The Best Ironing Board for a Smooth Ironing Experience

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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Ironing your laundry can be a hectic task if you don't have the appropriate tools and equipment. One of these is the ironing board which is meant to facilitate your ironing chores conveniently. However, with the many options on the market, it can be challenging to find the best ironing board.

Thankfully, we've already scoured the net for the best options and have brought you this list of the most suitable ironing boards and the necessary buyer's guide.

So, without further ado, let's get started.

Best Ironing Board

1. Brabantia Ironing Board With Steam Iron Rest

Brabantia Size B Ironing Board (49 x 15in) 7 Height...
  • Setting the standardin ironing.
  • Flexible - iron rest for left or right-handed use (for irons up...
  • Child and transport locks- prevent ironing board collapsing...
  • Easy on your back - adjustable to your ideal working height...
  • Brabantia 10 year guarantee

The Brabantia freestanding is among the best ironing board, being a sturdy, lightweight, and adjustable option. It comes with a wide work surface that will suffice for ironing your larger clothes like pants and shirts without repositioning them.

The height setting is adjustable to let you iron your clothes at the most convenient height, even if you are tall. You can say goodbye to back pains since you can work with this ironing board at the exact position suitable for you. This ironing board comes with several safety features like non-slip feet and a child and transport lock.

It is a sturdy board with four ivory leg frames that ensure maximum stability using it on carpeted or hard floors. The non-slip caps on the feet of each leg prevent unwanted movement as you iron your clothes and reduce wear and tear on your floor. This ironing board also features a steam iron rest conveniently placed to allow easy access to your iron box while ironing.

Pros:

  • Conveniently placed stem iron rest.
  • Child safety lock.
  • Adjustable height.
  • Stable.
  • Sturdy build.

Cons:

  • Wobbles when adjusted to the highest setting.
  • The stem iron stand obstructs the irons cable.

2. Honey-Can-Do Tabletop Ironing Board with Retractable Iron Rest

Honey-Can-Do Tabletop Ironing Board with Retractable...
  • Ideal for dorm rooms, apartments or smaller spaces
  • Portable iron board provides sturdy and spacious ironing surface
  • Includes metal iron rest to prevent scorching
  • Collapsible; stores easily as a closet ironing board
  • Constructed of wood and cloth: includes a pad and aqua blue cover

Next up is the Honey-Can-Do tabletop ironing board, a great option for people living in apartments, dorm rooms, and smaller spaces. It doesn't take too much space since it has a compact design and can store it quite easily.

This ironing board is portable and provides a wide ironing surface to reduce the time needed to reposition clothes while ironing. As such, you can save some time while ironing large bulks of laundry, which makes it one of the best ironing boards you can buy.

You won't have to wander around the room to look for a suitable place to lay your iron box since it has an iron rest that will hold your appliance as you prepare the next garment for ironing. If you are concerned that you might scorch this ironing board, you can rest easy since the retractable iron rest is metal and can withstand your hot iron.

Once you are done ironing clothes, you can fold the Honey-Can-Do ironing board flat and store it in a small space.

Pros:

  • Portable folding design.
  • Requires minimal storage space.
  • Retractable metal iron rest.
  • Wide ironing surface area.
  • Heat resistant cotton cover.

Cons:

  • The cover is a bit thin.

3. Whitmor Tabletop Ironing Board

Whitmor Tabletop Ironing Board, Cream, 12.0x32.0x33.75
  • Folding tabletop ironing board fits into small places, amazing...
  • Perfect for quick touch-ups, small spaces & travel
  • Cotton cover with 5mm foam pad
  • Assembled Dimensions: 12 L x 32 W x 3.375 H inches
  • Folds flat for easy storage

If you want an ironing board that provides enough surface for ironing larger clothes while fitting in small spaces, the Whitmore Tabletop ironing board is the choice for you. Featuring a compact and folding design, this ironing board is ideal for small apartments and areas with limited space.

Additionally, you can travel with it since it doesn't need much storage space and a lightweight build. It contains a cotton cover with a 5mm foam pad which provides a reliable surface for pressing and ironing your clothes.

