The best irons you can buy to smooth out wrinkles

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

The Insider Pick:

• We readily admit no likes to iron clothes, but just because you don’t like to do it, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have the best iron to do the job. The Rowenta DW5080 Focus 1700-Watt iron is our top pick because it has 400 steam holes in the sole plate, which results in a precise delivery of steam that will destroy any wrinkles. 

Most people don’t like to do laundry. It's not really ground-breaking information, admittedly. But think about how hard people worked to do laundry several decades ago, and you’ll feel pretty silly when you’re complaining about throwing laundry into a machine, pressing a button, and returning in a couple of hours to clean clothes.

Most people don’t like to do ironing, either. And unfortunately, there’s no magic ironing machine in which you can throw wrinkled clothing and returned to freshly pressed garments. But that doesn’t mean modern irons run exactly like they did several decades ago. Actually, modern irons offer features that simplify the process of ironing and make it safer.

The best way to work through a job you don’t like to do is to have the right tool that at least makes the job go faster. That's why we’ve picked out the best irons you can buy. Before we get to our picks, here are some things to keep in mind.

Key considerations for irons

If the only time you eagerly pick up an iron is when you’re trying to be the first to grab the best token when playing Monopoly, you might not know about the great features newer irons have that improve safety and quality. These features will help you finish the chore faster. 

• Automatic shut-off: Better Homes & Gardens says this is a nice safety feature because the iron turns off whenever it sits motionless for a certain period of time. The auto shut-off feature can help prevent a fire if the iron happens to tip over when you step away.
• Self-cleaning: Removing any scale deposits with a self-cleaning feature is important to the overall longevity of the iron. Scaling can cause the steam holes to become plugged, leaving them inoperable. 
• Steam burst button: The steam button provides a quick burst of steam for stubborn wrinkles. It’s a common feature on newer irons that works especially well on thicker fabrics.
• Steam dial: Having the ability to adjust the amount of steam the iron provides at any time can help you achieve more success with ironing, according to The Spruce. 
• Temperature control: Precise temperature control is important in an iron, because different garments require different temperatures, as Choice explains.
• Transparent water tank: Being able to see the water level in the tank ensures you can fill it if needed before starting to iron, rather than unknowingly running out of water in the middle of an ironing job because you couldn’t see the water level.
• Vertical steaming: Some irons will allow you to blast steam as you’re holding the iron in a vertical position, which allows you to remove wrinkles from clothing that’s hanging, almost like a garment steamer.
• Weight: Some people prefer an iron that doesn’t carry much weight, as it’s easier for them to lift and carry. Others like a heavier iron that can help them really press down on clothes.

Designs of irons

A variety of iron designs will allow you to have success with removing wrinkles from garments. However, the different designs do cause individual irons to have their own strengths and weaknesses, as shown by Consumer Reports. In other words, all irons are not created equal.

• Conventional: The conventional iron has a teardrop shape with a flat edge. The bottom of the iron’s sole plate has small holes where the iron can release steam. This steam system allows the iron to remove wrinkles faster than an iron without steam capabilities. Whereas older conventional irons required distilled water to avoid problems with calcium buildup, newer irons feature anti-calcium valves and self-cleaning settings, so they can use tap water.
• Cordless: A cordless iron runs from a battery, rather than making use of a power cord plugged into an electrical outlet. However, the performance level of cordless irons has been inconsistent, as they typically don’t have enough power to generate the kind of heat and steam corded irons create.
• Mini: A small iron works great as a travel iron, but it definitely is not meant for heavy-duty work. If you know someone who has trouble lifting a full-size iron, perhaps a lightweight mini travel iron will be a better option for them.
• Sole plate options: Different iron designs will feature different materials in the sole plate, as explained by The Ironing Room. Ceramic is probably the most popular, as it won’t stick to clothing, but longevity is a bit of a question mark. Stainless steel sole plates are less expensive than ceramic and distribute heat well, but they could stick. Aluminum sole plates are cheap, but they don’t tend to heat as evenly as other options.
• Steam or no steam: Most modern irons are steam irons, meaning they heat water stored in an onboard tank, then release the steam through holes in the sole plate. As Lowe’s discusses, look for an iron that also allows you to shut off the steam function whenever desired to provide more versatility.

Although the Rowenta DW5080 Focus 1700-Watt Micro Steam Iron is our top pick, for the reasons laid out in the slides below, you should also consider the Panasonic NI-WL600 Cordless Iron, the Ivation Small Mini Iron, the Oliso TG1600 Smart Iron, and the Black & Decker D2030 Professional Steam Iron. 

