I have had Rowentas and when my last started leaking, I bought a less that $20 at WM. HATED it and it went back promptly. I had even asked my friends which iron they had and if they really, really loved it. I bit the bullet and bought another Rowenta. I love the steam and this one is 1700w-just can't do without one. I've had several and you can't say when one will go, but I guess I'm a die-hard "gotta have a Rowenta". This one does not have an automatic shut off-I plug it into a heavy duty strip along with a bed lamp turned on and hang onto a cabinet door above ironing board. The light is on when the strip is on and I know when to turn off the iron.