15 Best Garment Steamers - 2020 Ranking
Wrinkled clothes look messy and messy, and this problem is usually solved with an iron. But what to do if a thing that is problematic to iron is wrinkled? The most correct solution in this case would be to use a steamer. This device was originally invented to reshape felt hats. A patent for it was received in 1940 by the American company Jiffy Steamer. Since then, the area of use of steamers has only expanded, and now it is impossible to imagine any atelier or dry cleaning without this electrical appliance. The steamer is so convenient that many people buy it at home and almost completely abandon the use of an iron, leaving only large bed linen to its share. There are several types of steamers, which are endowed with a variety of functions. Different manufacturers share this niche, presenting new models every year.
Based on peer review, customer feedback and technical features, we've ranked the 15 best garment steamers in 2020.
Steamer types
All steamers have the same principle of operation: hot steam smooths out creases and disinfects the fabric. Globally, two types of devices are distinguished:
Manual steamers are small, compact appliances with a water tank, similar to a brush or an electric kettle. They are convenient to take on the road, especially if there is a possibility of battery operation, they take up little space and weigh a little too. But their water tank is small, so such steamers are not designed for a long time of operation and are not suitable for a large volume of things. As a rule, handheld steamers have low power, so they are not suitable for working with heavy and dense fabrics - they simply will not have an effect.
Vertical or floor steamer models are more bulky - in addition to ironing, they are accompanied by a rack for things, a hose and a spacious boiler, which allows you to work for several hours without interruption. The high power provides intensive steam generation and strong pressure, under which even strong creases on dense fabrics are straightened. The iron itself is light and does not tire your hands. The only thing you have to worry about is finding a place to store the device and all its components.
Often, in addition to the main function, steamers can perform several parallel ones, such as cleaning fabric sofas, armchairs, mattresses; disinfection of soft toys; in the presence of attachments - washing various surfaces, for example, windows; removal of mold in tile joints, etc.
The best manufacturers of garment steamers
In order not to be disappointed in steamers, buy appliances from well-known brands who value their reputation. Such technological devices will serve you for years and delight you with the quality of steaming.
- Philips - the company, based in the Netherlands, produces steamers of the middle price segment and characteristics. Their devices cannot boast of wide functionality, but everyone praises their reliability. Moreover, home steamers from Phillips cope with their tasks one hundred percent.
- MIE - Italian professional equipment. Manufacturing facilities are located in Italy, each household appliance undergoes a thorough quality control. The Mie technique is powerful and comfortable to use, it is a frequent worker of dry cleaners and ateliers, where a large volume of work is required to cope with.
- Kitfort Is a Russian manufacturer that produces a wide variety of household appliances, including steamers. Buyers will be pleased with the price against the background of optimal functions, the availability in most stores, including chain stores, and the number of service centers with available spare parts.
- ENDEVER is part of a Russian group of companies, but the brand is actually Swedish. Everyone is familiar with the reliability, simplicity and convenience of the Swedes, and in the production of household appliances they are true to themselves. ENDEVER manufactures a wide range of steamers, both vertical and manual, at an affordable price.
- Tefal is a French company whose name is synonymous with quality. Their appliances and utensils are common all over the world, are in great demand, and steamers are no exception. Simplicity in combination with a brand recognizable design, wide functionality and long service life attracts many buyers. True, the price of their steamers is higher than the market average, but people are willing to pay for a combination of technical and external properties.
Best inexpensive handheld steamers
A small and compact handheld steamer is a great addition to a good iron. The most inexpensive models are ideal for a trip, since a small tank is enough for several things, the steamer weighs a little, and if the device is damaged in the luggage, it will not be a big tragedy due to the low price.
