Most people shopping for a clothes steamer end up stuck on the same question: should I get a small handheld one, or a tall upright model that stands on the floor? Both use steam to relax creases while the garment hangs, and both are kinder to fabric than a hot iron. The difference is in how much you steam, where you steam it and how much space you have. This guide walks through the real trade-offs so you can pick the type that fits your home, not just the one with the longest feature list.
The quick answer
If you mostly steam a shirt or two before work, travel often or live in a small flat, a handheld steamer is usually the better buy. If you steam a full rail of clothes at the weekend, have a busy family wardrobe or want to tackle curtains, coats and long dresses in one go, an upright steamer will save you time and refills. Plenty of households end up with one of each, using the handheld for quick fixes and the upright for the weekly session.
How each type works
Handheld steamers
A handheld steamer holds a small water tank, a heater and a steam plate in one unit that you hold in your hand. You plug it in, wait a short time for it to heat, then glide the plate down the hanging garment. Because everything sits in one compact body, it is easy to store in a drawer and easy to pack for a trip.
The Fridja f10 Handheld Clothes Steamer is a Which? Best Buy, weighs 957g and offers both press-to-steam and continuous steam. The f20 Handheld Clothes Steamer Pro with Suction goes a step further: suction draws the fabric onto a plate that heats to as much as 160°C, so you get a pressed finish on the hanger rather than just softened creases.
Upright steamers
An upright (or vertical) steamer has a large water tank and heater in a base unit on the floor, a hose that carries steam up to a head, and a pole to hang clothes from. You hold only the light steam head, so your arm does not tire, and the big tank keeps going for much longer.
The f1200 Clothes Steamer Pro is a good example. It has a 2200W heater that is ready in 35 seconds, a 3-litre tank that gives up to 100 minutes of continuous steam, and stands 170cm tall on a 32cm base with wheels so you can roll it between rooms.
Handheld vs upright: the key differences
- Steam time per fill: the f20 runs for up to 8 minutes on its 90ml tank. The f1200 runs for up to 100 minutes on its 3-litre tank. That gap matters if you steam more than a few items at once.
- Heat-up: both types are quick. The f20 is ready in 30 seconds and the f1200 in 35 seconds, so neither keeps you waiting.
- Weight in the hand: a handheld steamer is the whole appliance in your hand, at just under a kilo for the f10 and f20. With an upright model you only hold the steam head, which is easier on the wrist over a long session.
- Storage: a handheld fits in a drawer or a weekend bag. An upright needs a corner of a room or a cupboard with some height.
- Finish: standard steam relaxes creases. A heated plate, like the one on the f20, adds pressing heat for a crisper result on cotton shirts and trousers.
- Accessories: the f1200 comes with a hanger with pegs, a flexible ironing board, a heatproof glove, a fabric brush and descaling crystals. The f10 includes a collar press, fabric guard, folding hanger and water bottle adaptor.
When a handheld steamer makes more sense
A handheld steamer suits you if most of your steaming is short and spontaneous. Think of a shirt before a meeting, a dress pulled from a suitcase or a jumper that has been folded in a drawer. It is ready almost as soon as you have found the hanger, and it goes back in the drawer afterwards.
- You live in a flat or a house with little storage.
- You travel for work or weekends away and want crease-free clothes on arrival.
- You steam one to three garments at a time.
- You want a near-ironed finish without getting a board out (this is where the f20's suction and hot plate help).
Our step-by-step guide on how to steam a shirt in five minutes shows how much you can do with a handheld, and our round-up of handheld steamer features that make a real difference covers what to check before you buy.
When an upright steamer is the better choice
An upright steamer earns its floor space when you steam in bigger batches. A 3-litre tank means you can work through a week of shirts, school uniforms or a whole rail of clothes without stopping to refill.
- You steam for the whole household once or twice a week.
- You want to steam curtains, long coats, wedding dresses or saris.
- You prefer holding a light steam head rather than the full appliance.
- You like having a hanger and board built into the set-up for collars, cuffs and pleats.
If curtains are on your list, our guide to steaming curtains without taking them down explains why the long hose and big tank of an upright model make the job easier. For shops, studios and very heavy use, Fridja also makes the f1600 Commercial Clothes Steamer, with a 4-litre tank and 47g of steam per minute.
Space, noise and everyday practicalities
Before you choose, think about where the steamer will live. A handheld can sit in a bedside drawer, so it tends to get used more often. An upright model works best if it has a permanent spot, such as a corner of the bedroom or utility room, because setting it up from a cupboard each time adds friction.
Cord length is worth a look too. The f20 has a 2.2m cord, the f10 1.95m and the f1200 1.7m, though the f1200's hose and pole give you plenty of reach once it is in place. Whichever type you pick, empty the tank after use and descale regularly, especially in hard water areas. Our guide to cleaning and descaling a clothes steamer covers both types.
Which Fridja steamer should you choose?
- Quick touch-ups and travel: the f10 Handheld Clothes Steamer, a Which? Best Buy with a carry case and travel accessories.
- A pressed finish without a board: the f20 Handheld Clothes Steamer Pro with Suction, with a 160°C plate, a dry iron mode and a soleplate that rotates 90 degrees for collars and cuffs.
- Long weekly sessions and big items: the f1200 Clothes Steamer Pro, with 2200W of continuous steam and a 3-litre tank.
You can compare the full ranges side by side in our handheld clothes steamers and vertical clothes steamers collections, or read our wider garment steamer buying guide for tips on power, tanks and fabrics.
Frequently asked questions
Is a handheld or upright steamer better?
Neither is better for everyone. A handheld steamer is better for quick touch-ups, travel and small homes because it is compact and ready fast. An upright steamer is better for steaming lots of clothes, curtains or long garments in one session, thanks to its large tank and lighter steam head.
Do upright steamers work better than handheld ones?
Upright steamers usually steam for much longer per fill and can run continuously, which helps with heavy coats and full rails. A good handheld can match them on a single shirt, and a handheld with a heated plate and suction, like the f20, can give a crisper, more pressed finish than steam alone.
Can a handheld steamer replace an iron?
For everyday creases on shirts, dresses and knitwear, often yes. Steam relaxes the fibres while the garment hangs, so you skip the ironing board. Sharp trouser creases and crisp collars need pressing heat, which is why a handheld with a hot plate and dry iron mode gets closer to an ironed finish.
How long does a clothes steamer take to heat up?
Modern steamers are quick. The Fridja f20 handheld is ready in 30 seconds and the f1200 upright in 35 seconds. The commercial f1600 takes about 45 seconds. Always let the steamer reach full heat before you start, as steaming too early can cause spitting and water marks on fabric.
Is an upright steamer worth it for a small flat?
It can be if you steam a lot and have a corner to keep it in, as the f1200 stands on a 32cm base. If storage is tight and you steam a few items at a time, a handheld is usually the more practical choice because it fits in a drawer.