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Best ironing boards to keep clothes smooth and wrinkle-free in 2024
Fed up of your clothes being creased and crumpled? From tabletop designs to extra wide ironing boards, team your iron with our best ironing boards to keep your clothes silky smooth and wrinkle-free.
By Lucy Cotterill | Last updated Jul 4, 2024
When it comes to keeping your work shirts crisp and the kids’ school uniform crease-free and presentable, it��s not just about having the best washing machine or tumble dryer - the ironing board you choose can make a big difference too.
A robust and sturdy ironing board, coupled with the best steam iron, can not only make ironing feel like less of a chore, but with a large flat surface and padded, breathable cover, you can even iron more efficiently too, with moisture from the steam being drawn away from the fabric as you iron.
Not all ironing boards are created equal and with so many to choose from, it can be hard to make your choice, especially as they vary so significantly in cost.
To bring you our definitive list of the best ironing boards you can buy today, we first scoured the Mumsnet forums, seeking tried and tested recommendations on the ironing boards Mumsnet users own and would recommend to others. We sought opinions on their quality, ease of use and portability, before researching wider consumer feedback, the views of industry experts and the verdicts of impartial consumer champion Which?.
Whether it’s a convenient tabletop ironing board, a space-saving folding ironing board or an extra wide ironing board to make ironing even king-sized bed sheets a breeze, we’ve got options to suit every lifestyle and budget in our round-up of the best ironing boards in 2024.
Best ironing boards - editor's pick
Brabantia Titan Ironing Board
Extra large and wide ironing surface
Integrated ‘Heat Resistant Parking Zone’
100% cotton cover with resilient foam layer
Shoulder shape and pointed end for trousers
Child lock
Some left-handed reviewers struggled to collapse
Price: £99 | Ironing surface size: 135 x 45cm | Height: 61 - 102 cm | Weight: 7.3kg | Adjustable height: Yes | Iron rest: Yes
If you want to iron in comfort and get through your laundry in next to no time, the Brabantia Titan comes widely recommended by Mumsnet users.
An extra large and wide ironing board, it offers substantial surface space for ultra-efficient ironing, with an ergonomic shape that helps tackle tricky-to-iron items such as shirt shoulders, trousers and extra large bed sheets. It’s well padded too, with a taut 100% cotton cover that ensures you can smooth out creases with ease.
The integrated heat-resistant parking zone allows you to rest the iron between items and thanks to the robust, height-adjustable frame, you can raise the height for taller users or even iron while sitting down if you’d rather watch TV as you iron.
While some left-handed reviewers found the Brabantia Titan a little tricky to collapse, we love the addition of a child safety lock, offering great peace of mind for parents. It may not come cheap, but with a 10-year guarantee - you won’t need to replace it any time soon.
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Budget-friendly price tag
Folds down flat
Can be hung on the back of a door
Convenient for occasional use
Small surface space makes ironing larger items tricky
Requires frequent movement of clothing so generally takes longer to use
The cover is not very well padded
Some reviewers felt the stability was poor
Price: £12 | Ironing surface size: 73x32cm | Height: 13cm from table top | Weight: 1.17 kg | Adjustable height: No | Iron rest: No
If you’re limited on space at home, or only iron once in a blue moon, you may be reluctant to spend a fortune on a full-sized ironing board. Convenient to store and with a budget-friendly price tag, they don’t come much more affordable than this tabletop ironing board from IKEA.
A compact ironing board that folds down flat when not in use, you can even discreetly store it on the back of your door thanks to the integrated hook on the base. That said, it’s not the most stable of boards and ironing larger items like shirts and bed sheets can be tricky. Due to its smaller surface area and relatively thin cover, it may be best suited to more occasional use - handy for preparing for special occasions or a last-minute refresh of your outfit before leaving the house.
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Easy to store with hanging hook
Lightweight
Ideal for smaller ironing tasks
Some reviewers felt it wasn’t robust enough for heavy steam irons
The cover is a little thin
Designs vary, so you may not receive the floral design pictured
Price: £40 | Ironing surface size: 85 x 30cm | Height: 88cm | Weight: 2.4kg | Adjustable height: No | Iron rest: No
Ideal for smaller ironing sessions, this Lakeland mini ironing board is compact and convenient, with a hanging hook that allows it to be stashed out of sight inside your wardrobe when not in use.
