11 Best Cheap & Affordable Steam Irons

Best Steam Irons Available Under $30

Ironing is an essential everyday task that can consume up to an hour of our time. This can get worse if the iron we are using is not the most efficient.

Can you decrease the number of minutes you spend on ironing? 

Maybe not! 

But you can avoid spending more time than necessary by getting the best cheap iron for your home.

Here are our top 11 choices that are not only efficient but also affordable.

If you are not on a budget, check out our best steam irons reviewed for 2022.

All irons on this list are under $30 on Amazon and do a fantastic job!

Best Budget Steam Irons 2022 Reviewed

Hamilton Beach Iron

When you want a perfect combination of quality, price, and features in a hand-held iron; Hamilton Beach’s steam iron comes as one of the best affordable irons. 

This 2-in1 iron steams while pressing your clothes, making the job easy and quick.

It comes with a nonstick soleplate that doesn’t stick to your dresses, allowing you to use it on any fabric you want without worrying about ruining your clothing.

Use the wide nozzle to steam hanging clothes and you won’t even need an ironing board, but ironing with an ironing board will always produce better results.

Its small and compact design which can be handy if you would like to take it on your travels. 

Pack this 2-in-1 device and stop worrying about wrinkled clothes when you are traveling.

A top inexpensive iron that is very easy to recommend.

Pros

• Compact and portable
• Affordable
• Non-stick soleplate  
• Wide steaming nozzle

Cons

• On the light side, if you like a heavy iron.

Black & Decker Quickpress Iron

The smart steam feature on this Black & Decker inexpensive iron auto adjusts steam whether you are steaming on your ironing board or vertically.

The Quickpress by Black and Decker is a smaller iron. 

Its size makes it a perfect option for travel enthusiasts who don’t want to splash out on a travel iron you may only use once per year. 

From the look of it, you may assume that it’s light and not useful enough to remove the nasty wrinkles and creases, but I can assure you this affordable iron will get the job done.

The Black & Decker iron easily applies enough pressure on your clothes to smooth out the wrinkles seamlessly. 

You won’t have to apply extra pressure for twenty minutes to iron a single t-shirt.

The auto shut-off feature not only saves energy when the iron is not in use, but it’s a very nice safety feature to have on a cheaper steam iron.

An ergonomically friendly steam iron allows you to change the heat with a turn of your thumb.

Pros

• Adjustable steamer
• Presses the clothes easily
• Auto shut-off feature
• Reliable brand

Cons

• Water tank may start to leak

Brentwood Nonstick Steam, Dry and Spray Iron

This iron from Brentwood is one of the best budget irons in 2022 because of the variety of functions it offers. 

For starters, there is a steamer that helps remove wrinkles using warm vapors, then you also get a dry iron that uses heat to smooth out the wrinkles and creases in your clothes. 

The adjustable heat control helps you tackle all kinds of fabrics.

The end product gives the best ironing result for your clothes from this good inexpensive iron.

Like the previous two options, you can use this iron for vertical steaming just as well.

The non-stick coating on the soleplate is a big plus for a budget steam iron. 

You can be assured about the durability of your clothes while using this inexpensive iron.

It’s lightweight and compact, so it can be handily packed when you are ready to go on your jollies!

Pros

• Best affordable iron
• 3-in-1 ironing solution
• Compact and portable

Cons

• Some may think it’s too light to exert enough pressure

Steamfast Mini Steam Iron

Ergonomics is the most profound feature of this Steamfast budget steam iron. 

You get a long cord that will allow you to move around as you wish as you iron your clothes. 

And the easy and intuitive heat settings allow you to iron virtually every fabric in the world. 

Also, the steam control is very easy to use and you can use the temperature control feature to set the heat at one of three levels.

It’s ‘mini’ as stated in the name, so you can use it as a replacement travel iron on your trips out of town. 

Essentially, the manufacturer of this iron focused on its travel-friendliness and efficiency. 

