To ease light creases in an outfit taken out of a suitcase or left folded, a handheld garment steamer is ideal for a quick touch-up without an ironing board. For several garments on hangers, consider a vertical model instead. If you need sharp creases or a crisp finish, stick with an iron. For larger loads of laundry, a steam generator may be more suitable, but it takes up more space.
For light creases in a garment taken out of a suitcase, a handheld steamer saves you having to set up an ironing board. Que Choisir recommends this type of appliance for occasional touch-ups; don’t expect it to create sharp creases or give you the finish of an iron.
If you need to freshen up several shirts, dresses or stored outfits, a vertical garment steamer is worth considering. Que Choisir distinguishes it from a handheld model for treating several garments. Check how much space you’ll need and how to fill the model you choose.
A garment steamer is still a useful extra for creating creases or tackling stubborn ones. Que Choisir’s guides recommend an iron for a polished finish and a steam generator if you regularly iron large loads of laundry.
For clothes creased in transit or storage, start by choosing based on how many items you need to treat and the finish you want. These two factors will help you decide whether a quick touch-up is enough.
Best for: occasional touch-ups without an ironing board, especially for an outfit taken out of a suitcase.
Bear in mind: as Que Choisir points out, its compact design won’t give you the sharp creases you’d get with an iron.
Best for: steaming several garments on hangers at home—a use for which Que Choisir recommends a vertical model.
Bear in mind: the stand takes up more space than a handheld appliance, and it won’t give you the sharp creases of an iron.
Best for: when creating sharp creases and achieving a crisp finish matters more than a quick touch-up.
Bear in mind: you’ll need an ironing surface and somewhere to set up, even to treat a single item.
Best for: when touch-ups turn into ironing sessions involving lots of laundry, as recommended in Que Choisir’s guide.
Bear in mind: its separate water tank and set-up take up more space than an iron alone.
| Consideration | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Touch-ups on the go | Compare the weight, storage options and tank capacity of the handheld steamer. | When I take a creased outfit out of my suitcase, I want to touch it up without setting up an ironing board. Around 33% of consumers would put ease of carrying first. |
| Several garments | Check the tank capacity and stand stability of a vertical model. | If I have several stored outfits waiting on hangers, I’d rather be able to steam them one after another than spend a long time handling a small appliance. This would be the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Crisp finish | Check whether the fabric needs ironing with a temperature setting and whether you have an ironing board. | For trouser creases or stubborn creases, I prioritise the finish over the speed of a quick touch-up. Around 25% of consumers would make this result their top priority. |
| Large loads | Consider how much room a steam generator needs and how often you actually have ironing sessions. | When laundry regularly piles up, I look for a solution for longer ironing sessions, not just for an outfit taken out of the wardrobe. This would be the main need for around 17% of consumers. |
Que Choisir describes a garment steamer as a way to ease light creases caused by travel or storage, not to create creases as you would when ironing.
Sort the items you need to treat: use a steamer for light touch-ups, and keep an iron or steam generator for a traditional ironing finish.
A figure in grams per minute doesn’t tell you on its own how well an appliance will perform on different fabrics. Que Choisir’s testing also looks at how effectively it removes creases and how easy it is to handle.
Also compare the design, tank, grip and maintenance requirements with the way you plan to use it.
A small handheld model and a vertical garment steamer aren’t designed for the same kind of use. Que Choisir recommends a vertical model when you need to treat several garments.
For the occasional outfit, consider a handheld appliance. For several garments on hangers, check the tank and storage space needed for a vertical model.
Steam and hot surfaces can cause burns. Que Choisir also points out that limescale can block irons and steam generators.
Don’t steam a garment while you’re wearing it. Before using, cleaning or storing the appliance, follow the safety, cooling and descaling instructions in its manual.
These ranges give you different designs to compare. The right choice depends on the specific model and the touch-ups you need, not just the brand name.
The range includes handheld garment steamers for touch-ups and compact storage, including the 3000 Series STH3000/20 and 7000 Series STH7020/20.
The Groupe SEB range includes the handheld Access Steam+ DR8150D1 and vertical Pro Style Care models for garments on hangers.
The Access’Steam Pocket DT3030E0 is a handheld garment steamer. Tefal highlights its foldable head for easy transport.
The brand offers the IGGI steamer for travel, the IZZI for longer use at home, as well as steam generators.
The models below are suited to two different uses: handheld garment steamers for touch-ups after travel or storage, and a steam generator if you’re looking for an appliance for ironing sessions.
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Worth considering for occasional touch-ups if tank capacity matters: the product title specifies a 300 ml tank and a brush. If you plan to take it with you, check its storage dimensions and read the manual before use.
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Its foldable design is worth considering if you want to store the appliance between touch-ups. If you plan to steam several garments in one go, check how long it runs between refills. Follow the manual for fabric care and allow it to cool before putting it away.
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This steam generator is designed for more regular ironing rather than a quick touch-up while travelling. The product title specifies a 2 L tank. Check how much space you’ll need to set it up, its electrical specifications and the manual for the model on offer.
No. According to Que Choisir, a garment steamer is mainly used to ease light creases caused by travel or storage. If you need to create a crease, tackle stubborn ones or achieve a crisp finish, stick with a traditional ironing appliance.
No. Don’t direct steam at a garment you’re wearing. The Rowenta Access Steam+ DR8150D1 manual reproduced by ManualsLib includes this warning. Put the garment on a hanger or suitable stand, and follow the instructions for your model.
Use the water and descaling method specified in your appliance’s manual. Que Choisir points out that limescale can block irons and steam generators; don’t assume the instructions for one model apply to another.
Before choosing, check who the seller is, the exact model number, and whether clear instructions and warnings are provided. The DGCCRF highlights the importance of safety information for electrical appliances. Also check the instructions for your specific model before using it for the first time.