Irons and garment care in our range covers steam irons, dry and steam irons, and steam ironing stations, for households that press a few shirts a week or work through a full laundry basket. Leading brands include Philips, Tefal, Rowenta and Braun, with over 300 models to compare.
How to choose an iron or steam station
Type of iron. A standard steam iron with a built-in tank suits most homes and is easy to store. A steam ironing station has a separate boiler and a much larger tank, which makes sense if you iron large amounts regularly. Our range also includes a few pump-driven and pressurised stations, and dry irons are rare.
Steam output. Continuous steam in our range runs from about 30 g/min to 150 g/min. Lower and middle values, such as 40 to 50 g/min, are normally enough for shirts and everyday cotton. Figures of 120 g/min and above help with thick fabrics, heavy creases and hanging garments.
Soleplate. Ceramic and stainless steel soleplates are both available, along with branded coatings such as SteamGlide Plus, SteamGlide Elite, Microsteam 400 HD Laser and Durilium AirGlide Autoclean. Stainless steel is hard-wearing and glides well, while ceramic is smooth and generally easy to wipe clean. Delicate fabrics benefit from a soleplate that glides without snagging.
Tank, cord and drip protection. Hand-held steam irons in our range typically have tanks of 0.25 to 0.35 L, while stations offer 1.5 L or 1.8 L, so you refill far less often. Cord lengths run from 1.9 m to 3 m, and a longer cord gives more freedom if the socket is far from your board. An anti-drip function stops water leaking onto fabric at low temperatures, and most irons with specification data in our range include it.
Irons and garment care brands we carry
- Philips: the largest brand in this category, known for its SteamGlide soleplates and a range from simple steam irons to full stations.
- Tefal: a specialist in home ironing, with Durilium AirGlide Autoclean soleplates among the models we stock.
- Rowenta: known for steam-focused irons and stations, including models with the Microsteam 400 HD Laser soleplate.
- Braun: a German brand whose irons and steam stations are aimed at regular ironing at home.
- Black+Decker: better known for tools, it also makes compact household appliances, including irons.
Also in our range: JATA, Maestro, Zelmer, Beper, Adler, ETA and Gorenje.
Frequently asked questions about irons and steam stations
What is the difference between a steam iron and a steam ironing station?
A steam iron heats water in a small tank inside the iron itself, while a steam station uses a separate boiler connected by a hose. Stations hold more water and usually deliver stronger, longer steam, which saves time on big piles of ironing. A regular steam iron is lighter, cheaper to store and enough for typical weekly use.
How much steam output do I need?
For everyday shirts, trousers and bedding, around 40 to 50 g/min of continuous steam is usually sufficient. Thicker fabrics such as linen, curtains or heavy cotton are easier with 120 g/min or more. Our range goes up to 150 g/min, mostly in stronger steam models.
What does an anti-drip function do?
An anti-drip function stops water escaping from the soleplate when the iron is not hot enough to turn it into steam. This protects silk, synthetics and other fabrics from water marks when you lower the temperature. Most irons with specification data in our range have this feature.
Is a ceramic or stainless steel soleplate better?
Neither is better in every case. Stainless steel is tough, resists scratches and glides well on most fabrics. Ceramic feels very smooth and is easy to clean, but it needs more care to avoid chips from zips and buttons.
