I've been eyeing a handheld steamer for ages, and I finally decided to give it a try. I thought it would be a game-changer for getting wrinkles out of my clothes, especially the delicate ones. But before I splurged, I wanted to make sure it was worth the investment.
My daughter loves wearing fancy dresses with lots of embellishments and ruffles. I've had a nightmare trying to iron those out with my iron. No matter how hard I try, the ruffles just get all bunched up.
And then there are the dresses that just can't handle low temperatures. They'd get damaged by my iron, and steaming with it didn't make much of a difference. It was a hassle, and the steam just wouldn't come out consistently.
But when my daughter had her preschool graduation, I decided to give this steamer a try. I thought, why not? It's worth a shot, right?
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Key Features
Brand - Xiaomi ZanjiaCountry - ChinaModel - GT-306LWPower - 1200WManufacturer - Ningbo Lofans Home Appliance Coxa0
I bought it on Ozon for 1600 rubles.
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Packaging
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The packaging was pretty unimpressive, to be honest - it was just a flimsy cardboard box. But inside, everything was neatly packed and protected. The water reservoir and the steam generator were each in their own separate compartments, which were securely fastened so they wouldn't shift around during transit.
Xiaomi Zanjia Steam Generator - ReviewI was relieved to find a comprehensive instruction manual in both English and Russian. It's easy to follow and includes all the necessary information. The steam generator itself comes with a non-removable power cord and a water reservoir.
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Exterior
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The steam generator looks pretty sleek - it's a white 'H' shape with a transparent water reservoir that lets you see how much water is left inside. Yes, the reservoir is removable.
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There's only one button on the steam generator - the steam output button.
When you turn it on, a long red LED light comes on.
The steam plate is pretty small with only five holes.
Xiaomi Zanjia handheld steamerUsage
I found the steamer to be pretty comfortable to hold, with a nice design. However, it does feel a bit heavy to me, especially when the water reservoir is full or when I need to steam for a long time. It's lighter than a traditional iron, but not by a huge margin.
Before use, I need to fill the water reservoir. The rubber plug is easy to pull out, and I can fill it with water.
The water outlet is pretty small, so a lot of water tends to spill over. It's best to do this over the sink to avoid a mess. The plug is secure and won't leak water once it's closed. Next, I need to insert the water reservoir into the steamer. This is the part that always gives me a bit of trouble. I need to align the tabs and turn the reservoir until it clicks into place. It's not always easy to get it right the first time.
Xiaomi Zanjia Hand Steamer - My Review
Xiaomi Hand SteamerI've found that even after just plugging it in, the steamer starts to heat up quickly. The area where the steam is released gets hot instantly, even if you just stick the plug in and pull it back out.
However, I do have a major issue with the button. You have to hold it down the whole time if you want continuous steaming, which is a pain. The button's a bit stiff, so I find myself having to take breaks. It'd be so much better if I could just toggle it on and off with a simple switch.
When you press the button, the steam comes out right away and the steamer makes a gentle humming noise. When the water runs out, it makes a different sound, so you know it's time to refill.
The steam output isn't super strong, but it's still effective. I'd say it's decent, but not amazing. It's perfect for lightweight fabrics, though - I can steam a t-shirt in no time, faster than with an iron.
However, with thicker fabrics like cotton dresses, I had to work a bit harder. The hand steamer can be used on both horizontal and vertical surfaces, but I prefer to hang my clothes vertically on a hanger. If I try to steam horizontally, the fabric ends up puckered, even if it's been smoothed out.
You can steam a garment either close up like an iron, or at a bit of a distance. The fabric will smooth out with just the steam.
The thicker the garment, the longer it takes to steam. Honestly, I'd say this is perfect for lightweight fabrics like dresses, tops, and blouses. It's not ideal for jackets or heavy tops - unless you're willing to steam for ages. And then, what's the point?
Take a look at before and after. I steamed a thin blouse and got amazing results in just a few seconds.
But with dresses, I'm having a harder time. It's not because the steamer is bad, it's just that velvet can be a bit finicky, especially if it's layered. A single layer of velvet steams up easily and quickly.
Skirt beforeSkirt afterThe result is a fabric that's not just smooth, but also has a bit of a luxurious sheen to it. You can't get that with an iron.
And the water usage is pretty fast. I used almost three reservoirs for a prom dress, but for simpler items, one reservoir is enough, and there's still some water left over.
Important note: always drain the water from the compartment after each use and dry it thoroughly. If you don't, water will be retained inside the steamer and might splash dirty droplets on your clothes in the future.
I've found a small catch with this. I always remove the compartment, drain the water, and dry it. But still, the steamer sometimes produces those unclear water droplets. It's as if the water remains inside the device. When it's already been drained from the reservoir, but hasn't reached the steam outlets yet. And it stays there, lingering inside the appliance.
From this situation, I see only one way out: to steam until the water in the compartment is completely gone and then continue steaming for a few more minutes with an empty reservoir. This way, any remaining water will be completely drained. But the key is not to delay, or else prolonged use with an empty water compartment might lead to a malfunction.
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My Impression of the Product
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I've enjoyed using the handheld steamer, but only with delicate dresses. I wouldn't use it for other items. So, it hasn't replaced my iron for me. Firstly, it's too heavy for me, and I have to hold the steam button constantly – that's not convenient. Not only is my hand occupied by the steamer, but my finger is also holding the button.
If I'm steaming something small and delicate, yes, it's perfect. But for thicker or more complex items, it takes a long time and doesn't do a great job. For instance, it took a while to steam a denim jacket, and the results weren't great. I ended up ironing it instead.
However, for formal dresses with lots of embellishments, the steamer is great. It allows me to smooth out areas where an iron wouldn't fit, without damaging even the most delicate fabrics. The steamer makes clothes from velvet look plush and smooth, rather than wrinkled.
So, I bought it just for one dress. Well, originally for one dress, but now I'm still using it to iron out other similar outfits. Since my daughter has a lot of flowy dresses.
I don't use it on a daily basis - no. For ironing out some delicate fabrics - yes. I use it about once a week, and I'm pretty satisfied. I'm willing to put up with some minor inconvenience for just one time a week.
After all, I paid a bit for it, so it's worth the value. Plus, it's all about physical capabilities. I'm not exactly the strongest person, my hand is pretty thin, and it's hard for me to hold this ironing device - but it's a breeze for others.
It's a great idea to take it with you on a trip instead of a full-sized iron. It's way more compact. The long cord lets me use it without any hassle. Just make sure to dry it well, and it'll last you a long time. And, be careful not to burn yourself with the steam!
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Pros and Cons
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It's a bit heavy
You need to hold the button down
It's only suitable for thin fabrics
If you don't dry it properly, it might leave streaks on your clothes
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It's easy to use
It heats up quickly
It does a great job with lightweight fabrics
It can iron out areas that are hard to reach with a regular iron
It doesn't damage the fabric
It's very affordable
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