A steam iron is judged by wattage, the soleplate, how much steam it puts out and how the cord and water tank are set up. Compact irons suit quick touch-ups, while higher-wattage models list stronger steam bursts for thick fabrics.
The six irons below range from a 1200 watt compact model to a 1750 watt iron with a steam boost figure and an LED display. Wattage, soleplates and steam figures come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these irons ourselves. Steam and speed claims are the makers’ own.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Wattage | Higher wattage usually means stronger steam output |
| Soleplate | Nonstick and stainless steel plates glide differently |
| Steam controls | Burst, spray and vertical steam suit different fabrics |
| Cord | Length and retractable designs change how it handles and stores |
Specs at a Glance
| Iron | Power and soleplate | Steam | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BLACK+DECKER IR40V | 1200 W; nonstick | Spray mist and steam burst | 10.4 x 5.8 in; 2-year warranty |
| Rowenta Focus Excel | 1725 W; 400+ holes | Boost up to 135 g/min; continuous up to 35 g/min | 11.78 x 5.46 in; 1-year warranty |
| BLACK+DECKER IR06V | 1200 W; soleplate listed two ways | Burst, spray and vertical steam | 230 ml tank; dual position cord |
| Hamilton Beach 14214 | 1200 W; stainless steel | Spray, burst and vertical steam | 8 ft retractable cord |
| Rowenta Focus DW5382 | 1750 W; stainless steel | Boost up to 180 g/min | LED display; 5 presets |
| BLACK+DECKER Allure | 1600 W; stainless steel | Variable steam; vertical steam | Auto clean system; 11.4 x 5.8 in |
The 6 Best Steam Irons
1. BLACK+DECKER Easy Steam Compact Iron IR40V
A 1200 watt compact iron measuring 10.4 by 5.8 inches with a TrueGlide nonstick soleplate, an anti-drip design, a spray mist button, a steam burst button and an easy-fill translucent tank. The maker lists a three-way auto shutoff and a two-year warranty.
Suits: everyday shirts and linens. Strengths: a light, simple design. Weaknesses: the lowest wattage in the group. Skip it if you press thick fabrics.
View BLACK+DECKER Easy Steam Compact Iron IR40V 1200 Watts on Amazon
2. Rowenta Focus Excel Steam Iron DW5280
A 1725 watt iron with a steam boost of up to 135 grams per minute and continuous steam of up to 35 grams per minute from over 400 holes. It has variable steam, a self-clean function, an anti-calc system and anti-drip protection, and a one-year warranty. The title says Grey while the spec table says Blue.
Suits: thick fabrics and heavy creases. Strengths: high wattage and variable steam. Weaknesses: a color mismatch on the page. Skip it if you want a small iron.
View Rowenta Focus Excel Steam Iron DW5280 1725 Watts on Amazon
3. BLACK+DECKER Easy Steam Compact Iron IR06V
A 1200 watt compact iron, 10 by 5.3 inches, with SmartSteam control that adjusts steam to the temperature setting, a dual position cord, side-by-side spray mist and burst buttons, vertical steam and a 230 ml tank. The title names a TrueGlide nonstick soleplate but a feature line says stainless steel, so confirm which before you order.
Suits: small jobs and hanging touch-ups. Strengths: a cord that toggles out of the way. Weaknesses: a soleplate conflict on the page. Skip it if you need a certain soleplate.
View BLACK+DECKER Easy Steam Compact Iron IR06V Vertical Steam on Amazon
4. Hamilton Beach Steam Iron with Retractable Cord
A 1200 watt iron with a stainless steel soleplate, an 8 foot retractable cord, spray and burst buttons and a vertical steam function for hanging clothes. The maker says it heats up in under a minute. The spec table is partly broken, so we used the feature list.
Suits: a tidy cord and storage. Strengths: a long retractable cord. Weaknesses: a garbled spec table. Skip it if you want a higher wattage.
View Hamilton Beach Steam Iron with Retractable Cord 1200 Watts on Amazon
5. Rowenta Focus Steam Iron DW5382
A 1750 watt iron with a stainless steel soleplate, a steam boost of up to 180 grams per minute, an LED display with five presets and a precision tip. The maker says it is ready in about 30 seconds and has an extra-long cord and anti-drip protection.
Suits: thick fabrics and detail work. Strengths: the strongest steam boost figure here. Weaknesses: the page gives no size. Skip it if you want a small iron.
View Rowenta Focus Steam Iron DW5382 1750 Watts on Amazon
6. BLACK+DECKER Allure Professional Steam Iron
A 1600 watt iron, 11.4 by 5.8 inches, with a stainless steel soleplate, a precision tip, vertical steam, an auto clean system and separate temperature and steam controls. The maker claims 30 percent more steam than two named competitors, which is its own comparison.
Suits: a mid-range wattage. Strengths: separate temperature and steam controls. Weaknesses: the steam claim is the maker’s. Skip it if you want a retractable cord.
View BLACK+DECKER Allure Professional Steam Iron 1600 Watts on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Fill the tank to the marked line with the water type the maker names.
- Let the iron heat fully before using steam.
- Wipe the soleplate with a damp cloth once it has cooled.
- Empty the tank before storing the iron.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring the fabric label when setting the dial.
- Skipping the cool-down before cleaning.
- Comparing steam figures from different makers as if they were equal.
- Overlooking a listing that conflicts with itself.
Steam Iron FAQ
Does higher wattage matter?
It usually points to stronger steam. The Rowenta irons list 1725 and 1750 watts, the compact BLACK+DECKER models 1200.
Which can steam hanging clothes?
The IR06V, Hamilton Beach and Allure list vertical steam.
The Short Version
For a light compact iron, the IR40V. For strong steam and a self-clean function, the Rowenta Focus Excel. For a toggling cord, the IR06V. For a retractable cord, the Hamilton Beach. For an LED display and the biggest boost figure, the Rowenta DW5382. For separate controls, the Allure.
