Steam through even the toughest wrinkles with our top cordless iron picks.
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If you're fed up with all of the cords that come with the devices you rely on from day to day (so many cords!), a cordless iron may seem like a nice convenience. Cordless irons, which rely on a corded charging base instead of direct electricity, offer more freedom of movement while crafting, sewing or quilting.
Whether traditional or cordless, the Good Housekeeping Institute tests irons for how much steam they produce, how heavy they are, the temperatures the soleplate reaches at various settings and how well they remove wrinkles from nylon, silk, wool, cotton and linen fabric swatches that we’ve balled up and wrinkled overnight. We also check safety features, like automatic shut-off and tip-over resistance. Finally, we assess how comfortable the iron is to hold, how easy it is to fill and how easy the buttons and dials are to press and adjust.
Our favorite cordless models come from the same companies as many of the corded models in our previous tests and are packed with many of the same features as our best-tested steam irons, plus boast some unique features too.
Below our reviews, you'll find more information about how we test, how cordless steam irons work and more. For more garment care products, check out our guide to the best garment steamers and the ironing boards we recommend for the crispest, smoothest clothes.
This is one of the most unique irons we've ever seen. With a pointed tip at each end of the soleplate and no cord to get in the way, you can iron in any direction. Its design means the entire soleplate is usable, not just the tip or center. You’ll not only get your ironing done faster, but you’ll never have the flat end scrunching and wrinkling up what you’ve just pressed. De-wrinkling large items, like tablecloths and draperies, is particularly easy and speedy with this iron.
It has a removable water tank for easy filling at the sink. Steam, spray and temperature controls are all located on the handle for convenient one-finger reach. Once on, the holes around its entire perimeter allow it to emit steam from any direction for a more thorough job. Overall, it's a bit bulky, but we love the fact that it has deep button groove that runs around the entire soleplate to help you quickly zip around any buttons, rivets or snaps. If you get called away, the base automatically shuts off after 10 minutes, so there’s no fear of inadvertently leaving it on.
SteamFast’s cordless iron has features that rival more expensive cordless irons, including a 7-second reheat time and steam that can be dispensed as a burst or a continuous stream. It's also nice and lightweight, which adds to maneuverability. Other notable features include a water mister, 6-ounce water tank capacity and 8-minute auto shut-off for safety.
We haven’t tested this cordless iron yet, but we have tested other garment steamers from the brand and trust their performance. The iron is covered by the SteamFast's two-year warranty and online reviewers praise it for both efficacy and portability. On the downside, our pros note that the soleplate on this model is a bit smaller than our other picks, so getting through large projects — like big quilts — will take more time.
This is an updated version of the 360-degree Freestyle model we’ve chosen as our best overall pick. Panasonic's newer model is not something everyone needs to splurge on, but it is packed with helpful features the most avid quilters will appreciate. In fact, it tackles one of the biggest complaints we hear from crafters online: Most irons' auto shut-off functions kick in too quickly, making for longer wait times between crafting steps. This model’s auto shut-off gives you 30 minutes before the iron shuts off, which is plenty of time to get the next piece of fabric ready.
What's more, tipped soleplates make getting into tight corners easier. This cordless iron also has a double-sided soleplate to better smooth out collars, pleats and more in both directions. A detachable water tank makes refilling during big quilting projects more efficient; leave the iron on the base to heat up while you refill the tank at the sink. The base is a bit bulkier than the other models on this list, but the heat-resistant carrying case makes it convenient to carry to and from quilting group events and the retractable cord allows for easier storage.
One of the things we like most about this cordless iron is its upright design. Muscle memory tells us an iron should stand upright, but most cordless irons sit flat on their bases. Not this one, which has a unique circular base that not only allows you to place the iron upright, but also lets you attach and detach it from any angle. The iron boasts a nearly 12-ounce water tank that affords you more time to work too. Other notable features include a self-clean function to help prevent limescale buildup — particularly great if you have hard water.
We haven't tested this model yet, but Amazon reviewers and avid quilters have largely positive things to say. We did notice a few downsides worth mentioning, though. Namely, the 1,500 watt iron does take a bit longer to heat up — closer to 25 seconds, according to the brand.
The BLACK+DECKER Light ‘N Go Cordless Iron, another upright model, has a few notable features that make it stand out from other cordless irons on the market. It has seven fabric settings, which is more than we found on most other models we’ve tested. A transparent water tank made it easier to fill the unit with the proper amount of water. Some cordless irons give users no notice when it’s time to return the iron back to the base to recharge, but this model from Black + Decker has light and sound indications that make it easy to know when to place it back onto the base and when it’s ready to go.
