Ironing your clothes is a simple, yet difficult task. Well, not something difficult, a chore that most of us need to do. It is quite important to wear wrinkle-free clothes to have a good personality. However, you have to decide which iron box is the best – dry iron or steam iron? In this post, we would help you in making your decision. In addition, we would also help you determine the best steam iron in India.
Contents
- 1 The Ultimate Buying Guide for the Best Steam Iron Box
- 2 Best Steam Irons You Can Buy in India
- 3 How to Clean a Steam Iron Water Tank?
- 4 How Do You Clean Clogged Steam Iron Holes?
- 5 Steamer or Iron – Which One is Better?
- 6 Which Iron Box is the Best – Dry or Steam?
- 7 Different Types of Steam Irons
- 8 The Concluding Thoughts on Steam Irons in India
The Ultimate Buying Guide for the Best Steam Iron Box
Before you would buy any product, there are a few features you would want to check out. That should be applicable to a Steam Iron as well. Let us check out a few features that should form part of your buying guide.
The more wattage your steam iron has, the better will be your ironing efficiency. It will also ensure that you will have access to a better steam iron output. However, do take care to handle an iron with a higher capacity or power.
A device with a high wattage would mean more power consumption. Definitely, it would give you soothing results that you actually expect after ironing is done.
The soleplate material would also be one of the important aspects that would have a bearing on the right choice of the best steam iron box. The best material would be the one that is non-sticky and easy to clean.
A scratch-resistant material would offer you an added advantage. Ceramic and stainless steel soleplates can be more efficient compared to titanium or other items.
An option to control the flow of steam would be the best part you would want to go with. A button for turning the steam flow to high, low or off would provide you better control over the steam and the resultant ironing effect.
Now that you are using the iron different types of clothes, a variable steam option would be an added advantage.
If you think you need to iron a lot of clothes, a water tank capacity needs to be considerably higher. In those scenarios, you need to use an iron with a big size tank. That would ensure that you do not need to interrupt your ironing midway to fill the water tank.
The type of water tank would be another feature you would need to give a thought to. It can either be removable or non-removable water tank.
The cord length will be a very important factor to take care of when it comes to ease your working with the efficient ironing. A longer cord length would ensure that your ironing is quite maneuverable.
A longer cord length would also ensure that you can be much flexible with your ironing needs. A swivel power cord would be yet another added advantage.
This will ensure that you can configure the temperature efficiently in tune with the clothes you are planning to iron.
While most of the irons come with the feature, there are several options that come without the feature. Make sure the iron you choose comes with the temperature control options.
These are the few considerations to keep in mind when you have to make a decision for the best steam iron in India. This shall help you determine which is the best product with the features you want in it.
Best Steam Irons You Can Buy in India
Having checked out the important factors, we shall provide you with the list of best steam iron box in India. Here are the details of some best shortlisted steam irons in India which you can buy.
Philips GC1905 – Best Steam Iron under 1500
This Philips steam iron offers you a design that handles the tricky areas of a fabric effectively, the iron offers a steam output rate of 17g/min. It also has a push button that can be used to control the flow of steam based on your exact needs and cloth type. The power consumption of this iron is 1400 watts.
This steam iron also has a knob at the center that would be able to control the temperature based on the clothes that you are planning to iron. The soleplate is made of aluminium and is completely non-sticky.
The power cord is around 1.8 metres in length and provides you with a good manoeuvrability. It can also swivel at 180 degrees. The water tank can hold up to 180 ml of water. Refilling and discharging the water from the tank should be quite simple and easier. Additional steam vents can be an added option. You have access to a two year warranty as well.
Pros
- It consumes less water.
- The fine spray evenly moistens the fabric and removes even the hard crease.
- The iron is lightweight and ensures better portability.
Cons
- It does not come with auto-shut off feature.
- This iron does not have a retractable cord.
Black & Decker – Best Steam Iron with Ceramic Soleplate
The steam iron from Black & Decker is built for durability, optimal design and convenience. The soleplate is ceramic coated and will ensure that your fabric stays safer. A smoother gliding on the clothes will ensure that you stand to gain a better performance. The 2200 Watts power will ensure that you be assured of a perfectly wrinkle free ironing.
The Self-clean feature prevents the build-up of limescale deposits on account of the calcium carbonate in the water which can damage the clothes. The steam iron offers you an Anti-Calc feature that counters limescale build-up. You have variable temperature and steam settings.
The anti-drip feature is yet another thoughtful addition that will prevent water leakage. The larger tank capacity of 380 ml should be enough if you are someone who irons a lot of clothes in one go. It can also be used for vertical ironing, which makes it yet another added advantage. The two-year warranty should make it one of the preferred choices.
Pros
- It has longer power cord of around 3 meters.
