If you regularly iron large piles of laundry or difficult fabrics, a steam generator could be a good choice, provided you have a stable ironing surface and enough room to store it. For shorter sessions, an iron is easier to set up. A handheld garment steamer is best for quick touch-ups on hanging clothes, but won’t give you the crisp finish of an iron. UFC-Que Choisir notes that a steam generator’s benefits depend in part on how much laundry you have, and that a garment steamer cannot create sharp creases.
You often iron several garments or difficult fabrics and want to cut down on interruptions, while making sure you have room for a steam generator. UFC-Que Choisir says that a steam generator can be a good choice for large amounts of laundry.
You want a main appliance that’s easy to take out and put away, even if you need to refill its tank more often during a long session. Check how much space the appliance takes up and make sure your ironing surface is stable before choosing.
You want to quickly smooth a garment now and then without setting up the ironing board, but don’t expect a garment steamer to give you the same finish as an iron. UFC-Que Choisir points out that a garment steamer cannot create creases like an iron or steam generator.
For regular use at home, start by considering how much laundry you have, then check your setup space and the finish you want. The three types of appliance meet different needs.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Amount of laundry and large items | Tank capacity and whether it’s removable; how to refill it and how much space it takes up on the ironing surface. | If you regularly iron large piles or difficult fabrics, you’ll want to minimise interruptions. Around 33% of consumers prioritise handling regular loads. |
| Available space and setup | Appliance dimensions and storage space; the surface area and stability of your ironing surface with the base in place. | If storage space or your ironing surface is limited, an appliance that’s easier to set up may matter more than a large capacity. Around 27% of consumers prioritise a compact setup. |
| Quick touch-ups without an ironing board | Stated heat-up time, weight in your hand and tank capacity; the type of fabric and finish you want. | If you want to smooth a garment on a hanger without getting the ironing board out, you may prefer an appliance for occasional use. Around 20% of consumers prioritise these touch-ups. |
| Ease of use, refilling and maintenance | Appliance weight during use; the instructions for refilling and the maintenance procedure for that model. | If you want to keep the weight in your hand down and follow the maintenance instructions easily, these factors will influence your choice. Around 20% of consumers prioritise ease of use and maintenance. |
The difference compared with a good iron depends on how you use it. According to UFC-Que Choisir, a steam generator is mainly worth considering for large loads and certain difficult fabrics.
Think about the usual size of your ironing sessions, then compare the heat-up time and footprint of the specific models you’re considering.
A separate base needs more room to set up and store.
A garment steamer mainly smooths out light creases; it can’t create sharp creases like an iron.
If you also want a traditional finish, check that the appliance you choose has a soleplate suited to the job.
You may still need an iron to get the finish you want.
The steam output figure alone doesn’t tell you how well an appliance performs on different fabrics or what maintenance it needs.
Compare test results for the fabrics you use and check the care instructions for the model you’re considering. UFC-Que Choisir describes tests measuring steam output and crease-removal performance on different fabrics.
The CareStyle 3 and TexStyle 3 models let you compare a steam generator with a standalone iron.
The Series 3000 STH3020/70 handheld garment steamer is one model to consider for occasional touch-ups at home.
The Access Steam+ DR8150D1 is a model to compare for touch-ups on hanging clothes.
The Access Steam Care DT9100C0 is an example of a handheld garment steamer with an integrated vertical support.
This selection includes steam generators, a standalone iron and upright garment steamers for ironing and steaming clothes at home.
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This steam generator could be a good choice for longer ironing sessions and a traditional finish, thanks to its removable 2 L tank and iron with soleplate.
The product information lists four modes, a FreeGlide 3D soleplate and a vertical steam function.
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This steam generator is worth considering for sessions with a large amount of laundry; its product information lists a 2 L tank.
The product information lists 2,400 W, a steam boost function and an EloxalPlus soleplate.
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This standalone iron could suit shorter sessions and times when you want a soleplate to work creases into your clothes.
The product information lists a built-in 270 ml tank, a stated heat-up time of 35 seconds, a ceramic soleplate and a steam boost function. Refilling may be a consideration during a long session.
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This upright garment steamer could be a good choice for steaming several garments or household fabrics at home when you don’t need the sharp creases an iron can create.
The product information lists 2,000 W, a removable 1.8 L tank, a steam output of 42 g/min and a stated running time of up to 45 minutes. The steam output is adjustable and the stated heat-up time is around 60 seconds. It won’t give you the finish of an iron or steam generator.
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This upright garment steamer could be a good choice for steaming several garments or household fabrics, but it won’t replace an iron for creating sharp creases.
The product information lists 2,300 W, a 2 L tank, a steam output of 50 g/min and a stated running time of up to 90 minutes. It also lists three steam settings and a stated heat-up time of around 35 seconds.
Measure the space available for the base and iron, then check that your ironing board remains stable with them in place. Read the instructions for the model you’ve chosen. UFC-Que Choisir points out that a steam generator takes up more space on the board and in storage than an iron; dimensions vary between models.
No. Don’t assume the procedure is the same for every model: check its instructions before refilling it or opening an anti-scale system. For the Philips Easy De-Calc models covered by its support guidance, Philips says to unplug the appliance and let it cool for two hours if it has just been used. This waiting time doesn’t automatically apply to all steam generators.
If you bought it from a professional seller, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity applies to both new and second-hand goods, subject to its conditions. The DGCCRF states that you have two years from delivery of the goods to bring a claim. This guarantee is separate from any optional commercial warranty. Check who the seller is and keep your proof of purchase.