I go thru irons like crazy since I have it on almost all day when I'm quilting. So about every 6 months or so, I have to buy a new one, if I'm lucky. I bought an expensive one a couple years ago and it didn't last as long as the cheaper Black and Decker ones I always buy at walmart. In fact the B/D ones have been the best ones that I've used. And they are only about $30-$40.