Comparison Braun CareStyle Compact IS 2144 vs Braun CareStyle 3 Pro IS 3157

The maximum steam pressure provided by the iron in constant steam mode. The higher the steam pressure, the better the iron handles with thick fabrics that are poorly permeable to moisture. Note that most modern irons have a steam boost function — in this mode, the steam pressure almost doubles for a short time. Therefore, for domestic use, in most cases, a pressure of 3-4 bar will be sufficient, such irons can easily cope with ordinary fabrics, and for especially thick ones, you can use a steam boost. But in the professional field, it is recommended to use models with more powerful steamers.

The volume of the water tank installed in the iron.

The water from this container is used to generate steam when steaming fabrics. In modern models of irons, the tanks are made of transparent materials and are provided with a lid at the opening through which water is poured. As for capacity, a large volume, on the one hand, allows you to work longer without refilling, on the other hand, it significantly makes the entire device heavier. Therefore, in classic models, where the tank is located on the iron itself, the capacity is usually small — about 80 ml for travel and 300 ml for household models. But there are also irons with a large water tank, in which the volume can reach 500 ml. But for advanced steam generators and ironing systems (see "Type"), the tank is made separately, and in such cases its volume can be 1 L, and for models with a large tank, figures of more than 1.5 L are typical.

The time it takes the iron to go into working condition. In the case of classic household appliances, this is the time for heating the sole to the required temperature, which depends on the selected mode. For models with a steam generator, this is the time required to heat the water in the boiler.