The Best Clothing Steamers

I’m a senior staff writer at Wirecutter covering style and accessories. I’ve written our guides to laundry aids, women’s jeans, and white T-shirts, among others. In the process, I’ve spent a great deal of time wearing, washing, styling, and generally fussing over clothes. I’m also a type-A neatnik who considers a marathon garment-steaming session the ideal way to spend an evening in.

For this guide:

• I built on the reporting of Wirecutter textile expert Jackie Reeve, who in tested 17 steamers in 2019 for a previous version of this guide.
• To help determine which steamers to test for the 2024 update of this guide, I researched multiple online roundups and other editorial sources, and I sifted through hundreds of customer reviews.
• I personally spent over eight hours testing an additional six steamers, blasting through a household’s-worth of wrinkles in the process.
• Like all Wirecutter journalists, I review and test products with complete editorial independence. I’m never made aware of any business implications of my editorial recommendations. Read more about our editorial standards.

A steamer can be a solid addition to just about any laundry arsenal, whether you own a lot of delicate fabrics or you just need to freshen up the occasional piece.

For some people, it might even be a replacement for an iron.

While many fussier textiles can be safely washed at home, not all of them should be ironed, since an iron can scorch or crush delicate fibers. A steamer, on the other hand, is gentle enough to give fabrics like silk, velvet, wool, cashmere, and heat-sensitive synthetics a professionally polished look.

Our steamer picks also work on thicker materials, including heavier cotton fabrics (though the end result is a more casually put-together look than a crisp, pressed one). If you want to create sharp pleats or creases, an iron is the better tool.

Even if you don’t have a closetful of delicate duds, a steamer can still come in handy. It’s great for de-wrinkling curtains and drapes without having to take them down. You can use it to freshen up pillows, mattresses, and upholstery, too: Steam helps banish odors and kill germs, dust mites, and even bed bugs.

For this guide, we tested three basic types of steamers:

• Travel-size models: The biggest draw of travel-size steamers is their portability; they are lightweight, portable, and usually inexpensive. They’re typically less powerful, and they only hold a few ounces of water, so they’re best for packing in a suitcase or for small jobs.
• Midsize models: A good choice for moderate to regular household use, midsize handheld steamers offer a good balance of steaming power, tank capacity, and convenience. Keep in mind that these models tend to feel heavy after several minutes of use.
• Floor-standing models: These pro-style models have large water tanks (on wheels), enabling extended sessions without running dry. And their lightweight steam heads make them far more comfortable than handheld steamers to use for longer stretches. But they take up lots of storage space, and they’re pricey. So they’re worth it only if you do a lot of steaming, or if you find handheld steamers too onerous.

In 2019, senior staff writer Jackie Reeve tested 17 steamer models, and in 2024, I tested another six.

We tried each steamer on a variety of items, including silk dresses, button-up shirts, cotton sheets, and heavy drapes, using them vertically (on clothes hung from hangers) and horizontally (on garments laid flat). We also measured the lengths of the steamers’ extension cords, the capacities of their water tanks, and their weights when filled.

Throughout, we focused on finding steamers that could meet the following criteria:

Effective: We looked for steamers that could quickly banish wrinkles with strong, targeted bursts of hot steam. Models that have metal or ceramic soleplates are especially nice, since they can be used like an iron to flatten heavier wrinkles.

Non-leaking: A wet spot can spoil a delicate fabric. More seriously, dribbling water is a safety hazard with a plugged-in appliance—and steamers that spit boiling water may cause burns. We looked for steamers that didn’t leak or sputter, no matter which way we held them (horizontally or vertically).

Comfortable to use: We favored models that are relatively lightweight (midsize handheld steamers, in particular, tend to feel heavy pretty fast). We also wanted steamers that are comfortable to hold and don’t get too hot to the touch. And we preferred models that can be used vertically and horizontally, since some people find it easier to steam on a flat surface. We also looked for steamers that have longer power cords, which are helpful if you’re tall or far from an outlet.

Intuitive: All of our picks have simple, easy-to-understand controls. We also liked steamers that could be put on standby mode, conserving steam and reducing the likelihood of accidental burns.

Well-designed water tanks: Bigger water tanks mean longer steam times and less-frequent refills. We additionally considered how easy each water tank was to fill and whether it was detachable (allowing for easier refills).

