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Quick answer: the best lightweight steam iron is the Russell Hobbs Colour Control Pro Ultra 27281. At 1.04kg it still has full 2800W power, a 380ml tank and a 3m cord, and Expert Reviews named it the best lightweight iron. On a budget, the Morphy Richards Light Glide weighs just 0.92kg. If you want no cable at all, the 960g Tefal Freemove Power is cordless.
- Weight: 1.04kg
- Continuous steam: 50g/min
- Steam shot: 195g/min
- Weight: 0.92kg
- Continuous steam: 24g/min
- Steam shot: 100g/min
- Weight: 960g
- Continuous steam: 40g/min
- Steam shot: 220g/min
A heavy iron presses creases out with less effort, but it tires wrists and shoulders over a long session. For anyone with arthritis, RSI or a big pile to get through, an iron of around 1kg makes ironing much more comfortable. A steam generator is another option, because its iron carries no water. Weights below are for the empty iron.
Our top picks at a glance
- Best lightweight overall Russell Hobbs Colour Control Pro Ultra 27281 (££). Check price
- Lightest budget iron Morphy Richards Light Glide 300401 (£). Check price
- Best lightweight cordless Tefal Freemove Power FV6672 (££). Check price
- Lightweight and no settings Beldray Precision 1 BEL01847 (£). Check price
- Lightweight and eco Tefal Easygliss Eco FV5782 (££). Check price
- Lightweight Philips Philips 3000 Series DST3041 (£). 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 | Weight | Continuous steam | Steam shot | Tank | Price tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russell Hobbs Colour Control Pro Ultra 27281 | 1.04kg | 50g/min | 195g/min | 380ml | ££ |
| Morphy Richards Light Glide 300401 | 0.92kg | 24g/min | 100g/min | 230ml | £ |
| Tefal Freemove Power FV6672 | 960g | 40g/min | 220g/min | 250ml | ££ |
| Beldray Precision 1 BEL01847 | 1.09kg | – | 200g/min | 320ml | £ |
| Tefal Easygliss Eco FV5782 | 1.15kg | 50g/min | 260g/min | 270ml | ££ |
| Philips 3000 Series DST3041 | 1.2kg | 40g/min | 200g/min | 300ml | £ |
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 lightweight overall
Russell Hobbs Colour Control Pro Ultra 27281
- Weight: 1.04kg
- Continuous steam: 50g/min
- Steam shot: 195g/min
- Tank: 380ml
Just over 1kg with a full-size tank and 3m cord. Light irons usually cut corners somewhere; this one mostly doesn't.
Lightest budget iron
Morphy Richards Light Glide 300401
- Weight: 0.92kg
- Continuous steam: 24g/min
- Steam shot: 100g/min
- Tank: 230ml
Under 1kg and cheap. The trade-off is steam, so it suits a few items a week rather than a family pile.
Best lightweight cordless
Tefal Freemove Power FV6672
- Weight: 960g
- Continuous steam: 40g/min
- Steam shot: 220g/min
- Tank: 250ml
At 960g and with no cable to drag, it is the easiest iron here on a sore wrist, as long as you don't mind re-docking.
Lightweight and no settings
Beldray Precision 1 BEL01847
- Weight: 1.09kg
- Continuous steam: –
- Steam shot: 200g/min
- Tank: 320ml
Light, and there is no dial to fiddle with, which helps if grip or dexterity is the problem rather than weight.
Lightweight and eco
Tefal Easygliss Eco FV5782
- Weight: 1.15kg
- Continuous steam: 50g/min
- Steam shot: 260g/min
- Tank: 270ml
A little heavier at 1.15kg, but the steam shot is strong enough that you press less, which matters as much as weight.
Lightweight Philips
Philips 3000 Series DST3041
- Weight: 1.2kg
- Continuous steam: 40g/min
- Steam shot: 200g/min
- Tank: 300ml
About 1.2kg and quick to heat. A sensible light pick if you prefer Philips.
Full review, pros and cons in our best philips steam irons 2026 guide
Tips for easier ironing
- Set the board to hip height so you aren’t pushing down.
- Use more steam and less pressure: a strong shot does the work for you.
- Sit down: many boards go low enough to iron seated.
- Choose a slick soleplate (Durilium, SteamGlide) so the iron glides with less force.
- Consider a handheld steamer for hanging clothes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the lightest steam iron?
Among full-size irons we compared, the Morphy Richards Light Glide at 0.92kg and the Tefal Freemove Power (cordless) at 960g are the lightest. The Russell Hobbs Colour Control Pro Ultra (1.04kg) is the lightest with a full 2800W and a large tank.
What is the best iron for arthritis?
A light iron (around 1kg) with a strong steam shot and a smooth soleplate, such as the Russell Hobbs Colour Control Pro Ultra. A steam generator is also good, because the iron carries no water.
Do lighter irons work as well?
Almost. You may need an extra pass on heavy cotton, but a good steam shot makes up most of the difference.
Related guides
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 Expert Reviews (best lightweight iron); Mumsnet (best budget iron 2026); manufacturer specifications. Prices change often, so check the latest price before you buy. How we research.
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