The best irons with anti-scale protection

The iron belongs to the low-cost segment, so there are not enough stars in the sky, but it performs its duties well and is easy to use. It weighs only 1.3 kg, so it does not cause discomfort during long ironing of large amounts of laundry. The power of 2200 W ensures fairly fast heating - a special indicator on the case will indicate readiness for work. And the ceramic-coated sole distributes heat evenly over the entire surface, facilitates sliding over the fabric, prevents the formation of new folds and the sticking of clothes and linen. In addition, ceramics are popular due to their scratch resistance, which is especially important when working with products with buttons, zippers, fasteners and other metal elements.

The model is designed for both dry ironing and steaming. True, the power is quite modest: up to 30 g/min with a constant supply of steam and only 90 g/min during the release of a steam boost. This is enough for ironing not too complex fabrics, but with thick materials you will have to tinker. The anti-drip system prevents water from leaking out, allowing you to work with delicate items at low temperatures. The iron can also be used for vertical steaming. However, the power of the steam boost is, of course, not enough to smooth out thick curtains and outerwear. The water reservoir holds 280 ml, which should be enough for one small ironing session.

Despite the low cost, the manufacturer has added everything necessary to make the iron serve you as long as possible and make its use comfortable. The AntiCalc system is the simplest but most effective method of combating scale. Simply put, this is a special program that starts self-cleaning of the device: at maximum temperature, dirt, plaque particles and scale come out of the holes along with steam. Regular cleaning extends the life of the equipment and maintains steam performance at its original level. The auto-shut-off function is responsible for safe operation: the iron will turn itself off after 8 minutes in a stationary vertical position or after 30 seconds on the soleplate. To turn it back on, simply move it away. In addition, the model is equipped with a long 2.5-meter cord, which allows you to do household chores in any convenient place. And the swivel mount allows it to rotate freely and prevents tangling.

This inexpensive iron, originally from France, is a reliable workhorse for everyday use. It is also designed to last you as long as possible, as the Anti-Calc prefix in the name hints at. Overall, this is a scale control system that is a major source of problems with steam performance and overall efficiency. For this purpose, the model is equipped with a special container where lime deposits accumulate. All you have to do is periodically remove and clean this container under running water. In addition, the device has a removable rod that opens a channel for steam supply. It is recommended to periodically “soak” it in lemon juice, thereby removing accumulations of salt and other deposits. All these simple steps will help maintain productivity at a high level and extend the life of your equipment.

There are no complaints about the quality of ironing either. With a power of 2800 W, the iron heats up quickly and is ready to use in minutes. The high-quality Durilium Airglide sole glides easily over any material without sticking to fabric or leaving behind shiny marks. In addition to dry ironing, two steaming modes are available: constant steam at a speed of up to 50 g/min or a more powerful steam boost (260 g/min). These indicators mean that the steam is supplied quite intensively, thanks to which it penetrates deep into the fibers and evens out even the most complex folds. To deal with heavily wrinkled items or thick, heavy fabrics, you don't have to run the iron over the same spot several times—one or two passes is enough. The sharp spout and steam holes located across the entire surface of the sole facilitate thorough ironing of hard-to-reach places such as cuffs, collars, pockets, etc. Thanks to a fairly powerful steam boost, the model is also effective for vertical steaming if you need to refresh clothes hanging on hangers or curtains. The anti-drip system prevents water from leaking, and the capacity of the water tank (270 ml) is enough to iron a small amount of clothes or bedding.

The thoughtful design deserves special attention. The stand here is not solid, but consists of two parts into which the handle smoothly flows. As a result, the iron looks neat, weighs little, but is stable in an upright position. And forgetful owners will definitely appreciate the automatic shut-off function: if left unattended, the device will turn itself off after 8 minutes on the “heel” or after 30 seconds on the sole.

The iron is developed using modern technologies and successfully combines high performance and a very affordable price. This model will be especially appreciated by users for whom ironing becomes a real torture due to ignorance of fabric types and the risk of ruining their favorite item. The fact is that there is no usual temperature regulator - there are no mode settings at all. Instead, the Braun TexStyle 9 SI 9270 uses an auto-temperature adjustment function - iCare intelligent mode. Although, essentially, there is nothing intelligent here, the iron simply applies one optimal temperature, which is absolutely safe for all types of fabric that can be ironed. This saves the owner from having to manually select settings, sort things, and wait for the sole to heat up or cool down when changing modes. You can iron everything: linen shirts, jeans, bed linen, dresses made of delicate silk, without fear of burning them.

True, due to the fact that the temperature is low (which makes it safe), the iron may not be able to handle thick, heavy, and most complex materials. Luckily, this is where the steam function comes to the rescue. Unlike temperature, Braun offers constant steam intensity settings - in turbo mode it reaches 50 g/min. For deep folds, a more powerful but short-term steam boost (225 g/min) is intended. The combination of heating the soleplate and steam provides quick and thorough smoothing, eliminating unpleasant odors, bacteria and allergens. In addition, the iron can be used for vertical steaming. It works neatly, leaving no streaks or dirty marks behind thanks to the anti-drip system.

