The 9 Best Clothes Steamers of 2020

Best Overall: PAX Handheld Garment Steamer

Very Good

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For an affordable clothes steamer that does it all, you should purchase the Pax Steamer. This top-rated product is compact enough to take with you on the road but still delivers powerful steam to tackle even the toughest wrinkles around your home.​​

The Pax clothes steamer has a simple design: Simply fill the water tank (which holds up to 140ml), replace the top and flip the on/off switch. The steamer will heat up in 60 seconds or less and will provide around 10 minutes of continuous steam per fill. The product has an automatic shut-off if it gets too hot or low on water, and it weighs around 1 pound, making it easy to pack in your suitcase during travel.

While straightforward, this clothes steamer gets rave reviews from users, who say it works well on clothes and other fabrics, such as drapes and upholstery. Reviewers note that it’s easy to use and clean, and the results are impressive for such a small gadget. You may need to refill the steamer if you’re doing several garments but since it heats up so quickly, you’ll still be done in no time.

Best Budget: URPOWER Garment Steamer

Very Good

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Want perfectly polished clothes on a tight budget? The URPOWER Garment Steamer is a bargain and gets good reviews from users, who say it’s a must-have purchase for any household.

To use the URPOWER Steamer, simply fill the 130ml reservoir with distilled water, replace the top, and flip the on-off switch. The device will warm up within two minutes, and then you’ll get seven to 10 minutes of continuous steam to use on your wrinkled clothes. The steamer has an automatic shut-off if it gets too hot or the water is low, and it’s compact enough to bring with you on trips if need be.

This no-frills clothes steamer is great for small jobs at home or on the road. Reviewers say it’s small and lightweight, making it ideal for traveling or quick touch-ups. However, several warn not to fill the tank past the max fill line, otherwise, the steamer may spit water on your clothes.

Best All-Angle Steamer: BIZOND Mini Portable Handheld Garment Steamer

Excellent

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One common complaint about handheld clothes steamers is that they tend to spit water or leak if you tip them too far or try to use them at the wrong angle. This can make it tricky to steam your clothes if you don’t have a hanger or your furniture if you can’t prop it upright. Luckily, the BIZOND Steamer solves that issue thanks to its all-angle head — no leaking here, even if you hold it horizontally!

This product is on the smaller side, holding just 100ml of water and providing around 10 minutes of steam per fill. However, it heats up in just 25 seconds, and you can use it at any angle thanks to its electric pump system. This unique design ensures it won’t spit water on your clothes or hands, and it makes it easier to use around the house, such as on upholstered furniture. The steamer comes with an automatic shut-off feature if it’s left on standby for more than five minutes, and its compact size ​makes it perfect for traveling.

Reviewers give the BIZOND Steamer top marks, saying there are no leaks, spitting or water trails. Many write that it works well, and several note that the company’s customer service is top-notch — a major plus if you have any issues with the product.

Runner-Up, Best Overall: Black + Decker Advanced Handheld Steamer

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The Black + Decker Advanced Handheld Steamer combines the power and advanced features of a standing steamer with the mobility and versatility of a handheld model. As far as handheld steamers go, this one is on the larger side at almost 13 inches tall, which allows it to pack more of a punch in the power department (1400 watts) but made it feel a little cumbersome to some reviewers. The water tank in the base holds over seven ounces of water so you can finish the job without having to refill, plus it has a locking trigger that allows you to press once and get a continuous flow of steam — a feature reviewers love. The trigger also has a “burst” function that delivers an extra-strong puff to stubborn wrinkles. Black + Decker claims this model produces 45 percent more steam than its competitors.

This steamer comes with two different head attachments that optimize its effectiveness on upholstery and delicate fabric. From heavy curtains to delicate silk, the Black + Decker Advanced Handheld Steamer can keep both your clothes and your home looking fresh. This steamer has a 10-foot cord and an automatic shut-off function after 15 minutes of inactivity. 

Best High-End: Jiffy Steamer J-2000 Jiffy Garment Steamer

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If you want the Bentley of clothes steamers, the J-2000 Jiffy Garment Steamer is the way to go. This high-end steamer will deliver professional-grade results, but it doesn’t come cheap, with a high price tag.

The Jiffy Steamer has a high-impact plastic body, 6-inch plastic steam head and 5.5-foot hose. It heats up in two minutes or less, and each fill of the ¾-gallon water reservoir provides 1.5 hours of steam power. Recommended uses for this steamer include removing wrinkles in clothing, removing wallpaper and steaming bedding and table linens. The device also has an automatic shut-off for safety.

Best for College: Steam and Go Pro Handheld Garment Steamer

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If your college student isn’t one to neatly fold or hang their laundry, they might wind up with some seriously wrinkled clothes. And with bulky irons and ironing boards out of the question in a tiny dorm room, the Steam and Go Pro provides the perfect solution for small spaces. At only nine inches tall with a 150mL tank capacity, this handy little device heats up in less than two minutes so even procrastinators can get their clothes wrinkle-free in time for class.

The cord is almost eight feet long (perfectly suited to a dorm room) and has a dual-voltage feature that makes it safe to use in different kinds of outlets, which is especially useful if they’re plugging it in in a new place. There’s also an auto shut-off mode as a safety precaution for forgetful students. The Steam and Go Pro has a stylish design and comes in four different colors: black, blue, teal, and purple. 

Best for Household Use: Conair Compact Upright Fabric Steamer

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While clothes steamers are mostly used on, well, clothes, they can also be helpful if you want to remove wrinkles from drapes, upholstered furniture and other fabric. If you want a steamer that’s easy to use around the house, one of the best options is the Conair Compact Upright Fabric Steamer.

Why is this steamer so good for using around the house? For one, it’s on wheels, making it easy to transport from one location to another. Further, it boasts an impressive 1600 watts of power and a 55-ounce water reservoir that can provide up to an hour of continuous steam —perfect for steaming curtains. Additionally, the Conair Steamer comes with a three-piece collapsible pole for hanging garments, lint and bristle brush attachments and a foot-activated power switch.

Reviewers say this fabric steamer heats up quickly and does an impressive job on both clothes and household items, removing even the deepest creases. Overall, it’s a worthwhile purchase if you want a wrinkle-free home!

Best Travel: OXA Smart 1000W Ultra-Compact Handheld Garment Steamer

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For a compact, travel-friendly clothes steamer that heats up in a flash, your best bet is the OXA Smart 1000W Ultra-Compact Handheld Garment Steamer. This lightweight device is easy to pack in your travel bag, yet it delivers powerful steam to eradicate wrinkles on the go.

The OXA Smart Garment Steamer holds 100ml of water and provides about seven minutes of steam per fill. It heats up in an impressive 20 seconds, allowing you to touch up your clothes in a hurry. The unit is appropriate for use on all fabrics, from your favorite cotton shirts to your luxury silk ties, and it has an automatic shut-off in case of overheating.

Reviewers note the OXA Garment Steamer is simple, with just one operation button, but it works well for basic tasks, such as removing wrinkles from dress shirts. It comes with an additional long-bristle brush attachment, and although it may not be as powerful as a full-size steamer, it gets the job done.