What is any house without any iron? An iron is an electrical appliance that we use and require on a daily basis to flatten out the unsightly and hideous creases and fold off our clothes before heading out for an important meeting or visit.
A travel iron, unlike a full sized regular iron, gives you the added advantages of being lightweight, and compact. The travel iron is designed to be packed into your luggage while you travel or take up minimal shelf space if you’re a single resident and have little space to spare. Best Pick
The Rowenta 1700 –Watt travel iron is our best pick because it is one of the most powerful iron, with a functional design, superior steam distribution and advanced cleaning, and refill mechanism.
Budget Pick
The Sunbeam travel iron is our budget pick because it is great value for money- it provides superior heating and comes in a compact, lightweight design, and budget-friendly price tag.
Quick Comparison Between The Best Travel Irons
1. Rowenta 1700-Watt Micro Steam Iron, Brown, DW5080
Highlighted Features
This brown and white travel steam iron from Rowenta packs in a stylish design, powerful features, and quality German build- all in one product. Its smooth soleplate and precision tip can acces tough corner and flatten out creases. The soleplate is made of stainless steel and features 4000 holes to spray about 35g/min of water- a number that will result in effective ironing of evening the toughest creases or folds. The unit delivers an output of 1700 Watts. The self- cleaning feature is pure joy- any distractions or accidental burns can be cleaned easily.
The iron has a 10-ounce capacity water storage area and you can easily view when a refill is needed. The anti-calcium system of this iron means you can directly input water from the tap. The storage area also prevents leak or drip of water. There are various steam levels and you can select your desired one by turning the large dial. The unit also has safety turn-off feature in three modes- the iron will automatically shut down if it is kept vertically for 8 minutes, or face-on or side-on for 30 seconds.
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2. Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot 800-Watt Travel Iron, GCSBTR-100-000
Highlighted Features
This steam iron from Sunbeam features a compact and functional design. It has multiple purchase option, all in the color light blue- 2-pack, 3-pack, 4-pack, and 5-pack. The indicator light at the top notifies you when the iron is hot enough to use. The water reservoir is at the top of the unit and is easy to access and fill. The Shot of Steam features allows great distribution of steam for efficient ironing and removal of wrinkles.
The unit has dual voltages- 240V and 120V and delivers an output of 800-Watt for superior performance. The tip and design help you iron hard-to-access places of the clothes. The non-stick sole plate is built to last. The small sized iron works like a wonder and is comfortable to hold and use, and is comparable to full-sized model in terms of quick heating, effective pressing, and steam distributionPROS
CONS
3. BLACK+DECKER IR03V Easy Steam Compact Iron
Highlighted Features
This blue, grey and white iron from Black+Decker comes in three models- Anti Drip with Smart Steam, Anti-Drip with smart Steam and Auto Shut-off, and Compact Iron with Variable Steam. The stylish design and compact shape make it comfortable to hold and efficient to use.
The unit features a True Glide manufactured non-stick sole plate that glides smoothly across all fabric types, providing efficient heating. The unit features an automatic steam output depending on the temperature level selected. The dial is conveniently located, for ease of control and features six different levels of heat.
You can produce a burst of high steam or gentle steam, depending on the requirements of your fabric. An additional steam vent provides vertical steaming for curtains, clothes in hangers, etc. There is no button to turn off or adjust the steam levels.
This is one of the cheapest available iron in the market and is especially favored by people on budgets or students. This iron doesn’t have variable steam settings and the vent for refilling the reservoir with water was found to be small for some users.
No off-button is provided, except for the auto shut off feature on some models where it shuts down after keeping vertically still for 8 minutes or 30 seconds when over a fabric. Some people find it risky; they’d rather plug it off. Some people had issues with the indicator light on-off mechanism: the light went off quite suddenly and took a long time to switch back on.PROS
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4. Reliable Ovo 150GT Portable Steam Iron
Highlighted Features
This travel iron from Reliable is white and blue in color and features innovation in design. The iron is lightweight and compact. The indicator light alerts you when the iron is hot enough and ready for use. Unlike a lot of irons, however, this unit runs on a single voltage of 120V only. The small size, however, comes with a slight disadvantage of the iron tipping over. If you’re not careful, the iron may drop and the plastic parts are prone to cracking.
One of the major design flaws of the unit would be the lack of a separate handle for grip: you must hold the body of iron to press on the clothes and this may be difficult if it the body gets hot. The unit produces continuous steam spray for efficient ironing.
The reservoir is located at the back of the unit so the user doesn’t accidentally open it or remove its cover. The unit has a tiny stand that can be folded in when not in use and can be folded out to make the iron stand vertically.PROS
CONS
5. Steamfast Mini Travel Steam Iron with Dual Voltage
Highlighted Features
Perfect for quilting and travelling, this compact mini travel iron steals the show- this attractively designed iron runs on dual voltage – 120V and 240V. It has a comfortable which features easy to access buttons and temperature control settings.
The iron has a white body, grey soleplate with a green temperature dial. The dial has three temperature settings, which work on different types of fabrics and a one-touch button for steam control. The reservoir is easy to fill and can contain 1.4 oz. water. The iron comes with a measuring cup for easy refill and a travel bag for easy of carrying. The product is equipped with a 2-year warranty.
