Photo of Vitaliy Nefedov
How to choose ironsWe did not limit yourself to the frameworkone price category to see if the difference between cheap and expensive models is strong. Irons were evaluated directly "in business". Selected models were tested on different types of fabric, which allowed to understand how convenient their design. We also wanted to get an answer to the question, what characteristics of the iron should be taken into consideration when choosing it. Natalia Davydova, costume designer at the Moscow Music Hall, acted as an expert.
ST 1106 Dameon (Saturn, Czech Republic)
. Description. Iron with steam humidifier. Power - 1400 watts. Anti-drip system - no. Heating indicator light. The sole material is stainless steel. Color of the case - white, blue. From the editorial office. A compact iron, which at an extremely attractive price has a function of steam humidification. Specialist's comment. When you try to iron the cloth, the iron leaks. Thus, he can not trust good silk fabrics. Humidification by steam occurs unevenly over the area of the sole. A small mass of iron makes its use very convenient, but at the same time it is unstable. The cord itself is not as flexible as in more expensive models. Estimates
- ergonomics - 3
- functionality - 4
- efficiency of ironing - 3
- price 250 rubles.
SC-136S Flint (Scarlett, UK)
Description. Iron for dry ironing with removable sprinkler. Power - 1400 watts. Heating indicator light. The sole material is stainless steel. Weight - 1 kg. From the editorial office. The most compact of the tested models. Does not have a built-in steam humidification system. The provided built-in sprinkler is ineffective and does not differ in capacity (its volume is about 50 ml). The iron is equipped with a convenient thermoregulator with easily readable inscriptions, which designate the heating modes for different types of fabric. Specialist's comment. The soleplate made of stainless steel requires careful handling, as with its strong heating, gloss can appear on the fabric. If you accidentally hit the cord, it is likely that the appliance will tip over or fall off the ironing board. Estimates
- ergonomics - 4
- functionality - 3-
- efficiency of ironing - 3
- price 490 rubles.
NI-U755XR (Panasonic, Japan)
Description. Iron with the function of steam humidification. Power - 2400 Watts. The sole material is stainless steel, nickel plated. Adjustable steam supply - up to 40 g / min, steam impact - 100 g / min. Vertical steaming. Systems: automatic shutdown, self-cleaning, anti-scale Calc Cut, automatic cord reel Cord Reel, anti-drip system Valve. Rubberized lining on the handle and back. The capacity of the water tank is 300 ml. Color - white, light green. Cord length - 1,5 m. Weight - 1,8 kg. From the editorial office. The iron differs in the convenience of the design: it provides adjustment of the intensity of the steam supply, the system of automatic cable inspection and the rubberized lining on the handle. Specialist's comment. Iron comfortable, ironed fabrics with an admixture of synthetics and purely synthetic, perfectly glides. Humidification occurs evenly over the entire area of the sole. However, this is quite a heavy device, it will not be easy to use it for vertical steaming. The Round Ride sole provides unobstructed movement of the iron in any direction without folding and stretching the fabric. The increased area reduces the ironing time, and the convex shape allows to protect the processed things from the formation of folds and "bubbles". Estimates
- ergonomics - 4
- functionality - 5
- ironing efficiency - 5
- price 1800 rubles.
Sensixx steam generator TDS 1035 (Bosch, Germany)
Description. Built-in steam generator with a pump for creating a constant steam. Light sole with enamel coating Cera glissee. Power - 2400 Watts. The yield of steam is up to 40 g / min, the steam impact is 100 g / min. Function "Vertical steam". Anti-scale anti-cascade system. The capacity of the water tank is 350 ml. Color - golden. The length of the cord is 2.5 m. Weight is 1.35 kg. From the editorial office. Model TDS 1035 is a compact steam station with an integrated steam generator. The iron is equipped with a system of protection against scale formation, a sensor system for protection from leaks, an automatic shut-off system, a stepless steam output regulator, a soft two-component Soft-touch handle, and a swivel cord. Specialist's comment. The iron is light and snug. Very comfortable long cord. I did not like the small hole to fill the water - a few drops were left outside. The rotary temperature regulator is not equipped with a designation for tissue types. Humidification occurs evenly over the area of the sole. In my opinion, this iron is suitable for experienced housewives, which often patch a lot. Estimates
- ergonomics - 4
- functionality - 5
- ironing efficiency - 5
- the price is 2500 rubles.
