A steamer for clothes is a great alternative to the classical iron and ironing board as it’s easier to use and doesn’t occupy as much space.
Not to mention you won’t be left with a stiff back and a sore arm after a session of steaming!
The steamer works wonders in removing wrinkles and giving clothes a new life (especially wavy ones). Since it doesn’t press on the fabric, you can work on your clothes while they are on a hanger, which is their natural position.
As a result, there won’t be any hidden wrinkles and there’s no chance you’ll get a nasty iron print on your favorite shirt.
Given all these great benefits and the fact that even the best garment steamer is quite affordable, we took it upon ourselves to test the market and review some amazing products.
In addition, we also have a very detailed buying guide that may interest anyone who is looking for a new device right now!
See Our Top Clothes Steamer Reviews
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Best For Low Budgets
1Swan SI12020N Handheld Garment Steamer
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Best Overall
2Philips Steam and Go Clothes Steamer
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Best For Higher Budgets
3Rowenta IS6200 Garment Steamer
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Buy On AO1. Swan SI12020N Handheld Garment Steamer
- Compact & lightweight
- Fast heat startup
- 1100W continuous steam (kills bacteria)
- Safe to use on delicate fabrics
Compact and lightweight, this garment steamer can be easily used in cramped up spaces or packed in your suitcase for the road.
It’s also a 2-in-1 design since it can be used on clothes hanging in a vertical position or on horizontal ones for flat ironing.
While powerful (the steam gets hot), it is safe to use on delicate fabrics such as soft cottons, silk, and velvet.
It also works nicely on thicker fabrics like wool. You can also use it on curtains, sofas, carpets, and bedding due to the detachable fabric brush.
Besides being the ideal tool for wrinkle removal, it’s also sanitary since the steam is hot enough to kill bacteria and remove unwanted odors. Furthermore, you don’t have to wait long for the steam to start forming.
In addition, the device is equipped with a reliable overheat protection system that automatically powers it off in case it detects overheating or that the water is low in the reservoir.
Specifications
Pros
- Can be used as a steamer and an iron
- Detachable water reservoir
- Easy to use in small spaces
- Works on a wide range of fabrics
Cons
- The cable could’ve been longer
- The water tank gets depleted quickly
2. Philips Steam and Go Clothes Steamer
- Vertical and horizontal garment steamer
- Perfect for difficult to steam fabrics
- Ready to use in 45 seconds
- Equipped with Smartflow heated plate technology
It’s important to note that this is a steamer for clothes and it can be used for touch ups and fast crease removal.
However, it is not designed to replace the iron; it’s most of a last-minute solution that works on a wide range of fabrics (including difficult to iron ones).
In terms of design, this professional clothes steamer is slim and elegant. It comes with a small (70ml), detachable water reservoir, and has a heated plate that can be used to press on more difficult areas (horizontal ironing).
The stream of steam (up to 24 g/min) is powerful and gentle at the same time, which makes it easy to work with a wide range of fabrics, from delicate to thick ones.
The size and shape of the device make it great for traveling (it fits in most suitcases), but you should note it is a bit heavy.
It also comes with a heat-resistant storage bag, a glove, and a removable brush.
Lastly, the device is ready to use within 45 seconds and one fill is enough to de-wrinkle one piece of clothing.
In addition, the Smartflow heated plate in combination with the powerful steam helps remove odors and kills 99. 9% of bacteria.
Specifications
Pros
- The ideal travel companion
- Easy to hold for long periods of time
- Heated plate for horizontal steaming
- It heats up fast
Cons
- The water tank is a bit small
- A bit heavy for light traveling
3. Rowenta IS6200 Garment Steamer
- Tilt and Go system for easy maneuverability
- Integrated hanger with garment clips
- Fast heat up (60s)
- Excellent steam penetration
If you’re tired of ironing boards and accidentally burning your favorite clothes, then you need this professional clothes steamer for your home!
It is not portable, but you can move it about in the house due to the built-in wheels and the smooth Tilt and Go system.
The garment steamer has a large water reservoir (2.4 litres capacity), heats up quickly (60 seconds), and has a powerful steam output (30 grams per minute).
It also comes with an integrated vertical support and clothes hanger and clips that let you use the steamer in the most natural way possible.
In addition, it comes with a series of accessories such as a brush, a bonnet (for delicate fabrics), and the attachment for the perfect pants crease.
