best travel clothes steamer 2022

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The 8 Best Travel Steamers to Keep You Looking Stylish on the Road

A compact clothing steamer can be a lifesaver on the road — here are our favorites.

In This Article

• Our Top Picks
• Tips for Buying

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why Trust T+L

Travel + Leisure / Brian Kopinski

Despite our best efforts, packing for a trip often means arriving at a destination with wrinkled and creased clothing. And although many hotel rooms come equipped with an old-school ironing board, it can be a huge pain to unfold the clunky equipment and physically iron everything on arrival. Worse still, if your room doesn’t have an ironing board, paying to have the hotel press and steam individual garments quickly adds up.

Thankfully, portable handheld steamers make it easy and affordable to ensure you'll always look your best while traveling. The compact steamers tend to weigh about a pound or two and can easily fit into a carry-on bag or suitcase. Whether you prefer straight steaming, or would like a multi-purpose tool that irons as well, our list includes plenty of standout options for travelers of all types.

Best Overall

Nesugar g3 steamer.

It's sleek and stylish, so you won't mind this sitting on your bathroom counter for frequent use.

The water reservoir is quite small, so it needs to be refilled if you're steaming multiple garments in a row.

For a sleek steamer that truly looks like a high-end travel accessory, we love the compact Nesugar G3 Steamer. It comes with a soft bag to protect it while traveling and takes up no more room than a standard hair iron; plus, it's very lightweight at less than one pound. While it may be small, this steamer is also very powerful and heats up in just about 15 seconds. We used this to steam everything from silk to linen and there was no damage to any garments and, more importantly, it’s actually powerful enough to quicky get wrinkles out of pieces that had been stored away in packing cubes for days.

The Details: 2.6 x 1.65 x 9.1 inches | 0.75 pounds | 15 seconds to heat | 70 milliliters | 900 watts

Longest Cord

Hilife steamer.

This budget-friendly steamer is portable, yet it comes with an especially large water tank for efficiency.

This option is not cordless.

Travel steamers are significantly smaller than traditional stationary steamers which can sometimes mean the water tank is inconveniently small — but that’s not the case with the Hilife Travel Steamer for Clothes. This portable steamer offers a large, 240-milliliter tank with a total run time of 15 minutes before needing to be refilled (which is likely more than enough time to steam your garments for the day ahead). And, although this option isn’t cordless, it does have a nine-foot cord that will allow you to press your items without needing to be right next to a power outlet.

The Details: 6.8 x 5.5 x 7 inches | 1.8 pounds | 240 milliliters | 700 watts

Travel + Leisure / Alexander Huang

Best Splurge

Nesugar steamer for clothes.

The steamer's nozzle can rotate 90-degrees, so you can direct the steam where you need it.

There’s only one setting, so you can't adjust temperature or steam amount.

Just slightly larger than the Nesugar G3, this steamer is another powerful choice for any traveler. Simply fill the 70-milliliter reservoir with water and 15 seconds later it's ready to steam. What sets this steamer apart is the 90-degree rotating nozzle that allows you to direct your steam in a vertical or horizontal direction without spilling water all over your garment. It also includes a wall mount bracket, so you can store it easily when not in use, and a soft bag to pack it away while traveling.

The Details: 3.1 x 1.65 x 8.9 inches | 0.8 pounds | 15 seconds to heat | 70 milliliters | 900 watts

Best Budget

Bear travel steamer.

This affordable steamer comes with a handful of attachments and features a chic, gold-rimmed design.

The cord is only six feet long.

We love the look of this steamer — the modern design and gold-rimmed finish give it a look that is much more sophisticated than any garment steamer has the right to be. But the Bear Travel Steamer’s looks aren’t the only reason we love it. The budget-friendly price point and small size make this option great for travelers who rely on a carry-on bag only.

This option heats up in 10 seconds and has a run time of about 10 minutes. The only issue is that it has a tank capacity of just 120 milliliters, which is a bit inconvenient if you’re hoping to steam multiple garments at once.

The Details: 8.31 x 5.91 x 2.99 inches | 1.45 pounds | 10 seconds to heat | 120 milliliters | 1,000 watts

Best Iron/Steamer Combo

Nori the nori press.

This high-end option allows for casual steaming and more crisp, pressed lines thanks to steaming and ironing capabilities.

It’s the most expensive option on our list.

Nope, this gadget isn’t a hair straightener. Nori’s unique iron/steamer combination makes it super simple to look put-together on the go — even after multiple days of travel. The clamp-enabled press can create sharp collars and sleeves, but instead of simply ironing, it also has a built-in steaming system that allows for quick and easy pressing on the go. It’s extremely compact and easy to pack, and although the tank is only 29 milliliters in size, the Nori Press still offers continuous steam for up to 10 minutes at a time.

The Details: 14 x 5.79 x 3.11 inches | 1.4 pounds | 3 minutes to heat | 29 milliliters

Most Compact

Polardo hand held portable travel garment steamer.

This lightweight steamer only weighs a little over a pound, which makes it great for tossing in your carry-on.

It’s extremely small and might be tedious to steam lots of garments with.

The idea of fitting a garment steamer into a tiny or already overstuffed bag might seem impossible, but the Polardo Hand Held Portable Travel Garment Steamer was truly designed to be as compact as possible. The ultra-lightweight steamer weighs a little over a pound and the compact size is about the same as a bottle of shampoo. We also love that this product heats up in just 25 seconds, effectively eliminating the waiting time that's usually associated with high-end steamers.

The Details: 7.7 x 3.4 x 3.4 inches | 1.2 pounds | 25 seconds to heat | 118 milliliters | 120 volts

Best Ergonomic

Electrolux garment steamer.

This option might be a little clunky, but the ergonomic handle makes it by far the most comfortable to use.

The large size isn’t the best for fitting in a carry-on bag.

If you prefer convenience (and tend to pack in a checked suitcase) this steamer might be the best option for you. The Electrolux Portable Handheld Garment and Fabric Steamer isn’t particularly compact or lightweight, but it does offer the best steaming action and largest tank capacity on the list. We particularly love this option because of the ergonomic design that makes it easy to both grip and manipulate while steaming all kinds of garments. We also love that the Electrolux heats up in just 30 seconds for fast and efficient steaming.

The Details: 12.4 x 7.1 x 7.1 inches | 4.02 pounds | 30 seconds to heat | 300 milliliters | 1,500 watts

Best for Thick Fabrics

Conair extremesteam hand-held fabric steamer.

This high-end steamer is ultra-efficient and powerful enough for thick fabrics like wool or denim.

The steam flow isn’t always consistent and can sometimes spit water.

The Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Hand Held Fabric Steamer is your best option if you want a product that can handle thick fabrics like wool, but also provide gentle steaming for items made of silk or chiffon. The “ExtremeSteam” technology also kills up to 99.9 percent of germs through steaming alone which makes it very appealing for getting off all the nasties that cling to your clothing after a full day of traveling or sightseeing. This option boasts a tank capacity of 215 milliliters which provides an excellent run time of 15 minutes.

The Details: 5.6 x 8 x 13.6 inches | 7.3 ounces | 40 seconds to heat | 215 milliliters | 1,875 watts

Tips for Buying a Travel Steamer

Prioritize portability.

Having a large steamer is great for efficiency, but it won’t do you much good if you aren’t able to comfortably fit it in your carry-on or checked suitcase. If you want something you can genuinely bring with you on each and every trip, you’ll want to opt for a small, handheld one that can easily fit in baggage of all sizes. Most handheld steamers should fit the bill, but make sure to read the dimensions to ensure you’re getting something compact and portable.

Look for extra features and attachments

It’s wise to purchase something with bonus features that can be used on various trips. There are some steamers that come with attachments that allow them to function as an iron for when you need a crisp press, while others allow you to steam thicker materials like wool or corduroy, too.

Steamers can be a faster and more eco-friendly alternative to ironing. According to Brian Jones, product and travel expert at Best in Edmonton, a steamer can be used instead of an iron to eliminate creases from garments, especially in delicate fabrics that cannot be ironed (such as silk, wool, and pleated goods). However, you’ll want to note that steaming your clothes may produce a smooth, casual finish rather than the crisp, pressured gloss of ironing.

Yes, it does work to clean your clothes if you're in a pinch. “Running the steamer removes odors and perspiration residue from garments, and helps to remove creases from goods that aren't best suited to laundering or dry cleanings, such as silks, vintage items, pieces with leather ornamentation, and other specific materials,” Jones explains.

The easiest steamers to use should have a large water tank, steady bursts of steam, and a comfortable grip that will allow you to get into nooks and crannies without having to strain your arm.

Yes! Portable steamers can be packed in carry-on luggage and personal items and go through airport security without issue. Just be sure to remove any remaining liquid before packing.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this article, T+L contributor Kaitlyn McInnis used her experience as a travel writer and lifestyle editor to curate a list of the very best portable steamers for those on the road. She also spoke with Brian Jones , product and travel expert at Best in Edmonton, for his professional insights.

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Oztoprak N, Kizilates F, Percin D. Comparison of steam technology and a two-step cleaning (Water/detergent) and disinfecting (1,000 resp. 5,000 ppm hypochlorite) method using microfiber cloth for environmental control of multidrug-resistant organisms in an intensive care unit .  GMS Hygiene and Infection Control; 14:Doc15 . Published online October 24, 2019. doi:10.3205/dgkh000330

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The Best Clothing Steamers

By Jackie Reeve and Zoe Vanderweide

A good clothing steamer can have your garments looking polished and wrinkle-free in mere minutes. It’s often a more appealing option than pulling out the iron, and because a steamer smooths without scorching, it’s a better tool for delicate fabrics like silk and wool.

We’ve tested dozens of steamers since 2016, and our current favorite for regular home use is the Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Garment Steamer . Its powerful blasts of steam, comfortable grip, and smart features make it the one we grab over and over. We also recommend an inexpensive compact steamer that’s ideally suited for travel, plus a heavy-duty steamer with a larger water tank for folks who frequently tackle bigger jobs.

Everything we recommend

Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Garment Steamer (GS38R)

A powerful steamer with clever features.

This steamer melted wrinkles without spitting water on our fabrics—rare among the models we tested. It’s also comfortable to hold and has standout features, like an aluminum steamer plate and dual steam settings.

Buying Options

Budget pick.

Conair CompleteSteam Hand Held Fabric Steamer (GS2X)

For occasional use.

This small, inexpensive steamer is best suited for travel and occasional home use. It does leave some wet spots on fabrics, but it’s better built and more efficient than the other portable steamers we tried.

Upgrade pick

Reliable Vivio 500 GC Professional Garment Steamer

For marathon steaming sessions.

For serious steamers, this pricey, supersized floor-standing model will make getting the job done a lot more pleasant. Its steam head is the comfiest to use for extended periods, and it holds the most water—just be careful when rolling it across the floor with a full tank, because it can splash.

Like most of the midsize handheld steamers we tested, the Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Garment Steamer (GS38R) produced ample steam for the job, and it was easier to hold and more thoughtfully designed than the competition. It was also one of the only handheld steamers that didn’t leave wet spots on test fabrics. The Conair Turbo steamer weighs just under 2.75 pounds with a full water tank (other midsize steamers we tested weighed between 2.5 and 5 pounds), making it among the lightest and most comfortable to maneuver. The heat-up aluminum steamer plate glides over fabric, helping to smooth wrinkles nearly as effectively as a traditional iron. It also comes with several accessories, including a silicone band attachment for pulling fabrics taut, a mesh bonnet for protecting extra-delicate items, and a bristle brush for loosening fibers to allow for better steam penetration. Plus, with two settings, the Conair Turbo steamer was one of the only models we tested that allowed us to control the heat and force of the steam: We used the “steam” setting for smoothing delicate silks, while the more powerful “turbo” setting was effective for tackling heavier cotton shirts. It has a one-year limited warranty.

If you want a steamer on hand to occasionally freshen up a garment, or to pack in your suitcase, you probably don’t need anything fancier than the Conair CompleteSteam Hand Held Fabric Steamer (GS2X) . It’s around half the price of the Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Garment Steamer , and it was more effective at smoothing wrinkles than any other steamer we tried in its price range (most of which were junky). It was also one of the only steamers of this size (often called “portable” or “travel” steamers) we tested that didn’t pour water out of the spout when tipped over. It has a relatively small water tank (5 ounces; the portables we tried ranged from 5 to 8 ounces), and it did spit some water when in use, but it left fewer wet spots on clothes than the other portables we tried. If you think you’ll use a steamer regularly, invest in the well-made Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam, but if you just need to smooth a wrinkle now and then—at home or while traveling—the Conair CompleteSteam fabric steamer is a solid choice. It has a one-year limited warranty, which is typical for small, inexpensive steamers.

If you do a lot of steaming, or if you find handheld steamers too heavy or uncomfortable, the Reliable Vivio 500 GC Professional Garment Steamer is a pleasure to use, and it may be worth the (considerable) investment. It’s nearly 6 feet tall, with a base about the size of a canister vacuum; despite its cumbersome size, it was our favorite steamer to use in testing. The tank holds a gallon of water (the most of any steamer we tried), it heats up quickly, and its steam head was much more comfortable for extended use than the handheld steamers that we tested. Be careful rolling the Vivio across the floor when the tank is full—it can splash water. This steamer comes with a three-year limited warranty, which was average for the ones we tested.

The research

Our favorite steamer: conair turbo extremesteam garment steamer, a budget pick for occasional use: conair completesteam hand held fabric steamer (gs2x), an upgrade pick for steaming marathons: reliable vivio 500 gc professional garment steamer, why you should trust us, who this is for, how we picked and tested, the competition.

They say the devil is in the details, but with the Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Garment Steamer , the details were downright heavenly. The Conair Turbo steamer checked every box on our list: It was effective at vanquishing wrinkles, didn’t leave wet spots on test fabrics, and felt comfortable to hold. It heated up in under a minute and provided more than 15 minutes of continuous steam, and we found its long, 10-foot cord convenient. But the smart details—like the aluminum-quilted steam plate and the two steam settings—pushed the Conair Turbo steamer above its competitors to make steaming an enjoyable chore.

The bursts of steam from the Conair Turbo steamer smoothed out a silk dress in seconds and a rumpled cotton pillowcase in under a minute. Several steamers we’ve considered have multiple holes for the steam to escape, but the Conair Turbo has a thin, long slit, which results in a more targeted sheet of steam. It took more wrinkles out of crumpled button-down shirts than the other handheld steamers we tested (although the most stubborn wrinkles, on the sleeves and the bottom hems, still needed an iron). Also, many steamers we tested spit droplets of water along with the steam, leaving wet marks on test fabrics. The Conair Turbo steamer didn’t; out of eight handheld steamers we tried, only the Conair Turbo and the (now discontinued) Sunbeam Power Steam Fabric Steamer left clothes completely dry.

Handheld (aka midsize) steamers can be uncomfortable to use after a few minutes—of the three steamer types we tested, they were the heaviest to hold. The Conair Turbo is among the lightest and most comfortable handheld models, for both vertical and horizontal use. It weighs about 2.75 pounds with a full tank (the handhelds we tested ranged from 2.5 to 5 pounds), so while it can still feel heavy after prolonged use, it’s lighter than most in its category. It wasn’t as comfortable to use as the floor-standing Reliable Vivio 500 GC Professional Garment Steamer , but it’s about a quarter of the price and far, far easier to store.

Its 7.3-ounce water tank is one of the smaller water tanks among our handheld test group. Nevertheless, in testing it produced more than 15 minutes of continuous steam, and we were able to smooth a dress, a jacket, a pair of slacks, and three heavily wrinkled cotton button-downs with water left to spare. The Conair Turbo steamer’s water tank is also easy to remove and replace—simply slide up the release switch to unlock the tank, then click it back into place—which is handy if you do need to refill it in the middle of a big job. And it stands up on its own, meaning it can be filled while resting on the counter.

The Conair Turbo steamer has a heat-up aluminum head that glides smoothly and helps to push steam into the fabric’s fibers (similar to what an iron does). This feature was enormously helpful for unwrinkling heavier fabrics, especially when used horizontally against a flat surface. It also comes with three snap-on attachments: a bristle brush to ensure steam penetrates fibers for a perfect press, a silicone bar for pulling fabrics taut, and a mesh bonnet to protect your most delicate textiles. But for quickly removing heavy wrinkles, this steamer performs best all on its own. The Conair Turbo steamer also gave us more control over the amount of steam than most other handheld steamers, with two settings: “steam,” for freshening up lighter items, and “turbo,” for blasting the wrinkles out of weightier fabrics.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The relatively small water tank makes the Conair Turbo steamer weigh less than the competition when full, but it also means you’ll need to refill it if you’re doing a lot of steaming. And because of the tank’s small opening, it was challenging to fill from a gallon-jug of distilled water. (This is pretty common with handheld steamers, and can be easily remedied by using a funnel.) Plus, the small opening means it takes a long time for the tank to dry fully after use. Finally, we found the built-in creaser tool fiddly and awkward to use. If you want to make sharp pleats, use an iron.

Portable (aka travel-size) steamers are not the most impressive examples of modern engineering—most of them leak, and they’re not that powerful—but the Conair CompleteSteam Hand Held Fabric Steamer (GS2X) is the best one we’ve found, and it even outperformed some bigger, pricier models. If you need to use a steamer only occasionally, for an outfit or for a trip, the small CompleteSteam is effective, affordable, and lightweight.

In our testing the Conair CompleteSteam not only beat all of the cheap portable steamers, it also was easier to fill and left fewer wet marks on clothes than midsize handhelds from Rowenta and Black+Decker . The Conair CompleteSteam didn’t produce as much steam as our main pick, the Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam, so it needed more passes over the fabric to flatten wrinkles, and it wasn’t as effective on tough creases—but it’s also less than half the price. The Conair CompleteSteam is just right for light jobs and travel, and it’s more comfortable to use than a heavier midsized steamer if you don’t have much to steam. It did leave some water spots when used too close to fabrics. But the CompleteSteam can also be used horizontally (not a given in this category); it dribbled only a few droplets, which was a win compared with others that poured water everywhere.

The Conair CompleteSteam (like most of the five portable steamers we tried) looks like a small watering can, and it weighs about 2.5 pounds when full. It was the heaviest of the portable steamers we tested, yet it has one of the smallest water tanks. Empty it’s just over 2 pounds, and the tank holds 5 ounces of water. By comparison, the Hilife Steamer weighs 1.5 pounds when empty and has an 8-ounce water tank. You can steam two, maybe three, outfits with the Conair CompleteSteam before you’ll need to refill.

Conair’s one-year warranty is comparable to those of most of the other inexpensive portable steamers we considered. The price and quality of portable steamers indicate to us that these are not meant to last forever.

If you have a lot of steaming to do (like helping a wedding party get dressed or tackling a mountain of laundry), if you prefer to steam clothes spread out on a table or bed instead of hanging upright, or if you don’t find heavy handheld steamers comfortable to use, the floor-standing Reliable Vivio 500 GC Professional Garment Steamer is a solid alternative that left its four competitors in the dust. A flexible hose makes this steamer the most comfortable of our picks to use. It releases a steady, effective flow of steam; it’s smartly designed; and its 1-gallon tank was still steaming long after we ran out of fabric to smooth. It does, however, cost nearly four times as much as the Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam .

For big jobs, the handheld Conair Turbo steamer will build up your biceps but test your patience; the Reliable Vivio, on the other hand, has a lightweight hose (like all floor-standing steamers) that was more flexible than others we tried and easier to glide across fabrics. (It’s like using a vacuum-cleaner hose.) This also made the Reliable steamer the best of our picks for steaming horizontally, if that’s what you prefer. It was as effective as other full-size steamers at smoothing wrinkles (and also similar to the handheld Conair Turbo in this regard), but it was the only one that didn’t spit any water.

All floor-standing steamers have an attached pole to hold the steamer head and a garment. The Reliable Vivio comes with its own hanger, which keeps your clothes steadier while you steam than models like the PurSteam and the Jiffy , neither of which included one. The Reliable Vivio’s design sets it apart, but it did require more setup than other floor-standing steamers we tested—we had to get out a screwdriver. Another standing steamer we tried, the Pure Enrichment Pure Steam , also came with a snap-on hanger, but it was harder to move around (an important consideration when you’re trying to steam the front and back of a shirt).

Like those of all floor-standing steamers we tried, the Reliable Vivio’s removable tank was easy to fill, with a screw-on cap and a wide opening that fit under a faucet. It held more water (a gallon) than any other steamer we tested, but it still heated up in about two minutes. You don’t have to empty the tank after each use, so once it’s set up, it’s a breeze to wheel out and start using. The Reliable Vivio’s wheels were better on hardwood floors than those of any other full-size steamer we tried, but be careful when storing the steamer or moving it around. If the base tips backward, some water will dribble out of the tank. Leaking is a common issue, and this wasn’t the worst offender during testing. It comes with a three-year limited warranty.

Wirecutter senior staff writer Jackie Reeve has spent the majority of her waking life working with textiles, and that means dealing with wrinkles. She has written our guides to cotton sheets , flannel sheets , bed blankets , throw blankets , pajamas , robes , bath towels , and duvet covers , among others. In the course of doing the research for those pieces, she has done so much laundry that she must hold the company record by now. Jackie also wrote our guides to irons and ironing boards . For this guide she also built on the research of Camille Perri and Tim Heffernan.

Zoe Vanderweide is a Wirecutter senior staff writer covering style, so she’s constantly wearing, washing, styling and generally fussing over clothes. At any given time, she has between 30 and 40 garments in her testing queue to keep clean and wrinkle-free. In her off-hours, she’s also a type-A neatnik who considers a marathon garment-steaming session the ideal way to spend an evening in.

If you own a lot of delicate fabrics, or if you just need to freshen up the occasional piece of clothing or linen, a steamer will be a solid addition to your laundry arsenal, and it might even be a replacement for an iron . Over time, a steamer can also save you money normally spent at the dry cleaner. If you choose to hand-wash your delicate items at home ( we have guidelines on what can and can’t skip the dry cleaner ), a steamer can smooth out wrinkles and help everything look professionally cleaned and pressed. Steamers generally heat up in a couple of minutes, and the top ones we’ve tested melt away wrinkles with very little effort. They work best—and fastest—on thinner fabrics like silk and polyester, which you probably don’t want to iron anyway for fear of scorching them. Steamers are also a convenient way to smooth wrinkled curtains or drapes without having to take them down. We tested three basic types of steamers for this guide: midsize handheld models, which look like small dumbbells and are a good choice if you steam semi-regularly; small portable models (shaped like a pitcher), which hold a few ounces of water and are best for light use; and full-size, floor-standing models (similar in size to a vacuum cleaner), which have a rod to hang your garments on and the biggest tanks, so you can steam for long stretches without refilling.

Don’t rely on a steamer to create sharp pleats or creases, or to flatten seams. Some we tried came with special tools for that purpose, but they were time-consuming and fiddly, and they made us wonder why we hadn’t just gotten out the iron. In testing we also found that steamers were less effective than irons on stubborn folds and wrinkles, particularly on the hems of heavily creased shirts, jeans, and cotton sheets. If you wash and dry dress shirts—or any button-down shirts—at home, an iron is a better tool for keeping them crisp. A steamer can be helpful if you want to avoid storing a big ironing board in a small apartment, but that’s only realistic if your laundry isn’t that wrinkled. (We recommend options for small-space living in our ironing boards guide .)

We used these criteria to choose the best steamers:

Effective: The steamers with the strongest bursts of hot steam flattened wrinkles the fastest. We wanted to be able to steam an outfit in minutes and get out the door.

Non-leaking: A water stain can ruin a delicate, expensive fabric, and dribbling water can also be a safety hazard with a plugged-in appliance. We looked for steamers that didn’t drip, spit, or leak.

Big water tanks: The bigger the tank, the longer you can use your steamer before having to refill it. We looked at three different size categories and prioritized roomy water tanks for all of them.

Comfortable to use: Midsize handheld steamers can be especially top-heavy and awkward to hold. Since steaming involves a fair amount of arm lifting, we looked for steamers that were comfortable enough to use for several minutes at a time. We also favored steamers that could be used both vertically and horizontally, for people who are more comfortable using a steamer on a flat surface. And we looked for longer cords, which are helpful if you’re tall, or if your outlets aren’t in a convenient spot.

Protected by a warranty: Over the years, we’ve learned that irons and steamers can break easily. For one person, a steamer might last for years, and for someone else, the same model might conk out after two months. We considered only models with solid warranties, in case they give up the ghost too soon.

