Russell Hobbs Pearl Glide Rose review: Is this £35 steam iron worth buying?

The Russell Hobbs Pearl Glide Rose iron makes light work of everyday ironing as it's lightweight, quick to heat up and comfortable to handle.placeholder image
The Russell Hobbs Pearl Glide Rose iron makes light work of everyday ironing as it's lightweight, quick to heat up and comfortable to handle. | Amazon/Russell Hobbs

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After relying on the same steam iron for 15 years, I finally upgraded to the Russell Hobbs Pearl Glide Rose to find out whether a modern budget iron really delivers a better ironing experience.

Like many people, I reach for a clothes steamer more often than an iron these days. But when faced with a mountain of laundry, crisp shirts or awkward fabrics, a traditional steam iron still does the best job.

After 15 years with the same ageing appliance, I decided it was finally time for an upgrade. The Russell Hobbs Pearl Glide Rose, priced at around £34.99, promised powerful steam, a lightweight design and a smooth ceramic soleplate – all without breaking the bank.

The biggest improvement was immediately obvious. Compared with my old iron, this model feels much lighter and easier to manoeuvre, making long ironing sessions far less tiring. The ceramic soleplate glides effortlessly across everything from cotton shirts to bedding, while the continuous steam tackles everyday creases with ease.

The Russell Hobbs Pearl Glide Rose iron's ceramic soleplate glides smoothly across different fabrics.placeholder image
The Russell Hobbs Pearl Glide Rose iron's ceramic soleplate glides smoothly across different fabrics. | Amazon/Russell Hobbs

It also heats up quickly, so there's very little waiting around before you can get started. The generous water tank means fewer interruptions for refills, and features such as the anti-drip system and self-clean function should help keep it performing well over time.

That said, it's not perfect. Deep, stubborn creases occasionally need a second pass with the steam boost, and my biggest frustration is the relatively short power cable - a common complaint with modern irons rather than a Russell Hobbs-specific issue, but it's still worth noting.

However, for around £35, the Russell Hobbs Pearl Glide Rose feels like excellent value. It's lightweight, heats up quickly and makes ironing noticeably quicker and less of a chore. If you're replacing an ageing iron or looking for an affordable upgrade, this is an easy recommendation.

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