This steamer claims to be an iron, but does it really work?
8/6/2026
Translation: Elicia Payne
Pictures: Stephanie Vinzens
With the OneTurn, Philips promises a combination of fast steaming and precise ironing. I tested to see if this 2-in-1 device lives up to its claims.
I’ve been using Tefal’s Aerosteam for almosts a year now – and my love for it has only grown. Now Philips is introducing a promising competitor: the OneTurn. The premise sounds interesting. This product’s not only a steamer, but also an iron. And just like the Aerosteam, the OneTurn also advertises that it can smooth creases quickly and easily. Will it outshine my current favourite?
When the device arrives, I’m really surprised: the box is huge. Inside the box, you find the device along with a heat-resistant dock and an ironing mat. If you buy the dark blue version from Galaxus, which currently costs about 50 francs more, you’ll also get an extra water tank. This is especially handy when you want to smooth out several items of clothing at once without having to keep refilling it.
Much ado about nothing?
Once plugged in and turned on, the OneTurn is ready to go in 45 seconds. And here’s something else I really appreciate: it turns itself off after eight minutes of inactivity.
The first test I do on the combination appliance is on the standard steamer function – and the outcome is average. Garments that are easy to work with, such as a simple viscose top, can be shaped quickly. Ironing shirts that are prone to wrinkling, on the other hand, is just as tedious as it is with most other steam irons. In other words, you have to go over the spots several times, and the result’s never quite as perfect as it would be with an iron. The OneTurn boasts an impressive steam output of 90 grammes per minute. By comparison, the compact Philips 5000 Series Steamer, which I tested last year, uses just 24 grammes – and yet I don’t see any noticeable difference.
If I hang the garment against a solid background – in my case, on a door hook – I can place the ironing mat behind it and press down slightly on the fabric. This provides a slightly better result on stubborn areas.
One thing that immediately stands out to me is the diamond-shaped soleplate, which can be rotated as needed. Since it covers such a large area, I can steam simple garments quickly – but thanks to the pointed tip, I can still easily handle tight spots like button plackets.
Much more impressive as an iron
I get the best results by using the OneTurn like an iron – that is, horizontally on a stable surface. To do this, I drape my shirt over the ironing mat and iron it at a table. This method actually makes the fabric much smoother than a conventional steamer. I’m just as surprised as I am impressed when I compare the steamed side with the ironed side.
However, this also makes the process more complicated – and more time-consuming. Just like with a regular iron, you have to drape the fabric properly before you start ironing it. It’s not that easy with the ironing mat. It makes me wonder if it’d be easier to just buy a regular iron and ironing board. Of course, a mat like this is easier to put away, making it a good option for people who don’t have enough storage space in their apartment for an ironing board.
Comparison with the Aerosteam
I can see why the OneTurn is the ideal product for some people. Personally, I’m sticking with my old favourite, which is also only about half the price of the dark blue OneTurn version. As a steamer, Tefal’s Aerosteam – with its special suction effect – delivers, in my opinion, faster, easier and cleaner results. Unlike many other steam irons – OneTurn included – it also doesn’t spray large drops of water onto the fabric in suction mode. However, anyone who needs perfectly pressed shirts but has very little space at home will enjoy the 2-in-1 feature of the new Philips model.
In a nutshell
Practical hybrid for small living spaces
As a steam iron, the OneTurn hardly stands out from the competition. What makes it shine is when its used as an iron. If you have limited storage space and want to switch between quick steaming and careful ironing depending on the garment, this is a practical – though not exactly cheap – hybrid solution.
Pro
- Versatile
- Space-saving alternative to an iron and ironing board
- Large water tank
Contra
- Steamer is average at best
- Large price tag
Has endless love for shoulder pads, Stratocasters and sashimi, but a limited tolerance for bad impressions of her Eastern Swiss dialect.
