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Verdict: the Tefal Pro Express Ultimate II GV9710 is still a strong steam generator: 7.6 bar, 155g/min of continuous steam and a 580g boost, Tefal’s best-gliding Durilium AirGlide AutoClean soleplate, and a rinse-out scale collector that makes hard water easy to live with. It has no temperature dial at all: one preset setting that Tefal says is safe for every ironable fabric. Its weak points are a small 1.2L tank, no auto shut-off listed, a 2-minute heat-up and a minority of owners reporting leaks. At similar money, the newer Pro Express Protect GV9230 adds a bigger tank and auto shut-off, and if you can spend more, the Pro Express Vision GV9820 is the best steam generator we cover.
Reviewed
- Power: 2700W
- Pressure: 7.6 bar
- Continuous steam: 155g/min
Newer alternative
- Pressure: 7.5 bar
- Continuous steam: 140g/min
- Boost: 560g/min
Step up
- Pressure: 9 bar
- Continuous steam: 180g/min
- Boost: 750g/min
The Pro Express Ultimate II has been one of Tefal’s best-selling steam generators since 2022, and it is still listed on Tefal’s UK site and at Amazon UK. It sits in the middle of the Pro Express range: below the 9-bar Vision, alongside the Protect, and above the cheaper Express Airglide. This review replaces our older write-up with current specifications, what owners report, and how it compares with the models around it.
One thing has changed since the earliest versions. Tefal’s current page for the GV9710 describes it as having no settings: steam and temperature are preset and automatic. Some older instructions and listings show a temperature selector, and a few owners have been confused by that, so check the model code is GV9710 if you want the one described here.
At a glance
- Reviewed Tefal Pro Express Ultimate II GV9710 (£££). Check price
- Newer alternative Tefal Pro Express Protect GV9230 (£££). Check price
- Step up Tefal Pro Express Vision GV9820 (£££). Check price
- Cheaper Tefal Tefal Express Airglide SV8022 (££). Check price
How we chose these picks
We compared the manufacturers’ published specifications, independent UK tests and reviews (including Tefal UK product page for the Pro Express Ultimate II GV9710, Amazon UK listing (GV9710G0), owner reviews at Amazon UK), 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 | Pressure | Continuous steam | Boost | Tank | Price tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tefal Pro Express Ultimate II GV9710 | 7.6 bar | 155g/min | 580g/min | 1.2L, removable | £££ |
| Tefal Pro Express Protect GV9230 | 7.5 bar | 140g/min | 560g/min | 1.8L | £££ |
| Tefal Pro Express Vision GV9820 | 9 bar | 180g/min | 750g/min | 1.2L | £££ |
| Tefal Express Airglide SV8022 | 7.2 bar | 125g/min | 460g/min | 1.8L | ££ |
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 Pro Express Ultimate II GV9710: Reviewed
- Power: 2700W
- Pressure: 7.6 bar
- Continuous steam: 155g/min
- Boost: 580g/min
- Tank: 1.2L, removable
- Heat-up: 2 minutes
- Temperature: No settings: one preset for all fabrics
- Soleplate: Durilium AirGlide AutoClean, ultra-thin
- Anti-scale: Removable scale collector
- Safety: Carry lock; auto shut-off not listed
- Extras: Vertical steam, anti-drip, cord storage
- Power cord: 1.6m
- Repairability: Tefal says repairable for 15 years
Steam and crease removal. 7.6 bar and 155g/min put the Ultimate II firmly in the upper half of the steam generator market. The 580g/min boost deals with linen, denim and the fold lines in bedding, and Tefal claims it can cut up to 30 minutes off a session compared with a steam iron. Owners at Amazon UK describe powerful steam and much quicker ironing than with a normal iron. There is vertical steam for curtains and hanging jackets.
No settings. This is the feature that surprises people most. There is no temperature dial and no fabric selector: the iron runs at one preset combination of temperature and steam that Tefal says is safe for all ironable fabrics, so you can go from silk to jeans without waiting. Owners who expected to adjust it found that odd at first, but most say it simply works. It is the same idea as Philips OptimalTEMP, without Philips’ no-burn guarantee wording.
The soleplate. Tefal calls the Durilium AirGlide AutoClean its best-gliding soleplate. It is ultra-thin, so it slides under buttons and into pleats, and the AutoClean coating resists the build-up that makes older soleplates drag. Owners consistently praise the glide.
Scale and hard water. Tefal’s removable scale collector is the easiest anti-scale system on any steam generator: when the light comes on, you unscrew it, rinse it under the tap and refit it, with no long cooling wait. Tefal says it captures ten times more scale particles than rival systems. Several owners in hard-water areas still recommend distilled or mixed water, and that is good practice with any steam generator. See our hard water guide.
Weak points. The removable tank is only 1.2L, smaller than the 1.8L tanks on the Protect and Express Airglide, so a long session means a refill. Heat-up takes about two minutes. Tefal’s UK page lists a carry lock but not an auto shut-off, which the newer Protect has. Some owners also find the hose exits on the left, which gets in the way if you iron with the base on your right.
Reliability. Most owner reviews are positive, but a recurring minority report the base spitting or leaking water, in a few cases from the first use, and Amazon’s summary of owner reviews flags reliability and leakage as mixed. Leaks usually come from steaming before the base is fully up to pressure or from scale, so wait for the ready light and rinse the collector when asked. If a new unit leaks from day one, return it.
