Best Lightweight Irons

Being lightweight is not what people would typically look for in a clothes iron. This is because if the iron is too light, it won’t be as effective in getting wrinkles out from your clothes. You need a certain weight to smooth out the creases better. Otherwise, you will need to use your own strength to press down on the iron more frequently to get the wrinkles out. Even the best lightweight irons can fall short of your expectations in terms of performance.

However, there are still some users who prefer a light steam iron. For example, health issues may render a lightweight iron more comfortable to use for arthritis sufferers and older folks. Hence, there is demand for it and there are quite a few models available on the market. Below is our pick of the 3 best lightweight irons from established manufacturers.

Best Lightweight Irons – Shopping Options

Hamilton Beach Commercial Lightweight Steam Iron

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This Hamilton Beach steam iron is marketed for commercial use in hotels and guest houses. It has a 3-way auto shut-off capability which makes it safe for use in hotel rooms. Whether it is left with the soleplate down, on its side or idle for a time, it will automatically switch off as a safety precaution. Even home users would find this feature safe and practical, especially for those who are forgetful.

The soleplate is stainless steel and it has an adjustable steam plus a fine spray mist. You can use the steam blast for stubborn wrinkles and vertical steaming for hanging dresses. With a self-cleaning feature, it will flush out lint and minerals that have accumulated to help extend its lifespan. The dimensions of this steam iron are 10.25” x 4.25” x 5.25” and it is a 1200-watt appliance.

Pros & Cons Of This Hamilton Beach Lightweight Iron

The pros are:

• It is cheap. It is in the price range of those small travel irons such as the Sunbeam GCSBTR-100 which makes it highly affordable and a value-for-money buy.
• It gets hot quickly. For a cheap iron, you would expect a longer wait for it to heat up but that is not the case with the Hamilton Beach Commercial Lightweight Steam Iron.
• It has an extra-long swivel cord. It measures 12-feet, giving you greater flexibility and easier maneuvering.

The cons are:

• There is no cover for the fill hole. Hence, a sudden jerk could result in water spilling out. However, you could cover the hole up using a cotton ball or any other suitable items as a solution.
• It is not hot enough for some users. It is definitely not the best steam iron out there as it is merely a basic model. So, if you intend to use it for mainly for linen and cotton, it might not be an ideal choice.

Black & Decker Light ‘N Easy Compact Steam Iron

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This is another popular brand name when it comes to small home appliances. Black & Decker has quite a few steam iron models, and one of their bestsellers is the Digital Advantage Iron. But if you want something compact and light, the Light ‘N Easy is the more suitable option. It measures 4″ x 11″ x 6″.

It is a 1200-watt steam iron with nonstick soleplate that is designed to glide smoothly across all fabric types. The steam output is automatically optimized based on the temperature that you have selected with its SmartSteam technology. There is also a spray mist button to moist patches with stubborn wrinkles and an anti-drip feature to prevent drips when the iron temperature is on the low end. Like the Hamilton Beach iron above, this Black & Decker model also has a 3-way auto shut-off for safety.

Pros & Cons Of The Black & Decker Light ‘N Easy Iron

The pros are:

• The price is on the low end. It has a similar price range as the Hamilton Beach Commercial Lightweight Steam Iron above.
• The temperature dial is at the top rather than under the handle. Accidentally changing the settings when you grip the handle is a common occurrence during ironing if the dial is located just below it. So, moving it to the top solves this problem once and for all.
• It is easy to use. There is nothing fancy about this iron. Just adjust the temperature settings, and you are ready to iron.

The cons are:

• It is difficult to fill the water tank. It needs to be tilted at an angle. Otherwise, you will have water running down the iron.
• There is no steam blast feature. Unlike most steam irons that have a burst of steam button, this is missing on the Light ‘N Easy. Without it, you will have a problem doing vertical steaming for dresses and drapes. The alternative to this would be the Black & Decker Easy Steam Iron.

Sunbeam Steam Master Mid-size Iron

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This Sunbeam iron is slightly bigger and heavier than the other 2 irons above but it has a higher wattage at 1400 watts. A 3-way motion smart auto shut-off feature takes care of the safety aspect while the anti-drip technology prevents leaks when the iron is running on a low-temperature setting.

You will get variable steam with a shot of steam button and vertical steaming option. Not to be left out is the spray mist button to provide moisture to fabrics. It uses a nonstick soleplate that prevents pulls on fabrics as you iron. The size for this Sunbeam iron measures 12″ x 4.8″ x 5.5″.

Pros & Cons Of This Sunbeam Mid-Size Steam Iron

The pros are:

• It has a pointed tip. This makes it easy to reach hard to iron spots such as around buttons and inside pleats.
• It has a retractable cord. This feature will add some weight to the iron but you will get the convenience when it comes to storage. You won’t have a tangled and messy cord to grapple with.
• It has a cool blue color. Well, color shouldn’t be an important consideration for irons but this one does look cool and different from your usual fare.

The cons are:

• The steam button gets stuck. Some buyers have raised the complaint that the shot of steam button doesn’t work after a while because it got stuck.
• It is a tad heavy. This Sunbeam model is not the lightest iron out there although it is still considered as lightweight compared to the best Rowenta irons which could weigh almost 4 lbs. If you are used to high-end irons, this would be lightweight to you as it weighs around 2.7 lbs only.

What To Expect With A Lightweight Iron

There are a few things to bear in mind when it comes to a lightweight iron. Firstly, they tend to be cheap. That doesn’t mean they don’t work as intended. It just means that they are no-frills iron with a basic soleplate and temperature dial.

Secondly, they usually have low wattage. The models highlighted above are 1200 and 1400-watt irons compared to 1800 watts for high-end models. So you will get less efficiency with a lightweight iron as it will heat up slower and the heat level will be lower.

Thirdly, a lightweight iron will also be less efficient in getting rid of wrinkles. Even the best lightweight iron that you can find will not be able to compete with the professional models because you need a right combination of weight, heat and steam output to give you the best results. You will also need to bear in mind that using a lightweight iron might require you to press harder to erase the wrinkles. This could be more tiring than using a heavier iron whereby the weight of the appliance would automatically help to smooth out the creases.

Lastly, leaks, spits, and overall durability is a major issue for all steam irons these days. So, even the best steam irons are not immune to these problems whether they are lightweight or professional models. The upside is the former are usually cheap which makes replacing them less costly compared to high-end irons which are also susceptible to the very same problems.

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