Panasonic Ni W950a Multi Directional Iron W Alumite Soleplate - I Pick This One

Panasonic NI-W950A Multi-Directional Iron w/Alumite Soleplate - Review

Panasonic NI-E200T unique "U-Shape" Steam-Dry Iron with circulating steam, Titanium non-stick Soleplate has a curved soleplate that concentrates pressure at the cneter of the iron, instead of at the tip, so there is less tugging, snagging and minimal wrinkling when ironing. The U-shaped designed helps circulate steam under the soleplate for smoother ironing with up to 25% more steam coverage based on other Panasonic irons. Temperaure Ready Indicator Light conveniently displays that the setting is on or off, Dial Temperature Control, 360 Degree Rotating Cord, Spray Mist allows you to direct extra mosture when needed and a "Adjustable Steam" feature depending on the fabric that is being ironed. Dimensions: 5 5/16" (H) x 4 7/16" (W) x 10 11/16" (D), 3.3 lbs. White w/Blue water tank

Reviews of Panasonic Ni W950a Multi Directional Iron W Alumite Soleplate

I really wanted to like this iron, but it's expensive and I like it less with time. (UPDATED)
Rating by : Dave "Dave",

UPDATE (more things I'm uncomfortable with as I use it more, see end)

I used a Rowenta for about 15 years and finally the burst-of-steam stopped working so I replaced it. And it works fine except that you really have to keep the water level topped up for the steam to work, which defeats the purpose of a large water tank. And it's impossible to see the level.

Why mention that? Because while this one doesn't have as large a tank, it's also very hard to tell what the water level is. But other than that, I think the iron works great - while you are actually ironing! The steam is strong and while it must cover less area (since the bottom is shaped like a long narrow very pointed oval rather than a triangle) it's easy to move and get into places and that shape works well for me. (To be fair, I don't iron big flat things like table cloths, I do lots of shirts, and the maneuverability is more important to me, and hence I like the shape. I don't think I would were I doing large items.)

But the problem is that this is an expensive iron and I think that while the 'innards' may be very well made, that for most people it's not going to be a pleasure to use. Here's why:

I have one major issue, one "you'd better be careful" issue, and a minor one:

Minor: There are only 3 steam settings, and as luck would have it, neither is exactly what I'd like. On the other hand, it's very easy to flick from the almost-none to the middle setting, with it being fiddly, so what's not a big deal.

The "you'd better be careful" issue is that the water refill cap feels as though I'm going to break it off quickly. This is a common complaint about irons these days, and it won't happen if you are very very careful. But who wants to have to be that careful.

The major issue is that it's just too easy to turn it over, and seems top-heavy. On a hard solid surface it's no problem, but on an ironing board it's just too easy to knock it over. And because I'm a very tall guy (6'4") I long ago bought a tall heavy expensive Brabatia board, which is much sturdier and wider than the run of the mill ironing board, so in general it's more stable. I wouldn't trust this on a regular ironing board.

So I honestly have no idea how much stars to give it. While I'm holding it in my hand ironing, it's fine - it's heavy, but I like that. But when I'm ironing I'm constantly setting it down to move the thing I'm ironing around, and then it's vulnerable.

Also, and this is niggly, but this thing is way too expensive for this: There is an ugly, shiny silver on the side of the plastic part that is the kind of sticker you're expected to pull off when you buy it. But no - this thing was obviously meant to stay on as it leaves a lot of gunk. This just isn't OK for an iron that costs over $200. I feel as though Panasonic was going for novelty and didn't know when to stop.

PS: You know what the looks on this remind me of? If you're old enough to remember the Jetsons, a cartoon about life in the future, this looks like an iron from that cartoon: it's purple and silver plastic.

I suspect Amazon will have a lot of returns on this.

UPDATE: I confess I like this iron less as I continue to use it, though my feelings are a bit mixed:

1) Maybe I'm just getting used to it, but I don't find it as unstable as I did when I was first using it. I don't mean that it's any more stable than it was, but I've adjusted to it.

2) I don't know what the soleplate is made of, but I don't like it. These non-stainless-steel plates are always supposed to glide easier, but I've got some all cotton shirts that it seems to want to drag on. It's not damaging but it's annoying.

3) BIGGEST THING: This is a 1700-watt iron which is about what my old (and not old Rowentas) are. But this just doesn't seem to get as hot (and yes, I've got it turned all the way up), and it seems to struggle to stay hot. At first I thought it was my imagination, but not any more. With my near-same-wattage Rowenta, if I touch the fabric where I've just run the iron, it is hot and uncomfortable to touch. With this one it feels warm, but nothing more.

