Travel steamers are the key to looking great anywhere—these are our top picks
Compact and fast-working, these tiny tools are among our favorite travel essentials.
As someone who travels professionally, I’m all too familiar with the frustration of unpacking clothes just to find the blouse I want to wear deeply creased.
While plenty of hotels provide irons and ironing boards, many travelers I know (myself included) find them cumbersome and time consuming. Sometimes, hotel ironing supplies may be old or even rusty, in one travel journalist’s case. Rentals may not have any.
Travel steamers can be a practical option. You may not want to give up precious luggage space, but many are foldable or slim enough to tuck into a corner. Plus, they’re effective at tackling wrinkles in a variety of fabrics, even delicate silks. We also love them for longer trips when frequently worn clothes need a little freshening up.
Our favorite travel steamer, the Brookline, easily fits into a carry-on and packs 800 watts of power for tackling wrinkles in a variety of fabrics from wool to silk. Travel, textile, and fashion experts led us to other great options. Here are all our favorite travel steamers, plus shopping tips and advice.
Our picks for the best travel steamer
• Best travel steamer for clothes: Steamery Cirrus 3 Iron Steamer
• Best dual voltage travel steamer: Conair Travel Steamer
• Best mini travel steamer: G3 Steamer
• Best lightweight travel steamer: Rowenta Steamer
• Best iron and steamer combo: Nori Press Travel Steam Iron
• Best affordable travel steamer: Rowenta Pure Pop Handheld Garment Steamer
The best travel steamers
When shopping for a travel steamer, look for durable components like stainless steel and ABS plastic. By definition, travel steamers are small and tend to range from about six to 14 inches tall and about one to five pounds. Travelers visiting an international destination should look for dual voltage options or supplement with a converter and adapter. Here’s more on all of our top travel steamer picks.
Best travel steamer overall: Brookline Steamer
Why we like it: With its curved ergonomic handle and 800 watts of power, this little travel steamer can take on a variety of fabrics, including wool, chiffon, silk, cotton, and nylon. Just shy of 6.5 inches tall, it’s small enough to fit in most luggage. Despite its compact size, it has a nine-foot power cord, making it ideal for hotel rooms with few outlets. We also appreciate that it takes about two minutes to heat up—ideal for packed itineraries when you need to get out the door.
Keep in mind: The small reservoir makes this steamer better suited for smaller jobs. But with the quick heating time, some travelers may not mind refilling it. Portable steamers may leak if they aren’t held upright so be sure to hold this one properly while steaming clothes.
Product details: Dimensions: 5.8 x 5.6 x 6.4 in. | Capacity: 180 mL | Auto-off: Yes | Colors: Black, pink, white
Best travel steamer for clothes: Steamery Cirrus 3 Iron Steamer
Why we like it: At $190, the Cirrus 3 is expensive. However, it comes with lots of features. It has a 25-second startup time and produces what the company calls a “dry” steam that works with the heated front plate to smooth wrinkles. According to the company, this type of steam helps prevent clothes from getting damp. We also like the 30-minute automatic shut off and sleek, minimalist design, plus extras like the steaming pad and storage bag.
Keep in mind: This steamer is not dual voltage and should only be used in places where the voltage correlates with the capacity.
Product details: Dimensions: 9.7 x 5.5 x 8 in. | Capacity: 85 mL | Auto-off: Yes | Colors: Sand, Charcoal, Sage, Rose
(The perfect wrinkle-free clothes for your next trip.)
Best dual voltage travel steamer: Conair Travel Steamer
Why we like it: This travel steamer has a retractable handle that makes it easy to pack in checked luggage. It offers about 10 minutes of steam time—enough for one or two pieces of clothing, or for spot smoothing. Reviewers note the speedy heat-up time and dual voltage for traveling in Europe. We like how easy it is to fill (just twist the top off) and the two-year limited warranty.
Keep in mind: Some reviewers say this steamer leaves behind wet spots as it steams. You may want to hold the steamer farther away from clothes and steam slowly.
Product details: Dimensions: 4.5 x 4.5 x 9.5 in. | Capacity: 80 mL | Auto-off: Yes | Colors: Green, white, black
Best mini travel steamer: G3 Steamer
Why we like it: When luggage space is limited, this slim G3 Steamer makes a suitable choice for long journeys. It weighs just under a pound; takes about 15 seconds to heat up, according to the company; and packs 900 watts of power for tackling creases. It also has good capacity for a mini travel steamer, providing up to eight minutes of continuous stem. A travel storage bag keeps it all neatly tucked away.
Keep in mind: Some reviewers found this travel steamer a bit difficult to use on thick, heavy fabrics. Another recommends steaming slowly for best results.
Product details: Dimensions: 2.6 x 1.6 x 9.1 in. | Capacity: 150 mL | Auto-off: Yes | Colors: Navy blue
(Here’s what you can and can’t pack in a carry-on.)
