I too use the cheapies. If they start to give me trouble they go into the recycle bin. A good place to look for cheapies is in thrift and consignment shops. Asking to check if they leak/sputter/don't heat is not atrocious and the really good thrift/consignments will help you do it.
Oh, and the Rowenta I bought, it wound up in the trash. The customer service rep told me about the "made in China" issue and then confided that the "real" Rowentas were made in Germany. Problem of leaking irons was known but Rowenta made no effort to fix it. And we should buy what from a company with that attitude? Yikes.
Anyway, enjoy today.
Pat