Wrinkled clothes are unsightly and uncomfortable to wear. This is why the electric iron has been a fixture of most homes for more than a century. However, irons are bulky, require a lot of space to use and damage the fibres of clothes with prolonged use, thus the growth in popularity of a new way to straighten wrinkled clothes – steaming.
A garment steamer offers you significant benefits compared to iron. It not only does a better job of removing wrinkles and keeping clothes fresh for longer, but it is also gentler on the fabric and easier to work with. To use a garment steamer, all you need to do is hang the wrinkly clothes, turn on the gadget, and pass it over the surface of the fabric.
Best Clothing Steamers of 2021-2022
This review examines the different clothes steamers available to find the best garment steamer for your needs.
How We Picked and Tested
We tested hundreds of clothes steamers to present you with the consumer reports best clothes steamer available on the market today. We scrutinized a variety of factors to help you make an informed buying decision based on:
- Heating element power
- Time to attain a maximum steaming temperature
- Water tank size
- Automatic shut-off
- Weight
- Ease of use
- Design
On the basis of these factors and more, we compared many different clothes steamers to help you answer the question: What is the best clothes steamer to buy?
Why Trust our Review?
We do not simply look at manufacturer information and internet reviews to help you pick the consumer reports best clothes steamer 2022. We personally try out each of the products we review and take them through rigorous tests to determine which ones are superior. With the many options available, you do not have to go through the hassle of digging through technical specifications and user reviews, as we have done all the hard work for you to come up with the list of the best clothes steamers below.
PurSteam Elite 7-1 Garment Steamer
This is a standing clothes steamer model that gives you industrial-strength performance from the comfort of your own home. At an affordable price point, you get to enjoy high tank capacity, premium build quality and high steaming temperature from a lightweight device with compact dimensions. Featuring a 61-ounce water tank and 1500W heating element, the PurSteam Elite reaches temperatures up to 248 F and provides 60 minutes of steam.
Features:
- The high steam temperature of up to 248 F
- Wheeled for easy movement
- Dimensions of 10.5 x 9.5 x 12 inches and weight of 14.3 lb.
- Telescopic pole
- 61-ounce water tank
- 1500W Ultra-Fast heating element
Pros:
- Best value for your money
- Fast-heating cast aluminum element
- Several customizable add-ons
- Extended reach because of the telescopic pole
- 1500W power
Cons:
- Tends to drip occasionally
URPOWER Garment Steamer
Based on performance and build quality, this steamer is mentioned in many reviews as the best garment steamer 2022. Notably, this handheld device has a unique nozzle system that provides a continuous steam flow that un-wrinkles a wide variety of fabric types. The URPOWER Garment steamer quickly gets going, heating up in just two minutes, and the 130ml. the removable tank provides impressive performance. It has an automatic shut-down feature to prevent overheating while the compact design and included pouch makes it easy to carry along when traveling.
Features:
- Removable 130 ml. water tank
- 2-minute heating time
- Automatic shutoff
- Compact and portable
- Has a travel pouch
- Ergonomic design
Pros:
- Simple to use
- Provides a continuous flow of steam for up to 10 minutes
- Compact design and lightweight
- Highly portable and comes with its own travel pouch
- Automatic shutoff to prevent overheating
Cons:
- Difficult to handle when tilted past 45 degrees
PurSteam Elite Garment Steamer
This is a powerful, sturdy steamer that you can buy at a friendly price without sacrificing functionality, ease of use or build quality. The PurSteam Elite Garment Steamer’s collapsible hanger is handy for straightening all types and sizes of garments from small leotards to wide-shouldered blazers and suit jackets. It comes bundled with a collection of accessories including a handheld steam board, a crease attachment, clips to hold smaller items, and more.
