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Verdict: the Tefal AeroSteam is the first handheld steamer that gets close to iron-quality results, because its Optiflow suction pulls the fabric flat against a heated 140°C plate while it steams. If you dislike ironing but want shirts to look pressed, it is the steamer to buy. The trade-offs are real, though: it is heavier and louder than normal steamers, and the 100ml tank gives only 15–25 minutes of steaming. Light, occasional users will be happier with the cheaper Philips 5000 Series.
Cheaper alternative
- Power: 1400W
- Steam: 24g/min
- Tank: 120ml + 200ml
More steam, less finish
- Power: 2000W
- Steam: 30g/min (90g boost)
- Tank: 200ml
Handheld steamers have one long-standing weakness: you need a free hand to hold the garment taut, and even then the result is “refreshed” rather than pressed. Tefal’s answer is suction. A fan behind the plate draws the fabric onto a heated soleplate, so one stroke does the work of several. Searches for “Tefal AeroSteam” have risen sharply in the UK this year, which is why we have looked at it in detail. Tefal also sells an AeroSteam Elite (170ml tank) and an AeroSteam Swivel; this review covers the standard DT9810.
At a glance
- Reviewed Tefal AeroSteam DT9810 (£££). Check price
- Cheaper alternative Philips 5000 Series STH5030 (££). Check price
- More steam, less finish Tefal Access Steam Force DT8250 (££). Check price
- If you also want a flat iron Philips 7000 Series 2-in-1 STH7060 (£££). Check price
How we chose these picks
We compared the manufacturers’ published specifications, independent UK tests and reviews (including Tefal UK specifications (DT9810), Ideal Home first look, Yahoo UK and AOL UK reviews, T3), and recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We checked that every product was on sale in the UK when this page was last updated, and we re-check stock every month. We do not hands-on test products ourselves, and we say so on every review. Commission from retailer links never affects which products we pick. Read how we research.
Comparison table
| Model | Power | Steam | Tank | Heat-up | Price tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tefal AeroSteam DT9810 | 1400W | 20g/min | 100ml | 30 seconds | £££ |
| Philips 5000 Series STH5030 | 1400W | 24g/min | 120ml + 200ml | 35s | ££ |
| 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 | £££ |
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.
Full review
Reviewed
Tefal AeroSteam DT9810: Reviewed
- Power: 1400W
- Steam: 20g/min
- Tank: 100ml
- Heat-up: 30 seconds
- Weight: 1.4kg
- Plate: Heated 140°C soleplate with Optiflow suction
- Modes: 3 power modes
- Safety: Auto shut-off; one temperature safe for all ironable fabrics
- Repairability: Tefal: repairable for 15 years
Results. This is where the AeroSteam stands apart. Reviewers at Ideal Home and Yahoo found that one stroke left a cotton shirt looking acceptable, and that it worked on hanging garments as well as on a flat surface, with flat use slightly better because the suction grips more strongly. Tefal claims up to 50% faster steaming than a conventional handheld. T3 described the results as close to an iron. No other handheld steamer we cover makes that claim credibly.
The 140°C plate. Tefal uses a single fixed temperature that is safe on every ironable fabric, so there is nothing to set. The three power modes change the steam, not the heat. That is the same idea as the no-settings technology on Tefal’s and Philips’ steam generators, and it removes the scorching worry that puts people off ironing delicates.
Day-to-day use. It is ready in about 30 seconds and switches itself off if left. The 100ml tank is the main limitation: reviewers measured roughly 15 minutes on the high mode and 25 on low, so a pile of shirts means refilling. At 1.4kg it is also one of the heaviest handhelds, and because of the fan it is louder than most. Tefal promises spare parts and repairs for 15 years, which is unusual for a steamer.
What owners mention. Owner reviews at Amazon UK and Tefal’s own site praise how quickly it flattens creases and how little technique it needs. The recurring complaints are the noise on the high setting, the weight when steaming hanging clothes for more than a few minutes, and the small tank.