SI 17780 ProStyle (Braun, Germany)
Description. Iron with the function of steam humidification. Power - 2400 Watts. Ultra-firm outsole Eloxal. Nozzle Textile Protector Plus. The yield of steam is up to 50 g / min, the discharge of steam from the spout is 45 g / min, the steam impact is 120 g / min. Vertical steaming. System of protection against scale. The capacity of the water tank is 400 ml. Color - white, dark blue. Cord length - 2 m. Weight - 1,2 kg. From the editorial office. The iron of the new ProStyle series is distinguished by its small mass, which makes its use comfortable. The advantages of the design include a convenient rubberized handle, ball attachment of the cord, the presence of a groove for buttons. The Textile Protector prevents the appearance of shiny spots when ironing delicate fabrics, as well as dark-colored fabrics. The device is able to effectively discharge steam from the nozzle. Through 27 holes located on the nose near the edge of the sole, 50% more steam is supplied than in irons without such a function. Specialist's comment. Comfortable, rather light iron. Powerful discharge of steam from the spout will be good when processing thick fabrics. The rotary temperature regulator is not equipped with a designation for tissue types - for an unprepared person this is inconvenient. Humidification occurs evenly over the entire area of the sole. Estimates
- ergonomics - 4+
- functionality - 5
- ironing efficiency - 5
- the price is 2900 rubles.
Program 8 Power Jeans FV9350 (Tefal, France)
Description. Iron with steam humidifier. Power - 2400 Watts. The yield of steam is 10-40 g / min, the steam impact is 120 g / min. Functions: self-cleaning, "Vertical steam", "Drop-stop". Anti-calc Plus anti-calc system. Outsole Ultragliss Turbo with Power Jeans. The capacity of the water tank is 350 ml. Dark-blue colour. Cord length - 1,9 m. Weight - 1,55 kg. From the editorial office. Powerful technically advanced iron with a smooth sole Ultragliss Turbo and a comprehensive protection system. The "Drop-stop" function protects the sole from leaking when working at low temperatures. The automation turns off the power if the iron 30 s is not moving in horizontal and 8 minutes - in the vertical position. The Thermo-Alert function allows you to iron without fear of burning a cloth. The indicator light will stay on until the soleplate of the iron cools down to a temperature suitable for the type of fabric that has been installed. A convenient wide opening for water filling is the hallmark of the Program 8. The expert's comment. Very convenient system for switching ironing modes. It is convenient to pour water, and the stand for a vertical installation is good. The area of the sole of the steam is distributed evenly. Iron perfectly slips on fabrics of all types. The only negative - heavy. Estimates
- ergonomics - 5-
- functionality - 5
- ironing efficiency - 5
- price 3400 rubles.
conclusions
The test results did not become unexpected. Budget models gave way to premium models in all respects, except for compact sizes and small masses.
- All irons have a swivel connectioncord. But when choosing a model, it is probably worth paying attention to the cord itself - how soft and flexible it is. In cheap irons, it does not bend well and can interfere with work. We would like to especially note the automatic wire-cutting system in the Panasonic model and the longest and most convenient Bosch cord.
- The quality of the sole in Bosch, Braun,Panasonic and Tefal did not cause any complaints, as well as the "Drop-stop" system, which prevents the flow of water on the fabric. Additional attachments at Braun and Tefal give a definite advantage in the processing of delicate fabrics.
- Rotary switch heating mode in a number ofirons of the premium class has no designations for the types of fabrics, which is uncomfortable for an inexperienced user. The control keys in most models are large and convenient.
- But the hole for filling the reservoir with wateroften it is narrow, so that the iron can be filled without spilling the liquid, it is possible only with a measuring cup or other special utensils. In this respect, the Tefal model is out of competition with a wide neck of the water tank. Equipped with a convenient "parking system", this iron most liked our expert and can be considered the winner of the "ergonomic" competition. Its only drawback - a relatively large mass, so Tefal iron can be considered the winner in the class of "heavyweights". As for the lighter participants, the Bosch, Braun and Panasonic models showed approximately the same results.
The editors thank BSH household appliances, representatives of Braun, Panasonic, Groupe Seb for their help in testing.
