It is universally agreed that ironing is one of the worst chores on the household roster.
It’s laborious to set-up, lengthy to execute and there always seems to be … more.
A garment steamer, on the other hand, can remove wrinkles and freshen fabric in a fraction of the time, making it a great addition to a traditional steam iron.
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While it won’t always be the perfect replacement for an iron, many garment steamers now have impressive crease-busting abilities and can also work wonders on soft or delicate materials that can’t be ironed.
Because they’re so portable, garment steamers are also ideal for travel and for using around the house to freshen up curtains and bedding.
Looking to invest in one? We’ve rounded up a list of the best handheld and upright steamers below (based on our own experience with the products and real customer reviews) that will help you say goodbye to ironing for good.
One of our top picks is the budget friendly Sunbeam handheld garment steamer, which shoppers are calling “a steal” thanks to its easy to use settings, fast heat up time and quick results. Check out more below.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
Our team of experienced writers spend hours researching products to include in articles. We find out what factors make a good product by talking to experts, reviewing test results and analysing thousands of customer reviews.
BEST OVERALL GARMENT STEAMER
Tefal Pure Pop Garment Steamer, $149.95, Myer
What you should know
Not only does this Tefal garment steamer boast a fun and compact design, but it also doubles as a hair and lint remover to help you achieve a perfect finish. The handheld steamer even has a super quick heat up time of just 15 seconds.
“This is a must-have item. It cuts down so much time in busy mornings – no more ironing bulky uniforms. It’s quick to heat up, easy to use and powerful. It’s a winner!!” raved a happy shopper.
Sunbeam Power Steam Handheld Garment Steamer, $79, The Good Guys
What you should know
This Sunbeam handheld garment steamer takes just 40 seconds to heat up and is designed to provide up to 18 minutes of continuous steam. It also has a decently sized 300ml water tank plus two settings that let you steam on a variety of fabrics.
“I LOVE the ease of use of this machine. It’s easy to manoeuvre, it heats quickly, disperses steam evenly and removes wrinkles quickly and easily…given how much I paid for my previous steamer, this one is a steal”, a customer posted, rating it five stars.
“The steamer heats up super quickly and is easy to use. I’ve taken it on holidays, to a wedding and daily use. It’s perfect for me,” agreed another.
BEST STEAMER AND IRON COMBO
Tefal IXEO Power All-in-One Iron Steamer Station, $519, at The Good Guys
What you should know
Another contender for best overall garment steamer is the Tefal IXEO All-in-One Steamer Station. It heats up in just 45 seconds and comes with a three-position ‘Smart Board’ so you can zip through your morning shirt ironing or get in between pleats with ease.
You can also hang a clothes hanger through the provided hook and use the machine as you would a normal garment steamer.
Shoppers say the “powerful” steamer makes “ironing a breeze” and “will leave no creases on your clothes”, with many praising the model for its easy to use functionality and versatility.
“We have had a couple of garment steamers but this one rocks. Powerful steam, trigger on handle saves water and thus tank lasts longer. Hose is not bulky like others and the base and hose are separate so you don’t need to bring the stand to do curtains etc,” raved one fan.
“I’ve had hand held steamers for years, but this machine takes steaming to a whole new level! I love the board which provides the convenience of a small ironing board. And the steam (is) unbelievable!” agreed another.
Tefal’s IXEO all-in-one steamer machine heats up in just 45 seconds and comes with a three-position ‘Smart Board’ so you can zip through your morning shirt ironing or get in between pleats with ease.
Users can also hang a clothes hanger through the provided hook and use the machine as you would a normal garment steamer.
BEST BUDGET GARMENT STEAMERS
Kambrook SwiftSteam Garment Steamer, $69, The Good Guys
What you should know
While it does require a power socket, Kambrook’s SwiftSteam garment steamer makes ironing a breeze. The 360-degree swivel cord makes it easy to manoeuvre, while the easy trigger button gives you a continuous jet of steam. It also comes with a detachable fabric brush to remove lint and dust from upholstery and clothes.
Happy shoppers complimented the model for its effectiveness against wrinkles and powerful steam jet, with one reviewer writing: “Love it. This is a life-changer. I no longer dread ironing my silk shirts or indeed any fabric, thick or thin. I quickly wave this steamer over it for a minute or two and it freshens it up, gets rid of creases and I’m ready to go. Highly recommend it.”
