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Rowenta are renowned for their steam irons. Many people do not want to use any other brand except Rowenta because they believe it is the best out there to get rid of wrinkles on their clothes. But are all their models worth a buy? With so many different models available, which are duds and which one is worth it to bring home? We attempt to look at this issue to help you choose the best Rowenta iron in this review.
Rowenta DW9280 Steam Force Iron
If you want a top end iron, then the Rowenta DW9280 is the one to go for. With a pump injection technology built in, it gives off 30% more steam to penetrate deep into the fabric so that wrinkles are more easily removed, even on materials like cotton and linen. It is also a smart iron whereby it can detect when to stop steaming to conserve power and water.
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An electronic display clearly shows when the iron is ready when it hits the desired temperature. Full of bells and whistles, this 1800-watt iron has a stainless steel soleplate filled with a large number of micro steam holes that give off an abundance of steam for easy ironing.
On the downside, the DW9280 is costly. You have to fork out close to $130 at the time of writing for this model although the price does fluctuate. You might be able to get it for less but it will still be close to the $100 mark. But we like it for its hot and slick stainless steel soleplate and its heavy weight to give professional-looking results for your clothes which makes it one of the best steam irons around.
Rowenta Dw5197 Focus Steam Iron
Compared to the DW9280, the Rowenta DW5197 has slightly less power at 1725-watt. It also has a less powerful steam burst and you will have to do without the pump injection technology. But it is still one of the more expensive Rowenta irons around, selling for about $100 at times. The soleplate is stainless steel with a precision tip and has 400 micro steam holes as all their top end models do.
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The selling point of the DW5197 Focus Steam iron is the absence of the auto-off feature. So, this is the iron for quilters and sewers. If you are not into sewing projects, you can give this a miss since we think the price is rather expensive and there is a cheaper alternative. But if you sew and do quilting, then the DW5197 may suit your needs.
Rowenta DW6080 Eco-Intelligence Iron
The Rowenta DW6080 is at a more affordable price range, selling at less than $90 at the time of this review. It is a green iron, design to help you save energy with its 3D soleplate and Eco steam system. A 1700-watt iron, the specially designed soleplate enables steam concentration and loss reduction. The Eco steam system provides optimal steam output. It is claimed that the iron can provide up to 25% energy savings for users compared to regular irons.
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The soleplate is stainless steel with 400 micro steam holes. A nicely-designed model with floral patterns, it is worth a try without too high a price tag. The drawback is it does not have a powerful steam output as the Rowenta DW9280 but it helps with your energy bill savings.
Rowenta DW8080 Pro Master Iron
The Rowenta DW8080 is another professional-grade steam iron which makes a good alternative for the DW5197 if you are not looking for a unit for sewing projects. At 1700-watt, the DW8080 has an extra large water tank with a capacity of 12.7 ounces. It uses up water pretty quickly with its high volume of steam output and a larger tank means fewer refills.
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The steam burst is not as powerful as the DW9280 but the amount is still more than sufficient for home ironing needs. It also costs about $30 less without the full arsenal of features found in the higher end model.
Rowenta DW5080 Focus Iron
The Rowenta DW5080 is perhaps one of the most popular Rowenta irons in the market. You can get it for less than $90 at most times and it has its fair bit of positive reviews from buyers which outnumber the complaints.
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The DW5080 is very similar to the DW8080 Pro Master. The latter has a higher steam blast output and larger water tank but is more expensive by about $10. Because the difference is not much, the DW8080 seems like a more worthwhile buy with the better features. But what makes the DW5080 Focus a more comfortable choice is the fewer complaints associated with this model. Many Rowenta irons now suffer from leaks that make customers frustrated over its durability. The Rowenta DW5080 seems to have fewer complaints judging from the huge number of online buyer reviews.
Which Rowenta Irons To Avoid
In our opinion, you should avoid the Rowenta DW2070 and DW2090 Effective Comfort irons. The number of complaints of defects is quite high although there are people who find them to be ideal for home use. Not too expensive, they are certainly not the best steam irons in the $50 category with frequent customer complaints of leaks. They are also not German-made like the company’s higher-end models but manufactured in China. While this should not be an indication of quality (many Panasonic irons are made in China but they tend to have few complaints of defects) for a large company like Rowenta which should have stringent quality controls in place, some buyers still place a high emphasis on the place of manufacture for more buying comfort.
As for the Rowenta DW9080 Steamium, we are on the fence with this model. It has a steam on demand trigger which you would love or hate. The trigger is on the underside of the handle and pressing it will give you plenty of steam while ironing. Not everyone will find it convenient to use although it has high steam volume for the toughest of wrinkles. It is also an expensive model and the price is what makes us a little hesitant to recommend a buy for this one.
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I have had the DW5080 for about 2 years, and it has started leaking all over the place. Very disappointed…
I’m not sure which model I have, but I don’t like it. Water drips out of it periodically. It then streaks the cloths and when I iron them somtimes there’s a stain. Other times (such as today) I’m ironing something and it gets little brown spots that I can’t wash out. I really have to get a new Iron. Maybe a good old reliable Black & Decker.
