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The 8 Best Travel Steamers to Keep You Looking Stylish on the Road

A compact clothing steamer can be a lifesaver on the road — here are our favorites.

Despite our best efforts, packing for a trip often means arriving at a destination with wrinkled and creased clothing. And although many hotel rooms come equipped with an old-school ironing board, it can be a huge pain to unfold the clunky equipment and physically iron everything on arrival. Worse still, if your room doesn’t have an ironing board, paying to have the hotel press and steam individual garments quickly adds up.

Thankfully, portable handheld steamers make it easy and affordable to ensure you'll always look your best while traveling. The compact steamers tend to weigh about a pound or two and can easily fit into a carry-on bag or suitcase. Whether you prefer straight steaming, or would like a multi-purpose tool that irons as well, our list includes plenty of standout options for travelers of all types.

Best Overall

Nesugar g3 steamer.

It's sleek and stylish, so you won't mind this sitting on your bathroom counter for frequent use.

The water reservoir is quite small, so it needs to be refilled if you're steaming multiple garments in a row.

For a sleek steamer that truly looks like a high-end travel accessory, we love the compact Nesugar G3 Steamer. It comes with a soft bag to protect it while traveling and takes up no more room than a standard hair iron; plus, it's very lightweight at less than one pound. While it may be small, this steamer is also very powerful and heats up in just about 15 seconds. We used this to steam everything from silk to linen and there was no damage to any garments and, more importantly, it’s actually powerful enough to quicky get wrinkles out of pieces that had been stored away in packing cubes for days.

The Details: 2.6 x 1.65 x 9.1 inches | 0.75 pounds | 15 seconds to heat | 70 milliliters | 900 watts

Longest Cord

Hilife steamer.

This budget-friendly steamer is portable, yet it comes with an especially large water tank for efficiency.

This option is not cordless.

Travel steamers are significantly smaller than traditional stationary steamers which can sometimes mean the water tank is inconveniently small — but that’s not the case with the Hilife Travel Steamer for Clothes. This portable steamer offers a large, 240-milliliter tank with a total run time of 15 minutes before needing to be refilled (which is likely more than enough time to steam your garments for the day ahead). And, although this option isn’t cordless, it does have a nine-foot cord that will allow you to press your items without needing to be right next to a power outlet.

The Details: 6.8 x 5.5 x 7 inches | 1.8 pounds | 240 milliliters | 700 watts

Travel + Leisure / Alexander Huang

Best Splurge

Nesugar steamer for clothes.

The steamer's nozzle can rotate 90-degrees, so you can direct the steam where you need it.

There’s only one setting, so you can't adjust temperature or steam amount.

Just slightly larger than the Nesugar G3, this steamer is another powerful choice for any traveler. Simply fill the 70-milliliter reservoir with water and 15 seconds later it's ready to steam. What sets this steamer apart is the 90-degree rotating nozzle that allows you to direct your steam in a vertical or horizontal direction without spilling water all over your garment. It also includes a wall mount bracket, so you can store it easily when not in use, and a soft bag to pack it away while traveling.

The Details: 3.1 x 1.65 x 8.9 inches | 0.8 pounds | 15 seconds to heat | 70 milliliters | 900 watts

Best Budget

Bear travel steamer.

This affordable steamer comes with a handful of attachments and features a chic, gold-rimmed design.

The cord is only six feet long.

We love the look of this steamer — the modern design and gold-rimmed finish give it a look that is much more sophisticated than any garment steamer has the right to be. But the Bear Travel Steamer’s looks aren’t the only reason we love it. The budget-friendly price point and small size make this option great for travelers who rely on a carry-on bag only.

This option heats up in 10 seconds and has a run time of about 10 minutes. The only issue is that it has a tank capacity of just 120 milliliters, which is a bit inconvenient if you’re hoping to steam multiple garments at once.

The Details: 8.31 x 5.91 x 2.99 inches | 1.45 pounds | 10 seconds to heat | 120 milliliters | 1,000 watts

Best Iron/Steamer Combo

Nori the nori press.

This high-end option allows for casual steaming and more crisp, pressed lines thanks to steaming and ironing capabilities.

It’s the most expensive option on our list.

Nope, this gadget isn’t a hair straightener. Nori’s unique iron/steamer combination makes it super simple to look put-together on the go — even after multiple days of travel. The clamp-enabled press can create sharp collars and sleeves, but instead of simply ironing, it also has a built-in steaming system that allows for quick and easy pressing on the go. It’s extremely compact and easy to pack, and although the tank is only 29 milliliters in size, the Nori Press still offers continuous steam for up to 10 minutes at a time.

The Details: 14 x 5.79 x 3.11 inches | 1.4 pounds | 3 minutes to heat | 29 milliliters

Most Compact

Polardo hand held portable travel garment steamer.

This lightweight steamer only weighs a little over a pound, which makes it great for tossing in your carry-on.

It’s extremely small and might be tedious to steam lots of garments with.

The idea of fitting a garment steamer into a tiny or already overstuffed bag might seem impossible, but the Polardo Hand Held Portable Travel Garment Steamer was truly designed to be as compact as possible. The ultra-lightweight steamer weighs a little over a pound and the compact size is about the same as a bottle of shampoo. We also love that this product heats up in just 25 seconds, effectively eliminating the waiting time that's usually associated with high-end steamers.

The Details: 7.7 x 3.4 x 3.4 inches | 1.2 pounds | 25 seconds to heat | 118 milliliters | 120 volts

Best Ergonomic

Electrolux garment steamer.

This option might be a little clunky, but the ergonomic handle makes it by far the most comfortable to use.

The large size isn’t the best for fitting in a carry-on bag.

If you prefer convenience (and tend to pack in a checked suitcase) this steamer might be the best option for you. The Electrolux Portable Handheld Garment and Fabric Steamer isn’t particularly compact or lightweight, but it does offer the best steaming action and largest tank capacity on the list. We particularly love this option because of the ergonomic design that makes it easy to both grip and manipulate while steaming all kinds of garments. We also love that the Electrolux heats up in just 30 seconds for fast and efficient steaming.

The Details: 12.4 x 7.1 x 7.1 inches | 4.02 pounds | 30 seconds to heat | 300 milliliters | 1,500 watts

Best for Thick Fabrics

Conair extremesteam hand-held fabric steamer.

This high-end steamer is ultra-efficient and powerful enough for thick fabrics like wool or denim.

The steam flow isn’t always consistent and can sometimes spit water.

The Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Hand Held Fabric Steamer is your best option if you want a product that can handle thick fabrics like wool, but also provide gentle steaming for items made of silk or chiffon. The “ExtremeSteam” technology also kills up to 99.9 percent of germs through steaming alone which makes it very appealing for getting off all the nasties that cling to your clothing after a full day of traveling or sightseeing. This option boasts a tank capacity of 215 milliliters which provides an excellent run time of 15 minutes.

The Details: 5.6 x 8 x 13.6 inches | 7.3 ounces | 40 seconds to heat | 215 milliliters | 1,875 watts

Tips for Buying a Travel Steamer

Prioritize portability.

Having a large steamer is great for efficiency, but it won’t do you much good if you aren’t able to comfortably fit it in your carry-on or checked suitcase. If you want something you can genuinely bring with you on each and every trip, you’ll want to opt for a small, handheld one that can easily fit in baggage of all sizes. Most handheld steamers should fit the bill, but make sure to read the dimensions to ensure you’re getting something compact and portable.

Look for extra features and attachments

It’s wise to purchase something with bonus features that can be used on various trips. There are some steamers that come with attachments that allow them to function as an iron for when you need a crisp press, while others allow you to steam thicker materials like wool or corduroy, too.

Steamers can be a faster and more eco-friendly alternative to ironing. According to Brian Jones, product and travel expert at Best in Edmonton, a steamer can be used instead of an iron to eliminate creases from garments, especially in delicate fabrics that cannot be ironed (such as silk, wool, and pleated goods). However, you’ll want to note that steaming your clothes may produce a smooth, casual finish rather than the crisp, pressured gloss of ironing.

Yes, it does work to clean your clothes if you're in a pinch. “Running the steamer removes odors and perspiration residue from garments, and helps to remove creases from goods that aren't best suited to laundering or dry cleanings, such as silks, vintage items, pieces with leather ornamentation, and other specific materials,” Jones explains.

The easiest steamers to use should have a large water tank, steady bursts of steam, and a comfortable grip that will allow you to get into nooks and crannies without having to strain your arm.

Yes! Portable steamers can be packed in carry-on luggage and personal items and go through airport security without issue. Just be sure to remove any remaining liquid before packing.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this article, T+L contributor Kaitlyn McInnis used her experience as a travel writer and lifestyle editor to curate a list of the very best portable steamers for those on the road. She also spoke with Brian Jones , product and travel expert at Best in Edmonton, for his professional insights.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.

Oztoprak N, Kizilates F, Percin D. Comparison of steam technology and a two-step cleaning (Water/detergent) and disinfecting (1,000 resp. 5,000 ppm hypochlorite) method using microfiber cloth for environmental control of multidrug-resistant organisms in an intensive care unit . GMS Hygiene and Infection Control; 14:Doc15 . Published online October 24, 2019. doi:10.3205/dgkh000330

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

The 7 Best Travel Steamers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Wrinkles? We don't know them thanks to these tiny, yet powerful steamers

Emma Phelps is an Associate Commerce Editor at The Spruce, who specializes in bedding, home improvement, and home design. You'll find her byline on a variety of topics from Tempur-Pedic mattresses to percale sheets. She loves testing out the latest products in bedding and home cleaning solutions.

Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics including environmental science and houseplants.

In This Article

Our Top Picks

Another Option We Like

How We Tested
What to Look For
Why Trust The Spruce

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

There's nothing worse than realizing that you so carefully (or not-so carefully) packed clothes only to have them become a wrinkled mess during transit. While some hotels provide steam irons, Airbnbs or other vacation rental homes don't always supply that household tool. In such situations, especially if you're dealing with delicate fabrics, a travel steamer becomes an essential. These compact units are light enough to pack into a carry-on or duffel bag, yet they deliver powerful steam that eradicates all wrinkles from your clothes in just a few up-and-down motions.

While we haven't had the chance to test travel steamers in The Lab , we did conduct an at-home test with 29 clothes steamers of all kinds—travel steamers included. During this test, we measured each steamer's heat time, considered the water tank capacity, and evaluated the steamer's effectiveness against deep-set wrinkles. After all our testing, we can say: don't let a travel steamer's compact size fool you. Whether you're looking for crease-creating attachments or pocket-size devices, the models below are the best options to reach for when you're in a pinch—or should we say wrinkle?

Best Overall

True & tidy handheld garment steamer.

Effectiveness 4 /5
Design 5 /5
Portability 4 /5

Very lightweight

Large stainless steel soleplate

See-through water tank

Tricky to fill water reservoir

Of all the travel steamers we tested, the True & Tidy Handheld Garment Steamer stood out the most and is the one to undeniably add to your suitcase. This colorful unit weighs just 1.5 pounds, and it breaks down into two pieces, making it extremely easy to stash in a bag of any size. We loved that its water reservoir is completely see-through, which allowed us to monitor exactly how much water was left. And it excelled in our testing, removing tough wrinkles with just a few passes, thanks to its powerful steam and stainless steel soleplate.

This travel steamer comes with a brush attachment that can help smooth fabric as you work, and it was ready to use in around two minutes. The handle stayed cool and comfortable for the duration of our testing, and the on-off rocker switch made the steamer simple and straightforward to operate. Our only woe when it comes to this travel steamer is that the water tank is a bit tricky to fill. You have to pour water in slowly. Otherwise, it backs up and overflows. However, beyond that one quirk, the product exceeded our expectations, earning perfect scores for design and value.

The Spruce / Camryn Rabideau

Best Overall, Runner-Up

Pure enrichment portable garment steamer.

Effectiveness 3 /5
Design 4.5 /5
Portability 5 /5

Long power cord

Easy to fill water tank

Not best for deep-set wrinkles

Need to refill tank when steaming multiple garments

A close runner-up is the Pure Enrichment PureSteam Portable Steamer. During testing, we found it was easy to twist off the top nozzle and fill the water tank—a process that wasn't so easy when using our "best overall" pick. Although, this steamer's compact size does mean you'll have to refill it if you have multiple garments to steam. But, we think it offers just enough steam time to finish at least one or two garments. Plus, the power cord is 8 feet long, making it easy to maneuver around your garment and navigate outlets in your hotel room or Airbnb.

This steamer is one of the lightest models we tested at just over 1 pound. It would easily fit into a suitcase or carry-on bag without making your bag overweight or taking up too much space. As is to be expected with smaller clothes steamers , this model isn't the best for eliminating deep wrinkles, but it did efficiently eliminate most wrinkles with just a few passes. All in all, if you're torn between our top recommendations, know that both models are easy to hold and operate, and quick to heat up.

Best Budget

Black+decker easy garment steamer.

Effectiveness 4.5 /5
Design 4 /5

Slit in nozzle gives off impressive steam

Large, easy-to-fill water tank

Extremely effective at removing wrinkles

Somewhat bulky design

The great thing about travel steamers is they're typically quite budget-friendly, and one of the best values we found was the Black+Decker Easy Garment Steamer. Despite its low price, this steamer worked extremely well in our tests, removing wrinkles in just one or two passes. We loved that its nozzle has a slit-shaped opening, which allowed more steam to come out and helped deliver faster results.

This travel steamer takes about a minute to heat up, and there's a large window that lets you see into the water tank to monitor how much is left. The top of the unit twists off when you need more water, and we had no issues filling the water tank from the faucet. The steamer is slightly bulkier than other models we tested, but it's still compact enough to fit in a carry-on or another suitcase.

Best Splurge

Beautural steamer for clothes.

Value 3.5 /5

Includes several handy accessories

Great for creating creases

Longer steam time than average

Accessories allow you to do more with your travel steamer, and the Beautural Steamer comes with three handy attachments: a brush, a lint brush, and a crease clip. This steamer is on the larger side, making it slightly bulky to travel with, but in testing, we liked that it's able to remove most wrinkles within a few passes. We were also impressed with the crease clip, which made crisp, clean creases with just one pass.

The Beautural Steamer only takes a minute or so to heat up, and its water tank delivers up to 15 minutes of steam. We liked that it has a locking trigger for continuous steaming—the only thing we didn't like is that the water tank opening is tiny and awkwardly placed, making it tricky to fill without spilling.

Best Compact

Isteam steamer for clothes.

Release button for water tank

Can be used both horizontally and vertically

High-quality brush attachment

Not as effective in horizontal position

If you don't want to sacrifice any more suitcase space than is absolutely necessary, it's worth splurging on the iSteam Steamer. This sleek little device is one of the smallest we tested, yet it blew us away, heating up in less than a minute and delivering enough steam to remove wrinkles in just a few quick passes.

This steamer has a water tank mounted to the front, and an easy-to-press button releases the tank for filling. All of its pieces are made from thick, durable plastic, and we were even impressed with the quality of its brush attachment, which had significantly more bristles than other options. You can even use this steamer at an angle thanks to its no-drip design—though, we found it was less effective in a horizontal position, as the steam tends to taper off a bit.

Best for Heavy Materials

Magicpro portable garment steamer.

Effectiveness 4.3 /5
Design 3.8 /5
Value 4.5 /5

Strong steam production

Easy-to-operate trigger

Sturdy, durable form

Can be bulky in suitcase or bag

It generally holds true that the larger the steamer, the more power it packs. The MagicPro Portable Garment Steamer is an unbeatable model in terms of steam output, making it ideal for heavy fabrics like wool or denim. But, the major downside is that it's fairly bulky and takes up quite a bit of space in your suitcase. Still, we were wowed by this steamer, which has a water reservoir attached to the front of its sturdy, durable body. It was able to remove wrinkles in one to two passes, working significantly better than similarly-sized models and earning a perfect score for effectiveness.

The MagicPro Steamer has a trigger-style button that turns the steam off and on, and it automatically locks in, saving you from having to hold it down the whole time. It's ready to use after just one minute of heating—impressive for its size—and it comes with a brush attachment, as well as a lint brush.

Best for Wedding Dresses and Delicate Items

Conair 2-in-1 garment steamer.

Heats up extremely fast

Four steam settings

Includes a variety of attachments

Oversized and bulky design

Doesn't work well horizontally

The last thing you want on your wedding day is to accidentally scorch your wedding dress—which is why we recommend the Conair Turbo Extreme Steam for delicate items. This steamer comes with a unique "delicates bonnet" attachment that helps to diffuse the steam, yet it doesn't hamper the unit's effectiveness. It was able to remove wrinkles from fabric in just a few passes in our testing, and we were impressed that it heated up in less than a minute, as well.

There's one major downside to this steamer, and that's its size. The unit is about 1 foot tall and weighs over 3 pounds, making it one of the largest options on this list. It wouldn't be good for frequent fliers who only travel with a carry-on, but we think it would come in handy at weddings or other special events, in particular.

Final Verdict

To keep your clothes looking fresh on the road, we recommend the True & Tidy TS-10 Handheld Garment Steamer . This compact unit is extremely lightweight and easy to operate, and it delivers an impressive blast of steam that removes wrinkles fast. For a more budget-friendly option, we also like the Black+Decker HGS011F Easy Garment Steamer . While slightly larger, its unique slit opening gives off ample steam for tackling wrinkles in fabrics.

Bear Portable Handheld Clothes Steamer : We have not had a chance to formally test this steamer, but one of our editors, Mia Ingui , says she loves this steamer as a travel option because it's not too cumbersome in her luggage and it effectively removes wrinkles without requiring refills. Plus, it can double as a steam iron in a pinch! While she wishes this model had a power switch, it's still a solid steamer that's also well-designed.

How We Tested the Travel Steamers

We purchased and tested 29 clothes and travel steamers in one of our homes for several hours over the course of two months. To start, we unboxed and set up each steamer, noting how clear the instructions were and how intuitive the design of the steamer is. We noted whether it was durable and practical, and if the buttons were placed well. We also considered whether each model could be described as a stylish option, and if the steamer came with accessories like a case or a brush attachment.

Next, we evaluated the heat time of each steamer by timing with a phone stopwatch how long the water took to heat up. We then used wrinkled linen napkins to test the effectiveness of each steamer and try out all the settings. Throughout our use of the steamers, we asked ourselves the following questions: How quickly did the steamer remove the wrinkles? Did it take one pass, three passes, or five passes to remove them? Did the napkin feel damp afterward? We answered all of these questions before also rating the portability of the product, and noting how easy it was to hold or carry around. We put the travel steamer in a packed carry-on bag to see if it would be practical to pack it in a suitcase and if it drastically altered the weight of the bag.

Lastly, we applied our hands-on experience to rate the overall value of the product and decide if it's worth the money you'd spend on it. All of these insights were boiled down to this list of what we believe are the very best travel steamers.

What to Look for in a Travel Steamer

Heat and steam time.

When comparing different steamers, you'll want to look at their heat and steam times. The former indicates how long the unit takes to heat up and be ready for use, while the latter indicates how long the steamer runs when the tank is full. The longer the steam time, and the larger the water tank capacity, the more garments you can often de-wrinkle in one steaming session, without having to run to the sink to refill the tank.

"I like [a steamer] that has a decent amount of continuous run time—10 minutes, at least—so that you don't have to stop and refill several times," says Melissa Maker of Clean My Space. Our "best for heavy materials," the MagicPro Portable Garment Steamer , has a 15-minute steam time, which could allow you to easily steam a longer dress or multiple T-shirts. While travel steamers sometimes sacrifice steam time due to their small sizes and thus smaller water tanks, all of the models in our roundup have steam times just under or slightly over 10 minutes.

Size and Weight

A steamer's size not only impacts its steam time, but it also determines how packable it is in luggage. If you're going to be packing a steamer in your suitcase, it should ideally be compact and lightweight—otherwise, it will prevent you from packing other necessities. The unit's weight will also impact its usability. "A steamer should be a manageable weight, comfortable to hold, and nicely balanced, so it's not too top or bottom-heavy," says Maker. Our "best overall" pick, the True & Tidy TS-10 Handheld Garment Steamer , is very lightweight at just 1.5 pounds, and it can be separated into two pieces for even more packability.

Design Features

There are multiple design elements to keep in mind when picking out your travel steamer. Although a slimmer travel steamer is great to easily slip into a suitcase, it may be top-heavy and lack a handle, causing a greater risk of accidental burns and complicating the cool down process. For that reason, you want to look for a steamer that has a well-distributed design. Additionally, you should look for a steamer that has an easy-to-access water tank. Some options can be tricky to refill, while others may feature an easy-release button, such as our "best compact" pick, the iSteam Steamer . Our "best for wedding dresses and delicate items" pick, the Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam 2-in-1 Garment Steamer , may be one of the bulkiest handheld steamers in this roundup, but it has a comfortable handle and larger water tank.

