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No Time for Wrinkles? Here Are the Best Garment Steamers of 2023

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Lea Kuscer Avatar
Lea Kuscer
25 February, 2024 • Updated 19 days ago
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The Best Garment Steamers
Most people are familiar with irons and iron boards, but not as many people know about garment steamers. What are they? What are they used for?

You’ll use these appliances when you need to remove wrinkles from clothing such as suits, sterilize furniture, or eliminate odors in your home.

Garment steamers are best split into two categories. There are smaller, cheaper, more portable garment steamers and then there are the bigger versions that connect to a hose and a water tank.

IN A HURRY? CHECK OUT OUR EDITOR’S CHOICE
J-2000 Jiffy

These steamers come in all shapes and sizes, and not all are created equal. Most people aren’t familiar with what to look for in a garment steamer, and many others don’t realize the full potential of the technology. Despite their name, many garment steamers can steam much more than just clothes.

Things to Consider

1. Size

The first thing you need to figure out is what you plan on using the steamer for and how often you expect to use it. A small, portable steamer may be all you need for taking care of clothes, but if you plan to use it for other functions, such as removing wallpaper, a portable steamer will be sorely lacking.

2. Water Capacity

Water capacity in a steamer is just as critical as in iron, if not more so. This is especially so because some smaller garment steamers have minimal water storage. If it takes you an hour to iron your clothes, you may not want to stop every ten minutes to refill the water in your steamer.

3. Wattage

Wattage plays a direct role in how quickly a steamer heats up. Higher wattage means quicker steam times. However, the amount of time it takes to heat up the water corresponds directly to the size of the tank. It takes a lot longer to heat half a gallon of water than to heat a quart of water.

4. Warrantry

A warranty is often a good idea no matter what you’re buying, but it’s something to pay attention to as different manufacturers offer wildly different warranties. Most warranties will last a year, but some companies offer three- and even five-year warranties.

5. Price

For a lot of people, the final decision will come down to price. Those extra features may be nice, but they just aren’t worth it for some people. Others settle for nothing but the best and are willing to spend top dollar for a quality product. Of course, the price is not always an indication of quality, and the most expensive product isn’t necessarily the best.

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The Best Garment Steamers


Products Features
EDITOR’S PICK
4.4
1,950+
1950+
J-2000 Jiffy
J-2000 JiffyJ-2000 Jiffy
  • Features a 1300 watt brass heating element
  • 5.5-inch hose provides longer reach for removing wallpaper
  • Durable plastic casing protects against damage
  • Features a 1300 watt brass heating element
  • 5.5-inch hose provides longer reach for removing wallpaper
  • Durable plastic casing protects against damage
Check price
at Amazon
MOST REVIEWED
4
3,800+
3800+
PurSteam PS-910
PurSteam PS-910PurSteam PS-910
  • 61-ounce capacity
  • Heats up in 60 seconds
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $100
  • 61-ounce capacity
  • Heats up in 60 seconds
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $100
Check price
at Amazon
TOP PICK
4.2
350+
350+
J-4000 Jiffy
J-4000 JiffyJ-4000 Jiffy
  • One gallon capacity
  • Steams for two hours
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $250
  • One gallon capacity
  • Steams for two hours
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $250
Check price
at Amazon
TOP PICK
4.6
500+
500+
PurSteam Pro Series
PurSteam Pro SeriesPurSteam Pro Series
  • 67.6-ounce capacity
  • Heats up in less than 60 seconds
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $150
  • 67.6-ounce capacity
  • Heats up in less than 60 seconds
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $150
Check price
at Amazon
BUDGET PICK
4.4
6,600+
6600+
Lemontec Travel Steamer
Lemontec Travel SteamerLemontec Travel Steamer
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Heats up in 70 seconds
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $50
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Heats up in 70 seconds
  • PRICE RANGE: Under $50
Check price
at Amazon
EDITOR’S PICK
J-2000 Jiffy
The most value at the best price

Maybe you have no idea what to look for. Maybe you want a good recommendation as a benchmark for comparison. Or maybe you just hate shopping around. No matter your reason, we’re happy to offer our recommendation. If you’re looking for the most value at the best price, the J-2000 Jiffy Garment Steamer is your best bet.