In addition to relying on our own deep knowledge of steamers (gained from a long history of testing them), we considered opinions from The Strategist and Good Housekeeping , and checked star ratings on Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, and other retailers to compile a list of 28 candidates. We narrowed the list by reading user reviews from those same retailers, checking for things like customer service concerns and for reports of steamers that didn’t last long, and we looked at each steamer’s specifications—warranty, water-tank size, and useful features. We included well-reviewed steamers, favored brands that have proved to be reliable in the past, and covered household names that are easy to find. In the end, we decided to test 17 steamers in three categories: portable, handheld (aka midsize), and floor-standing.

We tried each steamer on a variety of items, including cotton sheets, button-down shirts, and silks, noting which models met the above criteria. We used them vertically (on clothes hung from hangers) and horizontally (spread out on an ironing board), and we measured the length of the steamers’ extension cords and the size of their water tanks.

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

Handheld (aka midsize)

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

The Black+Decker Advanced Handheld Steamer (HGS200) was a dud. We had to push the power button several times to get it to work, and it was the slowest steamer to heat up in our testing. Also, it didn’t produce much steam, and it made strange—even alarming—noises, so we unplugged it after just a few minutes. It did have the largest water tank (13.5 ounces) of any handheld we tried, though.

In past years, we’ve also tested and dismissed other handheld steamers, including the Jiffy Esteam Travel Steamer .

The Hilife Steamer for Clothes leaked water, couldn’t be used horizontally, and didn’t get very hot.

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

Floor-standing

Our former floor-standing pick, the J-2000 Jiffy Garment Steamer , has a simple design, and it emitted strong steam, but it was the worst offender in our testing when it came to water leaks from the tank. When we tried to roll the Jiffy’s stiff wheels across the floor, water poured out of the base, covering the cord and plug. We had to halt testing this steamer until it was dry enough to plug in, and it leaked again when we moved it after testing.

The Pure Enrichment Pure Steam XL Standing Steamer was the least expensive full-size steamer we tried. Although it has some nice details, overall you get what you pay for. It spit on our test fabrics, and it wasn’t as powerful as our Reliable Vivio 500 GC floor-standing pick. The clip-on hanger kept garments still, but it was fussy to unclip and turn around to steam the garment’s other side. Plus, it had the smallest water tank of the floor-standing group.

The PurSteam Full Size Garment Fabric Steamer has a dial to control the force of the steam. This is a nice (and rare) feature, but the steamer leaked on all the test fabrics. Also, the hose was stiff to use until the steam loosened it up after several minutes.

In previous years we tested and dismissed several 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.

Editors, The Best Clothes Steamers on Amazon, According to Hyperenthusiastic Reviews , The Strategist , May 10, 2019

Sarah Bogden, These Are the 10 Best Garment Steamers to Buy , Good Housekeeping , December 7, 2018

Meet your guides

Jackie Reeve

Jackie Reeve is a senior staff writer covering bedding, organization, and home goods at Wirecutter since 2015. Previously she was a school librarian, and she’s been a quilter for about 15 years. Her quilt patterns and her other written work have appeared in various publications. She moderates Wirecutter’s staff book club and makes her bed every morning.

Zoe Vanderweide

Zoe Vanderweide is a senior staff writer reporting on style and accessories at Wirecutter. She has been wearing things for over three decades, and she has spent years covering streetwear, luxury, art, and design. Off the clock, you can find her painting the town rainbow with her (devastatingly stylish) daughter.

Further reading

If You Hate Ironing, Try This Handheld Steamer Instead

by Elissa Sanci

An iron isn’t the only way to blast away wrinkles.

The Best Clothing Iron

by Jackie Reeve

After testing dozens of irons (and researching many more), we think the Black+Decker Allure Steam Iron D3030 is the best clothing iron for most people.

11 Cheap(ish) Laundry Aids to Help Your Clothes Look Better and Last Longer

by Zoe Vanderweide and Dorie Chevlen

The right tools can keep your clothing looking better for longer. Here’s what you need to wash, dry, and spruce up your favorites.

Wirecutter’s 100 Most Popular Clothing Picks of 2023

by Wirecutter Staff

These stylish items were some of Wirecutter’s most-loved clothing and accessory picks in 2023.

The Best Travel Steamers to Take on the Road, Tested and Reviewed

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Even the most seasoned travelers open their suitcase after landing and find themselves with a daunting task ahead: deciding if their wrinkled clothes can get by with a thorough shake out or if reinforcements are needed. Of course, most hotel rooms are equipped with irons, but the task of setting up the ironing board and fitting each article of clothing just right can feel overwhelming. Not to mention, some pieces are too delicate for harsh heat. But is it easy to travel with a clothing steamer instead?

When I set out to find the best travel steamer a few years ago, I admit, I was hesitant about such a practical item taking up precious carry-on space. But when traveling as a family of four, as I often do, an ironing board set-up can quickly become a catch-all for toys, shopping bags, or electronics and simply gets in the way. Since I began testing these steamers, it’s rare I leave home without one.

Of the 13 steamers I've tested, my favorite models have one thing in common: a metal soleplate, allowing you to touch the steamer to the clothing to smooth out tricky spots. While steamers are mostly celebrated for their ability to get the wrinkles out, they also kill 99 percent of bacteria. Important to note, most steamers come with the recommendation of distilled water to keep the sediment buildup at bay, which I did not use as most of us don’t have easy access to it when we travel.

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

My top picks:

Best overall steamer, best lightweight steamer, best long-lasting steamer, best foldable steamer, best steamer for international travel.

• Most leakproof steamer

Best two-in-one steamer

How i tested:.

Each steamer has been tested on jeans, khakis, T-shirts , button-down shirts , linens, blouses, and jackets based on the following criteria:

• Size/packability : Does it fit into a weekender or carry-on?
• Power/efficiency: Is it faster and easier than setting up and using the hotel iron? Or at least just as good?
• Water capacity: How many times do you have to refill the reservoir to steam an entire outfit?
• Leakproof: Will you be late to dinner while waiting for the wet spots to dry?
• Durability/longevity : Is the quality going to withstand enough trips to make the steamer worth packing and purchasing?

Can I travel with a portable steamer?

Most travel steamers will fit into a carry-on and can go through TSA without any issues; just make sure any remaining liquid from the reservoir has been emptied before getting to the airport.

Is a portable steamer worth it?

If you are going to a formal event or know you’re packing clothes that are famous for wrinkling, then yes, it's worth adding to your suitcase. A new perk I’ve recently come to love about steamers is I actually pack less clothing knowing I have a way to freshen up an item I want to rewear. This makes packing a simpler capsule wardrobe all the more possible. As someone who typically only uses a carry-on, I do value my space and find the steamer to be an easy item to remove should I be running short on room. Below, the six best travel steamers to pack on your next trip.

I have a new favorite steamer. While the Nesugar handheld steamer used to be my most-used, the Proctor Silex 2-in-1 compact garment steamer has moved into the top spot for me. It’s only seven ounces heavier than the Nesugar model and steams continuously for almost 10 minutes without needing to refill the reservoir. Plus, it works effectively on every type of garment—even jeans with stubborn wrinkles. Often we don’t know where or how many outlets our hotel or Airbnb will have, so the 10-foot cord on this steamer is much appreciated, as it allows you to move around comfortably. Surprisingly, this is also the most affordable steamer at $20. If you are someone who will only travel with a steamer for special occasions, this one is a safe choice.

Weight: 1.63 lbs. Water tank capacity : 4 oz. What I like most: Affordable, de-wrinkles all fabrics, heats up in 45 seconds, effective brush attachment Where there's room for improvement: Reservoir can be hard to completely empty

I've used this steamer regularly for over a year, and very much appreciate the smart design. The Nesugar portable steamer weighs less than a pound, but produces a solid stream of steam. With a small reservoir, I was surprised the water lasted for almost 10 minutes, allowing for five items to be de-wrinkled (though it was not powerful enough for jeans). There is a button to turn the steam on, but you don’t have to hold it down, which I like. The metal soleplate allows for an ironing option, which is what I ended up using to smooth out the jeans. An adjustable head not only makes the steamer compact, but gives you the option to steam at different angles. Originally, I wondered if frequent adjusting of the head would loosen the feature, but it is still going strong after countless trips. The unit also comes with a wall mount so you always have a place to hang it at home.

Weight: 12.8 oz. What I like most: Lightweight and packable, adjustable head, comes with a wall mount Where there's room for improvement: Works best on lighter fabrics

One of the more expensive steamers I tested, the Conair is definitely the winner in terms of power and functionality—a T-shirt can be good as new in less than a minute. While the steamer can blast wrinkles from jackets, you can also lower the setting for more delicate items. The Conair turbo is the only steamer I tested that had various settings to choose from. It even has a built-in creaser, if that’s your thing. Because the steamer is more powerful, it uses more water, so refills are necessary after a few items (depending on the fabric and intensity of the wrinkles, of course). The Conair Turbo would’ve taken the top spot if it were more compact for traveling (its dimensions are 13" x 8" x 6", making it a bit bulky for carry-ons). If you find yourself using an iron a lot at home, this steamer may actually be your best bet.

Weight: 3.2 lbs. Water tank capacity : 6.6 oz. What I like most: Can de-wrinkle anything, various settings to choose from, quick heat-up Where there's room for improvement: Hard to fill with its small opening, on the larger size for travel

This is by far the most aesthetically pleasing steamer I tested and ranks number two for packability. With a 30-second warm up and automatic steam (no trigger to hold), the Seekclass was off to a good start, but it did take four minutes to steam one pair of pants and I had to utilize the metal soleplate in order to get the job done. The reservoir is tiny, so I had to refill it before I could finish the pants, too. Because the hole to refill is so small, it’s also hard to get out any remaining water when you’re ready to pack up the unit. Knowing this, it’s smart to let the steamer dry out at your earliest convenience to keep any build-up from forming.

Weight: 1.4 pounds Water tank capacity : 3.5 oz. What I like most: Its foldable handle is great for travel, metal soleplate, quick heat-up Where there's room for improvement: Leaks when on its side; has small, hard-to-fill reservoir; heavier material requires at least one refill

International travelers will be happy about the automatic dual voltage with this steamer. While the heat up is quick (about 20 seconds), the reservoir of the steamer is painfully hot—so be sure to only hold on to the handle. Unfortunately, the high temperature of the reservoir requires a pause between fill-ups, but you can get three items done with one tank. My favorite feature is the automatic steam from the get-go, which means your fingers get a rest from holding down the trigger button that comes with many other steamers. The main reason this steamer remains on the final list is for its appeal to those who frequently travel abroad.

Weight: 1.2 lbs. Water tank capacity : 3.4 oz. What I like most: Dual voltage, collapsible handle for travel, automatic heat-up (no power button), no trigger needed to release steam Where there's room for improvement: Cannot promptly refill reservoir because the tank gets so hot

Most leakproof

I tend to gravitate toward the hybrid steamers that can also be used as an iron. The large iron plate on the Steamery Cirrus 3 is almost as efficient as a full-size iron, but I could only steam three items with one tank of water. Something that stands out with this steamer is its ability to remain leak-free. This is one of the most important features for me as I tend to travel with a busy itinerary, which means I may be steaming in a hurry and the last thing I want to do is take out a hair dryer to dissolve the wet spots left behind by the steamer. I even gave it a bit of a shake test and nothing spilled. Where this steamer falls short, honestly, is the price.

Weight : 1.8 lbs. Water tank capacity : 3 oz. What I like most: Large iron plate, completely leakproof, quick heat-up Where there's room for improvement: Expensive price point, reservoir empties after three garments

Rounding out our list of the best travel steamers is this hybrid steamer/iron that comes highly recommended by senior editor Megan Spurrell . “I was drawn to the Nori steamer because of its sleek design—two-in-ones are always ideal for travel, and not needing an ironing board seemed like a plus,” Spurrell says. “I put it to the test the day of my destination wedding this past month, on both my dress and my husband's linen suit. It did get the job done, and both functions (steaming and ironing) deliver.”

The unique, compact steamer features two aluminum plates that can simultaneously iron the front and back of a garment, getting the job done in half the time. Another perk: It offers six fabric settings (polyester, silk, wool, cotton, denim, and linen)—so no matter what you pack, you can rest assured it will be wrinkle-free and free of any damage when it's time to wear.

Weight : 1.4 lbs.  Water tank capacity : 1 oz.  What I like most: Double plates, dual voltage, automatic shut-off after 10 minutes of no movement Where there's room for improvement: Its tiny reservoir means it's best reserved for smaller jobs; it can be tiring to hold while smoothing out a very crinkled shirt.

'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?

ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.

When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.

ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form .

Tired of crumpled clothes? These travel steamers iron out every wrinkle

When you're on the road, wrinkles shouldn't ruin the stylish outfits you've packed. The newest steamers are compact enough to slip in your suitcase. Avoid stress and stay pressed with the best travel steamers for dissolving wrinkles on the go. After all, clean pleats and sleek lines are the ultimate accessory. If you invest in your wardrobe and self-care routine, consider buying the best travel steamer -- your future self will thank you.

We analyzed the best travel steamers on the market to find the best option for your budget and needs -- whether you need to steam a silky dress or fix your pleated pants before work.

Also: Traveling soon? Pack smarter with our favorite luggage sets

Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam 2-in-1 Garment Steamer

Best travel steamer overall.

• Functions as steamer and iron
• Safety shut-off feature
• Accessories included
• Small water tank

Features: Dimensions: 12.4" x 7.24" x 7.09" |  Warranty: Limited 2-year  |  Attachments:  Delicates bonnet, creaser for pleats, 2-in-1 silicone band, bristle brush

The Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam 2-in-1 Garment Steamer smooths every crease when you're on the road. When vertical, the unit functions as a steamer, but you can reorient the device horizontally to iron out deep wrinkles from your clothes. The steamer heats up in 10 seconds and features four steam settings, so you can polish your most delicate and durable fabrics. 

Plus, the 8.5oz water tank lasts for up to 10 minutes of continuous steaming. No need to worry if you rush out the door, because the unit automatically turns off when placed on a flat surface due the integrated Smart Sensor Safety Feature. The Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam 2-in-1 also includes bonus accessories: A delicates bonnet, pleat creaser, 2-in-1 silicone band, and bristle brush. What's not to love?

Beautural Steamer for Clothes

Best compact travel steamer.

• Easy to use
• Fantastic steam output
• Auto shut-off feature
• Limited return window

Features: Dimensions: 10.7" x 6"x 4.3" |  Attachments: Lint brush, soft brush, creaser | Capacity: 8.79oz

The Beautural Steamer for Clothes is compact and easy to transport no matter where you're heading. The steamer heats up in just 30 seconds and offers 15 minutes of uninterrupted steaming. The 8.79oz water tank also features a detachable, leak- and spill-proof design to keep your items sleek and dry. Plus, the cord rotates 360 degrees, so you'll never trip over twisted wires.

For safety, the steamer will automatically shut off if the device becomes too hot, or when it remains unused for eight minutes. The Beautural steamer can safely steam various fabrics, even curtains and upholstered furniture. To ensure seamless use, the device comes with three attachments: A lint brush, soft brush, and creaser.

Black+Decker Easy Garment Steamer

Best budget travel steamer.

• Lightweight
• Users report leaking and inconsistent heat

Specs: Dimensions: 7.36" x 3.70" x 8.15" |  Warranty: Limited 2-year | Weight : 3.5lbs

Built with a wide steam head, the Black+Decker Easy Garment Steamer allows you to quickly steam a large surface area. The body of this device is smaller than most other steamers, so it's the perfect size for travel, whether you're flying across the world or driving a few doors down. The straightforward design features an easy-to-fill tank that uses a simple twist-to-lock lid. Plus, a "Max Fill" line ensures you add the perfect amount of water, even when you're in a rush.

The Black+Decker Easy Garment Steamers preheats in 80 seconds, and the comfortable design makes steaming a breeze. Although this model isn't the most powerful steamer on the market, it gets the job done for a fraction of the price.

iSteam Steamer for Clothes

Best dual-purpose travel steamer.

• Quick preheat
• Lacks power for heavy fabric

Specs: Dimensions: 9.13" x 6.38" x 4.41" |  Warranty: 3-year |  Attachments: Dusting brush

Weighing only 1.2lbs, the iSteam Steamer for Clothes is a portable handheld steamer that's easy to use and even easier to transport. The device preheats 120mL of water in just 25 seconds, and offers 10 minutes of continuous steaming on a single tank. The steamer is even self-cleaning, thanks to a Nano-Polymer Filter that purifies water and prevents tank calcification inside the unit. 

The iSteam Steamer for Clothes also features special safeguards, including Spill-Proof Technology and the Automatic Safety Shutdown System. The Electronic Pump System even prevents leaking, so you can steam upside down if it suits your fancy. Plus, the device comes with a bonus dusting brush.

Rowenta X-Cel Handheld Garment and Fabric Steamer

Best ergonomic travel steamer.

• Two steam levels

Specs: Dimensions: 8" x 6" x 11" |  Attachments: Fabric brush, lint pad, steam bonnet | Capacity: 7oz

The Rowenta X-Cel Handheld Garment and Fabric Steamer is a powerful device that harnesses 1600 watts. The steamer only requires 40 seconds to preheat, with two steam levels to choose from: Turbo and Delicate. The small tank holds only 7oz of water, but it provides up to ten minutes of continuous steaming.

The steamer's heated metal faceplate is a built-in iron, which ensures no wrinkle gets by unpressed. The versatile device can smooth delicate silk or tackle heavy fabric, ready to take on all your wrinkle needs. Plus, the Rowenta X-Cel Handheld Garment and Fabric Steamer includes various attachments, including a fabric brush, steam bonnet, door hook, and crease attachment.  

What is the best travel steamer?

The Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam 2-in-1 Garment Steamer wins our pick for best overall travel steamer, thanks to its dual function as a steamer and iron. However, it's slightly expensive. Compare options with this overview of ZDNET's favorite travel steamers:

Which is the right travel steamer for you?

To help you find the best travel steamer for your next trip, here are our expert recommendations. Consider your priorities -- is weight or size most important to you? Or are you looking for an affordable steamer that won't break the bank? We break down the features so you can make the best choice for your budget and needs.

How did we choose these travel steamers?

In our search for the best travel steamers, we considered several important factors: 

• Wattage:  Wattage measures how powerful a steamer is. If you need to release wrinkles from heavy fabric, a travel steamer with high wattage will be your best bet.
• Preheat time: Seconds count when you're in a hurry, so we considered the preheat time of each travel steamer -- you've got wrinkles to release and no time to waste.
• Size: If you're traveling by plane, you'll need to consider airline restrictions for luggage size and weight. We searched for lightweight, compact travel steamers that won't push your suitcase over the limit.
• Cost: Budget is always an important factor when you're preparing for a trip. We looked for affordable travel steamers that won't break the bank, so you can arrive looking sleek, even after a red-eye.

Do travel steamers work?

When you buy the right travel steamer, you can easily and quickly remove wrinkles from clothing no matter where you are. These devices use steam to heat up fabric, so you can smooth out creases big and small. If you want to look well-kept, prepare for wrinkles with a compact, portable steamer.

Are travel steamers easy to pack?

Travel steamers are meant to be portable, so they are often lightweight and designed to fit comfortably in a travel bag or suitcase. If you want a small device, look for a steamer with a small water tank -- it will decrease the size of the steamer overall. However, a smaller water tank usually means a shorter continuous steam time.

How much do travel steamers cost?

The best travel steamers range in cost from around $15 to about $70, depending on the item you choose. You don't have the pay big bucks to get your hands on a quality travel steamer, so consider your priorities when choosing the best option for your budget and steaming needs.

Are there alternative travel steamers worth considering?

There are various travel steamers on the market, but every device is not created equal. In our search, we considered a few other options that almost made our list of best travel steamers. Here's our list of travel steamers that receive honorable mention:

Black+Decker Advanced Steamer

Chi handheld garment steamer, magicpro portable garment steamer.

While preparing for your next trip, consider our expert picks for the best carry-on luggage , the best travel tech gadgets , and the best travel pillows for your travel! 

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The 12 Best Portable Travel Steamers for Wrinkle-free Clothes [2023]

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Table of Contents

Travel steamer vs. regular steamer, things to look for in travel steamers, how to use a travel steamer, the 12 best clothes steamers for travel, final thoughts.

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Need to look your best while you are away? Crinkled and creased clothing will not impress if you are headed to a business meeting, conference, wedding, or other occasion. A travel steamer will help you to breathe new life into rumpled clothing, while still being compact and lightweight enough to take everywhere with you.

Steaming your clothes is an excellent alternative to ironing, both on vacation and at home. Conventional ironing flattens the fibers of the fabric, while steaming allows the same fibers to gently relax so that the creases drop away more naturally.

Regular size steamers offer plenty of power to let you de-crease with ease at home. They can, however, be bulky and cumbersome, making them less than practical to pack in your carry-on, and they may even need additional attachments to ensure your clothes are perfectly presented at all times.

Regular steamers have the power and capacity to steam whole outfits, but to do this, they need large water tanks that can produce a lot of steam. In contrast, travel steamers are incredibly compact and feature smaller tanks , meaning that they can be held in just 1 hand for easy de-creasing when you travel.

Of course, smaller tanks call for regular refills and a limited amount of steam power, but this is a small price to pay for easy to use, portable steam power that can be used on a variety of fabrics, for a wide range of occasions.

The other main difference between travel-size steamers and regular ones is the amount of power they can produce. A large steamer can kick out as much as 1800 watts of power, whereas travel-sized appliances might only offer between 750 to 850 watts of power.

Bottom Line: The lower the wattage, the slower the steamer, meaning that while travel appliances are super useful, they may not have the physical power to get rid of every single crease.

A steamer with a short cord is of little use to anybody. Likewise, cords that are too long can get in the way and hinder your steaming capabilities. Before you invest, read up on your preferred model to ensure that the cord is long enough to be useful without you risking getting caught up in it along the way.

Remember, a steamer is supposed to help you not hinder your ability to get out the door looking pristine. Somewhere around 5 to 10 feet in length should see you right .

Water Capacity

Travel steamers will likely have a smaller capacity than larger, regular units. That said, they will still need to hold enough water to create enough steam to finish the job. Look for a model that has a reservoir that can hold enough for about 10 minutes of quality steaming , which should be enough to get you through a full outfit.

Size and Weight

Your portable steamer will need to be just that — portable. With this in mind, look for models that are compact enough to fit easily into your suitcase or carry-on without taking up too much of your valuable clothes storage space.

Hot Tip: A travel steamer should also be as light as possible without being flimsy, so aim for models that weigh in at 2 pounds or lighter.

Fabric Types

Some fabrics respond better to steaming than others, and some steamers are not suitable for all types of fabric. Before you buy, check that the models you are looking at can steam the creases out of your outfits and that they are also able to cope with delicate fabrics without damaging them.

Assuming that you don’t want to spend all day hiding out in your hotel room waiting for your steamer to work, the heat-up time is an important factor. Generally speaking, the faster the water heats up, the more efficient the device is. Do your research and opt for a model that heats in 2 minutes or less.

Ease of Use

The easier your steamer is to use, the less time you will need to spend steaming. With this in mind, look for models that have clear instructions that are also easy to clean and fill. You should also consider paying extra for a portable steamer that comes complete with a filter to purify the water. This will help prevent damage to your delicates and reduce water spots or sediment.

Attachments

A fabric brush is also a useful addition to a travel steamer, as it will open up the fabric to make the steaming process more even and efficient. Other attachments to consider could be a lint brush, a creaser, or even a softening attachment, but be aware that extra attachments take up space to carry with you, and could cost extra.

Watts and Voltage

A dual-voltage steamer will be suitable for use all over the world and will offer the option to switch between 110 to 120 volts for the U.S. and 220 to 240 volts for use in Europe . If you are unable to find one that offers this feature, you will need to take a converter with you.

The wattage of the appliance relates to the amount of power it can produce. Most travel steamers have a power output of around 750 to 850 watts , which, while still useful, may not be enough to remove some of the most stubborn of creases.

Travel steamers should be super easy to use. They are more convenient than traditional steam irons, and you won’t need a flat surface to use them. How you steam your garment will depend on the exact design of your travel steamer, the type of garment you are steaming, and the amount of space available.

Here are some general tips on how to use a steamer:

• Start by hanging your garment up , ideally against a solid surface that can add resistance. Hang it at a height that is comfortable for you and one that won’t mean you have to hurt your back or bend and twist while you are steaming.
• Before you start steaming, be sure to check the labels in the garment. Some fabrics do not respond well to steam, and trying to remove creases could result in you ruining them. Check before you begin as those that can’t be steamed may need to be taken to the dry cleaner instead.
• Pull and stretch the garment with your free hand , taking care not to let the steam burn you as you hold it.
• When it comes to steaming, start by moving the appliance in a downward motion, keeping the steamer upright  and aligned at all times. Hold the plate close to the garment to maximize the power of the steam.
• For more delicate fabrics, you may want to keep the steamer at least an inch away from the fabric, while thicker, heavier items may need to be steamed from both sides.
• If you are having trouble with stubborn collars or cuffs, you may want to use your hand to give them extra shape and support.
• When you have finished steaming, be sure to tip out any remaining water in the tank and let your steamer cool down before packing it away again.

