Even seasoned travelers know the frustration of unpacking only to find their clothes are a wrinkled mess. While hotel irons are available, setting up the ironing board and meticulously ironing each garment can be time-consuming and inconvenient. Plus, delicate fabrics can be easily damaged by harsh heat. This raises the question: is a Travel Clothes Steamer the easier and more efficient solution?
After years of testing various models, I initially hesitated about adding another gadget to my precious carry-on space. However, as a frequent family traveler of four, I quickly realized that hotel ironing setups often become cluttered and impractical. Since incorporating travel steamers into my routine, I rarely leave home without one.
Among the 13 steamers I’ve personally tested, the top performers share a key feature: a metal soleplate. This allows for direct contact with clothing, effectively smoothing out stubborn wrinkles. Beyond wrinkle removal, steamers also offer the benefit of killing 99% of bacteria, a significant advantage when traveling. While distilled water is often recommended to prevent sediment buildup, my tests were conducted using regular tap water, reflecting real-world travel conditions where distilled water isn’t always accessible.
This article has been updated with new information to reflect current top picks.
My Top Travel Clothes Steamer Picks:
How We Tested the Best Travel Clothes Steamers:
To determine the best travel clothes steamers, each model was rigorously tested on a variety of fabrics commonly found in travel wardrobes, including jeans, khakis, T-shirts, button-down shirts, linens, blouses, and jackets. Our testing criteria focused on practical travel considerations:
- Size and Packability: Does the steamer easily fit into a weekender bag or carry-on luggage without taking up excessive space?
- Power and Efficiency: Is the steamer quicker and more convenient than using a hotel iron, or at least equally effective in wrinkle removal?
- Water Capacity: How often does the water reservoir need refilling to steam a complete travel outfit?
- Leakproof Design: Does the steamer leak or spit water, potentially causing delays while waiting for clothes to dry?
- Durability and Longevity: Is the steamer built to withstand frequent travel and provide long-term value?
Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Clothes Steamers:
Can I bring a portable steamer on a plane?
Yes, most travel steamers are carry-on friendly and TSA-compliant. The key is to ensure the water reservoir is completely empty before going through airport security.
Are travel steamers worth packing?
Absolutely, especially if you’re attending events where looking your best is important or if you’re packing wrinkle-prone fabrics. Personally, I’ve found that having a travel steamer actually simplifies my packing. Knowing I can easily freshen up clothes allows me to pack fewer items and create a more versatile capsule wardrobe. As someone who prioritizes carry-on travel, the space-saving benefit of a steamer, which can be easily removed if space is truly limited, is invaluable.
Below are detailed reviews of the six best travel steamers perfect for your next trip.
Best Overall Travel Clothes Steamer
Proctor Silex 2-in-1 compact garment steamer showcasing its compact design and steam output
Proctor Silex Compact 2-in-1 Steamer
The Proctor Silex 2-in-1 compact garment steamer has become my new top pick, surpassing even my previous favorite, the Nesugar handheld steamer. While only slightly heavier than the Nesugar model, the Proctor Silex offers continuous steam for nearly 10 minutes without needing a refill. Its performance is consistently impressive across all fabric types, even effectively tackling stubborn wrinkles in jeans. The generous 10-foot cord is a significant advantage in hotels or Airbnbs where outlet placement can be unpredictable, allowing for comfortable movement while steaming. Surprisingly, this steamer is also the most budget-friendly option at around $20. For travelers who only occasionally need a steamer, the Proctor Silex is an excellent and reliable choice.
Weight: 1.63 lbs.
Water tank capacity: 4 oz.
What I like most: Affordable price, effectively de-wrinkles all fabric types, fast 45-second heat-up time, useful brush attachment.
Where there’s room for improvement: The reservoir can be a bit challenging to empty completely.
Best Lightweight Travel Clothes Steamer
Nesugar portable handheld steamer showcasing its compact and lightweight design
Nesugar Portable Handheld Steamer
After a year of regular use, the Nesugar portable steamer continues to impress with its smart design. Weighing under a pound, it delivers a surprisingly strong steam output. Despite its small reservoir, it provides nearly 10 minutes of steam, enough to de-wrinkle about five garments, although it’s less effective on heavier fabrics like jeans. A convenient button activates the steam without needing to be held down continuously. The metal soleplate also allows for light ironing. The adjustable head enhances its compact design and offers flexible steaming angles. While initially I was concerned about the durability of the adjustable head, it has remained sturdy even after extensive travel. The included wall mount is a thoughtful addition for home storage.
Weight: 12.8 oz.
What I like most: Extremely lightweight and packable, adjustable steamer head, includes a wall mount for storage.
Where there’s room for improvement: Best suited for lighter fabrics; less powerful on heavy wrinkles.
