To lay claim to the title of the best stainless steel iron required more than quality, comfort and durability. In the article below, we’ll explain which irons we felt outperformed the competition and why.
In a separate article, we discuss in detail which is the better soleplate and whether you should be choosing a stainless steel or a ceramic soleplate for your iron. See a wider range of irons here.
We made sure that the stainless steel soleplate itself was high quality and designed with efficiency in mind. Furthermore, we tested various cleaning methods on the stainless steel to see how easily it cleans. Here’s the list of factors we compared in each iron:
- “Glide” ability of the Soleplate
- Durability and Resistance to Scratches
- Steam Hole Design
- Cleaning
- Steam & Power
1. Oliso – Best Stainless Steel Iron
The Oliso Smart Iron has an excellent stainless steel soleplate that glides smoothly while dispersing steam deep into the fabric. There are additional scorch guard which automatically lift the entire soleplate off the item you are ironing to protect it from burning.
Overall, it is an excellent iron with tons of power and very good build quality. It has also won the title of the Best Iron overall!
The ergonomics are great for longer ironing sessions and the dials are super intuitive and easy to operate. Besides that, it comes in Turquoise, Purple and even Pink on amazon.com
- Scorch guards preventing accidental burns
- Very powerful (Warms up quickly)
- Very comfortable
- Highest Power (1800 Watts)
- Extremely easy to operate
- Cool color options
- Scorch guards take getting used to (but the feature can be deactivated)
2. Rowenta SteamForce – Pointed Tip Soleplate
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The Rowenta SteamForce 1800 Watt stainless steel steam iron has what we consider to be the absolute best non-stick stainless steel soleplate money can buy. It has 400 steam holes and a perfectly smooth design that glides effortlessly over any fabric. The famed Rowenta precision tip makes it remarkably easy to “get into” tight corners like seams and cuffs, or around shirt buttons. Even though they are quite similar, the Rowenta Steamforce stainless steel soleplate has a slightly more matt finish with a slightly smoother glide than the Rowenta Focus below.
At 1800 Watts, it’s much more powerful and has a far superior steam output over other irons and pumps out an incredible amount of steam. Another large difference is the large LED Heat Display on the side of the iron. It makes selecting the right heat setting an absolute breeze.
- Trusted Rowenta build
- Massive 65 grams per min variable (regular) steam output
- LED Heat Setting display
- Highest Power (1800 Watts)
- 400 Steam Holes
- Tapered Solepate
3. Rowenta Everlast – Anti-Calc Unit
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This is an incredible steam iron and loves smoothing out wrinkles. It has all the features of its big brother except the steam is less and there’s no temperature display on the side. It does however have a removable anti-calc filter which ensures a longer lifespan in hard-water areas. You’ll be getting an ultra-reliable, top-rated iron with that unbeatable Rowenta craftsmanship and stainless steel soleplate with extra steam holes at a good price.
- Excellent build and value for money
- Removable anti-calc unit!
- Super easy home iron and comfortable to use
- 150 grams per min burst
- No digital temperature display
4. Panasonic 360
The Panasonic 360 Cordless iron is built for convenience and portability. Not only is the iron completely cordless, but the soleplate is also multi-directional, meaning that it has a tapered tip towards the back as well. You can iron almost anywhere and in any direction. It even has an easy-to-carry storage case for quilting and sewing retreats. It has similar anti-calc features of the other irons and a super-long 30 minute auto shut-off time. The only downside is that it doesn’t have the power to handle very large loads. It is however perfect for students, small households and light loads as well as quilting enthusiasts.
- Cordless freedom and convenience
- Multi-directional ironing thanks to the double-tip soleplate
- Portable for classes, sewing retreats, and even mobile homes
- Heat-resistant carry case means you can pack it away even when hot
- Smaller water tank
Stainless Steel Sole Plate Irons Advice
Why Choose Stainless Steel Sole Plate Irons Over Ceramic
Okay, before we start… let’s be honest, this is just my humble opinion and there is no scientific reasoning supporting my opinion… it’s just my opinion.
Glide
I feel that the trend in hi-tech, coated and ceramic soleplates with fancy names like Ultra-Glide, do not actually glide as smoothly as plain ol’ stainless steel. Believe me, I’ve used a LOT of irons. I currently have about 30 in our studio and I swear the stainless steel ones just feel nicer.
Durability
Also, because of the fancy ceramic coatings that can damage very easily, you constantly feel like you’re “being careful” when using the iron. The slightest nick or scratch can sometimes damage the coating and it basically impossible to repair. We’ve had iron’s delivered where the ceramic soleplate was already damaged just during delivery.
Cleaning
Cleaning it is an even bigger consideration if you want to protect the delicate coating. Stainless steel, on the other hand, cleans like a dream and is very easy to maintain for years.
Conclusion
I know the marketing says otherwise, but I honestly feel that the manufacturers who claim that ceramic is better, are trying to add yet another unnecessary feature to their packaging to try and outsell their competitors, rather than looking at if it actually helps you as a consumer.
In the end, the choice lies with you, but if you’re reading this article, I already know which way you’re leaning. Good luck!