Best lightweight travel steamer: Rowenta Steamer
Why we like it: At under two pounds, this steamer isn’t the lightest on this list, but it offers great features in a compact folding design. It heats up in about 25 seconds and offers a robust 1100 watts of power.
Keep in mind: This steamer has a shorter run time at about four minutes, which means you’ll need to work quickly and efficiently to avoid multiple refills.
Product details: Dimensions: 6.3 x 3.3 x 9.6 in. | Capacity: 65 mL | Auto-off: Yes | Colors: Green
Best iron and steamer combo: Nori Press Travel Steam Iron
Why we like it: The Noris Press has earned lots of attention for its unique design, which resembles a flat iron for straightening hair. It has two plates for double-sided ironing and an optional steamer, plus six fabric settings (polyester, silk, cotton, wool, denim, linen). We like that the petal shape helps smooth corners that upright steamers may miss, plus it’s dual voltage and packs easily.
Keep in mind: It takes three minutes to reach the highest temperature.
Product details: Dimensions: 14 x 14 in. | Capacity: 29 mL | Auto-off: Yes | Colors: Green, blue, navy, white, pink
(Airline pros give us the scoop on their favorite luggage sets.)
Best affordable travel steamer: Rowenta Pure Pop Handheld Garment Steamer
Why we like it: At $40, this handheld steamer from Rowenta is not only affordable, but also robust with a 1500-watt output and a 15-second heat up time. It’s built with a reversible velvet and lint pad, which lends a light touch for steaming delicate fabrics. Slim and compact, it packs fairly easily. We also like that the bright colors make it easy to spot in a jam-packed suitcase.
Keep in mind: At four minutes, the Rowenta Pure Pop has one of the shortest steam times on this list. It may help to steam near a faucet or have a bottle of water nearby.
Product details: Dimensions: 12.5 x 2.2 x 5.5 in. | Capacity: 70 mL | Auto-off: | Colors: Blue, coral red, green, yellow, pink
(These are the best carry-on bags.)
How we chose the best travel steamers
To find the best travel steamers, I combined hours of online research with my own real-world experience and that of others. Here’s how I built this list:
• Third-party reviews: In addition to information from manufacturers, I took insights from real customers and dozens of reviews.
• Personal experience: In addition to my own experience, I spoke with others who have used travel steamers for their insights.
• Expert recommendations: I interviewed travel experts, stylists, and textile experts about what to look for in travel steamers and deferred to their advice when selecting products.
Tips for buying a travel steamer
Consider the size
Since luggage space is generally limited and some international flights also limit weight, it’s best to choose a travel steamer that’s small and light, says Frej Lewenhaupt, the co-founder and chief product officer of Steamery. Depending on the brand, travel steamers tend to be six to 14 inches tall and roughly one to five pounds.
Look at the heating time
The best travel steamers should be ready to use in seconds or minutes. Thirty seconds to two minutes is generally a good range, says Lewenhaupt. Many of the travel steamers on our list heat up in less time. Additionally, it’s always a good idea to steam clothes when you unpack, if time allows. If not, then try steaming the night before you plan to wear your clothes or whenever you’re back in your hotel room for the day.
Know the voltage
Not all travel steamers can be used in every destination. In North America, appliances including steamers and hair dryers run on 110-120 volts. In many other countries they run on 220-240 volts. Using a 120-volt steamer in Europe could result in a fried appliance, notes Helene Sula, a travel and lifestyle blogger based in England.
Some travel steamers are built with dual voltage, but you can also purchase a converter for your destination. Either way, you’ll likely need a plug adapter as well. To be sure, check visitors bureaus for your destination.
Make sure it’s durable
A good travel steamer should be able to withstand the rigors of travel, says Sula. Look for steamers made from a majority of stainless steel components or ABS plastic, a more durable type of plastic commonly used in home appliances. Warranties can offer extra peace of mind.
Frequently asked questions
Do travel steamers really work?
Yes, travel steamers can be effective at smoothing out wrinkles in clothes. They can be a better option than most hotel irons and ironing boards. They can also be useful on trips when you don’t have regular access to laundry. “The hot steam kills bacteria and neutralizes odors, giving garments a fresh feeling even after being worn,” says Lewenhaupt.
Can you bring a steamer through TSA?
Yes, empty travel steamers are allowed through airport security. “You can also pack a travel steamer in checked luggage without restrictions, but make sure to check if the airline you are traveling with has any specific restrictions,” says Lewenhaupt.
How do you steam clothes while traveling?
It’s easy to use a travel steamer to smooth clothes while traveling. Some travel steamers work best when clothes are laid out on a surface like a hotel bed.
For steamers that need to be held upright, hang garments from a sturdy clothes hanger (we like using pants hangers with clips). Lewenhaupt recommends gripping the edge of the garment and gently pulling it smooth before going over it with the steamer. Avoid steaming near your fingers. “Press the steamer against the fabric and move it up and down or in different directions to make the whole garment wrinkle-free,” he says.
Delicate items should be turned inside out before steaming, says Desiree Miranda, a stylist and travel adviser based in New York City.
