10 Best Garment Steamers In 2021
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Image: TheBridalBox Design Team
It will not be wrong to say that garment steamers have replaced the traditional irons in households as well as in some small business settings. Unlike the flat irons, steamers relax the fibers and gently steam the fabric. They are lightweight too and can effortlessly steam the most delicate fabrics, such as silk, within a few minutes. With the use of high-temperature steam, garment steamers are capable of de-wrinkling the outfits in a hassle-free manner.
If you are looking for a steamer that can work wonders on your outfits and save your laundry time, MomJunction gives you this list of the best garment steamers available online. Keep reading to know more.
Top Picks
10 Best Garment Steamers
1. Hilife Steamer for Clothes Steamer
If you want a portable garment steamer that you can carry around while you travel, this one is a smart pick. With the capacity of 240ml, the iron offers 15 minutes of continuous steaming and erases wrinkles from your clothes without leaving those sticky marks on the wall.
Pros
- Small and compact steamer
- Lightweight and easy to use product
- Comes with a long 9ft power cord
- Reasonably priced product compared to other options
- Offers great customer service
Cons
- May spurt water
- Not highly durable
2. PurSteam Full Size Garment Fabric Steamer
If you can’t get enough of premium and luxury products, this full-size garment steamer is a treat for your wardrobe. This steamer comes with a 2.5-liter capacity water tank. This pro steamer comes with a burn-prevention safety cap as well to protect your hands from burns!
Pros
- Made using premium-grade components
- Comes with a burn protection cap
- Offers 60 minutes of steam time per tank
- Comes with an adjustable hanger to remove wrinkles effectively
- Attached handheld steamers for collars, sleeves, cuffs, pockets, etc.
- Easy-to-use and versatile steamer
Cons
- Does not offer constant steam
- Price is high compared to similar options
3. Conair Ultimate Garment Steamer
This ultimate garment steamer by Conair removes wrinkles from the garments and also kills bedbugs and dust mites. This 1500-watt steamer is ideal for quick touch-ups on a few or a bag full of clothes, as it offers 90 minutes of continuous steam time.
Pros
- Comes with energy-saving steam pause feature
- Comes with a telescopic pole for height adjustment
- For steaming pants, it comes with 360-degree rotating hanger and clips
- Large capacity water tank
- Auto shut-off feature for when water gets too low
Cons
- Sometimes, the steamer leaks water
4. PurSteam Elite Garment Steamer
The powerful steam (up to 248 degrees F) of this steamer penetrates the fibers quickly and handles the delicate and heavy fabrics easily. This heavy-duty steamer also kills 99.9% bacteria and germs from the garments while removing wrinkles.
Pros
- 61oz water tank gets heated quickly
- Offers 60 minutes of steaming
- Deodorizes and sanitizes garments
- Powerful steaming capability
- Provides five years limited warranty
Cons
- Does not provide constant steam for 60 minutes
5. Conair Turbo Extreme Steam Handheld Steamer
This tiny steamer will quickly remove wrinkles and provide a professional and fresh-pressed look to your garments. Above all, the steamer comes with five steam output settings to de-wrinkle, freshen, and smoothen the garments.
Pros
- Comes with a dual-slotted ceramic soleplate
- Offers smooth glide, more steam, and quick results
- Provides 20 minutes of steaming
- Five steam outputs and functions
- Portable and handheld steamer
- 1875-watt steam generator for quick steaming
Cons
- Very heavy and weighty
- Steamer spits water
6. J-2000 Jiffy Garment Steamer with Plastic Steam Head
This garment steamer with a plastic steam head is a luxury product that offers 1.5 hours of steam time and has a water tank capacity of 2.84 liters. This is an easy to handle steamer if you are the one who does laundry for the entire house.
Pros
- Comes with a 5-foot flexible hose and no-drip valve system to prevent dripping
- Super large water tank for steaming multiple garments in a go
- Heats up in just 1 minute
- Offers constant steaming for approximately an hour
- Long-lasting and sturdy product
Cons
- Too bulky
- Price is on the higher side
7. Sunbeam Handheld Garment Travel Steam Press for Clothes
We love this versatile little steamer that heats in less than 15 minutes and comes with a three-year limited warranty. The steamer de-wrinkles the garments and has a wide-press bar to dry the fibers after steaming to prevent re-wrinkling. It’s the perfect steamer to carry while travelling.
