Best cordless iron UK

While it's clear they don't make the best steam irons when it comes to power and performance, cordless irons can be a convenient choice, allowing you to work your way through wrinkles and creases without the power cord getting tangled or restricting your movements. But how can you choose the best cordless iron to suit your needs?

Unlike corded irons which offer continuous heat and power, cordless irons need to be placed back on the base to reheat regularly during use, making them best suited to small wash loads and removing creases from school uniforms rather than tackling substantial creases in your mountain of freshly washed laundry.

From budget-friendly choices to versatile 2-in-1 designs, here are the best cordless irons you can buy today.

Best cordless irons - at a glance:

Best cordless iron overall: Tefal Freemove Power, ~~£80~~ £55
Best cordless iron under £25: Tower T22008 CeraGlide Cordless Iron, £24
Best upright cordless iron: Swan SI16410N 2-in-1 Cord or Cordless Steam Press Iron, £35
Most versatile cordless iron: Morphy Richards EasyCharge Power+ 303251, £47

1

Best cordless iron overall

Tefal Freemove Power

Buy now from Argos

What we like

Lightweight design
Easy-to-use steam trigger
Quick charging base
Easy-to-fill water tank
Smooth ceramic soleplate

What we don't like

Tank capacity is smaller than some cordless designs

Key specs

Our verdict

As cordless irons go, the Tefal Freemove Power is quite a dream to use, offering lightweight and unrestricted movement free from the frustration of troublesome cords.

While the water tank is smaller than some other cordless irons, we love the large, easy-to-fill spout, combined with an easy to trigger steam boost and ceramic sole plate that can make light work of stubborn creases and wrinkles - that's why we've chosen it as our best cordless steam iron.

Best suited to smaller ironing tasks, you’ll need to place this iron back on the charging base pretty regularly, which is the case for every cordless iron. However, with a super quick 12-second charge time, it's surprisingly easy to fit into your ironing flow.

With a convenient, heat-proof horizontal charging base, it can rest safely on the end of your ironing board. It's also got an impressive 200g/minute steam shot, making it the most powerful steam iron on this list.

Related: The best steam generator irons for effortless ironing

2

Best budget cordless iron

Tower T22008 CeraGlide Cordless Iron

Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Argos Buy now from Currys

What we like

The 2-in-1 design can be used as a corded or cordless iron
Super lightweight design
Large water tank
3-year guarantee

What we don't like

Some reviewers found that the steam shot caused drips of water

Key specs

Our verdict

A budget-friendly choice that offers the best of both worlds, this 2-in-1 Tower T22008 CeraGIide Iron can conveniently be switched between cordless and corded use depending on the size of your ironing pile.

We love the freedom that this lightweight iron can offer when used in cordless mode, with the ceramic Ceraglide sole plate gliding effortlessly across all fabrics to remove even stubborn wrinkles and creases. If returning it to the base becomes tiresome over longer periods, you can reattach the main iron to the corded base for more constant heat and power.

Reviewers love the large water tank that needs filling less regularly than some more compact designs, however some did note some drips of water when using the rapid steam boost.

Read next: The best washer dryers for families

3

Best upright cordless iron

Swan SI16410N 2-in-1 Cord or Cordless Steam Press Iron

Buy now from Dunelm Buy now from Robert Dyas

What we like

Choose between corded and cordless use
Variable steam settings
Vertical steam option
Durable ceramic soleplate
Self cleaning function to reduce limescale

What we don't like

Some reviewers found it fiddly to get back on the base

Key specs

Our verdict

Another 2-in-1 design, the Swan SI16410N 2-in-1 Cord or Cordless Steam Press Iron allows the freedom to switch between stress-free unrestricted ironing or powerful corded performance.

The powerful design heats up incredibly quickly, offering a variety of steam functions including dry, spray and steam burst. Unlike some other 2-in-1 models, it can also be used in vertical steam mode, perfect for removing creases from upholstery, curtains and beddings.

We love the durable ceramic soleplate and the automatic self-cleaning function which makes maintaining this iron a breeze. Despite it having a 360 degree base however, some reviewers did find it a little fiddly to return to the base for recharging when used in cordless mode.

Related: The best washing machines

4

Most versatile cordless iron

Morphy Richards EasyCharge Power+ 303251

Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Argos Buy now from Currys

What we like

Generous water tank
Simple to use
Lightweight

What we don't like

Water line can be tricky to see on tank
Some may prefer a 2-in-1 design

Key specs

Our verdict

Tested by Mumsnet editor Laura Cooke: Read our Morphy Richards EasyCharge Power+ 303251 review

With a generously sized water tank and 360 charging base, the Morphy Richards Easy Charge Power+ cordless iron makes a versatile choice, whether you’re ironing school uniform, removing wrinkles from bed sheets or simply steaming your curtains before you rehang.

While the water gauge can be a little tricky to read in low light, our tester Laura rated the generously sized water tank, which was able to tackle considerable amounts of ironing before needing to be refilled. It also has an impressive amount of steam in its steam boost function, with the ability to remove even stubborn creases from thick and sturdy fabrics with ease.

While we love the ability to switch to a vertical steaming mode, it does need to be returned to the base regularly, taking around 40 seconds to recharge before you reuse it. If you’re more pressed for time, therefore, you may prefer the flexibility of a 2-in-1 design.

Related: The best tumble dryers

Is a cordless iron as good as a corded one?

In all honesty, it’s fair to say that while cordless irons have come a long way in recent years, even the best cordless irons haven't quite reached the performance standards of their corded counterparts due to limitations in battery life.

That said, if you’re seeking a lightweight iron that offers relaxed, easy movement without the restrictions of a power cable, cordless irons can be great for occasional use and smaller ironing piles.

How do you clean an iron?

Even if you remember to drain the water tank after use, irons can be prone to a build-up of limescale - especially if you live in a hard water area. It’s important therefore to clean your iron regularly, helping avoid snagging, sticking or leaving dirty marks on your clothes as well as prolonging its overall lifespan.

Most ceramic sole plates have a special non-stick coating, so you should avoid scrubbing or using abrasive scourers, instead wiping with a soft soapy wet sponge once the base plate has cooled.

For more stubborn marks, ironing experts Philips recommend rubbing a small blob of toothpaste onto the soleplate, before gently buffing it away with a tea towel, while Mumsnet users have found a small amount of white vinegar surprisingly effective.

What’s the best cordless iron to buy?

The Tefal Freemove Power is our pick of the best cordless iron you can buy today, offering fast charging, impressive steam performance and a durable ceramic soleplate that provides impressive smoothing performance against creases and wrinkles. For the price, however, the 2-in-1 Tower T22008 CeraGlide Cordless Iron make an impressive and versatile budget-friendly choice.

How we chose our recommendations

Expert opinion

Once we had our long list, we consulted the consumer watchdog Which? to see which brands and products they recommended. We made sure to look out for industry awards too.

Verified customer reviews

Finally, we completed our triple-check verification process by cross-referencing our shortlist against verified customer reviews. We paid attention to those that were bestsellers and those with plenty of rave reviews.

Celebrated cordless irons

That left us with our honest, up-to-date and balanced guide to the top four best cordless / 2-in-1 irons to meet every need and budget.

Why you should trust us

We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust and we spend hours scouring the Mumsnet forums and online bestseller lists to find products that real parents rate.

Transparency is really important to us and that's why we're always upfront about where we find our recommendations. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones that our users would recommend to their own friends and family.