The best steam generator irons of 2026

Yes, if you iron a full basket every week; for a few shirts, a good steam iron is enough. The separate boiler pushes far more continuous steam under pressure, which gets through thick cotton and bedding faster. The trade-offs are the bulky base, storage space and price. Compare continuous steam output in g/min, pressure in bar, the descaling system and the length of the hose.

Most modern steam generators are designed for tap water, but if your water is hard, the manual may suggest mixing it with distilled water. Never use water from a dryer's condenser tank, scented water, vinegar or non-approved descalers. Use the built-in descaling function whenever the iron prompts you, which can be often with hard water. Your municipality's water quality report often lists the hardness.

At most its wattage times the time you use it: a 1,800 W steam generator ironing for one hour uses up to 1.8 kWh, or 18¢ at an example rate of 10¢ per kWh. The boiler and soleplate heat in cycles, so the real figure is lower. Ironing a big batch in one session is cheaper than several short ones, because each start means heating the boiler again.

Spitting means the soleplate isn't hot enough to turn the water into steam, and white marks come from mineral scale. Wait for the heat light to go out, choose a temperature setting that allows steam and avoid the steam shot on low settings. Descale as the manual says, using the anti-calc function or the scale collector. Brown marks instead point to a dirty soleplate, which you clean when cold.

It is safer with auto shut-off, which switches the iron off after a few minutes without movement, but you should still unplug it when you leave the room. Stand the iron on its base, never face down on the board, and keep the cable away from children. If the manual requires it, let the boiler cool before refilling or opening the cap. Put it away only when fully cool.