We tested the best clothes steamers in the UK

Some say the best clothes steamers can replace your iron, and if the thought of ironing is enough to break you out in a cold sweat, you're not alone. In fact, YouGov found that ironing is the chore Brits hate the most. But there may be a better way.

Many Mumsnet users have recently ditched their steam iron or steam generator iron completely, switching to an efficient handheld clothes steamer to save them time, energy and valuable storage space.

Best clothes steamers, at a glance:

Best overall: Tefal Pure Pop Slim Handheld Clothes Steamer, £45
Best budget: Lebenlang Handheld Clothes Steamer, £22
Best premium: Steamery Cirrus X Handheld Steamer, £100
Best 2-in-1: Russell Hobbs Steam Genie Maestro 2in1 Clothes Steamer, £80

Whether you’re dealing with delicate fabrics or simply refreshing the kids’ school shirts, a garment steamer can easily lift creases without the risk of burning or damaging the fabrics.

Feeling sceptical? To determine if clothes steamers genuinely live up to the hype, we drew on the wealth of knowledge and wisdom of our eight million Mumsnet users, gaining insight into the brands and models that truly impressed. We then scoured wider consumer views and gathered verdicts from industry experts, including collating advice from cleaning expert Mariya Gurkova at Fantastic Services and dress technologist Tim Balfour from Freemans. Where possible, we also carried out our own in-depth testing, independently assessing clothes steamers for their ease of use and ability to banish wrinkles and lift creases.

From clothes steamers with generous water tanks and quick heating times, to budget-friendly picks, here’s our roundup of the best clothes steamers you can buy today.

1

Best overall clothes steamer

Tefal Pure Pop Slim Handheld Clothes Steamer

Buy now from Amazon

What we like

Simple to set up and use
Lightweight and compact design
Heats up in 15 seconds
Can be used vertically and horizontally
Available in a range of bright colours
Convenient storage bag for travel

What we don't like

The tank is small

Key specs

What Mumsnet users say

Oceangrey · Recommended product

Tefal Pop, super light, small and easy. I take it to conferences.

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NigelHarmansNewWife · Recommended product

Tefal Pop. I tumble dry to avoid ironing and steam the odd item as needed.

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BushmanAwaits · Recommended brand

We have a Tefal steamer. It’s so much easier and convenient than ironing. I can definitely recommend it.

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Our verdict

Tested by Mumsnet writer Laura Cooke: Read our full Tefal Pure Pop Clothes Steamer review

Small, compact and simple to use, the affordable Tefal Pure Pop clothes steamer comes highly rated by Mumsnet users and reviewers, praised for its ability to leave a multitude of clothing and fabrics smooth and wrinkle-free. Perfect for holidays or everyday touch-ups at home, it helps wave goodbye to stubborn creases, without the need for an ironing board.

The steamer is incredibly easy to set up and operate, heating up in just 15 seconds. While the 70ml capacity is relatively small, the water tank couldn’t be easier to fill, providing enough for around four minutes continuous use.

We love how this handheld steamer features a smart, reversible pad, with a velvet side for delicate fabrics and a lint side for gathering up fluff and pet dander. Generating 20g of steam per minute, it can be used vertically to press clothes on a hanger or horizontally for more challenging areas, such as collars and shirt cuffs.

Read next: Best washing machine

2

Best value clothes steamer

Lebenlang Handheld Clothes Steamer

Buy now from Amazon

What we like

Heats up in under 30 seconds
Generous water tanks provide up to 20 minutes of use
Choice of eco and power mode
Lockable trigger
A range of accessories included

What we don't like

May need descaling regularly in hard water areas

Key specs

What Mumsnet users say

Purplecatshopaholic · Recommended product

Love my steamer. Haven’t used the iron since I got it. I got mine from Amazon.

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Our verdict

Retailing at under £30, the Lebenlang Handheld Clothes Steamer offers excellent value for money. Heating up in under 30 seconds, this powerful steamer comes with a choice of two power modes – ‘Eco’ for quick refreshing of shirts and t-shirts and ‘Power’ for more substantial tasks, including thick fabrics, curtains and upholstery.

With a large 300ml capacity, the transparent, leak-proof water tank is easy to remove and fill, providing enough water for up to 20 minutes of continuous use. While you may need to descale it regularly in areas with hard water, we appreciate the lockable trigger, which enables comfortable operation over longer periods.

Unlike the Swan steamer above, the long 2.5 metre cable on this steamer provides complete freedom to use horizontally and vertically without feeling restricted. It also comes with a range of attachments, including a brush attachment, lint brush and an ironing glove for the smoothest finish.

