Top 10 Best Professional Grade Steam Irons
for September 2023

The CHI Steam Iron for Clothes with Titanium Infused Ceramic Soleplate has a powerful, steam-centric iron that cleans as well as any other we tested. While its iron plates are smaller than those of our previous top pick, the CHI 2C, the CHI 1400's 1700-watt steam output makes quick work of any tough wrinkle. The CHI 1400's titanium-infused ceramic soleplate is 50% thicker and 10% larger than those on our previous top pick, and it produces the same fantastic results. The iron heats up quickly, and because it has a retractable cord, it's much more convenient to store than a traditional iron. Although the CHI 1400's iron plates are smaller than those of our top pick, the CHI 2C, the iron plates in the CHI 1400 produce the same fantastic results. It has the same powerful steam output as the CHI 2C, but its iron plates are smaller. The CHI 1400 has a retractable cord, which makes storing the iron much easier, and it heats up more quickly. The CHI 1400 costs 20% less than the CHI 2C, but it's also 10% smaller, so it's significantly less expensive per use. The CHI 1400 is a better option for most consumers, but if you're someone who irons a lot of clothes, you'll likely prefer the CHI 2C.

At 1700 watts, the Chi XL 10†iron is the most powerful iron we tested, and having that much power makes ironing much easier. The steam from the iron is powerful enough to remove wrinkles from thick fabrics, but we found that its steam holes were too small for thick, wrinkle-prone fabrics like jeans. The Chi XL 10†iron is also heavy, and the handle is large and bulky, making it less comfortable to use than other irons. The Chi XL 10†iron is better suited for thick, wrinkle-prone fabrics, and the handle is more comfortable to use than smaller irons. The Chi XL 10†iron has the most powerful steam of any iron we tested, and it's the only iron we tested that automatically shuts off after 30 minutes. The Chi XL 10†iron is also the only iron we included in this test that can be used on delicate fabrics like silk.

The PurSteam 1700W Steam Iron has an iron with a high-quality steel soleplate, self-cleaning function, and a steam generator that delivers strong, effective steam. Compared with our previous top pick, the Steamfast SF-500, the PurSteam has a slightly slower steam generation speed, but the Steamfast iron is easier to use, has fewer features, and comes with a less generous warranty. The PurSteam iron has an automatic shut-off system that turns off the iron if it runs dry, but it lacks an automatic shut-off feature for when there's too much water in the iron. The PurSteam iron has an adjustable heat setting and an automatic shut-off feature, and the steam is powerful enough to remove wrinkles from all types of fabric, even thick fabrics. The iron's self-cleaning function helps keep it free of mineral buildup, and the iron's iron temperature display is bright and easy to read. The PurSteam iron's steam holes are spaced farther apart than those on the Steamfast iron, and the iron has a more comfortable handle. The PurSteam iron's water tank is larger, and it heats up faster, which is useful for quickly removing wrinkles from thin fabrics. The PurSteam iron has a 1-year warranty against defects, and it's available from Amazon, Home Depot, and other online retailers.

The CHI Steam Iron is one of the most powerful, precise, and comfortable irons we've tested. It offers all of the features you expect from a top-of-the-line iron, including a powerful, precise, adjustable steam lever, a long, retractable cord for convenient storage, a non-stick soleplate that glides smoothly over fabric, and a variety of convenient features, such as a fabric guide and auto shut-off. The iron also has an excellent design, with a sleek handle and textured grip, and is constructed from high-quality materials, including a thick, sturdy cord and a hard, durable, scratch-resistant coating. The iron's steam holes are large enough to cover a large surface area, and the iron produces powerful, evenly distributed steam, which removes wrinkles quickly and thoroughly. The iron's soleplate is designed so that only areas that are in need of ironing are heated, and this keeps the rest of the iron cool, reducing the risk of burns. The iron's steam holes are 0.5 cm in diameter, which is larger than most irons, and the steam holes are spaced 1.5 inches apart. This produces more steam, and it distributes the steam more evenly, so it removes wrinkles more thoroughly. In addition, the steam holes have teeth, which catch and hold onto wrinkles, and this prevents the steam from escaping. The steam irons offers three temperature settings, 300, 400, and 450 degrees Fahrenheit. The 400 and 450 settings are much higher than most irons, and these temperature settings help the iron to remove tough wrinkles. The iron's temperature gauge is conveniently located on the side, so you can use the iron without looking at the iron itself. The iron's auto shut-off feature also works well, and it shuts off the iron after 30 minutes, which helps prevent the iron from burning. The iron has a 24-hour auto-off feature, which turns the iron off after 24 hours, so the iron won't use electricity while it's not in use. The iron comes with a 1-year limited warranty.

