The best steam press is a very effective way to de-wrinkle fabric, whether it be at home, in a sewing studio or at an AirBnb, hotel or restaurant. They produce dry-cleaning results and can be used for anything from shirts to king-sized cotton bed linen while also being gentle on fabrics like nylon, silk and wool.
The benefits over a traditional iron are obvious… They handle bigger work loads, are safer to use, have a lower risk of scorching fabric and can accommodate larger items like tablecloths or towels with absolute ease. But given that they are a pretty substantial investment, the difficult part is choosing the right one!
We need enough power and surface are to handle larger items while also being easy to operate on smaller garments. And we need a product that’s reliable and built to last since it will affect the bottom line if it breaks.
We have tested the best options available, focusing on the tings that really matter…
1. Steamfast SF-680 Best Steam Press for Home Use
The Steamfast SF680 has a 25 inch pressing surface which is ideal for home use. You can easily press garments like pants, blouses, dresses, suits and shirts but it will also manage larger items like bed sheets, towels, tablecloths and other bed linen.
The Steamfast brand is also well known for quality and is trusted by many. (That being said, I would strongly advice against buying a refurbished model since poorly done repairs can sometimes cause electronic issues.)
The water tank is 10 ounces which makes it more than enough for the average laundry load while producing adequate steam output.
Though it isn’t as powerful as the others on the list, 1350 watts warms up in about 3 minutes which only slightly slower than the higher powered models.
At around 21 pounds, it has enough stability to feel like a work-horse while still being portable enough to move around when necessary.
- Size: 25 x 10.5 in | 64 x 27 cm
- Tank: 10 ounce | 300 ml
- Power: 1350 Watts
- Weight: 21.4 lbs | 9.7 kg
- Heating time: 3 min
2. Singer Steam Press for Larger Loads
Singer joins the race with a large, 26 inch pressing surface and a huge 27 ounce water tank.
It’s clearly designed for bigger items and larger laundry loads while still being perfect for home use as well.
The other great feature is the super fast heating time which reaches full heat in under 2 minutes.
If you need a steam press which can handle the bigger work around the house or even help run small sewing, tailoring and dress-making businesses, the Singer is an excellent choice.
It also comes with well known Singer quality manufacturing and durability.
- Size: 26 x 11 in | 66 x 28 cm
- Tank: 27 ounce | 800 ml
- Power: 1500 Watts
- Steam Rate: 70 g/min
- Weight: 22.3 lbs | 10 kg
- Heating time: 1:36 min
3. Steamfast SF-623 Compact Press
The Steamfast SF-623 is much smaller at only 20 inches. This makes it perfect for smaller loads and smaller garments but not ideal for XXL clothing or other bed linen. It is also much easier to move around due the lightweight design.
The 5 ounce water tank is small compared to the competition but at 1500 watts, it doesn’t lack anything when it comes to power! It heats up in the same time as it’s bigger counterparts and packs a real punch in the steam production department too.
If you’re looking for a compact steam press that covers all the bases while being affordable, portable and decent quality, this is great option.
- Size: 20 x 8 in | 51 x 20 cm
- Tank: 5 ounce | 150 ml
- Power: 1500 Watts
- Weight: 12.8 lbs | 6kg
- Heating time: 3 min
4. Extra Large Steam Press
I added the Feyiue extra large steam press for people who need to press much larger items. At 32 inches, the pressing area is suitable to any size linen items.
It packs a serious 1600 Watts of power and weighs a total of 34 pounds making it the closest to an industrial steam press on this entire list. Feyiue is known for laundry machines and based in California, however, some people find working with the lessor known brand a bit worrisome, especially for a larger financial outlay. There have been some comments regarding quality concerns online.
If you need a much larger steam press, I would consider this model but I urge you to move ahead with caution and make sure you’re completely satisfied with the reviews and customer service before making the final purchase.
- Size: 32 x 10 in | 81 x 25 cm
- Power: 1600 Watt
- Weight: 34 lbs | 15 kg
Digital Steam Ironing Press Buyers Guide
All models can operate with or without water/steam.
All the above digital steam iron machines deliver about the same pressing pressure, equal to 100lbs, and use pressurized steam to help soften the fibers and make wrinkle removal a breeze. They can also be used as a dry iron press by simply not activating the steam function.
They also have multiple temperature settings so you can set the heat to suit the fabric you’re working with… so, how do you choose one above the other? Here’s what to consider.
Pressing Surface Size
Larger items are easier to press on a larger steam press. This might sound obvious but a few extra inches , it really makes a big difference.
Large items can be pressed with the smaller steam presses but it requires a lot more effort.
Those new to pressing may find they undo the pressing work they’ve done when they reposition the item. However, with enough practice and patience, you can press almost anything on a smaller press too.
Speed
The speed of the Steam press comes down to two things.
Does it have enough power to heat up fast and is it large enough to avoid constantly moving garments around.
The presses on the list are all around 1500 Watts which is high enough to make speed a non-factor.
The power also affects how quickly steam bursts are available.
Ease of Operation
All machines operate with simple, user-friendly controls. On-off switches are uncomplicated and using the lever to lower and raise the press is easy work.
You just need to get used to moving garments around while pressing them to achieve the optimum positioning. This can take some time to figure out, especially on larger garments.
Thankfully, you have a much lower risk of damaging garments with a steam press than with an iron. See our steam press vs iron article.
It is important to find the right working height and many people opt for the extra stand that comes with some models.
Weight and Portability
If you’re anything like me, you don’t have a ton of space around the house and you need to pack the steam press away when not in use.
This is where the more compact models are much easier to store.
Make sure the steam press has a proper locking handle that won’t pop open unexpectedly while being moved.
Even though smaller models are more portable, weight and size can definitely add to stability too, so consider your work space and choose wisely.
Warranty and Customer Care
Steamfast and Singer are both well known brands with good support. Although warranties generally only cover manufacturers defects, its reassuring to know if you need parts or support, that you’re dealing with a company that cares.
Iron Press Conclusion
Place and press, that’s all there is to it. No more dry cleaners bills, and no more wasted time behind an ironing board. Regardless if your ironing needs are for a casually clothed family, a corporate power couple or ironing linen and bedding in the hospitality industry, any one of the above steam press iron for sale will have you looking perfectly pressed and polished.
Restaurants, serviced apartments, AirBnB’s and hotels that need a cost-effective alternative to outsourced laundry services will truly enjoy the benefits of these efficient machines.
If you have a large amount of ironing to get through every week, the time you save using a steam press will make you completely rethink ironing as a chore. The average men’s shirt can be pressed to perfection in a minute and a half. Even those clothing items you neglect to save time ironing can be run through the machine in a flash… just for fun.
When you’re done, check out our home page for some extra tips on ironing.