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Quick answer: the best Philips steam iron is the Azur 8000 DST8050. It has 85g/min of continuous steam, a 260g shot and OptimalTEMP, so one setting safely irons every fabric. It was Mumsnet’s best premium steam iron in 2026. For value, the Azur 7000 DST7040 gives you a 250g shot for much less.
Best Philips overall
- Power: 3000W
- Continuous steam: 85g/min
- Steam shot: 260g/min
Best OptimalTEMP value
- Power: 3000W
- Continuous steam: 55g/min
- Steam shot: 240g/min
Best value Philips
- Power: 2800W
- Continuous steam: 50g/min
- Steam shot: 250g/min
Philips irons are sorted into numbered series: the higher the number, the more steam and features. The Azur 7000 and 8000 are the premium ranges. The DST8050 and DST8020 use OptimalTEMP, a single safe temperature with a no-burns guarantee. All mid and premium models use Philips’ SteamGlide soleplates, which are very scratch resistant.
Our top picks at a glance
- Best Philips overall Philips Azur 8000 DST8050 (£££). Check price
- Best OptimalTEMP value Philips Azur 8000 DST8020 (££). Check price
- Best value Philips Philips Azur 7000 DST7040 (££). Check price
- Best lightweight Philips Philips 3000 Series DST3040 (£). Check price
- Cheapest Philips Philips 2000 Series DST2020 (£). Check price
How we chose these picks
We compared the manufacturers’ published specifications, independent UK tests and reviews (including Philips UK specifications, Mumsnet's best steam irons (2026), owner reviews at John Lewis and Amazon UK, Philips UK product pages (DST8050/20, DST8020/20, DST7040/80, DST7060/20, DST2020/80, GC5039/30, GC4933/80) and Philips leaflets for the GC4910/10, GC4936/00 and GC5037/80), and recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We checked that every product was on sale in the UK when this page was last updated, and we re-check stock every month. We do not hands-on test products ourselves, and we say so on every review. Commission from retailer links never affects which products we pick. Read how we research.
Comparison table
| Model | Power | Continuous steam | Steam shot | Tank | Weight | Price tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philips Azur 8000 DST8050 | 3000W | 85g/min | 260g/min | 350ml | 1.77kg | £££ |
| Philips Azur 8000 DST8020 | 3000W | 55g/min | 240g/min | 300ml | 1.66kg | ££ |
| Philips Azur 7000 DST7040 | 2800W | 50g/min | 250g/min | not published | not published | ££ |
| Philips 3000 Series DST3040 | 2600W | 40g/min | 200g/min | 300ml | 1.2kg | £ |
| Philips 2000 Series DST2020 | 2000W | 25g/min | 110g/min | 250ml | not published | £ |
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 Philips overall
Philips Azur 8000 DST8050: Best Philips overall
- Power: 3000W
- Continuous steam: 85g/min
- Steam shot: 260g/min
- Tank: 350ml
The best Philips iron, and one of the best irons of any brand.
Best OptimalTEMP value
Philips Azur 8000 DST8020: Best OptimalTEMP value
- Power: 3000W
- Continuous steam: 55g/min
- Steam shot: 240g/min
- Tank: 300ml
- Weight: 1.66kg
- Soleplate: SteamGlide Elite
- No-settings tech: OptimalTEMP
The DST8020 is the cheaper way to get OptimalTEMP. It has less continuous steam than the DST8050, but the same no-burns promise, the same premium soleplate and a strong 240g shot.
- OptimalTEMP, no burns
- Premium soleplate
- Strong shot
- Much less continuous steam than the DST8050
- Owner ratings slightly lower
Our verdict: Mixed fabrics on a mid-range budget.
Best value Philips
Philips Azur 7000 DST7040: Best value Philips
- Power: 2800W
- Continuous steam: 50g/min
- Steam shot: 250g/min
- Tank: not published
- Weight: not published
- Soleplate: SteamGlide Elite
- Auto shut-off: Yes
A 250g shot and the SteamGlide Elite soleplate at a mid-range price. It has no OptimalTEMP, so you set the dial, but it is well rated by owners (4.3/5 at John Lewis).
- Big steam shot for the money
- Premium soleplate
- Vertical steam
- No OptimalTEMP
Our verdict: Everyday family ironing.
Best lightweight Philips
Philips 3000 Series DST3040: Best lightweight Philips
- Power: 2600W
- Continuous steam: 40g/min
- Steam shot: 200g/min
- Tank: 300ml
- Weight: 1.2kg
- Soleplate: Ceramic
- Cord: 1.9m
Light at 1.2kg, ready in about 35 seconds and with a respectable 200g shot, the 3000 Series is a good budget Philips.
- Light
- Quick heat-up
- Good shot for the price
- Only 40g/min continuous steam
- Short cord
Our verdict: Small households and lighter loads.
