Beauty and health of teeth 

How to choose an iron for your home: professional advice. Characteristics of modern irons

One of those home appliances that no family can do without. Usually it does not cost a lot of money, but we use it regularly - so why not pay more attention to choosing a more comfortable, functional and simply beautiful model? The comfortable handle, light weight of the iron and additional features will definitely make ironing faster and more enjoyable.

A high-quality iron can be purchased for fifty dollars or three hundred - it all depends on your needs and wishes. Is it worth spending an extra hundred or two hundred dollars on this device? We hope this article will help you answer this question.

In the next section, we will talk about the most important parameters of irons that you should pay attention to when choosing a particular model, and in the next one, we will give some practical advice. In the last section, we will talk about a dozen models worthy of your attention that you can find and buy in our catalog.

Key features to look out for

Power, W

Everything is very simple here - the more energy the iron consumes, the better (in general) it irons and steams clothes. The recommended power of a good modern iron is at least 2000 watts.

Sole material and surface finish

Most often, the soles of irons are made of stainless steel (strong, durable, glides well) or ceramics (brittle, but cleans well and glides well). There are also models with a sole made of aluminum (not as durable as steel, but heats up quickly, which allows you to quickly start ironing), cermet (stronger than conventional ceramics), titanium and Teflon (the most durable materials).

However, now it is not so much the material of the sole of the iron that is important, but the special coating, which is developed by the engineers of each company separately. Each company strives to name their coating (or several types of coatings) something catchy - for example, Palladium glissee or T-ionicGlide. Unfortunately, it is difficult to say anything specific about such coatings - when choosing a specific model, it is best to refer to its independent tests from specialized sites.

Possibility of use on the road

Some models of irons are classified as travel irons - they are small, light and are sold with covers or carrying bags. For those who are often on business trips, such an iron can come in handy, for the rest it is unlikely, since the power of "road" models is much lower than that of ordinary ones.

For obvious reasons, batteries and accumulators are not used in such irons.

Steam supply

Most modern irons have special holes in the soleplate through which hot steam is supplied during ironing. It helps a lot to quickly smooth out even the most wrinkled clothes and prevents them from spoiling. We do not recommend buying an iron without this function.

Steam supply rate, g/min

Depends on the power of the iron and the number of holes in the soleplate. Not such an important parameter - the main thing is that this steam should exist at all. A level of 25-35 g / min is considered acceptable, and for expensive ones, the feed rate reaches 50 g / min.

steam boost

Pressing a separate button on models with this function allows you to release several times more steam from the soleplate - this will be very helpful when ironing very thick and very dry fabrics. The "Steam boost" function is present in most modern models. Typically, the steam rate during a burst of steam is three to four times higher than the normal steam rate. In most cases, 100-130 g / min is enough, but if you are going to iron something especially thick, it does not hurt to take a closer look at expensive models, whose steam rate reaches 200 g / min during a burst of steam.

steam generator

The steam generator is a separate unit with a water tank and its heater. Thanks to its large capacity, ironing with such an iron can take much longer than with conventional irons - the water that is used to generate steam will have to be topped up much less frequently. However, this design also has a minus - the steam generator is connected to the iron with a special hose (which can easily withstand high temperature and pressure), which may not be very convenient to use.

Water tank volume

The larger this reservoir, the less often you will have to add water to the iron to create steam. You can roughly calculate the water consumption by dividing the volume of the tank by the weight of steam that is released in one minute.

Vertical steam

This feature is also present in almost all modern models. It allows you to steam things hanging on a hanger, thin fabrics and sensitive materials such as wool - the hot soleplate of the iron does not come into contact with them.

splashing

Another useful feature for smoothing out difficult creases is that by pressing a separate button, the iron will spray some water on them. Also supported by most modern models.

Dry ironing option

If you sometimes need to quickly iron something that does not require steam, then an iron with this option will be a good choice - it will take much less time to prepare and start ironing without water. In addition, some fabrics are "afraid" of wet ironing and require dry ironing.

Button groove

The presence of a special groove on the sole of the iron helps to iron garments with buttons, but such a groove is very rare. In most cases, you can do without it.

