Electrolux Garment Steamer

It ranks #2 (A tier) on our consolidated clothes steamers board, drawn from 5 independent outlets.

Someone who values a steamer that simply keeps working. It ranks second on our clothes steamers board, in A tier, on the strength of reliable steam delivery, a durable build and a low failure rate, with no negative feedback recorded. If you want the strongest steam and fastest heat-up, the Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Handheld Fabric Steamer (GS59X) is the S tier pick. If you also want to press creases, the Russell Hobbs Steam Genie is the A tier 2-in-1.

Longer than most. Reviewers credit the Electrolux Garment Steamer with a durable build and a low failure rate, and the board records no reports of leaks, cracks or lost steam pressure. Descale it regularly if you use tap water and it should serve for years.

Buy the Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Handheld Fabric Steamer (GS59X) if you want the most steam and the fastest heat-up, since it is the only S tier product on the board. Buy the Electrolux Garment Steamer if reliability is your first concern: its low failure rate and durable build are what reviewers single out. Both have no recorded cons, so either is a safe choice.

Fill the tank with equal parts white vinegar and water, steam about half of it through into a sink, leave the rest to sit for 30 minutes, then empty and flush with clean water until no vinegar smell remains. Do this monthly with hard tap water. Using distilled water from the start means you rarely need to.