# Best lightweight steam irons Canonical page: https://everydaygarmentcare.co.uk/ironing/lightweight-steam-iron/ Publisher: Everyday Garment Care Buying guide / Ironing Compare two lightweight steam irons by the maker’s stated weight, tank capacity, continuous steam and cord length. See how water changes the weight in use. By Everyday Garment Care · Updated November 2026 ![A compact steam iron on an ironing board beside folded clothes]() ## Choose by how much you lift and how often you refill Morphy Richards Light Glide 300401 is listed at 0.9 kg with a 2 m cord. Philips DST3041/89 weighs 1.2 kg by the maker’s figures and gives you a larger 300 ml tank. For the lowest listed weight ### Morphy Richards Light Glide 300401 A 0.9 kg listed iron for a few garments at a time. [View on Amazon]() For a larger tank at 1.2 kg listed ### Philips 3000 Series DST3041/89 More water capacity for a regular basket. [View on Amazon]() ## Specifications at a glance **Lightweight steam iron weights, tank capacities and cord lengths** | Specification | Morphy Richards Light Glide 300401 | Philips 3000 Series DST3041/89 | | --- | --- | --- | | Manufacturer-listed weight | 0.9 kg product weight | 1.2 kg iron weight | | Tank capacity | 230 ml | 300 ml | | Stated continuous steam | 24 g/min | Up to 40 g/min | | Cord length | 2 m | 1.9 m | Published appliance weights. The product pages do not give a common weighing method. Water adds approximately 1 g for each 1 ml in the tank. ## Compare the weight you will work with The lightest number on a listing is only a starting point. A conventional steam iron carries its water in the body, so the weight changes with each refill. Work out what you normally press in one session and how much water you need. If you do two shirts at a time, you may value an iron that is easy to move and a tank that you can fill in a small jug. For a regular basket, the extra capacity can be worth a little more weight. Use the manufacturer’s appliance weight rather than the packed shipping weight. The two models have different stated weights and tank sizes. The makers do not describe a common weighing method, so treat those figures as published specifications rather than a controlled comparison. Compare the shape, reach and controls that you can verify. ## Morphy Richards Light Glide 300401 for short sessions Morphy Richards lists a 0.9 kg product weight, 230 ml tank and 2 m cord. The Light Glide uses a ceramic soleplate and manual controls for heat and steam. Its stated continuous rate is 24 g/min. Start here if you mainly press a few garments and want to keep both appliance and water weight down. [View on Amazon]() For the lowest listed weight ### Morphy Richards Light Glide 300401 Morphy Richards lists a 0.9 kg iron with a 2 m cord, ceramic soleplate and manual temperature and steam controls. Good for A 0.9 kg listed iron for a few garments at a time. Bear in mind The 230 ml tank holds less water than larger models. Add the weight of any water you normally use. - 0.9 kg listed - 230 ml tank - 24 g/min continuous - 2 m cord The 230 ml tank is the smaller of the two. That limits how much water the iron can carry, which helps if you tend to fill it before starting. It also means you may refill sooner during a longer session. The 2 m cable gives you more reach than the Philips model here. The difference is 10 cm, so check your actual board and socket setup. ## Philips 3000 Series DST3041/89 for a larger tank Philips specifies 1.2 kg for the iron and lists the packed weight separately. This model carries 300 ml of water and is rated up to 40 g/min continuous steam. It has a ceramic soleplate, a 1.9 m cord and a built-in Calc Clean slider. [View on Amazon]() For a larger tank at 1.2 kg listed ### Philips 3000 Series DST3041/89 Philips lists a 1.2 kg iron, 300 ml tank and up to 40 g/min continuous steam. It has a ceramic soleplate and a built-in Calc Clean slider. Good for More water capacity for a regular basket. Bear in mind The iron weighs more than a sub-1 kg model, and a full tank can add about 300 g. - 1.2 kg iron weight - 300 ml tank - 40 g/min continuous - 1.9 m cord This option suits someone who wants more tank capacity and a higher stated continuous rate while keeping the iron around the 1.2 kg listed range. If the 300 ml tank starts full, it can add about 300 g. If the main reason you are shopping is the weight of lifting a current iron repeatedly, compare that filled estimate with the iron you already own. Measure from your socket to the far end of the board at working height. Include enough slack to turn the iron