According to UFC-Que Choisir, a steam generator is a good choice for ironing large quantities of laundry. It’s particularly worth considering if you have long ironing sessions and tough fabrics to tackle, and don’t mind making room to store it. A traditional steam iron is still worth considering if you iron in short bursts and want an appliance that’s ready to use quickly. To avoid stopping to refill, choose a steam generator whose instructions explicitly allow you to add water while it’s in use.
If you regularly iron linen, heavy cotton or blended fabrics, a steam generator is worth considering for tackling large quantities of laundry. UFC-Que Choisir considers it suitable for this kind of ironing session. Compare how well the models you’re considering remove creases from the fabrics you need to iron.
If you don’t want to stop to refill the tank, look at steam generators with unlimited ironing autonomy. Whether you can top up the water while the appliance is in use depends on the tank and the model’s instructions. Check the manual, even if the stated capacity seems sufficient.
If you bring out your appliance for a quick ironing session and put it away straight afterwards, a traditional steam iron is another option to compare. A steam generator also has a base and a tank that need space on your ironing board and in your cupboard.
Worth considering: for long sessions when you want to be able to add water without waiting until you’ve finished ironing.
Bear in mind: the base takes up space. Check the model’s instructions to confirm that you can refill it while it’s in use.
Worth considering: if you can iron the amount of laundry you have in one go before the appliance needs refilling.
Bear in mind: you may need to stop to refill the tank. Follow the instructions for your specific model.
Worth considering: for shorter sessions, especially if storage space and getting started quickly are important to you.
Bear in mind: when ironing linen or heavy cotton, compare its results with those of a steam generator rather than assuming it will remove creases just as well.
| Feature | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Difficult-to-iron fabrics | Check how well the exact model removes creases from your fabrics, as well as its continuous steam output. | When a large proportion of my laundry is linen or heavy cotton, I mainly want to avoid going over the same creases several times. Around 36% of consumers would put this crease-removal performance first. |
| Uninterrupted ironing | Check whether the instructions allow you to refill the appliance while it’s in use, and whether the tank is removable. | If I want to get through a pile of laundry in one go, I’d rather be able to add water without waiting. Around 29% of consumers would prioritise being able to iron for long stretches without interruption. |
| Storage and handling | Compare the base dimensions, the weight of the iron alone and the transport lock. | If I have to take the appliance out and put it away after every use, its size in the cupboard and how easy it is to handle matter more than its ironing autonomy. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise these considerations. |
| Getting started | Compare the stated heat-up time and the space needed to set up the appliance. | For short sessions spread throughout the week, I want to get started without a lengthy set-up. Around 14% of consumers would prioritise getting started quickly. |
The stated pressure alone doesn’t tell you how well the appliance removes creases from different fabrics or how easy it is to use. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing also looks at performance, ergonomics and durability.
For the model you’re considering, look for tests on your fabrics and check the continuous steam output, heat-up time and care instructions.
The tank’s capacity and whether you can refill it while the appliance is in use are two different things. A large tank doesn’t, by itself, confirm that you’ll be able to keep ironing without a break.
Check the refilling instructions in the manual, and separately confirm whether the tank is removable.
A separate tank can make the iron lighter to hold, but the whole appliance takes up more space to set up and store than a traditional iron.
Measure your ironing board and storage space, then check the base dimensions, the weight of the whole appliance and the transport lock.
In France, a commercial guarantee is separate from the statutory guarantee of conformity that applies to goods bought by a consumer from a professional seller, as the Ministry of the Economy points out.
Read the terms of any commercial guarantee and keep your proof of purchase so you can contact the seller if the goods don’t conform to the contract.
Several Calor steam generators feature in UFC-Que Choisir’s comparison, including models in the Express and Pro Express ranges.
Philips offers steam generators with tank and temperature-control features that vary by model.
The CareStyle range includes steam generators with different care features depending on the model.
This steam generator is suited to long ironing sessions where stopping to refill is acceptable. Check its dimensions if storage space is limited.
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Worth considering for long ironing sessions if you don’t mind stopping to refill the tank.
The product name gives a power rating of 2400 W and a capacity of 2 L. These figures alone don’t tell you how well it will remove creases from your fabrics.
The instructions for this model say to unplug it before filling. Check its dimensions, whether the tank is removable and the care instructions before choosing.
It’s worth considering if you regularly iron large quantities of laundry, as UFC-Que Choisir recommends. If your ironing sessions are short, compare it with a traditional steam iron too, particularly in terms of how much space each appliance will take up when stored.
No. The tank’s capacity doesn’t tell you whether you can refill it while the appliance is in use. For a long session, check the model’s instructions to see if this is possible, then look at the tank’s capacity and whether it’s removable.
Look at the anti-scale system, the care instructions and the manual for the steam generator you’re considering. UFC-Que Choisir identifies limescale build-up as a major cause of breakdowns in its testing. Follow the instructions for your appliance.
No. According to the Ministry of the Economy, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods bought by a consumer from a professional seller. A commercial guarantee is separate. Keep your proof of purchase and contact the seller if the appliance isn’t as described or doesn’t conform to the contract.