I’ve been on both sides of the ironing vs. steaming debate, and I believe that both methods have their flaws. In my experience, irons give clothes a crisp finish in less time, but the tangle-prone cables make them more of a pain to use. Steamers are gentler on delicate fabrics, but take more time to smooth out wrinkles. I actually gave up on both for a while because I was convinced neither one was a fit for my routine. That is, until I tried the Panasonic Cordless Lightweight Steam/Dry Iron.
The Steam/Dry Iron turned out to be the all-in-one solution I’d been missing — and it’s surprisingly well-suited to small-space living. And after using it for the past month and change, I can confidently say it’s made me a regular ironer/steamer again. Here’s why.
What Is the Panasonic Cordless Lightweight Steam/Dry Iron?
Weighing only 26.5 ounces, it’s the lightest steam iron Panasonic has ever made. It’s also cordless, comes with a handy carrying case, and heats up in 50 seconds on the accompanying power base (that plugs into a standard electrical outlet). The power base features a built-in cord compartment to make setup and storage easy. So already it solves some of my biggest gripes with traditional irons. It offers smooth, 360-degree movement without tethering you to a restrictive cord, and the iron’s portability also makes it uniquely suited to use beyond the house. Take it with you to quilting and craft classes, check it in your luggage while traveling — it goes where most irons and steamers can’t.
In terms of ironing and steaming ability, the Panasonic Steam/Dry Iron gives you the best of both. Its nonstick, U-shaped soleplate gives you the smooth glide of an iron, complete with a precision tip to tackle corners, collars, and seams, while its vertical steam and powershot functions offer the wrinkle-releasing powers of a steamer — all without staining or damaging fabrics.
Why I Love the Panasonic Cordless Lightweight Steam/Dry Iron
As someone who owns a traditional corded iron and a steamer, I can honestly say that Panasonic’s steam iron replaces both. For starters, it’s way easier to use: I plug in the power base, choose my heat setting, and the iron is ready to go in seconds. I use it on one of these tabletop ironing boards (small apartment problems), and because the iron itself isn’t restricted by a cord, I can glide it freely up and down pieces of clothing without fussing. One thing I noticed, though, is that the iron has a slightly rounded bottom that keeps it from standing upright on its own, so I need to set it on its power base between pieces. It took some getting used to, but it’s worth doing for the iron’s long-lasting heat.
Most important, though, is how effectively the Panasonic steam iron smooths out creases and wrinkles — even on my mostly air-dried clothing. Its U-shaped plate lives up to its nonstick claims, gliding over fabrics without snagging or leaving scuffs or water stains. And while I’m admittedly not as careful as I should be with my clothes, the iron’s three heat settings make it hard to mess up. The iron’s power shot function is a huge help for stubborn creases on more rigid fabrics, and when it comes to pieces too delicate to press, the iron’s vertical steam bursts do the trick.
While my old iron and steamer used to sit in a tangled heap on my closet shelf, the steam iron’s compact carrying case tucks away neatly for a clean, clutter-free look. I don’t have to worry about any residual water spilling out either, because the iron sits securely on its base. So if you’re looking for a wrinkle-smoothing solution that’s effective and space-efficient, I’d say the Panasonic Cordless Lightweight Steam/Dry Iron is worth looking into!