This article aims to help you decide on the best irons for quilting. You might raise some questions in your head: Is it any different from ordinary irons?
The answer is yes, as quilting requires some more effort. Specifically, your quilting consists of connecting three layers of clothes together.
If you are a serious quilter, it is a must to purchase a reliable quilting iron. Without further ado, let’s check out our top ten products.
Best Irons For Quilting In 2024 – Quick Comparison
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Best Irons For Quilting Per Category
#1 PurSteam Professional Grade 1700W Steam Iron – Best Overall
Our top pick is the PurSteam Professional Grade 1700W Steam Iron. This particular product boasts many outstanding features which earn the first place in our recommended list.
What we like about this quilting iron is its self-cleaning function. The magic lies in the Anti-Calc system included in the product. Specifically, the system can wash the dust and calcium off using water and steam, promising to keep the soleplate neatly clean.
And you know what – you can save a lot of time with this splendid quilting iron. With surplus energy of 1700W, the chore of ironing will no longer be time-consuming.
Safety is also an important feature of this product. If you leave it flat or vertical, it will shut off automatically after 30 seconds and 8 minutes respectively.
With such amazing features, we have nothing to complain about it. You can rest assured about the quality of this best iron.
Pros
- Self-cleaning function
- Time-saving
- Safety
Con
- None
#2 Rowenta DW5080 1700-Watt Micro Steam Iron – Best For Steam Distribution
The next product we want to recommend is the Rowenta DW5080 1700-Watt Micro Steam Iron. This particular product features better heating than most of its competitors.
The ergonomic design counts for its excellent steam distribution: more than 400 steam holes in the machine. Thus, the quilting iron can produce about 35g/min of steam.
This quilting iron makes the process of ironing a lot more convenient thanks to the well-designed stainless steel soleplate. You can glide the iron with tremendous ease across even hard-to-reach areas like collars or pockets. So it can be said that it is one of the best irons for sewing and quilting.
For those who are clumsy, there is some good news. The thermostat knob is very easy to grip and control.
However, the high price of this quilting iron is quite off-putting. But once you’ve purchased, we’re sure you won’t regret it.
Pros
- Excellent steam distribution
- High efficiency
- Easy to use
Con
- A bit expensive
#3 Rowenta DA1560 Travel-Ready 1000-Watt Compact Steam Iron – Best For Travel
Do you want your clothes to look good at all times while you’re traveling a lot? If so, try the Rowenta DA1560 Travel-Ready 1000-Watt Compact Steam Iron.
A lot of enthusiastic travelers would agree that this quilting iron is the best when traveling. It has a dual voltage that can be used with many sources of electricity. Also, the product doesn’t take much space since you can fold the handle flat.
This quilting iron offers three different steam options, namely burst of steam, vertical, and variable steam. These functions are extremely effective in removing untidy wrinkles on your garments.
Also, the price is very affordable. You can purchase this outstanding quilting iron without breaking the bank.
The only downside of this product is that it is not very durable. Some customers report that it usually lasts no longer than 2 years.
Pros
- Easy traveling
- Three steam options
- Affordable price
Con
- Not very durable
#4 BLACK+DECKER D2530 Digital Steam Iron – Best For Temperature Control
For those who are novices at ironing, this product is the perfect option. The BLACK+DECKER D2530 Digital Steam Iron offers excellent temperature control for you, making it one of the best steam irons for quilting.
Specifically, this quilting iron has a clear-view LCD screen which allows you to customize appropriate settings. Also, you will be notified on the screen once the iron is ready to do the job. Now that you can avoid turning your clothes into a disaster.
Plus, the high steam rate the product offers can help you effortlessly blast away unwanted wrinkles on your clothes. This quilting promises to deliver just the right amount of steam for each fabric type.
Another worth-mentioning feature is the high-quality stainless steel soleplate. This heavy-duty machine can glide smoothly over any type of material.
We do give this product one minus point, however. The quilting iron is not very durable as it generally lasts for 18 months.
Pros
- Temperature control
- High steam rate
- Stainless steel soleplate
Con
- Not very durable
#5 Rowenta DW7180 Everlast 1750-Watt Anti-Calc Steam Iron – Best Water Tank
The next candidate on our list is the Rowenta DW7180 Everlast 1750-Watt Anti-Calc Steam Iron. This particular product features a very large water tank.
As written above, the quilting iron has a very large capacity for the water tank – 12 oz. Thus, you can use the iron freely, uninterrupted for 30 minutes.
The power of this machine is pretty high, too. With an amount of energy of 1750W, it promises to give customers the best possible results.
Furthermore, the quilting iron comes with a patented scale collector at the back, ensuring steam performance on a high level.
