If you’re fed up to the back teeth with uneven seams, stubborn creases that just won’t go away no matter how hard you iron, or an iron that doesn’t glide as smoothly as you expect it to, then this guide is for you.
As a quilter, you’re going to have problems that need solving, like smoothing out thick seams or pressing intricate quilt blocks, and when you do, your iron won’t just be a tool for work. It’s going to be a lifesaver, and this is why it’s so important to have the best steam iron for quilting. Having the wrong iron means your work is going to be way harder than it should be, and you definitely don’t want that.
So, now that I’ve explained the importance of having a good steam iron for quilting, how do you pick the best one out of the thousands of options available on the market?
Well, you don’t need to worry about that because I’ve done the research for you. The steam irons featured here were built to handle all quilting tasks that irons are used for. With these irons, you’ll spend more time quilting than ironing, and you’ll be able to quilt easier and faster than you did with your previous iron.
The Best Steam Irons for Quilting
Oliso TG1600 Pro Plus 1800 Watt Smart Iron
I used to struggle with an old iron that not only didn’t perform well but left water spots on my quilt. I decided to switch to a different brand, and this was the first steam iron I considered after hours of research, and I don’t regret my purchase one bit.
The Oliso TG1600 Pro Plus is simply amazing. It features scorch guards that can detect when the iron is in use and when it’s not. When your hand touches the handle, it lowers so you can use it, and when you take your hand off the handle, the scorch guards lift the iron off the fabric to prevent accidental burns.
This is a very important safety feature for quilters because quilters multi-task, and it’s easy to forget to lift the iron off the fabric after using it. Another safety feature I love is the 30-minute automatic shut off.
This Oliso iron has a diamond ceramic soleplate that glides smoothly on all types of fabric and distributes heat evenly. It also delivers strong bursts of steam in all directions that remove sharp creases and iron out wrinkles in a breeze, making pressing quilt seams and blocks a lot easier.
The anti-drip and anti-scale system prevent leaks and scale buildup. Oliso recommends setting the temperature to the highest level when using steam to prevent leaks, and this recommendation has held true all the times I’ve used this iron.
Specs
Cord length: 12-feet | Tank capacity: 12.7 oz | Safety features: Auto shut-off, Auto lift | Soleplate: Diamond ceramic-flow soleplate | Wattage: 1800 Watts | Weight: 3.7 lbs
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Auto lift feature enhances safety | Some users might find it a bit too large and heavy which might affect maneuverability |
| High heat and steam output makes iron perfect for pressing seams and removing wrinkles | May produce a distracting and annoying noise when the auto-lift feature is active |
| Long 30-minute shut off timer means no unwanted interruptions during quilting sessions |
Rowenta Perfect Steam Pro DG8624
The Rowenta DG8624 is the perfect steam iron for large quilting projects. It’s designed for professional use, and it comes with a separate 1.1-liter steam station that produces high-pressure steam for deep penetration into all types of fabric.
Since the water tank is so large, you won’t have to stop to refill it often while using it, and that’s a huge plus for any quilter. And when it’s time to refill, you’ll find it easy because the tank is removable.
The iron itself distributes steam evenly thanks to its 400-hole micro steam stainless steel soleplate, which facilitates precise and efficient ironing. It’s also lightweight and therefore easy to move and guide across fabric. With its leakproof design, you won’t have to worry about leaks with this one. There’s an automatic shut-off feature too, which is the bare-minimum in safety features that all irons should come with (in my opinion).
Specs
Cord length: 11.6 feet | Tank capacity: 37 oz | Safety features: Auto shut-off | Soleplate: Stainless steel soleplate | Wattage: 1800 Watts | Weight: 11.24 lbs
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High heat removes creases/wrinkles fast while deep steam penetration helps with thick fabrics | Steam station is large, which means it takes up more storage space than traditional steam irons |
| Iron locks to steam station making it possible to carry by the handle and enhancing portability | More expensive than the other steam irons I recommend, so not suitable for those on a tight budget |
| Vertical steaming feature |
Panasonic NI-WL600 Cordless Iron
My favorite feature of this steam iron is its cordless design. As a quilter, this iron offers me unrestricted movement and I can easily move it over large quilt pieces without worrying about the length of the cord or a twisted/tangled cord.
