Best Irons for Quilting

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Best Irons for Quilting

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How to Choose the Best Iron for Quilting

Using the best tool for the job is always important which is why finding the right steam iron for quilting is key. There are a lot of options out there so we researched the best-sellers and top-rated products to help you find the right one for your needs. Before we get started with our individual product reviews, let’s take a closer look at some key features to find out what makes a good iron a good iron.

Best Irons for Quilting

Type: There are both corded and cordless irons available. Most of our top picks are corded so you won’t have to worry about battery life but we did find one really great cordless option if that’s what you’re looking for.

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Power: The more watts an iron has, the more powerful it is so it heats up faster and hotter. Usually, travel irons have fewer watts because they’re smaller than standard irons. The range on our list is 420 to 1800 watts.

How to Choose the Best Iron for Quilting

Steam: All of these items use the power of steam. While most of them can also be used as dry irons, steam helps you get out tough creases and wrinkles. Some of them can even be used as a clothes steamer.

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Travel: Technically, you can travel with any iron but if you’re looking for something that’s specifically designed for it, we found a few. Travel irons are smaller, lighter, and some are even equipped with dual voltage selection.

Best Irons for Quilting

Size: This will really show you the differences in size between mini travel irons and full sized ones. Keep in mind that the area of the soleplate is usually in direct proportion to the size of the iron.

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Warranty: Warranties are important with a small electronic item such as an iron. Every item on our list is covered for between 1 and 2 years. Make sure you know what’s covered and what isn’t with whichever item you choose.

Top 10 Products

Now that you know a little more about what to look for, let’s move right into our product reviews. If you’re in a hurry, the best place to start is with our top and budget picks. They’ll really show you the range that’s available. They’re right at the top of our list so they’re really easy to find. Stick around if you can, all of these items are great and you never know which one will catch your eye. Okay, let’s get started.

Oliso Pro TG1600 Smart Iron

Oliso Pro TG1600 Smart Iron
Out top pick for best steam iron for quilting is the Oliso Pro TG1600 Smart Iron. You might be wondering why it’s called a smart iron. Get this, it’s loaded with iTouch technology that automatically lowers scorch guards when you touch the handle and lifts them when you’ve stopped ironing. The stainless steel plate has a thick chromium finish that gives it strong scratch resistance and helps it glide smoothly across fabric, making it perfect for quilting. Plus, there are three different steam levels to get even stubborn creases out of any fabric as well as a 2-inch detailer clip to make sharp pleats and pockets. One more thing, it has automatic shut kicks in after 30 minutes of inactivity or 30 seconds if it gets knocked over.
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Steamfast SF-717 Travel Iron

Steamfast SF-717 Travel Iron
If you’re looking for the best mini steam iron for quilting, take a look at our budget pick, the Steamfast SF-717. This small, lightweight iron is perfect for travel. It comes with a travel bag and is designed for use in any part of the world, just choose between 100 and 240 volts. The quick heat-up time is super convenient and since it has three different temperature settings, you can use it with multiple fabrics. The anti-slip handle features a comfortable grip making it easy to maneuver over any fabric. Because it’s so small, the soleplate is the perfect size for getting into pockets and pleats that larger irons can’t touch. Whether you’re traveling or just looking for something small to keep in your crafting room, this is a great choice.
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Panasonic 360 Freestyle Iron

Panasonic 360 Freestyle Iron
Next up is the Panasonic 360 Freestyle, an awesome iron with a unique coreless design that makes it really easy to use for quilting projects. The curved stainless steel soleplate moves easily and, because there’s no cord, nothing gets in the way. It features electronic temperature control, and anti-drip system that prevents unwanted water spots, and “Stay Clean” steam vents that won’t collect any built up residue. That’s not all, the charging cradle doubles as a carrying case, ideal for storage or when you’re moving from the laundry to the sewing machine. The footprint of this iron is particularly unique, providing the surface area of a full sized iron with the maneuverability of a much more compact iron. You can press everything from collars and cuffs to large tablecloths quickly and effectively.
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CHI 13101 Steam Iron

CHI 13101 Steam Iron
What’s interesting about the CHI 13101 Steam Iron is that they use the same titanium-infused ceramic plates that they use on their hair styling tools. Why does that matter? Think about it, if it’s gentle enough to use on your hair, it’s a great choice for more delicate fabrics. It’s also really durable, strong, and scratch resistant. With over 300 steam holes, this iron is really effective at removing even the toughest wrinkles and creases. To control the temperature, simply turn the dial to the appropriate fabric type to eliminate the guesswork. It moves smoothly over fabric and the textured grip handle is super comfortable and provides a good grip. That’s not all, the matte chrome accents and angular shape give this iron a decidedly modern look.
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Shark Professional Steam Iron

