Expensive often irons better
When ironing, everything should go smoothly, the right technique and suitable equipment are required. For smoothing out shirts, blouses, tablecloths and the like, it comes with a price: This can be summarized as the result of a study by Stiftung Warentest. They tested ten ironing devices, including five classical steam irons, two steam stations without boilers, and three with.
The latter generate steam not at the sole of the iron, but in an external water container with pressure. They are relatively expensive in the test, with prices ranging from 279 Euro to 370 Euro, while the tested steam irons cost between 30 and 99 Euro, and the steam stations without boilers at 189 Euro and 190 Euro. However, the boiler stations perform best in practice tests, with a "very good" rating for one and a "good" rating for another. The stations without boilers come in just below.
Two steam irons hiss and steam
The relatively affordable steam irons, however, reach their limits with sensitive textiles. In the practice test, they were rated "sufficient" twice, "satisfying" twice. Only one steam iron performs "good" in the practice test. However, it occasionally spits out steam in a squirt-like manner. The overall note it shares with two other steam irons. Two more are rated "deficient," for example, the AEG DB 1749 LG Easyline. They failed under prolonged load.
Both steam stations with boilers and those without reach the same overall assessment in the ranking: a "good." The winners are the steam stations with boilers from Braun ("CareStyle 7 IS 7266 VI", 279 Euro) and Tefal ("Pro Express Protect GV9225", 280 Euro).
Ironing stations consume more electricity
A advantage of steam irons: They all score "good" in terms of electricity consumption, while the stations - with or without boilers - are "satisfying" throughout. While the annual electricity costs for the former are between 12 and 17 Euro for twice-weekly ironing with seven pounds and a electricity price of 0.40 Euro per kWh, the costs for the ironing stations are between 27 and 36 Euro.
A tip from the testers: If one has large piles of laundry, it is recommended to iron the fabrics first for low temperatures, then for high.
Consumers should be aware of the performance differences between affordable steam irons and higher-priced steam stations with boilers. The former may struggle with sensitive materials and occasionally spit out steam, while the latter, such as the Braun "CareStyle 7 IS 7266 VI" and Tefal "Pro Express Protect GV9225," both priced at around 280 Euro, received a "good" rating in practice tests and are more suitable for handling heavy loads. As an advisor, I would suggest that consumers prioritize hygiene and durability when choosing an ironing device, as both steam stations with boilers and those without received a "good" overall assessment in the Stiftung Warentest ranking.
