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Best Ironing Boards

Updated May 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Minky Homecare Ergo Plus Ironing Board
Minky Homecare
Ergo Plus Ironing Board
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Best for Large Households
Bottom Line

The protective fabric and ergonomic design makes this a safe and user-friendly model.

Pros

Heat reflective Prozone cover prevents burning and damages. Side ergo rack functions as a rest for steam generators. Users can wrap cords around the flex guide for less tangling. Well-balanced design won't wobble during use.

Cons

Some customers have reported that the legs can be wobbly.

Best Bang for the Buck
Household Essentials Tabletop Ironing Board
Household Essentials
Tabletop Ironing Board
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

For users who need a compact ironing board with a small footprint, this is an excellent choice.

Pros

Fits nicely on most tabletops, making it ideal for consumers with limited space. Has a convenient iron rest. Covered in a 100% cotton cover that provides a smooth, wrinkle-free ironing surface.

Cons

Wobbles a bit during use. Awkward when it comes to ironing large items.

Household Essentials Pressing Station Steel Top Wide Ironing Board
Household Essentials
Pressing Station Steel Top Wide Ironing Board
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Most Eco-Friendly
Bottom Line

Affordable board with a generous work space and an eco-conscious pad.

Pros

Features a large top for easy operation. Constructed with Fibertech material that is biodegradable.

Cons

Rare reports of wobbly legs.

Honey-Can-Do Door-Hanging Ironing Board
Honey-Can-Do
Door-Hanging Ironing Board
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Best for Small Spaces
Bottom Line

A space-savvy option, this mounted ironing board is popular for dorm and apartment living.

Pros

Takes only minutes to install and has small, slender footprint. While it's a shorter board, it's an ideal length for laying out most tops. Holds up well to light weight and pressure. Suitable for small laundry rooms.

Cons

Certain components felt flimsy, which led some users to spend more on upgrading them.

Brabantia Ironing Board with Steam Rest
Brabantia
Ironing Board with Steam Rest
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Most Comprehensive
Bottom Line

A generously sized ironing board with an iron rest and sturdy, adjustable legs.

Pros

Easy assembly. Height is adjustable. Ironing board cover (included) stays taut. Linen rack also included. A workhorse for the laundry room.

Cons

It's pricey and also on the heavy side.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

33
Models
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160
Consumers
Consulted
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Researched
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Buying guide for Best ironing boards

An ironing board is an essential piece of equipment for maintaining clothing and keeping up a professional appearance. However, different people have different requirements for an ironing board. Some people iron sheets and jeans along with dress shirts and slacks while others are content to occasionally iron out an errant wrinkle before an important event.

No matter what your needs are, deciding on an ironing board can be tough. The market is flooded with different options in a variety of sizes and shapes, and it can be difficult to narrow down your choices. If you’re trying to decide which ironing board is right for you, there are a few things you'll want to consider first.

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An ironing board that hits you at hip level will be the most comfortable to use.

Types of ironing boards

There are three types of ironing boards from which to choose: full-size ironing boards, tabletop ironing boards, and built-in ironing boards. The first two are portable while the third must be installed in your home.

Full-size ironing boards

Full-size ironing boards are the most popular choice and offer the most options. This type of ironing board can range in size from 15 x 54 inches to 19 x 63 inches, though some professional-grade ironing boards are even larger. Some full-size ironing boards have a lightweight frame for easy portability while others have a heavy frame that makes them more stable.

Tabletop ironing boards

Tabletop ironing boards are ideal for those with limited space, such as you might have in a college dorm room or studio apartment.

These inexpensive ironing boards can be used on any flat, sturdy surface – table, countertop, coffee table, chair. The legs fold for easy storage.

A variation on this design is a full-size ironing board that’s segmented into three sections and folds in on itself when stored.

Tabletop models aren’t the sturdiest ironing boards of the bunch. They’re best for occasional use and crafting rather than heavy daily ironing.

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Did you know?
A sleeve attachment is an extra board that attaches to the front of an ironing board. Sewists and those who frequently iron dress shirts can cut down their ironing time with this handy add-on.
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Built-in ironing boards

Built-in ironing boards can be installed in a closet or pull-out drawer. They’re a great space-saver. You can purchase them as a kit and perform the installation work yourself, or you can pay to have someone install it for you.

