12 best steam irons to buy in 2025, according to the experts

Score: 92/100

Ironing is a doddle with this versatile model, which switches easily between being corded and cordless. Note, though, that you only get 35 seconds of cordless power at a time (recharging in 15 seconds) and the cord isn’t the longest we tried, so you’ll need a well-placed plug socket too.

Niggles aside, it’s impressive at removing creases and its tank lasted for nearly 19 minutes. Its temperature was also accurate across all three dot settings and we found it heated up quickly too, while its continuous steam was effective.

But if you press the steam button repeatedly it may leak, so use sparingly.

Score: 92/100

If you’re not convinced by a cordless steam iron, this more traditional design warrants a spot on your ironing board. Our testers loved how easy it was to use, whether that was topping up the water levels via the wide opening or choosing the temperature setting thanks to its clear, colour-coded guidelines. The comfortable handle and water tank, which lasted 19 minutes, made it well-suited to tackling bigger laundry piles, too.

As for its de-creasing abilities, it did a stellar job; it heated up in less than 40 seconds across all its settings and had great temperature accuracy. Plus, our testers praised the continuous steam output, effective spray, and pointed plate, which reached into corners and pleats well. There’s even a self-clean function – it took about 16 minutes to complete, but we reckon it’s worth the wait for one less job on our to-do list.

Score: 89/100

This stylish steam iron is simple to use, with easily accessible buttons and continuous, powerful steam functions. It also sprays a fine mist, which means creases are removed easily.

The dot settings were accurate too, and the iron heated quickly. But despite having one of the largest tank capacities, it needed refilling in under nine minutes, while the spray button was almost too responsive, occasionally spraying when we hadn’t pressed it.

These are minor qualms though, as it’s undoubtedly a premium buy.

Score: 89/100

If you’re guilty of using the same heat setting every time, this is the one for you. Instead of using the traditional dot design to show the temperature and which fabric it should be used on, this steam iron has four presets for linen, cotton, wool and nylon, which can be easily selected on the LED touchscreen.

In the lab, it preheated in 23 seconds and removed most cotton creases in one pass – a quick follow-up was needed occasionally for the perfect finish. The iron wasn’t as effective on nylon and linen but still removed noticeable wrinkles when we used the steam function. An additional spray feature would have made the job easier though.

Score: 89/100

All the irons here are cost efficient, but this one used just 2p of electricity to iron two shirts in 10 minutes (the most expensive cost 8p to do the same). So, if you iron a lot, this would be our top choice for low running costs.

The cordless design lasts for 30 seconds between 30-second recharges, but its long-lasting tank is easy to refill and the max line is clearly visible when it's in the position for filling. The cap did occasionally pop open in use, though.

We found the temperatures accurate on test and its steam settings proved effective, but you have to hold the trigger down for continuous steam. It was also slow to heat up and cool down but it’s an otherwise reliable choice.

Score: 88/100

Diamond isn’t merely the name given to this Breville iron; the precious gem is also used to make the soleplate, with the brand claiming it improves both durability and the way it glides over fabrics. Our testers backed this up, finding it an easy mover across all their garments and a reliable crease banisher too.

It heats up quickly, feels lightweight to use and the water tank proved long-lasting, making it well suited to those with big piles of laundry to plough through.

Testers found its steam shot powerful initially but then a little inconsistent, which may prove frustrating if your clothes are particularly crumpled. That said, they never needed more than 10 seconds of continuous steam to lift even the most stubborn of creases, making this a trusty iron for most wardrobes.

Score: 87/100

Scoring full marks with our experts for its performance across all four fabrics, this iron is a worthy investment. The one-temperature setting was steady in use but it took nearly two minutes to heat up. It was impressive once it got going though, banishing creases in one quick sweep.

Its small 300ml tank capacity lasted for nearly 15 minutes and is easy to refill. The iron is steady in use too, with a well-placed steam boost trigger. It doesn’t have a spray feature and takes two minutes to shut off but the soleplate didn’t scratch when we ironed over metal clasps.

Score: 86/100

With a cable that can be neatly wrapped around its base, this iron is ideal if storage is tight, or you want a tidier finish. It heated up quickly and accurately and moved smoothly across all our fabrics on test. The steam boost was easy to use too, and its water tank lasted us for over 20 minutes of ironing, making it well suited to tackling a full basket of laundry.

It proved adept at smoothing out most fabrics, with only the odd crease left on stubborn linen. But note that the auto shut-off only kicks in after two minutes, and the cord tangled a tad when in use.

Score: 86/100

Weighing just shy of 900g when empty, this is one of the more accessible irons we tried. Its two-in-one design also means you can use it as a cordless iron should the cable get in the way.

It heats up quickly on all three dot settings and reached a good temperature on the second and third settings, but it was 20 degrees out on the first.

You can fill the tank by placing its wide spout under the tap and it lasted over 14 minutes. It sprayed a lot though (although the button is stiff) and the steam boost sometimes leaked. We also spotted some scratches on the soleplate after ironing clasps.

Given its affordable price, however, we’d forgive those niggles. A versatile buy.

Score: 85/100

With accurate temperature settings and a quick heat-up time, this scratch-resistant iron is great value. It maintained a steady temperature throughout use and its tank is straightforward to fill.

You can also press the spray button with the same hand that's holding the iron. The button does leave some droplets on garments though, and the steam boost was stiff to activate at first.

The tank lasted for 15 minutes on test, making it a better choice for single households or occasional use. It impressed on cotton, polycotton and linen and our expert liked its auto shut-off feature, which turns the iron off after 30 seconds of lying flat.

Score: 84/100

This is the only iron on our list with an eco-mode, which uses less steam and consumes less energy than its standard settings. The iron is made with some recycled materials, and its packaging is entirely recyclable. Testers were impressed with the way it regulated its temperature and effectively removed creases from all our fabrics on test.

You can see clearly into the water tank, and all its controls are accessibly positioned. The handle was comfortable too. It didn’t quite reach the temperatures we’d expect for each of its dot settings, but as this didn’t impact its overall efficacy, it’s a minor qualm. You’ll need to refill the water tank after about 15 minutes’ use, too.

Score: 81/100

Scoring full marks for its rapid heat-up time across all three dot settings, this compact and intuitive iron is the one to turn to if you’re often in a hurry. The temperature dial, burst steam function and labels are all intuitive and its tank is effortless to fill and empty.

It needs frequent recharging (as expected for cordless irons), its temperature accuracy was average – its three-dot setting was the best – and it leaked at times on test. But it’s a great price and should prove a trusty buy, especially if you only iron from time to time.