Warranty protection: There are no guarantees in the steaming game; even the best steamers conk out. (Tip: Unless the instruction manual specifies otherwise, use distilled water in your steamer to extend its lifespan.) We considered models with solid warranties only.

The Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Handheld Fabric Steamer (GS59X) is one smooth operator. Our favorite everyday steamer, it’s the most efficient and effective midsize handheld model we’ve found. It heats up quickly, vanquishes wrinkles with five steam settings (and an iron-like soleplate), and leaves no evidence (like wet spots) behind. Plus, this workhorse is more pleasant to hold than many other midsize steamers—it doesn’t feel too heavy—and it can be used horizontally or vertically.

Note: In previous versions of this guide, our top pick was the Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Handheld Fabric Steamer (GS38R). The models are very similar, but the Conair GS59X is a bit more powerful and adjustable, giving it the edge. Still, if the GS59X is not available, the GS38R is a nice option.

It’s a smoothing powerhouse. The Conair GS59X steamer is the fastest, most powerful midsize steamer we’ve tested, offering the highest wattage (1875 watts) by far. Higher wattage translates to quicker heating time—it takes just 40 seconds for the unit to heat up (a light indicates when it’s ready to use). It also translates to hotter, stronger steam, which is evenly distributed via two long openings. (Conair claims that if used correctly, this steamer can kill bedbugs and dust mites on fabric, as well as 99.9% of bacteria.)

I used the Conair GS59X in a vertical position to steam hanging garments; it melted wrinkles out of a silk dress in under a minute. On a heavyweight cotton button-up, it worked better horizontally. Its ceramic-coated aluminum soleplate (the smooth, heat-conductive surface of the steam head, which can glide over fabric like an iron) flattened the stubborn folds at the bottom hem. Either way, the steamer didn’t spit or splutter like many others.

It’s comfortable to hold and user-friendly. This steamer is comfortable to grip, and in testing, no part of the device—aside from the soleplate, don’t touch this!—ever felt too hot. Its generous, approximately 9-foot cord allows for plenty of mobility during steaming, and this was especially helpful when tackling tall curtains.

Weighing about 2.75 pounds when the water tank is full, the Conair steamer is on the lighter side for a midsize model. (We tested steamers in this category ranging from 2 pounds up to a whopping 5.) Even with this steamer’s relatively modest weight, it will begin to feel like a workout if you’re using it for a long time—as would be the case with any handheld steamer. (If you’re a regular steaming marathoner, our pro-level pick, the floor-standing Reliable Vivio 500 GC Professional Garment Steamer, might be a better fit.)

Luckily, the Conair steamer makes quick work of wrinkles. When you need a break, it stands stably on its own, and it can be put on standby mode, stopping the steam with the press of a button. (This not only saves water but also helps to prevent accidental burns.)

It’s especially versatile. With five steam settings—the different levels of intensity suit a range of fabrics—the Conair steamer is the most adjustable midsize model we tested. On its lowest setting, it pampers fine silk with a gentle mist; at full steam, it wrestles heavy creases from denim and thick flannel.

The steamer comes with a three-in-one attachment; it’s moderately useful, though not necessary. It includes a silicone bar for pulling fabrics taut, a spacer for protecting fragile textiles and trims, and a bristle brush that helps steam penetrate thicker materials. There’s also a clip-style creaser tool built into the steamer head, but it’s fiddly and awkward to use, and it didn’t provide great results. (If you have your heart set on sharp pleats, you’re better off with one of the picks from our guide to the best irons.)

Its water tank isn’t big, but it gets the job done. The water tank on this steamer has a 7.3-ounce capacity, which is relatively small for a midsize steamer. Nevertheless, it produced about 15 minutes of continuous steam with the unit on the second-highest setting—enough to de-rumple a dress, a jacket, a pair of slacks, and three heavily wrinkled cotton button-downs, with water to spare. (With the unit on the lowest setting, the tank provides about 20 minutes of consecutive steaming time.)

If you do run out of water mid-job, it’s no biggie. Just unplug the steamer (for safety), slide out the tank to refill it, and click it back into place.

