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Verdict: the Tefal Ultragliss Anti-Calc Plus FV6848 is the steam iron we recommend for hard-water homes. It has 2800W, 50g/min of continuous steam, a 260g boost and a 270ml tank, a Durilium AirGlide soleplate, auto shut-off, and a removable scale collector you simply rinse under the tap. Its weak points are a short 2m cord, a smallish tank and some owners reporting leaks. If you want more steam, the Russell Hobbs Powersteam Ultra 20630 is our best steam iron overall, and the Russell Hobbs Titanium Carbide 27090 is a cheaper anti-calc option with a 3m cord.
Reviewed
- Power: 2800W
- Continuous steam: 50g/min
- Steam shot: 260g/min
Cheaper anti-calc
- Power: 2600W
- Continuous steam: 55g/min
- Steam shot: 160g/min
More steam
- Power: 3100W
- Continuous steam: 70g/min
- Steam shot: 210g/min
Limescale is what ends the life of most steam irons in the South and East of England. It clogs the steam vents, causes white flakes and spitting, and slowly cuts steam output. Most irons deal with it through a self-clean button that flushes hot water through the soleplate. The Ultragliss Anti-Calc Plus uses Tefal’s scale collector instead: a small plug in the side of the iron that traps scale and pulls out for rinsing.
It is our best iron for hard water in our main steam iron guide and the Tefal we recommend most often. This review goes into more detail: specifications, what owners report, and how it compares with the alternatives.
At a glance
- Reviewed Tefal Ultragliss Anti-Calc Plus FV6848 (££). Check price
- Cheaper anti-calc Russell Hobbs Titanium Carbide 27090 (£). Check price
- More steam Russell Hobbs Powersteam Ultra 20630 (£). Check price
- Step up Tefal Ultimate Pure FV9854 (£££). Check price
How we chose these picks
We compared the manufacturers’ published specifications, independent UK tests and reviews (including Amazon UK listing for the Tefal Ultragliss Anti-Calc Plus FV6848 (B0B2KK3H7H), owner reviews at Amazon UK), 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 | Price tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tefal Ultragliss Anti-Calc Plus FV6848 | 2800W | 50g/min | 260g/min | 270ml | ££ |
| Russell Hobbs Titanium Carbide 27090 | 2600W | 55g/min | 160g/min | 330ml | £ |
| Russell Hobbs Powersteam Ultra 20630 | 3100W | 70g/min | 210g/min | 350ml | £ |
| Tefal Ultimate Pure FV9854 | 3100W | 60g/min | 300g/min | 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.
Full review
Reviewed
Tefal Ultragliss Anti-Calc Plus FV6848: Reviewed
- Power: 2800W
- Continuous steam: 50g/min
- Steam shot: 260g/min
- Tank: 270ml
- Weight: 1.3kg (Amazon listing)
- Soleplate: Durilium AirGlide
- Anti-scale: Removable scale collector
- Auto shut-off: Yes
- Extras: Vertical steam, anti-drip
- Power cord: 2m
Steam and crease removal. 50g/min of continuous steam is solid for a steam iron at this price, and the 260g boost is among the strongest of any iron we cover, so it copes with denim, heavy cotton and the folds in bedding. The 2800W element heats up quickly. Owners at Amazon UK generally say it irons as well as more expensive models. A minority report the continuous steam stopping or becoming weak, which is usually a scale or temperature-setting issue, but not always.
The scale collector. This is the reason to buy it. When scale builds up, you let the iron cool, pull out the collector from the side, rinse it and push it back. It takes under a minute and does not involve holding a hot iron over a sink. Tefal says it helps the iron keep its steam output over time. It does not make the iron immune to scale, so in very hard water areas mixing tap water with distilled water still helps. See our hard water guide.
The soleplate. Tefal’s Durilium AirGlide soleplate is one of the best-gliding on mid-range irons, and Tefal says it has 30% more steam holes than earlier designs. Owners consistently praise the glide and the light feel: the Amazon listing gives 1.3kg.
Safety. It has auto shut-off, which many cheaper irons lack, plus anti-drip and vertical steam for hanging clothes and curtains.
Weak points. The cord is the biggest complaint: at 2m, owners call it short and say it does not reach the end of the board. The 270ml tank is smaller than the 300 to 350ml on the Russell Hobbs alternatives. Some owners report water leaking or spitting, and Amazon’s summary of owner reviews flags leakage as a recurring theme. Let the iron heat fully and use steam only at the higher settings; if a new iron leaks from the first use, return it. Owners also find the temperature markings small and the water level hard to see.
Buying it now. The FV6848 is in stock at Amazon UK, sold by Amazon. The listing title currently calls it “Ultraglide”, but the model name and code are Ultragliss Anti-Calc Plus FV6848.
