Best Handheld Clothes Steamer 2023
A handheld clothes steamer is a great accessory to pack in your suitcase for a weekend away, or a quick refresh of clothing before work in the morning. It’s also a good investment for your home. But with so many handheld clothes steamers on the market, it can be hard to choose one.
Here are our top recommendations for 2023 and things to consider when buying a handheld clothes steamer.
- Conair Turbo Extreme Steam 1875 Watt - 2019 Model
- 5 steam settings
- 40 second heat up
- 15 minute steam time
- 3 in 1 attachment for delicate fabrics, and a built in pants press
- Electrolux 1500 Watt Handheld Garment Steamer
- Ceramic coated soleplate
- 1500 watts
- 2 Steam Settings
- Use horizontally and vertically without leaks or drips
- Includes fabric brush and lint brush
- Can get heavy
- USA and Canada Only
- Rowenta X-Cel Steam Force
- New release for 2022
- Upgraded 1875 watts of power
- Trusted brand
- 2 steam settings
- Use horizontally or vertically
- Fast heat up
- Includes accessories
- 1600 watt and 1875 watt models are on the same listing - make sure you look for the 1875 watt model
- Black + Decker Advanced Handheld Steamer
- 15ft power cord
- 1400 watts
- 2 year warranty
- 3 attachments
- Hard to empty water tank
- Less power than others on this list
- Sunbeam Professional Handheld Steamer
- 1575 watt handheld steamer
- 5 steam settings - linen, cotton, wool, silk and dry steam
- Heats up in 25 seconds
- Steams for around 15 minutes
- Includes fabric brush and steam bonnet
- 2 year warranty
- 1800W Clothing Steamer
- Inexpensive
- 1800 watts
- Comparable to branded models
- Use horizontally and vertically
- Generic Chinese brand - use distilled water and it should keep working well
- USA and Canada only (120V)
- 1600 Watt Handheld Steamer
- Kolohoso 1500W Handheld Steamer
- HOMEVER Iron & Steamer
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With a 10oz water tank and 8ft power cord, you'll be ready to steam your clothing, curtains or anything else in just 30 seconds with this Electrolux handheld garment steamer. Steam horizontally or vertically without water dripping thanks to the built in steam pump. This European brand is both stylish and effective.
If you are in the UK, take a look at the Homeasy Steamer, which is comparable.
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In 2022, Rowenta are giving Conair a run for their money with a newly released 1875 watt steamer, called the Rowenta X-Cel Steam Force.
Featuring 1875 watts of power with a steam output of 28 grams per minute (super turbo level) the Rowenta steamer offers excellent performance. It also has a 9.84 foot power cord, making it a great choice to reach the top of curtains.
With the Rowenta X-Cel Steam Force (model number DR8220), you get two steam levels – delicate and turbo. The delicate setting would work well for lace or chiffon curtains (or any type of sheer curtain materials) that are quite thin and would require a lower steam output and less heat to de-wrinkle.
The turbo setting would use the full 1875 watts of power and would be the better choice for heavier curtains or drapes, particularly those with thermal backing or dual layers.
The Rowenta steamer can be used in both a horizontal and vertical position, heats up in 25 seconds and holds 6.04 fluid ounces of water for a steam time around 10 minutes.
Included with the Rowenta DR8220 steamer are 3 accessories, 2 which are most beneficial for curtains. A fabric brush (which helps to loosen fibers from thicker fabrics and helps with wrinkle removal) and a steam bonnet (which is good for delicate fabrics like chiffon and lace to help diffuse the steam rather than a direct stream of steam).
A crease attachment is also included, which for curtains and drapes really isn’t needed, but is handy when using this steamer for clothing.
The Rowenta steamer is available in both the USA and Canada. If you are in the UK, take a look at the Tefal DR8150 Access Steam + which is similar (Tefal is Rowenta’s sister brand in the UK and Australia).
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Featuring 15ft cord, the Black and Decker handheld steamer had to make the list of best handheld steamers for both clothes and curtains.
Not only will you reach the top of your curtains with ease, you can rest assured that if you forget to turn off the steamer it will auto switch for you, when not used for 15 minutes.
Included is every attachment needed for effective steaming with a focus on other uses around the home as well as clothes. This is the only garment steamer I have seen which comes with an upholstery attachment.
The wattage is 1400 watts, not as great as some of the steamers on this list, but also not unsuitable for curtains and drapes. There is a turbo boost function for getting stubborn wrinkles out.
Black and Decker stand behind their steamer with a two year warranty. The user guide and warranty information is comprehensive and easy to follow.
Overall I’m impressed with this handheld steamer and felt it needed mention on this list of best
fabric steamers for curtains.
The Black + Decker steamer is available in the USA and Canada. If you are in the UK, take a look at the Russell Hobbs 25600 Steam Genie, which is the same design as the Black + Decker, although has 1650 watts of power.
