The 8 Best Travel Irons
Updated by · How we research
Eight travel irons compared by heat, dual voltage, steam and packing size. The Rowenta DA1560 leads for its strong heater, folding handle and pointed soleplate. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
A plug adapter changes the shape of the prongs, not the voltage, so an iron headed abroad needs its own dual-voltage switch, set before it goes into the wall. Every pick here has one or adjusts by itself. These small irons suit business trips, weddings, quilting retreats and rentals that lack an iron, but not a week of laundry.
Editor's Notes
October 23, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Editors:
The Rowenta DA1560 now leads the list. It pairs a hot heater with a folding handle and a pointed soleplate, and travel writers keep recommending it. The SteamFast SF-717 is gone: Vornado recalled it, along with the SF-720 and SF-727, because the cord can overheat and spark where it enters the iron. If you own one, stop using it and contact Vornado for a refund or a replacement.
The Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot, Oliso M2Pro and Conair EZ Press stay. We dropped the Sharper Image SI-755 for its weak heater and thin supply, and the PurSteam Dual Voltage and Dritz Petite Press are no longer available. New here are two Beautural irons, the Quilted Bear Mini Steam Iron with its hard case, and the Jack & Rose SC-001 for people who would rather steam.
The order rests on wattage, voltage switches and soleplates from the makers, a travel site's roundup, the federal recall record, and the leaks and early failures owners keep describing. Set the voltage switch before you plug in, every time.
Earlier notes
March 31, 2021, by Sheila O'Neill:
In this update, we removed the Eversonic Beautural and Conair Travel Smart, as they are both travel steamers, not irons. While steamers serve a similar function for some clothes, there are several situations where only an iron will get the job done, so we opted to stick more closely to the category.
Because a travel iron needs to be compact in order to be easy to pack, many models have an issue where the handle is so close to the heating unit that it gets uncomfortably hot to the touch. We added the Sharper Image SI-755 to the list in order to provide an model with a handle that truly stays cool to the touch, even on the highest setting.
Also new to the list, the Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot has a transparent water tank that makes it easy to see when the level is running low, rather than just providing a small window that isn't as noticeable at a glance. It provides many of the features you'd expect from a larger model, like variable temperature, a steam/dry switch, and a steam shot button.
As with any device that's designed to reach high temperatures, an iron can be dangerous if used improperly. If you're going to be traveling abroad, pay close attention to the voltage settings, as different countries have different electrical standards. If you plan on taking your iron on a cruise, check ahead of time to make sure that you're allowed to do so, as this can be an issue on some ships. Never leave an iron unattended while it's plugged in, even if it has an auto-off setting.
March 2, 2020, by Melissa Harr:
Due to the PurSteam PS-510's design, it must be used upright, and cautiously, in order to prevent boiling water spills; for these reasons, we've opted to remove it at this time. Instead, we like the PurSteam Dual Voltage. It has a sleek shape and a large handle that's easy to grip, and unlike some, the steam it produces should get the job done. There's also the Hamilton Beach Portable. Note, though, that its folding handle is a double-edged sword. Yes, this makes it easier to pack, but some find that it also gives it an awkward feeling in the hand. The SteamFast SF-717 can feel a bit awkward, too, but it's so tiny and light that the small hassle is worth it when space is really tight.
For those who want a steamer-only choice, as opposed to a combination of iron and clothes steamer, there's the updated Eversonic Beautural, which is now a handy dual voltage option. Plus, it can be used both horizontally and vertically, something that can't be said of some steamers. We've kept the Conair Travel Smart, as well, even though it could be just a bit more powerful. It's less expensive than the Beautural, however, and the teal styling is handsome.
Voltage: The Switch, The Plug And The Converter
The Jack & Rose SC-001 works differently and adjusts by itself.
Most countries outside North America run on 220 to 240 volts, about double the U.S. standard. A dual-voltage iron has a small switch, usually on the side or heel, that changes how its heater draws power. Set it to match the country before the plug goes into the wall: a 120-volt setting on a 230-volt outlet can burn out the heater at once, and several mini iron makers print that warning in their instructions. The Jack & Rose SC-001 works differently and adjusts by itself.