4.4
1,950+
1950+
  • Features a 1300 watt brass heating element
  • 5.5-inch hose provides longer reach for removing wallpaper
  • Durable plastic casing protects against damage

Under $50

Lemontec Portable Travel Garment Steamer

Lemontec Portable Travel Garment Steamer

Lemontec’s Portable Travel Garment Steamer is an excellent appliance to own if you travel on business meetings. It is a small but powerful device that can quickly iron the most wrinkled shirts and suits. Just fill it up, plug it in, turn it on and go. The case offers a clear view of the waterline, so you can always tell when you’re running low on water. 

Features

  • Lightweight and portable
  • Heats up in 70 seconds
  • Steams for 9 minutes

The steamer works on a variety of different fabrics, and it heats up very quickly. So, if you need to get clothes ready for an interview in a hurry, this is a great choice for setting up an ironing board and waiting for the element to heat up. Plus, this steamer has an automatic shut off option; when it heats too much, it will turn off by itself.

The size of the water tank is perfect for a couple of items of clothes, but it takes five or ten minutes to cool down before you can put more water in it. This is never going to replace your iron, but thanks to its small size and portability, it is the perfect travel companion and is ideal for a quick fix when you’re in a hurry.

Pros
  • Portable
  • Heats up fast
  • Cheap
Cons
  • If you tilt the steamer, the liquid comes out
  • Short working time

iSteam by Exagora Steamer

iSteam by Exagora Steamer

Another portable steamer, the iSteam by Exagora Steamer is the perfect travel companion. It works on all kinds of fabrics and you can take it with you on a business trip or on a vacation. 

The steamer heats up in 60 seconds and you can iron your beddings, drapery or shirts for 10 minutes straight. Again, you can use it in your suitcase when you’re traveling.

Features

  • Lightweight and portable
  • Heats up in 60 seconds
  • Steams for 10 minutes

Moreover, this steamer has an automatic shut off option so it doesn’t overheat. Although it has a short working time, it comes in handy when you’re in a hurry to iron your shirt.

This steamer, however, has an issue; it sometimes spews out boiling water instead of steam. Given the low price range, it’s something we would expect will happen over time.

Pros
  • Portable
  • Heats up fast
  • Cheap
Cons
  • If you tilt the steamer, the liquid comes out
  • Short working time
  • Some buyers report steamer spewing out water when working

Conair Fabric Steamer with Dual Heat

Conair Fabric Steamer with Dual Heat

Now this one I like. The Conair Fabric Steamer with Dual Heat is a bit heavier than the last two steamers, but it only weighs three pounds. What it does, it does very well, and it’s very reasonably priced to boot. It comes with several different attachments for different steaming purposes.

Features

  • Portable
  • Heats up in 75 seconds
  • Steams for 15 minutes

First off, with 1110 watts of power, this thing heats up in 75 seconds or less. That’s fantastic. I’m usually running late wherever I go and being able to quickly remove a few pesky wrinkles is great. It also has two different heat settings which allow it to handle most types of fabric, from wool and cotton to polyester and nylon. Plus, it has a steam lock feature for continuous steaming.

It steams for about 15 minutes, and it has a clear water tank at the base of the handle that’s easy to check and fill. The biggest problem with this is that the steamer tends to stop working after a few months. The problems are generally easy to fix, but it’s still frustrating because no steamer should have to get fixed every three or four months. Even with this complaint, it’s a very good steamer, and well worth the price.

Pros
  • Portable
  • Heats up fast
  • Easy to use
Cons
  • Short working time
  • Some buyers report steamer spewing out water when working

Under $100

PurSteam PS-910

PurSteam PS-910

With the PurSteam PS-910, we move from the realm of portable steamers to heavy-duty ones. The rest of the steamers I tested are all heavy duty. I liked this garment steamer from the moment I saw it; it looks like a little robot with wheels! Assembly was a little challenging, but I eventually figured it out.

