The BestReviews Testing Lab tested budget and premium irons to find out which is best.
Weddings, job interviews and important work meetings — there are many occasions when having neat, wrinkle-free clothes is a must. Amakes it easy to smooth away wrinkles and put sharp creases in your formal or business attire, so you always look sharp and on point.
But with such a wide range of steam iron options, do you really have to pay big bucks for a premium model, or can an affordable iron get the job done just as well? The BestReviews Testing Lab set out to answer this question by testing a budget steam iron and two premium models to see how they compare: the Black+Decker Vitessa Steam Iron, the PurSteam SteamTech Elite and the Rowenta Focus Iron Steamer. We tested all three models on a range of fabrics, paying careful attention to how well they removed wrinkles, how efficiently they ironed and how easy they were to use. In the end, the three irons performed very similarly during testing. However, our top pick was actually the budget model,BestReviews tested the Black+Decker Vitessa Steam Iron, the PurSteam SteamTech Elite and the Rownta Focus Iron Steamer in real-world conditions to determine how easy they were to use and how effectively they removed wrinkles. For the most complete assessment, the irons were used on several different fabric types, including cotton, linen, nylon, polyester and a cotton/polyester blend. Testing also included evaluating the setup, cleaning and maintenance processes for each, as well as special features, such as a spray and/or targeted steam-burst feature. The BestReviews Testing Lab’s mission is to verify every claim manufacturers make about their products to help consumers make informed shopping decisions. For this article, our tester focused on the irons’ wrinkle-removing performance and efficiency, as well as their special features, to determine which model provided the best overall value.During our testing, the Black+Decker Vitessa, PurSteam SteamTech Elite and Rowenta Focus Iron Steamer all earned a perfect score for steam performance and heat control. All three models impressed us with how quickly and effectively they removed wrinkles from all the fabrics we tested. They also offered very similar special features, including spray and steam burst functions. However, given their similar performance and features, the Black+Decker Vitessa emerged as our clear favorite during testing because of its overall value. Unless you’re someone who irons for long periods daily, it provides everything the premium models do at a better price. Deep dive: Black+Decker Vitessa Advanced Steam Iron vs. PurSteam SteamTech Elite 1750-Watt Steam Iron vs. Rowenta Iron Steamer Despite their price differences, the Black+Decker Vitessa Advanced Steam Iron, the PurSteam SteamTech Elite and the Rowenta Focus Iron Steamer all performed exceptionally well during testing. However, we noted slight differences among the models when comparing them.is a lightweight, easy-to-handle iron that glided effortlessly over all fabric types during testing. This included thicker, textured materials, such as a cotton sweater, which caused no dragging or snagging as we ironed. We also appreciated that the Vitessa heated up in less than two minutes, even when we set it to the highest heat setting for cotton and linen items. These two factors helped the Vitessa remove wrinkles very efficiently, so it took no more than 20 minutes to iron loads of four to five items. We were especially big fans of the iron’s steam-burst feature, which releases extra steam to help combat deeper creases with the press of a button. After going over these stubborn wrinkles once in the Vitessa’s regular mode, using the steam-burst function fully removed them in a single pass. As a result, this was another feature that allowed us to iron more quickly and easily. Additionally, we loved its retractable cord — a feature that sets it apart from the PurSteam SteamTech Elite and the Rowenta Focus Iron Steamer. It automatically rewinds its cord with the press of a button, so we didn’t have to untangle it for ironing or wrap it up again for storage.doesn’t have a dial control for its steam and temperature controls. Instead, it has a user-friendly LED display and simple button controls that were extremely easy to operate during testing. The buttons are clearly marked with the appropriate fabrics, so we only had to press the one corresponding to the fabric we were ironing to reach the ideal temperature. Its ceramic soleplate also made our ironing experience much easier. It glided easily over all fabrics without us having to pull the clothing taut, as is often required with steam irons. Like the Black+Decker Vitessa, the SteamTech Elite heated up in under two minutes, even at its highest temperature setting. It required only a single pass to remove most standard wrinkles, and the steam-burst feature allowed us to remove deeper creases in just one pass. Its spray function, which helps release wrinkles by dampening clothing, was also a standout because it distributed its mist more evenly than the other irons we tested. We also appreciated its generous water-tank capacity — even after ironing for over 