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There are a lot of similarities between this generic handheld steamer and the Electrolux steamer. If your budget doesn’t allow for the quality brand of Electrolux, take a look at this one, which is virtually identical.
With slightly more power (1800 watts compared to 1500 watts with the Electrolux), this handheld steamer is a great choice for clothing as well as drapery and curtains. It heats up in 30 seconds, steams for around 15 minutes and has an LCD touch screen to control the 2 steam settings.
It outputs steam at 25 grams per minute on the lower setting and 35 grams per minute on the higher. This is comparable to Rowenta steamers.
Measuring 11.7 inches x 8.7 inches, it’s not the most compact of steamers, but comparable in size to both Electrolux and Rowenta.
A fabric brush is included, which is beneficial for thicker fabrics to help relax the fibers. You can use this handheld steamer both horizontally and vertically, making it a versatile machine for both drapery and clothing.
If you are in the UK, take a look at this handheld steamer, which is identical. Canadians, the Kalorik Home Handheld Garment Steamer is similar, as is the Reliable Dash Handheld Steamer.
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This 1600 watt handheld clothes steamer has 3 steam settings, folds down for easy storage, and if traveling, can attach a standard water bottle instead of the water tank. A fabric brush, crease tool and steamer bonnet makes it suitable for all types of fabrics. The only let down is the short 5ft power cord, nothing an extension lead won't fix.
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This generic handheld steamer can be used both horizontally and vertically. With a 304 grade stainless steel sole plate and a steam output of 25 grams per minute, you can get professional results with ease.
Heating in 30 seconds, you can steam for around 15 minutes based on the 10oz water tank. It weighs just under 2lbs without water. The water tank can be a little tricky to remove and refill when brand new. A lint remover and fabric brush are included, which is a surprise for a budget priced steamer.
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This nifty little device can be used as an iron or a vertical steamer. It's small and portable, with a quick 40 second heat up. Operating at 1300 watts, it's not as powerful as others on this list, but being able to maneuver this steamer in a 360 degree direction makes up for that.
With compact handheld steamer comes a small water tank - expect this to run for 5-6 minutes before needing a refill. As always, use distilled water to keep it working well without any mineral build up.
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What to Consider When Buying a Handheld Clothes Steamer
There are several things I like to consider when buying a clothing steamer, both handheld and full size versions. They are:
Wattage
The power behind the clothes steamer will directly affect the steam output, and the ability to quickly de-wrinkle your clothing. I try to look for handheld steamers that are at least 1200 watts of power, preferably 1500 watts.
The more powerful the steam output, the faster you will use the water in your tank however, which leads me to my next point…
Water Capacity
Handheld clothes steamers aren’t meant to hold a gallon of water, otherwise we’d never be able to hold them in our hands and move them around! That being said, some handheld steamers hold a few ounces only, which is mighty inconvenient if you have a few items to steam, or are tackling curtains or other furnishings around your home.
I try to look for a handheld steamer that has at least a 6 fluid ounce tank (200ml), for a good balance of weight vs steaming time.
Steam Settings
Some handheld steamers have multiple steam settings which is handy for different fabrics. They will output steam at different levels to help protect your garments. These steamers have the ability to reduce their wattage for lower settings. This is handy for delicate items like lace and silk.
Whilst I tend to turn on my steamer and use the highest setting, I do like the ability to use different steam settings if I needed to. That is why I will always consider the ability to alter the steam settings when considering a handheld steamer.
Accessories
The only accessory you really need when using a handheld clothes steamer is a steaming glove on your opposite hand! Unfortunately, there aren’t many manufacturers that include these with their handheld steamers. Luckily, they are inexpensive to buy.
If you have a variety of fabrics in your wardrobe you may find the accessories come in handy, which is why I like to choose steamers that include them. Accessories can include a crease tool, steam bonnet for delicate fabrics, brush for thicker fabrics, silicone bands to help pull the fabric as you steam and upholstery bonnet.
You can also buy steamer boards and over the door pads. If you have a handheld steamer, these are really useful to protect your door from damage, and give you a padded backing to help press against to remove wrinkles.
Warranty
Sometimes steamer manufacturers surprise us and provide longer than 12 month warranties, which is always a bonus for small handheld appliances. Black and Decker are one of those manufacturers who offer a 2 year warranty, which is great to see a brand supporting the longevity of their product.
Auto Shut Off
If you’re one of those people who are driving to work and wonder if you’ve left the iron on, an auto shut off feature is something you should consider! Many handheld steamers offer this feature, which is great for peace of mind when you are in a rush.
Conclusion
Handheld clothes steamers are a great item to have around the home. They’re great for steaming clothes efficiently, but they can also be used for a variety of other things, too. We hope you’ve gained some insight into what a handheld clothes steamer can do for you and we hope you’ve gained a better idea of which model will suit your needs best.
If you have any other questions about a handheld clothes steamer, please don’t hesitate to comment below. Thank you for reading, we are always excited when one of our posts is able to provide useful information on a topic like this!
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