Finding a cheap iron is not difficult, but finding a quality one that lasts can be. There are several cheap irons available, but you’ll find many of them will have insufficient power, poor build quality, uncomfortable designs and even be prone to leaking.
The good news is there are several winners out there…and we’ve done the research and testing for you. We’ve found the best steam irons for sale online that are not just affordable, but well worth the money!
Here are some of the best steam iron under $50 for you to choose from. (Although, if you can stretch the budget a little more, also see our overall best iron review.)
1. Beautural – Cheap Iron with Ceramic Soleplate
The Beautural is a high powered 1800 watt steam iron with a unique double-layer ceramic coated soleplate, This ensures even heat distribution while ironing. It has a conveniently located temperature button on the side of the iron so you can adjust the settings with one hand without having to stop ironing. Additionally, its digital display LCD screen makes it so easy to check heat settings at a glance. This is a pretty large benefit for users with slightly poorer eye-sight. It performs fine and has pretty standard build quality.
- Double layer ceramic soleplate
- 1800 Watts
- LCD Display
- Good value for money
- Comfortable grip handle
- OK build quality
- Filling can be a little tricky
- Ceramic soleplates can be harder to clean
2. Black+Decker Allure Affordable Iron
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The BLACK+DECKER is just under the $50 mark and is not short of fancy features, which make it an awesome iron to use. Compared to expensive irons, can immediately notice the difference in product quality, but it works well.
At this affordable price, you even get a digital temperature display which makes monitoring and changing the heat of your iron a breeze.
I genuinely enjoy working with this iron even though the buttons and dials feel a little less precise. Also, it has a stainless steel soleplate which I love for its smooth ironing and easy cleaning.
- Affordable budget iron
- 13 ounce water tank
- Medium quality build
- 1600 Watts
3. Rowenta Low Priced Iron – For Students and Bachelors
At 100 watts, the Rowenta is a powerful contender and comes with the extra security of the Rowenta brand. It folds conveniently into a small pouch which is included The folding handle can feel strange while using as it is connected on the rear of the iron (The pressure is at the base of your palm by your pinky, as opposed to at the front where your index finger and thumb are.) Full Review
- 1000 watts of power
- GoodQuality
- Dual-voltage switch
- Flat folding handle & carry bag
- Handle can feel weird
4*. Rowenta Pro – Slightly Over Budget but Worth It!
The Rowenta Pro Master is a little over budget but in terms of quality, it could be a better choice than the budget irons on this list.
With Rowenta, it’s really hard to go wrong. The buttons and dials are smoother and operate better and the overall comfort is certainly better. The soleplate, precision tip, quality dials and easy filling are all the Rowenta features we already know and trust.
It might just be worth the extra money to have a decent iron that will last longer and make the task of ironing so much easier.
- 40 g/min variable steam & 160 g/min steam burst
- Self-cleaning, anti-calc system
- Slightly over $50
Choosing the Best Budget Iron Under 50 Dollars
After personally testing out the top choices, we are super excited to pin down the best budget steam irons. In this review, it’s our mission to help weed out the poor performers so you get a great deal, even on a limited budget.
Saving Money
Saving money doesn’t mean you should buy the cheapest steam iron you can find. If it works poorly or needs replacing in less time than it should, you could end up spending more. Buy right the first time.
From our selection above, we feel confident that you’ll be getting one of the best clothes iron under $50.
Steam Production
The more steam, the faster the wrinkles are flattened. The normal steam output of most of the irons below 50 dollars, falls between 20 and 55 g/min.
A powerful steam output will drastically reduce your ironing time and that’s why its one of the key features we focus on.
The irons vertical steaming performance will also be much more effective with a higher steam output. Steam irons are not ideal for vertical steaming but work well enough if you have to freshen up the occasional hanging garment or drapes.
Power and Heating Speed
The higher the wattage, the quicker the iron tends to heat up… or reheat if the auto-off has kicked in while ironing.
Comfort and Ease of Use
A steam iron is pretty simple to operate. There’s not much more to it than filling a water tank, plugging it in and setting it to the right temperature. But, depending on the time you spend ironing, the grip, buttons, and dials need to feel comfy.
Settings should be clear to see and easy to change. Buttons and dials should be responsive so you know you’re getting results when you push or turn them. Obvious, yes… but not all manufacturers prioritize ergonomics or user experience. Even a small issue can become massively irritating after 20 minutes.
Soleplate Design
Stainless steel soleplates are simple but effective, and for that reason, we prefer them and avoid coated soleplates.
Some manufacturers argue less is more and only have a few strategically placed steam holes, but for now, I’m sticking with more-is-more.
Comfort & Weight
A medium weight iron (around 3.5 pounds) is my happy place. It’s light enough to move around without my arm getting tired, but it’s also just the right amount of downforce so you don’t need to add pressure to iron out wrinkles.
Safety Shut-off
For the multi-taskers out there, all the irons in our selection have an auto-off feature of between 8 and 15 minutes. If the iron is left on its heel and is inactive for that period of time, it will automatically power down to avoid fire hazards.
Water Type & Capacity
If the water tank is too small, you’ll find yourself topping up the tank more often which can be frustrating. 10 ounces is a good middle ground.
Its also incredibly convenient that modern irons use tap water. In some areas, hard water can take its toll on appliances. (Hard water is when tap water is high in minerals and these build up around the heating elements of the appliance.) In these cases, diluting tap water 50/50 with distilled or even bottled water. This will help keep your appliance working optimally.
Where to Buy Cheap Irons?
These are the most affordable steam irons we’re researched and they are all available online at Amazon.
No matter which iron you choose, you should be able to send it back within 30 days if you’re unsatisfied. (Check the Amazon returns policy before buying)
If it’s faulty, leaking or just doesn’t feel like you hoped it would, you could always return it and try again.