TechGearLab

The Rowenta DW2459 Access is an easy, high-value choice that scored near the top of the pack across the board. This steam iron is exceptionally smooth, gliding easily over even the most delicate fabrics. It has no problem getting wrinkles out of cotton and linen quickly and needs just an extra pass or two to achieve the same results on silk. With 400 tiny holes on the soleplate, an extra blast of steam also proved to get the job done on some of the toughest fabrics like polyester. The pointed nose makes detailing around buttons and armpits a breeze. And the retractable cord is the icing on the cake &mdash; no more tripping as you wait for your iron to cool.
The flaws of this iron are relatively few. The chamber for the retractable cord pulls the Access center of gravity back a bit, forcing us to tip it forward at times. The opening for refilling the water chamber is also rather small, with a slope that often results in water shooting off to the side rather than funneling in. And the extra spray button doesn't shoot water very far &mdash; a detriment when ironing large swaths of fabric. Still, if you're searching for top-notch, all-around performance at a reasonable price, look no further.
Read more: Rowenta DW2459 Access review

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The SteamForce is the most reliable iron we’ve ever tested, with the strongest bursts of steam, but it costs nearly three times as much as many we tried and has only a one-year warranty, the shortest amongst our picks.

The Rowenta DW9280 SteamForce easily removes stubborn wrinkles from most fabrics with its impressive steam output. There is no need for additional steam or moisture while ironing cotton and linen, but a quick press of the steam button helps rid difficult-to-work-with materials like silk and polyester of stubborn wrinkles. The massive amount of steam is released through 400 strategically-placed steam holes found on the soleplate, and the iron runs nice and hot, ensuring that no moisture is left behind. This iron works quickly and effectively, and its pointy nose helps get into most nooks and crannies, making it very versatile.
Our main complaint with the SteamForce is its high price tag. For the casual user, it may be too expensive. However, if you need a precise and efficient steam iron and plan to use it frequently, we feel its performance justifies the price.

The Rowenta DW9280 SteamForce easily removes stubborn wrinkles from most fabrics with its impressive steam output. There is no need for additional steam or moisture while ironing cotton and linen, but a quick press of the steam button helps rid difficult-to-work-with materials like silk and polyester of stubborn wrinkles. The massive amount of steam is released through 400 strategically-placed steam holes found on the soleplate, and the iron runs nice and hot, ensuring no moisture is left behind. This iron works quickly and effectively, and its pointy nose helps get into most nooks and crannies, making it very versatile.
Our main complaint with the SteamForce &#40;and really our only one&#41; is its high price tag. For the casual user, it may be too expensive. However, if you need a precise and efficient steam iron and plan to use it frequently, we feel its performance justifies the price.
Read more: Rowenta DW9280 SteamForce review

expert-review

Why We Love the Rowenta Steamforce

The CHI Steam Titanium is an above-average performer at a fair price, making it a great value. It has an ergonomic handle and glides across most fabrics with ease. It makes quick work of most wrinkles, even deep-set ones on hard-to-work fabric, like silk. These features make this iron a breeze to use, but one of our favorites is the retractable cord. This simple feature speeds up the clean-up process by allowing the user to retract the cord without waiting for the iron to cool completely.
While the retractable cord makes things easier, we sadly can't say the same thing for filling the water tank. There is a little flap inside the fill hole that frequently gets in the way of the water stream and causes a good amount of spillage. The only other bone with have to pick with this nifty appliance is that the nose plate is not quite as tapered as some of our higher performing models. It still gets the job done, but if your top priority is precision, there may be a better option in our test suite for you. 

The CHI Steam Titanium is an above-average performer at a fair price, making it a great value. It has an ergonomic handle and glides across most fabrics with ease. It makes quick work of most wrinkles, even deep-set ones on hard-to-work fabric, like silk. These features make this iron a breeze to use, as does the retractable cord, which speeds up the clean-up process and allows you to clean up without waiting for the iron to cool completely.
While the retractable cord makes things easier, we sadly can't say the same for filling the water tank. A little flap inside the fill hole frequently gets in the way of the water stream and causes a good amount of spillage. The nose plate is also not as tapered as some of our higher-performing models. It still gets the job done, but if your top priority is precision, you may have a better option in our test suite. 
Read more: CHI Steam Titanium review

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