You know, you’re correct. I have a B&D for over 20 years. It was time to buy another iron. I just both the Rowenta iron and only used it once, and IT LEAKS. Why does something so simple have to be not only difficult but wasting both time and energy?
I now have two Rowenta irons that leak. I bought a second one after the first one started leaking and it does the same thing. These are not cheap irons. I am a very unhappy customer.
CRAP IRON DW8080- I’m on my second. They are fantastic while they work but my first iron leaked almost immediately and was having issues with power. The replacement iron has been working for about a year then I was having a leaking issue; which turns out is another power issue. The swivel cord causes the iron to turn loose power periodically. Taking it in to be repaired – and (when) if it fails again, I will not purchase another. DON”T WASTE YOUR MONEY!!!
Facebook friends – DO NOT PURCHASE A ROWENTA IRON if you care about your clothing. My husband’s beautiful while designer shirt was destroyed by a Rowenta iron that has hairline a crack in the water chamber thereby interacting with air and producing a symmetrical pattern of black/rust spots exactly where the steam spouts are located on the iron base.
I have had 9 email exchanges with Rowenta simply asking them to send me a replacement iron and they refuse – having instead aske dme jump through hoops such as identifying every possible model, UPC and UL number listed on the iron and now they want me to send the iron back (at my own expense) for inspection at which time they will “consider” whether or not it was their iron that is at fault or if somehow I am responsible even though I only use bottled water and I empty the water receptiblce every time I use it.
Here is my iron that they refuse to replace. I wish I could upload more photos so I could show you the damage but I’m limited to one photo. This is the worst customer experience I have every experienced in this country and I hope to help others to avoid this by trusting me that this is not company to do business with. Black and Decker, Shark and others have a “no questions asked” policy which is what America is all about. DOWN WITH ROWENTA!!!
In the last 5 years I have purchased five Rowenta irons. I am a quilter and really like the weight and fine tip of the Rowenta iron. However I just had to purchase another iron not a Rowenta because of all the five Rowenta irons I have purchased every one of them have leaked. Some immediately and others after about a year. I would like to know when you are going to correct this mistake . Then I may purchase another.
Deb.
I own the Rowenta Advancer 1800W & it is by far the worst Iron I have ever owned! I have had many irons over the past 50 years & this is the only only that randomly leaks no mater how much water you put in it.
Rowenta Pro Master
This is a product that started having problems after a month. The steamer button stopped working at all after a few weeks of using it (once every two weeks). The Iron will stained your clothing with a dark brown liquid that you will not be able to remove and after using it for 2 months after the problems that I mentioned above this iron does not warm enough to iron the clothes.
Si after spending over 100$ for it I must say that the Hamilton Iron that I got for 19.99$ is FAR BETTER than this one that is nothing but a terrible waste of money!
DON’T BUY IT
I have the Rowenta Focus. (not sure which model it is, but it is made in Germany) I bought it to replace my old Rowenta that I had for 22 years. It was still working, but the cord started feeling hot, so I thought it was time to retire it. The only time I have issue with mine leaking is if I press the steam button several times in a row. I wouldn’t call it a leak… more like it was spitting at me. I have had the rust issue too, but only if I leave old water in the tank for days. I was going to try an Oliso because they are pretty and have the built in stand thing… but then I read reviews that they often leak. I will keep my Rowenta… if it ain’t broke…
Using model 2170 dry but it keeps going off, not keeping degree of heat……
How do I stop this?????
HELP!!!!!
The iron is probably defective and you might like to contact the manufacturer to get it fixed or replaced.
NOTHING BEATS A ROWENTA of any kind. I will not use any other brand since I found Rowenta 20 years ago, starting with the lower priced one. Even that was better than any of the higher priced irons. it just glides, non tiring, you could iron forever and not get tired or “pissed” that the steam/spray isn’t working correctly. I LOVE IT! Thank you, Rowenta.
One more thing. Most irons say they have “self-cleaning” but, believe me, THEY DON’T. ROWENTA IS THE ONLY IRON THAT TRULY SELF CLEANS AND DOES A TERRIFIC JOB OF IT!! Thanks again.
But they all LEAK so what’s the use of having it clean itself if it’s just going to LEAK… On #2 and will NOT get another based on the reviews…
How do you you feel about the Rowenta DW8199? I can’t seem to find any reviews on it.
From the looks of it, the DW8199 doesn’t seem like a very popular model right now as it is not widely available online. We also can’t find it on the Rowenta USA website for now. But it has a 3D soleplate which you can also get with the DW6080 Eco-Intelligence model.
The Rowenta DW 8199 iron was made in Germany for http://www.qvc.com and it’s consumer-rated 4 out of 5 stars on their website. This week, they claimed to have sold over 35,500 of them since they arrived in February 2016. See YouTube videos for more on this 1800-watt Professional grade iron.
