Whether you’re flying on a quick business trip or a leisurely vacation, there’s nothing worse than finding there’s no iron or ironing board supplied in your hotel rooms.
Going around with wrinkled clothes for your entire trip just won’t do, and that’s where portable travel irons hop in for the rescue!
So, if you’re looking for the best travel iron that doesn’t take up much space in your your luggage on your next trip, keep on reading.
These lightweight irons are perfectly designed for traveling, and they pack enough power to remove stubborn wrinkles and tough creases without taking up massive space in your travel bag.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through 6 of the most reliable and travel-friendly options that you should keep in mind.
Let’s dive in!
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Quick summary of the best travel irons for 2024
✨Top Rated Travel Iron: Rowenta DA 1560 Pro Compact Steam Iron
About this product:
- Stainless steel soleplate
- Adjustable temperature settings
- Ergonomic folding handle
- Dual voltage
- Adjustable steaming modes
Full Review of the Top 6 Irons for Travel Available on the Market
With all the options available out there, finding the right travel iron can be a bit tricky. To help you with this process, here are brief overviews of the top options you can find out there!
1. Rowenta DA1560 Pro Compact Steam Iron
Let’s start with one of the most reliable travel irons out there and our overall top pick. The Rowenta travel iron strikes an excellent balance between power and space efficiency, all while coming with several travel-friendly features. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for a small travel iron.
For starters, the iron features a stainless steel soleplate, which ensures excellent heat conduction through its 1,000 watts of power.
Besides dry ironing, the Rowenta is also great at steaming. It features a 2-ounce tank in addition to 200 micro steam holes. You can adjust the steaming between bursts and continuous steaming. It also has a vertical steaming option for added convenience.
The Rowenta is also a dual voltage travel iron, which you can adjust directly on the iron for a hassle-free conversion.
The iron comes with an ergonomic handle that you can fold when not in use for easier storage and packing.
Additionally, the iron comes with a travel pouch to keep it secure in one place as well as a one-year limited warranty for a worry-free purchase.
Pros
- High wattage and adjustable temperature to work with a variety of fabrics
- Adjustable steaming modes, including vertical steaming mode
- Dual-voltage feature for reliability while traveling
Cons
- A bit pricey
2. Conair EZ Press Hand-Held Steam Iron
The Conair EZ Press Steam Iron is a mighty option to consider if you’re looking for powerful yet reasonably-priced iron.
With 800 watts of power, the handheld iron heats up pretty quickly and you can adjust the temperature to work with various fabrics. It also features a stainless steel soleplate made from stainless steel for easy gliding over garments.
The iron also has a continuous steam knob in addition to a steam burst button to flatten tough wrinkles. The only caveat here is that the water reservoir is a bit small, but can be enough for a quick session.
One of the clever features of this iron is the anti-slip heels that allow you to set it upright without tipping over.
Similar to the Rowenta, this one also comes with dual voltage options to use it comfortably anywhere.
Pros
- Lightweight yet sturdy iron
- Heat up quickly and reaches a decently high temperature
- Features an 8-foot long cord for reliability
Cons
- The water tank is a bit small
3. Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot Travel Iron
Next up, we have an excellent travel iron to consider if you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a travel iron, but still want a decent option.
Similar to the Conair EZ Press, the SunBeat Hot-2-Trot delivers up to 800 watts of power, which allows it to heat up quickly. You can also adjust the iron’s heat through a handy temperature controls dial, although not the highest on the list.
The iron is also easy to use and features a smooth non-stick soleplate for easy gliding over the garments while ironing.
The ongoing steam feature on the travel iron allows you to use it vertically or horizontally. However, its steam burst feature isn’t as powerful as others, which is one of its few drawbacks, besides being a little heavier in comparison to other handheld options.
One the plus side though, this iron has a fairly large water tank, which saves you the hassle of refills. It also comes with a one-year limited warranty for added reliability.
Pros
- Best option for buyers on a strict budget
- Switches voltages easily
- Large water reservoir for long sessions
Cons
- The water tank may leak if you overfill it
4. DenniesCare Portable Steam Iron
If you’re all about size and portability, this one might be a good option to consider. The DenniesCare compact steam iron is one of the tiniest options on the market that doesn’t skimp on power and features.
Despite being only 1.1 lbs, the 700-watt iron can heat up in seconds and you can adjust its temperature easily through a control dial to optimize it depending on the fabric you’re working on.
The iron has a 2.7-ounce tank that allows you to use it as a steamer in less than half a minute. It also has a steam burst feature for added reliability. However, the iron will leak water if you use the steamer before it reaches the maximum temperature.
One of the few drawbacks of this highly compact option is that it comes with a relatively short power cord. This can be a little inconvenient in some situations, although this makes it a little easier to pack, so it highly depends on your personal preferences here.
Pros
- Incredibly lightweight and a small size
- Reliable steam function with burst feature
- Large removable water tank for easy refills
Cons
- The iron’s cord is quite short
5. Sharper Image SI-755 Mini Steam Iron
Next up, we have the Sharper Image SI-755, which is an overall nice package that comes at a fair price.
