Households with long ironing sessions
If baskets of clothes or household linen regularly pile up, consider a steam generator. Before choosing one, make room for its base and check that your ironing board can support it.
Who are these appliances suitable for?
The amount of laundry you iron is a good place to start: Que Choisir says a steam generator is suitable for ironing large loads.
People who iron thick or heavily creased fabrics
For linen, heavyweight cotton or stubborn creases, compare results on fabrics similar to your own. A quoted steam figure alone isn’t enough to predict how well an appliance will perform.
Households short on storage space
If space is limited or you only get your appliance out for a few items, keep a steam iron in the running. Check how easy it is to handle and how well it works on your usual laundry before making room for a steam generator base.
Which features help you choose?
Continuous-refill steam generator
Worth considering: for long sessions, if the model explicitly allows you to refill the tank while it’s in use.
Keep in mind: you’ll need space for the base and a suitable ironing board.
Steam generator with limited run time
Worth considering: if you’re happy to plan your ironing around the model’s specific refilling procedure.
Keep in mind: depending on its design, you may need to pause or let it cool before refilling.
Steam iron
Worth considering: if you iron smaller loads and want to keep the space taken up by your appliance to a minimum.
Check: how easy it is to handle and how well it removes creases from the fabrics you iron most often.
Once you’ve chosen an appliance type, compare its features with your laundry, ironing board and the level of maintenance you’re prepared to carry out.
| Feature | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Crease removal | Look for tests on fabrics similar to your own. Check the results and how easy the appliance is to handle, not just its quoted steam output : Que Choisir points out that this figure alone isn’t enough to identify a good iron. | I often iron large loads or thick fabrics : how well it handles these items matters more to me than a single figure on the label. |
| Ironing board and storage | Compare the base’s dimensions and weight with the limits specified for your ironing board’s rest. Also measure the space where you’ll store the appliance. | I need to be able to place the steam generator on my ironing board and put it away after each session. |
| Refilling | Read the instructions for the exact model: check whether you can refill the tank while it’s in use or whether you’ll need to pause. A large tank doesn’t answer this question. | My sessions are long, and I’d like to know when I’ll need to stop ironing. |
| Descaling | Check the procedure and frequency in the manual for the model you’ve chosen. Que Choisir includes limescale build-up in its testing protocol for steam generators. | I want to be able to follow the maintenance steps for my appliance regularly. |
What should you avoid before buying?
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Choosing based only on the pressure or quoted steam output
Que Choisir reminds readers that steam output alone isn’t enough to identify a good iron. This figure doesn’t tell you by itself how well the appliance will remove creases from your fabrics or how easy it is to handle.
Look for tests that explain their methods and specify the fabrics assessed, then consider how comfortable the appliance is to use too.
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Forgetting about your ironing board and storage
A steam generator’s base needs to fit on a suitable rest. For example, Brabantia specifies a 40 × 22 cm limit for the steam generator rest on its Titan Oval ironing board.
Measure the base you’re considering and check your ironing board’s limits, as well as the space available to store the whole appliance.
If your ironing board’s rest isn’t suitable, you may need to replace it.
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Assuming a large tank means you can refill without pausing
Tank capacity and the ability to refill it while the appliance is in use are two separate features. Que Choisir noted this option on the Calor GV7480C0 model it tested; it shouldn’t be assumed to apply to all steam generators.
Check the refilling instructions in the manual for the exact model you’re considering.
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Putting off descaling
Que Choisir’s testing protocol takes limescale build-up into account as a potential cause of faults. Maintenance steps vary between appliances.
Read the manual for your chosen model and make sure you can follow its procedure, including any instructions to let the appliance cool down or unplug it.
What can you expect from different brands?
These range examples can help you decide what to check ; a feature found on one model won’t necessarily apply to every model from that brand.
Calor
The Express range shows why it’s important to check the refilling system on each steam generator.
- Calor describes the Power Zone GV7461C0 as a continuous-refill steam generator.
- For another model, the GV7480C0, Que Choisir noted that you could refill the tank without waiting for the appliance to cool completely. Check whether this applies to the specific model you’re interested in.
Philips
The PerfectCare range includes models whose tank and maintenance instructions need to be checked individually.
- Philips lists a removable 1,8 l tank for the PerfectCare 7000 Series PSG7140/70.
- Philips’ descaling instructions vary by series : follow the manual for your model rather than using instructions intended for another one.
Braun
Features vary between models in the CareStyle range ; compare the specific models, their bases and how easy they are to handle.
- Braun Household France lists a steam output of 130 g/min for the CareStyle 3 IS3257BK and 190 g/min for the CareStyle 7 Pro IS7298CP.
- These figures provided by Braun aren’t test results that can be compared across brands, and they aren’t enough to determine how well an appliance removes creases.
Which steam generators can you compare on Joybuy?
These steam generator models offer options to consider for long ironing sessions. Compare their size, refilling method and maintenance requirements before choosing ; if space is your main concern, don’t forget to compare them with a steam iron too.
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Philips PSG6022/20 PerfectCare 6000 Series
For long sessions, check the tank capacity, whether you can refill it while the appliance is in use, and how much room the base will take up on your ironing board.
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Braun CareStyle 3 IS3157BL, 2400 W, 2 L
The title lists a 2 L tank, which is worth considering for long sessions. Check the manual to see whether you’ll need to pause to refill it, as well as the base dimensions and maintenance requirements.
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Philips GC6842/30 PerfectCare Compact, 1,3 L
The title lists a 1,3 L tank. Before choosing this model for frequent sessions, confirm the exact reference: the associated information also mentions GC6840/20, so you’ll need to check before assuming the other features apply to the GC6842/30.
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Hkoenig V7, 8 bar
The title lists 8 bar, but this figure alone isn’t enough to predict how well it will tackle stubborn creases. For long sessions, also check the refilling method, descaling procedure and how much room it needs on your ironing board.
Frequently asked questions
Is a steam generator worth switching to if I iron a lot of laundry?
It’s worth comparing one with your iron: Que Choisir considers steam generators suitable for large loads. Your choice also depends on the space available, your ironing board and how you want to organise your ironing sessions.
What does continuous refilling mean while you’re ironing?
On a steam generator designed for it, you can refill the tank while the appliance is in use. The procedure depends on the model : check its manual and don’t assume it’s possible just because the tank is large.
How can I tell if my ironing board can support a steam generator?
Compare the base’s dimensions and weight with the limits specified for your ironing board’s rest. For example, Brabantia says the rest on its Titan Oval ironing board can accommodate a base up to 40 × 22 cm ; this limit applies specifically to that ironing board model.
How often should you descale a steam generator?
Follow the frequency and procedure specified for your model. Philips recommends descaling every one to two months for models covered by its instructions ; the steps may vary by series.