A less-permanent alternative to a regular built-in ironing board is a removable ironing board that hangs over a closet door and folds out when in use. This type of ironing board is inexpensive but not as sturdy as a full, built-in ironing board.

Features to consider

Length and width

When it comes to ironing boards, width plays a bigger role in usability than length. Nevertheless, both factors are important to the overall performance of the ironing board.

Wider boards allow you to get more ironing done with each placement. Length doesn’t make as much of a difference unless you are a sewist. If you need to iron bolts of fabric, greater length and width will help you get the ironing done faster.

Frame design and construction

Ironing boards used to be made of wood, which is heavy and isn’t the best material for ironing.

Most people today want an ironing board that’s lightweight and sturdy.

  • Frames made of rolled steel or aluminum tend to be lightweight with enough strength to make them sturdy.

  • The legs should be wide enough that the ironing board can withstand a bump without tipping over. This is especially important if you live in a household with children.

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Did you know?
Hanging racks are either built-in or can be attached to the wide end of the ironing board. They allow you to hang clothing while you work.
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Height adjustability

Most ironing boards, except for tabletop models, are height-adjustable. This allows more than one person to comfortably use the ironing board.

Be sure to check the height range before buying a particular ironing board.

If you’re taller or shorter than average, measure the distance from your waist to the floor, and look for an ironing board that has a good height range for you.

Ventilation

Steam and heat need an escape to prevent damage to the ironing board and clothing.

Vent holes are essential to successfully using a steam feature. Many boards use an iron grid for ventilation, but regularly spaced holes also work well.

"While wooden ironing boards were once the only option, they simply aren’t the best material for ironing. They can easily be damaged by steam and heat. The ventilated metal used on most ironing boards today stands up to heat and steam far more effectively."
STAFF
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Iron rest

An iron rest is a platform or wire rack attached to the end of the ironing board. Some iron rests pull or fold out from the ironing board.

A rest provides a place to safely set your iron when it’s not in use.

While an iron rest isn’t a necessary feature, it is a convenient one.

Ironing board cover/padding

Most ironing boards come with an ironing board cover. However, not all covers are made alike.

A cover with more padding allows you to press clothing better, while a non-stick cover will prevent clothing from sticking to the board. A reflective cover reflects heat back through the clothing.

However, be aware that delicate fabrics could be damaged by too much reflected heat.

"A portable ironing board allows you to iron in a bedroom where you can easily sort clothes or near the washer and dryer when clothes are still warm."
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Tips for extending the life of an ironing board

Check the label on the ironing board cover. If it’s machine washable, wash it regularly. Spot-clean an ironing board cover that can’t go in the washing machine.

Do not put ironing board covers in the dryer. Exposure to extreme heat for an extended period of time could ruin the cover.

Remove the cover and wipe down the board and frame with a damp cloth. This removes the dust and other debris that naturally collects over time.

Be sure to let your ironing board and cover dry completely before putting them away.

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If you only iron occasionally, live in a small apartment, or have limited storage space, a tabletop ironing board may be all you need.

FAQ

Q. I’m reading ironing board descriptions, and the specs often say “A,” “B,” “C,” or “D.” What does that mean?

A. Each manufacturer is different, but most of the time, those letters refer to different styles or sizes of the same ironing board model. Many ironing boards come in different lengths and widths to meet different needs and storage spaces. It’s a good idea to measure your storage space before ordering to be sure a particular ironing board would fit.

Q. Do ironing boards come with onboard storage?

A. Some ironing boards include a hook or shelf below the board to hold clothing or starch. There are also some boards designed as a full ironing station. Instead of having a collapsible frame, this type of ironing board rests on a shelving system with wheels. The board is segmented and folds down over the unit when not in use. With this type of ironing board, you can take all your ironing essentials with you from room to room.

Q. I don’t have a dedicated laundry or sewing room, but I still want a built-in ironing board. What kind of space do I need to have one installed?

A. You don’t need a dedicated room to have a built-in ironing board. A bedroom or kitchen drawer could hold a built-in unit. Another option is mounting an ironing board to the inside of a pantry door. If you have the money and don’t mind a small construction project, you could install a small ironing closet between two studs. You just have to be sure you have enough room in front of the space for the board to fully fold out.