Panasonic NI-C78SR Steam/Dry Iron Review

The Panasonic NI-C78SR is probably not the best steam iron around for its price range, but it is perhaps one of the most convenient with a detachable water tank. As far as we know, Panasonic is the only reputable brand name that offers this feature for some of its irons. But having this convenience alone is not enough. Does the iron perform well enough so that it is worth the money spent? This review will try to find out in further detail.

Panasonic NI-C78SR Review

The features of this iron include:

• 1200-watt
• Stainless steel soleplate
• Vertical steam
• Burst of steam / Self-cleaning
• Spray mist
• Adjustable steam
• Anti-calcium
• 3-way automatic shut-off
• Retractable cord
• Detachable water tank
• Size: 5⁵⁄₁₆ high x 4⁵⁄₁₆ wide x 10⁷⁄₁₆ long (inches)

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The Panasonic NI-C78SR has a stainless steel soleplate, unlike NI-E200T which has a titanium nonstick coating. The shape of the soleplate is also more conventional in design with steam holes being visible along the edge of the upper portion. The round indentations surrounding the holes help to trap air pockets between the soleplate and the fabric, providing a smoother glide when ironing.

The steam is adjustable and you can choose dry ironing by switching the lever to the no steam option. For heavier steam output, push the switch to High and select Low for light touch-ups. Press the water mist or steam jet button for stubborn wrinkles and self-cleaning function. The dial for the temperature control is below the handle and it has 5 fabric settings to choose from.

The water tank is detachable and the tank capacity for the NI-C78SR is about 5.5 ounces. The cord is retractable with a length of about 8 feet.

Should You Buy The Panasonic NI-C78SR Iron?

Pros

1. Removable tank – The detachable tank makes refilling easy to do. You can remove it at any time while the iron is in operation in order to refill. You don’t have to unplug the appliance and bring it to the sink once water is running low. A push of a button will detach the tank and you can leave the iron connected to maintain heat while you refill. The tank itself is made of clear plastic which means you can easily check the water level at a glance. The Panasonic Freestyle 360 is another model with this convenient feature.
2. Retractable cord – This type of cord makes for easy storage. Even if you leave it on the board once you are done, having the cord properly stored away will prevent accidents, especially when you have pets or young kids at home who might trip or tug at the cord. Another retractable cord iron from a reputable brand is the Rowenta DW2090.
3. Reliable – Most buyers have found the Panasonic NI-C78SR to be reliable with consistent steam. Occasional complaints of leaks and malfunction are there but by and large, the reviews are generally positive. It heats up quickly and steam is sufficient for most jobs. Compliments that the iron has lasted a few years are also common.
4. Glides well – The soleplate is stainless steel which helps with the slickness. The iron is easy to use and not too heavy for the user. Weighing about 3 lbs, it is lighter than the top Rowenta irons.

Cons

1. Small water tank – The water tank capacity is only slightly more than 5 ounces, far less than the Black & Decker D2030 which can fill more than 10 ounces of water. So, you may need to refill more frequently with this iron than the rest.
2. No fabric settings on the dial – The rotating dial for the temperature only has numbers on it and you would need to check the heel for the fabric guide setting. A minor inconvenience but should have been thought of when designing the iron.
3. Retractable cord not perfect – The cord may not retract fully into the casing when the button is pressed. It may take a few attempts to get the whole length in.

The Panasonic NI-C78SR is not a perfect iron. It is affordable and most people like it for its detachable tank. But it still lags behind the best Rowenta irons in terms of heat and steam power. Stubborn wrinkles on cotton and linen may be hard to tackle with this iron as well.

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While we do not think this is a bad buy, we still prefer the Panasonic NI-E650TR for an iron that is less than $50. This particular model has a curved U-shaped soleplate and a more pointed tip compared to the NI-C78SR. It also seems to be cheaper at the time of this review. But if you like a stainless steel soleplate instead, then you would need to get the NI-C78SR.