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The 10 best irons to buy in the UK

Picture of a iron

The best irons leave your clothes, linens, and other fabrics looking better than ever, yet knowing what type of iron best suits your needs can be difficult. There are many types of irons available and each one can be a great addition to your home, so let’s check out everything you need to know with our handy iron buying guide.

What are irons?

An iron is a small appliance that uses high heat to remove the creases from clothes and fabrics. It features a flat metal plate that heats to various temperatures when the iron is powered, which is then pressed against the surface of a fabric to remove any creases, usually on top of a portable ironing board.

Why should you buy a good iron?

A good steam iron is a must-have for any home. It allows you to easily remove creases from clothes made from any fabric, leaving them looking fresh, neat, and wrinkle-free. Moreover, ironing can improve the lifespan of clothes, as the fibres are worked in such a way that ironing increases their longevity.

While ironing seems like a chore, it’s well worth the time and effort. From improving self-confidence because your clothes look great to killing off germs that may have slipped through the cracks during washing, the best iron offers plenty of benefits for every user.

How to choose the right iron in 2024?

Another picture of a iron

Here are a few things to consider when buying the best irons:

  • Soleplate Material: The soleplate of the iron will impact how it works so always think carefully before you choose. Most irons use a ceramic plate, which is great at conducting and distributing heat, although sometimes they can stick to delicate fabrics and can break down over time. Stainless steel is another great heat conductor and is highly durable, while titanium is similarly durable and won’t cause any sticking, although both tend to be costlier than ceramic.
  • Soleplate Size: Another important consideration to make is the size of the soleplate. The bigger this is the quicker you can iron, although it’s also going to make the iron heavier to use. It’s always recommended to select a larger soleplate in most instances, as it provides an even amount of high-quality steam for better crease removal.
  • Steam Pressure: If you want to buy a steam iron, then look out for a continuous steam pressure which is usually given in grams per minute, as this determines how efficient they are at ironing. For example, a steam iron should have at least 50g/minute of continuous steam pressure, whilegood garment steamers or steam generators tend to need higher settings closer to 150g/minute. Anything lower won’t be as good at ironing.

What is the best kind of iron in the UK?

Here are some of the most popular types of irons currently available to buy:

  • Dry Irons: An older type of iron but still widely available, dry irons are less efficient at ironing because they lack a water chamber and therefore the ability to generate steam. They can still iron well, especially on thinner materials, yet lack the versatility of other types of iron.
  • Steam Irons: The best all-round iron, a steam iron features a water tank and holes on the soleplate to generate steam on the fabric. Steam makes ironing quicker and more efficient, so it’s generally much easier to use. It’s also highly versatile, coming with various heat settings to accommodate different materials.
  • Steam Generators: Much larger than a steam iron, a steam generator uses higher volumes of steam for prolonged periods. This makes it the best iron for ironing large piles of clothes, as they hold much more steam so don’t need to be refilled. While more efficient, they also cost more than other types.

Top 10 list of irons in the UK (2024)

The bestseller list compares brands and their irons. Which iron is the best?
Best choice TOP 1
Image of Russell Hobbs 23060 iron
Russell Hobbs Supreme Steam Iron, Powerful vertical steam function,…
  • 35g Steam shot
  • Continuous steam and burst of steam
  • Stainless steel soleplate glides through tough creases with ease
BUY NOW
TOP 2
Image of Russell Hobbs 20630 iron
Russell Hobbs Power Steam Ultra Iron, Ceramic Non-stick soleplate,…
  • Note: Water droplets are due to function test during assembly quality testing. Water…
  • Prolonging its life and maintaining performance a self-cleaning function will ensure…
  • 3100 W of high-powered performance gives this power steam ultra a speedy heat-up…
BUY NOW
TOP 3
Image of Russell Hobbs 25580 iron
Russell Hobbs My Iron Steam Iron, Ceramic Soleplate, 260ml Water Tank,…
  • Iron with flexibility due to the two metre power cord, great for reaching across…
  • Perfect for households with hard water, the self-clean function takes the hassle…
  • Forget the days of having to fill up half way through the pile with the 260ml water…
BUY NOW
Offer TOP 4
Image of Russell Hobbs 23061 iron
Russell Hobbs Supreme Steam Iron, Powerful vertical steam function,…
  • Before leaving the manufacturer, all the irons are being tested for functionality…
  • Soft touch handle and dial.
  • Easy fill 300 ml tank.
BUY NOW
TOP 5
Image of Morphy Richards 300302 iron
Morphy Richards Gold Crystal Clear Steam Iron - 35g Steam Output -…
  • 120g steam boost at the touch of a button
  • Auto shut-off after 8 minutes of disuse
  • Extra long 2.5m cord for free and easy ironing
BUY NOW
TOP 6
Image of Russell Hobbs 23972 iron
Russell Hobbs Pearl Glide Steam Iron, Pearl Infused Ceramic Soleplate…
  • Please ensure the iron control dial is correctly set to steam for this to operate.…
  • Self-clean feature helps to prevent the build-up of limescale which can help lengthen…
  • Anti-drip feature means water won’t drip onto your clothes as you iron and…
BUY NOW
TOP 7
Image of Tower T22021GLD iron
Tower T22021GLD Ceraglide Steam Iron with Fast Heat-Up, Extra Long…
  • 3 YEAR GUARANTEE: Trusted Tower quality with a standard 1-year manufacturer’s…
  • FASTER HEAT-UP: This 3100W steam iron heats up 20% quicker than a standard iron –…
  • EXTRA-LONG 3M CORD: Enjoy more freedom and less restriction while you work with a…
BUY NOW
TOP 8
Image of Tower T22008 iron
Tower T22008 CeraGlide Cordless Steam Iron with Ceramic Soleplate…
  • 3 YEAR GUARANTEE: Trusted Tower quality with a standard 1 year guarantee and optional…
  • 360ML WATER TANK: The large capacity water tank is great for bigger loads of laundry,…
  • LONG LIFE SPAN: Anti-drip, anti-calc and self-cleaning functions ensure the iron…
BUY NOW
TOP 9
Image of Braun SI 3055 BK iron
Braun House Hold BK TexStyle 3 SI 3055 Steam Iron, Plastic, 2400…
  • Ergonomic design. The soft grip handle ensures a secure and steady grip while ir…
  • Rapid heat up Iron ready with Max setting in 35 Seconds
  • Precision tip. The triangular shaped precision zone at the tip of the iron allows…
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TOP 10
Image of Tefal FV9845G1 iron
Tefal Ultimate Pure Steam Iron, 260g/min Steam Boost, 350ml Water…
  • Repairable for 10 years: Designed for low-cost, easy repair for 10 years; fast delivery…
  • Less refilling: 350ml water tank for uninterrupted sessions
  • Ultra-manoeuvrable: Extra-long 3m power cord for freedom of movement while ironi…
BUY NOW
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We participate in the Amazon Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We consider only products that are available on Amazon while the ranking is based on factors such as customer reviews, number of sales and keyword. Last Update: 2024/07/27.