Best steam generator irons, as recommended by Mumsnet users

Reviewed by Mumsnet tester, Alison: Read our full Philips PSG8300/80 steam Generator Iron review

The Philips PSG8300/80 Steam Generator Iron doesn’t come cheap, but after testing six other steam generators for Mumsnet, our tester Alison said it was the best she's ever used, which is why we've named it the best steam generator iron overall. Improvements on the steam pressure of the previous Philips model mean this iron is now even more efficient and effective - it now features 9 bar steam pressure, 210g continuous steam and a whopping 850g steam shot.

With a 1.4 litre tank, the Philips 8PSG8300/80 provides an hour of continuous use before Alison needed to refill, allowing her to easily power through our her laundry. Serious steam pressure requires quite a large machine, and it weighs 5.5kg in all but the iron itself is relatively lightweight at 895g; and easy to hold, thanks to its ergonomic design. It made light work of everyday fabrics, gliding through bedding and t-shirts and leaving them perfectly crease-free after just one pass.

The iron scored consistently well when compared to its cheaper compact version, the Philips PerfectCare Compact, as the PSG8300/80 is simply more powerful. When pitted against the similarly-priced Tefal Pro Express Vision, the Philips won out thanks to its ergonomic design and more powerful steam output.

Alison's other favourite features are the OPTIMALTemp technology, which senses fabric type automatically and adjusts the temperature, and the neat cord storage.

Related: The best tumble dryers, according to Mumsnetters

Reviewed by Mumsnet editor Poppy O'Neill: Read our full Russell Hobbs Steam Power Steam Generator Iron review

If your current iron is wheezing its way through school shirts and giving up completely on linen, this is the kind of upgrade you’ll actually feel straight away. The Russell Hobbs Steam Power sits in that sweet spot price-wise between a standard steam iron and the more eye-wateringly expensive steam generators: more steam and less effort, without having to remortgage the house.

In testing, it handled a properly real-life mix (silk, linen, cotton tea towels, jersey tees, the lot) with consistent steam and no drama when switching between fabrics. The iron itself is pleasingly light in the hand, which matters when you’ve got a mountain of laundry to get through. The removable 1.3-litre tank is also a genuinely user-friendly - easy to fill, easy to pop back in, and big enough to get through a decent stack without stopping to refill.

You do lose some finesse compared with premium models (the dial is basic, and unlike the Philips PSG8300/80 it won’t magically decide the right temperature for you), and the base unit can feel chunky if your board is on the small side. But for the price, it’s a practical, powerful workhorse that'll help you spend less time at your ironing board.

Reviewed by Mumsnet tester, Alison: Read our full Polti La Vaporella review

While other steam generators like the Philips PerfectCare Elite have a flat soleplate, Polti's La Vaporella has an innovative rounded soleplate, making it the most easily manoeuvrable steam generator iron on our list. Gliding effortlessly and tackling creases even in tough-to-reach corners, our tester Alison found it a real joy to use. What's more, there's an eco setting that consumes less energy and water, so you don't have to go full steam ahead every time you iron.

Polti are the inventors of the steam generator iron, and this model's Italian design shines through in its good looks as well as functionality. We're particularly partial to the cork insert, which looks great and also makes sure your hand doesn't get sweaty while ironing.

Alison was impressed by the iron's steam capabilities, saying it gave more expensive models a run for their money. She would have preferred a removable water tank for ease of use, though.

Reviewed by Mumsnet editor Poppy O'Neill: Read our in-depth Morphy Richards 333030 Easy Steam Generator Iron review

With a light-up display and intuitive, simple-to-navigate buttons, the Morphy Richards Easy Steam is one of the easier models to learn and use for those transitioning from a standard steam iron. It performs well across most fabrics, with variable temperature settings and a non-stick ceramic soleplate, however, can take slightly longer than some to smooth out stubborn creases on thicker fabrics such as denim or thick cotton.  