4) The water tank isn't especially big and I find that a full one will do maybe 4 shirts. And the little hole into which you have to pour the water has no allowance for your not getting it exactly right. They provide a plastic water cup with a very sharp spout. The irony is that while the sharp spout is essential to get the water in the hole, the water cup is tall and thin and the very last shape I'd put on an ironing board.
Maybe I have a slightly defective model.

Why The Exorbitant Price Tag?
Rating by : ladyfingers,

I love the Panasonic 360� Quick Iron, but don't understand its steep price. The high cost makes this model one of the most expensive irons out there, even more expensive than many steam iron stations or upright steamers. Perhaps Panasonic thought a few features were worth the cost.

Multi-directional abilities (thanks to a double-headed soleplate) are a featured selling point, but what's so unique about that? I can iron in all directions with any iron, and certainly don't need two pointed ends to do it, just a human arm that twists and turns. As a matter of fact, I have tried using the bottom point of the soleplate while ironing cuffed pants. The two projected arms that serve as its standing base keep getting in the way, creating unwanted ironing lines. Enclosed literature touts "360� Quick." The iron does effortlessly glide over clothes, but my ironing time has not diminished one bit.

The soleplate itself is top-quality, and here may be where it outperforms less expensive models. The 360� Quick soleplate is composed of anodized aluminum (alumite), the same stuff used to make car engines. This helps make the iron soleplate sturdier and scratch-proof. For its high cost, I hope the iron lasts a long time, but to be quite honest, scratching has never been a problem for me. I have been ironing clothes for nearly fifty years, and still have a variety of irons used throughout those years. None have scratched soleplates, and that was never the reason I stopped using them.

There are many features I do appreciate. Iron safety tops the list. This iron stands up very well (securely) because of evenly distributed body weight and a centrally-located, 360� swivel cord. I like the feel of the iron while in use, and really like its extra long cord. The 360� Quick iron puts out a lot of steam, thanks to over a hundred steam vents (almost twice as many as cheaper models), and clothes have never looked crisper. It irons all fabric types well. Because of the violet color, filling up the water tank is a little tricky. Instead, I just rely on the maximum line found on the included water cup which accurately reflects the maximum line of the iron's water tank. I have not had any leakage issues because the iron has an anti-drip system, which unlike cheaper models, really seems to work.

After that, its many other features can be found on other less expensive models: 3-way shut-off, vertical steam, self-cleaning and an anti-calc (scale build-up) system. Maybe as time passes Panasonic will come to their senses and lower the price, making this very nice appliance more affordable and more likely to be bought. There's no reason an iron should cost over $200.

Not crappy (unlike every other iron I've owned)
Rating by : Dave,

Everybody needs a $200 iron. Okay, honestly, almost nobody needs a $200 iron. Unless you iron a lot. And if you do, having a very versatile iron suddenly seems like a really great time saver. If I could have afforded this when I was in the Army (which I couldn't), I would have bought one, because I can see how useful it would have been. When you are ironing a dress uniform and you want to get every wrinkle out of every crack, you quickly discover the limits of a cheap iron. You learn the limits of one that doesn't steam evenly. You learn the limits of one that corrodes and suddenly won't slide well. You learn to hate an iron that drips on the uniform that you need to put on in five seconds for inspection.

They should issue these irons with your M-16.

Now if you only iron your dress shirt for weddings and funerals, you don't need this. If you have an iron just in case you ever buy a dress shirt for a wedding or funeral, you don't need this. But if you iron occasionally and $200 isn't a lot of money to you, or if you iron a few times a week, you won't regret spending money on an iron that just works, and works well. And if you know a soldier/sailor/marine/airmen, buy them this damn iron. Because either they have a sucky iron they hate, or they are spending way too much of their meager salary on dry cleaning. I wish I could send this back in time to my poor enlisted soldier self every time I use it (which is when I iron my dress shirt, for weddings and funerals).

Iron Panasonic - 66 results like Panasonic NI-W950A Multi-Directional Iron w/Alumite Soleplate, Panasonic NI-E100T Steam / Dry Iron with (ACUPWR (TM) Plug Kit ...

Panasonic NI-E200T unique "U-Shape" Steam-Dry Iron with circulating steam, Titanium non-stick Soleplate has a curved soleplate that concentrates pressure at the ...

This review is from: Panasonic NI-W950A Multi-Directional Iron w/Alumite Soleplate (Misc.) ... Panasonic NI-W950A Multi-Directional Iron w/Alumite Soleplate (Misc.)

Panasonic NI-W950A Multi-Directional Iron w/Alumite Soleplate on sale. Find great prices on additional Electric Irons at Bizrate.

Review or Purchase Panasonic NI-W950A - 360° Quick Multi-Directional Steam/Dry Iron with Curved Alumite Soleplate - Alumite Scratch Proof / Non-Stick Coated Curved ...