Most travel streamers are lightweight and portable when you compare them with traditional clothes steamers. Most weigh less than 2 pounds, and some of the more compact varieties are no larger than a travel mug. This makes them easy to slot into even the smallest of suitcases. We particularly love the iSteam Steamer for its compact size. It was the smallest one we tested, but didn't sacrifice effectiveness or features.

Some travel steamers are lighter and more ergonomic than others, making them easier to use. While what's easiest for you ultimately comes down to personal preference, selecting one that you can hold at any angle without the water spilling out is helpful. Those with a larger water tank will save you the inconvenience of refilling them so often, as well. Our "best overall" pick, the True & Tidy TS-10 Handheld Garment Steamer , can be tricky to refill, but is very lightweight and comfortable. Notably, the handle stayed cool for the duration of our testing.

Travel steamers absolutely work! Standard-size clothes steamers are more powerful and carry more water, so they are much better for steaming multiple garments and heavy fabrics, such as wool and denim. However, a quality travel steamer will still effectively lift creases out of the clothes you are taking on vacation or a business trip.

To produce steam, travel steamers need to generate water temperatures of more than 200 degrees Fahrenheit. That means you need to use any clothes steamer with care , to avoid accidental burns and spills. For use with heavier fabrics, temperatures can reach as high as 395 degrees Fahrenheit on many standard clothes steamers, but the less powerful travel varieties don't often reach these temperatures.

While they may seem similar, steamers and irons serve different purposes in the laundry room. Steamers use hot steam to relax fibers within a fabric, while irons are used to press and smooth fabric and create creases. Further, steamers are typically used vertically on hanging garments, while irons require a horizontal surface, such as an ironing board .

Yes, travel steamers can be packed in a carry-on or checked bag. Just make sure they don't contain any liquid.

Steamers are effective at sanitizing clothing due to the hot temperature of their steam, but they don’t necessarily clean your garments. The hot air kills bacteria, but it doesn’t get rid of dirt, grime, odors, or sweat that may be on your clothing.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was written by Camryn Rabideau , a freelance writer and product tester for The Spruce. As she started her research into travel steamers, she spoke with experts for insights on the benefits of steaming, what to look for in a travel steamer, as well as how to steam clothes properly. Rabideau personally tested 29 different clothing steamers, including a wide range of handheld models, evaluating each one on its design, portability, heat time, effectiveness, and value. She took these scores, as well as her overall experience with each steamer, into consideration as she put together this list of the best travel steamers.

Our Experts:

Wayne Edelman , CEO of Meurice Garment Care
Melissa Maker , cleaning expert and founder of Clean My Space
Emma Phelps , an associate editor for The Spruce, updated this roundup with additional information from Rabideau's original testing.

Oztoprak, Nefise, et al. “Comparison of Steam Technology and a Two-Step Cleaning (Water/Detergent) and Disinfecting (1,000 Resp. 5,000 Ppm Hypochlorite) Method Using Microfiber Cloth for Environmental Control of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms in an Intensive Care Unit.” GMS Hygiene and Infection Control , vol. 14, 2019, p. Doc15.

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The 12 Best Portable Travel Steamers for Wrinkle-free Clothes [2023]

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The 12 Best Portable Travel Steamers for Wrinkle-free Clothes [2023]

Travel Steamer vs. Regular Steamer

Things to look for in travel steamers, how to use a travel steamer, 1. a great little steamer for all of the family, 2. hi-tech heating and steaming on the go, 3. efficient steaming both at home and away, 4. superfast heat-up for easy steaming, 5. nano water technology for softer steaming, 6. compact steaming with a carry bag, 7. commercial grade steaming in a handheld, 8. fast and powerful portable steaming, 9. dual-voltage steaming for use worldwide, 10. a lightweight and compact travel steamer, 11. dual-voltage, superfast steaming, 12. leakproof technology for vertical and horizontal steaming, final thoughts.

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Need to look your best while you are away? Crinkled and creased clothing will not impress if you are headed to a business meeting, conference, wedding, or other occasion. A travel steamer will help you to breathe new life into rumpled clothing, while still being compact and lightweight enough to take everywhere with you.

Steaming your clothes is an excellent alternative to ironing, both on vacation and at home. Conventional ironing flattens the fibers of the fabric, while steaming allows the same fibers to gently relax so that the creases drop away more naturally.

Regular size steamers offer plenty of power to let you de-crease with ease at home. They can, however, be bulky and cumbersome, making them less than practical to pack in your carry-on, and they may even need additional attachments to ensure your clothes are perfectly presented at all times.

Regular steamers have the power and capacity to steam whole outfits, but to do this, they need large water tanks that can produce a lot of steam. In contrast, travel steamers are incredibly compact and feature smaller tanks , meaning that they can be held in just 1 hand for easy de-creasing when you travel.

Of course, smaller tanks call for regular refills and a limited amount of steam power, but this is a small price to pay for easy to use, portable steam power that can be used on a variety of fabrics, for a wide range of occasions.

The other main difference between travel-size steamers and regular ones is the amount of power they can produce. A large steamer can kick out as much as 1800 watts of power, whereas travel-sized appliances might only offer between 750 to 850 watts of power.

Bottom Line: The lower the wattage, the slower the steamer, meaning that while travel appliances are super useful, they may not have the physical power to get rid of every single crease.

A steamer with a short cord is of little use to anybody. Likewise, cords that are too long can get in the way and hinder your steaming capabilities. Before you invest, read up on your preferred model to ensure that the cord is long enough to be useful without you risking getting caught up in it along the way.

Remember, a steamer is supposed to help you not hinder your ability to get out the door looking pristine. Somewhere around 5 to 10 feet in length should see you right .

Water Capacity

Travel steamers will likely have a smaller capacity than larger, regular units. That said, they will still need to hold enough water to create enough steam to finish the job. Look for a model that has a reservoir that can hold enough for about 10 minutes of quality steaming , which should be enough to get you through a full outfit.

Size and Weight

Your portable steamer will need to be just that — portable. With this in mind, look for models that are compact enough to fit easily into your suitcase or carry-on without taking up too much of your valuable clothes storage space.

Hot Tip: A travel steamer should also be as light as possible without being flimsy, so aim for models that weigh in at 2 pounds or lighter.

Fabric Types

Some fabrics respond better to steaming than others, and some steamers are not suitable for all types of fabric. Before you buy, check that the models you are looking at can steam the creases out of your outfits and that they are also able to cope with delicate fabrics without damaging them.

Assuming that you don’t want to spend all day hiding out in your hotel room waiting for your steamer to work, the heat-up time is an important factor. Generally speaking, the faster the water heats up, the more efficient the device is. Do your research and opt for a model that heats in 2 minutes or less.

Ease of Use

The easier your steamer is to use, the less time you will need to spend steaming. With this in mind, look for models that have clear instructions that are also easy to clean and fill. You should also consider paying extra for a portable steamer that comes complete with a filter to purify the water. This will help prevent damage to your delicates and reduce water spots or sediment.

Attachments

A fabric brush is also a useful addition to a travel steamer, as it will open up the fabric to make the steaming process more even and efficient. Other attachments to consider could be a lint brush, a creaser, or even a softening attachment, but be aware that extra attachments take up space to carry with you, and could cost extra.

Watts and Voltage

A dual-voltage steamer will be suitable for use all over the world and will offer the option to switch between 110 to 120 volts for the U.S. and 220 to 240 volts for use in Europe . If you are unable to find one that offers this feature, you will need to take a converter with you.

The wattage of the appliance relates to the amount of power it can produce. Most travel steamers have a power output of around 750 to 850 watts , which, while still useful, may not be enough to remove some of the most stubborn of creases.

Travel steamers should be super easy to use. They are more convenient than traditional steam irons, and you won’t need a flat surface to use them. How you steam your garment will depend on the exact design of your travel steamer, the type of garment you are steaming, and the amount of space available.

Here are some general tips on how to use a steamer:

Start by hanging your garment up , ideally against a solid surface that can add resistance. Hang it at a height that is comfortable for you and one that won’t mean you have to hurt your back or bend and twist while you are steaming.
Before you start steaming, be sure to check the labels in the garment. Some fabrics do not respond well to steam, and trying to remove creases could result in you ruining them. Check before you begin as those that can’t be steamed may need to be taken to the dry cleaner instead.
Pull and stretch the garment with your free hand , taking care not to let the steam burn you as you hold it.
When it comes to steaming, start by moving the appliance in a downward motion, keeping the steamer upright and aligned at all times. Hold the plate close to the garment to maximize the power of the steam.
For more delicate fabrics, you may want to keep the steamer at least an inch away from the fabric, while thicker, heavier items may need to be steamed from both sides.
If you are having trouble with stubborn collars or cuffs, you may want to use your hand to give them extra shape and support.
When you have finished steaming, be sure to tip out any remaining water in the tank and let your steamer cool down before packing it away again.

The 12 Best Clothes Steamers for Travel

Lemontec portable travel garment steamer .

Carefully designed to evenly distribute steam effectively to remove wrinkles fast, this mini steamer is great for taking with you on a trip. Lightweight and compact, it also comes complete with a long built-in 2 point cable, removing the need for an extension cable.

With a 6-ounce tank capacity and a heat-up time of approximately 70 seconds, you can expect to achieve around 9 minutes of steaming time from this little beauty. For your safety, it also features an automatic shut-off function that kicks in when the water gets too hot or the water level drops too low.

What We Like

Heats up quickly

What We Don’t Like

Can spit water as well as steam
iSteam Steamer For Clothes

Featuring upgraded technology and a super high-tech heating panel, the iSteam is a superior wrinkle remover that is perfect for travel. With a heat-up time of just 25 seconds and a good-size reservoir, you can steam an entire outfit quickly and easily, even when you are away from home. The innovative 360-degree technology means that you can use this steamer from any angle without leaks — even upside down.

Suitable for use on a wide variety of materials, this model is light and compact enough to take away with you. It comes with a specially-designed nozzle to speed up ironing time, and also features an automatic shut-down feature if the water level falls too low. One thing to be aware of, though, is if you are looking to use this model with 220v outlets, you must use a voltage converter and adapter plug.

It can be used upside down
Requires a voltage converter with 220v outlets

Hilife Portable Travel Garment Steamer

Exclusively designed with a unique type of nozzle, this handy little device is designed to distribute steam evenly to ensure wrinkle-free clothing, every time. Suitable for use on all kinds of fabrics , the Hilife Portable Steamer can be used for steaming, sanitizing, cleaning, and removing wrinkles.

Small enough to go everywhere with you, this model is also competent enough to be used at home. With an 8-ounce reservoir, this steamer provides up to 15 minutes of steam to eliminate wrinkles from an array of materials, including cotton, linen, silk, and chiffon.

Provides 15 minutes of steam
No auto shut-off safety feature

MagicPro Portable Garment Steamer

With a superfast 25-second heat-up time , this is an impressive steamer that can be used on a variety of fabrics, including cotton, silk, linen, polyester, wool, and velvet, as well as other common fabric blends.

It also features unique leakproof technology that uses an electronic pump to prevent water from spitting and spilling, meaning you can steam your clothes either horizontally or vertically. There is an automatic shutdown system that activates whenever the steamer is too hot, or the water level is too low, and the 2-in-1 fabric and lint brush included in the box gives you more versatility at home or on the go.

Heats up super quick
The water tank is quite small

Polardo Handheld Travel Steamer

Featuring 360-degree, anti-spill technology, this high-grade travel steamer uses an electronic pump system to deliver steam from any angle. You can even use this steamer upside down — without the risk of spills or burns — to ensure that you never miss a single crease.

With a tank that heats up in less than 25 seconds and delivers 10 continuous minutes of steam power, this model is a little more costly than some others on the market, but its superior steaming capabilities make the extra few dollars well worth it.

Offering seriously useful features for those who like to stay wrinkle-free on the go, you can steam, sanitize, sterilize, soften, and clean any type of fabric including cotton, satin, linen, nylon blends, sequins, embroidery, beads, and much more. Gentle and safe to use, it also comes complete with an ultramodern NANO water filter . This softens tap water to prevent calcification and keeps your clothes feeling softer for longer.

Can be turned and used from any angle
Falls over easily when standing upright
PERFECTDAY Portable Garment Steamer

Powered by 800 watts of steam and with 8 steam nozzles , this is a good quality garment steamer that provides rapid venting for even steaming. It also comes with a fur brush to help remove dust, dirt, or debris from your clothes. With a compact design and a removable nozzle head, this model is small enough to tuck in your carry-on bag, while still being powerful enough to keep you looking fresh on the go.

The 3.4-ounce tank capacity will provide enough steam for around 10 minutes of steaming power, and the dual safety protection system will shut off the device if it gets too hot or the water gets too low.

Doesn’t leak when using
Has a 1-year warranty

Hot Tip: Protect your purchases by using a credit card with extended warranty coverage !

ESTEAM Personal Hand Held Steamer

This high-end steamer comes complete with a multitude of functions, including a selection of voltage plugs that will ensure your steamer works wherever in the world you are headed. Offering all the power of a full-size steamer in a smaller, portable package, the Jiffy ESTEAM uses many of the same components used in commercial-grade steamers for wrinkle-free clothing.

Measuring just 10.5 x 5 inches, this compact model can easily slip into your suitcase or carry-on. The built-in reservoir can hold up to 8 ounces of plain tap water, and the 600-watt heating element heats up in less than 60 seconds. Incredibly easy to use, this machine will transform your clothes from a wrinkled mess to laundered perfection in minutes.

Available in black or pink
Can leak if not used upright
Rowenta DR8120 Powerful Handheld Garment and Fabric Steamer

This superfast and super-powerful handheld steamer is perfect for looking good on the go. Offering 1,600 watts of power and a removable 6.76-ounce tank, this model can create 10 minutes’ worth of steam in just 40 seconds. It is also super hygienic, killing 99.9% of germs, dust mites, and more , and can also be used on household items like curtains and furniture back at home.

Compact and lightweight, this steamer also comes with a selection of accessories, including a fabric brush to brush out wrinkles, a lint pad, and a steam bonnet to prevent water from dripping on your garments. Weighing in at just 3 pounds, this model is light enough to not make a dent in your luggage allowance , while still being powerful enough to handle a wide variety of fabrics and garment types.

Comes with a fabric brush and steam bonnet
Quite a large steamer
Conair Travel Smart 450 Watt Dual Voltage Garment Steamer

This impressive and affordable garment steamer from Conair is a 450-watt, dual-voltage garment steamer that will remove wrinkles in minutes. It comes complete with an 8-foot cord and detachable lint and bristle brush, a folding handle, and a compact and lightweight design , making it perfect for travel.

This device works great on a wide variety of fabrics and can handle suitcase-creased clothing with ease. It is also useful for quick touch-ups on the go, and with a tank that heats up in less than a minute, you will never be waiting too long to be wrinkle-free and ready to go.

Has a collapsible handle for easy transportation
The unit takes a while to cool down
MASTEAM Steamer for Clothes

Using the latest technology wrapped up in a small and portable design, this is a great little travel steamer for those on the go. Weighing in at just 1.5 lbs, and offering spill-proof technology and an automatic safety system , this is a compact but powerful little steamer.

The spacious tank can hold up to 6-ounces of tap water and will heat up in 2 minutes to provide up to 10 minutes of steam power. Suitable for use across a wide range of fabrics, this is a handy little tool for travel.

Small and lightweight
Only suitable for lightweight fabrics
Steam & Go Handheld Travel Steamer

This dual-voltage steamer is perfect for use anywhere in the world to ensure your clothes remain wrinkle-free on the go. Lightweight and portable, and weighing only 2.5 pounds, it will fit into your carry-on or checked luggage easily. With a 5-ounce tank, this portable steamer heats up in 2 minutes to create enough steam for 11 minutes of use .

Packed full of safety features, this steamer can be used both horizontally or vertically without dripping or leaking and has an auto shut-off feature should the steamer run short on water or become too hot.

Works with dual voltage
Doesn’t work on thicker materials
HHSUC Portable Garment Steamer for Clothes

This powerful little handheld garment steamer measures 10.9 inches high, meaning it is compact enough to go anywhere with you. With 1,200 watts of power, wrinkles can be easily removed with 2 different steam settings, and the tank takes just 15 seconds or so to produce 20 minutes’ worth of steam.

Leakproof technology means you can use this little beauty both vertically and horizontally without leaking, and the 7.8-foot long cable makes it easy to steam clothes hanging up, wherever you are.

Has a choice of 2 steam settings depending on the fabric
The cord could be longer

A travel steamer can be the difference between feeling crumpled and jet-lagged to fresh and well-presented. Compact, affordable, and easy to use, a travel steamer may not offer the power of a regular garment steamer, but it will have enough oomph to de-crease, refresh and de-wrinkle your clothes when looking presentable is really important.

Looking for more travel products? Explore all of our best travel products reviews — all in one place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do handheld steamers really work.

In general, yes, they do work, but how well depends on the state of the garment, the material it is made from, and how good your steamer is. Travel steamers will usually be able to steam 1 outfit within 10 minutes.

Can you take a travel steamer in carry-on?

Provided you make sure that the steamer is free of any liquid, you can take a steamer in your carry-on.

Can I use tap water in my steamer?

Ideally, distilled water should be used in your steamer to reduce the need for constant cleaning and increase the lifespan of your product. Some steamers come with built-in water purifiers so you can use tap water.

What is the best portable clothes steamer?

These are some of the best portable travel steamers:

Lemontec Portable Travel Garment Steamer
Magictec Portable Travel Garment Steamer
MagicPro Portable Garment Steamer
Polardo Handheld Travel Steamer

What is the smallest travel steamer?

The iSteam Steamer For Clothes is just 9 inches high, meaning it is compact enough to go anywhere with you. The tank takes just 25 seconds or so to produce 10 minutes’ worth of steam.

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About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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Tested and Reviewed: The Best Travel Steamer to Take on the Road

By Erinne Magee

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Even the most seasoned travelers open their suitcase after landing and find themselves with a daunting task ahead: deciding if their wrinkled clothes can get by with a thorough shake out or if reinforcements are needed.

Of course, most hotel rooms are equipped with irons, but the task of setting up the ironing board and fitting each article of clothing just right can feel overwhelming. Not to mention, some pieces are too delicate for harsh heat. Enter our swanky new friend, the travel steamer.

When I set out to find the best travel steamer, I admit, I was hesitant about such a practical item taking up precious carry-on space. But when traveling as a family of four , as I often do, an ironing board set-up can quickly become a catch-all for toys, shopping bags, or electronics and simply get in the way. After testing these steamers, I’ll be leaving the iron tucked away.

Of the nine steamers tested, my favorite models had one thing in common: a metal soleplate, allowing you to touch the steamer to the clothing to smooth out tricky spots. While steamers are mostly celebrated for their ability to get the wrinkles out, they also kill 99.9% of bacteria. Important to note, most steamers come with the recommendation of distilled water to keep the sediment buildup at bay, which I did not use as most of us don’t have easy access to it when we travel.

Each steamer has been tested and reviewed on jeans, khakis, T-shirts , button-down shirts, blouses, and jackets based on the following criteria:

Size/packability : Does it fit into a weekender or carry-on?
Power/efficiency: Is it faster and easier than setting up and using the hotel iron? Or at least just as good?
Water capacity: How many times do you have to refill the reservoir to steam an entire outfit?
Leakproof: Will you be late to dinner while waiting for the wet spots to dry?
Durability/longevity : Is the quality going to withstand enough trips to make the steamer worth packing and purchasing?

Which is the best travel steamer?

The design here is just smart. The steamer weighs less than a pound, but produces a solid stream of steam. With a small reservoir, I was surprised the water lasted for almost 10 minutes, allowing for five items to be de-wrinkled (though it was not powerful enough for jeans). There is a button to turn the steam on, but you don’t have to hold it down, which I appreciated. The metal soleplate allows for an ironing option, which is what I ended up using to smooth out the jeans. An adjustable head not only makes the seamer compact, but gives you the option to steam at different angles. I did wonder if frequent adjusting of the head would loosen the feature, but the steamer seems to be quite solid and well made. The unit also comes with a wall mount so you always have a place to hang the garment at home.

Weight: .8 pounds

Pros -Lightweight and packable -Adjustable head -Comes with wall mount -Powerful

Cons -Works best on lighter fabrics only

Can I travel with a portable steamer?

Most travel steamers will fit into your carry-on and can go through TSA without any issues; just make sure any remaining liquid from the reservoir has been emptied before getting to the airport.

Is a portable steamer worth it?

If you are going to a formal event or know you’re packing clothes that are famous for wrinkling, then yes, it's worth adding to your suitcase. As someone who typically only uses a carry-on unless traveling with family, I do value my space and find the steamer to be an easy item to remove should I be running short on room.

