The Best Travel Steamers to Take on the Road, Tested and Reviewed

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

This three-in-one steamer is my new 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 great for travelers who want the flexibility of both tools in one device.

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

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

A part of the reason I have a new favorite steamer is because my teenage daughter took possession of this one, using it to keep her dance costumes stage-ready. The steamer 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 the most affordable steamer at $27. 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: 12.8 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. 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: 3.2 lbs.
Water tank capacity: 6.6 oz.

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 the 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.

What I like most: Can de-wrinkle anything, various settings to choose from, quick heat-up
Where there's room for improvement: Hard to fill with its small opening, on the larger size for travel

Weight: 1.65 lb. 
Tank capacity: 2.9 oz.

Sleek and Scandinavian-designed, the Cirrus X looks more like a minimalist hair dryer than a steamer—and that’s part of the appeal. With a curved aluminum steam plate that also acts like a smoothing iron and a 20-second heat-up time, this model blends aesthetics with performance. Another two-in-one pick, travelers can steam or iron with the Cirrus X. It works well for everyday fabrics like cotton, wool, and silk, and its gentle steaming is a nice option for delicate pieces. While it’s not the most compact on the list, the Cirrus X is great for travelers who prioritize design and durability.

What I like most: The hanging loop makes it convenient to store no matter where you are
Where there is room for improvement: Have to refill the tank often

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: Cannot promptly refill reservoir because the tank gets so hot

Weight: 1.4 lb. 
Water tank capacity: 1 oz.

Rounding out our list of the best travel steamers is this hybrid steamer/iron that comes highly recommended by associate articles director Megan Spurrell. “I was drawn to the Nori steamer because of its sleek design—two-in-ones are always ideal for travel, and not needing an ironing board seemed like a plus,” Spurrell says. “I put it to the test the day of my destination wedding, on both my dress and my husband's linen suit. It did get the job done, and both functions (steaming and ironing) deliver.” The unique, compact steamer features two aluminum plates that can simultaneously iron the front and back of a garment, getting the job done in half the time. Another perk: It offers six fabric settings (polyester, silk, wool, cotton, denim, and linen)—so no matter what you pack, you can rest assured it will be wrinkle-free and free of any damage when it's time to wear.

What I like most: Double plates, dual voltage, automatic shut-off after 10 minutes of no movement
Where there's room for improvement: Its tiny reservoir means it's best reserved for smaller jobs; it can be tiring to hold while smoothing out a very crinkled shirt.