Jiffy Garment Steamer Reviews – Un-wrinkle clothes with a Jiffy Steamer!

Last Updated on February 8, 2024

FIND THE PERFECT JIFFY STEAMER IN MINUTES

We have reviewed our top choices below and also done in-depth reviews of the Jiffy steamer line, but to save you time here is our top choice:

by Tim Martinelli

A jiffy garment steamer might appear to be an extravagant investment for the average person, as they seem like they would not find much use. But after considering your needs and looking at the various clothing steamers on the market, you will find that you can not only find a Jiffy steamer that can fit into your budget, but will save you time and money.

Nobody wants wrinkles in their clothing, but ironing can be too labor intensive and dangerous with many fabrics. This is where a garment steamer excels. A high quality garment steamer is a little more expensive than a conventional iron, its utility and convenience make it well worth the investment.


TOP CHOICE OVERALL


Jiffy J-2

Reasons to buy:

  • Durable aluminum die cast housing
  • Removes wrinkles for 2 hours of continuous steam in one filling of the water tank
  • With 3-year warranty
  • Shatterproof water bottle
  • Reliable for light commercial use
  • Can be used on different types of fabrics through its interchangeable heads: 9-in bent aluminum pipe head, B-brush cleaning head, 6-in metal head and a 12-in carpet head.

Reasons to avoid:

  • Thicker cloths may take longer to Effectively remove wrinkles
  • If you do not want to hear a gurgling sound inside the hose of the unit

Best Jiffy Steamers  Reviewed: 

Comparison Summary

Professional

- J-2

Home Use

J-2000

Hand held - Travel

ESTEAM

Commercial

- J-4000

Here's How We Did the Test:

Making this evaluation possible would require us a team of people who will check the pros and cons of each product, a wide variety of models to test, and a specific number of hours to be utilized to assess all the units. 

7 USERS

11 MODELS

18 HOURS

Jiffy Garment Steamer Reviews

Top Choice
J-2 Jiffy Garment Steamer with Plastic Steam Head, 120 Volt
For Clothes & Fabrics
Jiffy Steamer J-2000 Jiffy Garment Steamer with Plastic Steam Head, 120 Volt, Beige
Handheld
ESTEAM Personal Hand Held Steamer, 120 Volt,Black
Commercial
Jiffy Steamer J-4000 Garment with Plastic Steam Head, 120 Volt, 20 x 11 x 64, Gray

J-2 Jiffy Garment Steamer

Benefits
2 Full hours of steam time
Option to purchase with metal or plastic head
Solid brass fittings
Specs
1300 Watts
Heating Time: 60 sec
Steam Time: 120 min
Tank Size: 128 oz

J-2000 Jiffy Garment Steamer

Benefits
1.5 hours of steam time
Option to purchase with metal or plastic head
High-impact plastic outer housing
Solid brass fittings
Specs
1300 Watts
Heating Time: 60 sec
Steam Time: 90 min
Tank Size: 96 oz

Jiffy ESTEAM Handheld Travel

Benefits
15 min of steam time
No internal water lines on pumps to clog
wide mouth water tank
Available in pink and black
Specs
600 Watts
Heating Time: 60 sec
Steam Time: 15 min
Tank Size: 10.5 oz

J-4000 Jiffy Garment Steamer

Benefits
Standby and Steam Settings
Option to purchase with metal or plastic head
Solid die cast aluminum outer housing
5.5 foot flexible rubber hose
Specs
1500 Watts
Heating Time: 15 min
Steam Time: 120 min
Tank Size: 128 oz
$219.00
$232.00
$97.71
$337.55
Top Choice
J-2 Jiffy Garment Steamer with Plastic Steam Head, 120 Volt

J-2 Jiffy Garment Steamer

Benefits
2 Full hours of steam time
Option to purchase with metal or plastic head
Solid brass fittings
Specs
1300 Watts
Heating Time: 60 sec
Steam Time: 120 min
Tank Size: 128 oz
$219.00
For Clothes & Fabrics
Jiffy Steamer J-2000 Jiffy Garment Steamer with Plastic Steam Head, 120 Volt, Beige

