When it comes to choosing a steam iron, it might seem as though only high-end models can give you a crisp, flawless look. But the lightweight, easy-to-use Black + Decker Vitessa Advanced Steam Iron turns that notion on its head. While its price is budget-friendly, it offers many of the same advanced features as pricier irons, including automatic temperature controls, a burst-of-steam function, a spray setting and a nonstick soleplate.
The BestReviews Testing Lab put it through its paces and found that it works beautifully on all types of fabric, including nylon, silk, polyester, rayon, wool, cotton and linen, making it a versatile iron for anyone who irons regularly.
Sign up for the BestReviews newsletter: Exclusive deals and expert picks, in your inbox.
Check out the Black + Decker Vitessa Advanced Steam Iron for convenient, user-friendly ironing.
The BestReviews Testing Lab aims to evaluate the accuracy of all claims made by manufacturers and brands about their products through a rigorous testing process. To determine whether the Vitessa Advanced Steam Iron lived up to Black + Decker’s claims, we put it to work in real-world conditions, which included ironing various articles of clothing, including shirts, pants, dresses and skirts, as well as different fabrics to see how well it removed wrinkles from cotton, linen, polyester, nylon and a cotton-polyester blend. Our tester also evaluated how easy it was to fill and clean the iron, focusing on the effectiveness of the Vitessa’s burst-of-steam, spray and vertical-steaming functions.
Pairing impressive performance, advanced features and versatility with an under-$50 price tag, the Black + Decker Vitessa Advanced Steam Iron stands out for its overall value. From everyday cotton to special-occasion silk, it allows you to iron a wide range of fabrics effectively and efficiently. The steam-burst feature is especially impressive, making quick work of even the deepest wrinkles. Its retractable cord is also a huge plus, as it keeps you from having to untangle and wrap the cord around it after use.
Setting up and using the Black + Decker Vitesa Advanced Steam Iron is very straightforward, thanks to its user-friendly design. The iron’s water-tank opening has a cover located at its top back, just above the handle. While it’s still unplugged, you only need to open the cover and fill the tank to the maximum line, which is easily visible due to the translucent plastic design. Once it’s filled, plug the iron in, turn the dial to your chosen fabric setting for the perfect temperature and wait approximately two minutes for the iron to heat up.
The Vitessa glides easily over all fabrics, thanks to its nonstick soleplate. The buttons for the spray and steam burst functions are conveniently located on the back of its handle, allowing for easy use of either feature while ironing. It also features an auto-shutoff function that turns the iron off when left on its side or soleplate for eight seconds or on its heel for eight minutes.
Subscribe to BestReviews on Substack for the top trending product news of the week.
The Vitessa features a user-friendly dial that allows for temperature adjustment, offering six presets specifically designed for standard fabrics. These presets, including settings for synthetic materials, nylon and silk, polyester and rayon, blends, wool and cotton and linen, are listed on the back of the iron, making it easy to choose the right setting every time.
Like other premium irons, it features a burst of steam function that releases a targeted stream of extra steam, allowing you to remove even deep and stubborn wrinkles. It also has a spray setting that lightly mists clothing to help wrinkles release more easily, as well as a vertical-steaming function for quick touch-ups.
Compared to other irons with similar advanced features, the Vitessa is an incredible value, costing over $20 less than the competition. It’s also one of the few models with an automatic cord rewind, so you never have to bother with winding and unwinding the cord when using the iron.
At just 2 pounds, the Vitessa is a lightweight model, making it very easy to handle. However, it doesn’t feel quite as sturdy or durable as high-end steam irons, so it’s possible it may not withstand heavy daily use as well as other models.
For anyone who irons fairly regularly and values advanced features like a burst of steam or vertical steaming, the Black + Decker Vitessa Advanced Steam Iron is an excellent option. It’s an especially appealing model for those on a budget because it offers high-end features at a great price. If you iron daily, you may prefer a higher-end iron with a sturdier build to ensure it can hold up to the heavy use, but the VItessa is an outstanding value for most homes.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.
