We’ve all been there: You’re on vacation, and when you go to pull out the perfect dress you so carefully selected for your evening plans (and packed with Pinterest-worthy precision), you find nothing but a wrinkled mess. Since it could be risky (to say the least) to rely on the ancient iron provided by your Airbnb, you won’t want to leave it to chance. By traveling with a portable steamer, you’ll be covered for any wrinkle-related disasters that may arise, leaving you to focus on more important things (like what to say when you run into your ex at the party). Read on for the best portable steamers, as recommended by a fashion expert, our editors and shoppers like you.
7 of the Best Portable Steamers to Take on Vacation, to Work or Anywhere You Please
Wrinkles? Never heard of 'em
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Published Sep 25, 2023
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Dasha Burobina for PureWow
The Best Portable Steamers at a Glance
1
Best Overall Portable Steamer
Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Portable Steamer
read more
2
Best Portable Steamer for Travel
Beautural Foldable Portable Steamer
read more
3
Best Lightweight Portable Steamer
CHI Steam Handheld Portable Steamer
read more
4
Best for Heavy Fabrics
Conair 2-in-1 Portable Steamer
read more
5
Largest Water Capacity
Beautural Large Portable Steamer
read more
Meet the Expert
Caitlin Burke is a stylist and consultant who has worked on the New York City fashion scene for 17 years. She collaborates with established designers (Altuzarra, Rosie Assoulin) as well as exciting emerging designers, such as Palmier NYC and Mayson the Label. Burke also works with private clients and celebrities, like Sarita Choudhury from And Just Like That…, and has been the styling hand behind some of your favorite editorial spreads.
How We Chose the Best Portable Steamers
We researched 20 of the highest-rated portable steamers we could find, from the viral Beautural portable steamer ($24) tested by PureWow’s Senior Creative Strategist Kate Kesselman to the one beloved by an in-demand celebrity stylist ($63) and narrowed down our options to the seven best portable steamers of the bunch. Regardless of which one you choose, they're sure to take your wardrobe from slovenly to pristine with a few pushes of a button.
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Best Overall Portable Steamer
1. Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Portable Steamer
What We Like
- multi-use attachment tool
- built-in creaser
- easy to hold
What We Don't Like
- too large for travel
- requires regular cleanings with vinegar
- small reservoir
Conair
We’re not surprised that Burke’s steamer of choice as one of New York’s premier stylists is our own top pick for best portable steamer overall (not to mention a top choice for more than 12,000 Amazon fans). After all, you don’t have to be steaming a fashion week collection to appreciate its features. Its three-in-one attachment allows you to pull fabric taut with its silicone band, use the spacer to protect delicate fabric or trim or use the bristle brush to loosen fibers (something Conair says will allow steam to get deeper into your material to erase stubborn wrinkles or wrangle more robust, heavyweight fabrics). As an added bonus, Conair claims that its steam will kill up to 99.9 percent of germs, dust mites and bed bugs that may be found on fabric. A pro tip? Burke suggests covering the end of the steamer with a sock to prevent leaks or water transfer.
Fast Facts
- Watts: 1550
- Operation: continuous steam
- Tank Capacity: 7.3 ounces
- Promising review: “I used the attachment for delicate fabrics and my skirt and blouse came out wrinkle-free and undamaged.”
Best Portable Steamer for Travel
2. Beautural Foldable Portable Steamer
What We Like
- extra-long cord
- steams vertically and horizontally
- lightweight
What We Don't Like
- won't work with European plugs
- gets hot during operation
- may not last long
Beautural
PureWow readers went wild for this portable steamer on Prime Day, so much so that we had to put it to the test. With its foldable, compact design and ability to steam both horizontally and vertically, this petite find seemed almost too good to be true. Thankfully, we can attest to the fact that it stands up to its lofty claims, making it our pick for the best portable steamer for travel. It has a lengthy cord that gave us lots of room to work with, didn’t leak when used in either direction and worked gently-but-effectively to remove most wrinkles on the first pass on both cashmere and linen garments. (We’ve also successfully tried it on bedding.) All of this while folding up to a size compact enough to carry in your suitcase? Sold!
Fast Facts
- Watts: 1000
- Operation: steam button
- Tank capacity: 5 ounces
- Promising review: “It's small to begin with, but folds up even smaller for travel. Even better, it's powerful!”
Best Lightweight Portable Steamer
3. CHI Steam Handheld Portable Steamer
What We Like
- lightweight
- easy to use
- good for traveling
What We Don't Like
- small reservoir
- fragile parts
- won't work with European plugs
CHI
Most of us are familiar with CHI’s high-end hair tools, but this flat iron-sized steamer may be your new favorite item from the brand. Clocking in at just over 1 pound, this portable pick is excellent if you need to de-wrinkle a lighter item or have limited mobility, as the steam nozzles are angled to work in any direction, so you’re free to position your arm and wrist at the most comfortable position for use. It heats up quickly (within 35 seconds, according to the brand), and with five minutes of continuous steam, you can reportedly de-wrinkle more than one garment at a time.
Fast Facts
- Watts: 800
- Operation: continuous steam
- Tank capacity: .35 ounces
- Promising review: “This is the best steamer I have ever used! It is easy to use and its size and shape make it perfect for travel, as it easily fits into a carry-on suitcase.”
Best for Heavy Fabrics
4. Conair 2-in-1 Portable Steamer
What We Like
- good heat output
- gets materials wrinkle-free
- good for heavier fabrics
What We Don't Like
- heavy
- may leak or spit water
- not great for travel
Conair
If your steaming needs include heavier materials, like curtains or upholstery with the occasional dress, this might be the steamer for you. Usable as both a steamer and an iron, it heats up quickly (it will be ready to go in 10 seconds or less, according to the brand) and has one of the largest steam heads we’ve seen, making it easier to blast away wrinkles when transitioning to ironing mode. At 1875 watts, it’s also one of the more powerful steamers we researched, making it our top choice for more stubborn fabrics. Due to its multi-use construction, it’s on the heavier side, however, so keep that in mind when considering your steamer needs.
