The Best Wallpaper Steamers For Stripping Stubborn Paper
Six steamers that soften woodchip and old layers so the scraper does less of the work.
Our quick verdict
Our pick of the best wallpaper steamer is the BLACK+DECKER 2400 Wallpaper Stripper. It's the most powerful steamer here, which matters when you're facing a whole room of woodchip or layered paper, and its large plate covers a good patch of wall each time. For long sessions, the Wagner SteamForce Stripper gives up to 70 minutes per fill from a tank that stays cooler to the touch.
DIY Works is reader supported. If you buy through our links we may earn a commission, which never changes what we recommend. How we make money.
Our Picks At A Glance
- Check price of BLACK+DECKER 2400 Wallpaper Stripper
Best Overall
BLACK+DECKER 2400 Wallpaper StripperWhole rooms of stubborn paper where power and safety features matter
- Check price of Wagner SteamForce Stripper
Best Performer
Wagner SteamForce StripperLong stripping sessions where fewer refills and a cooler body help
- Check price of Oypla Professional Wallpaper Stripper
Best All-Rounder
Oypla Professional Wallpaper StripperBig open walls where a large steam pad saves time
- Check price of Earlex SS125 Wallpaper Steamer
- Check price of Excel 2000 Electric Wallpaper Steamer
Fastest To Steam Up
Excel 2000 Electric Wallpaper SteamerGetting started quickly and stripping both wallpaper and Artex
- Check price of Nitaar 2000 Wallpaper Steamer
On a whole room of woodchip or painted paper, refills slow you down more than anything else. Every empty tank means letting the steamer cool, topping it up and waiting for steam again, so runtime per fill counts for more than raw power once you're past the first wall. Plate size is the other trade-off, with a big pad covering open walls quickly and a small one getting round sockets and window reveals.
The six here run from a 45 minute budget steamer to models quoting 70 minutes per fill.
Stripping Rooms With Our Own Steamers
Renovating our rentals and Airbnbs has meant stripping a lot of walls, and we've had our share of awkward paper, including multi-layered walls and the dreaded woodchip. The featured photo shows a blue steam plate softening a wall while the scraper follows close behind. We can't tie that plate to any of the six steamers reviewed here.
We own more than one steamer because my partner and I tackle big wallpapered rooms together. The photo below shows two of them, and we can't tell the makes apart from it.
After all that use, the features we value most are a long runtime and a powerful element for quick steam up times. Stopping to refill the tank and then waiting for it to heat again wastes more time than anything else on the job.
The short below shows a steamer in use, though the model isn't named in it. It takes around 15 seconds for the steam to loosen the paper, and then it scrapes off easily. Our full method is in our guide on how to remove old wallpaper.
Want To Remove Wallpaper With Ease? Use A WALLPAPER STEAMER! We've Tested Multiple To Find The Best!
When a brand brings out a new version of a steamer, we try to buy it and use it on a real wall. Each steamer here was compared on:
- Power: the wattage and how quickly it builds steam
- Runtime and tank: how long it steams before a refill
- Steam plate: the size of the plate and how much wall it covers per position
- Reach: hose and cable length
- Safety: valves, boil dry protection and how hot the body gets
- Build and value: handles, storage, warranty and price
Wallpaper Steamers We Recommend
Runtimes and steam up times are the brands' figures. A bigger tank means fewer stops on a full room.
Best Overall
BLACK+DECKER 2400 Wallpaper Stripper
Best for: Whole rooms of stubborn paper where power and safety features matter
Check Price On AmazonWith 2,400W behind it, the BLACK+DECKER 2400 is the most powerful steamer in this roundup, and that extra power goes into the steam. The 4 litre tank gives up to 60 minutes between refills, and you can fill it straight from the tap while the water level indicator shows how much is left.
The steam plate is large, so each position covers a good patch of wall. There's a 3 metre power cable and a 3.65 metre hose, which is enough to reach the top of a wall from the floor or a stepladder. The hose and plate store on the body when you've finished, which keeps everything tidy in the cupboard.
