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The 8 Best Travel Irons in 2023 [Portable, Dual Voltage]

Amar Hussain

Senior Content Contributor

772 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 63 U.S. States Visited: 9

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

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Things To Consider When Buying a Travel Iron

1. mini steam iron with dual voltage, 2. compact and easy-to-use iron, 3. lots of features in a compact iron, 4. lightweight travel iron with 360-degree swivel cord, 5. mini project steam iron with ceramic soleplate, 6. easy to use and portable iron, 7. 800-watt handheld steam iron, 8. 3 temperature settings in a compact iron, final thoughts.

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We’d all rather look well-groomed while traveling. However, any traveler is familiar with the headache of opening your suitcase only to find all your clothes limp and wrinkled.

The most convenient tool for addressing this problem is the travel iron. This handy tool is specially designed to fit in your suitcase and is powerful enough to keep you looking tidy. Choosing the best travel iron can be intimidating, but we will guide you through the whole process.

It’s important to know what to look for when you are setting out to buy a travel iron. Perhaps your foremost consideration will be the size and weight of the iron in order to maximize your luggage storage space.

But there are several other factors to keep in mind, including the iron’s power and heat control. Let’s dig a little deeper into these aspects.

Weight and Size

One of the biggest advantages travel irons have over regular ones is their weight. Made to be easily portable in your luggage, they weigh significantly less than regular irons. Look for an iron that weighs approximately 1 pound .

As for size, a travel iron is built to fit perfectly into your suitcase or travel bag. This convenient tool’s dimensions typically vary from 6 to 8 inches in length.

Ease of Use

When it comes to a travel iron’s ease of use, there are a couple of things you should be aware of. First, take a good look at the handle and see if it looks comfortable . A functional handle will go a long way in making your iron usable. Second, the best travel irons include motion-sensitive technology, helping you iron faster and with greater precision.

On top of that, there are some really interesting additional features you can look out for, like anti-drip or water-spraying features, both of which contribute to overall ease of use when it comes to ironing.

Heat Control

If you’re looking at an iron without the option to control the heat level, think again. Any travel iron on your shortlist should have this ability. You don’t want to iron synthetic clothes with the same level of heat as cotton clothes.

Hot Tip: Look for an iron that has printed indicators on the swivel that denote exactly what each level is for.

If you are traveling to a different country, look for an iron with dual voltage . You will likely be dealing with different voltages, which can render your travel iron useless.

If you plug your iron into a higher voltage source, you run the risk of frying it.

Similarly, power is an important consideration when choosing a travel iron. Simply speaking, more powerful irons are made for heavier clothes or fabrics that are hard to iron. So, choose wisely, and if you plan on straightening heavier clothes like hoodies or jeans, find a 1,000-watt iron that can handle the job .

On the other hand, lighter clothes like t-shirts and shorts will not require a powerful iron.

Portability

Weigh the portability of your travel iron against its power output. You don’t want to have to make room for a huge iron in your suitcase at the expense of something else.

Most travel irons are specially designed to ensure maximum portability, but it’s still something to consider.

The 8 Best Travel Irons

Now that we’ve discussed exactly what to look for in a travel iron let’s take a look at some of the best ones available. We’ve compiled a list of the best options that are versatile and will satisfy all of your expectations for a travel iron.

Steamfast Super Convenient Iron

Steamfast offers a compact travel iron that comes with a lot of features. With 420 watts of power, this iron is built to handle just about any kind of fabric.

In addition, the dual-voltage feature will come in handy if you travel overseas to a location with a different voltage. This iron is made to work flawlessly between 100 and 240 volts , which will allow you to use it on any continent.

Lastly, the overall design is quite interesting and compact. This iron is only 5.2 inches in length and weighs 1 pound, which will save you a lot of space when packing. On top of that, the comfortable anti-slip handle will ensure a good grip for ease of use.

What We Like

• Comes with a traveling bag

What We Don’t Like

• Using steam mode might cause drips

BLACK DECKER Easy Steam Iron

This specially designed iron will allow you to easily straighten every wrinkle out of your clothes. It works well on heavier clothes as well, so consider this one if you’re traveling somewhere cold.

This iron’s anti-drip technology is engineered to prevent dripping by maintaining the correct water temperature to generate steam . This feature also regulates the amount of steam produced in line with the temperature setting. On top of that, this iron features a pivoting cord and 3-way automatic shut-off for ultimate user convenience.

Possibly the best thing about it is the TrueGlide nonstick soleplate, which is designed to glide smoothly over any fabric. There’s also a push-button spray-mist feature that further moistens fabrics to eliminate deep wrinkles.

