An iron is an indispensable household appliance that every housewife has. Without it, it is impossible to put in order the clothes, it will look ugly and untidy, therefore, the entire appearance is completely ruined. But it turns out that choosing the right model of equipment is not so easy, since you need to know many different nuances, especially considering the current range of goods available for sale. Let's try to figure out how to choose an iron in 2020 so that it performs its functions perfectly.
Content
Types of irons
Household appliances are divided into several types, depending on the design and principle of operation:
- simple;
- with built-in sprayer and thermostat;
- road;
- steam.
Simple
A simple iron is not equipped with additional functions such as moistening clothes during ironing, etc., this procedure has to be performed manually. The model is equipped with a thermostat, with the help of which the sole is heated.
With sprayer and thermostat
The second category is represented by irons with built-in water sprayers, which are not widely used today. The demand for them is small, so these models are produced in small quantities. The reason is that they cannot cope with ironing heavy fabrics and heavily wrinkled laundry.
Road
Name travel iron speaks for itself: it is advisable to take it on trips, business trips, etc. At the same time, in order to achieve maximum compactness (so that the device can easily fit in luggage), the capabilities of such a model are limited by basic functions, that is, conventional ironing.
Steam
We make the right choice: the fourth type of iron - steam - is in the greatest demand among buyers. If you want to purchase a multifunctional assistant, then you should choose just such a model. It works in both wet and dry ironing modes. In addition, this type of iron has many other advantages, among which it is worth highlighting the comfortable shape of the sole, its high-quality glide, ironing of different types of fabrics, protection against scale and more.
Wireless
This is a completely mobile device, with it you can move at any distance and not be afraid of electric shock. However, ironing time can be delayed due to the fact that the appliance must be constantly placed on the docking station for heating.
How to choose an iron for home
To choose a good model of an iron for your home, you need to consider several main parameters:
- operating modes;
- power;
- sole material and shape;
- weight and size;
- complete set.
Operating modes
Modern models can work in three modes:
- Dry ironing - the principle of work is that the fabric is smoothed and takes on the required shape under the weight of the heated metal. Depending on the power of the device, the temperature of its sole can be in the range of 60-200 degrees. Even the most simplified models are equipped with a special regulator, with which you can set the required temperature.
- With steaming - this mode is considered the most effective and convenient.During the operation of the device with a steam generator, crumpled clothes have a triple effect in the form of the weight of the iron, hot soles and steam, the temperature of which reaches 99 degrees.
- Splashing - this mode of operation assumes the presence of an additional function. During ironing, you can spray a small amount of water on the laundry or clothes by pressing the dedicated button. This feature allows you to better deal with stubborn creases and tricky fabrics.
Power
Irons are also divided into three categories according to power parameters:
- low-power (up to 1600 W);
- medium-power (1600-2400 W);
- the most powerful (from 2400 W).
If the amount of clothes and linen for ironing is usually not too large for you, it is quite possible to do with a low-power model. The high-performance equipment is designed for large ironing volumes, and at the same time it consumes a lot of energy. So, in order not to overpay, give preference to an iron with a medium power. It provides an opportunity to cope with an average amount of laundry, as well as save on energy.
Outsole material
The recommendations of experienced consultants will help you to choose a good model of the iron according to one more criterion - the working surface. It can be made of various materials: aluminum, ceramics, steel, etc.
Aluminum outsole quickly heats up and cools down just as quickly. The disadvantage of the material is that it is easily deformed, as a result of which small damages may soon appear on the surface, which harm delicate fabrics. Many iron manufacturers try not to use pure aluminum; such models are inexpensive.
It is recommended to pay attention to irons with a work surface stainless steel, if you want to choose a coating with good durability. They have many advantages: easy care, high-quality glide. Some iron manufacturers use an additional coating to improve the properties of the soleplate.
Another pretty good choice is devices with ceramic sole... They are distinguished by good ironing quality, easy and quick cleaning, easy sliding. However, the disadvantages of this coating include a low level of strength.
There is a combined option - sintered sole... It is distinguished by a combination of all the advantages of ceramics and higher strength and durability due to metal inclusions. However, rough mechanical stress can still damage the integrity of the sole. Such models are in deserved demand from consumers, as they can easily cope with even very dry laundry. Moreover, they are easily cleaned with a damp sponge.
Irons with titanium sole the most expensive, but at the same time the most durable and most resistant to mechanical stress. They are almost impossible to damage. But it should be remembered that the titanium model heats up much longer than others, which means that the electricity consumption increases. Also, the sole cools down for a long time, and you can only use special products to clean it.
Sometimes there are models with a Teflon coating, but they are not in demand among buyers, since they do not provide high quality sliding, and are also considered short-lived. However, it is the Teflon-coated iron that provides the best non-stick properties.