An equally important part of any iron is its sole. In this case, it is the FreeGlide 3D EloxalPlus with a thoughtful shape that the manufacturer compares to a snowboard. It's rounded at the back so it glides easily in any direction without catching pockets, buttons or creating new wrinkles. Steam holes are located over the entire surface of the sole, ensuring even distribution of steam. Moreover, a large number of holes are concentrated on the nose - thanks to this, it quickly smoothes the fabric in hard-to-reach places.

The manufacturer also paid special attention to the issues of safety, durability and ease of use. An easy-to-use and convenient system for cleaning the soleplate from scale particles helps maintain high steam performance and extend the life of the device. This allows you to use water straight from the tap. The reservoir holds up to 330 ml of water, which is enough for regular ironing that doesn’t take too long, since the high power makes the iron quite “gluttonous.” The package includes a measuring cup for convenient filling of the tank. A long 2.5-meter cord will not limit movement and allows you to set up a workspace in any convenient place. And the auto-shut-off function guarantees safe operation, since after a while the device is left unattended and turns itself off.

Products from the Philips Azur collection have always had a stylish design, and the iron is no exception. It stands out from its competitors with its premium look, high-quality assembly, rich colors and a successful combination of dark blue and gold inserts. However, Philips understands that design is not the most important thing for a household iron, so it has also carefully considered issues of operating efficiency. First of all, the model is distinguished by high power - 3200 W, which ensures fast heating. The device heats up to maximum temperature in 2 minutes. The iron also boasts high values in matters of steam generation. The continuous steam output reaches 55 g/min, and the steam boost reaches an impressive 260 g/min. Simply put, even without adding steam, you can quickly smooth out heavily wrinkled, thick fabrics in one or a couple of passes. And the combination of high temperature and steam allows you to iron things folded in several layers, outerwear and the most difficult materials such as linen and wool. And all this while saving time, since a powerful iron significantly reduces the duration of ironing.

In addition, the intense steam boost is useful for vertical steaming. The feature actually works and is not added just for show. This ironing method is useful when you need to freshen and remove unpleasant odors from hanging curtains or quickly tidy up clothes hanging on hangers. The anti-drip system will ensure that water does not leak onto things, even if the temperature is low. But keep in mind that the device is not very convenient for long-term use in a vertical position due to its considerable weight - about 1.7 kg.

In addition to power, another important component of any iron is its sole. The Philips Azur 7500 Series DST 7510 has SteamGlide Elite, the advantages of which include easy glide on any fabric and scratch resistance. And so that the steam holes on the sole do not become clogged and the equipment can serve its owner for as long as possible, the manufacturer added a special collector (container) to collect scale. This is a small removable part under the sole, in which scale particles, plaque and other deposits accumulate over time. By simply cleaning this container periodically, you maintain the functionality of the device and prevent premature breakdowns.

Also for convenient use, there is an automatic shut-off function (after 8 minutes in a vertical position and after 30 seconds on the sole), a 300 ml water tank with a fairly wide neck and a 2-meter cord with a hinged base that does not twist.

Basically, household irons are similar to each other and differ only in color, because why invent a fifth wheel if the mechanism is well-established and time-tested. But Electrolux still managed to add its own twist to the design of the device. Firstly, the water reservoir is not located in the front, as usual, but on the “heel”. This is made to make pouring water more convenient - and it really works. In addition, the tank itself is quite spacious, its volume is 370 ml. We don’t know if this is due to the design, but, in any case, a large tank allows you to iron longer without the need to add water. Secondly, the controls follow modern trends and are designed for maximum ease of use. Instead of the traditional wheel with mode settings, there is a touch panel with an indication. The usual buttons are provided to supply steam, and the indicator on the spout in red and black signals the heating and cooling of the sole. Moreover, the iron is equipped with a backlight, which will help you see even the smallest wrinkles and work in poor lighting. It turns on automatically, but the backlight can be turned off if necessary.

Another advantage of the device is serious protection against scale, because it is the main opponent of the durability and performance of equipment. The manufacturer uses two-level protection. The water tank is equipped with a Renew Filter cartridge, which filters and softens the water. It is replaceable, which means that from time to time you will have to spend additional money on purchasing filters. When it's time to change the cartridge, a special indicator will indicate this. In addition, the iron has a self-cleaning function called Flush Clean. This is a special program that, using powerful steam, helps clean the steam holes on the soleplate and remove scale particles and other contaminants. A set of these actions will help prevent a decrease in steam generation and premature failure of the device.

The main characteristics will not disappoint the user either. The power of 2600 W is responsible for fast heating and intense steam supply, and the RESILIUM Ski 500 sole glides smoothly over the fabric, does not create snags and distributes steam evenly. There are about 500 steam holes on its surface, including on the spout. As a result, the iron quickly smoothes out wrinkles without requiring long and tedious rolling in the same place. In addition to classic dry ironing, two standard steaming modes are available: continuous steam with a power of up to 45 g/min or a short burst of steam with a speed of 240 g/min. This allows you to use the iron for vertical steaming and work with dense and difficult fabrics, even outerwear. To do this, there are several programs that independently select the optimal heating and steam power: Wool (Wool), Cotton (Cotton), Linen (Linen) and Outdoor (Outerwear).

Also noteworthy is the long 3-meter cord with a swivel mount and the auto-shut-off function, which eliminates the need to check whether the equipment is turned off.