Even seasoned globetrotters know the struggle: you arrive at your destination, unpack your suitcase, and are met with a mountain of wrinkled clothes. While hotel irons are often available, the hassle of setting up the ironing board and carefully ironing each item can be time-consuming and frankly, a mood killer. Plus, delicate fabrics can be risky under direct heat. This begs the question – is traveling with a Good Travel Steamer a more convenient solution?
A few years ago, I embarked on a quest to find the best travel steamer, and I admit, I was initially skeptical about dedicating precious carry-on space to such a seemingly utilitarian item. However, as someone who frequently travels with a family of four, I quickly realized that hotel ironing setups often become cluttered catch-alls, more of a hindrance than a help. Since I began testing various models, a travel steamer has become an indispensable part of my packing list.
Through rigorous testing of 13 different steamers, I’ve discovered a key feature that distinguishes the truly effective models: a metal soleplate. This allows for direct contact with the fabric, efficiently smoothing out stubborn wrinkles. Beyond wrinkle removal, steamers offer another significant benefit – they eliminate up to 99% of bacteria. It’s worth noting that many manufacturers recommend using distilled water to prevent mineral buildup, although this isn’t always practical when you’re on the go.
This article has been updated with new information to reflect current top picks and insights.
My Top Picks for the Best Travel Steamers:
- Best Overall: Proctor Silex Compact 2-in-1 Steamer
- Best Lightweight: Nesugar Portable Handheld Steamer
- Best Long-Lasting: Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam
- Best Foldable: Seekclass Foldable Steamer
- Best for International Travel: Conair Travel Smart Steamer
- Most Leakproof: Steamery Cirrus 3 Steamer
- Best Two-in-One: The Nori Press
How We Tested These Travel Steamers:
To determine the good travel steamers from the not-so-good, each model was put through a comprehensive testing process across various fabrics. We evaluated their performance on jeans, khakis, T-shirts, button-down shirts, linens, blouses, and jackets, using the following criteria:
- Size and Packability: Does it easily fit into a weekender bag or carry-on luggage without taking up excessive space?
- Power and Efficiency: Is it quicker and more convenient than using a hotel iron? Does it achieve comparable or better results?
- Water Capacity: How often does the water reservoir need refilling to steam a complete outfit?
- Leakproof Performance: Does it prevent leaks and water spots, ensuring clothes are ready to wear promptly?
- Durability and Longevity: Is the build quality robust enough to withstand frequent travel and justify the purchase?
Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Steamers:
Can I bring a portable steamer on a plane?
Yes, most portable travel steamers are carry-on friendly and TSA-compliant. The key is to ensure the water reservoir is completely empty before heading to the airport.
Is investing in a portable steamer worthwhile?
Absolutely, especially if you’re attending a formal event during your travels or packing wrinkle-prone clothing. A significant advantage of having a good travel steamer is that it allows you to pack lighter. Knowing you can easily freshen up and de-wrinkle garments encourages re-wearing items, simplifying your travel capsule wardrobe. For those who, like me, prefer to travel with just a carry-on, a steamer’s compact size makes it an easy item to include or remove if space becomes a concern. Below are detailed reviews of the six best travel steamers to consider for your next trip.
Best Overall Travel Steamer
Proctor Silex compact 2-in-1 steamer
Proctor Silex Compact 2-in-1 Steamer
My new top pick for the best overall travel steamer is the Proctor Silex 2-in-1 Compact Garment Steamer. While the Nesugar handheld steamer was previously my go-to, the Proctor Silex model has surpassed it. It’s only slightly heavier than the Nesugar but offers continuous steaming for nearly 10 minutes on a single fill – a significant advantage. Its performance is consistently impressive across all fabric types, even tackling stubborn wrinkles in denim. The generous 10-foot cord is a thoughtful feature, providing freedom of movement regardless of hotel outlet placement. Surprisingly, it’s also the most budget-friendly option at around $20. For occasional steamer users or frequent travelers alike, this is a reliable and good travel steamer choice.
Weight: 1.63 lbs.
Water tank capacity: 4 oz.
Pros: Affordable, effectively de-wrinkles all fabrics, rapid 45-second heat-up, useful brush attachment.
Cons: Reservoir can be challenging to empty completely.
Best Lightweight Travel Steamer
Nesugar portable handheld steamer
Nesugar Portable Handheld Steamer
Having used the Nesugar portable handheld steamer consistently for over a year, I can attest to its smart and travel-friendly design. Weighing under a pound, this lightweight travel steamer delivers a surprisingly powerful steam output. Despite its small reservoir, it provides nearly 10 minutes of continuous steam, enough to de-wrinkle about five garments, though it’s less effective on heavy fabrics like jeans. The convenient steam-on button eliminates the need to hold it down continuously. The metal soleplate also functions as a mini-iron, which proved useful for tackling denim wrinkles. An adjustable steamer head enhances its compact design and allows for steaming at various angles. Despite initial concerns, the adjustable head remains sturdy even after extensive use. It even includes a wall mount for convenient storage at home, adding to its value as a good travel steamer.
