The 5 Best Mini Travel Irons [Ranked]
Travel irons provide on-the-go ironing- great for frequent travelers and crafts hobbyists (Source).
These miniature travel irons all have adjustable temperature ranges and feature dual voltage systems so they can work in foreign countries' outlets (Source).
Some have 'steam burst' features (the Sunbeam and the Rowenta) in addition to their regular steam settings.
The Hamilton Beach, Steamfast and Ivation are the lightest weight at 1 lbs. each, while the Sunbeam and Rowenta weigh 1.4 and 1.6 lbs respectively.
Our Top Pick: The Ivation Travel Iron
- Powerful 420-Watt Mini Steam Iron Easily Removes Wrinkles from Almost Any Fabric
This miniature, 420-Watt steam iron features a non-sticking ceramic sole plate, variable voltage and heats up in 15 seconds. There are 3 temperature levels ranging from 140˚F - 428˚F and it includes a 7.5' power cord that wraps around its handle.
Buyers tell us that in foreign countries this 1 lb. iron easily switches power settings, helping keep their clothes looking neatly pressed during European travels.
After you let it heat up, it does provide strong steam without leaking water. The palm-sized handle is innovative- helping to smoothly iron your pants and dresses. A compact option for business travelers as well as arts and crafts types- a mobile, high-performing iron.
Video Overview
Contents
| Travel Iron | Our Rating | Price ($) | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | The Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot Mini Travel Iron | 4.2 | $ | 1.4 lbs |
 | The Hamilton Beach Miniature Travel Iron | 4.3 | $ | 1 lb |
| The Steamfast Home-And-Away Miniature Travel Iron | 4.3 | $ | 1 lb | |
 | The Ivation Mini Traveling Iron | 4.6 | $ | 1 lb |
 | The Rowenta Compact Iron | 3.3 | $$ | 1.6 lbs |
Best Travel Irons For 2023
Effectiveness
Price
Ease of Use
This 800-watt compact traveling iron offered by Sunbeam is light, flexible, and easy to fit in your baggage. Users love that the iron is suitable for various fabrics and that it has dry and steam settings, but some do note that it’s tiny.
The Sunbeam travel iron measures 7.9” x 3.6” x 4”, and it features a light indicator, variable temperature controls, soft touch handle, non-stick soleplate, and a weight of 1.4 pounds. Another great feature of the Hot-2-Trot iron is the Shot of Steam option for smoothing deep wrinkles, and it has a dual voltage system (240V and 120 V).
A buyer comments that the Sunbeam compact iron performed better than he expected and that it’s just as powerful as a full-size iron. He adds that it doesn’t have any issues with extremely wrinkled fabrics and that it heats quickly.
But he warns that the iron doesn’t have an auto shut-off feature. Another happy user mentions that you can easily check how much water is left in the reservoir and that the mini iron is useful for tight spaces. A reviewer adds that the Hot-2-Trot iron is perfect for home crafting projects, and she highly recommends it.
However, some customers have said that the compact iron leaked water and stained their clothes. Some users also note that the iron needs a lot of time to heat and that it didn’t last for very long.
Unboxing The Sunbeam
Pros
- Light
- Easy to fit
- Dry and steam option
- Variable controls
- Light indicator
- Soft touch handle
- Non-stick soleplate
- Dual voltage
Cons
- Too small for some users
- Complaints of leaking
Effectiveness
Price
Ease of Use
If you are searching for a top-rated travel iron, you might take a look at this compact iron with steam offered by Hamilton Beach. Users love the size and the fold-down handle, but some do note that it’s bulkier than they expected.
The Hamilton Beach portable iron measures 4.5” x 5.5” x 7.3”, and it features a stainless steel soleplate, dual voltage, an 800-watt of power, 70 ml of water capacity, and a weight of 1.5 pounds. It also has a steam rate of 9 grams per minute which is great because it’s ready to steam in one minute. The package also includes a pouch and a fabric brush.
A reviewer observes that the Hamilton Beach mini iron with steam heats quickly, smoothes all wrinkles and that it’s perfect for her appliqué projects. She also says that thanks to the folding handle, the iron is easy to pack.
Another happy buyer comments that soleplate is very smooth and that it doesn’t stick to the fabric. She highly recommends it as one of the best mini travel irons with steam. A user adds that he has been using the iron regularly for a month and that it irons and steams his trousers with no issues.
However, few customers have complained that the steamer doesn’t work vertically and the iron is not useful if you want to use it as a fabric steamer. Some users also note that they received a defective and used product and that it leaks.
