having used irons from $2 thrift store finds to fancy $150 irons...for longevity i have found the $10 cheapies from walmart hold up the best....the thrift store (very old) iron lasted me almost 3 years...the $12 basic i bought lasted almost 10 years...the $150 fancy iron...3 months..by then leaked horrribly, did not heat well was heavy and what a waste of money!!!
i like my iron to stay on and stay hot so when i'm ready for it is ready for me, i hate the ones that shut off after a minute and you have to shake it to wake it up again...and i no longer ever put water in my iron...i keep a spray bottle of water on the end of the ironing board