Fast Facts
- Watts: 1875
- Operation: continuous steam
- Tank capacity: 8.5 ounces
- Promising review: “This is the best handheld steamer. Works on those stubborn wrinkles when you buy a new shirt, pants etc. Love it!”
Largest Water Capacity
5. Beautural Large Portable Steamer
What We Like
- large detachable tank
- easy to use
- easy to hold
What We Don't Like
- bulky
- may stop working after a time
Beautural
As the Beautural’s big sister, this one’s standout feature is its large-capacity water tank—the biggest on our list—which will get the job done (and then some!), even if you’re looking to steam multiple items. Reportedly heating up in less than a minute and remaining operational for up to 15, you can steam your entire outfit and still have steam to spare. We're also partial to its anti-spill design and removable attachments for brushing fabric, adding creases and removing lint. We wouldn’t recommend this steamer for travel, as it is large, but for an at-home alternative to pulling out the ironing board, we’re all for it.
Fast Facts
- Watts: 1800
- Operation: continuous steam
- Tank capacity: 8.8 ounces
- Promising review: “I don't know why I didn't get one sooner. I love this thing! I hate to iron, so any alternative is a gift of the gods in my opinion. ... It is very easy to use. ... I steamed a linen dress that is a pain to iron with excellent results..”
Fastest Portable Steamer
6. Rowenta X-Cel Portable Steamer
What We Like
- easy to use
- high sturdiness
- powerful
What We Don't Like
- water runs out quickly
- heavy
Rowenta
“Turbo mode” says it all. This steamer heats up quickly (44 percent faster than the competition, according to Rowenta), and gets wrinkles out just as fast, according to its legions of Amazon fans—especially when using the aforementioned Turbo mode. At 1875 watts, this is up there with the more powerful steamers we researched and has an extra-long power cord that gives you more freedom while doing your thing. Despite the relatively high-capacity tank, however, reviewers say this steamer can run out of water quickly (especially in the ultra-powerful Turbo setting), so know that you’ll need a few refills if you’re steaming multiple items or a stiffer fabric. This device is also on the heavier side.
Fast Facts
- Watts: 1875
- Operation: steam button
- Tank capacity: 6.4 ounces
- Promising review: “Best portable steamer I have ever seen. I used to own a laundromat and we steamed with a large Jiffy Steamer, this little steamer is a close second. Turbo settings get it done.”
Best on a Budget
7. Kazazoo Handheld Portable Steamer
What We Like
- lightweight
- works overseas
- good heat output
What We Don't Like
- low power
- small reservoir
- spits water
Kazazoo
Priced at less than $25, this steamer is at the lower end of the market, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in features. Amazon shoppers say it’s lightweight, quick to heat up and compatible with international power sources, making it great for overseas travel. We also like that it shuts off when it gets too hot or the water is too low. The power is on the lower side at 700 watts, so you might need more passes to get out more stubborn wrinkles, but the price can’t be beat for the product.
Fast Facts
- Watts: 700
- Operation: continuous steam
- Tank capacity: 4 ounces
- Promising review: “Love this! Easy to use and light to hold. Does a good job.”
What Should I Look for in a Portable Steamer?
Portable steamers come in a variety of price points that are dependent on your needs. Power, water reservoir capacity, size and weight are a few of the universal factors you should always keep in mind when looking for the best portable steamer. Brush up on them and more below.
- Heat-up time: Consider how long will it take you to go from turning on your device to it being ready to steam.
- Water tank capacity: The more water the steamer holds, the longer you’ll be able to steam without needing to refill it.
- Watts: According to Sargent Steam, the higher the wattage on your steamer, the higher the temperature and the higher the pressure. In proportion with tank size, this can produce dryer, more effective steam to help you get the job done quicker and more efficiently.
- Operation: In general, steamers operate in two different ways: via continuous steaming or with the push of a button. Will you need to hold down the power button down to nix your wrinkles, or can you just turn it on and go?
- Safety features: Handheld steamers can get quite hot—like, up to 248 degrees hot. With the potential for burns looming, safety features, like those that ensure the steamer turns off automatically when not in use or when the tank is dry to avoid overheating, are extremely important to consider—particularly if you have pets or children around.
- Size: If you’re looking for a travel steamer, size will be a major decision-making factor. You'll want to look for a small, compact model, but note that it may not be as efficient as a larger model with a bit more power behind it. If you’re in need more heavy-duty jobs, bulk may not be an issue if the power is there
Portable Steamers vs. Irons
When choosing the best gadget to get your clothing from crinkled to crisp, it’s important to know when a steamer vs. iron will do the best job for your needs. The main difference between a steamer and an iron is that steamers are less manual than irons and can be used while an item is hanging, while an iron requires a surface to press out wrinkles while using heat and (sometimes) steam.
More importantly, perhaps, luxury NYC-based fabric care experts at The Laundress say that your method largely "comes down to the fabric material you are caring for, and the finish you are looking for," as steamers are best for more delicate fabrics or for releasing wrinkles on-the-go, while irons deliver a crisper finish and can stand up to heavier fabrics.
Are Handheld Steamers Worth It?
Handheld portable steamers are an excellent choice for travel and for those of us looking to spruce up our clothes in a hurry. We love to pack a portable steamer when traveling for important events that require polished outfits, or for when we’re not sure our accommodations will provide an iron.
Why You Should Trust Us
PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.