Features

  • 61-ounce capacity
  • Heats up in 60 seconds
  • Steams for one hour

Appearance isn’t as important as function, and the PS-910 worked really well. The water tank is just less than half a gallon at 61 ounces, and it provides constant steam for about one hour, which is a pretty good length of time to get some work done. The heating element is made from aluminum, and the steamer is backed by a five-year warranty, which is a really great offer.

The PS-910 has an adjustable hanger that extends from 15 to 19 inches and is ideal for hanging wrinkled clothes for easy steaming. Its telescopic aluminum pole collapses to make storage easier. The steamer reaches temperatures up to 250 degrees and is perfect for steaming and removing old wallpaper and bedding as well as clothing. This is a very nice garment steamer well suited for home use.

Pros
  • Long steaming time
  • Has an adjustable hanger
  • Durable
Cons
  • Challenging assembly
  • Comes with too many accessories

Rowenta IS6202

Rowenta IS6202

Rowenta is one of the leading manufacturers of steam irons, so it’s little surprise that Rowenta also produces garment steamers. They have quite a few different models, and the Rowenta IS 6202 is one of their more affordable steamers. It still works pretty well, though.

Features

  • 81-ounce capacity
  • Heats up in 90 seconds
  • Steams for one hour

The 1500 watt steamer heats up in just a minute and features an 81-ounce tank that steams for a full hour. It is a very nice, modern-looking steamer with a simple foot on-off switch. A built-in hanger and garment clips make steaming your clothes easier by providing the hangars you need to be built in. The hose is made out of a flexible fabric that stays cool even when running for a long time, which is great. The height is adjustable, and a telescopic handle makes for easy storage.

There’s a lot to like about this steamer. My only complaint is that I feel like it should be able to steam for more than an hour with such a large tank, as other comparable steamers do. It is very similar to the Rowenta IS6300, and I was hard-pressed to notice any significant difference in performance other than wattage.

Pros
  • Easy to use
  • Has an adjustable hanger and garment clips
Cons
  • Short steaming time compared to the tank capacity
  • Weak steam
  • The hanger falls off easily

SINGER SteamWorks Pro 1500

SINGER SteamWorks Pro 1500

The SteamWorks Pro 1500 is very comparable to the IS6202, and not just in price. It too offers 1500 watts of power, and its 2.5-liter water tank is almost the same size as the IS6202.

Features

  • 2.5-liter capacity
  • Heats up in 45 seconds
  • Steams for 90 minutes

It takes just 45 seconds for this steamer to get up to temp, and it can steam continuously for 90 minutes. The hanger can rotate 360 degrees, and the handle is telescopic. The steamer stands 55 inches when fully extended. It comes with an auto-off feature so that the heating element automatically turns off when the water is gone. The hose is five feet long, so you have plenty of reach for removing wallpaper or other steaming uses.

This is a fine, durable steamer that works well and is reasonably priced. It comes with a two-year warranty, so your purchase will be secured for some time. A good value on a good steamer.

Pros
  • Long steaming time
  • Has an adjustable hanger
  • Has a long hose
Cons
  • Inconsistent steam

Under $150

Rowenta IS6300

Rowenta IS6300

The Rowenta IS6300 is a pretty great midrange garment steamer that offers some nice extra features over a lower-end model. It’s durable, efficient and looks pretty great too. With 1550 watts, it heats up quickly and provides continuous steam for a long time.

Features

  • 81-ounce capacity
  • Heats up in 90 seconds
  • Steams for one hour

It heats up quickly, and its 81-ounce tank provides for an hour of continuous steaming. It has a very nice built-in hangar design to hold your clothes, and it also has a hook to use your own hanger with. It turns on and off easily with a foot-operated switch. The telescopic pole adjusts to different heights, and the steamer comes with a variety of useful attachments such as a fabric brush and a lint bag. Thanks to its design, with large rear wheels, it’s easy to move.

One thing I did notice is that both this and the 6202 seem to go through water faster than some other steamers. The 81-ounce water tank is only marginally smaller than the 2.5 liters (84.5 ounces) SteamWorks Pro 1500 tank, but its steam time is one-third less. The Rowenta models still work well, but I wonder if I’m getting the same bang for my buck.