• Lots of features and easy to use
• Not as small as other travel irons

Hot Tip: Consider our guide to the best portable travel steamers , as well!

Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot 800 Watt Iron

If you’re looking for compatibility and ease of use, this travel iron is a good choice. The well-known Sunbeam brand once again nailed it with this feature-rich iron. For starters, this iron has a dual-voltage system that will allow you to use it just about anywhere in the world.

On top of that, the soft-touch handle with an ergonomically-designed shape will allow you to glide the iron smoothly over fabric, applying pressure as needed . A convenient swivel in the front will allow you to choose the most suitable heat setting.

All in all, if you’re looking for a compact, easy-to-use, and convenient travel iron, you can’t go wrong with this one.

• Slick and compact design
• Steam function can leak

Utopia HomeSteam Iron

Even though this iron is made for in-home use, it’s also a great travel companion. With 1,200 watts and a 360-degree swivel cord, the Utopia Home Steam Iron will ensure your clothes are pressed with minimal effort.

A lightweight and compact design makes this iron a great choice for travel as well. In addition, it features adjustable thermostat control, protection from overheating, and a nonstick soleplate that ensures a smooth glide over any fabric.

Also, this iron is quite easy to use both vertically and horizontally. The steam-ironing feature allows you to steam your clothes while they’re on a hanger or remove wrinkles from curtains and drapes if the need arises.

• Multifunctionality and ease of use
• It’s hard to fill the water tank without spilling

Oliso Ceramic Iron

This Oliso ceramic iron is specially designed to ensure maximum heat control and ease of use. On top of that, it is compact and lightweight, making it a great option for travel. This iron’s soleplate is made of high-quality ceramic with a precision tip that will allow you to easily press cuffs and collars.

Furthermore, it comes with a fabric-selector option that’s very useful for those who like to pack a variety of fabrics. Additionally, you can use it anywhere in the world as this iron features a dual-voltage design.

• Fabric-selector feature
• Handle heats up when used extensively

Rowenta DA1560 Travel-Ready Iron

With a compact design and an ergonomic handle, this Rowenta travel iron is a standout in its field. It’s made with ease of use and portability in mind, but it remains powerful enough to remove every wrinkle on your clothes, no matter the fabric.

You can use this iron both vertically and horizontally for a long period of time, thanks to the 2-ounce transparent water tank and dual-voltage switch . All in all, if you’re looking for a compact and easy-to-use iron that removes all wrinkles, this is a top pick.

• Easy to maneuver and has a stainless-steel soleplate
• The cord is not that long

Conair EZ Press Iron

This Conair handheld iron was designed with comfort and portability in mind. It features 800 watts of power, which is enough to iron almost anything. On top of that, its compact size and lightweight construction will allow you to easily carry it in your suitcase or backpack.

The stainless-steel soleplate ensures a smooth glide over fabric, especially cotton and synthetic clothes. There is also an anti-slip heel on the bottom of the iron for maximum protection from unwanted contact .

• Steam burst feature that eliminates hard wrinkles
• Takes a bit more time to heat up

Sharper Image Convenient Iron

The first thing you’ll notice about the Sharper Image travel iron is its sleek and minimalist design. With a simple color scheme and an in-handle water tank, this iron is designed with functionality and comfort in mind. In addition, it features a quick heat-up time and 3 temperature settings , allowing you to easily remove all wrinkles from any type of clothing.

Additionally, thanks to the dual-voltage feature, this travel iron is equipped for use all over the world. Its 350 watts of power and nonstick rust-resistant soleplate will no doubt serve you well on your journey.

• Quick heating
• Lacks the power of some other irons

Now that you are well-acquainted with the benefits of travel irons, you won’t want to travel without one. Their useful features and compact design will come in handy on every trip.

All in all, we strongly recommend traveling with an iron. Tidy up your appearance and project confidence with a freshly pressed wardrobe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do i need a travel iron.

If you tend to travel a lot, especially in a professional capacity, it’s hard to get around the necessity for a travel iron. Travel irons are made to travel with you and keep you looking polished.

Are hotels equipped with irons?

Not all hotels have travel irons. Of course, you can always check with reception before you arrive at a hotel. But, with a travel iron in your suitcase, you will be prepared either way.

How much does a travel iron weigh?

There are different models on the market with different weights. However, a standard travel iron weighs around 1 or 2 pounds.

Is ironing easy with a travel iron?

Most travel irons prioritize ease of use, with everything from non-stick soleplates to comfortable handles.

