Russell Hobbs Steam Genie Maestro Handheld Steamer review: compact, useful and effective

Price on writing: £80 | Buy now from Amazon

How we tested

Our tester, Alison, tested the Russell Hobbs Steam Genie Maestro at home, testing it on a range of everyday laundry including quilt covers, t-shirts, pyjamas and other soft fabrics. She used it primarily with an ironing board and assessed how easy it was to set up and use day to day, how well it dealt with creases on larger items, and how often the water tank needed refilling. Alison has tested several other steam generator irons and steam irons, including both budget and premium models, and she directly compared the Steam Genie Maestro’s performance, size and practicality with those irons during testing.

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Our verdict

Alison found the Steam Genie Maestro to be a capable and practical iron, particularly considering its compact size. Although she initially doubted whether such a small machine would cope with regular use, she says she was “proved wrong.”

In use, Alison was able to iron and steam multiple large quilt covers using a single tank of water, and was “more than happy with the results.” She also used it on t-shirts and softer fabrics such as towelling and pyjamas, finding it effective across everyday laundry.

While it’s designed to work as both an iron and a steamer, Alison felt it performed best when used over an ironing board. She eventually stopped using it for upright steaming, as the plate attachments “didn’t stay securely in place” and became “too hot to handle or swap out easily.” Even so, she was satisfied using it as a daily ironing solution, and would recommend it overall.

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What’s the Steam Genie Maestro like to use day to day?

Alison found the Steam Genie Maestro easy to use and lightweight, making it simple to take out and put away as needed. She liked that it could iron or steam “multiple quilt covers using one tank of water,” meaning fewer interruptions to refill.

It heats up quickly, and once she’d got used to the controls, Alison found it straightforward to operate. She felt it worked well for everyday laundry and says “I would certainly buy it,” based on her experience of using it regularly.

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Design and quality

Alison described the Steam Genie Maestro as “very compact and thoughtfully designed.” The integrated carrying handle was a particular plus, making it easy to move and store, and she liked that the iron slots securely into a side-mounted pocket, saying it “feels safe putting the iron back into a self-contained pocket.”

Storage for the steam flex and power cord is generous, although Alison felt a dedicated place for the plug would improve things. She found the water tank a practical size and easy to remove, helped by its own stored handle.

In terms of build, the unit felt solid and functional, though Alison had reservations about the plate attachments, which didn’t stay securely in place and became very hot, making them awkward to change. She also noted that the recommendation to use distilled water was less convenient than with some newer machines.

Does the Steam Genie Maestro offer good value for money?

Having tested more expensive steam generators, Alison felt that “for its size and price the Steam Genie gives the Tefal Pro Express Vision and the Polti a good run for their money.” She was particularly impressed that she could iron or steam “a couple of large quilt covers with a tank of water” and still be happy with the results.

She’s clear about the trade-offs, though: “While this compact machine holds its own, it doesn’t quite deliver the same power as the premium models. Ultimately, you get what you pay for.”

Compared with cheaper steam generators, Alison preferred the Steam Genie Maestro over the Beldray model she’d tested, finding it more compact, easier to carry and better suited to everyday use.

At £100 RRP, she felt it was close to the right price point, though “slightly less and it may hit a sweet spot.” Overall, she liked it, would recommend it to friends, and felt it offers good value for money for those looking for a compact alternative to a full-sized steam generator.

About the author

Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She researches and reviews the products Mumsnetters swear by, with a particular focus on laundry essentials like steam irons, clothes steamers and washing lines.

From a highly recommended retractable washing line to the best quiet fans money can buy, and Mumsnet's favourite dehumidifier to the steam generator iron that'll cut your ironing time in half, she loves to deep-dive into research and find the very best products on the market.