You can also use the steam to disinfect various textile surfaces such as couches, mattresses, toys, and more.
In addition, the steamer works well with heavy fabrics such as curtains or carpets. Overall, this is the steamer that can do it all!
Specifications
Pros
- Powerful enough to replace an iron
- Integrated vertical support
- Large water reservoir
- Can be used on all fabrics
Cons
- The build feels a little flimsy
- Can’t fill up the tank without removing it
4. Fridja Handheld Clothes Steamer
- Small but as powerful as a full-size steamer
- Fast heat up (45 seconds)
- Dual mode (eco & full power)
- Anti calcium water tank (260ml)
This is a travel clothes steamer designed to help you touch up your clothes and remove any last minute wrinkles.
It is compact and can be used with a water bottle (instead of the default water reservoir) to make it as travel-sized as possible.
The steam takes about 45 seconds to heat up and you can use it in bursts or as a continuous stream that can be supported for up to 14 minutes. The device also has two modes: ECO and full power.
The steam is powerful enough (25 grams of steam per minute) to be used with most fabrics, from delicate to thick.
It can also be used to refresh and disinfect upholstery, bedding, mattresses, curtains, and any other textile surfaces around the house.
Lastly, this hand steamer for clothes comes with a full set of accessories.
As such, you’ll get the steamer, a water bottle adaptor, the guard for delicate fabric, a collar press template, and a portable hanger.
Specifications
Pros
- Portable & easy to maneuver
- Works in bursts or in continuum mode
- Water bottle adaptor for when you’re traveling
- Powerful steam
Cons
- It doesn’t replace ironing
5. Morphy Richards 361000 Garment Steamer
- Really fast heat up (35 seconds)
- Dual Steam features: Eco & Turbo
- Extra long cable (3m)
- Compact and highly portable
While it is a bit bulky for a hand-held clothes steamer, this device is powerful and easy to use for touch ups and surface cleaning and disinfection.
The 260ml water reservoir is enough for about 15 minutes of steaming time and there are two settings: Eco (20g/min) and Turbo (25g/min) for thicker fabrics.
The device heats up fast (35 seconds) and is hot enough to kill most bacteria and banish odors.
It comes with several useful accessories such as a creaser (for pants and shirts) and a lint brush for cleaner, better-looking clothes.
Lastly, since it’s easy to hold it, you can use it on other types of textile surfaces such as curtains and bedding.
Specifications
Pros
- Powerful enough for all sorts of fabrics & surfaces
- Can be used to sanitize clothes & various objects
- Great accessories
- Doesn’t leave water stains
Cons
- It’s a bit bulky for a handbag
- The refill system is a bit weird
6. Tefal Pro Steam IT3440 Garment Steamer
- Vertical steamer with support for one hand usage
- Three steam settings
- Large steam head that delivers 30g of steam per minute
- Heats up fast (45 seconds)
This device can easily be the best garment steamer for home use. Fitted with Tefal’s patented vertical support panel, you can hang the fabric on a flat surface and use the head with just one hand for ultimate results.
The large water reservoir (1.5l) is perfect for a session of ironing (about 50 minutes of non-stop steaming before it needs a refill) and there are three steam settings so you can work with any type of fabric (from delicate to thick).
In addition, the head is extra large and delivers a solid stream of steam, which makes it easier and faster to work.
Also, it only takes about 45 seconds to heat everything up and you can use it on all sorts of surfaces from upholstery to curtains, bedding, and carpets.
To make it easier to store, the telescopic pole collapses into itself, so the entire device turns into a compact package.
Specifications
Pros
- Easy to use and store in the house
- Vertical use with built-in support & hanger
- Powerful steam with three settings
- Large water tank (1.5l)
Cons
- The hose could be longer
- The hanger feels flimsy
Garment Steamer Buying Guide
Handheld Vs Upright
As you can see from our list of garment steamer reviews, there are two main types of products: handheld and upright.
A handheld clothes steamer is designed with portability in mind but it also has a smaller water reservoir and less power than an upright design.
On the other hand, it’s easier to use in a tight space and you can pack most of them in a suitcase (for traveling). However, it cannot replace your iron so it should only be used for touch ups and delicate materials.
An upright device is more powerful and has a larger water reservoir. It may also have a larger head, with more steam settings than a handheld steamer.
