The 7 Best Clothes Steamers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

The Steamfast Canister Garment Steamer is our top pick

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A group of garment steamers, both large and small, sit together after The Spruce's steamers test.

The Spruce / Letí­cia Almeida

If you already have an iron, you might be wondering whether you also need a clothes steamer. The answer is yes, since they can quickly eliminate wrinkles in thinner materials, upholstery, and curtains, and they can be a flexible, easy-to-use option for quick touch-ups.

“I like one that comes with attachments or settings, which allow you to steam multiple types of materials, garments, and upholsteries,” says Melissa Maker of Clean My Space. Common attachments include regular brushes, lint brushes, crease clips, and water filters. If chosen correctly, these handy gadgets can solve a number of household woes for you.

To help you shop, we tested 30 steamers at home for several hours over the course of two months, evaluating their design, effectiveness, and value.

Here are the best clothes steamers for smoothing out stubborn wrinkles in fabric—all backed by our testing.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

Steamfast SF-562 Canister Garment Steamer

4.5
Steamfast SF-562 Canister Garment Steamer

 Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Effectiveness
    5/5
  • Design
    5/5
  • Portability
    4/5
  • Value
    4.5/5
  • Heat Time
    4/5
What We Like
  • Great value

  • Removes wrinkles in one pass

  • Two steam settings

  • Lightweight and easy to move for an upright model

What We Don't Like
  • Clips can’t hold thin fabrics

  • Bulkier than handheld options

No matter what you’re planning to steam in your home—be it clothing, linens, or curtains—the Steamfast Upright Garment Steamer can make quick work of wrinkles. In our testing, we were blown away by this unit’s ability to blast through even the most stubborn creases in seconds, and it performed well on all types of materials, from cotton shirts to thick denim. 

This full-size steamer has two steam settings, and its 86-ounce water tank allows you to work for up to 96 minutes at a time, making it ideal for use around the house. During testing, it took around two minutes to heat up and produce a powerful stream of steam, and it removed the majority of wrinkles in a single pass, sailing through the effectiveness portion of our test. Its telescoping pole gets as tall as 47.2 inches, but we liked that it shrinks back down as well, making the unit compact enough to store in a closet.

If you have a handheld option in mind, this upright model is likely too bulky for you—even with the collapsible pole. The only other potential downside we found with this steamer is that the included fabric clips don’t shut completely, so they don’t hold thin linens well. That's probably an easy fix with extra clips or clothespins you may have around the house, and they still worked just fine with pants and other garments. Overall, we think this full-sized steamer is an effective option that offers great value.

Price at time of publish: $85

Dimensions: 13.2 x 13.2 x 47.2 inches | Weight: 9.8 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 86 ounces | Power Level: 1,500 watts | Heat Time: 45 seconds | Steam Time: 96 minutes | Steam Settings: 2

Steamfast Steamer

The Spruce / Camryn Rabideau

Best Budget

True & Tidy TS-10 Handheld Garment Steamer

4.4
True and Tidy TS - 10

Bed Bath and Beyond

Our Ratings
  • Effectiveness
    4/5
  • Design
    5/5
  • Portability
    4/5
  • Value
    5/5
  • Heat Time
    4/5
What We Like
  • Extremely portable

  • Effective steam output for a handheld model

  • Large, stainless steel soleplate

  • Transparent water tank

What We Don't Like
  • Tricky to fill water reservoir

  • Short steam time

You can keep your clothes neat and wrinkle-free anywhere with the True & Tidy Handheld Garment Steamer. This compact model is our favorite budget pick, because it perfectly marries portability and quality at a reasonable price point. The handheld steamer weighs a little more than a pound and breaks down into two pieces, making it easy to pack in a carry-on or duffel bag. Despite its small size and relatively low wattage, it excelled in our testing. We found that it gave off an impressive flow of steam for a handheld unit, and it was able to remove most of the wrinkles in just two or three passes.

You operate this steamer using a simple on-off rocker switch, and we liked that the water tank is fully see-through, allowing you to monitor exactly how much water is left. On a full tank, it can run for around seven minutes, but we did find it frustrating to fill the reservoir. You have to put water in very slowly or it will back up and overflow. Otherwise, this steamer is a reliable and effective option that's suitable for a wide variety of tasks. You can pack it in a suitcase or carry it to the next room to perfectly prepare your outfit for the day, and rest assured that its price point matches its versatility and performance.

