Black & Decker Easy Steam Compact Iron (Blue)

I brought the Easy Steam iron into a week of mixed laundry—wrinkled cotton button-downs, a few poly-blend tops, an apron with stubborn creases, and the occasional quilting cotton scrap—to see how a compact, budget-friendly iron holds up. What I found is a small, light appliance that prioritizes simplicity and safety, with enough steam power for everyday clothes, but not the brute force some fabrics demand.

Design and build

At around 2 pounds, the Easy Steam iron is notably light. That’s a plus for long sessions and for anyone who finds heavier irons fatiguing. The compact size makes it easy to store and maneuver, especially around buttons and seams. The handle is comfortable with a secure, natural grip, and the control layout is straightforward: a fabric selector dial paired with SmartSteam, a dedicated spray button, and a clear water window to show the fill level.

The translucent tank is genuinely useful. I could see at a glance how much water remained and avoid overfilling. The fill opening is decently sized, and I didn’t need a funnel, though pouring slowly helps. Overall fit and finish are what I expect at this price point—no sharp edges, stable heel rest, and a soleplate that looks and feels smooth out of the box.

Heat-up and temperature stability

With a 1200W heating element, warm-up is quick enough for a compact iron. From cold, mine reached a functional “poly/cotton” setting in a little over a minute, and cotton/linen heat shortly after. It’s not the blistering speed of a 1600W+ unit, but I never felt like I was waiting around. The thermostat cycles were consistent; you can hear the click as it regulates. On higher settings, the iron held temperature predictably, which helped with even pressing across bigger areas like shirt backs and table linens.

If you’re accustomed to heavier, higher-wattage irons that deliver aggressive heat and steam, expect to work a bit slower on stubborn fabrics. For synthetics and most dress shirts, the temperature performance felt perfectly adequate.

Steam performance and SmartSteam

SmartSteam ties steam output to the fabric selector. This simplifies things: you pick your fabric, and the iron meters steam accordingly. For casual users, that’s a win—you don’t need to fuss with separate steam controls. The trade-off is less fine-grained control for power users who like to override steam levels.

In practice, steam output on cotton and cotton blends was enough to smooth standard wrinkles with a moderate pace. For heavy twill, denim, and layered seams (like quilting blocks), I occasionally needed extra passes and to lean more on the spray button to add moisture. On synthetics, SmartSteam keeps steam conservative, which helps avoid water spotting and keeps fabrics safe. That said, if you try to use steam on too low a setting, you’ll get minimal results—preheating fully before engaging steam makes a noticeable difference.

The spray mister is better than average for this class of iron. It produces a fine, even mist that helps relax creases without oversaturating the fabric. I found myself using it often on cuffs and collars.

Soleplate and glide

The TrueGlide nonstick soleplate is the star here. It’s smooth, snag-free, and glides well across a variety of fabrics. The nose is sharp enough to navigate pleats and button stands, and it spread heat evenly during my tests. Compared with ceramic or stainless plates on pricier irons, I’d rank it as “quietly excellent” for daily wear fabrics.

A note of care: nonstick plates are forgiving, but adhesive residue (from fusible interfacing or appliqué glue) can mar the surface and affect glide. If you get adhesive on the soleplate, unplug, let it cool to warm, and clean with a dedicated soleplate cleaner or a baking soda paste and a soft cloth. Avoid abrasives.

Anti-drip and water management

The anti-drip design worked as intended. As long as I let the iron reach its set temperature before triggering steam, I saw no spitting or dribbling in normal horizontal use. If I pushed steam too early or tried to steam near the lower end of the temperature range, a small amount of moisture appeared—typical behavior for compact irons. Filling to the marked max line and avoiding aggressive shaking kept things tidy.

I used tap water for part of the test and then switched to a 50/50 mix of distilled and tap (my area has hard water). Both were fine, but if you live with very hard water, using distilled will help minimize mineral buildup over time.

Safety and convenience

The three-way auto shutoff is a key feature on a compact iron like this. In my testing, it consistently shut down when left flat or on its side, and after a short interval when upright on the heel. The indicator clearly shows the power state, and recovery—reheating after auto-off—was reasonably quick. It’s not a substitute for attentiveness, but it’s reassuring for a busy household.

The heel rest is stable and resists tipping when you set the iron down to rearrange fabric. I also appreciated the clear markings on the dial; it’s easy to match settings to fabrics at a glance.

Ergonomics and day-to-day use

Light weight is a double-edged sword. On long ironing piles, the Easy Steam iron is comfortable and nimble. However, the lack of mass means you don’t get as much “passive pressing.” On heavily wrinkled cottons and linens, I needed to apply a bit more pressure and make extra passes versus a heavier, high-wattage iron. For knit tees, poly-blends, and dress shirts, the lighter touch is actually preferable and reduces the chance of shine or impressions.

Noise is minimal aside from the thermostat click. There’s no rattling or buzz, and sliding the soleplate across fabric feels smooth and controlled.

Where it excels, where it struggles

Excels:
- Everyday shirts, blouses, and school uniforms
- Quick touch-ups before work
- Small spaces where a compact footprint matters
- Users who value simple controls and an easy-glide soleplate

Struggles:
- Heavy linens, denim, and multilayer seams that benefit from more mass and steam
- Users who want granular steam control independent of temperature
- Extended vertical steaming (this iron is best as a traditional flat iron)

Care and maintenance tips

• Let the iron preheat fully before using steam; this reduces spitting and improves results.
• Use the spray mister to spot-treat stubborn creases rather than cranking heat on delicate fabrics.
• If your water is hard, consider distilled or a 50/50 mix to slow mineral buildup.
• Store the iron dry: empty the tank after use, heat it for a minute to evaporate residual moisture, then cool and stow.
• Clean the soleplate periodically with a nonabrasive method to maintain glide.

Value and alternatives

For a compact, budget iron, the Easy Steam iron offers a solid mix of safety, glide, and simplicity. If you regularly press dense fabrics, a heavier 1500–1800W iron with a stainless or ceramic plate will work faster and deliver more continuous steam—but will also weigh more and cost more. If space and weight are your priority and your wardrobe leans toward synthetics and light cottons, this model hits a practical sweet spot.

Recommendation

I recommend the Easy Steam iron for light-to-moderate home use, especially if you value a compact size, dependable safety features, and a smooth-gliding nonstick soleplate. It’s well-suited to everyday garments, quick morning touch-ups, and small spaces where a heavier iron would feel cumbersome. If your pressing routine leans heavily toward thick fabrics, multilayer sewing projects, or you simply prefer the momentum of a heavier soleplate, you’ll be happier stepping up to a higher-wattage, heavier model with more aggressive steam. For most casual users, though, the Easy Steam iron offers an easy, safe, and pleasant ironing experience at a budget-friendly price.