We Tested the Best Facial Steamers—These 6 Are Worth Buying

Final Verdict

Overall, we liked the Panasonic Nano Ionic Face Steamer. This beginner-friendly device generates a consistent stream of warm mist within seconds and leaves skin feeling clean and oh-so-soft. But if you want something a bit more affordable or are interested in a cordless option, you can't go wrong with the Conair True Glow Facial Sauna.

How We Tested

Byrdie editors took their time researching at-home facial steaming devices before narrowing it down to 14 to try out in The Lab, our in-house testing facility in Manhattan. Each product was first assessed for its look and feel, including its size, weight, appearance, nozzle, power source, and features.

Next, our testers evaluated the setup requirements and ease of use. Then they performed a mist test to see how quickly the steamers heated up, whether they produced a consistent stream, and how their skin looked and felt afterward. The devices that performed well in all assessments were ultimately selected for this roundup.

Other Options We Tested

UrChoice Portable Nano Facial Mister

We found this portable mister to be generally straightforward and easy to use. The cordless, rechargeable design is convenient, but the USB charging cable isn't a universal fit for all computers. And while the spray felt refreshing, it's more of a cool mist, so you probably won't get the pore-opening benefits of a traditional steamer.

Finishing Touch Flawless Facial Steamer

This device was easy to set up and generated mist almost right away, though it had a faint burnt-plastic smell at first, and the steam flow sometimes needed to be redirected. We liked the sleek design, built-in mirror, and rose gold accents. And while our tester said her skin felt hydrated, the results just weren't as great as other steamers.

Okachi Gliya Ionic Care Facial Steamer

We liked that this modish steamer has a built-in lighted mirror and comes with a cute cat-ear headband to keep your hair out of your face. Our tester said her skin felt soft afterward, but the mist stream wasn't very consistent, and unfortunately, it had that faint burnt-plastic smell.

What to Look For in a Facial Steamer

Nano-Ionic Technology

When it comes to shopping for the right facial steamer, Fedotova recommends looking for devices that use nano-ionic technology. Combining smaller, ionized particles of steam is meant to up the ability of the steam to penetrate deeper into your skin, essentially helping it work better and faster. She points out that nano-ionic steamers also enhance their hydration benefits, so any steamer that utilizes this technology is a great choice for those with especially dry skin.

Hot and Cold Settings

Steam doesn’t necessarily have to be hot to be effective, so Fedotova suggests opting for a steamer device that generates both hot and cold steam—especially if you have finicky skin. “For inflammatory conditions like rosacea or excessive redness or extremely sensitive complexions, it can be better to use a cool steam,” she says. “This helps hydrate and soften the skin without heating it.”

Size and Design

Is this something you’re going to leave out on your vanity for daily use? Only pulling out for special occasions? Taking with you wherever you go? Shapes and sizes of facial steamers vary greatly, so take how often you’re going to be using it and where you’re going to store it into consideration.

What Is Byrdie Verified?

Did you notice the Byrdie Verified seal of approval at the top of this story? This seal means that our team has researched and tested every product on this list using a unique methodology that’s designed to focus on what our readers really want to know—and to deliver insights that you can’t find anywhere else. Occasionally, beauty brands and PR agencies will send us samples for coverage consideration, but our thoughts and opinions are fully our own. If you visit links within our content, we may receive commissions from your purchases, but we never receive any compensation or consideration for the content of our recommendations. In short, the Byrdie Verified seal stands for product recommendations you can trust.

Why Trust Byrdie

Theresa Holland is a commerce writer and product reviewer specializing in beauty. For this article, she compiled expert insights from a celebrity esthetician, as well as notes from Byrdie's in-house lab testers. Each product was carefully vetted and ultimately selected due to its user-friendly design, standout features, and effectiveness. Theresa has personally tried beauty gadgets from Panasonic, Dr. Dennis Gross, Plum Beauty, Conair, and Finishing Touch. You can read more of her stories on People and Travel + Leisure.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any facial steamers from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.