How to Choose the Best Quilting Iron

Are you in the market for a new iron for quilting but need help determining what you should look for? I totally get it; it can be hard to figure out which “bells and whistles” are actually necessary when choosing a quilting iron.

Luckily, I’ve done a bunch of research and my own experimenting to help you choose an iron that you can use for years of quilting projects. We’ll discuss what to look for, several great options for the best quilting iron for YOU, and answer some of your questions surrounding this topic.

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What to Consider When Shopping for a Quilting Iron

Hundreds of irons are on the market today, so how do you choose the best one for your needs? Well, I’m glad you asked! There are several things to consider when deciding which quilting iron to buy. Let’s discuss them before we check out my Top Five Best Quilting Iron Options.

Your Budget

Like most things, irons for quilting have a hefty price range depending on the upgrades you decide you need/want. That’s why I think choosing your price limit BEFORE doing any serious shopping is super important.

Quilting is an expensive hobby. I think it’s safe to say we can all agree on that fact. The last thing we want to do is spend more money than we really should on a quilting tool. Especially since there are some great options out there, that won’t break the bank.

Your budget is entirely up to you, so you must decide what you are and aren’t willing to pay for a good quality quilting iron.

What Features Are Important to You?

There are going to be features that pretty much everyone is considering, such as:

Does the iron have steam? Steam can be very handy when you have tough wrinkles you want to press out or want your seams to lay perfectly flat.
How large is the water basin for the steam feature? If you plan on using steam often, you probably want an iron with a good-sized water tank so you don’t have to refill it constantly.
How hot does the iron get? When laying seams flat or getting out stubborn wrinkles or creases, the hotter, the better!
Does it have an automatic shut-off feature? If you’re like me, you might have trouble remembering to unplug or turn off your iron after each use. Oops!
Does it have a swivel cord? It may not seem like a big deal, but having an iron with a swivel cord allows you to use it with both hands and not worry about the cord getting all tangled up. Trust me, this is a great feature to have.
Is it cordless? If you can’t stand a cord for one reason or another, finding an iron without a cord might be the way to go.

But here are a few features or attributes that you may not have thought of:

Is the iron light enough to travel with? Do you plan on attending quilt retreats or quilt guild meetings with your iron? A quilting mini iron is an excellent choice since they are lightweight and pack a punch. I’ll show you my favorite mini iron later in this post.
Does it have an ergonomic handle? When pressing hundreds of seams for a quilt, you want a comfortable handle, especially if you struggle with arthritis or carpal tunnel.
What material is the plate from? A few materials are used to make an iron soleplate, such as aluminum, stainless steel, and ceramic. I personally prefer ceramic because it gives you a super smooth press and gives even heat distribution.
What is the warranty on the quilting iron? It’s always good to ensure a product you plan on using for a long time has a manufacturer’s warranty.
Does the iron have a precision tip for detailed pressing? This can be especially important for those who like to sew with “Y” seams and do FPP (foundation paper piecing.)

The Top 5 Best Quilting Iron Options Every Quilter Should Consider

Now that you know what to look for, I want to show you the five best irons for quilting. Keep in mind your non-negotiables when checking out these quilting irons. These are in no particular order.

1. Oliso TG1600 Pro Smart Iron

This iron is probably the most popular quilting iron I’ve ever seen. Oliso is known for its excellent products, and this quilting iron is one of their best sellers for good reason. Pretty much any feature you would want in the best iron for quilting is in this iron.

It comes in several colors, so you can get one that matches your sewing space! Some of the features that stand out are:

1800 watt iron
Auto-lift function. If you place the iron plate down and let go of the handle, the plate lifts off the surface where you place it. This helps avoid burning fabric or scorching your ironing board.
Smooth ceramic soleplate
Rapidly heated steam
Three-year warranty

Pros

Auto-lift feature
Excellent steam function
Precision tip
12.7-ounce water tank

Cons

Expensive

2. Singer SteamCraft Plus Iron

We all know and love Singer, so having one of their irons on this list was a no-brainer. The SteamCraft Plus is an excellent choice for quilters for a few reasons. Let’s list them out, shall we?

