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Quick answer: the best handheld clothes steamer is the Philips 5000 Series STH5030. It is one of Which?’s top-scoring steamers, safe on all ironable fabrics and supplied with two tank sizes. For travel and quick touch-ups, the Tefal Pure Pop heats in 15 seconds and was Mumsnet’s best overall. If you want a steamer that can replace your iron, choose the Philips 7000 2-in-1, whose head folds flat to press like an iron.
- Power: 1400W
- Steam: 24g/min
- Tank: 120ml + 200ml
- Power: 2000W
- Steam: 30g/min (90g boost)
- Tank: 200ml
Handheld steamers relax creases with hot steam instead of pressure, so they are ideal for hanging clothes, delicates such as silk and chiffon, suits, dresses and curtains. They won’t give you a sharp crease in trousers or a crisp collar. For that you still need an iron. We compared 14 steamers on steam output, heat-up time, tank size and weight, using UK test results and owner reviews.
Our top picks at a glance
- Best overall Philips 5000 Series STH5030 (££). Check price
- Best compact Tefal Pure Pop (£). Check price
- Most powerful handheld Tefal Access Steam Force DT8250 (££). Check price
- Best 2-in-1 steamer-iron Philips 7000 Series 2-in-1 STH7060 (£££). Check price
- Best premium Tefal AeroSteam DT9810 (£££). Check price
- Best with attachments Russell Hobbs Steam Genie Aroma 28040 (£). Check price
- Biggest tank Russell Hobbs Steam Genie Maestro 27600 (££). Check price
- Best budget Rolipo Handheld Steamer (400ml) (£). Check price
Price tiers compare models within this guide: £ budget, ££ mid-range, £££ premium, ££££ top of the range. We do not list exact prices because they change daily. Tap “Check price” to see the current price on Amazon UK.
Comparison table
| Model | Power | Steam | Tank | Heat-up | Weight | Price tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philips 5000 Series STH5030 | 1400W | 24g/min | 120ml + 200ml | 35s | 0.85kg | ££ |
| Tefal Pure Pop | 1300W | 20g/min | 70ml | 15s | 0.71kg | £ |
| Tefal Access Steam Force DT8250 | 2000W | 30g/min (90g boost) | 200ml | 25s | – | ££ |
| Philips 7000 Series 2-in-1 STH7060 | 1500W | 28g/min | 100ml + 200ml | 30s | – | £££ |
| Tefal AeroSteam DT9810 | 1400W | 20g/min | 100ml | 30s | 1.4kg | £££ |
| Russell Hobbs Steam Genie Aroma 28040 | 1800W | 32g/min | 200ml | 45s | 1.31kg | £ |
| Russell Hobbs Steam Genie Maestro 27600 | 1700–1800W | 20–25g/min | 750ml | 45s | 3.16kg with base | ££ |
| Rolipo Handheld Steamer (400ml) | 1640W | 30g/min | 400ml | 30s | – | £ |
Price tiers compare models within this guide: £ budget, ££ mid-range, £££ premium, ££££ top of the range. We do not list exact prices because they change daily. Tap “Check price” to see the current price on Amazon UK.
The best picks, reviewed
Best overall
Philips 5000 Series STH5030
- Power: 1400W
- Steam: 24g/min
- Tank: 120ml + 200ml
- Heat-up: 35s
- Weight: 0.85kg
- Plate: SmartFlow heated metal, no-burns guarantee
The STH5030 is among Which?’s highest-scoring handheld steamers. Its heated metal plate helps avoid damp patches, it is safe on all ironable fabrics, and it comes with two tanks: a small one for travel and a larger one for home. It has an eco mode, an adjustable head and a heat-resistant glove.
- Top test scores
- Two tank sizes
- Safe on all fabrics
- Glove and mat included
- Pricier than basic steamers
Our verdict: Most people.
Best compact
Tefal Pure Pop
- Power: 1300W
- Steam: 20g/min
- Tank: 70ml
- Heat-up: 15s
- Weight: 0.71kg
- Plate: Reversible pad system
The Pure Pop heats in just 15 seconds, weighs 710g and comes with a travel pouch. It works vertically or horizontally, and Mumsnet named it the best clothes steamer overall. The 70ml tank gives about 4 minutes of steam, enough for a couple of outfits.
- Heats in 15 seconds
- Very light
- Travel pouch
- Small tank
Our verdict: Travel and quick morning touch-ups.
Most powerful handheld
Tefal Access Steam Force DT8250
- Power: 2000W
- Steam: 30g/min (90g boost)
- Tank: 200ml
- Heat-up: 25s
- Weight: –
- Plate: Heated soleplate, Smart Temp
With 2000W, a 90g boost and a heated soleplate that prevents damp spots, this is the handheld most likely to replace everyday ironing. The 2.6m cord and 10 minutes of steam per fill make it practical for a whole wardrobe, and it has auto-off.
- Strong steam and boost
- Long cord
- Safe on all fabrics
- Rated 4.7/5 on Tefal UK
- Bulkier than compact steamers
Our verdict: Replacing most everyday ironing.
