When you care about getting every last bit of fabric perfectly smooth, no ordinary steam iron will do. The BestReviews Testing Lab tried out the high-end Rowenta Focus Iron Steamer, which impressed us with its precision tip that allows you to get into those hard-to-reach areas, especially around the collar, so you can remove every wrinkle with ease. It also features over 400 microsteam holes to make ironing more efficient, regardless of the fabric type, and adjustable steam settings with an intuitive dial control for easy operation.
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Check out the Rowenta Focus Iron Steamer if you’re looking for a powerful, precise iron.
The BestReviews Testing Lab put the Rowenta Focus Iron Steamer to work in real-world situations to assess its wrinkle-removing performance, ease of use and durability. Testing included using the iron on several different types of fabric, including cotton, linen, nylon, polyester and a cotton/polyester blend. Its shot-of-steam, spray, vertical-steaming and self-cleaning features were also tested.
The BestReviews Testing Lab worked diligently to prove every claim that Rowenta makes about its product. For this review, our tester focused on the iron’s steam output, self-cleaning feature and precision tip.
The Rowenta Focus Iron Steamer allows for effective, efficient ironing of all fabric types. Its adjustable steam settings and user-friendly dial control make it very easy to use, while its precision tip beautifully smooths wrinkles from hard-to-reach areas, such as shirt collars, cuffs and along seams. It also features a hefty, durable build that can withstand regular use, making it ideal for daily ironing.
The Rowenta Focus Iron Steamer is easy to set up for ironing. Its water tank opening is located at the back of the iron, just above the handle. With the iron unplugged, slide the steam control switch to the left. Move the water-tank cover down to open it, and then fill the iron with tap water to the maximum fill line located on the side of the iron. The water tank is translucent, so it’s easy to see when the water has reached the line. Afterward, slide the water-tank cover back down, and plug the iron in to prepare for ironing.
The Rowenta Focus has a control dial with presets for various fabrics. Turn the dial to the material that you’re ironing. The iron takes between one and two minutes to heat up, depending on the selected temperature setting. To activate the burst-of-steam feature, make sure it’s set to the highest or medium steam setting. Press the button located at the top right of the handle to release extra steam for deeper or more stubborn wrinkles. The feature requires at least four seconds between uses. The spray button is just beside the burst-of-steam button. The mist comes out of the top of the iron and can help wrinkles release more easily when used just before ironing.
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The Rowenta Focus Iron Steamer heats up very quickly — it takes just a minute to reach the lowest temperature setting and under a minute and 30 seconds to reach the highest setting. It’s an extremely efficient iron, too, typically requiring just a single pass to remove most wrinkles. The burst-of-steam feature also allows you to remove deeper wrinkles more easily. Its large-capacity water tank is ideal for longer ironing sessions, providing up to 30 minutes of continuous steam.
The iron’s precision tip is perfectly shaped for removing wrinkles from hard-to-reach spots, like a shirt’s collar or cuffs. It’s also highly versatile, allowing for both dry and steam ironing, as well as vertical steaming for hanging garments and even curtains. The self-cleaning function makes maintenance much easier, too, and helps to ensure excellent performance and a longer lifespan.
The Rowneta Focus Iron Steamer is more expensive compared to other models with similar features, so it may not fit every budget.
The Rowenta Iron Steamer is an excellent steam iron, offering efficient performance, user-friendly operation and sturdy, durable construction. Its precision tip also makes it easier to be more precise with your ironing and create the sharpest creases. However, considering that it costs nearly $100, and steam irons with similar features can be had for $20 to $30 less, it’s probably best suited for those who iron nearly daily and need a model that can withstand heavy use without any noticeable wear or tear or lag in performance.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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