Ironing boards aren’t the kind of items that you need to buy time and time again, though. They should ideally last at least ten years before needing to be replaced. Ideal for storing in small spaces as it folds neatly in half and comes with it’s own hanging hook that can be mounted onto a wall or door, making it really easy to store away.

There’s a huge safety aspect when you’re dealing with something that holds a hot iron. If a board tips over or collapses while ironing it might damage a carpet and at worse burn you or someone else. Boards need to be tough and sturdy and have rubber or plastic-tipped legs to ensure there’s no slipping, particularly when you’re ironing items that require more pressure such as jeans. Height and material: Firstly, make sure the board is a metal mesh construction below the cover, as this allows steam to pass through and evaporate. While the best steam irons can help you iron out the creases and help your collars stand to attention, they’d be nothing without any ironing board to keep them company. But how do you choose the right ironing board for your needs? With so many different styles, sizes, and price points out there, knowing which one to buy can be a minefield. verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ There are many typical design factors that mean ironing boards deteriorate over time,’ explains Oliver Craig, Head of Design Management at Joseph Joseph. ‘From the traditional leg design that causes them to snag and bash against things as they go in and out of storage to the constant twisting and stressing of the board’s joints and welds as people wrestle to open and close them. These elements, coupled with cost-stripping tactics to reduce materials used, cause ironing boards to wear and break until they eventually give up.’

1. Best overall ironing board: Brabantia Titan Ironing Board

Of course, if you’re someone who only uses an ironing board on very rare occasions, you should be fine buying a cheaper option. What is the lifespan of an ironing board? Any ironing board needs to be sturdy, so a solid frame and well-designed feet are a must. If you frequently carry your ironing board to and from its storage space, then you need to find a balance between sturdy materials and weight.’ Another plus is the fact that it has a storage space that will hold a regular-sized iron for easy storage. We found that it worked better with a corded iron than a cordless one which often has a base that will need storing, too. Unlike ironing board covers, which should be replaced every 2 - 5 years, ironing boards can last a lifetime if they’re properly cared for. However, there are some characteristics of an ironing board that mean general wear and tear can appear a few years into ownership. This one is great for ironing smaller items of clothing and perfect if you’re short on both space and time, you can simply fold down the mini legs and then pop it onto a work surface or table and start pressing. The main issue is that we couldn't wrap things around the underside of the board as we would when we used a regular ironing board, meaning it's not the best for doing pillowcases or t-shirts one side at a time.

Easy to store– Folds neatly away with it’s compact frame and can be mounted to the wall or door with it’s own hanging hook, to save space in your home. The best boards also feature safety catches to stop them collapsing while ironing or opening accidentally when stored. If you’re regularly putting the iron up and taking it down to tidy away, then look out for how heavy they are, too as the bulkier and weightier the board is, the harder it might be to manoeuvre. Is it worth buying an expensive ironing board?If you’re looking for a compact, easy to store board, then this one probably won’t be for you as its sturdy construction XL size – 124 x 45cm – and solid steam generator holder means it’ll take up a fair bit of space whether up, or folded down. It has 7 height adjustments from 75 to 98cm, great for even the loftiest of ironers and our testers felt it was one of the most stable and sturdy boards they tried. If you want to choose the best ironing board, there are certain things you need to consider before you part ways with your hard-earned money:

This Ironing Board may be compact but it has a generous ironing surface with corners perfectly shaped for all your iron worthy clothes such as shirts, trousers and more. They say that when you buy cheap, you buy twice, and if you’re someone who uses an ironing board on a regular basis, it’s certainly beneficial to avoid buying a cheap ironing board. Iron type: Your choice of board will also depend on what kind of iron you are using. Most boards happily accommodate steam irons these days, but not all of them will hold larger steam generators, which can be annoying if you then have to place them on an alternative surface or actually on the board, using up precious pressing space.To make ironing even more simple it features a special compartment for storing your iron, saving valuable space in your home and keeping everything you need for this household chore together in one place. Features and Benefits We know that there’s much more to an ironing board than its cover but we also realize that often people buy them because of the way they look as much as how big – or not – they are. There’s something about the range of covers available for this board that makes us feel a little more stylish when ironing. The size you buy will depend on how much space you have. In smaller homes, where space is a premium, you might want to invest in a smaller, or even table-top board, while if you have plenty of space – or even a dedicated laundry room where you can leave your iron up – you can go for something with more surface area. Is my ironing board safe?