Pros
- Fold-down handle
- A stainless steel soleplate
- Dual voltage
- Powerful
- Light
- A pouch
- A fabric brush
- Shot of steam option
Cons
- Slightly bulky
- Some users say that it arrived in used condition
- Steamer doesn’t work vertically
Effectiveness
Price
Ease of Use
This mini traveling iron offered by Steamfast is handy, well-made, and a product of high-quality. Users love the variable temperature settings, but some do note that it leaks.
The Steamfast home-and-away iron measures 5.2” x 3” x 3.1”, and it features a 420-watts of power, dual voltage, 1.4-ounce water tank, a non-stick soleplate, one-touch steam controls, a weight of 1 pounds, and a 1-year limited warranty. Another great feature of this mini steam iron is that it heats up in 15 seconds, and the package includes a travel bag and a plastic measuring cup.
A user shares that she is amazed how much steam the mini iron generates and that it works exceptionally well. She says that it’s perfect for sewing and that she likes the fact that there is no auto shut-off option.
Another happy reviewer mentions that he has used the Steamfast travel iron for more than five years and that the dual voltage option makes it ideal for traveling overseas. He adds that it really heats up very quickly and that the steam lasts for 4-5 shirts.
A purchaser comments that the mini steam iron is perfect for pressing block seams and that she highly recommends it. However, few customers have complained that the iron didn’t last very long and that it arrived defective. Some also note that it’s not as hot as they expected.
Unboxing The Steamfast
Pros
- Variable temperature settings
- Dual voltage
- Non-stick soleplate
- One-touch steam control
- Light
- Heats quickly
- A travel bag
- A plastic measuring cup
Cons
- Leaking issues
- Users say that they received a defective product
- Not hot enough for some users
Effectiveness
Price
Ease of Use
If you are looking for a mini iron that you can easily fit in your luggage, you might consider this compact iron offered by Ivatation. Users love the extra long 7.5 ft cord, but some do note that it’s too small.
The Ivatation travel iron measures 5.3″ x 2.9″ x 3.1″, and it features a 420-watt of power, non-stick ceramic soleplate, one-touch steam controls, dual voltage, an innovative anti-drip design, and a weight of 1.08 lbs. Another great feature of the small traveling iron is that it has three heat power levels, and you can use it both for steam and dry ironing. The package also contains a plastic measuring cup and a warranty card.
In general, users agree that the Ivatation small mini iron is one of the best travel irons available, and they praise its compact design, lightness, and functionality. A buyer comments that the compact iron gets so hot that she has to watch her fingers.
She also says that it’s perfect for quilting projects and that she highly recommends it. Another happy reviewer mentions that she uses the iron when she travels to Europe and that it’s very easy to switch the voltages. A purchaser also observes that the iron works better than some full-sized irons and that it doesn’t leak or stick to the fabric.
However, some customers have complained that the mini iron doesn’t produce as much heat as they expected and that it lasted only a couple of months.
Unboxing The Ivation
Pros
- Easy to pack
- An extra long cord
- A ceramic soleplate
- One-touch steam controls
- Dual voltage
- An anti-drip design
- Three heating levels
- Plastic measuring cup
Cons
- Not hot enough for some customers
- Small
- Quality complaints
Effectiveness
Price
Ease of Use
This compact travel steam iron offered by Rowenta is well-designed, light, powerful, and stylish. Users love the adjustable temperature option, but some do note that the handle breaks.
The Rowenta travel-ready iron measures 8-3/5” x 3-8/9” x 4-8/9”, and it features a 1000-watts of power, a stainless steel soleplate, a burst-of-steam button, a 2-ounce clear water tank, dual voltage, and a weight of 1.6 pounds.
Another great feature of this mini iron is that you can use it for vertical steaming and that the handle folds flat for easy storage. The package also includes a travel pouch and 1-year limited warranty.
As a whole, reviewers have a favorable opinion regarding this compact steam iron, but they do mention some defects. A buyer shares that his wife has been using the Rowenta mini iron every day for more than a year for her crafting projects and she hasn’t experienced any issues with it.
Another happy user observes that the small iron glides smoothly over any kind of fabrics and that it deals quickly and efficiently with wrinkles. She adds that she has never had any issues with leaking and that she highly recommends the Rowenta iron.
However, some customers have complained that the iron burned out very quickly and that it leaks water. Some purchasers also note that it caught on fire when they used it.
