Ironing is one of those essential chores we need to complete, but utterly dread. However, it can all be made a little easier with a steam generator iron, which irons out those pesky creases with ease.
A steam generator iron is not to be confused with a steam iron - although it’s an easy mistake to make. A steam generator iron has a water tank separate to the device and can often hold more water, while a steam iron has a built-in water tank.
Read on for the best steam generator irons, from Philips, Tefal, Russell Hobbs and more, to make your chore day a breeze.
What should I look for in a steam generator iron?
When it comes to buying a steam generator iron there are a multitude of specifics to keep in mid; from the size, the capacity of the water tank, the material of the plate, as well as weight, cord length, the bar pressure, if there is an automatic off function, and if there is a descaling function.
It is up to the personal preference when it comes to buying a steam generator iron, but typically some look for a ceramic soleplate, stainless steel design, as they glide over clothes and are damage resistant, whereas non-stick can be problematic.
Some may prefer a longer cord length, while others may prefer a lightweight model so as not to suffer any wrist or arm aches after completing the ironing.
It is also worth keeping a budget in mind, so not to overspend.
Are steam generator irons better than steam irons?
In short, yes. Steam generator irons work more efficiently to press clothes, and iron out creases.
A steam iron works well, but for those looking to achieve a professional iron, the steam generator iron variation is for you.
A steam generator iron can have up to three times more steam output, which can save you time and effort when it comes to the chore. Some of the most popular brands include Philips, Tefal and Russell Hobbs.
What are the best steam generator irons?
Morphy Richards 332013 Steam Generator Iron with Autoclean
- Weight: 4.94kg
- Tank capacity: 2.2l
- Continuous steam output: 200g
- Steam shot: 310g
- Steam pressure: 6.5 bar
- Wattage: 2400 wats
- Heat-up time: 2 mins
- Auto shut off? Yes
- Warranty? 3 years
Morphy Richards is one of the leading home appliance brands, and their Steam Generator Iron is said to be the “most powerful steam generator”, according to Argos’ description.
This creation has a whopping 6.5 bar pressure, which creates 200g of steam, as well as the option of a 310g steam boost, to ensure there is not a hint of a crease in sight.
The best part is it has an Auto Clean feature to remove any limescale build-up, so all you have to do is pour away the water to remove any build-up - it’s that simple.
Philips GC9682/86 PerfectCare Elite Plus Steam Generator Iron
- Weight: 5.1kg
- Tank capacity: 1.8l
- Continuous steam output: 165g
- Steam shot: 600g
- Steam pressure: 8 bar
- Wattage: 2700 watts
- Heat-up time: 2 mins
- Auto shut off? Yes
- Warranty? 2 years
With an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, Philips’ PerfectCare Elite Plus Steam Generator Iron is the closest shoppers can get to perfection.
It is worth every penny, as this model features OptimalTEMP technology, which means you can iron any fabric without adjusting the temperature settings, including silk and wool, while the DynamiQ smart sensor detects when you have ironed a section and distribute heat accordingly to protect your garments.
Tefal Pro Express Ultimate GV9569 Steam Generator Iron
- Weight: 5.1kg
- Tank capacity: 1.9l
- Continuous steam output: 135g
- Steam shot: 560g
- Steam pressure: 7.5 bar
- Wattage: 2700 watts
- Heat-up time: 2 mins
- Auto shut off? Yes
- Warranty? 2 years
Tefal’s Pro Express Ultimate Steam Generator has been hailed the “best iron” by shoppers, with some claiming it has reduced the time it takes to get through the ironing.
Aside from the glowing reviews, and the fact it's currently reduced at Amazon, this household essential is not to be missed.
It features a 7.5 bar pressure and can hold up to 1900ml to see you through your laundry day, as well as an anti-scale function to preserve your steam generator iron for years to come.
Tefal Pro Express Protect GV9220G0 Pressurised Steam Generator Iron
- Weight: 4.2kg
- Tank capacity: 1.8l
- Continuous steam output: 135g
- Steam shot: 540g
- Steam pressure: 7.5 bar
- Wattage: 2600 watts
- Heat-up time: 2 mins
- Auto shut off? Yes
- Warranty? 2 years
There are a wide variety of Tefal irons on the market, including Steam Generator Irons, so it can be overwhelming to know which one to buy.
For those looking for a more affordable alternative to the Pro Express Ultimate model, this may be the answer.
It features a soleplate suitable to use on all fabrics, as well as various modes, such as Eco Mode, which uses less steam but is still as effective, and is self-cleaning.