- Closest to iron-like results of any handheld
- Suction means one-handed use
- One safe temperature for all fabrics
- Ready in 30 seconds, auto shut-off
- Repairable for 15 years
- Heavy at 1.4kg
- Loud on the high setting
- Small 100ml tank (15–25 minutes)
- Premium price tier
Our verdict: People who want pressed-looking shirts without an ironing board.
Cheaper alternative
Philips 5000 Series STH5030: Cheaper alternative
- Power: 1400W
- Steam: 24g/min
- Tank: 120ml + 200ml
- Heat-up: 35s
Our best handheld overall: lighter, quieter and cheaper, but you hold the fabric taut yourself.
Full review, pros and cons in our best handheld clothes steamers guide
More steam, less finish
Tefal Access Steam Force DT8250: More steam, less finish
- Power: 2000W
- Steam: 30g/min (90g boost)
- Tank: 200ml
- Heat-up: 25s
More raw steam than the AeroSteam, without the suction, so results are softer.
Full review, pros and cons in our best handheld clothes steamers guide
If you also want a flat iron
Philips 7000 Series 2-in-1 STH7060: If you also want a flat iron
- Power: 1500W
- Steam: 28g/min
- Tank: 100ml + 200ml
- Heat-up: 30s
A steamer with a flat soleplate for table-top pressing: the other route to crisper results.
Full review, pros and cons in our best handheld clothes steamers guide
AeroSteam vs a normal handheld steamer
| Tefal AeroSteam | Typical handheld (e.g. Philips 5000) | |
|---|---|---|
| Holds fabric taut for you | Yes (suction) | No, you pull it taut |
| Pressed look on cotton shirts | Close to an iron | Softened, not pressed |
| Weight | 1.4kg | About 0.7–1.0kg |
| Noise | Louder (fan) | Quiet |
| Tank | 100ml | 100–250ml |
| Price tier | £££ | £ to ££ |
If you mainly refresh knitwear, dresses and suits, a normal steamer does the job for less and weighs less. If your problem is cotton shirts and you refuse to iron, the AeroSteam is the first steamer that genuinely solves it. See our best handheld clothes steamers and steamer vs iron guides.
AeroSteam vs AeroSteam Elite
The Elite version has a larger 170ml tank, which eases the main complaint about the standard model, at a higher price. It is new and had very few owner reviews when we checked, so we recommend the standard DT9810 until the Elite has a track record. Both are sold at Amazon UK.
Tips for getting the best from it
- Steam on a flat surface (a table with a towel) for the crispest results; suction grips better than on a hanger.
- Use the low mode for most fabrics to stretch the tank to about 25 minutes; keep high for thick cotton and linen.
- Empty the tank after use and descale occasionally if your water is hard. See our hard-water advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Tefal AeroSteam worth it?
Yes, if you want shirts to look pressed without an ironing board. It gets closer to iron results than any other handheld. If you only refresh knitwear and dresses, a cheaper, lighter steamer is enough.
How does the AeroSteam suction work?
A fan behind the heated plate draws the fabric flat against it while steam passes through, so you do not need to hold the garment taut with your other hand.
Can the AeroSteam replace an iron?
For shirts, blouses and most everyday clothes, close to it. It will not give sharp trouser creases or press large flat items like bedding as well as an iron or steam generator.
How long does the AeroSteam tank last?
Reviewers measured about 15 minutes on the high mode and 25 minutes on low from the 100ml tank. The AeroSteam Elite has a larger 170ml tank.
Is the Tefal AeroSteam noisy?
Louder than a normal steamer because of the suction fan, especially on the high setting. Most owners find it acceptable for short sessions.
Related guides
- Best handheld clothes steamers
- Garment steamer vs iron
- How to iron without an ironing board
- Best Tefal steam irons
Sources: Tefal UK specifications (DT9810); Ideal Home first look; Yahoo UK and AOL UK reviews; T3; owner reviews at Amazon UK, Tefal UK and Home Tester Club. Prices change often, so check the latest price before you buy. How we research.
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