Ironing is quicker & easier with the best steam iron.
An easy glide soleplate & plenty of steam makes a big difference, but it’s the detail that separates the best steam irons from the mediocre & average.
Avoid models that are underpowered, come tethered with a short cable, are too heavy or simply aren’t designed for real life.
Best Steam Iron 2023
The best steam iron is comfortable to use, durable and most importantly, flattens creases quickly & without fuss.
Our recommendations are based on 12 key factors …
- Steam output – More steam delivers better results in less time
- Steam shot – An extra blast to flatten stubborn creases
- Soleplate – A quality ceramic soleplate glides across all fabrics & doesn’t burn
- Controls – Settings must be clear & easy to use (for all fabrics)
- Weight – The steam does the work, lightweight is better
- Cord length – Iron where you want. Look for a 2.5m cord (min)
- Limescale control – Keep the iron working as new (no brown spots!)
- Tank size – A large tank means fewer refills
- Vertical Steam – Can you use the iron for curtains and hanging garments?
- Safety – Does the iron turn itself off if left unattended?
- Reliability – Linked to limescale control. How long will your new iron last?
- Ease of use – Comfortable to hold, easy to refill and straightforward to store.
With so many irons available in the UK, the choice can feel overwhelming. And it’s concerning how many models fall short.
To help you buy the best steam iron we’ve done a load of research (& ironing!). Starting with 128 models we’ve compared everything to shortlist & detail the UK’s top 7 steam irons.
Here are the best steam irons – tested at home & rated by experts…
Russell Hobbs Easy Store – Budget Choice
£30 – £38 | See Best Price on Amazon
If you want a reliable and affordable iron, then look no further than the Russell Hobbs Easy Store Pro.
- Affordable
- Effective steam volume
- Cord tidy
- Spend more for more steam
OVERALL RATING: 88%
There are plenty of options at the budget end of the market, but the majority are somewhat less than perfect. This model stands out for all the right reasons.
Read our in-depth Russell Hobbs Easy Store Pro review
This Russell Hobbs iron is incredibly good value and ticks all the right boxes. Rated at 2400 Watts, it delivers 45g of continuous steam and should that not be enough to budge the creases, a 145g shot can be fired to flatten anything proving more stubborn.
The Russell Hobbs Easy Store Pro weighs only 1.4kg – making it one of the lighter irons available. Also of note, is the 2.5m power cord. This cable length gives more reach than most models in this price category – many of which are tethered with a shorter cable.
This model gets a credible recommendation with impressive specifications & good performance, confirmed and backed up by its owners. Plus, a neat feature is that the cord is kept tidy when stored.
SPECIFICATION: RUSSELL HOBBS EASY STORE PRO | WEIGHT: 1.4kg | POWER: 2400w | CORD LENGTH: 2.5m | TANK: 330ml | CONTINUOUS STEAM: 45g/min | STEAM SHOT: 145g | AUTO SHUT OFF: Yes | WARRANTY: 2 years
Affordable & lightweight, this iron does all the basics well
Breville DiamondXpress – Best for Hard Water
£45 – £64 | See Best Price on Amazon
Good steam output, decent features and a great price make this Breville steam iron stand out, compared to other models in the same price range.
- Good for hard water areas
- Effective steam volume
- A little heavy
OVERALL RATING: 89%
The specification tells a good story, but it’s the user experience that makes this model worth buying. All the features you’d expect on a premium model are included with this affordable Breville. This iron is a little heavier than some, but what’s important is that every detail is well-balanced and delivers above expectations.
The non-drip system works, the ceramic baseplate glides effortlessly over all fabrics and the 50g/min steam output flattens the toughest creases with ease. Plus the large water tank and long 3m cord make ironing a little less hassle.
Best Iron for Hard Water Areas of the UK
It’s hard to accurately test how well an iron handles limescale over time. Different areas of the UK have different water hardness. Plus, much depends on how the iron is looked after. To gain an average, we compare real-world insight and what’s important is that this model comes highly recommended for its self-cleaning. It is, however, essential to follow the instructions and use the simple and quick cleaning cycle once a fortnight. (more often in hard water areas). This will keep your new iron working like new.
SPECIFICATION: WEIGHT: 1.65kg | POWER: 3100w | CORD LENGTH: 3m | TANK: 400ml | CONTINUOUS STEAM: 50g/min | STEAM SHOT: 200g |AUTO SHUT OFF: Yes | WARRANTY: 1 year
Looking for an affordable steam iron that performs like a premium model?