Pros
- Great for all type of fabrics, from cotton, linen, to drapery
- Can be used to kill bedbugs, mites, and germs
- Offers 45% more steam output per minute
- No need to pre-heat and wait for steaming
- Stable, compact design and lock-down steam trigger
- Offers 15 minutes of constant steam
Cons
- May not be durable
8. Steamfast SF-680 Digital Steam Press
Give your clothes a refreshing makeover with this digital steam press. This sleek press has a contemporary design and comes with a non-stick, large pressing surface for de-wrinkling the garments in a hassle-free manner.
Pros
- A 10oz water tank that heats up in three minutes
- Automatic steam press shut-off function
- Comes with five settings for wool, nylon, cotton, silk, and linen
- 25×10.5 inches tabletop size non-stick press surface
- Press lock feature for convenient storage and use
- Comes with a measuring cup, precision cushion, and spray bottle
Cons
- Leaves wet spots in some areas
- Inappropriate temperature distribution
9. URPOWER 130ml Portable 7 in 1 Handheld Fabric Steamer
Here is a stylish, heavy-duty steamer that’ll help you steam more than one garment in a single session. The steamer comes with a new nozzle design that distributes steam consistently on the garments for effective de-wrinkling.
Pros
Heats up in two minutes and bursts steam
Compact and travel-friendly design
Can be stored easily in a cramped location
Handheld lightweight steamer
Convenient for a different type of fabrics
130ml water tank capacity
Cons
- Fragile and delicate product
10. Homitt Handheld Clothes Steamer, Travel Handheld Steamer
This Homitt handheld steamer comes with an updated 8-hole nuzzle that is designed for smooth steam generation and powerful steam distribution. The steamer is designed to last long, so you can use it every day to press and sanitize your favorite go-to garments.
Pros
- Steams for consecutive minutes
- Offers overheating protection and burn prevention
- Comes with a built-in baffle to avoid burns
- Works well for fabrics like cotton, linen, silk, wool, etc.
- Reasonably priced
- Tough on wrinkles and creases
Cons
- Not for steaming bulk garments at a time
- The steamer spits water
Who Should Buy A Clothes Steamer?
Garment steamers serve the purpose of steaming and removing wrinkles from outfits. Anyone who likes their garments fresh-pressed can buy a steamer. People who do laundry, small business owners who steam the draperies, curtains, and other fabrics in the shop can also buy steamers.
How Does A Garment Steamer Work?
A steamer works by generating steam. To operate the steamer, you’ll need to fill some tap water in the water reservoir of the steamer. When the water gets heated, it turns into steam, which you can blow to the garments. Steam relaxes the fiber of the fabrics by loosening the bonds of polymer molecules in the fabric, and this reduces the appearance of wrinkles on it.
Steam is generally spread on the clothes from the front nozzle. With swift and smooth motions, you can apply steam to an entire fabric and remove wrinkles.
Steamers take time to remove wrinkles from different fabrics. Some thicker materials take longer to smoothen out, while some thin fabrics get ironed sooner. The wattage of the steamer also plays a vital role in the time taken for removing wrinkles.
What Are The Benefits Of Using A Garment Steamer?
- Unlike the traditional irons, steamers do not flatten the fabric but soften them gently, so the wrinkles are removed in a relaxed way.
- Flat irons mostly need an ironing board, but with steamers, you do not need an ironing board. Just hang the garment using a hanger and steam it wrinkle-free.
- A garment steamer can easily be used on drapes, bedding, garments, curtains, and other furnishings.
- Steamers are highly portable, so you can steam the outfits almost at any place.
- Garment steamers get heated quickly compared to the irons and can remove wrinkles from the clothes in one go.
- Most of the steamers kill the germs and bacteria on the garments due to steam.
- Steamers are more cost-effective and reasonably priced as they offer portability and more flexibility compared to irons.
How To Use Garment Steamers?
If you are using a steamer for the first time, it can be a little tricky. Sometimes you may also end up wrinkling the garments more than before. So, if you are purchasing a new garment steamer, here’s how you should use it.
- Learn about the fabrics
Check the fabric of the garment you wish to steam. Some fabrics are thin, while some are thick. Some require less time to de-wrinkle, while some require more time. So before using the steamer on any material, check the label and figure out the best way to de-wrinkle it. Check your steamer’s settings for different types of fabric. Follow the instructions to ensure no clothes are damaged.
