Like many other seemingly simple devices, there’s actually a lot that goes into creating a standout version of the humble travel steamer. Once you’ve found the best travel steamer for clothes for your specific needs, you’ll never think of leaving home without it.
There’s actually a lot to optimize for when it comes to travel steamers. For example, you might want the steamer head and water tank to be as large as possible, but every little increase in size is going to lead to a bulkier and heavier product. There are tons of little tradeoffs like that, and the best clothes steamers for travel get them right.
In this article, we’re going to go on a deep dive into the 5 best travel steamers for clothes. It’s time to level up your travel setup and get yourself a serious steamer.
So, let’s jump right into it.
Key Takeaways
As a proud frequent flier, I’ve had more than my fair share of travel steamers over the years. And that’s something that gave me a lot of experience to rely on when putting together this list of the best travel steamers for clothes—I’ve learned what to look for and what to avoid.
Overall, I went with the Conair Power Steam Handheld Travel Steamer for Clothes with Dual Voltage as the best travel steamer for clothes. This is the steamer I bring along with me whenever I travel nowadays, and it combines a small profile and is lightweight with really impressive power and functionality.
I’ve also included the Quuejenl Travel Steamer Iron for Clothes on the list since it’s a really great budget option, as well as the LitDuck Handheld Travel Clothes Steamer as a travel steamer that can also hold up to everyday use.
Why it’s great: The Conair Power Steam Handheld Travel Steamer for Clothes really does remind me of those old-school appliances that never seemed to break down. Similarly built to last, this travel steamer has two different voltage modes, which means that you can take it anywhere in the world without risking a shock when you plug it in. And, with 1200W of power, it heats up quickly and outputs a ton of steam.
Who is this for? I’d say that this is such an exceptional product that there are very few travelers who wouldn’t benefit from purchasing it.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Although this travel steamer is able to flatten out, which saves a bit on space, it doesn’t collapse into as small a profile as some of the other options on this list.
Power: 1200W | Water Tank: 280ml | Weight: 1.7 lbs | Heat Up Time: 35 seconds
Why it’s great: The Quuejenl Travel Steamer Iron for Clothes is an inexpensive solution for those who are looking for a product that combines the key features of a steamer and an iron. It’s also very lightweight and collapses into a really compact package, helping you make the most of your luggage space.
Who is this for? If you don’t like relying only on a steamer to get those tough wrinkles out of your clothes, then you might want to consider this product.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The head of the iron is very small, which means that it would take a long time to iron a whole shirt. But, it can be great for using on tough areas (like the collar or pocket) while relying on the steamer for the rest.
Power: 1000W | Water Tank: 100 ml | Weight: 1.08 lbs | Heat Up Time: 5 seconds
Why it’s great: Our next recommendation, the Newbealer Handheld Steamer for Clothes with 2 Steam Levels, has a higher price tag than all the other options on this list but possesses the performance necessary to justify its price tag. Heating up in only 20 seconds, this travel steamer outputs a tremendous amount of steam and, because of its metal steaming face, can also be used as an iron.
Who is this for? If you’re really passionate about wearing perfectly ironed shirts and want an absolutely top-of-the-line travel steamer, then this is the product for you.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The product works with only 120-volt outlets, which means that you’ll have to shell out for an adapter if you’re going to a country that uses higher voltage.
Power: 1500W | Water Tank: 120 ml | Weight: 1kg | Heat Up Time: 20 seconds
Why it’s great: This travel steamer for clothes from Pionix is a great option for travelers. Its 100 ml water tank can support up to ten minutes of steaming, which will give you enough time to prepare a couple of shirts instead of just one.
Who is this for? The Pionix Handheld Garment Steamer is a really efficient machine that can allow you to get a lot of steaming done at once.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: My one gripe with this product is its slightly above-average weight, which can cause packing problems if you’re right at the edge of the baggage weight allowance for your next flight.
Power: 1500W | Water Tank: 100 ml | Weight: 1.87 lbs | Heat Up Time: 25 seconds
Why it’s great: This travel steamer also has the chops to work well as an everyday steamer. And, with the combination of its large water tank and lightweight, the LitDuck Handheld Travel Clothes Steamer fits the bill perfectly. I’d also point out the incredibly affordable price to anyone interested in it.
Who is this for? Anyone who wants to buy just one product that will work for both traveling and at home use should give this product a look.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The profile of this travel steamer is a bit bulky and doesn’t feature any collapsibility, so I wouldn’t recommend it for someone who tends to travel with a fully packed carry-on.
