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Best Ironing Board for Steam Iron UK 2024 

By  Enda McLarnon

If you own an iron, then almost always you will need an ironing board. Some people still use a cloth on top of a table, but most UK consumers, opt for the safer and sensible option of a good quality ironing board.  

There are normal stand alone boards, but also table top boards. In this article we look at the best ironing boards that are suitable for steam irons, that are currently available in the UK market.

Before you make any decision, you need to know which type of iron you have?

What types of ironing board are available in the UK?

There are 4 types of ironing board available in the UK:

  1. Freestanding ironing boards - by far the most popular choice for most households
  2. Freestanding ironing boards for larger steam generator irons - needed for the larger 1.6 litre steam generator irons and above. Click here to read about those
  3. Compact table boards - for those who want to iron on a table and for shirt sleeve ironing
  4. Built-in ironing boards - these are built into a wall or cupboard and fold down when being used and fold out of the way when not in use.

Freestanding Steam Iron Board Sizes Explained

The simple task of buying an iron board sounds very easy. It should be of course, but like many things in life, perhaps not as easy as it seems. Hopefully we can clear that up for you with some useful basic information.

It is worth noting before we go any further that these boards come in different sizes, shapes and prices. Some people like to sit down to iron, others prefer to stand. In addition to that, some people are short and some people are tall, so is the board adjustable for all those heights?

Where are you going to store your ironing board? Do you need a spot to set your iron on when not in use? Below we try to answer all of those important questions.

What Size of Steam Iron Board do you need?

Manufacturers of these make them in five different sizes. These are referred to as standard sizes, however you will also find sizes slightly different to these as well.

There is no clear designed standard as manufacturers often change the size option. The best seller for example is 122 x 38 cm. The guide below is a useful general guideline. Always check the exact size though before ordering.

Steam Iron Board Size Comparison Table

Ironing Board Size

Centimetres

Inches

Size A

110 x 30

43 x 12

Size B

124 x 38

48.8 x 15

Size C

124 x 45

48.8 x 17.7

Size D

135 x 45

53 x 17.7

Size E

135 x 49

53 x 19.3

Any of these sizes will be able to handle a normal steam iron. The reason you may want a smaller board would be, if you are stuck for storage space. Some users like the larger boards for ironing sheets, or larger items. (Size C and above) It really is a matter of personal preference.

What you should look for when buying an ironing board?

Which Brands Make Ironing Boards?

Believe us there are lots of choices. The most popular are: Brabantia, Minky, Philips, Vileda, Leifheit, Lakeland, Addis, MSV, Multiware, AllRight, and Russell Hobbs. The biggest selling brands in the UK appear to be Brabantia and Minky.

Is the Ironing Board Sturdy?

If you look closely at ironing boards you will notice that they are made to fold away easily. That is of course very important, but it also makes creating a sturdy design quite difficult. Most designs will end up with 4 legs standing on your floor. If you have wooden or tiled floors, you want to be sure that these legs don't slide about on the floor or damage wooden floors. For that you want to check if they have non-slip feet.

The legs of ironing boards are usually made from lightweight tubular steel. One set of legs remains fixed to the top of the board and the other set of legs moves into one of several slots underneath the board. The slot you pick determines the height of the board.

Each set of legs should be joined with a tubular bar that gives better stability to the legs.

Iron Board Height Adjustment

Almost every single board will have some element of height adjustment. The legs normally fold under the board for easy storage, and usually click into place to keep them from inadvertently falling out.

When putting the board up, the height adjustment is made by clicking the movable leg into a slot. There are a number of slots. You simply pick the right one to suit your own height.

For taller people they will want a higher board, so make sure that the height you need, is provided by the board that you buy.

Nose of Your Ironing Board

As we prefer to call it, the pointy bit. It is where most people iron the fiddly bits such as around shirt buttons. They come in different shapes such as rounded, tapered or blunt. They all work fine. Just be aware which type you have if you are buying a new cover.

Ironing Board Covers

This part often gets confusing. Good ironing boards will always come with a cover of some kind. A good board will last for years, but covers usually require replacement every 2-3 years. Many people also decide to buy a cover to upgrade the quality, and to make ironing easier. Typically these will be non-slip covers.

There are basically three types padded, metallic or mesh styles.

