Some people love ironing. For most of us, it’s a a bit of a chore – but still, it needs to be done. Even in a world of drip-dry shirts, there’s usually something in the laundry basket that needs pressing. Whether you love or loathe ironing, read on to discover the best type of ironing board to use, and why it matters as much as selecting the right iron. We also bring you our favourite boards, so you can get ordering.
How to choose the right ironing board for you
Having a decent iron is only half the battle. If you iron regularly, you’ll want a board that’s easy to set up and use, and convenient to store. Consider the board cover too – a burned ironing board surface looks tatty and could even ruin your clothes.
How important is storage?
Most full-sized ironing boards fold away for storage. There are also smaller tabletop versions available – handy for craft projects or quick touch-ups. In addition, you can get built-in models, usually installed in a drawer or wall cabinet. If you live in a small house or flat where space is at a premium, one of the latter versions may suit you best, while in larger homes with plenty of cupboard space or a utility room, you’ll have more options open to you. Some ironing boards come with wheels – great for heavier models.
What about the ironing board cover?
An ironing board cover should have good padding and be scorch resistant, as well as being smooth. Many are treated with silicon to make them stain resistant. A non-stick surface prevents the clothes clinging to the board, while a reflective surface allows you to work with more heat and get the job done more quickly.
What size and weight should I go for?
If your ironing work mostly involves touching up shirts and trousers, you can probably get away with a basic board; those who work regularly on full-sized garments like dresses and suits will want something more substantial. If you’ve got room, go for a full-size board, which is at least 4 feet long and 12 to 18 inches wide. The wider the better, as this means you can spend more time ironing and less time repositioning garments.
Also think about weight. A lightweight board will be easier to set up, fold down and store away – though it still needs to be sturdy. If you have uneven floors, be sure to check if the legs are designed to cope with this.
Any other features to consider?
Make sure the board has a metal mesh top, as this allows steam to pass through and evaporate. Other extras to consider include a flex holder to avoid the cord getting caught; a sleeve attachment, which clips onto the main board for ironing sleeves and smaller items; an iron rest to prevent the iron falling off the board; and a hanging rack to store clothes on before putting them away.
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The best ironing boards to buy
1. Lakeland Spring Blooms Ironing Board: The best all-round ironing board
Price when reviewed:£56
Sturdy, steel frame? Tick. Height-adjustable? Tick. Machine-washable cover? Tick. Wide board? Tick. And so the list of plus points goes on, making this a great all-rounder for pretty much every kind of ironing job.
You can also keep the mains cable from getting in the way while you iron, thanks to the specially designed holder, although we found it can occasionally catch. Just be warned that the whole thing is quite heavy – and if you like a well-padded board, you’ll probably want to invest in an extra cover.
Key specs - Size of ironing surface: 120cm x 40cm; Adjustable height? Yes, from 46cm to 97cm; Weight: 6.5kg; Cover: 100% cotton, machine washable; Warranty: 3 years
2. Addis Shirtmaster Ironing Board: The best choice for shirts
Price when reviewed:£33
“I’m really looking forward to spending the afternoon ironing my shirts” – said no one ever. So if your laundry pile is mostly shirts, you’ll love this ironing board that’s designed to make short work of them. It lets you iron a whole side of a shirt, from collar to tail, in one swoop, slashing the time you have to spend slaving away pressing your tops. It’s also good for bed linen, thanks to the large ironing surface, and the non-slip feet and sturdy design mean it stays firmly in place.
Key specs - Size of ironing surface: 125cm x 41cm; Adjustable height? Yes, four height adjustments from 79cm to 93cm; Weight: 5.5kg; Cover: 100% cotton, not machine washable; Warranty: 10 years
3. Dunelm Mill Beautiful Birds Table Top Ironing Board: Best table-top ironing board
Price when reviewed:£5
This small board with foldable legs is just the ticket for craft projects and occasional small items of clothing. It’s also handy if you’re very short on storage or ironing space, as its compact design and light weight mean you can put it on any work surface.
The petite design has its downsides: ironing larger items can be a fiddly job, and you’ll need to find a work surface at the right height or it’ll be awkward to use. Still, the bird and flower pattern is attractive, the cotton cover has decent padding underneath and we found it more sturdy than other table top boards.
