There is something so satisfying about freshly ironed clothes. From the comforting warmth it gives to the smell of fresh laundry to, most importantly, the crease-less appearance of your favourite garments and linens – these are just a few simple joys that come as a result of the, well, less enjoyable chore of ironing.
And how does one achieve crease-less shirts and crisp linens? With a humble steam iron, of course. It is not a revolutionary home appliance but a very necessary one. That’s why finding a model that works well is crucial.
What to look for when buying a steam iron
So, what should you look out for when buying a steam iron? There are a few key factors to consider.
- Adjustable steam output – finding a steam iron that allows you to control the amount of steam it produces is crucial. This is because, depending on the type of material you’re ironing, you will need to adjust the steam output accordingly.
- Soleplate construction – arguably, one of the most important elements of a steam iron is its soleplate. Make sure the soleplate of your steam iron is made from high-quality materials. This is because this is the part of the iron that will come in contact (or very close to) with your clothes/linens.
- Auto shut-off – most steam irons have safety features such as auto shut-off. And when life gets busy, having this safety feature is a must.
The best steam irons to shop in Australia 2024
01
Philips PerfectCare Powerlife steam iron
$111 (usually $159), David Jones
If you’re a lover of delicate fabrics, you can breathe a sigh of relief as this steam iron from Philips is 100 per cent safe – even on your most prized pieces. Iron everything from denim to silk in one go. Equipped with the brand’s innovative OptimalTEMP technology, there’s no need to manually adjust the temperature of your iron anymore.
Key features:
- OptimalTEMP technology
- 45g/min performance
- SteamGlide Plus soleplate for ultimate gliding performance
02
Tefal TurboPro Anti-Calc steam iron
$189, Appliances Online
For just under $200, the Tefal anti-calc steam iron is powerful and efficient – just what we need come laundry day. Featuring the brand’s Turbo Technology Boost, this iron delivers an impressive 200g/min of steam, so you know that even the toughest of wrinkles are smoothed out easily.
Key features:
- 200g/min of steam
- Vertical steam feature
- Precision tip
03
Sunbeam Verve 680 Resilium steam iron
$129, The Good Guys
Featuring the brand’s premium Resilium anodised soleplate that is incredibly durable whilst providing a super low friction glide, this steam iron is high quality and easy to use. Plus, with its patented dual-steam chamber technology, optimised steam pressure deeply penetrates fibres for faster ironing, too.
04
Philips PerfectCare 8000 Series steam generator
$629.10, David Jones
Effortless ironing is at the tip of your fingertips with the Philips PerfectCare 8000 steam iron. Equipped with motion sensor technology, powerful automatic steam, and OptimalTEMP technology that guarantees no burns on your clothes as you iron, it’s a trustworthy unit that will elevate your laundry game. Plus, with its lightweight design, you’re able to use it upright as a handheld garment steamer, too.
05
Braun Texstyle 3 steam iron
$57 (usually $119), Amazon
If affordability is what you’re after, this model by Braun is perfect. Not compromising on quality, the Texstyle 3 steam iron features the world’s first 3D BackGlide soleplate that guarantees 360° glideability over any fabric and any obstacle – even backwards. You’ll never get stuck on buttons and pockets ever again.
06
Philips Azur 8000 series steam iron
$183.20 (usually $229), Amazon
Worried about calc build-up? Well, consider it a worry no more with the Philips Azur 8000 steam iron. The Azur features a Quick Calc Release system that easily breaks down and collects calc particles in a fuss-free removable container. Plus, it also boasts a SteamGlide Plus soleplate and 55g/min of continuous steam.