Our writers test and research products independently. When you buy through a link on our site we may earn a commission but this never affects our product choices.
Philips PerfectCare Elite Plus Steam Generator Iron review: is this powerful iron worth the hefty price tag?
Boasting a large water tank and powerful steam, we put Mumsnetters' best steam generator iron to the test.
By Poppy O'Neill | Last updated May 31, 2024
Price on writing: £450 | Buy now from Amazon
Significantly quicker than a conventional steam iron
Makes light work of creased laundry
Powerful steam
Straightforward to set up and start using
Finish on clothes is noticeably better
No need to adjust temperature for different fabrics
Iron is lightweight
It's really big
Quantity of steam can make the room quite hot
Doesn't fit comfortably on a normal ironing board
Noisy
Expensive
Price on writing: £450 | Weight: 5.1kg | Tank capacity: 1.8 litres | Continuous steam output: 150 g/min | Steam shot: 165g/min + 500g Steam Boost | Steam pressure: 8 bar | Wattage: 2700W
Read next: Steam generator iron reviews - read our verdict on Mumsnetter faves
Our verdict
Powerful and effective, the Philips PerfectCare Elite Plus Steam Generator Iron can really knock the socks off even the best steam irons when it comes to performance. With a large water tank and impressive 8 bar steam pressure, the iron makes light work of even heavily creased garments.
However, the first thing that struck our tester Tamsin about the iron was definitely its size: "It's really large and heavy, I found it difficult to store because of its size."
Due to its hefty size, the Philips PerfectCare Elite Plus Steam Generator Iron is best for those tackling a lot of laundry every week, who also have space to store it. An extra-large ironing board like the Lauraboard Comfortboard suits a steam generator iron due to its generous iron rest.
How we tested
Our tester Tamsin put the Philips PerfectCare Elite Plus Steam Generator Iron through its paces at home, on a regular week's worth of work clothes in need of ironing.
Tackling seven shirts and one dress, freshly crinkled from the washing machine and dried on a clothes airer, Tamsin tested out all the features of the steam generator iron, comparing it to her Russell Hobbs steam iron and taking detailed notes on ease of use, effectiveness and value for money.
Read next: The best washer dryers, according to Mumsnet users
Is the Philips PerfectCare Elite Plus Steam Generator Iron easy to set up?
The iron was very easy to set up, with simple instructions and clear functions. A steam generator iron looks and works a bit differently to a conventional iron, due to their separate water tanks, but Tamsin found the iron straightforward to start using.
The size of the iron was hard to get used to, and didn't fit comfortably on Tamsin's ironing board, which made things a little challenging to get going. She also noted the noise the steam makes - you can really hear how powerful the iron is.
Read next: The best tumble dryers, ranked
What's the Philips PerfectCare Elite Plus Steam Generator Iron like to use day-to-day?
When it comes to getting rid of creases, Tamsin could really notice the difference. She was impressed with how quickly a shirt could be ironed, and said the finish was superior to the results she usually sees from her steam iron.
The iron has two steaming functions - a button under the handle and an auto button on top. Tamsin liked the button under the handle for control of the iron, but wasn’t a fan of the auto button as it continuously let out steam.
She also noted that the amount of steam generated by the iron could make the room quite hot, so it's best to open a window or stick on a dehumidifier while you're tackling your ironing pile.
Related: The best clothes steamers for crease-free clothing without ironing
Does the Philips PerfectCare Elite Plus Steam Generator Iron offer value for money?
At £450, the Philips PerfectCare Elite Plus Steam Generator Iron is a real investment. Tamsin felt the price was a bit more than she'd pay for an iron, and that it didn't quite suit her needs.
Ranked the best steam generator iron by Mumsnet users, it'll certainly make a difference to those with a lot of ironing to deal with on a regular basis. As long as you've got the space to store it and an ironing board that's up to the job, it'll save you valuable time.
About Mumsnet reviews
All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real parents after weeks of research and testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.
About the author
Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She's been researching and reviewing baby and child products for 2 years, with a particular focus on baby essentials, toys and books for toddlers and outdoor play equipment. From potties to paddling pools and bunk beds to bedtime stories, she loves to deep-dive into research and find the best products out there.
Poppy is also an award-winning, best-selling children's and parenting author of books such as Don't Worry, Be Happy, The Extraordinary Book That Makes You Feel Happy and Mother Power. She specialises in children's mental health and her books are used by therapists, teachers and SENCOs across the UK. She won a The Week Junior Book Award in 2023, her books have been translated into several languages and she's been featured in The Guardian, The Sunday Times and The Sun.
After earning a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Leeds and a PGCert in Fashion and Lifestyle Journalism from University of the Arts London, she worked in fashion for most of her 20s. When her children were young, she undertook an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Chichester and re-trained as an author and freelance writer.