If you’re looking for a way to remove the wrinkles and rumples from your clothes, you’ll want to reach for a steamer. Unlike irons, which can offer a fully pressed and crisp result, steamers are less abrasive on your garments and offer instant wrinkle removal without needing an ironing board.
As a fashion editor and someone who is passionate about textile care, I put eight steamers to the test, removing stubborn crinkles, smoothing folded seams and reviving wardrobe staples. These are the ones that are effective and easy to use.
What to look for in a handheld steamer
Before you shop for a handheld steamer, it’s important to prioritize a few key features. Personal stylist Samantha Dawn recommends considering a steamer’s overall design and usability (including a compact build), comfortable ergonomics, steam-lock controls and an automatic shut-off feature for added safety. “I look for how fast a steamer warms up and produces steam, its weight, whether it’s spill-proof and if it has different settings for different fabrics,” she notes.
Before testing, we selected steamers with higher wattage — around 1,000 watts or more — because they heat up quickly and produce consistent steam. Heat-up time was another important consideration, with a target of about 30 to 60 seconds, so you can start steaming without a long wait.
We also looked at water tank capacity, prioritizing models with tanks between 5 and 10 ounces. A larger tank can help minimize the need for frequent refills when steaming multiple garments.
Best overall handheld steamer
Beautural Travel Steamer
Ease of use: 4.75/5 | Leakage: 5/5 | Average wrinkle-removing performance: 4.58/5 | Steam power: 5/5 | Overall average score: 4.83/5
I had low expectations before testing the Beautural Travel Steamer due to its compact size, which looks deceiving at a glance. There’s no start button, so the moment you plug it in, it starts to warm up. Its ergonomic/lightweight design and steaming power made this one a favorite during the testing process. You hold it like a blow dryer and can fold the top part for easy packing. However, if you have a weaker grip, needing to continuously hold down the steam button may become uncomfortable during longer steaming sessions.
The tank reservoir also holds up to five ounces of water, which helps maximize steaming time. With an easy twist, you can disengage the water tank and fill it up. I found there to be no leaks when moving the machine upside down mid-steam. The steam also effectively penetrated the fabric, passing through the material to help release wrinkles with fewer passes.
I found this steamer to be efficient at removing creases from cotton, silk and linen shirts without needing much pressure.
Steaming performance: It took about three minutes to fully steam the silk shirt, four minutes to steam a button-down shirt and two minutes to steam a linen vest. After steaming all three tops, there was still water left in the tank, so I knew I’d be able to get through a few more items, if needed. Despite the steamer’s compact size, it produced a strong, consistent stream of steam.
Other things to note: After reusing the steamer for a second time, some water spouts were released and stained the fabric. However, this wasn’t a dealbreaker as it continued performing well. You’ll just want to be mindful about the materials you’re using the steamer on and how closely you hold it to the fabric. The plate also remains very hot after use, so also be wary when picking the steamer up and down or when placing it on uneven surfaces.
More handheld steamers, tested by an editor
Best new launch:
Ease of use: 4.5/5 | Leakage: 5/5 | Average wrinkle-removing performance: 4.33/5 | Steam power: 4.5/5 | Overall average score: 4.58/5
This steamer truly exceeded my expectations during testing. This new iteration of the Nori Cloud features an anti-spit technology to help eliminate leaks and water spots. According to the brand, it can heat up as fast as 25 seconds and offers up to 20 minutes of uninterrupted garment care. It easily released wrinkles while the suction feature held the fabric against the steaming plate, making it easier to smooth out stubborn creases.
Despite being a bit heavier in weight, this steamer’s overall performance isn’t something to scoff at. The water tank is easy to remove from the bottom and holds up to seven ounces. I’ve found that you can maneuver the steamer in any direction without leaving water spots behind. Plus, dual steam and suction settings allow it to effectively remove tough creases in silk and cotton.
Steaming performance: The Nori Cloud Max smoothed out the cotton button-down shirt in about three minutes and the silk shirt in about two minutes. When I used the suction feature on the silk shirt, it left a slight crease in the fabric afterward, so I’d recommend using the delicate setting on similar materials.
The suction feature works well at pulling certain fabrics (preferably linen and cotton) to the face of the steamer, which provides a deeper steam penetration — removing wrinkles faster and more effectively.
Other things to note: Because this steamer is on the heavier side, I recommend keeping it in your laundry room or simply within reach whenever you need to steam multiple items continuously without having to refill the water tank.