Kitfort KT-916
This inexpensive toddler weighs 900 grams and has a decent enough tank for 0.26 liters of water. The 1.7 m power cord may seem a bit short to some. The steamer is made of high-quality plastic, it fits comfortably and pleasantly in the hand, but the water tank opens a little inconveniently. The maximum rate of steam supply is 20 g / min at a power of 1000 W. For thick fabrics, outerwear, jeans, the device is rather weak, but it copes with clothes made of ordinary fabric with a bang. The kit includes additional attachments: one has a stiff bristle and serves to remove hair from clothes - a must-have for dog breeders and cat owners, and the second has an antistatic patch and removes spools from clothes.
PROS:
- Price;
- The weight;
- Additional attachments;
- Good steaming quality;
- Excellent materials and workmanship.
MINUSES:
- The water container is tight;
- Strong creases on heavy fabrics will have to be ironed out with an iron.
Kelli KT-312
A good inexpensive 1300 W steamer with a half liter tank. It comes with one additional nozzle, with a very interesting function - if nothing needs to be steamed, the device turns into a mini-kettle, which is enough for two cups of tea or coffee. The model also copes with the main task perfectly, thin fabrics, knitwear and cotton are smoothed out quickly and effortlessly. The only drawback, or rather even a feature that you need to get used to, so as not to burn yourself - after releasing the steam supply button, it continues to go for a few more seconds. For professional ateliers, of course, it will not work, but at home it will be simply irreplaceable.
PROS:
- Large tank;
- Teapot function;
- Smoothes things well;
- Long cord;
- High-quality assembly;
- Quite a lot of power;
- Price.
MINUSES:
- The steam cutoff is triggered after a few seconds.
ENDEVER Odyssey Q-410 / Q-411 / Q-412 / Q-413
A small, low-power steamer, well suited for delicate fabrics and knits. You can steam your shirts, but you will have to walk on them a couple of times. Heats up in just two minutes, and the operating time is calculated for 20 minutes. The capacity of the tank is 0.2 liters, but due to the design features, you cannot pour more than ¾, the same is indicated in the instructions, otherwise the device will start spitting boiling water. There is a nozzle for steaming the collar and cuffs of shirts, and a measuring cup. This model is very fond of people who often travel on business trips and students living in a hostel.
PROS:
- Good steaming quality;
- Compact size;
- Device for steaming the collar and cuffs;
- A light weight;
- Price;
- Long cord.
MINUSES:
- With a full tank he spits boiling water;
- Low power.
The best handheld steamers in terms of price-performance ratio
Manual steamers from this segment are already more expensive, but they please with a wider functionality, a number of components and an increased power, which allows you to steam out thick sweaters, shirts, jeans without any problems, make arrows on trousers, and also help around the house.They are made of better and more durable materials, and some models are even used in the atelier, when you need to quickly steam something small, and you don't want to start a floor steamer for this.
Philips GC351 / 20 Steam & Go
Small, lightweight, but reliable friend of clean unwrinkled clothes. The steamer has a very small tank - only 70 ml, but thanks to this it heats up in just a minute, and you can add water to the tank directly during operation. Without topping up, the tank is enough for 2-3 things. The set includes a brush attachment for cleaning things from small dirt and a mitten that protects against burns. The 2.5 m cord leaves quite a lot of room for maneuver. Made from quality plastic, but would have liked more steam vents on the outsole.
PROS:
- Small size;
- Good quality of work;
- Possibility to add water during operation;
- Boil quickly;
- High-quality assembly and materials;
- Additional nozzle;
- Long cord.
MINUSES:
- Small water tank;
- Few holes in the outsole.
MIE Piccolo
The steamer weighs 1 kg, despite the fact that the water tank is designed for 0.5 liters. There is a spout for the kettle, you can use it for this purpose. Water heats up in just 90 seconds. To prevent users from getting burnt, the manufacturer put a mitten on, and in order not to put the hot device on the surface, use the thermal pad from the kit. The cute design and cheerful orange color cheer you up. High-quality assembly and materials of execution provide the steamer with a long service life. With a power of 1200 W, it has a steam supply force of 40 g / min, and copes with rather complex fabrics, such as an autumn coat, wool, cotton. Efforts will have to be made with very wrinkled dense cotton and linen. A fleecy brush removes hair and hair from clothing.
