Russell Hobbs Easy Store Pro
Russell hobbs
Overview
Anyone who irons regularly knows the real enemy isn't the wrinkles — it's what happens after you're done. A tangled cord jammed into a cupboard, a plug that won't sit flat, an iron that topples every time you open the door. The Russell Hobbs 26731 Easy Store Pro Plug and Wind Steam Iron builds its entire identity around fixing that exact problem, while also promising to simplify the ironing process itself by removing the guesswork of temperature dials. Whether that trade-off works for you depends on how you iron — and this review breaks down exactly where this appliance earns its keep and where it asks you to compromise.
Quick Facts at a Glance
| Attribute | Figure |
|---|---|
| Wattage | 2400W |
| Heat-up time | Around 30 seconds |
| Continuous steam output | 40 grams per minute |
| Steam shot | 200 grams per minute |
| Water tank capacity | 320ml |
| Weight | 1.39kg |
| Cord length | 2.5 metres, with integrated cord-wrap storage |
| Guarantee | 3-year manufacturer's guarantee |
Design and Build Quality
The signature feature here isn't hidden in a spec sheet — it's the base of the iron itself. A built-in cord wrap lets you coil the 2.5-metre power lead directly around the body of the iron, then click the plug into a purpose-built holder so nothing dangles or snags. It sounds like a small thing until you've spent years wrestling a loose iron cord into a drawer that won't quite close. For anyone short on kitchen or utility room storage, this is a genuinely practical piece of engineering, not just a marketing line.
At 1.39kg, the iron sits in a comfortable middle ground: light enough that your arm won't tire during a long ironing session, but with enough heft to help the soleplate press creases flat without you needing to lean into every stroke. The base is fitted with a ceramic-coated soleplate, which is worth understanding rather than just noting. Ceramic coatings are prized in ironing because they combine a slick, low-friction glide with decent scratch resistance, so the iron moves smoothly over fabric without dragging or snagging on buttons and zips. It's a tier up from the bare aluminium plates found on entry-level irons, though it sits below the premium stainless steel and titanium-infused plates found on higher-end steam generator systems.
A temperature-ready indicator light means you're not guessing whether the iron has finished heating — a small but genuinely useful cue, especially for anyone new to ironing or those who tend to start pressing before the plate is fully up to temperature.
Build Highlights
- Integrated cord-wrap and plug holder for tangle-free storage
- 1.39kg — light enough for long sessions, heavy enough to press well
- Ceramic-coated soleplate for a smooth, snag-free glide
- Temperature-ready indicator light
How It Performs: Heating and Steam Output
The 2400-watt heating element is rated to bring the iron up to working temperature in around 30 seconds. In practical terms, that's roughly the time it takes to sort a small pile of washing or grab the ironing board — you're not standing around waiting, and you're not tempted to start ironing before it's ready.
Steam is where an iron either earns its keep or falls flat, and this model is built around two distinct steam behaviours. A continuous output of 40 grams per minute keeps a steady flow of moisture working into fabric as you iron, which is what actually breaks down set-in creases rather than just pressing them flat temporarily. Layered on top of that is a 200 gram per minute steam shot — a concentrated burst you trigger on demand for the stubborn stuff: a crease that's been sat in a suitcase, a stiff cotton collar, or a linen shirt that refuses to cooperate. Together, these give the iron real range: gentle, steady moisture for routine ironing, and a genuine power boost when a garment needs more persuasion.
Understanding One Temp Technology
The headline technical choice, though, is what Russell Hobbs calls One Temp technology. Instead of a dial that asks you to match a heat setting to a fabric type — nylon here, cotton there, wool somewhere in between — this iron runs at a single temperature calibrated to be safe across the full range of ironable fabrics, from delicate silks to heavy cottons. The logic is straightforward: remove the guesswork, and you remove the two most common ironing mistakes — scorching a delicate item on too high a setting, or wasting time on a cotton shirt because the dial was still set for polyester from the last session. It's a genuine convenience feature, and it's also the single most divisive decision in the iron's entire design, which we'll come back to.
Key Features and What They Actually Mean for You
Beyond the headline steam figures, several supporting features shape the day-to-day experience:
Variable steam control — despite running one fixed temperature, you still get control over the humidity, direction, and power of the steam flow itself, so you can dial output up for heavy fabric or ease off for something more delicate.