1. A Great Little Steamer for All of the Family

Lemontec portable travel garment steamer .

Carefully designed to evenly distribute steam effectively to remove wrinkles fast, this mini steamer is great for taking with you on a trip. Lightweight and compact, it also comes complete with a long built-in 2 point cable, removing the need for an extension cable.

With a 6-ounce tank capacity and a heat-up time of approximately 70 seconds, you can expect to achieve around 9 minutes of steaming time from this little beauty. For your safety, it also features an automatic shut-off function that kicks in when the water gets too hot or the water level drops too low.

What We Like

• Heats up quickly

What We Don’t Like

• Can spit water as well as steam

2. Hi-tech Heating and Steaming on the Go

• iSteam Steamer For Clothes

Featuring upgraded technology and a super high-tech heating panel, the iSteam is a superior wrinkle remover that is perfect for travel. With a heat-up time of just 25 seconds and a good-size reservoir, you can steam an entire outfit quickly and easily, even when you are away from home. The innovative 360-degree technology means that you can use this steamer from any angle without leaks — even upside down.

Suitable for use on a wide variety of materials, this model is light and compact enough to take away with you. It comes with a specially-designed nozzle to speed up ironing time, and also features an automatic shut-down feature if the water level falls too low. One thing to be aware of, though, is if you are looking to use this model with 220v outlets, you must use a voltage converter and adapter plug.

• It can be used upside down
• Requires a voltage converter with 220v outlets

3. Efficient Steaming Both at Home and Away

Hilife portable travel garment steamer.

Exclusively designed with a unique type of nozzle, this handy little device is designed to distribute steam evenly to ensure wrinkle-free clothing, every time. Suitable for use on all kinds of fabrics , the Hilife Portable Steamer can be used for steaming, sanitizing, cleaning, and removing wrinkles.

Small enough to go everywhere with you, this model is also competent enough to be used at home. With an 8-ounce reservoir, this steamer provides up to 15 minutes of steam to eliminate wrinkles from an array of materials, including cotton, linen, silk, and chiffon.

• Provides 15 minutes of steam
• No auto shut-off safety feature

4. Superfast Heat-up for Easy Steaming

Magicpro portable garment steamer.

With a superfast 25-second heat-up time , this is an impressive steamer that can be used on a variety of fabrics, including cotton, silk, linen, polyester, wool, and velvet, as well as other common fabric blends.

It also features unique leakproof technology that uses an electronic pump to prevent water from spitting and spilling, meaning you can steam your clothes either horizontally or vertically. There is an automatic shutdown system that activates whenever the steamer is too hot, or the water level is too low, and the 2-in-1 fabric and lint brush included in the box gives you more versatility at home or on the go.

• Heats up super quick
• The water tank is quite small

5. NANO Water Technology for Softer Steaming

Polardo handheld travel steamer.

Featuring 360-degree, anti-spill technology, this high-grade travel steamer uses an electronic pump system to deliver steam from any angle. You can even use this steamer upside down — without the risk of spills or burns — to ensure that you never miss a single crease.

With a tank that heats up in less than 25 seconds and delivers 10 continuous minutes of steam power, this model is a little more costly than some others on the market, but its superior steaming capabilities make the extra few dollars well worth it.

Offering seriously useful features for those who like to stay wrinkle-free on the go, you can steam, sanitize, sterilize, soften, and clean any type of fabric including cotton, satin, linen, nylon blends, sequins, embroidery, beads, and much more. Gentle and safe to use, it also comes complete with an ultramodern NANO water filter . This softens tap water to prevent calcification and keeps your clothes feeling softer for longer.

• Can be turned and used from any angle
• Falls over easily when standing upright

6. Compact Steaming With a Carry Bag

• PERFECTDAY Portable Garment Steamer

Powered by 800 watts of steam and with 8 steam nozzles , this is a good quality garment steamer that provides rapid venting for even steaming. It also comes with a fur brush to help remove dust, dirt, or debris from your clothes. With a compact design and a removable nozzle head, this model is small enough to tuck in your carry-on bag, while still being powerful enough to keep you looking fresh on the go.

The 3.4-ounce tank capacity will provide enough steam for around 10 minutes of steaming power, and the dual safety protection system will shut off the device if it gets too hot or the water gets too low.

• Doesn’t leak when using
• Has a 1-year warranty

Hot Tip: Protect your purchases by using a credit card with extended warranty coverage !

7. Commercial Grade Steaming in a Handheld

• ESTEAM Personal Hand Held Steamer

This high-end steamer comes complete with a multitude of functions, including a selection of voltage plugs that will ensure your steamer works wherever in the world you are headed. Offering all the power of a full-size steamer in a smaller, portable package, the Jiffy ESTEAM uses many of the same components used in commercial-grade steamers for wrinkle-free clothing.

Measuring just 10.5 x 5 inches, this compact model can easily slip into your suitcase or carry-on. The built-in reservoir can hold up to 8 ounces of plain tap water, and the 600-watt heating element heats up in less than 60 seconds. Incredibly easy to use, this machine will transform your clothes from a wrinkled mess to laundered perfection in minutes.

• Available in black or pink
• Can leak if not used upright

8. Fast and Powerful Portable Steaming

• Rowenta DR8120 Powerful Handheld Garment and Fabric Steamer

This superfast and super-powerful handheld steamer is perfect for looking good on the go. Offering 1,600 watts of power and a removable 6.76-ounce tank, this model can create 10 minutes’ worth of steam in just 40 seconds. It is also super hygienic, killing 99.9% of germs, dust mites, and more , and can also be used on household items like curtains and furniture back at home.

Compact and lightweight, this steamer also comes with a selection of accessories, including a fabric brush to brush out wrinkles, a lint pad, and a steam bonnet to prevent water from dripping on your garments. Weighing in at just 3 pounds, this model is light enough to not make a dent in your luggage allowance , while still being powerful enough to handle a wide variety of fabrics and garment types.

• Comes with a fabric brush and steam bonnet
• Quite a large steamer

9. Dual-voltage Steaming for Use Worldwide

• Conair Travel Smart 450 Watt Dual Voltage Garment Steamer

This impressive and affordable garment steamer from Conair is a 450-watt, dual-voltage garment steamer that will remove wrinkles in minutes. It comes complete with an 8-foot cord and detachable lint and bristle brush, a folding handle, and a compact and lightweight design , making it perfect for travel.

This device works great on a wide variety of fabrics and can handle suitcase-creased clothing with ease. It is also useful for quick touch-ups on the go, and with a tank that heats up in less than a minute, you will never be waiting too long to be wrinkle-free and ready to go.

• Has a collapsible handle for easy transportation
• The unit takes a while to cool down

10. A Lightweight and Compact Travel Steamer

• MASTEAM Steamer for Clothes

Using the latest technology wrapped up in a small and portable design, this is a great little travel steamer for those on the go. Weighing in at just 1.5 lbs, and offering spill-proof technology and an automatic safety system , this is a compact but powerful little steamer.

The spacious tank can hold up to 6-ounces of tap water and will heat up in 2 minutes to provide up to 10 minutes of steam power. Suitable for use across a wide range of fabrics, this is a handy little tool for travel.

• Small and lightweight
• Only suitable for lightweight fabrics

11. Dual-voltage, Superfast Steaming

• Steam & Go Handheld Travel Steamer

This dual-voltage steamer is perfect for use anywhere in the world to ensure your clothes remain wrinkle-free on the go. Lightweight and portable, and weighing only 2.5 pounds, it will fit into your carry-on or checked luggage easily. With a 5-ounce tank, this portable steamer heats up in 2 minutes to create enough steam for 11 minutes of use .

Packed full of safety features, this steamer can be used both horizontally or vertically without dripping or leaking and has an auto shut-off feature should the steamer run short on water or become too hot.

• Works with dual voltage
• Doesn’t work on thicker materials

12. Leakproof Technology for Vertical and Horizontal Steaming

• HHSUC  Portable Garment Steamer for Clothes

This powerful little handheld garment steamer measures 10.9 inches high, meaning it is compact enough to go anywhere with you. With 1,200 watts of power, wrinkles can be easily removed with 2 different steam settings, and the tank takes just 15 seconds or so to produce 20 minutes’ worth of steam.

Leakproof technology means you can use this little beauty both vertically and horizontally without leaking, and the 7.8-foot long cable makes it easy to steam clothes hanging up, wherever you are.

• Has a choice of 2 steam settings depending on the fabric
• The cord could be longer

A travel steamer can be the difference between feeling crumpled and jet-lagged to fresh and well-presented. Compact, affordable, and easy to use, a travel steamer may not offer the power of a regular garment steamer, but it will have enough oomph to de-crease, refresh and de-wrinkle your clothes when looking presentable is really important.

Looking for more travel products? Explore all of our best travel products reviews — all in one place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do handheld steamers really work.

In general, yes, they do work, but how well depends on the state of the garment, the material it is made from, and how good your steamer is. Travel steamers will usually be able to steam 1 outfit within 10 minutes.

Can you take a travel steamer in carry-on?

Provided you make sure that the steamer is free of any liquid, you can take a steamer in your carry-on.

Can I use tap water in my steamer?

Ideally, distilled water should be used in your steamer to reduce the need for constant cleaning and increase the lifespan of your product. Some steamers come with built-in water purifiers so you can use tap water.

What is the best portable clothes steamer?

These are some of the best portable travel steamers:

• Lemontec Portable Travel Garment Steamer
• Magictec Portable Travel Garment Steamer
• MagicPro Portable Garment Steamer
• Polardo Handheld Travel Steamer

What is the smallest travel steamer?

The iSteam Steamer For Clothes is just 9 inches high, meaning it is compact enough to go anywhere with you. The tank takes just 25 seconds or so to produce 10 minutes’ worth of steam.

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The 6 Best Clothes Steamers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Release wrinkles with these tester-approved steamers

Lily Sperry is a former commerce editor at The Spruce, covering bedding, bath, and home decor content. From weighted blankets to white noise machines, she’s always trying out the latest and greatest in home products, and is eager to help readers make more informed shopping decisions. 

In This Article

• Our Top Picks
• How We Tested
• What to Look For

The Checkout Counter

• Why Trust The Spruce

The Spruce / Letí­cia Almeida

It’s an age-old question: clothes steamer or iron? If you’re looking to quickly eliminate wrinkles in delicate or thin materials, to clear up creases in upholstery or curtains, or to disinfect garments, a steamer is a great choice.

To help determine which clothes steamers are the best at freshening up wardrobe staples, we tested 28 options in The Lab , clocking 16 hours of hands-on testing. Each steamer used on a silk top, dress shirt, and pair of linen pants, and evaluated on its overall design, wrinkle-fighting powers, portability, and value.

The Spruce / Henry Wortock

Some of our testing takeaways? A higher price doesn’t always equal higher quality. It’s not unheard of for clothes steamers to spit out a few extra droplets of water, too, as they’re warming up. Water tank capacity can also really affect how much time you have to steam (in general, more water means more time for steaming).

Clothes steamers also come in handheld and upright models, giving you the flexibility to keep one standing at the ready in your laundry room, or another tucked in a cabinet (or even in your suitcase, in the case of our favorite travel steamers ) for quick touch-ups. We’re fans of either, depending on your steaming needs.

Editor's Note: This review was revised in April 2024 with updated buying considerations and new testing data.

Best Overall

Electrolux garment steamer.

Trigger lock provides continuous steam

Long, 12-foot power cord

Heats up instantly

Occasionally spits water

Funnel recommended to fill reservoir

We are charmed by the Electrolux Garment Steamer ’s slim and sleek appearance, comfortable grip, and overall efficiency—we found that it heats up immediately, which can’t be said about any of our other picks. We could work quickly and easily to release wrinkles in the silk, cotton, and linen garments we used during our tests. While it took between six and nine minutes to freshen up each item (which was about average among the 28 steamers we tested), the process was smooth and straightforward, and felt like it took little effort from us. 

While a few water droplets sputtered out early in the steaming, we were comfortably able to work through it. This is somewhat common with steamers, and occurred with most of our favorites, so we're not judging too harshly. We also found that working with this steamer more at home mitigated a lot of these issues; we were able to get to know it a little better and avoid the small amount of dribbling.

At home, we also really enjoyed the lint brush and fabric brush attachments. The lint brush, in particular, took care of wrinkles and collected pet fur from clothes worn around a shedding dog, making this a great pick for a pet owner who wants a neat shirt.

The Spruce Home / Henry Wortock

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

In general, handheld steamers like this one are more compact than upright units. They’re a great choice if you have less space for storage or intend to travel with your steamer. This steamer is a perfect example; it’s only four pounds, but it feels sturdy while it’s in use. The 10-ounce water tank was also big enough to last through most of our testing and only required one refill in more than 20 minutes of usage, so you can expect to steam a full outfit or long dress in one go.

We also want to shout out the sliding trigger lock that provides continuous steam, so you don’t have to hold the button down for the entire time you’re steaming. We appreciate that this model features a 12-foot long power cord, too; it’s ideal in rooms with awkward outlet placement, or for when you’re caring for curtains in your living room. 

During testing we found that the water tank has a pretty small opening. We recommend using a funnel to help fill it. If you're using distilled water, we had success pouring it over the sink, so any extra drops that splattered didn't make a mess. Still, the steamer packs a lot of power into a small and convenient package, and we think it’ll work well for most household steaming needs. 

Weight: 4 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 10 ounces | Heat Time: Immediate | Steam Time: 18 minutes | Power Level: 1,500 watts

How to Steam Your Clothes

To steam effectively, Melissa Maker of Clean My Space has some key recommendations. "Hang the garment up, and pull taut, section by section. Use short strokes to saturate the area with steam and release wrinkles, pulling as you go," she says. "Keep your body away from the steamer, [as] the blasts of steam are very hot." For more, you can also check out our guide on how to use a steamer on clothes .

Best Overall, Runner-Up

Conair extremesteam hand-held fabric steamer.

Five steam settings

Heats in under a minute

Includes silicone band, bristle brush, and delicate fabric spacer

Some water spitting

Another great choice is the Conair Turbo Extreme Steam Handheld Fabric Steamer . During testing, we found that it efficiently removed all the wrinkles in all the garments we tried. The steamer also has five different steam settings so you can adjust accordingly for delicates all the way up to heavier sweaters, clothes, and other household items you can surprisingly clean with a steamer . It also comes with a plethora of attachments: a silicone band for tight fabric placement while steaming, bristle brush, and delicate fabric spacer that gives you extra help achieving smooth lines and getting the steam to penetrate your materials. 

With a cord just over 9 feet, you also have room to stand, bend, and reach the different areas of your garments. This isn’t quite as long as the cord on our best overall pick (that comes in at 12 feet), but it’s still plenty long to go from the collars to the cuffs of your clothing.

Now, we did notice a bit of water spitting as we started using this steamer (just like with our best overall pick), and there was some minor leaking when this steamer wasn’t fully upright. But, also like our best overall, the water sputters weren't an issue after we got to know the steamer and gave it an extra minute or so to heat up.

This practice of waiting a bit longer before usage is also consistent with the advice we received from Melissa Brooks , Senior Director of Marketing, Garment Care at Conair, who says, "We recommend using the steamer for a few minutes on lower settings before switching to the highest or turbo settings. This allows the unit to heat up properly and reduce any chance for water droplets while in use."

Another similarity to our best overall pick is that you’ll probably want to use a funnel to fill the water tank since the water opening is pretty small. However, there are a few subtle differences to keep in mind, too. This steamer took a bit longer when it came to releasing wrinkles from the dress shirts in our lab, and also has both a smaller water tank (meaning a shorter amount of time you can steam) and shorter cord, as we mentioned above. Still, this is an overall great choice that’s right on the heels of our top pick.

Weight: 2 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 7.3 ounces | Heat Time: 38 seconds | Steam Time: 15 minutes | Power Level: 1,875 watts

Maintaining Your Steamer

To keep your steamer in top-top shape, Brooks advises "running a vinegar and water mixture in a 1:3 solution to loosen any hard water mineral buildup inside the steamer's water tank." She notes to do this after every 10 uses or so.

CHI Handheld Garment Steamer

Easy to fill tank, held enough water to steam three garments

Fabric brush attachment

Locking mechanism to keep steam on or off

Comfortable grip while in use

A bit of sputtering at the start of use

Awkward button placement

The CHI Handheld Garment Steamer for Clothes is one of the few steamers, out of 28 total that we’ve tested, that made it through the entirety of our testing without needing a tank refill, and it’s the only handheld steamer that managed this feat. In other words, you can expect to steam your shirt, pants, and blazer without needing to stop and add more water.

The 10.1-ounce water tank is the largest among our favorite handheld picks (although not among uprights), but it doesn’t feel overly bulky or heavy. It has a 10-foot cord which comes in right in the middle of our favorites, and is plenty long enough to go from the collars all the way to the cuffs of your garments.

Another small detail we appreciate is that the manufacturer takes care to include tips and tricks in the manual, so even beginners can be sure that they’re steaming efficiently (like, it can be easier to steam pants when they’re hanging upside down by the cuffs). We were also pleased to see that a fabric brush attachment was included in the box (even though it’s not part of the online listing). The fabric brush, which helps steam pass through material, made a big difference in the end results, and made it easier and faster to get our clothes looking fresh and crisp.

As with our best overall and runner-up picks, one of the downsides to this steamer is you might experience a bit of water sputtering, so just take care while it’s in use to keep your hands away from the spout. The button that controls the steam settings is placed a bit awkwardly, too, so while the grip on this machine is overall comfortable, the setting could be accidentally bumped and switched while it’s in use. Though, once you get used to this machine’s (minor!) quirks, we think there’s plenty to love about it. 

Weight: 1.71 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 10.1 ounces | Heat Time: 20 seconds | Steam Time: 18 minutes | Power Level: 1,600 watts

Filling Up Your Steamer

We recommend using distilled water in your steamer , so you’re not sending any minerals that might be in your tap water through your machine. This is what we used during testing, too.

Best Standing

Pure enrichment upright clothes steamer.

Sleek design with foot-operated power button

Four steam settings

Cord wrap for easy storage

Detachable tank

Small amount of water sputtering

Some minor design quirks

The sleek, versatile, full-sized Pure Enrichment PureSteam Pro Upright Clothes Steamer is a great choice if you have a bit more room in your home. The upright design features a pole, hanger, and clips that allow you to hang the garments you’re steaming, making for an easy, all-in-one steaming station. The base of the unit is also clever; it has a triangular shape that features a foot pedal to turn it on and off, keeping your hands free to steam or make adjustments. 

A dial on the front allows you to set the steam level to one of its four levels (level one is the gentlest, and it goes all the way up to four—specifically for suits). Our garments (a silk blouse, dress shirt, and linen pants) were steamed and looked fresh in under five minutes each, making this one of the fastest of all 28 machines we tested.

The Spruce / Camryn Rabideau

People / Henry Wortock

This steamer also has a detachable, 2-liter water tank (the largest among our picks!), which contributes to a whopping 60 minutes of steam time, which means you can get through multiple outfits and garments, or even an entire load of laundry. We especially like how easy it is to remove and fill the tank (there was no struggling with a funnel, as with some of the smaller picks we tried). We did notice a bit of water sputtering at first when we changed the temperature from low to medium, but as mentioned above, this is common. We suspect that we didn’t wait long enough in between settings originally; this issue stopped once we started using it at home more frequently.

One set of wheels are on the back of the base, so you can tip the pole to roll it around as needed (although, one or two additional wheels would have made movement even easier). We gave it a try on curtains and were also pleased with its range and versatility.

A small note is that we would have also preferred some sort of indication for its readiness when turning the machine on or adjusting the setting. There is one power light, but no other indication for settings or modes. All in all, though, we think the speed at which this machine operates and its user-friendliness make it a worthy addition to your laundry room if you have the space for it. 

Weight: 9.6 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 67.6 ounces | Heat Time: 2 minutes | Steam Time: 60 minutes | Power Level: 1,500 watts

Best Large-Capacity

Jiffy fabric steamer.

Can steam for up to 90 minutes

Wheels for extra mobility

6-inch wide nozzle

A few water droplets released at start of steaming

One steam setting

The Jiffy J-2000 Floor Standing Fabric Steamer is our choice for households that do lots of steaming. It has the largest water tank of any of our picks, with a 96-ounce capacity, or three quarters of a gallon. This volume of water allows you to steam for up to 90 minutes at a time (or until your arm gets tired, whichever comes first), and the speed at which you can steam is impressive, too. The 6-inch wide nozzle is the widest of our list, so you can reach a wider swath of material with each stroke, and you don't need to go over each spot more than once for the steam to remove wrinkles.

While it’s standard for upright steamers to be hardier than handheld ones, it’s worth noting that the water tank and nozzle are both larger than the other standing steamer on our list, the Pure Enrichment PureSteam Pro Upright Clothes Steamer . The Jiffy J-2000 is another pick that is easy to fill without the added step of a funnel, too, and the included rod set allows you to hang garments while you steam.

The 7-foot power cord might sound short compared to our other picks, but you have 5 feet of hose for easier maneuverability (just keep an eye out for the hose when this machine is on, because it does get hot to the touch). Since it’s on wheels, the steamer is also easy to rotate as necessary—but, not too easy! It stayed in place for us when we were using it.

After switching this machine on, it takes about a minute and 30 seconds to heat up; and we did notice that a few extra droplets of water were released as we were getting started with it, but not so much that we were concerned, since this is a common occurrence. The one other critique we have is that there’s only one steam setting, so you’re not able to make adjustments for different fabric types. Still, it’s an otherwise reliable pick with the longest steam time and the widest nozzle of our picks, giving you the ability to steam more, and for longer, than any of the others on this list. 

Weight: 15.87 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 96 ounces | Heat Time: 1.5 minutes | Steam Time: 90 minutes | Power Level: 1,300 watts

Best Travel Steamer

Brookline steamer.

Reservoir is easy to fill

Compact design

Less effective as water level decreased

For a steamer that you can rely on for quick, on-the-go touch-ups, we like the Brookline Steamer for Clothes . Its compact size (the smallest of our picks!) and straightforward design are great for packing and travel—and for light home use, too. We especially like that the wide-mouth reservoir can be easily filled from the tap, so you don’t have to fuss with a funnel at your hotel sink.

The tank can hold up to 6.1 ounces of water (roughly half of a can of soda). This is the smallest water capacity of our picks, but that’s to be expected for a travel-friendly clothes steamer. On the subject of the tank, we did notice that the steam power lessened as the water level depleted, and that we needed to be careful to keep the steamer upright to avoid sloshes—but, we were still pleased with the steamer's overall performance.

During testing, we saw the steamer take about two and a half minutes to heat up, so it’s not as quick as some of the other handheld choices. There’s just one setting, but it proved effective since the actual time it took to steam our garments was right on par with other models we have tested (from 5.5 minutes to over 8 minutes, depending on the material thickness). The 9-foot cord is also lengthy enough that you should be fine using it in most hotels, but just remember that you’ll need to account for the extra space in your suitcase when packing this steamer, for both the machine and the cord.

Our expectations for a travel steamer are a straightforward and compact design paired with efficient steaming, and this steamer definitely meets the mark (and did we mention it comes in black or pink?). 

Weight: 1.57 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 6.1 ounces | Heat Time: 2.5 minutes | Steam Time: 10 minutes | Power Level: 800 watts

Final Verdict

The best clothes steamer is the Electrolux Garment Steamer , which heats up immediately, boasts effective steaming power, and has a convenient 12-foot cord. The Conair Turbo Extreme Steam Handheld Fabric Steamer is another great choice that can power through wrinkles in just a few passes with its five steam settings, and comes with multiple attachments to help you get your clothes looking crisp and wrinkle-free. 

How We Tested the Clothes Steamers

We purchased 28 clothes steamers—both upright and handheld—and tested them in The Lab for 16 hours, assessing each machine on a variety of factors, including how well they did (or didn’t!) do at getting our clothes to look fresh and crisp. High-performing clothes steamers also went home with some of our testers for additional long-term assessments.

When testing, no matter where we're testing, we consider a few notable attributes and compare the steamers to each other to see how they rank against their competition.

