot retractable cord for easy storage. In addition to standard steam, this model has dual spray mist, “shot of steam,” and vertical steam options, which make ideal for a variety of tasks, from ironing tough wrinkles to steaming your favorite dress pants. It has an anti-drip system that prevents water leakage, as well as a 3-way motion smart automatic shut-off for safety. With all these features, you can’t beat this product as a budget option! Now you just need to learn how to properly iron!

  Continue to 5 of 8 below.
• 05 of 08

  Best for Sewing: SINGER Expert Finish 1700-Watt Anti-Drip Steam Iron

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  If you’re a sewer or quilter, you likely need a heavy duty steam iron to help bring your creations to fruition, and who better to trust than a well-known sewing machine brand? Singer’s Expert Finish 1700-Watt Anti-Drip Steam Iron is heralded by many professional crafters as a must-have in your sewing room, and it’s easy to see why.

  This steam iron delivers 1,700 watts of power to its brushed stainless steel soleplate, which features an open tip to allow you to get into pleats and under buttons. There’s an LED display with nine temperature settings, as well as a 360-degree swivel cord. The anti-drip design prevents annoying water spots, and you can play around with the steam burst and vertical steam features, as well. Several reviewers note they use this product for sewing, and they love the weight and power it provides.

• 06 of 08

  Best Cordless: Panasonic Steam Iron with Carrying Case

  

  Buy on Amazon

  

  Tired of being limited by the power cord on your iron? Then you’ll love the Panasonic Cordless Iron, which lets gets top marks from reviewers who say it delivers big! The cordless model generates 1,600 watts of power, and you charge it up on the included heat-resistant base and carrying case. The iron itself has an ergonomic design featuring a stainless steel soleplate and anti-drip system. You can choose from three heat settings, as well as adjustable steam, spray mist, and vertical steam options.

  Reviewers say this cordless iron is a perfect weight, and many love the curved edges to the soleplate, which prevent it from catching on seams as you iron. Plus, the design of the iron and case is surprisingly cute—always an added bonus.

  Take a look at other product reviews and shop for the best clothes steamers available online.

• 07 of 08

  Best with Retractable Cord: BLACK+DECKER Vitessa Advanced Steam Iron with Retractable Cord

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  It’s a lot easier to store your iron if the power cord retracts back into the unit, which is why the BLACK+DECKER Vitessa Advanced Steam Iron is such a popular product. The spring-loaded cord on this iron unwinds easily and retracts back into the base, making it compact and convenient.

  In addition to its retractable cord, this iron has a nonstick soleplate and SmartSteam technology that optimizes the steam output based on your chosen fabric setting. It has a 3-way auto shutoff for safety, as well as settings for a burst of steam and spray mist. You can even use it for vertical steaming! Reviewers say this is a solid iron that comes at a great price, and of course, the retractable cord is a convenient feature.

• 08 of 08

  Best for Travel: Steamfast Mini Travel Steam Iron with Dual Voltage

  Buy on Amazon

  

  If you’re always on the go, you can’t really bring a full-size steam iron along on your travels. However, you can slip the highly rated Steamfast Mini Travel Steam Iron into your suitcase, so you’ll never have to show up to a meeting with wrinkled pants again!

  This miniature steam iron only delivers 420 watts of power, but it heats up in just 15 seconds and boasts three temperature settings. It has a nonstick soleplate and four steam holes, as well as one-touch steam control. However, arguably one of the most convenient aspects of this little iron is the dual voltage—it can be used with either 100 or 240-volt outlets, meaning it's the perfect product to bring if you’re traveling to Europe. Reviewers say the Steamfast Mini is “small but mighty” and gets impressively hot, allowing it to quickly remove wrinkles.

  Want to take a look at some other options? See our guide to the best travel steamers.

Products Tested by The Spruce

How We Tested

We bought three top-rated steam irons that our reviewers tested for four hours. We asked our testers to consider the most important features when using these irons, from their design to their steam output. We’ve outlined the key takeaways here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping.

What to Look for in a Steam Iron

Water tank capacity The capacity of an iron’s water tank will determine how much steam the iron can release. A smaller water tank — which typically holds about 7 ounces — needs to be refilled more frequently. A larger tank (10 or more ounces) offers more continuous steam time but will be heavier.

Soleplate type Being able to glide your iron across garments easily is key to getting the best performance without scorching your clothing. A stainless steel soleplate is a common choice for its smooth surface, but some irons feature ceramic-coated soleplates that make it even easier to skim across clothing — though they are more susceptible to chipping or peeling. Lightweight titanium soleplates are also available on some models and offer excellent heat distribution.

Steam output For maximum effectiveness, you’ll want an iron with a high level of steam output (which is often measured in grams per minute). Some models offer more than 200 grams of steam per minute, while others produce a less generous 35 grams per minute. One other thing to consider is whether the iron is capable of vertical steaming since that can be convenient for hanging garments or drapes.

Test Results: Rowenta DW5080 Focus Steam Iron (Best Overall)

Very Good

Buy on Amazon

What We Like

• Heats up quickly

• Impressive steam distribution

• Streamlined design with precision tip

What We Don't Like

• Heavy and bulky

• Cools too slowly to be put away quickly

“This is one of the best irons I have ever used,” gushed one of our testers. “It’s very smooth and has a more effective stream function than my current iron.” One reviewer also found that it worked equally well on all parts of her garments—a fact she attributed in part to its design: “The pointed tip allowed easier access into tighter spots and was particularly helpful with darted shirts and pleats,” she said. On the flip side, our testers reported that this iron wasn’t as effective at vertical steaming. One reviewer also thought it was heavy, though that wasn’t a deal-breaker: “[Its weight] is balanced by the smooth motion while ironing.”

Test Results: Rowenta DW9280 Steam Force LED Display Iron (Best High End)

Very Good

Buy on Amazon

What We Like

• Sleek design

• Lots of steam

• Easy to maneuver

What We Don't Like

• Pricey

“The Rowenta DW9280 Digital Display Steam Iron is beautifully designed and may be the perfect purchase for anyone seeking professional-level wrinkle removal,” declared one of our testers. In addition to its effectiveness, our reviewers loved how easy the iron was to maneuver, despite it being on the heavier side. In fact, the only real negative, according to our testers, was the price. “The extra attributes may not be worth the price tag for casual consumers,” noted one of our reviewers. 

Test Results: T-fal FV4495 Ultraglide Steam Iron (Runner Up, Best Overall)

Very Good

Buy on Amazon

What We Like

• Lightweight

• Good price

• Glides easily

What We Don't Like

• Untapered tip

Our testers found this iron to be a great value. Our reviewers particularly liked “the ceramic soleplate for easy gliding” and the fact that it was sturdy without being heavy. According to one of our testers, it does have “fewer steam holes than competitor models,” but that wasn’t a dealbreaker. One of our reviewers also wished for a tapered precision tip. Overall? “The T-fal FV4495 Ultraglide Steam Iron is a lighter-weight, easy-to-maneuver option for everyday users seeking a product that’s simple and straightforward,” summed up one of our testers.