Best Iron With Retractable Cord

How do you store a clothes iron? Most people will just wrap the cord around the iron once the soleplate has cooled and then put it away. If you don’t, the cord can get tangled up. The next time you want to use your iron, it will be annoying because you will need to untangle the cord before you can plug it in. That is why some people prefer a retractable cord iron. It is neat as the cord will retract nicely into a small compartment. You also don’t need to wait for the iron to cool down before storing. There are a few of such models on the market but which is the best iron with retractable cord that you should buy?

Retractable Cord Iron Reviews

Sunbeam Steam Master Iron

The features of the Sunbeam Steam Master iron are:

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• 1400-watt
• Stainless steel nonstick soleplate
• Shot of steam
• Auto shut-off
• Anti-drip
• Anti-calcium and self-cleaning
• 8-foot retractable cord
• 1.4 lbs

A glance and you will know that this is a value for money buy. It is cheap and there are not many retractable cord irons that sell at this highly competitive price. Although the price is at the low end of the scale, you should still have all the features that you need with a smooth stainless steel soleplate and a shot of steam for stubborn wrinkles and vertical steaming.

The steam output is reasonable and there are not many complaints there. Neither is there a big issue with leaks and spits as can be seen from the majority of the online buyer reviews. The main complaint though is the durability of the iron. Some buyers find that it dies off after a year or two of use. But because the price is cheap, people will tend to just shrug it off and replace it with another iron when it refuses to heat up.

Nevertheless, for the pice that you are paying, it works well enough to be one of the best steam irons on the market. It enjoys a good rating on Amazon with thousands of reviews from buyers. This attests to its popularity and a strong presence on the bestsellers list.

Hamilton Beach Steam Iron With Durathon Soleplate (19901)

The features of the Hamilton Beach 19901 are:

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• 1700-watt
• Durathon soleplate
• Digital control panel
• Auto shut-off
• Anti-drip
• Self-cleaning
• Retractable cord

This is a higher wattage steam iron than the Sunbeam Steam Master. Some people do prefer 1,600 watts as a minimum for an iron. In fact, the wattage for the best Rowenta irons which is well-known for its high heat would be nothing less than 1700 watts. But now, you can get the same power with the Hamilton Beach Durathon but at a much lower price than a Rowenta.

The main selling points of the Hamilton Beach 19901 are the Durathon soleplate and digital controls. The Durathon soleplate is nonstick and should last much longer than a traditional nonstick coating. Through abrasion testing, it is claimed that the Durathon soleplate should be 10 times more durable. The temperature is also accurate with digital controls. Unlike a rotary dial, there is no worry about accidentally changing the settings as you grip the handle.

This Hamilton Beach iron is also on the heavy side. It works for some because the weight plus the heat and steam output will ensure wrinkles are quickly erased. But on the flip side, it could be too heavy for those with less arm strength or arthritis problems. It will be tiring if you have a big ironing load.

Like the Sunbeam Steam Master, there are also complaints about its durability although the number of complaints is not high. For a digital steam iron, the price is reasonable and comparable to the Black & Decker Digital Advantage Iron. But it has a retractable cord which is seldom found in other digital models.

Panasonic NI-E660SR Adjustable Steam Iron

The features of this Panasonic retractable cord iron are:

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• 1200-watt
• Curved stainless steel soleplate
• Shot of steam
• Auto shut-off
• Anti-calcium and self-cleaning
• Retractable cord

At 1200 watts, the Panasonic NI-E660SR may not appeal to some people. But it is lighter than the Hamilton Beach Durathon and glides very smoothly with its curved stainless steel soleplate. The back part of the soleplate is not straight like all other irons but it is U-shaped. This makes ironing smoother and less likely to snag or tug at the fabric as you glide it across the garment. The steam circulation will also be U-shape which is supposedly more effective with more even distribution.

While the main reason to buy this would be its smooth soleplate, one of the drawbacks also lies in the soleplate and that is its small size. If you have got used to a large iron with a big soleplate, the Panasonic Adjustable Steam Iron will seem a little small in comparison. But it will suit those who like lightweight irons that is smooth and easy to use.

Complaints of leaks and durability are there but the online buyer reviews are still overwhelmingly positive. It is not the best steam iron that you can find but it is one of the more popular ones as the best iron with retractable cord. The price is also reasonable although it is not the cheapest either.

CHI Steam Iron with Retractable Cord (13102)

The features of the CHI steam iron model no. 13102 are:

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• 1700-watt
• Titanium-infused ceramic soleplate
• Electronic controls
• Steam blast
• Anti-drip
• Auto shut-off
• Retractable cord

The CHI digital steam iron with retractable cord is a step up from the 3 models above. This is much more expensive with a titanium-infused soleplate which is supposed to be ultra strong and scratch-resistant. Like the Rowenta Steam Force, it has plenty of micro steam holes on its soleplate with over 400 of them.

This is a solid iron with plenty of steam output. The glide is smooth with a ceramic soleplate although it may not achieve as high heat as a stainless steel soleplate. But together with its weight and a powerful steam blast, it is easy to get rid of the wrinkles on your clothes. The temperature or fabric setting is illuminated on the display screen.  This same screen also swivels open to reveal the opening for the water tank. Unlike most other steam irons which have a flipping door, this swivel feature makes refilling easier with a bigger access.

Like most high-end irons, the CHI 13102 is heavy. So, it is not for everybody. Obviously, it is also expensive and may not be worth the price if ironing is not a chore that you do often. There are also risks of leaks and durability which is very common in steam irons no matter the price range and brand name. But if you want results that can match professional standards, this CHI model is one of the best irons with retractable cord option.

Disadvantages Of Retractable Cord Irons

The main disadvantage of these irons is the size. They are bulky because the design has to include a compartment to store the cord. Therefore, if you have an existing iron holder, it may not fit one with a retractable cord.

Secondly, the length of the cord is limited by the storage compartment. That is why most models will have an 8-foot cord and not any longer. Comparatively, some irons have extra long cords that go up to 12 feet like the Oliso Pro Smart Iron. In short, you won’t be able to have a longer cord option if you want the retractable feature.

Thirdly, the models on the market are limited. Most steam irons have standard cords only and you will have many more choices in this category to pick one that suits your budget and needs compared to retractable cord models.

Fourthly, the retracting mechanism may fail over time. Then, you will just end up with a bulky iron but with no use of the cord storage compartment. It will defeat the purpose of buying such a model in the first place.

Lastly, most retractable cord irons would have the cord on the right side of the iron. That is where the opening to the storage compartment is. So, if you are left-handed, it could be an inconvenience to have to keep pushing the cord out of the way.

Why You Should Still Look For The Best Iron With Retractable Cord

Apart from easy storage, the other practical reason is to avoid getting the cord knotted up. If you don’t store it properly, the outer layer of the cord will start to fray over time and expose the wires inside. But if you want to be neat and wrap the cord around the iron rather than simply bunching it up and risk the tangles, you will need to wait for the iron to cool. I don’t think many of us would be bothered to do that each time. So, a retractable cord iron is a solution.

Any Good Deals For Retractable Cord Irons? Find Out Now On Amazon:

While there are not many models available, there are still a few choices with different price points to meet different budgets. The good news is that those few best iron with retractable cord models have fairly good ratings overall. That should offer a certain level of comfort if you do decide to purchase.