This overall score is made up of performance (70%) and ease of use (30%).

We assess how effective the irons are at removing creases. We use synthetic organza, silk, wool, a cotton shirt, denim jeans and linen for the test. The performance score accounts for 70% of the overall score.

We assess each iron for how easy it is to fill up the water tank, move the iron over various fabrics, use the steam and spray functions and adjust the temperature. We also check how comfortable the iron is to hold, and the convenience of the cord. The ease of use score accounts for 30% of the overall score.

We recommend currently-available models that score at least 85% overall and at least 90% for performance.

This is the manufacturer's recommended retail price. Prices are generally always flexible, so shop around both online and in bricks and mortar shops for options.

The soleplate is the base of the iron. A non-stick soleplate is usually easier to keep clean than a stainless steel one, but you need to be careful not to scratch it, as this can cause the iron to drag over time. Polished stainless steel can work well, but is also susceptible to scratching and staining. Some manufacturers use different words to describe their soleplates, for example 'eloxal' is a scratch resistant coating and 'durilium' is an enamel soleplate.

This is a useful safety feature that cuts off power to the iron after it's been left sitting idle for a while.