The German Rowentas are better. Where the iron is made is on the box. The only China made Rowenta I have is the travel iron and that one has worked well. I actually wore one travel iron out and had to buy a new one.
I never put water in any of my irons. I prefer to spray, since there does seem to be a lot of leakage with any iron.
However, I recently purchased a Panasonic Cordless and have been very happy with it. Again, no water in the iron. I do have to remember to put in the cradle properly, but otherwise it has been great.