Russell Hobbs SteamPower Series 2 Steam Generator Iron
- Weight: 5.05kg
- Tank capacity: 1.3l
- Continuous steam output: 95g
- Steam shot: Not specified
- Steam pressure: 4.5 bar
- Wattage: 2600 watts
- Heat-up time: 1 min
- Auto shut off? Yes
- Warranty? 2 years
Russell Hobbs’ SteamPower Steam Generator Item has also garnered hundreds of rave reviews from shoppers, and it is no surprise as it features an anti-drip system to protect your clothes from spillages, and heats up in just one minute, to save you time when it comes to ironing that pile you’ve had in the corner for weeks.
It also features a 4.5 bar pressure and can hold 1.3 litres of water, as well as a non-stick ceramic soleplate, and safe locking system when not in use.
But the best part is it also boasts a vertical steam function so you can use the iron as a steamer on hanging garments - simply genius.
Beko SGA6124D 2400W Steam Generator Iron
- Weight: 4.4kg
- Tank capacity: 1l
- Continuous steam output: 130g
- Steam shot: 200g
- Steam pressure: 7.2 bar
- Wattage: 2800 watts
- Heat-up time: 1 min
- Auto shut off? Yes
- Warranty? 1 years
If you're looking for a more affordable Steam Generator Iron, Beko has you covered.
This design delivers across the board, as it is not only under £100, but can hold one litre of water, features a SteamXtra soleplate to glide over any fabric, and can be used vertically to make ironing a breeze. Plus it has an auto clean and automatic shut-off function, both of which are essential for when out of use.
Breville PressXpress Steam Generator Iron
- Weight: 4.4kg
- Tank capacity: 1.7l
- Continuous steam output: 230g
- Steam shot: 100g
- Steam pressure: 5 bar
- Wattage: 2400 watts
- Heat-up time: 1 min
- Auto shut off? Yes
- Warranty? 1 years
Similar to Russell Hobbs and Philips, Breville is another hugely popular home appliance brand many trust.
This design is powered by a 2400 watt, and can hold up to 1.7 litre of water in the tank, which, combined with a five-bar pressure pump creates a 100g per minute continuous steam or 230g steam boost to iron out the most stubborn of creases.
Beldray Steam Surge Pro BEL01137 Steam Generator Iron
Beldray is a leading brand when shopping home appliances and tech gadgets and gizmos, even steam irons.
The Beldray Steam Surge Pro Steam Generator Iron is every bit as high-tech as the title suggests. It boasts a ceramic soleplate with anti-drip to ensure all creases are ironed out, while the water tank can hold up to 1.2 litres of water, which is four times more than any standard iron. More water makes for efficient laundry days.
Black + Decker 2700W Steam Generator Iron
- Weight: 4.2kg
- Tank capacity: 1.5l
- Continuous steam output: 120g
- Steam shot: Not specified
- Steam pressure: 3 bar
- Wattage: 2200 watts
- Heat-up time: 1 min
- Auto shut off? Yes
- Warranty? 1 year
Black + Decker is another hugely popular label when it comes to tech gadgets and appliances, whether it is a drill or steam iron, and without breaking the bank too.
This Steam Generator Iron has been recognised as one of Robert Dyas' best-selling creations, as it boasts a high-level steam output, three bar pressure, and a high water capacity to remove even the most stubborn creases.
How we chose the best steam generator irons
- Crease removal: Quite obviously, the most important test of functionality for steam generator irons is how well they remove creases. We selected the irons that performed best at removing creases on a variety of fabrics.
- Weight: Steam generator irons are hefty pieces of kit, so you can expect them to weigh more than normal steam irons when they're resting in their base. But you don’t want them to be too heavy. We selected irons that were still liftable with a full tank of water.
- Anti-scale functions: Limescale is a problem for steam generator irons, so you really want a model with an anti-scale function or self-cleaning mode. All the models in this guide had an anti-scale function - which is really what you need to avoid clogging the steam vents. It’s especially important if you live in a hard water area
- Reviews: Though we aim to test every item we feature, when we weren’t able to we only selected irons that rated consistently well in reviews written by real users.
- Price: We considered steam generator irons with a competitive price point without sacrificing quality. You don’t always want to choose the cheapest model.
- Tank capacity: With a big tank, you won’t have to refill your steam generator iron as often. Though some may have a bigger pile of laundry than others. We aimed to include varying tank sizes in this guide, to suit all needs.
- Pressure: The higher the pressure, the more effective the iron will be at removing creases. The steam generator irons in this guide push out 95g to 230g of continuous steam per minute - but you definitely want to aim for anything over 50g per minute to effectively remove creases.
- Steam shot: The steam shot function blasts extra stubborn creases with an extra burst of steam. The irons in our guide have steam shot outputs of between 100g to 560g per minute
- Heat-up time: The higher the wattage, the quicker your steam generator iron will heat up. The quickest steam generator irons that we found were ready in a minute. We included models from Wattage 2000 to 2700 - bearing in mind that the higher the Wattage the more energy it consumes
- Warranty: With an investment item like a steam generator iron you really want to make sure you’re buying a model that comes with a warranty. All of the models in this guide do.
