Such models are usually more expensive as a result – and they’re bulkier, too – but if your kids go through school shirts like there’s no tomorrow, you may well find it worth the extra outlay. Once you’ve decided what type of iron to go for, you can then start thinking about the specifics. What else should I look for? Ironing performance is mediocre. It doesn’t offer as powerful a steam performance as some irons, so you’ll have to work a little harder than you would with a more powerful model. This AEG will get the job done though, and the groove above the soleplate makes easy work of ironing around buttons and under collars. Read the full review

If it’s within your budget and your ironing pile is mountainous, this high-end Bosch steam generator is the one to beat. Read the full review Steam is initially impressive for such a small steam generator, but it does trail off after a while. It’s sufficient to do the job, though, and the iron glides well over a variety of fabrics. A great option if you want a steam generator iron but can’t accommodate the larger models. Read the full review

You work at BID, what a legend.

Steam-generator irons: These are smaller and come with a separate large tank for ironing without frequent interruptions and offer a medium steam output. They are suited for anyone with a considerable amount of garments to iron and people who are looking for modern products that perform well. The Bosch TDA7060GB is a powerful steam iron, with some clever features that set it apart from the competition. If you don’t have the space, or the need, for a steam generator iron, this is the iron to consider. Build quality feels very good and the design is superb, with the usual controls just where you’d want them. For example, there’s a handy traffic light system that will shine red then green to tell you when the iron is at temperature, and we like this model’s simple, well-placed steam and water buttons. There’s only one mode with the Tefal – it has a smart “any fabric” setting that’s compulsory. It’s a little unusual but it does work well, switching temperatures effectively between cotton and more delicate fabrics. We’d still like the option to choose, however. The AEG DB6120-U might not be the most powerful iron we’ve tested, but it’s small, lightweight and easy-to-use, with some neat design details to top it off.

Both of these features, plus 50g/min of constant steam and a powerful 200g/min steam shot, make the Bosch a very impressive performer. It will iron both sides of many garments at the same time, powering through a basket of ironing in no time. Its feature set includes an automatic i-Temp setting that works effectively with all fabric types and a SensorSecure touch-sensitive handle that only switches on the heat when gripped.All of our irons are reviewed and tested under the same conditions, so we can compare each model and tell you which ones are the best.

The steam never run out of puff either, providing a steady stream even after a few minutes. You can get better for spending more, but at this price the Polti Vaporella Forever 670 Eco offers great value for money and surprisingly effective performance. Read the full review As for features, look out for anti-scale functionality if you live in a hard water area, as well as automatic cleaning options, and the ever-handy auto-off for when you inevitably forget to unplug it. The Tefal Effectis GV6760 is a compact steam generator iron. It doesn’t offer the most powerful steam in its class, but considering it’s a lot smaller than its competition, the performance impresses. If you can afford the outlay, this iron won’t disappoint. As well as looking nice, the design has been well thought out for both right- and left-handed users, and controls are well placed, with lots of options for both steam and temperature. The material from which the soleplate is made is important because it will determine how smoothly your iron glides over your clothes. Ceramic is the king here, but stainless steel isn’t a bad option either – it’s just isn’t as durable.However, in use it does an impressive job. The 4.5-bar pressure and 110g per minute continuous steam might not sound like much on paper – nor does its 700ml water tank – but it’s the way Polti puts it all to use that just works. There are a decent number of features, too, including an anti-calc function for flushing out limescale deposits and an auto-off function that will turn the iron off if it’s been standing vertically for eight minutes (or 30 seconds horizontal). It will beep before it does, to provide a warning, in the event that you’ve simply become distracted.