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Verdict: the Rowenta Steam Force DW9280 has been discontinued in the US; retailers list it as no longer available. The current model in the same Steam Force line is the Rowenta Steam Force DW9440 (a 2024 model), and it is the iron to buy if you press heavy cotton, denim and linen every week. It has 1800W, a 210 g/min steam boost, 35 g/min continuous steam, a 400-hole stainless steel soleplate, anti-drip and auto shut-off, and it is the top pick in our best steam irons guide. If you want something lighter, the Rowenta Focus Excel DW5280 has the same continuous steam figure.
This is a research-based review. We have not tested the iron hands-on. The specifications come from Rowenta and the Amazon.com listing for the DW9440, set against the other irons we cover. Where Rowenta does not publish a figure, we say so.
If you own a DW9280, nothing here changes how you should use it: the manual still applies. If you are shopping, the DW9280 now mostly appears as used or third-party stock, so compare it with the DW9440 below before you buy.
At a glance
- Current model: our verdict Rowenta Steam Force DW9440 (replaces DW9280) ($$$). Check price
How we chose these picks
We compared the manufacturers’ published specifications and the Amazon.com listing for each model (sources: Manufacturer product page and Amazon.com listing (checked October 2026)). Where a maker does not publish a figure, we say “not published” rather than guess. We checked that every product was on sale in the US when this page was last updated, and we re-check stock every month. We do not hands-on test products ourselves, and we say so on every review. Commission from retailer links never affects which products we pick. Read how we research.
Full review
Current model: our verdict
Rowenta Steam Force DW9440 (replaces DW9280): Current model: our verdict
- Power: 1800W
- Steam boost: 210 g/min
- Continuous steam: 35 g/min
- Soleplate: Stainless steel, 400 holes
- Weight: 4.5 lb
- Auto shut-off: Yes
- Anti-drip: Yes
- Anti-calc: Built-in
- Cord length: not published
- Tank: not published
The Steam Force has been Rowenta’s flagship corded iron for years, and the current version still leads on paper. Its 210 g/min boost is the strongest of the irons in our steam iron guide, so it copes well with denim, linen and heavy cotton. The laser-finished stainless steel soleplate has 400 steam holes, and anti-drip protection stops water spotting when you iron delicates at low heat. It is heavy, which helps press creases flat but can tire your wrist.
- Strongest steam boost in our steam iron guide
- Scratch-resistant stainless steel soleplate
- Anti-drip and auto shut-off
- Built-in anti-calc
- Heavy
- Premium price tier
Our verdict: Anyone who irons several times a week and wants strong steam for thick fabrics.
Key specs explained
210 g/min steam boost. The boost is the short, powerful shot you fire at a stubborn crease. It is the DW9440’s headline figure and the highest of the corded irons we compare. In practice, a stronger boost matters most on thick, tightly woven fabrics such as denim, canvas, linen and heavy cotton sheets.
35 g/min continuous steam. This is the steady flow while you iron. It is a good figure for a corded iron, but it is the same number Rowenta lists for the cheaper Focus Excel DW5280. So the extra you pay for the Steam Force buys the boost, the larger soleplate hole count and the heavier build rather than more everyday steam.
1800W. Higher wattage helps the soleplate recover heat between bursts of steam, which keeps steam dry and reduces dripping on long sessions.
400-hole stainless steel soleplate. Rowenta’s laser-finished stainless steel plate spreads steam through 400 holes. Stainless steel resists scratches from zips and buttons better than most nonstick coatings.
Anti-drip, anti-calc and auto shut-off. Anti-drip stops water leaking from the plate when you iron delicates at a low temperature. The built-in anti-calc system is designed to slow scale build-up, and auto shut-off turns the iron off if you leave it. Rowenta does not publish the shut-off timings in the listing we checked.
Weight. Amazon lists a shipping weight of about 4.5 lb. Some people like a heavy iron because it presses creases flat with less effort; others find it tiring after half an hour.
Not published: the listing we checked does not give a cord length or water tank capacity, so we have left those as “not published” rather than guess.
Who should buy it
- Buy it if you iron several times a week, press lots of cotton shirts, linen or jeans, or iron bedding.
- Skip it if you only touch up a few shirts a week, if you have wrist or shoulder pain, or if you want the lightest iron possible.
- Consider a steam station if you iron big family piles every week. A steam station holds far more water and produces much more steam than any handheld iron.
For delicates, use the lowest setting that works and check the care label. Our iron temperature guide lists the right setting for each fabric.
Getting the best from the DW9440
- Let the iron reach temperature before using steam or the boost; steam at too low a heat is the usual cause of water spots.
- Follow Rowenta’s manual for the water type and the anti-calc routine, especially in hard-water areas.
- Use a sturdy board. A heavy iron is easier to control on a stable board; see our best ironing boards.
Alternatives
- Rowenta Focus Excel DW5280: lighter and in a lower price tier, with 1725W, a 135 g/min boost and the same 35 g/min continuous steam, plus self-clean. Compare the range in our Rowenta irons guide.
- Rowenta Pro Master DW8360: a precision tip and 430 steam holes, a better fit for dress shirts and collars.
- Stainless soleplates from other brands: see the best stainless steel steam irons.
- No cord at all: see the best cordless steam irons.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Rowenta DW9280 discontinued?
Yes. Retailers list the DW9280 as discontinued, and the current Steam Force model sold at Amazon.com is the DW9440, with the same headline figures: 1800W, a 210 g/min boost and 35 g/min continuous steam.
Is the Rowenta DW9440 worth it?
Yes, if you iron often and press thick fabrics. Its 210 g/min boost is the strongest of the corded irons we compare. If you iron lightly, the Focus Excel DW5280 has the same 35 g/min continuous steam for less.
How much does the Rowenta DW9440 weigh?
Amazon lists a shipping weight of about 4.5 lb, which makes it one of the heavier steam irons on sale.
Does the Rowenta DW9440 have auto shut-off?
Yes. It has auto shut-off, plus anti-drip and a built-in anti-calc system. Rowenta does not publish the exact shut-off timings in the listing we checked.
What is the difference between the DW9440 and the DW5280?
The DW9440 has more power (1800W vs 1725W) and a much stronger boost (210 g/min vs 135 g/min). Both list 35 g/min continuous steam. The DW5280 is lighter, cheaper and adds self-clean.
Related guides
Sources: Manufacturer product page and Amazon.com listing (checked October 2026). Prices change often, so check the latest price before you buy. How we research.