Steam Genie VacuSteam review: This Russell Hobbs handheld steamer decreases clothes quickly - but here's why you shouldn't ditch your ironing board just yet

• e-mail

Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more

Following on from the success of its other Steam Genie products, Russell Hobbs has created the VacuSteam. A two in one steamer and handheld iron that also utilises suction for effective crease reduction on blouses, jeans, jumpers and more.

It has a small water tank, three heat and steam settings and a silky smooth sole plate all of which aims to give you an easy steaming experience.

Rather than replacing your iron, it’s designed to de-crease clothes that have light wrinkles or for garments that need a little refresh after being in the cupboard too long.

I use a traditional handheld steamer every week on my work clothes, so I was interested to see how this stacked up against my budget model. After testing the VacuSteam for a few weeks, I’ve been impressed with how well it removes creases from clothing.

Louise also tested the Steam Genie to see how it would suit her busy lifestyle. Previously, she used an iron to decrease her clothes and dedicated one evening a week to ironing in bulk. Russell Hobbs' handheld steamer proved a 'game-changer' for decreasing anything from jeans to dresses on the go. 

However, Louise and I both agree it does come with a few downsides, which means it not suitable for everyone. 

The VacuSteam is two in one steamer and handheld iron that also utilises suction

Below you’ll find my full verdict, as well as what I liked and didn’t like about the Steam Genie VacuSteam.

Russell Hobbs Steam Genie VacuSteam

★★★★★

Product Specs

• Tank capacity200ml

What we love

• FeaturesThree settings, can be used with or without vacuum
• ResultsWrinkle-free clothes in one or two passes

What could be better

• WeightCan be tiring to use for prolonged periods of time

Verdict

Russell Hobbs VacuSteam is, at its core, a well thought-out handheld steamer that offers dependable results on most everyday clothing items. 

The suction feature does genuinely help with crease removal and I was able to get the creases out of most of my work clothes with relative ease because of this.

 However, the noise levels from the suction settings might put some people off - I personally wasn’t a fan as it meant I couldn’t listen to music while doing my steaming.

It’s also quick to heat up and easy to use, though it is not a replacement for ironing and the small 200ml water tank limits how long you can steam in one session. 

On top of this, I personally found it difficult to hold for long periods of time.

 If you’re someone with weak wrists or suffer from fatigue, you might find this cumbersome compared to some other handheld steamers.

This also makes it not suitable for travel. While not huge in size, the Steam Genie is heavy.  

It’s best suited to people who want a fast, low-effort way to remove creases without setting up an ironing board - just don't expect miracles.

And if you're wanting a fuss-free steamer you can take away, you might want to look into the best travel steamers that are generally smaller and lighter. 

How we test

When testing home products like handheld steamers, we're looking at two key areas - performance and useability. 

While we don't hold garment steamers to the same standard as irons, we still expect them to live up to their claims. For the Vacusteam, this meant testing in multiple different fabrics over a number of weeks.

We used this instead of an iron on work clothes, occasion dresses and everyday items like t-shirts. Some of the garments were lightly creased, other more heavily so. This allowed us to get a full picture of just how effective the Steam Genie was across of three of its settings. We also took note of how long the water tank laster across these items, as it's quite small.

Some of the items we tested were lightly creased, other more heavily so

Alongside these performance tests, we also took note of how easy it was to use, how it felt in the hand and how comfortable it was to use over a prolonged period of time. Value for money and general design was also considered while writing the review.

Design and features

As is suggested in the name, the Steam Genie VacuSteam takes a slightly different approach to most classic steamer models. Alongside steam, it uses vacuum-like suction to pull fabric towards its heated ceramic plate. The idea is that this helps to keep the material taut while steaming, so the creases are easier to remove - it also means you don’t end up ironing creases back into your clothes. It’s quick to heat up too, the website states around 25 seconds and I found this to be fairly accurate.

The VacuSteam suction sole plate is a game changer but the water tank is a little small

For the most part, it feels solid and well put together but it is much heavier than basic steamers due to the addition of the suction system. The water tank holds 200ml and clips on and off for refilling, however unlike my cheaper model, it doesn’t come with a cup or funnel accessory, which really helps to direct the water into the small opening. This means refilling can be a bit fiddly if you don’t have your own cup to hand.

