![A variety of clothes steamers on a wooden bench and near a cabinet](https://people.com/thmb/1Ry4SNrGW7trp-M_6mosz8CFTsw=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(1999x0:2001x2)/peo-primary-clothes-steamers-001-2-dda743d1deee47218596d5123e48ba2b.jpeg)
People / Henry Wortock
If you’ve got an affinity for linen or silk, chances are that wrinkled clothing is also your sworn enemy. Ironing works, but boards take up a lot of room, and steam irons can be harsh on certain fabrics. That’s why clothes steamers are so popular. In fact, steamers can be even more effective than irons.
“I love steamers. They’re essential to have, lightweight, don’t take up much room, and are as effective as other options,” says stylist Diva Dhawan Sheth. “My go-to is the size of a blow dryer and super easy to pack for trips.” The best clothes steamers are efficient, easy to use, and work on a range of fabric types.
Our PEOPLE Tested team tested 28 of the best clothes steamers to narrow down the most well-designed, effective steamers to get you the most bang for your buck.
Best Overall
CHI Handheld Garment Steamer
Included brush attachment makes the steamer even more effective
Intuitive instructions
Large tank means fewer refills
Somewhat inconvenient button to adjust steam settings
The Chi Handheld Garment Steamer was the best-performing machine in our tests. Even without the instruction manual, we found it quite intuitive and easy to use, but the operating instructions provided tips to make the garments we tried it on look even more smooth. Plus, the steamer comes with a fabric brush attachment that makes steaming clothes even more effective.
This steamer heated up in just 20 seconds and took less than four minutes to steam all of the clothes we tested. The handheld unit had a good capacity, so we didn’t need to refill it frequently. It also produced enough steam to work effectively.
Filling the tank was easy with a simple twist top, and water poured into it easily without any spilling. At full capacity, it was a bit uncomfortable to hold, but the 10-foot-long cord gave us freedom to move around easily. While the low and high steam settings help provide versatility, there’s also a lock function to keep the steam on or off, so you don’t have to keep your finger pressed down the whole time.
Efficiency is where this Chi shines — it makes the experience of smoothing wrinkles easy, quick, and convenient with top-notch results. We were surprised by the low cost considering the value it delivered. Since it’s handheld, it’ll work nicely for people with smaller spaces and for traveling.
Tank Capacity: 300 ml | Weight: 1.7 lbs. | Steam Settings: 2 | Attachments: Fabric brush | Cord Length: 10 feet
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Worked especially well on silk
Comfortable, long handle
Brush attachment protects clothes
Small tank requires frequent refills
This no-frills device had one of the most comfortable handles on this list and even came with its own brush attachment, which we found helped prevent burns on clothing. We especially liked using this on silk and felt it worked better than a traditional iron. It took just one minute to heat up, less than some of the pricier options we tested.
After testing on multiple fabrics, we found it could steam a silk shirt in less than five minutes and a cotton shirt in about 15 minutes. In fact, we felt it smoothed out the silk right on contact. However, despite its intense heat, this steamer didn’t effectively smooth out wrinkles on linen, so this is a better option for people who don’t wear much of that fabric.
The 10-foot cord allowed us to maneuver freely around the garment, and the long handle featured a single button that didn’t need to be held down while the steamer was in use. And don’t be fooled by the low price — this packs a serious punch with a lot of heat. To help with that, we like using the fabric brush attachment that acts as a one-inch separator between the head and fabric.
Tank Capacity: 120 ml | Weight: 1.6 lbs. | Steam Settings: 1 | Attachments: Fabric brush | Cord Length: 10 feet
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Best for Travel
Brookline Steamer
Comfortable to hold for long periods
Easy to fill
Works for a long time without refilling
Takes longer to heat up than others
For those who are frequently on the go, the Brookline steamer is worth considering, especially given its fairly low price. The no-frills device is made for a seamless steaming experience, with one simple on/off toggle switch and a tank that fills easily.
