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Wrinkles don't stand a chance against these handheld and professional picks. Fabric Steamer Machine
If your laundry room doesn't yet have a clothing steamer, you're missing out. Sure, you'll still want to stock a traditional steam iron and ironing board, but a garment steamer is an incredibly handy tool for quickly getting rid of wrinkles or refreshing fabrics, not to mention an effortless alternative to conventional ironing for items that are hard to press iron or delicate fabrics like flowing skirts, silky blouses and suit jackets. Beyond clothing, they can spruce up many items around the house such as bed skirts, draperies and window treatments, pillowcases and more.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we've tested hundreds of laundry-related items such as irons, ironing boards, washers, dryers and more — including clothes steamers. When we test garment steamers, we use them on a variety of fabrics, including natural and synthetic fibers, to evaluate attributes like efficiency, heat-up time, ease of use and overall value.
Read more about how we test clothes steamers, how to choose the best clothes steamer and commonly asked questions at the end of this guide. Looking for more convenient ways to remove wrinkles from clothing? Check out our guide to the best cordless irons — perfect for on-the-go steaming.
This Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Handheld Garment Steamer holds our Good Housekeeping Seal for a reason. It's one of the best wrinkle removers we've tested. Our experts liked the two steam slots, a ceramic faceplate for a smoother glide and five steam settings — from delicate to turbo — to cater to any fabric need. Once it starts pumping, the steam comes out continuously, so there are no extra buttons to press.
We were especially impressed with how well it worked on heavy cotton pants, unlike some other steamers that won't work well on thicker fabrics. The nine-foot cord also allowed us to maneuver around the garment without running out of cord. The Conair includes a three-in-one attachment to lift fibers, protect delicates and pull fabrics taut for better results, along with a built-in creaser to help achieve sharp pleats. Be aware, its large head may make it more difficult to store than steamers sporting a slimmer design. An easy drawback to look past, if you ask us.
The Conair CompleteSteam Fabric Steamer is simple in design with just an on/off button and ready light, but it gets the job done and does it well. Although it doesn't have extra attachments — such as a built-in creaser like our best overall pick — when we tested this Conair steamer, it needed just a little over a minute to heat up and we got a solid 10 minutes of continuous steaming time.
The CompleteSteam clothes steamer is lightweight, weighing in at about 1.6 pounds, and compact (just 9.5 inches tall), so it's easy to store and tote anywhere around the house. To fill, just unscrew the nozzle. Plus, its low price makes it perfect for anyone who wants a no-frills model or is new to steaming — a.k.a. your 19-year-old who just went off to college. While you won't be able to adjust the steam, the continuous steam it pumps out is ample enough to get the job done.
You can steam way more than just clothing with the Black + Decker Advanced Garment Steamer. The extra-long cord (15 feet!) makes it simple to reach high-up places like curtains and bed skirts that may be far from an outlet. Our experts also appreciate that it automatically shuts off after 15 minutes and stands upright, so if you happen to walk away and forget about it safety won't be of concern.
This garment steamer comes with attachments designed for upholstery, delicate fabrics and lint removal, and we found the ability to lock it into continuous steam especially helpful for large tasks like draperies, mattresses and furniture. Our only wish? Lab pros say storage would be much easier if that long cord retracted.
This powerful garment steamer features a wide plate that doubles as an iron — dry or with steam — giving you more bang for your buck. It also features four steam settings to accommodate different fabrics, from delicates to more stubborn textiles. During testing, we were able to restore a wrinkled duvet cover right on the bed.
We love that it can be used vertically and horizontally without dripping and combines the benefits of an iron and a steamer. According to the brand, the 8.5-ounce water tank provides 10 minutes of continuous steam and heats up in under 10 seconds, promises that were all supported in our testing. At 8.50 x 6.13 x 13.63 inches, it's on the larger side for a handheld, so you'll likely not travel with it. Still, this clothes steamer is great for home use. In fact, it was a winner in our 2021 Good Housekeeping Cleaning Awards.
