Best Steam Press For Home Use

Ironing is a chore that most people hate doing. Hence, we all like to look for shortcuts and other methods to make the job easier and finish it quicker. While some people will resort to wrinkle release sprays to avoid ironing, others will rely on handheld steamers like the Rowenta X-Cel Steam to get their clothes to look better after washing. But the problem is these “shortcuts” may not give the desired results. A steam iron is still necessary for those who want crisp and sharp-looking shirts and pants. Or is it? Will the best steam press work just as well or even better than the clothes iron?

Best Steam Press Models

We will take a look at a few bestselling models below. We have picked those of about the same size to enable like-to-like comparison which is around 25″ x 10″ of pressing surface area.

Sienna Elite SSP-2202 Digital Steam Press

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We start with the features of this model:

• 1350-watt
• 25″ x 10″ pressing surface
• 212 – 410 degrees Fahrenheit
• Variable temperature selection
• Digital display
• Automatic shut-off
• Locking handle
• Nonstick coating metal plate
• Nonstick padded ironing board cover
• Over 100 lbs of pressure

The Sienna steam press comes in different sizes. The Expresso is the smallest with a pressing surface of 22″ x 9″. It also has an extra large model called the Empressa with a 34″ x 12″ pressing area. The price difference is not too high for the Sienna Expresso vs Elite and because the former is smaller with no digital controls, I feel that the Elite would be a better buy.

As for the Sienna Elite vs Empressa, the latter is bigger which is great for pressing large shirts and sheets but the price is also much higher. I’m not sure if the vast price difference would make it worthwhile given the risk associated with any steaming products purchase. Moreover, a mid-size steam press should be good enough for most users and adequate for average-sized shirts.

The Selling Points Of The Sienna Elite Steam Press

The Sienna Elite boasts of having an advanced computer controlled digital steam press system with accurate temperature selections for all fabrics. The controls are easy to understand and precise for the various fabric settings. So, unlike a temperature dial, the digital display takes the guesswork away when you are pressing different types of fabrics from nylon to linen. The estimated reduction in ironing time is up to 60% by using this steam press compared to a traditional iron.

You also can have a burst of steam option with a push of a button. The water tank is considered large for a steam press of this size at 15.2 fl oz. The water capacity for the Steamfast SF-680 below is only 10.4 fl oz. The pressing plate also delivers over 100 lbs of pressure. This will not only get rid of the wrinkles but will also be able to set sharp and long-lasting creases on dress pants and other items.

What Users Don’t Like About It

The main complaint from online reviews is that the opening is too narrow towards the back. This causes your hand to easily scrape against the hot plate as you adjust your clothes on the board. So, while it cuts down on your ironing time, you must also take extra care when you use it, especially when you are in a hurry.

Steamfast SF-680 Digital Steam Press

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The features of the Steamfast SF-680 are:

• 1350-watt
• 25″ x 10.5″ pressing surface
• 3 minutes heating time
• 5 fabric settings selection
• Digital setting
• Automatic shut-off
• Locking handle
• Nonstick pressing plate
• Stainless steel body
• 10 oz water tank

When we talk about the best steam press, Steamfast would definitely be one of them on the list. Like the Sienna, Steamfast also has a few models that range in sizes. The smallest is the SF-623 which is even smaller than the Sienna Expresso with a pressing area of 20″ x 8″. While it is small, it is also much lighter which is great for portability. The price is much more affordable too for those who are budget conscious.

The Steamfast SF-660 is the next size up at 22″ x 8.7″.  For the Steamfast SF-660 vs SF-680, the difference lies in the size as well as the digital feature. For the SF-660, fabric setting is operated via a dial compared to the SF-680 which works using temperature control buttons. The price difference between the 2 models is about $50 and the Steamfast SF-680 is also slightly more expensive than the Sienna Elite at the time of writing.

The Selling Points Of The Steamfast SF-680

Just like the Sienna Elite, the controls are easy to operate for the SF-680. You switch it on, select your fabric type using the arrow buttons and wait for it to heat up. The heat up waiting time is about 3 minutes which is comparable to other steam press on the market.

The steam burst buttons are on each end of the handle. This makes it convenient for both left and right-handed users. It is efficient and effective for sharp and crisp results with a high heat nonstick large pressing plate.

The Usual Complaint

The opening is still a little too narrow. Like the Sienna Elite, it takes practice to adjust your clothes on the board and ensure the back of your hand do not grace the top heating plate.

