Bush ES2475 Steam Iron review: “the value is difficult to argue with”

RRP at time of testing: £14 | Check price at Argos

My verdict

Let’s get one thing straight: I’m the sort of person who’ll happily buy clothes specifically because they don’t need ironing. If a label says “non-iron”, I’m interested. If it says “dry clean only”, it can stay on the rail. So, the Bush ES2475 was never going to win me over with bells, whistles or the promise of a Sunday afternoon beside an ironing board.

What it does offer is much more persuasive: it costs £14, weighs less than a kilo and doesn’t require a degree in fabric care to operate. I won’t fib, my first assessment was “very bog-standard iron”, and I stand by it. In this case, bog-standard is the point. The controls are familiar, the temperature-ready light is easy to see and the little refill beaker means I don’t have to attempt precision pouring from a mug.

On paper, it covers the essentials: 2200W power, a claimed one-minute heat-up time, 25g per minute of continuous steam, variable and vertical steam, water spray, anti-scale and self-cleaning. Though, I’d keep expectations sensible. This isn’t a steam-generator iron in disguise and it’s unlikely to delight anyone who presses bedding for fun. For the odd school shirt, work outfit or pair of trousers that has betrayed me in the wardrobe, though, it makes far more sense.

The box: 2200W power, 25g steam rate and a 280ml water tank

That broadly matches Argos’ own customer feedback. Currently, it holds a 4.3/5 rating from 126 reviews, with 79% recommending it. Owners repeatedly praise its light weight, simple controls, steam and value. The less glowing reviews deserve attention too: a minority mention electrical faults or a soleplate that burned or marked fabric. At £14, I can forgive a basic finish, but I’m less relaxed about anything that risks leaving a souvenir on a white shirt.

For students, occasional ironers or anyone wanting a cheap spare, this is a very appealing little buy. If you iron several loads a week or want fierce steam and proven longevity, spend more. 

Personally, I’d be happy with something compact enough to hide in a cupboard until a crumpled outfit forces my hand.

How I’ve assessed the Bush ES2475 Steam Iron

I unboxed the Bush ES2475, checked its weight, water tank, controls, cord, soleplate and refill beaker, then assessed how it felt in my hand and how easily it could be stored. I also reviewed the manufacturer’s specifications and 126 Argos customer reviews, paying particular attention to repeated praise and recurring fault reports. 

Bush ES2475 Steam Iron: what’s in the box? 

Inside the box I found the steam iron, a small refill beaker and the instructions. No mountain of accessories and nothing requiring assembly, which is exactly how an iron should arrive.

Unboxing the iron, complete with measuring jug, instructions and its signature checked cable

Design and first impressions of the Bush steam iron

The first thing I noticed was how small and light it felt. It’s blue, compact and thoroughly uncomplicated. At 0.95kg, I found it easy to pick up and manoeuvre, and it won’t take over a cupboard. 

The finish is unmistakably budget, but the control layout is familiar and the temperature-ready indicator is easy to spot. The 1.9m cord is adequate if the socket is nearby, although it doesn’t give me licence to iron halfway across the landing.

How fast does the Bush ES2475 Steam Iron heat up?

Argos lists a one-minute heat-up time and 25g per minute of continuous steam. That puts it firmly in everyday-use territory rather than crease-destroying powerhouse territory. The variable setting gives me control over lighter fabrics, while vertical steam is handy for hanging clothes or curtains. 

Customer feedback is generally positive about the steam, but I wouldn’t expect this compact £14 model to bully heavy linen into submission like a pricier iron or steam generator.

Side profile showing the soleplate and the on-board icons for vertical steam, variable steam and anti-calc

The ergonomic handle and temperature dial, marked for cotton/linen through to synthetics

Handling and soleplate on the Bush ES2475 Steam Iron

The compact body sat comfortably in my hand and its low weight is the obvious win, particularly if heavier irons make your wrist ache. The trade-off is that a very light iron can require a firmer push on stubborn creases. 

The non-stick aluminium soleplate is basic rather than luxurious, and the reports of burning or marking from a minority of Argos customers make me cautious. That said, I’ve not experienced either during my review. That said, I’d recommend using an old cloth for the first pass and keep the plate clean rather than charging straight at a favourite white shirt.

Maintenance and storage of the Bush ES2475 Steam Iron

The 280ml tank comes with a small refill beaker, which is far less perilous than trying to pour from a full mug. Bush includes an anti-scale resin filter and a self-clean function, both welcome at this price and particularly useful in hard-water areas. 

Storage is much easier to assess: the compact body slips into a cupboard without a fight, although there’s no clever cord-storage system to stop the cable doing its usual impression of unruly spaghetti.

Filling the tank via the pour spout, then loaded and ready to go

Before and after: creases smoothed out on the white tee

Bush ES2475 Steam Iron: is it good value?

At £14, the value is difficult to argue with. It’s particularly well suited to a student who needs to look respectable for placements, interviews or the occasional night out, but has no intention of building a lifestyle around ironing. The features are generous for the price and most Argos customers are happy with its everyday performance. 

The caveat is longevity: those fault and soleplate reports stop me giving it full marks, cheap or not.

Bush ES2475 Steam Iron vs Morphy Richards LightGlide Steam Iron

Final verdict: is this the right iron for you?

This Bush iron won’t convert me into someone who enjoys ironing. Frankly, I’m suspicious of anyone who does. What it does is lower the barrier to getting the job done: it’s cheap, very light, compact and equipped with the functions most occasional users actually need.

Ironing a plain white t-shirt to put the steam output to the test 

I’d choose it for a student room, a small flat, a holiday let or as a spare for emergency shirts. I wouldn’t choose it for large weekly ironing piles, heavy fabrics or anyone who wants powerful steam and proven long-term durability. The mostly positive Argos feedback is reassuring, but the reports of marking, soleplate burning and electrical faults are worth knowing before you buy.

For £14, I think four stars is fair. It’s a basic iron at a basic price, and there’s something rather refreshing about that. Buy it if you want an inexpensive appliance you can use, cool and hide away again. Then return to the far more important business of shopping for clothes labelled “non-iron”.

About the author

Rebecca Roberts (aka Beccy) is our resident lifestyle expert with a practical focus on sleep, wellness and everyday comfort. She’s equally at home tackling frank, NSFW‑adjacent topics as she is road‑testing kitchen appliances, mattresses and vacuums that work for real parents. As a mum of two, she writes with the time‑poor, sleep‑deprived in mind - honest product reviews, realistic routines and products that make parents’ lives easier.

When she’s not at her desk, she’s probably product‑testing with her two helpers, corralling a PTA or walking her two dogs up and down country lanes.

About Mumsnet reviews

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real people after weeks of research and intensive testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. We sometimes earn revenue through affiliate links in our articles, which helps us to fund Mumsnet's free services.

All prices are correct at time of writing.

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