This model is very resistant to limescale (especially when used with a 50/50 split of tap and distilled water) and has an efficient cleaning cycle that makes it also one of the best steam generator irons for those living in hard water areas. It’s worth noting however that when the descale reminder light comes on, there is no option to override, which could be annoying if you’re in a hurry.

Related: The best budget washing machines under £500

Reviewed by Mumsnet editor Poppy O'Neill: Read our in-depth Russell Hobbs Quiet Super Steam Generator Iron review

Due to their power and efficiency, steam generator irons tend to be noisier than a standard iron, which can be frustrating if you usually settle down to iron in front of the TV. The Russell Hobbs Quiet Super Steam Generator iron features Quiet Technology, and it claims to be up to 10% quieter than previous models. When we tested it though, the noise difference wasn't particularly noticeable. 

Despite lower noise levels, this iron has powerful steam pressure that can tackle a whole host of ironing challenges, from crumpled collars to creased denim, although the tip of the iron is a little thick for hard-to-reach areas. With a high-capacity water tank, you can easily get over an hour of ironing time without the need to refill, however, the handle could get a little uncomfortable after prolonged use

A which ECO Buy, the anti-calc filter on the Quiet Super Steam works well at removing limescale - a huge plus point if you live in a hard water area. A visual indicator will even let you know when it's time to replace it, making this a fairly low-maintenance choice.

Read next: Best cordless irons

Reviewed by Mumsnet tester, Rebecca: Read our full Philips PerfectCare Compact Steam Generator review

If you’re looking for all the benefits of the best steam generator iron but are a little more limited on space, this compact model from trusted brand Philips makes an excellent choice. With a small footprint and lightweight design, it’s easy to carry and store when not in use, making it a more practical choice for smaller kitchens.

For comparison, with a full-size steam generator iron like the Polti La Vaporella, the water tank won't fit on a standard ironing board, and needs to sit on a worktop or nearby table. As you can see from the pictures above, the PerfectCare Compact fits fully onto an ironing board.

Despite its size, the Philips Compact Steam Generator does not lack in performance, with powerful steam generation that can tackle even stubborn creases caused by vacuum storage bags. Thanks to Optimal Temp technology, there are no temperature settings to worry about either, with one temperature suitable for all fabrics without the risk of burns. 

The 1.5-litre tank offers over an hour of ironing time, however, it’s worth noting it's not removable, so you do need to carry the entire unit to the sink, or use a jug when it's time to refill. Whilst the power cable does stash away for storage, some reviewers felt it was a little on the short side, with some needing an extension lead to find a comfortable ironing position.

Read next: The best fabric softeners for great-smelling washing

Reviewed by Mumsnet tester, Alison: Read our in-depth Tefal Pro Express Vision Steam Generator Iron review

If you’re looking to cut your ironing time down to an absolute minimum, you’ll love the high-pressure steam shot on the Tefal GV9820G0 Pro Express Vision Steam Generator Iron, which makes smoothing out thick fabrics and difficult areas simple and stress-free. Thanks to the smart LED vision light (which comes on automatically when you hold down the steam shot button for 2 seconds) you get excellent visibility even when ironing in low light, ensuring no unsightly creases or wrinkles are missed. Our tester Alison said this iron "made ironing a joy to do".

Producing high-quality results and reducing your ironing time, you can choose from a variety of temperature settings to suit your fabric type, including delicates. Alternatively, you can use the built-in Smart Steam Setting, which is safe to use on all fabrics without the risk of burning or use as a virtual steamer, de-creasing hanging items with ease. 

We love the anti-scale feature of this design which makes it very easy to look after, however, it’s an expensive, premium model and the removable tank is markedly smaller than even a compact model like the Philips PerfectCare Compact. As such, we feel this steam generator iron is best suited to those who iron little and often and are looking for excellent results in just a couple of minutes. 

Related: The best budget dehumidifiers under £100