Read next: The best cordless irons

4

Best premium clothes steamer

Steamery Cirrus X Handheld Steamer

Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Boots

What we like

Strong steam output that drops creases fast on cotton shirts.
Manages several items per tank (five school shirts in testing).
Transparent tank makes it easy to keep an eye on the water level.
Helpful instructions that improve results once you follow the “tension” technique.
Worked on delicates like silk without water marks (as long as you keep it moving).

What we don't like

You have to hold the steam button down continuously, which can get tiring on bigger loads.
Button placement is a bit awkward (close to the on/off switch and near the hot head).
Premium price, plus it can pick up lint on some fabrics.

Key specs

What Mumsnet users say

DancingNotDrowning · Recommended brand

Yes, I have two: a large hanging one like clothes stores use and a smaller handheld one from Steamery, which is brilliant. I bought the steamery, one for travel, but I actually use it over the larger one.

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Our verdict

Tested by Mumsnet editor Poppy O'Neill: Read our full Steamery Cirrus X review

This is a stylish, compact steamer that feels weighty and substantial in your hand. On cotton shirts and linen trousers it gets creases out quickly and leaves things looking properly smart - and it comes with handy instructions on how to use it for maximum effect.

It’s also practical in the way you want a laundry gadget to be. The transparent tank is a small thing, but it’s oddly soothing being able to see what you’re working with, and in testing it managed five school shirts before needing a refill. It handled linen (even “my ironing nemesis” trousers) and silk too, as long as you keep it moving and use the tension technique with the glove like the instructions tell you to.

The niggles are worth flagging, though. You need to hold the steam button down constantly, which is fine for a few items but can feel a bit wearing on a bigger session, and the controls sit close enough to the hot head (and the on/off switch) that you may find yourself adjusting your grip. It’s not unsafe, just not brilliantly laid out. And yes, it’s expensive, so this is one for people who’ll actually use it regularly, not a “maybe I’ll steam a blouse twice a year” punt.

4

Best clothes steamer with attachments

Russell Hobbs Steam Genie Aroma

Buy now from Argos

What we like

Includes scent infuser to add fragrance
Heating pressing plate for stubborn wrinkles
Removes 99.9% of bacteria in 60 seconds
Long three metre power cord
Range of attachments for delicate fabrics, upholstery and lint removal

What we don't like

Costly
Heavier and larger than some of our other top picks

Key specs

Our verdict

Tested by Mumsnet reviewer Scarlet: Read our full Russell Hobbs Steam Genie Aroma Garment Steamer review

Love the comfort of that fresh from the dryer scent? While it doesn’t come cheap, the Russell Hobbs Steam Genie Aroma Garment Steamer comes with several unique features that make it stand out from the rest. Removing 99.9% of bacteria in just 60 seconds (ideal for school uniforms and work shirts) it also comes with an optional scent infuser, adding subtle fragrance that can breathe new life into your clothes.

Our tester Scarlet found the Steam Genie Aroma easy to use, with a 45 second heat up time and a generous 200ml water tank providing around 6 minutes of continuous steam. There is only an on or off button however, where she felt a pause button or trigger may have been helpful. The heated pressing plate worked well on more stubborn wrinkles and creases, handy when tackling thicker fabrics like denim or weighty cotton.

The super long three metre cable ensures easy access to your hanging clothes or curtains, with a range of attachments for delicates, upholstery or removing lint and pet dander.

That said, it’s one of the heaviest clothes steamers we tested, making it slightly less convenient for travel or holidays.

5

Best 2in1 clothes steamer and iron

Russell Hobbs Steam Genie Maestro 2in1 Clothes Steamer

Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Argos Buy now from John Lewis

What we like

Compact, lightweight and easy to store
Integrated carrying handle makes it easy to move around
Works as an iron or garment steamer
Large water tank
Managed multiple quilt covers on one tank of water

What we don't like

Plate attachments didn’t stay securely in place
Attachments became too hot to handle or swap easily
No dedicated storage space for the plug

Key specs

What Mumsnet users say

ItWasTheBestOfTimes · Recommended product

I have the 2-in-1 steam genie by Russell Hobbs and do most items in steamer mode, it’s great and has much more steam time than the unbranded cheapie I got on Amazon that also leaked water everywhere. I don’t sit there and do baskets full of clothes at a time, I only steam items that need it as and when I am wearing them, so it’s perfect for that.

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Our verdict

Tested by Mumsnet tester, Alison: Read our full Russell Hobbs Steam Genie Maestro review

If you want the best of both worlds, the 2-in-1 Russell Hobbs Steam Genie Maestro can be used both as an iron and a handheld steamer.

Our tester, Alison, used it on everyday laundry including bedding, t-shirts and soft fabrics, and found it easy to use, lightweight and practical. With a large 750ml water tank, it managed multiple quilt covers on a single tank of water and delivered good results when used over an ironing board.

