Never Iron Again: The $30 Steamer That Works

Never Iron Again: The $30 Steamer That Works
No more throwing clean but wrinkled things in the hamper, you lazy bastard.
PureSteam Steamer Review   $30 on Amazon

I hate ironing:

It takes forever to heat up.

You iron one side, and flip it over only to find you've made new creases on the opposite side.

It's supposed to iron with steam but it just ends up leaking all over your shirt when you're trying to rush out the door.

It makes certain fabrics shiny, and you never know which ones will do it.

These are problems for every guy, but when I deal with multiple outfits a day when working on Primer articles these headaches are exponential.

So about six months ago I started looking for a steamer that would be quick to heat up, doesn't squirt water, and is small enough to take with me on photo shoots.

As with everything, I began my search on Amazon. And in 30 seconds, I was done.

I came across the PureSteam handheld steamer with over 2,800 reviews and a 4 star average rating. I ordered it and called it a win.

However, I did have high expectations. Several years ago, a girlfriend of mine had a full size steamer from some place like Bed, Bath, and Beyond. That thing sputtered water and barely worked. Eventually it gave out completely.

The PureSteam showed up two days later (thanks Prime!) and I immediately put it to work on set for a Live Action Getup shoot. And you know what? It worked like a charm.

No, that doesn't quite convey the effectiveness.

It literally ERASES wrinkles in front of your eyes. And not just “you didn't hang up your shirt right out of the dryer” wrinkles. Like “brand new shirt Grand Canyon” creases. You can wear it right away too, so you can always wear your favorite shirt.

Check out what it looks like with just one pass on this new shirt from H&M:

PureSteam steamer review

And here's a sped up video showing how it works:

View post on imgur.com

Overall, I'm very happy with it. Occasionally a small wet spot will appear, this usually only happens if I don't let the steamer fully heat up. It'll start steaming around 45-60 seconds but I like to give it a minute and half to really get going. However, these dry very quickly because they're just from the steam, not from water leaking.

Since getting it six months ago, I've used it 3-4 times per week. It's perfect for refreshing an item that's still clean but has acquired a few wrinkles like a shirt or chinos. If you're a guy who wears really nice dress shirts every day and loves a super crisp collar, this steamer won't do that. But for everyone else, I think you'll love it.

Primer Approved What is Primer Approved?
This is a classification for some of the products we’ve tested hands-on and feel they’re worth the money. Companies can’t pay for this distinction: The product we used must have met both the advertised promises and our expectations.
Andrew Snavely

Andrew founded Primer in 2008 and brings 15+ years of men's style expertise. Known for his practical, relatable approach to style and self-development, he has been a recognized speaker at conferences and has styled work for top brands. Off-duty, he loves photography & editing, and enjoys road trips with his dog, Leela. Raised in rural Pennsylvania, educated in DC, and living in LA for nearly 20 years, Andrew's diverse experiences shape the relatable and real-world advice that has helped millions through Primer. On Instagram: @andrewsnavely and @primermagazine.