Vertical steam function — hold the iron upright and it will still release steam, letting you freshen a hanging shirt, jacket, or curtain without needing to lay it flat first. Handy for last-minute creasing before you head out the door.
Water spray button — a manual mist for pre-dampening particularly stubborn or dry creases before you go over them.
Anti-drip system — a common failure point on cheaper irons is water spitting or dribbling from the soleplate at low temperatures, which can leave damp marks or watermarks on fabric. This model includes protection against that, backed by a button groove designed specifically to control spillage.
Anti-scale system and self-clean function — limescale build-up is one of the biggest long-term killers of iron performance, especially in hard water areas, where it clogs the steam vents and eventually causes spitting or reduced output. Built-in anti-scale protection combined with a self-clean cycle is designed to flush deposits out before they become a problem, which matters more for the iron's lifespan than most buyers initially realise.
Auto shut-off — the iron powers down automatically if left idle or knocked over, which is as much a fire-safety feature as a convenience one, and worth having given the iron has no separate physical power switch.
Water Tank and Refill Practicality
A 320ml water tank sits comfortably above the smaller 250-300ml tanks found on many entry-level irons, meaning you can work through a larger pile of laundry — several shirts, a bedsheet, a stack of school uniforms — before needing to stop and refill. It won't quite match the largest tanks on the market, which push toward 350-360ml, but for a single household's regular ironing session, 320ml is a genuinely sensible capacity that balances runtime against the iron's compact size and low overall weight.
Who This Iron Is Actually For
Best suited to
- People who iron a genuine mix of fabrics in one sitting and don't want to stop and adjust a dial between a cotton shirt and a polyester blouse
- Anyone in a smaller home or flat where cupboard space is tight and cord management is a real, daily frustration
- Newer or less confident ironers who want fewer decisions to get right and less risk of scorching a delicate item
- Households that iron regularly enough to benefit from a fast 30-second heat-up and a decent-sized tank, without needing steam-generator-level output
A poorer match for
- Buyers who specifically want manual control over temperature by fabric type — enthusiasts, tailors, or anyone ironing a lot of structured or unusual fabric that benefits from precise heat tuning
- Anyone ironing very large volumes regularly, such as a small business, who would be better served by a steam generator iron with a separate pressurised tank and far higher continuous steam output
- Buyers who want a visible temperature dial as a reassurance cue, regardless of whether the iron actually needs it
How It Stacks Up Against the Alternatives
Most steam irons in this general price and feature bracket — including well-known models from Philips and Tefal — are built around an adjustable temperature dial, typically offering a spread of heat settings tied to specific fabric types, alongside tank capacities in a similar 300-360ml range and cords generally between two and three metres. Against that backdrop, the Easy Store Pro's biggest structural difference isn't really steam power or wattage, all of which land in familiar territory for this class of iron — it's the decision to remove the dial entirely and the cord storage system built around the base.
| Feature | Typical Dial-Based Rival | Easy Store Pro 26731 |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature control | Multiple heat settings via dial | Single fixed One Temp setting |
| Tank capacity | Around 300-360ml | 320ml |
| Cord length | Around 2-3 metres | 2.5 metres, with integrated cord-wrap storage |
That makes it a genuinely distinctive pick if simplicity and tidy storage matter more to you than granular fabric-by-fabric control. If you're comparing it against a dial-equipped competitor at a similar price, the trade-off is straightforward: you're giving up manual temperature selection in exchange for one less decision to make and a cord that never turns into a tangled mess in your cupboard. Neither approach is objectively better — it comes down to how much you value control versus convenience.
Where It Genuinely Shines and Where It Asks for Compromise
The Standout: Cord Storage
The cord storage system is the standout success here, and it shows up consistently in how people actually talk about using this iron day to day: the ability to wrap the cable and clip the plug away is the feature people notice and appreciate most, and it delivers exactly what it promises without any real downside.
