Households with long ironing sessions
You regularly build up a pile of laundry and want to avoid stopping to refill the appliance. The difference between a capped boiler and continuous filling matters to the way you iron.
Who is this choice for?
Households with limited storage space
You iron regularly, but have to take the appliance out and put it away after every session. The space taken up by the base, both on the ironing board and in the cupboard, matters just as much as how it produces steam.
Households mindful of fabrics and maintenance
You iron a range of fabrics or use hard water, and want to compare results on different textiles, the soleplate and the maintenance required. UFC-Que Choisir describes tests on different fabrics and recommends taking your usage and water hardness into account when considering maintenance.
What to compare
Steam generator with continuous filling
Choose this if: you have long ironing sessions and want to be able to top up the water while the appliance is in use, as permitted by the model’s instructions.
Bear in mind: a steam generator and its base take up more space than an iron.
Pressurised-boiler steam generator
Choose this if: your laundry load can be ironed in one session without exceeding the boiler’s capacity, and you’re happy to follow the filling procedure in the instructions.
Bear in mind: some capped models need to be switched off and depressurised before opening. This procedure does not apply to all steam generators.
Steam iron
Choose this if: you prioritise a simple set-up and compact storage, or tend to iron in shorter sessions.
Bear in mind: as the water tank is inside the iron, check whether its capacity is suitable for the length of your sessions. UFC-Que Choisir notes that a steam generator does not always offer an obvious advantage over a good iron.
Ironing centre
Choose this if: you iron often enough to make use of an active ironing board paired with the steam generator, and have enough room once the system is set up.
Bear in mind: the system includes an ironing board, so you’ll need to allow space to set it up and store it.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who prioritises this most |
|---|---|---|
| Finishing a long ironing session | Check the instructions to see whether you can add water while the appliance is in use. Also check the tank capacity and how much space it takes up on your ironing board. | When I iron for a long time, I want to avoid interrupting my session to refill the boiler. Around 29% of consumers put continuous filling first. |
| Setting up and storing the appliance | Compare the base dimensions, the weight of the iron and the complete unit, as well as the space available for the cords. | If I have to take the appliance out and put it away every time, its dimensions and weight matter to my choice. Around 24% of consumers prioritise easy storage and transport. |
| Keeping on top of maintenance | Check the guidance on water, descaling, rinsing and access to the anti-scale collector, if there is one. | If I have hard water or use the appliance frequently, I want to know what maintenance will be needed. Around 18% of consumers make ease of maintenance their main criterion. |
| Ironing your fabrics comfortably | Check the results on different fabrics, how easy the iron is to handle and its weight. Don’t rely on the stated pressure alone. | For the fabrics I usually iron, I want an easy-to-handle iron and suitable results, without assuming that a pressure figure guarantees them. Around 17% of consumers prioritise results on fabrics and ironing comfort. |
| Assessing the total cost | Compare the type of appliance, any accessories you’ll need, the stated support for that model and the warranty terms. | Before choosing a steam generator or an ironing centre, I want to know whether the total cost suits the way I’ll use it. Around 12% of consumers prioritise total cost and after-sales service. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing high pressure with continuous filling
The stated pressure alone doesn’t tell you how to add water. For the traditional capped models described by Polti, you need to switch off the heating element and let the boiler depressurise before opening the cap.
Check the instructions for the specific model to find out when and how to refill it.
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Comparing only the pressure in bars or the steam boost
Continuous steam output and results on different fabrics are separate criteria. UFC-Que Choisir describes separate tests for these measurements: a pressure figure or a short burst of steam does not sum up how the appliance will perform on your fabrics.
Compare the results on different fabrics, how easy the iron is to handle and the fabrics you iron most often.
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Forgetting how much space the base or ironing board takes up
A steam generator takes up more space than an iron, while an ironing centre combines a steam generator with an active ironing board. UFC-Que Choisir describes ironing centres as systems with boards that can, among other things, suck in air, blow air or heat up.