PROS:
- Good steam supply;
- Fast heating of water;
- A light weight;
- Large capacity for water;
- Design;
- The assembly and materials are of excellent quality;
- Can be used as a teapot;
- The quality of steaming difficult fabrics.
MINUSES:
- It is difficult to steam crumpled cotton and linen.
Tefal DT7000
Compact and safe 1100W steamer with 150ml tank. Water boils very quickly - the device is ready for use in just 45 seconds. Despite the small volume of the tank, it is enough for 8 minutes of work, and during this time you can steam 5-6 medium-sized items, or 2-3 large items. The maximum steam supply is 17 g / min, so you can not count on the superpowers of this steamer, but its data is quite enough for everyday ironing. The safety of the model is ensured by a safety valve and auto shut-off in case of water shortage. The set includes a nozzle with a brush, but a nozzle for delicate fabrics is especially good - with it you can not worry about the state of lace items, clothes of their silk, chiffon and cambric.
PROS:
- Quick readiness to work;
- Good build quality and materials;
- The presence of a safety valve;
- Auto shutdown when there is a lack of water;
- Brush attachment;
- Nozzle for delicate fabrics.
MINUSES:
- Small tank;
- Price.
Best inexpensive vertical steamers
The floor-standing models have a much more powerful steam supply, longer operating time. This is no longer a toy for travel, but a full-fledged household appliance. The cost of vertical steamers is higher than that of manual steamers, but in the budget segment you can also find optimal models, without unnecessary functions, but perfectly performing their direct duties.
Kitfort KT-919
Floor standing vertical steamer with an optimal power of 1500 W and a tank volume of 1.5 liters. It has electronic control and five steaming modes. The steam is powerful, but due to the small number of holes on the platform, the appliance sometimes spits boiling water. This is treated by lifting the hose up to drain the condensation. Many users complain that the handle gets very hot; for this, a mitten is provided in the kit. The brush attachment not only knows how to collect wool from things, but also makes arrows on trousers like tongs.The steam hose is 1.2 m long and the power cord is almost 1.5 m long. There is no carrying handle, but can be carried by the stands as recommended by the manufacturer. The power button is conveniently located - you can not bend over and press it with your foot.
PROS:
- Price;
- Optimal performance;
- Large tank;
- The attachment can be used for arrows;
- Powerful steam;
- Convenient power button.
MINUSES:
- Few holes in the outsole;
- The handle is warming up.
Philips GC514 / 40 EasyTouch Plus
An efficient steamer at a reasonable cost without unnecessary features. It works perfectly for its intended purpose - it steams various fabrics, including shirts, copes with complex folds. After steaming, clothes are soft and pleasant to the body. The power of the device is 1600 W, and the tank holds 1.6 liters of water. A big plus is that you can pour water into the device directly from the tap, and not buy bottled water, filters, etc. The hangers are only large and non-adjustable, so if you want to steam baby clothes, stock up on a small hanger. Also included is one mitten, you can hold the handle with it if it suddenly becomes hot, or hold the thing for better smoothing, so as not to burn yourself with steam.
PROS:
- Powerful steam;
- Possibility of using tap water;
- High-quality assembly;
- Excellent materials;
- Capacious tank;
- Mitten and brush included.
MINUSES:
- Non-adjustable hanger on one leg;
- Low stand.
ENDEVER Odyssey Q-6
A good powerful steamer (2200 W), heats up in 35 seconds, and thanks to the large 1.8 liter tank, it can work for 55 minutes, which is enough to iron a mountain of clothes, because the maximum steam supply for this device is 50 g / min. It is difficult to achieve perfectly ironed things with its help, but it suits perfectly for daily work. Convenient double-bar hanger keeps the item securely in one position. The device has several steaming modes for different fabrics, and even copes with linen and cotton items. Of the minuses, an easily kinkable hose can be noted, which in this position stops transmitting steam, so you need to keep it straight. The quality of the plastic from which the steamer is made is average, but quite consistent with the price.