Price at time of publish: $30

Dimensions: 5.4 x 3.8 x 8.1 inches | Weight: 1.6 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 5.5 ounces | Power Level: 500 watts | Heat Time: 90 seconds | Steam Time: 7 minutes | Steam Settings: 1

The True & Tidy TS-10 Handheld Garment Steamer sits on a wood table after The Spruce's steamers test.

The Spruce / Letí­cia Almeida

Best Splurge

Pure Enrichment PureSteam Pro Upright Clothes Steamer

4.2
Pure Enrichment Upright Steamer

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Effectiveness
    4.5/5
  • Design
    4.5/5
  • Portability
    4/5
  • Value
    4/5
  • Heat Time
    4/5
What We Like
  • Sleek design with foot-operated power button

  • Four steam settings

  • Cord wrap for easy storage

What We Don't Like
  • Clips don’t hold thin fabric well

  • Hanger feels somewhat flimsy

If you’re willing to spend a little more on a sleek, versatile, full-size steamer, this option from Pure Enrichment impressed us during testing. The base of the unit has a triangular shape that features a foot pedal to turn it on and off, and a dial on the front allows you to adjust the steam level to one of its four settings. The 2-liter water tank is on the back of the base, and there’s even a space to wrap up the cord for more compact storage. Overall, we loved the design of this unit—we only knocked off half a point because the hanger and clips were made from a thin plastic that we worried would snap if dropped. 

This steamer readily removed wrinkles from our test fabric, needing just one or two passes to smooth the fabric on its highest setting. It can last up to an hour on a full water tank. It was effective overall, with the only downside being that thinner materials tend to slide out of the clips if you pull them taut. All in all, we think it’s a sleek and effective machine to add to your laundry room if you have the budget and space for it.

Price at time of publish: $110

Dimensions: 14.7 x 8.9 x 11 inches | Weight: 9.6 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 2 liters | Power Level: 1,500 watts | Heat Time: 2 minutes | Steam Time: 60 minutes | Steam Settings: 4

The Pure Enrichment PureSteam Pro Upright Clothes Steamer sits on a rug after The Spruce's steamers test.

The Spruce / Letí­cia Almeida

Best Upright

Hamilton Beach Upright Garment Steamer

4.2
Hamilton Beach Upright Garment Steamer

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Effectiveness
    4.5/5
  • Design
    4.5/5
  • Portability
    5/5
  • Value
    4/5
  • Heat Time
    3/5
What We Like
  • Extra-long hose and central pole

  • Caster wheels make it easy to move

  • Simple yet effective design

What We Don't Like
  • Water tank wobbles

  • Just one steam setting

The Hamilton Beach Upright Garment Steamer is a top choice if you’re hoping to steam curtains and oversized items. This upright unit (sometimes referred to as a "standing steamer" or "base-tank steamer") has a pole that extends up to 3 feet and has an extra-long hose to match. Additionally, we loved that the steamer is mounted on four caster wheels, which made it one of the easiest to move around, breezing through our tests for portability.

This unit can be used for up to 90 minutes at a time, and we were impressed by its steaming abilities. It was able to blast through wrinkles in one to two passes, leaving fabric smooth and ready to use. Unlike many other upright options, this steamer doesn’t include a built-in hanger component, but there’s a loop on top of the pole where you can hook your own hanger. After our testing, we've found that the only potential trade-offs are that this steamer only has one steam setting, and the water tank relies on its weight to stay in place, so it gets a bit wobbly when the tank isn’t as full. But we think it's a powerful steamer that'll certainly come in handy around the home.

Price at time of publish: $79

Dimensions: 19.5 x 14 x 16.5 inches | Weight: 14.5 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 0.5 quarts | Power Level: 1,500 watts | Heat Time: Not listed | Steam Time: 90 minutes | Steam Settings: 1

The Hamilton Beach Upright Garment Steamer sits on a rug after The Spruce's steamers test.

The Spruce / Letí­cia Almeida

Best Handheld

Electrolux LX-15002 Garment Steamer

4.2
Electrolux Steamer

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Effectiveness
    4/5
  • Design
    5/5
  • Portability
    4/5
  • Value
    3/5
  • Heat Time
    5/5
What We Like
  • Sleek design

  • Produces powerful steam for a handheld unit

  • Trigger lock provides continuous steam

  • Extra-long power cord

What We Don't Like
  • Occasionally spits water

  • On the pricey side

Handheld steamers are more compact than upright units, making them a top choice if you have a smaller home. When we put it to the test, the Electrolux Garment Steamer was one of the top performers in this category. We were charmed by its sleek design and modern appearance, complete with a stylish silhouette and matte black finish (however, this finish can quickly show mineral deposits if you live in an area with hard water, according to Katie Berry, The Spruce's Cleaning Review Board member).

