In-depth review
Rowenta Pro Style Care IS8440 Review (2026)
In-depth review of the Rowenta Pro Style Care IS8440: Steam and Press support, four settings, and whether it closes the gap to ironing.
Rowenta Pro Style Care IS8440
The pressing steamer: a Steam and Press vertical support that lets you steam one-handed with something to press against.
Our verdict
The IS8440 is the standing steamer for buyers who miss ironing results but not ironing itself. The Steam and Press support is a genuine innovation, not a gimmick: pressing cloth against a firm surface is what turns steam from a refresher into a finisher. The price and footprint are the honest costs, and for pressing-focused buyers they are worth paying.
What we like
- The patented Steam and Press vertical support gives fabric something firm to press against, which solves the classic steamer problem of cloth billowing away from the head.
- Four steam settings on the handle let you match output to fabric without walking back to the base, and the extra-large Delta steam head spreads steam evenly.
- The removable tank, easy-roll wheels, auto-off, and anti-calc function make a premium machine easy to live with rather than merely powerful.
What to watch out for
- The support screen and pole make assembly longer than a plain standing steamer, and the screen itself needs storage space.
- At this size it is a dedicated laundry-corner appliance, not something to fetch from a cupboard for one shirt.
- The premium price is hard to justify if you mostly refresh already-nearly-smooth clothes rather than pressing creased ones.
Who it is for
Buyers who steam shirts and tailored garments regularly and want results close to ironing without an ironing board.
Why the support screen matters
Every ordinary steamer shares one weakness: the garment hangs free, so the steam head pushes cloth away instead of pressing through it. The IS8440's vertical support gives the fabric a firm backing, so one hand holds the head and the other guides the cloth, with the screen supplying the resistance an ironing board normally provides. The result is visibly crisper shirts, especially across the chest and sleeves, with far less chasing of billowing fabric.
Settings and steam head
Four settings on the handle, rather than on the base, keep adjustment in the hand that needs it. The extra-large Delta steam head spreads steam across a wide path, so each pass covers more cloth, and the 35 grams per minute output is strong enough for cotton without overwhelming lighter fabrics on lower settings. Brushes and a crease attachment cover the rest of the wardrobe.
Living with a premium upright
The removable tank, wheels, auto-off, and anti-calc function remove the daily friction that makes some premium appliances feel like chores. Assembly takes longer than a plain upright because of the support screen, and the unit needs a storage corner, but once assembled it is a roll-out, steam, roll-away machine rather than a project.
How it stacks up
Against the Jiffy J-2000, the IS8440 wins on pressing results and settings, while the Jiffy wins on simplicity and long-term repairability. Against the SALAV GS18, the IS8440 wins on finish quality, while the SALAV wins on session length per fill and price. Against the Rowenta IS2461, the IS8440 wins wherever pressing matters, and loses only on price and simplicity.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Owners praise the support screen for giving shirts a crisper finish than free-hanging steam
- The handle-mounted controls are liked for quick adjustments mid-session
- The wide steam head is credited with covering garments in fewer passes
Common complaints
- Owners find assembly takes longer than a simpler upright
- The overall size makes it a commitment to store rather than a cupboard item
- Some owners feel the price is steep if pressing is only an occasional need
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Key specifications
- Power
- 1700 watts, 35 grams per minute continuous steam
- Heat-up
- 45 seconds
- Tank
- 44 ounces, removable
- Settings
- Four steam settings on the handle
- Extras
- Steam and Press vertical support, fabric brushes, crease attachment, auto-off
Also consider
Rowenta Pro Style IS2461
The straightforward Rowenta upright: a big removable tank, fast heat-up, and hanging clips for easy sessions.
- Power: 1500 watts
- Heat-up: 45 seconds
Jiffy Steamer J-2000
The buy-it-once standing steamer: a brass heating element, a huge tank, and parts you can still order decades on.
- Power: 1300 watts, solid brass heating element
- Heat-up: About one minute
Research-based assessment. ThePickLedger has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.
Questions, answered
Does the Steam and Press support really help?
Yes, noticeably on shirts and tailored garments. The firm backing stops fabric billowing, so steam passes through the cloth instead of around it, which produces a crisper finish in fewer passes than a free-hanging steamer.
Is assembly difficult?
It takes longer than a plain upright because the pole, hanger, and support screen must be fitted, but the steps are straightforward and the result is stable. Allow unhurried assembly the first time, then leave the unit assembled for daily use.
Can the IS8440 handle delicates?
Yes, on the lowest setting with the delicate brush fitted and the head held slightly away from the cloth. The support screen also helps here, since it steadies sheer fabric that would otherwise flutter.