6 Best Clothes Steamers, Tested by Cleaning Experts
Wrinkles are no match for these handheld and upright picks.
Tested by Jamie UedaContributing Writer and Analyst
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I can’t remember the last time I pulled out my ironing board. When I need to get wrinkles out of a shirt or dress, I reach for a garment steamer instead. It’s quicker, easier, and requires a lot less setup than ironing—and for most everyday wrinkles, it gets the job done. But some clothes steamers are better than others at smoothing fabrics.
Our top picks:
✔️ Best overall: Conair ExtremeSteam Handheld Garment Steamer
Excellent wrinkle removal across fabrics and the steam lasted nearly 17 minutes
✔️ Best for quick touch-ups: Rowenta PurePop Handheld Steamer
Heats up and ready to use in a mere 17 seconds
✔️ Best for travel: CHI Handheld Garment Steamer
A slim, lightweight design that comes in its own travel pouch
✔️ Best value upright: Reliable Vivio 500GC Garment Steamer
Pro-level results at an affordable price
To find the standouts, experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab tested 26 garment steamers on natural and synthetic fabrics, evaluating wrinkle removal, heat-up time, ease of use, and more. When it comes to the most important factor—eliminating wrinkles—the one that impressed us most was the Conair ExtremeSteam Handheld Garment Steamer, but even more impressive is its $30 price tag.
Best Deal
Pros
- Has a power button so you can turn it off without unplugging it
- Steamed for 16 minutes and 45 seconds without refilling
- Earned the highest wrinkle removal score
Cons
- Does not come with any attachments
Convenient features that make steaming easier
The Conair ExtremeSteam has two indicator lights that show when the steamer is heating up and when it’s ready to use. In our Lab tests, it reached full steam in just 39 seconds. A trigger lock allows for continuous steam or on-demand use, and unlike many handheld steamers that only power off when unplugged, this one has an actual power button.
Why it stands out for wrinkle removal
It delivered the best wrinkle-removal results of any model we tested, especially on wool and cotton-poly blends, where it earned perfect scores. The water tank provided nearly 17 minutes of continuous steaming, and the 8-foot cord made it easy to maneuver around hanging garments. It doesn’t come with attachments, so it’s less versatile than some competitors, but for pure performance and value, it’s hard to beat.
| Water tank capacity | 6.8 oz |
| Auto shut-off | No |
| Steam settings | 1 |
| Attachments | None |
| Cord length | 8 ft |
Pros
- Heats up in 17 seconds
- Simple controls
- More compact for easier storage
Cons
- Shorter runtime
Heats up incredibly quickly
This easy-to-use steamer heated up in just 17 seconds in our tests, making it ideal for last-minute touch-ups before work or an event. It also has straightforward controls. Just fill the tank, turn it on, and hold the trigger to steam.
Compact enough to pack or tuck away
The slim design stashes easily in a suitcase or drawer. While it’s not quite lightweight enough to beat the CHI for true travel status, it’s still easy to pack and store. The tradeoff is runtime—it lasted just over three minutes steaming continuously in our Lab tests before needing a refill, but that was still enough to steam a shirt without interruption. As a nice bonus, it comes in several colors.
| Water tank capacity | 2.3 oz |
| Auto shut-off | No |
| Steam settings | 1 |
| Attachments | None |
| Cord length | 6.5 ft |
Pros
- Slim and comfortable to hold
- Comes with drawstring travel pouch
- Steams in any direction without dripping
Cons
- Needs refilling more often
Small enough for your carry-on
This Good Housekeeping Cleaning Award winner is a Lab favorite. Slim and about the size of a flat iron, it’s comfortable to hold and easy to tuck into a suitcase, carry-on, weekender, or backpack. Perfect for travel, it helps you look polished after a flight or road trip, even when in-room ironing options are limited.
