Best steam irons: our expert picks for crease-free clothes

The best steam irons and steam generator irons help you to power through the laundry pile, heating up quickly and removing creases with ease.

Standard steam irons are compact and easy to store, while steam generator irons use a separate water tank to produce more steam for faster, easier ironing.

But not all models perform well. Some are slow to heat, struggle with creases or show signs of limescale and soleplate damage. Our Best Buy, Eco Buy and Great Value recommendations will help you to avoid a dud and choose an iron that’s easy to use and built to last.

The steam irons we tested

The biggest brands and the 10 most popular steam irons are listed below.

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See a selection of the steam irons we tested, listed in alphabetical order below.

Only logged-in Which? members can view the best steam irons from our tests.

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Asda ESI001B 

Most recently tested June 2024

Type and weight Steam iron, 0.883kg

Need to know Corded, 176ml tank, 197cm cord length

Asda GSG101RG-22 

Most recently tested January 2023

Type and weight Steam generator, 1.096kg

Need to know Corded, 1,481ml tank, 197cm cord length, auto shut-off

Braun CareStyle 5 IS5247VI

Most recently tested March 2025

Type and weight Steam generator, 0.974kg

Need to know Corded, 1,992ml tank, 193cm cord length, auto shut-off, one temperature function

Breville DiamondXpress VIN445 

Most recently tested March 2025

Type and weight Steam generator, 1.088kg

Need to know Corded, 1,512ml tank, 195cm cord length, auto shut-off

Morphy Richards 300401 Light Glide 2200W Steam Iron Blue

Most recently tested August 2024

Type and weight Steam iron, 1.147kg

Need to know Corded, 242ml tank, 203cm cord length

What's a good steam iron without a good ironing board? See our round-up of the best ironing boards from our tests

Morphy Richards Turbosteam Pro with Intellitemp 303210 

Most recently tested January 2022

Type and weight Steam iron, 2.113kg

Need to know Corded, 378ml tank, 303cm cord length, auto shut-off, one temperature function

Philips DST7020 Azur 

Most recently tested October 2023

Type and weight Steam iron, 1.897kg

Need to know Corded, 322ml tank, 193cm cord length

Philips DST7060/20 SteamGlide Elite

Most recently tested October 2023

Type and weight Steam iron, 1.897kg

Need to know Corded, 296ml tank, 193cm cord length, auto shut-off

Tefal Freemove Power FV6642G0

Most recently tested March 2025

Type and weight Steam iron, 1.981kg

Need to know Cordless, 216ml tank, auto shut-off

Tefal FV9830 Ultimate Pure

Most recently tested August 2024

Type and weight Steam iron, 2.297kg

Need to know Corded, 383ml tank, 303cm cord length, auto shut-off

More steam irons from our tests

Here's how the rest of the steam irons from our tests measured up, listed in alphabetical order.

How we test steam irons

We put every steam iron and steam generator through a series of tough tests to see how well it performs, how long it lasts and how easy it is to live with. Only models that excel where it really matters earn our Best Buy recommendation.

Our key test criteria include the following:

• Ironing performance We assess how quickly and easily each iron removes creases from a range of everyday fabrics, including cotton and linen, using both hands-on ironing and controlled lab testing.
• Steam power We measure how much steam the iron actually produces, as a stronger, consistent steam output makes ironing faster and more effortless.
• Limescale resistance We run each iron for extended periods to simulate long-term use, checking how well it maintains steam output and how effective the descaling system is.
• Soleplate durability We test how resistant the soleplate is to scratching, as damage can cause snagging and make ironing harder over time.
• Ease of use We rate everything from weight and heat-up time to water tank filling, controls, comfort, cable length and storage.

We buy the bestselling and most-searched-for steam irons from UK retailers. We buy every steam iron we test – no freebies from manufacturers – meaning our reviews are honest and unbiased.

Why you can trust us: at Which? we're free from manufacturer and retailer influence. Find out more about our impartiality and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent.

Which type of steam iron should I buy?

Choosing the right steam iron depends on how much ironing you do, how much space you have and how much steam power you need.

Regular steam irons are the cheapest option – they're easy to store and quiet to use, but they produce less steam and need refilling more often. Cordless irons offer freedom of movement and are usually lighter, but they lose heat over time, have limited model choice and non-replaceable batteries.

Steam generator irons produce far more steam to tackle heavy creases quickly, and they need refilling less often. However, they’re expensive, bulky, noisy and can be heavy to move or store. Pressurised models are the most powerful and are best suited to large laundry loads. If you want more steam without the size or cost of a generator, some premium irons offer pressurised steam as a compromise.

We haven’t tested travel irons, but we have tested compact clothes steamers, which can be a practical alternative as they don’t require an ironing board and are easy to pack.

Best steam iron features - rated by experts

• Limescale filter It's worth checking whether an iron has a scale filter before you buy it. The amount of steam your iron produces can be severely hampered by the build-up of limescale over time, which is why you need to clean your iron.
• Self-cleaning system This helps you get rid of any limescale that does form. We've found that some systems require lots of time and effort (for example, soaking the filter in lemon juice for four hours), so check our reviews.
• Comfortable handle The best handles are soft or smooth and not too wide. Some handles can rub uncomfortably after you've been ironing for a while.
• Thin, tapered soleplate This type of soleplate is easy to slide under buttons and into tight pleats. Chunky soleplates tend to snag on buttons and zips.
• Auto shut-off This turns off your iron if it's not used for a while, which is handy if you're ever worried about whether you've forgotten to switch it off.
• Easy-to-fill tank Look for a wide filler hole. Also check that it has clear maximum-fill markings – otherwise water will glug back out.