Ironing with non-stop steaming: TOP 5 irons with a steam generator

The steam station from Gorenje presents the SteamCompact line. It has very compact dimensions (22x25x40 cm) and low weight (3.5 kg). By the standards of models with steam generators, the iron is an inexpensive solution. But here a powerful 2200-watt heater is installed, which ensures readiness for operation in a minute after switching on. It comes with a 2-liter water tank with a measuring cup included and a wide neck for filling. By the way, replenishment of the liquid is also permissible during ironing.

The Gorenje SGH 2200LBC offers 3 levels of steam intensity, including an eco mode that helps reduce electricity consumption. Special mention deserves not only the anti-drip system, but also the 2-level protection against scale. So, a special replaceable cartridge is responsible for the preliminary purification of water from hardness salts (designed for 6 months of operation). Plus, there is a separate self-cleaning mode, designed to extend the overall life of the device.

The iron received a ceramic sole with an abundance of holes for steam supply. Such a working surface evenly warms up and perfectly glides over any fabrics. The traditional rotating thermostat under the handle allows you to choose the temperature of the sole.

Steam is supplied at a pressure of 4.5 bar at a speed of 50 g/min. With a steam boost, productivity increases by 2 times, but even this is not enough to quickly eliminate deep wrinkles on naughty natural fabrics. If there are a lot of such things in your wardrobe, then you should take a closer look at the older model SGH 2400BB with more intensive steam generation.

Another disadvantage is the lack of an automatic shutdown. But still, taking into account the affordable price, the Gorenje SGH 2200LBC is a good low-cost choice for basic household ironing tasks, which, moreover, is not picky about the quality of the water being poured.

The CareStyle 5 is Braun's mid-range steam iron. It uses the signature Eloxal 3D Plus outsole. It is distinguished not only by strength (hardness is 2 times greater than that of ordinary stainless steel), but also by easy sliding. At the back, the sole is curved like a snowboard, due to which it successfully overcomes buttons, pockets and other “obstacles”.

The 2400-watt Braun CareStyle 5 IS 5145 heater will “cook” steam in a 2-liter tank 2 minutes after switching on. And a full container of liquid, as a rule, is enough for any, even the longest session of home ironing.

The iron copes well with traditional ironing and vertical steaming, since the steam pressure reaches 6.8 bar, and the intensity of its output varies from a stable 120 g / min to 400 g / min with a steam boost (triggered by double pressing the steam button). This intensity will help straighten complex folds and creases with minimal time.

Interestingly, the Braun CareStyle 5 IS 5145, thanks to iCare auto temperature control technology, does not require any special manual settings. The single mode is the main one. It is suitable for ironing and steaming most types of garments, from synthetics to linen. Additionally, an eco mode is offered. It reduces electricity and water consumption and is recommended for blended, nylon and other delicate fabrics.

The model does not splash water (anti-drip system) and provides a simple solution for descaling FastClean - a collector for collecting and draining through a special plug. An indicator on the control panel will warn you of the need for cleaning.

After 10 minutes of inactivity, the steam generator goes into sleep mode, which is an alternative to auto-off. Pleasant little things include a holder for winding the power cord and an iron lock on the base (EasyLock) for easy carrying.

Braun CareStyle 5 IS 5145 is a noteworthy iron from a trusted brand. It can be recommended to those who want to avoid various settings during ironing.

The Bosch steam station features i-Temp Advanced technology. Due to it, the iron has lost the traditional rotary washer for choosing temperatures and does not need additional settings for the intensity of steam generation. By default, both heating and steam in the Bosch Serie I6 TDS6040 are adapted to any fabric, which means that pre-sorting laundry for ironing will remain a thing of the past.

In addition to the universal one, an eco mode is also proposed, designed for energy saving. For him, a reduction in water consumption by 40% and electricity - by 25% is declared.

The iron with a ceramic work surface Ceranium Glissee Pro is directly responsible for smoothing. The sole literally moves on the fabric itself, is not prone to scratches (unlike aluminium) and is complemented by numerous holes for uniform steam treatment of textiles.

With a 2400-watt heater, wrinkle control can begin 2 minutes after filling the 1.3-liter tank with water. The steam will penetrate deep into the fabrics (pressure 5.8 bar) and effectively straighten clothes (capacity 120 g/min). And for vertical steaming and/or heavy wrinkling, there is a PulseSteam steam boost with three high-intensity steam bursts of 380g/min.

