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Quick answer: an iron gives crisper results: sharp creases, flat collars and smooth cotton and linen. A garment steamer is faster and gentler for hanging clothes, delicates (silk, chiffon, wool), suits, dresses and curtains, and needs no ironing board. Most households are best served by a good iron plus, optionally, a small handheld steamer. If you want one device, a 2-in-1 such as the Philips 7000 2-in-1 does both reasonably well.
- Power: 3100W
- Continuous steam: 70g/min
- Steam shot: 210g/min
- Power: 1400W
- Steam: 24g/min
- Tank: 120ml + 200ml
- Power: 1500W
- Steam: 28g/min
- Tank: 100ml + 200ml
| Iron | Garment steamer | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Heat + pressure + steam on a board | Hot steam relaxes fibres on hanging clothes |
| Best results on | Cotton shirts, linen, trousers, bedding | Delicates, suits, dresses, knits, curtains |
| Sharp creases | Yes | No |
| Speed per item | Slower (set up board) | Faster for quick refreshes |
| Risk of shine or scorch | Some (lower with no-burn tech) | Very low |
| Kills odours and bacteria | Partly | Yes, on hanging clothes |
| Storage | Iron plus board | Small; no board needed |
Our top pick of each
- Best iron Russell Hobbs Powersteam Ultra 20630 (£). Check price
- Best handheld steamer Philips 5000 Series STH5030 (££). Check price
- Best 2-in-1 steamer-iron Philips 7000 Series 2-in-1 STH7060 (£££). Check price
- Best compact steamer Tefal Pure Pop (£). 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 | Tank | Price tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russell Hobbs Powersteam Ultra 20630 | 3100W | 350ml | £ |
| Philips 5000 Series STH5030 | 1400W | 120ml + 200ml | ££ |
| Philips 7000 Series 2-in-1 STH7060 | 1500W | 100ml + 200ml | £££ |
| Tefal Pure Pop | 1300W | 70ml | £ |
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.
Recommended models
Best iron
Russell Hobbs Powersteam Ultra 20630
- Power: 3100W
- Continuous steam: 70g/min
- Steam shot: 210g/min
- Tank: 350ml
If you want crisp shirts and bedding, start with a good iron like this one.
Best handheld steamer
Philips 5000 Series STH5030
- Power: 1400W
- Steam: 24g/min
- Tank: 120ml + 200ml
- Heat-up: 35s
The best all-round handheld if most of your wardrobe hangs rather than folds.
Full review, pros and cons in our best handheld clothes steamers guide
Best 2-in-1 steamer-iron
Philips 7000 Series 2-in-1 STH7060
- Power: 1500W
- Steam: 28g/min
- Tank: 100ml + 200ml
- Heat-up: 30s
The head tilts flat to press like an iron, so it is the closest thing to one device for both jobs.
Full review, pros and cons in our best handheld clothes steamers guide
Best compact steamer
Tefal Pure Pop
- Power: 1300W
- Steam: 20g/min
- Tank: 70ml
- Heat-up: 15s
Small enough for a drawer or a suitcase, and ready in 15 seconds.
Full review, pros and cons in our best handheld clothes steamers guide
Choose an iron if…
- You wear cotton shirts to work and want crisp collars and cuffs.
- You iron bedding, tablecloths or linen.
- You want sharp trouser creases.
See the best steam irons or, for big piles, steam generators.
Choose a steamer if…
- You mostly wear knitwear, jersey, blouses, dresses or suits.
- You want a 2-minute refresh before going out.
- You have little space for an ironing board, or you travel a lot.
See the best handheld clothes steamers.
Frequently asked questions
Is steaming better than ironing?
For delicate and hanging clothes, yes: it is quicker and gentler. For crisp cotton and sharp creases, ironing is better.
Can a steamer replace an iron?
For some wardrobes, yes, especially knits, dresses and suits. If you wear pressed cotton shirts, you will still want an iron or a 2-in-1.
Does steaming damage clothes?
Much less than ironing, because there is no direct pressure or high heat. Check care labels for leather, suede and waxed fabrics, which should not be steamed.
Related guides
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? and Mumsnet steamer and iron guides (2026); manufacturer specifications. Prices change often, so check the latest price before you buy. How we research.
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