Best Wallpaper Stripper 2021 – Buyer’s Guide

Whether it has been layered on, painted over or was ridiculously tough to start with, this machine is Warrior by name and Warrior by nature.

The four-litre tank capacity is generous without being too cumbersome, and you will be able to get a good 70 minutes of use out of the water before having to stop, refill and reheat. It takes 12 minutes to reheat, which is perfectly timed with around how long it takes to fully enjoy a tea break, luckily.

The hose is about 3m long and is flexible without being uncontrollable so gives you the perfect amount of freedom.

So while it may take a while to get up to full heat, the long running time and effective work makes it a very worthwhile purchase – and it is a little bit cheaper than the Black + Decker.

With a five litre capacity and 78 minute run time, this is one of the largest wallpaper steamer sets you can buy. Ideal if you have an awfully big task ahead, frequent use or if you need a steamer for semi-professional work.

Despite the size, it is lightweight to carry around even when full. There is enough steam produced to remove a couple of layers of paper, or tougher materials such as Artex.

There are good instructions and care points in the included documents, and it is important to descale it regularly to avoid it overheating or cutting out. Overheating protection is in place, and it seems a lot more strict than with other models, so a lot of people comment that it is a frequent issue. But the long run time and capacity reduce the need to stop for refilling as much, so it doesn’t become a huge problem –  it is good to have a break. And at least it shows that there will be no dangerous flaws.

When you have a large task at hand, such as removing stubborn wallpaper from every single room in the house, you need something which can be quick yet reliable.

This steamer may be very pricey, but you are paying for something of an industrial level of reliability. The steam plate size is huge at 305 x 235mm, and it can carry on for 90 minutes without any interruptions or the need to refill.

You may be wondering what the design is all about, as it looks very different from the others reviewed. It features a patented step design, so you can safely stand on the unit to reach higher areas. Obviously, you will probably still use step ladders for bigger jobs, but it is good for those quick reaches to peel off any bits left behind.

It also helps when packing it all away, as the pad and cable can all be stored or kept in one place when you’re moving from house to house or in and out to your van.

With a hose length of 5m and the same for the power cable length, it is perfect for larger rooms or older houses with high walls but fewer plug sockets. This is just another one of the many reasons it is great for professionals; you can use it in an old large Victorian detached house just as easily as you could in a two bedroom terrace.

It takes 30 minutes to heat up, which seems long but is actually great for the size and amount of water. As a bonus, the anodised aluminium tank will face less chance of rusting or scaling than other models, which means less time caring for it.

If you look at hiring a wallpaper steamer, you’ll actually see that this is the model many outlets offer, which just shows how loved it is.

This model is one of the higher prices options on our rundown, but there is a whole package provided, so you have all the tools you need to start your task straight away.

Nobody enjoys stripping wallpaper, and if you are dreading the task, then you’re going to want to make it as fast and painless as possible. A great amount of steam is released, and the pad is nice and large so you can get big sections at once. You also get a second smaller pad, which makes it one of the best if you will need to use it on smaller areas.

The 3.5m hose allows you to have a large working range, and it is heat insulated, so if you need to touch it to adjust the placement, you aren’t going to scald your hands. Nor will it damage anything it touches.

The steamplate is nice and lightweight so easy to manoeuvre, as is the actual water tank. The latter is also nice and stable, so you don’t have to worry too much about placement as it should sit comfortably on any flat surface.

It has the longest run time of all those we found at 80 minutes, despite having one of the smallest tank capacities, and when the time comes to refill it, the large filling hole and safety valve both reduce the risk of injury.

Giving you over an hour of use thanks to the 4.5L capacity tank, Silverline is one of the best-known brands when it comes to wallpaper steamers (and indeed power tools), and this model is great if you have a big task ahead.

The 280 x 200 mm steam pad and 3m hose allow you to reach a generous area before having to re-setup shop, and it can get through multiple layers at once, so you just need to make a few scores, and the whole lot can come away in no time.

If you’re worried about using a steamer because you don’t want to damage plaster walls or ceilings, then the adjustable temperature function will allow you to still use the same technique without having to adapt, and will also help when tackling more sensitive areas.

It is an ideal weight to move and carry, and the base is stable so you don’t have to worry too much about where you place it as long as the surface is largely flat and heat resistant.

The lower price makes it well worth a go, and cheaper than hiring a model.

Another budget pick, but surprisingly one of the fastest at heating up and getting the job done despite this.

All you need to do is score the paper, and within a few seconds, you can start to see it peel away from the walls. The hose is a generous length at around 3.7m, making it one of the longest of those we reviewed and meaning you can tackle a larger area without having to move the water tank around or hold it.

Because it is so effective, it only needs a couple of moments use with each section. Don’t overdo it or you could face damaged walls and plaster. You also have to get used to the best way to hold it. The tube must be kept straight and elevated, or else it tends to spit hot water, but as long as you are doing the walls or higher areas and keep it out of the way of yourself and electricals, it shouldn’t be an issue.

A wallpaper stripper which is excellent value for money, the Denny is ideal if you want something simple and back to basics for a decorating job.

It can run for over 70 minutes, which is very generous, and the build makes it both comfortable to move around and easy to place wherever you need it to be.

The tube is 3m long, and the pad is 28 x 20cm, so even if you have a large room to get through, this steamer will still be quick at the job. The power cord is 1.5m, making it one of the shortest, so you may have to do a bit more setting up if this is the case.

But this is pretty much the only issue we found with it, which is surprising given the price. It may not last for years as it doesn’t feel like the strongest available, but for a quick answer to tackling wallpaper if you don’t want to hire, it is an affordable and simple solution.

Complete with anti-discharge and anti-implosion valves, this is a safe yet easy device to use and comes in at a great cost.

You get a 3m long connect pipe and 2m power cable with the package, which can both be removed from the water tank to make for easier storage when it isn’t in use (which is going to be important as it could be a few months before you need it again).

One feature which makes it stand out is the temperature control switch. While many other models have one standard level of steam, requiring you to adapt the way you use it, you can choose the right level with this one. Power it up for tougher Artex or several layers, or keep it low for when there are only a few strands left, and you don’t want to damage the plaster.

The steam pad is comfortable to hold and a nice size for larger areas. To say you get 80 minutes of steam time from such an unassuming piece of kit is very impressive indeed.

A nice long run time, generously sized steam pad/water tank and internal thermostat to avoid overheating all make this a great choice for anyone who likes to do things all at once as opposed to pausing regularly.

There are reviews online from trade decorators who even sing its praises. This is probably a good sign of a great product. Surprisingly when considering this, it is actually one of the lowest priced wallpaper strippers on the market, if not the absolute cheapest.

It gets very hot even though there is an internal thermostat, which is good if there are a couple of layers to work through or the wallpaper is old and has since been painted over. To get to this point takes the longest out of all those reviewed, so while the run time is good and it is fast at the job, you will have to plan ahead when you want to use it.

Don’t expect a steamer which will last years or always be 100% comfortable to use for the price, but it is a quick solution for removing stubborn wall coverings.