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Quick answer: the best dry iron for most people is the Geepas heavyweight dry iron. At 2.5kg it presses by weight, which is exactly what you want from a dry iron, and it has an auto shut-off. The Homelife Coral X-15 is the cheapest dependable option. If you mainly want a dry iron because steam irons leak or scale up, a good steam iron with the steam switched off, such as the Russell Hobbs 20630, may suit you better.
- Power: 1200W
- Weight: 2.5kg
- Soleplate: Non-stick (Teflon) coated
- Power: 1200W
- Weight: Lightweight
- Soleplate: –
A dry iron has no water tank. It relies on heat and pressure alone, so there is nothing to leak, drip or descale. That makes dry irons popular for quilting and patchwork (steam can distort pieced fabric), for pressing seams when sewing, for iron-on transfers and patches, and in very hard-water areas.
Be aware that the big brands have mostly stopped making dry irons for the UK. Tefal’s EasyDry is now hard to find new, so the current choices come from smaller brands. We have picked the models with the most owner feedback and the clearest specifications.
Our top picks at a glance
- Best dry iron overall Geepas Heavyweight Dry Iron (1200W) (£). Check price
- Best budget Homelife Coral X-15 (1200W) (£). Check price
- Best from a UK brand Corby Sherwood 1200W Dry Iron (£). Check price
- Best steam iron to use dry Russell Hobbs Powersteam Ultra 20630 (£). Check price
- Best light steam iron to use dry Morphy Richards Light Glide 300401 (£). Check price
Price tiers compare models within this guide: £ budget, ££ mid-range, £££ premium, ££££ top of the range. We do not list exact prices because they change daily. Tap “Check price” to see the current price on Amazon UK.
Comparison table
| Model | Power | Weight | Soleplate | Auto shut-off | Price tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geepas Heavyweight Dry Iron (1200W) | 1200W | 2.5kg | Non-stick (Teflon) coated | Overheat protection | £ |
| Homelife Coral X-15 (1200W) | 1200W | – | Non-stick | – | £ |
| Corby Sherwood 1200W Dry Iron | 1200W | Lightweight | – | – | £ |
| Russell Hobbs Powersteam Ultra 20630 | 3100W | 1.47kg | Ceramic | Yes | £ |
| Morphy Richards Light Glide 300401 | 2200W | 0.92kg | Ceramic, precision tip | No | £ |
Price tiers compare models within this guide: £ budget, ££ mid-range, £££ premium, ££££ top of the range. We do not list exact prices because they change daily. Tap “Check price” to see the current price on Amazon UK.
The best picks, reviewed
Best dry iron overall
Geepas Heavyweight Dry Iron (1200W)
- Power: 1200W
- Weight: 2.5kg
- Soleplate: Non-stick (Teflon) coated
- Auto shut-off: Overheat protection
- Temperature: Dial with fabric guide
Weight matters more on a dry iron than on a steam iron, because there is no steam to relax the fibres. At 2.5kg, the Geepas does most of the work for you on cotton and linen. It has a clear fabric guide on the dial, a heel rest and cord wrap, and it is the most-reviewed dry iron on Amazon UK by some distance.
- Heavy, so it presses well
- Most owner feedback of any dry iron
- Overheat protection
- Tiring for long sessions
- Non-stick coating needs care: no scourers
Our verdict: Cotton, linen and pressing seams.
Best budget
Homelife Coral X-15 (1200W)
- Power: 1200W
- Weight: –
- Soleplate: Non-stick
- Auto shut-off: –
- Temperature: Dial: silk, wool, cotton, linen
- Cord: 2m
A simple, light dry iron with a non-stick soleplate, a fabric dial and a 2m cord, backed by hundreds of owner ratings. It is a good choice for small jobs: patches, transfers, quilting blocks and the odd shirt.
- Cheap
- Light and easy to handle
- 2m cord
- No auto shut-off listed
- Light, so needs more pressure on heavy cotton
Our verdict: Crafts, sewing and occasional ironing.
Best from a UK brand
Corby Sherwood 1200W Dry Iron
- Power: 1200W
- Weight: Lightweight
- Soleplate: –
- Auto shut-off: –
- Temperature: Dial: cotton, linen, synthetics
Corby of Windsor is best known for its trouser presses, found in many UK hotels. The Sherwood is a plain, light dry iron with a temperature dial. It has far fewer owner reviews than the Geepas, so we rate it third.
- Established UK brand
- Light
- Few owner reviews
- Limited published specs
Our verdict: Buyers who prefer a known UK brand.
Best steam iron to use dry
Russell Hobbs Powersteam Ultra 20630
- Power: 3100W
- Continuous steam: 70g/min
- Steam shot: 210g/min
- Tank: 350ml
Turn the steam off and this becomes a powerful dry iron, with steam on hand for bedding and shirts.
Best light steam iron to use dry
Morphy Richards Light Glide 300401
- Power: 2200W
- Continuous steam: 24g/min
- Steam shot: 100g/min
- Tank: 230ml
Under 1kg, so it is easy on the wrists for sewing and crafts, with steam when you want it.
Dry iron or steam iron?
Choose a dry iron if you quilt or sew, press iron-on transfers, or simply hate filling and descaling a tank. Choose a steam iron if you iron everyday clothes and bedding: steam removes creases far faster, and every steam iron can be used dry by turning the steam off and emptying the tank. See dry iron vs steam iron for the full comparison.
How to get the best from a dry iron
- Dampen the fabric. A spray bottle or a damp pressing cloth gives you steam-like results on stubborn creases.
- Press, don’t push. Lift and press on seams and pieced fabric to avoid stretching it.
- Start cool. Begin with synthetics and silk, then turn up the heat for cotton and linen.
- Keep the soleplate clean. Wipe it when cool with a damp cloth. For residue, see how to remove sticky residue from an iron.
Frequently asked questions
What is a dry iron?
An iron with no water tank or steam. It uses heat and the weight of the iron to remove creases.
Is a dry iron good for quilting?
Yes. Many quilters prefer a dry iron because steam can stretch or distort pieced fabric and blocks.
Can I use a steam iron as a dry iron?
Yes. Switch the steam off and empty the tank. The soleplate steam holes can leave faint marks on very fine fabrics, which is one reason crafters choose a dedicated dry iron.
Do Philips or Tefal still make dry irons?
Tefal’s EasyDry is hard to find new in the UK, and Philips’ UK range now focuses on steam irons. Most current dry irons come from smaller brands such as Geepas, Homelife and Corby.
Why is a heavy dry iron better?
Without steam, weight does the work of flattening fibres. A heavier iron needs less pressure from you to get crisp results.
Related guides
- Dry iron vs steam iron
- Best steam irons UK
- Best iron for hard water
- Best travel irons
- Ironing mat vs ironing board
How we chose: we compared manufacturer specifications, independent UK reviews and verified owner feedback, and checked every product was on sale in the UK when we last updated this guide. Sources include product listings and owner reviews at Amazon UK; manufacturer specifications. Prices change often, so check the latest price before you buy. How we research.
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