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About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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8 of the Best Travel Irons for a Wrinkle-Free 2024

• August 4, 2023

We’ve got the scoop on the best travel irons to keep you looking fresh and sharp wherever you go.

With features like adjustable thermostat control, compact design, and in-handle water tanks, these travel irons are a must-have for any traveler.

So if you’re tired of arriving at your destination with wrinkled clothes, discover our top 7 picks that will make your life easier on the road.

Key Takeaways

• Lightweight and compact design for easy travel and packing
• Nonstick soleplate and anti-stick design for smooth gliding and preventing damage to fabrics
• Adjustable thermostat control and protection from overheating for safety and versatility
• Dual-voltage design and in-handle water tank for convenience and suitability for international travel

Table of Contents

Things to consider when buying a travel iron.

There are several key points when considering the best travel iron for your needs.

First, weight and size are important factors, as you want a compact, lightweight iron that won’t add unnecessary bulk to your luggage.

Second, ease of use is crucial, so look for features like an ergonomic design and convenient controls.

Lastly, heat control and voltage/wattage compatibility are essential to ensure that your travel iron can handle different fabrics and work efficiently in various countries .

Weight and Size

Travel irons are designed to be small and compact, making them easy to carry and pack for any trip. Here are three reasons why the weight and size of a travel iron matter:

• Portability: A compact iron ensures that it won’t take up much space in your luggage or weigh you down during your travels. It allows you to bring it along wherever you go effortlessly.
• Convenience: A small iron is easier to maneuver and handle, especially when ironing delicate fabrics or tight spaces. Its compact size makes it more practical for quick touch-ups on the go.
• Versatility: Whether you need a mini travel iron for business trips or a portable travel iron for vacation, a lightweight and compact design ensures that it can fit into different types of bags without any hassle.

Investing in a compact travel iron guarantees wrinkle-free clothes wherever your adventures take you.

Ease of Use

To make ironing a breeze, consider features like an adjustable thermostat and ergonomic design.

When choosing the best travel iron, ease of use is vital. Look for models that offer steam control, which will help you tackle even the toughest wrinkles. Dual voltage options are also important, as they allow you to use your mini iron anywhere in the world without worrying about damaging it.

Additionally, a compact design and travel bag will ensure that your iron fits easily into your luggage while protecting it. Don’t forget to check the length of the cord as well – a longer cord will give you more flexibility when ironing.

With these features, you can say goodbye to wrinkled clothes and hello to perfectly pressed outfits on your travels!

Heat Control

For optimal ironing results, it is crucial to have control over the heat settings on your travel iron. This is because having the right temperature is essential in achieving wrinkle-free clothes and keeping them looking their best.

Here are four reasons why heat control is crucial when using a steam iron for travel:

• Prevents damage: Controlling the temperature allows you to adjust it according to the fabric’s needs, preventing any potential damage caused by excessive heat.
• Efficient removal of wrinkles: Different fabrics require different heat levels to remove wrinkles effectively. Proper heat control allows you to target specific areas and achieve smooth results without wasting time and effort.
• Avoids scorching: By adjusting the temperature, you can avoid scorching delicate fabrics or leaving shiny marks on your clothes.
• Extends garment lifespan: Using the correct temperature setting helps maintain the integrity of your clothing, prolonging their lifespan and keeping them looking new for longer.

Having control over the heat settings on your travel iron ensures that you can easily handle various fabrics, making ironing a breeze while maintaining excellent results.

Voltage/Wattage

Check the voltage and wattage of your travel iron to ensure it is compatible with the power outlets in the country you are visiting.

When looking for the best travel iron, consider getting a dual-voltage travel iron that can be used worldwide. This type of iron allows you to switch between 110-120 volts and 220-240 volts, making it suitable for international travel.

Some popular options include the Steamfast Mini Travel Steam Iron and the Rowenta Travel Iron. These irons are compact and lightweight, perfect for fitting into your travel gear.

Whether you need to steam out wrinkles or touch up your clothes on the go, a travel steam iron or steamer is an essential tool in your suitcase.

The Best Travel Irons of 2024

When finding the best travel iron, you have several options to consider.

The Rowenta Pro Compact offers a compact design and powerful steam for wrinkle-free clothes on the go.

If dual voltage is important to you, the Sharper Image SI-755 is an excellent choice, with its versatile functionality and light construction.

For those on a budget, the Black & Decker D340 provides an affordable option without compromising on performance.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a portable and convenient option, the Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot is compact enough to fit in your suitcase and heats up quickly for efficient ironing.