25 minutes, we still had water left in the tank, making it ideal for longer ironing sessions.is a highly efficient steam iron. During testing, it was the fastest-heating of the three irons we tested, reaching the highest temperature for cotton and linen items in just one minute and 10 seconds. It effectively removed wrinkles from cotton, linen, synthetic and blended fabrics, and generally required only a single pass to remove most standard wrinkles. Its shot-of-steam feature also made quick work of deeper wrinkles, requiring just one pass to completely remove them. However, the feature that really stood out during testing was the Rowenta Focus Iron Steamer’s precision tip. While the end of its soleplate is pointed like nearly all steam irons, including the Black+Decker Vitessa and the PurSteam SteamTech Elite, its tip has a more precise shape and size, allowing it to fit well in smaller areas. We used it to iron the collar and cuffs of a button-down blouse and found it was extremely easy to remove wrinkles in these areas. Like the PurSteam SteamTech Elite, the Rowenta Focus also has a larger water tank. We easily ironed for up to 25 minutes, leaving water still in the tank when we were done.The Black+Decker Vitessa, PurSteam SteamTech Elite and Rowenta Focus offer many of the same benefits. However, we also found some differences during testing that informed our analysis.In addition to offering settings for all types of fabric, ranging from silk to linen, the Vitessa allows both dry and steam ironing. We also used it as a vertical steamer to touch up hanging garments and drapes in our testing area.The Vitessa heated up in under two minutes and required only a single pass to remove most wrinkles from every type of fabric we tested.We loved that the Vitessa offered many of the same special features as premium models, including auto-shutoff, a steam-burst function for deeper wrinkles and a spray feature.The Vitessa stands out with its convenient retractable cord, which rewinds with the press of a button. Neither the PureSteam SteamTech Elite nor the Rowenta Focus has a cord-rewind function.The PurSteam SteamTech Elite and the Rowenta Focus weigh over a pound more than the Black+Decker Vitessa, and this added heft definitely made these irons feel more durable during testing.While the PurSteam SteamTech Elite typically took the same two minutes as the Black+Decker Vitessa to heat up fully, the Rowenta needed just over a minute to reach its highest temperature. Both the PurSteam and Rowenta effectively removed wrinkles from all fabric types and required only a single pass to remove most of them.Both the PurSteam SteamTech Elite and the Rowenta Focus feature a large-capacity water tank that delivers up to 30 minutes of continuous steam ironing without refilling. That makes both models ideal for longer ironing sessions.Despite their similar designs, performance and features, the Black+Decker Vitessa, the PurSteam SteamTech Elite and the Rowenta Focus had different drawbacks during testing that may affect whether a particular model is a good option for you.While the Black+Decker Vitessa’s lightweight build definitely made it easy to maneuver, it didn’t feel quite as durable as the PurSteam or the Rowenta. As a result, it may not hold up to heavy use as well as those models.In addition to durability concerns, the Vitessa’s lighter build also means a smaller water tank. When ironing for longer than 20 minutes, it may require refills.While we appreciate that the Vitessa offers a spray feature, we found it dispersed the mist unevenly, making it difficult to control where it landed.While the heavier build of the PurSteam SteamTech Elite and Rowenta Focus definitely made them feel sturdier and more durable during testing, they both weigh over 3 pounds, which made them not quite as easy to maneuver as the Black+Decker Vitessa.Despite their heftier price tag, the PurSteam and Rowenta were just as likely to drip as the more affordable Black+Decker Vitessa.The Rowenta Focus gave off the strongest odor during ironing among the three models we tested. We suspect it would eventually go away with repeated use, but it didn’t fully disappear during our week of testing.The Black+Decker Vitessa is a very budget-friendly steam iron, typically retailing for $35.99. A bit pricier, the PurSteam SteamTech Elite usually costs $69.99. The Rowenta Focus is the most expensive of the three models, with a regular retail price of $99.99.After testing all three models, our top pick is the Black+Decker Vitessa Advanced Steam Iron. It makes removing wrinkles on all fabric types quick and easy and boasts many of the same high-end features as the pricier PurSteam SteamTech Elite and the Rowenta Focus. For most people who iron once or twice a week, it’s an outstanding option. However, if you have to iron large amounts of items or nearly every day, you may want to invest in a premium model like the PurSteam or Rowenta. While the performance and features are pretty much the same as Black+Decker’s, we give them a slight edge in durability thanks to their heavy-duty construction.BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. 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