Maytag M400 SpeedHeat Review
Pros: Hot soleplate, mostly consistent temperatures, nice mist
Cons: Not enough steam, can't tackle deep wrinkles
Manufacturer: Maytag
Our Verdict
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 This Product
Maytag M400 SpeedHeat | |||||
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| Price | $45 List | $50 List $42.18 at Amazon | $100 List $99.00 at Amazon | $40 List | $15.00 List $14.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Pros | Hot soleplate, mostly consistent temperatures, nice mist | Powerful steam burst, pointed nose for precision, budget-friendly | Efficiently reduces wrinkles, misty water spray, 400+ steam holes, retractable cord | High heat, inexpensive | Inexpensive, portable |
| Cons | Not enough steam, can't tackle deep wrinkles | Minimal steam output, lack of steam holes on soleplate | Filling the water tank could be easier | Poor steam output, not very maneuverable, generally cheap performance | Lacking in power, underwhelming ironing performance |
| Bottom Line | An average performing steam iron at a fair price whose claim to fame is its high temperature rather than its steam output | A high-performing iron equipped with a powerful steam burst and the ability to tackle most fabrics and most wrinkles | An above-average steam iron with a conveniently retractable chord and an ergonomic soleplate that can tackle most wrinkles | Low price and a convenient retractable cord help to make up for mediocre steam output | A steam iron that is perfect for travel but is too weak for regular chores at home |
| Rating Categories | Maytag M400 SpeedHeat | Black+Decker D3030... | CHI Steam Titanium | Sunbeam Steam Master | Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot |
| Ironing Performance (35%) | |||||
| Steam Output (25%) | |||||
| Ease Of Use (25%) | |||||
| Heating (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Maytag M400 SpeedHeat | Black+Decker D3030... | CHI Steam Titanium | Sunbeam Steam Master | Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot |
| Wattage | 1500W | 1600W | 1700W | 1400W | 800W |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs | 1.9 lbs | 2.9 lbs | 3 lbs | 1.3 lbs |
| Cord Length | 8' | 8' | 8' | 8' | 8' |
| Soleplate Material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Titanium Infused Ceramic | Stainless Steel | Non-Stick |
| Steam Output | 23 g/min | 22 g/min | 55 g/min | 20 g/min | 6 g/min |
| Temperature After 5 Minutes of Heating | 345.8° F | 337.6° F | 304° F | 359° F | 332° F |
Our Analysis and Test Results
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 just a touch. Our experience with silk was a little different. This steam iron renders a somewhat average result having no issues with normal wrinkles, but deep-set ones, like a crease from being folded for an extended period of time, 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 of the 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 the course of one minute. We also made it a point to take a good look at the steam hole layout, as this 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 our top performers, 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 the cord, handling, and filling of each steam iron. 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. It would be more comfortable if it had a smoother edge transition, though. 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 category.
Within just five minutes, the average soleplate temperature was a whopping 345 degrees Fahrenheit. 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.
Value
The SpeedHeat is a decent value if 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.
Conclusion
If you are looking for heat rather than steam, the Maytag M400 SpeedHeat could be a good option. While it may not emit massive amounts of steam or work out deep fold lines, it does just fine tackling daily wrinkles on cotton and linen.
— Michelle Powell and Hayley Thomas