While relatively compact and lightweight, the ironing board size is ample enough for shirts and school uniforms, although you may struggle more with bed sheets and linen. It is however relatively thin and has no built-in iron rest, so if you’re ironing a more substantial load, you may miss the space of a full-sized board. Designs vary - so it’s also worth mentioning that you won’t automatically get the foliage design pictured on the Lakeland site.
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Joseph Joseph Pocket Plus Tabletop Ironing Board
Stylish, modern design
Folds for storage with built-in iron storage holder
Lockable once folded
High-quality padded cover
Secure hanging hook
Tabletop design is trickier for larger items and bedsheets
Costly
Price: £83 | Ironing surface size: 34 x 95.5cm | Height: Table mount - 15.5cm | Weight: 1.5kg | Adjustable n/a height: n/a | Iron rest: Iron storage, but no rest
Mumsnet users are big fans of Joseph Joseph - who offers a range of high quality. space-saving, practical and stylish kitchen and home accessories. Whilst it doesn’t come cheap, the Joseph Joseph Pocket Plus Tabletop ironing board is no exception, with over 700 five-star reviews on Amazon. Despite its smaller size, the Joseph Joseph Pocket Plus ironing board offers a high quality, 100% cotton padded cover - so you won’t find unwelcome marks coming through the board onto your clothes.
This convenient fold-out board has sturdy, non-slip feet, and built-in iron storage, allowing you to store everything conveniently ready for its next use - however far away that may be. We love how the board locks together for simple storage and the hanging hook, which can be used to tuck it out of sight on the back of a door. It is however still relatively small in size, so getting the creases out of your bed sheets and tablecloths may not be as efficient as when using a full-sized board.
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Brabantia Ironing Board C
Robust, sturdy and stable
Iron rest suitable for standard and steam irons
Height adjustable to suit multiple user preferences including taller users
Spacious and smooth ironing surface with good padding
Heavy
Substantial size makes it bulkier to store than some boards
Lighter cover shades can discolour over time
Price: £139 | Ironing surface size: 124 x 45 cm | Height: 75-98 cm | Weight: 8.06kg | Adjustable: 75-98 cm | Iron rest: For steam irons up to 40 x 22 cm
Voted a Which? Best Buy, the Brabantia C ironing board is a strong and sturdy full-sized ironing board that is available in a variety of different patterns and shades, ensuring you can easily pick a style that matches your home aesthetic. It’s worth noting that the lighter shade covers can discolour over time, so you may want to opt for a darker or patterned shade if you’re keen to keep it looking pristine.
Easy to adjust, this durable Brabantia ironing board offers a wide range of height settings to suit both petite and taller users. It’s also easy to open and close even for left-handers, who may find the fold of other ironing boards a little challenging to operate.
Unlike the Brabantia B, the C ironing board has a larger-sized iron rest that can even accommodate the size and weight of steam generator irons. The long and spacious board makes ironing even larger items a breeze, without the need to constantly turn and readjust the fabric.
If you're limited on storage space however, this isn’t the board for you - its size makes it somewhat bulky to store, although it does have a handy lock to hold it together whilst moving around the home.
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Classic, traditional design
Padded foam lining creates a smooth surface
Adjustable height positions
Child lock
Affordable price tag
Some reviewers found the frame a little flimsy
Iron rest takes some practice to perfect
Price: £45 | Ironing surface size: 122 x 38cm | Height: Seven height positions from 67.5-90cm | Weight: 5kg | Adjustable: Yes | Iron rest: Yes
With a classic and simple no-frills design, this full-sized ironing board makes a great alternative for those seeking a full-sized ironing board without paying a premium price tag. While the frame is not as robust as the Brabantia ironing boards, it retails at around half the price, making it a more affordable choice for those on a limited budget.
With a traditional striped cover, the John Lewis Classic Ironing Board offers seven different height positions to suit your preferences and has a child lock to hold it securely in place during use.
Some users found the angled iron rest took a bit of practice to perfect, but with a spacious board and 7mm foam liner, it's well padded and provides plenty of space for even larger items of clothing and bed linen.
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Leifheit Airboard Compact Lightweight Ironing Board
Lightweight frame
Thermo reflect cover can improve efficiency
Adjustable height
5-year guarantee
Cord holder
Not suitable for steam generator irons
Price: £84 | Ironing surface size: 120 x 38cm | Height: 78cm - 98cm | Weight: 4.8kg | Adjustable Yes | Iron rest: Yes and suitable for steam irons
If you struggle with the bulk or weight of the premium ironing board designs but want the quality and convenience of a full-sized board, the Leifheit Airboard is definitely worth considering. With a lightweight and compact design that weighs less than 5kg, it’s a spacious ironing board that is far more portable and easier to carry around the home.
