Top pick
This midsize handheld steamer has five settings to handle different fabrics, and it relaxes wrinkles fast without spitting any water. It’s pleasant to use, but refilling the water tank is a bit tricky.
The Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Handheld Fabric Steamer (GS59X) is one smooth operator. Our favorite everyday steamer, it’s the most efficient and effective midsize handheld model we’ve found. It heats up quickly, vanquishes wrinkles with five steam settings (and an iron-like soleplate), and leaves no evidence (like wet spots) behind. Plus, this workhorse is more pleasant to hold than many other midsize steamers—it doesn’t feel too heavy—and it can be used horizontally or vertically.
Note: In previous versions of this guide, our top pick was the Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Handheld Fabric Steamer (GS38R). The models are very similar, but the Conair GS59X is a bit more powerful and adjustable, giving it the edge. Still, if the GS59X is not available, the GS38R is a nice option.
It’s a smoothing powerhouse. The Conair GS59X steamer is the fastest, most powerful midsize steamer we’ve tested, offering the highest wattage (1875 watts) by far. Higher wattage translates to quicker heating time—it takes just 40 seconds for the unit to heat up (a light indicates when it’s ready to use). It also translates to hotter, stronger steam, which is evenly distributed via two long openings. (Conair claims that if used correctly, this steamer can kill bedbugs and dust mites on fabric, as well as 99.9% of bacteria.)
I used the Conair GS59X in a vertical position to steam hanging garments; it melted wrinkles out of a silk dress in under a minute. On a heavyweight cotton button-up, it worked better horizontally. Its ceramic-coated aluminum soleplate (the smooth, heat-conductive surface of the steam head, which can glide over fabric like an iron) flattened the stubborn folds at the bottom hem. Either way, the steamer didn’t spit or splutter like many others.
It’s comfortable to hold and user-friendly. This steamer is comfortable to grip, and in testing, no part of the device—aside from the soleplate, don’t touch this!—ever felt too hot. Its generous, approximately 9-foot cord allows for plenty of mobility during steaming, and this was especially helpful when tackling tall curtains.
Weighing about 2.75 pounds when the water tank is full, the Conair steamer is on the lighter side for a midsize model. (We tested steamers in this category ranging from 2 pounds up to a whopping 5.) Even with this steamer’s relatively modest weight, it will begin to feel like a workout if you’re using it for a long time—as would be the case with any handheld steamer. (If you’re a regular steaming marathoner, our pro-level pick, the floor-standing Reliable Vivio 500 GC Professional Garment Steamer, might be a better fit.)
Luckily, the Conair steamer makes quick work of wrinkles. When you need a break, it stands stably on its own, and it can be put on standby mode, stopping the steam with the press of a button. (This not only saves water but also helps to prevent accidental burns.)
It’s especially versatile. With five steam settings—the different levels of intensity suit a range of fabrics—the Conair steamer is the most adjustable midsize model we tested. On its lowest setting, it pampers fine silk with a gentle mist; at full steam, it wrestles heavy creases from denim and thick flannel.
The steamer comes with a three-in-one attachment; it’s moderately useful, though not necessary. It includes a silicone bar for pulling fabrics taut, a spacer for protecting fragile textiles and trims, and a bristle brush that helps steam penetrate thicker materials. There’s also a clip-style creaser tool built into the steamer head, but it’s fiddly and awkward to use, and it didn’t provide great results. (If you have your heart set on sharp pleats, you’re better off with one of the picks from our guide to the best irons.)
Its water tank isn’t big, but it gets the job done. The water tank on this steamer has a 7.3-ounce capacity, which is relatively small for a midsize steamer. Nevertheless, it produced about 15 minutes of continuous steam with the unit on the second-highest setting—enough to de-rumple a dress, a jacket, a pair of slacks, and three heavily wrinkled cotton button-downs, with water to spare. (With the unit on the lowest setting, the tank provides about 20 minutes of consecutive steaming time.)
If you do run out of water mid-job, it’s no biggie. Just unplug the steamer (for safety), slide out the tank to refill it, and click it back into place.
One gripe: The hole on the top of the tank is too small—about the size of an M&M—so it’s challenging to fill from a gallon jug of distilled water. (Distilled water prevents mineral build-up and is recommended for most steamers.) Using a funnel can help achieve a precise pour (and prevent spills), but it’s a hassle.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
- The Conair steamer has the shortest warranty period (one year) of our picks; that said, it’s pretty standard for a midsize model.
- Though it’s relatively light for a midsize steamer (2.75 pounds when full), some people may find that it’s too heavy for prolonged use.
- Compared with other midsize steamers, the Conair steamer has a smaller-than-average water tank (7.3 ounces). But it still produced 15 to 20 minutes of steam in testing (and it worked faster than the competition, too).
- The water tank has a small opening, making it tricky to fill from a 1-gallon jug of distilled water.
Specs
- Weight: 2.75 pounds with a full water tank
- Dimensions: 8 by 5.6 by 13.6 inches (LWH)
- Water-tank capacity: 7.3 ounces
- Steaming time: 15 to 20 minutes (per tank), depending on setting
- Cord length: 9 feet
- Warranty: one year
