For a quick touch-up before heading out, use a garment steamer on clothes on a hanger. If you regularly iron clothes flat, consider an iron. A steam generator is worth looking at if you often iron several items in one go and have room for its base. Whichever you choose, check the run time, storage space required and which fabrics the specific model is suitable for.
If you get a garment ready on a hanger just before work, a lecture or a night out, setup time and easy storage matter. Philips France, for example, offers a Series 5000 garment steamer designed to be used on a hanger or flat. Check that the model you’re considering supports both uses.
For regular ironing sessions, compare the tank capacity, stated run time and space the appliance takes up. The French National Consumer Institute highlights run time and storage space as key differences between steam generators and irons.
Allow space for the appliance, its base if it has one, and the ironing board. A handheld model may suit quick touch-ups, while a dedicated ironing setup means you’ll need to consider how much room it takes up when stored.
Worth considering: for quick touch-ups before heading out, especially if you’d rather not get out the ironing board.
Bear in mind: a handy design for steaming clothes on a hanger doesn’t guarantee it’ll suit every crease, fabric or amount of laundry.
Worth considering: if you want to iron flat regularly without setting up the separate base of a steam generator.
Bear in mind: you’ll need an ironing surface and should check the capacity of your chosen model’s tank.
Worth considering: if you regularly iron several items in one session.
Bear in mind: the French National Consumer Institute notes that a steam generator takes up more room than a standard iron. Measure the space you’ll need for the base and storage.
Start with your usual ironing routine, then compare the features of models that suit the way you’ll use them.
| Priority | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Quick touch-ups | Stated heat-up time and whether the model is designed for use on a hanger. | Before heading out, I want to freshen up an outfit without setting up an ironing board; around 31% of consumers would put this quick touch-up first. |
| Amount of laundry | Tank capacity, stated run time and space taken up by the base. | When I have several items to iron, I want to get through the session without having to refill often; around 25% of consumers would prioritise this uninterrupted ironing. |
| Ironing flat | Whether it can be used flat, available settings and suitability for the fabrics you need to iron. | For my shirts or stubborn creases, I want to be able to iron the garment flat; nearly 25% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Fabrics and care | Fabric guidance, filling instructions and the descaling procedure in the manual. | If my clothes need special care, I want to know what I can do and how to maintain the appliance; around 19% of consumers would put these questions first. |
Steaming one outfit on a hanger and ironing several garments flat require different setups. The French National Consumer Institute highlights differences between these appliances, including tank capacity, run time and the space they take up.
Count the items in a typical ironing session and decide whether you need to work on a flat surface. Then compare tank capacity and how much room the appliance takes up when stored.
Manufacturers’ guidance applies to specific appliances and fabrics. A claim about fabrics that can be ironed doesn’t mean you can use the appliance on decorations, prints or fabrics whose care labels prohibit the treatment in question.
Check the garment’s care label and the model’s manual before using steam. Pay particular attention to embellishments and linings.
Calor’s safety guidance says to unplug the appliance when filling or cleaning it, and to have a damaged power cord dealt with by an authorised service centre. Always follow the instructions for the specific model you’re using.
Before you buy, check the manual for filling and descaling instructions, as well as details of repair options.
Its range includes different models, so you can compare handheld garment steamers with steam generators.
A brand to consider if access to the manual and care instructions are important to you.
Laurastar offers systems combining an active ironing board, generator and iron. These are worth considering for a dedicated ironing setup rather than a quick touch-up.
These models cover quick touch-ups with a handheld garment steamer and ironing sessions with a steam generator. To choose between these uses, compare the stated capacity and size with the amount of laundry you have and your available storage space.
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Worth considering for quick clothing touch-ups if you’d prefer a handheld appliance to a dedicated ironing setup.
The title lists a power rating of 1,500 W and a 300 mL tank. Check the manual for suitable fabrics and care instructions, and confirm the soleplate features if they’re important to your choice.
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Worth considering if you iron several items in one session and have room for a steam generator.
Measure the space available for the base and check the manual for the PSG6022/20 model for suitable fabrics and care instructions. Don’t assume that specifications for other Philips series apply to this model.
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Its foldable design is worth considering if storage matters as much as occasional touch-ups.
If you plan to steam several garments in a row, check the manual for the run time per tank and the fabrics it’s suitable for.
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Worth considering if you regularly iron several items in one session and have room for a steam generator.
The title lists a power rating of 2,400 W and a 2 L tank. Check the dimensions for storage and the care instructions for this model. Take care around the hot soleplate and steam.
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Worth considering for ironing flat if you’re looking at a steam generator rather than a standard iron.
The title lists a 1.3 L tank. Before buying, confirm the model variant being supplied, its capacity, manual and storage dimensions. Other descriptions also associate the GC6840/20 model with this product.
Not for every use. A garment steamer may suit quick touch-ups on clothes on a hanger, while an iron or steam generator is worth considering if you regularly iron flat or have a lot of laundry to get through. Check which fabrics the model is suitable for and read its guidance before deciding to do without an iron.
No. Check the garment’s care label and the appliance manual. Philips’ fabric protection guidance applies to specific technologies and fabrics that can be ironed; it doesn’t automatically cover prints, embellishments or other materials.
Follow the manual for your model and unplug the appliance whenever the instructions say to. Calor’s safety guidance says to unplug it when filling or cleaning, and to contact an authorised service centre if the power cord is damaged.
The legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished appliances sold by a business to a private individual in France, as the DGCCRF noted in September 2026. Contact the seller about the fault. This is separate from requesting a return simply because you’ve changed your mind.