Hello everyone!
Review 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.

This beauty arrived straight from Germany.

I couldn't find any decent reviews about the PHILIPS Azur 8000 Series iron on any website, which was really frustrating.

Let's get started.
The 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.

2) 3000W power, which means the higher the power, the faster it smooths out wrinkles. That's a fact.

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).

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.

9) Auto shut-off. I've 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. This means you can leave the iron on a horizontal surface without worrying about damaging the fabric, the ironing board, or causing a fire. But, for safety's sake, it's better not to test this and just trust that it works. Thankfully, it did work for me.

10) The quick lime scale removal feature is a nice touch. There's a special container at the bottom of the iron, under the soleplate, that's designed to collect lime scale and help the iron last longer.

By the way, you might notice some smoke when you first use the iron. Don't worry, it's completely normal and should clear up soon - it did for me.

Now, let's talk about the downsides:

1) The iron weighs 1.78 kg. This is a major minus for me, as the iron feels incredibly heavy. 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've tried using it on a comfortable level on the ironing board, but my arms start to ache after 15 minutes. I'm not sure how long I'll be able to use it like this.

2) It takes 2 minutes for the iron to heat up. And if you've used up all the water in the reservoir, you'll 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!

3) The handle is plastic and not rubberized. It's a bit uncomfortable for me, especially since I have very dry hands.

4) The cord is only 2.5 meters long. This might not be enough for comfortable use, especially if you're working with longer pieces of fabric.

Considering all the pros and cons, I'd say the positives of the Philips Azur 8000 Series outweigh the negatives.

I highly recommend this iron. Its features are truly impressive.