How it performs despite its compact size
Delivering solid performance, it heats up quickly, it’s simple to operate, and the tank is easy to fill. It provides about five minutes of steam per fill, so you’ll need to top it up more often than larger models, but in our tests, it smoothed even the front placket of a cotton shirt with pro-level results. We also loved that it works in any direction without dripping and includes a handy travel pouch for easy packing.
| Water tank capacity | ~2 oz |
| Auto shut-off | No |
| Steam settings | 1 |
| Attachments | None |
| Cord length | 6 ft |
Pros
- Water tank is very easy to fill
- Runs for 2 hours and 20 minutes without refilling
- Includes a rack for hanging garments while steaming
Cons
- Does not have a reel for wrapping the power cord
- Can be difficult to wheel around
Steams for hours without needing a refill
For larger dewrinkling jobs, an upright steamer can be a game-changer, and this one features a one-gallon water tank with an impressive 2 hours and 20 minutes of runtime before needing a refill.
What to know about its performance and design
In our Lab tests, it delivered a strong 25 grams of steam per minute. We liked the 4-foot pole and hanger for holding garments while steaming, and the water tank was especially easy to remove and refill, but we do wish it included a cord reel for storage. It doesn’t maneuver as easily as some other upright units we’ve tested, but it isn’t too hard to move except when you’re turning corners. Overall, its wrinkle-removal performance matches other professional models we tested, but it comes at a price that’s relatively affordable.
| Water tank capacity | 1 gallon |
| Auto shut-off | Yes |
| Steam settings | 1 |
| Attachments | Brush attachment |
| Cord length | 6 ft |
Pros
- Versatile enough to refresh fabrics and clean household surfaces
- Has a sleek design and high quality feel
- Easy to carry or maneuver on wheels
Cons
- Heats up slowly
Thoughtful details beyond wrinkle removal
When we tested the Laurastar IZZI Plus Garment Steamer in our Lab, it earned a perfect score for removing wrinkles from wool and silk and performed impressively on tougher fabrics like linen. Beyond its performance, we think it’s more beautifully and thoughtfully designed than any other steamer we’ve tried. The nozzle comes with two guards—one for refreshing textiles and upholstery and another for cleaning household surfaces. Simply switch to the appropriate guard to steam-refresh fabrics or use the steamer to help loosen dirt and grime on hard surfaces.
Its 33-ounce water tank makes it ideal for larger jobs without being too heavy to carry, and in our tests, it ran for 31 minutes before needing a refill, though it did heat up rather slowly.
Why the optional steam cart is worth considering
We also tested the steam cart (sold separately), which is well worth the investment. While not essential, the cart lets you wheel the steamer around with ease. We also appreciated all of its extra features. It folds up to save space when not in use, has a holster for the nozzle, and has an adjustable garment rack for hanging clothes while you steam them.
| Water tank capacity | 33 oz |
| Auto shut-off | Yes |
| Steam settings | 1 |
| Attachments | Textile guard and surface guard |
| Cord length | 7.6 ft |
Pros
- Pulls fabric to help keep things taut
- Performs well across fabric types
- Heats quickly and runs for about 8 minutes
Cons
- On the heavy side
Powerful suction helps smooth wrinkles with less effort
The Black+Decker VacuSteam takes a different approach to garment steaming with a built-in vacuum that pulls fabric against the steamer head, helping hold it taut without requiring you to pull on the garment with your other hand. In our Lab tests, it delivered excellent wrinkle-removal results, earning perfect scores on cotton, wool, and cotton/polyester blends. It also performed very well on silk and linen. The steamer heats up in about 30 seconds and runs for approximately eight minutes on its high steam setting.
What to know about its weight and handling
At nearly 3 pounds, the VacuSteam is heavier than some handheld steamers, and its vacuum function is fairly loud. But the tradeoff is powerful suction that helps smooth wrinkles with less effort.
| Water tank capacity | 6.7 oz |
| Auto-shutoff | Yes |
| Steam settings | 3 |
| Attachments | Cleaning brush |
| Cord length | 9.8 ft |
How we test clothes steamers
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab, we put all garment steamers through consistent tests to check heat-up time, handling, and performance. We consider design, balance, a comfortable hold, and overall footprint. We look at the size of each water tank and time how long it can run between refills. We want to be able to fill and empty it without struggles or spills.