Best Long-Lasting Travel Clothes Steamer
Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam steamer highlighting its powerful steam output
Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam
While one of the pricier models tested, the Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam excels in power and functionality. It can refresh a T-shirt in under a minute. Though powerful enough for jackets, it also offers a lower setting for delicate fabrics, making it the only steamer tested with adjustable steam settings. It even includes a built-in creaser. Its higher power consumption means more water usage, requiring refills after steaming a few items, depending on fabric and wrinkle severity. The Conair Turbo would have been my overall top pick if it were more travel-friendly in size (13″ x 8″ x 6″, somewhat bulky for carry-ons). However, if you frequently use an iron at home, this steamer could be an excellent dual-purpose investment.
Weight: 3.2 lbs.
Water tank capacity: 6.6 oz.
What I like most: Effectively de-wrinkles all fabrics, multiple steam settings, and a rapid heat-up time.
Where there’s room for improvement: Small water tank opening makes refilling difficult, and it’s relatively large for travel.
Best Foldable Travel Clothes Steamer
Seekclass foldable steamer showcasing its compact folded design
Seekclass Foldable Steamer
The Seekclass foldable steamer stands out for its appealing design and excellent packability, ranking second in compactness among those tested. With a quick 30-second warm-up and automatic steam function (no trigger needed), it starts strong. However, steaming a pair of pants took about four minutes, and I had to use the metal soleplate for effective wrinkle removal. The tiny reservoir required a refill to finish steaming the pants. The small refill hole also makes it difficult to empty residual water before packing. Given this, allowing it to dry thoroughly at the earliest opportunity is recommended to prevent mineral buildup.
Weight: 1.4 pounds
Water tank capacity: 3.5 oz.
What I like most: Foldable handle ideal for travel, metal soleplate for ironing, and fast heat-up time.
Where there’s room for improvement: Prone to leaking when placed on its side; small, difficult-to-fill reservoir; heavier fabrics often require a refill.
Best Travel Clothes Steamer for International Trips
Conair Travel Smart steamer with its dual voltage feature highlighted
Conair Travel Smart Steamer
For international travelers, the Conair Travel Smart steamer’s automatic dual voltage is a major advantage. While it heats up quickly (around 20 seconds), the reservoir becomes very hot, requiring caution to only hold the handle. The reservoir’s high temperature necessitates a pause between refills, but a single tank is sufficient for steaming about three garments. A standout feature is the automatic steam, eliminating the need to constantly press a trigger button, a welcome relief for your fingers. This steamer earns its place on the list primarily for its appeal to frequent international travelers due to its voltage versatility.
Weight: 1.2 lbs.
Water tank capacity: 3.4 oz.
What I like most: Dual voltage for international use, collapsible handle for packing, automatic steam (no power button), and no steam trigger required.
Where there’s room for improvement: Reservoir gets too hot to refill immediately.
Most Leakproof Travel Clothes Steamer
Steamery Cirrus 3 steamer highlighting its large iron plate and sleek design
Steamery Cirrus 3 Steamer
I often prefer hybrid steamers that double as irons. The Steamery Cirrus 3, with its large iron plate, is almost as efficient as a full-size iron, though it steams only about three garments per water tank. Its standout feature is its exceptional leakproof design. This is crucial for me, as busy travel schedules often mean steaming in a rush, and dealing with water spots is the last thing I want. Even a shake test confirmed its leak-free performance. The main drawback of this steamer is its higher price point.
Weight: 1.8 lbs.
Water tank capacity: 3 oz.
What I like most: Large iron plate, completely leakproof design, and quick heat-up.
Where there’s room for improvement: Higher price tag; smaller reservoir capacity compared to some competitors.
Best 2-in-1 Travel Clothes Steamer
The Nori Press, a 2-in-1 steamer and iron, highlighting its unique plate design
The Nori Press
Concluding our list of top travel steamers is the Nori Press, a highly recommended hybrid steamer and iron praised by senior editor Megan Spurrell. “The Nori steamer appealed to me with its sleek design—two-in-one functionality is always ideal 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 handled both steaming and ironing tasks.”
This unique, compact device features dual aluminum plates that simultaneously iron both sides of a garment, halving the time needed. Another advantage is its six fabric settings (polyester, silk, wool, cotton, denim, and linen), ensuring wrinkle-free results and preventing fabric damage, regardless of your travel wardrobe.
Weight: 1.4 lbs.
Water tank capacity: 1 oz.
What I like most: Double plates for faster wrinkle removal, dual voltage compatibility, and automatic shut-off after 10 minutes of inactivity.
Where there’s room for improvement: Small water reservoir best suited for smaller steaming jobs; can become tiring to hold when tackling heavily wrinkled garments.