We love the well-padded Thermo-Reflect cover, which reflects heat and steam from your iron rather than letting it escape and claims to help iron your clothes up to 33% faster than a traditional ironing board cover.
It has a fixed solid iron rest (not steam generator units) and there’s even a handy cord holder, conveniently keeping the board clear for simple, fuss-free use.
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Suitable for steam generators
Large size
Sturdy and robust
Height adjustable
Modern and elegant design
Costly
Bulky to store
Price: £119 | Ironing surface size: 120 x 38cm | Height: 97 cm | Weight: 7.3 kg | Adjustable: Yes to 97 cm | Iron rest: Yes and suitable for steam irons
Steam generator irons are relatively large and bulky due to their integrated water tank, and as such, you’ll need to choose an ironing board with a strong iron rest that can accommodate their additional size and weight.
The heavy-duty Laurastar Comfortboard has a modern and stylish design, with a strong iron rest that can be adapted to fit almost all steam generator models. It’s height adjustable too, with a secure close system to ensure it stays secure and sturdy, no matter how long you’re using it.
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Can be used as a tabletop or over a door ironing board
Durable
Easy to store
Some reviewers found it flimsy and preferred to use as a tabletop board
The door needs to be closed to ensure firm support
Not suitable for steam generator irons
Price: £45 | Ironing surface size: 132cm x 28.3cm | Height: Flip down/door hung - height will vary | Weight: Not specified | Adjustable: No | Iron rest: No
If you have a smaller home or have limited space to iron in your kitchen or living room, these flip-down ironing boards can be a practical solution. Attaching directly to your door frame and being folded down as and when required, they are easy to store and simple to use. The Dunelm design even includes a small rail, allowing you to conveniently hang up your clothes as you work your way through the laundry pile.
They’re not the most sturdy of ironing boards but ideal for occasional use. Some users preferred to use this particular design as a tabletop solution for extra stability.
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Extra wide design
Double layer foam and non-slip cover and mesh back to allow steam to penetrate
Iron sitting or standing - height adjustable 76-91CM
Strong and stable frame
Unique shape fits shirts perfectly
Hanging rail to hang clothes as you iron
Bulky to store
Costly
Price: £106 | Ironing surface size: 51 x 121cm | Height: 76-91cm | Weight: 6.8 kg | Adjustable Yes | Iron rest: No - only available on the XL version
For those of you who want to blitz your ironing in no time, this extra wide ironing board from Boardman is the largest ironing board on our list. Thanks to its extra wide, uniquely shaped design, it makes ironing shirts, sheets and bed linen feel less like a chore and dare we say it… almost enjoyable?
The strong and sturdy frame can be adjusted up to a height of 91cm for taller users or lowered down to 76cm for those who prefer to iron in a comfortable seated position. We love the double foam cover that aids efficiency by penetrating steam and the hanging rail is a bonus too. It is however a bulky board to store and due to its size, it’s preferable if you have a separate utility or laundry room.
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Super easy to store
Easy to use
Ideal for travel
Moisture/condensation can come through the other side, so many Mumsnet users recommended placing a sheet underneath
Price: £9 | Ironing surface size: 70 x 60cm | Height: Table Top / 2cm thick | Weight: 118 grams | Adjustable n/a | Iron rest: No
It’s fair to say that many Mumsnet users avoid ironing wherever possible, with many having switched away from a traditional ironing board due to their size and substantial cost. If you fall firmly into the ‘ironing is a chore’ camp and plan to do it as infrequently as possible, these roll-out ironing mats make a great alternative - ideal for travel and last-minute touch-ups to school uniforms on photo day.
Super simple to store, these heat-resistant metallic pads can be placed on any flat table or countertop to create a smooth surface for ironing. They can cause a bit of condensation from steam, however, so Mumsnet users recommend placing a sheet or towel underneath to protect your surfaces.
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What to consider when buying an ironing board
With so many ironing boards to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. Here are some things to consider when making the right choice for you and your family:
Type of board - Is the ironing board a full-size, compact, tabletop or over-the-door design? If you iron regularly, especially larger items such as bed linen that require a more substantial flat surface, a full-sized board will be the most efficient choice. If you’re limited on storage space, however, or iron less regularly, you may choose to opt for a more compact model that is easier to bring out as and when required.