The best iron overall

Rowenta

Why you'll love it: Rowenta's Focus 1700-Watt iron is well-built and its ability to deliver consistent steam is unparalleled.

Rowenta irons are extremely popular and with good reason. These irons have the latest features, all of which command an above average price point.

The best of the best in the Rowenta family is the DW5080 Focus 1700-Watt iron. Its sleek look is great. You may not think it’s all that important to have a beautiful iron, but you might as well look good while you’re doing your chores, right?

The Ironing Room review mentions the strong build quality of the DW5080, which is made in Germany. Many cheaper irons are made in China. One Amazon buyer appreciated the quick heating speed of the Rowenta DW5080, which saves time.

The Life Unwrinkled review focused on the precise steam delivery of the Rowenta iron, which has an amazing 400 steam holes in the sole plate. Tech Gear Lab also highlighted the excellent steam capability of this iron, adding that the sole plate allows for a smooth glide over any fabric.

Some Amazon reviewers were disappointed in the heavy weight of this iron, but others like it for pressing wrinkles out of clothes. Some worried about the iron's longevity, but most buyers were happy with it.

Pros: Excellent steam delivery capability, heats up quickly to save time, great looking iron, built in Germany, sole plate provides a smooth glide over fabrics, precision tip is great for ironing around buttons

Cons: Above average price, heavy iron

Buy the Rowenta DW5080 Focus 1700-Watt Micro Steam Iron on Amazon for $73.49 (originally $100)

The best cordless iron

Panasonic

Why you'll love it: If you’re worried about a kid, a dog, or you tripping over the electrical cord on your steam iron, try the safer cordless Panasonic NI-WL600 Iron.

Most tools and appliances work better when you are able to remove the electrical cord from the equation. Cordless power drills, cordless phones, and Wi-Fi Internet service are all great. And if you want to take this idea a step further by deciding a cordless iron is the way to go, the best one is the Panasonic NI-WL600 Cordless Iron.

When you’re ironing, you’ve probably become frustrated at some point with having to work around the electrical cord, as it always seems to be in the way. And then there’s the chance of tripping over the cord while the iron is hot, knocking it over and causing scorch marks or potentially a fire. So having a cordless iron is a great benefit, according to many Amazon reviewers like this one.

The Ironing Room review points out that Panasonic dominates the cordless iron market, and the company has a lot of experience developing this type of iron. Panasonic gave the WL600 points on both ends of the sole plate – it almost looks like a flat football – which makes it easier to iron, as you can move the unit back and forth without placing new creases in the garment, according to the Iron Expert Labs review.

Wired also likes the small size of the docking station you’ll use to charge the iron, as you can store the docking station on a countertop or even place it on the end of an ironing board.

One downside to cordless irons is that they don’t reach as high temperatures as corded irons, which was a complaint among several Amazon buyers.

Pros: Removal of cord makes ironing easier and safer, charging dock is small, heats up quickly, sole plate has points on both ends for easier ironing, offers both steam and dry ironing, trusted name for cordless irons in Panasonic

Cons: Struggles to match corded irons in terms of high temperatures, above average price point

Buy the Panasonic NI-WL600 Cordless Iron on Amazon for $77.96

The best travel iron

Ivation

Why you'll love it: If you don’t have room for a full-size iron in your travel bag, but you need pressed clothes when you arrive, the Ivation Small Mini Iron will do the job.

For travelers, packing clothing properly is a challenge. You want to carry as few bags as possible, which usually means cramming clothing until the bags are full, and producing unwanted wrinkles. So try packing the Ivation Small Mini Iron inside your bag, too, and you’ll have the ability to remove the wrinkles.

The First Class Travel Guide was impressed with the speed with which this small iron heats up, saving you time when ironing. And even though this is a small iron, you’ll still have some nice features such as steam control and three heat levels, as shown in the Iron Expert Labs review.

The ceramic coated sole plate on the Ivation travel iron gives it the ability to glide freely across all garments, according to Jen Reviews. In fact, one Amazon reviewer says the Ivation Mini Iron works great for ironing the thin seams on quilts, too.

However, a few Amazon buyers say the small iron doesn’t reach high enough temperatures or produce enough steam to take out tough wrinkles.

Pros: Small iron that will fit easily in a travel bag, low price point, nice to find three temperature options in such a small iron, offers steam capability, iron heats up quickly, sole plate doesn’t stick to garments

Cons: Doesn’t offer as much heat or steam as a full-size iron, too small for deep wrinkles

Buy the Ivation Small Mini Iron on Amazon for $24.99

See the rest of the story at Business Insider