Best steam irons in the UK, tested

Faced with crumpled cottons and crinkled collars, few people approach the ironing board with anything resembling excitement. The right iron makes a big difference: one that glides across garments without scorching or leaving limescale marks, and a sturdy, height-adjustable board with a quality cover and padding is essential.

I tested nine irons, judging size, weight and ergonomics, and noting comfort and efficiency. Each model was used on bedsheets, tea towels, cotton shirts (to check collars and buttons), a silk sari and even jeans to see how they coped with heavier fabrics. I measured peak wattage with a power meter and timed how long each iron took to reach top temperature, using a height-adjustable Brabantia ironing board with a PerfectFlow cover.

Standouts from the testing include the Breville DiamondXpress VIN401 as best overall: excellent performance, strong steam, a wide soleplate with a narrow nose and a 40‑second heat time, though its rose gold finish and diamond motif will divide opinion and it lacks a cord clip.

United Kingdom

steam irons, breville, diamondxpress, vin401, ironing board, brabantia, soleplate, wattage, heat time, limescale