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Iron recommendations

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17K views 44 replies 18 participants last post by  maximar  
#1 ·
I am currently in the market for a new iron and was looking for any suggestions my fellow members might have. As with anything, I prefer quality over budget. While I haven't found anything overly useful online, Good Housekeeping seems to think the Philips Perfect Care Azur GC4914 is "the best". Anyone familiar with it?

Thanks in advance.
 
#3 ·
Since you are in Switzerland, why not get a LauraStar ironing system. I personally cannot afford it, but their vacuum board and steam iron should give professional results. People I know who use a vacuum ironing board swear by them.
 
#5 ·
I've used the Rowenta Steamium for years and very pleased with it.
I'm not familiar with that, but the rowenta "professional" model(s) I've used have been terrific.
Thanks for the heads up. I've seen a couple good reviews for the Rowenta Advancer Iron (model#DZ 9080) so perhaps I'll look further into the brand.
 
#6 ·
Since you are in Switzerland, why not get a LauraStar ironing system. I personally cannot afford it, but their vacuum board and steam iron should give professional results. People I know who use a vacuum ironing board swear by them.
Although I wouldn't mind giving LauraStar a try, I would have a rather hard time justifying a $2'500 ironing system purchase to the wife (but I could probably do it). What's worse (and a definitive deal breaker) is that LauraStar isn't very economical space wise.
 
#12 ·
My research from about a year and a half ago led me to Rowenta. I saw many recommendations to go with the higher end models made in Germany, and avoid the lower cost Chinese models. A common complaint was leakage if using tap water, which Rowenta recommends using. (I thought that was unusual) The complaints were from people with both the German as well as the Chinese models. I've been using mine with only distilled water with no problems. It makes a lot of steam on the setting I'm using, and uses a corresponding amount of water to do so. So far, I have been glad to ignore Rowenta's recommendation to use tap water.
 
#13 · (Edited)
Hard call here. I can't find the upper end Rowentas. The Focus DX5110 is the best I've seen & although it's a Made in Germany model it's also a "starter" model. Lol.

Any experience with the LauraStar floor based models? They're rather pricey... $550 compared to $230 for a top line Rowenta but the sales lady just swore to all end of the earth that they worth the price. Heck, she^ll even through in a "free" ironing board.

https://imageshack.com/i/ipaMuiDWj
 
#14 ·
Phillips Eco Care. At a very reasonable £50 it provides all you could ask for from a domestic iron, and more. A (relatively) heavy weight iron with a handle which responds to pressure to release more steam as required. Along with my extra large ironing board it makes short work of the laundry. :thumbs-up:
 
#15 ·
Hard call here. I can't find the upper end Rowentas. The Focus DX5110 is the best I've seen & although it's a Made in Germany model it's also a "starter" model. Lol.

Any experience with the LauraStar floor based models? They're rather pricey... $550 compared to $230 for a top line Rowenta but the sales lady just swore to all end of the earth that they worth the price. Heck, she^ll even through in a "free" ironing board.

https://imageshack.com/i/ipaMuiDWj
Of course she would..... Not knocking Laurastar products, but if your willing to spend that kind of money look here as a comparison....https://www.truehomecomfort.com/p/D...-Vvx1420-220-240-Volt-50-60-Hz-Compact-Ironing-System-With-63948083.html...Made for the European market.
 
#16 · (Edited)
Of course she would..... Not knocking Laurastar products, but if your willing to spend that kind of money look here as a comparison....https://www.truehomecomfort.com/p/D...-Vvx1420-220-240-Volt-50-60-Hz-Compact-Ironing-System-With-63948083.html...Made for the European market.
I have no problem spending a few hundred more if I'm able to determine a decided advantage to the more expensive systems. If we give it a short lifespan of 5 years it only comes out to $5 extra a month. My last iron lasted 8 years & is only being replaced because took a fall from the top of a cabinet (the cat used one of his 9 lives on that one). I've replaced my cell phone 3-4 times in same space of time and they were all more expensive than 99.9% of irons. I also find $550 rather cheap compared to the $1'000 it would take to replace a suit.

Of course I'm not taking the sales lady at her word. That's why I'm here asking the question...;)

Thanks for the link. As it's not coming up on my cell phone I'll have to check it out when I get home
 
#17 · (Edited)
Of course she would..... Not knocking Laurastar products, but if your willing to spend that kind of money look here as a comparison....https://www.truehomecomfort.com/p/D...-Vvx1420-220-240-Volt-50-60-Hz-Compact-Ironing-System-With-63948083.html...Made for the European market.
I got the link up now.

https://imageshack.com/i/ex6vRWFjj

You also show a floor type of system (pictured above). Any idea as to what the advantages are of this type of system (other than having a larger water reservoir)?

