Conair Extreme Steam Handheld Garment Steamer
In Short - Finally... Something that Works Wonder!!
I already went through 2 different brand and models of clothes steamer, and both went out of commission after several months of use. I rarely steam my clothes anyone and the steamer is really only for those one-in-a-while nice dine out events. So I've probably used each of them for less than 5-6 times over the several months. Despite emptying it after each use and following the recommended use and care procedures, both steamers stop heating up, possibly due to the hard water that I have in my area. The descaling method simply isn't working and there's no way to repair it or replace the heating element or the motor or whichever has broken. I end up throwing the whole thing out into trash... (Ok, the motor part went to Best Buy's recycling program, and the rest went to trash.) They both are expensive "commercial" models that are well over $50. See my other reviews on those. I finally decide to go with this handheld model and it simply doesn't have as many parts to break down or to descale. I actually don't see any descaling instructions in the manual. For less than half the price, it works much better than all those heavy duty versions and I'm loving it! Plus, it has an option to just add $5 for 2-yr replacement plan that covers even normal wear and tear! At least I know this one is going to last 2 years, or I'm getting a new one for free!
Cost
$27.99 at Target.com with free ship + $4.99 2-Yr replacement plan.
Pros
- Less than half the price compared to the heavier duty versions.
- Less bulky, no cumbersome hose to knock things off. Easier to maneuver around the clothes with only a power cord, and not the bulky hose.
- Easier to fill and empty the tank, which means less likely build-up and easier clean-up of potential scales. MAJOR PLUS, if not the most critical plus for me.
- Steam up much faster, less than 60 seconds.
- Steam is less hot - some reviews said it's ionized mist so it's "not hot", but in reality, it is still hot in the sense that you don't really want to put your hands over it. But it is much less hot than many other models, which actually get you seriously burnt if you hand get close to the steam. I myself got burnt several times with those other models.
- The steam mist seems to be even more effective on clothes than the hot steam of other models.
- With Target's 2 year worry free replacement plan which covers even normal wear and tear problem, I can rest assured that this $33 is going to last at least 2 years, vs the $50-$60 for several months.
- Small reservoir only lasts 15 minutes (vs. 45-60 minutes). You just have to refill a little more often if you do more than 1-2 pieces.
- Heavier to use because you have to hold the whole steamer including the water tank and the heavy motor head to "shoot" the steam, whereas the larger models usually have the model sit on the floor and you're only holding the sprayer head connected to the base with a hose.
