When packing my carry-on, I consider three things: Practicality, versatility, and creativity. Of course, the clothes need to be suitable for the trip and fit seamlessly in my luggage—but I also love curating specific outfits for my destination, ones that I might not otherwise wear at home. However, unless all of the items I select are wrinkle-resistant (which, let’s be honest, isn’t realistic) sometimes even the best looks get derailed by unwanted wrinkles upon arrival. That’s where planning ahead with one of the best travel steamers can make all the difference.
Vogue’s Favorite Travel Steamers:
Sometimes, hotels will supply in-room steamers—however, in my experience, they’re usually less than ideal. Either they sputter all over my clothes, have finicky steam settings, or don’t work at all. Circumvent all this by packing a travel garment steamer that you already know how to use; no borrowed ironing board (or improvised hair dryer) required. Below, I’ve compiled the best travel steamers available for wrinkle removal on the go, based on my personal favorites and Vogue editor recommendations.
In This Article:
- Can you bring a travel steamer on a plane?
- What is the difference between a (portable) steamer and iron?
- What should I look for in a portable travel steamer?
- How long does a portable steamer last?
- What should you not clean with a steamer?
- How We Tested
Best Overall: HiLife Handheld Steamer
- Why we love it: After testing a couple of HiLife steamers, this one is definitively my favorite. It heats up nearly instantly (I was truly shocked), and has a steady stream of steam that distributes nicely across the large surface area of its spout. In fact, it can deliver steam for up to 20 minutes, which means you don’t need to refill it with water in the middle of de-wrinkling a garment. It’s worth noting that this steamer is best for traveling within the U.S. since it’s not compatible with international voltage.
- Water tank capacity: 10 ounces
- Weight: 2.6 pounds
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Heats up in seconds, with a large and easy-to-fill water tank | A bit bulkier than some travel steamers, not international travel-friendly |
Best Lightweight: Rowenta Handheld Steamer
- Why we love it: I bought this steamer on a whim a couple months ago, but I’ve been really happy with its efficacy and ease of use. It’s incredibly lightweight and compact, which makes it easy to maneuver around pant legs, shirt sleeves, and more. Plus, I appreciate that while it heats up in seconds, you can choose to release steam with a simple press of a button, rather than work with a nonstop stream.
- Water tank capacity: 2.36 ounces
- Weight: 2.4 pounds
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Reversible pad to suit different fabrics | Not international travel friendly |
| Heats up in seconds |
Best Mini Steamer: Nesugar Handheld Steamer
- Why we love it: This ultra-compact steamer is perfect if you really want to maximize your luggage space. Although less than a pound, it really packs a punch: It can provide up to 10 minutes of continuous steaming. It also gives you the option to twist the head of the steamer, to hit different angles and directions with ease.
- Water tank capacity: 2.4 ounces
- Weight: 0.8 pounds
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Ultra-lightweight, 10 minutes of continuous steam | Not international travel friendly |
Best for International Travel: Conair TravelSmart Steamer
- Why we love it: While not all travel steamers are suitable to take overseas (hello, fashion month!), the dual-voltage Conair Travel Steamer is a safe bet to pack if you’re leaving the country. This ultra-compact device is incredibly easy to maneuver around clothes, and provides 10 minutes of continuous steam to help get the job done.
- Water tank capacity: 3.4 ounces
- Weight: 1.4 pounds
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Suitable for international travel | Can’t operate at different angles |
| Compact |
Best Iron/Steamer Combo: Nori Press Travel Steam Iron
- Why we love it: Sometimes, a steamer won’t cut it, and you need an iron to ensure every intentional crease and pleat is crisp and polished. That’s where the Nori Press comes in. It’s a small, handheld iron steamer device with heated plates on either side (similar to a hair straightener) that can help iron out your clothes while on vacation. That said, it also has a steamer function, to suit any de-wrinkling needs.
- Water tank capacity: .98 ounces
- Weight: 1.4 pounds
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Both iron and steam capabilities, international travel-friendly | Small water-tank capacity |
Most Continuous Steam: Proctor Silex Compact Travel Iron Garment Steamer
- Why we love it: While testing out multiple steamers, I found that the wide surface area of this one made it incredibly efficient for steaming larger garments. It also heats up incredibly fast (less than a minute). And with an impressive 4-ounce water tank, it offers a powerful, continuous steam that allows me to de-wrinkle a silk blouse in mere minutes. All of this adds up to less time steaming, and more time enjoying my travels.
