We Tested Clothes Steamers: Discover the Top Picks

Top Choice

When compared to our traditional steam iron, the Conair ExtremeSteam Fabric Steamer excels in ease of use, speed, and convenience. It heats up quickly and offers multiple settings, leading us to expect it to be priced at around $100. However, it is surprisingly affordable, costing only half of that amount, which makes it an excellent value for the performance it provides.

We appreciated the wide nozzle with two steam slots, and the convenient creasing clamp. It did a great job creasing our shirt, but we wouldn't recommend using it on thicker fabrics like denim.

With five steam settings, the steamer did an excellent job removing wrinkles from all types of fabric. It took a bit longer than expected on a men's cotton shirt, but it still managed to remove the wrinkles in a reasonable amount of time.

The water reservoir opening was a bit small, but using a funnel made it manageable. Just keep in mind that the steamer must be held perfectly vertical, or you risk dripping water, which can be annoying when steaming sleeves.

Our only other issue was the weight, as it’s almost 4 pounds. After 10 minutes of continuous use, our arm started to feel tired, and by 15 minutes, a break was necessary. However, we've been using it weekly for six months, and it’s still working well. We haven’t used the iron since.

Heating Time: 40 seconds | Steam Duration: 15 minutes | Weight: 4 lbs | Water Tank Capacity: 7 oz

Top Affordable Option

This steamer quickly eliminated wrinkles from silk. It also worked well on our cotton shirt, though it took around 15 minutes to smooth out the wrinkles, which was longer than with the silk.

The steamer didn’t perform as well on the linen pants: It only helped reduce the wrinkles, rather than completely remove them. However, the steamer was quite hot, and the steam temperature wasn’t the issue. We could feel the heat in the handle while steaming, but it was never uncomfortable.

We felt the price of just under $25 was reasonable for this product. The only downside was the small water reservoir; the steamer lasted around 10 minutes before needing a refill. It’s easy to fill, but without a funnel, it could spill. A funnel was available for our test, but it’s not included with the product, so you’d need to purchase one separately.

The head of the steamer extends only about 2 inches from the handle, so we had to be careful not to burn ourselves with the steam if we held it too close to the fabric. Following the manufacturer's recommendation to keep the steamer about 1 inch away kept us from getting burned. The cord is long enough, which makes it easy to steam from any angle without restriction.

This steamer has just one setting (the "produce steam" setting) and comes with a fabric brush attachment that fits onto the head of the steamer. The brush serves as a helpful 1-inch spacer to maintain the proper distance from the fabric, but doesn’t contribute much to the steaming process. Overall, we would recommend this steamer to anyone looking for a simple device that works on most fabrics.

Heat-up Time: 45 seconds | Steam Duration: 7 minutes | Weight: 2 lbs. |

Top Upright Option

This Pure Enrichment Upright Clothes Steamer is superior to other models we’ve tried in the past for two reasons: its sturdy design and adjustable temperature control. The water tank is large enough to steam multiple garments without needing a refill, providing steam for up to an hour. We haven’t needed to use an iron once in the six months we’ve been testing this steamer, and we continue to rely on it weekly for various laundry tasks.

Priced at $100, we believe the cost is justified considering all the features and options it offers. The adjustable arm ensures comfort while steaming, and the garment pole includes a hanger for hanging clothes during use. There are also clips to hang pants.

The steamer effectively removed wrinkles from all types of clothing, performing quickest on silk and taking the longest on linen (which is expected). While the unit has a power indicator light, we would have appreciated an additional 'ready' indicator or a beep to signal when it's time to begin steaming, especially when adjusting the temperature mid-session.

Although upright models are typically stationary, this one features wheels on both the front and back, making it easy to move around. It's also light enough to lift the garment pole and reposition it as needed. The detachable water tank is easy to remove for filling—just lift it from the steamer and fill with water.

Heat-up Time: 45 seconds | Steam Duration: 1 hour | Weight: 10 lbs. | Water Tank Capacity: 68 oz.

Best Large Capacity

This handheld CHI steamer excels, particularly with the fabric brush attachment. It worked wonders, and the results were exactly what we were hoping for. Our clothes looked noticeably better after using it.

Refilling the tank was a much more pleasant experience compared to others we've tried. Removing and twisting off the tank from the steamer was straightforward, and we had no issues pouring the water into the opening without spilling.

The steamer felt comfortable in our hands, even as the water level dropped. The only slight inconvenience was the button for adjusting steam settings, which was positioned under the index finger, leading to unintentional changes. However, there’s a lock feature to keep the steam setting steady.

Although the 10-foot cord seemed excessive, it didn’t hinder our movement. We had plenty of flexibility and freedom to work as we pleased. At under $50, this is a great value, and after six months of use, we would still recommend it. It efficiently eliminates wrinkles, making the chore much easier.

Heating Time: 20 secs. | Steam Duration: Not listed | Weight: 2 lbs. | Water Tank Capacity: 10 oz.

Ideal with Attachments

We were thoroughly impressed with this steamer, and for just $55, it truly represents great value. It performed perfectly, with no sputtering onto our clothes or the floor. It's a reliable and effective steamer that gets the job done effortlessly.

