Steam irons flaunt a range of soleplate materials. Stainless steel is a very common choice for soleplates.
It gives a high shine and lasts a long time. It glides over fabrics easily, is scratch-resistant, and heats up fast.
On the other hand, a ceramic iron is good, too. It has a hard surface, doesn’t scratch, and has a smooth glide. It’s not found on many irons, but it’s still a good choice if you do find it.
However, ceramic soleplates wear quicker over time. They also can’t handle as high a heat as stainless steel.
Stainless steel, though, can get sticky when you iron at high temperatures. Ultimately, still, stainless steel is easier to clean.
So if you’re stuck between these two materials, they’re both excellent, but stainless steel is slightly better.