The most common are the softly padded. They essentially take the hardness out of the main board underneath. That makes ironing a lot easier. The problem with these is they they go out of shape, especially if the padding is too thin. A good padding thickness should be around 6 mm thick.

They can also be metallic in nature. They are made from fabric with metal woven in (usually copper) Those help reflect the heat of the iron back into the fabric, and as such also speed up the ironing time.

The mesh style of cover allows steam to pass through which helps speed up the ironing time.

Can the steam escape from the ironing board?

Better quality ironing boards will have a metal top with proper ventilation for the steam to escape. Usually this is just a set of small vents, but they work really well. That ventilation also helps your clothes dry a little quicker as they are not absorbing so much steam.

The ironing board rest

All ironing boards will have a rest. This is a place at the end of the board where you can set the iron down when it isn't being used. These come in different shapes and sizes. They all serve a similar purpose, but just be sure when ordering your board that it can be set for right and left handed people.

Ironing board flex guide

Very few ironing boards come with a flex guide. That is actually a very useful thing to consider as it helps keep the cord of the iron safely out of your way. Minky ironing boards come with flex guides.

Top 10 Freestanding Steam Ironing Boards (UK)

Minky Ergo Ironing Board - Best Seller

90% buyer satisfaction rating based on 7,000+ online buyer reviews

  • This ironing board has a buyer satisfaction rating of 90% with 71% of all buyers giving this a 5 star review
  • This board had a cover with deep felt underlay - made from cotton with heat reflective metallic coating
  • It also has a flex guide - this prevents the electrical iron cord from tangling and snagging
  • Has height height adjustment, position exactly at your ideal working height, up to 92 cm
  • Manufactured in the UK
  • Comes with a 5 year guarantee
  • Measures 122 x 38 cm - and comes in a green colour

Best Steam Iron Board for a Family - Brabantia Ice Water Ironing Board

92% buyer satisfaction rating based on 5,500+ online buyer reviews

  • This ironing board has a buyer satisfaction rating of 92% with 78% of all buyers giving this a 5 star review
  • This is a size C, and measures 124 x 45 cm
  • Dimensions when folded: H159 x W48 D8 cm
  • Dimensions when in use: 149 x 49 x 99 cm
  • Adjustable working height (from 75-98 cm)
  • It has non-slip feet
  • Comes with a 10 year guarantee

Most Affordable - Minky Apollo Ironing Board

84% buyer satisfaction rating based on 3,000+ online buyer reviews

  • This ironing board has a buyer satisfaction rating of 84% with 63% of all buyers giving this a 5 star review
  • This board comes with a steam safe angled rest which stops the iron from steaming when not in use
  • Uses a steam flow mesh system for faster crease removal
  • Has a foam backed cover
  • Measures 137.8 x 33 x 83.8 cm and weighs 3.68 kg
  • Surface ironing area 97 x 33 cm (38 x 13")
  • The compact board has a twin height adjustment reaching a maximum height of 33 inches.
  • Manufactured in the UK

Best Steam Iron Board with an Iron Rest - Vileda Smart Ironing Board

90% buyer satisfaction rating based on 2,000+ online buyer reviews

  • This ironing board has a buyer satisfaction rating of 90% with 72% of all buyers giving this a 5 star review
  • It has a mesh metal surface with a cotton and foam cover
  • Measures 132cm long x 42cm deep x 95cm high (upright position)
  • Measures 45.5cm wide x 6 cm deep x 150 cm long (folded)
  • Adjustable height 77-95 cm
  • Surface area 114 x 34 cm
  • Comes in a blue colour and weighs 4.23 kg
  • Has a solid iron rest with a silicon bumper

Vileda Bravo Ironing Board

90% buyer satisfaction rating based on 1,000+ online buyer reviews

  • This ironing board has a buyer satisfaction rating of 90% with 72% of all buyers giving this a 5 star review
  • It has a mesh metal surface with a cotton and foam cover
  • Measures 142cm long x 46cm deep x 80 to 97cm high (upright position)
  • Measures 45.5cm wide x 6cm deep x 158.5cm long (folded)
  • Surface area 120x38 cm
  • Adjustable height 80 cm - 97 cm
  • Comes in a blue colour and weighs 5.48 kg

Minky Hotspot Plus Ironing Board

86% buyer satisfaction rating based on 1,000+ online buyer reviews

  • This ironing board has a buyer satisfaction rating of 86% with 67% of all buyers giving this a 5 star review
  • The ironing surface is 122 x 38 cm
  • It has a cotton heat reflective coating
  • There is also a very useful silicone rest which can be moved around the board where you can set your iron down on that
  • You can also adjust the height anywhere from 0-90 cm
  • It is made in the UK and comes with a 5 year guarantee.