Despite the small size, this iron produces lots of heat, comparable to a full-sized iron. It is great for quilting, sewing and pressing patchworks due to its rapid heating. It delivers steady steam, without dripping or spitting or leaking. It will not replace your regular iron but will be especially helpful for pressing on quilts and block works.PROS
CONS
6. Ivation Travel Mini Iron
Highlighted Features
This mini travel iron, in white and grey, features innovation in design and technology. With a 7.5 ft. long cord, the cord can be wrapped and clipped around the handle for ease of carrying and storage. The mini iron features three temperature level for getting the desired heat level depending on fabric type. There are two steam modes- a high burst of steam and a gentle mist of steam.
This iron is ideal for crafts and quilting needs. The Anti-Drip technology prevents leaks, spills and resulting water stains. The soleplate is made of non-stick ceramic. It heats up readily, in 15-30 seconds. The unit has dual voltage and a one-touch control for steam output.
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7. PurSteam 420-WattTravel Steamer Iron Mini
Highlighted Features
This well-designed, lightweight, compact iron from PurSteam is ideal for road trips or craft requirements. The unit runs on dual voltage and delivers 420-Watts of power. The cord has an ample length of 6.5 ft. This mini iron features three temperature level for getting the desired heat level depending on fabric type. There are two steam modes- high burst of steam and gentle mist of steam. The cord can be clipped to the unit for ease of storage.
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8. Utopia Home Steam Iron, 1200-Watt
Highlighted Features
This blue and white steam iron from Utopia Home delivers 1200-Watts of power. It is a piece of functional and well-designed equipment. It features a dial with variable heat levels for various types of fabrics like cotton, nylon, linen, and silk.
Vertical steam can be obtained and additionally, there are adjustable steam output levels depending on whether you need a light or heavy steam. The 2m cord length has an easy swivel for comfort while ironing and to prevent the formation of tangles.
The sole plate is non-stick and has patterned holes for superior steam distribution. It glides smoothly over fabric surface and provides even heating. The reservoir can contain up to 200ml of water which eliminates the need for frequent refills.PROS
CONS
9. SMAGREHO Mini Travel Steam Iron
Highlighted Features
This mini travel iron from SMAGREHO features a unique, red color body and a compact, lightweight design. It runs of dual voltages of 100V and 240V. The iron delivers 420-Watts of power. It heats up readily. The handle has a unique design, comfortable grip, and easy access to all the function buttons.
The iron is equipped with 1-touch control for steam and three heat settings for different types of applications. There is an indicator light to alert the user when it is hot. The soleplate is non-stick and designed to flatten out creases from hard to access locations. The unit heats up very fast and delivers high or low steam levels, as desired.
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10. VASTORE Travel Mini Steam Iron
Highlighted Features
This travel iron from VASTORE is available in an attractive design in the color polar white. It features dual voltages. It has a 6.5ft cord of ample length for ease of movement. The cord can be folded around the handled and clipped to the unit for storage. The iron has a non-stick soleplate which smoothens out creases at hard-to-access locations.
The iron is ideal for the travelers or craft enthusiasts who required a handy iron nearby to press on the seams. There are multiple heat output levels and two steam output controls- the burst mode for heavy steam on difficult creases and the light spray of steam. The design is such that it allows you to comfortably grip the handle and access the function button. The iron can comfortably sit on the palm due to its size.
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Things to Consider Before Buying a Travel Iron
Variable Heat Settings
A variable heat setting means that the travel iron you have purchased is equipped with different heat level, which you can easily adjust depending on the type of fabric you are ironing.
Cotton and linen clothes usually require a very high level of heat while silk clothes need lower levels of heat. A variable setting will allow you to change it readily, without burning or damaging clothes.
Size and Shape
A travel iron should be small in order to fit into luggage easily. The typical iron also fits backpacks. The shape of the iron should give priority to ergonomics.
The handle of the iron should be comfortable to grip. The iron should smoothly glide over the creases and folds, applying just enough force on them.
Steam Function
Most irons have a vertical steam spray to press on hanging drapes, clothes on hangers, etc. The irons may also have variable steam options- this will help you choose whether you need a high burst of stream or a light gentle mist of fine steam would be preferable.
The perforations on the soleplate of an iron helps to distribute steam and you must make sure to pick one with sufficient holes.
Dual Voltage
Most electrical appliance in the US work on 100V or 120V but the voltage requirements may be higher in other countries that you travel- an iron with a dual voltage will make your work easier.
With just an adapter, you can you the iron on the go!
Water Reservoir
An iron can usually store about 1.5 ounces of water; some iron will store less or more than this.
The reservoir should have a securely-fitting lid or cover to prevent water leaking or coming out. The reservoir needs to hold sufficient water so you don’t need to refill frequently.
Accessories
A few irons in the market come with a heat-resistant bag or travel packet to store your iron when you’re travelling. This will prevent your iron from getting damaged. In turn, it will protect other valuable items, clothes, etc.
Some other irons may come equipped with a plastic measuring cup, to make it easier to fill the reservoir with water.
Conclusion
A travel iron is a vital household appliance to invest in due to it convenience and efficiency. Looking at the needs of most of the users, we have compiled a list of the best travel iron available in the market. We have looked at factors like affordability, heating, weight, size, design, steam functions, shut off and safety features for making up our list. We have selected the most functional iron for your convenience.