PROS:
- Power;
- Fast heating;
- Long working time;
- Capacious capacity;
- Convenient stand;
- Different steaming modes;
- Price.
MINUSES:
- The quality of the plastic.
The best vertical mid-range steamers
Steamers of this class are multifunctional and reliable home helpers. They have an optimal value for money and rarely break. Suitable for people who do not need a professional device, but want a little more options than budget models can offer and are willing to pay for it.
Rowenta IS 9100
A good model from a German manufacturer, with an average power of 1550 W, but with a very spacious tank - 3.8 liters. The declared heating rate of such a large volume is surprising - only 60 seconds. True, according to reviews, the first few times it can warm up a little longer. The steam output is not very powerful, 30 g / min, but this is enough for this appliance to cope with most wrinkles and irregularities. It has several modes, and three attachments are included - a clip for arrows, a brush, a fine-fluffy pad.
PROS:
- Large tank;
- Convenient stand;
- Fast warm-up;
- High-quality steaming;
- Several modes;
- A set of nozzles.
MINUSES:
- No mittens included.
Xiaomi GS1
The Chinese brand is trying to cover all areas of our lives with high-quality and inexpensive household and electronic appliances. The steamer has a stylish, minimalist, recognizable design and is made of high quality plastic. Three steaming modes with a maximum steam output of 45 g / min do an excellent job of crumpled items, although it will take longer on suits and jeans. Small tank, 1 l. When installing it, you need to be careful, because an incorrectly installed tank can leak. Buy an adapter directly, because the plug is of the Chinese sample.
PROS:
- A light weight;
- Power;
- Design;
- Good workmanship;
- Steaming quality;
- Three operating modes;
- Anti-drip system.
MINUSES:
- Manual winding of the cord;
- Chinese fork.
RUNZEL MAX-230 Magica
A good convenient steamer of compact dimensions, with a power of 2100 W, a pressure of 3.5 bar. With a maximum steam output of 50 g / min, shirts and trousers can be steamed without any problems. For trousers, there is a clip-on attachment with which you can make arrows. A spring is installed around the hose, which should prevent the hose from kinking, but it begins to bend at the end of this spring, so you need to monitor this during use. The 2.5 l tank heats up in 45 seconds and allows the device to work for 100 minutes, which is more than enough for a large volume of things.
PROS:
- Compact size;
- Great power;
- High pressure and steam supply;
- Several attachments included;
- Large tank;
- Fast heating;
- Long working time.
MINUSES:
- Frequent kinking of the hose.
The best professional vertical steamers
Professional steamers are used by seamstresses, dry cleaners, clothing stores. They are powerful appliances that can smooth wrinkles on heavy fabrics with ease, and can iron a large amount of items at once. If you want to replace the iron as much as possible, this is your choice, but be prepared to shell out a decent amount for the device.
MIE Magic Style
Convenient reliable Italian steamer with 2250 W power and high steam output of 85 g / min. Knitwear smoothes the first time, shirts and trousers are also coped with quickly. It is rich in accessories - there is a device for cuffs, a heat-resistant plastic plate, a thermal mitten, three nozzles. The storage of all this is also thought out - the set includes a bag and a case for small things. The hanger on a double telescopic rack is convenient for clothes of any length, and thanks to the velor coating, even slippery fabrics are held on it. The 1.7 liter tank heats up in 45 seconds and lasts for an hour.
PROS:
- Reliability;
- High power;
- Strong steam supply;
- Smoothes any fabrics well;
- Lots of accessories;
- Convenient stand;
- Fast heating of the tank;
- Long work;
- Good build quality.
MINUSES:
- The cord is short;
- If you do not wait until it is fully warmed up, it may spit boiling water.
