Best steam generator irons
Two UK models compared by base dimensions, tank access, steam delivery and the descaling routine each needs.
Start with the base and the way you refill it
The Philips PerfectCare Compact GC7842/46 is our pick for a narrow shelf and regular mixed loads. Choose the Tefal Express Airglide SV8022G0 if you prefer a removable tank and a built-in scale flush.
Philips PerfectCare Compact
GC7842/46
A narrow 19.3 cm base and automatic temperature for regular mixed loads.
View on AmazonTefal Express Airglide
SV8022G0
A removable 1.8 L tank for filling at the sink, with a built-in scale flush.
View on AmazonSpecifications at a glance
Scroll sideways to compare all models.
| Specification | Philips PerfectCare Compact GC7842/46 | Tefal Express Airglide SV8022G0 |
|---|---|---|
| Tank | 1.5 L, fixed | 1.8 L, removable |
| Continuous steam | 120 g/min | 125 g/min |
| Steam boost | 400 g | 460 g |
| Size, W × D × H | 19.3 × 37.3 × 22.3 cm | 21 × 36 × 26 cm |
| Handpiece weight | 1.2 kg | Not stated |
| Descaling | Smart Calc-Clean tray | Built-in scale flush |
Manufacturer specifications. Read the model instructions and check the exact variant before ordering.
Which features make the difference?
Start with the board and cupboard
Measure the space for the base with the board up, then measure the shelf you will store it on. The Compact is narrower than the Tefal by 1.7 cm, but the Tefal is 1.3 cm shorter front to back. On a shallow shelf, that second figure may decide it. Check the height, room for the hose and whether you can lift the unit out safely. If the base will sit on an ironing board’s rest, confirm the board maker permits a generator of that size and filled weight.
Philips PerfectCare Compact GC7842/46
The base is 19.3 cm wide, with a 1.5 L tank and automatic temperature for ironable fabrics.
Good for
Good for regular ironing when cupboard width is tight and you can take a jug to the base for refills.
Bear in mind
The tank stays in the base. Check the 1.2 kg handpiece and allow room for the base and hose.
- 1.5 L, fixed
- 120 g/min
- 400 g
- 19.3 × 37.3 × 22.3 cm
Choose for the way you refill
If you iron a few things at a time, the Compact’s fixed 1.5 L tank may be enough. If you work through a full basket or want to fill up at the sink, the Tefal has a removable 1.8 L tank. Take the tank out and refill it as its instructions direct. Leave space to lift it away without catching a cupboard or reaching across the hot iron. A larger nominal capacity helps only if access works at your chosen position.
Tefal Express Airglide SV8022G0
A removable 1.8 L tank lifts out for refills. The Anti Calc light prompts a built-in flush through the soleplate.
Good for
Good for weekly batches when you want to refill at the sink and run a built-in scale flush when prompted.
Bear in mind
Allow room for the 21 × 36 cm base footprint. Set up for the hot water and steam the flush releases as Tefal directs.
- 1.8 L, removable
- 125 g/min
- 460 g
- 21 × 36 × 26 cm
Separate the handpiece from the weight you carry
Philips lists the Compact’s iron at 1.2 kg and the complete iron and base at 2.95 kg before water. Those figures describe different parts of the job. You guide the handpiece across a shirt, but you lift the complete unit when taking it out or putting it away. Water remaining in the tank adds to the carried load. The hose also needs enough room to follow your hand without pulling at the base.
Do not substitute a packed or shipping weight when a maker does not publish a comparable handpiece figure. If hand comfort is the deciding issue, check what you can establish about the handle, hose and rest position as well. Our lightweight steam-iron guide explains how tank water affects the weight of a conventional iron.
Read continuous output and boost separately
The Compact is rated up to 120 g/min continuous steam and the Tefal up to 125 g/min. These are documented ratings. They do not establish a measured difference in time to finish a shirt. Boost describes an intermittent burst, and the makers use different units for the headline boost figures. Read each figure with its unit instead of treating the largest number as a direct ranking. We did not measure crease removal, steam output or session time.
Both support ordinary horizontal ironing and vertical steaming as described by their makers. The Philips uses OptimalTEMP and the Tefal has a preset temperature. In each case, use the garment label to decide whether heat and steam are suitable. A preset cannot account for a print, a glued trim or an instruction to iron without steam. For regular work on hanging clothes, see garment steamers.
What maintenance will you have to do?
- Philips Compact GC7842/46. Follow the GC7842/46 Smart Calc-Clean routine and use the supplied tray under the iron. You’ll need to keep the tray somewhere you can find it.
- Tefal Airglide SV8022G0. This model uses a built-in scale flush. When the anti-scale light flashes, follow the SV8022G0 flush instructions. Set up for the hot water and steam the cycle releases.
If steam stops, check the ready light and tank first. Our steam generator troubleshooting guide helps you identify the relevant procedure.
The Philips Compact accepts tap water. Philips recommends distilled or demineralised water in hard-water areas. Tefal calls for untreated tap water and, in very hard water, a half-and-half mix with distilled water. Avoid fragranced ironing water or other additives unless your exact model allows them.
Is a steam generator worth it?
If you iron in batches and regularly stop to refill a conventional iron, a separate tank is worth considering. If you press two shirts on a Sunday and put everything away, a conventional steam iron and a suitable board take less setting up. Check which problem you want to solve before buying a larger appliance.
Specifications and instructions
Frequently asked questions
Which of these steam generators takes up the least shelf width?
The Philips GC7842/46 is 19.3 cm wide, compared with 21 cm for the Tefal SV8022G0. Check depth and height as well, including room to retrieve the unit and store its hose.
How much does the Compact weigh to use and carry?
Philips lists the GC7842/46 iron at 1.2 kg and the complete iron and base at 2.95 kg before water. The handpiece figure matters while pressing. The complete unit and remaining water matter when carrying it to storage.
Does a higher boost figure mean stronger continuous steam?
No. Continuous steam is the sustained rate, while boost is a short burst. The manufacturers can also quote burst figures in different units. Compare continuous rates and practical controls first, then read each boost figure alongside its exact unit.
Can I fill both tanks at the sink?
The Tefal SV8022G0 has a removable 1.8 L tank. The Compact has a fixed 1.5 L tank, so plan to take a suitable jug to the base for refilling.
Do both models use the same descaling routine?
The Compact uses Smart Calc-Clean with its supplied tray, while the Tefal uses a built-in scale flush. Follow each model’s instructions and cooling requirements rather than applying a generic routine.