With nearly 64,000 5-star Amazon reviews, it's safe to say that the Hilife Garment Steamer is a consumer favorite. Simply remove the nozzle to fill the steamer at your tap, plug it in and turn it on. Just like a tea kettle, the water inside comes to a boil and pumps steam out through the vent holes. According to the brand, it gives 15 minutes of continuous steaming and has a relatively generous nine-foot power cord.
We like the large see-through water tank — there's no excuse if you run out mid-steam — and long cord. Plus, this basic model comes with a fabric brush and water refill cup, both of which are nice-to-haves. There aren't many negative reviews and we haven't tested this model, but a few users complained it was leaky.
Our pros find the Rowenta irons perform consistently well, which is why we included this X-Cel, an updated model of a previously tested Rowenta that did a great job removing wrinkles and produced lots of steam.
The 9.8-foot cord allows for easy movement while steaming. According to the brand, the X-Cel steamer is ready to go in 40 seconds, produces 26 grams of steam per minute and has a 6.4-ounce water tank for long steaming sessions. This steamer is on the larger side at 4.53 x 5.71 x 10.83 inches, so you likely won't be packing it in your suitcase, but we appreciate that it's still compact enough for easy portability at home.
This Good Housekeeping Cleaning Award-winner is a Lab favorite. The slim steamer is comfortable to hold and about the size of a flat iron. You'll have no trouble tucking it into your suitcase — even a small carry-on, weekender or backpack — for a trip, ideal when you don't know what kind of in-room amenities your accommodation will have on offer.
And, despite its size, Lab pros say performance is solid. It heats up quickly, is easy to fill and is simple to use. It pumps out five minutes of steam at the push of a button, so it will need to be refilled more often than other clothes steamers. During testing, we got pro results even on the front placket of a cotton shirt. It works in any direction without dripping and comes with a travel case.
This garment steamer doesn't have fancy bells, whistles or attachments, but ask any stylist and they'll tell you that's not necessarily the most important thing when choosing the best garment steamer. What you do get is much more important to the pros: 90 minutes of gentle, continuous steam from its 3/4 gallon water tank. You'll spot it in just about any fashion magazine closet or on any fashion photoshoot, because it's a classic workhorse that performs without fail.
We have used it many times in the Good Housekeeping Cleaning Lab and have always considered it the gold standard of upright garment steamers with a stand. It shuts off automatically for safety and is on swivel casters for easy movement. This Jiffy steamer comes backed by a three-year warranty, too. Though it may be obvious just by looking at this steamer: Because of its size and pole length, it may be a bit challenging to store.
The slim shape of this classic Jiffy Steamer Esteam Handheld Steamer makes it easy to tuck into even the smallest drawers. And, thanks to its flat base, it stands upright on surfaces in between passes.
In our tests, this small but mighty garment steamer produced a good amount of continuous steam from its large water tank, despite being lighter than other brands with similar capacities. According to the brand, the garment steamer can produce 15 minutes of continuous steam. You won't find accessories, but even with such a small size, it has a nine-foot power cord. The model also comes in pastel pink if you prefer a pop of color.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab tests all garment steamers for efficiency, heat-up time and ease of use. Our experts also look at other factors like balance, comfort when holding the steamers, water tank capacity and overall footprint, just to name a few.
Lab pros start by assessing how each clothes steamer feels in hand — is it balanced and comfortable to hold? They then assess the capacity of each steamer. How big is the water tank? How quickly does the water evaporate? How easy is it to see the level of the water? And can it be filled and emptied with relative ease — without spilling water in the process? We also time how quickly the appliance heats up, how long it runs and how many grams per minute of steam it pumps out.