For all its amazing features, it is no surprise that the price is a bit high. But we are confident that the product won’t let you down.
Pros
- Large water tank
- High power
- Scale-collecting function
Con
- A little costly
#6 BEAUTURAL 1800-Watt Steam Iron – Best Power
Moving on to the next product, the BEAUTURAL 1800-Watt Steam Iron. This particular iron has very high efficiency in energy.
Specifically, its power is 1800 Watts. With such surplus energy, you can have an enjoyable ironing experience without having to plug the machine in from time to time. This is certainly one of the best irons for quilting cordless.
Besides, this quilting iron offers 9 preset modes, each of which is perfectly suitable for each type of fabric. These include jeans, nylon, silk, linen, wool, cotton, to name but a few.
Another extra feature that sets this product apart is its double ceramic soleplate. That is to say, it has greater durability and hardness than its stainless steel counterparts.
The only problem with this quilting iron is unexpected water leakage. But this situation doesn’t happen very frequently, so don’t worry.
Pros
- High power
- Suitable for many materials
- Double ceramic soleplate
Con
- Unexpected water leakage
#7 BLACK+DECKER D2030 Digital Steam Iron – Best Size
Are the above-mentioned quilting irons too big or too small for you? If so, give a shot at this BLACK+DECKER D2030 Digital Steam Iron.
This particular product prides itself on the ideal size. The dimension is 11 x 5.6 x 4.6 inches, making it ideal for virtually anyone to use. It is certainly the best mini irons for quilting patchwork.
This quilting iron also provides sufficient power – 120V and 1500W. You can iron your clothes as you wish without fearing it suddenly shutting off.
For those on a tight budget, this product is a perfect choice. It costs quite a little, but the quality is out of this world.
The quilting iron earns one minus point for its water leakage, however. It tends to drip water in the first 1-2 minutes since you start ironing, but it won’t cause you much inconvenience.
Pros
- Ideal size
- Providing sufficient power
- Budget-friendly
Con
- Water leakage
#8 SINGER Magic ESP-2 Electronic Steam Portable Iron – Best For Safety
Fearing that low-quality irons will burn your precious garments? Worries no more with the SINGER Magic ESP-2 Electronic Steam Portable Iron.
This particular product offers supreme safety. The magic lies in the auto shut-off system along with an electronic alarm. If you leave the handle down for more than 10 seconds, the system will make a sound to remind you.
Also, the surface of this iron is 10 times larger than that of its competitors. Now that you can iron your piles of clothes in next to no time.
Another extra benefit is that the product comes with some add-on accessories. These include a spray bottle, a measuring cup, and a pressing cushion.
What we don’t like about this quilting iron is its weight – 22lbs. For those who are not very strong, it might be a bit too heavy.
Pros
- Safety
- Large pressing surface
- Extra accessories included
Con
- Quite heavy
#9 Steamfast SF-717 Mini Steam Iron – Best Price
For those who don’t have money to burn, it is worth giving this product a try. The Steamfast SF-717 Mini Steam Iron is sold at a very affordable price.
As mentioned before, this quilting iron has the lowest price on our list. However, it still offers many distinctive features, which makes it the best cheap iron.
The machine earns one plus point for its quick heating time. Impressively, it can heat up 1.4 oz of water in 15 seconds, saving a lot of your time.
Unlike most quilting irons, this one is very lightweight. It only weighs 1lb, so it is fair to say that it is one of the best and lightest irons for quilting.
A friendly reminder is that the machine might be potentially dangerous if you leave it plugged in for too long. Since it doesn’t have an automatic shut-off system, it is vital that you pay extra attention.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Quick heating time
- Lightweight
Con
- Dangerous when plugged in for too long
#10 CHI Professional Grade Steam Iron – Best Material
Last but not least, we have the CHI Professional Grade Steam Iron. What is special about this product is its state-of-the-art material.
This quilting iron is made from premium titanium-infused ceramic soleplate and matte chrome accents. Thus, it is ultra-strong, scratch-resistant as well as having an eye-pleasing polished look.
We give the product another plus point for its extra-long cord. The cord is 10 ft long, making it very convenient to the plugin.
The high power this iron offers is also worth praising. It boasts 1700 watts, ensuring high steam performance for optimal results.
The only thing to complain about this product is that the soleplate is very hard to clean. Therefore, the maintenance of this iron is quite a hassle.
Pros
- High-quality materials
- Extra-long cord
- High power
Con
- Hard to clean
Buying Guide
There are a lot of so-called best iron brands, so it can be deceptive at times. Before purchasing any kind of product, it would help to do a little research about it. That being said, here are some guidelines to help you find out the best iron to buy.
