The best steam generator irons for quickly getting through your ironing pile

Telegraph

15-05-2025

Sometimes it only takes a small tweak to make a big difference. I don't like ironing and I'm bad at it, so steam generator irons are a game changer. Don't be put off by their bulk – they mean business.
A steam generator iron is essentially an iron that docks to a large water tank, meaning more steam is released at a higher pressure than your standard steam iron. That in turn, softens fabrics, easing out deep creases and crumples in just one pass.
Nigel Bearman, owner of cleaning company Daily Poppins, confirms that 'steam output is crucial. The higher the steam output, the more efficient the iron will be at smoothing surfaces.'
While these irons can be expensive, I've tested options from as little as £45 upwards from trusted brands like Philips, Tefal and Russell Hobbs. You can read my reviews below, followed by the answers to some frequently asked questions, but if you're in a hurry, here's a quick look at my top five.
The best steam generator irons: At a glance
How to choose the best steam generator iron
Nigel flags that energy efficiency is important to consider, 'especially for frequent ironers, so consider an iron with lower wattage to help keep your energy bills down.' He also advises looking for an iron with a good calc-collection system to prevent limescale build up and keep your iron working for longer.
Lynsey Crombie, home expert, TV presenter and author of The 15 Minute Clean, adds that you'll want to keep an eye on steam pressure: a pressure of five bar or more means better crease removal. A water tank of 1.5 litres or more will mean fewer refills.
Safety features to look out for include auto shut-off to prevent overheating, low weight and a comfortable handle. A corkscrew handle gives a better grip. A vertical steaming function, for curtains and hanging clothes, is also a useful feature, as is rapid heat-up.
How we test steam generator irons
I tested each steam generator iron for two weeks on multiple loads of laundry, including duvet covers, denim, linen, cotton and polyester. I was looking for an iron that got rid of creases quickly and effectively, even stubborn ones.
Throughout use, I assessed each iron for its design, how it manoeuvred over different textiles, its temperature levels and how quickly it heated up.
I also considered how easy each was to refill and whether they had any safety features, like automatic turn-off.
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The best steam generator irons in 2025
1. Best Buy Steam Generator Iron: Morphy Richards Autoclean Speed Steam Pro
This model has a big water tank that will last a full laundry load without refilling, a long cord and a powerful steam output. It glided so smoothly over our shirts that it almost left me behind.
The design isn't what I'd describe as beautiful, but it did the job on towels, school blazers, sheets and woolly jumpers. A dial displays different materials, so you can easily flick to the right temperature without worry about damaging delicates. It's reliably drip-free and produces a generous steam quantity while seemingly being pretty economical on water use.
Aside from the design, my only gripe is that the iron didn't feel secure when docked, even when locked on.
Key specifications
2. Best Value Steam Generator Iron: Russell Hobbs 24420 Steam Power Generator
This iron comes in at a reasonable price, but there were some clues as to why. It's smaller than most (which could be a plus, if you want something compact), but my bigger frustration was with the four fiddly rubber grips designed to secure the iron to its base. I had to wriggle the iron into them each time.
That said, there are some good things about this model: it's lightweight and, uniquely among those I tested, has a clip for tidying and securing the cable, plus a socket to secure and tidy the plug.
It also heats up fast (in 60 seconds) and is straightforward to operate. The water tank releases intuitively and the switches are easy to understand and operate. Once ready, you hold the trigger to release steam and adjust the temperature dial (there's no fabric guide here, so you must make the call yourself). It doesn't glide as smoothly or erase deep creases as fast as the more expensive models we tested, but it does the job.
Key specifications
3. Best steam generator iron for large households: Philips PerfectCare 8000 Series Steam Generator Iron
This iron might be pricey, but it looks great in the home and includes a host of impressive features.
The speed mode automatically adjusts the amount of steam released to suit the speed with which you move the iron across your laundry, making sure creases are removed as fast as possible. With no temperature settings, the iron auto-adjusts for different fabrics while motion sensors detect when it's being used and when it's at rest, only releasing the steam when needed.
The sensors also identify when you move the iron from a horizontal position to a vertical one (such as switching from ironing on a board to steaming curtains or hung shirts), changing the direction of the steam accordingly. The thick creases in my heavy curtains visibly benefited.
You need to hold the trigger constantly for consistent steam, which could be a pain if strength or soreness in the fingers is an issue for you. But the 'no burns' guarantee will put any mind at rest – leave the iron face down on your favourite garment, walk away, make a cup of tea, come back and no damage will have been done.
Key specifications
4. Best budget steam generator iron: Beldray Steam Surge Pro
