A reliable and practical iron - an indispensable assistant and one of the essentials in the house - will help you look at 100, as well as keep home textiles in a neat condition. Our article will tell you how to choose an iron for home use, so that it will last a long time and please with a large number of ironed things. We paid special attention to the criteria by which the device model should be selected, and have prepared a rating of the irons for 2019. It is from us that you will find out what is the best iron. Let's talk about everything in order.
What kind of irons are there?
Modern irons differ in design and functional tasks. So, you can highlight:
- road models;
- household appliances.
A small, lightweight iron with a foldable handle, useful for your vacation or business trip. It has high reliability indicators, the most necessary operating modes and compact dimensions. The home appliance will be somewhat heavier, more powerful and will be able to iron or steam things in different modes.
Also, there are:
- cord;
- wireless.
The selected appliance must have a cord that is at least 2m long. Shorter wires will "tie" you to an outlet or require connection through an extension cord, which is not always convenient and threatens with additional problems if the power of the device exceeds the conductivity of the extension cord. It is optimal when the cord is covered with a fabric sheath - it is strong and flexible at the same time, and also give preference to models with the possibility of rotating the cord through 360 ° and a place for winding. In this regard, wireless models are much more mobile, you just need to get used to putting it not on an ironing board, but to attach it to a special base for recharging.
Recent developments have made it possible to combine dry ironing and a steam generator in one device. This is a rather weighty device that has a capacious water tank and a steam hose.
Also, in some houses you can find a steam press, but this is still a curiosity for our consumers.
See also - Which iron with a steam generator is better to choose - rating of 2019
Iron selection criteria
We choose the best iron for home use according to the following indicators:
- technical characteristics - power, weight, ergonomics;
- the bottom of the device - material, shape and number of holes;
- temperature regime;
- safety system;
- scale protection;
- functional features.
Ergonomic
It will help to improve the comfort of use. How to choose a good iron for this indicator? Just hold the model you like. The handle should fit snugly into the palm of your hand, not slip out of it. At the same time, the brushes should be comfortably located, and the fingers should completely wrap the handle. There are models with anatomically shaped handles - repeating the grip of the palm. But a left-hander or a man with a large brush may be uncomfortable using such a model.
Power
Direct indicator of purchasing performance and efficiency. The more powerful it is, the faster it will smooth out creases in the fabric and produce more steam. For a travel iron, 700 - 1000 W is quite enough, but if you regularly iron clothes and bedding for the whole family, pay attention to devices with a power of 2500 W or more.But here it is important not to overdo it, because the load on the network over 3000 W can negatively affect the wiring in an apartment or house.
Outsole material
This is a point requiring close attention. The durability of the household assistant largely depends on the material from which its sole is made. The best home iron should have a sole made of metal alloys (aluminum, titanium, or stainless steel) or ceramic. Aluminum and stainless steel are smooth and damage-resistant materials, have enough weight for quick and easy smoothing, heat up quickly and cool down quickly. The ceramics are easy to care for, besides, they do not weigh down the device and easily glides over any type of fabric. But this is a rather "capricious" coating - a small chip on the edge of the sole will disable even the most productive apparatus. Teflon is the cheapest option for the sole of the device. But it has no protection from scratches and dirt.
The weight
An important parameter for a comfortable ironing process. Too light will not guarantee a good result; creases may remain on the products. Holding too heavy a device in your hand is not a pleasant pleasure. And such a device can easily ruin some thin fabrics. Good ironr for the house will weigh about 2 kg. It will delight you with efficient work and the ironing process will not be too tiring for your hands.
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Sole shape
This parameter should also attract attention. A pointed toe will help smooth cuffs or fabric between buttons. Small complex details of the style - ruffles, shuttlecocks, undercuts, etc. will help to put in order an elongated teardrop-shaped nose. The rounded end of the platform will protect a thin product from unnecessary and accidental folds during ironing.
Temperature regime
The wider the range of operating modes, the more efficient the device will be. With such a versatile assistant, you can iron delicate fabrics - silk, guipure, synthetics without fear, as well as easily bring into proper shape thick, hard or rough fabrics - linen, coat fabric, jeans, etc. A high-quality iron should have a heating run of 60 to 200 °. If you often iron things at low temperatures, then take care of the "stop-drop" option, which prevents liquid from leaking onto the fabric.
