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Say so long to creased clothes with. our top steam generator irons to buy for different fabrics and budgets
Is that to-iron pile getting high? It might be time to invest in a steam generator iron.
You’ll need plenty of room to store one, but these nifty models can make your life much easier thanks to their higher steam output, which results in better crease removal than standard steam irons. In fact, the best steam generator irons can produce up to three times more steam than their smaller counterparts.
The GHI has rigorously tested the best the market has to offer, to find the ones that are worth buying.
If you’re ready to speed through your ironing, here are our top picks:
If you iron your bed sheets or larger items of clothing regularly then a steam generator iron might be better suited to your needs than a traditional steam iron. They expel steam at a higher pressure in order to remove deep creases from both sides of a garment at the same time, helping to speed things up.
There are two types of steam generator iron: non-pressurised and pressurised. Non-pressurised models work in a similar way to regular steam irons, but their steam output is much higher. Pressurised models are ideal for the most stubborn of creases, as they have boilers that force steam out more powerfully and can penetrate fabric more deeply. The pressure level is measured in bars and generally ranges from 5 to 8.
In order to expel more steam, steam generator irons have a separate water tank, which can make them bulky and harder to store compared to traditional steam irons. They also cost more, with the models on our list ranging from a reasonable £67.50 to a super-charged £499.99.
Knowing what features are available will help make shopping for a steam generator iron easier. Here are the main ones to consider:
Continuous steam pressure: Measured in grams, anything over 50g per minute would be considered a high steam output on a standard steam iron. The more powerful steam generator models in our top recommendations push out 100g to 190g of continuous steam per minute, making them superb at removing creases.
Steam shot: Sometimes you need an extra burst of steam to tackle those creases that just won’t budge, or ones in hard-to-reach areas – the models in our roundup boast steam shot outputs ranging from 230g to 600g per minute.
Tank capacity: The bigger the tank, the fewer times you’ll have to refill your iron mid-use. Our recommended steam generator irons have tank capacities varying from 1.5 to 2.2 litres. There’s no ideal capacity, though – your choice will largely depend on the size of your ironing pile.
Anti-scale: Most modern steam and steam generator irons come with both anti-scale and anti-calcium functions, helping to limit the formation of limescale over time, which can clog the steam vents. These are particularly important if you live in a hard water area.
Wattage: If you’re after an iron that will get the job done on the double, look for a higher wattage as this usually equates to a faster heat-up time. The quickest steam generator irons can be ready in just over a minute.
Auto switch-off: Does the thought of accidentally leaving your iron on send shivers down your spine? Look for this safety feature that automatically turns the appliance off after a set period of inactivity.
Each steam generator iron is carefully judged on how well it removes creases from a range of fabrics – including silk, cotton, nylon and linen – on the recommended temperature setting. We note how easy each model is to clean too, as well as its weight when full and how comfortable the handle is to hold.
As the joint winner, and one of the most expensive irons we’ve ever reviewed, we were almost hoping this Philips model would do the ironing for us. Unfortunately, we were out of luck, but it scored well in all of our tests.
It's a good weight with a comfortable handle, and the crease removal doesn't disappoint. The “optimalTEMP” technology claims to iron everything without risk of burning, too. On test, it coped well with all the fabric types we ironed. We also liked the intelligent automatic steam mode that adjusted the steam levels based on the movement of the iron. It's easy to operate and user-friendly, making it an all-round strong performer.
Key specifications Weight: 5.1kg Tank capacity: 1800ml Continuous steam output: 165g Steam shot: 600g Steam pressure: 8 bar Wattage: 2700w
This Morphy Richards model is a one temperature steam generator iron that boasts a 2.2-litre detachable water tank and an “IntelliTemp” setting, which works to find the optimal temperature on any fabric.
It’s easy to use and the large tank capacity means it lasts longer. We found it’s at its best when used to iron and steam out linen fabric. It’s a little bulky though, but if you have room to spare, it’s a sturdy and well-designed buy. It’s also one of the cheaper models in our roundup, making it great value for money.
Key specifications Weight: 6.09kg Tank capacity: 2200ml Continuous steam output: 120g Steam shot: 300g Steam pressure: 5 bar Wattage: 2400w
This simple yet efficient steam generator doesn’t boast any fancy features, but it still performed well, removing creases brilliantly. If you live in an area with hard water it would be a smart buy too, as it descales itself.
