I Never Travel Without a Handheld Steamer—Here Are My Favorites

Weight: 2.2 lb. 
Water tank capacity: 6.8 oz.

After another year of testing, this three-in-one steamer remains my favorite, combining the power of a traditional iron with the convenience of a handheld steamer, allowing you to press, steam, or refresh garments depending on the fabric. With adjustable steam control, a heated soleplate, and an easy-grip handle, the Chi SteamPress delivers crisp lines when you need them and gentle de-wrinkling when you don’t. It’s bulkier than some options, but what keeps it at the top of my list really is the clamp feature. If you’ve never used a steamer with a clamp, it basically eliminates the need for an ironing board. I am generally using one hand to hold the hanger with my pants, and the other hand maneuvers the Chi, getting out pesky wrinkles with no setup.

What I like most: The clamp feature for convenient fixes
Where there is room for improvement: A bit bulkier than the others

Weight: 1.63 lb. 
Water tank capacity: 4 oz.

Last year, my teenage daughter took possession of this one, using it to keep her dance costumes stage-ready. The steamer still travels with her to dance competitions near and far, steaming continuously for almost 10 minutes without needing to refill the reservoir. Now that we know it works effectively even on delicate and often embellished materials, it’s also great for jeans with stubborn wrinkles. Often we don’t know where or how many outlets our hotel or Airbnb will have, so the 10-foot cord on this steamer is much appreciated, as it allows you to move around comfortably. Surprisingly, this is also one of the most affordable steamers at $31. If you are someone who will only travel with a steamer for special occasions, this one is a safe choice.

What I like most: Affordable, de-wrinkles all fabrics, heats up in 45 seconds, effective brush attachment
Where there’s room for improvement: Reservoir can be hard to completely empty

Weight: 3.06 lb. 
Water tank capacity: 7.01 oz

I often find that handheld travel steamers work well for soft wrinkles but struggle when it comes to crisp button-downs or linen pieces that are simply prone to wrinkles. That’s why I was so impressed by the Rowenta Pure Force 3-in-1 steamer. During testing, I used it on a linen button-down, a cotton shirtdress, and a pair of wide-leg trousers that had spent several days folded in a packing cube. The steamer quickly relaxed wrinkles, but what set it apart was its heated soleplate, which allowed me to press stubborn creases that a traditional handheld steamer would have left behind. I especially liked having the option to switch between steaming and ironing depending on the garment, but honestly, the steaming aspect is probably the strongest of all the ones I’ve tested. While it’s a bit larger than some of the ultra-compact travel steamers I tested, it’s a worthwhile trade-off for travelers who want the functionality of both a steamer and an iron without packing two separate tools.

What I like most: Functions as both a powerful garment steamer and a travel iron
Where there’s room for improvement: Heavy; takes up more suitcase space than compact handheld models

Weight: 12.8 oz.
Water tank capacity: 2.3 oz

I’ve used this steamer regularly for over two years, and very much appreciate the smart design. The Nesugar portable 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 like. 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 steamer compact, but gives you the option to steam at different angles (over time, I’ve learned this is especially handy in rooms that don’t have outlets in convenient places.) Originally, I wondered if frequent adjusting of the head would loosen the feature, but it is still going strong after countless trips. The unit also comes with a wall mount so you always have a place to hang it at home.

What I like most: Lightweight and packable, adjustable head, comes with a wall mount
Where there’s room for improvement: Works best on lighter fabrics

Weight: 1.3 lb. 
Water tank capacity: 3.3 oz

Full disclosure: I originally selected to test this steamer because I thought it was cute. Its compact size and sleek, retro design stood out among a sea of bulky handheld steamers, and I was curious whether something so small could actually hold its own against larger models. To my surprise, it ended up being one of the most travel-friendly steamers I tested because of its size. And, my high schooler, who has become my sidekick in testing steamers over the years, immediately loved the aesthetic (and I was able to give her some traditional ironing tips, which was fun). We used it on a wrinkled cotton T-shirt, a rayon dress, and a linen cover-up that had spent several days packed in a carry-on. The steamer heated up quickly and was easy to maneuver thanks to its lightweight design and rotating handle, which made it comfortable to use from different angles. Plus, using this as a traditional iron allows me to smooth out stubborn creases on flat surfaces.

What I like most: The ultra-compact size, rotating handle, and surprisingly strong performance for such a small steamer
Where there’s room for improvement: I found myself using the iron a lot because the steamer part isn’t super powerful

Weight: 1.2 lb. 
Water tank capacity: 3.4 oz.

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.

What I like most: Dual voltage, collapsible handle for travel, automatic heat-up (no power button), no trigger needed to release steam
Where there’s room for improvement: I can’t promptly refill reservoir because the tank gets so hot

Weight: 1.76 lb.
Water tank capacity: 2.87 oz.

Steamery’s line of sleek steamers are easily the most aesthetically pleasing options on the market. Fortunately, the standout performance matches the good looks. I’ve been a fan of Steamery’s Cirrus X for a few years now, but the upgraded Cirrus Core is my new favorite. The biggest upgrade of the Core from the X is the heated front plate and dry steam technology. I used it on a lightweight rayon dress, a cotton T-shirt that had been rolled in my carry-on, and a gauzy blouse that tends to wrinkle the moment it’s folded. The steamer heated up quickly and produced a steady stream of steam that smoothed wrinkles without leaving fabrics feeling damp. I particularly liked the heated front plate, which helped glide over fabric and create a more polished finish than many handheld steamers provide. The lightweight design made it comfortable to hold while steaming multiple garments, and the compact size fit easily into my suitcase. For travelers who appreciate thoughtful design but don’t want to sacrifice performance, this steamer strikes a nice balance between form and function.

What I like most: Stylish design, lightweight construction, and impressive performance on everyday fabrics
Where there’s room for improvement: The ratio of water tank size to overall size