The 6 Best Ironing Boards, Tested by Cleaning Experts (2024)

Brabantia's Size C board has everything we look for in a quality ironing board: stability, sturdy construction, an adjustable iron rest, a rack to hold your freshly ironed garments and an almost 10-inch adjustable height range. With child and transport locks, plus non-slip caps on the board's legs, you can be sure that the board will not collapse during use or open inadvertently in storage.

While we haven't Lab-tested this model yet, it is virtually identical to our Lab-favorite, Brabantia's Size B ironing board, though it is just over four pounds heavier. However, the Size C provides you with three extra inches of ironing surface, making it especially useful for ironing bed linens or tablecloths, or for sewers, quilters and crafters who need the extra width. For a pop of color, you can purchase the brand's ironing board cover in tons of fun patterns when you're ready for something fun and new.

Weight: 18.6 lbs. | Ironing surface area: 49" x 18" | Has on-board iron rest: Yes

All the basics at an affordable price plus lots of great user reviews convinced us that this Household Essentials ironing board should be our best value pick. While we haven't tested this board in our Lab, we like the V-shaped double leg construction and the iron rest with a rack to hang the items you've just ironed, something many basic boards don't include.

It's about four pounds lighter than our best overall board, but a few reviewers commented that it was a little more wobbly than they expected and the cover that came with it was a bit thin. At 14 inches wide, it's also slightly narrower than many others. Like more expensive boards though, it has a mesh steel top to permit heat and steam to pass through fabrics and with 4.4 out of five rating, many called it "sturdy." One said it was "just what I needed."

Weight: 114.5 lbs. | Ironing surface area: ~49" x 14" | Has on-board iron rest: Yes

Our experts were so impressed by this ironing board's extra-large surface and range of convenience features that they gave in a GH 2023 Cleaning and Organizing Award. It comes equipped with a removable iron rest and a retractable storage bag on the side, plus the board has seven adjustability settings ranging from 27 to 37 inches. While it's designed for crafters who sew or quilt, anyone who often irons curtains, tablecloths and bed sheets will appreciate the wide surface area. Note that since it isn't meant for ironing clothing, it lacks a round and tapered tip.

When we tested the board in Lab, we found it easy to set up adjust — although experienced some difficulty at the tallest setting. The heat resistant-zone at the end of the ironing board is meant heat resistant up to 700°F and flame retardant. To test this out, we placed the Reliable 270IR iron on its highest heat setting (374°F) face down for 5 minutes. We didn't observe any mark or damage! While the board performed very well, it is on the heavier and bulkier side and can take up quite a bit of space. That said, it may not be the best fit if you live in an apartment or have small laundry area.

Weight: 25.5 lbs. | Ironing surface area: 52" x 19.5" | Has on-board iron rest: Yes

The space constraints that come with living in a small home, apartment or even a dorm room often mean that having a full-size ironing board ready to use at a moment's notice is the stuff dreams are made of. But living in tight quarters doesn't mean you're relegated to wearing crumpled clothes. If you've got a door, you can still look smooth and professionally pressed with this model from Honey Can Do. And when you're done ironing, fold it back up and no one will be the wiser.

From a company whose organizing products we love, Honey-Can-Do knows a thing or two about saving space. Its door-mounted ironing board is a generous 14 inches wide and 42 inches long, providing a large ironing surface for a board this compact. We haven't tested this model in our Lab, but it has mostly excellent consumer reviews and is from a brand we know and trust, though some complained it didn't fit securely on their doors, leading to stability issues.

Weight: 7.45 lbs. | Ironing surface area: 42" x 14" | Has on-board iron rest: No

Ironing for hours can be a grueling task for anyone. But if standing for long periods of time is uncomfortable or painful for you or you are in a wheelchair, this Brabantia board can make the laundry task less painful and more possible to do. Infinitely adjustable, it can be set to any convenient height and the legs curve out, making it more comfortable to use while seated.

You won't find extras like a clothing shelf or iron rest here, but the end of the board features a heat-resistant parking zone, so you can place the iron soleplate down without any fear of damaging the cover. This Brabantia boasts one of the largest ironing surfaces we've seen. It is pricey, but we think worth it for the convenience. We love all the products we've tested from this brand and online reviewers agree, with over 9,300 giving it five stars on Amazon.

