Cordless irons: features and recommendations for choosing

One of the oldest household appliances is the iron. The device has undergone a number of changes in the course of its existence. Cordless irons are one of the modern know-hows.

As the name implies, this iron has no wires, which makes it more convenient to use, especially in conditions without electricity. The cordless iron has a special "platform", when placed on which its sole heats up. It is more correct to call a "platform" a docking station, or a base. Then the iron is removed and the item or linen is ironed in the usual way, after which the iron returns to the base for recharging.

On average, according to research, the ironing process lasts 23 secondsso most cordless irons will keep warm for 25-30 seconds.

The docking station is equipped with heating elements. The iron, in turn, has contacts, due to which it is connected to the station during charging.

Before starting work, the docking station is installed on the ironing surface. Most models assume the choice of one or another angle of fixation of the base. Then the base is connected to the mains, after which the heating process begins. The iron is installed on the base until it stops to start heating its soleplate.

An important point: you should set the temperature mode for heating the iron, taking into account the characteristics of the fabric. The thermal mode should be set before the iron is installed on the base.

One of the main advantages of a wireless device is the absence of a wire. This means that nothing clings or limits the action during ironing.These irons are convenient to take on the road, and it is not necessary to choose a place for ironing next to the power grid. From this point of view, a wireless device is also useful for owners of small apartments, whose owners do not have the opportunity to install an ironing board next to an outlet.

The absence of wires allows you to avoid another problem - twisting them. This interferes with fast ironing, but most importantly, it is fraught with damage to the device, a short circuit. It is clear that this problem disappears completely in wireless devices. In addition, the absence of a power cord greatly facilitates ironing of small parts (for example, children's clothes), items with decor.

The design of the device involves the removal of the heating elements from the iron to the stand, due to which the former has become much lighter. This is important for fragile ladies and elderly people.

According to reviews, such models are easy to use and functional. They can be equipped with many useful functions - steam generators, self-cleaning and automatic shutdown functions.

Despite the concern of modern iron manufacturers about the safety of their products, many wired irons are still potentially dangerous - they can fray the insulating layer. This is fraught with a short circuit, an electric shock, if the wires are suddenly exposed. By using wireless devices, these risks are minimized.

The main disadvantage of wireless devices is, of course, their limited time. In this case, ironing a large amount of laundry can take a long time, since you will have to periodically put the iron on the platform to warm it up.

If during ironing you are used to returning the iron to a horizontal position, then when using wireless devices this is impossible - the iron is placed horizontally on the platform. From a habit, this may seem inconvenient.

However, this cannot be called a minus of cordless irons, but rather a feature of all steam generators and similar steamers.

The disadvantages are often attributed to the higher cost of cordless irons. On average, even a simple model costs 2-2.5 times more than a similar iron "without bells and whistles", but with a power cable.

Cordless irons can be found in the product lines of foreign manufacturers of these devices. Domestic companies are not yet ready to offer customers units without a power cord.

The most popular is wireless iron Philips GC 2088 with a power of 2400 watts. The device has a ceramic sole and is equipped with a steam supply function. The power of the supplied steam and its temperature are sufficient for ironing things in an upright position. Of the advantages - and the small size of the base. The operating time of the iron without recharging is 30 seconds.

Users note the optimal price / quality ratio of the unit, moreover, you can often find reviews saying that wireless iron Philips GC 2088 exceeds customer expectations.

Another favorite - iron Philips GC 4810, optimal for home use. Its power is 2400 W, there is a steaming function. A 200 ml tank is enough to steam a few items quickly. Steam can be supplied continuously or at regular intervals.

This model copes better with ironing thick fabrics, as it is equipped with an aluminum sole. For more convenient and long-term operation, the model has the functions of self-cleaning and protection against leaks. One of the main advantages is the ability to change the type of food.

A worthy place in the ranking of wireless devices is Tefal FV9920E0... It has a number of the most important functions - continuous steam supply, leakage protection, self-cleaning system. Thanks to the ceramic sole and its well-thought-out shape, the iron glides easily over fabrics, and the pointed nose allows you to iron hard-to-reach places.

