When it comes to home appliances, functionality is key, but it’s also expected.
That’s why when it came time for me to purchase a new steamer for my clothes, I decided to prioritise aesthetics.
I ended up finding what I wanted on Shopee—a small mint green handheld steamer, complete with golden trims. With a sleek, enamel-like finish, this appliance isn’t the kind you have to stow away when not in use, as it can just sit pretty as a decorative piece.
This is the Gaabor Handheld Steamer Iron. While Gaabor is a German brand, the product is manufactured in China.
Thankfully, the visual appeal of the adorably sized steamer iron matched my expectations when it arrived some days after ordering it.
But enough on that—does function follow form, or did I just judge a book by its cover?
It fits the bill
Aside from the appliance, the box comes with a small measuring cup as well as a plate for the iron to rest upon.
Twisting open the handle of the steamer reveals the opening for the tank, which stores up to 120 ml of water.
Clocking in at 0.75 kg, there’s a slight heft to the product, but not an unbearable one. Plus, the weight is certainly helpful when using it as a flat iron.
The dual-use nature of this device is one of my favourite selling points. With handheld steamers, you typically use it for hanging ironing; but thanks to the sizable hot panel on this device, you can easily use it for flat ironing.
Testing out the product, I noted that it heated up rather quickly. After all, the 1200-watt appliance does tout swift steam generation, reaching temperatures of 130°C to 140°C in under 30 seconds.
That said, if you’re looking for perfectly crisp clothes, this won’t replace your heavy-duty iron, but it’ll do for less demanding jobs.
Not without some of cons
While I mostly enjoyed the steamer iron, I must let you know that it’s no perfect product.
For one, when starting up the device, there was a bit of drippage. But from my experience, that tends to happen even with heavy-duty steamers. Just make sure you have a cloth to catch the water (it shouldn’t be hot). Once the steam starts generating, the dripping should stop being an issue.
On the topic of water, I wished there was a bobble to indicate that you’re nearing the max fill-line of the tank. One too many times now I have accidentally overfilled the appliance, resulting in wet floors.
Its build also means that when twisting the handle back in place can be finicky, especially when the device is still hot.
Form, function, and lifestyle fit
Usually priced at RM80 to RM88 depending on the available discount (which it perpetually has, as many Shopee items do), the Gaabor Handheld Steamer Iron offers great value for money.
Its compact form makes it an ideal travel companion, perfect for students, those living in small spaces, and frequent travellers.
And with that aesthetic edge? I dare say it’s quite the steal.
However, you wouldn’t be that hard pressed, pun intended, to find other handheld steamer options on the market at that price point.
Established brands like Xiaomi and Philips have options that are a bit more traditional, with a hot panel that’s smaller. Currently on sale for RM77 (at the time of writing), the Xiaomi one certainly looks to be a decent portable pick.
The Simplus Handheld Ironing Machine is also around the same price, and has a similar foldable build. This option comes in a eggshell white colour, which may be suitable for more minimalistic homes.
While these options are comparable, I ultimately chose the Gaabor steamer iron because it fit my preferred aesthetic. And I’m happy to report that I do not regret making that decision.
So, in my opinion, many products nowadays tend to have relatively good functionality that fits the bill, so it comes down your preferences. For me, the cuter a steamer iron (or any other appliance) is, the more likely I would want to use it.
While I can’t attest to its longevity or durability just yet, the Gaabor Handheld Steamer Iron is off to a great start in its journey to becoming a staple device in my home.
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