Rowenta brags about their 400 steam holes.

https://imageshack.com/i/iqQlocTQj

The DeLonghi you showed :

https://imageshack.com/i/idCYBct1j

Meanwhile the LauraStar looks like this:

https://imageshack.com/i/p3IW8HCZp

Just to compare, here's the Philips I mentioned earlier.

Image


Philips makes an issue as to thier self-adjusting temperature function but I'm not sure if this is a very good idea or a very bad one. Good houskeeping rated it best but I'm not sure how much that's really Worth as they don't go into why/how they came up with such...

Overall Winner (score 91/100)

Philips Perfect Care Azur GC4914

Features: 2600W, 50g/min continuous steam, 190g boost, 1.65kg when full, T-Ionic glide soleplate, 350ml water tank

Good Points


  • OptimalTemp technology means you can iron any fabric without changing the temperature, and we found the temperatures very constant

  • 350ml tank meant we could iron for more than 15 minutes before it needed refilling

  • Good at removing creases

  • One of the lightest irons we testedDrawbacks

    • The slowest to reach temperature of all the irons we tested, taking an average of one minute 59 seconds
 
#18 ·
Here are the Consumer Reports ratings


I cannot seem to copy the entire spreadsheet but if there is interest as to any specific iron I will try to copy the specifics for that iron.







95 CU Recommended Rowenta Steamforce DW9280 $140




93 CU Recommended Panasonic NI-W950A $130






88 CU Recommended Kenmore 80598 $75





88 CU Best Buy T-Fal FV4495 Ultraglide $45




86 CU Recommended Singer Expert Finish EF $60



85 CU Best Buy Rowenta Effective Comfort DW2070 $50




83 Hamilton Beach Chrome Electronic 14955 $50




83 Rowenta Pro Master DW8080 see here $90



83 Black & Decker Xpress Steam Cord Reel ICR07X $45


83 Black & Decker Xpress Steam IR08X
Similar to tested model: Black & Decker Xpress Steam Cord Reel ICR07X $20


\


81 Rowenta Steamium DW9080 $125
 
#19 · (Edited)
^^^^

That works. Thank you kind sir.

If you have any further information on the first Rowenta listed (Steamforce DW9280), I'd appreciate you posting it. It's actually the model I was looking for in the stores but couldn't find. I had seen a few good reviews of the model and as most everyone here seemed to be a fan of the brand itself, I thought it might be nice to take a look at one. Either way, I suppose with CR confirmation as to quality I can just order it on-line.
 
#20 ·
< Go to Steam irons pagePrintPrintRowenta Steamforce DW9280
CU RecommendedInformation iconWhat's this?

Steam Irons Steamforce DW9280 Rowenta-0
zoomexpand

Steam Irons Steamforce DW9280 Rowenta-0Steam Irons Steamforce DW9280 Rowenta-1Steam Irons Steamforce DW9280 Rowenta-2


Approximate retail price: $140 Summary: This1800-watt steam iron has a stainless steel soleplate, steam surge, vertical steam, and auto-shutoff. A ready light indicates the iron is up to temperature

Type: Conventional steam ironsCR overall score Information icon


What's this? 95 Out of 100 Chart key Highest rated95 This model95 Lowest rated34
OverviewRatings User ReviewsSpecs


Ratings Report Card
The model report card shows the Ratings the model received for each of the tests our experts performed upon it.



Steaming rate excellent Ironing fabric excellent Ease of use excellent




Reviews & Recommended - Rowenta Steamforce DW9280
tester image


CR's Take
This top-rated steam iron was excellent overall and provides lots of steam. It has a stainless steel soleplate. Features include steam surge, which offers a burst of steam to help remove stubborn wrinkles, vertical steam for drapes and hanging garments, and auto-shutoff, a safety feature that powers the iron down when left stationary for a short time. A ready light indicates the iron is up to temperature. But at 3.7 pounds, it's heavier than most top picks.


Highs
• Has a separate control to turn steam on & off
• User can adjust the amount of steam used
• Has a steam surge, a burst of steam that helps remove stubborn wrinkles
• Iron has a Power ON light


Lows
• Does not have an off switch
• Portions of the iron's body may be hot to touch
• Soleplate scorched fabric when left down for 15 minutes



Detailed test resultsThis Iron weighs 3.7 lbs. Ironing fabrics was excellent.



About - Rowenta Steamforce DW9280

The Rowenta Steamforce DW9280 is part of the steam iron test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, steam iron models like the Steamforce DW9280 are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below.

Steaming rate:
Steaming is calculated over a period of 10 minutes, except for the cordless which are evaluated over a 3 minute period.

Ironing fabric:
Based on: ironing a linen table cloth, thermostat set point, temperature swing and uniformity of soleplate thermal pattern.