What is the lightest travel steamer?

The Nesugar steamer weighs less than a pound, which inched it ahead of the Conair Turbo (weighing in at two pounds and measuring 13 inches long) in overall rating.

More steamers I tested

Of the nine steamers I tested out, these are the others I would recommend, with caveats:

One of the more expensive steamers I tested, the Conair is definitely the winner in terms of power and functionality—a T-shirt can be good as new in less than a minute. While the steamer can blast wrinkles from jackets, you can also lower the setting for more delicate items. The Conair turbo is the only steamer I tested that had various settings to choose from. It even has a built-in creaser, if that’s your thing.

Because the steamer is more powerful, it uses more water, so refills are necessary after a few items (depending on the fabric and intensity of the wrinkles, of course). The Conair Turbo would’ve taken top spot if it were more compact for traveling (its dimensions are 13" x 8" x 6", making it a bit bulky for carry-ons). If you find yourself using an iron a lot at home, this steamer may actually be your best bet.

Weight: 2 pounds

Pros -Can dewrinkle anything -Various settings to choose from -Quick heat-up

Cons -Hard to fill with small opening -On the larger side for travel

This is by far the most aesthetically pleasing steamer I tested and ranks number two for packability. With a 30-second warm up and automatic steam (no trigger to hold), the Seekclass was off to a good start, but it did take four minutes to steam one pair of pants and I had to utilize the metal soleplate in order to get the job done. The reservoir is tiny, so I had to refill it before I could finish the pants, too. Because the hole to refill is so tiny, it’s also hard to get out any remaining water when you’re ready to pack up the unit. Knowing this, it’s smart to let the steamer dry out at your earliest convenience to keep any build-up from forming.

Pros -Handle folds in, making it easy to travel -Metal soleplate -Quick heat-up

Cons -Leaks when on its side -Very small, hard-to-fill reservoir -Heavier material requires at least one refill

At first I was wondering if I had a faulty unit because it took several minutes for this steamer to heat up, which felt like an eternity compared to others. Once it was ready to go, though, the steam was quite efficient as long as the material wasn’t too thick (button-down shirts worked fine, but nothing heavier). Again, the metal plate comes in handy for more stubborn wrinkles. You have the option to lock the steamer into a continuous stream or control the trigger for smaller bursts (this helps save water in between items, too).

Weight: 1.57 pounds

Pros -Metal plate -Option for continuous steam or manual

Cons -Longer heat up time -Won't tackle jeans or heavier garments

International travelers will be happy about the automatic dual voltage with this steamer. While the heat up is quick (about 20 seconds), the reservoir of the steamer is painfully hot so be sure to only hold on to the handle. Unfortunately, the high temperature of the reservoir requires a pause between fill-ups, but you can get three items done with one tank. My favorite feature is the automatic steam from the get-go, which means your fingers get a rest from holding down the trigger button that comes with many other steamers. The main reason this steamer remains on the final list is for its appeal to those who frequently travel abroad.

Weight: 1.2 pounds

Pros -Collapsible handle for travel -Automatic heat-up (no power button) -No trigger needed to release steam

Cons -Cannot promptly refill reservoir because the tank gets so hot

Closet and laundry

The Best Clothing Steamers

Our pick for best clothes steamer, the Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Garment Steamer (GS54), in dark blue.

By Jackie Reeve and Zoe Vanderweide

A good clothing steamer can have your garments looking polished and wrinkle-free in mere minutes. It’s often a more appealing option than pulling out the iron, and because a steamer smooths without scorching, it’s a better tool for delicate fabrics like silk and wool.

We’ve tested dozens of steamers since 2016, and our current favorite for regular home use is the Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Garment Steamer . Its powerful blasts of steam, comfortable grip, and smart features make it the one we grab over and over. We also recommend an inexpensive compact steamer that’s ideally suited for travel, plus a heavy-duty steamer with a larger water tank for folks who frequently tackle bigger jobs.

Everything we recommend

Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Garment Steamer (GS38R)

A powerful steamer with clever features.

This steamer melted wrinkles without spitting water on our fabrics—rare among the models we tested. It’s also comfortable to hold and has standout features, like an aluminum steamer plate and dual steam settings.

Buying Options

Budget pick.

Conair CompleteSteam Hand Held Fabric Steamer (GS2X)

For occasional use.

This small, inexpensive steamer is best suited for travel and occasional home use. It does leave some wet spots on fabrics, but it’s better built and more efficient than the other portable steamers we tried.

Upgrade pick

Reliable Vivio 500 GC Professional Garment Steamer

For marathon steaming sessions.

For serious steamers, this pricey, supersized floor-standing model will make getting the job done a lot more pleasant. Its steam head is the comfiest to use for extended periods, and it holds the most water—just be careful when rolling it across the floor with a full tank, because it can splash.

Like most of the midsize handheld steamers we tested, the Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Garment Steamer (GS38R) produced ample steam for the job, and it was easier to hold and more thoughtfully designed than the competition. It was also one of the only handheld steamers that didn’t leave wet spots on test fabrics. The Conair Turbo steamer weighs just under 2.75 pounds with a full water tank (other midsize steamers we tested weighed between 2.5 and 5 pounds), making it among the lightest and most comfortable to maneuver. The heat-up aluminum steamer plate glides over fabric, helping to smooth wrinkles nearly as effectively as a traditional iron. It also comes with several accessories, including a silicone band attachment for pulling fabrics taut, a mesh bonnet for protecting extra-delicate items, and a bristle brush for loosening fibers to allow for better steam penetration. Plus, with two settings, the Conair Turbo steamer was one of the only models we tested that allowed us to control the heat and force of the steam: We used the “steam” setting for smoothing delicate silks, while the more powerful “turbo” setting was effective for tackling heavier cotton shirts. It has a one-year limited warranty.

If you want a steamer on hand to occasionally freshen up a garment, or to pack in your suitcase, you probably don’t need anything fancier than the Conair CompleteSteam Hand Held Fabric Steamer (GS2X) . It’s around half the price of the Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Garment Steamer , and it was more effective at smoothing wrinkles than any other steamer we tried in its price range (most of which were junky). It was also one of the only steamers of this size (often called “portable” or “travel” steamers) we tested that didn’t pour water out of the spout when tipped over. It has a relatively small water tank (5 ounces; the portables we tried ranged from 5 to 8 ounces), and it did spit some water when in use, but it left fewer wet spots on clothes than the other portables we tried. If you think you’ll use a steamer regularly, invest in the well-made Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam, but if you just need to smooth a wrinkle now and then—at home or while traveling—the Conair CompleteSteam fabric steamer is a solid choice. It has a one-year limited warranty, which is typical for small, inexpensive steamers.

If you do a lot of steaming, or if you find handheld steamers too heavy or uncomfortable, the Reliable Vivio 500 GC Professional Garment Steamer is a pleasure to use, and it may be worth the (considerable) investment. It’s nearly 6 feet tall, with a base about the size of a canister vacuum; despite its cumbersome size, it was our favorite steamer to use in testing. The tank holds a gallon of water (the most of any steamer we tried), it heats up quickly, and its steam head was much more comfortable for extended use than the handheld steamers that we tested. Be careful rolling the Vivio across the floor when the tank is full—it can splash water. This steamer comes with a three-year limited warranty, which was average for the ones we tested.

The research

Our favorite steamer: conair turbo extremesteam garment steamer, a budget pick for occasional use: conair completesteam hand held fabric steamer (gs2x), an upgrade pick for steaming marathons: reliable vivio 500 gc professional garment steamer, why you should trust us, who this is for, how we picked and tested, the competition.

Our pick for best clothes steamer overall, the Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Garment Steamer (GS54), in dark blue.

They say the devil is in the details, but with the Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Garment Steamer , the details were downright heavenly. The Conair Turbo steamer checked every box on our list: It was effective at vanquishing wrinkles, didn’t leave wet spots on test fabrics, and felt comfortable to hold. It heated up in under a minute and provided more than 15 minutes of continuous steam, and we found its long, 10-foot cord convenient. But the smart details—like the aluminum-quilted steam plate and the two steam settings—pushed the Conair Turbo steamer above its competitors to make steaming an enjoyable chore.

The bursts of steam from the Conair Turbo steamer smoothed out a silk dress in seconds and a rumpled cotton pillowcase in under a minute. Several steamers we’ve considered have multiple holes for the steam to escape, but the Conair Turbo has a thin, long slit, which results in a more targeted sheet of steam. It took more wrinkles out of crumpled button-down shirts than the other handheld steamers we tested (although the most stubborn wrinkles, on the sleeves and the bottom hems, still needed an iron). Also, many steamers we tested spit droplets of water along with the steam, leaving wet marks on test fabrics. The Conair Turbo steamer didn’t; out of eight handheld steamers we tried, only the Conair Turbo and the (now discontinued) Sunbeam Power Steam Fabric Steamer left clothes completely dry.

Handheld (aka midsize) steamers can be uncomfortable to use after a few minutes—of the three steamer types we tested, they were the heaviest to hold. The Conair Turbo is among the lightest and most comfortable handheld models, for both vertical and horizontal use. It weighs about 2.75 pounds with a full tank (the handhelds we tested ranged from 2.5 to 5 pounds), so while it can still feel heavy after prolonged use, it’s lighter than most in its category. It wasn’t as comfortable to use as the floor-standing Reliable Vivio 500 GC Professional Garment Steamer , but it’s about a quarter of the price and far, far easier to store.

Its 7.3-ounce water tank is one of the smaller water tanks among our handheld test group. Nevertheless, in testing it produced more than 15 minutes of continuous steam, and we were able to smooth a dress, a jacket, a pair of slacks, and three heavily wrinkled cotton button-downs with water left to spare. The Conair Turbo steamer’s water tank is also easy to remove and replace—simply slide up the release switch to unlock the tank, then click it back into place—which is handy if you do need to refill it in the middle of a big job. And it stands up on its own, meaning it can be filled while resting on the counter.

A side view of the Conair Turbo Garment Steamer, being held up in the air by a person's hand.

The Conair Turbo steamer has a heat-up aluminum head that glides smoothly and helps to push steam into the fabric’s fibers (similar to what an iron does). This feature was enormously helpful for unwrinkling heavier fabrics, especially when used horizontally against a flat surface. It also comes with three snap-on attachments: a bristle brush to ensure steam penetrates fibers for a perfect press, a silicone bar for pulling fabrics taut, and a mesh bonnet to protect your most delicate textiles. But for quickly removing heavy wrinkles, this steamer performs best all on its own. The Conair Turbo steamer also gave us more control over the amount of steam than most other handheld steamers, with two settings: “steam,” for freshening up lighter items, and “turbo,” for blasting the wrinkles out of weightier fabrics.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The relatively small water tank makes the Conair Turbo steamer weigh less than the competition when full, but it also means you’ll need to refill it if you’re doing a lot of steaming. And because of the tank’s small opening, it was challenging to fill from a gallon-jug of distilled water. (This is pretty common with handheld steamers, and can be easily remedied by using a funnel.) Plus, the small opening means it takes a long time for the tank to dry fully after use. Finally, we found the built-in creaser tool fiddly and awkward to use. If you want to make sharp pleats, use an iron.

Our pick for best clothes steamer in a smaller size, the Conair Complete Steam Hand Held Fabric Steamer (GS2).

Portable (aka travel-size) steamers are not the most impressive examples of modern engineering—most of them leak, and they’re not that powerful—but the Conair CompleteSteam Hand Held Fabric Steamer (GS2X) is the best one we’ve found, and it even outperformed some bigger, pricier models. If you need to use a steamer only occasionally, for an outfit or for a trip, the small CompleteSteam is effective, affordable, and lightweight.

In our testing the Conair CompleteSteam not only beat all of the cheap portable steamers, it also was easier to fill and left fewer wet marks on clothes than midsize handhelds from Rowenta and Black+Decker . The Conair CompleteSteam didn’t produce as much steam as our main pick, the Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam, so it needed more passes over the fabric to flatten wrinkles, and it wasn’t as effective on tough creases—but it’s also less than half the price. The Conair CompleteSteam is just right for light jobs and travel, and it’s more comfortable to use than a heavier midsized steamer if you don’t have much to steam. It did leave some water spots when used too close to fabrics. But the CompleteSteam can also be used horizontally (not a given in this category); it dribbled only a few droplets, which was a win compared with others that poured water everywhere.

A side view of the Conair CompleteSteam’s Hand Held Fabric Steamer being held up by a person's hand.

The Conair CompleteSteam (like most of the five portable steamers we tried) looks like a small watering can, and it weighs about 2.5 pounds when full. It was the heaviest of the portable steamers we tested, yet it has one of the smallest water tanks. Empty it’s just over 2 pounds, and the tank holds 5 ounces of water. By comparison, the Hilife Steamer weighs 1.5 pounds when empty and has an 8-ounce water tank. You can steam two, maybe three, outfits with the Conair CompleteSteam before you’ll need to refill.

Conair’s one-year warranty is comparable to those of most of the other inexpensive portable steamers we considered. The price and quality of portable steamers indicate to us that these are not meant to last forever.

Our pick for best clothes steamer for long sessions of steaming, the Reliable Vivio 500GC Professional Garment Steamer.

If you have a lot of steaming to do (like helping a wedding party get dressed or tackling a mountain of laundry), if you prefer to steam clothes spread out on a table or bed instead of hanging upright, or if you don’t find heavy handheld steamers comfortable to use, the floor-standing Reliable Vivio 500 GC Professional Garment Steamer is a solid alternative that left its four competitors in the dust. A flexible hose makes this steamer the most comfortable of our picks to use. It releases a steady, effective flow of steam; it’s smartly designed; and its 1-gallon tank was still steaming long after we ran out of fabric to smooth. It does, however, cost nearly four times as much as the Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam .

For big jobs, the handheld Conair Turbo steamer will build up your biceps but test your patience; the Reliable Vivio, on the other hand, has a lightweight hose (like all floor-standing steamers) that was more flexible than others we tried and easier to glide across fabrics. (It’s like using a vacuum-cleaner hose.) This also made the Reliable steamer the best of our picks for steaming horizontally, if that’s what you prefer. It was as effective as other full-size steamers at smoothing wrinkles (and also similar to the handheld Conair Turbo in this regard), but it was the only one that didn’t spit any water.

All floor-standing steamers have an attached pole to hold the steamer head and a garment. The Reliable Vivio comes with its own hanger, which keeps your clothes steadier while you steam than models like the PurSteam and the Jiffy , neither of which included one. The Reliable Vivio’s design sets it apart, but it did require more setup than other floor-standing steamers we tested—we had to get out a screwdriver. Another standing steamer we tried, the Pure Enrichment Pure Steam , also came with a snap-on hanger, but it was harder to move around (an important consideration when you’re trying to steam the front and back of a shirt).

A close-up of a person's hand holding the steam head of the Reliable Vivio (with a removable brush attachment on).

Like those of all floor-standing steamers we tried, the Reliable Vivio’s removable tank was easy to fill, with a screw-on cap and a wide opening that fit under a faucet. It held more water (a gallon) than any other steamer we tested, but it still heated up in about two minutes. You don’t have to empty the tank after each use, so once it’s set up, it’s a breeze to wheel out and start using. The Reliable Vivio’s wheels were better on hardwood floors than those of any other full-size steamer we tried, but be careful when storing the steamer or moving it around. If the base tips backward, some water will dribble out of the tank. Leaking is a common issue, and this wasn’t the worst offender during testing. It comes with a three-year limited warranty.

Wirecutter senior staff writer Jackie Reeve has spent the majority of her waking life working with textiles, and that means dealing with wrinkles. She has written our guides to cotton sheets , flannel sheets , bed blankets , throw blankets , pajamas , robes , bath towels , and duvet covers , among others. In the course of doing the research for those pieces, she has done so much laundry that she must hold the company record by now. Jackie also wrote our guides to irons and ironing boards . For this guide she also built on the research of Camille Perri and Tim Heffernan.

Zoe Vanderweide is a Wirecutter senior staff writer covering style, so she’s constantly wearing, washing, styling and generally fussing over clothes. At any given time, she has between 30 and 40 garments in her testing queue to keep clean and wrinkle-free. In her off-hours, she’s also a type-A neatnik who considers a marathon garment-steaming session the ideal way to spend an evening in.

If you own a lot of delicate fabrics, or if you just need to freshen up the occasional piece of clothing or linen, a steamer will be a solid addition to your laundry arsenal, and it might even be a replacement for an iron . Over time, a steamer can also save you money normally spent at the dry cleaner. If you choose to hand-wash your delicate items at home ( we have guidelines on what can and can’t skip the dry cleaner ), a steamer can smooth out wrinkles and help everything look professionally cleaned and pressed. Steamers generally heat up in a couple of minutes, and the top ones we’ve tested melt away wrinkles with very little effort. They work best—and fastest—on thinner fabrics like silk and polyester, which you probably don’t want to iron anyway for fear of scorching them. Steamers are also a convenient way to smooth wrinkled curtains or drapes without having to take them down. We tested three basic types of steamers for this guide: midsize handheld models, which look like small dumbbells and are a good choice if you steam semi-regularly; small portable models (shaped like a pitcher), which hold a few ounces of water and are best for light use; and full-size, floor-standing models (similar in size to a vacuum cleaner), which have a rod to hang your garments on and the biggest tanks, so you can steam for long stretches without refilling.

Don’t rely on a steamer to create sharp pleats or creases, or to flatten seams. Some we tried came with special tools for that purpose, but they were time-consuming and fiddly, and they made us wonder why we hadn’t just gotten out the iron. In testing we also found that steamers were less effective than irons on stubborn folds and wrinkles, particularly on the hems of heavily creased shirts, jeans, and cotton sheets. If you wash and dry dress shirts—or any button-down shirts—at home, an iron is a better tool for keeping them crisp. A steamer can be helpful if you want to avoid storing a big ironing board in a small apartment, but that’s only realistic if your laundry isn’t that wrinkled. (We recommend options for small-space living in our ironing boards guide .)

We used these criteria to choose the best steamers:

Effective: The steamers with the strongest bursts of hot steam flattened wrinkles the fastest. We wanted to be able to steam an outfit in minutes and get out the door.

Non-leaking: A water stain can ruin a delicate, expensive fabric, and dribbling water can also be a safety hazard with a plugged-in appliance. We looked for steamers that didn’t drip, spit, or leak.

Big water tanks: The bigger the tank, the longer you can use your steamer before having to refill it. We looked at three different size categories and prioritized roomy water tanks for all of them.

Comfortable to use: Midsize handheld steamers can be especially top-heavy and awkward to hold. Since steaming involves a fair amount of arm lifting, we looked for steamers that were comfortable enough to use for several minutes at a time. We also favored steamers that could be used both vertically and horizontally, for people who are more comfortable using a steamer on a flat surface. And we looked for longer cords, which are helpful if you’re tall, or if your outlets aren’t in a convenient spot.

Protected by a warranty: Over the years, we’ve learned that irons and steamers can break easily. For one person, a steamer might last for years, and for someone else, the same model might conk out after two months. We considered only models with solid warranties, in case they give up the ghost too soon.

In addition to relying on our own deep knowledge of steamers (gained from a long history of testing them), we considered opinions from The Strategist and Good Housekeeping , and checked star ratings on Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, and other retailers to compile a list of 28 candidates. We narrowed the list by reading user reviews from those same retailers, checking for things like customer service concerns and for reports of steamers that didn’t last long, and we looked at each steamer’s specifications—warranty, water-tank size, and useful features. We included well-reviewed steamers, favored brands that have proved to be reliable in the past, and covered household names that are easy to find. In the end, we decided to test 17 steamers in three categories: portable, handheld (aka midsize), and floor-standing.

We tried each steamer on a variety of items, including cotton sheets, button-down shirts, and silks, noting which models met the above criteria. We used them vertically (on clothes hung from hangers) and horizontally (spread out on an ironing board), and we measured the length of the steamers’ extension cords and the size of their water tanks.

This is not a comprehensive list of everything we tested in previous iterations of this guide, just what’s still available.

Handheld (aka midsize)

The Beautural 1200-Watt Steamer for Clothes smoothed wrinkles on thin silk but struggled with thicker cotton, and it spit some water onto fabrics.

The Black+Decker Advanced Handheld Steamer (HGS200) was a dud. We had to push the power button several times to get it to work, and it was the slowest steamer to heat up in our testing. Also, it didn’t produce much steam, and it made strange—even alarming—noises, so we unplugged it after just a few minutes. It did have the largest water tank (13.5 ounces) of any handheld we tried, though.

In past years, we’ve also tested and dismissed other handheld steamers, including the Jiffy Esteam Travel Steamer .

The Hilife Steamer for Clothes leaked water, couldn’t be used horizontally, and didn’t get very hot.

In previous years we also tested and dismissed a number of other portable steamers, including the Conair Travel Smart and the Pure Enrichment PureSteam Portable Fabric Steamer .

