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Clothes steamers help you smooth out creases and wrinkles in your garments. They are a useful alternative to ironing, especially for delicate materials or if you’re short on time when getting ready.
How We Compared Clothes Steamers
To find the right clothes steamers, we considered multiple features, including:
- Water Tank Capacity
- Heat Up Time
- Steam Power
- Size & Weight
- Ease of Use
Our team planned comparison points and specifically looked for products that would cater to all kinds of needs. We spent countless hours researching, consulting customer reviews and comparing features to come up with this list.
Clothes Steamer Reviews
WiredLux Handheld (Editor’s Choice)
Our top choice is this advanced model, which has everything you need for hassle-free steaming. Capable of destroying up to 99% of bacteria and germs, it’s an excellent option to keep your garments looking and smelling their best.
The WiredLux Handheld harnesses new technology to eliminate creases, no matter the type of fabric. It’s even suitable for delicate material, so you can remove wrinkles without risk of damage. This product heats up rapidly in just 25 seconds and can produce a continuous flow of steam for up to 10 minutes. So, whether you have a single item or a small pile of laundry, you can get the job done fast.
Thanks to its lightweight and compact design, this model is great in terms of portability. The 100% leakproof feature allows you to use it at any angle, even upside down. It works just as effectively on clothing that is laid flat or suspended from a hanger. It comes complete with a range of accessories, including a fabric brush and a door hanger.
Pros:
- Lightweight and compact
- 100% leakproof
- Suitable for delicate material
- It kills 99% of bacteria
Cons:
- It may leave water marks on some items
- This option could be quite noisy
TICWELL Steamer (Luxury Choice)
Check out our luxury pick if you’re looking for a professional-grade model that can handle even the deepest creases. This product boasts a generous 2.4L detachable water tank for a 90-minute runtime and a powerful, continuous output.
The TICWELL gives you the option of different steam levels, including a self-cleaning function for convenience. Simply choose the right mode for the fabric you wish to work on, and start smoothing out creases in seconds. The specially designed handle and complimentary gloves protect your hands from high temperatures, which can reach up to an impressive 150°C.
A ceramic heating panel combined with the ten-hole steam outlet ensures it covers a wide area and produces even results. It has a 90° head that can swivel to allow both horizontal and vertical ironing – great for tackling awkward items. To reduce hand fatigue, you can also lock the operating trigger to express steam continually without needing to depress it constantly.
Pros:
- 2.4L water tank
- 90-minute runtime
- Four steam levels
- Self-cleaning mode
- Trigger lock
Cons:
- It might be quite bulky to store
- The instruction manual could be better
Hilife Clothes Steamer (Best Value)
Our best value pick is a great choice if you need a simple-to-use option that is effective and portable. This 700W model has a good capacity of 240ml, which allows it to produce steam for up to 15-minutes.
Thanks to its 2.8-metre power cable, the Hilife steamer has plenty of reach for convenient use without being tethered close to the wall. It is comfortable to hold, and its compact dimensions make it suitable for packing into carry-on luggage. The continual steam output works efficiently to eliminate wrinkles in all types of fabrics, even delicate items such as silk or chiffon.
This model is shaped a little like a kettle and features a clear view window so you can see how much water remains in the tank. It has five steam holes to cover a generous area and comes with a handy refill cup and garment brush.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- 240ml capacity
- 15mins runtime
- Suitable for all fabrics
- Lightweight and portable
Cons:
- This model may not remove deep wrinkles quickly
- It could be prone to leaks
Welltin 2000W (Best for Power)
If you have thick garments or stubborn creases, our best powerful choice is ideal. This 2000W model creates strong, targeted, concentrated steam to eliminate wrinkles and easily smooth your clothes. The 400ml water tank provides a working time of up to 20 minutes, while the rapid heat up means you can get the job done in no time.
Thanks to its high-temperature metal panel, the Welltin can generate a 30g/min steam flow that penetrates deep into garments. The handy “lock” button means you can fix the output, so it flows continuously, and the choice of two modes is useful for a variety of fabrics. Use the powerful first mode for thicker, heavier materials such as wool and the more gentle second mode for delicate items, like silk or nylon.
Lightweight and portable, this model has an ergonomic handle and is almost effortless to hold at just 1.06kg. The translucent water tank in the base also makes it easy to see how much fluid is remaining. This steamer comes with a 2.2m long power cable, providing plenty of reach for hassle-free use.
Pros:
- Powerful 2000W model
- Large 400ml water tank
- 30g/min steam generation
- Lightweight at 1.06kg
- Long power cable
Cons:
- The handle could get quite hot
- It may leave wet patches on clothes
Homeasy Portable (Best Design)
Our best design pick boasts an elegant look, sleek appearance and powerful output. This handheld model has five holes in the nozzle for generous flow and can easily tackle stubborn creases. It can reach a top steam temperature of 120℃, penetrating the material effectively for rapid results.
The Homeasy has a good-sized water tank at 110ml, so you can use it non-stop for up to eight minutes. The 18g/min steam flow is perfect for smoothing out all types of wrinkled fabrics, while the 0.8kg weight means it is comfortable to hold. It heats up in just 45 seconds, and the compact dimensions make it a great option when travelling.