Another excellent feature is the double-tipped design of its contoured stainless steel soleplate. This means you can iron forwards and backwards with the same precision and efficiency.
The steam it produces is powerful, so removing wrinkles and creases will never prove difficult. You can either use this iron as a steam iron or a dry iron, depending on what is appropriate in your specific situation. Switching from steam to dry ironing is done with the simple touch of a button.
The charging base is where you place the iron when it’s not in use and for reheating. Reheating happens quickly and within seconds, so you can get back to ironing almost immediately. The base also has an auto shut-off feature and a retractable cord. The retractable cord and heat-resistant carrying case combine to make this iron a highly portable iron.
Specs
Cord length: Cordless | Tank capacity: 4 oz | Safety features: Auto shut-off | Soleplate: Stainless steel soleplate | Wattage: 1500 Watts | Weight: 4.4 lbs
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cordless design completely eliminates the limitations of a cord and the hassle of managing one | The iron has to be returned to the base regularly for reheating |
| Fast reheating time means you can start ironing again within seconds of placing the iron on its base | If you haven’t used this type of iron before, it may take some time to get used to the cordless iron and the reheating cycle |
| Lightweight and ergonomic design makes it comfortable to use and perfect for long sessions |
Things to Look for in the Best Steam Iron for Quilting
1. Powerful steam production: What’s a steam iron without powerful steam output? This is the first thing you should look for because it helps a lot with quilting, particularly if you find yourself pressing thick seams regularly.
2. High-quality soleplate: What this basically means is ceramic or stainless steel soleplate. Avoid any material other than these. Ceramic and stainless steel soleplates are the best and most durable types of soleplates, particularly for steam irons. They glide smoothly on fabrics with no snagging or sticking.
3. Safety features: Using an electrical appliance comes with its own risks, so it’s important to choose an iron that mitigates this risk with certain safety features. Auto shut off is the most important safety feature for quilters because, as a quilter, you’re more likely to set the iron aside intermittently and go do something else until the need to iron arises again. Any other safety feature that comes with the iron should be considered a bonus. But the more, the better.
4. Large water tank: The water tank should be large enough to hold enough water for moderate to long quilting and ironing sessions. It should also be easy to refill.
5. Long cord or cordless: Of course, cordless is better because it completely eliminates the hassle of managing a cord and any limitations it imposes on movement. However, a corded iron is just as good as a cordless one if the cord is long enough.
6. Pointed tip: A pointed or precision tip helps you reach tight corners easily and press advanced quilt patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prevent leaks from steam irons?
The short answer: let it heat up properly. When there’s sufficient heat, your steam iron is way more effective at converting water to steam, which means the chances of water leaking out are close to zero, unless your steam holes are clogged. To prevent clogging, use distilled water always.
How often to clean a steam iron?
Maintaining and cleaning a steam iron isn’t difficult. You just need to descale it every few months (depending on how often you use it) if you don’t use distilled water and clean the soleplate at least once a month.
Is it really important to get a high-quality steam iron for quilting?
Yes, it is. High-quality irons provide the right amount of heat and steam that you need to make good quilts. Low-quality and cheap irons will reduce the quality of your work, and they won’t last long too.
How does soleplate material affect results?
The better the soleplate material, the smoother the iron glides. Exceptional soleplate materials like ceramic and stainless steel also aid even heat distribution.
How high should the wattage be?
Anything from 1500 Watts and above will provide the temperature you need for quilting projects. Going below 1500 Watts means the iron won’t get hot enough to produce the results you want.
Why Should You Trust Me?
My name is Charlotte Williams, and I’m a mother of two. I’ve been testing home and kitchen appliances for the past 10 years, including steam irons of course. Read more about me.