Updated on 16 May 2023
This comparison is certified 100% impartial and follows our selection process.
With its 7-stage height adjustment, this ironing board offers the best value for money in the entire comparison. It also has the thickest cover and is machine washable at 40 °C.
Brabantia B
This award-winning model has proved popular with the public. Not only does it have a frame that can be adjusted to suit any height (from 69 to 96 cm in our tests), but it also has an iron rest designed for both left- and right-handed users. Overall, there is a strong focus on safety – in fact, it is one of the few with a child lock. It also has a transport lock, which locks the board when closed, and a nice ironing surface (123 x 37 cm). We also found its cover to be the thickest of the models we tested and, as a bonus, it is machine washable at 40°C.
Some of our test models. We measured the ironing surface as well as the maximum and minimum height. We could see if they opened and closed smoothly and how many notches they had. We checked the stability of the iron rest (if present). Finally, we judged the quality and thickness of the cover.
The Vileda Carino is an economical ironing board with an original and compact design. Its 15 cm height allows you to iron while seated, and it is easy to store.
Vileda Carino
This model stands out from the competition at a glance. Vileda offers an ultra-compact tabletop ironing board. Ideal for small spaces, it has a reasonable ironing surface of 100 x 38 cm. And during our tests, we found this surface more attractive than the other tabletop models we tested. It is, therefore, very easy to store. And despite this size, it has an integrated hanger that allows you to hang it in a wardrobe or use it to hang 1 or 2 garments while ironing. Finally, we found the cover to be much thinner than other models and it is not machine cleanable.
The widest in this comparison, it is one of the most functional and the only one with an integrated shelf. And although the wooden construction is a little heavy, it is, above all, solid.
Foppapedretti Assai
In addition to its large ironing surface (102 x 50 cm) and 3 height settings (from 85 to 91 cm), this ironing board has a wooden frame. It is sturdy but has the disadvantage of being much heavier than the others. It also has wheels that make it easy to move, provided they are fitted. During our tests, we liked the integrated shelf the most. It manages to combine elegance and functionality. On the other hand, we found the large folding iron stand too fragile. We would not recommend placing an ironing station on it. As it is made of metal, you should also make sure that you place the iron straight on the stand and do not touch the soleplate, as this could cause burns…
Vileda Bravo
We recommend this ironing board for its ultra-customisable height, as it does not rely on notches. This means that you can adjust it from 68 to 94.5 cm according to your needs.
This “traditional” ironing board has everything to please. Among other things, it stands out for its fully customisable height, as its stop system slides along an iron bar from 68 to 94.5 cm. Its ironing space is a little smaller but larger than that of the Brabantia B with its 120 x 38 cm. In our tests, we found that it opened and closed very smoothly. The cover is also quite thick and not machine washable. However, we regret the absence of a safety system that locks the board when it is closed. Also, although it has an iron rest, we found that our iron didn’t stay in place very well. It was these minor flaws that made us prefer the Brabantia model. Note that Vileda also offers the Total Reflect Plus model, which has a built-in plug.
Our selection
Our choice, Best mid-range Best budget Best high-end Mid-range alternative Brabantia B Vileda Carino Foppapedretti Assai Vileda Bravo With its 7-stage height adjustment, this ironing board offers the best value for money in the entire comparison. It also has the thickest cover and is machine washable at 40 °C. The Vileda Carino is an economical ironing board with an original and compact design. Its 15 cm height allows you to iron while seated, and it is easy to store. The widest in this comparison, it is one of the most functional and the only one with an integrated shelf. And although the wooden construction is a little heavy, it is, above all, solid. We recommend this ironing board for its ultra-customisable height, as it does not rely on notches. This means that you can adjust it from 68 to 94.5 cm according to your needs. £ 62.99 on Amazon See the price on Amazon £ 169.79 on Amazon £ 41.99 on Amazon
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How did we do the test?
To test the ironing boards, we start by evaluating their design. Then we measured their ironing surface and their maximum and minimum height. We could also check whether they opened and closed smoothly and how many notches they had.
Next, we placed the iron on the stand (if they had one) to check whether it was ergonomic and held the iron in place. Finally, we judged the quality and thickness of the cover and checked that it was safe for the machine.
| Name | Ironing board surface | No. of adjustable heights | Height adjustment | Thickness of the board cover | Iron holder |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brabantia B | 123 x 37 cm | 7 | From 69 to 96 cm | 5/5 | Yes, it keeps it in place |
| Vileda Carino | 100 x 38 cm | 0 | / | 2/5 | No |
| Foppapedretti Assai | 102 x 50 cm | 3 | From 85 to 91 cm | 2/5 | Yes, at the bottom |
| Vileda Bravo | 120 x 38 cm | No notches = customisable | From 68 to 94,5 cm | 4/5 | Yes, but it doesn't hold it in place well |
| Ikea DÄNKA | 120 x 37 cm | No notches = customisable | From 57,5 to 94,5 cm | 1/5 | Yes, it keeps it in place |
How to choose your ironing board?
Whether during the week or on an occasional basis, ironing remains a tedious chore for many of us. If you are one of those people who lack motivation when it comes to ironing, you should know that buying a safe and suitable ironing board can make your life a lot easier.
But how do you make an informed choice when the market is full of similar-looking models? To help you choose the ironing board that suits you best, we have listed some criteria to consider:
- The height: it is best to opt for a model with adjustable height. This increases the comfort of use and avoids back pain or other ailments linked to poor posture. Better still, this adjustability will allow several people to use the board, regardless of their size.
- The cover: while cotton covers retain heat for smooth ironing, those made with an aluminium coating tend to reflect heat effectively, for easy and ultra-fast ironing. Unfortunately, the covers sold with ironing boards are not always of the best quality. They are removable and can of course be changed, but this requires an additional investment. If you decide to do it anyway, you should keep in mind that the cover must fit perfectly to the size of the ironing board, otherwise, it will make ironing more difficult and may leave creases in the clothes.
- The ironing board: always check its size and thickness to see if it is suitable for your iron or ironing station. They are usually silicone-coated and can hold your hot iron with ease. The most practical ones fold up to save space when storing.
- Stability and safety: The board must be stable, safe and easy to use. If you can, choose a model with a safety system that prevents the board from folding unexpectedly. A transport lock, designed to keep the board folded, is also a safer feature.
- Accessories: among the most practical are the cable guides, to prevent the power cord from getting in the way or falling out, and the integrated plug, which gives you greater freedom of movement. Some models have a small storage shelf, useful for storing ironed laundry.
Other models tested
Amazon Basics 11.530.5DC1-19 (£17.53 upon publication): this table model is very small (78.5 x 30 cm). It is not very practical and does not even allow you to fold your laundry.
Mabel Home (£40.00 upon publication): it can only be adjusted to 4 heights (from 76 to 90 cm). In addition, it is a bit small (111 x 35 cm), and our iron did not stand properly on the stand due to its lack of ergonomics.
Joseph Joseph Pocket (£84.72 upon publication): this table-top version folds up to save space. When folded, it even has storage space for the iron. However, once unfolded, we found the fold in the middle to be impractical and the price-performance ratio unattractive.
Translated by Selectos