This means you can use it as a replacement for the iron and ironing board as it can be used for longer sessions and is more convenient.
In addition, an upright steamer usually comes with a built-in vertical hanger, which makes it easier to steam pants, shirts, suits, and more.
Water Tank Capacity
The water tank or the water reservoir is the item that holds the water which will be heated and turned into steam. As such, its capacity is directly connected to the amount of steam you can create and for how long.
For instance, handheld devices have a smaller water reservoir (usually around 250 ml) so they are easy to use and lightweight.
This type of reservoir can produce about 15 minutes worth of continuous steam which is enough for when you’re trying to get rid of some travel wrinkles.
Bigger devices (usually upright ones) have a large water reservoir (around 1.5 liters) and can go on for about 1h, which is great for household activities such as ironing the bedding or curtains.
Also, a larger water reservoir also means you don’t have to refill it as often.
Lastly, it’s important to note that some handheld devices have a water bottle adapter. This way, you can forgo the reservoir and use a water bottle of a capacity you choose.
Continuous Steam
The continuous steam feature creates a constant stream of steam (instead of going in bursts).
This may drain the water reservoir faster, but it’s quite effective in removing stubborn wrinkles or when working with thicker fabrics. It’s also a good feature for when you’re sanitizing various surfaces (like the upholstery or the rug).
Some clothes steamers have two modes for this feature: Eco and Turbo. As such, you can control the amount of steam produced depending on the type of fabric you’re currently steaming.
For instance, if it’s a thin fabric, the Eco mode will do nicely and helps save water.
On the other hand, a thick fabric may require the Turbo mode, which in turn, will empty the water reservoir.
Steam Settings
The steam output is measured in grams of steam per minute. As such, the higher the steam output, the more powerful the stream, which means you can work with more stubborn surfaces.
In addition, a higher steam output means the surface will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized since the steam will get deeper inside.
Accessories
As you can see from our reviews, all the steamers come with several accessories.
These are important because they allow you to work with a wider range of fabrics, from delicate ones (like silk and soft cotton) to thicker ones like wool).
As such, the accessories every good steamer needs (regardless of the fact that it is portable or not) are:
- Lint brush – it’s a brush that attaches around the heated plate, at the top of the steamer head. The bristles are used to remove lint and other items from the fabric, while you are steaming it.
- Bonnet for delicate fabrics – This is a guard that goes over the head of the steamer, in order to protect delicate fibers from getting in direct contact with the steam. As a result, the risk to damage the fabric is very low.
- Heat resistant bag – this is an accessory for the portable steamer and is ideal for when you’re traveling.
- Creaser tool – for elegant and office-appropriate pants and shirts without having to get out the ironing board.
Portability
If you travel a lot for business, you will find a portable clothes steamer to be extremely useful.
These are handheld devices that fit in most suitcases and travel bags and are powerful enough to work on most types of clothes, the same as a steam press.
In addition, a portable clothes steamer also comes with several accessories for cleaning and making creases, which may come in handy.
And, while the water reservoir is going to be a bit small (depending on the model), most of these designs only take about a minute to heat up a new batch of water and turn it into steam.
Pricing Range
The price differs according to the type of steamer. For instance, for handheld devices, the costs range from about $30 to a maximum of $100 but you can find products even under the $20 threshold.
However, the low-cost ones don’t feature the same design and quality as the ones we reviewed, so make sure to check all the features.
Upright clothes steamers are a bit more expensive (around $80 to $150 and above) but they come with more features and power.
In addition, a vertical steamer can replace your iron for good, which may shorten the time you spend doing laundry and cleaning the house (they’re also great for sanitizing surfaces).
Our Verdict
The clothes steamer is a must-have in everyone’s home so if you haven’t tried one yet, now is the time!
The device is easy to use, makes ironing a breeze, and reduces the risk of damaging your precious garments.
In addition, a steamer is ideal for difficult to iron fabrics such as laced designs.
Not to mention that you can use the steamer to reduce the need for dry cleaning, which in turn prolongs the life and appearance of your clothes.
We also should add that the steam is hot enough to kill 99.9% of bacteria that attach to our clothes and stay on even after they are washed and dried.
In the end, the best garment steamer is the one that fulfills your needs, so it’s up to you if you get a handheld device or an upright one (or both).
