Best Clothes Steamer 2023

clothes steamer

The best clothes steamer is not only a time-saver but a champion of convenience. Forget wrestling with the ironing board or the meticulous task of smoothing stubborn wrinkles. Simply hang your clothes, steam, and watch the creases vanish.

There are a lot of clothes steamers on the market in 2023. From well-known brands to no-name imports, it is easy to get overwhelmed when choosing a clothing steamer to buy.

Sometimes, it comes down to budget and other times, it comes down to functionality or ease of use. There are steam outputs to be aware of, such as which steamers offer electromagnetic pumps and which handheld clothes steamers can be used horizontally and vertically.

Let’s dive straight into the best clothes steamer for 2023 with my top picks:

Criteria for Choosing the Best Clothes Steamer

  • Power – I generally look for clothes steamers with a minimum of 1500 watts power. Otherwise, the steam output isn’t strong enough to tackle fabrics like linen and denim.
  • Use Horizontally and Vertically – I never recommend a clothing steamer that can’t be tilted past 45 degrees. These are old models, tend to spit water and are a burns risk.
  • Run time – There needs to be a balance between the size of the water tank relative to the steamer. Refilling every 2 minutes isn’t ideal, neither is a steamer so heavy you can’t hold it.
  • Extras – attachments, power cord length, steam hose length, sole plate material, warranty – there is a lot to consider and I leave no stone unturned.

Let’s jump right in:

Top 3 Best Handheld Steamers

steamer for clothes

Handheld steamers are inexpensive, quick to heat up, and easily portable. This makes them a great choice for most people for steaming clothes.

You have the flexibility and freedom to move around without being restricted by fixed-length steam hoses.

Handheld steamers operate from 5 to approximately 15 minutes, depending on water tank size. Some also have multiple levels of steam and built-in steam pumps, giving them as much functionality as a full-sized clothing steamer.

Here are my top choices:

Rowenta 1875 Watt Handheld Clothes Steamer

Rowenta are giving Conair a run for their money, releasing this 1875 watt steamer. I'm impressed by the design and the balance between the size of the steamer head and the water tank. The ceramic coated sole plate glides smoothly across your clothes, and the included attachments are handy for delicates, fluffy or heavy fabrics, and making creases.

Pros:
  • Powerful 1875 watts
  • Long 9.84ft power cord - almost 2 feet longer than Conair
  • Auto shut off mode
  • Outputs steam up to 28 grams per minute
Cons:
  • 12 month warranty
  • weighs 2.8lbs without water
  • smaller water tank than Conair handheld steamer
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Conair Extreme Steam Turbo 1875 Watt Fabric Steamer

Conair are a trusted name in clothing steamers and this is their latest release handheld steamer and iron combo. It has 4 steam levels and includes attachments such as a creaser for cuffs and pants, silicone band to pull fabrics tight, and a fabric bonnet for delicates.

Pros:
  • Powerful 1875 watts
  • Trusted brand
  • Larger steam area than previous models
  • Ergonomic handle
  • Pauses steaming when sat upright
Cons:
  • Weighs around 3.5 pounds with water
  • 1 year warranty
  • Large and bulky, not the best for travel
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Zorslesy 1800 Watt Clothes Steamer

This is a new release steamer for 2023 with 3 steam levels and a large 10oz water tank. It is slightly smaller than both the Conair and Rowenta handheld steamers, standing at 10.4 inches tall. You get a measuring cup for water included and a 2 in 1 fabric brush and lint collector attachment.

Pros:
  • Budget price
  • Excellent power - 1800 watts
  • Outputs steam at 25g/min - comparable to Rowenta (28g/min)
  • 3 steam settings
  • Smaller sized, better for travel
Cons:
  • Lacks a steam bonnet and crease tool attachments
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Want more handheld clothing steamer choices? See my full list of best handheld clothes steamers.

Best Standing Clothes Steamer

steamer clothes

A standing clothing steamer can also be called an upright steamer, vertical steamer, or full-sized clothing steamer (and many variations of these names).

Upright steamers have a larger water tank, a steamer head attached to a flexible hose, and either one or two telescopic poles to hold your garments and the steamer head when not in use.

This garment steamer is excellent for larger families or if you prefer to steam all your laundry in one go.

With running times between 45 minutes and around 90 minutes, your arm will likely run out of steam before your standing steamer does.

Most vertical steamers have wheels for maneuverability, removable water tanks, and multiple steam levels.

There are various models with plastic steam heads, which are less weighty, and others with stainless steel heads for optimum quality and heat retention.

Pricing varies from around $70 to $200, depending on the brand and the functionality.

Here are my top choices for standing clothes steamers:

Pure Enrichment® PureSteam™ XL
$44.99 $37.99

Budget standing garment steamer from Pure Enrichment, backed by a 2 year warranty. This simple clothes steamer is no fuss and does the job with a single steam setting.