Nozzle for delicate fabrics

Irons sometimes come with a specially designed nozzle that is attached to the sole and allows you to iron very thin and heat-sensitive fabrics without fear of damage. Such a nozzle is usually perfectly smooth and does not heat up above the temperature specified by the manufacturer.

Anti-drip system

More expensive and advanced models that can steam clothes also have a system to prevent water from leaking from holes in the sole. It cannot be called a necessity, but the presence of such a system somewhat facilitates the ironing process - at a low temperature of the sole, water will not leave stains on the fabric.

Self cleaning system

Many irons have a special function for cleaning the insides of dirt and scale - all this comes out along with a strong jet of steam. Irons without such an opportunity will either have to be cleaned on their own, or sent to the scrap much earlier.

Scale protection

If the water in your home is highly saturated with iron, then it is better to look at buying an iron with this function. Such models have special filter cartridges that need to be changed once a month or two. You can also use rods that you can descale yourself. Thanks to their use, scale on the rest of the insides of the device is practically not formed.

Auto power off

If you consider yourself an inattentive or forgetful person, then models with this function are designed just for you - such irons themselves turn off when inactive for a certain period of time. With them the phrase "I forgot the iron at home!" loses its meaning - the threat of fire is no longer worth it.

Wireless use

Very rare models of irons are heated using a special stand that is connected to the mains - the iron itself does not have wires, which makes ironing a little more convenient. A little - because its sole has to be constantly heated on a stand. Usually these models are more expensive than others.

Pay attention to the weight of the iron that you are going to buy - the smaller it is, the easier and more pleasant the ironing process will be. This is also affected by the length of the cord (pre-determine the place for ironing at home and the presence of a nearby outlet).

Inspect the junction of the cord with the body of the iron - it is better if a special hinge is used for this. In addition, many irons have a special groove on the body, in which the cord fits perfectly while the device is stored.

Irons with a transparent body or (semi)transparent inserts on it make it easy to determine the amount of liquid remaining inside by eye and top it up in time.

As with other electronics, the most important characteristic of an iron is its reliability. If the design of the device is flimsy, then it is better to refuse the purchase - you can’t stroke a lot with a broken iron, and you will have to spend time and money on repairs. Time and money can usually be saved by choosing an iron from a reputable and established company like Tefal, Philips, Braun, Bosch, etc.

If possible, try holding the iron in your hand - evaluate the convenience of using it (handle, weight, availability of buttons) personally.

Today we will consider with you another household device that will help our clothes always have a beautiful well-groomed look - iron. In this article, you will learn what are irons, what are their main characteristics, and also pay attention to the correct choice of iron. So...

Iron ( English iron) - an element for smoothing out wrinkles and wrinkles on clothes. The process of smoothing is called ironing or ironing. An iron is one of the main assistants of any housewife. How pleasant, easy and fast the ironing process will largely depend on its correct choice. And, accordingly, how neat and tidy your clothes will be. Before making the final choice of iron, read the information below, and it should help you choose the right iron for you.

How to choose an iron?

The main characteristics of the iron, which you need to pay attention to when choosing it:

Power

The higher the power of the iron, the faster it heats up, saving time, and the more efficient ironing.

– 1400-1500 W The iron will work fine on almost any fabric.

– 1800-1900 W, this suggests that the iron will not only perfectly smooth out even strong tissue wrinkles, but also heat up quickly.

– 2000 W and more comparable to professional devices.

Sole

The basis of the iron is made of aluminum, steel and their derivatives. The simplest and most common soles are from ordinary stainless steel. This material is very durable, does not scratch, heats up and cools down quite quickly, glides over the fabric quite easily, and is easy to clean. In case of contamination, such irons can be easily cleaned with any detergent powders and warm water.

Another option is teflon coating. But he has one bad property - he is afraid of metal, metal buttons and zippers will quickly scratch such a sole. Irons with a sole made of aluminum are quite common. Irons with such a soleplate heat up and cool down very quickly (faster than with a steel soleplate), and they are also quite cheap. But with careless handling, damage may appear on the sole, which in turn can leave puffs or cuts on clothing. If you do not observe the temperature regime, then the synthetic fabric may stick to the soleplate of the iron, as a result, both the device and the clothes will be damaged.