Safety is well thought out, with a boil dry cut out and safety release valves. It isn't the cheapest steamer, and its runtime is shorter than several others here.
What we like
- 2,400W power rating, the highest quoted here
- Large steam plate covers more wall per position
- Boil dry cut out and safety release valves
- Fills easily from the tap
- 3 metre cable and 3.65 metre hose
- On-board hose and plate storage
What to know
- 60 minute runtime is shorter than the 70 minutes quoted for the Wagner and Oypla
- Costs more than the budget steamers here
Our verdict
Whole rooms of woodchip or layered paper are where the BLACK+DECKER's extra power earns its keep, and the boil dry cut out and release valves make it a sensible steamer to have around. The 60 minute runtime means slightly more refills than the Wagner. It isn't the cheapest, but it's the one we'd pick for big jobs.
Best Performer
Wagner SteamForce Stripper
Best for: Long stripping sessions where fewer refills and a cooler body help
Check Price On AmazonThe SteamForce is built for long sessions. Wagner says it's ready in 12 minutes and runs for up to 70 minutes from its 4 litre tank, 10 minutes longer than the BLACK+DECKER, with a 2,000W element doing the heating.
Its most useful feature is the dual-wall ribbed tank, which keeps the outside of the steamer much cooler than a standard single-skin tank. That matters if you're working with children or pets about, or just knocking it with your leg as you move along a wall. There's also an anti-explosion valve, and Wagner says the newer design adds safety features and makes the tank quicker to fill than the previous model.
The 3.7 metre hose gives good reach. The power cable is short at 1.8 metres, so plan on an extension lead.
What we like
- Up to 70 minutes runtime according to Wagner
- Ready in 12 minutes
- Dual-wall tank keeps the outside cooler
- Long 3.7 metre hose
- Anti-explosion valve
- 4 litre tank
What to know
- Short 1.8 metre power cable
- Lower power rating than the BLACK+DECKER 2400
Our verdict
Fewer refills and a cooler body make the SteamForce a good match for anyone stripping several rooms, especially with children or pets about. The short cable is the niggle, so keep an extension lead handy. If outright power matters more than runtime, the BLACK+DECKER is the stronger steamer.
Best All-Rounder
Oypla Professional Wallpaper Stripper
Best for: Big open walls where a large steam pad saves time
Check Price On AmazonThe Oypla Professional is a cheaper steamer with some strong numbers behind it. It has a 2,200W element, a 4.5 litre tank and a runtime of up to 70 minutes, so it'll keep going through most of a room on one fill.
The standout is the steam pad, which measures 28 x 20cm. On a large wall, a bigger pad means fewer moves and more paper softened at once, which adds up over a full room. The temperature is controlled automatically, the water level indicators are clear and the 3 metre hose gives decent reach.
It's a fairly basic machine without the extras of the premium steamers, and it needs assembling when it arrives, but for big wallpapered areas it does the job well.
What we like
- Large 28 x 20cm steam pad
- 4.5 litre tank with up to 70 minutes runtime
- 2,200W element
- Automatic temperature control
- Clear water level indicators
- 3 metre hose
What to know
- Needs assembling out of the box
- Fewer extra features than the premium steamers
Our verdict
If your rooms are mostly big, open walls, the Oypla gets more done each time you place the pad, and a 70 minute runtime at a lower price than the big brands makes it strong value. Expect a bit of assembly when it arrives.
Best Value
Earlex SS125 Wallpaper Steamer
Best for: First-time users who want a simple, well-made steamer
Check Price On AmazonThe Earlex SS125 is a no-frills steamer, and Earlex pitches it at beginners and first-time users. It's rated at 2,000W, holds 4 litres and runs for up to 70 minutes, the same runtime as the Wagner.
Safety comes from a three-way valve system, and the carry handle makes it easy to move from room to room. Earlex says it'll remove all types of wallpaper.
There's nothing fancy about it, and we haven't used this exact model ourselves, so the figures here come from Earlex.