Grand Master GM-Q7 Multi Elite
A complete ironing station that can completely replace the iron, thanks to a special attachment that can be ironed horizontally on the board. In addition to steaming functions, it has attachments for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces such as a mop, and a point attachment for narrow spaces. The power of the device is 1950 W, the pressure is 3.5 bar, and the maximum steam supply is 70 g / min. Medium tank - 2.3 liters, warms up in 45 seconds. The manufacturer claims that the steamer runs for an hour without adding water. In addition to a wide variety of attachments, there are many additional accessories - a mat and an iron attachment, devices for smoothing cuffs and collars, etc. The telescopic stand is very convenient.
PROS:
- Rich functionality;
- A large number of components;
- Build quality and materials;
- Good smoothing quality;
- Reliable telescopic rack;
- Anti-drip system;
- Iron included;
- Fast warm-up.
MINUSES:
- Takes up a lot of space;
- Price.
Philips GC557 / 30 ComfortTouch
The steamer with a cute modern design is easy to assemble and has a simple and intuitive operation. Five modes of steam will iron out any creases and fabrics. A 1.8 liter water container is enough for almost an hour of operation, and it heats up in a minute. In addition to smoothing, the effect of updating things is observed - the color is refreshed, gloss is removed. There are useful features such as auto shut-off when not in use and protection against turning on without water. The set includes a foldable hanger and a height-adjustable clip. The brush attachment perfectly cleans clothes; you can also clean upholstered furniture with it. Power of 2000 W, with a steam supply of 40 g / min, copes with shirts, not to mention knitwear.
PROS:
- Design;
- Different steaming modes;
- Long working time;
- FlexHead technology;
- The ability to clean upholstered furniture;
- Auto power off;
- Shutdown in the absence of water.
MINUSES:
- Price;
- Short power cord.
What to look for when choosing a steamer
The steamer's capabilities will depend largely on its technical and performance characteristics:
Power Is a double-edged sword. Appliances that are too powerful consume a lot of electricity, and steamers with low energy consumption heat the water longer, generate less steam and do well only with knitwear and delicate fabrics. Steaming jeans or a coat will be a problem for them. The optimal power indicator is 1700-1900 watts.
Maximum steam supply provided by pressure. The higher the steam supply and the higher the pressure, the more efficiently the device copes with difficult tasks. The optimal pressure indicator is 4-5 bar, and the steam supply is 40-50 g / min and higher.
Water tank volume matters for both manual and vertical models, and you need to adhere to average values when choosing a device for a home. If the volume of the handheld steamer tank is too large, your hand will get tired. Too large capacity of the floor-standing version makes the device oversized and inconvenient in terms of storage. But it is also not worth stopping your choice on a steamer with a small tank, since the operating time directly depends on the volume. However, here you can focus on your personal data - if you need to steam a new shirt a couple of times a week, then a liter tank is enough, and for a large family it is better to choose a capacity of at least 1.5 liters.
Ironing sole material can be metal, ceramic, or plastic. A plastic outsole is a less reliable option. An additional heating element can be built into the metal sole, which will save from condensation. It is worth paying attention to the number of holes: the more of them, and the thicker they are applied, the more even the steam will be and the better the result.
Number of modes affects the functionality of the device. Single mode steamers are suitable for fabrics with similar characteristics. The more modes, the wider the selection of fabrics suitable for processing.
Steam hose length Is a parameter to look out for when choosing a floor standing steamer. It affects the maneuverability of the device, but the longer the hose, the lower the outlet temperature, and if there is no additional heating element, a lot of condensation can form.
Water quality Is a separate requirement for each model. If the steamer is not equipped with filters, then only distilled or purified water can be poured into it. If there is protection against limescale, then you can pour water from the tap, but bottled water will extend the service life.
Which steamer is better to choose
The choice of steamer depends on the purpose and budget. For travel and rare use, manual models are suitable, but if you need to steam a lot, you cannot do without a floor steamer. If it is supposed to steam office clothes: shirts, trousers, then few budget models will cope with this, it is better to pay attention to more powerful and functional devices. If you want to completely get rid of the iron, then your choice is full-fledged ironing stations with an iron attachment. As for the budget, there are decent models in every class and for every wallet.