J-2000 Jiffy Garment Steamer

Benefits
1.5 hours of steam time
Option to purchase with metal or plastic head
High-impact plastic outer housing
Solid brass fittings
Specs
1300 Watts
Heating Time: 60 sec
Steam Time: 90 min
Tank Size: 96 oz
$232.00
Handheld
ESTEAM Personal Hand Held Steamer, 120 Volt,Black

Jiffy ESTEAM Handheld Travel

Benefits
15 min of steam time
No internal water lines on pumps to clog
wide mouth water tank
Available in pink and black
Specs
600 Watts
Heating Time: 60 sec
Steam Time: 15 min
Tank Size: 10.5 oz
$97.71
Commercial
Jiffy Steamer J-4000 Garment with Plastic Steam Head, 120 Volt, 20 x 11 x 64, Gray

J-4000 Jiffy Garment Steamer

Benefits
Standby and Steam Settings
Option to purchase with metal or plastic head
Solid die cast aluminum outer housing
5.5 foot flexible rubber hose
Specs
1500 Watts
Heating Time: 15 min
Steam Time: 120 min
Tank Size: 128 oz
$337.55

A garment steamer takes the wrinkles out of cloth without making contact. This is not only good for working with delicate fabrics like silk, satin and polyester, but also with garments that are difficult to iron, like jackets, sweaters and screen-printed items. While you lose the crispness of an iron pressed garment, it will quickly remove wrinkles and can also be used to clean delicates, saving money on dry cleaning.

When looking to purchase a Jiffy Steamer, there are a couple of factors beyond the cost to consider. The main factors include durability, capacity of the reservoir, ease of use, heating speed and safety. Minor factors to think about before making your purchase would be aesthetics, level of need and where you will using the steamer.

In this article we will focus on Jiffy clothing Steamers. Jiffy makes some of the best products on the market for both personal and professional use and come highly recommended by professional dry cleaners and seamstresses alike. You will find they are generally slightly higher priced that many similar models from competitors, but that their durability and heating speed are unrivaled among these types of products.



Top Jiffy Steamer

j-2

Jiffy J-2 Garment Steamer

TOP OVERALL

USER RATING: 

99%

PRODUCT DETAILS:

  • Power: 1300 W
  • Tank: 128 ounce
  • Heat-up time: 2 min
  • Steam time: 2 hours
  • Weight: 17 lbs
  • Features: Die cast aluminum housing

PROS

  • 5.5-foot hose
  • Electrical Certifications: UL, cUL, TUV/GS, CE, NOM and ANCE
  • Lightweight, flexible hose
  • Five times faster than conventional ironing

CONS

  • Hose heats up more than expected

A personal unit that is professional quality, the Jiffy J-2 Garment Steamer is also easy to use and got glowing reviews from many of its users. While the J-2 looks like a mop bucket on wheels, it makes up for its looks by being incredibly durable and quick to use. Most impressive about the J-2 is that it can be used not only for steaming clothes, but has the capacity and power to handle steam cleaning carpets and rugs. If you are considering this feature, it is recommended that you invest in the J-2I model, which comes with several attachment heads as steamer accessories to enable you to take full advantage of the potential versatility of this model.

The power provided by its 1300 watt heating element enables the J-2 to heat in around 90 seconds to two minutes and provide steam for two hours on a single fill of its gallon water tank. This will make quick work of most of your garment steaming needs and make it great for steam cleaning rugs, carpeting and drapery, which can add to your savings for this investment. Considering that many lower-end commercial steamers offer less than a gallon water tank, this is impressive and great for consistent or steady usage.

The J-2 has a die cast aluminum body, giving it a durability that one would normally only see in industrial or professional units. This model is built to last but some users complained that the weight of this unit was a little much for their regular needs. Being on solid casters that allow it a full range of motion, even on carpet, offset this issue in most cases.

Past its weight, the main complaints that some users had were that the hose heated up much more than expected and that it was more than what they needed in the home. The first issue can be addressed by wearing oven mitts or other similar protection for your hands, as is advised in general when steaming for long periods of time. The personal need issue can be one that is balanced by the functions being there when needed, even if you do not often need to clean carpets or utilize its other uses.