Types Of Quilting Irons
Generally, there are three main types of quilting irons:
- Traditional steam irons: Irons of this type usually allow very little hot steam on clothes, so the efficiency is not very high.
- Cordless irons: These are quite similar to the traditional ones, except that they don’t have a cord attached.
- Steam ironing system: Unlike regular irons, these machines take up more space. They also take more time to operate, too.
Soleplates
You can opt for either ceramic or stainless steel soleplate. Generally, they are both able to glide smoothly on fabrics. However, the ceramic one can do the job slightly better.
Heat Settings
This feature is especially important. A good iron is one that allows you to customize the heating settings as you wish. Now that you can avoid accidentally burning your clothes.
In this case, we recommend the SINGER Magic ESP-2 Electronic Steam Portable Iron.
Durability And Safety
Durability and safety are two essential aspects that you should not overlook. At the end of the day, who would want an iron that leaks and spits time after time? Even more serious, a bad iron might cause unwanted incidents like injuries or fires.
Weight
For those who are not very strong, you should pay extra attention to this. That is to say, a too light iron may not be very stable to grip. On the other hand, an iron that is too heavy is not good, either. Not only will it put too much pressure on your clothes but it will also make your wrist tired. That’s why you should choose an iron with a weight that suits you.
Water Tank Capacity
You should also take into consideration the water tank capacity. To be clear, it is the amount of water that can be reserved in the base unit. There must not be any leaks in the water reservoir or else it can decrease the efficiency.
More often than not, the greater the water tank is, the better. Also, a transparent one is usually preferred since you can easily monitor the water level.
Cord
This aspect tends to be ignored, but it is very essential. Some irons have cords that are suitable for left-handed users, meanwhile, others are made for right-handed counterparts.
There are two other options, namely retractable cords and cordless irons.
Controls
This characteristic may vary. For example, some irons offer dials, switches, sliders or digital controls. These controls do not differ much in inefficiency, so the choice is up to you.
Price And Warranty
Last but not least, give some attention to the price and warranty. Usually, these factors can vary very greatly.
Most quilting irons are easy on the wallet, except for a few ones that are impressively high, like the Rowenta DW7180 Everlast 1750-Watt Anti-Calc Steam Iron. However, prices go hand in hand with quality, so it is a worthwhile investment. On the other hand, if a product costs very little, it might be questionable.
The warranty depends on the manufacturers. Mostly, companies offer a one-year warranty period for their quilting irons.
FAQs
Can I Use Steam Iron Without Water?
A: Of course. All you need to do is to remove the water from the iron. Generally, most steam irons offer a switch that allows you to turn the steam off.
Why Is The Reason For Leakage In Quilting Irons?
A: If your iron is leaking, there are some technical problems with it. It might be that the soleplate is not hot enough. When this happens, the water will just leak out instead of turning to steam as supposed.
Can Steam Irons Help Cleaning My Clothes?
A: Yes, it can! As well as getting rid of the wrinkles, the heat from steams irons can help a lot in killing germs and bacteria. Also, steam irons can be useful when it comes to reducing unpleasant smells from garments.
Is It Advisable To Iron My Clothes Inside Out?
A: Of course. If you don’t, there may be some problem. When you look at your garments closely immediately after you finish ironing, there may appear a sheen or luster. The possible reason for this is the intense heat of the soleplate.
In order to avoid such things on your precious clothes, it would help to iron your clothes inside out.
Can I Remove Iron Marks From Clothing?
A: Yes, and the process is quite easy. You can use a clean cloth applied with some white vinegar, and then rub it against your clothes. But do not rub it too hard or else your clothes won’t look very good.
However, if you accidentally melted or burned the clothes, there is no good news. There is nothing you can do about it, so please beware not to let this happen.
Why Is It Necessary To Have A Quilting Iron?
First and foremost, ironing is a necessity. At the end of the day, who would want to wear clothes with ugly wrinkles and creases? For that reason, it is best to purchase a quilting iron for optimal performance.
Also, if you are a professional quilter, then a quilting iron is a must. Indeed, the process of quilting is quite challenging: it requires you to connect three layers. And you can not do the job without a good quilting iron in this case.
Briefly, quilting is quite a hard process. And it would become even more difficult if you use ordinary irons. So it is advisable to purchase a fine quilting iron.
Conclusion
So, what do you think? Have you already decided on which are the best irons for quilting? We’re sure you already did since this article has provided you with a lot of useful information. If you haven’t, you can opt for our top pick#1 Professional Grade 1700W Steam Iron.
Thank you for reading! We hope our article has been of great help!
Further reading:
Sewing Tips for Fusing Iron-On Interfacing
I’m Charlotte Jane, I love quilting. I provide my reviews of the best quilting tools. I hope to help beginners share their love of Quilting with the world.
