Ironing can be a tiresome task. Most irons are heavy in the hand, and rarely produce enough steam pressure to flatten creases efficiently. Worse, their small water tanks require constant topping up to keep the steam going. If only there were an easier method.
There is, and it’s called a steam generator. It may sound like a piece of industrial machinery, but this appliance can transform your home life. A steam generator makes ironing almost effortless (with the emphasis on almost) and even a bit more enjoyable. It also speeds up the job considerably – useful for those who do a lot of ironing every week.
Choosing the right steam generator iron can be confusing, as there are many brands and models out there. Fear not: we’ve scoured the interwebs for the very best models, at prices from £100 up to £230, and put each one to the test against a weighty pile of creased linen, denim jeans and some delicate silks. Now we’re ready to give you the results.
So read on, in the knowledge that these five mighty steam-spawning models will make your ironing feel as effortless as a tornado tossing a feather. Or something like that.
How to choose the best steam generator iron for you
What is a steam generator iron?
The standard steam iron has an internal water reservoir – usually around 300ml in capacity – which is boiled by a heating element to produce a modest head of steam. This steam gently moistens the fabric, helping to flatten creases. However, a typical domestic iron may offer only low steam pressure, and the reservoir will need regular refilling.
A steam generator is a type of iron that works on the same principle – except the water tank and heating element are stored in a separate base unit that’s connected to the iron by a length of rubber hose. The average water tank is around 1.8 litres in capacity, so you can do six times as much ironing before needing to visit the tap for a refill.
And that’s not the end of it: a steam generator iron is also capable of punching out a much greater volume of steam than a traditional iron. Many generators can produce a constant steam volume of 120g/min, whereas even a decent traditional iron will struggle to produce more than 55g/min.
Steam boost figures are even more impressive: you might get 230g/min from an iron, while the best steam generators approach 500g/min. They’re also capable of pumping out steam at much higher pressures – on average a whopping 6.5 bars. That’s enough to very quickly defeat even the deepest creases.
While there’s very little downside to using a steam generator, even the best models can very occasionally spurt a little dollop of limescale onto your clothes. That’s just one of the foibles of ironing, sadly. It’s far from a frequent occurrence, however: almost all models come with some form of anti-calc system to minimise the buildup of limescale.
If you have a large family and engage in lot of ironing, a steam generator will make your life a lot easier and you’ll get the job done much more quickly.
Pros and cons of a steam generator iron
Pros
- The hand unit is lighter and easier to use, since it doesn’t need to contain a water reservoir
- Ironing time can be cut by up to a third
- Large volumes of high-pressure steam
- The steam boost function makes light work of even the heaviest creases
- No need for constant water refills
- With some fabrics you can get away with ironing on just one side
Cons
- Takes longer to warm up – sometimes up to three minutes
- More expensive than a traditional iron
- The base unit is comparatively bulky
- You may need a larger ironing board or one designed for a steam generator (Brabantia makes some excellent models)
- The hose from base unit to iron can be annoying
- Noise of water being heated and circulated is louder than from a traditional iron
- The best steam generator irons to buy, from £100
Philips PerfectCare Elite GC9630/20: The most powerful steam generator iron – and the easiest to use
Price when reviewed: Around £230
For anyone faced with a large vole of laundry on a regular basis, this stylish steam generator iron is unequivocally the best on the market. The futuristic hand unit is as light as a feather and beautifully fits the contours of the hand. Its T-ionicGlide soleplate, meanwhile, slides over even the most obstreperous fabric like a curling stone on an ice rink.
It’s powerful, too. This model produces a constant 120 grammes of steam per minute while its boost function (activated by double tapping the finger trigger) ups that to a remarkable 470g/min – ideal for dealing with heavily creased fabrics like linen. The removable water tank has a substantial 1.8-litre capacity and an easy-to-use anti-calc system means you can fill it with regular tap water: to clear out the limescale, you simply unscrew the rear cap and pour away the cloudy contents.
The PerfectCare Elite has another trick too – and if you’ve ever experienced the horror of burning a hole in your favourite Hermés chiffon top then this next part will make you jump for joy. The iron has no adjustable temperature settings at all. Philips’ “OptimalTEMP technology” lets you iron any fabric without having to adjust the temperature setting. You can even leave the iron face-down on your favourite shirt and it won’t burn.
While there’s very little to quibble about with this model, warm-up time is pretty long at 2mins 30secs, and the base unit is made from brittle plastic that easily cracks if dropped. Also, the whole thing shuts down if not used for a period of time – this is a sensible safety feature but also an annoyance if your ironing session is interrupted for any reason.
In all these small negatives are easily outweighed by the PerfectCare Elite GC9630/20’s efficiency, ease of use and smart, futuristic technology If Carlsberg did irons...
Key specs– Tank capacity: 1.8L; Steam output: 120g/min; Steam boost: 470g/min
Rowenta Silence Steam DG8960: A professional-grade appliance that eats up big ironing jobs
Price when reviewed: £199
The Silence Steam DG8960 has been on the market for two and a half years – but why change a good thing? Rowenta’s “steam station” is a true workhorse that just keeps on giving. Indeed, this writer handed one over to a London-based fabric shop for a long-term test over two years ago, and to this day it hasn’t skipped a beat. It’s sailed through daily use on all types of fabric, including delicate Indian cottons and thick Swedish linen. It’s been dropped a few times, too, yet its tough plastic base unit remains unscathed.
