When you want that pressed-from-the-dry-cleaner look, you need a powerful steam iron to get your clothing fabrics crisp and wrinkle-free. Although garment steamers are capable of getting the job done, it is the heat and weight (plus the support provided with your ironing board), that will ensure you get the silky smooth results you desire. Check out our top picks.
CHI Steam Electronic Retractable iron
You might be familiar with CHI from their hair styling tools. The CHI model not just smoothed difficult-to-iron fabrics like linen, heavy cotton, but also produced the strongest steam burst we tested. The iron is easy to hold and use. Once you have turned the fabric selection dial the illuminated display will make it easy to see if you made the right decision. The large water chamber makes it easy to fill, and the retractable cord takes up less space. The ceramic soleplate is scratch-resistant and glides easily across fabrics. This iron is a firm favorite in our lab. We hide it away whenever someone asks to borrow one.
Black + Decker Vitessa Iron
The Black + Decker Vitessa ICR2020, despite its small price tag was first in our wrinkle removal tests. It has six temperature settings that allow for more personalized ironing. The nonstick soleplate provides a smooth glide and rarely snags fabric edges. The retractable cord makes it easy to store the steam iron. Although it took longer to heat up than other irons, once it has accumulated steam it is easy to set it down.
Conair ExtremeSteam Pro Iron
Conair ExtremeSteam Pro GI300 Iron heats up in less than 60 seconds even at maximum heat settings. This iron also scored top marks in steam producing tests. You can trust it to keep your clothes wrinkle-free. Rubber feet help to keep the iron stable and prevent it from tipping over. You can see the contents of the reservoir through the transparent water tank. Tip: Don’t fill it beyond the maximum line to avoid drips.
Sunbeam Versa Glade Cordless/Corded Iron
The Sunbeam Versa Glide can be used to remove those pesky winkles, without having to use the cord. You can also use the cord with it for longer periods of steam or heat without having it return on the base. It attaches to your iron’s rear. It’s not bulky, and it’s still light relative to other irons that we tested. It’s a 2-in-1 deal, and it’s a great price! The vertical steam function works well and the controls are intuitive and simple to use.
Sunbeam Steammaster Steam Iron
Amazon customers loved the Sunbeam Iron for its performance and price. We have also tested Sunbeam steamers and irons in previous GH Cleaning Lab tests. The iron is inexpensive and has top-end features such as a retractable cord, which makes it easy to put away. It has a 3-way (side-to-side, flat and upright) auto shutoff that provides safety and vertical steam. One reviewer stated, “I use an iron every day as a professional seamstress. This iron is my favorite! I’ve used about 10 irons in my career as a seamstress, and this iron is by far the best. !!!”