• To start, we set up each steamer, noting how clear the instructions are and whether the design is intuitive or not. This means we look at details such as button placement, cord attachment, and accessories.
• Next, we use a stopwatch to time how long each steamer takes to heat up. Once the steamer is ready to go, we use it on a silk shirt, dress shirt, and pair of linen pants for a precise look at its performance. We time how long it takes us to get wrinkles out of each material, as well.
• We also consider each steamer’s portability . For handheld and travel steamers, this means how comfortably it can be carried around a home or packed in a suitcase. For standing or upright steamers, we look at how easily and smoothly they can be moved or rolled. 
• The value of each steamer is also determined by overall performance and price. In other words, we decide whether or not we’d be comfortable paying our own money for it, once we’ve seen and used it in person.

What to Look for in a Clothes Steamer

Type: standing or handheld.

“Home steamers basically come in two varieties: base-mounted steamers and handheld steamers,” says Wayne Edelman , CEO of Meurice Garment Care. “Handheld steamers are good to use for a quick touch-up or to travel with. Base tank steamers are used in retail environments, because they have larger water reservoirs and therefore will run longer without refilling with water," he adds. In home environments, they’re a good idea when you do lots of regular steaming, such as to maintain a very professional wardrobe that includes a lot of suits. 

On one hand (pun intended), handheld steamers are more compact and heat up more quickly, but upright steamers (which Edelman refers to as base tank steamers, and can also be called standing steamers) usually have a built-in hanger or clips for clothing and are more powerful, getting wrinkles out more quickly.

We included a mix of both styles on this list, but only two of our top picks are standing (the Pure Enrichment PureSteam Pro Upright Clothes Steamer , our best standing pick, and the Jiffy J-2000 Floor Standing Fabric Steamer , our best large-capacity pick).

The Power Level and Steam Settings

Most home steamers have a wattage between 500 and 1,500 watts, and steamers with a higher wattage produce more steam at once. This allows them to work more effectively and get wrinkles out faster.

Some machines also allow you to use different modes and levels to control the amount of steam you’re using, too. However, keep in mind that you can only use so much steam on fabric before it gets overly saturated, and a powerful burst of hot steam can harm certain fabrics. 

Velvet, velour, suede, waxed jackets, and anything plastic can be melted or warped by steaming—this also holds true for decorative elements like plastic buttons or beads. Katie Berry , a member of The Spruce’s Cleaning Review Board , additionally notes that "some metal embellishments will rust after repeated steaming, so try to avoid getting the device near them."

The majority of steamers release steam that’s somewhere between 212 and 400 degrees, which is why it’s important to keep your hands away from the nozzle during operation, too, and also handle the steamer carefully to avoid drips or spurts of hot water falling on your hands. As we noted in our testing, it's not uncommon to experience drips, especially as you're getting started with your steam session.

If you're not sure when to steam and when to use a steam iron , consider the advice of Eleanor Lofte , seamstress at Something Blue Bridal. She says that an iron is more appropriate when you’re working with a very thick fabric, or if the fabric has stubborn wrinkles or creases. Steamers can be a better choice when working with fragile fabrics, like polyester or nylon, that could easily be damaged by heat—or when you don’t have a good surface to iron on.

The Heat Time and Steam Time

While it may seem obvious that handheld picks will have smaller capacities, and uprights will tend to hold more, there's variation across different models, too. Of the models on this list, the water tanks of handheld options range from 6.1 ounces (our best travel pick, the Brookline Steamer for Clothes ) to 10 ounces (our best value pick, the CHI Handheld Garment Steamer for Clothes) , and offer 10 to 18 minutes of steam time. On the other hand, the largest machine on our list, the Jiffy J-2000 Floor Standing Fabric Steamer , offers 90 minutes of steam time. 

While deciding what sort of machine or capacity is right for you, consider how many garments you have for steaming, and how often you intend to tackle them. If you only have a few pieces you’ll be freshening up one at a time for special occasions, then a smaller capacity will likely suit you just fine. But if you want to do multiple pieces in one go—or your wardrobe is full of silks, linen, and business attire that need regular freshening—then you might prefer a larger machine.

Additionally, keep in mind that higher steam settings may go through more steam at once. In this case, you’ll really want a machine with a large water tank capacity so you don’t need to refill the tank often while steaming your clothes.

Attachments

A steamer might come with attachments like a fabric brush, silicone band, or a fabric spacer (or in the case of our best overall, runner-up , the Conair Turbo Extreme Steam Handheld Fabric Steamer , all three!). Each tool serves a different purpose. A fabric brush is designed to help steam penetrate clothes, a silicone band helps secure creases, and a fabric spacer protects fragile materials. A lint brush may be included with some machines (like our best overall , the Electrolux Garment Steamer ) to help you remove lint and fuzz. 

Before you check out, consider these products you may also need.

• Norpro Plastic Funnel, Set of Three : During our testing, a funnel was necessary to fill a steamer with a small water tank opening—this set will get the job done.
• Amazon Basics Velvet Clothes Hangers, Pack of 30 : If your steamer doesn't come with a place to hang up clothes, having hangers on hand is essential so you can reach your wrinkles at the right angle.
• Tinfol Velvet Hanger Clips, Pack of 24 : You can turn any hanger into a pants hanger with these clips. Plus, they're handy for hanging your pants by the cuff while steaming.
• iDesign Orbinni Steel Over-the-Door Storage Hook : The back of your bedroom or bathroom door can be a go-to spot to steam clothes, and this hook has four slots for an entire steaming session.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was written by Dena Ogden , an associate editor at The Spruce focusing on home tech, appliances, cleaning, and organization. Ogden has firsthand testing experience with products from top appliance brands, testing robot vacuums, upholstery cleaners, and more in her own home.

For this piece, she considered testing insights from The Lab and our home testing to inform our selections, looking at the overall effectiveness, ease of use, and features of each clothes steamer.

Our Experts:

• Melissa Brooks , Senior Director of Marketing, Garment Care at Conair
• Eleanor Lofte , seamstress with Something Blue Bridal 
• Wayne Edelman , CEO of Meurice Garment Care, with 30 years of experience in dry cleaning technology
• Melissa Maker of Clean My Space YouTube channel
• Katie Berry , member of The Spruce's Cleaning Review Board
• Camryn Rabideau , freelance writer and product tester at The Spruce
• Emma Phelps , associate editor at The Spruce
• Marisa Viglione , senior editor at The Spruce

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The 8 Very Best Clothing Steamers

From mini travel steamers to the workhorse standing unit found in every costume shop..

In this article

• Best overall
• Best standing
• Best less expensive
• Best travel
• Best ergonomic
• Best stylish
• Best splurge

Steamers are the secret weapon of garment care. Although their place in the home-appliance canon is less established than that of irons , they can do many of the same things: “I don’t think people understand how much you can get away with steaming things as opposed to ironing,” says Zach Pozniak , a third-generation dry cleaner and the vice-president of operations at Jeeves New York . “You can steam the vast majority of your clothing and be pretty happy with the results.” Plus steaming is, in many cases, better for keeping delicate, soft textiles in good shape: “Ironing is way more aggressive to your clothes than steaming is,” says Pozniak, “because you’re drilling it with pressure and heat,” while steamers work more gently to relax fibers.

As an amateur sewer and the owner of a lot of fussy clothing, I keep both an iron and a steamer around. I pull out the iron for sewing projects or a mega-wrinkled garment, but for the vast majority of clothing, I prefer doing a few passes with a steamer (right now, a sturdy Jiffy standing model — more on that below). As Posniak says, steaming is gentler on the fabric and less likely to damage it through accidental scorching. It’s also quicker than ironing, which makes a difference: 99 percent of the time I steam something, that something is rumpled and I’ve just pulled it out of the closet, and I’m already running five minutes late. No matter your use case — whether you only fire up a garment steamer when traveling for an event or you steam your bed linens every week — there’s a model for you. To help find the best clothes steamer, I consulted 12 experts, from stylists to laundry influencers, about their tried-and-true favorites and tested several highly recommended models on my own silks, linens, denim jackets, and ’90s nylon pants.

What we’re looking for

We’re categorizing steamers as travel size (less than 12 inches tall and six inches wide), handheld (too large to throw in a suitcase, but small and lightweight enough to use one-handed), and standing, the largest size, which feature a water reservoir, a hanging rack, and will usually have wheels.

The power of a steamer is measured in watts, which corresponds to how quickly an appliance heats up and how forcefully it can expel steam — think about the difference between a face mister and Jacuzzi jets. Most options on this list are between 1,000 and 2,000 watts, which is powerful enough for even heavy-duty garment-steaming tasks.

Tank capacity

The water capacity of a steamer is an industrial-design balancing act: too small and you’ll be running back to the sink to refill it before you finish steaming a single shirt; too large and the steamer will be heavy and unwieldy when full. Most handheld options on this list have a tank capacity of between four and eight ounces of water, which provides about ten to 15 minutes of continuous steam. The experts I spoke to agreed that that capacity is sufficient for home use, but if you’re regularly steaming a lot of clothing at once or just don’t like refilling a water tank, consider a freestanding steamer, which is less portable but has a higher-capacity tank. It’s the style found in “every department store and every studio,” per costume designer Alison Freer. I myself used a freestanding steamer on entire racks of theater costumes at my college costume-shop job.

Several of the experts I spoke to also shared tricks for avoiding “spitting,” which happens when the minerals naturally found in tap water build up and “eject this gross white grainy sand,” says Pozniak, which can stain your clothes. Filling your steamer’s tank with distilled water is the simplest way to prevent mineral buildup. If you want to get even more precise, Patric Richardson, host of The Laundry Guy , recommends using spring water, which contains some minerals but less than tap water. That allows the water to heat up beyond the boiling point of distilled water — the same rationale as adding salt to pasta water — which makes for a hotter, more effective steam. Another suggestion from Marilee Nelson, a nontoxic consultant and co-founder of Branch Basics , is to fill the tank with a half-and-half mixture of water and an inexpensive, high-proof vodka: the alcohol will “remove allergens, body odor, and even smoke and perfume picked up on clothes.”

Best clothes steamer overall

Size: Handheld | Power: 1,875 watts | Capacity: 7.3 ounces

The Conair Turbo Extreme Steam is a powerful, reliable steamer that can stand up to nearly any steaming task you throw at it. I used it for several months, and it’s favored by three other discerning users: Kate Young, Uma Thurman’s stylist and the mastermind behind her wrinkle-free 2022 Oscars look ; Strategist women’s fashion writer Ambar Pardilla ; and Pozniak , who uses it about twice a week to clean drapery and upholstered furniture in clients’ homes. Pozniak discovered the model while searching for an alternative to a standing machine , which he found too unwieldy for large jobs. He likes that the Conair steamer is lightweight, heats up in about 30 seconds, and can “run at full blast” for about ten minutes.

When I tested it, I was impressed with the quick heat-up time and the amount of steam it could generate on the highest setting. (The Turbo has five settings, which correspond to the volume of steam it puts out.) It’s on the larger side, but once it was in my hand, I realized all the other things I could steam and gave my pillowcases and bedding a quick once-over, too — I’m allergic to everything and appreciate that steaming fully neutralizes some kinds of allergens, including dust mites. Pardilla also loves the steamer, which she bought after the experience of stamping “big horseshoe-shaped marks onto a couple of T-shirts ” made her swear off irons. “It gives you a red-carpet-immaculate finish every time,” she says.

Best standing clothes steamer

Size: Standing | Power: 1,300 watts | Capacity: 96 ounces

The Jiffy J-2000 standing steamer is the industry standard; you’re more likely than not to find it in any costume shop or department store. Freer has four, the oldest of which was a gift from a mentor and is “easily 25 if not 30 years old and still works like a champ.” Musician Katie Crutchfield (a.k.a. Waxahatchee) is also a fan and named it as something she can’t live without : “Years and years of buying a shitty steamer and having my outfit covered in water and totally wrinkled have led me here,” she says. “This is a case in which I decided to buy the actual thing, and I’m really glad I did.”

I had assumed a J-2000 steamer would be too heavy-duty for me — I steam a garment about once a week, usually five minutes before leaving the house — but I was curious after graphic designer and home sewer Tracy Ma mentioned that she has one. Although it “seems silly at first to have such a large thing in a New York apartment,” she says, “it’s actually an appliance I use regularly.” After four months of use, my conclusion: If you aren’t a clothes person, you don’t need a standing steamer. If you are, this will change your life. It heats up fast, rarely needs to be refilled, and can get wrinkled nylon and creased wool crisp in less than a minute. Keeping it in the corner of my bedroom removed the mental block around getting an appliance out of the closet ( and the metal rod provides a convenient place to hang clothes I’m planning to wear the next day ) , so I ended up using it more often and thus getting more wear out of my most wrinkle-prone clothes. I’ve even used it to steam pajamas .

It’s expensive, but it will last you decades and is easy to repair — if a component breaks, Jiffy sells replacement parts on its website, which is helpful for heavy-duty users. (“One of the wheels fell off because I’m always dragging it through a parking lot,” Freer says of her J-2000 steamer.)

Best less expensive clothes steamer

Size: Handheld | Power: 1,200 watts | Capacity: 6 ounces

If you want the Extreme Steam Turbo in a smaller package, this less expensive version of the Conair Turbo is a good choice — it has less power and a lower capacity than our best-in-class pick but still performs well and might be preferable for those who don’t use a garment steamer frequently. It’s the go-to steamer of Queer Eye ’s Tan France , who praises its lightweight construction and its reliability. He says, “Every stylist out there knows how annoying it is when a steamer leaks and drips,” potentially damaging delicate fabrics, but the Extreme Steam rarely does. It’s also a favorite of Strategist senior editor Simone Kitchens, who describes it as “so solid,” especially considering how small and inexpensive it is.

Best travel clothes steamer

Size: Travel | Power: 600 watts | Capacity: 8 ounces

This compact Jiffy travel steamer is a favorite of Freer and businesswoman Barbara Corcoran (one of the sharks of Shark Tank ), who says it takes 30 seconds to get dresses looking “like I just went to the dry cleaner.” Freer appreciates its compact size — it’s about “the size of a Hydro Flask”— and says it especially comes in handy when traveling for an event. She mentions a time her boyfriend folded and flat-packed a suit in his luggage, and “I coaxed that thing back to life” with just the Jiffy steamer. “That’s the thing I’m still proudest of in my entire career.”

I tested the Jiffy Esteam on a silk suit that needed a quick refresh before wearing. It’s a very simple device — it doesn’t even have an on or off button, just a red light to indicate it’s working — but it does the job well. The Esteam took about a minute to heat up and smoothed trouser wrinkles in one pass. It also has the distinction of being the least annoying to fill garment steamer on this list — the top unscrews, and you can fill the tank directly from the tap like a water bottle.

Best clothes steamer for international travel

Size: Travel | Power: 1,200 watts | Capacity: 2.7 ounces

For a less expensive travel steamer, Conair’s dual-voltage model is a great option and has the useful feature of working with 120-volt U.S. outlets and 220-volt outlets, which are more common worldwide. When I tested it, it heated up in about 36 seconds and emitted a fine, gauzy hiss of steam that unwrinkled a pair of wool pants in no time. Its capacity is on the lower end, so you’ll need to refill it after steaming a couple garments. But it’s a solid option if you’re looking for a powerful steamer you can throw in your luggage, or if you only steam one or two things at a time — it’s become the model I reach for over our best-in-class pick, the Conair Turbo Extreme Steam, when I need to give something a quick once-over before leaving the house.

Best ergonomic steamer

Size: Handheld | Power: 1,600 watts, 1,875 watts | Capacity: 6.76 ounces

Rowenta makes some of our favorite irons — it has a reputation for precise engineering and reliable safety features. They also make a great garment steamer, recommended by stylist Shannon Adducci . “On long shoots, you really appreciate its thumb-saving ergonomic design,” she says. “Unlike overhead triggers on flimsier models, the trigger on the X-Cel is positioned under the steam head for you to pull with your index and middle fingers.”

Best stylish steamer

Size: Travel | Power: 1,000 watts | Capacity: 3 ounces

Steamery bills the Cirrus No. 3 appliances as a combination steamer and iron, which is a bit of a misnomer — it has a front plate safe to press directly onto textiles that heats up to about the lowest level on a traditional iron , so it can’t flatten deep-set wrinkles or smooth textiles that need higher heat like linen or cotton. Strategist writer Dominique Pariso, who uses the Cirrus No.3 a few times a week, says it’s great for instances where “I realize the shirt I want to wear is wrinkled five minutes before I’m supposed to leave my apartment.” (And five minutes before leaving the house is, to be honest, also when I do most of my steaming and ironing.) Its sleek design is also a plus: Strategist contributor Chris Black recommends it as a wedding-registry item, and it’s a favorite of Bread Beauty Supply founder Maeva Heim, who named it the best gift she bought herself in 2020.

Best splurge iron-steamer combo

Size: Handheld with tank | Power: 1,600 watts | Capacity: 37.2 ounces

Richardson swears by his Laurastar steam iron, which he’s used for several years — it combines the functions of an iron and a garment steamer into one appliance, eliminating the need to buy one of each. He especially likes the hot, dry steam it produces: “Their steam dries on contact. I can iron a shirt in 60 seconds with their iron because you only go over the area once and it’s completely dry, so you can just keep moving.” And though it’s expensive, he says it’s well worth it if you regularly spend money on dry cleaning — you can get the same results with a Laurastar iron at home — and it’s made to last. “It’s like buying a KitchenAid mixer — you only ever buy one.”

Some more clothing-care tools we’ve written about

Our experts

• Shannon Adducci, stylist • Chris Black, Strategist contributor • Tan France, Queer Eye host • Alison Freer, costume designer and author of How to Get Dressed • Maeva Heim, founder of Bread Beauty Supply • Simone Kitchens, Strategist senior editor • Tracy Ma, graphic designer • Marilee Nelson, co-founder of Branch Basics • Ambar Pardilla, Strategist writer • Zach Pozniak, vice-president of operations at Jeeves New York • Patric Richardson, host of The Laundry Guy

The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best women’s jeans , rolling luggage , pillows for side sleepers , ultra-flattering pants , and bath towels . We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

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Best Travel Steamers

This hand-held steamer checks all of the boxes, being that it heats up quickly, is durably constructed, and makes fabrics look great.

Features 5 heat settings. Kills 99.9% of bacteria for optimal sanitation. Includes 3 attachments for use on delicate items. Heats water in 40 seconds and can hold up to 7.3 ounces.

It is recommended to use distilled water in this steamer to prevent mineral buildup.

If you need an iron that's great to travel with, our expert recommends this model.

Tiny and portable. Dual voltage settings are great for international travel. Grip is considered ideal for those who find regular irons uncomfortable. Heats up in as little as 15 seconds.

Uneven temperature across the soleplate. Steam production is slow. Unstable when placed on its heel.

Unlike other travel steamers, this one does not leak or spit water, and it's easy enough for even an inexperienced user.

It has many safety features and even comes with a glove to protect your hand. It heats up within seconds and features an auto-shutoff.

While it's portable, it's not as small as some other steamers.

This steamer is perfect for traveling but is more expensive than steamers with similar abilities.

This lightweight, compact steamer does not leak and is easy to fill, heating up in less than a minute.

It has a tendency to sometimes spit hot water.

Compact and convenient, this travel steamer is a quick alternative to ironing but can't do bigger items such as curtains.

The perfect size for traveling, with a travel pouch, it can also be used every day. It works quickly with just regular tap water.

It does spit and splatter at times. Must have it close to the garment for it to work.

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

Table of Contents

Buying guide for best travel steamers.

Updated November 2023

Most hotel rooms have ironing tools for you to use, but do you really want to use an old, musty ironing board to freshen up your business attire? Do you want to risk staining your new dress with a potentially dirty or broken iron? Pack a travel steamer in your suitcase instead, and you’ll have a quick, convenient way to de-wrinkle and refresh your clothing when you’re away from home.

Travel steamers are compact, portable tools that allow you to easily remove wrinkles from your clothing … even when you’re on the road. And they’re not just for vacations and business trips; you can keep a travel steamer at the office for use before an important meeting or in case of an emergency. If you’re low on storage space at home, you can keep one there, too.

The BestReviews team performed in-depth research on travel steamers to identify the very best products. Read on to learn more, or check out the travel steamers we’re recommending.

Benefits of a travel steamer

The application of steam is a great way to get wrinkles out of delicate fabrics. Most travel steamers have smaller water reservoirs than their full-sized counterparts, so if you have a lot of work to do, you may need to refill yours more often. Some travel steamers may also produce less steam than traditional models. Nevertheless, many people agree that a steamer is a more convenient appliance than an iron.

Here are some of the main advantages of owning a travel steamer.

Won’t burn clothing

Can be used on almost any type of fabric

Sanitizes and removes wrinkles

No chemicals (unlike dry cleaning)

Low cost (unlike dry cleaning)  

Keep in mind that although steamers are highly convenient, they cannot produce the crisp creases that you can achieve with a steam iron and ironing board.

Considerations

Here are the main things to consider when shopping for a travel steamer.

Size and weight

Make sure your chosen travel steamer is suitably lightweight for travel. It should be compact enough to fit easily inside your suitcase . A unit that’s too heavy will be cumbersome to pack and challenging to hold, as well. Most travel steamers vary in weight from just over one pound to a little over three pounds.

Water reservoir size

A larger reservoir usually means that the unit will be heavier when full. But it also means the device holds more water, which translates to a longer steam time and less-frequent refilling.

Heating time

How quickly does the travel steamer heat up? Heating times can range from 20 seconds to several minutes. If you’re a last-minute kind of person, opt for a steamer with quick heating so you can plug in and go. Many manufacturers state the device heating time on the package.

Performance

How big is the water reservoir? A larger reservoir may allow you to steam more than one garment before you need a refill. Most travel steamers have water tanks that provide enough steam for one item of clothing at a time.

A good steamer doesn’t spray hot water; it produces a steady stream of hot steam. Look at the product description to discover how long the unit can produce a continuous stream of steam. Avoid models for which users have complained of water leakage.

Steamers with higher wattage are more powerful but may be larger, bulkier, and not ideal for travel purposes.

Ease of use

The best travel steamers are easy to use. The tank is removable for cleaning and filling, and the unit doesn’t leak or dribble water. The cord is long enough to maneuver the steamer without fuss; it may even be retractable. The controls or buttons make sense, and the handle is comfortable to hold as you de-wrinkle your clothing.

Most steamers have an auto shutoff feature that turns off the device when the water reservoir is empty.

Dual voltage

Wall outlets differ depending on where you are in the world. For overseas travel to Europe, you’ll need a dual-voltage device or an adapter to use the steamer with a different outlet type. Notably, it might be tough to find a steamer with dual voltage; this feature is more common in travel irons .

Travel steamer prices

• Budget travel steamers: $25 and under Travel steamers in this price range take longer to heat up, have smaller water reservoirs, and produce shorter continuous bursts of steam. They tend to be less powerful, too, with most models providing under 1,000 watts of power.
• Mid-range travel steamers: $30 to $50 For a bit more money, you can get a travel steamer that heats faster and has a larger water tank. Most units in this range provide at least 1,000 watts of power.
• Premium travel steamers: $50 and up The priciest travel steamers offer more powerful wattage (over 1,000 watts). They heat up very quickly and deliver long, steady bursts of steam.

Packing to prevent wrinkles

A travel steamer can help get out stubborn wrinkles when you’re on the go, but the first step to wrinkle-free travel is actually the proper packing of your suitcase. Here are some tips for wrinkle-free packing.

Roll cotton tees and clothes instead of folding them.

Choose synthetic fabrics to pack since they won’t wrinkle as easily as cotton. Wool is also wrinkle proof.

Use packing cubes to keep clothing from tumbling around inside your suitcase.

Neatly fold sweaters and shirts into squares. Use plastic bags (dry-cleaning bags are a good choice) to prevent wrinkling.

Keep smaller items like underwear and lingerie in zip-lock bags .

Minimize loose space to prevent jostling. Use items like socks to fill in the gaps.

Don’t overpack . A fully packed suitcase can squish and compress your clothing, causing it to wrinkle and crease unnecessarily.

• Bundle wrap your clothing to keep your garments looking neat and tidy. The method involves wrapping delicate, wrinkle-prone items with clothing less likely to wrinkle.

Q. Do travel steamers come with accessories? A. Some travel steamers may come with a brush attachment or lint roller attachment to help keep your clothes looking sharp. But steamers are relatively basic devices, and you don’t need extra accessories to steam your clothing correctly.

Q. What’s the best way to clean my travel steamer? A. Over time, mineral deposits can build up inside your steamer head and clog the unit. To thoroughly remove residue, fill the water reservoir with vinegar. Turn on the steamer and let the steam run its course. Once the reservoir has emptied, repeat the process with water. Rinse the tank when you’re done.