What we like
- Up to 70 minutes runtime
- Three-way safety valve system
- 2,000W power rating
- 4 litre tank
- Ergonomic carry handle
What to know
- Very basic with no standout features
Our verdict
First-timers stripping a few rooms will get on well with the SS125, as there's nothing to learn beyond filling it and switching on. Anyone after extras like on-board storage or a bigger pad should look at the BLACK+DECKER or Oypla.
Fastest To Steam Up
Excel 2000 Electric Wallpaper Steamer
Best for: Getting started quickly and stripping both wallpaper and Artex
Check Price On AmazonThe Excel 2000 gets you stripping sooner than any other steamer here, with a quoted steam up time of 10 minutes, 2 minutes faster than the Wagner. Waiting for a steamer to heat is one of the most frustrating parts of the job, so that counts for a lot, especially if you refill during the day.
It has a 4.5 litre tank with a runtime of up to 70 minutes, matching the Oypla. Excel says it's suitable for wallpaper and Artex, the temperature is controlled automatically and the clear water level indicators show when it's time to top up.
It's a budget-friendly steamer designed for all experience levels. The brand lists fewer specs than the others, so check the hose and cable length before buying if you're working in a large room.
What we like
- 10 minute steam up time
- 4.5 litre tank with up to 70 minutes runtime
- Suitable for wallpaper and Artex
- Automatic temperature control
- Clear water level indicators
What to know
- Hose and cable lengths aren't listed by the brand
Our verdict
Impatient decorators will like the 10 minute steam up time, and the 4.5 litre tank keeps it going for up to 70 minutes. It handles Artex as well as paper, which is handy in older rooms. Check the hose and cable lengths before ordering, as Excel doesn't list them.
Best Budget
Nitaar 2000 Wallpaper Steamer
Best for: A single small room on a tight budget
Check Price On AmazonThe Nitaar 2000 is one of the smallest and cheapest steamers you can buy, and at 2.2kg it's easy to carry up and down stairs or move around a box room. The compact body has soft grip handles, and the 3 metre flexible hose reaches comfortably around a small room.
Nitaar says it's powerful enough to remove multiple layers of wallpaper, and the 2,000W element matches the Wagner and Earlex on paper.
The catch is runtime. At 45 minutes per fill it runs dry far sooner than the others, so on a bigger job you'll be stopping to refill and waiting for it to heat again. For a small bedroom or a feature wall, that's not a problem.
What we like
- Light at 2.2kg
- Compact size for small rooms
- 3 metre flexible hose
- 2,000W power rating
- Soft grip handles
What to know
- Only 45 minutes of runtime per fill
Our verdict
A small bedroom, hallway or single feature wall is the right-sized job for the Nitaar, one of the cheapest steamers you can buy and light at 2.2kg. Its 45 minute runtime is the drawback on anything bigger. Several rooms call for a 70 minute steamer like the Wagner SteamForce.
What Makes A Good Wallpaper Steamer
Every steamer works the same way, so the differences come down to how long it runs, how fast it heats and how comfortable it is to use for hours. These are the things we'd check.
Runtime And Tank Size
The runtime decides how much wall you strip before stopping. A 4 to 4.5 litre tank gives around an hour of steam on the steamers here, while smaller models like the Nitaar run for less. When the tank runs dry you'll need to let it cool, refill and wait for steam again, so a longer runtime makes a bigger difference than it first seems on a whole room.
Power And Steam Up Time
A higher wattage heats the water faster and keeps the steam coming. The quoted steam up times here are 10 minutes for the Excel and 12 for the Wagner. If you're working alone, fill and switch on the steamer before you clear the room, so it's ready when you are.
Steam Plate Size
A larger plate softens more paper each time you hold it in place, which speeds up big, flat walls. A smaller plate is easier to work around light switches, sockets and window reveals. Some steamers come with both, and the Oypla's 28 x 20cm pad is the largest listed here.
