For a quick touch-up on one or a few garments on a hanger before you head out, choose a handheld garment steamer if you want to avoid setting up an ironing board. A steam iron is suited to ironing flat and creating sharp creases. For longer, regular sessions, a steam generator offers a larger tank, but takes up more space. A hybrid or upright appliance is worth considering if its available positions and size suit your routine.
If you mainly touch up garments on a hanger and would rather not set up an ironing board, consider a handheld garment steamer. Compare its stated heat-up time with the amount of water available for the few items you usually prepare.
For shirts, trousers or outfits that need ironing flat, a steam iron gives you an iron soleplate and an ironing surface to work with. If your sessions are long, also compare the stated running time of steam generators with the space their bases require.
An appliance with suitable modes or both vertical and horizontal use can handle different tasks without adding more equipment. However, check which positions are allowed in the instructions, the appliance’s dimensions and the care instructions for each garment.
Start with how many garments you prepare at a time and whether you need to work on a hanger or on an ironing board. Then check fabric care requirements and how much space you need, including room for the appliance and accessories.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Quick touch-ups without an ironing board | Stated heat-up time and tank capacity for the items you can prepare between refills. | Before heading out, I want to touch up an outfit on a hanger without setting up an ironing board, and I’m happy with a compact tank. Around 33% of consumers prioritise quick touch-ups. |
| Ironing several items | Suitability for ironing flat, stated running time and the space needed for the appliance and ironing board. | When shirts and trousers start to pile up, I prioritise ironing creases flat and avoiding frequent tank refills. This is the main priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Different fabrics and uses | Available modes and explicit approval for vertical and horizontal use; also check the garment’s care label. | If my clothes need different care, I want to be able to adjust the appliance without assuming every fabric can withstand the same heat or steam. Around 25% of consumers put this flexibility first. |
| Storage and transport | The appliance’s dimensions and weight, as well as any stand or ironing board needed for use. | In a small space or before travelling, I mainly want to limit the amount of equipment I need to get out and put away, even if that means refilling the appliance more often. For around 17% of consumers, size is the top priority. |
A quick heat-up time doesn’t tell you how many garments you can treat before refilling the tank. For example, Philips lists a 100 ml tank for its STH7020/20 handheld garment steamer, compared with 1.5 L and up to an hour of ironing for its PSG7300/80 steam generator. These are two different uses and two separate models.
Count the items you usually prepare in one go, then compare the capacity, stated running time and ease of access to the tank on the model you’re considering.
Steam modes and fabric compatibility guidance vary by model. They don’t replace the garment’s care label, especially when the fabric or its finish requires special care.
Check the care label and instructions, use the recommended mode and test on an inconspicuous area if the fabric is delicate.
Descaling instructions vary between appliances. Calor recommends regular maintenance to keep the steam working well on its Virtuo FV1715C0 iron, so factor this into your everyday use.
Before buying, check the instructions and find out about spare parts and repair services. In France, the Ministry of the Economy says that repair grants may be available for irons, steam generators and garment steamers, subject to certain conditions. If an appliance breaks down, check whether both the appliance and repairer are eligible.
The range includes handheld garment steamers, irons and steam generators. Compare the models based on how long your sessions last, rather than simply whether they produce steam.
The range lets you compare steam irons, handheld garment steamers and hybrid appliances if your clothes sometimes need ironing flat and sometimes just need a touch-up on a hanger.
Its handheld and upright garment steamers are particularly suited to people who work on clothes while they’re on a hanger rather than laid flat.
The brand offers ironing systems with an integrated stand, which may suit you if you have room for the whole set-up.
These models suit three ways of getting clothes ready: steaming garments on a hanger with a handheld appliance, treating several items with an upright garment steamer, or ironing flat with a steam generator. First choose the position that works for you, then compare tank capacity and available space.
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If you regularly steam several garments on hangers, this upright model is worth considering if you have space for it. The product title lists a 2 L tank, 2,300 W and 50 g/min. Check the appliance’s dimensions before deciding where to store it.
It won’t replace an iron if your priority is ironing flat. Follow the instructions and the garment’s care label, especially for delicate fabrics.
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If you want to touch up clothes on a hanger without setting up an ironing board, its 400 ml tank could be useful when preparing several items. The product title lists 2,000 W and 30 g/min. For ironing flat, choose an appliance designed for that use.
Check the instructions and care label before treating delicate fabric.
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If you iron several items flat, compare this steam generator with other appliances, taking into account the base, iron and ironing surface you’ll need. Check that its running time suits your sessions and that you have enough space to store it.
Even with the settings provided by the model, follow the garments’ care labels and the appliance instructions.
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For a quick touch-up to an outfit on a hanger before heading out, this handheld model is better suited to a short session than a pile of laundry. The product title lists 150 ml, 2,000 W and 33 g/min. Compare how often you’d need to refill it with your usual routine.
Before using it on a delicate fabric, check the instructions and test on an inconspicuous area, following the garment’s care guidance.
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If compact storage or portability matters more than a long session, the foldable design is the key feature to consider on this handheld garment steamer. If you’re preparing several garments in a row, check how many you can treat between refills.
The product title lists a lint-removal function. For steaming, follow the instructions and the fabric’s care label.
Not for every task: a handheld garment steamer is mainly for quick touch-ups on a hanger, while an iron is for ironing flat and creating sharp creases. If you regularly do both, check that a hybrid model genuinely supports both positions and suits the length of your sessions.
Choose according to how many items you need to treat between refills, rather than estimating running time from tank capacity alone. As a guide to these specific models, Philips lists a 100 ml tank for the STH7020/20 garment steamer and 1.5 L for the PSG7300/80 steam generator. Also check the stated running time and the space needed for each appliance you’re considering.
Follow the instructions for your model on water and its anti-scale system. Calor recommends regular maintenance to keep the steam working well on its Virtuo FV1715C0 iron. Don’t apply those instructions to a steam generator or another iron without checking its own manual.
First check the garment’s care label and which positions and modes are allowed in the appliance instructions. A “delicate” mode isn’t suitable for every fabric. If the fabric or its finish seems sensitive, test on an inconspicuous area and follow the relevant care instructions.