The Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam GS59X is the closest thing to a unanimous pick in this category. Wirecutter chose it as the best everyday steamer, CNN Underscored ranked it best overall, and Gentleman's Gazette put it at the top of its handheld list. When three independent testers with different methods all land on the same handheld, that is a strong signal.
What sets it apart is power in a small package. At 1,875 watts it pushes more steam than most handhelds, heats up in about 40 seconds, and offers five settings so you can dial it down for silk or up for cotton. Reviewers repeatedly noted that it cuts wrinkles in fewer passes than cheaper units and, unlike many handhelds, does not spit water when you keep it upright.
It is also easy to live with. Light enough to keep by the closet, it makes a quick touch-up a 90-second job rather than a chore that requires dragging out a board. For the apartment dweller or frequent traveler who makes up most of this market, that blend of strength and convenience is exactly the point.
The honest limit is the tank. A handheld holds only so much water, so a long session means refilling. For people who steam a full rack at once a standing unit like the Jiffy makes more sense, but for everyone else the Conair is the one to beat.
What It Won't Do
The handheld tank is the catch. It runs about 20 minutes before you stop to refill, which is fine for a few shirts but tedious for a full wardrobe. The strong steam also asks you to keep the head upright, because tilting it too far can let water spit onto the fabric. Anyone steaming in volume should look at a standing model.
The Beautural Portable Clothes Steamer proves you do not need to spend much to beat wrinkles. Your Best Digs named it the best handheld outright, and Wirecutter ranked it a top travel pick, yet it sells for roughly a third of the Conair's price.
Its strength is its size. Under a pound and a half and heating in about 30 seconds, it slips into a suitcase and is ready before you have finished hanging the shirt. For travelers and budget shoppers, that mix of light weight and low price does the everyday job without fuss.
The trade-off is raw power. At 1,000 watts it works through cotton and linen more slowly than the Conair, and its small tank empties fast. Reviewers were upfront about that, and so are we: this is the smart pick when price and packability matter more than maximum steam.
What It Won't Do
Power and tank size are where the low price shows. The 1,000-watt motor takes more passes on heavy fabric, and the small tank means frequent refills during a longer session. Beautural is also a value brand with thin support, so you are trusting the unit rather than a deep warranty network. Anyone steaming thick fabrics often should step up to the Conair.
Who Should Buy Which
Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Handheld Fabric Steamer GS59X
The handheld three top testers all rank first
- People who steam a few items most days
- Apartment and dorm residents
- Frequent travelers who still want power
- Anyone who hates dragging out an ironing board
- Buyers who want the most-recommended handheld
Beautural Portable Clothes Steamer
Half the price, and testers still put it on top
- Budget-focused shoppers
- Travelers who pack light
- Occasional touch-up users
- Students and first apartments
- Anyone who wants a capable backup steamer