Made to be portable, this clothes steamer is super compact and easy to tote around for quick touch-ups on lightly wrinkled cotton or linen items, though it worked most effectively on silk. In fact, despite its tiny size, this still features a nine-foot-long cord for easy maneuverability, and we found the device to be even more effective at smoothing out wrinkles than some larger steamers we tried.
Tank Capacity: 180 ml | Weight: 1.5 lbs. | Steam Settings: 1 | Attachments: None | Cord Length: 9 feet
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Best Handheld
Conair ExtremeSteam Hand-Held Fabric Steamer
Creased shirts effectively
Heats up quickly
Versatile steam settings
Bit of water spit out at highest setting
The Conair Turbo Extreme Steam Handheld Fabric Steamer is a worthwhile investment for those who have a lot of clothing that wrinkles easily because it works on any fabric. It comes with three attachments to pull fabric taut, protect finer fabrics, and loosen fibers for faster steam penetration. But what makes this steamer special are the five different steam settings that make it ultra versatile.
Our tips to make this even more convenient? We used a funnel to fill the water tank more easily and found that less water dripped when we held the steamer perpendicular. While it took us a bit of time to get the hang of the creaser, we found it worked pretty well. To add to the unique features this one packs in, you’ll want to take advantage of the handy clamp feature to help stabilize hanging garments.
Tank Capacity: 215 ml | Weight: 3.6 lbs. | Steam Settings: 5 | Attachments: Silicone band, delicate fabric spacer, bristle brush | Cord Length: 9.3 feet
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Best Multipurpose
Electrolux Garment Steamer
Heated up and produced steam immediately
Locking feature for continuous steam
Effective on all fabric types
Small tank opening means it's difficult to fill
The Electrolux Garment Steamer offers a lot of bang for your buck with its portability, attachments, and efficacy. The do-it-all device has one of the largest capacities on this list, with 300 milliliters of tank space, and comes with a heat-protective carrying case.
In testing, we found this clothes steamer heated up immediately, with steam being produced as soon as we turned the device on. It then steamed all the garments we tested it on in around eight minutes or less. While it wasn’t the fastest at steaming, this didn’t pose much of a problem for us, as the grip was quite comfortable to hold.
Though there are only two settings on the unit, it’s extremely versatile and multifunctional thanks to the additional lint remover and fabric brush attachments. Plus, we found this much faster and easier to use than an iron. It even has one of the longest cord lengths on this list, so it’s easy to maneuver around big spaces if you decide to use it on curtains or furniture.
Tank Capacity: 300 ml | Weight: 4 lbs. | Steam Settings: 2 | Attachments: Lint remover, fabric brush | Cord Length: 12 feet
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Best for Creases
Conair Handheld Garment Steamer
Specific settings for certain fabrics
Includes delicate fabric spacer attachment
Takes about 10 minutes to steam one garment
In the debate of steamers versus irons, one point often goes to irons for giving shirts a crisp, clean crease. Fear not, because creases are actually where Conair’s Handheld Garment Steamer thrives. In addition to that creaser, it comes with three more attachments: a silicone band, a bristle brush, and a delicate fabric spacer.
One of the most versatile options on this list, it’s especially helpful to use with dress shirts to achieve that perfect line along the side of a shirt or collar. Then, use the delicate fabric spacer to protect trims and more fine fabrics. While a more powerful steam would have helped us smooth out wrinkles more quickly, it was still able to work effectively on any fabric type in about 10 minutes, and we didn’t have to replace the water tank often.
Tank Capacity: 215 ml | Weight: 3.5 lbs. | Steam Settings: 2 | Attachments: Silicone band, delicate fabric spacer, bristle brush | Cord Length: 9.3 feet
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Best Standing
Pure Enrichment Upright Clothes Steamer
Effective on all fabrics
Detachable tank
Adjustable heat settings
Not as mobile as we’d like
Some standing steamers get a bad rep for taking up too much room, but Pure Enrichment’s PureSteam Pro Upright Clothes Steamer features a slim design that can easily be wheeled into a closet. If you’ve traditionally found yourself hunched over a board ironing for a long amount of time, a standing option may be much better for you (and your wardrobe).