Pros:
  • Removable water tank
  • On wheels for portability
  • Well designed hanger to grip your clothing
  • Slim design
Cons:
  • Half gallon water tank could be larger
  • Plastic steam head may cause condensation and a drip here and there
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02/17/2024 07:31 pm GMT
Salav Upright Garment Steamer
$59.99 $39.98

This standing clothes steamer by Salav has 4 steam settings, an adjustable telescopic pole, and a 360 degree swivel hanger. It is compact, well priced and includes a fabric brush and creasing tool.

Pros:
  • Well established brand in steaming
  • 4 steam settings
  • Insulated steam hose
  • Budget friendly
Cons:
  • Small water tank
  • No wheels
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02/17/2024 07:42 pm GMT
Steam&Go Standing Clothes Steamer

This 1500 watt standing clothes steamer from Steam and Go heats up to 248°F, has an adjustable telescopic pole and foldable hanger. I like the hanger design too, where you can hang up to 3 pieces of clothing on each side for easy steaming.

Pros:
  • Compact and easy to store
  • On wheels
  • 1500 watts of power
  • Heats hotter than average - up to 248°F
Cons:
  • Only 1 attachment (a fabric brush)
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Best Professional Clothes Steamer

best steamer for clothes

Professional garment steamers are heavy-duty machines suitable for home and commercial use.

Depending on the style of the water tank, commercial clothes steamers can take anywhere from 1 minute to 15 minutes to heat up. Once heated, they will run for several hours.

Priced anywhere from $200 to over $1000, commercial clothes steamers have more heavy-duty parts and are built to last longer.

A professional steamer for clothes is not only for retail use. They can also be used in the home environment. They are useful for steaming other items around your home, such as upholstery and curtains, without stopping to refill the water tank.

I have used an upright commercial garment steamer to clean a mattress, fabric-covered bed base, benchtops, cupboard doors, shape hats, and more.

Here are my top choices for professional clothing steamers to get you started:

Commercially Rated
J-4000 Jiffy Garment Steamer

The Jiffy J-4000 will steam the suits and dresses of the entire bridal party with ease. This is an excellent choice if you are all getting ready in the same place, as it is a heavy, commercially rated machine. If you want a clothes steamer you will use for decades after your wedding, the Jiffy J-4000 is the choice.

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Budget Price
Anthter Professional Steamer
$54.99

With a 3 year warranty (comparable to USA made Jiffy Steamers) the Anthter steamer offers fast heat up time, removable water tank, and multiple steam settings. The 1500 watt steamer heats water to 248 degrees - hotter than most garment steamers.

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02/17/2024 12:19 pm GMT
SALAV X3A Commercial Garment Steamer
$4.99 $4.48 ($1.70 / Ounce)

This stylish commercial steamer by Salav has a foot pedal operation, a large water tank, and an excellent hanger design. Use your own hanger, or the built in version with sturdy pants clips. The double insulated hose is a nice safety feature, and the metal steam head won't spit water.

Pros:
  • Powerful 1800 watts
  • Large water tank
  • Wheels
  • Hanger design
  • Fabric brush and crease attachments
Cons:
  • Only 1 steam setting
  • Instructions for using attachments could be clearer
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02/17/2024 07:55 pm GMT

Best Travel Steamers

best clothes steamer

Travel steamers are mini versions of handheld steamers that usually run for 5 to 10 minutes. Small, portable, and lightweight, they are easily packed into luggage for your next trip away.

Some travel steamers have built-in dual voltage converters, so they can be used across multiple countries if you are traveling abroad. You will often need a wall plug adapter for the country you are visiting.

Here are my top choices:

Conair Dual Voltage Handheld Steamer for Travel
  • New release from Conair in November, 2022
  • Weighs 1.67 pounds without water
  • Switch between 120V/240V at the flick of a button
  • 35 second heat up
  • 1200 watts of power
  • Flexible head for storage
  • Still a little bulky for a travel steamer at 11 inches x 5 inches
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Polardo Mini Handheld Clothing Steamer
$17.88
  • Small portable steamer with nano filter for tap water use
  • Available in 7 great colors
  • Use horizontally and vertically
  • Weighs only 1.2lbs
  • Steams for up to 10 minutes
  • Comes in a pouch and with a fabric brush
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02/17/2024 04:49 pm GMT
Built in Voltage Conversion
Rowenta Dual Voltage Travel Steamer

This travel steamer is as large as a standard handheld steamer so be prepared for it to take up a little more space in your luggage. The bonus however, is the dual voltage with no converter required - this steamer works between 110 and 220 volts to make light work of wrinkle removal no matter where you are in the world.

