Take Ironing to Another Level With These 6 Ironing Boards We Tested and Loved (2024)

Our Top Picks

We think there’s quite a bit to be excited about when it comes to the Bartnelli ironing board, which stands above the competition in our eyes. We deemed it to be so stable that we dubbed it the “Volkswagen of ironing boards.”

First, we love its large ironing surface covered with four layers of thick, smooth padding. After we tried to wobble it, the board was absolutely sturdy, and we imagined it would work wonders pressing larger items like linens or curtains. The anti-corrosion frame is adjustable, too, ranging from 27 inches to 38 inches in height.

With such a large ironing surface, we had an easy time ironing all of the different parts of a button-down shirt during testing. But the real wow factor? The Bartnelli has a very unique parking zone marked on the ironing board, where you can leave your hot iron to rest for up to 10 minutes. That means you have plenty of time to move your clothing as you reposition it, without having to worry about a sizzling iron burning the board. Plus, it’s a cinch to unfold and refold the ironing board, which we noted glides open with ease.

In terms of attractiveness, this board looks good, too, which is a plus in our book if you are leaving it standing upright in a laundry room or craft room. But, if you do want to keep it tucked in a storage spot, this ironing board securely locks when folded shut. It has a notch on the underside of the board that keeps the legs folded, so it won’t accidentally pop open once it’s stored away.

Just know there is a cord holder rod attached to the board. The idea is to keep your iron’s cord out of your way while you work, but we thought the rod was fairly useless. However, it is easy to just push it down and not use it at all. Bottom line: if you are ironing your everyday clothes or working on a sewing project on your sewing machine, we think this board deserves to be at the top of your list.

_{Dimensions: 48 x 15 x 27 inches | Weight: 13 pounds | Color: Denim black | Cover Included: Yes | Adjustable: Yes}

At less than 5 pounds, we like this tabletop ironing board because it’s smaller than a full-sized option. That means it’s easy to store if you don’t have much space or you don’t iron often. As an extra bonus, its compact size means it’s lightweight to transport on car trips or move around from room to room.

While it may be miniature in comparison to our best overall board, we noted that it felt sturdy and supported by its fold-out legs while ironing during our testing. We love that this ironing board folds in half, so you can conveniently store it away beneath a bed or inside a closet, as well

Because this one is a bit smaller, you’ll need a table or other surface to use this ironing board—its feet only reach 8.3 inches tall. That’s a whole lot shorter than a standardironing board, which tends to be between 25 to 40 inches in height. With its smaller stature, this is also a tough option to use if you are planning to iron larger items like fabric for a sewing project or a long dress. We really had to maneuver the button-down shirt we were ironing in order to get everything crisply pressed to our liking.

That said, the ironing board comes equipped with a foam-backed cotton cover for padding and smoothness. We did notice that the board beneath is constructed of plastic with lots of holes to release heat. While the board did get hot after use, we observed that it wasn’t any more than a full-sized version.

We were also impressed that this Better Homes & Gardens board has a built-in iron rest on the side, but it’s a bit unstable. Still, if you don’t iron much or you’d rather avoid a big, clunky board, then this is an ideal choice—especially considering it’s less than $15.

_{Dimensions: 31 x 12 x 8.3 inches | Weight: 4.29 pounds | Color: White, gray | Cover Included: Yes | Adjustable: No}

If you just moved into your very first apartment, or you’re looking for a basic board that you can count on, the Brabantia Ironing Board B is our best starter option, because it’s an ideal, everyday ironing board.

At less than $200, it’s padded with a removable cotton cover that you can quickly throw into the wash. But that’s not all we love about the padding—this cushioning meant we couldn’t even feel the iron frame when ironing, allowing for a smooth working surface.

During our testing, we noted that no steam escaped from the board’s surface, so there was some condensation under the padded foam. As you iron, let your board dry, or quickly wipe it after you iron so that mold or mildew won’t form.

Still, we think the addition of the steel iron rest and extra-wide ironing surface are what sets the Brabantia apart. The iron rest is a great safety feature to have, rather than leaving a hot iron standing upright or directly on the board’s surface. Plus, if you’re planning to iron for a longer session, the iron rest offers a convenient way to take a break and make ironing more comfortable, without worrying about overheating.

At over 63 inches, this is our longest ironing board on this list, so you’ll be able to easily iron bigger items without struggling to maneuver them on the board. This board also locks in place when you adjust the height and rubber feet (the height can be adjusted anywhere between about 29 and 39 inches), so the board is kept securely in place. This is useful if you are ironing around pets or younger children, who can accidentally bump into an ironing station. Another big plus? We also found that it unfolded quietly and easily—no squeakiness here.

Notably, this option also comes with a 10-year warranty, which is useful if the cover ever gets worn or the elastic starts to break down. Because of its large size, it may not be the best option for those who are short on space or need to iron occasionally—say, to perfect a dress shirt before a big event. You can hang this ironing board on the wall to help you save floor space, but you will need to purchase separate wall-hanging hooks or a kit to do so.

