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We have shortlisted below the best steam irons under $50. At this price point, you should be able to get a pretty good quality iron with enough features to make it comfortable and easy to use.
While there are steam irons under $30, the $20 difference can make a huge difference to the performance of the iron. The savings from the less expensive models would hardly be worthwhile if they fail to perform to expectations. Usually, the cheapest steam irons do not generate sufficient heat and steam that they make ironing even more difficult and frustrating.
So, for $50 or a little less, check out the top three steam irons that we have carefully selected below:
Which Are The Top Three Steam Irons Under $50?
Black & Decker D2030 Auto-Off Digital Advantage Iron
For an iron to have thousands of reviews online is certainly rare. The Black & Decker D2030 Digital Advantage Iron is one of the few that sells really well and attracts many positive compliments from buyers. Yes, this model has been around for quite a number of years but the fact that it continues to sell is solid evidence of its quality and worth.
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The B&D D2030 steam iron uses a digital display for the temperature and fabric settings. At just one look, you can check the temperature and customize it, if needed. Combined with the variable steam feature which you can control with a dial, ironing is certainly made easier when you have different kinds of fabrics in your ironing load.
This 1500-watt iron with a stainless steel soleplate also has a vertical steaming option which you will need for really delicate pieces or other items such as curtains which you may prefer to steam upright rather than laying them down on the ironing board. There is also the fabric selector, a guide that takes away the guesswork of how hot your iron needs to be for different kinds of materials.
This Black & Decker Digital Advantage Iron has a few other features as well but generally, it is easy to use with its digital control settings and smooth soleplate. It is certainly a highly recommended steam iron that is reasonably priced to make it worth a buy.
Panasonic NI-E660SR Adjustable Steam Iron
This Panasonic NI-E660SR is a little different from the other irons not only because it has a retractable cord but also because it has a U-shape at the base and curved along the sides to the tip. This curved soleplate is designed as such so that it will minimize the tugging, snagging and sticking which tend to happen with a conventional soleplate. This U-shape is also good for maximizing ironing efficiency as steam is distributed more evenly for quicker ironing.
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While the 1200-watt Panasonic U-shape steam iron does not have the digital display feature like the Black & Decker D2030 above, it has a one-touch retractable cord which is great for storage purposes. Temperature and fabric settings are controlled via a dial while a lever at the top will adjust the steam output. Together with buttons for a spray mist and burst of steam, you should be able to get rid of wrinkles pretty easily with this iron.
In terms of price, this steam/dry iron is slightly cheaper than the Black & Decker but it lacks the convenience of a digital setting. But for the price and unique shape soleplate, it could be the preferred choice for some. The retractable cord is also a plus for those who like hassle-free storing after use.
Maytag M400 Speed Heat Iron
There is nothing extraordinary about the Maytag M400. But it still qualifies as one of the best steam iron models under $50 because it heats up very quickly and has a much lower rate of complaint on leaks and spits. So, there is no special feature in the form of a U-shape soleplate like the Panasonic NI-E660SR or a digital interface like the Black & Decker D2030. What the Maytag M400 has instead is reliability at an affordable price.
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The soleplate is made of stainless steel. Temperature control is located below the handle to give you different settings for different kinds of materials. Like the Panasonic model above, the steam control lever is at the top. It sits in between the buttons for steam burst and spray mist. All are located conveniently within your thumb’s reach to help get rid of those stubborn wrinkles.
We picked this 1500-watt steam iron out as it heats up in less than a minute. The iron also enjoys high ratings from buyers. In fact, many have praised it for not leaking and spitting like many steam irons do.
Which Is The Best Clothes Iron To Buy?
Now that you have an idea of the top three clothes iron for under $50 on the market, which one should you buy? As the quality and performance among the three would not be too far apart, look into the details instead to help you with your buying decision.
The Black & Decker D2030 would be the most popular steam iron among the three models but it is also the only one that offers a digital display. The stainless steel soleplate is also a good choice if you have lots of thick and cotton materials to press.
The Panasonic NI-E660SR has the lowest wattage among them and wattage is one of the determinants of how fast an iron heats up and how hot it can get. However, few buyers have complained about its heat generation thus far and you should consider this model if a retractable cord is your preference.
The lightest of the three would be the Maytag M400 Speed Heat Iron. It weighs about 3 lbs compared to 3.2 lbs and 3.3 lbs for the Black & Decker and Panasonic iron respectively. The difference is slight but it may matter for those with weaker arms, especially when it gets hefty once filled with water.
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At the end of the day, there will always be trade-offs between one iron and another. If you are unsure, start with what kind of material you typically need to iron and then work out the soleplate that best fits the job. You don’t need the most expensive steam iron but at $50 or less, you are looking at a mid-range model with just adequate heat and steam output to get rid of wrinkles. So, expect it to take you longer to get the job done compared to a $100 iron with a higher steam output capacity. For a more expensive iron, you would also want a better ironing board to go with it.
D says
Why no mention of a steam generator. Tops everything.
Christina Hesse says
We have bought several DeLoughi Steamirons.We think they are the best.
Now I have two who don’t work.I can take pictures and send you.
What should I do?Please give me advice…
Thanks,
Christina Hesse
Audrey says
The best way is to contact the seller or retailer that you have bought it from. You can also try contacting the manufacturer directly.