One of the latest innovations is ceramic-metal sole(e.g. Cera-glisse). Such an iron glides easily over the fabric without wrinkling it, it is quite easy to clean it. Think about how often you drop your iron. If such cases are not uncommon for you, cermet is not for you, since it is inferior in strength to other coatings.

The highest rank to date is sapphire-coated sole. She is not afraid of not only lightning, but also metal buttons.

Another technological innovation clump. Such an iron can be ironed without gauze - there will be no shine on the fabric, silk and synthetics will not shrink. And if you remove the second sole, you get an ordinary iron, which can be used to iron the most recalcitrant fabrics.

Pay attention to the presence of a groove on the sole. It is designed to easily iron under the buttons, even on blouses made of very thin fabrics. And the "Drip-stop" system prevents water from flowing out of the steam holes on the sole.

Ironing modes

- One dot and the inscription "nylon" and "silk" means that in this mode it is allowed to iron silk, nylon, chiffon and other light fabrics.

- Two dots and the inscription "wool" means that wool and wool mixture are ironed in this mode.

- Three dots and the inscription "cotton" and "linen" indicate the possibility of ironing in this mode cotton, linen, tweed, drape and other fabrics that are difficult to iron and require high temperatures.

If you can not decide on the temperature regime, look at the tag on the product. It will necessarily indicate the optimal heating of the soleplate of the iron.

A high-quality iron must accurately maintain the temperature indicated on the regulator. This is especially important for synthetics and silk. A soft rubber pad on the regulator will ensure a clear setting of the mode.

Steam humidification system

In modern irons, there are several options for supplying steam:

steam boost- enhanced steam function, convenient for processing overdried items, denim and linen products.

Vertical steam- steam supply in the vertical position of the iron. Necessary for ironing coats, jackets. At the same time, products can not be removed from the hanger.

In modern irons, the number of steam supply modes has about six degrees of intensity. Moreover, the thicker the fabric and the more crumpled it is, the more intense the steam supply should be. If the maximum steam output is 15 g/min, you are unlikely to be able to iron thick fabrics with such indicators.

For efficient and uniform steaming, holes should be located throughout the soleplate, or special grooves for steam supply can be laid on it.

spraying

Pay attention to the presence of such a function as "Spray", which provides a spray of water to moisten the surface of the product during ironing.

water tank

A transparent container is ideal: through it you can clearly see how much water is left. When choosing, you should also pay attention to how conveniently water is poured.

Safety system

Almost every iron has an anti-lime rod or a cartridge (built-in or removable) to soften the water. Unfortunately, such systems do not always completely prevent the formation of scale. To do this, some models are equipped with a self-cleaning iron key.

Also, some models of irons are equipped with a convenient automatic shut-off function: if the iron remains stationary in a horizontal position for more than 30 seconds or in a vertical position for more than 8 minutes. This completely eliminates the possibility of a fire.

Cleaning the iron from scale

To clean the iron from scale, it is best to use professional products, the so-called "Antinakipin", because. at home, actions with the help of citric acid and other folk remedies, after some time, lead to damage to the iron. Antinakipin can be purchased at home appliance stores, and they are inexpensive, but last for a long time.

Important! It is not recommended to use folk remedies instead of antiscale, such as soda and citric acid, because. If these products are used incorrectly, the product can quickly fail. Additional remedies for scale, and in general about scale, can be found in this article.

Power cord

The longer the cord, the less constrained you will be when ironing.

Some models have a cord ball to prevent twisting of the cord during ironing, it allows it to rotate 360 ​​°, which prevents the winding from rubbing quickly.

In addition, modern models are also available - wireless. The iron is located on a special stand to which the wire is connected. That is, the iron heats up only when it is standing on it. Work without a cord looks very attractive, but, unfortunately, the sole cools down quickly (within 30-60 s). You can’t particularly iron big things with such an iron, but for any small things this option is very convenient.

Weight

The iron should not be too heavy so that it is comfortable to hold it in your hand, and not too light to ensure high-quality smoothing of the fabric without pressure.

A reliable, high-quality iron is the key to good ironing and, as a result, a respectable appearance. Therefore, it is so important not to make a mistake with its purchase. How to choose the right iron so that it is convenient, practical, durable and at the same time copes with all the tasks assigned to it, we will tell you in this article.