Alison preferred the steamer in iron mode, making this a wise and versatile choice for those not quite ready to let go of owning an iron completely.

How to use a clothes steamer

While the exact instructions may vary from one brand to the next, using a clothes steamer generally involves the following steps:

Prepare your clothes: Check the labels and ensure the fabrics are iron safe. Delicate fabrics such as silk may require specific attachments.

Remove and fill the water tank: Taking care not to overfill. Most clothes steamers have a clearly marked ‘max’ line.
Plug in and heat up: This can take between 15 seconds and a minute, depending on the product)
Hang your clothes: Using a sturdy coat hanger to enable upright steaming (some offer horizontal steaming too)
Start steaming: Position the steamer around 3-5cm away from the fabric and work from top to bottom, gently pulling the fabric taut with your other hand.
Stubborn areas: For more significant creases, designs with a steamer plate can be gently pressed against the fabric to smooth them out.
Let your clothes dry: Steamers can leave your fabrics feeling slightly damp; leave the items hanging to air dry for a few minutes after use.
Unplug and empty the water tank: Never leave any water sitting in the tank, as this can lead to limescale and bacteria.
Wipe down and store: Once cooled, return the steamer to a carry case (if applicable).

We spoke to cleaning expert Mariya Gurkova from Fantastic Services and dress technologist Tim Balfour from Freemans, who shared their top tips to make the most of your clothes steamer:

“Put the wrinkled item in the dryer with a damp towel or a few ice cubes and run it on medium heat for about 15 minutes" says Mariya, "Steam will be generated inside the dryer by the moisture from the towel or ice cubes, which will help loosen the wrinkles and smooth out the fabric. When dried, fold immediately to avoid ironing."
"Take items out of the washing machine or dryer as soon as the cycle is finished and shake any creasing out," Tim recommends. "Doing this can reduce the amount of ironing or remove the need for ironing altogether.”

Are clothes steamers any good?

Clothes steamers are fast and efficient, with rapid heat up times that allow quick and easy refreshing without the need for your ironing board.

Unlike traditional irons, these small, lightweight and portable appliances are super convenient for travel and fuss-free quick de-creasing tasks, removing wrinkles and creases while also targeting bacteria, dust mites and odours.

Most clothes steamers are suitable for use on all iron-safe fabrics, with attachments that are safer on delicate fabrics than traditional ironing. Their vertical use makes them ideal for upholstery, curtains and sheets or weighty items where ironing is impractical.

On the downside, you don’t get that super crisp finish on collars and cuffs like you do with a traditional iron. The tank sizes do need refilling regularly and they can be less effective on thicker fabrics like denim or cord.

How to descale a clothes steamer

If you live in a hard water area, minerals in your water can lead to limescale buildup on your appliances. As such, it's essential to descale your clothes steamer to keep it running at its best.

To descale your clothes steamer:

Use either a shop bought descaling solution or natural solution made with equal parts white vinegar and distilled water.
Fill the tank halfway and turn the steamer on for a few minute to loosen any limescale deposits.
Allow to cool fully, before emptying the tank and rinsing thoroughly.
It’s recommended to repeat this process using distilled water to ensure no traces of solution are left behind.

What’s the best clothes steamer to buy?

Although the water tank is small, the Tefal Pure Pop is the best clothes steamer you can buy today. Mumsnet users, reviewers and our in-house testing all agree that its performance and practicality are deserving of our top pick - especially for occasional use or travel.

How we chose the best clothes steamers

Recommendations from real Mumsnet users

There is a lot of debate within the Mumsnet forums on how to combat creases, and while many Mumsnet users have banished ironing completely, many others have shared their hints and tips on both the best tools for the job.

First, we sought out the trusted opinions of Mumsnet users, to get their feedback on the clothes steamers that they rate, recommend and use in their own homes.

We also looked out for any negative reviews, where Mumsetters highlighted products that they felt were poor quality, hard to use or simply struggled to tackle those more stubborn wrinkles and creases.

Expert opinions

Next up, we considered reviews and feedback from trusted industry experts. We want to be confident that the products we recommend are fit for purpose, so we looked out for award-winning products or those that were well regarded in the marketplace, including those recommended by cleaning and fasion experts and consumer champions such as Which.

Authentic consumer reviews

Finally, to bring you our definitive list of the potato mashers on the market, we thoroughly investigated genuine, in-depth customer reviews on retailer sites such as Amazon, Argos, and John Lewis to gather a wider range of consumer experiences regarding the products on our shortlist.

About the author

Lucy Cotterill is a mum of two and a Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in baby, child and lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. Having written product reviews on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy loves to research and explore the pros and cons of products, scrutinising reviews and consumer feedback to help people make confident purchases.

Lucy has written several Mumsnet laundry guides including the best budget washing machine, best budget tumble dryers and best ironing boards.

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