But you also get a complete steaming and ironing package with the Steamfast, which has to go down as one one of the best budget irons of 2022.

Pros

• Trusted brand
• Compact and affordable
• Three heat levels
• Efficient design

Cons

• Could be seen as too light and small for some.

Black Decker One-Step Garment Steam Iron

Ironing could be a time-consuming task, but not with this One-step iron from Black Decker.

Black and Decker irons are made to last, which is why they will always appear on the best cheap steam iron lists. 

First, its steaming feature is intuitive and aligns the steam strength according to the temperature setting. 

You can also control the steaming functions between one-off bursts or continued gentle sprays.

The durable and trustable iron is also efficient in dealing with details on the clothes. 

Its sharp soleplate can reach the corners, allowing you to iron every edge and hem of your fabrics.

Still, it carries enough weight to press your cloth efficiently.

The non-stick plate makes sure that the process remains smooth without burn marks.

The auto shut-off function takes care of the energy and prevents overheating of the soleplate.

The iron is lightweight enough to accompany you on your trips.

Pros

• Trusted brand
• Diligent steam control system
• Efficient pressing with perfect weight and precision point soleplate

Cons

• Some reports of leaks

Utopia Home Steam Iron

When the safety of your clothes tops the features you require in your iron, the Utopia Home Steam Iron comes as one of the best inexpensive irons around.

The safety features include the steam iron protecting the fibers with two complementary features: a non-stick soleplate and the overheat protection.

Ease of operation is one of the highlights of this iron and steamer. 

You can rely on its swivel cord for vertical ironing, ensuring that you can get rid of the wrinkles on drapes and curtains without the need of an ironing board.

Switch between steaming and ironing with ease and to suit the material you are handling. 

For added convenience, use the adjustments available for steaming and heating. 

Pros

• Overheat protection
• 360-degree swivel cord
• Steam and temperature controls

Cons

• Instructions are not great

Proctor Silex 17291R Durable Iron

This best affordable iron comes with an auto stay-on feature. While it may appear as an energy waster to most users, it is exactly what you need when sewing. 

The piece is a perfect ironing fit for crafters and DIY’s. 

It allows them to work on their crafts and when it’s ready, iron the craft without waiting for it to heat up.

The iron is light and easy for those users of all ages and abilities. 

At the same time, it’s heavy enough to efficiently iron the clothes.

The light indicator tells you if the iron is hot enough, and it acts as a clue for you to start the steaming function. 

On top of this, you can use the water window to see if it needs refilling.

Pros

• Small and compact
• Auto stay on feature
• Non-stick soleplate
• Long cord

Cons

• Reports of leaking

T-fal Ecomaster Steam Iron

If you’ve grown tired of testing steamers only to find them not effective in the face of the most stubborn wrinkles, T-fall Ecomaster steam iron will help you with the ordeal, and it is a very inexpensive iron.

80g of steam the iron produces is enough to smooth out the toughest wrinkle on all kinds of clothes.

For most of the ironing process, you can use its 24g/minute steam to maintain the steam for a long time without losing quality.

Note that these extra boosts to the steam don’t need extra energy; instead, the iron saves up to 25% of energy without compromising ironing efficiency.

It is one of the good budget irons that is not only cheap and smart but is also beautifully designed, compact, and ergonomic.

Unlike most of its competitors, it also offers anti-drip protection. 

This protection prevents water from dripping on the clothes, leaving your clothes free of water stains.

Pros

• Anti-drip protection
• Up to 25% energy saving
• Ergonomic design
• Steam boost tackles the toughest wrinkles

Cons

• Cord could be longer

Black & Decker Light N Easy Iron

Black & Decker always emphasizes the efficiency of ironing and this affordable steam iron is no exception. 

Its first feature that ensures efficiency is smart steaming. 

All you have to do is to select the temperature for the soleplate and the steamer will adjust the pressure and the pattern accordingly.

The spray mist feature maintains the spray at just the right level. 