Types of modern irons

All irons that are produced in our time can be divided into three main groups:

  • ordinary;
  • steam;
  • with built-in steam generator.

First are becoming less and less common. They do not have a steaming function and cope with ironing only with the help of temperature effects on the fabric. The sole of such a device is smooth, without holes for the release of steam.

Second models are more popular. They have a built-in tank where water is poured. Under the influence of high temperature, it evaporates, forming steam, which helps in the ironing process. As a rule, such devices have the functions of vertical and horizontal steaming, and their bottom is equipped with small holes from where hot steam comes out.

Third the group refers more to professional ironing devices. They are equipped with a built-in or free-standing steam generator that produces stable steam and a capacious tank that ensures a constant supply of water. Outwardly, these are very bulky units, designed for long-term ironing of clothes without interruption.

Which iron is better is up to you. We will consider the most popular, second group, designed for the average average buyer.

Advice! Before choosing an iron in the store, read the reviews of real buyers on the forums. A preliminary review will save you from a bad purchase.

sole material

When choosing an iron, first of all, pay attention to its base - the sole. The quality of ironing largely depends on what material it is made of.

Aluminum outsole heats up quickly, easy to clean and light weight. The disadvantages of this material include its vulnerability to mechanical stress. Irregularities on the sole can lead to the appearance of hooks on the fabric and burning. Therefore, if you decide to choose an iron with an aluminum base, then do not be stingy with purchasing a removable pad for delicate fabrics with it. It will protect your belongings and extend the life of the device.

Stainless steel, or stainless steel- durable, inexpensive and easy to clean. This is one of the most common materials for mid-range appliances. Scratch resistance allows you to use it for ironing clothes with metal parts and not be careful when cleaning.

Ceramic sole and metal-ceramic- modern materials that provide easy ironing without sticking and burning of the fabric. The disadvantage of such a foundation is its fragility. One gentle blow is enough to damage it.

titanium surface- one of the most durable at the moment. Unfortunately, it is also quite expensive. Teflon and glass ceramics belong to the same price category. The convenience of their use in terms of ease of sliding slightly spoils their vulnerability to mechanical impact.

Shape and usability

We look at the appearance of the iron first of all. However, it is necessary to choose not the most beautiful, but the most convenient in terms of operation. Not only the shape is important here, but also the weight, as well as the length of the cord and the comfort of the handle.

A narrow iron is convenient to iron small parts of clothing. A wide one will speed up work on large surfaces. From a light iron, the hand will be less tired, however, a heavy one fits more tightly to the surface of the fabric, which means that the quality of ironing will be better.

Cord length- Another important point. The larger it is, the easier it is to operate the device. It is even better if it is completely absent, as in wireless models. However, such irons, unfortunately, quickly cool down.

The shape and comfort of the handle is equally important. In order to choose a good comfortable iron, take it in your hand and move it a little on a horizontal surface. If something interferes, then it will immediately come to light as a result of such an experiment. Before choosing an iron, turn it from side to side, listen to your feelings. Keep in mind that the slightest inconvenience will turn ironing into a hard, unpleasant job, while a comfortable handle will make it easier.

Advice! Choose well-known companies that have been on the market for many years. They tend to care about the quality of their products and give them a long warranty.

Main technical characteristics

Choosing a good, powerful enough iron will help a thorough study of its technical characteristics. The main ones are:

  • power;
  • temperature regime;
  • the volume of the water tank;
  • humidification system.

Power- the higher it is, the better. High-quality ironing starts from 1500 watts.

The ability of the iron to maintain a predetermined temperature regime will avoid damage to items made of delicate fabrics.

The volume of the water tank affects the ironing time. The larger it is, the less you will spend on filling it.

The humidification system of many irons has the function of vertical steam, steam boost, spray. Their presence will make it easy to cope with even the most resistant, overdried tissues.

Additional functions

The presence or absence of additional functions will also help you choose which iron is better. Perhaps they are not as important as the main ones, but they add a lot of comfort when working.

For example, the anti-drip system prevents water from escaping from the steam holes. The anti-scale function will prolong the life of the appliance, and the presence of a groove for buttons will make it easier to iron shirts and blouses.

fire fighting system- another very useful innovation. It turns off the current supply as soon as it detects that the device does not move for 10-15 minutes. This feature will prevent the risk of a fire hazard if you forget to turn off the iron.

