6 Best Clothes Steamers, Tested by Laundry Experts
You may be surprised to hear that garment steamers may just edge out the clothing irons we once wielded for decades. Handheld or upright, clothes steamers are more versatile and don’t require an ironing board that hogs precious closet space. They can de-wrinkle flowy and silky fabrics (even linen!) and formal suits without scorching, refresh garments between dry cleaning and smooth draperies and window treatments. Even Monopoly has phased out the original 1935 player token shaped like an iron — a sign of household trends to come?
A great clothes steamer is an excellent tool to have in your laundry arsenal, but there are a few things to consider before you pick one up like steam output, ease of use and whether it can operate at different angles without dripping. In the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we test garment steamers on a range of fabrics, including natural and synthetic fibers, to measure heat-up time and gauge efficiency, ease of use and consider overall value too. In our latest round of testing, we evaluated 26 different clothes steamers to determine which are best. Our team has also tested hundreds of laundry-related items including irons (even the best cordless irons), ironing boards, washers, dryers and fabric shavers.
At the end of this article, you’ll find more info on how we test steamers in our Lab and with consumer testers. We also answer when a billow of steam is better than ironing and outline helpful shopping pointers.
Conair ExtremeSteam Handheld Garment Steamer
The Conair ExtremeSteam is a Good Housekeeping Seal holder for a reason. It’s one of the best wrinkle removers we’ve tested.
Two indicator lights on top tell you whether the steamer is still heating up or ready to go. When we tested this model in our Lab, it was ready to use in just 39 seconds. A trigger lock allows you the choice between a continuous release of steam or producing it on demand, but it doesn’t have an additional burst or turbo setting. Unlike other steamers we’ve tested that only turn off when unplugged, this model also has a power button.
This Conair earned the highest wrinkle removal score out of all the models we tested. We were especially impressed with how well the ExtremeSteam straightened out wool and cotton/poly blends, earning perfect scores on both fabrics. It also steamed continuously for nearly 17 minutes before the water tank was empty. The 8-foot cord allowed us to maneuver freely around the garment. Unfortunately, this model doesn’t have any attachments, so it is less flexible than some other steamers. However, we think its low price and high performance make it well worth the investment.
Sunbeam Power Steam Handheld Steamer
The Sunbeam Power Steam is more than just a great handheld steamer. It has a metal faceplate that allows it to double as a clothing iron. You can use the trigger to release steam as needed, double-tap it for a powerful burst or use the trigger lock for nonstop steaming.
This model earned high scores for wrinkle removal when tested upright as a steamer, and it impressed us again when we tried it horizontally as an iron. We noticed it made a clicking noise while running, and we found the tank a little tough to remove when it was time to refill. Fortunately, it ran for 12 minutes straight before running out of water, and it was ready to use in less than 30 seconds when we plugged it in. We also appreciated the brush attachment, which is great for fluffing napped fabrics like wool.
| Water tank capacity | 8.5 ounces |
|---|---|
| Auto shut-off | No |
| Steam settings | 2 |
| Attachments | Brush attachment |
| Cord length | 8 feet |
Black + Decker Advanced Handheld Garment Steamer
You can beautify way more than clothing with the Black + Decker Advanced Garment Steamer. The extra-long cord (15 feet!) makes it simple to reach high-up places such as curtains and even bed skirts that are far from an outlet. We appreciate that the steamer stands upright and automatically shuts off after 15 minutes, a nice-to-have safety feature if you happen to walk away.
The water tank was easy to fill and the product left fabrics looking smooth and finished. This model comes with attachments for upholstery, delicate fabrics and lint removal, and we found that the continuous steam feature was especially helpful for large swaths like draperies, mattresses and furniture. Our only wish? That the long cord retracted for tidy storage.
| Water tank capacity | 7.4 oz. |
|---|---|
| Auto shut-off | Yes |
| Steam settings | 2 |
| Attachments | Delicate fabrics, upholstery, lint remover |
| Cord length | 15 feet |
Reliable Vivio 500GC Garment Steamer
When it comes to larger dewrinkling jobs, an upright steamer can be a lifesaver. The Reliable Vivio 550GC has a one gallon water tank that allows it to run for 2 hours and 20 minutes before stopping to refill.
Aside from its long runtime, our Lab tests also revealed that this machine pumps out an impressive 25 grams of steam per minute. We appreciated the 4-foot pole and hanger for holding clothes while you steam. Its water tank was exceptionally easy to remove and fill too. It doesn’t maneuver as easily as some other upright units we’ve tested, but it isn’t too hard to move except when you’re turning corners. We wish this unit had a reel to wrap the power cord around when not in use. Its wrinkle removal ability is on par with other professional units we tested, but it comes at a price that simply can’t be beat.
| Water tank capacity | 1 gallon |
|---|---|
| Auto shut-off | Yes |
| Steam settings | 1 |
| Attachments | Brush attachment |
| Cord length | 6 feet |
Laurastar IZZI Plus Garment and Hard Surfaces Steamer
When we tested the Laurastar IZZI Plus Garment Steamer in our Lab, not only did it earn a perfect score for wrinkle removal on wool and silk and do well removing wrinkles from tougher fabrics like linen, but we think it’s more beautifully and thoughtfully designed than any other steamer we’ve tested. The nozzle has two separate guards: one for refreshing textiles and upholstery and the other for cleaning household surfaces. It also comes with a glove to protect your free hand while steaming. The 33-ounce water tank makes it great for handling larger jobs without being too heavy to tote around. In our tests, it was able to steam for 31 minutes before needing a refill.
We also tested the steam cart which is sold separately and well worth the investment. The cart isn’t essential for using the steamer, but it allows you to wheel it around like a dream. We found it to be stable, and it made the steamer even easier to maneuver. We also appreciated all of its extra features. It folds up to save space when not in use, has a holster for the nozzle and has an adjustable garment rack for hanging clothes while you steam them. Brilliant!
| Water tank capacity | 33 ounces |
|---|---|
| Auto shut-off | Yes |
| Steam settings | 1 |
| Attachments | Textile guard and surface guard |