Mia, I have three (4) mini irons that I use (depending on which sewing station I'm sitting at). I have one that definitely uses steam that is 'hotwired' so there's no problem with it coming unplugged - BUT my foggy mind doesn't remember where I bought it. I have one from Jo-Ann's which is the same brand as the one I bought from MSQC . . . one of those is fine and one had the cord pop off all the time. Solution? I plugged it in and took a pair of needle-point pliers and 'crimped' gently on the connection. Problem solved. My other 'mini' is a travel iron that I paid .99 cents for 'brand new'. It is much easier for me to sit at my machine, stitch a seam, press, stitch the next part, press . . .

All that being said 1) I only have the little ones that 'look' like regular irons - not the little 'branding iron' shaped ones; 2) I actually find myself getting up and using the regular iron because I need the EXERCISE . . . and that's where my spray starch resides . . .

I'd say it is definitely a personal preference. The minis I have cost less than $10 each . . . go for it. You'd spend more than that at McDonalds and wouldn't have anything beautiful to show.