At a Glance
- News Of Losangeles testers evaluated 28 clothes steamers on silk, cotton, and linen
- CHI Handheld topped rankings; heats in 20 seconds, costs $56
- Proctor Silex at $19 wins budget pick; weighs only 1.6 lbs
- Why it matters: Right steamer saves time, space, and dry-cleaning bills
Wrinkled silk or linen can derail an outfit, yet ironing boards hog space and heavy irons risk scorching. Garment steamers promise a lighter, faster fix. Daniel J. Whitman for News Of Losangeles put 28 units through timed trials on three fabrics to find the ones that smooth quickly without drips or fatigue.
How We Tested
Editors selected the best-selling steamers, filled tanks, and clocked heat-up times. Each unit faced a silk blouse, cotton dress shirt, and linen pants. Testers noted:
- Seconds to first steam
- Minutes to remove wrinkles
- Water spitting or drips
- Arm fatigue during use
- Whether trigger could lock
Trials stopped at eight minutes if creases remained.
What to Look For
Tank Capacity
- 120 ml steams one-to-two garments
- 2.8 L lasts 90 minutes
Steam Settings
- More settings = wider fabric range
- Knob dials give finer control than presets
Weight
- Handhelds under 2 lbs suit travel
- Standing units over 9 lbs stay home
Attachments
- Fabric brush lifts fibers
- Spacer guards delicate items
- Creaser adds crisp folds
Best Overall: CHI Handheld Garment Steamer
$56 | 300 ml | 1.7 lbs | 2 settings | 10-ft cord | 20-sec heat
Pros
- Ready faster than any rival
- Lock keeps steam flowing
- Large tank for handheld class
Cons
- Slightly heavy when full
Testers steamed an entire load in under four minutes without refilling. Twist-top tank pours cleanly, and a fabric brush snaps on for heavier fabrics.
Best Budget: Proctor Silex Compact 2-in-1
$19 | 120 ml | 1.6 lbs | 1 setting | 10-ft cord | 60-sec heat
Pros
- Cheapest unit tested
- Silk smoothed on contact
- Comfortable long handle
Cons
- Struggles with linen
- Requires frequent refills
One tank finished a silk shirt in five minutes yet needed two fills for cotton.
Best for Travel: Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam
$43 | 215 ml | 3.6 lbs | 5 settings | 9.3-ft cord | 40-sec heat
Pros
- Five steam levels
- Clamp steadies hanging clothes
- Compact for suitcases
Cons
- Creaser has learning curve
Accessories include silicone band, spacer, and brush. Hold unit upright to stop drips.
Best Multipurpose: Electrolux Garment Steamer
$40 | 300 ml | 4 lbs | 2 settings | 12-ft cord | 30-sec heat
Pros
- Largest handheld tank
- Lint remover included
- Heat-proof travel case
Cons
- Not the fastest steamer
Eight minutes handled every test garment; 12-foot cord reaches curtains.
Best for Creases: Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Garment Steamer
$70 | 215 ml | 3.5 lbs | 2 settings | 9.3-ft cord | 40-sec heat
Pros
- Dedicated creaser tool
- Fabric spacer protects lace
- Works on dress-shirt collars
Cons
- Lower steam output
Specialty attachments beat irons for sharp trouser and sleeve lines.
Best Standing: Pure Enrichment PureSteam Pro
$65 | 2 L | 9.6 lbs | dial knob | 6.5-ft cord | 45-sec heat
Pros
- Slim pole fits closets
- Foot pedal for hands-free on/off
- Continuous steam for big jobs
Cons
- Only two wheels limit mobility
Dial adjusts temperature; wait a moment after changes to avoid water spitting.
Best Investment: Jiffy Floor Standing Fabric Steamer
$225 | 2.8 L | 15.8 lbs | 1 setting | 6.5-ft cord | 2-min heat
Pros
- One-hour steam time
- Built-in hanger hook
- Stable wheeled base
Cons
- Highest price tested
Wide mouth fills fast; two-minute pre-heat prevents drips. Unit pays for itself by replacing dry-cleaning runs.
Expert Care Tips
- Use distilled water to prevent mineral buildup
- Let steamer run one minute before first pass to avoid spitting
- Keep hands clear of steam head
- Run head up and down hanging fabric, not across it
Key Takeaways
- CHI Handheld scores highest for speed, value, and ease
- Tight budgets still get pro results with $19 Proctor Silex
- Frequent flyers should pack the lightweight Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam
- Large households save time with high-capacity standing models like Jiffy
Pick the steamer matching your wardrobe size, travel habits, and budget to ditch the ironing board for good.
