7 Best Clothes Steamers of 2024 for Fresh, Crease-Free Clothes
Updated: Feb. 15, 2024
Cleaning experts and reviewers maintain that these are the best clothes steamer picks to keep wrinkles at bay.
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Ironing isn’t the only method for de-wrinkling clothes. More people are trading in their irons for clothes steamers—and for good reason. Investing in the best clothes steamer saves you time and even money in the long run.
Compared to ironing, which involves making direct heat contact with clothing, a clothes steamer brings a flow of hot steam, explains Denis Korobov, associate merchant at Home Depot. “The steam interacts with the fabric to loosen tightened threading and fibers, thus removing wrinkles caused by washing, drying or prolonged bunching,” he says.
Steaming is also gentler on delicate fabrics compared to traditional ironing, reducing the risk of damaging or scorching your clothes. “Steamers can be used on various garments, including suits, dresses, curtains and upholstery,” Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO of AspenClean, says.
Additionally, clothes steamers help freshen up fabrics and remove unpleasant odors, “while the high temperature kills bacteria and sanitizes garments,” she points out. Korobov adds that clothes steamers also offer more versatility. “Think of a satin wedding dress and a cotton tee: Either garment can get wrinkled; a steamer can be used on both,” he says.
The best clothes steamers
- Best overall: Conair ExtremeSteam
- Best value: OGHom Steamer
- Best splurge: LG Styler Smart Steam Closet
- Best steam iron: Steamery Cirrus 3 Iron Steamer
- Best compact: Rowenta X-Cel steamer
- Best standing steamer: Pure Enrichment PureSteam XL
- Best on Amazon: Hilife Portable Steamer
Best overall
Conair ExtremeSteam
The Conair ExtremeSteam is the “most powerful handheld fabric steamer” with 1875 watts of steaming power, says Korobov. “The 3-in-1 attachment has a silicone band to pull the fabric taut for easier steaming, while a delicate fabric spacer and bristle brush loosen fibers for faster steam penetration.” The tank holds just 7.3 ounces of water, but the gadget heats up in 40 seconds and steams for up to 20 minutes per fill.
Also, it’s one of the easiest clothes steamers to use with five steam settings for a variety of fabric types. It’s not only an Amazon bestseller, with over 12,700 five-star ratings, but according to the brand, it’s the top-selling clothes steamer in the whole country.
Pros
- The best clothes steamer, according to shoppers and experts, with 1875 watts of steaming power
- Includes a helpful 3-in-1 attachment
- Heats up in just 40 seconds and steams for up to 20 minutes
- Five steam settings
- Available on Walmart and Target
Cons
- Water tank only holds 7.3 ounces of water
Best value
OGHom Steamer
Looking to purchase a great clothes steamer on a budget? The under-$30 OGHom is the way to go. Boasting 30,000 perfect five-star ratings, it’s a favorite among Amazon shoppers as well. The portable handheld steamer is small enough to add to your travel checklist essentials.
It holds 8.1 ounces of water and offers 700 watts of power, steaming clothes for up to 16 minutes per fill. An added bonus? It comes with a brush attachment, helping you smooth fabric while you steam.
Sokolowski explains that steaming is oftentimes “quicker and much more efficient when removing the wrinkles from clothing than traditional ironing.” It doesn’t require an ironing board, which makes them a better and cheaper option for on-the-go emergency jobs. “Steamers are typically lightweight and portable, which makes them convenient for travels or quick touch-ups,” she adds.
Pros
- Affordable price point
- Holds 8.1 ounces of water and steams for up to 16 minutes
- Small enough for traveling
- Includes a 9-foot cord
- Comes with a brush attachment
- Available on Walmart and Amazon
Cons
- It is corded, which means you need a power outlet
- Reviewers say it drips water if you’re not careful
Best splurge
LG Styler Smart Steam Closet
Those who wear a lot of dresses, suits or other high-maintenance clothing should invest in the LG Styler. It steams and sanitizes clothes and accessories—even those that are dry-clean only—with the touch of a button. Place this Wi-Fi-enabled smart option anywhere in your home with an integrated heat pump and removable water reservoir.
The hangers move around, shaking off dust and keeping wrinkles at bay, while an integrated pants press helps create the perfect pleat. All you have to do is hang them. Investing in a quality clothes steamer is beneficial to anyone with a capsule wardrobe.
“Whether you have an extensive collection of clothes or frequently work with delicate fabrics, intricate designs or couture garments, you should not hesitate and allow yourself to splurge,” Sokolowski says.
Pros
- The best clothes steamer for people who don’t want to put in any work
- Steams, sanitizes and deodorizes clothes
- Wi-Fi enabled
- Only requires a power outlet
- Available on Conn’s HomePlus and Home Depot
Cons
- Takes up space
- Most expensive option on our list
Best steam iron
Steamery Cirrus 3 Iron Steamer
Looking to splurge on a multitasking steamer and iron hybrid? The Steamery Cirrus 3 Iron Steamer is a gadget worth investing in, especially for jet-setters who appreciate the finer things in life. As aesthetically pleasing as a handheld steamer can get, this streamlined, Scandinavian-designed hybrid can be used as a traditional steamer or with the attached metal plate and iron.