Safety system
This parameter will save you from the notorious agonizing thought "did I turn off the iron at home?" The devices will automatically stop heating when they are idle for several minutes. Some have additional protection against accidental tanning of the fabric - if the iron "lingers" on the cloth for longer than the prescribed time, legs appear on the sole, which raise the device and break contact with the cloth. Convenient and safe - isn't it?
Number of steam holes
The larger and more uniform, the better. An “effective” iron, which is better to buy for permanent use, must have at least a hundred holes of average size around the entire perimeter of the sole. If the steam holes are concentrated in the spout, then with such a model the ironing process may increase slightly.
Scale protection
Limescale is the worst enemy of a steam iron. To extend the life of your iron, choosing distilled water is not enough. The scale will still threaten him. But if you buy a device with a self-cleaning system, you can make taking care of your device quick and easy. This feature allows you to get rid of small particles of scale and sediment literally with one or two clicks on the steam button. All unnecessary things will be removed along with streams of steam and you can iron white clothes fearlessly and not worry about scale formation. Along with some devices, special rods are also sold that will help fight limestone flakes.
Functional features
Make the iron truly irreplaceable. Plus, you don't always need to overpay for options that you don't use. The choice of iron will be easier if you clearly define what and in what quantities you will iron.Most models can deliver steam both horizontally and vertically. This option is useful if you iron curtains or clothes on a hanger. Or, if there are clothes in the wardrobe that cannot be ironed. Vertical steam delivery is a convenient upgrade to a familiar appliance. They also came up with a steam boost - a powerful release of streams of steam that instantly removes even smoothed folds. Spray ironing helps to deal with heavily wrinkled fabrics or if you need to iron the arrows on your trousers, for example. The best irons available in hardware stores and on sites sprinkle a thing with small particles of water directly from their own case, so you can forget about spray guns.
Choosing the best, most convenient and efficient iron is easy if you pay attention to all these criteria. But do not lose sight of useful little things that will make using the purchased device more convenient and practical. For example, a complete set that is already included in the price - a cover for storage and transportation, a measuring cup, accessories and iron care products. Or service warranty period.
So, we answered the question of how to choose the right iron for home, and are ready to present you the top of the best irons on the domestic market of small household appliances.
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The most popular models of 2019
When choosing an iron for home use, it is important to pay attention to the characteristics and functionality. Optimum ironing results with minimal effort are achieved with 2400-2500W irons. Models of manufacturers Philips, Braun remain in favor with buyers, but REDMOND also deserves its attention. I suggest looking at the ranking of models with different types of soles based on real customer reviews. All models in the top have an auto-off function.
REDMOND RI-C265S
Model with ceramic sole and remote control. Installing the application on your smartphone will help you not only turn on or off the iron, but also show its current position. The "Safe Mode" function blocks the heating element of the device when there is no connection with a mobile phone. The cost, in comparison with the Philips GC4909 / 60 Azur, is significantly lower, and this is in the presence of almost the same functionality.
Benefits:
- heats up quickly. According to user reviews, it takes no more than 1 minute to fully heat;
- self-cleaning function. You can even use tap water without preliminary preparation;
- ceramic sole. Subject to the ironing regimes, the fabric does not stick to the sole;
- wide opening of the water tank. Helps not to "pour" the iron in case of careless handling.
Disadvantages:
- according to the subjective assessments of users, the steam adjustment scale is fuzzy, so the first time you have to "look closely".
Compared to the Redmond RI-C222, also equipped with a ceramic sole, the popular RI-C265S is clearly better. Here, the power is higher, and the steam boost of 150 g / min will smooth even the most dense fabrics.
Braun TexStyle 7 TS745A
Iron m aluminum sole. The peculiarity of this model is the supply of steam from the sole spout: you can smooth things even with a complex cut. The more expensive Philips GC2998 / 80 PowerLife does not have this feature. A powerful steam boost of 170 g / min removes creases from vertically hung fabrics. The anodized aluminum outsole is scratch and damage resistant.
Benefits:
- capacious water tank - 400 ml, although the manufacturer recommends not to go beyond the 350 l mark. According to the housewives, this volume is enough to smooth 8 men's shirts;
- anti-calcification system. Its presence greatly facilitates the care of the iron. Of course, ideally you shouldn't use tap water right away;
- durable high-quality case. According to the reviews of users who accidentally dropped the iron, the blows did not affect the quality of the body and sole.
Disadvantages:
- black color.Yes, the iron looks unusual in "brutal" black, but at the same time drops and streaks are more noticeable with frequent use than against a light background.