Floor-standing

Our former floor-standing pick, the J-2000 Jiffy Garment Steamer , has a simple design, and it emitted strong steam, but it was the worst offender in our testing when it came to water leaks from the tank. When we tried to roll the Jiffy’s stiff wheels across the floor, water poured out of the base, covering the cord and plug. We had to halt testing this steamer until it was dry enough to plug in, and it leaked again when we moved it after testing.

The Pure Enrichment Pure Steam XL Standing Steamer was the least expensive full-size steamer we tried. Although it has some nice details, overall you get what you pay for. It spit on our test fabrics, and it wasn’t as powerful as our Reliable Vivio 500 GC floor-standing pick. The clip-on hanger kept garments still, but it was fussy to unclip and turn around to steam the garment’s other side. Plus, it had the smallest water tank of the floor-standing group.

The PurSteam Full Size Garment Fabric Steamer has a dial to control the force of the steam. This is a nice (and rare) feature, but the steamer leaked on all the test fabrics. Also, the hose was stiff to use until the steam loosened it up after several minutes.

In previous years we tested and dismissed several other floor-standing steamers, including the Conair Ultimate Fabric Steamer (GS28) and the Steamfast SF-510 Fabric Steamer .

This article was edited by Ingela Ratledge Amundson and Jennifer Hunter.

Editors, The Best Clothes Steamers on Amazon, According to Hyperenthusiastic Reviews , The Strategist , May 10, 2019

Sarah Bogden, These Are the 10 Best Garment Steamers to Buy , Good Housekeeping , December 7, 2018

Meet your guides

Jackie Reeve

Jackie Reeve is a senior staff writer covering bedding, organization, and home goods at Wirecutter since 2015. Previously she was a school librarian, and she’s been a quilter for about 15 years. Her quilt patterns and her other written work have appeared in various publications. She moderates Wirecutter’s staff book club and makes her bed every morning.

Zoe Vanderweide

Zoe Vanderweide is a senior staff writer reporting on style and accessories at Wirecutter. She has been wearing things for over three decades, and she has spent years covering streetwear, luxury, art, and design. Off the clock, you can find her painting the town rainbow with her (devastatingly stylish) daughter.

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Tested and reviewed: the best travel steamer to pack in your suitcase

By Erinne Magee

Tested and Reviewed The Best Travel Steamer to Take on the Road

Even the most seasoned travellers open their suitcase after landing and find themselves with a daunting task ahead: deciding if their wrinkled clothes can get by with a thorough shake out or if reinforcements are needed.

Of course, most hotel rooms are equipped with irons, but the task of setting up the ironing board can feel overwhelming. Not to mention, some hotel irons aren't so trustworthy, while some fabrics are too delicate for harsh heat. Enter our swanky new friend, the travel steamer.

When I set out to find the best travel steamer, I admit, I was hesitant about such a practical item taking up precious carry-on space. But when travelling as a family of four, as I often do, an ironing board set-up can quickly become a catch-all for toys, shopping bags, or electronics and simply get in the way. After testing these steamers, I’ll be leaving the iron tucked away.

Of the 10 steamers tested, my favourite models had one thing in common: a metal soleplate, allowing you to touch the steamer to the clothing to smooth out tricky spots. While steamers are mostly celebrated for their ability to get wrinkles out, they also kill 99.9 per cent of bacteria. Important to note, most steamers come with the recommendation of distilled water to keep the sediment buildup at bay, which I did not use as most of us don’t have easy access to it when we travel.

Each steamer has been tested and reviewed on jeans, khakis, t-shirts, button-down shirts, blouses, and jackets based on the following criteria:

Size/packability : Does it fit into a weekender or carry-on ?
Power/efficiency: Is it faster and easier than setting up and using the hotel iron? Or at least just as good?
Water capacity: How many times do you have to refill the reservoir to steam an entire outfit?
Leakproof: Will you be late to dinner while waiting for the wet spots to dry?
Durability/longevity : Is the quality going to withstand enough trips to make the steamer worth packing and purchasing?

Which is the best travel steamer?

The design here is just smart. The steamer weighs less than 500 grams, but produces a solid stream of steam. With a small reservoir, I was surprised the water lasted for almost 10 minutes, allowing for five items to be de-wrinkled (though it was not powerful enough for jeans). There is a button to turn the steam on, but you don’t have to hold it down, which I appreciated. The metal soleplate allows for an ironing option, which is what I ended up using to smooth out the jeans. An adjustable head not only makes the seamer compact but gives you the option to steam at different angles. I did wonder if frequent adjusting of the head would loosen the feature, but the steamer seems to be quite solid and well-made. The unit also comes with a wall mount so you always have a place to hang the garment at home.

Weight: 0.3 kg

Size : 22.6 x 7.9 x 4.2cm

Pros -Lightweight and packable -Adjustable head -Comes with wall mount -Powerful

Cons -Works best on lighter fabrics only

Can I travel with a portable steamer?

Most travel steamers will fit into your carry-on and can go through airport security without any issues; just make sure any remaining liquid from the reservoir has been emptied before getting to the airport.

Is a portable steamer worth it?

If you are going to a formal event such as a destination wedding or know you’re packing clothes that are famous for wrinkling, then yes, it's worth adding to your suitcase. As someone who typically only uses a carry-on unless travelling with family, I do value my space and find the steamer to be an easy item to remove should I be running short on room.

What is the lightest travel steamer?

The Nesugar steamer weighs less than a pound, which inched it ahead of the Conair Turbo (weighing in at about 900 grams and measuring 33cm long) in overall rating.

More steamers I tested

Of the 10 steamers I tested out, these are the others I would recommend, with caveats:

Leave it to Swedish brand Steamery to create not just one of the most effective hand-held steamers on the market, but also the most aesthetically pleasing. Their latest style is a slick-looking steamer and iron in one. The tool heats up quickly with just one button and the power is impressive – I was able to steam a couple of crinkled silk dresses in a matter of minutes. It also comes with a wearable heat-protecting ironing mitt so it's really easy to remove every crease. Overall it's not just great for travel, but can easily replace your iron at home. If you're hand luggage only, this one may be a little on the heavier side, but if you're travelling with check-in luggage, the minimalist design is easy to store amongst your other items. They also make a fabric spray that is brilliant for keeping clothes smelling fresh when you're travelling. Lauren Burvill

Weight: 0.86 kg

Size : 24.6 x 14 x 8cm

Pros Pros -Can dewrinkle anything -Can stand on its own -Quick heat-up

Cons -On the heavier side for travel

The Conair is definitely a winner in terms of power and functionality — a t-shirt can be good as new in less than a minute. While the steamer can blast wrinkles from jackets, you can also lower the setting for more delicate items. The Conair turbo is the only steamer I tested that had various settings to choose from. It even has a built-in creaser, if that’s your thing.

Because the steamer is more powerful, it uses more water, so refills are necessary after a few items (depending on the fabric and intensity of the wrinkles, of course). The Conair Turbo would’ve taken top spot if it were more compact for travelling. If you find yourself using an iron a lot at home, this steamer may actually be your best bet.

Weight: 1.38kg

Size : 34.5 x 21.4 x 14.4 cm

Pros -Can dewrinkle anything -Various settings to choose from -Quick heat-up

Cons -Hard to fill with small opening -On the larger side for travel

At first, I was wondering if I had a faulty unit because it took several minutes for this steamer to heat up, which felt like an eternity compared to others. Once it was ready to go, though, the steam was quite efficient as long as the material wasn’t too thick (button-down shirts worked fine, but nothing heavier). Again, the metal plate comes in handy for more stubborn wrinkles. You have the option to lock the steamer into a continuous stream or control the trigger for smaller bursts (this helps save water in between items, too).

Weight: 1.19kg

Size : 28.5 x 12.5 x 12.5 cm

Pros -Metal plate -Option for continuous steam or manual

Cons - Longer heat up time -Won't tackle jeans or heavier garments -Heavy

International travellers will be happy about the automatic dual voltage with this steamer. While the heat up is quick (about 20 seconds), the reservoir of the steamer is painfully hot so be sure to only hold on to the handle. Unfortunately, the high temperature of the reservoir requires a pause between fill-ups, but you can get three items done with one tank. My favourite feature is the automatic steam from the get-go, which means your fingers get a rest from holding down the trigger button that comes with many other steamers. The main reason this steamer remains on the final list is for its appeal to those who frequently travel abroad.

Weight: 0.5kg

Size : 24.1 x 11.4 x 11.4 cm

Pros -Collapsible handle for travel -Automatic heat-up (no power button) -No trigger needed to release steam

Cons -Cannot promptly refill reservoir because the tank gets so hot

This article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveler US .

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6 best travel steamers to keep your clothes wrinkle-free

Many travel steamers weigh less than two pounds and come with automatic shut-off features for safety.

You could spend hours neatly folding your clothes into packing cubes , but no level of preparation will perfectly stop your evening pants and dress shirts from developing a few creases along the way. While many hotels come with some sort of iron or steamer, it may be easier to bring your own — especially if you are traveling for a wedding or special event — as you never know how hot an iron or steamer may get, or how it will work on your clothing .

Steamers usually heat up to around 200 degrees Fahrenheit, with the higher temperatures can help ease out dense creases, according to our experts. Travel steamers specifically offer up the same benefits as a regular steamer, and are often found in compact sizes, which make them easy to pack.

To help you find the best ones on the market, we consulted travel experts and Select staffers about their favorite options.

SKIP AHEAD The best travel steamers in 2023 | How to shop for travel steamers

Our top picks

Best overall/editor’s pick : Hilife Steamer
Best budget pick : Urpower Steamer
Best splurge : Steamery Cirrus 3 Iron Steamer

How we picked the best travel steamers

All of our picks are expert-recommended or highly rated with an average of four stars or higher and in line with our expert guidance. We also included Select staff recommendations and kept the following in mind:

Weight : Every travel steamer on our list weighs less than 2 pounds.
Attachments : Some steamers come with attachments like a brush or a lint remover. For ease while traveling, we chose steamers without any additional attachments to save you space in your carry-on or checked bag.
Capacity : This indicates how much water the steamer can hold. The more it holds, the longer it can continuously run. We recommended steamers that can hold up to 240 milliliters (which is about 15 minutes of steaming).

Shopping 5 best travel backpacks

The best travel steamers in 2023.

To help you find the best travel steamers for your next trip, we took into consideration expert recommendations, staff picks and highly rated options that will fit in your luggage while traveling.

Steamery Cirrus 3 Iron Steamer

Steamery’s Cirrus 3 is a personal favorite, as it removes wrinkles and creases on my dresses within minutes. It's a hybrid iron and steamer that can eliminate any odors and bacteria from your clothing and can hold up to 90 milliliters of water in its tank, according to the brand. Its auto shut-off feature, which turns the steamer off after 30 minutes of inactivity, especially gives me peace of mind while traveling. I primarily use this steamer for cotton, linen and silk clothing. That said, you can also use it on fabrics like viscose and cashmere, but should avoid leather and suede as it may damage your clothing, according to the brand. This one also comes with a wearable glove, to keep you from burning your hands.

Capacity : 90 milliliters | Weight : 1.89 pounds

Urpower Steamer

This travel steamer, which has a 4.3-average star rating from over 10,000 reviews, is a favorite of travel journalist and writer, Rana Good , for how quickly it works. “It gets my clothes steamed in minutes and is especially good to use with flowy materials like silk,” she says. It heats up within two minutes and has a water tank that allows for continuous steaming for up to 10 minutes, according to the brand. You can use it on your clothing, but also on drapery and table cloths — just make sure not to tilt it more than 45 degrees to avoid any spillage, according to Urpower. Plus, it has an automatic shut-off feature that kicks in if the steamer overheats or if the water level is too low, as detailed on the product page.

Capacity : 130 milliliters | Weight : 1.2 pounds

Brynnl Mini Handheld Steamer Iron

If you're looking for a mini iron steamer, consider this Brynnl option, which comes highly recommended by travel blogger and advisor, Sally Nguyen for its compact size, which she described as similar to the iPhone 14 Pro. It has a simple one-button start feature and you can use it to ease wrinkles on cotton, silk and linen fabrics, according to the brand. The pointed curved design should help you iron out corners and hard-to-reach areas around buttons and collars, according to the brand. It also heats up in about three minutes and has a ceramic, scratch-resistant bottom plate that slides smoothly over your clothes when using it as an iron, according to the brand.

Capacity : around 44 milliliters | Weight : 0.66 pounds

Hilife Steamer

This top-rated handheld steamer, which has a 4.3-star rating from more than 90,000 shoppers, can emit steam within 140 seconds and works on a variety of fabrics including chiffon, silk, wool, cotton and nylon, according to the brand. Its 240-milliliter water capacity provides up to 15 minutes of continuous steaming (the longest on our list) and its 9-foot cord provides easy access and maneuverability.

Capacity : 240 milliliters | Weight : 1.7 pounds

Perfectday Garment Steamer

This mini travel steamer is another favorite of Nguyen’s for its safety features including its automatic shut-off functionality that kicks in when it is overheating or short on water. It can store about 100 milliliters of water and can run continuously for about 10 minutes, according to the brand. The nozzle head, which has eight steam holes for rapid venting, is removable too, making it easy to pack. The 1-pound steamer also comes with a fabric brush to get any dust, dirt or debris off your clothes. And, while it’s great for removing wrinkles from your clothes, Nguyen also uses it for facials, as the steam moves in one uniform direction, which allows it to coat her face evenly. “It helps me take care of my skin when I travel as it clarifies my skin and unclog my pores,” she says.

Capacity : 100 milliliters | Weight : 1 pound

PerfectDay Garment Steamer

The nori press.

The Nori Press is a favorite of Select editor Lindsay Schneider as it doubles as an iron and steamer and functions like a flat iron for your clothes. It comes with six fabric settings, a clamping mechanism to press your clothes and a pointed tip that can iron hard-to-reach areas like collar corners. You’ll press its two aluminum plates against the front and back of each garment to minimize creases and wrinkles. At 1.4 pounds, it has a 29-milliliter water tank and an auto shut-off feature, which turns the device off after 10 minutes of no movement, according to the brand.

Capacity : 29 milliliters | Weight : 1.4 pounds

Shopping 5 best packing cubes for travel

How to shop for travel steamers.

Aside from looking for steamers with portable and lightweight designs to make travel easy, here’s what our experts recommended searching for while shopping:

Heat-up time : The faster the steamer heats up, the better, when living life on the go, according to Nguyen. We chose steamers that do so in under three minutes.

Size : Since every steamer weighs less than 2 pounds, it won’t add too much weight to your bags.

Works on different materials : A quality steamer should work on a range of different materials including linen, nylon, cotton and silk, according to Good.

Meet our experts

At Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

Rana Good is a travel writer and founder of Naïra , a digital magazine for women of color.
Sally Isabella Nguyen is an influencer and luxury travel advisor who has traveled to over 37 countries.

Why trust Select?

Nishka Dhawan is an associate commerce editor at NBC Select who’s written about the best travel backpacks and the best luggage sets . For this article, she interviewed travel bloggers and journalists about their favorite travel steamers and considered staff favorites as well.

Catch up on Select's in-depth coverage of personal finance , tech and tools , wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook , Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.

Nishka Dhawan is the associate commerce editor at NBC Select.

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ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form .

Tired of crumpled clothes? These travel steamers iron out every wrinkle

When you're on the road, wrinkles shouldn't ruin the stylish outfits you've packed. The newest steamers are compact enough to slip in your suitcase. Avoid stress and stay pressed with the best travel steamers for dissolving wrinkles on the go. After all, clean pleats and sleek lines are the ultimate accessory. If you invest in your wardrobe and self-care routine, consider buying the best travel steamer -- your future self will thank you.

We analyzed the best travel steamers on the market to find the best option for your budget and needs -- whether you need to steam a silky dress or fix your pleated pants before work.

Also: Traveling soon? Pack smarter with our favorite luggage sets

Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam 2-in-1 Garment Steamer

Best travel steamer overall.

Functions as steamer and iron
Safety shut-off feature
Accessories included
Small water tank

Features: Dimensions: 12.4" x 7.24" x 7.09" | Warranty: Limited 2-year | Attachments: Delicates bonnet, creaser for pleats, 2-in-1 silicone band, bristle brush

The Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam 2-in-1 Garment Steamer smooths every crease when you're on the road. When vertical, the unit functions as a steamer, but you can reorient the device horizontally to iron out deep wrinkles from your clothes. The steamer heats up in 10 seconds and features four steam settings, so you can polish your most delicate and durable fabrics.

Plus, the 8.5oz water tank lasts for up to 10 minutes of continuous steaming. No need to worry if you rush out the door, because the unit automatically turns off when placed on a flat surface due the integrated Smart Sensor Safety Feature. The Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam 2-in-1 also includes bonus accessories: A delicates bonnet, pleat creaser, 2-in-1 silicone band, and bristle brush. What's not to love?

Beautural Steamer for Clothes

Best compact travel steamer.

Easy to use
Fantastic steam output
Auto shut-off feature
Limited return window

Features: Dimensions: 10.7" x 6"x 4.3" | Attachments: Lint brush, soft brush, creaser | Capacity: 8.79oz

The Beautural Steamer for Clothes is compact and easy to transport no matter where you're heading. The steamer heats up in just 30 seconds and offers 15 minutes of uninterrupted steaming. The 8.79oz water tank also features a detachable, leak- and spill-proof design to keep your items sleek and dry. Plus, the cord rotates 360 degrees, so you'll never trip over twisted wires.

For safety, the steamer will automatically shut off if the device becomes too hot, or when it remains unused for eight minutes. The Beautural steamer can safely steam various fabrics, even curtains and upholstered furniture. To ensure seamless use, the device comes with three attachments: A lint brush, soft brush, and creaser.

Black+Decker Easy Garment Steamer

Best budget travel steamer.

Lightweight
Users report leaking and inconsistent heat

Specs: Dimensions: 7.36" x 3.70" x 8.15" | Warranty: Limited 2-year | Weight : 3.5lbs

Built with a wide steam head, the Black+Decker Easy Garment Steamer allows you to quickly steam a large surface area. The body of this device is smaller than most other steamers, so it's the perfect size for travel, whether you're flying across the world or driving a few doors down. The straightforward design features an easy-to-fill tank that uses a simple twist-to-lock lid. Plus, a "Max Fill" line ensures you add the perfect amount of water, even when you're in a rush.

The Black+Decker Easy Garment Steamers preheats in 80 seconds, and the comfortable design makes steaming a breeze. Although this model isn't the most powerful steamer on the market, it gets the job done for a fraction of the price.

iSteam Steamer for Clothes

Best dual-purpose travel steamer.

Quick preheat
Lacks power for heavy fabric

Specs: Dimensions: 9.13" x 6.38" x 4.41" | Warranty: 3-year | Attachments: Dusting brush

Weighing only 1.2lbs, the iSteam Steamer for Clothes is a portable handheld steamer that's easy to use and even easier to transport. The device preheats 120mL of water in just 25 seconds, and offers 10 minutes of continuous steaming on a single tank. The steamer is even self-cleaning, thanks to a Nano-Polymer Filter that purifies water and prevents tank calcification inside the unit.

The iSteam Steamer for Clothes also features special safeguards, including Spill-Proof Technology and the Automatic Safety Shutdown System. The Electronic Pump System even prevents leaking, so you can steam upside down if it suits your fancy. Plus, the device comes with a bonus dusting brush.

Rowenta X-Cel Handheld Garment and Fabric Steamer

Best ergonomic travel steamer.

Two steam levels

Specs: Dimensions: 8" x 6" x 11" | Attachments: Fabric brush, lint pad, steam bonnet | Capacity: 7oz

The Rowenta X-Cel Handheld Garment and Fabric Steamer is a powerful device that harnesses 1600 watts. The steamer only requires 40 seconds to preheat, with two steam levels to choose from: Turbo and Delicate. The small tank holds only 7oz of water, but it provides up to ten minutes of continuous steaming.

The steamer's heated metal faceplate is a built-in iron, which ensures no wrinkle gets by unpressed. The versatile device can smooth delicate silk or tackle heavy fabric, ready to take on all your wrinkle needs. Plus, the Rowenta X-Cel Handheld Garment and Fabric Steamer includes various attachments, including a fabric brush, steam bonnet, door hook, and crease attachment.

What is the best travel steamer?

The Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam 2-in-1 Garment Steamer wins our pick for best overall travel steamer, thanks to its dual function as a steamer and iron. However, it's slightly expensive. Compare options with this overview of ZDNET's favorite travel steamers:

Which is the right travel steamer for you?

To help you find the best travel steamer for your next trip, here are our expert recommendations. Consider your priorities -- is weight or size most important to you? Or are you looking for an affordable steamer that won't break the bank? We break down the features so you can make the best choice for your budget and needs.

