Handheld steamer or upright steamer: how to choose

Steamers come in two forms: handheld and upright. Both remove wrinkles from clothes and textiles with heat and steam. The choice between them comes down to one thing: how you use a steamer day to day. 

A handheld steamer, sometimes called a travel steamer or portable garment steamer, is compact and light. You hold it in one hand and guide it down the fabric. Its water tank is smaller, which means it is best suited for a few garments at a time. Most handheld models let you control the steam output with a button, so you can work quickly or slowly depending on the fabric. Because it packs easily into a bag, it is the natural choice for anyone who travels often or shares a small home with limited storage. It handles everyday clothes just as well as an upright steamer would. It also works well beyond the wardrobe: curtains, cushions, and bedding all respond to a pass of steam. 

Steamery's handheld lineup includes the Cirrus 1 Handheld Steamer, Cirrus 2 Handheld Steamer, Cirrus Core Handheld Steamer, Cirrus Lite Travel Steamer, and Cirrus 3 Iron Steamer. Each one is built for portability without giving anything up in performance. 

An upright steamer, also called a standing, floor or vertical steamer, is designed for volume. It has a larger water tank, delivers a continuous flow of steam, and does not ask you to stop and refill after a few shirts. If you have a full closet and steam clothes regularly, an upright steamer earns its floor space. 

The Cumulus Home Steamer is built for home use and fits naturally beside a wardrobe or in a walk-in closet. The Stratus Professional Steamer is designed for retailers and professionals working in fashion. Both offer two steam settings, reduced and normal, so you can move between delicate fabrics and heavier ones without changing equipment. 

Use this as a guide: 

Choose a handheld steamer if you travel with your steamer, steam a few garments at a time, have limited space at home, or want something that handles both clothes and home textiles. 

Choose an upright steamer if you steam frequently, have a larger wardrobe, want uninterrupted steam without stopping to refill, or do not need to move the steamer between locations. 

Neither is a compromise. They are just built for different rhythms.