Shark Professional Steam Iron
Up next is the Shark Professional Steam Iron. This one is loaded with features. For starters, it has a large 9.5-inch stainless steel soleplate that covers a lot of surface area to get the job done quickly. It features anti-calcification and anti-drop treatments to keep the plate clean and functioning properly. Smooth Glide technology helps it move smoothly and the one-touch electric fabric selector makes sure that you’re using the right temperature, every time. The water tank on this iron is a generous 10 ounces which means you’ll have a lot of steam power to work with before having to stop and refill. That’s not all, with the 8-feet power cord, you have a lot of room to work without having to worry too much about where outlets are located.
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Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot Travel Iron

Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot Travel Iron
The best mini iron for quilting is the Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot Travel Iron. First of all, it has the best name of any travel iron, but it also works extremely well. This iron features a dual voltage system that allows you to switch between 120 and 240V. With variable temperature control, you can use this iron with just about any fabric. The indicator lights let you know when it’s ready and the soft touch handle and easy-to-use dial are comfortable and provide precise control. Another great thing about this product is the Shot of Steam feature. It gives you a little extra power right where you need it to get out stubborn wrinkles as fast as a full sized iron can. At only 1.39 pounds, this is the perfect travel companion.
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SMAGREHO Travel Iron

SMAGREHO Travel Iron
Another great choice for best travel iron for quilting is this one from SMAGREHO. One of the best things about it is that it’s fast. It heats up in only 15 seconds. There are three different heat settings to choose from which means you can use it on a variety of fabrics. It comes with a convenient travel bag and a Scorch-Saving Mesh Pressing Pad to help you avoid any problems with temperatures being too high. This is a small iron that’s perfect for working around pleats and cuffs. The soleplate is made of Teflon and gets into places larger irons can’t reach. It’s easy to operate and the comfortable handle makes it really easy to maneuver into the smallest creases. One more thing, it also has dual voltage settings for overseas travel.
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Maytag M800 Smart Fill Iron

Maytag M800 Smart Fill Iron
Our next pick is the Maytag M800 Smart Fill Iron. Why Smart Fill? Get this, it actually has a removable water tank so you can refill over and over again, even while the iron is still hot without using a fill cup This iron heats up in under a minute and is ready to generate steam in only 3 seconds. The soleplate is also self-cleaning and resists scale and calcium build-up. A precision thermostat and simple dial help you get the right temperature for the most effective results, every time. One of the reasons you’ll love this for quilting is because you can also use it as a steamer for hanging garments. The 8-feet cord is really convenient, too. It even swivels so it won’t hinder movement.
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BLACK+DECKER Easy Steam Iron

The BLACK+DECKER Easy Steam Iron is the best small iron for quilting. It features SmartSteam technology which controls the amount of steam based on the temperature setting to make sure you get optimal results. The soleplate was carefully designed with a non-stick surface so it glides easily over any type of fabric. It also avoids dripping and also has a spray mist function that allows you to moisten fabrics with the push of a button before you run the iron over them. If you’re someone who’s always worrying whether or not you forgot to turn the iron off, you’ll really appreciate the 3-way auto shut off. This motion-sensitive technology turns the iron off whether its left on its heel, side, or soleplate giving you peace of mind.
The BLACK+DECKER Easy Steam Iron is the best small iron for quilting. It features SmartSteam technology which controls the amount of steam based on the temperature setting to make sure you get optimal results. The soleplate was carefully designed with a non-stick surface so it glides easily over any type of fabric. It also avoids dripping and also has a spray mist function that allows you to moisten fabrics with the push of a button before you run the iron over them. If you’re someone who’s always worrying whether or not you forgot to turn the iron off, you’ll really appreciate the 3-way auto shut off. This motion-sensitive technology turns the iron off whether its left on its heel, side, or soleplate giving you peace of mind.
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Ivation Mini Iron

The Ivation Mini Iron is a good choice if you prefer a dry iron for quilting that’s also ideal for travel. It has steam capabilities, too, meaning this iron can do just about anything. The non-stick ceramic soleplate glides smoothly over any fabric. This iron heats up in only 15 seconds and has three different power levels as well as anti-drip technology. A 7.5-feet power cord means you can use this iron just about anywhere which is great if you don’t have access to a lot of different outlets. In addition to being the perfect size for travel, this iron also has a voltage selector so you can use it wherever you are. That’s not all, it only weighs 1.08 pounds making it really easy to pack.
The Ivation Mini Iron is a good choice if you prefer a dry iron for quilting that’s also ideal for travel. It has steam capabilities, too, meaning this iron can do just about anything. The non-stick ceramic soleplate glides smoothly over any fabric. This iron heats up in only 15 seconds and has three different power levels as well as anti-drip technology. A 7.5-feet power cord means you can use this iron just about anywhere which is great if you don’t have access to a lot of different outlets. In addition to being the perfect size for travel, this iron also has a voltage selector so you can use it wherever you are. That’s not all, it only weighs 1.08 pounds making it really easy to pack.
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About the Author

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Jennifer Trimbee

Expert Researcher and Writer

Jennifer Trimbee, a lead researcher and writer at GeekWrapped, is an expert writer with many years of experience. Jennifer writes about technology, sports, outdoor, and gear products.

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Article last updated on:

September 30, 2019

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TOP PICK

Oliso Pro TG1600 Smart Iron

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