To ease creases in a few hanging garments after a trip or storage, a handheld garment steamer is a good choice if portability and quick set-up matter more to you than a crisp finish. A standing garment steamer is worth considering for more regular touch-ups at home. If you want to create sharp creases or often iron difficult fabrics, stick with an iron or consider a steam generator.
You want to ease creases in a shirt, dress or top straight from your suitcase, without setting up an ironing board. An appliance that’s easy to carry and quick to use is ideal, as long as you’re looking for a light touch-up rather than a crisp finish.
You regularly freshen up several hanging garments after taking them out of storage, but don’t want a long ironing session. A standing garment steamer can mean fewer refills, provided you have room to store it.
You want to create sharp creases or work with difficult fabrics. According to UFC-Que Choisir’s guides to garment steamers, irons and steam generators, a garment steamer won’t always replace conventional ironing in these situations.
Consider it: for a few touch-ups on a hanger, especially if you need to take it travelling.
Bear in mind: it mainly eases light creases, and its tank may need refilling during a longer session.
Consider it: for regularly freshening up several hanging garments at home.
Bear in mind: a generally larger tank means a bulkier appliance, and doesn’t guarantee an iron-like finish.
Keep one if: sharp creases and precise ironing matter more than touch-ups without an ironing board.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to set up an ironing surface to get this finish.
Consider one: if your needs go beyond occasional touch-ups and you regularly iron difficult fabrics, such as linen or thick cotton, as cited by UFC-Que Choisir.
Bear in mind: it requires an ironing board and more space than a handheld garment steamer.
For a few creased garments after travelling or storage, start by thinking about the finish you want, then compare portability and how many items you need to treat. The priorities below are for shoppers looking for a solution for these touch-ups, rather than intensive ironing.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Portability and speed | Compare the weight, stored dimensions and heat-up time of the exact model. If you’re travelling, check its power supply too. | After unpacking my suitcase, I want to deal with a few creases without getting out an ironing board or waiting around. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this ease of touch-up. |
| Finish and fabrics | Check the garment care label and appliance instructions. Consider whether you need sharp creases rather than simply removing wrinkles. | If I often wear linen, thick cotton or clothes that need a crisp crease, I don’t want to replace my iron unnecessarily. A crisp finish comes first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Several garments at home | Check the tank capacity and how easy it is to refill, but don’t assume that the stated capacity alone tells you how long it will run. | When I take several garments out of the wardrobe, I’d rather avoid interruptions while sticking to touch-ups. Around 25% of consumers prioritise uninterrupted use. |
A garment steamer can ease light creases in a hanging garment, but it won’t create sharp creases like conventional ironing. UFC-Que Choisir’s guides make this distinction clear.
Before deciding whether a garment steamer can be your only appliance, identify the clothes that need a crisp, structured finish.
A steam output figure tells you nothing about how easy an appliance is to handle or how it will perform on your fabrics. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol also looks at practical aspects such as heat-up, refilling and maintenance.
Compare models using the specifications and instructions for each one. If you read test results, look for those that explain their testing methods.
UFC-Que Choisir identifies limescale build-up as a major cause of faults in its garment steamer testing protocol.
Before you buy, check the instructions for the type of water to use and how to empty and descale that model.
Portability also depends on the weight when the tank is full and the electrical set-up at your destination.
Before you travel, check the exact model’s weight, dimensions, voltage, frequency and plug type.
The range includes handheld garment steamers designed for touch-ups and travel.
The brand offers handheld models for touch-ups and standing models for more regular use at home.
Laurastar positions IGGI as a travel-friendly option and IZZI for longer use at home.
These handheld garment steamers are suited to occasional touch-ups on hanging garments. If you want to treat several items regularly or create sharp creases, also compare a standing garment steamer or keep suitable ironing equipment.
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Its foldable design makes it easy to store or take with you for occasional touch-ups. Before using it on your clothes, check the instructions for suitable fabrics and maintenance requirements.
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This handheld garment steamer is designed for touch-ups on a few hanging garments. If you’re taking it outside France, check the model’s voltage and plug type. Follow the instructions for handling hot appliances and unplugging safely.
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If you’re planning several touch-ups in one session, take a look at this model with its 300 ml tank. However, tank capacity alone doesn’t tell you how long it will run, so check whether its weight is suitable for carrying too.
Not for every garment. It’s best suited to easing light creases in hanging clothes. If you want sharp creases or regularly iron difficult fabrics, keep an iron or consider a steam generator, in line with the distinctions made by UFC-Que Choisir.
Start by checking the garment’s care label and the garment steamer’s instructions. For delicate fabrics, Laurastar recommends testing the steam on a small area; this doesn’t mean you can ignore any restrictions for that fabric.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the type of water to use, and how to empty and descale the model. Limescale build-up is one of the faults covered by UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol. Don’t use a procedure intended for a different appliance.
If you buy an appliance from a professional seller in France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies, including when an item doesn’t match the seller’s description, as the Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control explains. Keep your proof of purchase and the product description. Any commercial warranty is in addition to, not a replacement for, this legal guarantee.
Take it to a waste electrical and electronic equipment collection point rather than putting it in household rubbish. Depending on the conditions at the retailer, you may be able to return it when buying an appliance of the same type or, at some shops, without making a new purchase. Information from the ministry responsible for ecological transition distinguishes between these two types of take-back service.