Sole shape
As for the shape of the sole, everything is much simpler here. To correctly choose the most suitable model, you just need to determine what kind of clothes, fabrics you are going to iron most often. If it is women's clothing, men's shirts, children's clothes, then it is better to give preference elongated sole with a pointed nose. If bed linen needs ironing, then you need to pay attention to irons with rounded toe and extended sole. In any case, it is better to refuse devices with a small work surface, since they only have to spend more time and energy on ironing.
An important detail that we recommend you pay attention to is number of holes on the working surface, designed to release steam. The more of them, the better the ironing. There should be at least 70 holes, and best of all - from 100 and more.
Weight and size
On the modern market, there are models of various weights and dimensions. Which iron should you choose to last longer? To select a device with optimal parameters, it is worth considering the expected operating conditions.
If you want to take the iron on trips, then special models weigh up to 1 kg and are small in size - to find the best option, study the rating of road devices. In general, in other cases, the size of the device is not too important. The weight of the equipment is much more important.
The most common are medium-sized models weighing from 1.2 to 2 kg. The weight of the device is determined by the sole material and the capacity of the water tank. It is recommended to choose an iron that weighs less than 2 kg. It is quite easy to use, but the ironing result is much better compared to light models.
Equipment
The standard equipment includes the iron itself, as well as a plastic measuring cup, which allows you to quickly and conveniently pour water into the tank (it is recommended to carefully study the product review if you purchase it through the online store).
Some manufacturers complete their equipment with additional attachments. They help prevent shiny stains when ironing delicate fabrics.
Also, the set may include a special heat-resistant cover. It is especially useful when you need to remove the appliance immediately after ironing. The cover slips quickly and easily onto the hot sole of the device.
In an age of innovative technology, it is not surprising that you can choose an iron for your home that can work without a wired connection to the power supply. Included with such models is a small stand on which the sole heats up. Then the temperature is kept for some time. You should not choose such a device if you plan to iron a large amount of clothes and linen, as it will often have to be heated.
Important functions
- Automatic shutdown. It works as follows: if the turned on iron is immobilized for a certain time, it will turn off on its own (so that it does not burn or worse, to avoid a fire). In this case, the shutdown time depends on whether the device is in a horizontal or vertical position.
- Vertical steam used to smooth clothes hanging from a hanger. This function is useful when you need to quickly smooth out a wrinkled item before leaving the house.
- Aqua-stop or anti-drip system prevents water from penetrating through the sole onto the fabric. A very useful function when ironing delicate chiffon and silk where water droplets appear stained.
- Anti-scale system. This is the presence in the device of various filters for water purification.
- Another useful feature is self-cleaning... To use it, you need to click on a special button. In this case, strong jets of steam will come out of the holes on the sole, and with them scale and other dirt.
What you need to pay extra attention to
When choosing an iron, pay attention to some of its additional features, which, however, can affect the price / quality ratio. It is imperative to hold the device in your hand, evaluate the convenience of the handle. Also important balance in weight Technique: Hold the device in the air - the front and back of it should be about the same weight. If the handle has rubber inserts, this means that the device will not slip in the hand.
The cord must be of sufficient lengthso as not to constrain movement when ironing. Optimally - at least 2 meters. The swivel cord allows you to change the direction of the iron 360 degrees and prevents the wire from twisting. Some models have an automatic cord rewind function that saves storage space.
Think if you really need large water tank. It is easy to refill at any time, and models with a large reservoir are more expensive. In this case, it is better to choose an iron with transparent tank walls in order to monitor the water level in it.
There are many more additional features that modern models are equipped with, for example, beautiful lighting or a sole covering made of a unique material (synthetic sapphire or palladium). Their presence, of course, is not at all necessary, but can add external aesthetics and facilitate the ironing process.
Care
Follow a few tips on how to care for your iron to keep it performing well and for as long as possible:
- Ideally, you should use distilled or at least boiled / filtered water to avoid scale.
- If the steamer is not needed soon, empty the water tank and set the steam generation to a minimum.
- It is necessary to clean the steam system regularly (about once every six months).
- Also, as it gets dirty, it is necessary to clean the sole from plaque, fabric fibers and other dirt. This can be done using special or home remedies (hydrogen peroxide, salt and paraffin, vinegar, etc.).
Rating of the best irons in 2020
On the market of modern household appliances, there is a huge variety of different types of irons, which sometimes makes it difficult to choose this device. Our experts have compiled for you a rating of the best irons of 2020, combining the best price / quality ratio and collecting the largest number of positive reviews. Therefore, if you still do not know which model to buy, then our list of the highest quality and most reliable devices will help you in solving this difficult issue.
- Morphy Richards 305003
- Philips GC series
- Braun TexStyle 7 TS745A
- Morphy Richards 305000
- Xiaomi YD-012V
- Rowenta DW4130D1
Conclusion
Now you know how to choose a good iron for home use so that it meets all criteria, including price / quality. The variety of this equipment, indispensable in everyday life, is so huge that you can buy a good model in an affordable price range. Proper care will help to significantly extend the life of the device.