Hose, Cable And Safety
Check the hose length for reaching ceilings and the tops of stairwells, and the cable length so you're not stretching an extension lead across the room. Safety valves and boil dry cut outs matter, as these are tanks of boiling water. A dual-wall tank like the Wagner's keeps the outside cooler if you knock it.
Getting The Best From Your Steamer
Score vinyl or painted paper first so the steam can reach the paste. Hold the plate still for a few seconds, then move it along and scrape the patch you've just steamed. Work from the bottom up, as the steam rises and starts softening the paper above.
Steam can loosen weak plaster, so go gently on older walls. Once the paper's off, fill any dents with one of the best wall fillers, and let damp plaster dry out before decorating, as explained in our guide to how long plaster takes to dry. If you're hanging new paper, our guide on how to wallpaper a wall picks up from there.
Questions About Steaming Off Wallpaper
Do wallpaper steamers damage plaster?
A wallpaper steamer can damage plaster if you hold the plate in one spot for too long or the plaster is already weak. The heat and moisture can soften the surface and make it blow or crumble. Keep the plate moving, steam only as much as you need to lift the paper and scrape at a low angle to avoid gouging the wall.
How long does it take to steam off wallpaper?
Each section of wallpaper takes a few seconds of steam to loosen, and in our testing it took around 15 seconds before the paper lifted with a scraper. A full room depends on the number of layers, the type of paper and the condition of the plaster. Woodchip and painted paper take longer than a single layer of standard paper.
Can you use a wallpaper steamer on woodchip?
Yes, a wallpaper steamer is the best tool for removing woodchip, including woodchip that's been painted over several times. Score the surface first so the steam can reach the paste, then hold the plate on each section a little longer than you would for standard paper. Work in small patches and scrape while the paper's still warm.
Should you score wallpaper before steaming?
You should score wallpaper before steaming if it's vinyl, painted or has a washable coating, because those surfaces stop steam reaching the paste. A scoring tool punches small holes without cutting into the plaster. Standard uncoated paper doesn't need scoring, as steam passes through it easily and softens the paste on its own.
What slows down a stripping job the most?
Stopping to refill the tank and waiting for it to heat again wastes more time than anything else on the job. That's why we value a long runtime and a powerful element. The Wagner SteamForce, Oypla Professional and Earlex SS125 quote up to 70 minutes per fill. If you work alone, switch the steamer on before you clear the room.
Is the Wagner SteamForce worth choosing over the BLACK+DECKER 2400?
The Wagner SteamForce is worth choosing for long sessions or a home with children and pets. Wagner quotes up to 70 minutes of runtime against the BLACK+DECKER's 60, and its dual-wall tank keeps the outside cooler. The BLACK+DECKER 2400 has more power at 2,400W against 2,000W, and a longer 3 metre mains cable than the Wagner's 1.8 metres.
Which steamer suits a single small bedroom?
The Nitaar 2000 suits a single small bedroom or feature wall. It weighs 2.2kg, has a 3 metre flexible hose and a 2,000W element, and it's one of the cheapest steamers you can buy. Its runtime is only 45 minutes per fill, so for several rooms a 70 minute steamer like the Wagner SteamForce makes more sense.
Can the Excel 2000 steam off Artex as well as wallpaper?
Excel says the Excel 2000 is suitable for wallpaper and Artex, which is handy in older rooms. It has the quickest quoted steam up time in the roundup at 10 minutes and a 4.5 litre tank with up to 70 minutes of runtime. Excel doesn't list the hose and cable lengths, so check them before ordering.
The Wallpaper Steamer We'd Recommend
The BLACK+DECKER 2400 is our top wallpaper steamer, with the most power here, a large plate and sensible safety features for stripping whole rooms. If you want more time between refills and a cooler body, the Wagner SteamForce is the one to choose.
For large walls on a budget, the Oypla Professional's big pad saves time, and the Nitaar 2000 is the cheap, compact choice for a single small room.
Richard has spent years renovating properties and turning them into rentals and Airbnbs. Like a lot of people he started out as a beginner, and these days there isn't much DIY he won't take on.