Unboxing The Rowenta
Pros
- Adjustable temperature
- Powerful
- Stainless steel soleplate
- A burst-of-steam button
- Foldable handle
- Traveling pouch
- Good for vertical streaming
Cons
- Handle breaks easily
- Complaints of malfunctioning and leaking
What Are Buyers Saying?
The Sunbeam Portable Travel Iron
The first portable travel iron we examined is manufactured by Sunbeam-it's an 800 W option that includes a dual voltage system for European outlets.
It's marketed as an easy way to portably press out wrinkles from your garments- whether you are on the road as a business traveler who needs to look presentable in a pinch or just wants the convenience of an iron anywhere you go.
It'll let you do steam ironing- all you have to do is use is fill its water reservoir. This is especially useful at heat-pressing out those resistant wrinkles with a strong burst steam (Source). Sunbeam also claims that they designed a soleplate that is non-sticking so that it effortlessly glides over different fabric and materials- plus it's pointed tip will help you to iron around the tricky areas like cuffs, buttons, collars, plates and lapels.
- Buyers say that there is no off switch- the instructional manual indicates that you turn the dial down to its lowest setting to turn it off.
- One international traveler who had journeyed to Europe tells us that none of the hotels provided ironing boards- packing this mini travel steam iron ensured that she could get a hot press to provide wrinkle-free clothing for her children and husband.
- Some buyers have had negative experiences, however, saying that it is prone to leaking water, that it takes too long to warm up, with some reviewers even saying that their irons broke after only several uses.
The Hamilton Beach Travel Iron
The second travel steamer iron we examined is manufactured by Hamilton Beach- it has 800 W of power and includes a dual voltage capability of 120 V and 240 V.
It does provide continuous steaming- a must if you want to quickly press clothes on the road. Another handy feature is its fall down handle, which makes it especially compact- great for touching up clothes, even working on hanging clothes. With adjustable temperature ranges, you can work on different fabrics- changing the temperature for more delicate options if need be.
- Interestingly, many crafts professionals use it because it continuously stays on, unlike other irons that have auto shut off features.
- Another reviewer who was heading off to college told us he is impressed at how quickly it heats up and how smooth the soleplate is.
- One handy hack a review were shared with us is that she carries a small spray bottle in conjunction with the iron on a non-steam setting to get the same effect quickly.
- Another business traveler says that he was looking for a lightweight and portable option, saying that he was impressed at how little this compact travel steamer iron weighs down his luggage.
The Steam Fast Mini Iron
The third miniature steam iron we examined is manufactured by Steam Fast- it is a 420 W option that includes a 1.4-ounce water tank.
Steam Fast says that it will heat up within 15 seconds and includes temperature adjustability, a non-sticking soleplate, and ships with a measuring cup as well as a travel bag. It's marketed as a fast and efficient, but a highly portable means of crisply removing wrinkles and creases from pants, shirts, blouses, dinner jackets and any other cloth fabric.
It has an extra-long power cord and can be a compact option for people practicing cloth crafts.
- Buyers should be advised, that it doesn't provide bursts of steam. One woman who sews garments for a living says that as a tailor's tool it is indispensable- helping her to assemble skirts, as well as men's and ladies briefs.
- Another reviewer who frequently takes it as carry-on luggage tells us that she hasn't had any problems with airline security or TSA flagging it- she attributed that to its immediately recognizable shape.
- Without an ironing board, some reviewers told us that they lay a towel out over their hotel room beds and iron their clothes on top of it.
- A palm-sized option, some buyers appreciated that they don't need to stand as they used it- even ironing while seated at their work desks.
The Ivation Miniature Steaming Iron
The fourth miniature iron we examined is manufactured by Ivation- it includes a ceramic soleplate with an extra-long power cord. It has three different heat selections to choose from and the cord wraps around the handle to make it easier to toss into your luggage for complete on-the-go mobility.
In addition, Ivation claims that its proprietary anti-drip technology ensures that hot water drips will not stain your fabrics or burn your skin.
You can easily toggle it to choose the voltage you want to use- this makes it useful when traveling throughout foreign countries to power it up and keep your clothes looking clean and neat. Some buyers purchase it to store in their sewing cabinets and use for crafts parties- saying it's great for quilting projects, as well (Source).
The Rowena Mini Steam Iron
The last travel steam iron we examined is the Rowena 1000 W option with a stainless steel soleplate. It provides a burst-of-steam option, as well as adjustable temperature ranges and ships with a travel pouch.
Buyers have provided mixed feedback, saying that it was poorly constructed and designed, criticizing it for breaking down after several uses.