Modern irons have other additional features, whether you need them or not, it's up to you.

The shelves of household appliances stores are literally bursting with an abundance of all kinds of new products and attractive-looking irons. "How to choose an iron?" women ask, “Which iron to choose? How to sort through the huge list of the most modern irons, which, at first glance, have only extremely necessary functions?

When did man come up with the idea of ​​smoothing things? Most likely, this happened when beautiful fabrics appeared instead of skins, and instead of a simple straight panel - an elegant cut of things. One way or another, irons as devices for giving garments a well-groomed and smoothed look arose a very, very long time ago.

Ancient irons found at archaeological sites were of impressive size and were very heavy. Their owners (no one doubts that the main users are women) probably did not have much choice which iron to purchase, they did not differ in variety.

It is a completely different matter - our days, when the design, functionality and cost of irons are so diverse that they just run up their eyes! Our tips for choosing the right assistant in terms of smoothing things and keeping them attractive will certainly help you, you just need to carefully read some of the subtleties that you must pay attention to when buying!

How to choose the right iron - the main characteristics

Before you go to the store for a new, modern and “doing everything” iron, think about what set of functions you would like to have? Maybe you won't need some of the latest developments, or maybe, on the contrary, you will use them quite often?

Let's look at the main characteristics of modern models of irons, and then you can decide which features of the iron are vital for you, and which ones may not be useful to you.

  1. Sole, or lower smoothing surface

The main, main detail that determines the entire efficiency of the iron. See what material the sole is made of. Today, manufacturers produce models with soles made of stainless steel, aluminum, cermets and just ceramics, with a special non-stick coating. The advantages of any material, as well as its disadvantages, are not a secret to anyone, so we will only repeat what you most likely already know so well.

- Aluminum - has a comfortable light weight in use, heats up in a matter of seconds. This is about the positives. The disadvantages include the softness of aluminum as a metal - this can lead to scratches, for example, from metal rivets or buttons getting under the sole. Also, the ability of aluminum to cool down quickly, at about the same rate as it heats up, may not be very convenient.

- Good, old "stainless steel" is durable, reliable and will serve you for a long time. The only drawback is that after a long ironing, your hands may ache, because the steel sole is quite heavy.

– Ceramics and cermets used to cover the soles of irons will make the ironing process pleasant and easy – the material glides smoothly over the surface of the fabric and at the same time provides an excellent result. When buying an iron with a soleplate made of these materials, handle it carefully and carefully - ceramic coatings may be brittle and layered plates will begin to chip off the surface of the iron.

- The “non-stick” coating is very convenient, the fabric under such a sole does not become electrified, does not stick to metal, does not wrinkle. If you have famous “non-stick” brand pans in your kitchen, then you probably already know that metal parts on clothes during ironing can scratch the sensitive “iron” surface, just like a metal spatula can scratch a frying pad.

  1. Reliability and build quality

Carefully inspect the model you like from all sides, check the quality of the connection of all nodes and the fastening of all parts. Loose buttons, dangling covers and latches should immediately alert you and make you think about the advisability of buying. All control switches and latches must firmly and securely fix the selected position, not jump off to neighboring values ​​(for example, the heating or steam intensity regulator).

Of course, not every store will be ready to demonstrate all the possibilities of a new iron; most likely, you will have to limit yourself to only an external examination. But do it as carefully as possible!

— At home, when you turn on and test ironing, pay attention to how the sprayer works - the water droplets supplied from its holes should be the smallest, no jets and streams!

— Steam supply must be carried out without drops of water, even if the regulator is set to the lowest temperature.

- Inspect the electrical wire and its connection to the iron - there should be no cracks, gaps or chips. It will be very good if your new iron is equipped with a wire with a rotating joint - as a rule, the connection between the wire and the iron often fails, twisting and fraying.

“But what if the defects are found already at home?” - attentive readers ask worriedly. Having received a check, a warranty card and other necessary documentation in the store, you can always return or exchange a low-quality product, explaining the reason for your dissatisfaction. As a rule, all stores meet the needs of customers and try to offer only high-quality goods.