The TS745A model in terms of price-quality ratio deserves rave reviews from users. Compared to Philips GC4909 / 60 Azur, the iron is quite light, but this indicator does not affect the quality of ironing.
Philips GC2998 / 80 PowerLife
Powerful iron with scratch-resistant sintered metal sole. Compared to the Braun TexStyle 7 TS745A, a steam stroke of 120 g / min and a continuous steam output of 35 g / min is less, while the price of the iron itself is slightly higher. It is equipped with an additional stand for greater stability in an upright position.
Benefits:
- a slider for descaling. Its presence allows you to use even tap water. But to maintain the quality of the iron, it must be cleaned at least once a month;
- vertical steaming function;
- good outsole, smooth.
Disadvantages:
- lack of a container for water. Although the manufacturer assures that the presence of an enlarged hole in the tank will allow pouring water from the tap, it is still more convenient to use a measuring cup;
- indistinct scale on the water tank. The assessment is subjective, but it is possible to pour water in low light.
Users find the price somewhat overpriced. It is more optimal to take Braun TexStyle 7 TS745A: it is cheaper and has richer functionality.
Philips GC4909 / 60 Azur
Featured on the Philips Azur range, the titanium outsole helps smooth even the heaviest fabrics quickly. For comparison: the Panasonic NI-M300T model also has a titanium-coated sole, but the relatively low power - 1800 W - affects the quality of ironing. The powerful steam boost of 250 g / min instantly handles even heavily minty items made from dense materials.
Benefits:
- long cord. The length of the cord (3 meters) affects the usability of the iron. There is also room for "maneuvers", especially when smoothing bed linen or curtains, and there is no need to additionally use an extension cord;
- ring at the plug. According to the subjective opinion of users, the ring makes it much easier to turn on and off the device from the outlet;
- great weight. Someone may call the weight of the iron (1700 g) a disadvantage, but most users consider this indicator an advantage. The heavy weight combined with the high power smoothes all creases the first time.
Disadvantages:
- high price.
Compared to the REDMOND RI-C265S, the Philips GC4909 / 60 Azur model is more expensive, but the titanium sole and the rich functionality completely cover it.
Braun TexStyle 7 TS785STP
Iron with stainless steel sole. The convenient arrangement of the control buttons of the Braun TexStyle 7 TS785STP iron helps even inexperienced housewives to quickly understand the functions of the appliance. The Eloxar stainless steel sole is resistant to almost any mechanical stress. The presence of a built-in valve in the steam generator eliminates the formation of scale, but the valve itself must be cleaned once every 1-2 months.
Benefits:
- Textile Protector nozzle. You can safely iron delicate fabrics. Simply put, it confidently replaces the usual gauze;
- ergonomic handle. Experienced housewives report that ergonomics reduce the strain on the hand. Even after prolonged ironing, the hand does not get tired.
Disadvantages:
- when switched off, water flows horizontally. The disadvantage for steam irons is not uncommon, so manufacturers recommend either completely draining the remaining water from the tank, or storing the iron only in an upright position;
- cord 2 meters. This length is not enough for a comfortable ironing.
Compared to the Braun TexStyle 7 TS745A, the 7 TS785STP is more expensive for almost the same power, but this is due to the outsole made of more durable material. And the rich functionality and additional attachments are reflected in its popularity.
See also - Review of the iron with the MIE Bravissimo steam generator
We hope that now you know how to choose an iron for your home using the rating of the best models. Remember, if you choose the right model of a household appliance and use it correctly, you can turn routine household chores into an exciting, fast technological process.Enjoyable and not tiresome ironing!
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I am exactly the person who uses the Philips iron! The company is very good and I have never regretted that I bought an iron from the GC series! True, the prices for them are appropriate, but I found them a little cheaper on Avito. I was afraid to buy from my hands, but the seller reassured me, sent it to the boxberry point so that I could personally check everything. They didn't take any prepayment from me, I paid after the fact. I have a Philips GC2998 / 80 PowerLife iron. Anti-corrosion soleplate, 2400W power, excellent steam boost both horizontally and vertically. I also really liked the stylish color and design)) It turns off automatically and even supports the “drop-stop” function! He has a 2-year warranty. We will see)
Oh, I didn't count the number of holes on the sole, I just looked at the iron upon receipt, checked the warranty, turned it on and that's it. I took tefal through Avito. It works great, only at first I did not understand that the amount of steam supplied depends on the type of fabric set. Sometimes it poured heavily, but then I figured it out.