Best hybrid handheld steamer:
Ease of use: 4/5 | Leakage: 4/5 | Average wrinkle-removing performance: 4/5 | Steam power: 4.7/5 | Overall average score: 4.55/5
I have used Steamery Cirrus before and was excited to re-try it during testing. The smaller water reservoir is easy to disconnect and refill. It provides smooth results in minutes and is not as heavy as some of the other devices on the market.
Plus, it’s both pretty and functional. It has a simple, straightforward design with a ceramic-coated, heated front plate that works as an iron, allowing you to press down on fabrics for a crisp result. It’s also great for travel thanks to its compact design and built-in loop (located on the bottom part of the handle) for easy hanging,
Because of its compact design, it’s also a great appliance for travels and features a loop to easily hang. It even has a leakproof design which allows you turn the steamer upside down. However, it can make a bubbly sound if left upside down for long.
Steaming performance: It took about 2.5 minutes to fully steam a silk shirt, while the cotton garment took 3 minutes to smooth. After that, I had to refill the tank to continue steaming the linen pants. The steamer easily released wrinkles from the linen fabric, using about three-quarters of the water tank in the process. It also comes with a steaming pad, which I didn’t need to use during testing, but it could be helpful for applying a bit of pressure to the garment while steaming for more stubborn wrinkles.
Other things to note: It takes about 40 seconds for the machine to completely warm up and after steaming a shirt or two, you’ll need to refill the tank and wait for it to warm up again before getting back to work. You also need to continuously hold the button down while steaming, which might be a discomfort for those with low mobility.
Compact and efficient:
Ease of use: 5/5 | Leakage: 4/5 | Average wrinkle-removing performance: 4.08/5 | Steam power: 4.5/5 | Overall average score: 4.4/5
This is the steamer I would have chosen in my college days for its compact and easy-to-use design. It comes with a small cup to help you fill up the water tank and it has a lock feature to keep the steamer running while you steam multiple items. It slightly leaks when you tilt the steamer to the side, so you’ll want to be wary of positioning while you’re holding it.
While the steaming power wasn’t as strong, the tool was able to flatten some creases on the silk shirt. You can fold the top part for easy storage, which makes it suitable for travel. Additionally, the seven-hole nozzle provides a good amount of surface area coverage when steaming garments.
Steaming performance: I found this budget-friendly steamer particularly effective on linen shirts. While steaming, the bristle attachment helped lift lint and other particles from the fabric as the steam worked to release wrinkles. On cotton, however, it took more effort to smooth out stubborn wrinkles, as the steam didn’t seem to penetrate the fabric as effectively.
Other things to note: While it is lightweight and easy to maneuver, the switch can slightly move toward the unlock position when holding the steamer in the middle, so you’ll want to be mindful of your grip. After testing, it took about 17 minutes to cool enough to pack away, which is worth taking into account if you’re using it for travel or need to store it immediately after steaming.
Best for all types of fabrics:
Ease of use: 3.75/5 | Leakage: 5/5 | Average wrinkle-removing performance: 4.17/5 | Steam power: 3.75/5 | Overall average score: 4.17/5
This Conair steamer is ideal for both delicate and thicker fabrics with multiple settings and a high wattage that I found provides enough steam power to penetrate fabrics easily. While the top portion features a built-in creaser designed to create a sharp fold in the fabric, I found it to be not as user-friendly due to its lack of heat and difficulty to maneuver. It heats up in about 20 seconds and can leave a shirt looking crisp when you press the plate to the fabric.
If you’re working with lighter wool and silk fabrics, this steamer has a lower setting that helps soften the texture of the fabric without leaving behind any water stains. I had to use the higher setting to eliminate crinkles on linen fabric, which took about four minutes. Overall, this is a great steamer if you have basic pieces that need some smoothing from time to time.
Steaming performance: On linen, it took about 4.5 minutes to release a crease and used more than half of the water tank. I used the highest steam setting since the lower settings felt less powerful, and found settings three and four worked particularly well on silk, removing wrinkles while providing a gentler option for more delicate garments. It also effectively smoothed wrinkles from my cotton shirt in about 4-5 minutes.
Other things to note: The silicone closure can be somewhat difficult to press, and the steamer’s weight becomes more noticeable when the water tank is full.