One gripe: The hole on the top of the tank is too small—about the size of an M&M—so it’s challenging to fill from a gallon jug of distilled water. (Distilled water prevents mineral build-up and is recommended for most steamers.) Using a funnel can help achieve a precise pour (and prevent spills), but it’s a hassle.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• The Conair steamer has the shortest warranty period (one year) of our picks; that said, it’s pretty standard for a midsize model.
• Though it’s relatively light for a midsize steamer (2.75 pounds when full), some people may find that it’s too heavy for prolonged use.
• Compared with other midsize steamers, the Conair steamer has a smaller-than-average water tank (7.3 ounces). But it still produced 15 to 20 minutes of steam in testing (and it worked faster than the competition, too).
• The water tank has a small opening, making it tricky to fill from a 1-gallon jug of distilled water.

Specs

• Weight: 2.75 pounds with a full water tank
• Dimensions: 8 by 5.6 by 13.6 inches (LWH)
• Water-tank capacity: 7.3 ounces
• Steaming time: 15 to 20 minutes (per tank), depending on setting
• Cord length: 9 feet
• Warranty: one year

Compact, travel-size steamers aren’t the most impressive examples of modern engineering. Almost every one we’ve tested has been a weak, leaky dud. But the Beautural Portable Clothes Steamer is the exception. Although it’s not as powerful or adjustable as our other two steamer picks, it manages to tick the hoped-for boxes in this category: It’s lightweight, portable, and reasonably priced, and it handily tackles smaller jobs. It even has a heat-conductive soleplate, so you can use it like a mini-iron in a pinch. And it works horizontally as well as vertically—a hard-to-find quality in a travel-size steamer.

It’s extremely packable. Similar in shape to a travel hair dryer, the Beautural steamer has a steam nozzle that folds down to make the unit a compact 8.5 by 3 by 5 inches. It’s also one of the lightest steamers we found, weighing just 1.3 pounds when the water tank is empty (and 1.5 pounds when full).

There are trade-offs. The small (5-ounce) tank produces only nine minutes of steam—enough to get through a couple of outfits—before needing a refill, so it’s not well suited for bigger jobs. Luckily, the water tank is removable (the Beautural steamer is the only travel-size model we tested that had this feature), so mid-job refills are much easier.

Take note that the Beautural steamer is not dual voltage; it’s suitable only for use in 120 V outlets (uncommon in countries outside of North America).

It’s surprisingly effective. It takes just 30 seconds for this 1000-watt steamer to warm up; an indicator light on top of the steam nozzle switches off when the unit is ready. The Beautural steamer emits strong, steady clouds of steam that melt through wrinkles on light- and mid-weight fabrics. It’s less impressive than our other (larger, pricier) picks—the steam isn’t as targeted or powerful, and it takes longer to relax set-in wrinkles. But its performance is unexpectedly smooth.

This steamer also has a wide, heat-conductive ceramic soleplate (unusual for a travel-size model), which can be used like a steam iron to press wrinkles out of heavier fabrics. Compared with the soleplate on our Conair pick, this one is not as effective at flattening the most stubborn creases, but it effortlessly smoothed wrinkles out of cotton bedsheets.

It’s comfortable to use. Thanks to the Beautural steamer’s light weight, it’s a breeze to handle (no “arm day” vibes here). Its small, hair dryer–like design makes it comfy to hold and easy to maneuver—I was able to reach all areas of my hanging and laid-flat garments without a fuss. And its relatively long, 8-foot cord provides adequate mobility.

It’s leak- and spill-proof, even when rotated 360 degrees. Every other travel-size steamer I tested hissed, sputtered, and spilled water. The Beautural steamer didn’t leak one bit, no matter which way it was being held, so it’s possible to steam up, down, and sideways.

It has a button you have to keep pressed to create steam. The Beautural steamer won’t produce steam unless you continuously press a button on its handle. Some people might like this feature; taking your finger off the button effectively puts the steamer into standby mode, saving water (and refill trips). It can also prevent accidental burns, since the steamer will never be left running—and you can place it on its side during breaks.

But keeping the button pressed as you’re steaming does require a bit of manual strength and dexterity, so some may find this challenging or just plain annoying.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• The Beautural steamer’s small, 5-ounce water tank provides only nine minutes of continuous steam—enough to get through a couple of outfits.
• It works only in 120 V outlets (a bummer for a travel steamer).
• This steamer can’t match the de-wrinkling prowess of our other picks. But it handily bested other travel-size competitors.
• To produce steam, you must continuously hold down a button, which requires some manual strength/dexterity.

