Steaming your clothes will not only smooth out wrinkles much more efficiently and rapidly than an iron, but it will also protect the fabric and shape of your garments. Choosing a steamer that is powerful, compact, and durable is so essential in maintaining the quality of your clothes. That's why we recommend the PurSteam Elite Garment Steamer. This steamer comes prepared for any outfit with its job-specific attachments and fast-heating abilities.
Best Overall: PurSteam Elite Garment Steamer
If you're looking for a steamer that can handle any outfit that you throw at it, the PurSteam Elite Garment Steamer is a great choice. Designed with versatility and accessibility in mind, this steamer comes with specific attachments to ensure that even the smallest areas of your clothing are kept looking fresh and smooth. The PurSteam Elite Garment Steamer measures at 10.5-by-9.5-by-12 inches and weighs 2.2 pounds, which makes it light and easy to maneuver.
This steamer releases steam as hot as 248-degrees Fahrenheit, which is the perfect temperature for penetrating deep within the fibers of your clothing, allowing the fibers to relax. This high temperature also kills up to 99.9 percent of germs, keeping your clothing extra clean. Wrinkles will disappear quickly and efficiently on both delicate and heavy fabrics as this steamer is compatible with most types of fabric.
The water tank included with this steamer can hold up to 61-ounces of water, which means that you can iron out multiple items with just one tank. One full tank should give you up to 60 minutes of steam time. If you're in a rush, rest easy knowing that the 61-ounce tank of water heats up to its maximum temperature in only 45 to 60 seconds.
Included with this steamer is a convenient adjustable hanger as well as some clothing clips to make positioning your clothes while steaming as easy as possible. Some clients have mentioned that the clips aren't very strong, however. If you are looking to clip fabrics that are heavier than a dress shirt, then the clips may not hold.
Pros:
- Heats to 249-degrees Fahrenheit
- Great for delicate and heavy fabrics
- Features a 61-ounce water tank
- Heats up in 45 to 60 seconds and lasts up to 60 minutes
Cons:
- Included clips are not very strong
Best Overall
PurSteam Elite Garment Steamer
Fast-heating clothes steamer
This steamer reaches 248 degrees Fahrenheit in only 45 to 60 seconds and can steam your clothing for up to 60 minutes at a time.
Best Value: Conair Complete Steam Hand-Held Fabric Steamer
If you're searching for a steamer that is great for at-home use as well as for use on-the-go, then the Conair Complete Steam Hand-Held Fabric Steamer may be just what you're looking for. This clothes steamer comes equipped with an attached head that is great at smoothing out all of those stubborn wrinkles.
The Conair Complete Steam Hand-Held Fabric Steamer is a powerful steamer in a lightweight and compact size. It measures at a small 5.2-by-6.8-by-10.2 inches and features an ergonomically designed handle, which makes it easy to use and great for travel. You can bring this steamer with you while away on vacation or business trips to keep your outfits looking fresh. The small size also gives you the ability to steam your clothes in tight spaces easily.
This steamer comes equipped with a 4.9-ounce water tank that is strategically designed to heat up in just one minute. However, some customers do note that it can take a little longer the more consistently you use this steamer.
Simply fill the steamer with tap water. There are no additional chemicals needed. Once the water reaches its maximum temperature, the tank will provide you with up to five solid minutes of steam time. This is just enough time to fully de-wrinkle your entire outfit or to touch up on problem areas.
Pros:
- Great for at-home use and travel
- Lightweight
- Ergonomically designed handle
Cons:
- Can take longer to heat up with more consistent use
Best Value
Conair Complete Steam Hand-Held Fabric Steamer
Lightweight steamer for travel and at-home use
This lightweight and compact steamer is excellent for use at home as well as to bring along with you on your travels.
Best Premium: Reliable Vivio 500GC Garment Steamer
Measuring at 16.5-by-11.5-by-70 inches, the Reliable Vivio 500GC Garment Steamer is an excellent choice for individuals who are constantly steaming clothes for personal reasons or their profession. This heavy-duty steamer is excellent to use in the home as well as in a retail store. Conveniently give your clothing the dry-cleaning experience in just a matter of seconds with the Reliable Vivio 500GC Garment Steamer.
This commercial-grade steamer features a strong PVC 500GC steam head, which means that this appliance is powerful and efficient. The head is stronger and thicker than its competitors. The removable steam brush is also an excellent added touch to make preparing your garments that much easier.
To take it a step further in terms of convenience, this steamer comes prepared with a built-in hanger to ensure that your steaming experience is as easy as possible. When not needed, the hanger can easily be removed. It also comes equipped with wheels to make transporting this 13-pound heavy-duty steamer from room to room a breeze.