Cheapest Philips
Philips 2000 Series DST2020: Cheapest Philips
- Power: 2000W
- Continuous steam: 25g/min
- Steam shot: 110g/min
- Tank: 250ml
- Weight: not published
- Soleplate: Ceramic
- Heat-up: About 30s
A simple, cheap iron from a big brand that heats in about 30 seconds. Fine for a few shirts, but not for bedding or linen.
- Very cheap
- Fast heat-up
- Well rated by owners
- Low steam output
Our verdict: Students and occasional use.
Philips PerfectCare steam iron vs Azur: is it the same range?
Not quite. PerfectCare is Philips’ name for products with OptimalTEMP, and for several years it appeared on corded steam irons (the PerfectCare Azur GC4900 series) as well as on steam generators. Today Philips UK uses it almost only for steam generators: the PerfectCare 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series are all generators with a separate base, while every current corded iron is sold as an Azur or a numbered Series with a DST code. If you are searching for a “Philips PerfectCare steam iron”, the closest current product is the Azur 8000.
| Older name (GC codes) | What it was | Closest current model |
|---|---|---|
| PerfectCare Azur (GC4900 series, e.g. GC4910/10) | Corded iron with OptimalTEMP: 2400W, up to 45g/min, 180g shot | Azur 8000 DST8020 (3000W, 55g/min, 240g shot) |
| Azur Advanced (GC4930 series, e.g. GC4933/80, GC4936/00) | Corded iron with OptimalTEMP: 3000W, 55g/min | Azur 8000 DST8020 |
| Azur Elite (GC5030 series, e.g. GC5037/80, GC5039/30) | Corded iron with OptimalTEMP: 3000W, 70g/min, DynamiQ automatic steam | Azur 8000 DST8050 (85g/min, 260g shot) |
| PerfectCare Elite and Elite Plus (GC9600 series) | Steam generators, not irons: Which? lists the GC9630/20 as a steam generator | PerfectCare 8000 PSG8200 |
| PerfectCare Compact, Aqua and Performer (GC7800, GC8600 and GC8700 series) | Steam generators with OptimalTEMP | PerfectCare 6000 PSG6066 and PerfectCare 7000 PSG7300 |
Three things follow from this. First, “PerfectCare” on an iron listing almost always means an older GC model, and most are no longer sold new; the Azur Elite GC5039/30 was still listed on Philips UK in October 2026. Second, Philips UK lists OptimalTEMP on the Azur 8000 DST8050/20 and DST8020/20. The Azur 7000 DST7040/80 and DST7060/20 have a temperature dial, and the 2000 Series DST2020/80 listing does not mention OptimalTEMP, so none of them is a PerfectCare equivalent however a seller describes it. Third, if what you want is the no-settings ironing PerfectCare was known for, the choice is the Azur 8000 DST8050 or DST8020, or one of the PerfectCare steam generators.
Frequently asked questions
Which Philips steam iron is best?
The Azur 8000 DST8050 has the most steam and OptimalTEMP. The Azur 7000 DST7040 is the best value, and the 3000 Series DST3040 is the best budget option.
What does OptimalTEMP mean on a Philips iron?
It is a single, fixed soleplate temperature combined with the right steam level, so you can iron any ironable fabric without changing settings. Philips guarantees it won’t burn.
How do I descale a Philips steam iron?
Most use Quick Calc Release or Calc-Clean. With the iron cool and unplugged, remove the calc-release cap over a sink, shake out the water and scale, then refit it. Check your manual for your model.
Is OptimalTEMP safe on silk, polyester and wool?
Yes, on anything whose care label allows ironing. Philips guarantees that an OptimalTEMP iron will not burn any ironable fabric and names silk and jeans as the two extremes. The guarantee does not cover fabrics labelled “do not iron”, and Philips’ manuals say the Woolmark approval applies when wool is ironed as its label instructs. On dark wool that marks easily, iron over a cotton pressing cloth to avoid shine.
Which Philips irons have PerfectCare?
No current Philips corded iron carries the PerfectCare name; it now belongs to the PerfectCare 6000, 7000 and 8000 steam generators. The feature PerfectCare stood for, OptimalTEMP, is on the Azur 8000 DST8050 and DST8020 among current irons, and on the older PerfectCare Azur GC4900, Azur Advanced GC4930 and Azur Elite GC5030 irons if you find one second-hand.
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Sources: Philips UK specifications; Mumsnet's best steam irons (2026); owner reviews at John Lewis and Amazon UK; Philips UK product pages (DST8050/20, DST8020/20, DST7040/80, DST7060/20, DST2020/80, GC5039/30, GC4933/80) and Philips leaflets for the GC4910/10, GC4936/00 and GC5037/80; Philips OptimalTEMP user manuals (Woolmark and care-label wording); Which? review listing for the Philips PerfectCare Elite GC9630/20. Prices change often, so check the latest price before you buy. How we research.
