The 6 Best Steam Presses
This wiki has been updated 38 times since it was first published in March of 2015. Removing wrinkles from our clothes may be necessary, but we all have better things to do with our time. Instead of spending hours handling a hot iron that can damage fabrics, or paying an expensive dry cleaner, consider one of the steam presses listed here. The large surface area of these portable machines is ideal for removing wrinkles in garments and household linens of all sizes. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Steamfast Digital
2. Reliable 100SR
3. Steamfast Mid-Size
Editor's Notes
April 08, 2021:
Although conventional irons are cheaper, there are several advantages to using a stem press. They remove the necessity of an ironing board, and they reduce the time and take less effort. They also have a lot of safety features that ensure that you won’t burn any clothes, such as automatic shut-off and alerts that tell you when your clothing is done.
During this update to the ranking, we replaced several models with their most up-to-date counterparts. The Speedy Press XL was switched for the Speedy Press Oversized, which features a larger platform and now has a digital touchscreen for simplified use of its functions. The Singer ESP-2 was replaced with the Singer Intelligent, which is available in two different sizes, and has enhanced safety features to prevent damaging fabrics.
Two new models were also added to the list. The Ricoma PSP-990A, which is notable for its simple dial controls and bright indicator lights that make it very easy to use. Finally, we included the Reliable 100SR, which is a rotary model that is good for large items such as bedding and curtains. It features an auto-feed function that is operated via a foot pedal built into the base, and can be folded away for storage.
February 20, 2020:
Due to several accounts of the Sienna Expresso smoking and sparking during use, we immediately removed it from our list. We take safety issues like this extremely seriously and conducted further research into the brand. After discovering that another Sienna press - the Sienna Elite SSP-2202 - had three reported incidents of smoking, we concluded that we could not confidently recommend any Sienna products, and excluded them from consideration.
To replace the Sienna Expresso, we added another compact-sized choice, the Steamfast SP-660. This model is similar in size to the existing Steamfast Mid-Size, but has double the water capacity. Depending on how much you’ll be using your machine, you can decide which is better for you.
For people who just want a workhorse that can handle a large volume of work, the Speedy Press XL was brought in to replace the Speedy Press Ultra XL. It's the most expensive entry on our list, but you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck, with a 31-inch pressing platform and an easy to read LED readout. If you're a professional housekeeper, or just need a lot of bedding, linens, and curtains pressed, the price could be worth it.
When operating equipment that generates as much heat as steam presses, safety cannot be overstated. Always take the time to read the user manual carefully, making sure to confirm that the electrical information on the label coincides with your home power supply.
Never leave a steam press unattended while its plugged in, and always allow it fully cool before storing it away.
Special Honors
Elnapress With a unique design, the Elnapress uses their Vapojet system, which sprays simple tap water onto the garment rather than generating steam, when the heating plate is closed this then vaporizes to take out wrinkles without damaging the fabric. elnapress.com
Girbau If you're looking for a commercial-grade model, Girbau supplies a whole range of laundry equipment for businesses small and large. As well as steam presses and roller presses they supply washing machines, dryers, and folding machines. girbau.com
4. Singer Intelligent
5. Speedy Press Oversized
6. Ricoma PSP-990A
The Press or the Iron?
Ironing is the process of sliding an iron across the fabric to remove creases and wrinkles.
A steam press, also known as a clothing or garment press, is of a higher commercial grade than the conventional irons the average home owner uses to press clothes and fabrics. They are an essential tool for tailors, dry cleaners, and sewers.
However, you don't have to be one of these persons to benefit from a steam press. Ironing in itself is a tedious chore most try to avoid at all costs. If you're one of those people, a steam press may change your viewpoint entirely: they're more efficient and require less energy than ironing.
Pressing consists of holding an iron down and applying pressure on the fabric, allowing the generated steam to create or reinforce creases, pleats, or hems. Ironing is the process of sliding an iron across the fabric to remove creases and wrinkles.
The modern process of pressing fabrics consists of using steam and electricity. The iron plate of the press heats up with the use of electricity. A thermostat installed in the press will ensure that the temperature remains consistent, and most allow for the user to adjust the temperature as needed based on the fabric being steamed. A reservoir of water in the press is then heated through the iron plate and converted to steam.
The steam expels out from the iron plate and presses the fabric, loosening the chains of molecules in the fibers of the material. At this point, the heat straightens the fibers and they cool into a new shape. This process can create creases or remove wrinkles.
Different fabrics press best at certain temperatures. Every iron or press will dictate optimal temperatures for each fabric being pressed. They contain a self-regulating thermostat which switches on and off to keep the temperature consistent with the fabric setting.
To Steam, or Not To Steam?
Purchasing a steam press is an important decision. Given the financial commitment it is best to determine if it is warranted. The benefits of the steam press are bountiful. They give clothes an even, wrinkle-free appearance with minimal time and energy. They tend to work faster and more efficiently than their handheld counterpart, the iron, and they require less physical exertion.
The steam press as a whole is quite large, making it difficult to transport.
They also eliminate the need for an ironing board, as the steam press itself covers a larger area, which equates to less total presses on the fabric. The generous amount of steam means you only have to press clothes once, as opposed to two to three times with an iron. Lastly, the investment in the steam press over time will save money compared to a commercial dry cleaning service, not to mention time wasted in your day retrieving clothes from the cleaners.
Of course, some concerns about steam presses must be voiced, as well. The first concern is cost. It's definitely an investment, and many steam presses cost more than five to ten times the amount of handheld irons. They are also potential hazardous, given the combination of heat, electricity, and steam.
The steam press as a whole is quite large, making it difficult to transport. Given the fact that the primary purpose is to create folds and creases, they are ineffective at getting wrinkles out of small areas. A handheld iron would be more effective for that purpose. Lastly, most steam presses are bulky. Very few include a stand of their own and you must have a flat, large surface nearby to rest the steam press.
A Brief History of Ironing and Pressing
As with many inventions, the ancient Chinese are usually credited before myopic Americans rush in to steal the glory. The use of heating metal pans filled with coals and pressing them on fabric dates back to the first century B.C.E. in China.
This iron, while revolutionary at the time, had no thermostat to regulate the temperature.
Jumping forward to Europe in the 17th century, slabs of iron shaped into triangles were heated by fire and used to press fabrics. A tailor's stove was historically used in tailor shops to heat multiple irons from one single heat source, expediting the process.
The first portable ironing board dates back to 1858 by W. Vandenburg and J. Harvey. The purpose was to ease the pressing of sleeves and pant legs. Curious as it is, the modern ironing board has not seen much technological improvement over the past century.
The first electric iron dates back to 1882 and it was invented by Henry W. Seeley. This iron, while revolutionary at the time, had no thermostat to regulate the temperature. It wasn't until the 1920s that such a iron emerged which introduced steam. It was credited to Thomas Sears and it became a commercial success, setting the standard for ironing that we enjoy to this day.
Starting his career in the building industry, Chris built and managed a plumbing and heating company in northern England. After 13 years, seeking a more fulfilling lifestyle, he moved to southeast Asia, eventually settling in Vietnam, where he teaches writing and comprehension at a number of international universities. Drawing on his previous experience, and his passion for kitesurfing and windsurfing, Chris is knowledgeable in all things water related both recreationally and within the construction industry.