Pros
  • Convenient storage
  • Has an adjustable hanger
Cons
  • Short steaming time compared to the tank capacity
  • Full steam only if the hose is upright
  • Only a 1-year warranty

Best Garment Steamer Under $175

PurSteam Professional Series Garment Steamer

J-2000 Jiffy Garment Steamer

The Professional Series Garment Steamer from PurSteam is an excellent in-home steamer. It gets rid of wrinkles in no time and can steam all sorts of fabrics. It might be a bit too much for the average household, but if you need a more powerful commercial model, this is fantastic.

Features

  • 67.6-ounce capacity
  • Heats up in less than 60 seconds
  • Steams for 45 minutes

It provides 45 hours of continuous steaming, which is quite short in comparison to its big half-gallon tank. Adjustable steam input allows you to use the right amount of steam for any job. The steamer is handheld and automatically shuts off when empty.

It features a burn prevention safety cap, that won’t let you open the water tank when there’s steam. The steamer comes with a built-in ironing board and a hanger that most of commercial steamers don’t have. It’s almost like using a regular iron, but much faster.

Pros
  • Strong steam
  • Easy to use
  • Comes with an ironing board
Cons
  • Short steaming time
  • The hose can’t be cleaned of mold

Under $200

J-2000 Jiffy Garment Steamer

J-2000 Jiffy Garment Steamer

Rowenta may be the name to beat in steam irons, but I think Jiffy has an edge up on garment steamers. Not aesthetically, mind you. Jiffy’s steamers look like a mop bucket with a long handle. But I feel like they perform better, and the warranty is definitely superior.

Features

  • 96-ounce capacity
  • Heats up in two minutes
  • Steams for 90 minutes

If I have one complaint about the J-2000, it’s that the water doesn’t heat up as quickly as other models. The 1300 watt steamer takes about two minutes to come to temp. I find it hard to find fault with that, though. I’m not so impatient as to be bothered by a single minute’s difference.

The J-2000 has a 96-ounce tank and can steam continuously for 90 minutes. It has a high, telescopic handle and a five-and-a-half-foot hose. A six-inch steam head covers territory more quickly and thoroughly, reducing the amount of time spent steaming. The model I tested had a plastic head, but there is a model with a metal head for a bit more money.

This steamer may not look like much, but it comes up big where it counts – performance. You’ll have a hard time finding a better garment steamer for the price.

J-4000 Jiffy Garment Steamer

J-4000 Jiffy Garment Steamer

I loved the Rowenta IS9200. I also loved the J-4000. Like the IS9200, this is really intended for commercial use, as very few households need anything with this much power. The J-4000 also has a one-gallon tank, and it offers a similar two hours of steaming time.

Features

  • One gallon capacity
  • Steams for two hours
  • Solid aluminum housing

It doesn’t have the hangers and hooks that the IS9200 does, but I feel like its actual performance was better. The six-inch steam head just gets the job done so much more quickly than other steamers, and the aluminum housing is super durable, meaning this garment steamer is built to last.

There is one thing that baffles me about the steamer. It takes 15 minutes for the steamer to preheat and another two to five minutes to produce steam. Considering all the other steamers can do it in two minutes or less, I simply can’t figure out why it takes so much longer for this one to work.

Despite this one complaint, this is a powerful workhouse that will serve you well for years.

Pros
  • Extremely long steaming time
  • Durable
Cons
  • Pulls a lot of power
  • Takes 2 minutes to heat up
  • Some buyers report leakage

Conclusion

I spent a lot of time trying out these steamers and was satisfied with all of them.

Whether you need a simple, portable steamer for your travels, a larger steamer for home use, or a heavy-duty commercial behemoth, there are a lot of great options here for you to choose from.

The J-2000 is probably the best residential home steamer, and I’m convinced it will serve you well for years to come.

Lea Kuscer Avatar
Written by
Lea Kuscer
Lea Kuscer is a nature admirer, ecological cosmetics and jewelry maker, avid traveler, language professor by trade, but above all, a marketing maniac who's enthusiastic about testing new products. Her mission is to share her passion with gadget lovers and those who would like to make their life more comfortable with the best products on the market. Let's get on an exploring adventure together!