Specs

• Weight: 1.5 pounds with a full tank
• Dimensions: 6.7 by 3 by 9 inches (LWH, unfolded); 8.5 by 3 by 5 inches (LWH, folded)
• Water-tank capacity: 5 ounces
• Steam time: nine minutes (per tank)
• Cord length: 8 feet
• Warranty: two years

Heavy-duty steaming (that is, steaming that involves particularly lengthy or frequent sessions) calls for equally serious equipment. The Reliable Vivio 500 GC Professional Garment Steamer is just that: a pricey, pro-quality floor-standing steamer that’s capable of turning a slog into a much-more-enjoyable ritual. This steamer’s lightweight head—attached to a flexible hose—is comfortable to use for long periods of time, and its 1-gallon water tank makes running out of steam all but impossible. Given its steep price and large size, the Reliable steamer is best suited for folks who are committed to the steaming lifestyle.

Note: This steamer is covered by a three-year warranty—the longest of any of our picks; this is a nice safety net, considering the hefty price tag.

It’s large and in charge. Standing nearly 6 feet tall and weighing over 21 pounds when the water tank is full, the Reliable steamer is no lightweight. Thankfully, its wheeled base (which houses the large water tank and 1,300-watt brass heating element) rolls smoothly over hard floors.

As with all floor-standing models, with the Reliable model, steam flows from the tank through a vacuum-like hose, emerging from a steam head. When it’s not in use, the head rests atop an attached aluminum pole, which is equipped with a hook for a removable clothes hanger.

This steamer requires a bit more first-time assembly than other floor-standing models we tested—it took about 10 minutes (and a screwdriver) to put together. And due to its size, it’s more of a challenge to store than our other picks.

It’s a dream to steam with. There’s a reason this is the steamer we keep at Wirecutter headquarters, relying on it to spiff up garments and textiles for our photo shoots. The Reliable steamer makes it possible to hum through nearly 20 pairs of jeans in one go—without breaking a sweat.

The steamer head, attached to a flexible, fabric-covered hose, is easy to maneuver and comfortable to hold. And it’s notably light: It weighs under half a pound, compared with the 2- to 5-pound weights of most handheld steamers. (The difference adds up fast when your arm is raised.) And the unit’s built-in hanger hook keeps clothing steady and well positioned.

The Reliable steamer’s 7.4-foot power cord is shorter than those on our other picks, but it’s never hindered us. (A long cord is less important on a floor-standing steamer, since it has a long hose and built-in hanger.)

It de-wrinkles without dripping. The Reliable steamer heats up in about 90 seconds and delivers a steady flow of steam. It’s just as quick and effective as our main Conair steamer pick at releasing most wrinkles, and it takes a lot less muscle to do the same job.

You can’t adjust the intensity of the steam—it’s invariably strong—but it’s never damaged a delicate item. And it was the only floor-standing steamer we tested that didn’t spit any water, whether used vertically (on hanging garments) or horizontally (on items laid flat).

This steamer comes with a bristle attachment, for helping steam to penetrate thicker fibers; gentle brushing also protects the nap (or raised surface) of fabrics like corduroy and velvet. In testing, we found the brush useful for heavier materials, but after about a year, we noticed that the bristles on ours had curled and warped (likely from exposure to high heat).

Unlike our other two picks, this steamer does not have a heat-conductive soleplate that works like an iron on extra-tough wrinkles. The Reliable steamer’s PVC (polyvinyl chloride) head can be placed directly on fabrics to gently smooth them, but the plastic doesn’t get as hot as a ceramic or metal soleplate, so it won’t deliver the same crisply pressed effect.

If this ironing feature is important to you, the Reliable Vivio 550GC is a similar model that comes with a heat-conductive aluminum steam head (it’s around $20 more).

Its water tank seems bottomless. The Reliable steamer’s gallon-size water tank is the largest of any steamer model we’ve ever tested; it can produce about two hours of continuous steam.