In addition to looking great and feeling sturdy, this handheld steamer also performed quite well. It was able to remove both large and small wrinkles in just two or three passes, and it gave off an impressive amount of steam on its high setting. The power button for this steamer is on the back of its head, and it has an indicator light that lets you know when it’s ready to use. There are two settings to choose from, and a trigger on the front allows you to start or stop the steam as needed. There’s even a sliding trigger lock that provides continuous steam. This model also features an unusually long 12-foot power cord, making it ideal in rooms with inconvenient outlet placement. The only major downside we encountered was that it occasionally spits water, which can be painful if the hot droplets land on your hand, and it's not the most budget-friendly handheld model out there. But it packs a lot of power into a small package.

Price at time of publish: $75

Dimensions: 6 x 4.5 x 9.8 inches | Weight: 4 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 10 ounces | Power Level: 1,500 watts | Heat Time: 30 seconds | Steam Time: 18 minutes | Steam Settings: 2

The Electrolux Garment Steamer sits on a wood table after The Spruce's steamers test.

The Spruce / Letí­cia Almeida

Best With Hanger

Conair CompleteSteam Ultimate Fabric Steamer

4.2
Conair Ultimate Fabric Steamer

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Effectiveness
    4/5
  • Design
    4/5
  • Portability
    3.5/5
  • Value
    3.5/5
  • Heat Time
    4/5
What We Like
  • Two sets of clips to hold clothing taut

  • Heats up quickly

  • Large water reservoir

What We Don't Like
  • Awkward to move around

  • Just one steam setting

The Conair Ultimate Fabric Steamer makes it easy to de-wrinkle your favorite clothing, as it has both an integrated hanger and two sets of clips to hold pants in place as you work. In testing, we liked that this unit heats up extremely quickly (in under one minute), and it has a large water tank that delivers a powerful stream of steam for more than an hour. The clips did a great job holding our linens taut as we steamed, which saved us from accidentally steaming our fingers. We do wish the bottom set could be adjusted vertically for more versatility, but the fact that it even has bottom clips sets this steamer apart from many others.

The Conair Steamer offers just one steam setting, but it was incredibly effective, removing wrinkles in a single pass. We especially loved that it proved to be so efficient, but it did lose points on portability, as its wheels don’t work well, and it’s somewhat awkward to move from room to room. If you're looking for a gadget to store in your laundry room and keep at the ready, it could be your ideal solution.

Price at time of publish: $90

Dimensions: 12 x 12.3 x 16.6 inches | Weight: 7.5 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 80 ounces | Power Level: 1,500 watts | Heat Time: 45 seconds | Steam Time: 90 minutes | Steam Settings: 1

The Conair Ultimate Fabric Steamer sits on a rug after The Spruce's steamers test.

The Spruce / Letí­cia Almeida

Best for Travel

iSteam Steamer for Clothes

4.6
iSteam Steamer for Clothes

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Effectiveness
    4.5/5
  • Design
    4.5/5
  • Portability
    5/5
  • Value
    4/5
  • Heat Time
    5/5
What We Like
  • Sleek, compact design

  • Heats up quickly

  • Includes a brush attachment

  • Available in five colors

What We Don't Like
  • Small water tank that's a bit hard to fill

  • Short steam time

This sleek and, dare we say, stylish steamer checks all the boxes for a travel-friendly choice. We were enamored of the attractive yet efficient design, and that it felt well made among its handheld peers. There was an included brush attachment too, which also felt high-quality. Overall, we were pleased with its performance. The steamer removed wrinkles in just two to three passes when it was used vertically. It didn't work quite as well horizontally, though. It was also one of the fastest to heat up, showing readiness after roughly 40 seconds.

We also appreciate the five different color choices. While purely a cosmetic detail, it's nice to have the option to pick a favorite, which also makes it easy to spot in a suitcase when traveling. We did experience a couple of water "sneezes" at the beginning of testing, but not so many that it changed our positive impression. The one other item of note is that the water tank is small at just over 4 ounces, and a bit inconvenient to fill. That makes sense for easy travel and packing, but the 10-minute steam time probably isn't ideal for regular usage.