  1. temperature controller

What do we advise you to pay attention to when examining the very important switch located in the center of the iron? Many manufacturers do not pay much attention to the temperature range used for ironing things from various fabrics. When the heating temperature on the regulator is indicated by contrasting dots (low - one dot, higher - two, three or four), for some reason the inventor of this model seems to be a male who does not have to iron a variety of things from mixed fabrics. But when the names of fabrics appear on the regulator (silk - silk, wool - wool, cotton - cotton, synthetics - viscose), then there definitely could not have been without a female developer!

  1. The power consumed by the iron when heated

This is a parameter that can be taken into account very conditionally - because for thin, delicate fabrics you will not heat the iron to the maximum, which means that the power consumption will be small and you can save on electricity. On the contrary, to iron cotton or linen, you will need to heat the iron properly, and then the power of the model you choose will determine how quickly the iron can reach the desired temperature.

Iron with steamer

All modern models of irons are equipped with a very convenient device - a steamer, which will help to perfectly smooth out any, even a very crumpled thing. Exposure to hot steam on the surface of the fabric, although extremely effective, can sometimes be undesirable - the structure of the fabric can be damaged, so carefully study all instructions for the care of the product and try all ironing and steaming operations on an inconspicuous area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe garment.

Pay attention to those models in which the steam supply can be adjusted - the intensity of the impact of steam flows on different fabrics should be different.

Which iron to choose: appearance and design

Be sure to hold the iron in your hand, try to press all the buttons, all the switches. First of all, you will have to use the iron, and not your friends who sometimes come to visit, so choose a model that suits you, and someone will not like it!

Heavy iron or light - which one to choose? This is a very individual question and we cannot give unambiguous advice. On the one hand, a light iron will not let you get tired, and you can easily iron a mountain of clothes and bed linen. On the other hand, it will not provide you with a sufficient degree of pressure, and smoothing difficult folds and wrinkles can take time. A heavy iron ideally smooths out any irregularities, however, it will not be easy to deal with graceful frills or folds - try holding a heavy metal appliance almost on weight for a long time!

It is believed that those irons that are not heavier than one and a half kilograms have the optimal weight.

Ergonomics and comfort in the use of buttons, knobs and switches is an important indicator. The whole device of the iron should help you in ironing, and not interfere - pay attention to whether the buttons are conveniently located, whether they switch easily. The handle of the iron should not be thick, otherwise the hand will quickly get tired of holding it, and not thin, in which case ironing will be inconvenient.

Translucent chambers for water, swift lines of the body, attractive colors for finishing - that iron manufacturers just do not invent, trying to increase the sales of their products! Without a doubt, you need to like your new iron. Leading manufacturers - Philips, Siemens, Tefal, Bosch, Scarlett, Rowenta, Braun, Irit do everything possible for this, not forgetting that the iron must, above all, be able to perfectly smooth our things!

On our website, you can find many tips on how to choose your home helpers, such as how to choose a washing vacuum cleaner.

Today we will talk about irons:

Modern irons differ from their predecessors not only in size, weight and convenience. A variety of functions, basic and additional, forms and materials can easily confuse and make it difficult to choose. After all, today it is not just a device for ironing.

This device makes it possible to moisten the fabric, steam it for a more convenient and high-quality process.
Therefore, the question of how to choose a good iron, so that it is light and comfortable, and at the same time high-quality and functional, is quite difficult.

Superficially, it seems that, if not all, then most of them are practically the same. However, it is not. You should choose an iron by carefully studying its functions, some of them will make your work much easier, and some may be completely superfluous.

Important characteristics for choosing an iron

soleplate material

  • Aluminum outsole. An inexpensive metal that has excellent thermal conductivity. Thanks to this, it heats up in a short time, however, it cools down just as quickly. In addition, irons with aluminum soles are short-lived, because this metal is very soft, easily scratched and can damage the fabric during ironing.
  • Stainless steel sole. Unlike the previous material, stainless steel is more durable and scratch resistant. The heating and cooling rate is average. Often such a sole is additionally sprayed and polished, which improves its sliding properties.
  • Teflon soles. Irons with Teflon soles glide perfectly on any fabric, do not spoil or burn through. However, the metal parts of clothing (buttons, zippers) easily scratch the surface, and this causes its deformation.