Choose the Breville DiamondXpress…
Russell Hobbs Powersteam Ultra – Best Seller
£42 – £70 | See Best Price on Amazon
The Russell Hobbs Powersteam Ultra is a Verum reader favourite.
- Best Seller
- Effective steam volume
- Expensive when not discounted
OVERALL RATING: 90%
And for good reason. With an impressive specification, it’s highly rated by its owners and has stood the test of time. This steam iron is both durable & effective.
45g/min of continuous steam and an impressive 210g power shot make ironing quicker & easier – it removes creases without fuss. Plus, the 3m power cord means you’re able to iron where you want rather than in the immediate vicinity of the plug socket. Adding to the convenience is a comparatively large 350ml tank, meaning fewer refills.
Read our in-depth Powersteam Ultra review
SPECIFICATION: RUSSELL HOBBS 20630 | WEIGHT: 1.6kg | POWER: 3100w | CORD LENGTH: 3m | TANK: 350ml | CONTINUOUS STEAM: 45g/min | STEAM SHOT: 210g | AUTO SHUT OFF: Yes | WARRANTY: 2 years
This Russel Hobbs iron has an RRP of £70 which feels overpriced. However, it’s occasionally discounted & available for around forty quid…
* Deal Alert: Now £40.94 Save 42%
Morphy Richards Turbo Glide – Best ‘Light’ Iron
£42 – £50 | See Best Price on Amazon
The Morphy Richards Turbo Glide is light, effective and easy to use.
- Lightweight & easy to use
- Effective steam volume
- Spend more for more steam
OVERALL RATING: 90%
Plus, it’s reasonably powerful and has all the right features to make ironing easier and quicker.
Importantly, it delivers more continuous steam than most irons in its class, meaning that it has enough oomph to get the job done. However, it’s the detail that makes this iron stand out.
Lighter than Most Steam Irons
Super lightweight, it’s easy on the wrist & back. Plus, for convenience, there’s a 400ml water tank, which means fewer refills. Although this does add to the weight of the iron when full. If lightweight is important to you, we’d recommend filling it half full and topping it up when required.
Long Cord
Iron cords range from 2m to 3m, in length. A short cord can be very frustrating. What’s important here, is that this Morphy Richards model comes with a 3m cable, allowing you the freedom to iron where you want, rather than needing to stay in close proximity to the plug socket.
SPECIFICATION: Morphy Richards 302000 | WEIGHT: 1.1kg | POWER: 2800w | CORD LENGTH: 3m | TANK: 400ml | CONTINUOUS STEAM: 40g/min | STEAM SHOT: 150g |AUTO SHUT OFF: Yes | WARRANTY: 3 years
Powerful and with a long cord, this model is the top lightweight option
Morphy Richards – Cordless Iron
£45 – £60 | See Best Price on Amazon
A cordless steam iron sounds like a good idea, but how does it compare to a corded model?
- Cordless & easy to use
- Good for occasional ironing
- Corded irons are more powerful
Starting with the positives, this iron is lightweight and super easy to use. There’s no getting tangled with the cord, it heats up quickly and it’s effective at removing the creases.
A cordless iron is about ease & convenience, not speed. This Morphy Richards model is perfect if you iron at a sensible pace or perhaps while watching TV. What you will find is that ironing without a cord is truly liberating!
However, if you want to speed through the ironing pile in record time, choose a powerful corded model – or perhaps a steam generator iron?
Similar to your cordless kettle, it sits on a base to heat up. Each time you rearrange the garment, pop it back on the base and it’ll recharge – easy! It takes a little getting used to, but very few owners ever revert to a corded iron.
SPECIFICATION: MORPHY RICHARDS 303250 | WEIGHT: 1.4kg | POWER: 2400w | CORD LENGTH: 2.5m | TANK: 350ml | CONTINUOUS STEAM: 30g/min | STEAM SHOT: 130g | AUTO SHUT OFF: Yes | WARRANTY: 3 years
Hate getting tangled in the cord? This is the model for you…
Philips Azur 7000 – Best Steam Iron
£65 – £75 | See Best Price on Amazon
This model from Philips delivers better results in less time.
- High steam volume
- Easy glide soleplate
- Robust build quality
- Often sold out
OVERALL RATING: 92%
With a continuous steam output of 50g/minute and a huge 250g shot, this model delivers more steam to make ironing easier and quicker.
Read our in-depth Philips 7000 Azur review
Owners rate this steam iron. The soleplate glides across all fabrics and it’s comfortable to use. However, it’s the steam output that makes it worth the extra cash.
As you’d expect at this price, the cleaning and non-drip functions work well. And based on our Verum long-term test, we can confirm that this iron not only works well out of the box but continues to perform, year after year.
