This product was gifted to me by Russell Hobbs. All opinions are my own and as honest as always. This post contains affiliate links.
There is a specific kind of frustration that comes from ironing a shirt, putting it on, and watching it crease again in real time as you button it up. You ironed it. You definitely ironed it. And yet here you are, looking like you pulled it directly from the bottom of a suitcase you haven’t unpacked since 2019.
If that’s a mood you’re familiar with, the Russell Hobbs Steam Genie VacuSteam might just be the thing that finally ends the cycle.
I already have the Russell Hobbs Steam Genie Maestro and love it, but when I got my hands on the VacuSteam I realised it does something the Maestro doesn’t, and once you understand what that is, it’s genuinely hard to go back.
So what actually is VacuSteam technology?
Here’s the bit that makes this steamer different from anything else I’ve used. Most steamers blast hot steam at your fabric and hope for the best. The VacuSteam adds suction into the mix. The fabric is gently held against the heated ceramic press plate while the steam works through it, which means the heat, the steam and the pressure are all working at the same time, in one pass.
One pass. That’s the part that got me. Not two, not three, not “go over it again and then accept your fate.” One sweep and the crease is gone. For someone who has historically treated ironing as a multi-round negotiation with a garment, this felt borderline miraculous.
The specs, quickly
1500W, 24g steam output, heats up in 35 seconds and gives you 7 minutes of steam from a 200ml water tank. There are three steam and suction settings depending on the fabric you’re working with, an auto shut-off for safety, a 3m cord (more on that in a moment), and a cleaning brush included in the box. It’s compact, it’s lightweight, and it does not mess around.
What I’ve been using it for
Shirts, mostly. If you’ve ever tried to get a tough crease out of a cotton shirt with a standard steamer, you’ll know that sometimes it takes a few passes and a bit of patience. The VacuSteam cuts that right down. The suction holds the fabric flush against the plate and the steam goes straight through it. Crisp collar, smooth sleeves, done before your morning coffee has finished brewing.
Duvet covers are the other big one for me. I cannot stand a wrinkled duvet cover but I also deeply resent the process of ironing one. My trick is to put it straight on the bed and steam it in place rather than fighting it on an ironing board, and the VacuSteam handles this really well. The three settings mean you can adjust depending on how stubborn the creases are, and the results are genuinely good.
The 3m cord
Right, the cord. Three metres is better than average for a handheld steamer, and for most situations it’s plenty. If you’ve got a king size bed and your socket is on the opposite side of the room, you might still find yourself doing a bit of a stretch to reach the middle. An extension lead is the easy fix, but I always think it’s worth mentioning because it’s the kind of thing you only notice once you’re mid-steam and committed.
How does it compare to the Maestro?
They’re genuinely different tools that complement each other rather than compete. The Maestro has a bigger water tank (750ml versus 200ml) which means longer continuous steaming, and it’s more of a 2-in-1 iron and steamer hybrid. The VacuSteam’s superpower is that suction technology, which gives you a better result on tough creases in fewer passes. If I’m doing a big batch of ironing, I’d reach for the Maestro. If I’m dealing with a specific stubborn garment or need something done quickly and perfectly, the VacuSteam wins.
The verdict
The Russell Hobbs Steam Genie VacuSteam is one of those products that does exactly what it says and then slightly exceeds your expectations. The VacuSteam technology is the real selling point and it genuinely delivers. One pass, proper results, 35 second heat up, and compact enough to store without dedicating a whole cupboard to it.
If you’re someone who irons regularly and wants a faster, more effective result, or if you’ve been let down by steamers that take three attempts to tackle a crease, this is well worth looking at.
Your clothes will look better. Your duvet cover will look better. And you’ll have time for that coffee.
Looking for the Russell Hobbs Steam Genie Maestro Review? It’s here!
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