Price at time of publish: $40

Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 4.4 inches | Weight: 1.2 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 4.05 ounces Power Level: 900 watts | Heat Time: 25 seconds | Steam Time: 10 minutes | Steam Settings: 1

Compare

Overall Rating Effectiveness Design Portability Value Heat Time
Steamfast SF-562 Canister Garment Steamer
Best Overall:
Steamfast Canister Garment Steamer
4.5
5 5 4 4.5 4
True and Tidy TS - 10
Best Budget:
True & Tidy Handheld Garment Steamer
4.4
4 5 4 5 4
Pure Enrichment Upright Steamer
Best Splurge:
Pure Enrichment PureSteam Pro Upright Clothes Steamer
4.2
4.5 4.5 4 4 4
Hamilton Beach Upright Garment Steamer
Best Upright:
Hamilton Beach Upright Garment Steamer
4.2
4.5 4.5 5 4 3
Electrolux Steamer
Best Handheld:
Electrolux Garment Steamer
4.2
4 5 4 3 5
Conair Ultimate Fabric Steamer
Best With Hanger:
Conair CompleteSteam Ultimate Fabric Steamer
4.2
4 4 3.5 3.5 4
iSteam Steamer for Clothes
Best for Travel:
iSteam Steamer for Clothes
4.6
4.5 4.5 5 4 5
Final Verdict

If you’re looking for a high-quality clothes steamer, our favorite is the Steamfast Canister Garment Steamer, which brings upwards of 90 minutes of effective steaming and easily smoothes thick materials like denim. The True & Tidy Handheld Garment Steamer is another great, budget-friendly choice. It was able to power through wrinkles in just a few passes, and it has a see-through water tank, so you can easily see when it's time for a refill.

A group of upright garment steamers sit on a rug after The Spruce's steamers test.

The Spruce / Letí­cia Almeida

How We Tested the Clothes Steamers

We purchased 30 clothes and travel steamers and tested them in a home setting over the course of two months. To start, we unboxed and completed the assembly for each, noting how clear the instructions were and whether the design was intuitive, practical, and durable, or not. We noted whether the placement of the buttons was useful and whether the design was aesthetically pleasing, and we also took a closer look at any accessories that were included with the steamer.

We evaluated the heat time of each steamer, and each pick was timed with a phone stopwatch. Next, we tested the effectiveness of each steamer on wrinkled linen napkins. During this test, we used all of the settings, and we noted how many passes it took the steamer to eliminate the wrinkles and whether the napkin felt damp afterward. Next, we considered the portability of the product. We added travel steamers to a packed carry-on bag, paying attention to whether the steamer was easy to hold and carry, and whether it altered the weight of the bag much.

We used our experience to rate the overall value of the steamer, so you'll know if it's worth buying. We then boiled down and reviewed these insights in order to create this list of the best clothes steamers.

What to Look for in a Clothes Steamer

Type

“Home steamers basically come in two varieties: base-mounted steamers and handheld steamers,” says Wayne Edelman, CEO of Meurice Garment Care. “Handheld steamers are good to use for a quick touch-up or to travel with. Base tank steamers are used in retail environments, because they have larger water reservoirs and therefore will run longer without refilling with water.” 

There are pros and cons to each of these steamer styles, so you’ll want to consider how you plan to use the unit. For instance, handheld models are more compact and heat up more quickly, but upright steamers usually have a built-in hanger and/or clips for clothing and are more powerful, getting wrinkles out more quickly. We included a mix of both styles on this list, so if you're looking to compare, the True & Tidy TS-10 Steamer, iSteam Steamer, and Electrolux Garment Steamer are considered handheld, while the Steamfast Canister Steamer, Pure Enrichment PureSteam Pro Steamer, Hamilton Beach Steamer, and Conair CompleteSteam Ultimate Fabric Steamer make up the—you guessed it—upright category.

Power Level 

Most home steamers have a wattage between 500 and 1,500, and steamers with a high wattage produce more steam at once. This allows them to work more effectively and get wrinkles out faster. However, keep in mind that a powerful burst of hot steam can harm certain fabrics—synthetic fibers can melt if they get too hot, as can small plastic details like buttons or beading. Choosing a steamer with multiple steam settings (like our "best splurge" option, the Pure Enrichment PureSteam Pro Steamer) can also help you tailor the steam output for a specific fabric.

