How to choose the best iron for home use, TOP ranking of models
Each house has an iron for ironing clothes, curtains, upholstery and other fabrics. The question of how to choose an iron for home is asked by people if they want to update it, replace a broken iron or buy it as a gift. A specific model is selected, focusing on the frequency and volume of ironing, types of fabrics. Irons are presented in stores in large quantities, at prices ranging from 500 rubles to 10,000 rubles and more, but expensive does not mean the best.
How to Choose a Good Iron for Your Home
When choosing a device for home use, you need to decide on its type:
- without a steam generator and steam - the old generation, which irons at the expense of temperature and weight;
- with a steamer - the most common model with the ability to provide steam;
- with a steam generator - a separate tank is attached where steam is generated and is continuously supplied through a hose; used in business;
- ironing station - consists of a board, an iron and a steam generator.
Advice! The steamer has now become an alternative to the iron, but it will not support thick fabrics such as linen, cotton, jersey, wool.
For the average family, where ironing is not daily and not in large quantities, an ordinary iron with the ability to provide steam is the right choice. It is the best choice in terms of price and quality.
What requirements must a high-quality device meet?
The choice depends on the requirements of a particular person to the parameters of the iron. Understanding what different features are responsible for will help you not overpay for unnecessary things. Almost all models support at least 3 heating modes for ironing the main groups of fabrics. It is practical when the modes are signed, indicating the name of the fabric and the heating temperature.
Weight
The optimal weight of the device is 1.7 kilograms. This is enough so that the folds are easily smoothed out and the hand does not get tired of holding it for a long time. There are heavy models - more than 2 kilograms, their absence is due to the rapid fatigue of the brush during ironing. An iron weighing 1-1.5 kg will require extra effort when ironing creases.
Power
All devices are divided into power groups:
- 1200-1600 Watt - consumes little electricity, but takes a long time to warm up;
- 1600-2000 watts - middle class, provides rapid surface heating, copes well even with heavily wrinkled fabrics;
- above 2000 watts - models close to industrial models are designed for frequent ironing.
The best choice is the medium category iron.
Auto power off
All appliances with heated surfaces present a fire hazard. To reduce the risk of fire in case of forgetting the iron turned off from the network, an automatic shutdown function has been developed. It works when the device is left lying on the sole or on its side for 15-20 seconds.
Some models even turn off when standing in the event of prolonged inactivity. It is desirable to have a good indication of a power failure.
Anti-drip system
When ironing at low temperatures, steam water sometimes comes out of the steam holes. Droplet stains remain on delicate fabrics. The anti-drip system, usually marked with a crossed-out drip icon, will help prevent drips.
Self-cleaning
Due to the heating of the water for the steam inside the iron, lime builds up in the duct. The use of distilled water prevents its formation. Some models can independently remove the scale, for this there is a special button on the case. Otherwise, cleaning is carried out regularly, lack of maintenance will reduce the service life of the device by at least 2 times.
Possibility to use tap water
For each model of iron, it is indicated which water is allowed to be poured into the steamer. The presence of a special filter for water purification allows you to pour water directly from the tap, otherwise it is recommended to use a distillate.
Ball cord
The length of the cord and the type of attachment affect the ease of use of the iron. The ball mount allows for 360° rotation of the cord to prevent tangling and tangling.
Water reservoir
The volume of the container is ideally 200-300 milliliters. This will allow you not to frequently add water during ironing.
It is desirable that the material be transparent. This will allow you to visually monitor the water level.
Classification and characteristics of outsole materials
The surface is the most important part because it touches the fabric. It depends on the type of coating whether carbon deposits will appear and whether the fabric will adhere. In addition, the weight of the device depends on the area, the material used. Studying the properties of each material will explain what it affects.
Titanium
A good iron comes with a titanium soleplate. It is made of titanium plated steel. Metal provides easy glide and outsole durability. The disadvantages of the material include a long cooling time, quite high weight and cost.
Teflon
Such a soleplate does not stick to fabrics, even with the wrong choice of temperature, thanks to the non-stick coating. It is considered the best, but very fragile. The surface can be damaged by zippers, fasteners, buttons and other hard clothing.
Composite
The best outsole, made of composite materials. There are many options. All of them are reliable, they will not be damaged by buttons and zippers. Easy slip is provided. Compared to one-component materials, it is more expensive.
Stainless
We use ceramic or stainless steel, the sliding of the iron is very easy, no additional effort is required. The stainless steel liner is durable and long lasting; it does not require any particular maintenance. Inexpensive material, but if used incorrectly, a burn is formed, which can be removed by cleaning.They also take a long time to heat up and cool down and are heavy.
Aluminum
The pros and cons are the property of this material to heat up quickly. The sole is easy to clean if it gets dirty. Due to the lightness of the material, the iron is light and convenient to use. The disadvantages include rapid deformation and the appearance of nicks and scratches on the surface. A budget option.
Sintered metal
A mix of ceramic and metal creates a durable, long-lasting outsole. They are made with the addition of nickel or chromium. Irons with such a coating glide well, withstand the most difficult bends. They heat evenly and clean well.
Ceramic
It safely attracts - no tissue will stick to the surface, which means the likelihood of ruining the product is minimal. The downside is fragility - it can crack when hit or dropped.
Determine the form and type of ironing business
When choosing a form, they often prefer irons with a larger surface area - with this it will be possible to smooth out creases faster. Steam holes are evenly spaced across the surface. They are wider at the edges and have channels for even vapor distribution. The sole should be with a pointed toe. The sharper it is, the easier it is to iron collars, cuffs and places between buttons. Also, the more small vapor holes it has, the better.
Ranking of the best irons
Comparing the characteristics of different models, housewives choose a unit for their home. Based on reviews and sales, a rating of the most popular models from different manufacturers was compiled.The decision on which iron to buy should be made after careful market research.
Attention! The choice of iron does not depend on the brand. Each manufacturer has more or less successful models. By purchasing an iron of an unknown brand, you can save up to 40% of the cost.
Panasonic NI-W 950
In the middle price category, with a cost of 5,400 rubles, this model has almost no drawbacks. The iron has a powerful pressing effect, there is an automatic shut-off, the possibility of vertical steam, a self-cleaning and anti-drip system. The disadvantages include low weight (1.45 kilograms), insufficient for ironing heavy fabrics. The sole is aluminum based.
Tefal FV 3925
An inexpensive iron (3000 rubles), has a vertical steam function, automatic shutdown, anti-drip system, automatic cleaning. The sole is metal-ceramic. Cons include frequent case leaks and a problem with the auto-shutoff feature.
Philips GC4870
This model belongs to the premium segment and is sold at a price of about 7,000 rubles. It has a powerful steam jet and is equipped with all modern protection functions. The soleplate is stainless steel with a ceramic coating.
The disadvantages include the rapid consumption of water and not always the high-quality operation of the filters, which, with prolonged operation, leads to a decrease in the volume of steam.
Braun TS 745A
It is distinguished by its gray-black Art Nouveau design. The iron has the functions of vertical steam, self-cleaning, preventing dripping, automatic shut-off. The outsole is made with an Eloxal coating, made from aluminium. The iron has a power of 2.4 kilowatts, a water capacity of 0.4 liters.The disadvantages of the model include a relatively weak pressing effect, a weight of 2.3 kilograms and a low position of the cord, due to which it clings to the board when ironing. The cost of such an iron is a little more than 4000 rubles.