The thought of carrying a heavy iron around like a barbell every morning is a bicep curl before breakfast – not something you want. This is where a lightweight steam iron comes to the rescue, without compromising the steam power that’s important to get wrinkles out – this guide shows the best lightweight steam iron models are worth investing in right now. The move from the traditional bulky iron to the lightweight, maneuverable kind has been major in the past couple of years, and those who have switched don’t tend to return. With fewer aches and pains, you’ll iron faster, which means you won’t skip this chore on busy mornings.
The soleplate is the most important feature that makes or breaks an iron. Ceramic soleplates don’t catch threads, heat up more evenly than some of the cheaper options and don’t get hot spots that burn holes in your favourite silk blouse. Stainless steel is a great alternative – not as slippery as ceramic but more resistant to abuse and wear. An iron with a lightweight handle that combines a good soleplate with a tightly tuned thermostat is truly revolutionary; you iron with fewer strokes to get the same results, and therefore save a surprising amount of time. The soleplate is like the tire on a race car – you can have all the power and speed in the world, but if the tire isn’t doing what it should, you’re not going anywhere.
Consistency of steam is more important than maximum steam output figures. A consistent steam pressure at a controlled pace delivers a good, strong steam that’s not too aggressive for linens, cotton or synthetics; you don’t have to change the settings on every shirt. Adjustable steam settings allow you to work with different materials – less for delicate silks, more for heavy denim collars – and not have to guess. The capacity of the water tank is also a subtle factor; a small water tank on a light weight iron means you have to refill more often which slows the process and adds time to an activity you seek to shorten.
A long cord and a swivel joint may seem small considerations but try ironing with an iron that fights you by not letting you move the iron without pulling the cord. A full, 360-degree swivel means the cord doesn’t get in your way, no matter which way you’re ironing, and a long (2.5m) cord means you can iron across a full board with enough slack to move. Water drips on dark clothes are prevented by anti-drip technology – it’s little things like that which make you give up and put on the wrinkled shirt in the middle of the day.