Brabantia Board with Steam Iron Rest

90% buyer satisfaction rating based on 600+ online buyer reviews

  • This ironing board has a buyer satisfaction rating of 90% with 70% of all buyers giving this a 5 star review
  • This is a size B, and measures 158 x 38 cm
  • Available in titan oval, bubbles, celebration, ice water, Orla Kiely, and Pink Santini colours
  • This has a standard metal iron holder suitable for standard steam irons
  • It can be adjusted in height (69 - 96 cm)
  • Comes with a Brabantia 10 year guarantee

Russell Hobbs LA038692BLK Ironing Board

76% buyer satisfaction rating based on 500+ online buyer reviews

  • This ironing board has a buyer satisfaction rating of 76% with 52% of all buyers giving this a 5 star review
  • This board measures 126 long x 45 wide x 90 high cm when open
  • It has 7 adjustable height settings
  • Comes with an iron rest and you can also hang or fold freshly pressed clothes on the laundry rack.
  • Comes with a cotton protective cover with a cushioned 8mm felt pad
  • Has non-slip plastic feet, which help keep it steady and secure on both soft and hard floors.

Mabel Home Ironing Board Solid Steam Ironing Board

90% buyer satisfaction rating based on 120+ online buyer reviews

  • This ironing board has a buyer satisfaction rating of 90% with 74% of all buyers giving this a 5 star review
  • This board measures  65x18"
  • The board size is 47x18"
  • Has six different Pre-Set Height Settings. Minimum: 27" - Maximum: 37"
  • Comes with a transport lock that keeps the table folded when stored or transported
  • Also has a safety lock that prevents the board from accidently collapsing while in use
  • An extra thick board c and an extra cover is included

Mabel Home Ergo T-Leg ironing board

88% buyer satisfaction rating based on 120+ online buyer reviews

  • This ironing board has a buyer satisfaction rating of 88% with 63% of all buyers giving this a 5 star review
  • Measures 45x15"
  • It comes with a thick cover which is silicone coated and you also get an extra cover
  • Has a T-leg design with safety locking system for easy set-up, take-down and mobility
  • Measures 114.3 x 7.6 x 38.1 cm and weighs 5.49 kg
  • 47 inches tall x 16 inches wide x 4 inches deep (folded)
  • Doesn't have an iron holder

Best In Wall Ironing Boards

Household Essentials StowAway In-Wall Ironing Board

86% buyer satisfaction rating based on 1500+ online buyer reviews

  • This ironing board has a buyer satisfaction rating of 86% with 68% of all buyers giving this a 5 star review
  • This is a popular choice for those with limited space in their home
  • This cupboard hangs on a wall and has two shelves and a drop down ironing board which then folds neatly away behind a closed door
  • The ironing surface is 41" x 11 and 3/4" and can be used by either left or right handed people
  • This is an expensive option but also a pretty complete one if you are living somewhere that has very limited space

Hopefully we have provided you with enough information to be able to pick the best ironing board for your needs. We know it will probably not be a major buying decision for most people. Our advice would be is to buy the best one that you can afford as it will be sturdy, safe and last you for years.

Does a good ironing board make a difference?

You can buy ironing boards from as little as £15, and all the way up to £150. Crazy right? The price difference happens for a number of reasons. We have shown the main reasons below:

  • Quality - You get what you are prepared to pay for. Well made boards that will last a lifetime will cost more than a flimsy board, that will break after a short period of time
  • General Construction - Made from good quality materials, strong joints for adjustments and stability, lightweight for easy of portability and good quality covers.
  • Brand - You will always pay more for a better brand of board. They will also give you more extensive guarantees and better customer service.

Spending a little more on a good quality ironing board really can make a big difference. You instantly reduce the risk of a hot iron getting knocked over which can be very dangerous. You will also find the cover fits so much better and that the padding on top is thicker and lasts much longer.

Enda McLarnon

About the author

I hope that you find my How to articles helpful as I know that laundry can be a real chore. On this website, I have tried to help out with buying guides and reviews for the many forms of ironing and other laundry issues.