In our Lab tests, we found this model to be lightweight, and its ceramic non-stick soleplate allowed the iron to glide smoothly across nearly all fabrics, rarely snagging the edges of our test fabric swatches. We were pleasantly surprised that there was no dripping, however it did struggle a bit with stubborn wrinkles and heavier fabrics.
The last time we performed a full category test of steam irons (corded and cordless options), the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care and Cleaning Lab dedicated about 150 hours to testing all kinds. We’ve tested over 40 steam irons, garment steamers and steam ironing stations and continue to evaluate new models as they are released by brands we have long been familiar with, like Conair, Rowenta and Reliable, as well as newcomers like Nori.
We evaluate steam irons across 14 tests, including how well they remove wrinkles from six different hand-wrinkled fabrics, the amount of steam they produce and the amount of force needed to knock over the iron from all four sides, just to name a few. Our ratings for post-ironing smoothness are part of the standard guidelines used in textile industry testing methods. To ensure that the models we recommend are easy to use, we also note how much each model weighs, how easy it is to change the iron’s settings and how easy the water tank is to fill. Models that are tested as part of our annual Cleaning and Organizing Awards are also sent home to our panel of consumer testers who provide valuable feedback about their own experience using the products at home.
Most key features of the best cordless irons are the same as those we look for in corded irons. An auto shut-off safety feature is a must, as are at least three different temperature settings to cover a wide array of fabrics. Read on for some other things to look out for below.
✔️ Ironing needs: Most irons allow you to adjust their temperature for the type of fabric you are planning to iron, but you should prioritize features designed for the fabrics you iron most often. For heavy fabrics, make sure your iron has steam burst and spray features. Vertical steam is helpful for de-wrinkling things like curtains and bed skirts without removing them from your windows or beds.
✔️ Size and weight: An iron that's lightweight will make the chore not only easier but safer too, allowing you to easily move and lift the iron. Keep in mind that while a larger water tank will allow you to iron more items in one session, it will also add more weight. Irons with small soleplates are ideal for reaching tight areas like shirt collars or small crafting projects that require more precise heat application. Large soleplates cover more area in a single pass to make completing big projects a much quicker task.
✔️ Steam power: Steam is a must for removing stubborn wrinkles and creases, and it makes ironing any garment faster and easier. In our Lab testing, we’ve found that the best steam output comes from irons with 1,700 to 1,800 watts of power.
✔️ Reheat time: Cordless irons have to be placed on the charging base often to heat the soleplate back up to the desired temperature. Most models are heated to the right temperature in just a few seconds, then need to be returned to the base after 20 to 45 seconds of use. Look for models that take the least amount of time to return to their original temperature. Some need just under 10 seconds while others require up to 45 seconds of recharge time.
Firstly, cordless irons are not totally cordless. Instead of a cord connecting directly to the iron, the iron sits on a plug-in charging base (some of these bases do have retractable cords, which is a nice bonus). The base heats the iron to the proper temperature you've selected for your fabric and can then be removed for a cordless ironing experience. Cordless irons keep their temperature for about 30 seconds at a time before they need to be placed back on their base to charge up again.
Cordless irons get points for maneuverability while working, but they aren't quite as capable as their corded companions in terms of run time. Traditional corded steam irons offer unlimited ironing time and steady heating. So if it would be easier for you to be cord-free while ironing, a cordless iron can definitely be worth it.
Jodhaira Rodriguez was a product reviews analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care and Cleaning Lab for two years. During this time, she tested and wrote about home appliances, cleaning products and cleaning tips. She has tested several garment steamers and steam irons.
Brigitt Earley is a writer, editor and content creator with over 15 years of experience in the home and cleaning spaces. Under the guidance of Carolyn Forté, the Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab Executive Director, she updated this list with new and noteworthy picks, plus information about shopping for the best cordless irons.
From 2021 to 2023, Jodhaira (she/her) was a product reviews analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care & Cleaning Lab, where she tested and wrote about home appliances, cleaning products and cleaning tips. Prior to joining GH, she graduated from Hofstra University with a bachelor’s degree in forensic science and spent two years as an analyst in an environmental lab in Queens.
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
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From 2021 to 2023, Jodhaira (she/her) was a product reviews analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care & Cleaning Lab, where she tested and wrote about home appliances, cleaning products and cleaning tips. Prior to joining GH, she graduated from Hofstra University with a bachelor’s degree in forensic science and spent two years as an analyst in an environmental lab in Queens.
hot iron press for shirts Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.