Steamery Cirrus X Handheld Steamer review: stylish, effective and built to last

RRP: £100 | Buy now from Boots, Amazon and Harrods

How I tested

I used the Steamery Cirrus X on a small real-life pile of laundry, including several cotton school shirts, a pair of linen trousers and a silk shirt, to see how it handled fabrics with very different creasing habits. I focused on how quickly it removed wrinkles, how neat the finished clothes looked, how many items I could steam on one tank, and how comfortable the controls were to use while working through multiple garments in a row. I also paid attention to practical details such as lint transfer between fabrics and whether the steamer felt easy to use in a normal, slightly rushed household routine.

Related: Best clothes steamer

My verdict

I tested the Cirrus X on a pile of school shirts, linen trousers and a silk shirt that normally makes me nervous near an iron. The first thing I noticed was the strength of the steam. On cotton shirts, creases dropped out quickly and the overall finish looked properly smart rather than just “less wrinkled”.

The 85ml tank got me through five school shirts before I needed to refill it. I also appreciate being able to see the water level at a glance through the transparent tank. It's certainly quicker than using a steam iron, as you can zip through garments without having to take them off the hanger.

There is a technique to it. The instructions show you how to create tension in the fabric, either by pulling it taut or pressing it against the steamer with the glove. Once I started following the instructions properly, the results improved noticeably. Linen trousers (which are my ironing nemesis) were presentable in a matter of moments. The silk shirt came up smooth without water marks, as long as I kept the steamer moving.

It’s not perfect. You have to hold the steam button down continuously while you work. That’s manageable, but slightly tiring on a bigger load. The button also sits close to the on and off switch and near the hot head. So it's easy to turn it off my accident if you're not concentrating, and at certain angles I could feel heat from the steam on my thumb and had to shift my grip. It never felt unsafe, just not brilliantly placed.

Lint pick-up is another small frustration. When I steamed a black jersey top, the head collected tiny bits of fluff. I had to wipe it clean before moving on to a white cotton shirt to avoid transferring specks. It’s easy to deal with, but something to factor in if you’re steaming mixed fabrics.

Overall, this steamer is good enough to replace an iron for most everyday jobs. If I want sharp pressed creases or a flawless finish, I’ll use a steam generator iron. But for getting clothes looking neat and ready to wear with minimal effort, I reach for this far more often.

What’s in the box

• Steamery Cirrus X handheld steamer

• Heatproof glove

• User guide

Can you steam multiple items with one tank of water?

Yes, within reason. I managed five school shirts on one fill, size 11-12 years. If you're tackling adult-sized work shirts or a full week’s laundry in one go you’d definitely need to stop and refill, but for small to medium batches it holds enough to be practical.

What's more, it takes just 20 seconds to heat up, so when you do refill the tank, you won't be hanging around for ages.

Can the Steamery Cirrus X replace a steam iron?

For day-to-day use, mostly yes. It smooths fabric very effectively and makes clothes look smart and refreshed. It doesn't create crisp, defined creases on tailored pieces, so if that’s important to you, an iron is a better bet.

For me, the convenience tips the balance. I steam more often because it’s quick and easy, I can give clothes a quick steam straight out of the my wardrobe, rather than having to set up an ironing board.

Read next: Clothes steamer vs iron

Does the Steamery Cirrus X offer good value for money?

With an RRP of £100, the Steamery Cirrus X is a premium option. For contrast, the Tefal Pure Pop, is typically priced around £30 and does a really good job of steaming out creases. For the higher price, you're getting a slightly larger water tank, a heatproof glove included, and the overall build feels more solid in your hand.

If you're looking for a clothes steamer to replace or cut down your steam iron use, the Tefal will give practically identical results to the Steamery for a much lower price. However, the Steamery is made from higher-end materials and has a lot of Scandi chic going for it, so if style is your priority, it's a great-looking gadget.

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 home essentials like steam irons, vacuum cleaners and heated throws.

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.