_{Dimensions: 63.19 x 19.1 x 2.76 inches | Weight: 13.7 pounds | Color: Ecru, ice water, tropical leaves | Cover Included: Yes | Adjustable: Yes}

For those who spend a lot of time ironing or enjoy sewing projects, we recommend splurging on the Reliable 320LB Home Ironing Board. It has an extra-large surface to press bigger items, such as a large swath of fabric for a quilt or a lengthy tablecloth. Plus, it has a heavy-duty frame made of rust-resistant, galvanized metal to support all of your ironing needs.

Because this is a heavy-duty board, we quickly realized during testing that this means it’s the heaviest board on this list. It weighs 25 pounds, or the equivalent of six standard bricks, which can be pretty cumbersome to pull out and set up.

Still, with that added weight, there’s a big bonus: It includes an extendable piece that you can quickly slide onto the frame to make the surface larger. During testing, we declared that this design was pure genius because it easily glided onto the board for extra length. We think this additional ironing space would be useful for creating quilts or extra-large craft projects. In fact, in our test, we found we could lay out two shirts at the same time, given the roominess of this ironing board.

There is so much space that we discovered you can iron a shirt by adjusting your material just once, without constantly having to reposition or alter where you are standing. The board is also adjustable, converting from 30 to 38 inches in height, which is similar to our best overall board.

We also love that this Italian-made board has an area that won’t overheat (it’s made with heat-resistant, flame-retardant material), an iron rest, and a small wire shelf to hold just ironed clothing. While we totally understand that ironing for an hour isn’t exactly a picnic, a simple place to hang your items means your ironing sessions will be easier and less time-consuming. Given all of the board’s amenities, we equated this model to professional-grade equipment, or something a seamstress would use.

Made from heavy-duty steel, this is an ironing board that will last a lifetime without rusting or wearing down. While you will shell out more than $300, it does come with a 10-year warranty on the frame, if you should ever need it.

_{Dimensions: 60 x 18.9 x 38 inches | Weight: 25 pounds | Color: White, black | Cover Included: No | Adjustable: Yes}

A portable, heat-resistant ironing mat comes in handy if you don’t have much room to store a dedicated ironing board. We love that this super lightweight mat can be set up on any hard, flat surface, such as the top of a dryer. It also folds up easily so you can store it in a closet, along with towels and bed sheets.

And even though it’s our smallest option at 18 x 31 inches, we felt it gave us enough ironing space to effectively press a button-down shirt during our testing. We were concerned that steam would penetrate through the mat using the high setting, but our surface ended up not feeling very warm, with just a little bit of steam soaking through. Still, you’ll want to use caution wherever you decide to use the mat, and avoid valuable surfaces, such as a dining room table.

We also like that it comes with sturdy magnets on the mat’s corners so everything is firmly in place if you choose to iron on a metal surface. This is especially useful if it’s laundry day, and you’re multitasking and ironing on top of a washing machine. We found that larger items, such as a baby’s quilt, would be difficult to work with, though, because there is less overall ironing space available.

The mat’s biggest advantage is its convenience. Pull it out whenever—or wherever—you need it. We think it’ll come in handy in a tiny college dorm, or that hour spent waiting in your neighborhood’s laundromat.

_{Dimensions: 18 x 31 inches | Weight: 7.8 ounces | Color: Gray | Cover Included: Not applicable | Adjustable: No}

Take our word for it: this Joseph Joseph ironing board is super cute. But looks aside, it has an efficient, space-saving design. We love that the entire set folds up easily in a little backpack shape and can be hung behind a door. You can even store your iron within the bucket unit when it’s not in use—a convenient and tidy solution if you lack storage space.

We also liked that the board is extremely easy to unfold and refold, which can come in handy if you want to iron in your kitchen or move to a table in the basem*nt. We surprisingly found that the short, yellow legs of the board, measuring 4.5 inches from the tabletop once it is set up, were sturdy enough to handle ironing.

While the board’s cotton surface (17.91 x 6.1 x 13.39 inches) is much smaller than our best overall, it did accommodate the button-down shirt we tested. We especially felt that the small, oval shape of the board helped to better angle the shirt so that ironing was easier.

The cushioning isn’t very padded, which means the frame can get warm. While using a steam iron, we noted that the padding can get slightly wet after ironing just one shirt, which may lead to mildew on the board if it doesn’t dry properly. Just be sure to make it a practice to wipe the board down after use, and let it thoroughly dry before putting it away.

Overall, this lightweight board is meant to be used on a tabletop, so you’ll need some additional space to spread out your clothing. If you don't have enough space, your garment may get wrinkled in the process. We suggest finding a flat, hard surface that’s big enough to move your item around, such as a kitchen table.

_{Dimensions: 17.91 x 6.1 x 13.39 inches | Weight: 5.8 pounds | Color: Gray and yellow | Cover Included: Yes | Adjustable: No}

Final Verdict

Our best overall pick is the Bartnelli Heavy Duty Ironing Board, which has four layers of thick, smooth cushioning, and offers a unique parking zone for your hot iron. The Better Homes & Gardens Folding Tabletop Ironing Board, our best value choice, is another great option. While it’s a tabletop version, it comes equipped with a foam-backed cotton cover for padding, and it folds in half for easy and convenient storage.

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