We never lay the clothing flat to steam it, and neither should you. We test steamers vertically, on hanging garments. The drier the steam, the better. Wet steam or spits and sputters can leave fabrics wet and damaged with water spots.
To find out how hard each steam machine works, we consider how many grams of steam it pumps out per minute (the higher the number, the faster it works). Then we test each model on linen (always a true challenge), delicate silk, cotton, wool, and synthetic fabric swatches and garments we've balled up and wrinkled overnight. That includes light, heavyweight, and woven fabrics, knits, blouses, tops, pants, and jackets.
We score each fabric using an industry-standard protocol borrowed from our Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab. We also note any spitting or sputtering and test any steamer attachments.
What to look for when shopping for a clothes steamer
✔️ Water tank size: If you expect to steam often, look for a large water tank, a long cord, and a button to lock in continuous steam. If you will use the steamer occasionally or just for travel, consider a slim model that's nice and lightweight.
✔️ Run time: Do you plan to do a batch of items at once (e.g., uniforms for the week)? Select a model with a longer run time.
✔️ Design: Consider how much space you have and how often you'll use your steamer. Large, professional-style models—the kind often used by fashion stylists—offer extended steam time and are great for frequent use, but they require more storage space. If you only steam occasionally or live in a smaller home, a compact handheld model is typically the more practical choice.
✔️ Water type: Check the product's use and care guide on the brand website for details on using distilled water and cleaning mineral residue, which can clog a steamer. Most use regular tap water, but some brands recommend distilled water, especially if your tap water is extremely hard.
✔️ Safety features: Let a steamer cool off in a place away from kids and pets, then empty the water tank before storing to prevent buildup. Steamers with auto shut-off help protect you and your family.
Does a clothes steamer really work?
Yes, a good clothes steamer really does work. Steam relaxes fabric fibers to release wrinkles, making steamers a faster, easier alternative to ironing for everyday touch-ups and delicate fabrics.
Most clothes can be steamed right on the hanger, so there’s no ironing board required. Steamers are especially handy for quickly refreshing outfits before work, travel, events, or meetings, and they’re also useful for smoothing curtains, drapes, and upholstery.
They won’t give you the crisp finish of a traditional iron. Still, a quality steamer can quickly de-wrinkle clothing, freshen fabrics between washes or dry cleaning, and help remove light odors without scorching delicate materials.
Are steamers better than irons?
It depends on what you’re steaming or ironing.
- Steamers are generally better for quick touch-ups, delicate fabrics, knits, dresses, and garments with embellishments, because they relax wrinkles without pressing the fabric flat. They’re also easier to use on hanging clothes, curtains, and structured pieces like blazers.
- Irons are better for a crisp, polished finish. They use heat and pressure to flatten fabric, making them the better choice for dress shirts, pleats, creases, and heavier materials like cotton or linen.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Noah Pinsonnault is a product reviews analyst in the Home Care & Cleaning Lab, where he helps design and perform tests on various product categories. To update this article with our newest steamer recommendations, he pored over recent testing data and tried several models himself.
Jamie Ueda conducted the most recent round of steamer testing. She is a consumer products expert with over 17 years of experience in areas of product development and manufacturing. For this article, she evaluated 26 different steamers.
Jamie Ueda (she/her) is a contributing writer and analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab, where she has tested coffee and espresso machines, baking gadgets, dinnerware, ice cream makers, and other kitchen products since 2021. She has completed Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) coursework to further her expertise in coffee evaluation and brewing science.
With a background in engineering and design, she spent more than a decade developing consumer products in senior roles at both mid-sized companies and global brands before bringing that expertise to product testing and reviews. Her work has appeared in Forbes, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and USA Today.
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