If you regularly iron large piles of laundry, a steam generator iron is worth considering: Que Choisir considers it suitable for large amounts of laundry. For longer ironing sessions, look for a model with a water tank you can refill while it’s in use. If you iron less often or have limited space, compare steam irons too rather than assuming a steam generator iron will save you time.
If you regularly iron large amounts of laundry, it’s worth comparing a steam generator iron with your current iron. Que Choisir considers it suitable for this use. Then check whether its set-up and storage will work for your day-to-day routine.
For linen, thick cotton or heavily creased laundry, look at how well the appliance removes creases from the fabrics you need to iron. A quoted pressure or steam output figure alone won’t tell you how well it will perform on your laundry.
Before switching to a steam generator iron, measure the space available for its base and cables. If maintenance is a concern, choose a model with clear descaling instructions in its manual.
When choosing between a steam generator iron and a steam iron, start by thinking about how long your ironing sessions usually last. Then check how much space and maintenance the appliance will need.
Best for: households that want to add water without interrupting a long ironing session.
Bear in mind: the base takes up space, and the limescale system still needs to be maintained according to the model’s instructions.
Best for: people who don’t mind pausing to refill the tank as instructed by the appliance.
Bear in mind: a long ironing session may be interrupted. Tank capacity alone doesn’t tell you how refilling works.
Best for: households that iron smaller amounts of laundry and want to keep the appliance’s footprint to a minimum.
Bear in mind: for large piles of laundry and difficult fabrics, compare how comfortable each option is to use and how well it removes creases, rather than assuming they perform equally well.
| Feature | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Crease removal | Look at tests carried out on the fabrics you iron. Only compare quoted steam output figures if they were measured using comparable methods. | I often iron linen, thick cotton or heavily creased laundry, so results on these fabrics matter more to me than a quoted pressure figure. |
| Refilling | Check whether you can add water while the appliance is in use, and whether the tank is removable. Tank capacity alone doesn’t determine how long you can iron for. | When I have a large pile of laundry, I’d rather be able to refill the tank without waiting until I’ve finished ironing. |
| Storage | Measure the space available for the base and ironing board. Check that the iron locks in place and see how the cable and hose are stored on the model you’re considering. | My cupboard is narrow, so I need to be able to store and move the whole unit without leaving cables dangling. |
| Descaling | Read the instructions for the specific model, including how long to let it cool before opening it. Check how the appliance lets you know when it needs maintenance. | I want a procedure I can follow regularly, taking into account the water I use at home. |
| Getting started | Compare the warm-up time for the exact model and check the conditions under which it was stated or tested. Allow for the time it takes to set up and put the appliance away. | For just a few items, I want to know whether getting out a steam generator iron will suit me as well as using my iron. |
A quoted pressure or steam output figure alone won’t tell you how well the appliance removes creases. Que Choisir’s testing protocol also assesses appliances in separate tests, including for durability and limescale build-up.
When test results are available, check which fabrics were used and compare measurements taken using the same method.
A base that’s awkward to position or store can make an appliance impractical, even if the iron itself feels comfortable to use.
Measure your shelf, cupboard and ironing board. Also check that the iron locks in place and that there’s space for the cables.
Que Choisir looks at limescale build-up in its durability tests, as it is one of the causes of steam generator iron failures.
Check the instructions for the model you buy and follow the guidance on unplugging and letting it cool before opening it.
If you only have a few items to iron, setting up and heating a steam generator iron may influence your choice compared with a steam iron.
Compare both options for the amount you usually iron, taking into account the fabrics and the space needed to put the appliance away afterwards.
Calor highlights its Pro Express Ultimate II and Pro Express Vision ranges for ironing large amounts of laundry.
The PerfectCare range includes steam generator irons with different tank specifications and limescale systems, depending on the model.
The CareStyle range includes steam generator irons with different designs and maintenance systems.
These steam generator irons are options to consider for ironing large piles of laundry. Compare their listed features, and check the refilling, warm-up and maintenance instructions for each one to see how they fit your ironing routine.
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If you have a large pile of laundry but storage space is also a consideration, take a look at this Compact model with a listed 1,3 l tank. Check whether you can refill the tank while ironing before relying on it for an uninterrupted session.
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If you iron for long periods, check the refilling instructions for this model. It’s also worth checking the warm-up time and descaling instructions before choosing it for your usual ironing sessions.
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For large piles of laundry, don’t judge how well it removes creases by the quoted pressure of 8 bar in the name alone. Also check the warm-up time, refilling instructions and descaling procedure for this model.
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For longer sessions, the name of this variant lists a 2 l tank. This capacity doesn’t tell you whether you can refill it while the appliance is in use, so check that and the descaling instructions for the IS3157BL.
Yes, it’s worth considering if you regularly iron a lot of laundry: Que Choisir considers it suitable for large amounts. If your sessions are short, also compare the space needed and set-up time for a steam iron. A steam generator iron won’t necessarily save you time every time you use it.
This feature is useful if you want to add water during a long session without having to wait. Check that it’s explicitly included on the model you’re considering: a removable or large-capacity tank alone doesn’t confirm this.
Follow the schedule and method in your model’s manual. For the relevant steam generator irons, Philips recommends descaling every one to two months, depending on use and water quality. This schedule doesn’t automatically apply to other appliances.
If the system needs to cool down before opening, don’t open it while the appliance is hot. For the Philips models that can be opened manually, follow the instructions in the manual on unplugging and cooling. Check the procedure for any other model you have.
The French Ministry for Ecological Transition lists several options for electrical appliances: a collection point or recycling centre, a retailer, or a social and solidarity economy organisation, depending on the appliance’s condition. Choose an option that suits the condition of your steam generator iron rather than putting it in your household rubbish.