This tabletop ironing board has legs of steel that are durable and strong enough to hold up against the weight of your iron box, making it one of the best tabletop ironing boards. They also lock in place to provide maximum stability and can collapse for portability. The non-skid caps will prevent unwanted movement even on slippery floors and ensure that you won't scratch your floor.

Pros:

  • Durable build.
  • Stable when standing.
  • Lightweight construction.
  • Requires a small storage space.

Cons:

  • If you wash the cover, the slip becomes unusable.

4. Above-Edge Magnetic Ironing Mat

Sale
Above Edge Magnetic Ironing Mat, Double Strength...
  • Transforms any metallic or flat surface into an instant ironing...
  • Never drag out the ironing board for little touch ups again
  • Perfect for use on top of washers, dryers or table tops and even...
  • Magnet pull force is twice as strong as any competitive item...
  • Quilted top heat-resistant pad offers a wider workspace than an...

The Above-Edge magnetic ironing mat is a great choice for anyone who doesn't want a framed ironing board. This mat can transform any flat or metallic surface into an ironing board instantly. Whether you want to iron on the table or your washer, this mat will meet all your ironing needs.

Since it is magnetic, it stays in place when you use it on a metallic surface. If you feel like an ironing board is too much, the Above-Edge magnetic ironing mat is the solution you want. You can use it on your bed, table, washer, or dryer without any hassle.

It has a quilted top which makes it look stylish, and the pad inside it is heat resistant. This ironing mat provides a wider worksurface than your standard ironing board, making it suitable for ironing large items like shirts and trousers. No doubt, this is one of the best ironing boards you can find on the market.

Pros:

  • Elegant quilt-top design.
  • Larger ironing space than ironing boards.
  • Suitable for use on any flat surface.

Cons:

  • The quilt marks can transfer onto your clothes.
  • It's not completely flat and so is unsuitable for smooth ironing.

5. Homz Ironing Board

Homz T-Leg Ironing Board, Made in the USA, Gray and...
  • T-LEG DESIGN: Provides a stable ironing foundation and the...
  • 53” x 13” PERFORATED STEEL TOP: Offers a solid ironing...
  • 100% COTTON COVER: A smooth cotton cover with a polyurethane foam...
  • ADJUSTS TO ANY HEIGHT: Conveniently adjusts to any height, up to...
  • FOLDS FLAT: Patented leg lock system enables the lightweight...

The Homz ironing board features a T-Leg design that offers a stable base for your ironing chores. It comes with non-skid feet, which will protect your wooden flooring or tiles from scratches and marks while ensuring the board won't slide around as you work.

This ironing board has a strong steel top which provides a solid surface to iron on and distributes heat and steam evenly to help you remove wrinkles from garments with ease. The cover is made from cotton and has a polyurethane foam pad, ensuring your iron glides smoothly on the clothes as you iron.

The height setting is adjustable, allowing you to set it at a convenient height to avoid straining your back. After ironing, you can fold this ironing board flat, which will make it compact enough for easy transportation and storage.

Pros:

  • Folding design.
  • Lightweight build.
  • Sturdy.
  • Durable.

Cons:

  • The cover is too thin.
  • The steel board can rust from the steam of your iron.

6. Mabel Home Extra-Wide Ironing Pro Board with Shoulder Wings

Mabel Home Extra-Wide Ironing Pro Board with Shoulder...
  • Unique patented retractable shoulder wings.
  • Heavy-duty padded board cover with 100% cotton surface layer, +...
  • Stable safety locking system for easy set-up, take-down and...
  • Adjustable Height: Adjustable to 6 different pre-set heights...

Finally, we have the Mable Home Extra-Wide ironing board, which has retractable shoulder wings. These wings make this Mabel Home product the best ironing board for smoothening out the shoulders of your shirts and pillowcase corners. It also comes with a heavy-duty board cover made from 100 percent cotton and an extra cover for replacing the current one if it wears out.

The extra-large ironing board provides a wider ironing surface, eliminating the need to keep repositioning your clothes as you iron. This ironing board also features an outboard support tray for holding your iron or steamer with zero chance of scorching since it is heat resistant.

