Steamer Iron Combo – The 2-In-1 Solution

Deciding between a fabric steamer and a steam iron can be tough for many people. Both have their pros and cons that it is hard to arrive at a definite answer of which is better for the steamer vs iron debate. In fact, you might even need both under different circumstances. But if you have the budget for only one item, you will still need to make a decision. However, what if I tell you that a steamer iron combo which is effectively a 2-in-1 appliance exists on the market? Do you think this would save you the headache of deciding between one or the other?

The Advantages Of A Steamer Iron Combo

The main advantage is obvious. You get to use it as a fabric steamer when you have no time or necessity to bring out the ironing board. You can use the steamer for touch-ups and lightly wrinkled clothes.

But when you need better results with creases in the right places, then you can switch and use it as a regular steam iron. It has a soleplate for that purpose, unlike traditional fabric steamers that just has a steam head.

Of course, some people would think that you can also use a regular iron for steaming clothes. Yes, you can because many steam irons nowadays have the vertical steaming feature such as the Black & Decker Digital Advantage Iron. But the problem with using a regular iron for vertical steaming is that it is heavy. It is not designed ergonomically for steaming and the steam output also may not be sufficient to get the same effect as a fabric steamer.

On the other hand, a steamer iron combo is lighter and easier to hold upright. This allows you to work faster and more efficiently. With a steamer and iron combination, you will not need to buy 2 separate appliances which will save you some money too.

Rowenta Iron And Steamer DV8613

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Now, let’s take a look at an example of a steamer and iron in one which is the Rowenta DV8613. As you can see, it has a long handle, which is more comfortable to hold vertically for steaming. The front has a shape of an iron with a ceramic soleplate. There are steam holes on the soleplate and steam will be emitted when it is set on the highest heat setting. There are 3 fabric settings altogether and you can choose to turn off the steam by selecting the first 2 settings.

The water tank is removable. The capacity is 2.5 oz which allows for 15 minutes of continuous steaming. You will also get a fabric brush and lint pad which can be attached to the iron and steamer combo unit.

Should You Buy A Steamer And Iron 2-In-1?

Rowenta is not the only brand on the market that sells the steamer and iron combo. There are others such as the LANGRIA Iron Garment Steamer. The design is usually similar although the wattage and other features might differ.

The problem with a combination unit is the small iron soleplate. To keep it light, the manufacturers will need to limit the size of the iron. If you compare them with the best Rowenta irons, you will definitely notice that the soleplates of such combo units are much smaller. No doubt some of these are also marketed as travel steamers but they are rather bulky for traveling purposes. So while it is too big for traveling, it could also be too small for everyday household use if you have a lot to iron.

Because they are small and light, they tend to lack the power of a regular steam iron. They may not get as hot as the best steam irons out there and the lack of weight means you need to apply a lot more pressure with your hands when you iron to get rid of the wrinkles.

Generally, a steamer iron combo will be more suitable for a light user. If you have a heavy ironing load, you are better off with a regular steam iron. You can work faster with a bigger and hotter soleplate as well as heavier weight. If you are using it to steam your clothes, then it probably makes little difference compared to the usual handheld steamer. But then again, if you have a lot to steam, you should be choosing an upright garment steamer that is more powerful with a high amount of steam output. So, buy the combo unit for light to moderate use. Otherwise, you are better off with a regular iron or fabric steamer.