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Factors to Consider When Buying a Clothes Steamer

When shopping for the best clothes steamer, it’s important to consider factors such as heat time, accessories, materials, quality, effectiveness, size, steam duration, dimensions, price point, power level, and tank capacity. Here are the three things I look for the most:

Water tank capacity determines steaming time

The water tank capacity of a clothes steamer plays a crucial role in determining how long you can steam your clothes without refilling.

Opting for a steamer with a larger water tank capacity is recommended if you have a large wardrobe or frequently steam multiple garments at once. This will save you the hassle of constantly stopping to refill the tank.

On the other hand, if you only steam occasionally or have limited storage space, a smaller water tank may suffice.

Wattage affects steam production and heat-up time

The wattage of a clothes steamer directly impacts its steam production and heat-up time. A higher wattage generally means more powerful and efficient steaming.

If you want quick and effective results, consider choosing a steamer with higher wattage. However, keep in mind that higher-wattage models may consume more electricity.

Adjustable settings and attachments enhance versatility

To maximize the versatility of your clothes steamer, look for models that offer adjustable settings and come with various attachments. Adjustable settings allow you to customize the steam output to different fabric types. This ensures gentle yet effective wrinkle removal without causing any damage to delicate materials.

Attachments such as fabric brushes, crease tools, and lint removers can further enhance the functionality of your clothes steamer. Fabric brushes help loosen fibers for better steam penetration, while crease tools provide crisp lines on pants or sleeves. Lint removers are handy for removing lint or pet hair from clothing.

Considering these additional features will ensure that your clothes steamer can handle a wide range of fabrics and effectively meet all your garment care needs.

Other Types of Clothes Steamers

Steam Closets

clothes steamer amazon

Steam closets are relatively new to the market (within the last decade) and are closet-like devices that steam multiple pieces of clothing simultaneously. They also offer dual functions, such as drying, sanitizing modes, dehumidifying, and more.

Steam closets are particularly useful for steaming knitwear, sanitizing and drying suits, coats, and jackets, and caring for clothing that cannot be washed in a regular washing machine.

They’re not without their downsides, however. They’re pricey, heavy, have long running times, and require regular descaling, even if you use distilled water.

There aren’t many steam closets on the market in 2023. Samsung and LG are the two main contenders.

We have listed everything to consider when buying a steam closet here.

Steam Irons

iron steamer for clothes

Steam irons are essential items in most households, and buying the right steam iron can be confusing. With prices ranging from $25 up to around $300, there are vast differences between brands and functionality of irons.

There’s also the sole plate to consider: a nonstick coating, ceramic, adonized aluminum, or stainless steel.

There are corded irons, cordless models, and irons with built-in boiler tanks that also function as steamers. There are also the steam station model irons, where the water is held separately from the iron, for lightweight ironing and steaming functions.

Consider how often you iron, the type of clothes you own, and your budget, then read our steam iron buying guide below.

Best Steam Press

clothing iron steamer

A steam press is an excellent choice for creating crisp creases like you’d expect from a dry cleaner.

Often used for business shirts, pants with firm creases, and table linens, a steam press is a larger machine that simultaneously tackles tough wrinkles and large areas.

It can be used for most fabrics and without the steam function for dry ironing. With a much larger pressing surface than an iron, a steam press can efficiently get through large amounts of laundry in minimal time.

Prices vary from around $200 for a tabletop steam press to a couple of thousand dollars for a rotary steam press (you may also know these as a mangle or a rotary iron). If you like ironed sheets, you may find this a worthwhile investment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are handheld garment steamers as effective as upright ones?

Handheld garment steamers are just as effective as upright ones. However, they may not be suitable for heavy-duty tasks or larger garments due to their smaller water tank capacity.

Can I use tap water in my clothes steamer?

You can use tap water in your steamer, but most manufacturers recommend distilled water. Distilled water is generally recommended to prevent mineral buildup over time. Using tap water may result in clogging and reduce the steamer’s effectiveness.

How long does it take for a clothes steamer to heat up?

The heating time of clothes steamers can vary depending on the model and brand. On average, most steamers take 1-2 minutes to heat up and be ready for use, and some models need 15 minutes if they heat the whole boiler tank of water.

Can I use a clothes steamer on all types of fabrics?

Clothes steamers are safe for most fabrics, including delicate materials like silk and chiffon. Checking the garment’s care instructions before using a steamer is always recommended to ensure compatibility.

Conclusion

Now you understand the different types of steaming and pressing methods available to make doing laundry work faster and easier.

Whether you steam or iron your clothing in one go or prefer to steam just before wearing, many different choices are available on the market.

Our guides and steamer advice will help you make the best decision to suit your needs. After all, it’s about making life easier and less complicated so you can get on with your day in style and de-wrinkled!

Lauren