If you regularly iron large piles of laundry, a steam generator is worth considering: Que Choisir considers it suitable for ironing large quantities. A steam generator with continuous refill lets you top up the tank during a long ironing session, provided you check how it works in the model’s manual. For short or occasional sessions, sticking with a traditional iron makes sense if easy set-up and storage are your priorities.
If piles of clothes and household linens build up every week, being able to keep ironing matters just as much as how well the appliance removes creases. Que Choisir considers steam generators suitable for large quantities, but you’ll need to make room for the base and keep up with its maintenance.
If linen or thick cotton regularly ends up in your laundry basket, compare how well each appliance removes creases from these fabrics rather than focusing on a single advertised steam figure. Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses crease removal across different fabrics.
If you only iron a few items now and then, a separate base can be awkward to set up and store. A traditional iron is worth considering if you value quick set-up more than being able to iron for long stretches without a break.
Que Choisir highlights the benefits of a steam generator when ironing large quantities. To choose between the two types of steam generator and a traditional iron, think about how long your ironing sessions last and what space you have for setting up the appliance.
Consider it if: you have a lot of laundry to iron but can take a break to refill the appliance.
Bear in mind: refilling may interrupt your ironing session; don’t assume a pressurised boiler can be opened while the appliance is in use.
Consider it if: you have long ironing sessions and want to top up the water without waiting for the tank to empty.
Bear in mind: being able to refill the appliance doesn’t remove the need to make space for the base or keep up with descaling.
Consider it if: your ironing sessions are short or occasional, and quick set-up and easy storage matter more than being able to iron continuously.
Bear in mind: the water tank is inside the iron you hold, which may be worth considering if you iron for a long time.
| Factor | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Crease removal | Compare the continuous steam output on a like-for-like basis and, if possible, look for crease-removal tests on the fabrics you need to iron. Que Choisir measures steam output in line with European standard 60311 and tests several fabrics; the steam boost function is no substitute for continuous output. | I often iron linen or thick cotton, so what matters to me is how well the appliance works on these fabrics, not just a figure on the box. |
| Refilling | Check the manual for the type of runtime, the refilling procedure and whether the tank is removable. Tank capacity alone doesn’t tell you whether it can be refilled while the appliance is in use. | When I’m working through several baskets of laundry, I’d rather know whether I’ll have to stop to refill the appliance. |
| Set-up | Measure the space available on your ironing board and where you’ll store the appliance. Also compare the weight you’ll need to handle and the model’s heat-up time. | I want to be able to get the appliance out, use it and put it away without these steps becoming a hassle during my usual ironing sessions. |
| Maintenance | Check the manual for the type of water to use, the anti-scale system and the draining procedure. Find out which accessories or consumables you’ll need for the exact model. | If my household water is hard, I want the recommended maintenance for my chosen appliance to be easy to follow. |
These figures don’t tell you on their own how well the appliance removes creases over a long ironing session. Que Choisir measures steam output and performance on different fabrics separately.
Where comparable test results are available, check how the appliance performs on the fabrics you iron and distinguish between continuous steam output and the steam boost function.
Capacity tells you how much water the tank holds, not whether you can refill the steam generator while it’s running.
Check the type of runtime and the refilling procedure in the manual for the model you’re considering.
According to Philips support, descaling the steam generators covered by its guidance can help prevent brown stains, brown water and leaks.
Before buying, check which types of water are permitted and choose an anti-scale procedure you can follow, including the instructions for draining and cooling the appliance.
Maintenance takes time. If the model uses a cartridge, check when it needs replacing.
A steam generator needs space for its base and may take more preparation than a traditional iron. Its benefits for large piles of laundry don’t mean it’ll be more convenient for every small ironing session.
Compare the amount of laundry you usually iron with the time it takes to set up, heat up and put away each appliance.
The PerfectCare range includes steam generators with different tank sizes and anti-scale systems, depending on the series.
Braun describes some steam generators in its CareStyle range as having continuous refill.
Several Calor steam generators, including Express and Pro Express models, feature in Que Choisir’s 2026 comparison.
These models are options to consider for regular ironing with a steam generator. To compare them, focus on whether you can refill them while in use, their maintenance requirements and the space they need. Their inclusion here doesn’t, by itself, mean they’re a better choice than a traditional iron.
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If you have long ironing sessions, check the manual to see whether you can refill the tank while ironing. Also check the heat-up time and dimensions before deciding where to put it.
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The name indicates a 1,3 l tank, but this capacity doesn’t tell you whether you can refill it during an ironing session. Check the GC6842/30 model number on the appliance and in its manual before comparing specifications: the product information also mentions GC6840/20.
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Worth considering if you want to refill the steam generator during a long ironing session: this option is listed for the V26. The 6 bar figure appears in its name, but isn’t enough to judge how well it removes creases. Also check the continuous steam output, dimensions and maintenance procedure.
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The 2 l tank listed in the name may appeal to households that work through several piles of laundry, but it doesn’t confirm whether you can refill the appliance while it’s in use. Check this, the dimensions and the anti-scale procedure in the IS3157BL manual.
Often, yes: Que Choisir says most steam generators can use tap water. However, follow your model’s manual for the recommended water type and maintenance, especially if you live in a hard-water area.
Follow the manual and any alerts on your model. For steam generators covered by its support guidance, Philips recommends descaling every one to two months to help prevent brown stains, brown water and leaks.
Unplug the steam generator and follow the cooling and draining instructions in its manual before handling the base. The procedure may vary depending on the model’s anti-scale system.
Search for parts and accessories using the appliance’s full model number, then check that they’re compatible with the model you’re considering in France. Philips says it offers parts and accessories for its ironing appliances, but this doesn’t confirm availability for every model.