If you're not sure when to steam and when to iron, consider the advice of Melissa Maker of Clean My Space. "Ironing is better at getting wrinkles out of thicker creased fabrics such as cotton and linen,” she says. “A steamer is great on thinner materials. It can get wrinkles out of thicker knits, too—you'll just need to work the area a little longer.” However, any high-power steamer should be held approximately 6 inches away from the fabric to prevent damage, and you'll always want to be careful and remain diligent to avoid accidental burns of your skin.

Standout Features

There are a variety of features you may want to look for when shopping for a clothing steamer. After deciding whether you want a handheld or upright machine, and you've considered the appropriate power level for your needs, we recommend considering the size and functionality of the water reservoir. While it may seem intuitive that handheld versions will have smaller capacities, and uprights will tend to hold more, there's variation across different models. Of the models on this list, the handheld options range from just over 4 ounces (our "best for travel" pick, the iSteam Steamer) to 10 ounces (our "best handheld" pick, the Electrolux Garment Steamer). Our top upright steamers range from 16 ounces (our "best upright" choice, the Hamilton Beach Upright Garment Steamer) all the way up to 86 ounces (our "best overall" clothes steamer, the Steamfast Canister Garment Steamer).

Other features you may want to look for include a metal soleplate for ironing, multiple steam settings, a built-in hanger or clips, and a carrying case for portable models.

Pure Enrichment

The Spruce / Camryn Rabideau

FAQ
  • How hot do clothes steamers get?

    Clothes steamers are fairly simple devices—they essentially just boil water to produce steam, and the minimum temperature for this to occur is 212 degrees Fahrenheit. The majority of steamers heat water to somewhere between 212 and 400 degrees, which is why it’s important to keep your hands away from the nozzle during operation. 

  • How do you use handheld clothes steamers?

    Fill the clothes steamer with water, plug in the device, and select the appropriate setting for the fabric you're steaming (or if there's just one setting, simply turn the steamer on). Wait for the device to heat up to the ideal temperature. Once the device is fully heated, lift the device and lightly touch the nozzle to your garment where there are wrinkles. "Hang the garment up, and pull taut, section by section. Use short strokes to saturate the area with steam and release wrinkles, pulling as you go," recommends Maker. "Keep your body away from the steamer, [as] the blasts of steam are very hot."

  • Are clothes steamers better than irons?

    Steamers and irons are better suited for different tasks. They work well on thinner materials and are also a more convenient way to attack wrinkles in curtains and other home linens. If you're looking to get creased wrinkles out of thicker fabrics like denim or corduroy, you'll want to opt for an iron. They're also superior when it comes to achieving a pressed look or creating creases, while steamers are able to sanitize, thanks to their hot steam. 

  • Can a steamer ruin clothes?

    Steaming is an effective way to remove wrinkles from most fabrics, but you'll want to avoid using it on more sensitive fabrics. Velvet, velour, suede, waxed jackets, and anything plastic can be melted or warped by steaming, and this also holds true for decorative elements like plastic buttons or beads. Katie Berry, The Spruce's Cleaning Review Board member, additionally notes that "some metal embellishments will rust after repeated steaming, so try to avoid getting the device near them."

Black + Decker Easy Garment Steamer

The Spruce / Camryn Rabideau

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was written by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance writer and product tester for The Spruce. As she started her research into clothing steamers, she spoke with experts Wayne Edelman, CEO of Meurice Garment Care, and Melissa Maker of Clean My Space for insights on the benefits of steaming, what to look for in a clothing steamer, as well as how to steam clothes properly.

Rabideau then went on to test 30 different clothing steamers, including both handheld and upright models, evaluating each one on its design, portability, heat time, effectiveness, and value. She took these scores, as well as her overall experience with each unit, into consideration as she put together this list of the best clothes steamers.

Dena Ogden, a commerce writer at The Spruce, updated this piece and contributed additional research. She's been writing professionally since 2016, and with The Spruce since August 2022, specializing in appliances, cleaning, and organizational topics.

What Is Spruce Approved?

Here at The Spruce, we want to ensure that we fully stand behind every product we recommend and that when we say something is the best, we mean it. You might have noticed The Spruce Approved badge next to the products on this list. Every product with this badge has been rigorously tested in person and carefully selected by our expert team of lab testers and editors. In most cases, we buy all of these products ourselves, though occasionally, we get samples provided to us directly by companies. No matter how we procure products, they all go through the same tests and must meet the same strict criteria to make the best-of cut.

Updated by
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