Features:
- The quick heating time of 45 – 60 seconds
- High capacity tank providing up to 60 minutes of continuous steam
- Up to 248 F steam temperature to kill 99.9% of germs and for deep penetration of heavy fabrics
- A cast aluminum element with a full 5-year warranty
- Also works with most ironing boards
Pros:
- The large, 60-pound tank provides up to 60 minutes of steam
- The water heats up in less than one minute
- Easy to operate and store
- Lightweight
- High steam temperature kills germs on the fabric
Cons:
- A large number of accessories can be intimidating
- Despite the temperature and duration of the steam, it produces a smaller amount than comparable models
Steamfast SF-407 Fabric Steamer
The Steamfast SF-407 is considered one of consumer reports best clothes steamer 2022, is quick to set up and easy to use. Besides being one of the most affordable steamers in its class, it has a powerful 1500W heating element and a large, removable water tank enabling long periods of uninterrupted steaming. It is ready for action in as little as 45 seconds and comes bundled with a host of accessories including a hook for your clothes, fabric brush, telescopic pole and press pad.
Features:
- Easily detachable and adjustable telescopic pole
- Removable, 40-ounce water tank
- Heats up in only 45 seconds
- Lightweight at only 8.2 lbs
- Tools and attachments to ensure precise steaming
- Extra tools for precise steaming
- Hook for clothes hangers
- Press pad which acts as a miniature ironing board
- 4 rolling casters for mobility
Pros:
- The steamer’s lightweight and rolling casters make it simple to move around when in use
- Quickly preheats to optimum temperature in approximately 45 seconds
- Detachable water tank and the telescopic pole make it easy to use and store
- Large 40-ounce water tank lets you steam more clothes for longer
- Extra tools and attachments give the precise steaming ability
- Affordable price compared to similar products
Cons:
- The telescopic pole might be a bit short for some users
- The hose gets very hot when in use
iSteam Steamer for Clothes
This sturdy handheld steamer from Exagora features the company’s proprietary iSteam technology to quickly smooth out the toughest wrinkles. Its hi-tech micro heating panel brings it up to steam in just 60 seconds and the 7-in-1 functionality means it can be set to iron, clean, steam, humidify, treat, sterilize and refresh clothing. It comes in a compact size that makes it perfect as a gift item.
Features:
- iSteam advanced steaming technology to smooth tough wrinkles
- Automatic shutdown if the water level is too low or the device gets too hot
- The micro-heating panel provides steam in just 60 seconds
- Gentle enough for use on delicate fabrics
- Compact and easy to store or carry in hand luggage
- 3-year warranty
Pros:
- Quickly gets up to steam in just 60 seconds
- The build has a high-quality feel
- Multiple functions – Steam, Iron, Clean, Sterilize, Treat, Refresh and Humidify
- Compact dimensions make it an ideal gift or travel steamer
Cons:
- Lack of adequate usage instructions in the manual
- Spits out hot water if purified water is not used
J-2000 Jiffy Garment Steamer
Although it comes in at the pricier end of our reviewed steamers, this gadget’s utility goes well beyond occasional clothes steaming. It has been designed to be able to tackle light commercial use or the heavier daily requirements of a big household. It has a solid brass heating element that is up and running in a mere two minutes, as well as a 3/4-gallon water tank that provides continuous steaming for up to 90 minutes. As one of the bigger and heavier domestic steamers on the market, it comes loaded on caster wheels to ensure mobility.
Features:
- Quick-heating solid brass element
- 3/4 gallon tank
- 90 minutes of continuous steam
- 5.5 ft. long hose with a 6-inch steam nozzle
- Wheeled for easy mobility
Pros:
- The Solid brass element heats up quickly
- Large water tank
- Provides 90 minutes of steam
- Excellent hose reach
- High build quality
Cons:
- Pricey compared to most domestic clothes steamers
- Heavy and bulky
- Has no attachments
Pure Enrichment PureSteam XL Standing Steamer
As far as clothes steamers go, the Pure Enrichment PureSteam XL Standing Steamer is one of the more impressive units. Its superior output of steam allows it to refresh anything from clothing to beddings and upholstered furniture. What’s more, it only needs a mere 45 seconds to get fully heated. The tank is removable, making refills convenient, and the 1/2-gallon size means up to 60 minutes of uninterrupted steaming between refills. The five-foot-long steam hose offers impressive reach for longer fabrics and comfortable use for taller people.
