Tefal Aerosteam – not perfect, but still the best
25.8.2025
Translation: Elicia Payne
Pictures: Stephanie Vinzens
The new clothes steamer from Tefal isn’t just an ordinary steamer. It has a suction function too. Pseudo-innovation or real game changer? I put it to the test.
«A new generation of clothes steamer» – this is how Tefal’s advertising the Aerosteam. And it has a very exciting function: the Aerosteam sucks in the fabric while smoothing it. What’s the point in that? According to Tefal, the Optiflow technology, which combines steam and suction power, ensures up to 50 per cent faster steaming. The manufacturer of pans and household appliances promises iron-like results in just one stroke.
First impressions
The first thing I notice when I unpack the steamer is that it looks like it belongs in a garden shed – aesthetics aren’t the focus here. The second thing that catches my eye is that the water tank is surprisingly small for such a bulky appliance. The Aerosteam seems too big for traveling anyway, so why not at least install a decent sized tank?
All right, I start off by filling the mini container and switch on the steamer. The fact it can be placed in a stable position, thanks to its solid base, is very handy. In just a few seconds the appliance is ready for use – perfect for the impatient and stressed.
What’s the suction function good for?
The Aerosteam has three intensity levels: steam only, steam and soft suction, steam and turbo suction. Of course, I start with the strongest setting and by the time I’m steaming my second garment the bad first impressions have vanished into thin air. As the steamer sucks in the fabric, I feel like I don’t have to fiddle with the fabric as much. This makes the process much more relaxed and efficient. I just have to make sure the fabric’s sucked in evenly and without any kinks.
As advertised, a single stroke is sufficient for a decent result on most fabrics. As the steamer head’s also quite wide, I cover the garment in no time at all. Thanks to the angular sides, I can still easily manoeuvre around tricky areas such as the button placket.
I got rid of the creases in a simple sleeveless top in less than two minutes and a long-sleeved shirt took me around five minutes. I’m much slower with other handheld steamers – and I’d get a less even finish. To make the fabric just as smooth with a regular steamer without a suction function, I have to apply counter-pressure with an ironing glove.
Another particularly practical feature of suction mode is that less water escapes. With normal steamers, it’s easy for the hot steam to spray towards you and burn your fingers. With the Aerosteam, on the other hand, you can move around without having to wear a heat glove. Also, in suction mode, the steamer doesn’t spit huge drops of water onto the fabric that could leave stains.
Bulky – but still handy
The steamer may seem very bulky, but to my surprise it’s comfortable to hold. The steam button’s easy to press so I’m not cramping up after several items of clothing. What I also love is that if the appliance isn’t used for eight minutes, it switches off automatically.
The Aerosteam costs around 100 francs. A very fair price, in my eyes, considering it’s produced in France. According to Tefal, Optiflow technology also requires up to 57 per cent less energy than the manufacturer’s conventional steamers. And because inexpensive spare parts are available over the long term, the appliance can even be repaired for up to 15 years.
Loud noise, small tank
In suction mode, the appliance makes quite a lot of noise – similar to a hairdryer. But that doesn’t bother me. What I find annoying is the small water tank. It’s enough for steaming two small or one slightly larger item of clothing. For a particularly crease-prone trench coat made of stubborn cotton, I had to refill in between. With a volume of 100 millilitres it’s not out of the ordinary for this device, but in relation to its size, I find it pretty meagre. For comparison: the handheld Philips 5000 Series Steamer has two tanks, one holds 120 millilitres and the other holds 200 millilitres.
In contrast to many other handheld steamers on the market, the Aerosteam isn’t compact enough for traveling in my opinion. There are better options, such as the Philips model mentioned above. But I only have five weeks of annual leave anyway, so I don’t need to think about this for the other 47 weeks. I want to get my clothes smooth as quickly and easily as possible – and so far no steamer has managed that as well as the Aerosteam. The results are definitely comparable to that of an iron. However, if you want perfectly smooth shirts, there’s still no getting around the classic iron and ironing board. You can’t beat the results of firm pressure on a smooth surface.
Finally, there’s just one other issue. That is, I actually follow the rule of not buying ugly household items. But I’d make an exception for the Tefal. Yes, it looks ugly and, yes, the small water tank is annoying. But the suction function makes up for it all. After steaming with it, I’ve no urge to use a regular steamer. I guess that’s what Tefal means by «a new generation of clothes steamer».
In a nutshell
Not perfect – but very close
We know a steamer is no iron, but the Aerosteam from Tefal with its unique suction function comes pretty close. I’ve never found steaming clothes so easy and efficient. That’s why I’m happy to forgive the steamer for being as loud as a hairdryer. Still, I’d love to see a bigger water tank – and a nicer design. Criticisms aside, for me, this is a five star product!
Pro
- Suction function is a game changer
- Easier and faster smoothing
- No water stains in suction mode
- Made in France
- Switches itself off after eight minutes
Contra
- Ugly design
- Small water tank
- Noisy
Has endless love for shoulder pads, Stratocasters and sashimi, but a limited tolerance for bad impressions of her Eastern Swiss dialect.
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