From The Straits Times    |
REVIEW: Which steam iron gives you crease-free clothes?

REVIEW: Which steam iron gives you crease-free clothes?

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BRAUN TEXSTYLE 7 STEAM IRON TS 775 TP
$179, from major electrical and department stores

Weight: 1.4kg; Cord length: 2.5m; Water tank capacity: 400ml

USING IT It was heavy but had the most comfortable grip of the three irons tested. The handle had a slight arc that curved nicely into my palm, such that I didn’t feel the weight at all. My only gripe would be the small opening of the water tank, which made it difficult to fill the iron.

PERFORMANCE This had the smoothest soleplate. The textile protector, an additional metal piece that clicks into place under the soleplate, created an even smoother glide. Meant for delicate fabrics, I found it useful on denim too. Working my way around buttons and zippers was also easy.

The iron produced quite a bit of steam even without the Steam Boost function, and the consistent output straightened out the deepest of wrinkles after a few glides.

VERDICT This ergonomic iron truly makes ironing less of a chore.

9

PHILIPS AZUR PERFORMER STEAM IRON GC3811/70
$139, from major electrical and department stores

Weight: 1.4kg; Cord length: 2m; Water tank capacity: 300ml

USING IT The compact handle didn’t offer a comfortable grip. Unlike the other irons, which had the Steam Boost button at the top of the handle, this one had it beneath, making it easier to reach. There is also an energy-saving Eco setting, for taking care of not-too-wrinkled clothes that don’t need much steam.

I liked that the ironing plate had the sharpest tip of the lot, allowing me to iron around buttons easily.

PERFORMANCE The soleplate was smooth and glided with ease. But steam production was automatic, so I could not control how much steam to use. I found it bothersome to always have to call on the Steam Boost function to work on the many stubborn creases in my clothes. There were also some drips during ironing, which I had to take extra time to iron dry.

VERDICT The smooth ironing plate and pointed tip got rid of wrinkles easily I wish there were more steam settings to choose from.

8

BOSCH SENSIXX’X DA20 STEAM IRON TDA2060GB
$139, from major electrical and department stores

Weight: 1kg; Cord length: 3m; Water tank capacity: 300ml

USING IT This iron heated up the fastest – in just 20 seconds – and it was also the lightest in the lineup. But being light, I then had to use more strength to smoothen out tenacious creases. The tip of the iron also wasn’t as pointed as the Braun or Philips models, making it harder to get around buttons and zippers. There were three steam settings – 0, 1 and 2 – but it wasn’t clear what they meant.

PERFORMANCE The ironing plate was the stiffest of the three irons. Creases on my cotton dress disappeared after three to five glides but the stubborn wrinkles on my linen shirt took a while to smoothen. This wasn’t helped by the Steam Boost function, which didn’t emit a lot of steam.

VERDICT A decent iron that’s better suited to easier-to-iron fabrics like cotton.

7.5