Lastly, the Utopia Home Steam combines nonstick soleplate technology with adjustable temperature settings for smooth and precise results every time.

Rowenta Pro Compact

The Rowenta Pro Compact iron is a portable option with variations in heat and steam functionality. It is a 1000-watt iron with a micro steam stainless-steel soleplate, adjustable temperature, consistent steam, burst-of-steam button, and vertical-steam option. It has a 2-ounce transparent water tank, dual-voltage switch, compact size, and a handle that folds flat for storage. The iron includes a travel pouch and measures 8-3/5 by 3-8/9 by 4-8/9 inches.

While the iron performs well for removing wrinkles from clothes during travel, some units may have heat and steam functionality variations. The pros of the Rowenta Pro Compact include its portability, effectiveness, ease of packing in any carry-on and quick steam readiness. On the downside, multiple purchases may be required due to variations in performance or issues with heat and steam functionality.

• Compact yet powerful: Strong enough performance for home, with a sleek, compact design for travel.
• Efficient and durable: 1000-watt iron with microsteam durable stainless-steel soleplate.
• Versatile design: Irons with or without steam and works with tap water, no need for distilled water

Product Specs:

• 1000-watt iron
• Micro steam stainless-steel soleplate
• Adjustable temperature
• Consistent steam
• Burst-of-steam button
• Vertical-steam option
• 2-ounce transparent water tank
• Portability
• Ease of packing in any carry-on
• Fast readiness of steam
• Some units may not get as hot or have issues with steam functionality

Sharper Image SI-755

You’ll love the compact size and quick heat-up time of the Sharper Image SI-755 iron. This sleek and simple mini iron is perfect for everyday home or travel use.

A 1.1-ounce water tank heats up in just one minute, allowing you to touch up your garments without any hassle quickly. The 350 watts of power and nonstick sole plate ensure smooth gliding over fabrics, while the 8-foot power cord provides ample reach. Plus, with its dual voltage convenience, you can easily switch between 120 and 220 volts.

• QUICK HEAT UP TIME: The 1.1 ounce water tank heats up in one minute, equipped with 1-touch steam…
• EQUIPPED FOR THE JOB: 350 watts of power removes wrinkles from almost any fabric, a non-stick sole…
• DUAL VOLTAGE CONVENIENCE: Sized and equipped for travel anywhere in the world, just select between…
• Brand: Sharper Image
• Special Feature: Corded
• Color: White
• Wattage: 350 watts
• Model Name: SI-755
• Style: Compact, Mini
• Item Weight: 1.1 ounces
• Base Material: Stainless Steel
• Voltage: 220 Volts
• Compact size perfect for travel or small spaces
• Quick heat-up time for efficient ironing sessions
• Versatile design suitable for various projects
• Mixed reviews about the steamer function
• Some users mentioned the need for a converter plug for international use
• Mention of short life span requiring replacement

Black & Decker D340

The Black & Decker D340 iron is a travel iron that offers efficient and smooth ironing with its TrueGlide nonstick soleplate and Smart Steam Technology. Its lightweight construction and compact design make it perfect for on-the-go use. The TrueGlide nonstick soleplate ensures that the iron glides effortlessly over your garments, preventing any snagging or sticking. The Smart Steam Technology automatically adjusts the steam output based on the fabric type, allowing you to achieve wrinkle-free results every time.

• Brand: BLACK+DECKER
• Model: D340
• Style: Compact
• Base Material: Ceramic
• Color: Lime Green
• Weight: 1.94 pounds
• Dimensions: 10.51 x 5.87 x 4.37 inches
• TrueGlide nonstick soleplate for smooth gliding
• Smart Steam Technology for efficient steam control
• No auto turnoff feature after a period of non-use

Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot

Use the Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot travel iron to keep your clothes wrinkle-free. This compact iron is perfect for fitting into your luggage without taking up too much space or adding extra weight.

Its dual voltage feature lets you easily switch between 120V and 240V, making it suitable for local and international travel. The powerful shot of steam feature allows you to effectively remove wrinkles from hanging garments, upholstery, or drapery. The nonstick soleplate ensures smooth gliding over fabrics, while the fabric select control dial lets you adjust the temperature based on different fabric types.

Don’t let wrinkled clothes ruin your trip – pack the Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot travel iron and enjoy wrinkle-free outfits wherever you go.