30-minute auto shut-off feature
Burst steam for those stubborn wrinkles
10-ounce water tank
Precision tip for those small tricky seams

Another big draw to this iron is it is a fraction of the price of other higher-end quilting irons. Quilting is an expensive hobby, so it’s always a bonus when we can save money on tools like this.

Pros

Adjustable heat options
Digital display
360-degree rotating 12-foot cord
Great price

Cons

1-year warranty ( this could be a con for some)

3. Oliso M3Pro Project Mini Iron

Do you know that phrase, “small but mighty?” Well, this iron is precisely that. If the larger Oliso quilting iron is out of your budget, perhaps you could consider the M3Pro.

I have the earlier version of this iron, the M2, and I use it for all of my quilting projects. It gives all my quilt blocks a smooth finish, and the ergonomic handle is a game-changer!

Oliso improved the M2 and came out with the M3Pro in the 2nd half of 2023. This iron is the perfect travel companion and is a crowd favorite with many quilters.

Pros

LED “headlight” to help see what you are doing.
Auto shut-off
Steam capability
Ergonomic handle
Lightweight

Cons

Smaller than a standard iron for quilting
Since the iron is small, the water tank is also small at 1.7 ounces.

4. Rowenta Focus Steam Iron

Rowenta is another brand that is well-known and liked in the quilting community. They have a wide range of affordable irons that are perfect for the quilter on a budget.

I picked this iron because it is a fantastic choice for a quilter who likes using steam. This iron features 400 steam holes across the soleplate to give you powerful and even steam for your quilt blocks and fabric.

Here are some other features that make it a great quilting iron.

It is lightweight and excellent for those long hours behind the ironing board pressing seams.
It is self-cleaning, which is excellent for using tap water for steam.
The water tank has a window, so you know exactly how much water you left in the tank at all times.
Anti-drip technology to avoid those annoying water stains.
1725-watt iron for high heat and steam

Pros

Affordable
Professional level steam
Ergonomic handle
11-ounce water tank

Cons

The swivel cord can still be tricky, but it is manageable.
1-year limited warranty

5. Panasonic NI-WL600 Cordless Iron

When you hear the brand Panasonic, quilting tools probably don’t come to mind, right? But let me tell you, they make the best cordless iron on the market, and it is perfect for quilting!

Why, you may ask? Let’s go over some of the many notable features of this cordless iron.

It is lightweight. That makes it easier to work with for long periods and to travel with.
Heat, steam, and dry settings for all your pressing and ironing needs.
It’s cordless! No more trying to wrestle with the cord.
The soleplate has a double precision tip to press 360 degrees. This is fabulous for applique!

Pros

1500 watt iron
Best cordless iron
Affordable
Detachable water tank for easy filling
It comes with a carrying case

Cons

I wasn’t able to find anything about a manufacturer’s warranty.

FAQs Surrounding Quilting Irons

Now, let’s address a few questions I’ve seen when researching the best quilting iron.

Should You Use a Steam Iron When Quilting?

I’m not one to say you MUST do this or you SHOULD do that. Using steam is a personal preference, though I will say steam can help with those stubborn wrinkles and when you want your quilt blocks to lay perfectly flat.

I don’t use steam often, but I do use it sometimes, and it works very well! The reason I don’t use it a whole lot is I have a wool mat on my ironing board, and the steam can make it stinky. Haha!

Should You Iron Fabric Before Quilting?

If you have a crease or wrinkle that will interfere with making a beautiful quilt block, then, yes, I would iron the fabric before you start using it. With that being said, there isn’t a rule that you “have to” press all your fabric before you use it.

What’s the Difference Between a Quilting Iron and a Sewing Iron?

The only difference between a quilting iron and a sewing iron is the name. Honestly, most irons would work perfectly fine for quilting, especially for beginners.

Those of us who are more experienced quilters can get a little picky and want more of the bells and whistles some irons offer. If you already have a household iron, that will work great for you until you can afford or want to purchase a new quilting iron.

I hope you enjoyed this collection of quilting irons and learned something new about what to look for when hunting for your next iron for quilting. I had a lot of fun writing this post, and now I want a new iron! Haha! Whoopsy!

What iron do you use? Let me know in the comments below!

Love and Happy Stitches!

How To Choose the Best Quilting Iron