Black & Decker Easy Steam Compact Iron with EvenSteam TrueGlide Non-Stick Soleplate

Why I reached for a compact iron in the first place

I keep a full-size steam station for marathon laundry days, but most weeks I just need a quick press on shirts, a pair of jeans, and the odd pillowcase. That’s where the Black+Decker compact iron fits in: small footprint, light in hand, and straightforward controls. After several weeks of real-world use across cottons, blends, and the occasional delicate, I have a clear sense of what this little iron does well—and where it compromises to keep size and cost down.

Build, size, and balance

This is a genuinely compact tool: about 10.6 inches long, 5.7 inches wide, and a svelte 2.1 pounds. The weight is a double-edged sword. On the plus side, wrist fatigue is minimal and maneuverability is excellent, especially when you’re navigating tight spots around plackets and pockets. On the minus side, there’s less press-from-weight on thick fabrics; I found myself adding a second pass on heavy denim or using steam to help the soleplate glide.

The body is mostly plastic, and the fit and finish track with a budget-friendly appliance. Nothing feels fragile, but the temperature dial has a looser feel than I prefer and lacks the crisp detents you get on premium irons. Visibility is great: the water window is clear enough that a quick glance tells you whether you’re due for a refill.

The cord swivels on a ball joint and can be set to either side, which helps if you’re left-handed or working around a cramped board. The trade-off is that the joint can crowd the heel rest. On a narrow board, I had to be deliberate about parking the iron upright so it wouldn’t feel tippy.

Soleplate and glide

The EvenSteam TrueGlide non-stick soleplate is better than I expected in this price/size category. Glide is smooth and consistent, especially on cotton and poly-cotton blends. I used light starch on a few shirts and didn’t notice any sticking or gumming; a simple wipe-down after cooling kept the plate clean. The “precision point” tip is genuinely useful—it reaches into button clusters and tight collar corners where rounder noses struggle. I also appreciated that steam vents run from heel to tip, keeping steam distribution even across the plate.

Steam strategy and Smart Steam Control

This iron links steam output to the temperature setting, so you won’t be dialing steam up independently. In practice, that keeps operation simple: choose your fabric setting and the iron meters steam accordingly. It also means you won’t get much steam on lower-temperature settings. On synthetics and delicate fabrics, that’s probably by design; you can add a spritz with the spray button if you want a little extra help without raising the heat.

Crank it up to cotton/linen and steam output becomes respectable for a compact. It’s not a flood, but it’s steady and even, and the plate doesn’t spit if you give it a moment to come up to temperature. The steam burst button exists—and works—but behaves like a modest booster rather than a dramatic “shot.” Used on stubborn wrinkles or crease lines, it helps, especially if you pair it with a longer, slower pass.

Two notes for best results:
- Let the iron fully heat before engaging steam. If you press the burst button too early, you’ll get water drips.
- Use the spray button to prep stubborn spots on lower heat settings; it’s cleaner than overdriving temperature on a delicate fabric.

Vertical steam: a handy touch-up, not a steamer replacement

Vertical steam is present and useful for quick refreshes on hanging shirts or curtains. Holding the iron upright, I was able to relax light wrinkling in a minute or two. Output is limited by the compact design, so don’t expect garment-steamer performance. It’s best as a day-of touch-up, not a deep de-wrinkling session.

Controls and day-to-day usability

• Temperature dial: Easy to read, but the feel is a bit wobbly. I wish it had firmer click-stops between fabric settings.
• Steam/spray buttons: Low travel and soft action, but responsive. The spray is a fine, even mist that doesn’t blot the fabric.
• Indicator light: Simple on/off style that cycles as the thermostat maintains temperature. Easy to glance at while flipping garments.
• Cord management: The dual-position cord is genuinely helpful; route left or right to keep it off your work area. Just be mindful when you set the iron upright.

Heat-up time is quick enough that I can plug in, queue up a shirt, and be pressing by the time I’ve buttoned the placket and smoothed the yoke. Temperature stability surprised me—in a good way. The thermostat cycles are noticeable but not aggressive, and the plate doesn’t feel like it’s drifting wildly between too hot and too cool.

Water tank and maintenance

Despite the “easy-fill” labeling, the fill port is still compact, so a narrow spout or cup makes the job cleaner. The clear reservoir is a win; you can track levels at a glance. Capacity is enough for a few shirts on high steam, or a longer session if you’re mostly dry pressing.

The Auto Clean function is simple and worth using. Running it monthly (or more often if you’ve got hard water) flushes mineral buildup through the steam vents. You’ll extend the iron’s life and keep steam performance consistent. I had the best long-term results using clean tap water where hardness is moderate; if your water is very hard, consider mixing in some distilled water and commit to a regular clean cycle.

Fabric-by-fabric performance

• Cotton/linen: This is the compact iron’s best lane. On shirts and table linens, it pressed crisp seams and flattened stubborn wrinkles with a single steam-assisted pass. Jeans took an extra pass or a short dwell with a steam burst because of the lighter weight.
• Blends: Smooth, snag-free glide and enough heat on the “synthetic” to “blend” range to remove bagging at elbows and knees without sheen.
• Delicates: The low-temp settings are gentle and predictable. Because steam is tied to temperature, you’ll rely more on the spray than on steam here, which keeps you safer on sensitive fabrics.

Durability and expectations

This is a budget, compact iron. The materials reflect that, and while my unit has held up fine to routine weekly use, I wouldn’t pick it for heavy, daily workloads. The dial’s looseness and the overall lightness suggest “good household tool,” not “heirloom appliance.” As always, proper storage on a stable surface and occasional cleaning will prolong its useful life.

What I liked

• Lightweight and compact; easy on the wrist and easy to store
• Even-steaming soleplate with a genuinely useful precision tip
• Simple Smart Steam behavior that reduces fiddling with settings
• Clear water window and consistent heat-up/temperature maintenance
• Vertical steam for quick touch-ups
• Dual-position cord that suits both left- and right-handed users

What I’d change

• Give the temperature dial firmer detents and a sturdier feel
• Increase steam volume or allow manual steam control at lower temps
• Rework the cord’s heel interface to improve stability when parked upright
• Widen the fill port slightly for cleaner refills

Recommendation

I recommend the Black+Decker compact iron for households that need a reliable, no-fuss iron for weekly light-to-moderate tasks. It shines on cottons and blends, glides well, and keeps operation simple with auto-adjusted steam. If you do lots of heavy fabrics, want big steam output at lower temperatures, or demand premium build quality, you’ll outgrow this model quickly and should look to a larger iron with manual steam control and more mass. But as a budget-friendly, compact workhorse for everyday pressing, this little iron earns a spot on the board.