The Best Clothes Steamers, According to Local Stylists and Designers

A garment steamer is one of the most important tools in a stylist’s toolkit. Creaseless, wrinkle-free clothes make a world of difference for photo shoots, runways and everyday wear. Ironing can be a chore, whereas steaming is often more forgiving.

“Garment steamers heat up quickly and are effective on a wide range of fabrics including silk, lace, wool, cotton, denim and cashmere,” Melbourne stylist Jade Sardon says. “Steamers are much gentler on fabrics than traditional ironing. Because no pressure is applied to the fibres, the steam relaxes creases without flattening or damaging the fabric, helping maintain the integrity of garments and extend their longevity.” 

We asked local fashion industry insiders – stylists, brand directors and retail staff – to share their recommendations for both upright and handheld clothing steamers. Here are their top suggestions. 

Karinda Mutabazi, Melbourne stylist and creative director

Why is this your favourite handheld steamer?

For something more portable, I use Tefal’s Access Steam Care Handheld Garment Steamer. Tip: when looking for a portable steamer, look for one that has a large water reserve. This will save you from filling it up multiple times if you have more than one or two garments.

Why is this your favourite upright steamer?

I was introduced to the Tefal IXEO Power All in One Garment Steamer by stylist Milana De Mina and it is honestly life-changing! I love it because it’s super powerful and heats up really quickly. The steam is a jet that is controlled by a button on the handle. This avoids steam build-up and getting water drops on the fabric. It is also a hybrid steamer/iron, so it allows for crisp edges for shirts. It has a stand with an adjustable ironing board, and the steamer itself is a small portable cube-shaped unit that’s light and easy to pack if you need something a bit more portable. This isn’t going to fit in your suitcase, but I take it to all shoots and fittings in Melbourne and use it daily at home. A tip to keep it running well is to always use demineralised water; it’s a small thing but it makes a big difference to the longevity of your steamer.

Michaela Watson, brand director of Bianca Spender

Why is this your favourite handheld steamer?

I’m that person who travels with all the bells and whistles, so a good steamer is a non-negotiable. My favourite handheld is this Philips one – it comes with me on every trip. It folds down so neatly that it always fits into my luggage or carry-on, which makes it incredibly practical when you’re living out of a suitcase. It’s one of those items I’ve ended up putting all my friends onto because once you travel with a steamer, you really can’t go back. 

I’ll confess I have a total aversion to setting up an iron and ironing board. Living in an apartment, it somehow feels like the ironing board takes up half the kitchen. My top tip is to use over-the-door hooks to hang pieces on the back of the door and steam them there. It’s such a quick set-up and makes the whole process feel really easy and quite cathartic. A lot of the pieces I wear – and that we design – are lightweight, fluid fabrics. A steamer is perfect for those materials because it removes creases while keeping the softness and drape of the piece.

Why is this your favourite upright steamer?

At home, I also use a Philips upright steamer, which has a bit more power when you need that extra oomph. The upright steamer is great for heavier fabrics where you want more steam and structure. I use it constantly on T-shirts, shirting, tailoring and heavier drills. I also wear a lot of suit-style trousers in crepe, wool and double-satin fabrics, and this steamer is perfect for sharpening the front seams and smoothing waistbands just before popping them on. It’s the quickest way to make everything feel polished without the whole ritual of ironing.

Lauren Dilena, Adelaide stylist

Why is this your favourite handheld steamer?

It heats up really quickly and is compact enough to throw in my kit or suitcase, which makes it perfect for shoots, events and travel. It delivers a consistent steam that works beautifully on everything from delicate silks to everyday pieces, so it’s my go-to for quick, reliable touch-ups.

Why is this your favourite upright steamer?

It’s such a great high-low find; it’s super affordable but genuinely effective. I’ve had mine for 10+ years, and it’s in great condition, especially as I use it daily. The continuous steam makes it ideal for prepping multiple looks at once, especially for dresses, suiting and heavier fabrics. It’s simple, dependable and perfect for when I’m working through volume on shoots or runway prep.

Katie Kolodinski, founder of Silk Laundry

Why is this your favourite handheld steamer?

I like to use this steamer/iron hybrid at home. It’s the fastest and most powerful iron I have owned, and my life changed for the better when I decided to invest in this. I have the Rowenta Silence Steam Pro [Note: the Rowenta Silence Steam Pro is currently unavailable in Australia, but the Rowenta Steam Station Pro is an alternative]. I like to iron more than steam for crispness and speed, and I like to see results fast. This iron keeps me entertained and doesn't slow me down.

Why is this your favourite upright steamer?

In stores and in the design studio, I have always been a fan of the classic industrial Jiffy steamer. I feel like I was brought up on them.

Holly Karas, Melbourne stylist

Why is this your favourite handheld steamer?

This steamer is so cute. The colourways are very fun, it has good power for its size, it comes with two different capacity bottles and is perfect to travel with. I use this one most mornings at home to give garments a light touch-up before getting dressed. Its nozzle is also small enough to get into tricky places and is on a hinge, so you can adjust your angles too. It feels like it has been designed with the comfort of the user in mind.

Why is this your other favourite handheld steamer?

This is my workhorse. I bought this six years ago, as it had the largest capacity tank on the market at the time for a handheld. There’s nothing more annoying than making constant trips to the kitchen on set to refill. Aside from its stamina (a warning: it’s heavier, but it’s a great arm workout), I find it’s almost as powerful as an upright steamer and is perfect to bring on location shoots where prep space may be limited. 

Why is this your favourite upright steamer?

By far the industry standard steamer, Jiffy can do anything. With proper care and maintenance, it will last for years and years. I believe the company does also offer servicing, too. It heats up quickly, you can swap out the head based on what you’re steaming (my personal favourite is the plastic head, as it is light and is not as much of a burn risk as the metal one). Jiffy is pretty pricey, but there’s a good second-hand market for them. I got mine off Facebook Marketplace for $70.

Incu QV retail team

Why is this your favourite handheld steamer?

It’s super light and strong. We occasionally use it in the store for emergencies. Works well on most of the materials.

Why is this your favourite upright steamer?

This standing garment steamer is a strong option if you want something quick and easy for everyday garment care. It heats up in under a minute, has a large water tank, and the standing design with a built-in board makes it very convenient. It’s particularly good for delicate fabrics and quick touch-ups.

Jade Sardon, Melbourne stylist 

Why is this your favourite handheld steamer?

A handheld steamer is something I always recommend for quick garment refreshes and for travel. This model stands out because of its sleek design, with an adjustable head, making it easy to use on a variety of garments and simple to store. Another feature I love is that it’s ready to use in just 35 seconds, which is perfect when you need to get ready quickly. I find handheld steamers particularly effective for silk blouses, dresses, lightweight wool garments, shirts and delicate fabrics where you want to remove creases without applying pressure.

Why is this your favourite upright steamer?

For everyday wardrobe maintenance at home, my upright steam station is an absolute essential. I keep mine set up permanently in my wardrobe, which makes it incredibly convenient for quickly refreshing outfits before wearing them. What I love about this steamer is the strong and consistent steam output, which makes it perfect for working with larger garments or steaming multiple pieces at once. It’s particularly effective for structured garments such as blazers, coats, trousers and denim, but it’s also gentle enough for delicate fabrics.

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