The short answer: any basic household iron without a steam function. Brand and price barely matter. What matters: a smooth soleplate, adjustable temperature, and a steam switch you can turn off.
You do not need a special craft iron. The bead companies sell branded irons, but they are rebranded household irons at three times the price. Save the money for beads.
What to check before buying
- Steam must be off-able: steam dampens the paper and sticks beads to it. A steam button or valve is a must.
- Adjustable temperature: medium heat is the sweet spot for 5 mm beads. A fixed-temperature travel iron is a gamble.
- Smooth soleplate: scratches catch on the paper and drag beads out of place.
- Lightweight: you will hold the iron over the board for minutes at a time. Heavy irons tire your wrist.
- Fast heating: a two-minute warm-up is nice, not essential.
Why the iron matters less than technique
Most ironing problems come from technique, not hardware: ironing too long, pressing too hard, or using steam. Our complete ironing guide covers the steps, and our perfect ironing guide goes deeper. Whatever iron you already own is almost certainly fine to start with. When you need paper, boards, or beads, our shop has them.