Philips’ new clothing steamer is stylish and compact – but is it effective?
Pretty-looking clothing steamers are hard to come by. And pretty-looking steamers that perform well? They’re even rarer. With the 5000 Series Steamer, Philips has set out to create one of these rare gems. I’ve put it to the test to see if it fares well in day-to-day use.
Philips launched the 5000 Series Steamer at the end of last year. This wieldy clothing steamer supposedly smoothens out creases quickly and easily – a premise I’ve spent the last two weeks putting to the test.
First impressions
When I unbox the steamer, I’m impressed right away. I’m struck by its rich royal blue, bright coral-red and candy-pink exterior. Plus, the box doesn’t just contain the steamer itself. You also get a heat protection glove, an ironing mat and an extra water tank. How handy is that? The first time I use the 5000 Series, I discover that its brightly coloured ball joint allows you to work from different angles. It also means you can stow the device away without it taking up much space.
Source: Stephanie Vinzens
Source: Stephanie Vinzens
5000 Series Steamer vs. crumpled cotton shirt
I’m pretty taken with the steamer’s look and accessories. However, when all’s said and done, it’s performance that counts. The 5000 Series has two modes: Eco and Max. I mainly used Max, as I feel like handheld steamers soon hit their limits when trying to smooth out creases. In Max mode, the 5000 Series Steamer reaches 1,400 watts and has a steam output of 24 grammes per minute. This is good compared to similar models. Performance-wise, it’s slightly above the more budget-friendly Philips Steam&Go and slightly below the pricier Philips 7000 Series STH7060/80.
After you plug it in, the 5000 Series Steamer’s ready to use in just 35 seconds. With minimal effort, my silk blouse is de-wrinkled in no time. The steamer also makes short work of garments made from jersey fabrics such as cotton T-shirts and viscose tops. It’s comfortable to hold too. To see if the device really has what it takes, I try it on every steamer’s boss-level enemy: a cotton shirt.
Source: Stephanie Vinzens
Although I achieve a respectable result fairly quickly, it isn’t flawlessly smooth. Even so, I wasn’t surprised or disappointed by that. I think it’s important to have realistic expectations of small steamers. It’s unlikely that any handy-sized model on the market would deliver as neat a result as a traditional iron. In my experience, if you want your shirts to be immaculate, you can’t really avoid using an iron and ironing board.
Kudos for the heat protection glove
The ironing mat included with the streamer serves as a handy base. Since it has a hook, you can use it hanging up as well as lying flat. The thing I think is really fantastic is the heat protection glove. Wearing it means you can stretch and adjust the fabric as you’re steaming without running the risk of burning yourself.
Source: Stephanie Vinzens
You can also use it to apply counterpressure to the inside of the fabric, which is especially useful for stubborn creases or awkward areas such as collars. But wait, there’s more! The glove has a drawstring at the opening, meaning it can double as a storage pouch.
Enough space in the water tanks for a multi-garment steaming session
In my opinion, one of the 5000 Series Steamer’s top selling points is its tank capacity. The device comes with two water tanks; the small one holds 120 millilitres, the large one 200 millilitres. So, more than your average steamer. Whenever I need to steam several garments, I have both tanks filled and ready to go so that I can replace the first one as soon as it’s empty.
Source: Stephanie Vinzens
Contrast this with my current steamer, the Steamery Cirrus 3. Like many other models, it has a much smaller tank capacity of just 85 millilitres. In other words, just about enough for two small, uncomplicated garments or one larger one.
Good value for money
Given the features and performance it offers, the 5000 Series Steamer’s fairly priced at just under 80 francs. Of course, there are cheaper steamers on the market. Then again, there are significantly pricier ones too. For comparison, my Steamery Cirrus 3 cost twice as much, but technically offers lower performance and fewer useful accessories.
I have a strong aversion to ugly household appliances, so the design is the main reason I was willing to fork out so much more. Although the 5000 Series Steamer doesn’t exude the same minimalistic elegance as the Cirrus 3, I’ve been won over by its playful aesthetic. If I had the choice again today, the 5000 Series is the steamer I’d prefer.
In a nutshell
I can’t find fault with it
The 5000 Series Steamer impressed me with its well thought-out accessories, attractive and wieldy design, and generous tank capacity. The whole package comes with good performance, at a fair price. Now that my review’s done and dusted, I’m frantically trying to justify owning two steamers so that I don’t have to part ways with my test device.
Pro
- Enough room in the tank to steam several items of clothing
- Handy accessories
- Appealing look
- Comfortable to hold
- Fair price
- Good at de-rumpling fabrics
Header image: Stephanie Vinzens
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