9 Best Garment Steamers to Save Time Ironing in 2025
There's one affordable gadget more shoppers are turning to for a "quick and easy" wrinkle-free fix.
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It's universally agreed that ironing is one of the worst chores on the household roster — especially when you're in a hurry and need wrinkle-free clothes, fast.
Ironing feels too laborious to set up and there always seems to be 'just one more' creased shirt waiting in line.
Handheld steamers are a much more compact and convenient alternative, especially when it comes to dealing with quick touch ups. Plus, they can be used to help easily freshen household items such as curtains, upholstery and potentially even mirrors, windows and shower doors.
On the hunt for an affordable clothes steamer? There are plenty of great discounts running for less than $100, such as the Sunbeam Power Steam handheld steamer (now $75, down from $89.95). Fans say it's "a steal" and "perfect" for everyday use as well as travel.
The budget Philips 3000 Series Handheld Steamer has also dropped to just $66 and unlike many other models, this features a foldable design shoppers "absolutely love".
NEED TO KNOW
- Want to steam delicate or lightweight fabrics often? Make sure to get a garment steamer with a variety of steam settings, so you can gain more control of the appliance and avoid damaging the material.
- Looking for a steam station for hands-free steaming? Our editor Hannah Paine tested out the Tefal Care For You Automatic Garment Steamer and loved the sanitise feature for freshening up frequently used items like jackets and blazers, without having to take time away from other daily tasks.
- Don't break the bank with several affordable models now on sale, including the Philips 3000 Series Handheld Steamer and Sunbeam Power Steam handheld steamer.
OUR TOP PICKS
BEST GARMENT STEAMER OVERALL
Philips 3000 Series Handheld Steamer, $66 (down from $79.95) at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
Looking for an affordable clothes steamer to bring on holidays and business trips? This Philips model (STH3000/20) is a lightweight gadget weighing just 0.77kg, and boasts a foldable design that makes it perfect for packing into your suitcase. Impressed fans say this "super handy" gadget "works well on all fabrics" and "makes travelling so much easier".
"Absolutely love! Compact and finally something that isn't heavy. I really love this steamer. And it doesn't leak!" a thrilled shopper posted in an online review.
Philips 7000 Series Handheld Garment Steamer, $129 (down from $179) at Amazon Australia
Philips 7000 Series Handheld Garment Steamer
What You Need To Know
The slightly fancier and older sibling of the Philips 3000, the Philips Handheld Garment Steamer (STH7060/80) is perfect for travel, offering an adjustable two-in-one head that you can use as a steamer or an iron. It also comes with two water tanks (100ml and 200ml), allowing you to downsize when luggage space is tight.
Shoppers are calling the portable garment steamer “good value for money” and "reliable", mostly thanks to its short heat up time and easy to use functionalities that make steaming a breeze.
What's more, it irons the whole piece of clothing perfectly and is truly a lifesaver for those complicated parts of clothes. Featuring a glove and a small curtain that you can use while ironing your clothes, this Philips steamer is perfect for travel or office. Plus, it gives a very fresh feeling to the clothes which is not the case with an iron.
“Simple and easy to use and it allowed us to steam a lot of pieces of clothing in a short period of time,” one shopper praised on The Good Guys website.
“The handheld steamer is quick, easy to use (and) saves me time from having to set up my ironing board. The larger water container lasts through quite a few items,” agreed another happy reviewer.
“A fantastic steam iron! Love the eco and max feature to moderate temperatures and (how it) glides on my garments!” a third wrote.
BEST CLOTHES STEAMER FOR TRAVEL
Russell Hobbs 2-in-1 Steamer Supreme, $119.99 (down from $139.95) at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
Also called the Russell Hobbs Steam Genie (RHC470), this handy gadget replicates a ‘regular’ iron more than most hybrid garment steamers, making it an easier transition if you’ve never used a steamer before. It even features a ceramic soleplate, similar to other irons.
“The Russell Hobbs 2-1 Steamer Supreme has saved me so much time and energy. It easily gets creases out of our clothing in a fraction of the time and now I don’t have to worry about setting up the ironing board. As a mum of four I’m all about products that make my life easier so this is a treat!” enthused one shopper.
“It is so versatile and easy to use, the steam button has a lock and it seems to be in the perfect place for ease of use… It also comes with a heat resistant bag to store it in which is really handy. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is looking at getting a steamer,” agreed another.
