I went on a 1-week trip to Paris about 2 years ago and learned the hard way why you should always bring a travel steam iron with you on trips. All of my clothes were a wrinkled mess, and the hotel’s iron just didn’t work well. To cut a long story short, I had to pay to get them ironed, and I wasn’t comfortable with the amount I paid. it’s so important to bring your iron with you as it helps you avoid additional expenses and maintain that fresh look throughout your trip.
Since then, I resolved to always bring my iron with me. I didn’t have a travel steam iron then, so I began to test irons from different brands until I found the best travel steam irons which I’ll share with you in this guide. You’ll also learn about their features and how to choose the right one for your needs.
Why You Need a Travel Steam Iron
Due to how unreliable hotel irons are, and the likelihood of the irons being faulty, you’re better off coming with yours. Hotel irons may leak water, have scratched or dirty soleplates, or poor heating. Some hotels don’t even provide irons, so that’s another strong reason why you need to have yours.
Garment steamers are common in hotels, but they’re only good for removing wrinkles from delicate clothes made of materials like wool and silk. They won’t remove wrinkles and creases from more durable or stronger materials, so you may still need an iron for some of your clothes even if the steamer in your hotel room works well.
Now, you might be thinking, what if I travel with my own garment steamer? You could do that, but a garment steamer usually takes up more luggage space than a travel iron. Travel irons also…
- give you more control over heat and steam settings
- can be used as dry irons
- are suitable for quilters who like to quilt while on trips
- easier and safer to travel with thanks to features like folding handles and travel pouches
- have dual-voltage support and so can work in any country
In short, a travel steam iron is the perfect answer to all of your iron-related problems.
Key Features to Consider
1. Portability and weight: Irons designed for traveling should be lightweight and compact for easier packing and handling on trips.
2. Steam and heat settings: Being able to adjust these settings means you can iron clothes made of different materials.
3. Dual voltage: No need to buy a voltage converter. You can easily switch from 120v to 240v.
4. Fast heat-up: An iron that heats up fast enables you to iron clothes fast especially when you’re running late for meetings or events.
5. Easy to use: If it’s easy to use, you’ll be able to get the job done faster. The iron should have an ergonomic design and a reasonably-sized water tank.
The Best Travel Steam Irons
Rowenta DA1560 Pro Compact Steam Iron
If you need a steam iron for traveling, or you just need a compact iron for quick touch-ups at home, this iron is for you.
Key Features
Power: 1,000 Watts. Produces enough heat for most ironing tasks.
Voltage: Dual voltage. Easily switch between 120v and 240v.
Weight: 1.6 lbs. This iron is so light it won’t strain your hand or add a significant amount of weight to your luggage..
Soleplate: Stainless steel. High-quality and durable soleplate with 200 steam holes for perfect heat and steam distribution.
Special features: This iron doubles as a steamer thanks to its vertical steaming feature. It can also produce bursts of steam at the press of a button to remove tougher wrinkles. It comes with a travel pouch too.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Compact design and folding handle makes it easy to travel with | The handle is not as durable as I’d like |
| Large transparent 2 oz water tank is enough for quick touch-ups | For some users, the temperature dial might be hard to turn |
| Dual voltage is incredibly useful if you travel abroad often | Steam might suddenly stop working in some cases |
| The iron heats up fast | Water tank may need frequent refills for longer sessions |
Why the Rowenta DA1560 Pro Compact Steam Iron Stands Out
The Rowenta DA1560 offers features of regular irons in a small form factor. It’s compact, which means it’s perfect for you if you need a portable iron and/or have limited storage space. Its dual voltage capability is also a huge plus, while its stainless steel soleplate ensures even heat distribution and excellent ironing performance.
Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot Travel Steam Iron
This is one of the best irons for anyone seeking a lightweight option for quick touch-ups while on trips. It’s also my second favorite steam iron for travel.
Key Features
Power: 800 watts. This amount of power provides the amount of heat you need to get excellent results or at least satisfactory results depending on the type of fabric.
Voltage: Dual voltage. You already know what benefits you gain from having a dual voltage iron as a traveler.
Weight: 1.2 lbs. This iron is even lighter than the Rowenta DA1560.
Soleplate: Non-stick. The soleplate has a non-stick coating designed to do what its name implies – smooth gliding without sticking.
Special features: The Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot Travel Steam Iron lets you pick heat settings for wool, cotton, linen, silk, and other materials. It has a steam burst button for extra powerful bursts of steam for ironing and vertical steaming. It also has a comfortable handle and comes with a travel bag.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Dual voltage makes it possible to use the iron in any country | May need several more passes to get the same results you get with full-sized irons due to less powerful steam output |
| Iron is compact and lightweight making it perfect for traveling | Small 3 oz water tank means more frequent refills |
| Iron sells at a very affordable price without sacrificing important features | Water tank may leak drops of water |
| The soleplate heats up fast so you can start using it almost immediately after plugging in |
Why the Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot Travel Steam Iron Stands Out
Seeing as this iron is an affordable and portable one, it’s easy to see why it stands out as a travel iron. It’s not going to replace your big home iron, but it’s going to be better than your big home iron for trips. It also offers you all the essential features you may need in an iron while being compact enough for traveling.