The safety locking system ensures it is easy to set up and take down this ironing board. It will also keep the board from collapsing during use. The height is adjustable to ensure maximum comfort of the user during ironing.

Pros:

  • Stable when standing.
  • Durable.
  • It folds, making it easy to store.
  • Wider than standard ironing boards.
  • Adjustable height.

Cons:

  • A bit heavy.

Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Ironing Board

1. Types of Ironing Boards

Before you can choose an ironing board, you'll need to understand the different types available on the market. Let's look at them in detail.

  • Freestanding Ironing Boards

These are the most common type of ironing boards and are found in many homes. They have X-shaped legs when standing and can fold flat for easy storage and portability. These ironing boards are great because you can adjust their height to suit your needs conveniently.

Since they are portable, freestanding ironing boards provide users with freedom of movement since you can set them up anywhere around the house.

  • Tabletop Ironing Boards

A table top ironing board is one that you can place on a benchtop or table. These ironing boards allow you to set them up on a flat surface at an appropriate height so that you can use them without damaging your table or furniture.

They have shorter legs, and the board is smaller, but they often feature an iron rest that you can use to hold your steam iron as you prepare the garments for ironing. Table top ironing boards are great for small homes with a confined space.

  • Wall-Mounted Ironing Boards

The wall-mounted ironing board is attached to the wall and doesn't use legs for standing. They feature wall-mount brackets that allow you to fold them and open them flat. They are suitable for a laundry room where you can iron conveniently use them without the need to move them since they are permanently fixed.

  • Built-in Ironing Boards

A built-in ironing board is also immovable and can be integrated into cabinets or under benchtops according to your home design. You can get a ready-to-use built-in ironing board cabinet, or you can have a professional customize one to fit into your house.

2. Height

It is essential that you think about the best height for your ironing board because you want to be as comfortable as possible as you iron your laundry. If the ironing board is too short, you will end up straining your back as you bend over to iron the outfits.

As such, you should pick an ironing board whose height will allow you to work conveniently without easily getting tired or sore. This is important, especially if you are planning to do a lot of ironing. Alternatively, you can select an option that has an adjustable height setting. Such an ironing board will let you find the best height to work with ease.

3. Board Size

Another issue to think about is the size of the board. If the board is too narrow, you'll end up spending so much time as you iron clothes since you'll have to reposition them to smoothen out every section. This can be tedious if you have many clothes to iron. So, you should select an ironing board that provides enough surface for you to work quickly on each garment.

Freestanding ironing boards feature a standard width of between 33cm and 48 cm. Table top and wall-mounted ironing boards can be wider than freestanding types. If you want the largest option on the market, you can go for an ironing mat.

4. Sturdiness

No one likes an ironing board that keeps wobbling as you work. That is why it is crucial to get a model that is sturdy and stable. You should note the materials used to make the legs since cheaper ironing boards can easily collapse as you press down on them during ironing.

So, you'll want to look for an ironing board with a strong form to make ironing easier and safer. If the board collapses as you work, you could easily sustain burns from the hot iron or damage the iron box. Finding a sturdy model will benefit you in the long run since the most long-lasting ironing boards are quite sturdy.

5. Foldability

It is crucial that your ironing board has a foldable design because it might be challenging to move around with it if it is not. That is why you should ensure that the legs can fold in to make the ironing board take a flat form. The folding design will allow you to easily transport the ironing board wherever you need it.

Additionally, it is challenging to store an ironing board with its legs open. If you can fold it, you won't need that much space to store it. The compact design of most freestanding iron boards allows users to store them in small spaces like behind a door.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best ironing board to buy?

The best ironing board on the market is the Brabantia Ironing Board With Steam Iron Rest, a lightweight and sturdy option that will meet all your ironing needs.

2. What makes a good ironing board?

The best ironing board should have adjustable height, a smooth and wide surface area, and a sturdy build to make it easier to iron garments while remaining budget-friendly.

3. How long should an ironing board last?

An ironing board can last as long as a decade. However, the cover and padding might need frequent replacement as they wear out over time. 

Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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