without dragging the cable across the garment. A lighter iron helps less if you have to move the whole board closer to the socket or keep catching the flex as you reposition a shirt. ## Estimate how much water you will carry Water adds about one gram per millilitre. If the manufacturer-listed weights represent the empty irons, a full 230 ml tank puts the Morphy Richards at roughly 1.13 kg. A full 300 ml tank puts the Philips 3000 Series at about 1.5 kg. These are arithmetic estimates from the stated figures. The effect in your hand can also depend on balance and how much of the cord the board supports. If you already own an iron and want a point of comparison, weigh it cold and unplugged, with the cord supported consistently. Then consider how much water you normally add. Follow your manual’s water type and filling directions. [Water for steam irons and steamers](). ## Decide how often to refill A small tank can be a good fit if your typical job ends after a few items. If you use 100 ml in a short session, that adds around 100 g to whichever compatible iron you choose. In a longer session, the amount of steam you use and the pauses between passes change the refill interval. Try to identify which of your jobs usually makes you stop for water. A larger tank is helpful for that job if the extra weight still feels manageable. [Steam boost and continuous steam explained](). ## Check the setup around the iron **Handle and controls.** Check whether the handle leaves room for your fingers and whether you can reach the steam control without shifting your grip. If you regularly switch between dry and steam pressing, put the control where you can see its setting. A lighter iron can still feel awkward if you have to squeeze the handle to steer it. **Board height and parking.** Open the board at a height that lets your shoulder stay relaxed. Use a stable rest compatible with your iron. If your usual job requires a lot of lifting to move the garment or reach the rest, change the position before deciding how much difference a lighter model would make. [How to measure an ironing board](). **A lighter handpiece for long sessions.** Some steam generators keep the water in the base and leave you with a lighter handpiece. You still have to move the base for setup and guide the hose while ironing. Compare those parts of the routine against the weight of a filled conventional iron. [Steam generator vs steam iron](). Check the exact model suffix and confirm that the offer supplies a UK three-pin plug before ordering, especially where a marketplace listing is brief. ## Manufacturer specifications - [Morphy Richards Light Glide 300401 specifications]() - [Philips 3000 Series DST3041/89 specifications]() ## Frequently asked questions ### How much does a lightweight steam iron weigh? There is no common cut-off in the specifications here. The Morphy Richards is listed at 0.9 kg and the Philips at 1.2 kg. Compare the stated weight with how much water you will carry and how often you lift the iron. ### Does the listed iron weight include water? Check what the manufacturer says. Some list the product weight or weight of the iron without giving a weighing procedure. As a rough estimate, every 100 ml you add contributes about 100 g. ### Can I half-fill a steam iron to make it lighter? Follow your model’s filling instructions and respect any minimum and maximum levels. For a few garments, a smaller permitted fill can reduce the weight you carry. Refill the iron as the manual directs. ### Is a lighter iron better for bedding? It can be easier to lift and reposition. Also consider steam delivery, tank capacity and how much fabric your board supports. If you press large items often, check whether the smaller tank means repeated stops. ### Is a steam generator lighter to hold? Some generator handpieces weigh less than a filled conventional iron because their water sits in a separate base. Compare the handpiece, the resistance of its hose and the full unit you need to set up and store. ### Do I need a higher wattage to get more steam? Wattage describes electrical power. Use the manufacturer’s continuous steam rating when comparing steady steam and read boost as a separate figure. The garment label still sets the limits on heat and steam. **Everyday Garment Care** We research manufacturer instructions and product specifications to explain practical garment care and equipment choices. [Editorial policy]() **Affiliate disclosure.** If you buy through a product link on this page, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. [How our links work]().