01.Introduction
We review seven steam stations priced from $250 to $899.
Through our testing, we reveal which models:
- remove creases effectively on a range of fabrics, and
- are the easiest to use.
On this page:
Steam stations are quickly gaining in popularity, and if you do a lot of ironing or if you’re after a superior product that produces a lot of steam and gets the job done very quickly, efficiently and with minimul fuss then one of these is a worthwhile investment.
Steam stations are pricier than a traditional steam iron, but even the cheapest models in this test performed almost as well as the most expensive.
For more information on Ironing, see Laundry and Cleaning.
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Our testers carried out the same performance and ease of use assessments as for steam irons and, in comparison, steam stations win hands down. The trick to these irons is that it's not the heat that does the work - it's the high volume of steam that effortlessly and quickly irons out the creases in clothing.
On the down side, steam stations are quite bulky and heavy in comparison to traditional irons and much more awkward to store and move. Ideally, they should be set up permanently.
You’ll also need a specific ironing board that has a stand where the steam station sits. These boards are pricier than standard ones and can take up more room. During testing we noticed that, due to the amount of steam generated, water droplets accumulated under the ironing board, so this is also something to look out for. You’ll need good ventilation as well, as our testers found the room steamed up during testing.
Brands and models tested
- Laura Star Evolution G4 746
- Philips Perfect Care GC9240
- Philips Easy Care GC8350
- Tefal Pro Express Turbo Anti-calc Autoclean GV8460
- Hoover IronSpeed SRD 4107
- Russell Hobbs Steam Central RHST102
- Tefal Easy Pressing GV5245
How we test
Performance Our testers, Peter Horvath and Narelle Cornelius, test every steam station using a range of fabrics (synthetic organza, silk, wool, cotton shirt, denim jeans and linen). They assess how effective the iron is at removing creases. Models that take several passes to remove creases score lower, while models that leave creases or leak water score lowest.
Ease of use They assess the irons for ease of filling the water tank (including how easy it is to see the water level); how comfortable the iron is to hold; ease of moving the iron over various fabrics; using the steam function; adjusting the temperature; and convenience of the cord and steam hose including storage.
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