- Prepare the steamer
The steamer is the water reservoir where you add water, and it is essential to pay attention while pouring water in the steamer. Make sure that the water does not leak all over the place as it can lead to short circuits. Check the water level indicator to fill in just enough water, not more or less.
- Prepare the garments you want to steam
Once the steamer is heating, you’ll have to prepare the garments. You can hang the garments on a hanger for handheld steamers. Place the garment on the rod or any steady surface.
- Start steaming the garment with downward strokes
When you start steaming the garment, make sure that the nozzle is not too close to the fabric. Maintain a distance of 1-2 inches and start steaming downwards. These gentle strokes will quickly begin to remove the wrinkles from the fabric. Cover the areas more than once only if the material is thick and still has wrinkles.
- Let the garment dry and settle
When you steam the garment, it’ll feel damp or wet because of the steam. Thus, you need to let the fabric get completely dry before you place it in the closet. Let the cloth sit for 10-15 minutes and then store it in the closet.
Safety Tips While Using A Garment Steamer
A steamer works on heat and steam, and thus, it is crucial to take all the safety measures for using the device. Improper use of a steamer can lead to burns and accidents. So, follow these tips to stay safe while using a steamer.
- Wear gloves to prevent burns or injuries while steaming your garments
- Do not touch the nozzle or hose while steaming the outfits as the nozzle is heated
- Let the steam head face in the opposite direction
- Choose a steamer with a protection cap for spills and leakages
- Do not plug in the steamer in a socket where a high wattage appliance is already plugged in
- Allocate a dedicated space to store the steamer, so no one gets hurt or injured
- Use it in a specific position and do not bend it in the horizontal direction while steaming bed sheets,
- drapes or other items as it will lead to leakage
- Make sure that you do not spill water around the plug or on any device while pouring it into the steamer
How To Choose The Right Garment Steamer?
There are different types of garment steamers available in the market. Some steamers come with a base, while some are handheld. So before choosing the garment steamer, you should typically look at the size, performance, capacity, run time, and several other features that are mentioned below:
1. Performance
Choose a garment steamer that does not take long to heat up, offers a long steam time, and has an average water tank or reservoir, and bursts more steam.
2. Size
If you are looking for a steamer you can carry while traveling, you’ll need the handheld and compact steamers. If you do the laundry for your entire house, you need a floor-based steamer.
3. Ease of use
You do not want a super complicated steamer if you do not use the steamer frequently. Especially if you’re going to steam the outfits that you wear for special occasions, you will not need a huge steamer with long cords. Choose the one with small wires and the one that spreads steam evenly.
4. Price
Garment steamers have a varied price range, and their features vary according to the prices. The price depends mainly on the features, brand, and capacity of the steamer, so before choosing the steamer, analyze your requirements. If all your requirements are satisfied in a small budget, there’s no need to spend more on the steamers that offer the features you do not need.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are steamers better than irons?
Yes. In many ways, steamers are better than irons. Steamers are gentler on the fabrics and can help you remove the wrinkles with ease. Besides this, irons take more time to heat up while the steamers heat up very quickly (some heat up within 40-50 seconds). Steamers are flexible and travel-friendly while the irons are bulky, come with a long cord, and often need an ironing board.
2. Do garment steamers clean clothes?
Steamers use steam to de-wrinkle the outfits, and because of the steam, 99.9% bacteria and germs are probably killed. Most heavy-duty steamers claim to kill the bacteria and sanitize the outfits when you steam them. Garment steamers can keep your clothes fresh, clean, and sanitized between washing and wearing. Some can also remove foul odor and smell from the outfits. However, it is crucial to wash the outfits regularly to keep them neat and clean.
3. Can I steam clothes without a steamer?
There are plentiful of ways for steaming garments. Flat irons and blow dryers are widely used to steam the outfits. Some people also hang the garments on the outside of the shower to reduce wrinkles while some people use teapots and kettles to remove wrinkles. However, these are not effective methods to thoroughly steam and de-wrinkle the garments. It is a good idea to use steamers for satisfactory and permanent results.
Ironing or steaming is a real hassle for someone who is not so fond of doing laundry. So, if you are looking for a smart and straightforward solution to remove wrinkles from your garments, these are the best garment steamers that’ll suit an array of requirements and offer great value.
Have you used a clothes steamer before? Share your experiences with us in the comments section below.
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