One of the favorite features of this iron is its weight, as it only weighs 0.98 lbs, which makes it the lightest travel iron on the list.
The iron is also easy to use, thanks to its nonstick plate that glides easily over fabrics. It also has a steaming feature and comes with a measuring cup to fill up the water with a 1.2-ounce water tank.
The only drawback here is that this iron has only 350 watts of power, so it takes up to a minute to heat up instead of a few seconds. This makes it an affordable option if you don’t mind the wait.
Pros
- Features various temperature and garment steamer settings to suit many fabrics
- Compact size and ergonomic design that can stand vertically when not in use
- Equipped with a dual voltage switch
Cons
- Takes some time to heat up
6. Conwang Dry/Wet Travel Steam Iron
Last but not least, if you want a highly versatile iron that also doubles as a steamer, you shouldn’t look further than the Conwang travel iron.
This one packs some serious power under the hood, as its wattage is the highest on the list, with up to 1,100 watts! This doesn’t only mean quick heat-up time, but also reliable performance.
The iron features a scratch-resistant ceramic soleplate, which provides even heat across its surface while being easy gliding over fabrics for a smooth performance.
The iron also comes with plenty of convenient features, but the most reliable one here is the steamer mode. You can rotate the iron 90 degrees to turn it into a full-blown steamer.
The only drawback here is that it lacks a dual-voltage mode, so it’s only suitable for flights across North America.
Pros
- Turns into a vertical steamer
- Powerful iron that heats up fully in seconds
- Evenly distributed heat across its ceramic soleplate
Cons
- Lacks a dual voltage mode
Things to Look for While Buying a Travel Iron
While you’re shopping for a mini travel iron, there are several features and essential aspects that you need to keep in mind. In this section, we’ll take a closer look at them.
Power
The power of iron is usually measured in watts. The higher the wattage, the faster the iron heats up and the higher the temperature it can reach, which allows you to work with a wider range of fabrics.
Ideally, you should go for a travel iron of 600 to 1,000 watts for reliable performance. On the other hand, options with lower wattage are usually lighter but can take up to 90 seconds to heat up, so you should only consider them if you don’t mind the wait.
Heat Settings
Most irons come with an adjustable heat system, which allows you to adjust the temperature depending on your needs.
For example, if you mainly work with cotton, linen, or denim, you’ll need a powerful iron with a high wattage setting.
On the other hand, if you work with delicate or synthetic fabrics like silk or polyester, you’ll need a low-temperature mode. A good iron will feature an accurate control dial to optimize the temperature accordingly.
Portability
A good travel iron must save you a lot of storage space while packing, so you should always consider the iron’s portability and compactness while buying it.
Make sure that the iron doesn’t weigh more than 1.5 lbs and fits within a small spot in your luggage.
A massive bonus here would be going for foldable options that you can store in even smaller spaces when not in use.
Steaming
A dry iron can be quite effective at pressing clothes to remove wrinkles, but it might not do much against tough ones, and that’s where the steam comes in handy!
In addition to removing tough wrinkles, powerful steam also kills odor-causing bacteria, which helps in keeping your clothes fresh for longer.
Ideally, you should look for a travel iron with a continuous steam feature, which you can use horizontally or vertically as a steamer.
Bigger water tanks mean larger iron, but it also saves you the hassle of frequent refills. A good balance here would be around 1.5 to 3 ounces.
Dual Voltage
Dual voltage is another remarkable feature to consider having in your travel iron. While some countries have their electricity voltage set at 110-120V like the US, many other countries have their voltage set at 220-240V.
Using devices at the incorrect voltage can damage them irreversibly, so it’s always a good plus to have a device with dual voltage.
This means that you can flip a switch on the device to change its voltage to the corresponding country. That being said, you can ditch this feature if you only travel internally.
Safety
When handling hot irons, safety features are always a major consideration. To prevent any burns or fires, you should aim for an iron with auto shut-off and temperature control settings.
Auto shut-off turns the device off after it hasn’t been used for some time, while the temperature control setting allows you to set the optimal temperature for the type of fabric being ironed.
These features are not only convenient but also add an extra layer of security when travelling with your iron.
Value for Money
The cost of a travel iron should be considered. Generally, cheaper models tend to lack features like temperature control or dual voltage.
That being said, you don’t have to break the bank for an efficient device either; there are plenty of great value for money irons available in the market that come with all the necessary features.
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Best Travel Iron: Wrapping Up
This marks the end of today’s guide that shows you everything you need to know about travel irons and what to look for in the search for the best iron for you.
As you can see, there are several great options out there. However, if you’re looking for a reliable recommendation, you should consider the Rowenta DA1560 Pro.
While it’s a bit pricier than others, it’s incredibly powerful, features a dual-voltage switch, and has a foldable handle.
However, if you’re looking for a more affordable option that still gets the job done, the Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot would be an excellent pick for you.
