Best garment steamers

Keep clothes looking great

Clothes steamers have been used to knock out creases and refresh fabrics backstage at catwalk shows for years, and the technology is now here for all. Keep your delicate clothes looking their best, and even iron shirts without the need for a traditional board

Powerful choice

F1500 HIGH PRESSURE CLOTHES STEAMER, £249.99, FRIDJA

It’s not the most attractive design we’ve found, but it works harder than most, with an easy-to-adjust telescopic pole, powerful 5 bars of steam pressure and huge 3.8 litre removable water tank that lasts for over two hours. It’s quick to heat up, too, taking just 75 seconds. THE BEST BIT Truly multifunctional, the head steams vertically, while the mesh cover is also used like an ironing board.

EXPERT TIP

‘The most important steamer accessory is a heatproof glove so you can hold collars and sleeves without getting scalded.’

CHRIS HASLAM,

TECHNOLOGY JOURNALIST

Travel companion

EXPRESS STEAM 361000, £59.99, MORPHY RICHARDS

An innovative design that’s light and ergonomic to use, with a small 260ml water tank. Useful tools include clip-on brush and squeegee combination that lifts lint and refreshes upholstery, plus a clip and steam nozzle for collars. THE BEST BIT This handheld steamer heats up in just 35 seconds, meaning you can be looking your best in no time.

Great value

GC524 EASYTOUCH PLUS, £95, PHILIPS

Ideal if you’ve got a wardrobe full of difficult-to-iron dresses. At 32g/min it doesn’t have the same steam power as the Tefal, but has a large 1.6 litre water tank and five steam levels. Plus it can hold clothes in a variety of ways using the hanger, clips and hooks.

THE BEST BIT Great if you’d prefer to refresh rather than wash lightly worn and cupboard-creased clothes.

Best all-rounder

IXEO POWER QT2020, £299, TEFAL

An impressive design, with traditional and vertical steaming thanks to the iron-style head and board that turns horizontal. Steam pressure is excellent, with 5.8 bar delivering 90g/ min constant steam and 200g/min steam shot when you press the trigger. THE BEST BIT It’s expensive, but this powerful steamer can get a shirt ready to wear in less than a minute.

Designer addition

IGGI, £179, LAURASTAR

With 850w and 3.9 bar pressure, and weighing just 1.08kg, this gorgeous design is light and powerful. And, because it pumps out something called Dry Microfine Steam you can kill 99.9% of germs as you go.

THE BEST BIT For a drip-free top-up the special bottle with a nozzle fits under a tap and into the base of the steamer.