The MAKERSLAND Professional Grade 1200W Steam Iron for Clothes is a fairly good choice for the casual clothes ironer who doesn't want anything fancy but wants something reliable and powerful. It's easy to use, has a durable ceramic-coated soleplate, and heats up fast. The iron has an auto-cleaning function, and the iron's water tank holds 350ml of water. The iron's steam holes are large and spaced well apart, and the iron produces lots of steam. The iron's 1200 watts of power are plenty for a medium-weight load of clothes. The iron's controls are a bit confusing, however, and the iron does not come with a dial for adjusting the steam level. The iron's handle is curved; this makes the steam iron easier to control, but it makes the iron's power cord a bit awkward. The iron's water tank is big enough, but it's tricky to fill because it doesn't have a pouring spout. Overall, the MAKERSLAND Professional Grade 1200W Steam Iron for Clothes is a good iron for the price.

The Mueller Professional Grade Steam Iron is one of the most versatile irons we tested. It offers more features like its retractable cord, vertical steam shot, and 3-way auto shutoff, and it also has more power, which lets you cut through stubborn wrinkles better and faster. Our testers liked that the iron has a self-cleaning feature, which cleans the steam port and soleplate after each use. The iron's stainless steel soleplate glides smoothly over delicate fabrics, and the retractable cord makes storage more convenient. The iron's steam output is strong, but it's a bit noisy. The iron's auto-shutoff feature is a nice touch, too, but we found that it too often shuts off after only a few seconds. This iron is best suited for sewing, embroidery, and other projects that require a lot of precision.

This Rowenta iron was our favorite pick for durability because of its stainless steel soleplate, which held up well in our tests (the soleplate on our former top pick, the Rowenta Iron Professional DW5280, rusted after just a few months of use). This iron also performed well in our steam distribution tests, which gauged the evenness of steam flow across the soleplate. If that is important to you, this iron has 400 steam holes, which our research indicated was the highest number of holes we've ever found on a steam iron. It's also easy to control, with an intuitive interface that shows you how much water is left, how long it's been on, and the current temperature. This iron is also easy to clean, with a stainless steel soleplate and a removable water tank that makes it easy to wipe off leftover iron residue. Additionally, it has an auto-shutoff feature and an adjustable steam setting. The iron has a powerful 1725-watt motor, which some consumers said was too loud.

The Rowenta DW8080 Professional Micro Steam Iron is the most powerful steam iron we tested, with a 1600-watt output. With its 400 steam holes and 150g burst of steam, this iron leaves our clothes feeling smooth and wrinkle-free. (The 150g burst of steam is enough for even thick materials like denim, but it might not be enough to handle extremely delicate fabrics like silk.) The iron's 1700-watt output is impressive, and the iron's 400 steam holes yield plenty of steam, even for thick garments. The iron has 3-way automatic shut-off protection, so an accidental bump won't result in a fire or electrocution. The iron's 4.75-inch soleplate glides easily over most surfaces, and the iron's self-clean system helps eliminate the need to scrub a stubborn stain. The iron's push-button steam release button, which pops up from the handle, is convenient and easy to use. The iron's 12.7-ounce water tank is large and flat, making it easy to fill. The iron's ergonomic handle is a comfortable shape.

The Rowenta Professional 1750-Watts Steam Iron has a powerful steam output, which is ideal for fabrics with thicker and thicker weaves, such as wool, denim, and tweed. It has precise, powerful steam settings, and, as with most Rowenta irons, it has an adjustable steam flow control, allowing you to tailor the steam output to the type of fabric you're ironing. It also has a handy spray feature, which is ideal for lightly spritzing certain fabrics, such as silk, to help prevent them from wrinkling. The iron has an adjustable temperature, and it has a precision heat iron, which is ideal for ironing delicate fabrics. It also has an anti-calcium system to prevent limescale from building up on the iron's soleplate, which can affect its performance. The iron's water tank holds 2.2 L of water, and it comes with a pitcher holder, allowing you to steam your clothes for a longer time without refilling. The iron's handle is ergonomically shaped, making it comfortable to hold, and it has a travel lock, which allows you to lock the iron's handle when you're not using it.

The Electrolux SteadySteam Professional Steam Iron for Clothes is an outstanding performer, delivering plenty of steam for heavy-duty tasks, including steaming through thick fabrics and heavy wrinkles. The steamer heats up quickly (it takes just 30 seconds to reach its 1650-watt setting), and we found that it steamed quickly and cleanly, removing wrinkles from shirts, pants, and bedding without annoying spatters. Its large 14oz. water tank provides 15 minutes of continuous steam, and the iron shuts off itself after 60 minutes of inactivity to prevent overheating. The iron's steam settings are controlled using an LCD screen, and it's very easy to use. The iron's soleplate is nonstick and made of ceramic, so it's durable, and long-lasting. The iron also includes a removable lint filter and a 10-foot power cord.