Features:
- 1/2 gallon capacity water tank
- 45-second heating time
- 60 minutes of maximum steam time
- 5ft. 5 in. height
- 5ft. long steam hose
- 7ft. power cord
Pros:
- Excellent steam output to remove wrinkles from tough fabrics
- Heats up in just 45 seconds
- The large water tank that is easy to remove and reattach when refilling
- Up to 60 minutes of steam on a full tank
- The fabric brush attachment allows for more effective steaming
Cons:
- Not very solidly constructed
- Short power cord requires the power outlet to be located nearby
PAX Handheld Garment Steamer
Don’t let this device’s small size fool you – it packs a punch and is one of the best handheld clothes steamers you can buy. The advanced nozzle design on the Pax Travel and Home Handheld Garment Steamer provides a surprisingly powerful stream of steam to free your clothes from wrinkles. This steamer needs just 60 seconds to become fully heated and its 140ml. The water reservoir operates for an incredible 10 minutes. It complements this with automatic shut-off to prevent overheating and avoid damage when the water level drops. The compact design means that it makes a perfect travel steamer.
Features:
- New nozzle design to deliver a consistent and powerful stream of steam
- High-capacity 140 ml. water reservoir
- 1.1 lbs. of weight
- Heats up in 60 seconds
- Provides 10 minutes of continuous steam
- Automatic shut-off if the device gets too hot
- 2-year warranty
Pros:
- Low weight. Ideal for use as a travel steamer
- Operates for up to 10 minutes on a full tank
- Automatic shut-off for user safety and to protect the device from damage
- Compact size saves space in storage
Cons:
- Does not feel very solidly built
Beautural Powerful Handheld Garment Steamer
If you believe that the more expensive a steamer is, the better the performance and the higher the quality, you may overlook the Beautural Steamer. That would be a mistake. At a relatively low price point, this steamer straightens out wrinkles fast, does not spit out boiling water and is compact enough to carry along when traveling. The powerful 1200W element gives this gadget a quick 30-second heat-up time and the 260ml. tank lets you steam your clothes uninterrupted for up to 15 minutes. It is versatile enough for use on a range of fabric types including cotton, polyester, silk, nylon, wool, linen, velvet and plush.
Features:
- The 1200-watt element heats up in 30 seconds
- 260 ml water reservoir for 15 minutes continuous steam
- 2.09 lbs. in weight for easy use and convenience when traveling
- Automated shut-off for user safety
- Leak-proof design
Pros:
- Affordable for its specifications
- The leak-proof design makes it one of only a few handheld steamers that do not sputter
- The compact design makes it highly portable
- Long steaming time for its size
Cons:
- The steelhead makes the device rather heavy when the reservoir is full
Rowenta IS6300 Master Valet Garment Steamer Brown
The Rowenta IS6300 Master Valet garment steamer made the shortlist for the consumer reports best clothes steamer 2022 thanks to innovative design, loads of functionality and the patented Rowenta Roll and Press technology. Built with easy storage in mind, this steamer’s compact design integrates hanger clips and its 1550W of power means that it can start producing large amounts of steam in as little as 60 seconds. It comes with a transparent tank, making it easy for you to know when water is running low.
Features:
- 1550 Watts of power
- Proprietary Roll and Press technology
- 1 hour of steam time on a full tank
- Inbuilt hanger with a hook and garment clips
- Stay-cool handle
- Flexible steam hose
- Adjustable telescopic pole
Pros:
- Lightweight at only 8lbs., making it easy to move from one room to another
- Roll and Press feature makes steaming faster
- Large water tank for more than 60 minutes of uninterrupted clothes steaming
Cons
- The device’s small height could be uncomfortable for taller users
Which is The Best Clothing Steamer in 2022?
When we examined the combination of price, features, and usability, the PurSteam Elite Garment Steamer is the leader by some distance. This steamer allows you to have simple clothes steaming routine and comes pre-packaged with several tools and add-ons to increase its versatility. This device is our pick for the best garment steamer 2022.
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