“The only thing is it only has one heat setting but it comes with different steaming covers so it covers a wide range of materials.”
Tefal Pure Pop Garment Steamer, $79 (down from $149.95) at Myer
What You Need To Know
Aside from the Philips 7000 Series Handheld Garment Steamer, this Tefal Pure Pop Garment Steamer is another great travel buy. Not only does it boast a fun and compact design, it also doubles as a hair and lint remover to help you achieve a perfect finish. The handheld steamer even has a super quick heat up time of just 15 seconds.
“This is a must-have item. It cuts down so much time in busy mornings – no more ironing bulky uniforms. It’s quick to heat up, easy to use and powerful. It’s a winner!” enthused one shopper.
BEST BUDGET GARMENT STEAMERS
Sunbeam Power Steam Handheld Garment Steamer, $76.46 (down from $89.95) at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
This budget friendly Sunbeam handheld garment steamer (SG1000) takes just 40 seconds to heat up and is designed to provide up to 18 minutes of continuous steam. It also has a decently sized 300ml water tank plus two settings that let you steam on a variety of fabrics.
“I LOVE the ease of use of this machine. It’s easy to manoeuvre, heats quickly, disperses steam evenly and removes wrinkles quickly and easily… given how much I paid for my previous steamer, this one is a steal”, a customer posted, rating it five stars.
“The steamer heats up super quickly and is easy to use. I’ve taken it on holidays, to a wedding and daily use. It’s perfect for me,” agreed another.
Russell Hobbs Handheld Supreme, $99 at The Good Guys
Russell Hobbs 2-in-1 Steamer Supreme Handheld Steamer
What You Need To Know
Want to refresh your winter knits, or require a more delicate hand to gently decrease a silk top? Shoppers are loving the versatility of this portable Russell Hobbs garment steamer (RHC410), which features a metal press designed to mimic an iron head to help tackle stiffer fabrics like suits, linen and denim. Fans say it "worked a treat" on a range of materials, including on non-clothing items such as pillowcases and bed sheets.
“Makes ironing some of my trickier dresses so easy, better than using an iron and board. Just hang off the back of your door and off you go! Also perfect for getting rid of last minute creases,” an impressed reviewer posted.
"I used it for linen, cotton and silk materials and everything turned out really well. I'm so happy with it that I'm buying another one for my son!" a second shopper raved.
"It does its job effectively and is quite simple to use. It is more effective on silk than on solid fabrics, but it still works. It does more than what you pay for in terms of functionality," another commented.
Kambrook SwiftSteam Garment Steamer, $69 at The Good Guys
What You Need To Know
Looking for a lightweight and affordable steamer? The Kambrook SwiftSteam Garment Steamer (KSS120GRN) weighs just a little over 1kg and packs a 250ml water tank, which is slightly larger than your standard 200ml reservoir, all for under $50. The portable model also comes with a detachable fabric brush to remove lint and dust from upholstery. This allows you to easily prep your linens, fabrics and upholstery before giving them a refresh or an ironing out.
"I bought this after using a friend's. It is a brilliant clothes steamer for getting the creases out of linen, chinos, jeans, T-shirts and also delicate fabrics that are too scary to iron. It's great for those times when you don't want to wear crumpled clothing but don't want the bother of getting the iron and ironing board out," praised an Amazon Australia customer.
"The water tank is a good size, (it) heats up quickly and is lightweight when full. You do need to pull the fabric taut while steaming but that's easy if you can find a place to hang the garment that's within reach of the electricity socket. Very happy with this purchase!"
While another commented: “Love it. This is a life-changer. I no longer dread ironing my silk shirts or indeed any fabric, thick or thin. I quickly wave this steamer over it for a minute or two and it freshens it up, gets rid of creases and I’m ready to go. Highly recommend it."
BEST LUXURY STEAMERS
Tefal Care For You First Automatic Garment Steamer, $849.66 (down from $999.95) at Myer
Tefal Care For You First Automatic Garment Steamer
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout editor
I’ve always hated ironing with a passion, so of course I jumped at the chance to put the Tefal Care For You First Automatic Garment Steamer (YT2040) to the test. It’s significantly cheaper than other automatic garment steamers and when not in use it folds down to about the size of a large check-in suitcase.
