Look sharp, crisp and wrinkle-free! Here's our list of the best ironing boards.
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The 5 Best Ironing Boards for Wrinkle-Free Clothes
Updated Jun. 05, 2024
With all the low-maintenance fabrics available today, you might think that ironing boards are a thing of the past, like landlines and checkbooks.
Not so, says Eve Tokens, a fashion and textile designer and online educator in sustainable fashion at The Creative Curator. While some fabrics are wrinkle-resistant, Tokens reminds us that fabrics, like 100 percent cotton, linen and silk, will always require ironing after washing and drying.
“Specifically, clothing items containing pockets and pleats will always need pressing to keep the fabric crisp and neat,” Token says. “No one wants to see pleats without a sharp crease or wrinkled pocket bags spilling from the pocket opening.”
Prepare for extra snazzy dress shirts, pants and beyond. From standalones to built-ins and tabletops, here are our picks for the best ironing boards.
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Best Overall Ironing Board
The Amazon Basics Full-Size Ironing Board
This simple ironing board from Amazon Basics is a full-size board with a washable cotton cover. It’s lightweight, so you can move it from room-to-room if you need to. The padding on the board is a bit thicker than other affordable alternatives, so you shouldn’t feel the metal base as you’re ironing your clothes. There’s also a little retractable iron rest to keep the small appliance in a safe place in between garments.
Pros
- Full-size board
- Includes machine-washable cover
- Lightweight and folds flat for storage
Cons
- Not ideal for smaller rooms
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Best for Tabletop Ironing Board
The Household Essentials Tabletop Ironing Board
A big hit in dormitories, the Household Essentials Tabletop Ironing Board turns any surface into a makeshift laundry room. Best for pressing smaller items, like T-shirts and pants, it folds up flat to stash under the couch or in that space between the refrigerator and the wall. The rubber-tipped legs protect tables and, despite its compact size, it has a retractable iron rest to prevent scorches.
Pros
- Folds up to fits behind doors
- Can be used on the table, floor and more
- Has a retractable iron rest
Cons
- May move across table if not secured in place
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Best for Over-the-Door Ironing Board
The Honey-Can-Do Door Hanging Ironing Board
Designed to hang over any standard door, this hanging ironing board on Amazon saves so much storage space. No more taking down and putting up your board—this one stays in a locked position until you need it. Boasting a generous ironing surface, its cushioned bumpers protect the door from dings.
Pros
- Space-saving design hangs over doors
- Folds up and safely locks for minimal storage
- Won’t break the bank
Cons
- Thinner board than other options
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Best for Pro-Quality Ironing Board
The Mabel Home Extra-Wide Ironing Pro Board
An extra-wide pro ironing board with retractable shoulder wings is designed for heavy-duty household and industrial use. Not only does it have a wider ironing surface than most boards, but its heat-resistant tray can support an iron or a bulky steamer. The frame, constructed of powder-coated metal, adjusts to six heights and comes with a clothes-hanging rail and a storage basket to boot!
Pros
- Heavy-duty, full-size board
- Retractable shoulder wings
- Heat-resistant support tray
- Extra board cover included
Cons
- Expensive
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Best Ironing Mat
The Handy Laundry Store Magnetic Ironing Mat
Tabletop ironing boards are great, but they aren’t as portable and space-saving as the Handy Laundry Store Magnetic Ironing Mat. We love this magnetic silicone pad, because it clings to the top of metal washing machines or dryers for slip-proof pressing. Wider than a standard ironing board, it’s travel-ready—to go along with that portable washing machine!—so just fold it up and toss it into your suitcase.
Pros
- Portable for travel and stores easily
- Very affordable
- Includes silicone iron rest
- Fits on top of most washers and dryers
Cons
- May not be suitable for large, bulky items
What to Consider When Buying an Ironing Board
What’s the best ironing board you may be wondering? When in search of the right ironing board, here are some key features to look for:
- Metal mesh construction so steam can pass and evaporate
- Multiple height options for different users
- Locking clips to prevent collapse
- Retractable iron rests
Many also feature:
- Flexible cord holders
- Folding shelves
- Hanger racks
A good cover is just as important. Pick one with a tight fit, thick padding and fabric that is stain- and scorch-resistant. A reflective surface to prevent clothes from clinging to the board is a plus.
How We Found the Best Ironing Boards
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money.
Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
Originally Published: January 22, 2021