Singer Magic Steam Press ESP-2 Electronic Steam Press

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The features of the Singer ESP-2 are:

• 1540-watt
• 24″ x 9″ pressing surface
• Electronic fabric temperature settings
• Automatic shut-off
• Locking handle
• Die cast aluminum base
• 10 fl oz water tank
• 100 lbs pressure

Singer is famous for its sewing machines. In terms of garment care, its range of products is limited. At the time writing, it doesn’t have another model for a steam press, unlike Sienna and Steamfast. It does have a steam iron and garment steamer, but even those are limited in number. So, if you want a Singer steam press, all you can have is the Magic Steam Press ESP-2. There are no other sizes except for this one which has a 24″ x 9″ pressing surface area.

Nevertheless, this model is still one of the best steam press iron with plenty of buyer reviews on Amazon. It is one of the bestsellers in its category despite having no other choices in terms of features and sizes.

The Selling Points Of The Singer Magic Steam Press ESP-2

Like the Steamfast SF-680, the Singer ESP-2 has 2 steam burst buttons on each side of the handle. The digital controls are also similar to the Steamfast model with a plus and minus button to select the fabric setting.

The manufacturer claims this steam press will give professional results in half the time compared to old-fashion ironing. It has a powerful steam burst which helps to clear the wrinkles from your clothes and the heat is sufficiently hot to give you a crisp look.

The Cons

The complaint is the same. Burnt knuckles are common because the opening is a tad too small for you to adjust your clothes freely near the hinge. The customer service is also not the best and it seems this product is being discontinued by the manufacturer. Hence, parts and support may be difficult to get if there are defects.

Can A Steam Press Replace A Steam Iron?

Unlike wrinkle release sprays and clothes steamers, a steam press can match the performance of the best steam iron and even improve on it. The heat plus the high pressure will ensure professional results. This is where a steam iron might lose out to a steam press. The large pressing area is definitely another aspect that a steam iron cannot match. If you have found a way to adjust your clothes quickly on the board, one press is all it takes to erase all the wrinkles. This means a steam press could be much faster and efficient.

However, where it loses out to a steam iron is in the details. An iron can access hard to reach places easier. The collar, cuffs, underarm and sides of a shirt can be quickly straightened out with a traditional iron. But with a steam press, you have to lift up the hot plate, adjust and readjust to get the area totally flat before you begin to press it down. Otherwise, you will create more wrinkles instead of erasing them. Furthermore, once an unwanted wrinkle is set when you bear 100 lbs of weight on it, it becomes difficult to get rid of as well.

Therefore, it also takes practice to get the steam press to work to your advantage. You must also get used to being extra careful around the back near the hinges where the opening is narrow when you lay out your clothes. You are more likely to burn your hand with a steam press than an iron because of its design. While there are models on the market with a large opening such as the Speedy Press Ironing Press, the customer reviews are not as good as the units above.

Despite its disadvantages, a steam press can still replace a steam iron because it does give good results. It is only the method of ironing that takes getting used to. If you are good at it, it will save you a lot of time compared to using an iron.

Isn’t A Steam Press Too Expensive?

A steam press with a pressing area that measures 25″ x 10″ will cost you about $200 to $250 depending on the brand. The best Rowenta irons will cost you about half the price or slightly less. But a Rowenta steam iron station is not cheap either. You might also need to pay around $200 for it. This should give you an idea where a steam press stands in terms of price comparison.

If you are currently paying the dry cleaners to press your clothes, a steam press will work out to be cheaper in the long run. If you are ironing using a traditional iron, the potential time savings may also make this purchase worthwhile. No doubt the upfront cost could be high, but the long term cost and time savings have to be added in for consideration too.

Is it a risky buy given that a steam press may spit water or refuse to heat over time? Yes, it certainly is. That is why I think it is better to stick to the $200 price range for a steam press. It is tempting to get the larger boards because you get to work faster with a bigger surface area. But these would cost you over $300. Depending on how much you are paying your dry cleaners every month now, it could probably take you more than a year to recoup back your investment. If the steam press gets defective within a year to two, you might be better off sticking to your trusted dry cleaners to do the job.

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Even the best steam press can get defective over time due to the combination of heat and water. So, perhaps calculating your monthly dry cleaning charges to see how long it will take to claw back the price of the steam press will give you an idea on the kind of money to spend on this appliance.