It has three different modes: steam, sanitise and dry. When trialling this I found it took a bit of experimenting depending on the fabric - linen needed at least 20 minutes and the minimum steam timer was 10 minutes. You can only fit up to three items at a time so it’s definitely not the most time efficient option, however, it does free you up to do other (dare I say) more enjoyable tasks. You have to attach clips to the bottom of each item of clothing before you put them in the machine to weigh them down so they can steam properly, which can be a bit fiddly at times.
My favourite setting actually turned out to be the sanitise mode as it gave my wool coat a beautiful dry-clean like refresh. While I do find my handheld garment steamer does the job quicker, it is nice to be able to throw your clothes for work in it the night before in for a quick steam while you do other chores. However the size and time required to get the job done means the Care For You isn’t going to suit everyone.
BEST UPRIGHT GARMENT STEAMERS
Philips All-in-One 8000 Series Ironing Solution, $599 at Amazon Australia
Philips All-in-One 8000 Series Ironing Solution
What You Need To Know
Can’t decide whether to invest in a good iron or steamer? This Philips steamer and iron (GC628/80) covers all bases with a multi-angle board that can be adjusted to any position, plus a tapered design to help you steam harder to reach areas like collars, sleeves, shoulders and children’s clothes.
And unlike some other garment steamers, this lets you steam both horizontally and vertically.
"We live in a small apartment with minimal storage space, so this has been a lifesaver. It's easily stowed away in the corner of our laundry cupboard. The unit heats up surprisingly fast and I'm never concerned about it damaging my clothes. The option to use it as a steamer or an iron (or somewhere in-between) is something I didn't realise I would love, until I had it," praised a shopper.
"It's been great for steaming those winter clothes that have been sitting in the cupboard waiting to be used! Prior to using the unit, I would have winced at the idea of spending a few hundred on an iron. I've changed my mind after using it for a few weeks. It's multiple products rolled into one neat unit."
"From opening the box, till set up through to use, you can be ready to go in under five minutes... I always used to wonder who those people were that iron pillowcases and now here I am steaming my pillowcases at every sheet change. It has become my new obsession," another fan posted.
Tefal IXEO Power All-in-One Iron Steamer Station, $399.95 (down from $549) at Myer
Tefal IXEO Power All-in-One Iron Steamer Station
What You Need To Know
The Tefal IXEO All-in-One Steamer Station (QT1510) heats up in just 45 seconds and comes with a three-position ‘Smart Board’ so you can zip through your morning shirt ironing or get in between pleats with ease. You can also hang a clothes hanger through the hook and use the machine as you would a normal garment steamer.
Tefal’s steamer machine additionally boasts a three-position ‘Smart Board’ so you can zip through your morning shirt ironing or get in between pleats with ease.
Shoppers say the “powerful” steamer makes “ironing a breeze” and “will leave no creases on your clothes”, with many praising the model for its easy to use functionality and versatility.
“We have had a couple of garment steamers but this one rocks. Powerful steam, trigger on handle saves water and thus tank lasts longer. Hose is not bulky like others and the base and hose are separate so you don't need to bring the stand to do curtains etc,” raved one fan.
"I’ve had hand held steamers for years, but this machine takes steaming to a whole new level! I love the board which provides the convenience of a small ironing board. And the continuous steam (is) unbelievable!” agreed another.
BEST STEAM IRONS
Don't think a steamer and iron is the right combination? Stick to the classics and check out some of the best irons below.
Tefal Ultimate Pure Anti-Calc Steam Iron, $179 (down from $199) at The Good Guys
Tefal Ultimate Pure Anti-Calc Steam Iron
What You Need To Know
While Rowenta irons are one of the most popular options on the market, they're not currently available in Australia. However, you can find alternatives like the Tefal Ultimate Pure Anti-Calc Steam Iron with similar features.
If you've been eyeing the 2800W Rowena Steam Iron, this model also has an anti-drip function to avoid staining clothes, as well as an anti-scale system and anti-calc collector to prevent limescale build-up over time. It's also backed by 2400W of muscle power and a steam output of 55g/per minute (250g/min on boost mode).
Philips Azur 8000 Series Steam Station, $159 (down from $199) at Amazon
What You Need To Know
The Philips Azur steam iron is often featured in roundups of the best irons. It contains OptimalTEMP technology to avoid burns and a convenient quick calc release slot so you can get rid of any limescale or calcium buildup.
