Originally I purchase a Black and Decker iron. It never really was easy to use. I had trouble pressing seams, and I always was snagging the cord. I finally was able to afford a Panasonic cordless, with the pointy sole plate. I got it as a repackaged item from Amazon. It had a gummed up sole place because the previous buyer apparently didn't read the instructions, and used it on a synthetic using the high setting. I managed to clean the gumming off, and it glides so smoothly. It's easy to use due to the lack of cord. And it gets very hot compared to the Black and Decker. From what I can tell, it does a better job of pressing the seams due to the sharper edged sole plate. At least my pieced fabric squares are flatter, and the seams more sharply defined.