Q. Should I use distilled water in my steamer? A. The use of distilled water is recommended but not necessary. Using distilled water helps reduce buildup and mineral deposits, but it’s not dangerous to use regular tap water to steam clothing. If you don’t regularly clean your steamer, however, mineral deposits may eventually produce white stains on fabric.

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8 Best Clothing Steamers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Quickly and efficiently get rid of pesky wrinkles in your clothes — without lugging out the ironing board — with one of these editor-tested and -approved steamers. Plus, learn about the many health benefits of using a clothing steamer on items throughout your home.

Related To:

Our top clothes steamer picks.

Best Overall

Best Handheld

Best Standing

Best Foldable

Best Versatile

Best Travel

Also in This Article

How we tested, what to consider when shopping for a clothes steamer, benefits of using a clothes steamer.

Tested by HGTV editors

We've all been there: You're in a hurry to get out of the door in the morning, throw on a shirt, look in the mirror and realize it's a wrinkled mess. You don't want to bother with the cumbersome ironing board (and might not even know where it is). Enter a clothing steamer. A clothing steamer is an easier-to-use alternative to an iron that works by heating water from its reservoir to create steam. That steam is then able to loosen the fibers in the garments it comes in contact with, releasing any wrinkles. Many consumers are fans of clothing steamers for not only their quick wrinkle-releasing capabilities but also for their ability to clean, freshen and even kill odor-causing bacteria in a variety of fabrics.

Photo by: Laura James

Laura James

To determine the best clothes steamers on the market, we started by researching the products that were available at the time of testing, thoroughly reading about each product and considering customer reviews. Our team of editors tested 16 different steamers in a variety of prices, features and designs to discover the best one for each category and household. We put each steamer to the test and observed how quickly the steamers were able to get rid of wrinkles, if they leaked water at all, their ease of use and maneuverability, how long a tank of water was able to continuously steam, how powerful each steamer was, if they were travel-friendly and if the steamer included any accessories. Our testers used the steamers on a variety of fabrics including cotton, linen, polyester, lyocell, suede, denim, flannel and more. We noted our likes, dislikes and opinions for each one to determine the overall winners.

Best Overall: Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Handheld Garment Steamer

• Can be used vertically and horizontally
• Easy to maneuver
• Doesn’t spew or leak water
• Water tank could be bigger

Conair's Turbo ExtremeSteam Handheld Steamer checks all the boxes with its powerful, penetrating steaming capabilities and takes our Best Overall title. A removable 7.3-ounce water tank fills easily with the recommended distilled water, and the steamer heats that water up in about 40 seconds. The nozzle features a dual-slotted ceramic plate that combines with 1,875 watts of power to produce double the steam and provide a smooth distribution of that steam for faster results — and fewer passes of the nozzle on wrinkles. While a lot of steamers on the market only offer one steam setting, the Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam boasts five settings, from Low to Turbo. Our tester found one tank of water to steam for about 15 minutes on the Mid-High setting and appreciated that the steamer could be used both vertically as well as horizontally — ideal for steaming fabrics low to the ground like the skirt of an armchair without having to worry about water spillage. She tested the steamer on cotton, linen and polyester-nylon performance upholstery fabric and noted that, while the upholstery needed more passes of the steamer to remove wrinkles, it was very effective at de-wrinkling the fabrics and was easy to maneuver. The steamer also comes with a built-in creaser for creating perfect pleats and a built-in stand for easy storage, while an included three-in-one attachment features a silicone band for pulling fabrics taut, a spacer for protecting delicates and a bristle brush to loosen fabrics.

• Weight 3.2 pounds
• Tank Capacity 7.3 ounces
• Steam Settings 5
• Heat Up Time 40 seconds
• Steam Time Up to 20 minutes
• Attachments Built-in creaser, built-in stand, 3-in-1 attachment with silicone band, fabric spacer and bristle brush

Steamer Before and After - 1

The image on the left shows the wrinkled skirt of HGTV editor Laura James' armchair before steaming, and the right image shows the skirt after a few passes of using the Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam steamer to remove the wrinkles.

Best Handheld: Electrolux Handheld Garment and Fabric Steamer

• Removed garment wrinkles in one to two passes
• Heats up fast for quick steaming
• Auto shutoff function
• Slight condensation transfer occured on first few passes after heating up

Gone are the days of waiting forever for the iron to heat up and even longer to finally remove wrinkles and get out the door. With the Electrolux Handheld Garment and Fabric Steamer, you can have wrinkle-free clothing in just a few minutes. The removable 10-ounce water tank heats up in only 30 seconds and can continuously steam for up to 18 minutes. The steamer features two steam settings as well as an option to lock the trigger for continuous steam. Its 1,500 watts of power efficiently removed wrinkles in our tester's lyocell dress in just one pass, and her cotton dress took about two passes to remove the wrinkles. Because our tester says she always forgets to iron/steam until the last minute, she appreciated how quickly the steamer heated up and how fast it got the job done. As well as fast wrinkle-releasing capabilities, it also features a heavy-duty ceramic soleplate on the nozzle that evenly distributes the heat of the steam and helps control static on garments. Pump steam technology ensures no leaking or spilling of water no matter which way you use the steamer, vertically or horizontally, though our tester did notice a slight condensation transfer on the first few passes of the steamer after heating up. Other notable features include an auto shutoff function, a 12-foot power cord, included lint remover and fabric brush attachments, and a heat-resistant storage box.

• Weight 4 pounds
• Tank Capacity 10 ounces
• Steam Settings 2
• Heat Up Time 30 seconds
• Steam Time Up to 18 minutes
• Attachments Lint remover, fabric brush

Best Standing: Pure Enrichment PureSteam XL Standing Steamer

• Up to one hour of continuous steam
• Quick wrinkle-releasing capabilities
• Water tank is detachable
• Hose could be longer
• Included hanger is flimsy

Ensure you always have the freshest fabrics with the Pure Enrichment PureSteam XL Standing Steamer. The steamer is ready to use in just 45 seconds and makes quick work of wrinkles thanks to its 1,500 watts of steaming power. A removable half-gallon water tank allows you to de-wrinkle, clean and deodorize fabrics for up to an hour without having to stop and refill it with water. Our tester loved how quickly the steamer was able to freshen and get rid of wrinkles in her 100-percent cotton dress in just a few passes of the nozzle, noting that the handle is very easy to hold and control while using. She appreciated how smoothly the wheels were able to guide the steamer across her hardwood floor and how sturdy the telescopic pole was when it was fully put together. However, she does wish the hose was less stiff and a little longer in length to reach the top of her curtains. In the box, you get the steamer plus a hanger with clips and a fabric brush attachment. A two-year warranty is also included with your purchase. Pure Enrichment even claims this steamer can kill bedbugs and dust mites, and although we didn't test this claim, the high heat output of the steam created seems to back that statement.

• Weight 10 pounds
• Tank Capacity 64 ounces
• Steam Settings 1
• Heat Up Time 45 seconds
• Steam Time Up to 60 minutes
• Attachments Fabric brush, hanger

Best Value: Hilife Handheld Portable Clothes Steamer

• Lightweight
• Long, nine-foot power cord
• Steamer can only be used at an upright angle
• Long heat-up time

With more than 77,000 positive consumer ratings on Amazon, the Hilife Handheld Portable Steamer definitely deserves a spot on our list. And, because of its powerful steaming properties for under $30, we've deemed it the Best Steamer for Value. The steamer heats up in a few minutes and boasts an 8.1-ounce water tank, which our tester found to last for 16 minutes of active steaming. Its light weight of 1.7 pounds paired with an ergonomic handle makes for a comfortable design, but the steamer should only be kept upright when in use and not tilted to avoid water spillage. Our tester found the steamer's 700 watts of power to work great, getting rid of wrinkles in her polyester dress and linen skirt in about two to three passes — all without any leakage or sputtering of water from the nozzle. While it only has one setting, the steam produced is more than sufficient for lightweight clothing but might need more passes on thicker fabrics to remove wrinkles. Other highlights include a 9.2-foot power cord, an included fabric brush attachment and an included water cup to make filling the tank a breeze.

• Weight 1.7 pounds
• Tank Capacity 8.1 ounces
• Heat Up Time 2 minutes
• Steam Time Up to 15 minutes
• Attachments Water cup, fabric brush

Best Foldable: Beautural Foldable Handheld Clothes Steamer

• Foldable design is great for traveling or storing away
• Impressive steam output
• Shorter steam time

Whether you're traveling with your steamer or just looking for a space-saving design, the Beautural Foldable Handheld Steamer is a great option. With 1,000 watts of power and a 30-second heat-up time, this steamer gets rid of wrinkles in no time. Our tester found the 5-ounce water tank to be easy to fill, with it twisting off and popping back onto the machine seamlessly. She steamed a cotton-blend shirt, a polyester shower curtain and polyester blackout curtains and was impressed with the steam level and how quickly it was able to remove wrinkles from those items. The steamer's handle folds into the device for when it's not in use and even comes with a mesh bag for on-the-go steaming and easy storage. A huge plus of this steamer is that it can be used either horizontally or vertically, and our tester didn't experience any leaking or drips of water while using it. While it is made slightly cumbersome by the fact that you have to continuously push the steam button to use it, she felt the effectiveness of the steamer far outweighs this con. And, an extra-long, eight-foot power cord allows it to reach across larger fabrics such as bedding and upholstered furniture with ease.

• Weight 1.4 pounds
• Tank Capacity 5.07 ounces
• Steam Time About 10 minutes
• Attachments Mesh storage bag

Best Versatile: Salav Adjustable Standing Garment Steamer

• Ideal for deodorizing, cleaning and killing germs and bacteria
• Available in three colors
• Compactable for storage
• Sporadically sputters water
• Hose is pretty stiff

From curtains and upholstered furniture to blouses and slacks, the Salav Standing Steamer is versatile enough to remove wrinkles from and clean most fabrics its steam comes in contact with. Thanks to a 1.8-liter water tank, the steamer can provide over an hour of steam time without having to stop to refill it. Its 1,500 watts quickly and easily got rid of wrinkles in our tester's faux-linen curtains as well as multiple polyester tops. Because the steam produced reaches over 200 degrees Fahrenheit, this standing steamer is ideal for deodorizing, cleaning, freshening, and killing germs and bacteria on not only clothing but also bedding, pet beds, stuffed animals and more. While this steamer produces powerful and hot steam, its dual-insulated hose and nozzle ensure it can withstand the heat. Our tester appreciated how easy it was to store the steamer, with the adjustable telescopic pole and foldable hanger collapsing down to just 32 inches in height, which fits perfectly in the corner of her closet when not in use. A downside she noticed was that the included hanger was a bit flimsy at times. To prolong the life of this steamer, use only distilled water and empty any remaining water in the tank after each use.

• Weight 9 pounds
• Tank Capacity 61 ounces
• Steam Time Over 60 minutes
• Attachments Folding adjustable hanger

Best Travel: Polardo Handheld Portable Travel Steamer

• Lightweight and portable
• Leak-free use at any angle
• Handle-free design is ideal for a suitcase
• Short steam time

Say goodbye to wrinkly clothes while traveling for good with the Polardo Handheld Travel Steamer. Its petite size, light weight of 1.2 pounds and handle-free design allow it to slip into a suitcase or weekend bag without taking up too much space. While the water tank is smaller than full-size steamers at just four ounces, its powerfulness removes wrinkles from clothes just as efficiently as those models. Our tester found that the steamer heats up in just 25 seconds and one tank of water lasted for 12 minutes of steaming time. A stainless-steel plate and 360-degree, anti-spill design allow it to be used as a steamer and an iron. Our tester used it to iron a linen shirt on her bed, running the metal plate over the fabric, and raved about the wrinkle-free results. She also used it as a regular steamer and found it to work just as well at removing wrinkles. Another perk of this steamer is that it features an internal nano water filter that allows you to fill the tank with tap water without the risk of calcification. One drawback our tester found was that, although it wasn't a lot, this steamer did spit small amounts of water when first switched to the steam setting and occasionally while using it. As a bonus with the steamer, a drawstring travel pouch and lint remover attachment are included.

• Weight 1.2 pounds
• Tank Capacity 4 ounces
• Heat Up Time 25 seconds
• Steam Time Up to 12 minutes
• Attachments Travel pouch, lint removal brush

Best Steamer/Iron Combo: Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam 2-in-1 Steamer & Iron

• Can be used as a steamer or an iron
• 10-second heat-up time
• Functional attachments included
• No auto shutoff function

You've probably heard of a steam iron (an iron with a steam function), but what about a steamer with ironing capabilities? The Conair 2-in-1 Turbo ExtremeSteam Steamer and Iron is able to do just that with its incredible 1,875 watts of steaming power. Heating up and ready to use in just 10 seconds, the 8.5-ounce water tank steams continuously for up to 10 minutes and would be best for quick work on a few garments at a time. When held vertically, the steamer functions like a normal clothes steamer, but when held horizontally, the steamer functions like an iron. An extra-large aluminum plate on the nozzle presses garments just like an iron would for a professional look. Four steam settings — Low, Mid, High and Turbo — allow you to take the steam from delicate fabrics (Low setting) to thick upholstery (Turbo setting) with a click of a button. Our tester found the Mid and High settings to work on everything she used it on, from denim and flannel to linen and cotton. She even used the steamer on hem tape for a sewing project and was impressed with the amount of steam it generated. While it does have a Smart Sensor Safety Feature that stops steam when the machine is placed on a flat surface, our tester wished it had an auto shutoff function as well. The steamer comes with three attachments including a bonnet to protect delicate fabrics, a creaser for pleats and folds, and a two-in-one silicone band and bristle brush for pulling fabrics taut and penetrating thick fabrics.

• Weight 3.5 pounds
• Tank Capacity 8.5 ounces
• Steam Settings 4
• Heat Up Time 10 seconds
• Steam Time Up to 10 minutes
• Attachments Delicates bonnet, creaser, 2-in-1 silicone band and bristle brush

Handheld vs. Standing: There are two types of steamers: handheld and standing. Handheld steamers are more compact in size and often travel-friendly. These steamers are ideal for frequent use on clothing as they're easier to use and usually have a trigger for controlling when the steam comes out. However, handheld steamers have smaller water tanks and are best for steaming only a handful of garments at a time. Standing steamers, or upright steamers, are often described as professional steamers since they're more heavy-duty than handheld versions. They usually have a long hose attached to the nozzle, an extendable pole, larger water tanks and sometimes come with an attached hanger. Standing steamers are best for longer steaming sessions and jobs that require a boost of powerful steam.

Fabrics and Power Level: Consider what type of material you'd be using the steamer on the most. Steamers are ideal for delicate fabrics such as silk, cashmere and wool that an iron's direct heat could damage, as well as cotton, polyester and linen. Avoid using a steamer on fabrics that could be damaged by heat such as waxed garments, leather and suede. Also, be aware of any plastic buttons or embellishments on your garment that could melt if in direct contact with the hot steam. Delicate fabrics need less power wattage to remove wrinkles, while thicker materials, like curtains, may need a steamer with more wattage to get the job done.

Size and Portability: If you'll be taking your steamer on the road with you, opt for one that is travel-friendly. Handheld steamers are the best option and are usually lightweight and compact enough to fit in a suitcase. Also, think about where you'll be storing your steamer and whether or not you'll have the space (especially for a standing steamer). Double-check the steamer's weight and dimensions before buying to ensure it's the right size for your needs.

Features and Accessories: A few steamer features to think about when purchasing include how long it takes to heat up, water tank capacity, how long one tank can steam for, how many steam levels it has, if the steamer is leakproof or not, and if it can be tilted horizontally to steam. Some steamers will include additional accessories to make them multifunctional such as brush attachments, storage bags, lint removers, guards to protect delicate fabrics, small cups for filling the water tank and more.

We considered all of these factors, as well as customer reviews, when selecting and testing our top picks.

The left image shows HGTV editor Laura James' printed top before steaming, and the right image shows the same top after using our "Best Overall" Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam steamer to remove wrinkles in the garment.

While clothes steamers function similarly to irons, one of the main benefits of using a steamer is that they are much less damaging on your garments than an iron — especially when used on delicate fabrics. Irons require direct contact with the garment and use applied pressure and heat to remove wrinkles, whereas steamers are held a short distance away from the garment and use — you guessed it — hot steam to remove wrinkles. However, if crisp pleats and sharp creases are what you're looking for, then an iron is the best choice.

Steamers are versatile. They work wonders on many fabrics throughout the home such as wrinkled curtains, drapes, bedding, shower curtains, tablecloths, table runners, napkins and more. And let's be honest: Lugging out an ironing board and an iron to remove wrinkles from those larger fabrics would not be the easiest task (or the most fun, either).

Steamers also have many positive health-related benefits, including the ability to kill up to 99% of bacteria, viruses and germs on not only clothing but also household items like mattresses, pillows, stuffed animals, pet beds, sneakers, upholstered furniture and more. For best results, make sure the steam is hot enough (200 degrees Fahrenheit or more) and is in continuous contact with the fabric for at least three minutes. And, because of the intense heated-steam output, steamers also have the ability to clean, deodorize and freshen clothing and fabrics.

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Stylists, Editors, and Retail Associates Say These Are the Best Clothes Steamers

Did anyone have an ironing-obsessed parent growing up? Insert hand-raised emoji here. I can’t even count the number of back-and-forths I had with my mom over what I considered passably wrinkled clothing. My aversion to ironing ran deep into my 20s until a friend of mine steamed a  button-down shirt for me, and I have never turned back. The ease of a clothes steamer is like no other, and it’s no wonder  stylists , editors , content creators, creative directors, and retail associates can't live without them.

With that in mind, I set out to find the highest-rated clothes steamers online in a variety of options such as handheld, standing, travel-ready, and, yes, some that even come with ironing capabilities. I also reached out to some of my favorite fashion creatives including stylists Dione Davis , Allison Bornstein , Bryant Christopher Simmons , and  Erin Noël , as well as creative directors  Angela Fink and  Hillary Comstock , to get their top picks. Would you believe almost all of them raved about the exact same clothes steamer brand?

Scroll on to shop the best clothes steamers of the moment plus fashion creatives' picks. They are guaranteed to change your look and your life.

The Best Budget-Friendly Clothes Steamers

NYC-based associate editor Sierra Mayhew says, "If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, I have to suggest the steamer that I recently ordered on Amazon. It heats up in seconds and has really saved me in a pinch on multiple occasions."

With over 68,000 reviews, this option has a 4.4 out of 5 stars. One reviewer shared, "It takes no time at all and is super easy to use."

The Best Travel Clothes Steamer

This clothes steamer got rave reviews from just about every fashion-industry person I reached out to. Content creator and creative director  Angela Fink says that this "travel steamer is life-changing!" Stylist  Erin Noël  also gives this her stamp of approval.

At under $50, this option is slightly more affordable and heats up in less than 30 seconds.

The Best Standing Clothes Steamer

Stylist  Allison Bornstein shared this exact pick with me, stating, "I love the Jiffy steamer!! It's perfection."

This option is slightly less expensive with a plastic steam head, and it is an Amazon's Choice pick. L.A.-based creative director  Hillary Comstock  swears by this steamer brand as well—she shared that "Jiffy is the industry-approved go-to on set. Good for keeping at home, especially if you have a walk-in closet."

The Best Handheld Steamer

NYC-based stylist  Dione Davis recommends this compact pick. "For my everyday life, I don't need anything else taking up space, so I go for a handheld. I swear they aren't paying me to say this, but I love the Rowenta Accesssteam Pocket Steamer because it's so fast, and my clothes are ready at a moment's notice."

Senior editor Allyson Payer raves about the Chi steamer, saying, "I've tried so many steamers, but none even comes close to this one. It never spits water or leaks, and it's so sleek and packable. (I never travel without a steamer.) It's pricier than the super-cheap steamers but 100% worth it."

This handheld pick is super sleek-looking. One reviewer boasted, "It works wonderfully, it's easy to use and it helps a lot and fast with wrinkles! My wife says it's the best we have ever had."

The Best Standing Clothes Steamer With Attached Hanger

Stylist  Dione Davis says that when it comes to steamers, she will "always be 100% for the Rowenta Pro Style." Davis has been using it since she was an assistant in her 20s. This also comes in a white version .

With over 4600 ratings, this is one of the most popular on Amazon. One boutique owner left a stellar review, sharing that this steamer helps "to steam out the wrinkles in over 100 garments per shipment."

The Best Clothes-Steamer-and-Iron Duo

Bryant Christopher Simmons  is a stylist at the New York boutique Kirna Zabête. He swears by the Nori, which allows you to both iron and steam your garments. His review? The Nori is "sleek and easy to travel—perfect for all fabrics! Just the perfect size for an NYC apartment, especially with our jammed closets." Who What Wear editors on both coasts agree. "I love the Nori Press, as it's basically my dream steamer and iron come to life—it's compact, easy to travel, and it's essentially like a straightener for your clothes. It gets every wrinkle out with ease. It has ironing and steaming options all packed into one chic device," says assistant editor Yusra Siddiqui. Editor in Chief Kat Collings adds, "I don't know how I was getting by with just a steamer before. Nori is that life-changing! There are some wrinkles that are too ingrained for a steamer to get out, but I'm not about to haul out an iron and ironing board. Nori solves all that and will also never spurt out water, which was always a habitual problem with my steamer." 

This chic steamer was one of stylist Erin Noël 's top picks for the "aesthetic and the function." It's a handheld and a hybrid between a steamer and an iron thanks to the ironing plate on the end.

This duo allows for steaming clothes upright and provides a board to iron and steam horizontally or at an angle. It also comes in a white version.

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Jennifer Camp Forbes is currently the shopping updates editor at Who What Wear, where she has worked in a variety of capacities for over a decade, including creative director and various editor roles. She’s well-known as a shopping expert that’s sought out for advice and insight on the latest trends, outfit ideas, and fashion picks thanks to her thoughtful shopping roundups, digital moodboards, and extensive knowledge of up-and-coming brands, plus the new arrivals sections of the chicest retailers. Jennifer has had a lifelong interest in fashion which led her to intern at Harper’s Bazaar as an undergraduate. Later, while working towards her masters degree in psychological counseling at Columbia University, she founded two digital fashion publications: Le Fashion and Olsens Anonymous. The popularity of both sites grew and after graduation she decided put her plans to become a therapist aside to pursue a career in fashion. While she has called Los Angeles and New York City home in the past, she currently works remotely from Massachusetts. When she’s not obsessing over and writing about her latest fashion finds, she is delighting in raising two little ones with her highschool sweetheart, perusing TikTok religiously, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, creating abstract photographs, and eating the best Mexican food she can get her hands on.

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The 9 Best Clothes Steamers of 2024, According to Testing

We tested the best options for different lifestyles and materials.

In This Article

• Our Top Picks

The Bottom Line

Our testing process.

• What to Know Before Shopping
• Others We Tested

Your Questions, Answered

What is bhg recommends.

Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock

If you’ve ever left an iron-shaped scorch mark on the back of a favorite shirt or have given up completely on ever wearing linen or silk in public, then a clothes steamer is the tool you and your wrinkled wardrobe desperately need. But with so many options available, how do you figure out which one is best for you and your garments?

For starters, consider the size of the water tank, says Dara Senders , designer and founder of Dara Senders. “If you plan on steaming a lot of clothes at once or have a garment that has a lot of wrinkles that might take more time, having a steamer with a larger water tank will allow you to steam more in between fillings,” she explains. 

To find the best clothes steamers, we tried 28 options at our testing lab in Des Moines, Iowa. We examined how easy it was to fill the water reservoirs (we used distilled water) and how quickly it took each steamer to heat up. We tried out each steamer on a woman’s silk shirt, a men’s cotton dress shirt, and a pair of linen pants, noting how long it took to get optimal, wrinkle free results .

We also consulted Senders for additional insight on what to look for when shopping for a clothes steamer.

What We Tested

• Effectiveness: We took note of how well the steamer could remove wrinkles, as well as which fabrics it worked best on and which ones it didn’t. 
• Design: As we filled the steamer’s tank with water, we considered how easy it was to do and if water spilled to the side. 
• Portability: If the model had a creaser, we used it on a men’s shirt to test how well we could get a crisp crease on the shirt. 
• Value: Value was based on what we liked about the steamer, what we would change, and if we thought it was a fair price given our overall experience.

Best Overall

Chi handheld garment steamer.

• Effectiveness 5 /5
• Design 4.5 /5
• Portability 5 /5

It has two steam settings and comes with a fabric brush that's quite effective.

The steam setting button placement can lead to unintentional adjustment.

Steamers are effective, but if you plan to use them on a variety of fabrics, the ability to adjust the flow of steam is key. That’s why we were so impressed with the performance of the CHI Handheld Garment Steamer . 