This model can also be used as a dry flat iron if required. All you have to do is turn it on, allow it to heat up and press the panel onto your clothing without pushing the steam button. This allows you to easily switch between upright hang steaming and standard ironing for super smooth garments. In addition, this product has a built-in safety switch which turns it off when the water runs dry.
Pros:
- Elegant design
- Lightweight
- Runtime of 8 minutes
- It heats up in 45 seconds
- Double as a flat iron
Cons:
- The handle could get uncomfortably hot
- The water tank may leak
Tefal Access (Best for Versatility)
This clothes steamer comes with a vast range of accessories that make it an excellent choice for use at home and when travelling. At 1600W and with a selection of two steam outputs, it effectively removes creases from your garments in minutes.
The Tefal Access has a ceramic coated soleplate which heats up to 140°C in just 40 seconds. The special coating ensures that wrinkles are smoothed out beautifully on all fabrics, even silk, without any risk of scorching. It has two steam options: delicate and super turbo. The delicate level runs at 20g/min, while the super turbo runs at 26g/min. This allows you to ramp up the power when needed, so even tough creases are banished.
Featuring a removable 0.2L water tank, this model has enough capacity to steam several items before needing to be refilled. The trigger lock allows continuous use without fatigue, while the flat base makes it easy to set down in between garments. This option comes with a fabric brush, door hook, pleat attachment, steam bonnet and a handy travel bag.
Pros:
- Heats up to 140°C
- Ready to use in 40 seconds
- Two steam output levels
- Removable water tank
- Range of attachments
Cons:
- The manual may be confusing
- It might be heavy for some users
Philips Steam & Go (Best Compact)
If you’re after a lightweight option, check out this model. This handheld steamer weighs just 0.91kg, so it is perfect for quick, effective results on the go. It heats up in only 45 seconds and has a compact, detachable water tank for easy filling.
The Philips clothes steamer is ergonomically designed to be comfortable to hold. The long handle fits perfectly in your hands, while the soft heated plate emits continuous steam from several holes. Capable of producing 24g/min, this model penetrates the fibres of your garments quickly, smoothing out wrinkles without the need for an ironing board.
Perfect for packing in your case for trips away, this product can be used both horizontally and vertically, so you can remove creases on any surface. It also helps to eliminate odours and destroys up to 99.9% of bacteria. The 2.5-metre power cord gives you a good amount of reach. It comes with a glove, storage bag and garment brush for thicker fabrics.
Pros:
- Lightweight at just 0.91kg
- Heats up in 45 seconds
- 24g/min steam output
- Horizontal or vertical use
- 2.5m power cord
Cons:
- The water tank capacity could be better
- It may struggle with thicker fabrics
How to Choose a Clothes Steamer
With so many models to choose from, selecting the right clothes steamer for your needs can be time-consuming. Read our buyer’s guide to find out how to make the best pick.
Water Tank Capacity
When choosing a clothes steamer, pay attention to the water tank capacity before buying. The larger the capacity, the longer the run time you will get from a single fill.
If you plan to use your steamer to remove deep wrinkles from large items of clothing, or several garments at a time, then a model with a bigger tank would be the best choice. Alternatively, if you expect to use your steamer for touch-ups or when travelling, opt for one with a more compact water reservoir.
Heat Up Time
The faster the heat-up time, the quicker you can get to work smoothing out creases. Some clothes steamers can be ready to use in as little as 25 seconds, which makes them ideal for last-minute perfections before heading out.
Steam Power
Steam power is one of the most important features to consider. The stronger the output, the more effective it will be at eliminating creases, especially in thicker fabrics. If you plan to use your steamer for delicate items such as silk and chiffon, then output of around 20g/min should be sufficient. However, look for a model that offers 25-30g/min for more dense garments like wool.
Size & Weight
Some clothes steamers feature large water tanks and a freestanding design, which is great for intensive use. However, they can be difficult to store and aren’t suitable for travel. More compact, lightweight models are better for occasional touch-ups and can often be easily packed into a carry-on suitcase for trips away.
Take the time to check the weight and dimensions before purchasing. Keep in mind that if the handpiece is quite heavy, you may find it tiring to use for long periods.
Ease of Use
Pay attention to the features and consider whether these will make a particular model easy to operate for your intended purpose. For example, some clothes steamers can only be used vertically on hanging garments, while others are also suitable for horizontal steaming on hard surfaces, much like ironing.
Other convenient features, such as removable water tanks, adjustable steam output, and an ergonomic design, are all important considerations to keep in mind.
Summary
Our overall winner and Editor’s Choice is the WiredLux Handheld. This model is suitable for use with all types of fabrics, even delicates, and heats up incredibly fast in just 25 seconds. With a 10-minute runtime, this steamer is great for smoothing out creases in several items before refilling. Its lightweight, compact design is comfortable to hold, plus it is 100% leakproof for use at any angle.
Kelly is an expert in consumer product research, which is very important when it comes to finding the most useful and aesthetically pleasing items for your home. This became her passion after finding it very time-consuming to wade through all the product information online.
She has a keen attention to detail which she brings to her articles, Kelly’s goal is to help you find what you need without spending too much time searching for it.