Steam irons: How to buy the best steam iron Steam generator irons
Steam generator irons have separate water tanks Steam generators can make ironing a quicker, less arduous task. They produce much higher volumes of steam than standard irons because they come with a separate water tank.
This means steam generators are able to zip speedily through your laundry basket – but the extra functionality comes at a higher price. So is a steam generator a worthwhile purchase for you?
Steam generator iron pros and cons
Pros
- More powerful than standard steam irons
- Steam generator irons can hold three times as much water
- Often lighter to use, as water is held separately
- Good at getting through lots of ironing quickly.
Cons
- Larger and bulkier than standard steam irons
- Harder to store
- Usually more expensive
- Some steam generators involve you having to hold down buttons continuously.
Compare reviews of more than 100 different steam irons, including steam generator iron models from Tefal, Philips, Morphy Richards and Bosch, in our Which? lab test review, which reveals our Best Buy steam irons and steam generators.
Steam generator iron brands
Many of the brands you're likely to associate with irons also offer steam generators – including Tefal, Kenwood, Morphy Richards, Philips and Russell Hobbs.
Steam generator iron features
Steam generators are designed to produce continuous steam for longer to make light work of large rounds of ironing. They're typically able to hold around three times as much water as a regular steam iron – which means you won't have to stop to refill as often. And because the water is held in a separate tank, they're lighter to hold and use.
Cleaning and descaling steam generators
Steam iron performance can be severely hampered by the build-up of limescale over time, so it's worth checking how easily your steam generator iron can be cleaned. Some come with anti-calcium cartridges or self-cleaning systems, for example. Our steam irons review rates each model on how easy it is to clean and how often you'll need to descale it.
Enhanced features
Steam shot buttons, button notches, directional water spray, easy-glide soleplates... Extras like these can make all the difference when you're choosing the best steam iron for your needs, and you'll usually find a plethora of settings to choose from on a steam generator iron. You can find out more in our steam iron 'features explained' section.
Think about which iron features you want and take the time to check what's available on each model – that way you'll get the gadgets you need, and won't end up paying extra for the ones you'll never use.
Vertical steaming
Steam generators are much better at vertical steaming than traditional steam irons, so if you want to iron shirts on the hanger or refresh your curtains without having to take them down, a steam generator can be a good option.
Time to heat up
Some steam generator irons can take a while to heat up, which can be irritating when you want to get started on your ironing, or have only a couple of items to iron.
While a standard steam iron is usually a quicker to heat-up, our Best Buy steam generators are better than average – and you won't need to stop to refill a steam generator as often if you're tackling a lot of ironing in one go.
Steam generator irons are good at tackling large piles of ironing in one sitting
Safety
A steam generator with 'auto shut-off' can give you peace of mind. This function turns the iron off after a pre-determined time period if the iron hasn't moved or is face down for too long, reducing the risk of an accident. We've listed the safety features of each steam iron and steam generator we test in our steam irons review.
Cable length
Most steam generators and irons come with a 3 metre cord – but they can vary, so check the length before you buy. A short power cord can really affect your ability to freely manoeuvre your iron.
Steam generator iron prices
All that extra steam and performance comes at a price – expect to pay a lot more for a steam generator iron than you would for a standard iron. The steam generators we've tested range between £60 and £300 while standard irons start at below £10.
