Rolipo Clothes Steamer review: an effective alternative to ironing

Price on writing: £30 | Buy now from Amazon

How we tested

Mumsnet editor Poppy tested the Rolipo Clothes Steamer along with several other garment steamers on a number of common household chores. She tested the steamers on several items of clothing, as well as for steam cleaning a sofa and curtains. She carefully compared the steamers to one another, rating each in terms of effectiveness, ease of use and value for money.

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Our verdict

Fans of ironing, look away now. Garment steamers are a handy gadget you can keep in your wardrobe to banish creases without lugging out your best steam iron and ironing board. Simply hang your clothes vertically, waft the steamer over the fabric and voila - crumple-free and ready to go.

The Rolipo Clothes Steamer was one of the best clothes steamers we tested, thanks to its large water tank, locking trigger and clear indicator light. Whereas with other steamers it can be tricky to tell when the steam is at its optimum level to use, the Rolipo's red light gives clear signals, saving you time and energy.

Building up a powerful head of steam, I was impressed with the steamer's effectiveness and efficiency when pitted against a pair of crumpled cotton trousers. Likewise, it worked well on my sofa and curtains, was comfortable to hold and kept going for long enough to steam several items of clothing.

I did find the Rolipo a bit noisier than other steamers I tested, but it wasn't so noisy as to both me. All in all, this is a useful, efficient clothes steamer I'd recommend to anyone who's ironing-averse.

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How easy is the Rolipo Clothes Steamer to set up?

The clothes steamer was quick and easy to set up and start using. I filled up the water tank from the water filter, clicked it into place and plugged the steamer in at the mains. The indicator light flashes red to let you know it's pre-heating, then after a pleasingly short amount of time, a solid light means it's ready to tackle your most crumpled clothes.

The Rolipo steamer is nicely designed and comfortable to hold. I like that there's a lock on the trigger, so you won't get an aching finger after an extended steaming session.

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What's the Rolipo Clothes Steamer like to use day-to-day?

I was impressed by the Rolipo Clothes Steamer's performance against creases as well as when cleaning my upholstery. I'm an extremely reluctant ironer but there's no denying some items of clothing do need (or at least look a lot better after) an iron every now and again.

The steamer was powerful and efficient in un-crumpling school shirts, linen and cotton trousers, and I'd definitely reach for it again next time anything needs an iron.

It was comfortable to hold at any angle, which is perfect for cleaning a sofa. It also comes with a removeable brush attachment, which is great for removing lint and crumbs from upholstery, and caring for velvet as you clean.

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Does the Rolipo Clothes Steamer offer good value for money?

At the time of writing, the Rolipo Clothes Steamer is available on Amazon for £36.99, which puts it on the mid-high price range for handheld garment steamers. When compared to similarly-priced Swan ProSteam, I found the Swan felt slightly more robust than the Rolipo, but they both made excellent ironing alternatives I'd recommend to others.

While cheaper clothes steamers are available, the Rolipo is comfortable and easy to use, powerful and has a large water tank that'll need less frequent top-ups. I think it's fairly priced and a great buy.

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About the author

Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She's been researching and reviewing baby and child products for 2 years, with a particular focus on baby essentials, toys and books for toddlers and outdoor play equipment. From potties to paddling pools and bunk beds to bedtime stories, she loves to deep-dive into research and find the best products out there.

Poppy is also an award-winning, best-selling children's and parenting author of books such as Don't Worry, Be Happy, The Extraordinary Book That Makes You Feel Happy and Mother Power. She specialises in children's mental health and her books are used by therapists, teachers and SENCOs across the UK. She won a The Week Junior Book Award in 2023, her books have been translated into several languages and she's been featured in The Guardian, The Sunday Times and The Sun.

After earning a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Leeds and a PGCert in Fashion and Lifestyle Journalism from University of the Arts London, she worked in fashion for most of her 20s. When her children were young, she undertook an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Chichester and re-trained as an author and freelance writer.

About Mumsnet reviews

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