For a few light creases on a hanging garment, a handheld steamer is ideal for occasional touch-ups and travelling, while a standing model is better suited to steaming several garments at home. Keep an iron or steam generator if you want to press creases or achieve a classic ironed finish. A larger water tank or a higher stated steam output alone won’t guarantee the results you want on your fabrics.
If you want to freshen up an outfit straight from your suitcase without taking an ironing board, compare the appliance’s weight and size, as well as the results you can expect after several passes. Que Choisir Ensemble describes a steamer as a solution for occasional touch-ups, particularly after clothes have been transported.
If you want to freshen up a garment in storage from time to time without setting up ironing equipment, the space you have to use and store the appliance matters just as much as its capacity. A standing model may need its own space.
If you’re thinking about replacing your iron, consider whether you need to press creases or achieve a classic ironed finish. According to Que Choisir Ensemble, a steamer is best suited to light creases and easy-to-steam fabrics, such as synthetics or lightweight cotton.
Choose this if: you need to touch up clothes occasionally, especially after taking them out of a suitcase, and want an appliance that’s easy to store or carry.
Keep in mind: water tank capacity, handheld weight and overall size vary by model; compact doesn’t necessarily mean lightweight.
Choose this if: you plan to steam several garments in a row at home and have space for the stand and appliance.
Keep in mind: a larger water tank and stand can take up a lot of space; one individual review posted on Philips France describes the STE3170/80 as cumbersome in a small home.
Choose this if: you want to press creases or regularly achieve a classic ironed finish.
Keep in mind: you’ll need to set up an ironing surface; Que Choisir Ensemble notes that a steam generator with a separate water tank takes up more space than an iron alone.
Que Choisir Ensemble distinguishes between light touch-ups and the finish you can achieve with an iron. To compare models, start with the results you want, then check portability, useful run time and how easy the appliance is to store.
| Criteria | What to check before buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Fabrics and finish | Check which fabrics have been tested and how the steamer performs on the creases you’re concerned about; the stated steam output alone isn’t enough to judge the finish. | If I want a crisp finish or need to press creases, I’d rather not rely on steam alone for touch-ups. Around 33% of consumers prioritise fabrics and finish. |
| Portability and size | Compare the appliance’s weight and dimensions, including when the water tank is full, and check how easily it fits in your luggage. | If I’m steaming an outfit after travelling, I want to be able to pack and hold the appliance without it taking up too much space. Around 27% of consumers prioritise portability. |
| Water tank and interruptions | Check the capacity in millilitres and how easy the tank is to access; don’t assume a specific run time based on capacity alone. | If I’m steaming several garments in a row, I’d rather refill less often than choose the smallest size. Around 20% of consumers prioritise run time and avoiding interruptions. |
| Ease of use and storage | Check how comfortable it is to hold, how easy the controls and water tank are to access, and the care instructions for the model. | Between touch-ups at home, I want to be able to use, fill and store the appliance easily. Around 20% of consumers prioritise ease of use at home. |
A steamer mainly smooths out light creases and won’t press creases like an iron. Que Choisir Ensemble presents it as a solution for touch-ups rather than a universal replacement for traditional ironing.
Decide what kind of finish you want before you buy, and keep a traditional ironing option if your clothes need it.
Dimensions alone won’t tell you how much weight you’ll need to carry or how often you’ll need to refill the tank. In its test of the SteamOne S-Travel, Les Numériques records a weight of around 1,100 g and notes that several passes are needed to steam clothes properly; this finding applies to this specific model.
Compare the weight, dimensions and capacity of the exact model with the number of garments you plan to steam.
A larger capacity can be useful for steaming several garments, but a standing appliance may also need more space. So the water tank isn’t the only factor to consider if you’re steaming just one item.
Choose a capacity that suits the number of garments you typically steam, and check how much room the stand needs if you’re considering a standing model.
Water and descaling instructions can vary by model. Philips advises against certain additions for appliances covered by its recommendations.
Follow the instructions for your model, and don’t assume that guidance from one brand applies to another.
The French range includes handheld and standing clothes steamers, with different configurations across models.
The models mentioned include handheld steamers such as the Pure POP DT2020C0 and a standing model, the Pro Style Care IT8470C0.
Braun describes the QuickStyle 3 GS3012BG as a slim handheld steamer, designed with storage and travel in mind.
The models mentioned include handheld appliances such as the S-Travel, as well as models designed for home use.
The French handheld steamer range includes the Access Steam Pocket, which Rowenta describes as having a foldable head.
This selection includes handheld steamers for occasional touch-ups at home or on the go, as well as standing models for steaming clothes on hangers at home.
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Its handheld design is suited to occasional touch-ups on a hanging garment, at home or on the go.
Stated steam output: 24 g/min; water tank: 260 ml.
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This handheld model is designed for quick touch-ups on hanging clothes, at home or when travelling.
Stated steam output: 33 g/min; water tank: 150 ml.
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The standing design and included hanger make it suitable for steaming hanging clothes at home.
Stated steam output: 42 g/min; water tank: 1.8 L.
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Its standing design is suitable for steaming hanging clothes at home.
Stated steam output: 50 g/min; water tank: 2 L.
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Its standing design, with an included hanger, is made for steaming hanging clothes at home.
Stated steam output: 40 g/min; water tank: 1.8 L.
Generally, no. Que Choisir Ensemble says a steamer is best suited to touching up light creases and won’t create sharp creases or the finish you’d get with an iron or steam generator. If that finish matters to you, keep a traditional ironing option.
Follow the instructions for your model. For Philips appliances covered by its recommendations, the manufacturer advises using distilled or demineralised water in hard-water areas, and advises against scented water and vinegar in the tank, among other things. Descaling instructions vary by model.
Contact the professional seller to claim your statutory guarantee of conformity. The French Ministry of the Economy and Finance states that it covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a professional to a private individual. It is separate from any commercial warranty offered by the manufacturer.
The CE mark is required when an appliance falls under the relevant EU regulations. The Low Voltage Directive covers, among other things, equipment designed for a rated voltage of 50 to 1,000 V AC. The DGCCRF points out that the CE mark is not an independent certification and, by itself, does not verify that a particular model complies with the rules.