How did we choose these travel steamers?

In our search for the best travel steamers, we considered several important factors:

Wattage: Wattage measures how powerful a steamer is. If you need to release wrinkles from heavy fabric, a travel steamer with high wattage will be your best bet.
Preheat time: Seconds count when you're in a hurry, so we considered the preheat time of each travel steamer -- you've got wrinkles to release and no time to waste.
Size: If you're traveling by plane, you'll need to consider airline restrictions for luggage size and weight. We searched for lightweight, compact travel steamers that won't push your suitcase over the limit.
Cost: Budget is always an important factor when you're preparing for a trip. We looked for affordable travel steamers that won't break the bank, so you can arrive looking sleek, even after a red-eye.

Do travel steamers work?

When you buy the right travel steamer, you can easily and quickly remove wrinkles from clothing no matter where you are. These devices use steam to heat up fabric, so you can smooth out creases big and small. If you want to look well-kept, prepare for wrinkles with a compact, portable steamer.

Are travel steamers easy to pack?

Travel steamers are meant to be portable, so they are often lightweight and designed to fit comfortably in a travel bag or suitcase. If you want a small device, look for a steamer with a small water tank -- it will decrease the size of the steamer overall. However, a smaller water tank usually means a shorter continuous steam time.

How much do travel steamers cost?

The best travel steamers range in cost from around $15 to about $70, depending on the item you choose. You don't have the pay big bucks to get your hands on a quality travel steamer, so consider your priorities when choosing the best option for your budget and steaming needs.

Are there alternative travel steamers worth considering?

There are various travel steamers on the market, but every device is not created equal. In our search, we considered a few other options that almost made our list of best travel steamers. Here's our list of travel steamers that receive honorable mention:

Black+Decker Advanced Steamer

Chi handheld garment steamer, magicpro portable garment steamer.

While preparing for your next trip, consider our expert picks for the best carry-on luggage , the best travel tech gadgets , and the best travel pillows for your travel!

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Best Travel Steamer for Wrinkle-Free Clothes

The best travel steamer will tackle tough wrinkles, fit into a small package, and have diverse features. This list will help you find one that meets your needs!

You might be considering picking up a travel steamer for plenty of reasons. Maybe you're taking a long flight to a wedding, wear lots of wrinkle-prone fabrics like cotton or linen, or like to be prepared for any possible situation. Regardless of your reasoning, we're here to help!

Before diving in, let's chat about the three kinds of products we will feature on this list.

A travel steamer is what you came here for. It plugs into the wall, heats water, and shoots steam onto your clothing to get wrinkles out. Steamers can have a few unique features, but we'll get into that later.

A travel iron is like an iron you'd have at home, but—you guessed it—smaller. These often take up less space than a steamer, which is ideal for those who pack light; however, they can be tricky to use if you don't have a large flat surface. Plus, some accommodations come with an iron, so it may be redundant.

The last thing we'll discuss on this list are sprays that get wrinkles out. These are the least effective, but they're the smallest. For easy-to-work-with materials and those who are okay with a few wrinkles here or there, this is a good shout.

Regarding travel steamers, it’s essential to understand voltage. Some models are dual voltage, so they can work for different kinds of power grids worldwide, and you’ll only need an outlet adapter. However, if your steamer isn’t dual-voltage, you’ll need an outlet adapter and a power converter to ensure you don’t fry your steamer.

Now that we've gone over the product types we'll chat about let's dive into the list!

Hilife Garment Steamer
Bear Travel Steamer for Clothes
Kexi H2 Handheld Portable Garment Steamer
Nesugar Handheld Portable Garment Steamer
seekclass Handheld Steamer for Clothes
PurSteam Garment Steamer
iSteam Steamer for Clothes
MASTEAM Steamer for Clothes
Conair Travel Smart Handheld Steamer
Brynnl Mini Iron
BEAUTURAL Mini Steam Iron
Downy Wrinkle Releaser

Finding something smaller is typically the goal when looking for a piece of travel gear. The Hilife Steamer combines features you're used to working with at home and a small package conducive to travel purposes. Whether you need the best travel steamer for your brother's wedding or are crossing the country for work, you can count on this model from Hilife.

As you were probably expecting, for something smaller, there's probably a downside. We've found that this model can't tackle thicker materials like denim. It can't put out enough steam or penetrate far enough into those fabrics to get the wrinkles out. However, for most clothing you'd take on a trip, it works great!

When it comes to your hunt for a travel steamer for clothing, the Hilife Steamer is a great bet.

It’s small and quick to warm up
The design is similar to what you’re used to at home
Not powerful enough for thick fabrics
Design isn’t particularly sleek

Regardless of the cause of the trip, you want your gear to get the job done while you’re traveling. The Bear Travel Steamer is simple enough to work quickly and effectively while you're away from home. Plus, it has a unique style that doesn't look cheap while coming in at a budget-friendly price point.

Because this travel clothes steamer is so tiny, it isn't very powerful. It can tackle most of your daily clothing but struggles with jeans or heavier fabrics. We've found that it'll work after a while, but by then, the clothing is pretty wet and takes a bit to dry.

The Bear Travel Steamer for clothes comes at a budget price point, so you don't have to worry if it breaks while crossing the globe. However, we've found it rugged enough to handle most adventures!

It’s easy to use
We dig the design
You’ll need to go over bad wrinkles multiple times
Not the widest spray length, so it takes longer to cover the surface area

Kexi H2 Handheld Portable Garment Steamer

When you think best travel steamer, you probably don't think stylish. If you do, that's great! You'll like this next one even more. The Kexi Travel Garment Steamer is a product you want people to see because it has a sleek and minimalistic styling. Plus, it comes in two colorways, which is rare for a travel clothes steamer. If you want a model that's as unique as you are, look no further!

For its size, we feel that the Kexi steamer is heavier than some of the other models on this list. However, relatively speaking, it isn't a huge difference. It packs a punch, which enables you to get wrinkles out faster and get out exploring your destination again quicker.

The Kexi Travel Garment Steamer is one of the pricier options on this list; however, the ability to choose a colorway, the unique style, and how well it performs make it a contender to be the best travel streamer for your next trip!

We dig the look and feel
It comes in two colorways
More expensive than most steamers
It’s fairly heavy

Nesugar Handheld Portable Garment Steamer

If you're big on saving space in your back, the Nesugar Steamer was designed with you in mind. It has a broad head so you can get a lot of coverage while steaming your clothing once you arrive, but it rotates to run parallel with the handle so that it doesn't take up more room in your pack. The steamer's lowercase “t” shape would be hard to pack, but the straight bodyfits just about anywhere after you rotate it, no matter what travel backpack or daypack you're using.

We did notice that this model leaks a smidge more water than we'd like; however, it was a manageable amount and didn't ruin the experience of using it. It's powerful enough to handle most fabrics and worked for nearly 10 minutes on a single fill-up. You can go with green or red, which aren't the sleekest colorways, but having the option to choose is nice. Even if you hate those colors, saving space might still be worth it!

Unique design saves space
Reasonably powerful for its size
It occasionally leaks water
The design takes some getting used to

Have you ever been to the grocery store, gone to the self-checkout, and they had the hand scanner that you can remove from the dock? If not, you're missing out. If yes, did you ever think that this was the perfect design for a travel steamer? No? Well, here we are.

The Seekclass Foldable Steamer is shaped like a scanner and folds into itself to save space in your pack. It's fun to use and will fit inside most packs and even large toiletry bags.

The width of the head isn't very long, so it can take some back and forth to get larger wrinkles out. Parts of the head are metal and can get hot quickly, so it's best to exercise caution and not touch the area where the steam comes out. That's a good idea for all the models on this list. If you love the self-checkout lane and want to save space on your next trip, this might be the best travel steamer for you!

Feels comfortable in your hand
Folds up very small when not in use
Not great for thicker items like jeans or coats
Water on the exterior takes longer to evaporate when folded

For some travel gear, simplicity is key. The PurSteam Garment Steamer For Clothes keeps things easy to use but works hard to ensure your clothing is wrinkle-free. It's a bit larger than some travel streamers for clothes on this list; however, it'll still fit in most packs, and the extra size packs a punch.

We've noticed that the PurSteam gets the fabric a bit more wet than we'd like for certain clothing. However, once you get used to it, you can adjust how long you steam each garment. With this model's extra enthusiasm, you can penetrate deep wrinkles that other steamers might not be able to handle.

The PurSteam Garment Steamer For Clothes comes at a budget-friendly price, too, which we dig!

Simple and easy to use
Similar to the steamer you’ve likely used at home
Can get clothing wetter than expected
Not the smallest steamer on this list

Sometimes you want to push a button and go—the iSteam Steamer for Clothes works just like that. It features a simple design that's easy to use no matter where you are so that you can stay stress and wrinkle-free. Plus, there are four colorways to choose from, which we love to see.

Overall, the build quality of the iSteam isn't as great as some of the other models on this list. However, it hasn't broken and can handle trips that aren't rugged in nature.

It comes with a brush accessory, which is meant to help dust off clothing, but we don't find that very useful, so we'd leave it at home. It may come in handy for specific kinds of clothing, though!

Simple but effective functions
Four colorways available
Durability isn’t top-notch
Not our favorite design

If you're easily distracted and have found your hand a little too close to the hot vaporized water on your steamer at home, we've got the model for you. The MASTEAM Steamer for Clothes comes with a little mitt so that you don't burn your hand, which is perfect for people who get off task quickly or will be using the steamer a lot.

The MASTEAM isn't the smallest model on this list; however, it'll fit in a travel backpack or rolling luggage bag. This may not be a great fit in a daypack, though.

This steamer has no special features or bells and whistles, but we're here for it. The simple design gets the job done when it matters, and if you're bringing a steamer on vacation, you'll need it.

It comes with a mitt to protect your hand
Puts out a lot of steam
Larger than we’d like for travel
Colorways aren’t very exciting

The Conair Travel Steamer was recommended to us by Pack Hacker Pro Members, and we're amped to share it with you all. It's lightweight, only takes up a little room, is fairly durable, and won't break the bank. When looking for the best travel steamer for you, this one checks a lot of boxes.

The only major gripe we have with this steamer is that it can be hard to use for extended periods because of its size, especially if you have large hands. However, as you'll be traveling with this thing, that should not deter you from purchasing it. We'd rather have a smaller steamer that doesn't take up as much room in our pack than one that's more comfortable and makes it so we can't bring as many stroopwafels home.

This might be the best option for those looking for a travel steamer for clothes that doesn't weigh you down or break the bank.

Lightweight, small, and effective
Pack Hacker Pro Member-Approved
It can be hard to use with larger hands
Isn’t likely a model you’d enjoy using at home

You might be thinking—enough with all these steamers! What about a travel iron? Welp, we've got you covered for that, too.

Brynnl Mini Iron for Clothes is a small but mighty device that'll leave your clothing looking as wrinkle-free as it would look if it hadn't accompanied you on a 13-hour flight. It utilizes a simple design—fill it up, plug it in, wait for it to warm up, push the button, and go! It's as quick as that.

A downside of an iron like this instead of a travel steamer for clothes is that you need a flat surface to work quickly. Without it, you can't press down on the garment as easily. Without a flat table, it isn't easy to use. After all, who doesn't try to get wrinkles out of the drapes at their hotel or Airbnb?

A travel iron for clothes is a great and simple way to ensure your clothing stays wrinkle-free.

Small but mighty travel iron
Easy to use
Hard to use without a large flat surface
Takes time for large garments

If you're on the travel iron train, we're one step ahead of you. The BEAUTURAL Mini Steam Iron is a solid option for those looking for a compact option that they can use globally. This model is dual-voltage, so you can use it with 110-120V and 220-240V outlets, which we dig.

Similar to other travel iron models, you can only use this easily if you have a table or counter to set your clothing on. However, we had okay results using it on most surfaces. If you know what your accommodation will be like before you go, you should be all set.

The BEAUTURAL Mini Steam Iron takes up less space than most of the steamers on this list, works hard to get out tough wrinkles, and won't cost you an arm or a leg. What else can you ask for?

One of the smallest wrinkle fighters on this list
More features compared to some travel irons
Small size takes some getting used to
Can’t be used for many things other than clothing

Okay, we know what you might be wondering. How can you put this on the best travel steamer list? We hear you—but hear us out.

Downy Wrinkle Release is a handy little spray bottle that can handle mild wrinkles in clothing and other fabrics. If you aren't going to a wedding where you need to be picture-perfect or don't wear fabrics that tend to wrinkle badly, this spray will be more than enough for your next trip!

It won't be able to tackle bad cases of creases or heavier fabrics like denim, so be sure to bring along a travel steamer for those kinds of materials. However, for most users, this spray will be more than enough! Plus, it’ll fit into your sling . It’s also worth noting that this must go in a 3-1-1 bag if you’re flying because it’s a liquid.

It fits just about anywhere
It smells good
Can’t tackle bad wrinkles
The fragrance isn’t for everyone

So there you have it; some of the best travel steamer, iron, and spray products on the market. Hopefully, you’re ready to take on that wedding, cross-country trip, or a vacation with a winkle-free attitude. Enjoy the trip!

July 25, 2023

Author: Eric Hergenreder

Eric has been across the globe, but his favorite place to explore is his home state of Michigan. His love for photography has taken him all around the Great Lake State, often writing about his travels so that others can enjoy them, too. Eric loves messing around with analog photography, watching soccer, and searching for the world’s best burger in his spare time.

Philippines
New Zealand
Netherlands
United Kingdom

There is nothing worse than picking out a shirt or a dress and finding that it’s creased beyond recognition. You can either get out the iron and ironing board, fill it up with water and spend 10 minutes waiting for it to heat up just to use it for 2 minutes. But not all of us have the luxury of time, plus some hotels don’t have ironing boards or irons available.

Travel garment steamers are a great alternative to the flat iron. Travel steamers allow you to easily and quickly steam and sterilize your creased garments while on the go. They can be placed into any kind of luggage and come in many different styles, sizes, and powers. They work wonders on all types of fabrics, plus some can even be used to clean some surfaces.

Take a look at our list of the 7 best travel garment steamers for a wrinkle-free vacation and read some top tips for keeping your travel steamer working for years to come.

Table of Contents

Are steamers better than irons?

Steamers and irons effectively do the same thing – they remove wrinkles from garments. But there are several reasons why steamers are better than irons. Take a look at some of them below:

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They won’t damage your clothing – irons require you to pay a lot more attention to what you’re doing than a steamer. You always run the risk of burning or scorching your clothing. If not cleaned regularly, the hot metal plate can become sticky, leaving a residue over your clothes. If the temperature isn’t right and you leave the iron in the same place for too long, it can result in the item burning. However, a steamer is highly unlikely to burn anything, since there is no hot metal coming into contact with your clothing.
It’s maintenance-free – Over time and if not properly cleaned irons can build up a layer of gunk, which can transfer to your clothing. To keep your iron functional it’s important to regularly clean the plate of the iron. Steamers, however, require no such maintenance.
Easier to Store – Travel steamers are much easier to store. Instead of having to store an ironing board and an iron, all you need to do is put your steamer away on a shelf in a cupboard. It also means that if it’s compact and easy to store then it will be easy to travel with as well. Not all hotels have irons available.
Multi-functional – While flat irons are useful for de-wrinkling garments, they shouldn’t be used for any other purpose. Steamers, on the other hand, are far more functional. They can have a multitude of uses around the house, from steamer curtains and rugs to bedding, mattresses, and clothing. As well as refreshing all sorts of garments and furniture, you can also use your steamer to sanitize fabrics and some surfaces.

Top Tips For Wrinkle-Free Clothes

We all want to know the best way to keep our clothes wrinkle-free, and the first step starts with the steamer. Here are 5 top tips for keeping your clothing wrinkle-free and getting the best results from using your handheld travel steamer.

Allow your steamer to heat up fully.
Once it has fully heated up, test it out on a kitchen cloth to prevent water spluttering all over your clothes. Always steam in a vertical position.
Be wary of the type of fabric you are steaming. Materials like velvet should never touch the surface of the steamer and silk should always be steamed from the reverse side to avoid water streaks.
Always use distilled or deionized water instead of tap water. This will help prolong the life of your steamer. Distilled water is readily available from all major grocery stores.
Clean your steamer regularly with white distilled vinegar only. This will also help to prolong the life of your steamer as well as making sure it steams your clothes to the best of its ability.

1. iSteamer Steamer for Clothes

The iSteamer is the perfect dual-purpose steamer. It heats up in one minute and continually blows steam for 10 minutes. Its compact design means it will fit in any suitcase and is authorized by the Transport Security Administration (TSA) to store in carry-on luggage. The water tank can hold up to 120ml of water and can deliver a great 900 watts of power.

For safety, there is an automatic shut-off feature to stop the steamer from overheating. The 8-foot cord allows you to move around large items with ease. Beyond steaming clothes, the iSteamer can also be used on curtains, drapes, upholstery, carpets, table clothes, bedding, and mattresses. The iSteamer also comes with a 3-year warranty.

2. Black & Decker Handheld Garment Steamer

If you’re looking for something that will handle heavier materials, then the Black & Decker Handheld Garment Steamer is the option for you. This steamer warms up in less than a minute and delivers 1000 watts of power. It automatically shuts off after 15 minutes of inactivity so you’ll be safe in the knowledge that if you leave it turned on, it will switch itself off.

The water tank holds up 160ml of water and can be easily removed for filling. It comes with a range of attachments for different fabrics, and the trigger can be locked in place to provide a continuous flow of steam. The slim design of this steamer allows it to be easily packed into any luggage.

3. Rowenta DR8080 Handheld Steamer

This powerful steamer heats up in just 45 seconds and releases steam for up to 10 minutes. The Rowenta DR8080 is very lightweight at only 2.2 pounds. While a lot of steamers say you should use distilled water, this steamer works just as well on tap water, making it the perfect travel companion when staying in hotels .

The steamer comes with handy accessories such as a fabric brush to smooth out wrinkles, a lint pad to remove lint, hair, and other unwanted objects found on garments, and a steam bonnet to prevent stains on your clothes from dripping water. You can change the power of the steam or change steaming modes to handle a range of fabrics.

4. Highlife Mini Travel Steamer

The Highlife Mini Travel Steamer boasts a long steam time of 15 minutes and can hold 240ml of water. The 9-foot power cord allows you to move around your garments with ease. It delivers 700 watts of power for soft and long-lasting steam. The lightweight and compact design allow for easy storage and portability.

The highlife mini steamer isn’t just great for clothes, it can also be used on a multitude of other fabrics. It comes with a cut and brush and the price tag won’t break the bank either. With over 30,000 5-star reviews it’s safe to say this travel steamer is a consumer favorite.

5. Conair Smart Pro Garment Steamer

Don’t sacrifice style for adventure, the Conair Smart Pro Garment Steamer will keep your clothes looking great no matter where you are. This 450-watt travel steamer comes with a detachable bristle and lint brush to get your garment wrinkle-free and looking new.

The multi-directional vents allow the device to steam your garments at several different angles. Its dual-voltage capacity makes it a perfect companion for international travel. Its easy-to-use design and cheap price tag, make this the perfect no-frills travel steamer that even a beginner can use.

6. URPOWER Garment Steamer

The URPOWER Garment Steamer might not be the fastest steamer to warm up or the prettiest, it does exactly what it’s supposed to do. With a price tag of under $30, it’s certainly a cheaper option than some others on this list.

The nozzle design means steam can be distributed powerfully and consistently to remove even the most stubborn of wrinkles. The steamer has an automatic shut-off when it overheats or the water level is too low. It’s safe to use on all types of fabrics and has a 130ml capacity water tank. The URPOWER steamer comes with a 2-year warranty. Its compact size means it will fit in any suitcase and is easy to carry.

7. Sunbeam Power Steam Fabric Steamer

If you tend to steam multiple items of clothing at a time the Power Steam Fabric Steamer will help speed up this process. This steamer heats up in under a minute and delivers a continuous flow of steam for up to 15 minutes due to its large water tank.

It features a heated bar just above the steam slot to press out stubborn wrinkles and indicator lights to let you know when the steamer is up to temperature and ready to use. Along with the usual lint and bristle brush, the steamer also comes with a steam guard, an over-the-door pressing pad, and a creaser. The Sunbeam steamer also comes with a 3-year warranty.

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Wondering what’s the best travel steamer to take with you on your next journey? We’ve rounded up the most popular options available. These are the top 10!

Spoiler alert : Can’t wait to find out our top two travel steamers? These are the fave two brands according to our readers (and we agree)!

PurSteam Mini Clothing Steamer
Polardo Hand Held Portable Travel Garment Steamer

Best Travel Steamer

Table of contents.

Nothing is more unflattering than wrinkles and creases in your travel outfits, especially if you’re attending an important business meeting or going out for the evening. While there are many ways to pack clothes without wrinkles , there are certain occasions you just can’t take the risk.

