For quick touch-ups on hanging clothes, choose a garment steamer. If you regularly iron a moderate amount of laundry on a board, start by comparing irons. A steam generator is worth considering if your ironing sessions are long: check whether you’re happy to stop to refill the tank or would rather refill it while you’re ironing. Don’t forget to factor in the space you’ll need and the maintenance required for the specific model.
For an occasional touch-up to a shirt, dress or jacket, a compact garment steamer lets you freshen clothes while they’re hanging. Check that its heat-up time and tank capacity suit your routine.
If you iron a moderate amount of laundry on a board, an iron is a good place to start. Compare it with a steam generator if interruptions to the steam supply are frustrating during longer sessions.
A steam generator with continuous refill is worth considering if you don’t want to wait for the tank to empty before refilling it. Make sure you have room for the base, too, and check the maintenance instructions for the model.
First, decide whether you need to touch up hanging clothes or iron on a board. For longer sessions, the option to refill the tank without stopping becomes an important factor in its own right. The French National Consumer Institute distinguishes between steam generators with limited autonomy and those that can be refilled continuously.
Worth considering: for quick touch-ups to hanging clothes with an appliance that’s easy to put away.
Bear in mind: the tank capacity may not meet your needs if you have a pile of laundry to iron on a board.
Worth considering: for a moderate amount of laundry that you regularly iron on a board.
Bear in mind: if your sessions run longer, check that its capacity still suits your routine.
Worth considering: for longer sessions, if you don’t mind stopping to refill the tank.
Bear in mind: the French National Consumer Institute notes that this type has limited autonomy and takes a considerable time to heat up.
Worth considering: if you want to refill the tank without interrupting a long session.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to store the base and follow the maintenance instructions for the model.
| Factor | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Quick touch-ups and easy storage | How quickly the model heats up; tank capacity and how much storage space it needs. | When I need an outfit ready before heading out, I prefer to touch it up while it’s hanging, without using a bulky appliance. Around 23% of consumers would prioritise this need. |
| Regular ironing on a board | How heavy the iron feels in your hand; tank capacity and the space available for an ironing board. | For a moderate-sized load of laundry, I prefer to iron on a board without getting out a separate base. This would be the main need for around 31% of consumers. |
| Long sessions with breaks to refill | Heat-up time; how and when the tank can be refilled. | I iron for a long time, but don’t mind taking a break to refill the appliance. Around 15% of consumers would prioritise this approach. |
| Uninterrupted ironing | Whether the tank can be refilled during use; instructions for tackling limescale. | When the laundry piles up, I want to carry on ironing without stopping to refill the tank. Around 31% of consumers would prioritise being able to keep going. |
Wattage alone won’t tell you whether an appliance is better for quick touch-ups or long ironing sessions. It doesn’t indicate how quickly it heats up, how the tank is refilled or how much space it takes up.
Compare these factors across the specific models you’re considering, as well as tank capacity and the maintenance instructions.
The French National Consumer Institute distinguishes between steam generators with limited autonomy and models with continuous refill. This matters if you don’t want to stop halfway through a pile of laundry.
Look for clear instructions on refilling while the appliance is in use, and follow the stated procedure.
Maintenance procedures vary by model. Laurastar, for example, says that some of its systems should be rinsed when cold, switched off and unplugged, and that chemical descaling products should not be used for this task.
Check the instructions for your chosen model before carrying out any maintenance, and follow the recommended method and schedule.
In France, the legal guarantee of conformity described by the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a private customer. It is separate from any manufacturer’s commercial guarantee.
Keep your proof of purchase and the model description, then check the model and listed accessories when your order arrives.
The brand offers garment steamers for touch-ups and steam generators; their format and features vary by model.
Compare the brand’s steam generators by how they’re refilled and the maintenance instructions for each model.
If maintenance of the water circuit matters to you, read the instructions for its ironing systems carefully.
These Joybuy models include steam generators for ironing on a board, a foldable garment steamer for touch-ups and a steam iron. Compare the features of each model rather than assuming they all have the same refill system.
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Worth considering if you iron several items on a board and are looking at a steam generator rather than a standard iron. If uninterrupted ironing is a priority, check the instructions for the refill method, heat-up time and descaling guidance.
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Worth comparing for sessions involving several items of laundry. The product title lists a power rating of 2400 W and a 2 L tank, but these figures don’t tell you whether the tank can be refilled during use. Check this, the power supply compatibility and the instructions before buying.
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Worth considering for occasional touch-ups when easy storage is important. Its foldable design and lint remover are listed in the model name. If you also want to iron on a board or steam several items in a row, check the instructions for approved uses and tank capacity.
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Worth considering if you iron on a board and also want to steam hanging clothes. The 8 bar pressure is listed in the model name, but on its own it doesn’t tell you how long the appliance takes to get ready or how long it can be used for. Check the operating modes and refill instructions in the manual.
Not necessarily. Garment steamers are best suited to touching up clothes while they’re hanging and are handy when storage space is limited. If you regularly iron laundry on a board or want crisp creases, compare an iron or steam generator based on how much you need to get through.
Choose a steam generator whose instructions explicitly say that you can refill it while it’s in use. For example, Tefal France says the 1.2 l tank on the Actis Plus GV6361E0 can be refilled without interrupting your session. Don’t assume another model has the same feature.
Follow the instructions for your model rather than using one method for every steam generator. For some Laurastar systems, the brand recommends rinsing monthly or every 10 hours of ironing, when the appliance is cold, switched off and unplugged. Don’t use chemical descaling products for this task.
Distinguish the legal guarantee of conformity from any manufacturer’s commercial guarantee. The Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control says the legal guarantee applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a private customer. Keep your proof of purchase and a description of the appliance so you can report any lack of conformity to the seller.