Russell Hobbs Digital Supreme Iron, $66 (down from $79.95) at Amazon Australia
Russell Hobbs Digital Supreme Iron
What You Need To Know
This Russell Hobbs steam iron stands out with its Colour Control Technology. This is a digital display which you can use as a guide when checking the Digital Temperature Indicator inside the water tank to see whether the iron is at the right temperature for your particular fabric. The ceramic soleplate is also made with a Colour Protecting Conditioner to help prevent the colour of your clothes from fading or changing.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A GARMENT STEAMER
To help iron out the fine details on which garment steamer you should buy, we considered these several features as the most important when deciding which products to include in our round-up.
Type of garment steamer: You can either opt for a handheld steamer or an upright steamer. Handheld steamers are portable and more affordable, making them a great travel companion or a handy go-to gadget when you need to quickly iron out some wrinkles on a shirt before heading out. Upright steamers (otherwise called freestanding steamers) are heavier duty and ideal for those who need to steam larger amounts, regularly. These generally come with larger built-in water tanks, hangers and more features, but tend to be bulky and expensive.
Heat up time: The heat up time typically depends on the size of the water tank. Most handheld steamers have a 200ml reservoir and often require approximately 40 seconds to preheat, while larger units (including standing steamer models) will likely take one to three minutes.
Steam time: The general rule is the larger the water tank, the longer the steam time.
Water tank: Garment steamers can have either built-in or removable water tanks.
Steamer lock: Some garment steamers have a trigger lock to maintain a constant release of steam, while others need the trigger to be held (similar to using a stick vacuum).
Different steam settings and accessories: Garment steamers can cater to a variety of items by offering multiple steam modes or different attachments. Accessories include an attachment for delicate fabrics, which gives textiles like silk a more gentle treatment, and an upholstery attachment to give furniture a refresh whilst getting get rid of dust, dirt and odours.
Safety features: Working with hot steam can be incredibly dangerous, however many steamers offer the most common safety feature - the overheat protection function. This is a standard function in appliances that switches it off once it reaches a specific temperature. Most irons and steamers also have an auto shutoff feature that turns the unit off if it's unused for a certain amount of time (usually 15 minutes). Other safety features may include a self-standing design, or a temperature regulating function like Russell Hobbs' One Temperature Technology which maintains the same temperature.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
Our team of experienced writers spent hours researching the best garment steamers to include in this article. We found out what factors make a good product by talking to experts, reviewing test results and analysing thousands of customer reviews to help you find the model best suited to you out of all the clothes steamers we've included.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GARMENT STEAMER VS IRON: CAN A GARMENT STEAMER REPLACE AN IRON?
A garment steamer can replace an iron for everyday wrinkle removal, especially for delicate fabrics, quick touch-ups, and travel convenience. It’s easier to use, requires no ironing board, and is gentler on materials such as silk and wool.
However, may struggle on thicker materials and don’t offer the same crisp result as an iron. This makes them more of an additional purchase - rather than a replacement - for an iron.
HOW DO YOU USE A GARMENT STEAMER?
Most garment steamers are designed to be quite intuitive to use, so all you have to do is fill the water tank with water and hit the on-button. You may want to hold your item of clothing taut as you steam out the wrinkles on the underside.
Keep in mind that you are handling hot steam with garment steamers - which can cause serious burns if you’re not careful. It goes without saying, but you should never touch the steam with your bare hands and should always turn the machine off when it’s not in use.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING A GARMENT STEAMER?
Not only will using a garment steamer take you a fraction of the time it takes to properly iron a piece of clothing, but it’s kinder on your clothes too. Since there’s no heated metal touching the fabric, you won’t risk accidentally burning your clothing. The steam is also effective at de-wrinkling delicate fabrics like chiffon, silk and wool.
Steaming can also prolong the freshness of your clothes between washes by killing odour causing germs and bacteria. The only downside is you might find it difficult to get a precise pleat crease on your pants, though some steamers do come with a separate attachment for this very purpose.
HOW MUCH WATER DO YOU NEED TO REMOVE ALL THE CREASES?
There's generally no specific rule on the amount of water to be used when steaming clothes, but if you tend to have thicker fabrics or a few garments to steam, you'll typically a large water tank instead of a potentially cheaper model with a smaller capacity. Having a variety of steam settings also gives you more control, which is handy when working with delicate fabrics like wool and silk.
More Coverage
For those who live in an area with hard water, experts often recommend using demineralised or distilled water to help maximise the lifespan of your garment steamer or traditional iron.
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