Ceramic and cermet soles. An ideal, but expensive surface that keeps heat for a long time. Irons with such a surface of the sole are easy to clean, do not wrinkle the fabric when ironing and glide perfectly.

Additional functions of irons

Irons on the modern market are equipped with a set of important features that greatly facilitate the work of housewives.

  • Dry ironing. In the event that steaming can damage delicate fabrics, turning off the steam supply and ironing in a dry, gentle mode is a useful function.
  • Self-cleaning function. Allows you to easily remove scale and other contaminants. It can be implemented using an independent button, and also work simultaneously with a steam boost.
  • Auto power off. The function speaks for itself. It is able to turn off the iron from power in case of inactivity in a vertical position for 10-15 minutes and in a horizontal position for 30 seconds.

Regular irons (no steamer)

Today, ordinary irons are the rarest type of iron. Most manufacturers have taken them out of production due to lack of sufficient demand.
Nevertheless, they can still be found on sale and, if necessary, buy. The absence of additional functions will allow you to save money, and the power will be enough to keep your wardrobe in excellent condition.

Regular iron Jarkoff-800T

With the help of this small, handy and powerful iron - Jarkoff-800T you can easily preserve the beauty of your clothes and excellent appearance. The Teflon coating of the sole glides perfectly over the fabric, which will allow you to iron your laundry quickly and effortlessly.

Expert opinion
A budget but powerful iron without additional features will allow you to save money and ensure quality service for your things. Thanks to the Teflon sole, you can iron your clothes with minimal effort.

Steam irons

Steam is the most common type of influence on the fabric during ironing in our time. It is fed from special holes on the soleplate of the iron, which helps to improve the comfort and quality of ironing, especially if the laundry has been overdried.

Steam irons are light and comfortable, so ironing is quick and not tiring for the hostess. Thanks to the effect of hot steam, the fabric becomes more pliable, the process of ironing the laundry becomes much shorter, and the result is better.

Continuous steam
Steam irons, which are in the majority today, can constantly supply hot steam through the holes in the soleplate, which quickly and efficiently moistens the fabric and smoothes wrinkles on it.

In addition, a powerful steam pressure is able to penetrate into a pile of folded linen and, thanks to this, iron a much larger volume at the same time than usual.
When choosing, please note that there should be more than 50 such holes. Their optimal placement is considered to be a combination of large ones in one or two rows on the sides of the front and back of the sole.

Steam rate
This is the amount of steam released per unit of time (minute). Large rates (100-150 g/min.) Give the opportunity to work with heavily wrinkled and thick fabrics. However, this, of course, is associated with an increase in the volume of the water tank, and, accordingly, with an increase in the weight of the device. Iron with a feed rate of 30-35 g / min is able to smooth out most of the wrinkles.

steam boost
It makes it possible to briefly turn on the maximum power of the steam engine. With its help, the most difficult bruises and folds are smoothed out. An excellent indicator is the value of this parameter is more than 85-90 g / min.

Vertical steam
This function is for ironing clothes hanging vertically. At the same time, the iron does not come into contact with the fabric, which makes it possible to smooth delicate fabrics without the risk of damaging them.

Tefal FV 3840

Inexpensive and powerful iron with the necessary set of functions for home use:

vertical steam supply;
descaling;
water sprayer;
adjustable steam supply.

Expert opinion

Inexpensive, convenient, simple. Sufficient power makes it possible to quickly bring the iron to working condition. Thanks to the long wire, you can iron in almost any conditions, and the ceramic-metal sole will not allow you to spoil your favorite things. Dual layer outsole for increased durability.


This iron excels at difficult areas and fine details thanks to its deep steam penetration. High power allows you to evenly distribute steam over all the holes of the soleplate. Also included are two additional attachments for ironing delicate fabrics.

Expert opinion

The power of the iron and the vertical steam function make it easy to iron curtains, winter clothes. The textile nozzle makes it possible to iron delicate fabrics effortlessly. The water spray system, together with the steam supply, will not allow the fabrics to dry out.


A powerful iron that can handle the most naughty fabrics and creases. A feature of this model is a very powerful steam boost for devices without a steam generator - 200 g / min.

