I use a non auto shut off. I have never put an iron face down on the ironing board, when I'm done pressing the iron always gets put in the iron holder even for a few seconds. I don't see why anyone wouldn't use an iron holder, it's a great safety tool. I"ve tried the auto shut off but it frustrates me. Be mindful of any iron because my friend had a Rowenta iron flame up and it had auto shut off.