Not only are there two adjustable steam settings, but there’s also a locking mechanism to keep the steam in the on position, so you won’t have to worry about hand fatigue.

The only drawback is that the button to adjust the steam is poorly placed. There were a couple of times when we changed the setting unintentionally, but we anticipated getting in a better groove with continued use.

We found the steamer removed wrinkles well, though it was most effective when used with the helpful fabric brush attachment that’s included. The steamer offers a comfortable grip, which also helps in avoiding hand cramping and fatigue. 

The 10-foot cord is rather lengthy, but it didn't get in the way of our steaming. We also liked that it was very easy to refill the tank without spilling. There was some sputtering when we first started steaming on the highest setting, but it disappeared as the test went on. 

For its price, ease of use, and overall performance, we think the CHI is an excellent value.

Product Details: Dimensions: 4.72 x 11.42 x 6.06 inches | Weight: 1.7 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 10.1 ounces | Cord Length: 10 feet

Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock

Best Budget

Proctor silex compact 2-in-1 garment steamer/iron.

• Effectiveness 4.2 /5
• Design 4.3 /5
• Portability 4.8 /5

It worked very well on silk and cotton.

It’s not as effective on linen, plus the small water tank makes for frequent refills.

If you’re new to using a clothing steamer and you don’t want to invest much, we recommend the Proctor Silex Compact 2-in1 Garment Steamer/Iron . 

The steamer seemed to instantly unwrinkle silk, and we were also impressed with its ability to smooth out cotton, though it did take longer to do so. With linen, it didn’t perform as effectively; it eased the wrinkles rather than completely eliminate them. 

We found that the steamer does sputter a bit when the small water reservoir is first filled, but it stops as you get going. We liked how easy it was to refill the reservoir, thanks to a twist-off design. The long handle on the steamer offers a comfortable grip, and though you do have to keep a finger on the button to produce steam, it didn’t feel awkward.

There’s just one steam setting, but given that this is a less expensive model, we were expecting a more no-frills steaming experience. We did like the included fabric brush attachment, which serves as a guide for how close to put the steamer head to delicate fabrics. The cord is also quite long, but it’s not unwieldy during use. 

Product Details: Dimensions: 4 x 8.8 x 8 inches | Weight: 1.63 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 4 ounces | Cord Length: 10 feet

Best Splurge

Steamery cirrus 3 iron steamer.

• Effectiveness 4.5 /5

It works great on silk and has some useful accessories, like an iron glove.

It’s got a small water tank, and there’s no lock button for the steam.

We were impressed by the Steamery Cirrus 3 Iron Steamer’s ability to produce a low, consistent stream of steam without any sputtering or spitting. Filling the water tank was a bit of a hassle without the funnel, though detaching and reinserting it was easy to do. 

The steamer has a nice comfortable grip despite it being quite wide at the base. We would have preferred not to have to keep a finger on the steam button the entire time, but it didn’t feel uncomfortable to do so.

We were surprised that this steamer only had one setting given the price point, but it does perform effectively despite not having the ability to adjust the power or temperature. We appreciated the variety of attachments it comes with, especially the ironing glove, which helped create smooth creases on pants during testing. 

The 8-foot cord is shorter than others on this list, but it’s still plenty long for you to steam freely. It would have been even nicer if the cord rotated, but it wasn’t a deal breaker for it to stay in place.

Product Details: Dimensions: 9.7 x 5.5 x 3.1 inches| Weight: 1.9 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 3 ounces | Cord Length: 7.5 feet

Best for Linen

Black+decker hgs200 advanced handheld steamer.

• Design 4 /5
• Value 4.5 /5

It’s lightweight so it won’t cause hand fatigue, plus it comes with useful attachments.

The water tank is hard to refill, plus you have to hold the button continuously to steam.

Wrinkles are par for the course with linen, but you don’t have to banish this fabric from your wardrobe if you have this Black+Decker Advanced Handheld Steamer around.

We found the temperature and steam production to be consistent during use, so this steamer is effective on a variety of fabrics even with just one setting. 

It took longer to smooth out linen than it did silk, as expected; we would have liked there to be a hold button for the steam for convenience. Still, we found it lightweight and comfortable to hold. The steamer also has a 15-foot cord, which is more than ample for steaming without it hindering your work.

This steamer also comes with a few helpful attachments. We discovered that the delicate fabric attachment was effective in preventing water droplets from forming on silk during steaming. The water tank is easy to remove and replace, but it is a bit difficult to fill if you don’t have a funnel.

Product Details: Dimensions: 4.75 x 11 x 5.75 inches | Weight: 3.6 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 6.7 ounces | Cord Length: 15 feet

Best for Travel

Brookline steamer.

It’s got a comfortable design and works well on silk.

It struggles with cotton and linen, plus it’s not good for steaming multiple garments at a time.

Whether you have weddings often or frequent business trips, the Brookline Steamer is the best clothes steamer to consider for travel. During testing, we found this pick easy to use and the lightweight style is easy to pack up. 

This steamer worked well on silk and cotton, but you might have to settle for wrinkled linen if you don’t have the patience to stand there steaming for a long time.

We were impressed that it didn’t sputter any water, though we did notice the steam decreased once the water tank went lower than the halfway mark. The tank is small so refilling often is necessary, though the wide mouth makes it easy to do so.

It’s quite basic and very simple to use if you’re a beginner; it has just an on/off switch and there are no attachments or accessories. It’s not particularly ergonomic, but because it’s lightweight, we didn’t experience any hand fatigue. 

The cord is lengthy, but it doesn’t rotate. We like that the steamer is compact enough for travel, but it’s also a cinch to store in your laundry space or closet.

If you plan to steam multiple outfits at a time, you may want a steamer with more bells and whistles. But if you’re only going to steam clothes occasionally, this is a good, less expensive device to have on hand.

Product Details: Dimensions: 5.63x 6.42 x 5.83 inches | Weight: 1.5 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 6 ounces | Cord Length: 9 feet

Best Attachments

Conair handheld garment steamer.

• Effectiveness 4.4 /5

It’s got multiple settings and useful attachments and accessories that are effective on various fabrics.

Steam production does decrease during use; you must fill the water tank precisely for optimal steam production.

Adjustable steam and multiple attachments are what makes the Conair Handheld Garment Steamer effective. We like that you can easily switch between the regular and turbo steam settings depending on whether you’re steaming silk, cotton, or linen. 

The steam output seemed to work best right at the beginning of a steam session; we noticed it decreases over time, even on the turbo setting. It’s easy to refill the tank, but you have to be careful not to overfill it or it will affect steam production. 

This pick comes with three attachments, including a bristle brush, delicate fabric spacer, and a silicone band, as well as a creasing tool, so you’ve got a lot of options for achieving a wrinkle-free wardrobe. 

The steamer is lightweight and the handle has a comfortable grip, so there’s no worry about hand fatigue when using it. The lengthy cord didn’t get in the way; in fact, we barely noticed it was there. 

Overall, for its performance, features, and attachments, we thought this steamer is a great value for the price.

Product Details: Dimensions: 8.50 x 13.62 x 5.75 inches | Weight: Not listed | Water Tank Capacity: 7.3 ounces | Cord Length: Not listed

Best Handheld

Conair extremesteam hand-held fabric steamer.

• Effectiveness 4.7 /5
• Heat Time 5 /5

It heated up quickly and has five steam settings for various fabrics.

It felt quite heavy after a while, plus the water tank was challenging to fill.

We were impressed with how well the Conair Turbo Extreme Handheld Fabric Steamer worked on silk, cotton, and linen. It did sputter a bit while on the turbo (high) setting, but it stopped once the steamer warmed up fully. During testing, we found that it helped to have a funnel when you’re filling the reservoir, but be careful not to overfill.

There are five settings on this steamer—more than any of the others on this list—but we had to look to the manual to see which ones were best depending on the fabric. We found the cord length was ample and made it easy to move around while steaming the garments. 

Although the steamer was comfortable to grip, it was a bit heavy; we felt like we were getting an arm workout after about 15 minutes of use. 

Overall, we were impressed by the steamer’s performance, especially the variety of settings and the speed with which it heats up. It would be even better if it were a bit lighter, but for its ease of use and effectiveness, it’s a good value for the money. 

Product Details: Dimensions: 5.6 x 13.6 x 8 inches | Weight: Not listed | Water Tank Capacity: 7.3 ounces  | Cord Length: Not listed

Best for Silk

Electrolux garment steamer.

• Effectiveness 4.8 /5
• Design 4.8 /5

It produces steam instantly and works great, especially on silk.

There was some sputtering when first filled the unit.

The Electrolux Garment Steamer heated up immediately, and we were impressed with how well it removed wrinkles with little effort, particularly when used on silk. It took just around six minutes on the lower steam setting to smooth out the silk shirt. 

The linen required the higher of the two settings, and we were satisfied with the results around the eight-minute mark. We refilled the tank after finishing the two garments. The tank was easy to remove, but you may want to keep a funnel handy to pour water into the small mouth.

There are two steam setting buttons that aren’t clearly marked; we found the instruction manual didn’t offer much clarity, so we figured out which was which through trial and error. The cord is quite long and gives us plenty of room to work. 

The handle felt comfortable to grip and we appreciated that there was a lock button for the steam, so we didn’t have to worry about finger cramps or hand fatigue.

The steamer comes with a fabric brush and a lint brush, though we found the steamer to be quite effective even when they weren’t attached. Overall, for its effective performance during testing, we think the Electrolux offers great value.

Product Details: Dimensions: 5 x 10 x 6 inches | Weight: 3.98 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 10 ounces | Cord Length: 12 feet

Best Upright

Pure enrichment upright clothes steamer.

• Design 5 /5
• Portability 4.5 /5
• Heat Time 4 /5

It has temperature control to efficiently remove wrinkles from silk, cotton, and linen.

There is no “ready” light to indicate when it’s optimized for steaming.

The Pure Enrichment PureSteam Pro Upright Clothes Steamer is a professional-style steamer with a temperature control, so you can adjust output depending on the fabric. We were impressed with how well this upright steamer worked on removing wrinkles—silk was the easiest, but with a little patience, the linen also came out smooth. 

The cord is lengthy, but what’s even better is that you can hang the garment on the steamer arm—there are pant clips, too—while you work. The detachable water tank was easy to remove for filling; we love that it’s large enough to get through multiple garments without needing a refill. 

An indicator light shows when the unit is powered on, but we’d prefer there to be a “ready” light to know when it’s actually primed for steaming. The base has wheels, but only on the back, so you do have to tip the steamer back to move it to a new location. However, the steamer is lightweight enough so it’s not an issue. 

For its performance and features, this is a great value. It also comes with a fabric brush, though we found steaming to be effective enough without using it.

Product Details: Dimensions: 8.9 x 54 x 13.7 inches | Weight: 9.56 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 67.6 ounces | Cord Length: Not listed

The CHI Handheld Garment Steamer for Clothes topped our list of best clothes steamers. Its adjustable steam setting was effective in removing wrinkles from silk, cotton, and linen, and the included fabric brush enhances performance. We also liked that there is a button to lock the steam in the on position, which helps greatly in avoiding hand fatigue. 

To find the best clothes steamers, we put 28 styles to the test at our Des Moines, Iowa testing lab. During the testing period, we evaluated each style based on effectiveness, design, portability, and value. 

Before we started steaming any products, we examined each clothes steamer, noting the size of the steam nozzle and length of the power cord. For folding steamers, we folded and unfolded them to observe how easy or challenging the process was; for stand-up steamers, we practiced rolling them around the space to test their portability.

We tested each of the steamers without any attachments at first to determine how well they could remove wrinkles from three different garments: a woman’s silk shirt, a men’s cotton dress shirt, and a pair of linen pants. 

First, we filled the reservoirs with distilled water, using a funnel for those tanks with small mouths. Next, we started a timer to see how quickly the steamer heated up. Then we started steaming the test garments, using the highest setting where applicable and marking the time when we achieved optimal results, though we had a hard stop of eight minutes per garment. (Note that we stopped the timer whenever we had to pause steaming to refill the water reservoir.) 

After steaming the men’s shirt, we added on the crease attachment (where applicable) to see how, if at all, it enhanced results. We made our final selections for the best clothes steamers based on performance, features, size and design, and overall value.

What to Know About Clothes Steamers Before Shopping

There’s no recommended size for steamers, but the right size for you depends on your steaming needs. Handheld steamers are fine for occasional use at home, though they should be compact enough so that you can maneuver them with one hand. 

If you want to stow in a suitcase or carry-on, look for one that’s even smaller. However, if you plan to use your steamer more frequently and don’t mind taking up space in a closet or behind a door, it’s fine to opt for a taller stand-up steamer with a garment pole, like the Pure Enrichment PureSteam Pro Upright Clothes Steamer , our best upright pick. 

Using a clothes steamer can already be a bit of an arm workout, so you don’t want to make it an advanced one with a steamer that’s too heavy. Aim for one that’s lightweight so your arm doesn’t tire out before the wrinkles get out of your clothing. 

We found that the Black+Decker Advanced Handheld Steamer and the Brookline Steamer were particularly lightweight during testing. 

Water Tank Capacity

As Senders says, the size of the water tank correlates to how often you’ll be refilling it. If you only steam the occasional garment, then you can get by with a steamer that has a more compact water tank. But if you plan to steam outfits at a time, look for a larger tank so you won’t have to stop to refill so often.

The Pure Enrichment PureSteam Pro Upright Clothes Steamer has a 67-ounce water tank capacity, which is the largest on our list. If you’re looking for a smaller unit, however, consider the Electrolux Garment Steamer or the CHI Handheld Garment Steamer , which water capacities of about 10 ounces. 

Cord Length

What many of these clothes steamers lack in size they more than make up for in cord length. Look for a steamer that has a long enough cord to give you room to work, but not so long that it gets in the way. 

We found all of the products on our best clothes steamers list to have more than adequate cords, though you may wish to look for a model with a rotating cord for even better maneuverability.

During testing, we found that the Black+Decker Advanced Handheld Steamer has a 15-foot cord, which was longer than many other options on this list. 

Included Attachments

While steaming capability is the obvious priority when shopping for a steamer, some models come with helpful attachments that make it even easier to banish wrinkles. For example, if you plan to steam silk or other delicate fabrics, you might wish to get a steamer that has a delicate fabric attachment. 

For those who like to have a neat crease in their pants, a crease tool might be in order. You’ll likely have to pay a bit more for a steamer that has multiple attachments, so consider carefully whether you might actually use them before committing to a purchase.

Other Clothes Steamers We Tested 

Beautural foldable handheld steamer.

We liked the compact, travel-friendly Beautural Foldable Handheld Steamer that was easy to fill. It performed well on silk, but it had limited abilities on linen and other heavily wrinkled fabric. The small water reservoir made for frequent refills, plus our fingers got a bit tired having to hold the steam button during use.

PurSteam Standing Garment Steamer

We were quite impressed by how the PurSteam Standing Garment Steamer smoothed wrinkled linen, though it struggled to get cotton crisp. We also liked features like the easy-to-fill tank, the telescopic handle, and the wheeled base that made it portable. However, the steamer head sputtered and we found the steaming capability to be less efficient than using an iron or steam dryer.

While testing the Nori Press , we loved the multiple settings optimized for different fabrics and were impressed with its creasing ability, but found that it struggled with actual wrinkles, especially on silk. Though the design looks portable, we found it awkward to use and sputtered frequently, creating water stains on the garments.

How much should you expect to spend on a clothes steamer?

As you can see from our list of best clothes steamers, there’s a rather wide-ranging budget for this handy tool. “I have found some really great hand-held and travel steamers for $40 that I've been using for the last 15 years,” Senders says. But if you’re looking to steam clothing often and want a professional-level steamer, that price tag will jump to around $200, she says.

If you’re new to using a steamer or don’t think you’ll use it often, we highly recommend the Proctor Silex Compact 2-in1 Garment Steamer/Iron , our best budget pick. Though it’s less expensive than other styles, we found that it worked well on silk and cotton. 

What are the benefits of a clothes steamer? 

Using a clothes steamer is a convenient alternative to an iron , but that’s not the only benefit of this gadget. “Steaming is the easiest and safest way to get rid of the wrinkles in your clothes,” says Senders. “Steam disinfects, so not only will you be straightening out each wrinkle, but you’ll also be killing off any unwanted germs that may have settled in the fabric.” 

This can help revive clothes in between uses, particularly dry-clean-only garments. “Steaming your clothes can also save you several trips to the dry cleaner in between wears, which can save lots of time and money,” she says. 

Are clothes steamers easy to use?

“Steaming is the best form of unwrinkling,” says Senders, who notes that steamers are much easier to use than iron ; in fact, you have a greater chance of damaging clothes with an iron if you don’t have it on the right setting. 

Senders’ tip for steaming clothes quickly is to put the steamer underneath the garment . Position the head of the steamer inside the garment so it’s facing you, then press the steamer against the fabric in a downward motion. 

“In my experience, this is a faster technique than steaming with the head of the steamer facing the fabric on the outside,” Senders says.

Barbara Bellesi Zito is a freelance writer from Staten Island, New York, covering all things home and lifestyle for Better Homes & Gardens. To compile this list of the best clothes steamers, Barbara analyzed lab insights from our testing site in Des Moines, Iowa. She also consulted Dara Senders , designer and founder of Dara Senders.

Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they're worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn't an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.

Related Articles

10 Efficient Clothes Steamers That Banish Your Clothes’ Wrinkles

Welcome to the freshly pressed life.

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The weather is warming up, which means your wardrobe is going to call for a lot more flowing—but crisply pressed—cool cotton and linen garments. But that doesn’t have to mean that you’ll be chained to your ironing board.

Steam irons are suitable for delicate and sturdy materials and come in a variety of sizes and forms. For ironing traditionalists, steamers are a great option for travel , too.

The Best Clothes Steamers

Best Overall

Conair turbo extreme steam handheld fabric steamer.

Best Splurge

Rowenta perfect prop station steamer.

Best Pro-Level

Jiffy j-2000 standing garment steamer.

Best Steamer + Iron in One

Conair turbo extremesteam.

Easiest to Use

Hilife handheld steamer for clothes.

Best Standing

Singer steamworks pro garment steamer.

Best with Built-In Ironing Board

Salav professional garment steamer.

Best for Home Upholstery + Germ-Busting

Black + decker advanced handheld garment steamer.

Anthter Professional Steamer

Best Budget

Beautural steamer for clothes, how we selected.

Steam irons vary a great deal in form, function, and price. That said, all of the steamers we picked have enough power to zap wrinkles both large and small, and they won’t leave water marks that can destroy delicate fabrics. Keep the following in mind and you’ll find the best fit for you:

• Type: If you’re going to use a steamer mostly on the road or to clean curtains, look for a handheld. If you want to use it regularly to steam clothes, you may want to consider a standing steamer.
• Water capacity: Our smallest machines will deliver steam for 10 minutes; the largest models work for 1.5 hours at a time. Consider how much time you can afford to spend steaming clothes, too; weekday mornings before work might require a quicker steamer than one you only use on weekends or days when you’re not in a rush.
• Keep in Mind: As much as we love steamers, we’re not ready to throw out our good old-fashioned iron quite yet. Steamers should not be relied on for heavy-duty ironing projects such as creating creases. They are best for lighter fabrics, germ-busting and curtain-straightening at home, and on the road ironing.
• Extras: Some steamers come with accessories and safety features, and there’s even one with a built-in ironing board. These little things can make the process easier and more efficient.

Having a clothes steamer on hand can be the difference between looking completely put together or a rumpled mess. We’ve rounded up the best ones for every commitment level and price point, so wrinkled clothes can finally be a thing of the past. Welcome to the freshly pressed life.

The Turbo handheld steamer punches well above its weight class in terms of performance. The steamer eliminates wrinkles quickly and effectively and can also be used on upholstery and other items to kill 99.9% of germs, dust mites, and bed bugs.

The freestanding steamer heats up in just 40 seconds and will steam for up to 15 minutes at a time before requiring a refill. The Turbo comes with an attachment that pulls fabric taut for faster results, plus five steam settings and dual-slotted aluminum soleplates for better results.

The package includes a 3-in-1 attachment with a fabric tightener, fabric spacer, and bristle brush for the ultimate penetration on thicker fabrics.

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This steamer is a powerhouse and an ideal pick for those who want fast, excellent results. The powerful machine emits high-pressure steam in short bursts through 400 HD steam holes for effective steam distribution.

The Rowenta offers meticulous steam control, and its lightweight construction means almost anyone can easily lift and use it. The steamer also features a built-in calcium collector, which means this machine will last for many years.

The large 37-ounce water tank is removable, making refilling it easy — no unplugging required. More than 84% of more than 3,680 reviewers on Amazon give this 5 out of 5 stars, saying it “cut my ironing time,” and works for “every” material.

If you have a large family or need a pressed shirt or other wrinkle-free items on the daily, you may want to invest in this pro-grade Jiffy model. It features a world-class, 1,300-watt, solid brass heating element, housed in high-impact plastic for long-lasting durability.

The steamer heats up in 2 minutes and has a massive 2.84-liter water capacity that will keep you in steam for 1.5 hours. There is also an automatic shut-off for safety if it overheats.

The Jiffy J-2000 is made in the U.S.A., works on delicate and heavy-duty fabrics, and comes with a 5-foot flexible hose and a no-drip valve system for efficient and effective steaming.

This Turbo handheld Conair steamer doubles as an iron if you’re dealing with seriously wrinkled clothes that need some extra TLC. Just use the handheld 2-in-1 handle horizontally as an iron or hold it vertically to be used as a steamer, instantly eradicating wrinkles.

This freestanding steamer features a speedy 10-second heat-up, four steam settings, and an 8.5-ounce water tank that delivers 10 minutes of continuous steam. The Smart Sensor safety lock stops steam when it’s placed on a flat surface, then starts again when picked up.

It also comes with a band that pulls fabric taut for better results and a bristle brush to ensure steam penetrates heavy fabrics.

For traditionalists and clothes steaming neophytes, this sturdy Hilife is a great option. The water reservoir provides 15 minutes of continuous steaming power, and the intuitive “point and steam” setup makes it easy for first-timers to use.

The small, compact machine also packs incredible efficiency into its lightweight body. Those who are new to the art of steaming will appreciate that it also has a safety feature that automatically powers it off if it overheats. Reviewers say the “small” steamer “works miracles” when it comes to “eliminating wrinkles."

This garment steamer will zap any wrinkles you throw at it. The Singer heats up in 45 seconds and effectively eliminates wrinkles, with a 2.5-liter water tank that delivers up to 1.5 hours of continuous steam.

The steamer comes with a protective glove, miniature ironing board, and fabric brush. For safety and convenience, the steamer automatically shuts off when the tank runs dry.

While many standing steamers are large and heavy, this lighter version is easy enough for most adults to move around and operate with ease. This steamer can be used for clothes, obviously, but many people also love to use it on their curtains and furniture.

This SALAV steamer features four steam level settings and a built-in ironing board. The board is adjustable and can rotate from 180 degrees horizontal to 90 degrees vertical and every degree in between. The steamer’s hose is double-insulated, which helps maintain steam temperature and regulate surface heat.

The SALAV heats up in 45 seconds. The removable, easy-to-fill water tank has a 1.8-liter capacity that will provide continuous steam for up to 60 minutes.

The package includes a pants-press attachment and fabric brush. For those who want the easiness of steam with the familiarity of an ironing board setup, this steamer is an option worth considering.

If you have wrinkles on the top of curtains and other hard-to-reach places, this lightweight handheld with a 15-foot-long cord will be a game changer.

The Black + Decker steamer comes equipped with an auto shutoff; after 15 minutes of inactivity, it will power down. But when you’re ready to go again, you can lock the continuous steam trigger into place to keep it coming—and when you need a powerful burst of steam, you can hit the trigger again.

The attachments make this one of the most flexible steamers on the market: there’s one for upholstery and thick curtains, another for delicate fabrics, and a third for removing lint.

Reviewers love the “great results” they get with the steamer, saying they use it on “curtains,” “delicate fabrics,” and their “weekly ironing” pile.

With 1500 watts of power, this is one of the most effective steamers around. It heats up in 35 seconds, and provides 90 minutes of continuous steam that penetrates and straightens wrinkles on curtains, clothing, and upholstery.

The dual safety protection system automatically shuts off when it gets too hot or is short on water. The steamer comes with a 3-year warranty.

It is easy enough to lift, at just 10.9 pounds, but the sizable base makes it cumbersome to move from one floor, or even one room to another. Reviewers say if you “hate wrinkles, you need this.”

This steamer packs in incredible bang for the buck, and is lightweight and small enough to pack in your person. The detachable 8.8-ounce water tank delivers 15 minutes of continuous steam to eliminate wrinkles.