J-2000

Jiffy J-2000 Garment Steamer

USER RATING: 

97%

PRODUCT DETAILS:

  • Power: 1300 W
  • Tank: 96 ounce
  • Heat-up time: 2 min
  • Steam time: 1.5 hours
  • Weight: 17 lbs
  • Features: Solid brass heating element , for home or light commercial use

PROS

  • 6 inch Wide Plastic Steam Head
  • High-impact plastic outer housing
  • 5.5 foot flexible hose
  • Electrical Certifications: UL, cUL, TUV/GS, CE, NOM and ANCE

CONS

  • Relatively high price

A slight step down from the J-2 in terms of both capacity and cost, the Jiffy J-2000 Garment Steamer packs a lot of the same punch of the J-2. The main differences between the J-2 and J-2000 come down to the J-2000 having a quart smaller water reservoir and its focus on being exclusively for clothes, draperies and fabric. This package of features makes it not only more friendly to the budget, but just as ideal for both the home or professional setting.

The quick heating capabilities of the J-2000 are really what make this a nearly universally beloved steamer. It can produce steam in only about 90 seconds after being filled with water and turned on. This is great for those on the go, especially compared to an iron.

Speed and convenience also come into play with another of its features in that its wheeled base allows it to move well and position where you need it. This can be attributed to the same craftsmanship that gives the J-2000 its durability as many reviews mention that it holds up much better than many lesser-priced models on the market.

If there were customer complaints, it was its looks and some issues with the heat from holding the steam head. As for looks, there are a few options available to change the color, but at the same time, any steamer you buy will spend the majority of its time in a closet or laundry room, hidden from sight. The issues with the steam head are slightly more concerning, but that appears to be more common to the metal head as opposed to the plastic head and only after extended use.

Like mentioned, this unit is more expensive than most reviewed. But it is almost unfair to compare this Jiffy steamer to other models made almost exclusively for home use as it would make for a great professional-grade steamer. As well, the speed of use and durability mean that this is a steamer will provide you years of fast and high-quality steaming.

ESTEAM

ESTEAM Personal Hand Held Jiffy Steamer

USER RATING: 

95%

PRODUCT DETAILS:

  • Power: 600 W
  • Tank: 96 ounce
  • Heat-up time: 1 min
  • Steam time: 15 min
  • Weight: 17 lbs
  • Features: Ideal for travel, handles hard water

PROS

  • High-impact plastic outer housing
  • 3 Year Warranty
  •  Double-insulated
  • Compact design
  • Lightweight

CONS

  • Smaller reservoir compared to other models

For those who need a product on the go, the Jiffy ESTEAM Personal Hand Held Steamer offers the speed and power associated with Jiffy steamers in a size that makes it easy to store at home, the office or in a suitcase. While it is ideal for travel, this can be great for those looking for a small Jiffy steamer to be used just at home.

The ESTEAM is the most powerful hand-held steamer on the market, heating water in about two minutes while weighing only a few pounds when completely full. Unlike many other portable steamers on the market, the ESTEAM is housed in high-impact plastic, making it able to handle the beating it can take from baggage handlers in airports or being jostled like many lighter items can be in normal use.

Another great feature that comes in part from its being made for travel is the ESTEAM handles hard water better than many other steamers. This is helpful as you might be at the mercy of the tap water from your hotel room or a bathroom to fill your steamer. There is a cleaner available to remove hard water buildup, but most users said it was not needed as often as many other travel steamers.

The main drawback to the ESTEAM model has to do essentially with being made for travel. It has a small reservoir for water, about eight ounces, which only allows it to be used for several minutes before needing to be refilled.  It also lacks in steamer accessories.  In spite of that, this Jiffy steamer is great if you only need to do a couple of garments at a time and this smaller capacity is the tradeoff to be expected for something made for the traveler.

Another reported issue is that the ESTEAM lacks an on-off switch. This means that if you need to set it down to answer the phone or grab another garment, you will lose some precious steam. Even then since it heats up quickly, this is not as much of an issue as you would think.