The built-in creasing tool was simple to use and did its job well, leaving crisp creases. It also includes three additional attachments: a silicone band to stretch fabric taut for easier steaming, a bristle brush to loosen fibers and help the steam penetrate deeper, and a fabric spacer to safeguard fabrics and trims.

After six months of testing, we wish it had a bit more steam power, but the ease of use is exceptional. We appreciate that it can stand upright when not in use, preventing any accidental spills, and the multiple attachments make it suitable for various types of clothing and wrinkle severity.

Filling the tank is straightforward, but remember, overfilling it will prevent steam production. Once the tank is filled, you can choose from two settings—regular steam and turbo steam—both of which are clearly labeled and easily adjusted with a simple button press.

Heating Time: 40 secs. | Steam Duration: 15 mins. | Weight: 4 lbs. | Water Tank Capacity: 7 oz.

Final Verdict

The Conair ExtremeSteam Fabric Steamer left a strong impression on us with its user-friendly design, quick heat-up time, various settings, and overall performance. We continue to use it weekly, and it has completely replaced ironing for us. For an affordable option, we suggest the Proctor Silex Compact 2-in-1 Garment Steamer/Iron, known for its lightweight build, effective steaming, and ease of handling, all at an attractive price point.

Our Testing Process

To identify the top clothes steamers available, we began by preparing each unit, ready to face the pile of wrinkled garments awaiting their turn. We then activated the steamer and set it to its highest setting, starting a timer until it reached full readiness. This helped us measure each steamer's heat-up speed.

Throughout our evaluation, we tested three different clothing items, keeping track of how often we had to refill the water tank to evaluate its capacity. We also focused on the comfort and weight of holding each steamer, as well as whether it produced a consistent steam flow or spatters of water.

We tracked how long each steamer took to smooth out fabrics like silk, cotton, and linen, using any included attachments. Each fabric's timing was recorded, and the steamers were assessed based on their performance and overall value for the price. The best models were taken home and tested in everyday scenarios for six months.

How to Shop for Clothes Steamers Like a Pro

Type

Our list features two categories of steamers: handheld and upright. Your choice should depend on a few key factors. How many clothes do you plan to steam in a session, and how long would you like to use the steamer continuously? Additionally, consider the available storage space at home.

• If you're seeking a compact and portable steamer for occasional use, a handheld model is perfect. It's also great for travel or on-the-go situations.
• For those with more space and a desire for a more permanent addition to your wardrobe, an upright steamer is ideal. It requires fewer water refills, allowing for uninterrupted steaming of larger clothing loads.

Marilee Nelson, co-founder of Branch Basics, explains that handheld steamers are just as effective at removing wrinkles as vertical steamers, with the main distinction being their portability.

Heat Time

"Heat-up time is a crucial factor when selecting a steamer," Nelson advises. "If you're using it before heading out to work in the morning, you don't want it to make you late!" All the steamers on our list heat up in under a minute, with the CHI Handheld Garment Steamer, our top pick for large-capacity models, heating up in just 20 seconds.

Features and Attachments

"The right accessories can make all the difference in your steaming experience," says Nelson. For instance, if you need to crease your pants for professional or formal wear, a crease tool (which is included in our best overall and best attachments picks) can be helpful. Other useful accessories include a silicone band, a bristle brush, and a fabric spacer, all of which are included in our best attachments pick.

If you're only using your steamer for casual, everyday purposes, attachments may not be necessary. Instead, focus on the steam settings—most steamers offer both high and low settings, while our top pick has five different options.

Questions You Might Ask

What are the benefits of using a clothes steamer over an iron?

The key benefits of using a clothes steamer over an iron include the fact that steamers don't require direct contact with your clothing, lowering the chance of accidental burns. They are also gentler on delicate fabrics like silk or cashmere. Additionally, steamers eliminate the need for a bulky ironing board every time you want to smooth out wrinkles.

What fabrics should not be steamed with a steam cleaner?

Jerry Pozniak, managing director of Jeeves New York, a luxury dry cleaning service, provides the following quick reference guide for fabrics that should be avoided when steaming:

• Leather
• Suede
• Fur
• Vinyl/plastic
• Clothing with embellishments, like buttons, beads, or sequins

Fabrics such as leather, suede, and fur can be damaged by steam, while buttons, beads, and sequins can melt due to the heat.

Trust Us on This

This piece was authored by Camryn Dilger, a seasoned associate editor at Mytour. With extensive experience in researching, testing, editing, and reviewing a variety of products, she brings valuable insights. Although she doesn’t own a steamer herself, this is only because she lives just a mile away from her grandmother, who is always kind enough to lend her upright steamer whenever needed.

To identify the top steam cleaners available, we tested 48 models both in our laboratory and at home, scrutinizing their effectiveness, design, value, ease of use, and more. Additionally, we spoke with Jerry Pozniak, the managing director of Jeeves New York, a high-end dry cleaning service, and Marilee Nelson, the co-founder of Branch Basics.