Three settings help you tackle a range of fabrics

There are three steam settings - steam only, low steam with suction and high steam with suction. I personally found the high steam and suction worked best but I also didn’t like how noisy it was in use - I couldn’t listen to music or a podcast while using it and I certainly wouldn’t want to use it while people were asleep. I’d suggest sticking to steam only if this is also a concern for you. A brush attachment is also included for thicker fabrics.

Performance

In use, the VacuSteam does a good job on everyday creases. The suction makes a noticeable difference compared with steam-only models, especially on shirts, T-shirts and light fabrics. Fabric stays flatter against the plate, which means fewer passes over the same area but this can be a hindrance rather than a help if you’re trying to steam items with pleats - I have lots of dresses like this and the suction was occasionally more hassle than help.

Crease reduction is very good on some fabrics but some require more than one pass

Steam output is strong enough for cotton, denim and some heavier fabrics, though it still does not replace a traditional iron for heavily creased items, in these instances it’s still quicker to get the ironing board out. On delicate fabrics, the lower setting works well without the suction.

One downside is steam runtime. A full tank of water gives you enough steam for about five or six minutes, which is fine for a couple of outfits but not ideal if you are steaming a full wardrobe in one go

Value for money

At 89.99 full price, the VacuSteam sits in a price bracket above basic handheld steamers, many of which, like the Beldray Fold Away steamer cost under £40. What you are paying for here is the suction feature and faster crease removal.

Cheaper steamers will still remove wrinkles but usually require more time and repeated passes. Compared to premium steamers from brands like Philips, the VacuSteam is competitively priced while offering something slightly different.

If you only steam clothes occasionally, a budget model may be enough. If you rely on a steamer for light jobs several times a week, this model is more justified.

At full price, the VacuSteam is an investment but it might be worth it for some.

How does it rate online? 

Overall, the Russell Hobbs Steam Genie VacuSteam scores well where it is sold in the UK. On Robert Dyas it has around 4.7 out of 5 from about 46 reviews, with many buyers saying it removes creases easily, heats up fast and feels well made. 

Positive comments mention how simple it is to use and how good the results are on shirts and everyday clothes.

On Argos the overall rating is also around 4.7 out of 5 from customer reviews, suggesting most people are happy with its performance.

A few customers on Argos and other review sites give middling scores and say the VacuSteam simply didn’t make much difference for them. Meanwhile, a few people who bought the product mention that it can be quite noisy in use and heavier or bulkier than they expected for a handheld steamer

How does it compare to similar products 

Compared with most handheld steamers, the Steam Genie VacuSteam sits at the higher end of the price scale. Many basic models, such as the Beldray Fold Away steamer and the Tower Vertical handheld steamer cost between £20 and £40 and are perfectly fine for light crease removal. They are usually lighter but slow to heat and rely on steam alone and often need several passes on thicker fabrics.

Mid-range options such as the Philips 3000 Series, typically priced around £40 to £60, offer good steam output and fast heat-up times. These are easier to handle than the VacuSteam and better suited to travel or quick touch ups but they don't have suction or a heated press plate.

Russell Hobbs Steam Genie VacuSteam

FAQs 

Do handheld clothes steamers actually work?

Yes, they do. Handheld steamers release hot steam into fabric, which loosens the fibres and helps wrinkles drop out. 

They are particularly effective for everyday creases in items like shirts, dresses and T-shirts, especially when used on clothes hanging up. While they are quick and convenient, they don't give you the pressed finish you get from a traditional iron.

Does a handheld steamer clean your clothes? 

A handheld steamer does not clean clothes in the same way washing them does - it will not remove dirt or stains. What it can do is freshen fabrics by reducing odours and helping to kill some surface bacteria using heat. This makes steamers useful for items that have been hanging up a long time or things are not ready for the wash yet, such as jackets, knitwear or curtains.

Is the Russell Hobbs Steam Genie good? 

For most people, yes. The Russell Hobbs Steam Genie range, including the original 2in1 Steam Genie, is generally well regarded by users for being quick to heat up and easy to use. The VacuSteam model adds suction, which helps keep fabric flat and can make crease removal easier than with basic steamers. It's best suited to everyday clothes rather than heavy pressing though and like most handheld steamers, is not a full replacement for an iron.