If you’re traveling for business, attending a conference or formal event, or want to look Insta-worthy anywhere you go, here is a list of travel clothing steamers that can help you remain presentable and perky for your itinerary!

Still not sure about packing a steamer? Keep your clothes looking fresh and neat with these wrinkle release sprays instead!

What is the Best Travel Steamer?

850W PurSteam Garment Steamer

PurSteam Portable Travel Steamer

PurSteam is the best handheld travel steamer according to our readers. It’s also the one my friend uses as her everyday steamer at home (instead of owning an iron).

At 1.13 pounds it’s quite lightweight and similar in size to the majority of small portable clothes steamer brands out there. It’s adept enough to smooth out most garments and heats up quickly, which is a plus when you wish to get ready on time to go sightseeing. And, it also includes a bonus travel pouch, for easy storage.

This portable steamer is 850 watts, which means it’s powerful enough to do whatever you need.

This mini clothing steamer gets the readers’ vote so it gets my vote as well.

Here’s a list of top travel accessories that you can also add on your packing list aside from the steamer!

700W Hilife Garment Steamer

Hilife Travel Garment Steamer

The Hilife travel streamer is a massive favorite with travelers as it’s an extremely small and lightweight travel steamer for clothes which allows you to pack light while also putting less strain on your arms, too!

At 700 watts, it gets the job done. While it doesn’t iron out deep creases, it easily removes the wrinkles from the majority of clothing.

The downside is that neither of the top travel steamers shown above is dual voltage. But the Hilife is still a solid choice to use along your travels.

Thinking of where to store your steamer? Here’s a list of the best packing organizers !

400W Conair Garment Steamer

Conair Garment Steamer

Conair doesn’t just make amazing curling irons and blow dryers; they also make a comparable handheld fabric steamer. This Conair steamer is the ONLY dual voltage steamer we could find. Do you have any other suggestions?

Unlike the previous steamers, this includes a detachable bristle and lint brush to remove debris and have more hand control. It claims to have an impressive 10-minute steam time and a convenient 8-foot cord.

Incredibly light at just 1.2 pounds this could easily be the best travel steamer for clothes available. One traveler noted that she took this on a trip to France and reported how it worked beautifully.

Aside from a garment steamer, you might also need business travel essentials on a work trip!

Polardo Handheld Mini Steamer

Polardo Mini Steamer

A downside of portable travel steamers is that they are often oddly shaped which creates a challenge to have a neatly packed suitcase. But the Polardo Mini has a unique shape that uses the body as a handle, making it one of the smallest travel steamer products that are fuss-free to store or pack.

The 25-second heat-up mode is one of the fastest around and our favorite feature is the auto-protection that turns off after five minutes in standby. One reader says, “I never have to take a hotel ironing board out again. Even in carry-on, this is something I won’t go without.”

Its compact size, quick heat-up, and the fact it doesn’t spit water places this lightweight travel steamer as a sure bet!

900W iSteam Handheld Fabric Steamer

iSteam Portable Steamer

The iSteam Steamer is considered one of the best steamer for clothes with its spiral nozzle designed to evenly distributes steam for a put-together outfit in no time and prevent spits of boiling water from spoiling your clothes. It is also super lightweight and easy to store in any suitcase or carry on luggage

The water tank lasts up to 15 minutes off continuous steaming to bust out those deep creases. This travel size clothes steamer is certainly popular, one traveler calls it a “lifesaver” to business professionals and says that it “steams like a pro.” Plus, it’s safe to use with the built-in automatic shut-off if it gets too hot or too low.

1200W BEAUTRUAL Handheld Garment Steamer

BEAUTRUAL Garment Steamer

While the Beautural portable travel clothes steamer might not be as compact as some of the products we’ve featured, it is definitely more powerful. More watts equals more power, which equals better ability to tackle some ornery creases!

It generates about 14 minutes of continuous steam and preheats in 35 seconds or less, removing wrinkles fast and efficiently. One reader says, “Without reservation, this is the best hand held steamer I’ve ever used.”

It’s safe to use on all kinds of fabric, from cotton and polyester, silk, and wool. Bonus too, it has three attachments, including a fabric brush, creaser, and a lint brush. This mini steamer clearly has the tools to achieve a wrinkle-free look!

1200W Conair Extreme Steam Hand Held Fabric Steamer

Conair Handheld Steamer

Thanks to 1200 watts of power and an easy to fill water tank, Conair makes some of the best travel garment steamers in terms of power. Yet somehow it’s quite compact.

It’s adored by TFG readers and as one says, “I love this! So portable and easy to put into a suitcase.”

This lightweight travel hand steamer is less than 2 pounds and has a slender design for convenient storage. It also heats up fast—in 40 seconds you can start de-wrinkling your clothes!

600W Jiffy Esteam Handheld Travel Steamer

Jiffy Esteam Handheld Travel Steamer

The priciest steamer on our list is the Jiffy Esteam handheld travel steamer . What makes this item stand out are the converter/adapter plugs which are included. It can run for 15 minutes per water tank fill, which makes it beneficial when you have a few outfits to de-wrinkle.

Don’t let the fact that it’s bigger put you off. What makes it one of the best travel clothing steamer selections is how it performs. One reader feels “It’s a little larger and heavier than I’d like, but still fits in my carry-on and doesn’t weigh me down.”

It has a 600-watt heating element (120-volts in North America) and it’s a durable choice, made with high-impact plastic. Perfect for carting along to your next vacation!

1600W Rowenta DR8120 Handheld Garment Steamer

Rowenta DR8120 Garment Steamer

Rowenta makes one of the best steamers and this round-up wouldn’t be complete without including their travel-size version. This portable handheld brand is a bit larger than the travel steamers previously listed.

However, we’d class this as the luxury option because of its 1600-watt power and the higher price tag, too. Surprisingly, the Amazon price tag is less expensive than the Jiffy, while being much more powerful.

The downside? It weighs in at 3 pounds so it may be best for professional jobs that require a steamer on the go.

350W Sharper Image Mini Steam Iron with Dual Voltage for Travel

Sharper Image Dual Voltage Steamer Iron

If you want a little more, the best travel steamer iron is the Sharper Image as shown above. It’s versatile because it can press clothes and take out creases or wrinkles simultaneously.

As a pro, it’s a dual voltage garment steamer but as a con, with only 350 watts it offers the least amount of power as some of the other models listed.

A word of warning, though, try to get continuous steam as opposed to spurts of steam as this can burn the fabric—unfortunately, I speak from experience. But this is a great travel size steamer iron if you want both functions. Buy it here !

Best Travel Steamer Comparison Chart

Travel steamer vs. regular steamer.

If you’re used to the power of a full-size, quality garment one, you’ll find a notable difference with a small portable steamer.

The main difference is a travel size garment steamer ranges from 750-850 watts whereas a regular one is around 1700-1800 watts. This means that it will take longer to steam out wrinkles and you may not be able to remove the most stubborn of creases.

If you plan to travel with clothing items that wrinkle easily, you may want to consider one of the best small steamer models instead of a travel-size one, which may offer up to 1500 watts of power. They’ll take a little more room in your suitcase but will ease the frustrations of a slow steamer experience.

A full-size steamer may perform well, but the best mini travel steamer brands are more portable, packable, and quality enough to help you look suitable for whatever you have planned.

Note: I personally own a travel steamer for home use and I don’t use it often enough for it to cause me frustration!

Should I Buy a Travel Steamer?

It’s not easy to find a decent clothes travel steamer but I still own one and use it on trips when necessary. It’s better than nothing!

To determine the best travel steamers you have to weigh the pros and cons. I know someone who was so meticulous with their clothing that they packed a FULL-SIZE steamer on a vacation! In this case, a small clothing steamer or even a travel size steam iron makes more sense.

Some people (me included) even prefer to own a mini garment steamer instead of a full-size one for daily use at home. They’re less bulky and more affordable so this is an ideal option if you only need to steam the occasional clothing item.

It’s important to remember that it can also be a challenge to find the best dual voltage travel steamer model.

How to Choose a Travel Steamer

There are a few things to know before purchasing a travel fabric steamer:

They’re not as small as you might like
They’re not as powerful as a regular steamer (800 vs. 1800 watts)
They can only steam one garment per fill
They’re rarely dual voltage

The truth is that even the best mini clothes steamer does not compare to its full-size counterpart. While they do offer the convenience of removing wrinkles on the go, they will not be as powerful. It’s important to be realistic about your expectations before deciding to buy one.

The list of travel clothes steamers we’ve provided lays out several options that could work for you!

You’ll want to look your best when you travel! Read my travel tips to Pack Light Stylishly !

Best International Travel Adapter

Traveling Abroad With a Travel Steamer

Dual voltage electronics have two voltage options: 110-120 volts (US) and 220-240 volts (Europe). They are ideal for travel because they are safe to use at home and abroad, too.

Right now, travel steamers can be somewhat difficult to source. If you do not buy an international travel steamer dual voltage model you’ll need to bring BOTH a travel adapter and a converter . While there are some travel-friendly converters, they’re usually only good for products up to 200 watts—a compact travel steamer is higher than this—so choose one that can handle the voltage.

If you plan to buy a dual voltage clothes steamer then a universal travel adapter is all you’d need and it will work in various outlets abroad, such as the international adapter pictured above.

Tip: It’s important to understand that an adaptor and converter are NOT the same thing. An adapter fits the outlets and a converter changes the electrical current so your electronics down blow a fuse!

Here’s our voltage converter vs. travel adapter post to give you more information!

After choosing from our round-up of the best travel steamers, please read our guide or watch the video above to learn about the difference between travel adapters, converters, and voltage!

What Is the Best Dual Voltage Travel Steamer?

Unfortunately, there are not many dual voltage travel steamers in the market—the Conair is the best travel clothes steamer product we are aware of. Though a steamer travel iron, the PurSteam is also dual voltage. They’re both listed above, so please take a look and compare. If you know of other travel garment steamer dual voltage brands, let us know!

Tip: Remember to switch your clothing steamer to 220V/240V when you arrive at your destination !

What do you think is the best travel steamer? Share and comment below!

For more ideas on travel clothing and packing tips, please read:

How to Pack Clothes Without Wrinkles
Top Wrinkle Free Dresses for Travel
Best Wrinkle Free Pants for Travel: Casual to Dressy Picks
These Wrinkle Free Shirts Will Make Packing A Breeze

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We hope you liked this post on the best travel steamer. Please share with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Thanks for reading!

Great post! I’m always on the lookout for new travel gadgets to make my trips more comfortable and convenient, so this was really helpful. Thanks for sharing your top picks!

I use a steamer at home and like it. Good to know that a Small travel steamer takes longer to heat. I’ll have to consider this when choosing, but I definitely need one that takes up less space.

This post was so helpful!

My next travel purchase will be a portable steamer. Friend had one on our recent trip to New Zealand and it was well worth her bringing it!! She has the PurSteam handheld travel steamer.

I have the Conair Extreme Steam Turbo handheld steamer and it works almost as well as a professional steamer. A lot faster to start. Downside is that its bulkier than your average handheld steamer.

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13 Best Travel Steamers For Clothes

Travel Gear
13 Best Travel Steamers For…

No matter how neatly you stack clothes in a suitcase, chances are they won’t stay as neat when you unpack them. Some fabrics may not wrinkle, but most do. Imagine having to attend an important business meeting or dinner at a fine restaurant just hours after landing. Don’t show up with wrinkles on your clothes! Let the best travel steamer for clothes save your look.

How To Choose The Best Travel Steamer For Clothes

What your friends consider as the best travel clothing steamer may not be the best for you. It all depends on your preferences and travel plans. Here are some things you need to consider before buying one:

Size and weight

Are you traveling light or planning to carry big zipperless luggage ? Travel steamers come in different sizes and weights. Pay attention to the product details, especially its dimension. Will it fit in your bag? Don’t choose one with the risk of overweight charges.

Continuous steaming

Some steamers can go for more than 10 minutes straight, some cannot. Think of how long you need to steam your clothes. Using the steamer exceeding its recommended time can be jeopardous. Yet, time efficiency is the key.

The bigger the water tank, the heavier and bulkier a steamer usually is. But keep in mind that the smaller the tank, the less time it provides to steam. This means you have to refill it over and over again if you need to steam more than one clothes at once.

Power cord length

While offering compact size, small travel steamers usually come with a short power cord. This can be a problem, especially in hotels where plugs are usually far away from the closet. If you want better flexibility and movement while steaming, choose a steamer that provides long power cord, or an extra for the extension.

BIZOND Steamer (CU)

We start our list of the best travel steamer for clothes with a compact one. Comfortable to hold, Bizond Steamer is powerful and simple to use. Weighing 1.26lbs (571 gr), it can fit into your suitcase or bag. You can use it on many fabrics including cotton, wool, polyester, nylon, silk, and satin. The steamer removes wrinkles and freshens your clothes. The brush accessories’ let the steam go even deeper, which is great for draperies.

The steam runs on 900W and 110V power. So, it needs 25 seconds only to preheat. It’s totally great if you’re in a hurry! And it will shut down automatically if it hasn’t been used for 5 minutes. There’s a 100ml detachable water tank. And the steamer is designed for safety, so it doesn’t spill or spray water. It comes with 9.8 feet. (2.98m) cable for your convenience.

What we love

The brush steams deeper into fabrics.

Lightweight and easy to pack
Only takes 25 seconds to preheat
Automatic shut-off
Detachable water tank
It does not work in a horizontal position.

iSteam Steamer (404)

A multi-use product, iSteam Steamer serves to steam, iron, clean, treat, refresh, and defrost. Weighing 1.01lb (458 gr), this lightweight steamer is easy to pack and store into your luggage. Definitely a good contender to be your best travel steamer for clothes! It’s highly effective and gentle for all kinds of fabrics. Great for your suits, shirts, and dresses. And the handle makes it very easy to use.

The steamer is equipped with a new hi-tech heating panel. So, it’s ready within 60 seconds. And it lasts for over 10 minutes of non-stop steaming. The water tank capacity is 120ml. When the unit gets too hot, it will shut off automatically. There’s a Hot Steam feature to get rid of the odors. The Hot Steam freshens your clothes. It comes with an 8-feet (2.44m) power cord for your convenience. And it performs on 900W and 110-120V of power.

It’s gentle on all kinds of fabrics.

10 minutes of non-stop steaming
Hi-tech heating panel
Automatic shut-off system
The Hot Steam feature helps get rid of odors
It’s very small and the water evaporates quickly.

JSD Steamer (CU)

Great for leisure and business travel, JD steamer is worth to buy. It can easily remove the wrinkles on cotton, silk, linen, and other fabrics. The compact lightweight steamer can fit into your suitcase or travel bag. It’s only 1.1lbs (499 gr) of weight.

It runs on 800W and 120V of power and needs 60 seconds to heat up. You can use it for 7-10 minutes of continuous steaming. There’s a 150ml water tank with an anti-leakage. The anti-leakage ensures no water spitting or spilling. And there’s also an automatic turn-off feature. It will turn off when the units get too hot or the water level is too low. The optimal vapor flow eliminates unpleasant odors from your clothes.

It comes with an extra travel pouch and foldable hanger on every purchase.

7-10 minutes of continuous steaming
Anti-leakage system
Automatic turn-off feature
Sometimes it will spit water out.

VIVREAL Travel Garment Steamers (CU)

Once in a while, you’ll need wrinkle-free clothes during traveling. So, Vivreal Travel Garment Steamers should be your travel companion. Indeed, it’s one of the best travel clothing steamer options available. With an ergonomic handle, you can hold it easily. There’s a larger iron area. So, you can steam your cotton, nylon, linen, polyester, and other materials fast. It’s also compact and lightweight steamer, weighing 1lb (454 gr) only. You can carry and pack it easily.

The steamer features an anti-leak design. It means you can refill the 120-ml water tank without plugging out the electricity. And it ensures no water splitting or spilling. The water tank is viewable. So, you will notice if it’s empty. It runs on 800W and 110V. It heats up within 60 seconds and you can use it for 8 minutes of non-stop steam. For your convenience, it comes with 95-inch (2.41 m) cable.

The large ironing area makes it faster to steam.

Ergonomic handle
Anti-leak design
Visible water tank
No light to indicate that the steamer is ready to use.

XROOL Steamer

One steamer for all, XROOL Steamer is highly-effective. It’s compact in size, weighing 1.65lbs (748 gr). So, you can fit it easily into your luggage. And you can use it for all kinds of clothing, garments, and fabrics.

Runs on 900W and 110-120V of power, this steamer is equipped with advanced Steam Technology. It will heat up in 22 seconds only. So, it removes wrinkles quickly and effectively. And you’ll look perfectly neat in an instant. It comes with 6.9 feet (2.1 m) of cable power. If it’s not long enough, you can use an extension cord. The water tank capacity is 120ml and it doesn’t spill or spray water. The steamer works from any position, horizontal or vertical.

It’s small in size, but powerful in steaming.

Advanced steam technology
Heat up in 22 seconds
The cable power is included
Not so durable for the long term.

Beautural Portable Garment Steamer (CU)

It’s one of the most powerful handheld garment steamers available. That should be enough to make it your best travel steamer for clothes. Beautural Portable Garment Steamer has a dual-voltage design (110-240V). So, you can use it worldwide. It’s foldable and allows easy packing and storing. With 1.55lbs (703 gr) of weight, it won’t add too much on your luggage. You can use the steamer for a variety of fabrics including cotton, wool, fiber, nylon, velvet, linen, and polyester.

It performs on 1000W and will heat up in 40 seconds. There’s an automatic shut-off. It will shut-off when over-heated or after 8 minutes of inactivity. The normal 100ml water tank is compact and perfect for traveling. The large 200ml water tank is a bonus and allows for longer steaming at home. There’s a pump-steam technology to avoid the water from leaking or spilling. And of course, you can steam your clothes by hanging it vertically or horizontally.

With the dual-voltage design, this travel steamer can be used in most countries.

Pump-steam technology
Two sizes of water tank available
It’s not suitable for traveling light.

M-MASTER Portable Travel Steamer (CU)

It’s a powerful, portable, and multifunction steamer worth to consider. M-Master Portable Travel Steamer can be your best travel steamer for clothes. There are several functions available, including Steam, Iron, Clean, Sterilize, and Refresh. It will help you looking fresh and clean wherever you go. It’s a lightweight steamer, weighing 1.45lbs (658 gr) only. And it’s easy to pack into any of your SwissGear backpacks .

The tank capacity is 120ml with 360°Anti-Drop Technology. This technology prevents water from sprinkling. You can use the steamer in any direction, vertical or horizontal. It runs on 800W and 110V of power. It works for 10 minutes of non-stop steaming with only 30 seconds to preheat. The steamer is also provided with 5.25 feet (1.6m) power cord. Every purchase comes with a measuring cup and removable fabric brush.

Super lightweight and fits in any luggage.

Anti-drop technology
Only 30 seconds to preheat
Power cord, brush, and measuring cup are included
It might get a little difficult to remove the tank.

Hilife Steamer

Hilife Steamer is a great choice for anyone who’s looking for the best travel steamer for clothes. This portable steamer is easy to use. It’s also lightweight, weighing 1.7lbs (807 gr). So, you can put it in your luggage, backpack, or suitcase. You can use it for all fabrics, even silk, and plush. It doesn’t only work as a steamer, but also as a sterilizer. So, it will keep your clothes neat and fresh.

There’s a 240ml water tank with a water level window. So, you can see easily when you need to refill. And it doesn’t spit or spill water out. You’ll need 130 seconds to generate steam, though. But you can use it for 15 minutes of continuous steaming. It runs on 700W and 110V-120V of power. And it comes with 9 feet (2.74 m) power cord.

With the water level window, you can avoid running out of water in the middle of steaming.

Also works as a sterilizer
15 minutes of continuous steaming
Low power, saves more energy
The power cord is included
It takes more than average time to do the steaming.

MASTEAM Steamer

Bring MASTEAM Steamer wherever you go! It’s easy to use and lightweight, weighing 1.5lbs only (680 gr). You can easily hold the steamer with one hand. It delivers steam more powerful and evenly to remove the toughest wrinkles. Not only steaming, but you can also use the steamer for softening and sterilizing. And you can use it for all kinds of fabrics including satin, cotton, wool, linen, silk, fiber, and polyester.

With high-power aluminum heating, it needs 120 seconds for heating up. And you can use it for 10 minutes of non-stop steaming. The 180ml water tank is made of strong ABS. This material ensures the steamer will not break even if you drop it on the floor from 1.2-meter of height. With Spill-Proof Technology, the steamer won’t spit or spill water. There’s also an automatic turn off. So, it’s safe to use anywhere. It runs on 110V – 120V and 700W – 800W of power.