- Water tank capacity: 4 ounces
- Weight: 1.63 pounds
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Both iron and steam capabilities, large water tank | Not ideal for international travel |
Best Combo Steamer: CHI SteamPress Handheld Fabric Steamer
- Why we love it: If you’ve ever used a CHI hair tool, then you know the brand makes high-quality heating tools—and this three-in-one steamer is no exception. This handheld garment steamer will save precious space in your luggage by offering the option to steam, dry-press iron, or cold-press iron your clothes to perfection. Not to mention, it heats up in just 25 seconds, and offers up to nine minutes of continuous steam thanks to its capacious water tank.
- Water tank capacity: 6.7 ounce water tank
- Weight: 3 pounds
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Steam, iron, and cold-press capabilities | A bit bulkier than some options |
| Not suitable for international travel |
Most Design-Friendly: Steamery Cirrus 3 Handheld Steamer
- Why we love it: I love a chic travel accessory—and that applies to steamers, too. The Scandinavian-designed Steamery Cirrus 3 Handheld Steamer is certainly the most design-forward appliance on our list, with its streamlined design and earthy colors. Beyond aesthetics, it’s a highly functional tool, as well. It’s well-suited for a range of materials, from silk and cashmere to cotton and linen, which certainly comes in handy during travel.
- Water tank capacity: 3 ounces
- Weight: 1.9 pounds
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Both iron and steam capabilities | Higher price point |
Everything You Need to Know
Can you bring a travel steamer on a plane?
Yes, you can travel with a portable steamer on any airplane or other mode of transportation. If you’re packing it in your carry-on, just be sure the water compartment is completely empty. Also worth noting: If you plan to take your steamer out of the country, make sure it has dual-voltage.
What is the difference between a (portable) steamer and iron?
A steamer uses, well, steam to help loosen fabric fibers and reduce or even remove wrinkles. Whereas an iron uses heat and pressure to achieve the desired effect. Generally speaking, steamers are a better choice for more delicate fabrics (think: silk), whereas irons are ideal for heavier materials.
What should I look for in a portable travel steamer?
When selecting a travel steamer, it’s important to consider two key factors: size and efficacy. You want something that’s compact and lightweight enough to slip into a carry-on, but still powerful enough to smooth out even the worst clothing wrinkles post-flight. What’s more, ideally it heats up quickly and has a large enough water tank to steam an entire garment without refilling (you don’t want to waste precious travel moments, after all). Bonus points for dual voltage, which comes in handy when you’re traveling internationally.
How long does a portable steamer last?
It depends on the size of the water tank, but most portable steamers will last anywhere from four to 18 minutes. In general, that should allow you to steam a couple of tops, one flowy dress, or a pair of pants in one sitting. More powerful steamers will use water quicker, although they’re also more efficient and effective. (Pro tip: Avoid holding the steamer at an extreme tilt, which will help it last longer and prevent unwanted sputtering.)
What should you not clean with a steamer?
Steamers can be a wonderful tool, but they’re not compatible with all types of fabric. Avoid using them on suede or leather, as the water could warp or discolor your garment. It’s also best to keep hot steam away from delicate embellishments (think: glitter, glued-on appliqués, etc.) or beading.
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians—to gain professional insight on the industry’s standout products; ones specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to travel steamers, we selected the best based on the following characteristics after testing by me personally, or by Vogue editors. They’ve been tested on various materials (silk, cotton, linen) and evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Size/packability: Does it fit into a carry-on suitcase or weekender bag?
- Efficiency: Can it steam an entire garment without needing to refill the water container?
- Weight: Is it lightweight enough to minimize excess bulk in luggage? Is it easy to hold and use, without fatigue?
- International Capability: Is it dual-voltage?
- Water capacity: Could you steam an entire garment without refilling the water reservoir.
- Leakproof: Does it leave unwanted wet spots on clothes?
