Philips 8000 Series Handheld Steamer GC800/86 with OptimalTEMP

Our review

This is a handheld garment steamer from Philips, part of its 8000 Series and sold under model number GC800/86. It runs at 1600W and uses OptimalTEMP technology, which Philips says removes the risk of burning fabric and makes the tool safe across materials including silk and cashmere. The point of a handheld steamer like this is speed: you hold it in one hand and work on a hanging garment, so there is no ironing board to set up and no flat surface needed. That makes it a reasonable fit for people in small flats, for travellers, or for anyone who mostly deals with light creasing on shirts, dresses and knitwear rather than heavy pressing. Before buying, think about what you actually iron. A handheld steamer softens wrinkles and refreshes garments, but it does not press a sharp crease into trousers or flatten a stiff cotton shirt the way a soleplate iron does, so if crisp lines matter to you, a traditional iron or a steam generator may still be the better tool. Also consider the size of the water tank and how long you can steam before refilling, since that is not stated here and is worth checking on the listing. Compare it with other handheld steamers on wattage, heat-up time and whether they offer a similar burn-free promise, and with full-size steamers if you have a lot of laundry to get through at once. It is available on Sokonia.