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Philips 5000 Series Handheld Steamer STH5020/40 review

No. 2 of 10 in our garment steamers ranking · Updated · How we rank

Our verdict: The Philips 5000 Series Handheld Steamer STH5020/40 ranks 2nd of the 10 garment steamers we compare, with 8.4 out of 10.

Philips 5000 Series Handheld Steamer STH5020/40

8.4/10

The Philips STH5020/40 is a light, compact handheld steamer with a small 120ml tank and two steam settings. It suits a few shirts, dresses or trousers at a time, and travel, more than a big pile of washing.

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Why it's here

  • Up to 24g/min of continuous steam from a light body
  • Ready in about 35 seconds
  • Two-year Philips guarantee

Keep in mind

  • The 120ml tank means refilling during a larger job
  • Some owners find the tank fiddly to release
  • Less steam than the stronger 1700W and 1800W models for thick cotton and linen

Why the Philips STH5020/40 scores 8.4

Each bar shows where it places among the 10 garment steamers in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.

  • How happy owners are5th of 10
  • How many rated it7th of 10
  • How new it is3rd of 10

Why it sits behind the Tefal Pure Pop DT2026

The Tefal Pure Pop DT2026 (8.5) beats the Philips 5000 Series Handheld Steamer STH5020/40 (8.4) because it leaves owners a little happier. The Philips 5000 Series Handheld Steamer STH5020/40 is the newer design, but not by enough to close the gap.

About the Philips STH5020/40

The STH5020/40 is a handheld steamer from Philips' 5000 Series. Philips quotes 1400W, up to 24g/min of continuous steam and a heat-up of about 35 seconds. The body weighs around 0.8kg, and the cord is 2m long.

It has two settings. Eco is the default and suits everyday wear. Max gives stronger steam for tougher creases and sturdier fabrics such as cotton. The head tilts for packing and storage. You can steam a garment on a hanger or laid flat, so no ironing board is needed.

The water tank holds 120ml and detaches for filling. Retailer listings mention a 2-in-1 glove and pouch, which doubles as a travel bag. Owners also mention a heat-resistant glove and a second water container, but the listing we read doesn't confirm those, so check the box contents before you buy.

What owners report about the Philips STH5020/40

We found little owner feedback for this exact model from UK retailers, so this section rests on a small amount of owner comment from European and Australian retailer pages.

Owners like how quickly it heats, how light it is to hold, and how easy it is to use. They report that it handles creases on many everyday fabrics, including silk and viscose, and that it works on garments hanging up.

The complaints are about the tank. A few owners want more water capacity, and one found the tank hard to release from the body. We found nothing on how it holds up after months of use.

Who the Philips STH5020/40 suits

It suits someone who wants to freshen a few garments before going out, keep something light in a travel bag, or steam shirts and blouses on a hanger. The quick heat-up helps if you steam in short bursts.

Look elsewhere if you have a stack of shirts, bedding or heavy linen to get through. The 120ml tank will need refilling mid-job, and the steam is gentler than on stronger models. The Russell Hobbs Steam Genie Maestro 27600 is better for big jobs, and the Tefal Pure Tex DT9530G0 is better for thick fabrics.

Questions about the Philips STH5020/40

What settings does the Philips STH5020/40 have?

Two. Eco is the default for everyday and delicate wear, and Max gives stronger steam for tougher creases and fabrics such as cotton.

How big is the water tank on the Philips STH5020/40?

120ml. It detaches for filling, but the small size means refilling during a larger job, and a few owners wish it held more.

Can the Philips STH5020/40 steam clothes on a hanger?

Yes. Philips says it steams garments on a hanger or laid flat, so you don't need an ironing board.

What warranty does the Philips STH5020/40 have?

Philips lists a 2-year warranty on its Australian page for this model. We couldn't read the UK page's wording, so check it for any conditions, such as registering the product.

What comes in the box with the Philips STH5020/40?

A retailer listing shows a 2-in-1 glove and pouch. Owners also mention a heat-resistant glove and a second water container, but we couldn't confirm those from a listing.

Other garment steamer picks

The other badge winners in our garment steamers ranking.

All 10 garment steamers, compared

  1. 1 Tefal Pure Pop DT2026Best Choice 8.5 Check Price
  2. 2 Philips 5000 Series Handheld Steamer STH5020/40This review 8.4 Check Price
  3. 3 Breville EliteTEMP VIN432 8.3 Check Price
  4. 4 Russell Hobbs Steam Genie 27220 8.3 Check Price
  5. 5 Tefal Pure Tex DT9530G0Best Premium 8.3 Check Price
  6. 6 Fridja F10 Handheld Clothes Steamer 8.3 Check Price
  7. 7 Russell Hobbs Steam Genie Aroma 28040 8.2 Check Price
  8. 8 Russell Hobbs Steam Genie Maestro 27600 8.1 Check Price
  9. 9 Swan SI12020N Handheld Garment SteamerBest Budget 8.1 Check Price
  10. 10 Tefal AeroSteam DT9810G0 7.9 Check Price
See the full garment steamers ranking

The Philips STH5020/40 on Amazon

Philips 5000 Series Handheld Steamer STH5020/40

The Philips STH5020/40 is a light, compact handheld steamer with a small 120ml tank and two steam settings. 8.4 out of 10.

Check Price on Amazon

How we score it

Every score here comes from our ranking model; no editor sets the order. We haven't read the review sites for this guide yet, so for now it is led by owners. It ranks products by how happy owners are, holding back any product few owners have rated until more agree. How many rated it and how new it is only settle close calls, and value for money earns its own badge rather than a higher place. We compared 23 models for this guide before settling on these ten.

Brands can't pay to be included or to move up. We last checked these picks in November 2026.

How we rank, in full

Where these facts come from