Steamfast SF-710 Mini Steam Iron
The Steamfast SF-710 Mini Steam Iron is another iron I love, mostly for the same reasons why I love the Rowenta and Sunbeam models. Here’s my comprehensive review:
Key Features
Power: 770 watts. This iron has enough power to iron and press your clothes with good results on the go.
Voltage: 120v. You’ll need a voltage converter if traveling to a country that uses a 220-240v system.
Weight: 1.1 lbs. That’s as lightweight as a steam iron can be.
Soleplate: Non-stick soleplate. Facilitates smooth gliding.
Special features: To ease portability, this iron comes with a folding handle. It has a very short heat-up time of 45 seconds, and you can select the amount of heat you need depending on the type of fabric you wish to iron. It also has a steam burst button that can be locked for continuous steam.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lightweight and portable and therefore ideal for travel | 1 oz water tank is small compared to the other irons I recommend here |
| Heats up fast in as little as 45 seconds | Single voltage (120v) means you may need a voltage converter for some countries |
| Continuous steam is available when you need it so you don’t need to press the steam button repeatedly | May leak water while using steam |
| Steamfast provides a measuring cup with the iron | |
| Has an integrated hook and loop cord wrap |
Why the Steamfast SF-710 Mini Steam Iron Stands Out
Its portability plus its quick heat-up time and continuous steam feature make it a good purchase for anyone in need of a travel iron. Although 770 watts is a bit low for a steam iron, it’s still powerful enough to get the job done.
Travel Steam Irons Comparison Table
| Feature | Rowenta DA1560 Pro Compact Steam Iron | Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot Travel Steam Iron | Steamfast SF-710 Mini Steam Iron |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand & Model | Rowenta DA1560 Pro Compact Steam Iron | Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot Travel Steam Iron | Steamfast SF-710 Mini Steam Iron |
| Wattage & Power | 1000 watts | 800 watts | 770 watts |
| Voltage Compatibility | Dual voltage (120V/240V) | Dual voltage (120V/240V) | 120V only |
| Weight | 1.6 lbs | 1.2 lbs | 1.1 lbs |
| Steam Output & Settings | 200 microsteam holes; variable steam and temperature settings; burst-of-steam; vertical steam | Shot of steam feature; variable temperature settings; 7 steam holes | Continuous steam; variable temperature control; steam burst button; 4 steam holes |
| Best For | Business travelers requiring robust performance and versatility | Vacationers seeking an affordable, lightweight iron for occasional use | Domestic travelers needing a compact iron for quick touch-ups |
How to Choose the Best Travel Steam Iron
1. Frequent travelers: If you’re a frequent traveler, you’ll need an iron that is lightweight and has dual-voltage support. I recommend the Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot for frequent travelers.
2. Business professionals: Business professionals who go on business trips require an iron with high steam output, enough power to give them that polished look they need, and the ability to choose heat settings. If you’re a business professional, consider buying the Rowenta DA1560 Pro.
3. Domestic travelers and quilters: If you mostly travel within the country or you love to quilt while away from home, the Steamfast SF-710 Mini could be the perfect fit for you.
Usage and Maintenance Tips
1. Let the iron heat up fully before you begin using it. This is even more important if you plan on using steam as it decreases the likelihood of water leaking out.
2. Be sure to empty the water tank before adding the iron to your luggage.
3. Store the iron in a travel pouch. Some travel steam irons come with travel bags for storage. If yours doesn’t, make sure to buy one.
4. If allowed by your manufacturer, use distilled water or a mixture of tap water and distilled water to reduce limescale buildup, maintain good steam output, and prolong your iron’s life.
How to Troubleshoot Common Issues
1. Water leaking out: The most common reason for this is insufficient heat. Stop using the iron and let it heat up properly for a few minutes before using it again.
2. Iron not heating up: If your iron isn’t heating up, its heating element could be faulty, the cord could be damaged, or the iron wasn’t plugged in properly. Plug it into a functioning outlet and check if the power indicator comes on. If it doesn’t, then you may need to get it repaired or replaced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a dual voltage iron for international trips?
Yes, I highly recommend you get a dual voltage iron for international trips due to how easy it is to switch them from one voltage to the other. Also, you won’t need a voltage converter which would be an added expense and take up extra storage space.
Are travel steam irons safe for delicate fabrics?
These irons are safe for delicate fabrics as they allow you to pick from a wide range of heat levels, so you can select the right temperature for your clothes.
Can a travel steam iron replace a regular iron?
Unless you only do light ironing at home and really don’t need a regular iron, the answer is no. Why? Because travel irons have much smaller water tanks, lower wattages, and aren’t as feature-rich. If you iron a moderate to large number of clothes per week, you’ll be better off with a normal steam iron.
Over to You
First, the key takeaways:
- Dual voltage is an essential feature in a travel steam iron unless you only travel domestically
- The iron must be lightweight and compact to be suitable for travel
- It must produce adequate amounts of heat and steam
There’s no doubt that these irons will make your life easier while on the go. No more hotel iron hassles or worrying about whether your room has one. Just pick up your iron, smoothen out those wrinkles, and be on your way! The irons I recommend here are the best ones for travel. I’ve tried them all, and they all served their intended purposes to perfection.
Why Should You Trust Me?
My name is Charlotte Williams, and I’m a mother of two. I’ve been testing home and kitchen appliances for the past 10 years, including steam irons of course. Read more about me.