Combine this effect with the non-stick soleplate and you get a smooth ironing experience to rival any budget iron.

The ergonomic design ensures a strong and easy grip. 

You also get an anti-drip protection feature to aid you in the ironing of your clothes.

And finally, the iron comes with a built-in auto shut-off feature. 

This feature helps save energy when your iron is not in use by switching off its heating feature automatically.

Pros

• SmartSteam feature
• Anti-drip prevention
• Easy cord storage

Cons

• Build quality could be improved

Black & Decker Steam Iron with Pivoting Cord

Before you invest in this Black & Decker clothes iron, note that they manufacture it for light ironing. 

Its lightness will prevent you from heavy ironing. 

So, if you want to iron tough fabrics with stubborn wrinkles, ‌consider the other options on this best clothes iron reviewed list.

This clothes iron is an extremely travel-friendly appliance because of its smart size and negligible weight.

The non-stick soleplate is a nice feature on this iron as well and it ensures a smooth and efficient ironing experience.

The mist function accompanies a large push button. Push it slightly to steam your clothes easily.

The controls for steam and temperatures are easy to reach and adjust. 

You also get a light indicator to know if the iron is hot enough or not. 

In the end, its ergonomic design is completed with a pivoting cord that allows different directions for operations.

Pros

• Travel-friendly, compact design
• Easy controls
• Heats up quickly

Cons

• Very light

Steamfast Mini Steam Iron

Steamfast’s mini iron is one of those great budget irons that combine quality with a cheap price.

The first thing you will notice about it is that it’s considerably efficient. 

You can start using the steamer within 45 seconds after switching it on because of its fast heating process. 

It comes equipped with 4 steam outlets for wider reach.  

Plus, you can switch between dry ironing and steam ironing to suit the fabric at hand.

One key feature of this iron is its foldable handle. You can fold it in a small size for traveling. 

The 6-foot-long cord also comes with a cord wrap to support portability.

Pros

• Long cord
• Portable
• Fast heating

Cons

• Reports of leaks

Best Cheap Irons Buying Guide

There are tons of factors that you should consider while buying your convenient but inexpensive iron. 

You should check the features the iron offers, the fabrics it can handle, its ease of use, and the price you will have to pay for it. 

Like I have mentioned previously, every iron on this best budget iron list for 2022 is under $30 on Amazon.

Also, don’t overlook the importance of a trusted brand. A known manufacturer’s steam iron will often last longer.

If you are shopping in a brick-and-mortar outlet, you would also want to check the quality and design of the iron. 

When shopping online, check out the reviews from previous buyers.

Don’t forget to check out our reviews on the best wrinkle release sprays.

In those cases, when the price is the decision point of your iron shopping, keep in mind that you will have to forgo some foremost concerns. 

For example, don’t expect the iron to be the most durable. 

Or if it’s a steam iron, its water tank may ‌leak. 

The more you look after your iron, the less likely this will happen.

But always check the important details. 

You cannot compromise on soleplate quality. 

The soleplate should be made of a non-stick material to protect the clothes from burn marks. 

Also, it should have different temperature settings for different fabrics.

As you can see, you choose from a dry iron, steam iron, or a combination of both at affordable prices. 

You may prefer a dry iron if you want to avoid water stains that result from leakage of the water tank. 

Otherwise, a steam iron is a more efficient solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should good iron cost?

Irons can range from $15 to $150. 

Don’t expect much quality at the lower end, though. 

Most quality irons are priced at $25 and more, that is why I have created this list to help you out.

What is the average lifespan of steam irons?

Steam irons should last up to five years. 

But that depends entirely on the iron, its build, how it is looked after and the manufacturer. 

Most manufacturers offer a warranty period of three to five years.

Conclusion

You have hundreds of the best budget irons to choose from in 2022 but I would be sticking to this list if I was you. 

The sheer number of options can make the shopping experience overwhelming. 

But if you know your requirements and consult the eleven options we have presented, you will get the perfect iron in no time.