The tank has a large capacity, and this steamer has more of an ability to adjust temperature than the pricier options we tested, thanks to an easy-twist knob. There’s even a convenient hands-free foot power pedal, so you never have to bend over to turn the device on or off.
The machine produced consistently good results during testing, responding well to heat adjustments so long as we gave it time for water to spit a bit after we made a temperature change. The device isn’t as mobile as we think it could be if it had four wheels instead of just two in the back, but overall, we found the convenience and ease of operation to be great.
Tank Capacity: 2 Liters | Weight: 9.6 lbs. | Steam Settings: Rotating knob | Attachments: Fabric brush | Cord Length: 6.5 feet
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Best Investment
Jiffy Fabric Steamer
Particularly fast and effective on silk
Wheels make it stable and easy to move
One-button operation
No adjustable settings
Simply prop your garment up on the included hook and use the large opening on the device to steam your clothes with the press of just one button. The priciest item on this list, it’s a great investment for people who find themselves spending too much money on dry cleaning.
The standing format is a joy to use, with an ultra-large tank that doesn’t need to be refilled often. It was able to smooth out wrinkles on every fabric we tested. There were a few little drops of water spitting out at the beginning, and though that didn’t leave any stains, we suggest leaving the device on for an extra minute or two after it has heated up to be on the safe side.
The Jiffy J-2000 Floor Standing Fabric Steamer proved its worth in how easy it was to use. The tank had a large mouth that was easy to fill, and the large spout provided a wider range of heat distribution, making it work quickly. It also sits on rotating wheels that glide with control, making it easy to move around the garment with stability. The large tank that’ll steam clothes for over an hour straight, combined with the comfortable handle, makes it essential for anyone who has a lot of items that wrinkle easily.
Tank Capacity: 2.8 liters | Weight: 15.8 lbs. | Steam Settings: 1 | Attachments: None | Cord Length: 6.5 feet
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Other Clothes Steamers We Tried
- Polardo Portable Garment Steamer: Although this clothes steamer worked well on all fabrics (including linen, which is notoriously hard to get wrinkles out of), and it was ready to use in just 20 seconds, we had to be careful to avoid damaging delicate fabrics. The small tank had to be refilled frequently, and we experienced water dripping out of the steamer when the tank ran low.
- MagicPro Portable Garment Steamer: While we appreciated that this device reduced wrinkles on silk, cotton, and linen, it would not completely remove deep-set wrinkles. There was frequent water sputtering, and it would have been helpful to have more opportunities to adjust steam settings for different fabrics.
![A person using the Polardo Hand Held Portable Travel Garment Steamer on a wrinkled shirt](https://people.com/thmb/KWWcuwhW70gBN5lHOi3J-sXskio=/4000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(1999x0:2001x2)/peo-clothes-steamers-test-polardo-hand-held-portable-travel-garment-hwortock-016-015-9252efed71974fd481a2bca6a7e85d79.jpeg)
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What to Know About Clothes Steamers
Tank Capacity
When shopping around for a clothes steamer, pay attention to the tank size. Ranging from 120 milliliters to 2.8 liters, the amount of water it can hold will affect how often you have to refill the device.
For example, the budget-friendly Proctor Silex Compact 2-in-1 Garment Steamer-Iron is ultra-affordable, but you’ll need to refill it after steaming one or two garments. A 2.8-liter tank will last you almost an hour and a half, as is the case with the Jiffy J-2000 Floor Standing Fabric Steamer, which makes it a great choice for people with a heavier load of items that wrinkle easily.
Steam Settings
The number of steam settings matters, too. That will affect the temperature and/or power of steam that comes out of the device. More steam settings typically result in the ability to work with a larger range of fabrics, as is the case with the Pure Enrichment PureSteam Pro Upright Clothes Steamer, which has an adjustable temperature knob. However, if you mostly steam silk items, check out a no-frills option like Brookline’s Steamer, which features one easy button.