The 30-second heat-up time comes in handy if you need to quickly fix a garment on the go. The leak and spill-free design means you can also steam vertically or horizontally.

Three attachments are included, so you can tackle everything from delicate fabric to tough upholstery. Reviewers say this “sturdy” steamer “works great for the money,” and praise its versatility in “steaming horizontally and vertically.”

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If you’re in need of a lightweight, easy-to-use tool to remove wrinkles from your clothes, look no further than a steamer. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the five best clothes steamers on Amazon to help you find the product that’s right for you. The products included in this article are available at various retail stores, local home centers, and online retailers like Amazon.

We may be compensated if you purchase through links on our website. Our Reviews Team is committed to delivering honest, objective, and independent reviews on home products and services.

If you don’t have the space or budget for an iron, a clothes steamer is a worthwhile alternative. It removes wrinkles from your clothes using steam instead of making direct contact with the fabric. To help you select the steamer that’s right for you, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best clothes steamers on Amazon. Here are our top five recommendations.

Best Heavy-Duty Steamer

Jiffy Garment Steamer

Handheld Garment Steamer

Best Attachment

Conair Fabric Steamer

Top 5 Clothes Steamers

• Best Heavy-Duty Steamer: Jiffy J-2000 Garment Steamer
• Best Heads: BLACK+DECKER Advanced Handheld Garment/Fabric Steamer
• Best Multipurpose Attachment: Conair Turbo Extreme Steam Handheld Fabric Steamer
• Best Hanger: PurSteam Garment Steamer
• Best For Travel: Jiffy ESTEAM Personal Handheld Steamer

Jiffy J-2000 Garment Steamer

Prices taken at time of publishing.

• $232 at Amazon

Key Features

• Full-size model
• 0.75-gallon water tank
• Two-minute heating time
• 1.5 hours of steam
• 1,300 watts of power
• Three-year warranty

What Customers Are Saying

Customers said that this steamer was effective at removing wrinkles, had easy assembly, and heated water quickly. However, some who were unhappy with this steamer said that it was prone to leaks.

BLACK+DECKER Advanced Handheld Garment/Fabric Steamer

• $52.89 at Amazon
• Handheld model
• 7.4-ounce water tank
• One-minute heating time
• 1,400 watts of power
• Two-year warranty

Those who were happy with this steamer said that it had a comfortable grip and was easy to maneuver. However, those who were unhappy claimed that it was heavy for a handheld model. Other customers had a hard time getting steam to come out consistently.

Best Multipurpose Attachment

Conair Turbo Extreme Steam Handheld Fabric Steamer

• $59.95 at Amazon
• 7.3-ounce water tank
• 40-second heating time
• 15 minutes of steam
• 1,875 watts of power

Those who were satisfied with this clothes steamer said that it had a high steam output, was effective on multiple types of fabrics, and removed tough-to-get wrinkles. Those who were unsatisfied with the product said that it leaked often and sometimes stopped working after minimal use.

Best Hanger

PurSteam Garment Steamer

• $79.97 at Amazon
• 75-ounce water tank

Happy customers appreciated that this steamer was easy to put together, made from durable materials, and quick to heat up. However, a common complaint among dissatisfied customers was that the included instructions manual was hard to understand.

Best For Travel

Jiffy ESTEAM Personal Handheld Steamer

• $97.71 at Amazon
• 2.84-liter water tank
• 600 watts of power

Satisfied customers felt like this steamer was sturdy, durable, and portable. They also said that its water tank was easy to empty. However, some customers cited issues with it taking a long time to remove wrinkles and leaving water spots on clothes.

Buyer’s Guide

From freestanding to handheld models, clothes steamers serve a variety of needs. Read our buying guide below to determine how to choose the right one for you.

Steamers come in both full-size and handheld options. Handheld steamers are best for those who have limited space or travel often. They’re typically less powerful, but they can still remove wrinkles from most materials. Full-size steamers, on the other hand, work better for larger fabric items, such as curtains, coats, and tablecloths. They take up more space and are more difficult to maneuver, but they generate more power.

Clothes steamers turn water into steam to operate. The tank that holds this water varies in size from model to model. Most handheld steamers hold around 10 ounces of water, while full-size steamers typically hold between a half gallon and a gallon of water.

Heating Time

After turning on, a steamer takes anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes to heat the water and turn it into steam. A steamer with a smaller tank typically takes less time to prepare because there’s less water to heat.

Steaming Time

Similar to heating time, steaming time is connected to the size of the water tank. Handheld steamers with smaller tanks typically run out of water to turn into steam in about 15 minutes. However, full-size steamers can steam clothes for over an hour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is steaming clothes as effective as ironing.

Removing wrinkles with a steamer is typically more efficient than using an iron, but it may or may not be as effective. For thicker, sturdier materials that need more heat to release wrinkles, an iron is usually a better option.

How do you use a steamer?

Steamers differ from irons in that they don’t touch the fabric they’re removing wrinkles from. They should be run up and down or left and right a few inches from the fabric.

How long does it take to steam clothes?

That depends on a variety of factors. The quality of your steamer goes a long way in determining how arduous the process of steaming clothes is. Additionally, how many wrinkles there are, how bad the wrinkles are, and what material the wrinkles are on also affect how long it takes.

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Best Clothes Steamers

We tested popular handheld steamer models by Black+Decker, Chi, Conair, Jiffy, and Nori

When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. 100% of the fees we collect are used to support our nonprofit mission. Learn more .

Ironing is a domestic art that I never felt inclined to master. Each attempt just made the garment look worse somehow. Fortunately, my closet is filled with mostly relaxed looks these days, and a dry cleaner is always a block away if I need to look spiffier. 

But what about those days when I want my linen outfits to look a little more lived-in and a little less like they’d been lying underneath a laundry heap? Enter the handheld clothes steamer.

These compact devices heat up quickly and are clutch when you need to loosen up a single garment quickly before getting dressed. Some can be more headache than they’re worth, though, sputtering hot water onto your hands or steaming your face more than your shirt. 

To find the best clothes steamers, we purchased seven popular models, including a couple of options that are steamer-iron combos, and put them to the test in our lab and at home.

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• Laundry Products

We Tested 48 Clothes Steamers: These 9 Deserve a Spot in Your Closet

Tried-and-true models you can use at home or on the go.

Nicole Lund is the shopping editorial director for Real Simple with six years of experience writing product reviews. She has written product reviews, gift guides, and more for Real Simple, The Spruce, MyDomaine, and Apartment Therapy.

In This Article

• Our Top Picks

Final Verdict

Our testing process.

• How to Shop
• More to Consider

Take Our Word for It

What is real simple selects.

Real Simple / Henry Wortock

Clothes steamers are a great alternative for people who don’t have the patience, space, or tools to iron their clothing . Clothes steamers work by heating up water to produce steam, which loosens the clothing’s fibers to get rid of wrinkles. Steaming also helps give your clothes a nice refresh and can be used for other household items, such as curtains.

To determine the best clothes steamers, we tested 48 models in our Des Moines lab and at home, assessing each product’s effectiveness, ease of assembly, design, and overall value, as well as how long it took for each product to produce steam. We also tapped Marilee Nelson , co-founder of Branch Basics , and Jerry Pozniak , managing director of Jeeves New York , a luxury dry cleaning service, for expert advice on what to look for when shopping and tips on how to use the model you choose.

Best Overall

Conair extremesteam hand-held fabric steamer.

It comes with a helpful three-in-one attachment and a built-in clamp for creasing.

It’s a bit heavy.

Of all the clothes steamers we tested in our lab, this device from Conair earned our top spot, thanks to its smart design, efficient heating process, and overall effectiveness. The compact yet powerful steamer removed wrinkles in all types of fabric (including cotton and silk) and took just 40 seconds to fully heat up. When used on lighter fabrics, like cotton and linen, we found that the steamer worked far quicker than a standard iron. Thicker items like jeans and sweaters did require a few more passes, but no more than an iron would. Even after two months of use, the steamer is still working perfectly.

This steamer comes with five steam settings (ranging from low to supercharged) for use with different fabrics, along with a helpful three-in-one attachment that consists of a silicone band to pull fabric tauter, a fabric spacer to keep trims safe, and a bristle brush for use on heavier materials. It also has a built-in clamp to create even pleats and folds, and it can be used for up to 15 minutes continuously thanks to its large, 7.3-ounce water tank.

While the steamer’s opening is pretty tiny, the water tank is detachable and the device comes with a water funnel to help avoid spilling. Additionally, we appreciate its lengthy cord, comfortable grip, and reasonable price. Plus, it comes in five fun colors. Take note, though, that it isn’t the most lightweight steamer, so you might get a sore arm after several minutes of use.

Heating Time: 40 seconds | Steam Duration: 15 minutes | Weight: 3.5 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 7.3 ounces

Best Budget

Proctor silex compact 2-in-1 garment steamer/iron.

It removes wrinkles from silk quickly and effectively.

The water reservoir is small, and the steamer presents a burn risk if you’re not careful.

If you’re looking for an inexpensive clothes steamer that still packs a punch, make sure to consider this model from Proctor Silex. The small and lightweight steamer boasts a low price tag, but that’s just one of several perks it offers.

When we tested out this steamer, we found that it heats up very quickly and is simple to use, with only one button to press and a single setting. It’s not the best on linen (it eases wrinkles but doesn’t fully remove them), but it is highly effective on silk and cotton. It’s comfortable to hold, too, thanks to a long handle, and it has a lengthy 10-foot cord for added convenience. Additionally, the steamer comes with a fabric brush attachment for use on upholstery . After two months of use, the steamer is still going strong, with no changes in quality whatsoever.

The fabric brush can double as a spacer to keep a necessary 1-inch buffer between the steamer’s head and the handle; otherwise, you might risk getting burned, as we found during our tests. We also didn’t love that the water reservoir is pretty small and requires frequent refilling, although it is easy to fill up with a funnel. Note that you can only use the steamer for up to seven minutes in one go, making it less suitable for those steaming a large load of clothes at once. Still, for a simple, no-frills device, it’s worth its low cost.

Heating Time: 45 seconds | Steam Duration: 7 minutes | Weight: Not listed | Water Tank Capacity: 4 ounces

Best Upright

Pure enrichment upright clothes steamer.

The included garment pole is adjustable and comes with hangers.

There’s no indicator light to say when it’s at the right temperature.

If you want a steamer that can provide a serious amount of power for a long period of time, opt for an upright model like this option from Pure Enrichment. The device has a massive 2-liter water tank to provide an hour’s worth of steaming, which is far greater than many others.

During our tests, we discovered that this steamer works quickly and effectively on all fabrics, especially silk. It heats up quickly and has four steam levels to choose from as well as adjustable temperature controls, which we found to be extremely helpful. To use this device, you just need to step on the pedal at the base; the water tank is detachable and easy to take in and out without spilling.

The adjustable garment pole conveniently comes with hangers and clips, saving you the hassle of bending over to steam clothes and deal with the cord. Additionally, the steamer features a fabric brush and has a comfortable arm. After two months of weekly use, this steamer has continued to exceed our expectations. We've noticed no sputtering, and every material we've steamed has retained a wrinkle-free appearance after hanging and cooling.

Although the steamer has wheels on the back for portability, we wish it had more wheels on the front for better stability. There also isn’t an indicator light to say when it’s ready to use or at the proper temperature. That said, it’s a very high-quality steamer that offers plenty of significant, time-saving benefits.

Heating Time: 45 seconds | Steam Duration: 1 hour | Weight: 9.6 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 67.6 ounces

Best for Upholstery

Black+decker hgs200 advanced handheld steamer.

The three attachments are all effective and easy to use.

You have to press the button the whole time, and there are no temperature settings.

Getting wrinkles out of upholstery can be tricky, but this top-rated steamer from Black+Decker is more than up to the challenge. During our tests, we found that the lightweight, easy-to-use device completely removed wrinkles from all fabrics (especially silk and cotton), and it comes with a special upholstery attachment that makes it even more effective. It only took us one pass to steam our tablecloth, and we didn't even have to go over it.

Some more great features include a lint remover attachment as well as one for use with delicate fabric that helps prevent water from dripping onto the material. It was comfortable to hold, too, with a long 15-foot cord for extra portability. While the steamer only has one setting, its steam and temperature were powerful and consistent in our testing, and the water tank is fairly large (and easy to take on and off). Despite its easy attachment, we did encounter some difficulty filling the tank—the chamber's hole has a middle section to mark the maximum fill line, which restricted entry and prevented us from adding a funnel. The pour lip did allow us to add water without spilling, but a funnel would have simplified the process.

It's worth noting that you do have to press the power button the entire time you use the steamer, and there’s also no fabric creaser attachment included like with some other options. Still, it’s still a reliable and efficient steamer we wholeheartedly recommend for upholstery and more. And, after two months of use, it still works as good as new.

Heating Time: 45 seconds | Steam Duration: 15 minutes | Weight: 3.6 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 7.4 ounces

Best Portable

Brookline steamer.

It comes in three colors and has a low price tag.

It starts to lose effectiveness after half the water has been depleted.

For anyone seeking a clothes steamer they can easily take on the go, this option from Brookline is an excellent choice. The highly compact and lightweight steamer is small enough to throw in a bag for a trip or store in nearly any area, and while the 9-foot cord provides a good amount of length, it’s not so long that it takes up much space.

Available in three colors (including a fun pink), this is a very simple steamer, with one setting and no accessories. Because of this, it’s not ideal for heavy-duty cleaning or use with more difficult fabrics like linen, but it’s perfectly effective for silk and cotton, among other materials. The water tank is easy to refill (albeit not very large, requiring frequent refills), and the steamer’s arm is comfortable to hold no matter how long you use it. While the steaming process was fairly quick, we did have to go over certain areas multiple times. For that, we think this pick is better suited for tackling minor wrinkles.

This steamer sputtered a bit as it was warming up, occasionally spitting water on our fabric depending on proximity. Still, the water marks dried fairly quickly, leaving behind no residue. After two months of use, this steamer, for the most part, has maintained its quality. The only change we've noticed is the buildup of fabric lint on the steamer head, though it did wipe off easily once the steamer was cool.

Throughout the testing period, we found that this the steamer does start to slow down after more than half of the water in the tank has been used, and it also takes a bit of time to heat up. But considering its low price and compact design, we still believe it’s worth the purchase for on-the-go steam jobs.

Heating Time: 2 minutes | Steam Duration: 10 minutes | Weight: 1.5 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 6 ounces

Best Large Capacity

Chi handheld garment steamer.

It heats up in just 20 seconds.

The button is awkwardly located, causing accidental setting changes.

Having to constantly refill a clothes steamer’s water tank can be a hassle, which is why a large-capacity steamer like this model from CHI is so desirable. The device boasts a 10-ounce capacity tank that’s not only larger than average but also easy to fill due to its large opening, saving you serious time and effort.

This steamer heats up quicker than most (in just 20 seconds!), and it comes with two mode options (low and high). It’s comfortable to hold, has a long 10-foot cord, and features a locking mechanism to keep the steam on or off. It also comes with a fabric brush that we found to be very effective during our testing, especially on linen. After two months of use, the steamer is in the same condition as it was on day one.

In terms of negatives, they’re pretty minor: The main button is inconveniently located, which can lead to accidental setting changes, and we noticed that there can also be some slight water sputtering when the steamer is first turned on. We also wish it was a bit lighter, as our arm tends to hurt after steaming for longer durations. But those are small qualms that certainly don’t overpower the steamer’s many benefits (including its fairly low price and stylish red color).

Heating Time: 20 seconds | Steam Duration: Not listed | Weight: 1.7 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 10.1 ounces

Best Clothes Steamer/Iron Combo

Electrolux garment steamer.

The locking mechanism keeps the steam going without any effort on your end.

The setting icons are hard to decipher and have no instructions.

Why shell out the money for a clothes steamer as well as an iron when you can have a device capable of doing both jobs? This steamer from Electrolux can be used vertically or horizontally like an iron, powerfully removing wrinkles from fabric regardless of its position.

The compact steamer (which is available in either black or blue) has two settings and comes with a sizable 10-ounce water tank that requires minimal effort to fill and remove. The device also stands out for how quickly it heats up (only 30 seconds) and for how long it can be used continuously (nearly 20 minutes). It has a comfortable grip, too, and comes with a handy locking mechanism that keeps the steam going without you having to continuously press the button.

It also includes a fabric brush and lint brush, both of which we found to be effective. The fabric brush excelled at minimizing water droplets on our garments, and the lint brush was a real showstopper, removing both pet hair and wrinkles from our skirt. This device works incredibly fast on lighter wrinkles, and though it does sometimes struggle to completely remove deeper ones, we've found that every garment looks better after steaming than it did before.

After two months of use, the quality of this steamer is exactly the same as when we first received it. As for price, it's slightly above average, and you’d hope that for that amount, it’d come with instructions on how to decipher the otherwise unclear icons for each setting. That annoyance aside, this is a very solid device that does both of its jobs quite well.

Heating Time: 30 seconds | Steam Duration: 18 minutes | Weight: 3.9 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 10 ounces

Best With Attachments

Conair handheld garment steamer.

In addition to the three main attachments, it also has a handy built-in creaser tool.

Its power decreases the longer you use it.

If you want a clothes steamer that comes with multiple extra tools designed to enhance the steaming process, take a look at this great pick from Conair. The small, lightweight steamer features three highly useful attachments: a silicone band to pull the fabric taut, a bristle brush to get through heavier fabrics, and a delicate fabric spacer to keep trims and finer fabrics safe from harm. But that’s not all—the steamer also comes with a built-in creaser tool that we found very effective and easy to use during our tests. 

Filling this steamer’s water tank is simple, but you do need to be careful of overfilling or else it won’t work. You can choose between two settings (regular and turbo), both of which are labeled clearly and have instructions. While we found it to be a bit larger than other steamers on our list, its comfortable grip ensures that your arm won’t get tired, even if you go for all 15 minutes of the continuous use it promises.

After using the steamer for two months, we've noticed no changes in quality. It removes wrinkles seamlessly from our clothes—especially the softer, thinner fabrics—with no sputtering whatsoever. Plus, it has a long cord and reasonable price tag. It may not be the most powerful steamer on the market, and frustratingly, it does wane in power as it works, even on turbo mode. But there’s still a lot to like, especially those helpful accessories.

Best Professional

Jiffy fabric steamer.

It can be used continuously for an hour and a half and rarely needs a water refill.

It only has one setting.

Compact clothes steamers may be convenient, but if you want a device that can handle heavy-duty use and don’t mind the large size, a professional-grade option like this model from Jiffy is the way to go. The steamer can last for an hour and a half of continuous use, with a huge 96-ounce water tank that can go through at least a half-dozen items before needing a refill.

We were amazed by this steamer's sheer speed and effectiveness—it removed wrinkles in a matter of seconds, so we never had to run it over the same spot multiple times. It worked well on all materials in our testing—especially silk—maintaining its performance throughout two months of use. It helpfully comes with a rod to hang up clothes as you work, as well as two sets of wheels that glide smoothly and provide extra stability. We found it comfortable to hold and appreciated the long cord. As a bonus, the tank is easy to fill without spilling. Just keep in mind that the hose does get pretty hot, and since it's long and floppy, you'll want to make sure it doesn't hit your legs as you work.

Despite its power, this fairly simple steamer has only one setting, so you can’t vary the steam level or temperature depending on the fabric. It may leave the occasional water mark on clothing, and its large size makes it difficult to store. For the high price, we wish the steamer had fewer flaws, but its long use and sheer power are impressive enough to make up for them. 

Heating Time: 2 minutes | Steam Duration: 1.5 hours | Weight: 15.9 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 96 ounces

After all our testing, we found Conair’s Turbo ExtremeSteam Handheld Fabric Steamer to be the most appealing, thanks to its five powerful settings and useful attachments, among other features. For a great lower-budget alternative, we recommend the Proctor Silex Compact 2-in-1 Garment Steamer/Iron , which is compact, easy to use, and heats up very quickly.

To find the best clothes steamers, we tested 48 models in our Des Moines lab and at home, evaluating their effectiveness on a variety of fabrics. For each steamer, we first recorded its measurements, then noted how easy or difficult it was to roll it (if it was a standing model) or unfold it (if it was a folding model). We filled each steamer’s water reservoir to the max, then hit the “on” button (going to the highest setting if available) and timed how long it took to fully heat up. We then switched the steamers’ settings to the lowest options (if available) to let them cool down and recorded that timing, as well.

Next, we began the steaming process with each device. We first steamed a woman’s silk shirt on the lowest/silk setting (when applicable) and noted how quickly and well wrinkles were removed. After, we moved to the medium/cotton setting (when applicable) and steamed a men’s dress shirt while noting the same information. For this test, we also used the steamer’s creaser attachment (if included) to create a crease along the shirt’s side and took note of its sharpness. Finally, we switched to each steamer’s highest/linen setting (when applicable) and worked the device on a pair of linen pants, recording the capability and speed in removing wrinkles.

At the end of our testing, we summarized each steamer’s effectiveness in tackling wrinkles on each fabric as well as if the steamer ever sputtered near or onto the garments. We also noted our thoughts on the design of each steamer, including the simplicity of filling the water tank without spilling, the comfort level of holding the steamer for long periods of time, the number of setting options and the ability to understand their functions, and the existence and effectiveness of any accessories.

After that, we recorded the cord length of each steamer and whether it could rotate easily around the base when we changed angles or directions. For portable steamers, we looked at the ease of folding and storing it for travel, while for standing models, we analyzed how smoothly the wheels moved around our lab.

Lastly, we determined each seamer’s overall value by considering whether its performance, design, and portability felt worthy of its retail price. For long-term testing, we took the steamers home and evaluated their performance after two months of use.

How to Shop for Clothes Steamers Like a Pro

There are two types of clothing steamers: handheld steamers and large upright steamers. The type you buy should depend on how you want to use it, how long you want to spend steaming, and how much storage space you have available. Handheld clothes steamers are best for those who steam clothing occasionally or don't have the space for a large upright steamer. Large garment steamers work better for those who steam clothing frequently, as these products have larger water tanks and can steam for much longer than handhelds (up to 20 minutes on a handheld vs. an hour on a large steamer). 

Keep in mind that a larger steamer isn’t necessarily better. In fact, Pozniak says that he only uses handheld steamers for clothing, drapery, and upholstered furniture—the lighter, the better. “We moved away from the larger units due to size, weight, and water dripping issues,” Pozniak says. “Also, the large steamers take forever to heat up.”

Nelson agrees, adding that handheld steamers remove wrinkles just as efficiently as vertical steamers, but they are designed with portability in mind and are easy to bring in your travel bag .

If you are interested in a large garment steamer, just make sure you have enough storage space for one in your home. Although some large garment steamers can be broken down to become more compact, they will still need about as much space as a stick vacuum cleaner .

“The heat up time is an important selection criteria,” Nelson says. “If you plan to use your steamer in the morning before heading to work, it should not make you late!” Most steamers heat up in just under one minute, but the exact time varies depending on tank size and steamer power. Our best large-capacity pick, the CHI Handheld Garment Steamer for Clothes , heats up the fastest of any steamers on our list, taking just 20 seconds.

Smaller steamers generally heat up more quickly than larger upright steamers, which can take about two minutes to heat up. While the difference isn't huge, it's still important to consider. Similarly, the length of time a steamer can run varies depending on the capacity of its tank. Smaller steamers have a runtime of about eight to 20 minutes, while larger garment steamers can run for one to two hours depending on the setting.

The most important part of a clothes steamer is effectiveness, but extra features can certainly make the steaming process a whole lot easier. Common additional features include more than one steam setting, which will help if you need to get steaming done quickly or have sturdier fabrics. The Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Handheld Fabric Steamer , our best overall pick, has five heat settings and comes with a variety of accessories.

Some useful accessories to have include crease clips and bristle brush attachments. Crease clips help create creases in your pants without an iron, while a bristle brush attachment helps loosen fabric fibers so that the wrinkles come out more easily. “Having the right accessories makes all the difference in your steaming experience, such as a mini ironing board , which helps make the finishing touches like collars perfect,” Nelson says.

If you're looking at a large garment steamer, look for additional features such as wheels on the bottom of the device, a retractable cord, and an included hanger with hanger clips to hold up your garments more easily.

More Steamers to Consider

Conair Handheld Garment Steamer for Clothes, ExtremeSteam : This low-priced steamer works very well on various materials (including linen) and can be used almost immediately after refilling the water. That said, the water reservoir is very hard to fill, and it’s heavy enough to cause shoulder soreness.

MagicPro Portable Garment Steamer : This steamer is highly effective and easy to use, including when filling up the water tank, but it only has one setting and becomes uncomfortable to use after a few minutes’ time due to its heavy weight.

