Maytag M400 SpeedHeat Review

The M400 SpeedHeat lives up to its name but delivers a somewhat average performance across the board, falling especially short in the ease of use department.

Performance Comparison

Ironing Performance

The SpeedHeat smooths out deep wrinkles in cotton and linen in just a few swipes, with no need for additional steam. It glides across cotton without a hitch but sticks to linen. Our experience with silk was a little different. This steam iron renders a somewhat average result with no issues with normal wrinkles. But deep-set ones, like a crease from being folded for an extended period, are more difficult for this iron to handle.

The SpeedHeat also has some issues with polyester. We had to turn the heat up to the silk setting because the synthetic setting did not get hot enough and was mostly ineffective. After adjusting the settings, it tackled most surface wrinkles well, although a couple of really deep-set wrinkles remained visible.

The soleplate offers a nice shape and can tackle most hard-to-reach spots, like around buttons. However, it is not as agile as some other models in our test suite with a more tapered nose. The water sprays in a nice fine mist that dampens your fabric without soaking it, something we appreciate.

Steam Output

The SpeedHeat is lacking when it comes to steam output. During our hands-on testing, we took into account how much steam was emitted over one minute. We also made it a point to look at the steam hole layout, which can greatly affect the steam's efficiency.

This iron emits roughly 22 grams of steam per minute from 23 steam holes. While this is far from the lowest performer, it is still quite a bit below the best steam irons, placing it somewhere in the middle of the pack. The lower steam output and the minimal number of holes are most likely why this iron struggles with deep creases from folds.

Ease of Use

We paid special attention to each steam iron's cord, handling, and filling. The SpeedHeat is not a hassle to us, but there is a lot of room for improvement in this category — most notably, its wonky cord. Due to its general shape, there is no good way to coil it securely. The base of the iron under the soleplate is convex, which encourages the cord to slip off, regardless of how tightly you wrap it.

The handle is comfortable, and the rubbery finish on top helps improve the grip. However, it would be more comfortable if it had a smoother edge transition. The soleplate shape is nothing to write home about, but the pointy nose is still narrow enough for most detail work. The large fill hole, paired with a lid that folds completely out of the way, makes filling the SpeedHeat easy. However, you need to have decent aim because there is no funnel, which can lead to spillage if you're not careful.

Heating

With a name like SpeedHeat, one can only assume that this iron can heat up fast. Indeed, the name is not a misnomer — this iron performs extremely well in this metric.

The average soleplate temperature was a whopping 345 degrees Fahrenheit within just five minutes. Not only does the SpeedHeat heat up quickly and efficiently, but the soleplate temperature is more consistent than some of the other competitors. There was only a difference of 51 degrees between the hottest and coolest spots on the soleplate.

Should You Buy the Maytag M400 SpeedHeat?

The Maytag SpeedHeat is a decent value if the steam output is less of a priority for you. It is not nearly as expensive as some of the higher-performing options in our test suite, but if your preference is to steam out the toughest of wrinkles, you can find something at a comparable price that will better suit your needs.

What Other Steam Irons Should You Consider?