Buying it now. On Amazon UK stock is currently limited, and the Ultimate II is often priced close to the newer Protect. Compare the two on the day before you buy.
- 7.6 bar, 155g/min and a 580g boost
- No settings: one preset for every fabric
- Excellent Durilium AirGlide soleplate
- Rinse-out scale collector
- Carry lock and vertical steam
- Small 1.2L tank
- No auto shut-off listed
- 2-minute heat-up
- Some owners report leaks or spitting
- Hose exits on the left
Our verdict: Hard-water homes that want strong steam and no temperature decisions.
Newer alternative
Tefal Pro Express Protect GV9230: Newer alternative
- Pressure: 7.5 bar
- Continuous steam: 140g/min
- Boost: 560g/min
- Tank: 1.8L
Slightly less steam on paper, but a bigger 1.8L tank and auto shut-off. Usually the better buy if it costs about the same.
Full review, pros and cons in our best steam generator irons guide
Step up
Tefal Pro Express Vision GV9820: Step up
- Pressure: 9 bar
- Continuous steam: 180g/min
- Boost: 750g/min
- Tank: 1.2L
9 bar, 180g/min and a 750g boost, plus an LED light that shows creases. Our best steam generator overall, for more money.
Full review, pros and cons in our best steam generator irons guide
Cheaper Tefal
Tefal Express Airglide SV8022: Cheaper Tefal
- Pressure: 7.2 bar
- Continuous steam: 125g/min
- Boost: 460g/min
- Tank: 1.8L
Less pressure and boost, but a big 1.8L tank and the same rinse-out scale collector for less money.
Full review, pros and cons in our best steam generator irons guide
Ultimate II vs Protect vs Vision vs Express Airglide
| Ultimate II GV9710 | Protect GV9230 | Vision GV9820 | Express Airglide SV8022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure | 7.6 bar | 7.5 bar | 9 bar | 7.2 bar |
| Continuous steam | 155g/min | 140g/min | 180g/min | 125g/min |
| Boost | 580g/min | 560g/min | 750g/min | 460g/min |
| Tank | 1.2L | 1.8L | 1.2L | 1.8L |
| Price tier | £££ | £££ | ££££ | ££ |
The four Tefal steam generators overlap more than the names suggest. The Protect has slightly less steam on paper but a bigger 1.8L tank, auto shut-off and a fabric-protecting soleplate, so for most people it is the better buy if the prices are close. The Vision adds 9 bar, a 750g boost and an LED light that shows creases as you iron; it is our best steam generator overall. The Express Airglide is the value choice with less pressure and a big tank. Choose the Ultimate II when it is clearly cheaper than the Protect, or if you specifically want its stronger continuous steam. See them all in our Tefal steam generator guide.
Getting the best from the Ultimate II
- Wait for the light to stop flashing before pressing the steam trigger. Steaming before the base is up to pressure is the most common cause of spitting.
- Rinse the scale collector every time the descale light comes on, and more often in hard-water areas. It takes under a minute; full steps in how to clean a steam generator.
- Use mixed or distilled water if your water is very hard. Never use scented ironing water.
- Put the base on a solid surface or a board with a steam generator rest; see boards for steam generators.
- Switch it off at the plug when you finish. Tefal does not list an auto shut-off for this model.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Tefal Pro Express Ultimate II worth buying?
Yes, if you want strong steam, no temperature decisions and easy descaling. It has 7.6 bar, 155g/min and a 580g boost. If it costs about the same as the newer Pro Express Protect, the Protect is usually the better buy for its bigger tank and auto shut-off.
Does the Tefal GV9710 have temperature settings?
No. Tefal’s UK page describes it as having no settings: temperature and steam are preset to a combination Tefal says is safe for all ironable fabrics. Some older listings and manuals show a selector, so check the model code.
Does the Tefal Pro Express Ultimate II switch off automatically?
Tefal’s UK page lists a carry lock but does not list an auto shut-off for the GV9710, so switch it off at the plug when you finish. The newer Pro Express Protect does have auto shut-off.
How do you descale the Tefal Pro Express Ultimate II?
When the descale light comes on, let the base cool, unscrew the removable scale collector, rinse it under the tap and screw it back in. There is no cartridge to buy.
Why is my Tefal steam generator spitting water?
Usually because the steam trigger was pressed before the base reached pressure, or because scale has built up. Wait for the ready light, rinse the scale collector and use mixed or distilled water in hard-water areas. If a new unit leaks from the base, return it.
What is the difference between the Tefal GV9710 and GV9230?
The GV9710 Ultimate II has slightly more continuous steam and boost (155g/min and 580g against 140g/min and 560g) but a smaller 1.2L tank. The GV9230 Protect has a 1.8L tank and auto shut-off.
Related guides
- Best Tefal steam generators
- Best steam generator irons
- Best iron for hard water
- How to clean a steam generator
- Tefal vs Philips steam generators
Sources: Tefal UK product page for the Pro Express Ultimate II GV9710; Amazon UK listing (GV9710G0); owner reviews at Amazon UK. Prices change often, so check the latest price before you buy. How we research.
