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Steam Irons · Comparison

The CHI 360 Precision Steam Iron (13119) meets
the BLACK+DECKER Allure Professional Steam Iron (D3030)

The retractable-cord iron that pressed heavy cotton and linen better than anything else tested. We tested it head-to-head against the BLACK+DECKER Allure Professional Steam Iron (D3030) across 5 key dimensions.

CHI 360 Precision Steam Iron (13119) 3/4 front view showing the titanium ceramic soleplate, textured 360 handle grip, and temperature dial on a white background
BEST

CHI 360 Precision Steam Iron (13119)

“The retractable-cord iron that pressed heavy cotton and linen better than anything else tested”

$87.99MSRP
Our Score
88.3 / 100
BLACK+DECKER Allure Professional Steam Iron D3030 in black and silver, 3/4 front angle on white
VALUE

BLACK+DECKER Allure Professional Steam Iron (D3030)

“Professional-grade steam and a narrow tip for under fifty dollars”

$48.99MSRP
Our Score
74.6 / 100
01

Head-to-Head Breakdown

Ironing
35% of score +
CHI (Farouk Systems)
92
Black+Decker
76
CHI 360 Precision Steam Iron (13119)

Good Housekeeping's Cleaning Lab named the CHI Best Overall after it expertly pressed linen and heavy cotton; CNN's Carolina Gazal saw its 300-plus steam holes smooth everything from cotton to denim in one test.

BLACK+DECKER Allure Professional Steam Iron (D3030)

TechGearLab named the Allure Best for Delicate Fabrics at 70 out of 100, crediting the narrow tip; HGTV's Belle DuChene called its steaming professional grade for the price.

Steam
25% of score +
CHI (Farouk Systems)
90
Black+Decker
78
CHI 360 Precision Steam Iron (13119)

Both Good Housekeeping and HGTV clocked the most powerful steam burst of any iron in their test groups, and the titanium soleplate spreads it evenly across the plate.

BLACK+DECKER Allure Professional Steam Iron (D3030)

HGTV singled out powerful vertical steam that felt pro grade, though TechGearLab measured a lower total volume of 87 grams, average for the group.

Ease
15% of score +
CHI (Farouk Systems)
85
Black+Decker
80
CHI 360 Precision Steam Iron (13119)

The 8-foot retractable cord retracts with a button and stores flat; HGTV's Belle DuChene liked the pointed nose for collars and cuffs, though she found the water tank hard to see through.

BLACK+DECKER Allure Professional Steam Iron (D3030)

At 1.9 pounds it is the lightest iron TechGearLab tested and easy to steer around buttons, but Reviewed found the controls unclear on first use.

Build
15% of score +
CHI (Farouk Systems)
86
Black+Decker
66
CHI 360 Precision Steam Iron (13119)

TechGearLab scored the CHI Lava sibling 79 out of 100, its highest of 15 irons, praising the titanium-ceramic plate glide; CNN noted the 3.5-pound heft adds pressing weight.

BLACK+DECKER Allure Professional Steam Iron (D3030)

HGTV noted some plastic parts feel cheap and it is slow to cool down; the stainless plate glides fine but does not match CHI's titanium finish.

Trust
10% of score +
CHI (Farouk Systems)
82
Black+Decker
74
CHI 360 Precision Steam Iron (13119)

CHI backs the iron with a two-year warranty, and Farouk Systems has a long track record in salon-grade heat tools; it placed in the top two of four separate publications.

BLACK+DECKER Allure Professional Steam Iron (D3030)

Black+Decker is a widely stocked mainstream brand, and Good Housekeeping picked the related Vitessa as its Best Value, showing consistent lineup quality.

02

Strengths & Weaknesses

CHI 360 Precision Steam Iron (13119)

+ Strengths
  • Good Housekeeping's Cleaning Lab measured the most powerful steam burst of any iron it tested and named it Best Overall
  • CNN's Carolina Gazal found the 300-plus steam holes smoothed cotton through denim, and the 8-foot cord retracts at the push of a button
  • TechGearLab gave the titanium-ceramic soleplate its top glide marks across cotton, linen, silk, and polyester
Weaknesses
  • At 3.5 pounds it is heavier than most irons, which CNN flagged as tiring on long sessions
  • HGTV's Belle DuChene found the water level hard to see, so you can overfill or run dry without warning
  • No current new Amazon listing as of August 2026, so you buy through CHI's own store
Key flaw: The weight cuts both ways.

BLACK+DECKER Allure Professional Steam Iron (D3030)

+ Strengths
  • TechGearLab named it Best for Delicate Fabrics and praised the light 1.9-pound body with a narrow tip for detail work
  • HGTV's Belle DuChene called the vertical steam professional grade, and it costs about a third of the premium picks
  • Powerful spray feature helps knock down set-in wrinkles on cotton
Weaknesses
  • HGTV found some plastic parts feel cheap and it takes a long time to cool down after use
  • TechGearLab measured only 87 grams of steam, average for the group and well below the top performers
  • Reviewed found the controls unclear at first, so there is a short learning curve
Key flaw: You feel the price in the plastic.
03

The Verdict

Our Bottom Line

The CHI 360 Precision won the same way in two different labs. Good Housekeeping's Cleaning Lab, led by Carolyn Forte, put it through nearly 400 evaluations and named it Best Overall after it expertly pressed linen and heavy cotton. It also produced the most powerful steam burst of every iron GH tested. CNN's Carolina Gazal reached the same verdict by hand, watching its 300-plus steam holes smooth cotton through denim.

BEST
CHI 360 Precision Steam Iron (13119)
CHI 360 Precision Steam Iron (13119) 3/4 front view showing the titanium ceramic soleplate, textured 360 handle grip, and temperature dial on a white background

The CHI 360 Precision won the same way in two different labs. Good Housekeeping's Cleaning Lab, led by Carolyn Forte, put it through nearly 400 evaluations and named it Best Overall after it expertly pressed linen and heavy cotton. It also produced the most powerful steam burst of every iron GH tested. CNN's Carolina Gazal reached the same verdict by hand, watching its 300-plus steam holes smooth cotton through denim.

Best for:
  • You iron dress shirts and linen regularly and want the strongest steam burst tested
  • A retractable cord that stores flat matters to you
  • You want the cleanest glide across mixed fabrics from cotton to silk
  • The extra 3.5-pound weight helping press heavy fabric appeals rather than annoys
  • You are fine buying direct from CHI rather than through Amazon
VALUE
BLACK+DECKER Allure Professional Steam Iron (D3030)
BLACK+DECKER Allure Professional Steam Iron D3030 in black and silver, 3/4 front angle on white

The BLACK+DECKER Allure D3030 delivers real steam power for under fifty dollars. HGTV's Belle DuChene, who presses clothes professionally, called its vertical steaming professional grade and singled out the powerful spray for knocking down set-in wrinkles. That is high praise for the cheapest serious iron in this group.

Best for:
  • You want real vertical steam and a narrow detailing tip for under fifty dollars
  • A light 1.9-pound iron suits your wrists better than a heavy one
  • You iron occasionally and do not need premium build
  • Saving close to forty dollars over the CHI matters
  • You want a widely stocked brand with easy Amazon returns
04

Specifications

Spec CHI 360 Precision Steam Iron (13119) BLACK+DECKER Allure Professional Steam Iron (D3030)
Power 1725 W 1600 W
Soleplate Titanium ceramic Stainless steel
Tank 300 ml 10 oz
Cord 8 ft retractable 8 ft
Vertical Steam Yes Yes
Auto Shut-off Yes
Weight 1.9 lbs
Read the full Steam Irons review
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