The Bosch Serie I6 TDS6040 will turn off automatically when idle for 8 minutes. And due to the presence of the SecureLock System blocker, it is permissible to transfer the station directly by the handle of the iron. The owner will not have to worry too much about problems with water hardness. There is a collector for collecting scale, self-cleaning systems, as well as an indication that prompts the need for service procedures.

The disadvantage of the model is the lack of an anti-drip system, but if you operate the device in accordance with the instructions, then characteristic traces of water on clothes can be avoided. But the disadvantages, according to some users, include too noisy steam generation. The rest of the Bosch Serie I6 TDS6040 is a solid iron with elementary controls and readiness for hard water.

Among the Tefal steam generators, the GV 9620 model is the senior flagship solution, along with related variations GV 9610 and GV 9611. The device differs slightly from them constructively (it has a protective screen and an additional carrying handle), and the GV 9611 version also wins in terms of operating parameters.

The premium status of the station is confirmed even in small things. There is a collector for collecting scale, anti-drip system and automatic shutdown. The housing has compartments for a 1.7 m power cord and steam hose. Plus, a door hook is included for hanging clothes and vertical steaming.

Tefal Pro Express Ultimate GV 9620 is equipped with a powerful 2600 watt heating element. With it, a long “buildup” is not required: after 2 minutes, you can start ironing. Steam pressure reaches 8 bar: this is more typical for professional than for household appliances. The filled 1.9 liter water tank will not require topping up even with large stacks of wrinkled laundry.

The iron features the Durilium AirGlide Autoclean soleplate. This is cermet, which glides well and resists mechanical stress well.

At the disposal of the user there are 6 modes with an already selected ratio of heating and steam supply. Almost all of them are set using the button on the iron itself. The basic ones include eco (to reduce resource consumption), delicate, normal (suitable for almost any fabric) and maximum (steam performance reaches a respectable 180 g / min).

The Smart and Boost modes deserve special mention. In the first, steam is supplied automatically: a special sensor monitors the horizontal movements of the iron, and when the appliance is stopped or raised, the supply stops. Boost mode (only activated from the base) allows you to increase the main operating parameters for 15 minutes, including giving out a steam boost of 650 g / min. This, according to users, is more than enough to quickly eliminate complex wrinkles or vertical steaming of such dense products as a jacket or coat.

The trade-off for the benefits offered is high cost. But if you have to iron a lot, and you want to do it quickly and comfortably, then Tefal Pro Express Ultimate GV 9620 is one of the favorites for this role.

The advanced steam iron incorporates many of the latest Philips innovations. Automatic temperature control is provided by OptimalTEMP technology. With it, you don’t have to switch modes: one mode of the same name is suitable for all fabrics, and your clothes and ironing board will be protected from burning and damage. By the way, the Woolmark Gold certification confirms this care statement for finicky wool.

The Philips PerfectCare Elite Plus GC 9682 also supports Silent Steam and DynamiQ technology. The first one reduces noise during steam generation, and the second one provides automatic steam supply when the iron moves along the working surface (a special sensor is built into the handle).

The iron has got a premium titanium T-ionicGlide soleplate. It glides well and almost eliminates the possibility of mechanical damage due to careless handling. The iron is also light (only 800 grams), therefore, it is more comfortable to perform vertical steaming with it.

Other features of the system include the Easy De-Calc Plus descaling collector with service prompts and automatic shutdown when idle. In the equipment, it is worth highlighting the iron lock on the base and the compartments for the wire and steam hose at the base.

The Philips PerfectCare Elite Plus GC 9682 is a powerful 2700 watt appliance that only takes two minutes to preheat. When the tank is completely filled with 1800 ml, it will be possible to iron for up to 2 hours without stopping. But it won't take that long. The maximum pressure of 8 bar ensures effective penetration of hot air into dense fabrics, and the steam output of 165 g/min will help you quickly eliminate all wrinkles.

For complex tasks, such as ironing several times folded linen, steaming outerwear or removing old, deep creases, a separate MAX mode and a powerful steam boost with an intensity of 600 g / min are available. And, on the contrary, for the purposes of energy saving, an eco-mode is useful.

The minus of the iron is the high price. True, there are more expensive solutions in the line, like PerfectCare 9000 PSG 9050. All in all, PerfectCare Elite Plus GC 9682 can be recommended to anyone who wants to quickly iron, steam or even minimize dry cleaning trips.