I tested 8 high street steamers to see if they’re as good as my iron & found clear winner that doesn’t break the bank
MOST of us know how to iron, but the next generation may never need to learn how.
According to retail giant Lakeland, a third of people under 35 do not even own an iron these days.
And for those who do want to rid their clothes of creases, the chances are they will opt for an easier-to-use handheld steamer.
Not only are many affordable and compact, they’re also a whizz at blasting bacteria.
Due to the high temperature, steamers will typically kill 99 per cent of bacteria in just 60 seconds, so they are a great way to keep sofas, curtains and even the kids’ cuddly toys germ-free.
But can they really be as effective as a good old iron?
Here, Lynsey Hope puts the must-have gadgets to the test and scores them out of ten . . .
BELDRAY Multi Steam Pro
£29.99, Currys, 8/10
COMPACT, lightweight and ready to go in 30 seconds, this steamer is great for your travels as well as day-to-day use.
It has two settings plus a brush attachment and quickly removes creases.
The water tank is easy to fill and the trigger switch is simple to use.
Sometimes it did leave clothes a little damp.
You’d need to steam a while before you got dressed so your outfit dries.
For the price though, this was fab.
LOGIK LGSB20 Hand Steamer
£17.99, Currys, 9/10
THIS heats up quickly and produces a good quantity of steam, which is great for removing wrinkles, especially after clothes have been in a suitcase.
It doesn’t leave watermarks and overall was better than some of the more expensive steamers.
The water tank is quite small and will need refilling a few times if you are doing a lot of clothes or have a big family.
On the whole though, considering the price, I was pretty impressed.
HILIFE Clothes Steamer
£28.99, Amazon, 5/10
IT’S important to note you can’t use this one horizontally, because the water will spill out and you’ll risk scalding your hand.
I definitely prefer steamers that work both ways.
It’s not bad if it’s something you want just for travelling or overnight stays.
It takes no time at all to de-crease clothes and is very easy to use.
But other models offer better value.
PHILIPS STH3000/26 3000 Series Handheld Steamer
£38, Argos, 7/10
THE perfect choice if you want a steamer for travelling, this folds up very small – similar to a travel hairdryer – and is lightweight.
It’s great when you’re in a rush too as there is no need for an ironing board.
It wasn’t as effective on heavier fabrics such as denim but on the whole it did a great job.
It’s very easy to use, ready to go in just 30 seconds and makes light work of the ironing.
PHILIPS Steam & Go
£74.99, John Lewis, 9/10
THIS heated up in less than 30 seconds and made light work of many creases.
A powerful jet of steam gets the job done without leaving clothes damp.
It was quite cumbersome over intricate areas and the trigger switch could not be locked, so you have to hold it down while steaming.
However, it can be used vertically and horizontally, which was useful.
There aren’t many accessories but the protective glove was handy.
At £74.99, it is an investment.
ROSE GOLD 1000W Garment Steamer
£29.99, Tower Housewares, 8/10
THIS is a little heavier than the others in our test but did a pretty good job of getting rid of creases in all my fabrics.
It didn’t drip like other models.
It is meant to produce 15 minutes of continuous steam but actually I found more often than not I was having to fill it sooner than that.
I was surprised it only cost £34.99.
After using it I would have guessed it cost a lot more.
Great value.
Tefal DT9530 Pure Tex Garment Steamer
£120, Argos, 9/10
THIS four-in-one steamer also sanitises items by killing bacteria, so it can be used to clean things such as soft toys, which I found useful as the machine tends to ruin them and the kids don’t like giving them up for long!
There’s also a special brush attachment for removing dust and hairs, which was great for curtains and sofas, too.
This is expensive, but it has multiple functions that I found really useful, plus it’s not too cumbersome to store.
SWAN Portable Garment Steamer
£34.95, Amazon, 10/10
FOR the price, this was a real winner.
The swivelling cable and curvy design means it easily reaches every crease in your wardrobe without having to get all your clothes out, so you can use its flat plate like an iron or hold it upright.
The included fabric brush was great for jackets and curtains, and while the water tank might be small at 250ml, it was easy to detach and refill.
Fab value for the price.
If this is your first time trying a steamer, this is the one to buy.