We recommend currently available steam stations with a CHOICE Expert Rating of at least 90%. They must also have automatic shut-off as a safety feature to be recommeded.

The CHOICE Expert Rating is made up of performance (70%) and ease of use (30%).

We assess how effective the steam station irons are at removing creases. Synthetic organza, silk, wool, a cotton shirt, denim jeans and linen are used for the test. The performance score accounts for 70% of the overall score.

We assess each steam station iron for how easy it is to fill the water tank, move the iron over various fabrics, use the steam function, adjust the temperature and store; as well as how comfortable the iron is to hold and the convenience of the cord and steam hose. The ease of use score accounts for 30% of the overall score.

This is a useful safety feature that cuts off power to the iron after it's been left sitting idle for a while.

Shop Ethical rates the environmental and social impact of the company (not the product) using independent sources. This rating is not included in our total score. N/A means there is no rating for that company.

Claimed country of origin.

Manufacturer's claimed warranty. You are still covered by Australian Consumer Law.

'Tested model' refers to steam stations that are currently available in shops and online. 'Discontinued model' refers to steam stations that are no longer available in shops, but may be available second-hand.

This is the manufacturer's recommended retail price. Prices are generally always flexible, so shop around both online and in stores for options.

How long it takes for auto-off function to activate if the steam station is left idle. Where there are two times listed, it refers to whether the iron is left in a horizontal position (on its soleplate), or whether it is left in a vertical position.

How long the steam station takes to heat up.

The length of the cord in metres.

The length of the hose in metres. If the main tank is placed on a table, you'll need a hose that's long enough to reach the ironing board.

The weight of the iron and water tank (when empty) in kilograms. The iron itself needs to be comfortable to pick up and hold.

The soleplate is the base of the iron. A non-stick soleplate is usually easier to keep clean than a stainless steel one, but you need to be careful not to scratch it, as this can cause the iron to drag over time. Polished stainless steel can work well, but is also susceptible to scratching and staining. Some manufacturers use different words to describe their soleplates, for example 'durilium' is an enamel soleplate.

This locks the steam supply trigger in position so you don't have to constantly hold it while ironing. It's handy for vertical ironing or ironing a large piece of fabric.

This allows you to control the amount of steam coming from the iron. You can turn it up when you're trying to get creases out of linen, and turn it down for more sensitive fabrics.

Being able to refill as you go saves you time.

This is a specially designed heel to wrap the cord around and/or a clip to secure the cord.