bit-tech Shopping: Conair Compact Fabric Steamer

Rating: 8

Time with product:

Strengths: compact easy to use and cheap

Weaknesses: tube and power cord are short

Summary: considering the price, i got to say it is a good steamer since it is worth the money you paid and does the job it is designed for. Needs some munites to warm up before it works and make sure you put water no beyond the Max. line.

Rating: 6

Time with product: 2

Strengths: Steams well once it's ready; very portable

Weaknesses: Takes a long time to get ready; spits hot water periodically

Summary: It does what it's supposed to once it gets heated up. You have to keep the hose (which isn't very flexible) stretched out high above the base or water pools and spits. It doesn't do wonders, but makes shirts and slacks presentable.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 1

Strengths: Price, Size, function

Weaknesses: No vertical rod (door hook is useless), small water tank, takes little bit long to start steaming, need some practice to save time.

Summary: Have had a chance to use it just once, but I am very happy with it's performance. With other similar steamers (1300W, this one is 1200W) going for $80 or even $100, this is an excellent product if you want to get started with ironing less and steaming more. It does that one function it's designed to do, produce a lot of steam at reasonable pressure to remove wrinkles (nope, not like a humidifier, but much stronger than that.). Gotta read the instructions and lift the handle high up in the air every now and then to drain the condensed water back in the tank. I have never used fabric steamers in the past, so initially, it was extremely awkward for me, but once you get used to it, it works wonders. Sure, it will not give you an ultra crisp result, but it definitely prepares the clothes well enough for regular business casual dress code (in fact, much better than that). The only time I foresee having to iron my clothes now is for very important strictly formal business events. For everyday use, it is perfect. I've tried it on polyester/cotton shirts and T-shirts and it does a great job removing wrinkles. Gotta practice a bit to make the creases though. Bottom line is, it has helped me make those clothes wearable, which were hanging in my closet, all wrinkled and un-wearable, just because I was too lazy to dedicate time and energy to iron them. My wardrobe is larger now.

Rating: 6

Time with product: 2

Strengths: working steamer at a budget price

Weaknesses: a few, please see below

Summary: I purchased this steamer from Macy's for $29.99+tax. When I purchased, I wasn't sure if the product works well. However, I would like to give it a try because ironing is so time consuming. Time to boil the water: about 10 mins I plugged it in. It took about 10 minutes or so to boil the water and generate the steam. The steam is very hot and you need to hang the nozzle on top of the cloth hanger, which is provided with the unit, while waiting for the water to boil (for safety reason). My first impression: Excellent !! After I waited for 10 mins, the steamer generated the steam. I immediately aimed the nozzle at the shirt, which was hung at the cloth hanger. I moved the nozzle upward, starting from the bottom of the shirt (according to the instruction). I noticed that most wrinkles disappeared immediately!!! I was very happy so I tried with some other cloth and fabric. Here are my observations: - It works well with dress shirts (or I would say, thin fabric) - It also works well with non wrinkle-free shirts - It saves me a lot of time - It does not work well with pants (due to a thicker fabric) and it takes longer than ironing - It cannot remove wrinkles completely (it helps remove 80-90%) - I don't know how to use the steamer to remove wrinkles from shirt collars. - The steam is hot and there is no protection at the nozzle (be careful of your hand when touching the fabric, while steaming) Bottom line: This steamer cannot completely remove wrinkles but it will help remove 80-90% of them with a lot less time than ironing. - If you need to completely remove wrinkles, a traditional iron will fit you best. - If you need to compromise time and the amount of wrinkles removed, this steamer will be the best. I hope this is helpful.

Rating: 2

Time with product: 1 Days

Strengths: None

Weaknesses: Does not do the only task it was made for.

Summary: I just picked one up this afternoon from Sears, and plan to return it tomorrow. I followed the directions (which are very simple) and after five minutes the water heated to a boil and steam came out of the spout. Unfortunately, the steam was as slow and weak as a humidifier. The box advertised that the Steamer was "High Velocity" since after all that?s what you need to use one of these things effectively. I did not get what I paid for, or needed, so back in the box and back to the store. I'll stick with my Steam Iron at home for now.