12 things to check when buying an iron: A buying guide

Buying an iron can be a mental exercise when there are so many models across a very wide price range. How do you decide between the $50, $200, or $500 iron? Think about how frequently you iron, your ironing load, and the types of fabric and items you will be ironing.

Steam generator irons are equipped with better features for performance and can get through heavy loads easily whereas steam irons have basic ironing features but require more effort on the part of the ironer to achieve impeccable results.

The cost of irons depends on the features, capabilities, and quality of the parts. That said, a good iron should have the following 12 things to make ironing fast, safe, and pleasant. Consider these when buying an iron:

1. Sole plate material

The sole plate material is important for two reasons:

1)  It determines how smooth ironing will be as certain materials tend to stick to fabrics and create wrinkles. A good non-stick material like EloxalPlus helps the iron glide on fabrics without snagging for faster and smoother ironing.

2)  How scratch-resistant the sole-plate is will affect the performance of the iron over time. Look for a scratch-resistant sole-plate to prolong your iron’s life span.

Braun irons are fitted with a 3D glide sole-plate inspired by snowboard mechanics and coated with EloxalPlus. Enabling the iron to glide backward over buttons, zippers, and pockets and improving heat distribution.

2. Water capacity

If you have to iron large loads of laundry, a big tank capacity means fewer refills and less time waiting for water to heat up. Steam generator irons are a good choice as they hold 1.3L – 2.0L of water so you can iron uninterrupted and finish ironing quicker.

For smaller households or people who hardly iron, a steam iron (0.3L) may be good enough.

3.  Variable heat and steam settings

Different fabrics require different treatments, follow the care instructions on clothing labels to know the right heat setting to protect your fabrics.

Let’s compare steam irons and steam generator irons.

Steam irons come with adjustable steam settings using a mechanical knob.

A thermostat manages the temperature control to prevent overheating and burning fabrics. It also prevents the temperature from dropping when ironing thicker fabrics like denim which requires high heat to remove creases.

Braun Steam generator irons come with 3 smart modes:

i) Smart iCare Mode

The iron automatically regulates the temperature depending on the fabric and protects all kinds of fabrics. You don’t need to sort the laundry by fabric type and no time is wasted heating up or cooling down.

ii) Eco Mode

 is ideal when you are ironing mostly delicate fabrics like silk, wool, nylon, and polyester blends. At a lower temperature, you can save more than 30% of energy in this mode (compared to iCare mode).

iii) Turbo Mode

 is designed to tackle the toughest ironing jobs and can remove up to 99.9% of bacteria from your fabrics. Only available in the Carestyle 7 Steam generator iron, the maximum steam power, and higher temperature remove the most resistant creases on thick textiles like jeans, cotton, and linen, it’s also suitable for disinfecting curtains and soft furnishings.

4. Steam rate and distribution

The higher the steam output level, the faster and easier it is to remove creases meaning shorter ironing sessions. Steam generator irons' strong continuous steam output levels are double that of a steam iron hence the same pile of laundry can be ironed in half the time compared to using a steam iron.

Texstyle 7 Pro Steam iron continuous steam output level is 50g/min whereas, the Carestyle Compact and Carestyle 7 steam generator irons have excellent steam rates of 120-125g/min.

The consistent and excellent steam rate in steam generator irons smooths your ironing, and you don't have to press hard or go back and forth over the same spot to remove creases.

5. Steam shot

  The steam shot feature is handy when you need that extra boost of steam to remove resistant creases in hard-to-reach areas or thick fabrics quickly.

The Carestyle Compact has a steam shot of 350g/min while the Carestyle 7  has a steam shot of 500g/min which are sure to permeate your fabrics entirely to eliminate any creases.

6. Vertical ironing

It’s convenient to be able to steam your slightly creased clothes vertically without setting up an ironing board, simply hang them and steam away. It also lets you give your ironed clothes a quick refresh before wearing them.

Another good benefit of vertical ironing is being able to iron curtains and upholstery conveniently. If you plan to use your iron for this purpose, we recommend a steam generator iron as the continuous strong steam output will be needed to remove creases from thick fabrics efficiently. 

7. Anti-drip

Water dripping from the iron sole-plate can be an issue at low-temperature settings causing stains on fabrics and lengthening your ironing time. Choose irons with digital anti-drip features like Braun steam irons which work better than traditional thermostats for temperature control and prevent staining your favourite pieces of clothing.

8. Descaling

As limescale builds up in the water tank over time, descaling helps to prevent dirty water and chalky bits from coming out from the iron. To keep your iron functioning at its optimum, descaling is important to unclog steam vents and descale the water tank. A well-maintained iron continues to function at peak capacity and lasts for years, giving you maximum bang for your buck.

The Carestyle 7 Steam Generator Iron’s Ultimate FastClean System descales at 4x the Carestyle 5 series, ensuring your iron stays in tip-top condition and continues to smooth all wrinkles effectively over its lifetime.

9. Safety features

The last thing you want is for a mishap to happen from an iron being left unattended or tipping over. An iron should automatically switch off after being left unattended for a short while to prevent fires, burns, and electrical short circuits.

Braun’s steam generator irons’ auto-off function shuts down the iron after 10 minutes of non-use.

Another safety feature is the safety lock feature that makes it easy to safely carry the steam station with one hand even when the water tank is full.

The Carestyle 7 has an easy lock system to keep the iron securely in place so it doesn’t fall off and deters children from playing with it.

10. Wattage

The performance of your iron will greatly depend on its ability to produce and manage heat. The higher the wattage, the faster your iron heats up and generates high-pressurised steam for efficient ironing. Braun’s steam irons and steam generator irons have a power of at least 2300W and heat up rapidly within 2 minutes.

11. Weight and ergonomics

Steam irons are heavier to handle as the water reservoir is part of the iron, the heavier the iron, the lesser you need to press to remove creases, however, your hands may get tired sooner.

On the other hand, steam generator irons have separate water tanks hence the iron is much lighter to handle.

Experience handling the iron as if you are ironing before you buy it, you should find it comfortable to handle so you can iron for longer without fatigue.

For ultimate comfort when ironing, learn more about the Carestyle 7, Braun’s lightest iron with a premium handle finish.

12. Cord length and storage

Cord length is important because it determines how easily you can reach the curtain or upholstery when ironing vertically or if the iron can reach the ironing board from the nearest electrical point for easy positioning and movement while ironing.

Applicable to Steam generator irons, the cord storage feature keeps the cord neat for easy transportation and to avoid the cord being a tripping hazard. You may be able to affix the cord to the side of the ironing station while ironing. 

Conclusion

Consider these 12 things when shopping for an iron and find the best iron that smoothens your clothes and soft furnishings with minimum effort while protecting your fabrics so they always look new. Iron less and spend more quality time with your loved ones by investing in one of our top-rated steam generator irons.