The Trade-off: One Temp Technology
The One Temp system, on the other hand, is genuinely split opinion in practice — and that split is worth taking seriously rather than glossing over. A good number of users find that removing the dial removes a genuine source of ironing anxiety, and are pleasantly surprised that a single calibrated temperature handles everything from cotton to more delicate fabric without incident. But a meaningful minority feel uneasy without a visible setting to check against, particularly buyers replacing an older iron that did have a dial, who report missing the reassurance of being able to see and choose a specific heat level. If you're someone who likes to know exactly what temperature you're working at, this is the one design choice most likely to bother you, regardless of how well the technology performs in practice.
A smaller number of practical niggles are worth flagging honestly. The point where the cord exits the iron's body has been noted by at least one user as something that can catch against the wrist during use — worth being aware of if you iron for extended periods. There's also no separate physical on/off switch; the iron is powered simply by plugging it in, which catches some first-time users off guard even though the auto shut-off feature covers the safety gap that a switch would otherwise address. These aren't dealbreakers, but they're the kind of small usability details that separate a good iron from a great one.
Set against that, the fundamentals are solid: reliable heat-up time, a steam output that genuinely works through creases rather than just producing visible mist, a tank that doesn't demand constant refilling, and a self-clean and anti-scale system that should help the iron hold its performance over years of use rather than degrading after a single hard-water winter. Backed by a three-year manufacturer's guarantee, it's also a brand standing behind the appliance for longer than many rivals at this price point typically offer.
The Verdict
The Russell Hobbs 26731 Easy Store Pro earns its place on the shortlist for one clear reason: it solves a real, everyday problem — messy cord storage — better than almost anything else in its class, while still delivering steam performance that holds up against dial-based competitors twice its complexity. If you want an iron that heats fast, steams confidently through a mixed laundry pile, and disappears tidily into a cupboard when you're done, this is a smart, low-fuss buy. The one question to ask yourself honestly is whether you're someone who needs to see a temperature dial to feel in control — if that's you, look elsewhere; if you'd rather the iron just handle it, this is one of the more thoughtfully designed options at its price.
What People Say
49 commentsa great all-rounder
The Russel Hobbs Iron is simple to use, powerful, and offers an all-in-one temperature setting that's safe on all fabrics. Plus, its neat storage feature makes it a breeze to store
The iron is incredibly easy to use and has a one temperature setting that's safe on all fabrics. This makes it perfect for ironing a variety of items without having to worry about damaging them. The steam performance is really impressive too, with 2400W of power and a 200g shot of steam that makes light work of tough creases. The 50g of continuous steam is great for smoothing out stubborn wrinkles.
The Plug & Wrap feature is also very handy. You can easily wrap the cord around the base and tuck the plug neatly into its own integrated holder. This keeps everything securely in place and makes storing the iron so much easier.
Also, easy to clean. Great for daily use.
Excellent quality
This iron is brilliant! it has a flexible long lead which stores well, along with the plug at the base of the iron. Ironing is not my favourite pastime but did make it much more bearable! quicker to iron different types of fabric
The temperature of the iron adjusts well to different fabrics and there is the option to use the iron both with and without steam when preferred . I like the shape of the iron with a sharper point at the top which is great for ironing detailed pleats and folds of fabrics. The steamer works really well, and the iron is a good weight not being too heavy. The ironing plate itself keeps a good consistent temperature and easily glides over all fabrics with no catching or scorching. I found that the iron worked equally well on cotton and synthetic fabrics and made the process of ironing much faster and easier.
Decent iron
A pretty decent iron. It's not too heavy and irons clothes well. It's really stylish and easy to store away as the cord is able to wrap around the iron. Nice long swivel cord too. It has all the usual feature an iron should, such as continuous steam, steam burst and cleaning option. This iron has no temperature control dial like most other irons. There is 1 set temperature which is suitable for all iron-able fabrics. This made me a little hesitant, especially when I was ironing delicate fabrics. More stubborn fabrics like cotton and linen need steam to be ironed. I don't think I'm a fan of this feature, as I would have preferred being able to control the temperature.
Not the best
Not what I expect from Argos, this iron was obviously a return, as it had droplets of water in the reservoir. As I needed it in a hurry, I used it.
It comes with no instructions or little water jug.
It makes an unnervingly loud clicking sound when first switched on.
There’s no manual temperature control, if you feel it needs more heat for harder to iron items.
Feels heavier and more awkward than my previous Tefal.
Okay, but wouldn’t recommend.
