The best clothes steamers to invest in, according to our expert homes tester

Offering 60 minutes of continuous steaming, this floor-standing device makes quick work of larger loads. The design is streamlined for simplicity; hang any creased clothing on the spinnable rod, complete with integrated hangers and hookers, flick the switch, then steam.

As expected due to its power, the device can be noisier than smaller handheld steamers, and the lack of wheels makes it difficult to manoeuvre once in position – but that’s not necessarily an issue if you’d like your steamer to remain in a specific room.

According to our expert, it 'excelled' with every material tested, quickly and effectively removing creases, with minimal spitting. A worthwhile investment if you’re looking to replace the iron long-term.

If you’re on the hunt for a handheld steamer that doesn’t need topping up every three minutes, then this Fridja number may be the crinkle-free solution for you. Not only did it heat up in an oh-so casual 41 seconds, it also has a 260ml water tank – that’s over double the size of some of the other handheld models we tested.

And the creases? It removed them with minimal faff from linen, silk, viscose and polycotton. We wouldn’t hate it if the power cable was a little bit longer, but given its expert performance, we’re in a forgiving mood. Plus, it’s quite the looker – it also comes in pink or white to suit your taste and space.

The Fridja F1000 offers all the power of a full-size upright garment steamer, with a compact footprint and a range of accessories to boot. Despite the 2.2L water tank, the model was extremely quick to heat and made equally quick work of removing creases from linen, silk and a polycotton shirt.

In fact, our tester declared the results were 'as crisp as an iron could achieve, in the fraction of the time.' The only drawback was the lack of an indicator light, which made monitoring when the machine was ready more difficult.

Taking just 29 seconds to heat up, the Philips Steam&Go Plus performed well on all fabrics, removing creases from silk, cotton and polycotton with ease – and leaving all items 'totally dry' post steam.

The wide head makes covering a larger surface area a breeze and, while the tank capacity is smaller than most (70ml), it didn’t run out of water throughout the duration of the test.

The trigger switch isn’t lockable, meaning you’ll have to keep it held down during steaming, but as it's lightweight, this is relatively comfortable to do. There’s only one additional fabric brush included, but if you’re looking for a stripped-back model to steam all fabrics effectively, this is hard to beat.

With its quick heat-up time, easy-read clear water tank and comfortable trigger lock for continuous steaming, this clothes steamer couldn’t be simpler to use.

The results spoke for themselves, with our tester finding that creases in linen, polycotton and delicates were removed 'with ease', though heavier, hard-to-remove creases in cotton may require more thorough treatment.

The device can feel a little heavy after a while, so it's best suited to individual use, rather than larger loads. At that price though, it’s hard to fault.

This budget-friendly buy offers plenty of versatility, including two steam settings, an LED display to control steam output, and vertical steaming capabilities. Our expert also appreciated the brush attachment, which made treating finer fabrics a breeze, while the trigger lock ensures comfort – even for longer periods and larger loads.

Despite taking just 30 seconds to heat up, heavier fabrics took multiple sweeps to be 100 per cent crease-free, which left the garment slightly damp in places. With that in mind, this model is best suited to those looking to steam their wardrobe in advance of wear, rather than for quick touch-ups before heading out the door.

Lightweight and compact, this handheld garment steamer is ideal for travelling without jeopardising your packing allowance. The handy 360° swivel cord offers improved manoeuvrability, while the additional scent infuser, lint brush, and upholstery attachment boosts its performance (and makes it safe to use on items with decorative details, such as beads or sequins). We found it performed particularly well on viscose and silk, though more resistant materials – including linen, cotton, and polycotton – required multiple sweeps, especially if the garment is heavily creased.

The water tank is quick to refill, fit and heat, though do be aware that the device needs to be shut down between each refill, which may not suit the time-short traveller looking to steam the entirety of their suitcase.