Weight
Since she often finds herself on the go, Diva swears by a portable and lightweight steamer. When picking the right clothes steamer for you, you’ll want to consider how much you travel, because that may mean choosing a lighter device. If you have wrist pain, that’s another reason to choose a lighter device like the Brookline Steamer.
![Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Hand-Held Fabric Steamer](https://people.com/thmb/Oz_uBk5evMrwWV5kdT8FpIgOUb0=/4000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(1999x0:2001x2)/peo-clothes-steamers-test-conair-handheld-garment-turbo-extremesteam-gs38r-hwortock-007-013-69606e08648945fa81eba34715583969.jpeg)
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Behind the Scenes
Our editors searched for the most popular and top-rated clothes steamers on the market, then selected 28 to try firsthand. We graded them on the following criteria:
- Heat-Up Time: After unboxing the steamers and filling their tanks with water, we timed how long it took each to heat up and be ready for use. If the steamer had multiple settings, we timed how long it took to get to the highest one.
- Performance on Different Fabrics: We observed the performance on a silk shirt, a men’s dress shirt, and linen pants, timing how long it took to steam wrinkles out of each garment, utilizing different fabric or temperature settings when applicable. If we reached eight minutes and there were still wrinkles in the fabric, we stopped.
- Comfort: While testing the three different garments we were steaming, we paid attention to how our arms and wrists felt as we held the device. We held each device both parallel and vertically to the garment, and noted whether or not the steam button had to be pressed down the whole time or if it could be locked to free up our thumbs for more comfort.
- Water Dripping or Spitting: Though it doesn’t always mean long-term damage to a garment, water spitting also doesn’t result in the smoothest steaming process. We considered how consistently steam came out, noting if the device spit out water rather than creating a continuous stream of steam.
![A person assembles the Jiffy J-2000 Floor Standing Fabric Steamer](https://people.com/thmb/XOIEKUQcVU6fmi6L7VDSiaeAWYs=/4000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(1999x0:2001x2)/peo-clothes-steamers-test-jiffy-j-2000-floor-standing-fabric-hwortock-014-007-d81ddadec2cc410b85c86f475e5a956b.jpeg)
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Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the best way to use a steamer?
Seamstress Eleanor Lofte recommends using distilled water for your steamer, as tap water can leave deposits that sit and gunk up your machine. To be extra careful, you may also want to wait a minute or two after your device starts producing steam to make sure there won’t be any water sputtering on your garment. Once it’s ready, you simply run the steamer up and down a hanging garment, making sure to keep fingers and arms out of the steam’s way.
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What should I look for when buying a clothes steamer?
As a professional stylist, Diva swears by a portable steamer that is lightweight and easy to travel with. Look for one that doesn’t weigh too much and has an ergonomic handle if you travel often. If you’re not concerned about traveling with your steamer, a standing steamer may work for you, but you’ll want to decide how much you’re willing to invest, as these types of clothes steamers are usually more expensive.
![Person using Brookline Travel Steamer](https://people.com/thmb/bKTnZsGv2qsrZOz7yAKcl2nX7J0=/4000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(1999x0:2001x2)/peo-clothes-steamers-test-brookline-hwortock-004-0161-3d743db98fd24c19b47abd122bde082d.jpeg)
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Why Trust PEOPLE?
Neha Tandon has been a writer and editor since 2017, with experience in beauty, style, and commerce. She has researched and written about those topics and more in magazines like Women’s Health, Glamour, and Forbes. For this piece, she analyzed the insights of our testers who tried nearly 30 clothes steamers on a variety of fabrics. She also interviewed model and stylist Diva Dhawan Sheth on what to look for in a great steamer. She also interviewed seamstress Eleanor Lofte about steaming particular fabrics and how to best utilize a clothes steamer for the utmost efficacy.
Our Expert Panel
- Diva Dhawan Sheth is a model and stylist who is no stranger to travel steamers.
- Eleanor Lofte is a seamstress whose expertise is featured in several digital outlets, including Better Homes and Gardens.
What Is PEOPLE Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.