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, not as powerful on heavy wrinkles.
Best Long-Lasting Travel Steamer
Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam
Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam
The Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam, while pricier, stands out as the most powerful and functional travel steamer in my tests. It can refresh a T-shirt in under a minute and effectively de-wrinkles even heavy jackets. It also features adjustable steam settings, catering to both robust and delicate fabrics – a unique feature among the models tested. A built-in creaser is a bonus for those who prefer crisp lines. Due to its higher power output, it consumes water more quickly, requiring refills after steaming a few items, depending on fabric type and wrinkle severity. The Conair Turbo would have been my top overall pick if it were more compact for travel; its dimensions (13″ x 8″ x 6″) make it a bit bulky for carry-ons. However, if you frequently use an iron at home, this long-lasting travel steamer might be the ideal upgrade for both home and away.
Weight: 3.2 lbs.
Water tank capacity: 6.6 oz.
Pros: Exceptional de-wrinkling power, multiple steam settings for different fabrics, fast heat-up time.
Cons: Small water tank opening makes refilling slightly difficult, larger size is less travel-friendly.
Best Foldable Travel Steamer
Seekclass foldable steamer
Seekclass Foldable Steamer
The Seekclass Foldable Steamer is undoubtedly the most visually appealing model I tested and excels in packability. With a rapid 30-second heat-up and automatic steam function, it starts strong. However, steaming a pair of pants took four minutes, and I needed to utilize the metal soleplate for effective wrinkle removal. The water reservoir is quite small, requiring a refill to finish steaming just one pair of pants. The small refill hole also makes it difficult to empty residual water before packing. Given this, it’s wise to allow it to air dry thoroughly when possible to prevent mineral buildup. Despite these minor drawbacks, its foldable handle makes it an excellent foldable travel steamer option.
Weight: 1.4 pounds
Water tank capacity: 3.5 oz.
Pros: Foldable handle enhances portability, metal soleplate aids in wrinkle removal, quick heating.
Cons: Leaks if placed on its side, small and hard-to-fill reservoir, heavier fabrics may require multiple refills.
Best Travel Steamer for International Trips
Conair Travel Smart steamer
Conair Travel Smart Steamer
For those venturing abroad, the Conair Travel Smart Steamer is a standout choice thanks to its automatic dual voltage feature. It heats up quickly in about 20 seconds. However, the reservoir gets very hot, so handling should be limited to the handle area. The high reservoir temperature necessitates a short cool-down period between refills, though a single tank is sufficient for steaming around three garments. A key highlight is its automatic steam generation, eliminating the need to constantly press a trigger button, a welcome relief compared to many other steamers. Its dual voltage capability secures its place as a top recommendation for international travelers seeking a good travel steamer.
Weight: 1.2 lbs.
Water tank capacity: 3.4 oz.
Pros: Dual voltage for international use, collapsible handle for enhanced portability, automatic steam, no trigger needed.
Cons: Reservoir becomes very hot, preventing immediate refills.
Most Leakproof Travel Steamer
Steamery Cirrus 3 steamer
Steamery Cirrus 3 Steamer
I’m often drawn to hybrid steamers that double as irons, and the Steamery Cirrus 3 excels in this category. Its large iron plate approaches the efficiency of a full-size iron, though it steams about three garments per water tank. A standout feature is its exceptional leak resistance. For travelers with tight schedules, leakproof performance is crucial, and the Cirrus 3 delivers. I even performed a shake test with no spillage. The only significant downside is its higher price point. If leak-proof operation is a top priority, the Steamery Cirrus 3 is the most leakproof travel steamer available.
Weight: 1.8 lbs.
Water tank capacity: 3 oz.
Pros: Large iron plate for dual functionality, completely leakproof design, rapid heat-up.
Cons: Higher cost, water reservoir empties relatively quickly.
Best Two-in-One Travel Steamer
The Nori Press
The Nori Press
Concluding our roundup of good travel steamers is the Nori Press, a unique hybrid steamer and iron highly recommended by senior editor Megan Spurrell. “The sleek design of the Nori steamer initially attracted me – two-in-one devices are ideal for travel, and the promise of no 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 effectively accomplished the task, with both steaming and ironing functions performing well.”
This innovative, compact steamer features dual aluminum plates that iron both sides of a garment simultaneously, halving the steaming time. It also offers six fabric settings (polyester, silk, wool, cotton, denim, and linen), ensuring wrinkle-free results and fabric protection for any item you pack. For a versatile and efficient two-in-one travel steamer, the Nori Press is an excellent choice.
Weight: 1.4 lbs.
Water tank capacity: 1 oz.
Pros: Double heating plates for faster results, dual voltage compatibility, automatic shut-off after 10 minutes of inactivity.
Cons: Small water reservoir best suited for smaller steaming tasks, can be tiring to hold for extended steaming sessions.