Ease of use:
Rates a number of factors, including how easy it was to set, fill, and empty the iron, and to see water levels and markings and indicator lights. Other factors include leaking and how well the iron steamed at low settings.



About This Brand
This European brand is positioned as a premium brand. The models include either stainless-steel or nonstick soleplates. These irons have many features. They are sold at department stores, Bed Bath & Beyond, Sears, Target, specialty stores, and online. Prices range from $50 to $150.
Features & Specs - Rowenta Steamforce DW9280
info Digital display No
info Weight (lbs.) 3.7
 
#21 ·
I got the link up now.

https://imageshack.com/i/ex6vRWFjj

You also show a floor type of system (pictured above). Any idea as to what the advantages are of this type of system (other than having a larger water reservoir)?

Rowenta brags about their 400 steam holes.

https://imageshack.com/i/iqQlocTQj

The DeLonghi you showed :

https://imageshack.com/i/idCYBct1j

Meanwhile the LauraStar looks like this:

https://imageshack.com/i/p3IW8HCZp

Just to compare, here's the Philips I mentioned earlier.

Image


Philips makes an issue as to thier self-adjusting temperature function but I'm not sure if this is a very good idea or a very bad one. Good houskeeping rated it best but I'm not sure how much that's really Worth as they don't go into why/how they came up with such...

Overall Winner (score 91/100)

Philips Perfect Care Azur GC4914

Features: 2600W, 50g/min continuous steam, 190g boost, 1.65kg when full, T-Ionic glide soleplate, 350ml water tank

Good Points


  • OptimalTemp technology means you can iron any fabric without changing the temperature, and we found the temperatures very constant

  • 350ml tank meant we could iron for more than 15 minutes before it needed refilling

  • Good at removing creases

  • One of the lightest irons we testedDrawbacks

    • The slowest to reach temperature of all the irons we tested, taking an average of one minute 59 seconds
I linked to that one as a comparison price wise . I'm less impressed with the amount of steam holes a iron has, rather it's ability to produce a continuous flow of steam.The only place I need steam is at the tip, as you glide the iron forward the dry part of the sole plate irons over the portion the the tip steamed, steam, press. I hope I'm making sense. I presently own two irons, Rowenta steamium and a Rowenta with separate tank, reason, their good at vertical steaming as well and general ironing. I will be purchasing another semi professional unit with a separate tank. If a person wanted one iron reasonably priced, I would recommend as others have the Rowenta steamium/steamforce. The reason I'm purchasing another pro model, probably Reliable brand, would be for it's weight. I, and I guess, many tailors prefer hefty irons and the reservoir provides up to 1 1/2 hours of ironing. Heavy irons require less bearing down and I find that a benefit especially when doing suits/jackets and shirts as well. Again,I use a Rowenta when I need bursts of steam when holding the iron vertically. I,m not proposing anyone should have three irons, just my preferences for their respective advantages and to provide further info about ironing.
 
#23 ·
Jesus!!! Just looked at the price of vacuum ironing boards!! I could buy a nice Omega for those prices! I'm not opening a dry cleaning or tailoring business! Do you guys really spent this kind of money on an ironing board?
Have you ever tried to iron a suit/shirt/pair of trousers with an Omega? How often do you strap your iron to your wrist?

As with any purchase, I want quality first & foremost. Price plays a much smaller role, as does size of unit. If I could find enough justification (cost, practicality, efficiency, size, etc.) I don't see why I wouldn't purchase it.

Oh... Omega is hardly a " basic watch" at basic watch prices is it? You paid more for what? Quality? Same idea here, just a different tool.
 
#25 ·
It's absolutely a different tool then the Omega. Perhaps I should ask what is the primary advantage of the vacuum ironing board other than keeping items from sliding around on the board? And is the ROI justifiable in your informed opinion? Or would finding a very good dry cleaner be a better investment of time and money?
 
#26 · (Edited)
It's absolutely a different tool then the Omega. Perhaps I should ask what is the primary advantage of the vacuum ironing board other than keeping items from sliding around on the board? And is the ROI justifiable in your informed opinion? Or would finding a very good dry cleaner be a better investment of time and money?
Many people here don't really trust cleaners to do their laundry. As to the math... At $5 a shirt, 7 shirts a week, it's $35 a week. 52 weeks at $35=$1'820. For shirts only. No trousers. No getting wrinkles out of jackets. No ironing the bedlinens. etc. That's the cost of a high end board/iron system that can handle pretty much anything (and they're good for at least 2 years until the warranty runs out and most likely much, much longer). Of course dry cleaners will save you quite a bit of time over any machine but they're hardly cheaper than high end irons, steam sytems, etc..