- The steam burst at 19 grams per minute is an added advantage.
- The iron comes with a self-clean feature.
- The steam formation in this iron is quick.
Cons
- A slightly heavier construction.
- It does not come with auto shut-off feature.
Philips EasySpeed Plus – Best Steam Iron with Auto Shut-Off Feature
Well, when it comes to the irons – whether steam iron or dry iron – the Philips is one brand that has been an excellent option. The auto shut off feature is one of the features that would make it one of the excellent choices. The high speed performance aided by the 2300 Watts power capacity is yet another advantage.
The calcium cleaning functionality would make it the best option to help you prevent the damage to the fabric. The steam output offered by the steam iron is 30 grams per minute, which should be the best for the tougher fabrics.
If you have tougher creases that are difficult to address, you can opt for a boost steam pressure at 120 grams per minute. The auto shut off feature would shut off the iron in 8 minutes of inactivity. The vertical steam burst option is helpful in ironing out the items like curtains or similar other fabrics. The ceramic soleplate glides smoothly on any type of clothes.
Pros
- The iron comes with a premium look and feel.
- It is extremely lightweight and quite portable.
- This iron heats up very fast.
Cons
- The iron comes with huge 16A plug which is not easily available in all homes.
Sunbeam – Best Steam Iron with Retractable Cord
The best feature that would make it one of the best options is the retractable cord which makes it a good storage appliance. Yet another unique feature that we found interesting enough with the steam iron is the stainless steel soleplate which is quite common among the dry irons. You will find the non-drip option as one of the excellent features on the steam iron. It comes with a power capacity of 1400 Watts power that should be enough for most of the needs.
The larger water tank is enough for your requirements if you prefer ironing a huge lot of clothes at one time. The steam iron also comes with an anti-calcium build-up and calcium cleaning functionality. This will help you take care of the possible damage to the clothes.
The auto shut off feature would shut off the iron if it stays inactive for a prolonged period of time. The 8-foot retractable cord would make it one of the largest and comfortable options for highly efficient maneuverability.
Pros
- The stainless steel soleplate glides smoothly across all types of clothes.
- The lightweight construction is an excellent option for enhanced portability.
- Vertical steaming and ironing option.
Cons
- It is slightly heavier.
- It auto-shuts off really fast.
Bajaj Majesty – Best Lightweight Steam Iron Box
The 1250 Watts power consumption would make it both power efficient and provides you access to a highly efficient ironing. The non-stick soleplate would help you protect the clothes from high heat when ironing them.
The steam push offered by the product reads 8.5 grams per minute. You can also make use of an efficient temperature and steam control. The steam iron also offers you a self-clean mechanism. It has 23 steam vents that offer you a uniformly distributed steam in a stronger burst.
The powerful water spray can help you achieve the best performance and assist you in addressing the tricky creases that are stubborn enough. The 360-degree swivel cord would be one of the huge advantages for an easier and flexible ironing. The water tank is of 150 ml capacity, and the translucent water tank lets you check the water level in the tank easily. There is a two-year warranty on the product.
Pros
- The spray mist functionality enhances the quality of ironing.
- The non-stick soleplate should be an exciting feature for improved efficiency.
Cons
- It does not have an auto shut-off feature.
How to Clean a Steam Iron Water Tank?
Well, most of the steam irons come with the anti-calc and self-clean mechanism. Even then you may find that it can be prone to the build-up of limescale and other deposits. This can actually be the case if you are using any kind of water.
You can clean the steam iron water tank with Vinegar with ease. The steps here should provide you with an excellent option to work through the best options into an efficient cleaning of the water tank.
- Pour vinegar into the water tank up to the quarter level of the water tank.
- Change the temperature setting to medium level.
- Dry a cloth with spray until the water tank gets completely emptied.
- Next, fill the water tank to the full capacity with distilled water.
- Iron a cloth with spraying. This time, do not empty the water tank but iron your cloth multiple times.
- Hold the steam iron a try – especially of metal and spray until the water tank is empty.
Ensure that after each of the ironing sessions, you are emptying the water tank. Leaving the water inside the water tank for a prolonged time can cause the deposit of minerals inside the water tank. Make sure that you follow the manufacturer instructions about which type of water can be used.
How Do You Clean Clogged Steam Iron Holes?
The steam iron and its efficiency will only be evident if you are capable of spraying the proper amount of steam in an efficient manner. The iron comes with holes to take care of the proper spraying of steam.
Commonly referred to as steam vents, these holes can get clogged. There can be multiple reasons for the clogging to happen. Most of the steam irons come with a tool to take care of the cleaning process. You can use the cleaning tool to clear off the dust and scales. Once it is cleaned, you can use the steam button two or three times. Make sure you are pointing away from your fabric to ensure that the condensation is cleaned off and none of them is deposited on your fabric.