I just bought an excellent blue Rowenta DW 8199 for around $54.76 total on a “While Supplies Last” special that expires on 12/29/2017. Used a $5.00 first-time QVC buyer coupon, plus free shipping..
The blue iron is now out of stock, but they still have it in burgundy (DW 5198). No re-orders when supplies are exhausted. List Price is around $108.00 for both colors. Warrantees: 30-day return to QVC and one year with Rowenta.
So far, so good. I need a high power, heavy iron for sewing, but won’t pay big money for one again because none of them are getting rave reviews. This is my second Rowenta iron. The first one cost $80.00+. It’s over 25 years old and underpowered, but still working.
I purchased Rowenta DW8183 models first one stopped working less than a year. Bought 2nd one and light comes up, no heating. May be it lasted 2 to 3 months max. This models are not cheap. Very disappointed. Planning to try other models this time
And I thought I was the only one who gets frustrated with this stupid iron. I thought I just got a lemon. Guess not.
Purchased my Rowenta DZ5080 almost 6 years ago. It is by far the worst iron I have ever owned and I will never purchase another one. It kept tripping the circuit breaker every time I used it despite turning off lights, sewing machine, and TV. It could not hold any amount of water and we all know that to make steam, you need water. During the pressing of seams or just plain ironing a shirt, a large puddle would appear under the soleplate, then lifting the iron up would result in a giant burst of steam that hit the furniture, walls and windows. No other buttons were pressed so why the burst of steam was always a mystery. If left upright on the heel, whether it was on or not, water started leaking from the bottom of the soleplate, puddling on the ironing board and then dripping onto the floor. Yesterday I had enough and bought a replacement – the original receipt for the Rowenta lasted longer than the iron itself.
Yep…..having same leaking problem and it’s getting worse. It’s a terrible iron because of the leaking EVERYWHERE. We won’t buy another one either. Also, it even has an icon that says drip free….I think not. This should be a 10 dollar iron. VERY DISAPPOINTED!
We have had two Rowenta irons over the period of 4 years, they have both failed with the same failure mode; won’t heat. We will never buy another Rowenta product. They talk a great iron, but they have failed miserably. This house and the homes of anyone I know will not have a rowenta, you suck rowenta. You don’t even deserve a capital R. Get a clue!
My Rowena iron is leaking i wanted a new one but after the reviews maybe not it was made in Germany dark wine color
I’ve been buying Rowenta for about 20 years and all of them only last about two years before they start leaking or the thermostat stops working. However, by far the worst is the 9280 I just bought. I paid big bucks for this one and it worked perfectly the first time I used it. Went to use it again and the steamer had stopped working altogether. If I can’t get this resolved, I will never, ever buy another Rowenta.
My Rowenta autosteam iron not only started leaking but it caught on fire! Very scary. Do not recommend this brand.
I purchased a rowenta 1500 steam access iron from JoAnn’s. For almost a year, I have been fighting with this iron wondering why the cord flips and flops while ironing; it gets caught under the iron, under the item you are ironing. I thought I had purchased a ‘left handed iron’ it was so difficult. Today I figured it out. It does not have a stabilizer (a rubber extended base to stabilize the cord). This is the biggest nightmare ever. Everytime I iron, I want to throw the iron out the window. DO NOT PURCHASE THESE IRONS until you check to make sure they have all their parts. So much for German workmanship and I am 73% German!!!!!!
I love my Rowenta Iron … I have purchased three in the past few years. At this very moment I am doing the weeks ironing and I need to know … What idiot designed these irons with a dark gray water tank? I have to use a small flashlight to check the water level in the tank. I have also resorted to taking the blasted thing out in the sunshine to read the water level!
No, I do not live in a dark cave! As I type this I am nursing a hand that was splattered with hot water AGAIN, because I have overfilled the tank.
Do you have real people test these products?
I have had your model Rowente Effective for almost 20 years. Are
you still selling this model, if so, where can I find it and what is the
price?
Thank you
Joan LaForter
I owned the ever popular Rowenta 5280 which spit quite a bit of water. I could deal with the water spitting which I attributed to using the steam function before the iron was hot enough, but the bloody iron stopped producing any heat after about 3 years. It is too expensive an iron to have the heating mechanism die after so short a time. Rowenta does not deserve the good reputation that it has. Buyer beware.
I only ever purchased rodents irons never had a problem loved them but a a bad experience with my new one purchased it at boscovs in Plymouth meeting it cost me $79.00 has a selfrealing cord but it does not reel itself anymore and has a lot of black gook on the cord I never leave water in the iron what did I do wrong?
I purchased my first Rowenta back in January of 2018, it the pro master model. I very pleased with it so far. No major issues. My only complaint is the swivel door that covers the water fill port. When it’s snapped shut it really hard to open, as a result mine broke at the point where it snaps shut, but since water doesn’t leak out I don’t worry about it. I think that door is a design flaw.
I have had 5 Rowenta irons & after a year , everyone of them starting leaking profusely!!!! Would never buy another one!!!!!!!!!! They are very expensive & I have always bought the best ones,