Measure the space available on your ironing board and in your storage area, as well as the room needed to set up an ironing centre.
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Assuming an anti-scale system means no maintenance
Limescale can clog the appliance, and maintenance guidance varies by model. UFC-Que Choisir recommends taking frequency of use and water hardness into account.
Before buying, compare the guidance on water and the maintenance required for each model.
Brands to know
Philips
The PerfectCare Elite Plus GC9682/80 is an example of a steam generator with automatic settings and features specific to this model.
- Philips states that the GC9682/80 has a lightweight iron, OptimalTEMP technology and automatic DynamiQ steam.
- The manufacturer’s claims do not guarantee that it will suit every fabric or storage space. Les Numériques notes the weight of the complete unit and that this model cannot be stood upright.
Braun
The CareStyle 7 Pro IS7262GY is an example of a steam generator with programmes and a curved soleplate.
- Braun states that this model has a steam output of 150 g/min and a FreeGlide 3D soleplate.
- The ergonomic and performance claims come from Braun. Check the weight of the complete unit, the space required and the maintenance instructions for this model rather than assuming they apply to the whole range.
H.Koenig
The V26 is an example of a steam generator with a removable tank and continuous filling, according to the manufacturer’s documentation.
- H.Koenig lists a pressure of 6 bars, a 1.1 L tank and a ceramic soleplate for the V26.
- These are manufacturer specifications, not comparative test results. Check the specific version and its instructions before comparing features.
Polti
The Vaporella range lets you compare models with safety caps and appliances with continuous filling.
- Polti explains how to open traditional capped boilers; the Vaporella 535 Eco_Pro is an example of this design.
- The procedure described applies to traditional capped models and should not be used for every Vaporella.
Laurastar
The GO+ is an example of an ironing centre that combines a steam generator with an active ironing board.
- Laurastar describes an ironing board with a fan and suction function, and an appliance fitted with wheels.
- The speed and results claims come from the brand. Check how much space you’ll need to set up and store this system before comparing it with a standalone steam generator.
Joybuy products related to this topic
These products let you compare steam irons and steam generators for regular or lengthy ironing sessions.
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H.Koenig V26, 6-bar steam iron
Worth comparing if you’re considering a steam iron rather than a steam generator for regular sessions; check that this type of appliance suits the size of your laundry load.
The product name states a pressure of 6 bars.
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Philips PerfectCare Compact GC6842/30, 1.3 L
Worth considering if you’re looking for a steam generator for regular sessions and want to compare its filling and maintenance requirements with other models.
The name states that it has a 1.3 L tank. The instructions provided say to unplug the appliance before filling the tank.
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Philips PerfectCare 6000 Series PSG6022/20
Worth comparing if you’re looking for a steam generator for long sessions and want to check the filling and maintenance instructions for this specific model.
The instructions provided say to unplug the appliance before filling the tank.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell whether continuous filling is right for my ironing session?
Check the instructions to make sure you can add water while the appliance is in use. This is a practical difference compared with the traditional capped Polti models described by the manufacturer, which must be depressurised before opening. The term ‘unlimited autonomy’ does not mean that the tank never needs refilling.
Does a steam generator need a particular set-up?
Set it up on a stable surface with enough room for the base and iron, then compare the model’s dimensions with your ironing board and storage space. An ironing centre has its own active ironing board, so also check that you have enough room when the whole system is set up.
What water should I use, and how should I plan for maintenance?
Follow the instructions for your chosen model to find out what type of water to use and how to tackle limescale. UFC-Que Choisir says maintenance frequency depends in particular on usage and water hardness; having a scale collector does not mean there is no maintenance to do.
What legal protections apply when buying from a business in France?
The legal guarantee of conformity applies subject to its terms. According to the DGCCRF, the limitation period for making a claim is two years from delivery of the goods, whether new or second-hand. A commercial warranty is separate and optional. For an online purchase, the DGCCRF says you generally have a 14-calendar-day right to cancel, subject to the applicable terms and exceptions; in particular, check the information about any return postage costs.