SPECIFICATION: PHILIPS 7000 | WEIGHT: 1.6kg | POWER: 2800w | CORD LENGTH: 2.5m | TANK: 300ml | CONTINUOUS STEAM: 50g/min | STEAM SHOT: 250g | AUTO SHUT OFF: Yes | WARRANTY: 2 years
High-volume steam, functional detail and an easy glide base make the Philips Azur truly stand out. It’s expensive at full price but the Verum Best Buy when discounted …
Tefal Ultimate Pure FV9845 – Top-End Steam Iron
£119 – £160 | See Best Price on Amazon
The Tefal Ultimate Pure has an excellent specification & performs brilliantly.
- Powerful
- Durillium soleplate
- Good anti-limescale system
- Expensive
OVERALL RATING: 95%
Power coupled with premium features makes this steam iron a great choice for anyone who’s keen to power through the ironing pile in record time.
Read our in-depth Tefal Ultimate Pure review
Lots of steam, quick to heat up & a superb soleplate define this top-of-the-range Tefal model. It’s worth noting, however, that the extra oomph does translate to it being a little heavier when compared to lower-power models.
The premium features include a highly rated Durilium soleplate that glides easily across all fabric and a top-notch anti-scale system. Ticking more of the boxes, this model also has a large water tank and a long cord.
SPECIFICATION: TEFAL FV9845 | WEIGHT: 1.65kg | POWER: 3100w | CORD LENGTH: 3m | TANK: 350ml | CONTINUOUS STEAM: 60g/min | STEAM SHOT: 260g | AUTO SHUT OFF: Yes | WARRANTY: 2 years
The Ultimate Pure is one of the most powerful steam irons available. Yes, it’s slightly bigger than the average iron, but there’s nothing average about this Tefal
* Deal Alert: Now £119.99 Save 25%
FAQs
Why choose a lightweight iron?
It’s not a workout! Let the soleplate glide across the fabric & the steam remove the creases. There’s no benefit to pressing down hard or a heavy handset. A lightweight iron is the right choice for your wrist & back.
Are cordless irons any good?
Cordless steam irons offer real freedom. There’s something liberating about ironing without getting tangled in the cord. They’re great for pressing the occasional garment but don’t match our best buys and Verum recommended models for power and continuous steam output.
In short, if you only iron the occasional garment (lucky you!), then do take a look at the cordless Morphy Richards model detailed above.
How To Avoid Brown Spots & Limescale?
Over time, limescale builds up. For your iron to work properly, it needs to be kept clean. Manufacturers recommend how best to do this. Specific instructions come with each model. It’s far easier to keep it clean than to wait until there’s a problem. Unfortunately, if the iron has stopped working due to limescale or internal corrosion then it’s usually too late.
What about the ironing board?
Ironing board height is important to avoid a bad back, sore wrist and shoulder pain. To find the right height for you, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding your iron flat to the ironing board with your elbow at 90 degrees – Then lower the ironing board by 10cm. (research source Ohio State University).
What’s a Steam Generator Iron?
Fancy getting the ironing done in less time? A steam generator irons work by delivering a constant, high volume of steam via a lightweight handset. A small tank sits on the end of your board which pumps steam to the handset, transforming the task of ironing. Choose the right model & cut your ironing time by around 30%.
A steam generator iron makes ironing considerably quicker, the handset is super light and the results are excellent. If this appeals & you’d like to know more, take a look at our complete guide to steam generator irons.
SOLD OUT
Deal Today / Gone Tomorrow
Good deals on Best Buys don’t last long
Buy it today – Why miss out?
BEST DEALS
+ Verum™ Best Seller & Reader Favourite
+ Easy glide soleplate
+ Robust design
+ Verum™ Best Buy Award Winner
+ Does everything to make ironing quick & easy
+ Verum™ Ultimate Award Winner
UK VERDICT
For under £50, the Russell Hobbs Powersteam Ultra is a best seller and for good reason – it’s effective, durable & affordable.
For a few quid more, the Philips Azur is our top choice for most households. The high steam output, robust design and limescale control make ironing quicker & easier.
If you’re looking for the ultimate iron, then the Tefal Ultimate Pure is for you. Compared to other models around the £100 mark, this Tefal stands out for all the right reasons – you will power through the ironing pile in record time!
The alternative is a steam generator iron. They’re not cheap, but choose one of our recommended models and you’ll cut your ironing time by around a third.
Want to know more? Take a look at our complete guide to choosing the best steam generator iron…
S H A R E