It can remove the toughest wrinkle.

Spill-proof technology
Strong ABS material, won’t break easily
High-power aluminum heating
Only suitable for light fabrics.

VUNAIRE Portable Garment Steamer (CU)

The perfect partner for traveling, VUNAIRE Portable Garment Steamer is easy to use. It has a compact size and fits in any of your luggage. It’s a handheld lightweight steamer, weighing 1.16lbs (526 gr) only. It’s good to use on any clothes including dresses and suits. Not only an upright position, but you can also steam your clothes in a flat position.

The steamer runs on 950W and 120V of power. It only needs 20 seconds to preheat. And you can use it for 10 minutes of non-stop steaming. The water tank capacity is 120ml. And it features leak-proof technology. So, the steamer won’t spit and spill water. There’s a dry burning automatic power to prevent accidents. The steamer is equipped with a 7.8-feet (2.38-meter) cable for extra convenience.

It’s light and compact, perfect for travelers.

Extra cable included
Leak-proof technology
Weighing 1.16lbs only
It makes a lot of noise.

PurSteam Handheld Garment Steamer

Easy to take anywhere, PurSteam 1400 Watt Steamer has a compact design. It will fit in any of your luggage set with its 2lbs (907 gr) of weighs. So, it’s not just the best travel steamer for clothes, but also perfect for travelers. This handy steamer is safe to use on all fabrics including cotton, silk, wool, velvet, and other delicate fabrics.

The steamer operates on 1400W and 110V of power. It will heat in seconds. And it will de-wrinkle and sanitize your clothes in an instant. There’s a 130ml water tank with an automatic shut off feature. So, when the water tank is empty, it will shut off automatically. The product has two years warranty.

It’s suitable for delicate fabrics such as silk and velvet.

Compact and easy to carry
Sanitizing feature
Automated shut-off system
Two years of warranty
The cord is too short.

COMLIFE Portable Garment Steamer (CU)

Compact enough to store in your luggage, Comlife Portable Garment Steamer is only 1.15lbs (522 gr) of weight. The product can be used to steam, sterilize, soften, and clean most fabrics, including organic fabrics, nylon blend, wool, cotton, and linen.

It runs on 950W and 120V of power. And it only needs 20 seconds to preheat, a plus for those in a hurry. You can use the steamer for 10 minutes of continuous steaming. It’s equipped with heat resistant material and double heat insulation to prevent it from heating up too much. And it will automatically shut-off when it’s too hot or out of water. There’s a detachable 120ml water tank with a 360° Anti-Leak Design. It will prevent water from spitting and leaking. You can steam your clothes from any angle, vertical or horizontal. The 2.4-meter long power cord is added for convenience.

It’s lightweight and offers good quality.

Automatic shut-off when it’s too hot or out of water
The 2.4-meter power cord is included
20 seconds to preheat
Too small, so it takes time to cover all your clothes.

Manvi Travel Garment Steamer (CU)

And the best travel clothing steamer goes to Manvi Travel Garment Steamer . Combining style, design, and function, it allows you to easily remove wrinkles off your clothes. You can use it on almost any type of fabrics including cotton, silk, linen, and polyester. It’s definitely a must-have, either for business or leisure. This is also a compact steamer, weighing 1.78lbs (807 gr) only. So, you can fit it into your traveling bags, even your ultralight backpack .

This portable travel steamer only needs 25 seconds to preheat. Perfect if you’re in a hurry! And you can use it for 10 minutes of continuous steaming. It runs on 900W and 110V of power. There’s a detachable 100ml water tank. And the pump steam technology keeps the water from leaking. So, it’s very safe to use. You can steam your clothes by hanging them vertically or horizontally. For every purchase, you’ll get extra stuff including a dust brush, folding hanger, measuring cup, and a portable bag.

It’s easy to carry and easy to use.

Weighing 1.78lbs only
10 minutes of continuous steaming
Bag, brush, and hanger are included
Nothing! Everything about this product is great!

Author: Julie Wharton

As a solo traveler, I have discovered the freedom and adventure that comes from exploring the world on your own terms. With a backpack on my back and a thirst for new experiences, I have journeyed to some of the most remote and fascinating destinations on the planet. As a travel blogger, I share my stories and insights with fellow solo travelers who are looking to break free from the constraints of group tours and package deals. Whether you're a seasoned backpacker or a first-time adventurer, my blog is dedicated to helping you plan your solo travels with confidence and ease. From tips on finding the best hostels to recommendations for off-the-beaten-path destinations, I provide a wealth of information that will help you make the most of your solo journey. And with a passion for photography and storytelling, I bring each destination to life through vivid imagery and captivating narratives. So if you're ready to embark on an adventure of a lifetime, join me on my journey and let's discover the world together.

5 Best Clothes Steamers, Tested by Laundry Experts

Wrinkles don't stand a chance against these handheld and professional picks.

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You may be surprised to hear that garment steamers may just edge out the irons our grandmothers wielded for decades. Handheld or upright, clothes steamers are lighter to manage and don't require an ironing board that hogs precious closet space.

Our top picks:

Best Overall Clothes Steamer

Conair turbo extremesteam handheld fabric steamer.

Best Value Clothes Steamer

Conair power steam handheld travel garment steamer.

Most Versatile Clothes Steamer

Black + decker advanced handheld garment steamer.

Best Professional Clothes Steamer

Jiffy garment steamer.

Best Travel Clothes Steamer

Chi steam handheld garment steamer.

A great clothes steamer is an excellent tool to have in your laundry arsenal, but there are a few things to consider before you pick one up like steam output, ease of use, and whether it can operate at different angles without dripping.

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, our team has tested hundreds of laundry-related items including irons (even the best cordless irons ), ironing boards , washers , dryers and, of course, clothes steamers. We test garment steamers on a range of fabrics, including natural and synthetic fibers, to measure heat-up time and gauge efficiency, ease of use and overall value.

At the end of this article, you'll find more info on how we test steamers in our Lab and with consumer testers . We also answer when a billow of steam is better than ironing (sequins, anyone?) and outline helpful shopping pointers.

The Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam is a Good Housekeeping Seal -holder for a reason. It's one of the best wrinkle removers we've ever tested. We like the two steam slots, ceramic faceplate for a smoother glide and five steam settings — from delicate to turbo — to meet any fabric need. Once it starts pumping, the steam is continuous, with no extra buttons to press.

We were especially impressed with how well the Turbo dewrinkled denim jeans and lined wool pants, unlike some other steamers we tested that couldn't handle thicker fabrics. On a lower setting, this worked magic on a cotton top with sequins and embellishments. It produced abundant billows of steam on all settings, pumping out from 11 grams per minute on low to 22 grams per minute on high. The 9-foot cord allowed us to maneuver freely around the garment. This model includes a three-in-one attachment to lift fibers, protect delicates and pull fabrics taut for better results, along with a built-in creaser to help achieve sharp pleats. Its large head may make it more difficult to store but that's an easy drawback to overlook, if you ask us.

The Conair brand, dating to 1959, has a long history in personal care products. We consider the brand's steamers to be wrinkle-removing champs. But this totable model, which earned a spot in our 2023 Best Cleaning & Organizing Awards , does even more.

Its head pivots to three positions to steam at an angle or flatten to tuck neatly into a suitcase. In the Cleaning Lab, we found this pretty sage steamer easy to use and totally packable. It heated up in 35 seconds to smooth even tricky fabrics like linen, and the dual voltage power is a plus for worldwide travel. It even comes with a folding hanger. What more could you need?

We got almost 5 ½ minutes of steam time from each water tank fill, and the little green goddess pumped out 16 grams of steam per minute, a very good performance for a steamer with a small tank. We didn’t experience any spitting, either.

You can beautify way more than clothing with the Black + Decker Advanced Garment Steamer. The extra-long cord (15 feet!) makes it simple to reach high-up places such as curtains and even bed skirts that are far from an outlet. We appreciate that the steamer stands upright and automatically shuts off after 15 minutes, a nice-to-have safety feature if you happen to walk away.

The water tank was easy to fill and the product left fabrics looking smooth and finished. This model comes with attachments for upholstery, delicate fabrics and lint removal, and we found that the continuous steam feature was especially helpful for large swaths like draperies, mattresses and furniture. Our only wish? That the long cord retracted for tidy storage.

This classic workhorse made in the U.S. since 1940 doesn't have fancy bells, whistles or attachments. But ask any photo stylist responsible for making clothing look picture-perfect, and they'll tell you it's still the best. We love the 90 minutes of gentle, continuous steam from its 3/4 gallon water tank. You'll spot it in every fashion magazine closet and at every photo shoot because it performs without fail. It even comes in pink!

We have used it often in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab and consider it the gold standard of upright garment steamers with a stand. It shuts off automatically for safety and rolls easily on swivel casters. This Jiffy even comes backed by a three-year warranty. Because of its height and hose length (5 1/2 feet), it may be a bit challenging to store.

best clothes steamers testing a garment steamer on a blue shirt

This Good Housekeeping Cleaning Award -winner is a Lab favorite. The slim steamer is comfortable to hold and about the size of a flat iron making it easy to tuck into your suitcase — even a small carry-on , weekender or backpack . It's ideal when you don't know what kind of in-room amenities your lodging will offer but still want to look neat and put together, not crumpled and rumpled, after a flight or road trip.

Despite its small size, we saw solid performance. Filling the tank is easy, it revs up quickly and it's simple to use. It pumps out five minutes of steam, so it will need to be refilled more often than other steamers. In our tests, we got pro results even on the front placket of a cotton shirt. We love that it works in any direction without dripping and comes with a travel pouch.

How we test clothes steamers

When we take off our lab coats, we in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab manage life at home, just like you do, including wrinkled clothes. We know what matters to people who run households, and we are committed to reporting the pros and cons of products, so you get your money's worth. No one needs a fail that wastes your time, energy and dollars.

We put all garment steamers through a consistent battery of tests, to check heat-up time, handling, performance and other pressing issues. We consider design, balance, a comfortable hold and overall footprint. We look at the size of each water tank and time how long the water lasts. We want to be able to fill and empty it without struggles or spills. We never lay the clothing flat to steam it, and neither should you. We test steamers vertically, on hanging garments. The drier the steam, the better. Wet steam or spits and sputters can leave fabrics wet and damaged with water spots.

best clothes steamers filling a garment steamer water tank

We want to know how hard each steam machine works. We consider how many grams of steam it pumps out per minute (the higher the number, the faster it works). Then we test each model on linen (always a true challenge), delicate silk, cotton, wool and synthetic fabric swatches and garments we've balled up and wrinkled overnight. That includes light, heavyweight and woven fabrics, knits, blouses, tops, pants and jackets. We especially track steamer performance on tough-to-smooth fabrics and fibers, like linen and heavy cotton.

We time how long it takes to smooth each crunched-up item and then score each fabric using an industry-standard protocol borrowed from our GH Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab . We also note any spitting or sputtering and test any steamer attachments.

What to look for when shopping for a clothes steamer

✔️ Large water tank. If you expect to steam often, look for a large water tank, long cord and a button to lock in continuous steam. If you will use the steamer occasionally or just for travel, consider a slim model that's nice and lightweight.

✔️ Long run time. Do you plan to do a batch of items at once (uniforms for the week, for example)? Select a model with a longer run time.

✔️ Compact design. Don't get a large pro steamer — the kind that magazine stylists use — if you don't have the space. It could turn into a clothes hanger but not in the way you intended.

✔️ Water type. Check the product's use and care guide on the brand website for details on using distilled water and cleaning mineral residue, which can clog a steamer. Most use regular tap water, but some brands recommend distilled, especially if your tap water is extremely hard.

✔️ Safety features. Let a steamer cool off in a place away from kids and pets, then empty the water tank before storing. Steamers with auto shut-off help protect you and your family.

Does a clothes steamer really work?

Should you trade up from your trusty iron to a more modern clothes steamer? Good steamers do come through, erasing wrinkles without having to lug out an ironing board and heavy iron .

A steamer can freshen garments on the go, in a hotel room or before a job interview or party. It's convenient since most clothing can be steamed right on a hanger. It also simplifies tasks like smoothing curtains or drapes, since you don't take them off the rods.

A steamer is more compact, with no cumbersome board to store. And you can save money and time by giving clothes a quick steam to refresh them in between dry cleaning drop-offs.

Clothes steamers are even your secret weapon to kill bacteria and dust mites near the surface and help remove odors from difficult-to-clean mattresses, throw pillows, stuffed toys and upholstery. And a steamer is, hands down, the simplest way to de-wrinkle sheer, delicate and embellished fabrics and garments without scorching or damaging them.

Are steamers better than irons?

For some — but not all — de-wrinkling jobs, a steamer works better than a steam iron. Garment steamers pump out soft billows of hot air that pass through fabrics and delicate fibers to allow wrinkles to fall out as you gently tug on the bottom of the shirt or blouse. Irons, on the other hand, use moisture, heat, steam and pressure to smooth and flatten fabrics and remove wrinkles as you press against the board.

Ironing takes more muscle but is better suited to setting pleats or sharp creases or when you want a crisp finish, like on a dress shirt.

Steamers are also better suited for items trimmed with sequins and beads, and tailored garments , like jackets, that are hard to lay flat. And a clothes steamer is better when you don't want a pressed look or sharp creases, as for knit sweaters or dresses.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

This article was originally written by Carolyn Forté , the GH Institute's Home Care & Cleaning Lab executive director. She has a B.A. in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York, and is a consumer products expert. She has been testing, speaking and writing about appliances, textiles, cleaning products and more for over 40 years as well as consulting with the appliance industry about appliance testing protocols and consumer laundry habits.

Contributing writer Alice Garbarini Hurley is the most recent updater of this article. She has written about home, kitchen and style for more than 40 years at Woman’s Day , Seventeen and Good Housekeeping. Her first glimpse of a clothes steamer was in the fashion closet at her first job. She writes about interior design and home furnishings for Aspire Design and Home and after working on this story, is considering investing in a standing steamer of her own (in pink!).

Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute 's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.

Alice Garbarini Hurley has been a lifestyle and consumer writer since a pizza parlor taste test for the Dumont High School Periscope . She wrote about prom dresses and mascara at Seventeen, then about everything that matters at Good Housekeeping as a senior lifestyle writer for 10 years and as a GH freelancer for 10 more. Her work has appeared in The New York Times , Coastal Living and InStyle . She has published essays and has blogged at Truth and Beauty since 2010. Writing keeps Alice calm and focused while raising a teenage girl. She loves bluebells and daffodils, Cape Cod, accessories, cream in her coffee and reading cookbooks cover to cover.

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Best travel steamers to keep your clothes looking fresh on the move

The Evening Standard's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Avoided packing your linen trousers and favourite shirts because you don't trust the iron at your hotel not to burn the creases out of them? You're not the only one.

But, if you've been staring a little too hard at the couple opposite and wondering just how they got their clothes looking so freshly pressed, the answer might come in the form of a travel steamer .

Maybe not the most exciting thing you'll throw in your suitcase but almost definitely one of the most useful, a travel steamer gives you the freedom to pack along all of the best parts of your wardrobe without worrying about removing the creases after a long journey.

A travel steamer not only helps you to save space and weight in your luggage (as well as avoid potential damage to your clothes from ironing), but it can also sanitise and deodorise your clothes, killing bacteria and eliminating odours from a suitcase that's past its best.

The best travel steamers are small enough to fit in your bag and light enough to carry around without taking up too much of your precious baggage restriction . In fact, you'll find travel steamers come in all sizes depending on the water tank capacity, the heating element and the design of the nozzle and handle.

It might go without saying but a larger steamer has a bigger capacity and can steam larger clothes without, well, running out of steam. You'll want a steamer that's powerful enough to produce enough steaming power to smooth out your clothes, and efficient enough to heat up quickly and last long. The performance and efficiency of a travel steamer depends on the wattage, the steam output, the heat-up time and the run time.

One final thing to keep in mind: wattage varies around the world, so you may want to invest in a voltage converter depending on where you're heading off to.

We've rounded up the best travel steamers

Best mini underseat cabin bags that fit beneath an airline chair

Best lightweight luggage, from cabin bags to larger cases

Best handheld clothes steamers to smooth out creases with ease

Philips STH3000/26 Handheld Foldable Garment Steamer

A top choice for iron-avoiders everywhere, the Philips STH3000/26 Handheld Foldable Garment Steamer was designed to be light, compact and foldable for easy usage and storage to refresh fresh outfits anytime, anywhere. Ready to go in 30 seconds and promising burn-free, odour-free clothes almost instantly, this travel steamer is a top choice for bringing your clothes back to their best without setting up the ironing board.

PWRHUB Portable Travel Steamer

With its super-fast 30-second heat-up, you can save time and de-wrinkle your clothes even on the shortest of notice when you buy PWRHUB’s portable steamer. This steamer is one of the most powerful travel steamers on the market, with its 1450 watts power and 150ml detachable water tank, giving you up to 10 minutes of continuous steam without the need to refill. It has a foldable design for more convenient storage and comes with a heat-protective storage bag, so you can easily carry it in your luggage worry-free.

Rolipo Clothes Steamer 1800W Handheld

Rolipo’s Clothes Steamer heats up incredibly quickly, thanks to its 1800W power, which means it wastes no time at all when it comes to restoring your clothes to their best. Ideal for holidays, its compact size and 0.85kg weight make it the perfect travel companion for carrying in your suitcase even when you’re restricted to just hand luggage. It can also be used both vertically and horizontally, allowing you to steam clothing at any angle.

BEAUTURAL Clothes Steamer

This BEAUTURAL Clothes Steamer folds up into a tiny piece of equipment, so you’re free to shove it in your suitcase at the last minute without worrying about being over the weight allowance. Safe to use on all fabrics and suitable for clothes, curtains, furniture and toys, this versatile steamer has 1000 watts of power and can steam both vertically and horizontally.

YurDoca Steamer for Clothes

This steamer includes a specialised technology that ensures no leaking or spilling, keeping your garments dry and drip free as it works its crease-free magic. Combining the performance of an iron with the power of steam to instantly smooth out wrinkles in clothing, this powerful but gentle steamer is highly effective and safe to use on all fabrics; cotton, silk, wool, polyester, velvet, fibre and even your delicates.

Breville VIN430 CompactSteam Handheld Garment Steamer

One of the most popular travel steamers around, Breville’s VIN430 CompactSteam Handheld Garment Steamer fits in any bag with ease so you can look sharp on the go. It’s of the fastest we tested - so you don’t have to think twice about wearing that shirt you thought was far too creased for dinner - you can hang up your garment and start steaming in just 26 seconds precisely. With a generous 200ml water tank providing up to 15 minutes of run time, this steamer also features a three metre cord for those hotel rooms that put plugs in the least opportune spots.

Tefal Access Steam Minute DT7000 Handheld Garment Steamer

A popular choice that’s ready to go within 45 seconds, Tefal’s Access Steam Minute DT7000 Handheld Garment Steamer has a height of just 24.5cm and is the brand’s most compact handheld garment steamer. Combining 1100W with 17g/min vertical steam, this travel steamer doesn’t just remove creases – it sanitises too, killing bacteria for crease and odour-free clothes in a flash. How’s that for a travel miracle?

Steamery Cirrus No.2 Garment Steamer, Black

The Steamery Cirrus No.2 might sound a little more like a Harry Potter broomstick than an anti-crease device but you’ll swear this travel steamer is a little magic when you’ve given it a try. With 1500 watts of power and a weight of 780 grams, this small but mighty steamer does the job almost instantly with no fuss in sight. A sustainable and efficient alternative to both ironing and washing, you’ll want to reserve a little space for this one in your suitcase next time you’re off somewhere fun. It’s already been given the seal of approval by the fashion set where you’ll spot it backstage at fashion and magazine editorial shoots.

Philips Steam & Go Plus Handheld Garment Steamer

The clue’s in the name when it comes to this travel steamer’s efficiency: you really will be able to steam and go. Philips’ handheld gadget offers continuous vertical or horizontal steaming and, with a 2.5 metre cord, is another top choice for those unusually-designed hotel room plugs. Its ergonomic design and removable water tank makes this steamer even more travel friendly too.

Tefal Pure Pop

“Cute” might not typically be the first word that comes to mind when you think of travel steamers. But, once you’ve admired Tefal’s Pure Pop, that will likely be the word you think up. This handheld, compact steamer is one of the daintiest around and thus made for travel - it even has its own pouch.

With its sunshine yellow shade, this is a steamer that will get you in the holiday mood when you’re brightening up your favourite outfits before you’ve even headed down for dinner. It pumps out 20g of steam a minute to make creases disappear in a flash and features 1300 watts of power.

This Philips STH3000/26 Handheld Foldable Garment Steamer is light, compact and foldable for easy usage and storage: everything you need for those last minute holiday outfits with no iron in sight.