The container holds three ounces of water and won’t steam as long as larger handheld models, but weighing under a pound makes it the perfect travel accessory. Lastly, it comes with a wearable ironing tool that resembles an oven mitt, eliminating the need for an ironing board.
Pros
- An iron and steamer all in one
- Incredibly lightweight and travel-friendly
- Comes with a wearable ironing tool
- Available on Steamery and Williams-Sonoma
Cons
- One of the more expensive handheld steamers
Best compact
Rowenta X-Cel
Korobov recommends the portable, handheld Rowenta X-Cel steamer, which “can be used when traveling and is great for smoothing out wrinkles on pillows, drapes, large pieces of fabric and miscellaneous household items,” he says. The travel steamer, equipped with a nine-foot cord, weighs three pounds but holds up to 6.4 ounces of water.
In addition, it heats up in under 40 seconds and steams for up to 20 minutes with 1600 watts of steaming power. The kit also includes four accessories to make steaming a breeze, including a fabric brush, steam bonnet, door hook and crease attachment.
Pros
- A powerful but portable steamer for clothes and linens
- Heats up in under 40 seconds with up to 20 minutes of steaming flow
- Holds 6.4 ounces of water
- Comes with a 9-foot cord
- Includes steaming attachments and accessories
- Available on Amazon and Williams-Sonoma
Cons
- Only two steam levels: Turbo and Delicate
Best standing steamer
Pure Enrichment PureSteam XL Standing Steamer
If you do a lot of steaming and have some extra space, consider a standing steamer. This premium model from Pure Enrichment features a half-gallon water tank and 1500 watts of steaming power, offering up to 60 minutes of steam per tank. Additionally, it comes with an adjustable width hanger for steaming anywhere in your home. The long, flexible steam hose also makes cleaning furniture and textiles, including couches, mattresses and curtains, convenient and easy.
Pros
- Provides a convenient place to steam
- The half-gallon tank offers up to 60 minutes of steaming per fill
- Heats up in 45 seconds
- Long steam hose
- Available on Amazon and Walmart
Cons
- It’s not portable and requires some storage space
Best on Amazon
Hilife Portable Steamer
Shopping for a great clothes steamer is easy on Amazon, the purveyor of many useful products. This handheld Hilife steamer is surprisingly effective for such a tiny gadget, offering strong steaming power and weighing under two pounds. Moreover, its 15 minutes of steam time is an impressive feat for only eight ounces of water capacity. Utilize the steamer on a variety of fabrics, including chiffon, silk, polyester, cotton, linen and wool.
Verified purchaser Manda loves this steamer. “If you’re looking for a magic wand for your wardrobe, a personal stylist at your fingertips and a time-saver machine all in one, look no further. This clothes steamer is the Harry Potter of home appliances, ready to work its magic and transform your clothes into masterpieces,” she writes in her five-star review.
Pros
- Over 64,000 five-star ratings on Amazon
- Steams for 15 minutes per fill
- A great option for international travel
- Comes with a 9-foot cord
- Affordable price point
- Available on Amazon
Cons
- Reviewers say it leaks water if not held vertically
What to consider when buying the best clothes steamer
When shopping for a clothes steamer, Sokolowski says there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, consider the power and steam output, which need to be sufficient enough to remove wrinkles effectively. Secondly, think about the time it takes for the steamer to heat up and be ready to use.
With a larger water tank capacity, you can steam longer with less frequent refills. Sokolowski also suggests looking for a lightweight and compact model that’s easy to handle and store within your closet organization.
Furthermore, if you don’t have the budget for a closet steamer, a travel steamer is a good option for beginners. “They may have smaller water tanks but are convenient for on-the-go wrinkle removal,” says Sokolowski. Some steamers even have additional features like adjustable steam settings, automatic shut-off or attachments for different fabric types.
How we found the best clothes steamer
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQ
Are steam cleaners worth it?
Steam cleaners are worth it depending on your needs. “Steam cleaners offer quick and efficient cleaning without the need for harsh chemicals, making them ideal for households concerned about environmental impact or sensitive to chemical cleaners,” Sokolowski explains. “They can be used not only for clothing but also on various surfaces, including floors, upholstery or curtains.”
What fabrics can you use clothes steamers on?
Clothes steamers generally work on a wide range of fabrics, including cotton, linen, silk, wool, synthetic materials (e.g. polyester, rayon or nylon) or blends of various fabrics, according to Sokolowski. “However, and we can’t stress this enough, always check the care labels on your garment for any specific instructions or restrictions before using the clothes steamer,” she adds.
How do you care for your clothes steamer?
Make sure you always carefully check the specifics and instructions provided by the manufacturer of your clothes steamer for the best care practices. Not all steamers require the same cleaning as irons.
Generally, Sokolowski recommends:
- Regularly cleaning the water tank and removing any mineral deposits or buildup that may affect its performance.
- Emptying the water tank after each use to prevent the growth of bacteria.
- Storing the steamer in a dry and safe place, ensuring it is properly cooled down first.
- Checking for any damaged parts or signs of wear and contacting the manufacturer for repairs if necessary.
Sources:
- Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO of AspenClean
- Denis Korobov, associate merchant at Home Depot
Originally Published: June 21, 2023