Lightweight and smooth
We don’t generally iron many things as we deliberately buy clothing that doesn’t require it, but I always have dresses that no matter how quickly we take them out of the machine after washing they seem to have permanent creases in them! With my old iron I used to use the steam setting but it got so old and limescaley I didn’t trust it anymore, but this one is a dream and get the creases out instantly! Would recommend for sure
Sturdy, powerful easy to use iron
I've had this a month and it has been a huge improvement on my old iron. Produces lots of steam and has coped well with very crumpled linens tablecloths. The iron is easy to put away as it wraps around itself and the plug fixes into the bottom but the only downside to this is the cord gets very curly. Controls aren't as easy to see as I'd hoped. No scope to vary the temperature just to reduce the steam or spray.
No temperature adjustment, never gets hot enough
Supposedly it is one temperature for all clothes but it is no where near hot enough to iron cotton shirts or denim etc. I suspect it may be too hot for silk or other delicate materials, Stupid idea and a rubbish product. When I took it back and told the store assistant the reason I was returning she didn’t believe that an iron didn’t have temperature control. Ended up with all the assistants looking at it.
Brilliant iron
I've only had one iron previously but this iron has proved itself to be brilliant. Normally I have to turn over clothes to iron both sides but this one ironed both sides without me having to turn the clothing. I like that you can wrap the wire round and then the end plugs into the iron on the side which is handy for storage. Love the colours, and the lights which show when it's ready.
Great Iron
This iron is very well designed with the ability to neatly tuck the plug and cable into the underside for easy storage. It also sits up sturdily so there's no worry about it tipping over. The LED is a great touch and the iron performance itself is very good with the narrow end enabling the ability to get into the tight corners of the fabric.
Nice design feature, no heat settings tho.
I have used this iron all week, it’s a really sleek looking design and the cord storage feature is very useful. But but you cannot adjust the temperature. The instructions says “safe for all ironable fabrics” and I have used it on synthetic fabric this week and it has been fine. So far for the price I am very pleased.
Russell Hobbs PLUG & WIND 26731
Russell Hobbs PLUG & WIND 26731 for the price is an amazing iron I was shocked how quickly it heats up considering it's what I would consider a budget option it really holds its own, great performance, build quality and price honestly what more could you want from an iron. Makes my ironing so easy breezy!
Good iron
I brought this iron because it was on special offer. I used it once and had my reservations but have since come to love it. I like the fact it adjusts to whatever material your ironing, no more iron burns.
The feature to secure the plug is cool and space saving. Good value for money.
No variable temperature
When I bought this iron I didn’t realise that there was no variable settings, you either have steam or dry iron but saying that I do like it especially the ability to store the plug in the iron and I have got use to not having a dial setting and using half steam works on most fabrics.
One only heat setting
I failed to read the description which said only 1 heat setting. This did not work for me as it was too low. This iron is not fit for purpose. I did like the cable Tidy feature which was key to my purchase. I returned the next day for a refund and brought a Tower iron instead.
Standard iron but great colours
So i really like the colours of this iron and the design, hard to find a black iron so i loved that! Overall just like any other typical iron, better than your budget ones. It gets creases out of clothes so does its job well. It holds a good amount of water and steams well.
Compact, easy to store iron
This iron is lightweight and modern looking it’s also relatively compact compared to a lot of irons on the market making it easy to store away. It provides a smooth finish thanks to its powerful steam function. The 3 year warranty provides reassurance.
Not suitable for my ironing needs
I returned it after 2 days as i didn’t finger it sufficiently hot enough to remove creases - however when you attempt to use the wind around flex in order to keep it tidy and places the plug in the base it kept burning my fingers - so very fiddly.
Great iron
I bought this iron to replace my old one and I love it. Takes a bit of getting used to because there’s no temperature control so I was a bit sceptical, but I’ve done work shirts and jeans and it does a great job would definitely recommend
Does the job
Bought because I liked the idea of being able to tidy the cable and plug away but it never winds back properly. Surprised to see only one heat setting but not an issue for me. Good weight to it and works well with the steam setting.
Over the moon
The perfect iron. Super impressed its git a plug socket at the bottom of it. Its extremely light weight and a very easy following buttons to use. The steam is super powerful and definitely the one to use on linen and thin clothes
