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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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.

We Tried the Viral Beautural Portable Steamer from Amazon and It's *Great* for Travel

Anna Vognsen

Freelance Writer

Anna Vognsen received her B.A. in English Literature from Trinity College. She has been writing commerce content for PureWow since 2023 and is forever and always a deal hunter. She covers verticals including beauty, parenthood and fashion. Prior to covering shopping content, Anna worked in the fashion industry for 17 years in trend forecasting as a market analyst, womenswear and children’s apparel sales. Most recently, she managed the U.S. education program for Canada Goose.

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