Look for a large water tank if you’ve got a big pile of clothes to plough through, as it’ll ensure you don’t have to keep stopping and refilling.

High-performing fabric steamers preheat in under a minute for quick and effective touch-ups, though those with larger tanks (typically the larger upright steamers) will naturally take a little longer to get to temperature. There are several features that set top-of-the-range garment steamers apart from sub-par models.

We've listed our best buys below, along with a guide on the clothes steamer features to look for: Its manoeuvrability, controls and overall design were also taken into account before awarding a final score. They considered how easy and comfortable each garment steamer felt to use and noted if it dripped or spat. Our expert testers timed how long each model took to heat up, before judging how quickly and effectively it steamed a linen suit, a silk evening dress, a cotton and polycotton shirt and a viscose top. The GHI put market-leading garment steamers to the test. They’re so popular that you’ll find 11 in our roundup. Handheld models are useful for keeping clothes crisp on-the-go, quick touch-ups and storing in smaller bedrooms. Best of all, there’s no need to faff around with an ironing board! Most offer a range of settings so you can adapt the power to your fabric and avoid any damage. Garment steamers heat up in seconds and are easy to use, including on soft furnishings like sheets and curtains. Steaming is the modern way to enjoy fresh, crease-free clothes.

Steam handheld