The best clothes steamers
A creased shirt and no time for the ironing board: five handheld steamers compared on steam, tank size and how fast they’re ready.
A handheld steamer takes creases out while the clothes hang: hot steam relaxes the fibres, so a shirt, dress or pair of curtains can be sorted on the hanger in a few minutes. It’s gentle on fabrics that don’t like an iron, such as silk and velvet, and it freshens things that can’t easily go in the wash.
Steam rate (grams a minute) and power decide how quickly stubborn creases give way, and the tank decides how often it needs refilling, from Philips’ one-outfit 120ml to Rolipo’s 400ml. For sharp collars and trouser creases, choose one that can also press on a flat surface.
What matters
- Steam rate: more grams a minute gets through heavy cotton and linen faster.
- Tank size: how much can be steamed between refills.
- Heat-up time: from under half a minute to a full minute.
- Pressing: a plate or ironing mode for collars, cuffs and trouser creases.
#1 of 5
Best overall
Philips 3000 Series Handheld Steamer (STH3020)
£49.99 RRP
It folds up small to pack in a suitcase, is ready in about 30 seconds and puts out a steady 20g of steam a minute, and Philips guarantees it won’t burn any fabric that can be ironed, silk included.
What owners say: Owners find it gentle on delicate fabrics, like how small it folds for travel, and say it gets through an outfit quickly.
A closer look: The 120ml tank is sized for one outfit, so top it up between a shirt and a pair of trousers rather than expecting a whole wardrobe from a fill. Folded into its pouch it slips into a weekend bag, and the 2m cord leaves room to steam a shirt hanging on a door.
- 1000W, up to 20g/min steam
- Ready in about 30 seconds
- Folds, with a storage pouch
- 120ml detachable tank
- Metal steam plate
Best for: Travel and quick touch-ups
- Power
- 1000W
- Steam rate
- 20g/min
- Water tank
- 120ml
- Heat-up time
- 30 seconds
#2 of 5
Most steam
Rolipo Handheld Clothes Steamer (1640W)
£20–£30 Price range
The most steam here, 30g a minute from 1640W, and a 400ml tank that Rolipo says runs for up to 18 minutes, so a batch of work shirts or a pair of curtains doesn’t mean stopping to refill.
What owners say: Owners say it gets creases out fast, especially on jackets, shirts and dresses, heats up quickly and is light enough to hold for a while.
A closer look: Through the semi-clear tank the water level shows at a glance, so there’s no running dry halfway down a shirt. Work from the top down while pulling the fabric taut with the other hand, and on coats run the brush over first to lift dust and pet hair.
- 1640W, 30g/min steam
- 400ml detachable tank
- Up to 18 minutes per fill
- Lock button for hands-free steam
- Fabric brush included
Best for: Big loads and curtains
- Power
- 1640W
- Steam rate
- 30g/min
- Water tank
- 400ml
- Heat-up time
- 25 seconds
#3 of 5
Best 2-in-1
Russell Hobbs Steam Genie 2-in-1 Handheld Steamer (28370)
£62.99 RRP
Two jobs in one: steam a shirt on its hanger, or lay it flat and iron stubborn creases out with the ceramic soleplate, all at a single temperature that Russell Hobbs says suits every iron-friendly fabric.
What owners say: Owners find it far quicker than getting the iron out, and like being able to steam upright or iron flat.
Heads up: It takes about a minute to heat up, a little longer than most here, so switch it on before picking out what to wear.
A closer look: Three attachments come in the box, and Russell Hobbs puts a full 150ml tank at over ten minutes of steam. Collars, cuffs and trouser creases are where the ironing mode helps most: lay them on a folded towel on a firm surface rather than a soft duvet.
- 1700W, 20g/min steam
- Irons on a flat surface too
- Ceramic soleplate
- 150ml removable tank
- Steam trigger lock
Best for: Steaming and ironing
- Power
- 1700W
- Steam rate
- 20g/min
- Water tank
- 150ml
- Heat-up time
- 60 seconds
#4 of 5
Best budget
BEAUTURAL Portable Handheld Steamer (1200W)
£10–£20 Price range
The one to keep by the wardrobe for everyday creases: ready in about 35 seconds, with a 260ml tank, a lock for continuous steam on curtains and a ceramic plate that glides over fabric hanging up or laid flat.
What owners say: Owners find it easy to use, ready in minutes and quicker than ironing, and plenty reach for it every morning for work clothes.
A closer look: With a 1.9m cord there’s room to steam a jacket on the back of a door, and the tank comes off to fill at the tap. Keep the plate just touching the fabric as you work downwards, then give a steamed shirt a minute on the hanger to dry before putting it on.
- 1200W
- 260ml detachable tank
- Ready in about 35 seconds
- Lock for continuous steam
- Auto shut-off (low water or 8 minutes idle)
Best for: Everyday creases for less
- Power
- 1200W
- Steam rate
- –
- Water tank
- 260ml
- Heat-up time
- 35 seconds
#5 of 5
Swan Portable Garment Steamer (SI12022N)
£34.99 RRP
A 1500W steamer with a 300ml tank, a jet setting for stubborn creases and a ceramic-coated panel that irons flat as well as upright. Swan’s Birmingham makers, Bulpitt & Sons, built the first electric kettle with its element fully under the water, in the early 1920s.
What owners say: Owners find it much easier than setting up the ironing board, and like taking it on holidays and work trips.
Heads up: The two-year guarantee goes up to three when the steamer is registered with Swan, so it’s worth doing straight away.
A closer look: Normal steam suits shirts and dresses on a hanger; switch to jet for heavy cotton, then lay the fabric flat and run the panel over it. With the fabric brush fitted, it also freshens sofa cushions and curtains that can’t go in the wash.
- 1500W, 25g/min steam
- 300ml detachable tank
- Normal and jet steam
- Ceramic-coated panel
- Detachable fabric brush
Best for: Clothes, sofas and curtains
- Power
- 1500W
- Steam rate
- 25g/min
- Water tank
- 300ml
- Heat-up time
- –
How they compare
| Feature | #1Philips 3000 Series | #2Rolipo 1640W | #3Russell Hobbs Steam Genie | #4BEAUTURAL 1200W | #5Swan SI12022N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Most steam | Best 2-in-1 | Best budget | ||
| Picked Rating | 8.8 | 8.6 | 8.5 | 8.4 | 8.3 |
| Price | £49.99 RRP | £20–£30 Price range | £62.99 RRP | £10–£20 Price range | £34.99 RRP |
| Power | 1000W | 1640W | 1700W | 1200W | 1500W |
| Steam rate | 20g/min | 30g/min | 20g/min | – | 25g/min |
| Water tank | 120ml | 400ml | 150ml | 260ml | 300ml |
| Heat-up time | 30 seconds | 25 seconds | 60 seconds | 35 seconds | – |
| Best for | Travel and quick touch-ups | Big loads and curtains | Steaming and ironing | Everyday creases for less | Clothes, sofas and curtains |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
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