Best 2-in-1 steamer-iron
Philips 7000 Series 2-in-1 STH7060
- Power: 1500W
- Steam: 28g/min
- Tank: 100ml + 200ml
- Heat-up: 30s
- Weight: –
- Plate: Metal plate with pointed tip, OptimalTEMP
The 7000’s head tilts so you can steam vertically or press flat like an iron on a mat. With OptimalTEMP it is safe on silk and wool, and it gives the most iron-like results of any handheld here.
- Works as a steamer and an iron
- Great on delicates
- Strong steam
- Heavy for a handheld
- Frequent refills
Our verdict: Small homes that want one device instead of an iron and a steamer.
Best premium
Tefal AeroSteam DT9810
- Power: 1400W
- Steam: 20g/min
- Tank: 100ml
- Heat-up: 30s
- Weight: 1.4kg
- Plate: Steam plus suction
The AeroSteam combines steam with suction that pulls the fabric taut against the plate, so you don’t need a free hand to hold the garment. T3 found it gave close to iron-quality results on hanging and flat garments.
- Near iron-like results
- No need to hold fabric taut
- Heavy and loud
- Small tank
Our verdict: People who want the crispest results from a steamer.
Best with attachments
Russell Hobbs Steam Genie Aroma 28040
- Power: 1800W
- Steam: 32g/min
- Tank: 200ml
- Heat-up: 45s
- Weight: 1.31kg
- Plate: Heated pressing plate
Strong 32g/min steam, a heated pressing plate, a 3m cord and a scent infuser, with several attachments for upholstery and curtains. Which? rated it well.
- Powerful steam
- Lots of attachments
- Long 3m cord
- Heavier and slower to heat
Our verdict: Curtains, upholstery and big wardrobes.
Biggest tank
Russell Hobbs Steam Genie Maestro 27600
- Power: 1700–1800W
- Steam: 20–25g/min
- Tank: 750ml
- Heat-up: 45s
- Weight: 3.16kg with base
- Plate: Ceramic heated press plate
The Maestro puts a handheld head on a base with a 750ml tank, giving up to 30 minutes of steam. Mumsnet steamed several quilt covers on one fill. The heated plate lets you press like an iron.
- Huge tank
- Works as a steamer or an iron
- Self-clean
- Attachments get hot and don't fit securely
- Bulky
Our verdict: Long steaming sessions and bedding.
Best budget
Rolipo Handheld Steamer (400ml)
- Power: 1640W
- Steam: 30g/min
- Tank: 400ml
- Heat-up: 30s
- Weight: –
- Plate: Steam panel with brush
A cheap steamer with a big 400ml tank (about 20 minutes of steam) and a steam lock, so you don’t have to hold the trigger. It is an Amazon-only brand with no mainstream UK lab test, so buy it for value rather than proven longevity.
- Big tank
- Steam lock
- Very cheap
- No independent UK testing
Our verdict: Tight budgets.
Steamer or iron?
Choose a steamer for hanging clothes, delicates, suits, dresses, curtains and quick refreshes. It also kills odours and is gentle on fabric. Choose an iron for crisp shirts, sharp trouser creases and bedding. Many households have both. A 2-in-1 like the Philips 7000 or Russell Hobbs Maestro is a good compromise for small homes. See our best steam irons.
How to use a handheld steamer
- Hang the garment and fill the tank with tap water (or distilled water if your manual recommends it in hard-water areas).
- Wait for the ready light, then hold the steamer upright and pull the fabric gently taut from the bottom.
- Move slowly from top to bottom. Let steam penetrate rather than pressing hard.
- Leave clothes to dry for a few minutes before wearing them.
- Empty the tank after use and descale periodically.
Frequently asked questions
Is a clothes steamer better than an iron?
For delicates, hanging clothes and quick refreshes, yes. For crisp shirts, trouser creases and bedding, an iron is still better. A 2-in-1 steamer-iron does both reasonably well.
What is the best handheld steamer in the UK?
The Philips 5000 Series STH5030 for most people, the Tefal Pure Pop for travel, and the Philips 7000 2-in-1 if you want it to double as an iron.
Can I use a steamer on all fabrics?
Most ironable fabrics, including silk, wool and polyester, can be steamed. Models with no-burn heated plates, such as Philips OptimalTEMP and Tefal Smart Temp, are safest. Avoid steaming leather, suede and waxed fabrics, and check care labels.
Why is my steamer spitting water?
It is usually not fully heated, or it is tilted too far horizontally. Wait for the ready light, keep it more upright and descale it if it is old.
Related guides
- How to iron without an ironing board
- Garment steamer vs iron
- Best steam irons UK
- Best cordless irons
- STATUS Tuscan travel iron review
How we chose: we compared manufacturer specifications, independent UK reviews and verified owner feedback, and checked every product was on sale in the UK when we last updated this guide. Sources include Which? handheld steamer tests (Feb 2026); Mumsnet’s best clothes steamers (Aug 2026); T3; manufacturer specifications; owner reviews at Amazon UK and brand stores. Prices change often, so check the latest price before you buy. How we research.