In short, if you’re after a professional-grade steam generator iron that isn’t sold at professional prices then this one’s a very worthy contender. Granted, it’s not the prettiest steamer in the pack, and its 1.4-litre water tank is quite small. You’ll also need to know your fabrics if using this iron, since you’ll want to dial in the right steam selection setting on the rear of the base unit, and set the right fabric type on the iron itself. But, as the moniker suggests, it’s very quiet.
The Rowenta has a standard steam output of 120g/min, with a precision steam boost button on top of the iron that increases the output to 420g/min – ample for dealing with heavy linen and denim creases. Periodic descaling is performed by unscrewing a tab and pouring the limescale contents into a sink.
From a user experience of view, the Rowenta excels. The hand unit is quite small and it doesn’t feel too heavy, while the stainless steel soleplate and contoured tip make light work of anything you throw at it.
If you know your cottons from your synthetics, then the Rowenta is a strong choice: it’s compact, light and relatively quiet. But if you just want to get on with some fuss-free ironing then, for just £30 more, the Philips is an easier way to go.
Key specs– Tank capacity: 1.4L; Steam output: 120g/min; Steam boost: 420g/min
Tefal Pro Express X-Pert Plus GV8976: A heavyweight steam generator iron that’s cheaper than the Philips
Price when reviewed:£200
The iron unit from this chunky steam generator feels big in the hand – and surprisingly heavy, considering that the electronics and water tank are in the separate base unit.
Still, its specs are impressive. Steam output is rated at 120g/min, with a steam boost raising this to 450g/min. For tough creases there’s also an AquaBoost vapouriser upfront that squirts a fine spray when required. The removable water reservoir holds an adequate, if not enormous, 1.6 litres and the whole thing heats up in just two minutes. Storage is neat and tidy too, thanks to a spring-loaded retractable cord and hand-unit locking mechanism.
Temperature and steam settings are similar to what you’ll find on a traditional iron. At the rear of the base unit you’ll see a row of buttons marked “synthetics”, “silk”, “wool”, “cotton” and “linen”. Tap your fabric of choice to set the appropriate temperature and steam strength. While this isn’t exactly rocket science, it’s not as easy as the Philips, especially if you don’t know your cottons from your linens.
Despite its size, the hand unit glides effortlessly, and its pointed tip is narrow enough to flatten tight areas like blouse pleats and trouser pockets. The steam activation trigger under the handle is easy to use but it can get in the way at times; a common niggle with all the steam generators on this page. The anti-calc system is identical to the Rowenta’s, and there’s an Eco button, too – though it’s hardly likely to save a significant sum.
If you can’t stretch your budget to a Philips PerfectSteam model then this larger but cheaper option is well worth a whirl – although Rowenta is more stylish, and pleasanter to hold in the hand.
Key specs– Tank capacity: 1.6L; Steam output: 120g/min; Steam boost: 450g/min
Bosch Sensixx B35L: Clunky but highly effective – and much more powerful than the low price would suggest
Price when reviewed:£120
This Bosch steam generator iron looks a bit dated in the design stakes, especially next to the sleek Philips. But it comes with a small, lightweight hand unit and a decent 1.4-litre tank that should theoretically last for up to three hours of constant ironing. Its CeraniumGlissée soleplate is remarkably smooth on all fabrics, and we really rate the heat-resistant plate that can be removed from the base unit and placed on the ironing board for easier access while turning or adjusting clothing.
The Sensixx B35L is a powerful little devil: its 5-bar steam pressure outputs at a continuous 110g/min, which steam boost takes up to 210g/min. That’s plenty to deal with all but the toughest of creases (and even fog up a pair of glasses). It’s quite quick to reach operating temperature, too.
Again, this model is nowhere near as easy to use as the Philips – it comes with the usual configuration of steam and fabric dials – but at a smidge under £120, it’s excellent value.
Key specs– Tank capacity: 1.4L; Steam output: 110g/min; Steam boost: 210g/min
John Lewis Steam Generator Iron: Ideal for those seeking a little extra steam power at the lowest price
Price when reviewed: Around £100
On a tight budget, but definitely don’t want a bog-standard iron? John Lewis has you covered. Just be warned that this own-brand appliance doesn’t boast anything like the steam power of the competition: continuous steam output is rated at just 45g/min, with even steam boost only pushing this up to 85g/min. We’ve seen traditional irons with more welly in the steam department.
Nevertheless, the John Lewis iron still performs well, and its one-litre water reservoir should provide enough steam pressure for an hour or so of ironing between trips to the tap. Its iron unit is pleasingly light in the hand, even if it is a bit clunky in design. And the ceramic soleplate is a worthy addition: it slips over fabric with very little effort, although the bulbous front does make getting into awkward areas a little tricky.
For a shade under £100 you wouldn’t expect the same results as you’d get from a premium steam generator, but online reviews from happy customers confirm the appeal of the John Lewis Steam Generator Iron. The only regular complaint is about the “complicated instruction manual”, which isn’t available online. Overall, it’s a very worthy budget-priced contender.
Key specs– Tank capacity: 1L; Steam output: 45g/min; Steam boost: 85g/min