Key specs - Size of ironing surface: 70cm x 30cm; Adjustable height? No; Weight: 920g; Cover: 100% cotton; Warranty: none
4. Leifheit Airboard Ironing Board Compact: The best lightweight ironing board
Price when reviewed:£60
The Airboard is lighter than most of its rivals, making it a good choice for people who find ironing boards difficult to set up and put away. It’s also a wise purchase for anyone with uneven floors – for example, quarry tiles or a slight slope - as it’s self-adjusting up to 10mm.
The thermo-reflective cover is another nice touch; it essentially means you’re ironing from both above and below. With some trousers and skirts, this means you may not even have to flip them over to do the other side. The legs lock, so you can rest assured it’s safely stored away, but it’s not a good board for those who like a big and wide ironing surface – and be warned that the lightweight frame could get knocked over if you have kids or large dogs around.
Key specs - Size of ironing surface: 110cm x 30cm; Adjustable height? Yes, from 84cm to 96cm; Weight: 4.2kg; Cover: 100% cotton, machine washable; Warranty: 5 years
5. Brabantia Titan Oval: The best option for serious ironing jobs
Price when reviewed:£79
Ironing surfaces rarely get wider than this: the Titan Oval is a godsend for sheets, and its sturdy, heavy-gauge steel frame should last you through decades of ironing. There’s both a flat end and a pointy one to suit different parts of your clothing, and you can optionally use it sitting down thanks to the low height options.
The double-ended design means there’s no separate resting plate: instead, the flat end is heat-resistant, so you can park your iron safely while preparing your fabrics, and there’s nowhere for the flex to get trapped.. There are plenty of locks to ensure the board doesn’t collapse when out or folded and the cover is nicely padded. Just make sure you have an appropriate storage space before buying, since this board is heavier and larger than most.
Key specs - Size of ironing surface: 135cm x 45cm; Adjustable height? Yes, from 61cm to 102cm; Weight: 6.7kg; Cover: 100% cotton, machine washable; Warranty: 10 years
6. Argos Simple Value Ironing Board: The best ironing board under £20
Price when reviewed:£11
Budget ironing boards tend to be really wobbly even when set up, and feel as though they might collapse at any given moment. While this Argos model is by no means up there with the big boys in terms of feeling solid and secure, it’s impressively sturdy for its price. It’s got a machine washable cover and is easy to store away, as it’s reasonably small and light. However, we couldn’t get it anywhere near the lowest height setting, which makes it a poor choice for shorter people. And don’t bother if you have an uneven floor.
Key specs - Size of ironing surface: 97cm x 34cm; Adjustable height?: Yes, from 51cm to 84cm; Weight: 3.7kg; Cover: 100% cotton, machine washable; Warranty: 1 year
7. Brabantia Ironing Table with Steam Control: The most luxurious ironing board you can buy
Price when reviewed:£178
This super-solid ironing board weighs twice as much as some rivals – but it brings some innovative features and precision engineering that make it incredibly smooth and easy to set up and put away. Highlights a the plastic tray to catch water drops, and a large, sturdy iron holder that (unusually) will hold a steam generator iron with a footprint of up to 36 x 25cm.
The Ironing Table also includes safety features that prevent it from being knocked over by boisterous kids. The only catch is that if you don’t have a storage space in which to leave in the upright position, you’ll have to remember to empty the drip bowl before stowing it. It also costs a bomb, although if you do a lot of ironing it’s worth every penny.
Key specs - Size of ironing surface: 124cm x 45cm; Adjustable height? Yes, from 75cm to 102cm; Weight: 9kg; Cover: 100% cotton, machine washable; Warranty: 10 years
8. Minky Pro Workstation: Packed with useful features for a sensible price
Price when reviewed:£55
The Pro Workstation stands out from the crowd, with numerous neat features. Our favourite is the built-in electrical socket with extension lead – very convenient if your favourite ironing spot isn’t near a plug socket. The flex holder does a good job of keeping the cable out of the way, and the sleeve board is good for those who don’t want creased sleeves.
There’s also a flip-out coat hanger rail and under-board laundry rack, which are useful if you don’t have a nearby sofa or work surface to lay things out on afterwards. It’s heavy and not the easiest to manoeuvre, but once in place it’s sturdy, with not a hint of wobbliness.
Key specs - Size of ironing surface: 122cm x 43cm; Adjustable height? Yes, from 0cm to 94cm; Weight: 9kg; Cover: 100% cotton, not machine washable; Warranty: 5 years