Jiffy Steamer J 4000 for Garments

USER RATING: 

91%

PRODUCT DETAILS:

  • Power: 1500 W
  • Tank: 128 ounce
  • Heat-up time: 1 min
  • Steam time: 2 hours
  • Weight: 24.6 lbs
  • Features: Corrosion-proof stainless steel boiler tank

PROS

  • Fusible link
  • Preheat and Steam Settings
  • 5.5-foot hose
  • Dual thermostats 
  • Electrical Certifications: UL, cUL, TUV/GS, CE, NOM and ANCE

CONS

  • Heavier unit compared to other models
  • Heavier steam head

If the J-2 can be considered a bit much for many personal users, the Jiffy J-4000 Garment Steamer is clearly overkill. Even more powerful that the J-2 and J-2000, the J-4000 is designed for commercial use and offers steam at the speeds associated with the Jiffy brand with power that surpasses most home models. It is rare that many home users would need this much power from their unit, but the J-4000 straddles the line between home and commercial use by being smaller and lighter than most commercial units, but still noticeably heavier than any other home units on the market.

One of the best features of this model is its pre-heat mode, which can be used to save energy if being used often on a daily basis, like for a home seamstress or a tailor shop. This allows it to provide steam quickly without having to be unplugged. As well for slightly more, the J-4000I model offers several adapters and a two foot longer hose which makes that much better to use as a cleaner as well as a steamer.

Many users, including those who upgraded from the J-2000 or J-2, were impressed at the power behind the steam produced by the J-4000. The steam appears almost like a water jet compared to the less powerful models, allowing for quicker steaming and much better stain removal. This makes it an even better model for those looking for the versatility offered by the J-2.

If there is a drawback to this model it has to do with its weight. Being made more for commercial use, it is not really made to move in the tight spaces of a home. This is a tradeoff for the power offered by the unit and with the longer hose available on the J-4000I, something that can be easily worked around.

Another widely reported issue with the weight is the Jiffy steamer head is heavier, making it difficult to use for longer periods of time. This is common though with many higher end steamers and is an issue more for working with drapes or other hanging items.

The main consideration with this model is that it is made to provide steam over the course of a day rather than for a garment or two. While it takes a long time to heat up compared to other steamers, it holds its heat better and once heated is made to provide steam over the course of a day’s work. If you are looking for a unit that can serve well for cleaning tasks around the house though, this unit is a great choice, especially with the attachment kit offered by the J-4000I or separately by Jiffy.


Tips on Jiffy Steamers

Metal head vs Plastic Head

The original Jiffy Steamers came with Metal heads and wooden handles.    They now offer a plastic head as well.  There are a couple of things to consider when choosing the steam head material for your steamer.   Each person has their own needs, so we've listed the facts so you can choose the one that matches your situation.

  • Both heads provide even steam and do an excellent job of removing wrinkles.
  • The Plastic head is lighter weight and cooler to the touch making it a good choice for comfort.
  • The Plastic head can break when dropped and can become brittle over time.
  • The metal head is a little heavier than plastic making simple motions seem a little more tiring after a long day of steaming clothes.
  • The metal head is much less likely to break if dropped and has a longer life than plastic.
  • When the metal head gets hot you can also use it for pressing the clothes.

Can I use Tap water in my Jiffy Steamer?

The user guide says you can use either tap or distilled water.   However, using tap water will leave behind residue and require more frequent cleaning than if you used distilled water.   

Does Jiffy offer a variable steam model?

Jiffy steamers are very simple in design, turn the switch on and they produce steam, you turn the switch off and there is not steam.  They don't offer a multi-level of steam.   We did not find this as a short coming in our tests. 

Can I clean my grout with my Jiffy Steamer? 

Jiffy makes a grout attachment for their steamers that can be purchased separately or if you get the Jiffy Steamer J4000i model it is one of the 4 attachments.


Best Jiffy Steamer: The Jiffy J-2 

While it is hard to go wrong with any Jiffy steamer, our recommendation would be the J-2 (View on Amazon.com) as it provides the best balance of value, versatility and power of any of the Jiffy models. Because the J-2I offers a model that can easily double as a steam cleaner around the home with its attachments at a slightly lower cost than the J-4000 or 4000I, this model wins out in what is a close battle.

If you just need a unit and will not likely use the steam cleaning function, the J-2000 would suffice for your needs. But the value provided at only a slight uptick in price by the versatility of the J-2 makes it the better choice, if not best choice.

Even with all of these considerations, those looking for this type of product would not go wrong with any of the four and the biggest factor to consider is more one of what specific needs you have versus which one would be considered the outright best.

Last Updated on February 8, 2024