Power: 850W | Water Tank: 220 ml | Weight: 1.39 lbs | Heat Up Time: 1 minute
Buying Considerations for The Best Travel Steamers For Clothes
Weight
We all know how strict airlines have been getting with their baggage allowances and weights for both carry-on and checked luggage, so you definitely need to be aware of the weight of any travel steamer for clothes that you’re considering buying.
After all, even a few extra grams can end up pushing you over the limit and lead to a hefty extra charge if you’re not careful. And, even if that doesn’t happen (because you smartly weighed your suitcase before leaving for the airport), a lighter travel steamer means that you’re able to pack a little bit more.
Size
In the same vein as the last buying consideration, you also want to try to find a steamer that will be as compact as possible within your suitcase. That’s why many of the options on our list of the best travel steamers for clothes are able to fold up in order to reduce the space they take up while packed away.
If you usually travel with a large checked bag, it’s not the biggest deal because you’ll quite often have a bit of space to spare. But, those who usually travel with just a carry-on really need to pay a lot of attention to this buying consideration.
Heat up time
And finally, selecting a travel steamer for your dress shirts that heats up quickly is also a really good idea. I’ve been in the situation of running late to dinner plans while a clothes steamer took its time heating up, and trust me when I say that it’s an exceedingly frustrating situation.
Many of the travel steamers on our list heat up in just a couple of minutes, so you can spend more time doing what you traveled somewhere else to do instead of just sitting around in your hotel room.
How We Chose
When I was putting this list of the best travel steamers for clothes together, the functionality and practicality of each product I looked at were the two crucial factors at the top of my mind. Traveling can be a hassle, even at the best of times (and the same goes for getting ready to travel), so you always want to make sure that everything you take with you works and works well.
The upshot is that once you add an item to your regular traveling inventory, you’ll never really have to think about it again—you’ll have something in your suitcase that just does its job.
I also made sure to pay attention to the following four criteria that we use to rank any product that we consider for any of our lists here at FashionBeans.
Company reputation: If a brand doesn’t have a stellar track record of producing high-performing products that are built to last, then they’re not going to appear on a list like this one.
Customer reviews: We double-checked that all travel steamers that made it onto this list have unimpeachable customer reviews.
Price: Another thing we always think about is price—every product that we recommend has the amount of value that’s necessary to match its price tag.
Transparency: Finally, you can rest assured that every manufacturer we recommend on this list is up-front and honest about important matters like its return policy and warranty.
Why Trust Us?
We do happen to be a very global bunch here on the editorial team at FashionBeans. Not only are we spread all over the world, but we’re also always traveling for either business or pleasure. As a result, all of us have our own collection of necessary items that we simply won’t travel without. There were a few of us who hadn’t traveled with a steamer before we started working on this list, but afterward, all of us were going to take one on our next trip.
The best informed of us about the category each put together a personal shortlist of travel steamers that we thought should make the list. And then, we had a general meeting at which we ironed out once and for all what would make our final list. That means that each of the products we’ve recommended beat out a lot of competition to be here.
Final Verdict
Overall, we rated the Conair Power Steam Handheld Travel Steamer for Clothes with Dual Voltage as the best travel steamer for clothes for a number of reasons. Its compact size makes it easy to travel with, and it manages to pack serious power into the small frame. You won’t regret adding this steamer to your suitcase for all your future trips.
FAQ
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Well, if you like wearing a well-steamed and wrinkle-free shirt, it’s definitely worth it. You can always take the risk of hoping that your hotel room will have an iron or steamer, but even if it does, there’s no guarantee that it’ll work well or work at all. You can also try steaming your clothes at home and putting them in a garment bag, but there’s not much of a chance of them actually staying in great condition. If you ask me, bringing your own steamer is vastly preferable to either of the alternatives.
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Yes, you can bring a travel steamer on a plane, either in your checked baggage or your carry-on. I have had to open my suitcase a couple of times at the TSA’s request when there was a travel steamer for clothes in my bag, but I haven’t ever had a problem with it beyond that.
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Travel irons are often considerably bigger and heavier than a travel steamer as a result of the fact that they need to have an ironing face. And, unlike steamers, the smaller and more compact you make an iron, the longer it’s going to take to actually use—no matter what type of shirt you’re trying to iron. For those two reasons, at least, I vastly prefer my trusty travel steamer to any travel iron that I’ve ever seen.
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