- Rinse-out scale collector
- Strong 260g boost
- Excellent Durilium AirGlide soleplate
- Auto shut-off
- Light at about 1.3kg
- Short 2m cord
- Smallish 270ml tank
- Some owners report leaks
- Small temperature markings
Our verdict: Hard-water homes that want an easy-to-maintain, light iron.
Cheaper anti-calc
Russell Hobbs Titanium Carbide 27090: Cheaper anti-calc
- Power: 2600W
- Continuous steam: 55g/min
- Steam shot: 160g/min
- Tank: 330ml
Cheaper, with anti-calc protection and a longer 3m cord, but a much weaker 160g shot.
Full review, pros and cons in our best russell hobbs irons 2026 guide
More steam
Russell Hobbs Powersteam Ultra 20630: More steam
- Power: 3100W
- Continuous steam: 70g/min
- Steam shot: 210g/min
- Tank: 350ml
More continuous steam (70g/min), a 3m cord and a lower price. Our best steam iron overall, but only self-clean for scale.
Step up
Tefal Ultimate Pure FV9854: Step up
- Power: 3100W
- Continuous steam: 60g/min
- Steam shot: 300g/min
- Anti-scale: Micro Calc filter
Tefal's most powerful corded iron: 60g/min, a 300g shot and a Micro Calc filter, for more money.
Full review, pros and cons in our best tefal steam irons 2026 guide
Ultragliss vs Titanium Carbide vs Powersteam Ultra vs Ultimate Pure
| Ultragliss FV6848 | RH Titanium Carbide 27090 | RH Powersteam Ultra 20630 | Tefal Ultimate Pure FV9854 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 2800W | 2600W | 3100W | 3100W |
| Continuous steam | 50g/min | 55g/min | 70g/min | 60g/min |
| Steam shot | 260g/min | 160g/min | 210g/min | 300g/min |
| Anti-scale | Scale collector | Anti-calc, self-clean | Self-clean | Micro Calc filter |
| Cord | 2m | 3m | 3m | not published |
| Price tier | ££ | £ | £ | £££ |
The Ultragliss has the easiest scale maintenance of the four and the strongest boost below the premium price tier. The Titanium Carbide 27090 is cheaper and has a 3m cord, but a much weaker shot. The Powersteam Ultra 20630 has more continuous steam and a 3m cord, but only self-clean for scale. The Ultimate Pure FV9854 is Tefal’s most powerful corded iron, for more money. See all our Tefal picks in best Tefal steam irons.
Getting the best from the Ultragliss
- Rinse the scale collector every two to four weeks in hard-water areas, with the iron unplugged and cold.
- Use steam only at the higher temperature settings. Steaming at low settings is the most common cause of drips.
- Use tap water, or tap mixed with distilled water if your water is very hard. Never use scented ironing water.
- Use a heavy-duty extension lead with care if the 2m cord does not reach, fully unwound and rated for 13A.
- Empty the tank after each session to slow scale build-up.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Tefal Ultragliss Anti-Calc Plus any good?
Yes. It has 2800W, 50g/min of steam, a 260g boost, a Durilium AirGlide soleplate, auto shut-off and a removable scale collector. It is our pick for hard-water homes. The main complaint is the short 2m cord.
How do you clean the scale collector on a Tefal Ultragliss?
Unplug the iron and let it cool fully. Pull the scale collector out from the side of the iron, rinse it under the tap to remove the scale, and push it back in until it clicks.
Does the Tefal FV6848 have auto shut-off?
Yes. It switches itself off if left unattended.
Why is my Tefal Ultragliss leaking water?
Usually because steam was used at too low a temperature or before the iron was fully hot, or because scale has built up. Use steam only at the higher settings and rinse the scale collector. If a new iron leaks from the first use, return it.
How long is the cord on the Tefal Ultragliss FV6848?
2m, which owners often say is too short. The Russell Hobbs Titanium Carbide 27090 and Powersteam Ultra 20630 both have 3m cords.
Is the Tefal Ultragliss the same as the Tefal Ultraglide?
The current Amazon UK listing title calls the FV6848 “Ultraglide”, but the model name in the listing details is Ultragliss Anti-Calc Plus FV6848. Check the model code when you buy.
Related guides
- Best steam irons UK
- Best iron for hard water
- Best Tefal steam irons
- How to descale a steam iron
- Tefal vs Philips
Sources: Amazon UK listing for the Tefal Ultragliss Anti-Calc Plus FV6848 (B0B2KK3H7H); owner reviews at Amazon UK. Prices change often, so check the latest price before you buy. How we research.
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