Thanks to this, the ROWENTA STEAMIUM DW 9035 iron is capable of both thick jeans and delicate silk. The soleplate of the Microsteam 400 Platinium glides perfectly and has 434 holes for high-quality steam release and deep penetration.

Expert opinion

The convenient handle and the thought-over interface allow to use the iron without effort and long time. The power of the steam jet significantly reduces the ironing time of any laundry. A long cord (2.5 meters) makes it possible to use the iron in almost any home.

Comparison table of characteristics of steam iron models

Comparison table of characteristics of steam iron models

Feature/Model

ROWENTA STEAMIUM DW 9035

Power

cermet

Stainless steel

Stainless steel

steam boost

Continuous steam

Eat. Up to 30 g/min

Eat. Up to 50 g/min

Eat. Up to 50 g/min

Vertical steam

Self cleaning system

Water spray function

Cord length

Steam irons

This is a more powerful version of steam irons. Their main feature, which distinguishes them from ordinary steam irons, is the possibility of a constant supply of steam under pressure, which allows you to speed up the ironing process by 2-3 times.

They can easily and quickly cope with a stack of folded bed linen, which means that you can finish ironing even faster!

An iron with a steam generator consists of two parts: the iron itself and a steam generating station, which is connected to it with a tube for supplying ready-made steam. Due to the absence of a water tank on the iron, the device is light in weight, which greatly facilitates work with it, since the hands practically do not get tired.


Despite the high water consumption during steam generation, the steam power is so high that even with a small volume tank (800 ml), you can easily iron the volume of a standard load of a household washing machine (up to 8 square meters of laundry).


Iron for comfortable and high-quality work. A special energy saving system will make it possible to save up to 20% of energy. The combination of power (2135 W) and high steam pressure (4.5 bar) allows you to quickly iron and moisten crumpled laundry in piles.

Iron with steam generator Tefal GV5245

Expert opinion
The easy glide of the ceramic soleplate and the high power of the steam machine make it easy to iron a large amount of laundry very quickly. Perfectly steams overdried things, which immediately gives them a pleasant aroma. It handles a stack of laundry without any problems, which saves a lot of time.


A well-thought-out iron with very high power ratings: 3100 W and a steam boost of 230 g/min. Savings are provided by a motion sensor that stops the consumption of electricity and steam generation when the iron is idle. The intelligent system independently determines the type of fabric, selects the optimal temperature and shows the information on the display.

Steam iron Rowenta DW 9245F1

Expert opinion

Powerful steam supply often allows you to do without a steam boost and reduces the ironing time by 2-3 times. A very powerful steam boost, in turn, leaves no chance for folds. The comfortable nose of the sole makes it possible to iron in all places. The motion sensor, in addition to saving, also serves as protection against scalding with steam. Fast heating saves waiting time and ironing time.


Powerful device for comfortable voluminous ironing. Very easy to use - the unique universal setting is suitable for absolutely all types of fabrics. With this steam machine there is no need to adjust the temperature - the PerfectCare system does everything by itself without any damage to the fabrics.

Steam iron Philips GC 8620/02

Expert opinion

Lightness, convenience and power - that's how you can describe this iron. The absence of a built-in water tank and the ideal smoothness of the sole make the device light in weight and use, so the hand does not get tired at all. Thanks to the powerful and constant pressure of steam, creases are smoothed out almost instantly, both horizontally and vertically. High-temperature steam under pressure allows you to simultaneously sterilize children's underwear and clothes while ironing.

Comparison table for the characteristics of models of irons with a steam generator

Feature/Model

Philips GC 8620/02

Power

cermet

Stainless steel

cermet

steam boost

Continuous steam

Eat. Up to 90 g/min

Eat. Up to 65 g/min

Eat. Up to 120 g/min

Self cleaning system

Water spray function

Cord length

Travel irons

Travel irons have compact dimensions that allow you to use them on the road to tidy up your wardrobe. Despite their small size and often truncated functionality, they do their job perfectly.

Travel iron VITEK VT-1228
Inexpensive and functional travel iron VITEK VT-1228 will easily help to give the right look to clothes while traveling. The sprayer will help moisten the fabric, and the steam boost will cope with the wrinkles that have appeared. In addition, he can tidy up the suit with the help of the vertical steam function.