There are three steam levels to choose from, with the maximum level producing plenty of steam to tackle even the most stubborn of creases. It's a good weight with a comfortable, if slightly chunky, handle and the removable water tank is easy to access, with a low water indicator light proving handy too.
Key specifications Weight: 5.2kg Tank capacity: 2200ml Continuous steam output: 190g Steam shot: Not applicable Steam pressure: 6.5 bar Wattage: 2400w
We were impressed by how rapidly this top-of-the-range iron removed creases from all kinds of fabric. It took a while to heat up to its "delicate" and "normal" temperatures, but it stayed consistently hot once it got there, and reached its highest temperature quickly.
It glided well, without dragging, and the weight felt just right. We would have liked a little more cushioning on the handle and we found the steam cord was on the short side, but the anti-calc feature is great and it performed excellently overall – as it should, at this price.
Key specifications Weight: 5.96kg Tank capacity: 1900ml Continuous steam output: 180g Steam shot: 650g Steam pressure: 8 bar Wattage: 2600w
This iron’s clever one-temperature technology means there are no fiddly settings to fret over – simply turn it on and get pressing without the fear of scorching your favourite shirt. It won our thumbs up for crease removal across all materials and we found it comfortable to use, if a bit heavy. It glided well for the most part, but did drag slightly on nylon.
The large 1.6-litre water tank is removable for easy refilling and we love that it switches itself off after eight minutes of inactivity, giving us precious peace of mind. The neat on-board storage for the steam cord and power cord is handy, too.
Key specifications Weight: 4.72kg Tank capacity: 1600ml Continuous steam output: 120g Steam shot: 450g Steam pressure: 6.9 bar Wattage: 2400w
Ideal if you live in a hard water area, this iron comes with three anti-scale cartridges that are easy to change and a light on the base will tell you when to change them too. There's also a simple self-cleaning function, making light work of iron maintenance.
It’s a compact model, making it one to consider if storage space is tight. It has a generous 1.5-litre removable water tank, heats up quickly and the crease removal is good, particularly on higher settings. The steam trigger is also comfortable to keep pressed. The steam output automatically increases as the dot settings increase, but it also has an eco setting for reduced steam.
Key specifications Weight: 3.2kg Tank capacity: 1500ml Continuous steam output: 120g Steam shot: 360g Steam pressure: 6 bar Wattage: 2200w
If you want the performance of a steam generator iron for the price of a standard steam iron – and frankly, who wouldn’t? – then look no further than this great-value model. It heated up and reached full pressure quickly, before banishing creases with ease from all fabrics, including delicate silks and hardy linens.
The steam boost function is simple to use while emptying and refilling the large 1.7-litre tank is straightforward too. We were satisfied by its weight and liked how easy it was to set the controls. It dragged somewhat when used without the steam, the steam cord was short and the temperatures were a little inconsistent, but these are minor niggles.
Key specifications: Weight: 4kg Tank capacity: 1700ml Continuous steam output: 100g Steam shot: 230g Steam pressure: 5 bar Wattage: 2400w
If your laundry pile is best described as a mountain then let this big-capacity iron lend a helping hand. On test, it fared well at crease removal across all fabrics, especially when used with the steam shot, but it really shone on linen.
It’s not too heavy to hold and its generous 1.9-litre water tank is detachable for speedy refilling. We found it felt a little plasticky and flimsy, and its size makes it tricky to store, but it glided seamlessly.
Key specifications Weight: 4.7kg Tank capacity: 1900ml Continuous steam output: 180g Steam shot: 600g Steam pressure: 8 bar Wattage: 2600w
Intuitive and straightforward to use, this steam generator iron ticked all our boxes. Its instruction manual was clear and we liked how easily it glided over all sorts of fabrics. A simple double click button makes using constant steam a breeze, it has multiple steam settings with powerful steam bursts, and we found it an efficient crease-remover.
It is a bulky model, the handle wasn’t the most comfortable and we found that the temperature consistency fluctuated significantly, but it did heat up quickly. Overall, it’s one we would use again, especially considering its reasonable price.
Key specifications Weight: 4.38kg Tank capacity: 1600ml Continuous steam output: 140g Steam shot: 600g Steam pressure: 7 bar Wattage: 3000w