You still need a plug adapter, which only reshapes the prongs to fit the local socket. A voltage converter isn't needed with a dual-voltage iron, and Travel Geekery gives the same advice: with a voltage switch, an adapter is all you pack. Never take a single-voltage home iron abroad on an adapter alone. Check the plug type for each country you visit, since Europe, the U.K. and Australia all use different sockets.
Iron, Steamer Or Something In Between
An iron presses. Its hot plate and your hand flatten wrinkles and set creases in trousers, pleats and collars, but it needs a flat surface. A steamer relaxes wrinkles on a hanging garment and needs no board, but it can't make a crease (Travel Geekery). Hybrids like the Jack & Rose SC-001 add a flat ceramic plate to a handheld steamer, so you can press a collar against a towel, but they don't replace a soleplate on a cotton dress shirt.
Power matters more than size. A 1,000-watt mini iron such as the Rowenta DA1560 or Oliso M2Pro runs hotter and holds its heat better from stroke to stroke than a 400-watt model, which is fine for blouses, silk and synthetic shirts but slow on heavy cotton and linen. If your hotel or rental has no iron, a folding heat-resistant ironing mat turns a desk or dresser top into a board, and a wrinkle-release spray handles light wrinkles but won't remove sharp folds.
Packing, Safety And The Steamfast Recall
Small irons leak for two reasons: water left in the tank, and steam switched on before the soleplate is hot. Empty the tank after each use, let the iron cool fully before it goes in a bag, and turn on steam only when the ready light says it's hot. Use tap or distilled water, whichever the manual asks for.
Most mini irons have no automatic shutoff. Unplug yours whenever you step away, stand it on its heel, and never leave it on a bed or carpet. In 2023, Vornado recalled about 317,000 Steamfast Home & Away travel steam irons, models SF-717, SF-720 and SF-727, plus the Brookstone Steam Bug, because the cord can smoke, spark or overheat where it enters the iron (CPSC). Later that year the recall grew by about 1.75 million irons to cover every unit of those models (CPSC). The remedy is a refund or a replacement, and the Steamfast SF-710 isn't part of it.
The TSA's What Can I Bring tool has no entry for clothes irons, so the final call rests with the officer at the checkpoint. Pack the iron empty and cool, and check your airline's rules as well.
How we researched this
We compared 15 travel irons, mini steam irons and steamer-iron hybrids. We read makers' figures for wattage, voltage, soleplate and tank, a travel site's roundup, and owner feedback on heat, leaks and durability, and we checked every brand for recalls with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. We found no independent lab test of travel irons, so no pick rests on one.
Frequently asked questions
Does a travel iron work as well as a full-size iron?
Not quite. A small iron heats a smaller plate, so it takes more passes and struggles with heavy cotton and linen. For a few shirts, a blouse or a dress, a 1,000-watt mini iron does the job.
Do I need a converter to use a travel iron abroad?
Not if the iron is dual voltage. Set its voltage switch to match the country before you plug it in, and use a plug adapter so the prongs fit the socket. A single-voltage home iron should stay home.
Can I bring a travel iron in my carry-on bag?
The TSA's What Can I Bring tool has no entry for clothes irons, so screening officers decide at the checkpoint. Pack it empty and cool, and check your airline's rules before you fly.
Is a travel iron or a handheld steamer better?
An iron presses creases and pleats but needs a flat surface. A steamer works on clothes on a hanger and needs no board, but it can't make a crease. Steamer-iron hybrids sit in between.
What can I do if my hotel or Airbnb has no iron?
Ask the front desk first, since many hotels lend one. Otherwise pack a small iron and a folding ironing mat. A wrinkle-release spray helps with light wrinkles, but not with sharp folds.
Is the recalled Steamfast travel iron still sold?
The Steamfast SF-717, SF-720 and SF-727 travel irons were recalled in 2023 for a cord that can overheat. Stop using one and contact Vornado for a refund or a replacement. The SF-710 isn't part of the recall.
