Even seasoned travelers know the frustration of unpacking wrinkled clothes after a long journey. While hotel irons are often available, they can be cumbersome to set up, and not suitable for delicate fabrics. This leads many to wonder: is bringing a Travel Clothes Steamer truly practical?
Initially, I questioned the necessity of dedicating precious carry-on space to a clothing steamer. However, as someone who frequently travels with a family of four, the reality of hotel ironing boards becoming cluttered surfaces quickly changed my perspective. Since embarking on a journey of testing various travel steamers, I rarely leave home without one.
Among the 13 different models I’ve rigorously tested, a key feature consistently stands out in my favorites: a metal soleplate. This allows direct contact with the garment, effectively smoothing out even the most stubborn wrinkles. Beyond wrinkle removal, steamers offer an added benefit – they eliminate up to 99% of bacteria. While most manufacturers recommend distilled water to prevent sediment buildup, my testing primarily used regular tap water, reflecting real-world travel conditions where distilled water isn’t always accessible.
This article has been updated with new information to ensure you have the most current recommendations.
Top Travel Steamer Picks:
How We Tested Travel Clothes Steamers:
To provide you with the most reliable recommendations, each travel steamer underwent a comprehensive testing process across a variety of fabrics and garment types. We evaluated them on jeans, khakis, t-shirts, button-down shirts, linens, blouses, and jackets, using the following criteria:
- Size and Packability: Crucially, does the steamer fit comfortably within a standard weekender bag or carry-on suitcase?
- Power and Efficiency: Is using the steamer quicker and more convenient than using a traditional hotel iron setup? At minimum, does it perform just as effectively?
- Water Capacity: How often is refilling the water reservoir necessary when steaming a complete outfit?
- Leak Resistance: Will the steamer leak or leave wet spots, potentially delaying your plans?
- Durability and Longevity: Is the steamer built to withstand frequent travel and use, justifying its purchase and packing space?
Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Clothes Steamers:
Can I Pack a Portable Steamer in My Carry-On?
Yes, most travel steamers are designed to be carry-on friendly and are TSA compliant. The crucial step is to ensure the water reservoir is completely empty of any liquid before you arrive at the airport security checkpoint.
Are Portable Clothes Steamers Worth the Investment?
Absolutely, especially if you’re attending a formal event during your travels or packing garments prone to wrinkling. Personally, I’ve discovered an unexpected advantage: a travel steamer allows me to pack lighter. Knowing I can easily freshen up and de-wrinkle clothes enables me to re-wear items, making a capsule wardrobe approach to travel packing even more achievable. As someone who prioritizes carry-on travel, space is always a consideration. I find a travel steamer to be easily removable if space becomes a constraint. Below are six of the best travel steamers to consider for your next trip, balancing performance with portability.
Best Overall Travel Steamer
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Proctor Silex Compact 2-in-1 Steamer
My top recommendation has shifted! While the Nesugar handheld steamer was previously my go-to, the Proctor Silex 2-in-1 compact garment steamer has taken the lead. Only seven ounces heavier than the Nesugar, it delivers continuous steam for nearly 10 minutes on a single fill – impressive for its size. Its performance is consistent across all fabric types, tackling even stubborn wrinkles in denim with ease. Hotel and Airbnb outlet availability can be unpredictable, making the Proctor Silex’s generous 10-foot power cord a significant advantage, allowing for comfortable movement while steaming. Remarkably, it’s also the most budget-friendly option at around $20. For travelers seeking a reliable steamer for occasional use or a dependable workhorse, the Proctor Silex is an excellent choice.
Weight: 1.63 lbs.
Water Tank Capacity: 4 oz.
Pros: Affordable price, effective on all fabrics, rapid 45-second heat-up, useful brush attachment.
Cons: Water reservoir can be challenging to empty completely.
Best Lightweight Travel Steamer
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Nesugar Portable Handheld Steamer
After extensive use for over a year, the Nesugar portable steamer continues to impress with its smart and travel-conscious design. Weighing under a pound, this lightweight steamer generates a surprisingly powerful stream of steam. Despite its small water reservoir, it consistently provided nearly 10 minutes of steaming time, enough to de-wrinkle about five garments (though it struggled slightly with heavier fabrics like jeans). A convenient steam button activates the steam without needing to be constantly held down, a thoughtful design feature. The metal soleplate adds versatility, offering an ironing option for tougher wrinkles, which proved useful for jeans. The adjustable steamer head enhances its compact nature and allows for steaming at different angles. Initially, I was concerned that frequent head adjustments might compromise its durability, but it remains robust even after countless trips. A bonus feature is the included wall mount, providing convenient home storage.
Weight: 12.8 oz.
Pros: Exceptionally lightweight and packable, adjustable head for different angles, includes a wall mount for storage.
Cons: Best suited for lighter fabrics, less powerful on heavy wrinkles.