Height - Is the height of the ironing board adjustable? Can you iron while sitting down for comfort? Can the height be adjusted to suit the user? Having a range of height settings can be helpful if you’re a different height to your partner. It also allows you to find the most comfortable position before tackling a substantial pile straight from the washing machine.
Size and surface area - How big is the board itself? Does the shape aid difficult-to-tackle areas such as shoulders or long sleeves/ trouser legs? Extra wide designs can be helpful for bed sheets and tablecloths but inevitably take up more storage space as a result.
Material - What material is the cover made from? Is it removable and washable? How easy are the covers to replace when required? The best ironing board covers are made from cotton, with a padded yet ventilated foam lining that allows steam generated from your iron to be drawn away from your clothing for more efficient and effective results.
Quality - How robust and stable is the board? Does it have non-slip feet to hold it securely in place? Does it wobble or is it stable and secure?
Iron rest - Does it have a rest suitable for your iron type? If you’re looking to use your ironing board with a larger steam generator iron, you’ll need to opt for larger, more sturdy boards that can accommodate the additional size and weight. As a general rule, the compact and tabletop models are only suitable for traditional steam irons.
Additional features - Does the ironing board have any additional features to make your life easier? From cord clips to iron storage and even child locks - check out the full specifications to see what else your choice has to offer.
Storage and portability - How easy is it to store? Does it fold flat? Can it be hung from the back of a door or inside your wardrobe when not in use? Consider how much space the ironing board will take up in your home and whether it can be stored out of sight without taking up valuable space.
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How much does an ironing board cost?
The price of ironing boards can vary quite considerably, with most ironing boards ranging between £45 - £120. Smaller, compact ironing boards can be picked up for less, however, these models are better suited to more occasional use. If you’re ironing regularly, most Mumsnet users agree that you get what you pay for, with the more expensive models generally offering improved efficiency as well as a more sturdy and robust design that will last the test of time.
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Is my ironing board safe?
If you’ve had your ironing board for a while, it’s important to ensure it’s still fit for purpose to avoid injury or burns. You should check the stability of your board and ensure that the frame isn’t cracked or starting to rust.
When using an iron rest, you should also ensure it’s suitable for your iron type, with generator irons generally requiring a more sturdy frame due to the additional weight of the water tank.
For additional safety, look out for options with non-slip feet and a child lock/locking mechanism to prevent it from collapsing during use.
What is the best ironing board?
We think the Brabantia Titan is the best ironing board you can buy today due to its sturdy and robust frame, large surface area, adjustable height and ten-year guarantee.
If you’re limited on space but still want a high-quality, well-padded board, the folding tabletop option from Joseph Joseph is a great alternative.
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How we chose our recommendations
Recommendations from real Mumsnet users
There is a lot of debate within the Mumsnet forums on what makes the perfect ironing board.
First, we sought out the trusted opinions of Mumsnet users, to get their feedback on their favourite ironing board, as well as the boards s that they rate, recommend and use in their own homes.
We also looked out for any negative reviews, where Mumsetters highlighted products that they felt were poor quality, difficult to use or simply were not up to the task in hand.
Expert opinions
Next up, we considered reviews and feedback from trusted industry experts. We want to be confident that the products we recommend are fit for purpose, so we looked out for award-winning products or those that were well regarded in the marketplace, including those recommended by laundry experts and consumer champions such as Which?.
Authentic consumer reviews
Finally, to bring you our definitive list of the best ironing boards on the market, we thoroughly investigated genuine, in-depth customer reviews on retailer sites such as Amazon, Lakeland, and John Lewis to get wider consumer experiences regarding the products on our shortlist.
About the author
Lucy Cotterill is a mum of two and a Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in baby/child and lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. Having written product reviews on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy loves to research and explore the pros and cons of products, scrutinising reviews and consumer feedback to help people make confident purchases.
Originally from a HR background with a degree in Business Studies, Lucy developed a real passion for blogging and writing when her children were young, going on to write for several online publications including US parenting site Pregistry and the Evening Standard. When she’s not manically tapping the keys of her laptop, Lucy loves nothing more than to cosy up with her Kindle and enjoy the latest thriller, or compete in Nintendo Switch rallies with her daughters aged six and 10.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust and we spend hours scouring the Mumsnet forums and online bestseller lists to find products that real parents rate.
Transparency is really important to us and that's why we're always upfront about where we find our recommendations. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones that our users would recommend to their own friends and family.