If you're tight on space this one's definitely a winner, since it is far less bulky than other models. It's also great value, coming in at about half the price of many I tried. The compact size means its water tank is also slight but, although you'll find yourself refilling far more frequently, you still get up to 30 minutes of continuous steam, which should be plenty for smaller laundry piles.
I found it somewhat confusing that there is no on/off switch. Instead, you crank the temperature dial up and off you go. Rather than the usual steam trigger, there's a switch on the handle, which is easy to control but not quite as ergonomic or natural. The way it glides feels less luxurious than more expensive models too. But it wasn't hard work to steer and it got the creases out of crumpled sheets efficiently.
The iron and base themselves don't seem the sturdiest, but the lock that holds the iron to its base is reliable. Unless you're operating a professional laundry service, this is an excellent product for the price.
Beldray also make one of the best heated clothes airers, worth checking out as an alternative to tumble drying.
Key specifications
Weight: 3.35kg
Cord reach: 2m
Power: 2,400W
Tank capacity: 1.2 litres
Steam pressure: 2 bar
Continuous steam output: 50g/min
Hard water functions: anti-calc
5. Best steam generator iron for vertical steaming: Tefal Pro Express Ultimate II GV9713
Like the Philips model, this is an intuitive iron with no need to switch settings for different fabrics. It simply adjusts automatically.
It takes two minutes to heat up, longer than most, but the light on the iron's handle, which goes from flashing while warming up to constant when ready, makes the process clear and easy.
Pull the trigger on the handle's underside and a good amount of steam is released, but with it comes an occasional whirring sound. Use the boost button (designed to tackle troublesome creases) and it's almost like standing in a spa steam room. I found it great for vertical steaming, freshening up a rather crumpled suit in no time.
The design feels substantial and sturdy as you use it, while the water tank slides out easily and clicks back in smoothly. The secure lock system and auto shut-off function are reassuring, too.
Key specifications
6. Best lightweight steam generator iron: Tefal Express Essential SV6116 Steam Generator Iron
Tefal says this iron will cut your ironing time by 30 per cent and my experience suggests that this is about correct. It is neither beautiful nor small, but it is lightweight.
After attaching the iron to the base for a couple of minutes to heat, it leaked a little as I ironed the first t-shirt in my pile, but that tapered off quickly. You have to hold the trigger on the underside of the handle at all times to produce steam and the temperature requires manual adjustment for different fabrics. In itself, temperature adjustment is no bore, but the dial is positioned directly beneath the steam trigger and moves with the lightest of touches, so be careful not to knock it accidentally.
This iron produces a steady stream of steam, though. Even when switched to an energy-saving eco mode, it cut through my ironing quicker than any other I tested. My final note is that steam production is accompanied by a constant mechanical ticking sound, which could bother some users.
Key specifications
Steam Generator Iron FAQs
How do steam generator irons work?
'Steam generator irons have a separate water tank and boiler that produce high-pressure steam,' explains Nigel Bearman, owner of cleaning company Daily Poppins. 'This steam travels through a hose to the iron's sole plate (the heated base that glides over your clothes) and removes creases.'
How do I descale a steam generator iron?
Always check the manufacturer's guidance first, both regarding the water you should fill the tank with and de-scaling and care instructions to avoid any potential damage. Generally, however, Nigel advises the following: 'To descale your iron, first empty any remaining water from the tank and rinse it with clean water.'
'Then, fill the tank with a mixture of equal parts water and distilled white vinegar. Turn your iron on and set it to the highest heat. Press the steam button a few times, then leave the iron turned on for four minutes. Afterwards, turn it off and let it sit for 30 minutes to let the solution work,' he continues.
'Next, empty the tank again and wipe it out with a cloth, then rinse it with clean water. Refill the tank with fresh water, turn the iron back on and steam an old kitchen towel until the tank is empty, ensuring all vinegar is gone.'
How long will a steam generator iron last?
'A high-quality steam generator iron can last, on average, anywhere from five to ten years, depending on how often it's used, how well it's maintained and the model itself,' says Nigel, adding that with the proper care and maintenance, it could last even longer.
What's the difference between a steam generator iron and a steam iron?
'A steam generator iron has a separate water tank connected to the iron by a hose. This lets it store more water and produce high-pressure steam, making it great for stubborn creases and heavy-duty ironing. In contrast, a steam iron has a built-in tank with limited water capacity and produces less powerful steam, making it better suited for light ironing tasks,' Nigel shares.
Are steam generator irons worth it for everyday ironing?
'Investing in a steam generator iron is a good choice if you frequently iron large loads of laundry – especially heavier fabrics like bedsheets and curtains,' says Nigel. 'It's powerful steam output speeds up the process and makes ironing much easier compared to a regular iron. However, if you only iron occasionally and tackle small amounts of clothing at a time, a standard steam iron or clothes steamer will do the job just fine and be more cost-effective,' he adds, as steam generator irons are bulky.