Weight: 8.6 lbs. | Ironing surface area: 53" x 18" | Has on-board iron rest: No

For those times when you just need to de-wrinkle a shirt collar or press a pants hem, a full-size ironing board may be overkill. It's much easier and faster to pull out and set up a tabletop model for small quick jobs, like this one from Household Essentials. Home Care and Cleaning Lab Executive Director Carolyn Forté especially likes this one since it sits higher off the table, meaning your clothes are less likely to wrinkle as they hang over the board.

Unlike others this size, it also has a retractable iron rest to keep your iron handy and off the table while working. When you’re done ironing, it comes with a hook so the board can be stored over a door. Though much smaller than a full-size board, it's perfect for touch-up ironing or if you're not a frequent ironer, could suffice as the only board you need!

Weight: 5.3 lbs. | Ironing surface area: 36.5" x 12" | Has on-board iron rest: Yes

Iron-A-Way's all-in-one ironing center was installed after a renovation to our Good Housekeeping Cleaning Lab years ago as a space saver and a way to keep our ironing board out of sight. Boy, was that a great decision! It kept our laundry test area looking neat and in order no matter when a tour group passed by.

The cabinet — which is mounted onto or recessed into the wall — holds an ironing board that folds down and pivots. There's also a 60-minute timer, a light and an electrical outlet built into the cabinet so you can iron even without a wall outlet nearby. It has a shelf to store your iron and the door has a rod to hang clothes up after ironing. “It's so sleek, self-contained and invisible!” says Forté.

Weight: 67.5 lbs (entire cabinet) | Ironing surface area: 46" x 15" | Has on-board iron rest: No

Here are a few things to consider when shopping for the best ironing board.

✔️ Material: Steam irons get very hot, so you want to be sure that your ironing board is not made from a material that can be easily damaged by heat. Plastic iron rests are a big no-no; instead, opt for ones with metal iron rests trimmed with heat-resistant silicone to withstand high temperatures. The same goes for the board itself: While the top cover is usually made of sturdy cotton, there should be a thick padding layer underneath this cover and then a final metal mesh frame underneath that.

✔️ Size: There are several size considerations to take into account when shopping for an ironing board. You not only want to make sure that you have the space in your home to use and store an ironing board, but also that the ironing surface is big enough to comfortably iron clothing on. Most standard ironing boards have an ironing surface that is about 15 inches wide and at least 49 inches long and they adjust up and down to accommodate users of various heights. Ironing boards with retractable or removable iron rests, tabletop options and even ironing mats are great options for homes with limited available space. Wall or door mounted ironing boards, like our picks from Iron-a-Way and Honey-Can-Do, are also great, out-of-the-way options that won't take up any precious floor or closet space.

✔️ Adjustability: If you prefer ironing while sitting down or are a sewer or quilter and like to do your craft seated, look for an ironing board that has unlimited height adjustability. Some boards may have a fixed height, which is fine if you will be standing, but it's a good idea to check the dimensions so you find a model that is comfortable to work at. Leg and height adjusters ensure you'll find a comfortable setting.

✔️ Stability: For a little extra money, you may consider an ironing board that features additional locks like child and transport locks to help keep the ironing in place, whether during use or storage. Boards with metal legs can also be more stable and durable — although tend to be pricier.

✔️ Storage: Some ironing boards have extra storage features that aren't absolutely necessary, but are nice to have, like a shelf underneath the board to hold your to-be-ironed or freshly ironed clothing. An iron rest is great for placing your iron when not in use, instead of taking up space on the actual board. You may also see ironing boards with cord holders to help keep the iron's cord out of the way and not mess up what you've already pressed.

Jodhaira Rodriguez tested consumer products for GH as the former Home Appliances & Cleaning Products Lab Analyst. She helped test dozens of laundry detergents, stain fighters and other specialty laundry products for consideration in our annual Cleaning & Organizing Awards.

Jamie (Kim) Ueda is a consumer products expert with over 17 years of experience in the areas of product development and manufacturing. At the Good Housekeeping Institute, she has tested products and written reviews across dozens of categories, including cleaning, textiles and kitchen appliances.