What we like
Very lightweight
Quick to heat up
Easy to fill water tank
Holds its own against more expensive steam irons
Bargain price
Self-clean function
What we don't like
No auto shut-off
Key specs
Weight: 1.08kg | Tank capacity: 230ml | Continuous steam: 24g/min | Steam shot: 100g | Soleplate: Ceramic | Wattage: 2200W | Cord length: 2m | Auto shutoff: No
How we tested
Our resident ironing expert Alison tested the Morphy Richards LightGlide Steam Iron over the course of two months in her home. Taking detailed notes on the iron's effectiveness against everyday fabrics, user-friendliness and performance, she compared its performance to some of the best steam irons on the market, as well as other budget irons. Alison put the iron up against crumpled clothes and tea towels straight from her tumble dryer, as well as keeping on top of bedding for her Airbnb guests.
Read next: Best steam generator irons
Morphy Richards LightGlide Steam Iron: our verdict
My first impression of the iron was that it was very light, maybe even a little too light for the job as you need a bit of weight to press fabrics effectively. However during testing I was really impressed by this compact, cheap iron.
Comparing the LightGlide with other budget irons such as the Tower Cereglide, and pricier options like the Beldray Precision, this iron could certainly hold its own and was the best performing of these irons.
With a lower than average wattage of 2200W, I did notice this iron takes a little more time and energy to banish really tough creases.
One of my ironing bugbears is when a steam iron spits water onto the clothes, and I'm pleased to report that this iron didn't spit at all during testing. I appreciated the little details that make it a really user-friendly iron - namely the water jug, easy to fill tank and self-cleaning function.
Related: Best washing machines
What's the Morphy Richards LightGlide like to use day to day?
Light and easy for everyday clothing, the Morphy Richards LightGlide Steam Iron is a great low-cost iron to tackle creases in clothes such as school uniforms and workwear.
It warms up quickly, taking about 40 seconds to get to its target temperature. The 230ml water tank is easy to fill, thanks to its downwards-opening cap, and I love that it doesn't spit water at all during ironing.
As an everyday iron, it's hard to fault the LightGlide. However, when it comes to very stubborn creases, you might need to spend more time smoothing them out that you would with a more expensive iron like the Philips Azur 8000.
The lightness of the iron makes a real difference. With less weight to lug around and push up and down the ironing board, it makes ironing feel that bit less of a chore.
Read next: Best washer dryers
Does the Morphy Richards LightGlide offer good value for money?
While it doesn't pack the same punch as a steam generator iron, these retail for around 10 times the LightGlide's £20 price tag - and not everyone wants to invest that kind of money in an iron.
One of the least expensive branded steam irons available, the Morphy Richards LightGlide performs impressively well. I've tested a lot of irons and this is the best I've seen under £30. If you're looking for an inexpensive iron for occasional use, I'd recommend it very highly.
About the author
Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She researches and reviews the products Mumsnetters swear by, with a particular focus on home essentials, laundry and fans. From a highly-recommended retractable washing line to the best quiet fans money can buy, and Mumsnet's favourite dehumidifier to the steam generator iron that'll cut your ironing time in half, she loves to deep-dive into research and find the very best products on the market.
With an MA in Creative Writing and a PGCert in Lifestyle Journalism, Poppy's written about parenting topics for The Sunday Times, The Guardian, The Mirror and The Sun. She's a best-selling, award-winning author, and her books for children and parents have been translated into 12 languages.
About Mumsnet Reviews
All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real people after extensive research and testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.
