To smooth out light creases in an outfit taken from a suitcase or wardrobe, a handheld garment steamer is handy for occasional touch-ups. A vertical model is better suited to steaming several garments one after another at home. If you want to press in creases or regularly iron a large amount of laundry, stick with an iron or consider a steam generator iron. UFC-Que Choisir points out that a garment steamer won’t give you the same finish as an iron or steam generator.
If you want to smooth out light creases in an outfit straight from your suitcase without taking an ironing board, start by looking at compact handheld garment steamers. Before you travel, check the weight, size, water tank and compatibility with the power supply at your destination.
If you mainly need to touch up clothes occasionally and have little room to store an appliance, a handheld model is worth considering. A vertical garment steamer takes up more space, but could be a good choice if you regularly steam several garments one after another.
If you want to press in trouser creases or achieve a crisp, structured finish, stick with an iron or choose a steam generator depending on how much laundry you have. UFC-Que Choisir describes a garment steamer as a solution for light creases, not as a replacement for this kind of finish.
Start with how many garments you need to treat and the finish you’re after, then compare the appliance format and any usage requirements.
| What to consider | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Quick touch-ups | Check the stated heat-up time, the position in which the appliance can be used and how much space you’ll need to hang the garment. UFC-Que Choisir says garment steamers are intended to smooth out light creases after clothes have been transported or stored. | I want to freshen up a creased outfit without setting up an ironing board. |
| Run time and ease of handling | Compare the water tank capacity, stated run time and weight when held in your hand. If you’re travelling, also check the size and compatibility with the power supply at your destination. | Touching up one outfit doesn’t require the same run time as steaming several garments in a row. When travelling, I also need to be able to carry and handle the appliance easily. |
| Finish and fabrics | Check the garment care label and the appliance instructions. If you want sharp creases, compare what an iron or steam generator can do instead: according to UFC-Que Choisir, a garment steamer won’t give you the same finish. | If I want crisp creases or need to iron regularly, a quick touch-up on a hanger won’t meet my needs. |
| Hygiene claims | Assess the appliance based on how well it steams clothes, its format and its run time. UFC-Que Choisir does not include textile disinfection claims in its assessment of garment steamers. | I want to smooth out creases, not choose an appliance based on claims about disinfection or pest treatment. |
Stated run times vary between models. For example, Calor lists a 70 ml tank and 4 minutes of run time for the Pure POP, compared with 180 ml and 12 minutes for the Pure Force 2-en-1.
Estimate how many garments you’ll steam without stopping, then compare the tank capacity and run time of the specific model. If you’ll be using it for repeated sessions at home, also look at vertical models.
UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between touching up light creases and the finish you can achieve with an iron or steam generator.
If you need to press in trouser creases or iron regularly, plan to use an iron or steam generator rather than relying on a garment steamer alone.
For irons, UFC-Que Choisir notes that manufacturers’ stated figures aren’t necessarily comparable when there’s no clearly defined measurement method.
Also compare the water tank, settings, weight and conditions of use. Don’t assume a higher steam output figure will mean better results on your clothes.
A hygiene claim doesn’t tell you whether the appliance is right for your touch-up needs. UFC-Que Choisir does not include textile disinfection claims in its assessment of garment steamers.
Choose based on the garments you need to touch up and how you plan to use the appliance. Don’t rely on a domestic garment steamer alone to deal with pests.
Calor offers handheld garment steamers with different tank capacities, as well as models that can be used vertically or horizontally.
The 3000 Series STH3000/20 is a foldable handheld garment steamer, designed for touch-ups and compact storage.
The Daily and George 2 vertical models are designed for touching up several garments at home.
These two handheld garment steamers are designed for touching up clothes. Choose according to the size of your steaming sessions and your storage or travel needs. If you want sharp creases, compare ironing appliances instead.
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A handheld design to consider for occasional touch-ups or when you’re travelling. Check that the water tank capacity suits the number of garments you plan to steam. Before using it on delicate fabrics, check the care label and appliance instructions.
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Its stated 300 ml tank capacity is worth comparing with the number of garments you’d like to steam in one session. The product name lists a power rating of 1500 W, but this figure alone doesn’t tell you how well it will perform. Check the instructions to make sure it’s suitable for your fabrics and, if the soleplate material matters to you, confirm what it’s made from before buying.
Not if you need to press in creases or iron an entire garment. UFC-Que Choisir says garment steamers are mainly for smoothing out light creases. For a crisp, structured finish, stick with an iron or consider a steam generator, depending on how much laundry you have.
A small tank may be enough for one outfit. Philips says the 100 ml tank on its 3000 Series STH3000/20 can steam up to one complete outfit per fill. If you plan to steam several garments one after another, compare the stated capacity and run time of the model you’re considering.
Don’t assume a garment steamer is suitable for every item of clothing. UFC-Que Choisir lists synthetic fabrics, cotton and linen among the fabrics that are easy to steam. Always check the garment care label and appliance instructions, especially for delicate or embellished items.
Not if your aim is to touch up a creased garment. UFC-Que Choisir does not include textile disinfection claims in its assessment of garment steamers, so compare the format, run time and intended use instead.