Questions You Might Ask

What is the difference between a clothes steamer and an iron.

The big difference between a clothes steamer and iron is contact. Irons require direct contact onto fabric to get rid of wrinkles whereas steamers need to be held a short distance away from the fabric to achieve the same result. Irons are great for creating creases in pants, pressing pleated clothing, and getting wrinkles out of thicker fabrics that would take a longer time to tackle, such as jeans or a blazer. Steamers are best for more delicate items or fabrics, such as a silk blouse or a cashmere sweater.

“A hot iron can easily burn or damage more delicate fabrics like silk, satin, cashmere, or polyester,” Nelson says. “Steamers are a much safer option for delicate fabrics while simultaneously refreshing garments, reducing wrinkles and odors, and killing bacteria. Steaming is also more environmentally friendly, since you don’t have to wash the clothes that only need to be refreshed.”

So is one necessarily better than the other? According to Pozniak, it depends on the type of fabric: “Cotton and linen will need an iron, while you can use a steamer for silk, wool, and synthetic fabrics. If you do steam cotton and linen, you may get out some of the wrinkles, but those fabrics will never look crisp. You need the steam of an iron to relax the fibers and the heat of the iron to remove the moisture and ‘set’ the fabric, making it look crisp.”

Are there any fabrics you shouldn’t steam?

Pozniak says you should avoid steaming certain fabrics, including leather, suede, fur, vinyl/plastic fabrics, and some embellished garments. Suede, leather, and fur in particular can be severely damaged with steam, he says. You also don't want to get too close to embellishments like buttons, beads, or sequins, as those could be made of plastic and melt.

Can you use a steamer to freshen up clothes between washes?

Absolutely, Nelson says: “Steamers are perfect for freshening up used garments in between washes since the hot steam targets bad odors. Especially when it comes to fabrics that cannot be washed, or items too bulky to wash by hand or in a machine—like a duvet or even a couch —steaming is an excellent alternative."

As a hack, she recommends spritzing your garment with vodka before steaming for extra odor removal .

How do you properly use a clothes steamer?

Always read your product's instruction manual before you proceed, as use can vary between clothes steamers. Typically, you start by filling up the tank with water up to the water line, not above it. Then, turn on the device and wait until the machine starts continually producing steam. Otherwise, there's a risk of water spurting out and getting onto your fabric, which may stain it.

Hang your garments on a hanger and hold them taut while steaming. Keep the steamer an inch away from the garment while steaming—do not put the steamer nozzle directly to your clothes. According to Nelson, you should steam any sort of lining first, and always steam items from top to bottom to produce an optimal effect. Once you're done, wait for your clothes to dry. Throughout the steaming process, make sure that your hands stay far away from the extremely hot steam so you don't get burned.

Should you regularly clean a clothes steamer?

Yes, but how often depends on how much you use it. If you notice that your clothes steamer is not producing steam as easily or as quickly as previous uses, that's when it's time for a cleaning . Clothes steamers get dirty when the minerals from hard water buildup overtime and create a gunk that can clog your nozzle and leave white residue on your clothes.

You can avoid this by using distilled water when you steam. If that isn't an option, you can clean your clothes steamer with a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and distilled water. After you've put the mixture into your water tank, turn on your steamer and let that mixture run until it's about halfway done. Repeat the process until your nozzle lets steam out easily and quickly. Once you're ready to use your steamer again, make sure to do the same process but with just distilled water to make sure that any remaining vinegar is removed.

This roundup was written by Rachel Simon , a writer for Real Simple , Better Homes & Gardens , The New York Times , and many other publications; and Nicole Lund , associate commerce editorial director at Dotdash Meredith. To find the best clothes steamers, we tested 48 irons in our lab and evaluated each model on its effectiveness, design, and overall value for money. We also consulted Jerry Pozniak , managing director of Jeeves New York , a luxury dry cleaning service, and Marilee Nelson , co-founder of Branch Basics , for expert advice.

Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval . Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn’t an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company.

Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects , from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.

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The Best Food Steamers for Every Type of Cook

Humans have been steaming food since the Stone Age, but it’s an underrated and underutilized method in modern American kitchens. Steaming is simple and effective; pop a wide array of foods like veggies, fish, and dumplings into the steamer of your choosing, let the water steam up, and a complete meal cooks in minutes while barely dirtying a dish. Every steamer I tested that made it into this guide will give you a good steam. Each may function better for specific needs, however. These are my favorite food steamers.

Check out our other kitchen guides , including Best Kitchen Scales , Best Chef's Knives , Best Cookware for Small Kitchens , Best Food Processors , and Best Stand Mixers .

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How We Tested Steamers

Here’s how I tested this panoply of steamers, which all differ in capabilities, materials, and price: I cooked an array of frozen dumplings, frozen tamales, veggies, and fish (I used tilapia as an affordable, basic white fish). These are four of the most popular everyday foods to steam. For the small steamers like the basket and collapsible styles, I opted not to bother cooking the fish. If those are the styles that best suit your cooking needs, then I am safely assuming you are using other methods to cook fish.

As I’ve shown, some steamers are better for steaming whole meals, some are better for just a casual dim sum lunch, and others can do it all. I measured the amount of time the items took to steam. In terms of functionality, I cooked with each gadget several times to test their durability and which types of foods may be better suited for each one. I also weighed whether certain materials like clay or bamboo steamed certain foods better or not.

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more .

Best Electric Steamer

Photograph: Amazon

Did your new air fryer change the way you approach cooking? Well, the Buydeem steamer may be your next go-to kitchen gadget. It’s lightweight, compact, simple, unbelievably cute, and dare I say, fun. The design contains a water waste system so that the moisture from the food has somewhere to go without contaminating the clean water that’s getting ready to steam up. The water inlet makes it convenient to refill the steamer basin without having to move the whole base to the faucet. Each piece is lightweight, making it easy to clean and move around.

This steamer is designed to give you the option of doubling it in size with its multitiered design, which is particularly useful for steaming multiple items that have different cook times; you put the longer-cooking items on the bottom tier and just take the top tier off when that one is ready. Like most steamers, the top tier can take slightly longer to cook than the bottom tier, since the bottom is closer to the heat source. You get the hang of this; pork buns usually take longer than dumplings, so those go on the bottom tier, and you dig into the dumplings on the top tier while the pork buns on the bottom finish cooking. I fit 10 soup dumplings comfortably on one tier.

Another Good Electric Option

Cuisinart is a reliable brand for kitchen gear, and that stands true when it comes to its CookFresh Digital Glass Steamer. The base of the steamer is lightweight, which counteracts the steaming dish itself, made of a thick, weighted glass. The stainless steel steaming tray sits nicely into the dish and contains proper ventilation holes to allow for the steam to rise. You can also steam your food without the tray, which gives you more room. When you’re done with your steaming session, you can carry the glass dish straight to the table for serving. While this steamer works well, it’s on the clunkier side, and unless you’re steaming multiple times a week, it will likely feel too large to keep on your countertop. That said, it really comes in handy if you want a complete, homemade meal but aren’t in the mood to do the cooking yourself. I cooked two pieces of tilapia with a serving of veggies on the tray and was separately able to fit 15 soup dumplings.

The 1-liter water basin detaches from the base for easy filling. To start steaming, you must tightly screw the cap on the basin and flip it over to lock it into the base. It leaked very slightly for me, although not in any significant way. While some level of condensation is inevitable while steaming, having your food completely surrounded in glass is going to increase condensation compared to bamboo, for example. The interface of the CookFresh Digital Steamer could not be simpler. You turn the knob to the setting that corresponds with whatever you’re cooking and press Start. There’s also a button if all you want to do is reheat, and you can input a custom cook time. It’s the most rectangular steamer on this list, so this is a good match if you plan to cook long pieces of protein like fish that might not easily squeeze into a round or square steaming tray.

Best Ceramic Steamer

Donabe is the ancient Japanese craft of creating clay pots. Based in Japan’s Iga region for nearly 200 years, Nagatani-en is the oldest-known donabe company still operating. Cooking with this intricate handmade piece of pottery takes a little more care and attention than the plug-and-play electric versions above, but if you’re serious about taking your steaming chops to a new level, this is a great choice. One of the primary properties of donabe is that it gets extremely hot, which is why it is great for cooking food evenly. The clay used to make the pot is porous, which gives it its high heat retention and high absorption ability.

I kept my testing consistent and cooked another two pieces of tilapia with a serving of veggies (mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and spinach). It was a little tight on the steaming dish, but once the veggies started to shrivel it fit nicely and took less than 15 minutes to cook. Everything came out incredibly moist and flavorful. (I used just some basic seasoning.) The handles on the mushi nabe donabe are not as big as they probably should be, especially considering how hot they become. So you need to be extremely careful when removing the lid. Like a cast iron skillet, a donabe is meant to be seasoned prior to your first use, and it develops character as you use it. Instructions are provided so that you can care for the donabe properly. Even though donabe are known for cooking over a flame, they are also oven-safe. They are suitable for gas stovetops only and cannot be used on electric or induction stoves. They are not microwave- or dishwasher-safe.

Best Ceramic Steamer Set

If you're looking for a ceramic steamer that’s less fragile and easier to use than donabe, this is the best option. The variety of materials used to design this product—a ceramic exterior and bamboo inserts—makes it one of the best. This steamer comes as a set in three sizes (1.2L, 2.3L, and 4L), complete with a finished ceramic pot, a matching lid with steaming holes, and a bamboo steaming basket that has a terra-cotta base. The steaming basket fits nearly flush onto the pot, as does the lid on the basket.

The terra-cotta base on the steaming basket makes this a unique product among steamers. Terra-cotta has even stronger absorption properties than bamboo, helping get rid of even more excess moisture. Terra-cotta assists in the steaming process in a quasi-water-circulation system. The water that it absorbs ends up evaporating back in with the rest of the steam. But the high absorption is one of the negatives that I found about steaming with terra-cotta: It can create quite the stink. When I cooked tilapia in this steamer, it came out fantastic, but then I was smelling tilapia for weeks. The fish stench would not come out no matter how many times I washed the basket. Like donabe, this ceramic pot is designed to be seasoned before using it. It’s also probably best to avoid cooking colorful foods like red curries because of the possibility of it staining. Jia says if you clean it immediately then you shouldn’t have a problem, but I wouldn’t do it if you want to keep the pot looking pearly and white, because the sleek look is one of the best things about this product.

Best Bamboo Steamer Set

The Concord Bamboo Steamer set comes with a metal pot, a metal lid, and a 10-inch bamboo steamer basket. All of these pieces fit flush with one another. The round shape and walls of the bamboo steamer make it harder to fit as much food in there, but I was able to fit two pieces of tilapia flat in the 10-inch steamer with veggies and a bed of spinach (same exact meal as I prepared in the donabe), which eliminates the need for parchment steaming papers (the Concord steamer provides a pack of these). It came out just as good as preparing it in the donabe. A 10-inch bamboo steamer like this one will fit eight soup dumplings comfortably on the steaming paper.

The stainless steel pot doubles as an all-purpose pot that you can use without the steaming baskets. The handles are what make this pot stand out; they’re made of heat-resistant faux-wood silicone that keeps them soft and relatively cool to the touch. The set comes with a set of parchment steaming liners and bamboo tongs. There’s nothing quite like steaming with bamboo. A bamboo steamer doesn’t absorb heat as much as metal, so you can pick it up directly with your hands and serve your meal right in the bamboo for a traditional experience. The bamboo also absorbs excess moisture so you’re really getting a quality steam. I feel like you can even taste the flavors of the forest when you cook with bamboo.

Best Budget Steamer

I like Joseph Joseph’s steaming basket better than the typical stainless steel options. This one is made of hard silicone material that’s more pleasant to use and much easier to clean than the stainless steel baskets. The “petals” that fold in and out to expand the steamer are a much sturdier design than the metal versions, which often feel flimsy and cheaply made. Three silicone legs on the bottom give ample space for the water to do its thing underneath. The design excels at steaming veggies in the most efficient way possible. The trickiest part of steaming baskets is getting them out of the pot once your food is finished and all the pieces are still hot. The Joseph Joseph Bloom basket has a well-designed hook in the middle, making it easy to slip a fork in and lift the basket out.

Obviously you can steam whatever can fit in the basket—say, two tamales or eight soup dumplings comfortably—but veggies are the go-to when it comes to steamer baskets. It results in a well-steamed batch of veggies so flavorful you’ll barely need any seasoning. Steaming protein in here or any basket-style steamer would be a little awkward. There are a few cheaper options on the market, but at just $9, the thoughtful design, versatility, and easy clean-up of the Joseph Joseph steamer make it our top pick for those on a budget.

Best Steamer for Tiny Kitchens

If you live in an offensively small NYC apartment with only a kitchenette and barely any cabinetry, Crate & Barrel’s Collapsible Steamer and Colander may be the move. When you first look at it, this thing seems like it’s just a colander, and essentially, it is. However, it works pretty well as a makeshift steamer for certain foods. At a diameter of 9.5 inches, the base is pretty small, so if you’re steaming food items that won’t cook properly if they’re stacked or piled on each other, like dumplings, you’re only going to net one small serving. I was able to fit seven soup dumplings into the steamer comfortably. I put a piece of steaming paper on the bottom so the dumplings wouldn’t stick to the stainless steel base once they heated up. For veggies, which you can pile up in a steamer, you won’t have any problems fitting a hearty amount. While the hybrid design doesn’t make for an ideal steamer, I was surprised at how well it worked to get a satisfactory steam on my food.

It’s made of a nice combination of metal, which makes up the sturdy base and handles, and malleable silicone, which lets the whole thing flop into itself for storage. It’s just about an inch thick when fully collapsed, so this design is the ultimate space saver. To use it as a steamer, you nestle the basket into a larger pot. Where this product falls short is that the lid of your pot likely will not sit properly on top of the steamer. The steamer’s handles sit on the lip of the pot, where they prevent the lid from forming a tight seal. Steam will escape through the gap, and this makes the steaming process take longer than it otherwise would. It also just makes the whole assembly feel a bit shaky. But we have already established that this product is just a makeshift steamer, so you know what you’re getting yourself into. You also need to make sure your pot is big enough to hold the basket, but also sized to allow the handles to perch properly. It’s also tricky to take the steamer off of the pot; the metal handles sit directly on the pot, so you need to use mitts and be careful. All in all, you will get a decent steam.

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The Best Car Air Fresheners to Keep Your Ride Smelling Fresh

Don't let those drive-thru fries stink up the place!

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Best Overall

Febreze car air freshener vent clip.

Meguiar's Whole Car Air Refresher

Best Hanging

Little trees car air freshener.

There are many car air fresheners out there that can help, but our goal is to help you find the best ones. At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we tested some of the most notable car air fresheners on the market to pull together a list of the best ones, from hanging cards to vent clips to traditional spray bottles.

There's a reason we named these the best car air fresheners in our roundup of the best air fresheners for every room in your home . The minimalistic design looks at home on your car's dashboard, they start working instantly as your car circulates hot or cold air and they can last up to a month. One tester was particularly enthused by the design, saying, "It's nice and small, and the black color blends perfectly into my vents and leather dashboard." Some users also note the minimalistic vent clip design is preferable to a swinging or hanging air freshener which can distract while driving.

In our testing, we noticed the scents may be a bit overbearing when first installing, but these clips are equipped with a dial on the back that lets you adjust the amount of fragrance released so you can easily tune them to your preferences. The brand claims they last for a full 40 days on low.

Type: Vent clip | Scent: 13 options | Size: .28 ounces

This innovative pick from Meguiar's works a little differently from the rest of the air fresheners on our list. While most spray bottle air fresheners simply have you spray an inconspicuous place in your car, this air freshener is a "scent bomb" that claims to eliminate odor by using the air circulation in your car. Simply close all your windows and doors, turn your air conditioner on high, and activate the canister's locking trigger. Leave the car for 15 minutes, then open all the doors and allow your vehicle to air out for an additional 10-15 minutes before hitting the road.

While it isn't as expedient as many other air fresheners, users say it's both easy to use and highly effective. One user says it cleared up smoke smells from a nearby forest fire; another said the scent lingered for months.

Type: Scent bomb | Scent: New car | Size: 2 ounces

These hanging air fresheners are a massively popular pick for keeping your car smelling nice year-round. They're simple, easy to install, and do exactly what they claim — replace your less palatable car scents with more preferable ones. We are particularly impressed with the sheer number of scents available (40 on Amazon!).

While some drivers may not like the distraction of a dangling item in their view, we can't help but admire the simplicity that these offer. If you don't want to hang it from your mirror, you can get creative and tie it around a vent adjuster, door handle or even a headrest. And who said you had to keep them in the car? They're versatile enough to hang anywhere you want a fresh boost.

Type: Hanging | Scent: 40 options | Size: 4.65 x 2.74 inches

Air Spencer CS-X3 Squash Scent Air Freshener

For the individualist who wants their car scent to stand out among the masses of green pastures and ocean breezes, we present the Air Spencer CS-X3. This refillable air freshener sits atop the dashboard to eliminate foul car odors.

The name is a bit of a misnomer in that this air freshener doesn't actually smell like squash — it has a citrusy sweet scent that many reviewers have compared to Ramune, a popular Japanese soft drink. Since this is a Japanese import product, getting refills might not be as convenient as some of our other picks, but how cool will you sound when you tell passengers that you import your air freshener?

Type: Dashboard | Scent: Squash | Size: Not listed

Drift Wood Freshener

We love just how beautiful this car air freshener is. The wood block is soaked in essential oil and has an organic, minimalist appeal. It clips into the car's sun visor using an included clip. Drift offers a subscription model so that when your old freshener starts to fade, you'll have a new one at the ready for your use.

Our Lab pros were wowed by this air freshener's design and equally impressed with the scents offered by the brand. Many of them, like coffee and teak, skew more masculine and are scents we've never seen before for in car air fresheners. We also loved the "scent of the month" option which features seasonally limited edition scents curated for the specific time of year.

Type: Visor clip | Scent: 7 options | Size: Not listed

Chemical Guys Signature Scent Premium Air Freshener and Odor Eliminator

If you don't like the feeling of a vent clip blowing scented air toward your face as you drive, a more subtle approach may be better. Chemical Guys makes a great-smelling air freshener in a spray format that lets you have more control over your air freshening application.

Testers were pleased by the spray's uniquely sweet and leathery scent that some Amazon reviewers compared to the Air Spencer CS-X3, meaning this may well be a more accessible dupe. While we liked the spray format, we noticed that upon first using it, the nozzle can get a little clogged and deposit more of a stream of liquid than a true mist, so you may want to do a couple of test sprays before applying to avoid depositing too much at once.

Type: Spray | Scent: Signature scent, black frost | Size: 16 ounces

Bath & Body Works Laundry Day Car Fragrance

If you're looking for a lot of options and a wide selection of both familiar and seasonal scents, look no further than Bath & Body Works. The shopping mall staple offers a variety of different vent clip styles so you can customize your dashboard, and the multitude of scents will appeal to those who like to switch it up.

One consumer tester noted they are strongly scented, and as such may not be for those who are easily overwhelmed. They also emphasized just how large the scent selection is and how they enjoyed being able to pick their favorite familiar Bath & Body Works scents for use in their vehicle . With 15 scents currently available online, even the pickiest connoisseur of scent is sure to find something agreeable. Type: Vent clip | Scent: 15 options | Size: .2 ounces

Yankee Candle MidSummer's Night Sidekick Vent Clip Fragrance Kit

Since deciding which car air freshener to use is so personal, we're always impressed with products that give the consumer as many options as possible. The Yankee Candle Sidekick features dispensers in vent-clip, visor-clip and hanging forms that all take the same refill.

A starter kit contains one dispenser and two refills, each of which the brand claims lasts for 30 days. Our Lab pros appreciate the novelty of using the same refills for different forms of car air fresheners. It seems so obvious, yet it's so uncommon! We also love that there are scents that mimic some of Yankee Candle's most beloved candle scents like Pink Sands and Clean Cotton. If you're already a fan of the brand's candles, you'll easily find a perfect freshener for your car. On the downside, some users say the scent doesn't linger for as long as they'd hoped.

Type: Vent clip | Scent: 15 options | Size: 06 ounces

Maison & Muse Car Freshener Vent Clip

Like other vent clips, this air freshener is very simple to use — you simply activate it and clip it onto your dashboard — or even back seat — vents. What separates this pick from the rest of the pack, though, is the scent. Our Lab pros found it to be more subtle than our best overall pick. The options are also all inspired by famous people — like Marilyn Monroe, Whitney Houston, Audrey Hepburn, etc. — which is a fun touch. We tested the vanilla and caramel (inspired by Marilyn Monroe), which was noticeable but not at all fake or overpowering.

We liked the aesthetic of this pick, too. The whole freshener is black, so it looks better on the dashboard and is less noticeable than others we've tested. Plus, it pivots to all angles, so you can direct it away from you.

Type: Vent clip | Scent: 4 options | Size: Not listed

Pura Car Fragrance Diffuser

This is one of the more innovative car air fresheners we've ever tested — it's a mini diffuser for your car. As such, it does have to be plugged into your car's USB outlet to work and only works when the car is moving. When the car stops moving it shuts off. But our Lab pros say you don't have to keep it up front with you; if your car has a rear USB port, that works just as well to avoid distraction or clutter around the dash.

Unfortunately, the scent discs are sold separately, but there are 35 very pleasing scents to choose from from luxe brands like Nest and Capri Blue. Once we had both in hand, we found the device easy to set up and use — it's all via a compatible smartphone app . Once up and running, the app even tells you how much scent is left and lets you adjust, stop and start it.

Type: Diffuser | Scent: 35 options | Size: .176 ounces

How we test car air fresheners

Air fresheners are difficult to test in a controlled way, especially within the confines of the Good Housekeeping Institute, and recreating the environment of a car for such testing is an even bigger feat. Since we don't have the smell chambers necessary to do the most granular testing, we evaluate air fresheners similarly to how consumers do — by using them in our cars and seeing how they stand up to each other in real-life scenarios. We also appraise car air fresheners based on their design appeal, how easy they are to use and the variety of scents available. We evaluate claims made by different air fresheners and review their formulations and safety data sheets.

How can I make my car smell good permanently?

While it may be virtually impossible to have your car perennially smell brand new, there are some steps you can take to reduce the displeasing odors in your car and maintain a fresh scent for longer. First of all, preventing odor-causing messes is key. Using items like car seat covers can prevent smelly liquids from seeping into your car's upholstery, and many are machine washable making cleanup super easy. Second, you'll want to clean your car's interior regularly with a handheld vacuum and use a detailing spray or leather wipes to clean the upholstery. We've rounded up the best car cleaning products to help you find exactly what you need. Once your car is sparkly clean, consider using a car air freshener to mask or eliminate odors between cleanings, guaranteeing a fresh-smelling car year-round.

What to look for when buying a car air freshener

✔ Type : Car air fresheners come in a variety of formats that each have their benefits. Hanging fresheners are the easiest to set up. Vent clips won't obscure your field of vision as you drive and instantly start working once the air begins to circulate. Sprays give you more exact control over how much deodorizing you need, and the "scent-bomb" format lets you make sure every nook and cranny of your vehicle is pleasantly fragranced. When making the decision, consider what's most comfortable when you're driving and any risks inherent to the type (more on that below).

✔ Scent : Just like household air fresheners, car air fresheners are available in just about every scent you could imagine. This is an area of personal taste rather than objective truth, so you'll want to pick something that you know you and any regular passengers enjoy. If you or any passengers have fragrance sensitivities, a more thorough and regular car cleaning may be a better route than installing an air freshener.

✔ Safety : Consider both the safety of the driver and passengers when choosing your car air freshener. If the driver is apt to be distracted by a swinging object hanging from the rearview mirror, consider vent clips or a spray. If you have kids, make sure they cannot access your air freshener, as many fragrances are irritating and may be harmful if swallowed. Exercise caution and do not remain in the vehicle while using a "scent-bomb" air freshener.

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Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Nikolas Greenwald has a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Northeastern University. He's no stranger to a safety data sheet analysis and uses his knowledge of formulation chemistry and chemical safety to take a look at products being vetted at the Good Housekeeping Institute. He also helps to refine testing protocols and data systems across the Institute based on industry standards and his knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics and data science.

As a data engineer in the Good Housekeeping Institute , Nik (he/him) works with all of our Labs to develop testing protocols and manage data collection and analysis. Before joining Good Housekeeping in 2022 , Nik worked in the labs of MIT and Regeneron, working on projects ranging from chemical inventory and reporting to the development of bioassays. He holds a degree in chemical engineering from Northeastern University.

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