Best Long-Lasting Travel Steamer
Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Handheld Fabric Steamer
While positioned at a higher price point, the Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam truly excels in power and functionality – transforming a wrinkled t-shirt to pristine condition in under a minute. It effortlessly tackles wrinkles in heavier garments like jackets, but also offers adjustable settings for more delicate fabrics. Notably, the Conair Turbo is unique among tested models for its variable steam settings. It even includes a built-in creaser for those who prefer sharp creases. Its powerful steam output means it consumes water more quickly, requiring refills after steaming several items, depending on fabric type and wrinkle severity. The Conair Turbo would have been a top contender for overall best, if not for its larger size (13″ x 8″ x 6″), which makes it less ideal for strict carry-on packing. However, if you frequently use an iron at home, this steamer’s performance might make it the perfect substitute, even for travel.
Weight: 3.2 lbs.
Water Tank Capacity: 6.6 oz.
Pros: Exceptional de-wrinkling power on all fabrics, multiple steam settings for versatility, rapid heating.
Cons: Small water tank opening makes refilling slightly cumbersome, bulkier size for travel.
Best Foldable Travel Steamer
Seekclass Foldable Garment Steamer
The Seekclass foldable steamer stands out as the most visually appealing option tested and secures the second spot for packability. With a rapid 30-second heat-up time and continuous steam output (no trigger to hold), the Seekclass started strong. However, steaming a pair of pants required a slightly longer four minutes, and utilizing the metal soleplate was necessary to achieve optimal results. The water reservoir is quite small, necessitating a refill before completing a single pair of pants. The small refill opening also makes it somewhat challenging to empty any remaining water when packing up. Given this, allowing the steamer to air dry at the earliest opportunity is advisable to prevent mineral buildup.
Weight: 1.4 pounds
Water Tank Capacity: 3.5 oz.
Pros: Foldable handle enhances portability, metal soleplate for ironing, quick heating time.
Cons: Prone to leaks when placed on its side, small and difficult-to-fill reservoir, heavier fabrics often require refilling during steaming.
Best Travel Steamer for International Trips
Conair Travel Smart Dual Voltage Garment Steamer
For international travelers, the Conair Travel Smart steamer’s automatic dual voltage capability is a major advantage. While it boasts a fast 20-second heat-up, the steamer’s reservoir does become very hot during use – requiring caution to only hold it by the handle. The high reservoir temperature also necessitates a short pause between refills. However, a single tank is sufficient for steaming around three garments. A standout feature is the automatic steam generation from the start, eliminating the need to constantly hold down a trigger button, a welcome relief for your fingers. The Conair Travel Smart secures its place on this list primarily for its appeal to frequent international travelers seeking a globally compatible and user-friendly travel steamer.
Weight: 1.2 lbs.
Water Tank Capacity: 3.4 oz.
Pros: Dual voltage for international use, collapsible handle for compact travel, automatic heat-up and continuous steam (no trigger needed).
Cons: Reservoir becomes very hot, preventing immediate refills.
Most Leakproof Travel Steamer
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Steamery Cirrus 3 Iron Steamer
I often lean towards hybrid steamers that double as irons, and the Steamery Cirrus 3 excels in this category. Its large iron plate rivals the efficiency of a full-size iron, although a single water tank only steams around three garments. The standout feature of the Steamery Cirrus 3 is its exceptional leak resistance. This is a paramount consideration for me, as hurried steaming during busy travel schedules is common, and dealing with wet spots is the last thing I want. Even a vigorous shake test proved it completely leak-proof. The primary drawback of this steamer is its higher price tag.
Weight: 1.8 lbs.
Water Tank Capacity: 3 oz.
Pros: Large iron plate for efficient pressing, completely leakproof design, quick heat-up time.
Cons: Higher price point, smaller reservoir capacity steams only about three garments per fill.
Best Two-in-One Travel Steamer
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The Nori Press Iron & Steamer
Concluding our list of top travel steamers is the Nori Press, a unique hybrid steamer and iron highly recommended by senior editor Megan Spurrell. “The Nori steamer appealed to me due to its sleek design – two-in-one functionality is always advantageous for travel, and eliminating the need for an ironing board was a definite plus,” Spurrell notes. “I tested it thoroughly on my destination wedding day, using it on both my dress and my husband’s linen suit. It successfully performed both steaming and ironing functions.”
This distinctive, compact device features two heated aluminum plates that simultaneously press both sides of a garment, halving the wrinkle-removal time. Another significant benefit is its six fabric settings (polyester, silk, wool, cotton, denim, and linen), ensuring wrinkle-free results and fabric protection for any garment you pack.
Weight: 1.4 lbs.
Water Tank Capacity: 1 oz.
Pros: Dual heated plates for fast ironing and steaming, dual voltage compatibility, automatic shut-off after 10 minutes of inactivity.
Cons: Very small water reservoir best suited for smaller steaming tasks, can become tiring to hold when tackling heavily wrinkled garments.