Best for a crisp, clean steam:
Ease of use: 3.5/5 | Leakage: 5/5 | Average wrinkle-removing performance: 4.17/5 | Steam power: 3.5/5 | Overall average score: 4.04/5
The Rowenta AeroSteam Twist steamer was another favorite due to its turbo suction setting. It features an LED screen that clearly indicates each of the three settings and offers up to 20 minutes of continuous run time. The front plate looks like a traditional iron which delivers crisp and iron-like results on the fabric. When testing it on a cotton-and-lyocell-blend shirt, it smoothed it out in about a minute.
Steaming performance: This steamer offers three settings: steam only, soft suction and turbo suction. The suction power was impressive, helping pull the fabric toward the steamer and making it easier to smooth wrinkles. When testing it on a cotton-and-lyocell-blend shirt, it quickly released the wrinkles in about one minute. The heat level felt moderate, but the suction helped make up for it by keeping the fabric in place as I steamed.
Other things to note: The water tank is not detachable, which makes the refilling process a bit tedious. And because of its wider design, it can be cumbersome to insert the appliance inside pants to steam. But the water tank is large enough to allow you to steam three garments with ease without having to refill.
How we tested handheld steamers
To determine the best handheld steamers, we selected models with higher wattage and key features designed to improve performance and ease of use. We tested each steamer on three types of fabric: cotton, silk and linen. Because polyester is generally more wrinkle-resistant, we excluded it from our testing.
We used a stopwatch to measure how long each steamer took to heat up before use and how long it took to steam each garment to wrinkle-free success. We also monitored the water tank throughout testing to determine whether it needed to be refilled between garments.
After testing, we scored each steamer based on its wrinkle-removal performance across the three fabrics. We also evaluated other aspects of the user experience, including whether the steamer leaked, whether it felt comfortable and easy to hold during use and how strong and consistent the stream of steam was.
Frequently asked questions
According to founder of Current Boutique, Carmen Lopez, you want to start from the top and move slowly to the bottom to reach each area of your garment. Here are some do's and don'ts she previously recommended for Shop TODAY.
Do...
- Consider steaming the item multiple times. “For stubborn wrinkles, you may need to steam the item two to three times. On the first steam, make sure to let the item dry out for about 15 minutes to help loosen up the fabric fibers. Then, steam it a second time to further loosen the wrinkles until they are gone.”
- Test a small hidden area of the fabric before steaming. “You could do this by choosing a small section of the article of clothing, ideally in an area you won’t be able to see the test if it results in damage. This will allow you to determine if the steamer is at the correct temperature.”
- Be sure to hang the item up high and away from the floor. “For instance, hanging the item on the back of the bedroom or bathroom door is a safe bet.”
Don't...
- Use a steamer directly on fabric because you could risk damaging it. “I recommend gently hovering the steamer over the garment, a couple of inches away, as opposed to pressing against it. This will still release the wrinkles and protect your clothing from being burned by the steamer.”
- Steam leather, suede or anything that could get damaged by extreme heat.
- Steam items that have sequins, intricate beading, shiny metallics or embellishments.
"I recommend steaming most things that wrinkle, such as silk, wool, denim, cotton and linen. The most important factor is the heat level, because different temperatures can ruin some fabrics, such as silk," says Dawn.
Dawn recommends the following tips to leverage your garment care:
- "If your steamer does drip water, or you want to be extra delicate with fabrics, wrap a cheesecloth over the steamer to prevent any water droplets."
- "Another tip is if you’re steaming something more sheer, place a different fabric (I use denim) behind the sheer item, and then steam the sheer piece so the steam has something to push back off of, making the wrinkles come out faster," she explains.
Why trust Shop TODAY?
Jannely Espinal has been a fashion and lifestyle journalist for the past seven years. She’s well-versed in product sourcing, selection and testing, especially when it comes to the latest trends in home, style and beauty. Espinal combines her testing process with experts’ insight to select the best products for Shop TODAY’s audience. She has previously tested shower cleaners, cooling towels and bug repellents, for Shop TODAY’s Ranked series.
Meet the experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on a given topic. We also ensure that all expert guidance and recommendations are provided independently and without any undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Carmen Lopez is a retail expert and the founder of Current Boutique. She has over 15 years of experience in the retail fashion industry as a designer vintage and secondhand business owner.
- Samantha Dawn is a personal stylist and style coach offering styling workshops and style development.
Illy Whole Bean Coffee Classico (Medium Roast)
Illy Whole Bean Coffee Classico (Medium Roast)