Yet another excellent option would be to dip a cotton swab in distilled water and insert it into the steam holes or vents. This can clean up the steam vents and remove any of the condensations inside it.
One of the major reasons that can result in the blockage of the steam vents would be the crystallization that can be caused due to the minerals inside the water. You can prepare a mixture of salt and vinegar in equal parts. This mixture can be used with the help of a Q-Tip or a cotton swab.
You can use the same method to clean the soleplate as well. If the plate is non-stick, take care not to use any abrasive material which may damage the coating. The vinegar – salt combination or the vinegar alone can be one of the best solutions you would want to opt for cleaning any part of the steam iron. You will need to exercise enough caution to ensure that the soleplate is not damaged or does not lose the softness or the non-stick coating.
Steamer or Iron – Which One is Better?
A steamer or an iron – Both of them are used for getting rid of the wrinkles on your clothes. However, the functionality offered by them does not remain the same. They come with their own pros and cons. So which one among them should you go with?
Each of them come with their own advantages and disadvantages. The exact choice would be dependent on your preferences and the ironing load you may have.
What makes steamers a good choice? Here are our reasons –
- It does not need any sort of ironing board. A smaller position may make use of the ironing board a difficult task. A steamer will help you get straight to the task without the need for an ironing board.
- Compared to ironing, steaming can be easier and simple. If you are someone who is not comfortable with proper ironing, a steamer can be your best choice.
- It can be a faster option than iron. You do not need to position your clothes. It can help you remove the creases real faster.
However, it does come with its own issues –
- It may not offer you the best results in every situation.
- Having to hold the streamer upright can be one of the huge issues. They can be tiring on your arm.
- It may not be easy enough to get rid of the creases.
On the other hand, a steam iron can be efficient with the following advantages –
- It will offer you access to the best ever crisp and sharper results for improved ironing.
- They can be an excellent option for delicate clothes.
- You do not need to have any extra accessories as such.
In any case, if you are not someone who wears delicate clothes, iron should be the best you can go with. A steamer may be a little difficult to handle. Moreover, the results would be extremely perfect with iron than a steamer.
In fact, there is no end to the debate on whether a steamer is good or iron is. Ultimately it should be the comfortability that should ideally matter.
Which Iron Box is the Best – Dry or Steam?
When it comes to irons, yet another debate that has been running for eternity is the which among the two options should you go with it – dry iron or steam iron? To understand which is the best option, you should understand the differences between the two.
One of the major differences between the dry iron and steam iron is the Water Tank. The dry iron does not come with a water tank, while for the steam iron, it would form an integral part of the iron. If the tank is not perfect, it can cause the issue of leakage. If you do not want those issues affecting your ironing session, it would be an excellent idea to opt for dry iron. Else, a steam iron would be an excellent choice for effective removal of creases.
Next difference would be the soleplate. The soleplate on a dry iron would be solid, while the one on the steam iron would have smaller holes. These are referred to as steam vents. This will ensure that the wrinkles on the clothes are easily and effectively removed. Of course, for the optimum results, you will need to ensure that theses vents are not blocked.
The versatility is yet another feature you would find impressive enough with the steam iron. In fact, you would also be using the steam iron as a dry iron by shutting down the steam spraying. On the other hand, a dry iron will not be able to function as a steam iron.
Which one should you go with? Our choice remains Steam Iron. If you are someone who has been into ironing your clothes frequently, a steam iron would be an excellent option you should go with. One of the huge advantages that it offers you would be the customized settings it would offer you.
Different Types of Steam Irons
Steam Irons come in multiple genres and types. How would you differentiate between the different genres of steam irons? Here is a little information on different types of steam irons you can go with.
Conventional Steam Irons
These steam irons will be useful in releasing small amounts of steam while you iron your clothes. This can be an excellent option to remove wrinkles. Most of them come with anti-calcium filters and thus can work with the tap water as well.
Steam Ironing Systems
This allows a constant flow of steam. Of course, it will need more space than a conventional iron. They can take a while to heat up and will not turn off automatically if you happen to leave unattended for a prolonged period of time.
Cordless Irons
These are similar to the regular irons with only a simple difference – they do not come with a power cord. They tend to provide you access to an excellent level of flexibility and maneuverability. However, these types of steam irons have not become popular enough. They have not been effective with their performance.
The Concluding Thoughts on Steam Irons in India
That was all we have with respect to the best steam irons you can check out in India. In addition to the choicest options for the best steam irons, we have also made it a point to provide information on the steam irons and their usability.
We assume the information contained here should meet almost all your needs. For any suggestions and improvements write to us in the comments section below.
