Hello everyone!\n\nReview is about the new PHILIPS steam iron model, specifically the Azur 8000 Series, released in 2023.

I spent exactly 1 year searching for the perfect iron and agonizing over the right settings. I'm super picky about these things, since an iron is one of the most used household appliances. I mean, it's not just about getting the job done, it's about getting it done right.

This beauty arrived straight from Germany, and let me tell you, it's a beast.

I couldn't find any decent reviews about the PHILIPS Azur 8000 Series iron on any website, which was really frustrating. I mean, I was expecting some kind of hype, but nothing.

Let's get started.\n\nThe obvious pluses of this iron:

1) The SteamGlide Elite soleplate - it's made of high-strength steel with a titanium coating. Apparently, irons with titanium soles are resistant to mechanical damage and long-lasting. I tested it by ironing metal buttons and zippers, and guess what? No scratches on the iron whatsoever. The soleplate is super easy to clean and glides smoothly over different fabrics. I've never had an iron that's so easy to use.

2) 3000W power, which means the higher the power, the faster it smooths out wrinkles. That's a fact. I mean, I've had irons that take forever to get the job done, but this one's a game-changer.

3) The undeniable plus of this iron is the steam burst in turbo mode. There's a button under the handle that you can press without much effort, and to change the steam settings, you just need to tilt the iron (more than 20°, according to the manual) and press the button on top of the handle (it lights up blue). It's so intuitive, even my grandma could use it.

In this iron PHILIPS Azur 8000 Series, there are 4 modes: auto, turbo mode, continuous steam mode, and no-steam smoothing mode.

In turbo mode, even the most wrinkled and dense fabrics get smoothed out instantly. Turbo mode is the icon on the photo.

Turbo mode 260 gI was pretty stoked to see the steam power in turbo mode – it's a whopping 260 grams. The continuous steam output is a respectable 80 grams per minute.

Here's the thing: the steam only kicks in when you're moving the iron, and it shuts off as soon as you stop or lift it up.

4) The OptimalTEMP tech is pretty cool. There's no temperature control, but the iron's got a special processor that keeps track of the soleplate temperature and combines it with the steam power.

5) With a maximum water tank capacity of 350 ml, you can get a decent number of ironing sessions without needing to refill. There's a handy water level indicator, which is super convenient. I can iron three sets of Euro-sized bedding or a bunch of kids' clothes without needing to add more water. One thing to note, though: there's no separate measuring cup for water. Every time I need to refill, I have to turn off the iron – it's a bit of a hassle, but I guess it's for safety reasons.

6) The vertical steam feature is a game-changer. I can iron curtains, drapes, or even clothes hanging on a hanger without removing them from the rod. No need for an ironing board in this case!

7) The iron's got an extended nose tip, which is super helpful for getting into tight spaces and ironing small details on clothes.

😎 There are plenty of holes and grooves on the soleplate, which creates a nice air-and-steam cushion between the iron and the fabric. This makes it super easy to glide the iron across the clothes without applying too much pressure.

{"p":{"em":{"strong":"9) Auto shut-off.""},"i":"I\u0027ve left the iron on a piece of fabric or the ironing board with the soleplate facing down, and the auto shut-off kicked in after 8 minutes. That\u0027s a huge relief, because I was worried I\u0027d come back to a burnt mess. But, for safety\u0027s sake, it\u0027s better not to test this and just trust that it works. Thankfully, it did work for me."},"p":{"em":{"strong":"10)""},"i":"The quick lime scale removal feature is a nice touch. There\u0027s a special container at the bottom of the iron, under the soleplate, that\u0027s designed to collect lime scale and help the iron last longer. It\u0027s a small thing, but it\u0027s one less thing to worry about."},"p":{"i":""},"div":{"class":"inline-image"},"a":{"href":"/sites/default/files/imagecache/copyright1/user-images/2636617/vGYNW57F49Y0zqbji6nyHQ.jpg"},"div":{"class":"inline-image-title"},"p":{"i":""},"p":{"i":"By the way, you might notice some smoke when you first use the iron. I did, and it freaked me out a bit. But, it\u0027s completely normal and should clear up soon. Mine did, at least."},"p":{"i":""},"p":{"i":"Now, let\u0027s talk about the downsides:"},"p":{"em":{"strong":"1) The iron weighs 1.78 kg.""},"i":"This is a major minus for me, as the iron feels incredibly heavy. I mean, I\u0027m not exactly a lightweight guy, but this thing is a beast. During my first use, I could feel the weight of the iron immediately. Compared to my old Braun iron with a ceramic soleplate, the Philips Azur 8000 Series is noticeably heavier. I\u0027ve tried using it on a comfortable level on the ironing board, but my arms start to ache after 15 minutes. I\u0027m not sure how long I\u0027ll be able to use it like this."},"p":{"em":{"strong":"2) It takes 2 minutes for the iron to heat up.""},"i":"And if you\u0027ve used up all the water in the reservoir, you\u0027ll need to turn off the iron, refill the reservoir, and then wait another 2 minutes before you can start using it again. It feels like an eternity, especially when you\u0027re in the middle of ironing a big project."},"p":{"em":{"strong":"3) The handle is plastic and not rubberized.""},"i":"It\u0027s a bit uncomfortable for me, especially since I have very dry hands. I\u0027m not sure how long it\u0027ll take for my skin to get used to it, but it\u0027s definitely not my favorite feature."},"p":{"em":{"strong":"4) The cord is only 2.5 meters long.""},"i":"This might not be enough for comfortable use, especially if you\u0027re working with longer pieces of fabric. I\u0027ve had to move the ironing board around a few times to get the cord to reach, which is a real pain."},"p":{"i":"Considering all the pros and cons, I\u0027d say the positives of the Philips Azur 8000 Series outweigh the negatives."},"p":{"i":""},"strong":{"i":"I highly recommend this iron. Its features are truly impressive.""},"div":{"class":"hasinlineimage"},"div":{"class":"field field-type-filefield field-field-imgf1"},"div":{"class":"field-items"},"div":{"class":"field-item odd"},"a":{"href":"/sites/default/files/imagecache/copyright1/user-images/2636617/pV9REXggez4FLSzlw5o2hA.jpeg"},"div":{"class":"clear"}}