Russell Hobbs Handheld Steamer, $88 (down from $99.95), Amazon Australia
What you should know
The metal press of this Russell Hobbs handheld steamer replicates an iron head to tackle stiffer fabrics like suits, linen and denim. Whether you want to refresh your winter knits or require a more delicate hand to gently decrease a silk top, the 200ml tank will quickly have your clothes looking wrinkle-free.
“Makes ironing some of my trickier dresses so easy, better than using an iron and board. Just hang off the back of your door and off you go! Also perfect for getting rid of last minute creases,” an impressed shopper reviewed.
BEST HANDHELD GARMENT STEAMER
Philips Steam and Go Handheld Garment Steamer, $119 (down from $139), Amazon Australia
What you should know
This Philips garment steamer can be used both horizontally and vertically on those too-tricky-to-iron areas of clothing. The super compact steamer can also travel with you to ensure you have crisp, unwrinkled clothing wherever you go.
The steam plate is always heated to its optimal temperature too, so you don’t need to worry about it causing damage to your clothes. It also features a 70ml detachable water tank that’s easy to fill and a handy 2.5m cord for maximum reach.
“Simple to use, heats up quickly and does not leave water marks behind. Good stream of steam,” a fan posted.
“Great little travel friend, lightweight and easy to use!” agreed another.
BEST UPRIGHT GARMENT STEAMER
Tefal Pro Style Upright Garment Steamer, $219, Myer
What you should know
Sometimes holding a hanger and steaming clothes at the same time can feel a little tricky, making the quick and easy process easier than done. This Tefal upright garment steamer is perfect for when you want more power, a longer lasting session or don’t have anywhere to hang your shirt or pants. The appliance offers 1800W of power and a continuous output of 30g per minute of steam, plus three steam settings to cater to different fabrics.
Shoppers say they’re impressed with this “simple to set up” and “easy to use” gadget.
“Very happy with this steamer. I chose this one based on the fact it comes with a backing board. That is a game changer for steaming. I use a steamer at work and it is difficult when you don’t have something to press against. It also heats up very fast,” a reviewer commented.
Read our in-depth review here.
BEST GARMENT STEAMER WARDROBE
LG Styler Steam Clothing Care System, $2499, Bing Lee
What you should know
While it does come at a luxury price, LG’s Styler Clothing Care System offers a unique way to care for your clothing – especially items that can’t go in the wash.
It won’t replace your washing machine or dryer, but it will use steam to sanitise, refresh and deodorise clothing while also reducing wrinkles. There’s also a nifty pleat crisper for pants and a ‘Sanitary Cycle’ which helps to reduce common allergens such as dust mites and bacteria from clothing and fabrics.
“I bought this a couple of months ago and it has been absolutely life changing for me. I suffer from terrible allergies including dust. So anytime clothes sit in my wardrobe for too long it can cause issues with my allergies. This has completely changed that,” a reviewer wrote.
“The sanitary cycle has been a game changer in keeping my clothes fresh and dust free. Absolutely recommend for anyone with allergies or people who want to keep any clothes in the wardrobe fresh.”
GARMENT STEAMER VS IRON: WHICH IS BETTER?
Garment steamers are a handy appliance for quickly refreshing light to middleweight fabrics or delicate items that can’t be ironed. Handheld steamers are also great for throwing in your suitcase to decrease clothing when an iron and board isn’t available.
However, garment steamers don’t offer the same crisp result as an iron, which makes them more of an additional purchase, rather than a replacement, for an iron.
HOW DO YOU USE A GARMENT STEAMER?
Most garment steamers are designed to be quite intuitive to use, so all you have to do is fill the container with water and hit the on-button. You may want to hold your item of clothing taut as you steam out the wrinkles on the underside.
Keep in mind that you are handling hot steam which can cause serious burns if you’re not careful. It goes without saying, but you should never touch the steam with your bare hands and should always turn the machine off when it’s not in use.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING A GARMENT STEAMER?
Not only will using a garment steamer take you a fraction of the time it takes to properly iron a piece of clothing, but it’s kinder on your clothes too. Since there’s no heated metal touching the fabric, you won’t risk accidentally burning your clothing. The steam is also effective at de-wrinkling delicate fabrics like chiffon, silk and wool.
Steaming can also prolong the freshness of your clothes between washes by killing odour causing germs and bacteria. The only downside is you might find it difficult to get a precise pleat crease on your pants, though some steamers do come with a separate attachment for this very purpose.
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Originally published as 8 best garment steamers | Top-rated clothes steamers 2024