To make the Reliable Vivio 500GC Garment Steamer work, simply fill the 1-gallon water tank with tap water. The 1300-watt brass heating element heats the water quickly, giving you a strong flow of steam. Some customers mention that if you move the head around too abruptly, water can spew out, so ensure that you keep your movements slow and steady.
Pros:
- Commercial-grade steamer
- Features 1300-watt brass heating element
- Features 1-gallon water tank
Cons:
- Steamer head can spew water if moved too abruptly
Best Premium
Reliable Vivio 500GC Garment Steamer
Commercial-grade steamer
This durable and efficient commercial-grade steamer features a 1-gallon water tank and a 1300-watt brass heating element.
Best Hand-Held: Rowenta DR8082
Brilliant for fashion designers, retail shop owners, or models on the runway, the Rowenta DR8082 steamer is a must-have appliance. This steamer packs the power and efficiency of a full-sized Rowenta steamer in a small and compact hand-held size. It offers 1500 watts of steam and is compatible with all fabrics.
Measuring at 13-by-5.6-by-8.1 inches and weighing an impressive 3.7 pounds, this Rowenta hand-held steamer means business. It comes equipped with a built-in steam trigger, which allows you to control the amount of steam you require for your clothing. Toggle between a constant stream or small burst of steam to smooth out those stubborn wrinkles. The micro-metal steam head ensures that steam is distributed evenly along your garments. You won't have to worry about burning your clothing.
To use this steamer, simply fill the removable 6.76-ounce water tank with tap water, plug it in, and wait 45 seconds. Once the indicator light brightens, you know the steamer is ready to work. A full tank of water should give you approximately 10 minutes of uninterrupted steaming time with a powerful 22-grams of steam per minute.
Once you are finished with this steamer, ensure that you store it in a dry area as some customers note that mold can start to build up inside the water tank. To store, place it directly on its base or hook it to its built-in chair hanger.
Pros:
- 1500-watt hand-held steamer
- Control steam with steam trigger
- Heats up in 45 seconds
Cons:
- Mold can build up inside the water tank if not stored in a dry place
Best Hand-Held
Rowenta DR8082
Powerful hand-held steamer
This 1500-watt hand-held steamer is extremely powerful. It features a 6.76-ounce water tank that can heat up in 45 seconds.
Best For Travel: Conair Travel Smart 450 Watt Dual Voltage Garment Steamer
You are looking for a steamer that is small enough to fit into your carry-on luggage during your last-minute get-aways? The Conair Travel Smart 450 Watt Dual Voltage Garment Steamer may be precisely what you need. This dual voltage steamer comes equipped with an 8-foot cord, so you won't have to worry about the placement of the outlets in your hotel room.
Measuring at 4.5-by-4.5-by-9.5 inches, this 1.2-pound garment steamer is light in your hand and easy to maneuver. You can manipulate this steamer to hit almost every angle. Your outfits will be left looking wrinkle-free and fresh as if they've just been picked up from the dry cleaner's.
If you're staying in hostels while on a backpacking adventure, or if you would just like to ensure your bed is extra clean, use this Conair Travel Smart steamer to steam your sheets and pillowcase. The steam produced from this compact steamer can kill bedbugs and dust mites, making your stay healthier and more comfortable.
Although this mini steamer is great for travel, some customers mention that the power behind the steam does tend to decrease over time.
Pros:
- Great for travel
- Can be used to kill bedbugs and dust mites
- Comes with an 8-foot cord
Cons:
- Power of steam decreases over time
Best For Travel
Conair Travel Smart 450 Watt Dual Voltage Garment Steamer
Mini clothing steamer for travel
This mini clothing steamer weighs a light 1.2 pounds and is great for bringing along with you on your backpacking adventures.
Bottom line
Toss out your iron and forget about the hassle of going to the dry cleaner's. Instead, invest in an efficient and easy-to-use clothing steamer. Not only do steamers keep your garments free of wrinkles and bacteria, but they also work quickly and are compatible with almost every fabric. Whether you need your clothes looking fresh for a quick business meeting, or if you're preparing the items in your retail store, there is a steamer for you.
We recommend the PurSteam Elite Garment Steamer because it heats up to a hot 249-degrees Fahrenheit in just under a minute, and offers up to 60 minutes of uninterrupted steam time. This steamer is also great to use on your delicate items of clothing as well as your heavier fabrics.
Credits The team that worked on this guide
Camille Sanghera is a freelance writer who loves telling stories through writing. When she is not content writing, you can find her watching movies, playing sports, or writing books. Check out her blog at www.happycoconut.ca.