The main disadvantage is the recharge time. Features of functioning can be described as 20-20 seconds, that is, the iron works in wireless mode for 20 seconds, after which it takes the same amount of time to recharge.

Clatronic DBC 3388 model also gets into the rating of popular devices. Power - 2000 W, sole - ceramic with an additional protective coating. Particularly valuable features include the ability to steam horizontally and vertically. In addition, the device has a dozen more useful functions.

The design of the structure is well thought out. The docking station is compact and can be attached at any angle to the ironing board. The iron has a pointed toe and an expanding base of the sole, as well as a rubberized handle (anti-slip).

First of all, you should decide on the functionality of the device. There are 2 types of cordless irons:

• dry ironing device;
• device with steaming function.

In this case, the latter can be a horizontal and vertical steamer. It is clear that the steam function in an upright position is the most convenient, since it does not require an ironing board.

If the choice fell on a device with a vertical steaming system, please note that it is also equipped with an anti-drip system and a self-cleaning sole. This will prevent the device from leaking and staining the fabrics.

Decide whether you will use the iron on dry or heavy fabrics. If the answer is yes, it makes sense to consider a high-power device with a metal (for example, aluminum, Teflon) coated sole.

If you are purchasing a device, for example, for travel and are not going to iron thick fabrics, it is better to opt for a lighter device with a ceramic sole. It may not cope with strong creases or overdried laundry, but ceramics cools down more slowly.

If we talk about the pricing policy, then the lowest cost (all other things being equal) has an iron with an aluminum sole. It is fair to say that the metal is not used in its pure form, but an alloy. It is important to protect the sole of such an iron from scratches, since with further use such grooves can leave clues on the fabric.

If you choose an iron with an aluminum sole, it is better to give preference to those in which the metal layer is hidden by spraying and additional layers. Such a sole will be safer for delicate fabrics.

Another popular coating is Teflon. He, like aluminum, is afraid of damage.

A more durable version of the metal sole is stainless steel. Of course, such an iron will be heavier, but it is more resistant to mechanical damage. In addition, a device with a steel sole keeps you warm longer and also glides perfectly on almost all types of fabric. There is an option of a chrome-plated steel sole. This iron glides even better, but costs more.

The ceramic sole also has excellent characteristics (heats up quickly, glides well, is safe for fabrics). However, such a coating is not fragile.The best option is cermets.

Another important criterion is the power of the heating elements (heating elements). The higher this indicator, the faster the iron will heat up from the docking station, the more powerful the steam it will release (if this function is provided in the device). The minimum power indicators of the heating elements are 1600 W. Such an iron is suitable for home use, it can be used to smooth slightly wrinkled materials. If funds allow, it is better to choose a more powerful device (2000 W).

As a rule, the cost of cordless irons is formed primarily on the basis of these indicators - the material of the sole and the power of the heating elements. Regarding the availability of other functions, it is worth analyzing how much you need them.

On the Internet, you can find many reviews in which wireless irons are praised or criticized. Let's consider the reviews, first of all, on those devices that we highlighted in the review of devices of this type.

All of them are highly rated. The Philips GC 2088 model is often singled out as inexpensive, but powerful and convenient. However, judging by the words of buyers, even its power is not enough - strong creases and too thick fabrics may not be ironed.

The Philips GC 4810 iron is praised primarily for its functionality and network connectivity. However, in the wireless mode, it takes too long to recharge, which is why the ironing process takes a lot of time.

But the Tefal FV9920E0 model raises a lot of complaints from users. First of all, the short period of work without recharging and the duration of the charging process itself lead to displeasure. You can often find records where users complain about the unpleasant smell of plastic that appears when using the iron.

Another disadvantage is the leakage of the iron, despite the fact that it is equipped with an anti-drip system! To this end, the manufacturer recommends abandoning the vertical arrangement of the device; it must be returned to the base in a horizontal position.

In general, devices from the Philips brand cause the least complaints from users.

An overview of another model is in the next video.