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Home & Product Comparisons · Reviewed September 21, 2026

Rowenta DW2459 vs BLACK+DECKER ICR2020: Which Retractable-Cord Iron Fits Better?

Both are full-size steam irons with retractable cords, vertical steam and automatic shutoff. Rowenta uses a stainless-steel Microsteam soleplate and publishes continuous and burst steam rates; BLACK+DECKER uses a TrueGlide nonstick soleplate and a lighter two-pound body.

Best for

Households choosing a corded steam iron for routine garments, linens and occasional vertical touchups with a retractable storage cord.

Probably not for

Garment-care medical claims, cordless ironing, industrial pressing, unattended use or a claim that wattage alone proves better wrinkle removal.

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Rowenta Access Steam Iron with Retractable Cord DW2459

Rowenta identifies the U.S. DW2459 at 1725 watts with a stainless-steel Microsteam soleplate, retractable cord and three-way automatic shutoff. The official product page publishes continuous steam up to 34 grams per minute and a steam boost up to 180 grams per minute. It also lists vertical steam, anti-drip protection, an integrated anti-calc system, precision tip and a large water-tank opening.

Pros

  • The stainless-steel Microsteam soleplate and precision tip are designed for broad steam distribution and detailed areas.
  • Rowenta publishes both continuous-steam and burst-steam specifications for the exact U.S. model.

Cons

  • The higher 1725-watt electrical rating is not proof that it will finish every garment faster.
  • A stainless-steel soleplate still needs careful cleaning and cannot be parked on surfaces vulnerable to heat.

Who it’s for: Choose it when a stainless-steel soleplate, documented steam output and integrated anti-calc feature are priorities. Skip it if lower weight is the main need.

Check Rowenta Access Steam Iron with Retractable Cord DW2459 on Amazon

BLACK+DECKER Vitessa Advanced Steam Iron ICR2020

BLACK+DECKER specifies model ICR2020 at 1200 watts and two pounds with a TrueGlide nonstick soleplate. SmartSteam combines temperature and steam selection on one dial. The feature list includes a retractable cord, spray mist, steam burst, vertical steam, three-way automatic shutoff, anti-drip protection and an Auto Clean function. The manufacturer lists a two-year limited warranty.

Pros

  • The published two-pound weight may be easier to handle during longer garment sessions.
  • SmartSteam reduces the setup to one fabric dial that coordinates heat and steam.

Cons

  • The nonstick soleplate requires protection from scratches and differs from Rowenta's stainless-steel surface.
  • Its 1200-watt rating and feature page do not include the same grams-per-minute steam specifications Rowenta publishes.

Who it’s for: Choose it for a lighter published weight, coordinated SmartSteam dial and nonstick soleplate. Skip it when stainless steel or specified steam rates matter more.

Check BLACK+DECKER Vitessa Advanced Steam Iron ICR2020 on Amazon

Soleplate material changes care as much as glide

Rowenta uses a stainless-steel Microsteam soleplate, while BLACK+DECKER uses a TrueGlide nonstick surface. Stainless steel is an uncoated metal surface; nonstick is designed to reduce drag but must be protected from scratches and abrasive cleaning. Neither material guarantees a better finish on every fabric. Temperature, moisture, fabric construction and technique remain part of the result.

Check garment labels before choosing a setting, test delicate material in an inconspicuous area and keep zippers, snaps and hard decorations away from the soleplate. Use only the cleaning method in the exact manual. A household cleaner that is safe for a sink may damage a soleplate or clog steam openings. Let the iron cool before wiping it and never submerge the powered body.

Published steam output is useful, but only within the right task

Rowenta publishes up to 34 grams per minute of continuous steam and a 180-gram steam boost for the DW2459. Those numbers describe the manufacturer's settings for this model; they are not an independent score against BLACK+DECKER. The ICR2020 provides spray, burst and vertical steam, but its product page does not state comparable grams-per-minute figures. An honest comparison therefore stops short of inventing a numerical gap.

Steam is useful only when the fabric allows it and the water system is maintained. Select the correct heat range before expecting continuous steam, and keep hands away from the hot vapor path during vertical use. Vertical steam can freshen hanging fabric, but a full-size iron is still shaped and weighted for an ironing board. It should not be treated as a cordless handheld steamer.

Retractable cords simplify storage but need a safe routine

Both exact models retract the power cord into the iron. That can prevent a loose loop from filling a shelf, yet the reel is not a reason to retract a hot or tangled cord carelessly. Allow the iron to cool, guide the cord as the manufacturer directs and keep the plug from striking the appliance or your hand. Inspect the lead and plug before use and retire a damaged unit.

Three-way automatic shutoff appears on both feature lists and adds a safety backstop in common resting positions. It does not authorize leaving the room or storing the iron while warm. Unplug after use, empty or retain water exactly as the manual specifies, place the iron on a heat-safe stable surface and wait until it is fully cool before the cord disappears into storage.

Pick for hand feel and garment mix, not wattage alone

The BLACK+DECKER publishes a two-pound weight, which can matter to a user who finds a heavier iron tiring. Rowenta emphasizes a precision tip, Microsteam soleplate and specific steam-output figures. The DW2459's 1725 watts and ICR2020's 1200 watts describe electrical input. They do not establish which user will finish first or which soleplate will suit every textile.

Choose Rowenta DW2459 for stainless steel, detailed published steam rates and its anti-calc system. Choose BLACK+DECKER ICR2020 for the lighter stated weight, nonstick soleplate and combined SmartSteam dial. Confirm those exact model numbers on Amazon because both brand families include similar-looking irons with different cords and controls. For another storage-focused home comparison, see the Honeywell and Vornado air-circulator guide.

Official sources and further reading

Sources reviewed on September 21, 2026. Prices, availability and terms can change; recheck before buying.

Related reading

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This article contains affiliate links. If you buy or sign up through one of them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That commission does not change the price you pay or the criteria used in this guide. Product details, prices, availability, and terms can change, so confirm the current information on the linked page before buying.