The tank has a screw-on cap and wide opening that’s easy to refill, whether from a faucet or a 1-gallon jug of distilled water. (Distilled water is recommended for most steamers, to prevent mineral build-up.) There’s no need to change the tank after each use, so once the Reliable steamer is filled up, it’s quick to wheel out and get to work.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• It’s pricey.
• It’s large and requires storage space.
• Some assembly (and a screwdriver) is required for first-time setup.
• Unlike our other two picks, this steamer doesn’t have a heat-conductive soleplate that works like an iron; Reliable does make a similar model with that feature, for $20 more.

Specs

• Weight: 22 pounds with full tank
• Dimensions: 16.5 by 11.5 by 70 inches (LWH)
• Water-tank capacity: 1 gallon
• Steaming time: two hours (per tank)
• Cord Length: 7.4 feet
• Warranty: three years

If you want a terrific everyday handheld steamer (and our top pick is out of stock): The Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Handheld Fabric Steamer (GS38R), a former pick in this guide, is extremely similar—in both looks and functionality—to our current pick, the Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam GS59X. Both midsize models are comfortable to operate, heat up in under a minute, produce strong blasts of hot steam, and can be held horizontally or vertically without any spills. There are a few differences. The 1550-watt GS38R isn’t as powerful as our 1875-watt pick, so it’s not quite as efficient at de-wrinkling. Its soleplate is aluminum (rather than ceramic-coated), and it has one long slit for dispensing steam, compared with two on the GS59X steamer. And our pick has five steam settings, but this model has two, so you can’t dial the steam way down for the most delicate fabrics. Still, if the GS59X is unavailable, or if you see a particularly great deal on the GS38R, it’s a solid option.

This is not a comprehensive list of everything we tested in previous iterations of this guide, just what’s still available.

Midsize handheld steamers

The Beautural 1200-Watt Steamer for Clothes smoothed wrinkles on thin silk but struggled with thicker cotton, and it spit some water onto fabrics.

We had to push the power button several times to get the Black+Decker Advanced Handheld Steamer (HGS200) to work, and it was the slowest steamer to heat up in testing. It didn’t produce much steam, and it made alarming noises, so we unplugged it after a few minutes.

At first, we really liked the sleek Electrolux Portable Handheld Garment Steamer. It’s well balanced, it de-wrinkles stuff quickly, and its large (10-ounce) water tank is easy to fill. Unfortunately, the steamer head—which touches your hand as you’re holding the unit—is not well insulated, and it got so uncomfortably hot that we were concerned about whether it was safe.

The Sunbeam Power Steam Handheld Steamer was notably light and comfortable (just 2 pounds when the water tank is full). But it produced inconsistent steam, and it leaked when we used it horizontally.

In past years, we tested and dismissed other handheld steamers, including the Jiffy Esteam Personal Hand Held Steamer.

Travel-size steamers

The Conair CompleteSteam Hand Held Fabric Steamer (GS2X) leaked when it was turned horizontally. The HiLife Steamer for Clothes and the URPOWER Handheld Garment Steamer are not designed for horizontal use, but they leaked when we operated them vertically. Pass.

The much-hyped Nori Press—a steamer/iron combo that looks like a giant hair straightener—is certainly pretty. Alas, as we discovered, it’s uncomfortable to use and poorly designed for its purpose. Plus, the water tank is comically tiny, so frequent refills are required—and it spat water.

In previous years we also tested and dismissed other travel steamers, including the Conair Travel Smart and the Pure Enrichment PureSteam Portable Fabric Steamer.

Floor-standing steamers

Our previous floor-standing steamer pick, the J-2000 Jiffy Garment Steamer, has a simple design that made it intuitive to use, and it emitted strong steam. Sadly, when we tried to roll the Jiffy’s stiff wheels across the floor, water poured out of the base, dousing the cord and plug.

The Pure Enrichment Pure Steam XL Standing Steamer costs under $100; too bad it had a small water tank and spat water. The PurSteam Full Size Garment Fabric Steamer (which has a dial to control the force of the steam—a nice, rare feature) leaked on our fabrics, and its hose felt stiff until it warmed up.

In previous years, we tested and dismissed other floor-standing steamers, including the Conair Ultimate Fabric Steamer (GS28) and the Steamfast SF-510 Fabric Steamer.

This article was edited by Ingela Ratledge Amundson and Jennifer Hunter. Jackie Reeve wrote an earlier version of this article.