Then, we take each garment steamer to task on linen, silk, cotton, wool and synthetic fabric swatches and garments we've balled up and wrinkled overnight. We time how long it takes to de-crease each item and then score each fabric for smoothness using an industry standard protocol borrowed from our GH Textiles Lab. We note any spitting or sputtering and test any attachments included with the steamer.
Not sure how to choose a good clothes steamer? Consider the following attributes when shopping:
✔️ Frequency of use. If you'll be using your garment steamer frequently look for more features — like a large water tank, long cord and a button to lock in continuous steaming. If you'll only use it occasionally or just for travel, consider a slim one that's nice and lightweight.
✔️ Continuous steam time. If you'll be steaming a lot of items or for a long time you'll want a clothes steamer that has a longer run time. Check the steam time to make sure it'll match up to the jobs at hand.
✔️ Storage. Think about how much storage space you can afford to spare. If you only have a small space to store it, you'll want to invest in a smaller one.
✔️ Water type. Be sure to check the website for any recommendations about using distilled water and for cleaning instructions to get rid of any mineral residue which will keep the clothes steamer from clogging. Most use regular tap water, but in some cases distilled water is recommended, especially if your tap water is extremely hard.
✔️ Safety. Keep in mind that you'll want to let a steamer cool in a safe place away from kids and pets, and empty the tank before storing. Steamers that automatically shut off when not in use add an extra measure of safety in homes with young children and pets.
If you're thinking about purchasing a garment steamer you may be wondering if it's worth purchasing over an iron, or worth it in addition to an iron. A clothes steamer is a great way to get rid of wrinkles without having to lug out an ironing board and iron. They make freshening clothing on-the-go especially easy, as most garments can be steamed directly on the hanger. It also makes steaming curtains or drapes easier, since you don't have to take them off the rod.
In addition, if space is a concern, a steamer takes up less storage space than an ironing board. In many cases, they can also save a trip to the dry cleaners by giving your clothes a quick refresh, though it won't completely replace dry cleaning.
Use a garment steamer to kill bacteria and dust mites near the surface and help remove odors from difficult-to-clean items, like mattresses, throw pillows, stuffed toys and upholstery. Finally, a garment steamer is the easiest way to de-wrinkle sheer, delicate and embellished fabrics and garments without damaging them.
For some — but not all — de-wrinkling jobs, a steamer is a better choice than a steam iron. Garment steamers pump out soft billows of steam that pass through fabrics and delicate fibers to allow wrinkles to fall out as you gently tug on the bottom of the shirt or blouse. Irons, on the other hand, use moisture, heat, steam and pressure to smooth and flatten fabrics and remove wrinkles as you press against the board. Steamers are better suited for use on items decorated with sequins and beads and tailored garments, like jackets, that are difficult to lay out flat on an ironing board. Finally, use a steamer on any item where you don't want a pressed look or sharp creases, like knit sweaters or dresses.
Jamie (Kim) Ueda is a contributing writer and analyst for the Good Housekeeping Institute where she covers topics pertaining to cleaning, kitchen and home improvement products. She has over 17 years of experience in areas of product development and manufacturing, and has held leading roles at both mid-size consumer goods companies and one of the most notable and largest apparel brands in the world
Carolyn Forté, the Home Care & Cleaning Lab Executive Director, has a B.A. in Family & Consumer Sciences from Queens College, City University of New York, and is a consumer products expert. She has been testing, speaking and writing about appliances, textiles, cleaning products and more at Good Housekeeping for more than 40 years as well as consulting with the appliance industry, especially washing machine manufacturers, about appliance testing protocols and consumer laundry habits.
Jamie Kim is a consumer products expert with over 17 years of experience in areas of product development and manufacturing. She has held leading roles at both mid-size consumer goods companies and one of the most notable and largest apparel brands in the world. Jamie has contributed to several of the GH Institute Labs, including Kitchen Appliances, Media and Tech, Textiles and Home Appliances. In her free time she enjoys cooking, traveling, and working out.
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
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