Xiaomi Handheld Garment Steamer

Early Access Sale Starts from 29th Apr

20 Facts About Moscow: Fun & Interesting

Russias capital Moscow is a city full of history, that is perhaps only known for things like Red Square, the Kremlin and St. Basil’s cathedral.

But, it pays to know a few facts about Moscow before you take a trip there. Here are 2o facts about Moscow.

Moscow Is Huge

Moscow is the largest city in Europe in fact Moscow is so big that it has the right to be its own country. The city of Moscow is home to 12 million residents which puts it in the top 10 most populated cities in the world. There are more people in Moscow than in both Switzerland and Norway combined.

Stay Dogs Use The Metro In Moscow

The stray dogs of Moscow cityare super smart and have learned to use the city’s metro in order to survive the cold winters. While using the metro you might just bump into one of these super-smart train-loving dogs. They recognize the stops by the tannoy announcements and hop and off just like we do.

There Is An Underground River In Moscow

The Neglinnaya River flowed through the Russian capital for centuries undisturbed but no one could live on the western side of its banks as it flooded every year. Russian engineering then took over and they diverted the river into an underground tunnel which now flows under Neglinnaya Street into the Moskva river and then built on the old river that is now dry.

The Tunisian Embassy Is Haunted

The Tunisian Embassy in Moscow is the old home of Lavrentiy Beria, the chief of the secret police during Stalin’s era. It’s said that Lavrentiy would kidnap beautiful women, take them home, have his way with them and then murder them. They are now said to haunt the Tunisian Embassy at 28 Malaya Nikitskaya St.

Diplomats have woken up to safes being open and papers scattered everywhere, they hear footsteps in the day and the night and a lot of Tunisian Diplomats have asked to be relocated due to the spooky occurrences.

Gorky Park Is Amazingly Busy

Gorky Park is the central park of Moscow and on average plays host to 100,000 people every day. That is one busy park and one of the busiest in the world.

Izmailovo Park Is Huge

Izmailovo Park is actually one of the largest urban parks in the world. It measured 15.34 square kilometers (1534 hectares) and is roughly six times Central Park, if that helps.

It Is A Religious Capital

Fun fact about Moscow, it is actually the spiritual center of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Moscow Has The Most Billionaires

Moscow is home to more billionaires than any other city in the world. There are around 84 billionaires living in Moscow with a combined total wealth of 367 billion dollars. New York comes second with 62 billionaires live there.

The Metro Never Breaks Down

If you live in a city then you know how annoying it is when the metro breaks and you’re late for work. Well, this doesn’t happen in Moscow. The Moscow Metro has only broken down once, on the 16th of October in 1941, and has never failed since.

The Largest Bell In The World Is In Moscow

The Tsar Bell we know today weighs 200 tonnes and it has never been rung, but this is the third version of this huge bell. The first was 18 tonnes and required 24 men just to make it ring but it was then broken into pieces during a fire. The same thing happened to Tsar Bell version 2, and then came version 3 which was buried after another fire and took 40 years to get out.

Moscow Doesn’t Believe In Tears

The saying “Moscow Doesn’t Believe In Tears” is one of the oldest sayings in the country. It stems pack to people who couldn’t pay their tribute to Moscow and would cry and beg for an extension. The emperor would say “Moscow Doesn’t Believe In Tears”.

The Highest Monument In Moscow

The highest monument in Moscow is the Victory Obelisk. It’s a huge 141.8 meters tall and was built in May 1995 as a representation of the Great Patriotic War. Every 10 cm of the Victory Obelisk represents a single fay of the war.

The Seven Sisters Of Moscow

The seven sisters of Moscow, aka Stalin’s Skyscrapers, are 7 identical skyscrapers that stand amongst Moscow’s skyline. Today 2 are apartments, 2 are offices, 2 are hotels, and one is a university.

The Busiest Metro

9 million people use the Moscow Metro every day which is more than New York and London combined.

Moscow State University

Maybe something most people don’t know, but Moscow State University is actually the world’s largest university building.

Largest Botanical Garden

Moscow is home to Europe’s biggest botanical garden, the Botanical Garden of the Academy of Sciences which is home to 18,000 species of plants from around the Soviet Union and the rest of the world.

There’s A Lot Of Choice For Dinners Out

There are over 2700 different restaurants in Moscow and the number is ever-growing. You’ll never be short of dinner options in Moscow and just imagine searching on Just-Eat.

The Highest Tower In Europe

The Ostankino TV Tower in Moscow is the tallest in all of Europe and measures an incredible 540 meter high.

Assumption Cathedral

In the Kremlin, you’ll find the oldest building that survived all the fires in Moscow, the Assumption Cathedral. It was completed in August of 1479 and is now 542 years old. The most impressive thing is that it managed to survive all the fires Moscow experienced.

The Kremlin Was Rebuilt By Italians

The Kremlin, located right near Red Square, is actually called the Moscow Kremlin. In the 15th century, the Moscow Kremlin wall and its temples were in serious need of repair but the Russian architects at the time couldn’t handle it. Grand Duke Ivan III then asked the Italians to come and help restore the Kremlin to its former glory.

Moscow Has Burned Down A Lot

The city of Moscow has burned down countless times. All the houses in Moscow used to be built from wood and thus the city burned to its knees quite easily and has been rebuilt several times. These were the fires that burned down the Tsar Bells.

McDonald’s Created A Scene

The first Mcdonald’s opened in Moscow in January of 1990. Despite the cold weather on that winter’s day, the Moscow residents cued patiently waiting for their first McDonald’s meal. The cue was so long it measured several kilometers.

There Was A Tornado In Moscow

Moscow’s one and the only tornado hit the city on June 29, 1904. The tornado ran rampant through the streets destroying a lot of the ancient trees of Sokolniki and destroyed a lot of nearby villages and homes in the city.

About the Author Roger Timbrook

Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!

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A History of Moscow in 13 Dishes

Featured city guides.

Shooter Files by f.d. walker

Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

Apr 24 2017

City Street Guides by f.d. walker: A Street Photography Guide to Moscow, Russia

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

At over 12 million people, Moscow is the largest city in Russia and second largest in Europe by population ( Istanbul is #1). An urban, cosmopolitan metropolis with more than enough glitz and glam to cater to the elite, but without losing its fair share of Soviet era roughness around the edges. It can be fast paced, brash, busy, and trendy like other big cities, but it has its blend of West meets Russia atmosphere and beauty that provides plenty of unique interest. The Red Square is as famous as it gets, but there’s so much more to this city, including the most beautiful subway system you’ve ever seen. It would take years to capture all of Moscow, but that means you have an endless amount of areas to discover.

So here’s a Street Photography guide so you can be ready to capture all that Moscow has to offer before you even arrive!

Patriarch’s Pond
Old Arbat Street
Maroseyka Street
Tverskoy Boulevard

Top 5 Street Spots:

1. red square.

The Red Square is the most famous square in not just Russia, but all of Eastern Europe. The name actually doesn’t come from the color of the bricks or communism, but from the name in Russian, Krásnaya, once meaning “beautiful” before its meaning changed to “red.” This large plaza is what you see on the cover of guide books and magazines for Moscow, with St. Basil’s Cathedral being the center piece next to Lenin’s Mausoleum surrounded by the Kremlin Wall. Of course, the Red Square attracts hordes of tourist due to the main attractions, but all that activity around an interesting atmosphere does provide street photo opportunities. It’s also the central square connecting to the city’s major streets, providing a good starting point to explore outward.

You’ll also find the popular pedestrian only Nikolskaya Street connecting the Red Square to Lubyanka Square. This line of expensive shops includes plenty of activity, while also leading you to another popular square. Filled with history rivaling any city, the Red Square and surrounding areas are the heart and soul of Russia.

2. Patriarch’s Ponds

Patriarch’s Ponds is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Moscow. Despite the name being plural, there’s only one large pond, but it’s worth a visit with your camera. It’s a popular spot for locals and expats to come relax or take a stroll around the pond. You get an interesting mix of young and old too, from young love to “babushkas” feeding pigeons. It’s a very peaceful park atmosphere in one of the nicer areas within the city center, while bringing enough activity for street photography.

The pond is shallow and in the winter becomes a popular spot for ice-skating too. The area is also well-known for the location in the famous Russian novel, The Master and Margarita.

3. Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)

Old Arbat is the most famous pedestrian street in Moscow, and dating back to the 15th century, also one of its oldest. Originally, it was an area of trade, but soon became the most prestigious residential area in Moscow. During the 18th century, Arbat started attracting the city’s scholars and artists, including Alexander Pushkin. Cafes lined the streets and impressive homes filled the neighborhood. Since then, New Arbat street was created as a highway in the area, while Old Arbat was paved for a 1km pedestrian only walkway.

Due to the historic buildings, famous artists that lived here, and the bohemian atmosphere, Old Arbat has become a big attraction for tourists today. Now, there’s a mix of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, street performers, street merchants and other attractions for visitors, and some locals, to come enjoy. It can get really busy here and there’s usually something interesting going on so it’s a good street to come walk with your camera for guaranteed life.

4. Gorky Park

One of the most famous places in Moscow is Gorky Park. The official name is Maxim Gorky’s Central Park of Culture & Leisure, which gives you an idea of what goes on here. When built, it was the first of its kind in the Soviet Union. Divided into two parts, it stretches along Moscow River. One end contains fair rides, foods stands, tennis courts, a sports club, a lake for boat rides, and more. This end brings more active life due to its number of attractions, while the other end is more relaxed, where you’ll find gardens, trees, older buildings, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Gorky Park attracts mostly locals so it’s a good spot to capture the non-tourist side of Moscow life. Muscovites come here to escape the city and unwind in a picturesque setting. The park remains alive outside of the warmer months too, especially when the lake turns into the city’s largest outdoor skating rink. I’d recommend taking the metro out here to spend at least half a day exploring the massive park’s life with your camera.

5. Maroseyka Street

Maroseyka Street is a popular area not too far from the Red Square. The long, winding street turns into Pokrovka and is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars and places to stay. It’s actually where I like to stay when I’m in Moscow due to its location and solid street photography opportunities itself. You have Kitay-gorod station near and if you keep walking southwest, you’ll get to the Red Square. But if you walk northwest, as it changes to Pokrovka, you can find a long street of activity for photography with its own interesting atmosphere.

6. Tverskoy Boulevard

Tverskoy Boulevard is the oldest and longest boulevard in Moscow, beginning at the end of Nikitsky Boulevard, and finishing at Pushkin Square, a spot to come for activity itself. The boulevard is made up of two avenues, with pedestrian walkways in-between. You’ll find grass, shrubbery, trees, benches and more walking it’s almost kilometer length. Many people come here to enjoy some relaxation, walk their dog, or just to use it to walk wherever they’re going. Its center location also provides a nice place to walk with your camera near plenty of other spots you’ll want to check out anyway.

Sample Street Walk:

For a full day of Street Photography, covering some of the best spots, you can follow this sample street walk for Moscow:

Start your morning walking around the Red Square (1), while exploring the surrounding area, including Nikolskaya Street
Then walk northwest to Patriarch’s Ponds (2) and slowly walk the pond and surrounding area with your camera
Next, walk east to the Pushkin Monument and stroll down Tverskoy Boulevard (6)
Once Tverskoy Boulevard (6) ends, it will turn into Nikitsky Boulevard. Follow this down until you get to the start of Old Arbat Street (3), across from Arbatskaya station
After you’re done walking down Old Arbat Street (3) for more street photography, spend some time checking out Moscow’s beautiful metro stations
To finish off the day with more street photography, get off the metro near Red Square (1) again, Maroseyka Street (5) or wherever you’re staying for the night.

3 Things I’ll Remember about Shooting in Moscow:

1. museum metro.

The Moscow metro system was the first underground railway system in the Soviet Union and today includes 203 stations across 340km of routes. The elaborate system has some of the deepest stations in the world too, with escalators that seem to go on forever. None of this is what makes it so special, though. Many of its stations feel like stepping inside a museum, making it without a doubt the most interesting and beautiful metro system I’ve been in.

When built, Stalin wanted to make the metro stations “palaces for the people” with marble, chandeliers, and grand architecture. The best part is the variety of architecture and styles used, making many of the stations a completely different experience visually. You could easily spend a whole day traveling the stations and there are even tours available for people who wish to do just that. My advice, though, would be just to buy a ticket and hop on and off at different stations, while exploring different lines. The museum-like surrounding mixed with the crowds of characters can make for a great photography experience.

Since there are so many stations, here are some of my favorites to check out:

Novoslobodskaya
Mayakovskaya
Elektrozavodskaya
Komsomolskaya
Ploschad Revolyutsii
Dostoyevskaya
Prospekt Mira

2. Moscow is Big

It’s no secret that Moscow is a big city, but it can feel even bigger with how spread out much of it is. This is especially true if you compare it to cities outside of Asia. If I compared it to cities in Europe, I’d probably say only Istanbul would warrant more time to really discover the depths of this city. Most only explore around the Red Square and surrounding area, but that is such a small part of the city. Although, that central area does give you plenty to see on its own.

Fortunately, I had a good friend living in the city to show me around, but it opened up my eyes even more to how much there is to discover in Moscow. It’s a big city with a variety of atmosphere that can take you from “east” to “west” and trendy to rugged depending on where you go. I’d imagine you’d have to live here a while to really know the city.

3. Cosmopolitan Mix of East meets West

Modern skyscrapers mixed with amazing architecture, a world-class metro system with museum-like beauty, trendy fashion and chic clubs, Moscow is a rich mix of Russian culture and history in a more western cosmopolitan package. There is a push to keep the Russian culture, while also pushing forward with a modern metropolis the whole world will envy. This comes with an impressive skyline, that continues to grow, and endless modernities, but with soviet nostalgia and atmosphere mixed in for good measure.

Mixed in with this grand western cosmopolitan atmosphere, is a strong national pride in Russia. This includes their famous leader, Vladimir Putin. Maybe no other place will you see a country’s leader more often. All over, from the pricey tourist shops to the underground walkway stalls, you’ll find goods with Putin’s likeness covering them. From t-shirts to magnets to Matryoshka dolls. There’s a strong national pride that can be seen around the city, which also extends to their leader. Moscow is many things. It’s East meets West, modernizations meets Soviet era, and a whole lot more.

What To Do For a Street Photography Break?:

Eat at a stolovaya.

Stolovayas are Russian cafeterias that became popular in the Soviet days. You grab a tray and walk down the line of freshly prepared local dishes, and select whatever you want from the chefs. They’re usually inexpensive and a much better value than restaurants, while giving you the opportunity to try from a wide selection of everyday Russian food. They’re also very tasty. I always include some borsch on my tray and go from there. The places themselves are all over Moscow and usually come with Soviet-era aesthetics to complete the experience.

Street Safety Score: 7

*As always, no place is completely safe! So when I talk about safety, I’m speaking in general comparison to other places. Always take precaution, be smart, observe your surroundings and trust your instincts anywhere you go!

Being the 2nd largest city in Europe with over 12 million people, you’re going to have your dangerous areas, but for the most part, it feels safe walking around. Russia is statistically higher in crime compared to most of Europe, but this generally doesn’t apply to tourists and visitors. Around the Red Square and surrounding city center, you should feel completely safe walking around. Pick pocketing can happen, but no more than other touristic places. I always explore Moscow freely without coming across too much to worry about. It’s a spread out city, though, so of course it matters where you are. Just use basic street smarts, know where you are and Moscow shouldn’t give you a problem.

People’s Reaction Score: 7

Moscow is fast paced, big city life, which usually means people aren’t too concerned with you, or your camera. I don’t find people notice or pay much attention to me when I’m out taking photos in Moscow. For the most part, people just go about their day. You shouldn’t get too many looks or concern. But it can depend on the area you are in. The more you stick out, the more you might get noticed with suspicions. I’ve never had any problems in Moscow, or Russia, but just be careful who you’re taking a photo of if you get out of the city center. Other than that, it’s about average for reactions.

Street Tips:

Learn the alphabet .

Much of Moscow, including the metro system, doesn’t use english. The Russian alphabet uses letters from the Cyrillic script, which if you aren’t familiar with it and don’t know the sounds, can be hard to decipher the words. This is most important for street names and metro stops when trying to get around. It can save confusion and make it easier getting around if you learn the basic alphabet. At the very least then, you can sound out the words to see which are similar in the english conversion, which can help matching them to maps. When out shooting street photography, getting around is as important as anything. So save yourself some time and frustration by learning the Russian Alphabet.

Use the metro

While Saint-Petersburg feels very walkable for a city its size, Moscow can feel very spread out, even for its bigger size. Outside of the Red Square area, you can have plenty of walking before getting anywhere very interesting, so you’ll need to take the metro a lot if you really want to explore the city. Maps are deceiving here too, it will always be further than it looks.

Another reason it’s less walkable than Saint-Petersburg is its completely different set-up. Moscow’s streets are mostly contstructed in rings with narrow, winding streets in-between. This is common with medieval city cities that used to be confined by walls, but you usually don’t have it in a city this massive. Saint-Petersburg has a more grid-like pattern that also uses the canals to help you know your way around. When it comes to navigating on foot in Moscow, it can be more difficult, so bring a map and take the metro when needed. It’s why Moscow’s metro carries more passengers per day than the London and Paris subways combined.

Explore other areas if you have time

Moscow is really big. While most people stay around the Red Square within the Boulevard Ring, there’s so much more to the city. I covered some other spots outside of this circle, but if you really want to see the city, you’ll need time. If you do have time, some other areas I’d check out first are Zamoskvarechye, along some of the south and western Moscow.

Inspiration:

For some more inspiration, you can look through the Street Photography of Moscow photographer Artem Zhitenev and check out 33 of my photos taken in Moscow .

Conclusion:

Moscow’s name brings a certain mystique, but once you’re there it might bring a different atmosphere than you expect. It’s big and sprawling, but beautiful in many ways. It can feel like a European capital on a grand scale, but you can definitely find its Russian side in there.

The urban sprawl of Moscow can be intimidating, but give it enough time and you’ll be rewarded with plenty to discover. All with the world’s best metro system to take you around.

I hope this guide can help you start to experience some of what Moscow contains. So grab your camera and capture all that Moscow has to offer for Street Photography!

If you still have any questions about shooting in Moscow, feel free to comment below or email me!

(I want to make these guides as valuable as possible for all of you so add any ideas on improvements, including addition requests, in the comment section!)

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City Street Guides by f.d. walker:
*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be […]

The 8 Best Travel Steamers to Keep You Looking Stylish on the Road

In This Article

Best Overall

Longest Cord

Best Splurge

Best Budget

Best Iron/Steamer Combo

Most Compact

Best Ergonomic

Best for Thick Fabrics

Tips for Buying a Travel Steamer

Look for extra features and attachments

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

The 7 Best Travel Steamers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Another Option We Like

Best Overall

Best Overall, Runner-Up

Best Budget

Best Splurge

Best Compact

Best for Heavy Materials

Best for Wedding Dresses and Delicate Items

Final Verdict

How We Tested the Travel Steamers

What to Look for in a Travel Steamer

Size and Weight

Design Features

Why Trust The Spruce?

More from The Spruce

The 12 Best Portable Travel Steamers for Wrinkle-free Clothes [2023]

Travel Steamer vs. Regular Steamer

Water Capacity

Size and Weight

Fabric Types

Ease of Use

Attachments

Watts and Voltage

The 12 Best Clothes Steamers for Travel

Hilife Portable Travel Garment Steamer

MagicPro Portable Garment Steamer

Polardo Handheld Travel Steamer

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you take a travel steamer in carry-on?

Can I use tap water in my steamer?

What is the best portable clothes steamer?

What is the smallest travel steamer?

About Amar Hussain

Tested and Reviewed: The Best Travel Steamer to Take on the Road

Which is the best travel steamer?

Can I travel with a portable steamer?

Is a portable steamer worth it?

What is the lightest travel steamer?

More steamers I tested

The Best Clothing Steamers

Everything we recommend

Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Garment Steamer (GS38R)

Buying Options

Conair CompleteSteam Hand Held Fabric Steamer (GS2X)

Upgrade pick

Reliable Vivio 500 GC Professional Garment Steamer

The research

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Handheld (aka midsize)

Floor-standing

Meet your guides

Further reading

If You Hate Ironing, Try This Handheld Steamer Instead

The Best Clothing Iron

11 Cheap(ish) Laundry Aids to Help Your Clothes Look Better and Last Longer

Wirecutter’s 100 Most Popular Clothing Picks of 2023

Tested and reviewed: the best travel steamer to pack in your suitcase

Which is the best travel steamer?

Can I travel with a portable steamer?

Is a portable steamer worth it?

What is the lightest travel steamer?

More steamers I tested

6 best travel steamers to keep your clothes wrinkle-free

Our top picks

How we picked the best travel steamers

Shopping 5 best travel backpacks