• MADE TO TRAVEL: Hot-2-Trot Travel Iron 800 watt, dual voltage (120V/240V) for local or international…
• POWERFUL SHOT OF STEAM FEATURE: works horizontally or vertically for hanging garments, upholstery or…
• EASY-TO-USE: soft touch ergonomic handle keeps controls at your fingertips with an 8-foot cord to…
• Brand: Sunbeam
• Special Feature: Nonstick
• Color: Light Blue
• Wattage: 800
• Recommended Uses: Steam Iron
• Model Name: Hot-2-Trot
• Style: Compact Nonstick Soleplate Travel Iron
• Dual voltage for international travel
• Powerful shot of steam feature
• Soft touch ergonomic handle with a long cord
• No auto shut-off feature
• Cord placement may be inconvenient for left-handed users
• Personal irons may be restricted on cruise ships

Utopia Home Steam

Are you looking for a cost-effective steam iron? Utopia Home Steam Iron is an excellent option for effortlessly removing wrinkles from your clothes.

This durable iron is designed with a nonstick soleplate, ensuring smooth and easy pressing on all fabrics. With a water tank capacity of 200 ml, you can enjoy uninterrupted steam power to tackle even the toughest wrinkles.

The 360-degree swivel cord allows easy maneuverability, while the adjustable thermostat and variable steam control provide added convenience and flexibility. Additionally, this steam iron features overheat safety protection to ensure your safety while ironing.

• NOT AN USED ITEM: Every iron undergoes water test to guarantee product quality and safety. Don’t be…
• VERSATILE STEAM IRON: Meet all your iron needs effortlessly with this powerful 1200watts clothes…
• LIGHTWEIGHT & DURABLE: Our Steam Iron is designed to be both lightweight and durable, making it the…
• Water tank capacity: 200 ml
• Nonstick soleplate
• Adjustable thermostat control
• Overheat safety protection
• Variable steam control
• Effortless gliding on all fabrics
• Can be used vertically for steaming clothes on hangers or curtains/drapes
• Some customers have reported leakage issues
• It lacks an auto-turn-off feature
• Unclear settings for temperature adjustment

If the Utopia Home Steam iron didn’t quite meet your expectations, perhaps you should consider giving the Oliso M2 a try. This mini/travel-sized iron has garnered mixed customer reviews but may fit your needs perfectly.

The Oliso M2 boasts an impressive 1000W of power, providing more pressing and steaming capabilities than other mini irons on the market. Its sole plate size is ideal for getting into those small spaces and achieving crisp corners when sewing or ironing children’s clothes.

However, it’s important to note that this iron has some drawbacks. Some customers have reported issues with the temperature dial changing while in use and a poor steam function that may leak water. The silicone resting plate can get hot, and its cord position prevents standing the iron on the end. Lastly, it requires a cooling down time of around one hour.

Despite these cons, many customers have found satisfaction with the Oliso M2’s flatness and steam function. It seems to be particularly well-suited for quilting projects and fits comfortably in hand.

• Heat/Wattage: 1000W
• Sole Plate Size: Ideal for small spaces and crisp corners
• More pressing and steaming power compared to other mini irons
• Great for getting into small spaces and achieving crisp corners
• Temperature dial changes while in use
• A poor steam function may leak water
• The silicone resting plate gets hot
• The cord position prevents standing iron on the end
• Requires approximately one hour of cooling down time

Conair EZ Press

The Conair EZ Press, handheld steam iron, is lightweight and portable, making it convenient for on-the-go use. Whether you’re traveling or need a compact iron for small sewing tasks, this iron covers you.

It can easily handle international travel with 800 watts of power and dual voltage capability. The variable steam feature with steam burst ensures that your garments will be wrinkle-free in no time. The stainless steel soleplate provides a smooth glide, while the anti-slip heel adds extra safety.

Plus, the 8-foot cord gives you plenty of freedom to move around while ironing.

• Handheld Steam Iron: With 800 watts of power, features for home use and compact enough for travel,…
• Special Features: Includes a variable steam feature with a steam burst for tough wrinkles, an anti…
• Portable and Versatile: Its lightweight design makes it easily portable and the 8 foot cord provides…
• 800 watts of power
• Variable steam feature with steam burst
• Anti-slip heel for added safety
• Stainless steel soleplate for a smooth glide
• Perfect size for quilting and retreats
• Heats up quickly and irons wrinkles completely
• No designated wrap-around feature for the cord
• It doesn’t shut off automatically
• The temperature dial is difficult to turn

The Quilted Bear Mini Iron

The Quilted Bear Mini Iron is a versatile and compact option for crafting. Its petite size and dual voltage capabilities make it perfect for travel. This mini iron is designed to handle various tasks such as quilting, appliqué, sewing, patchwork, ragdoll making, and flower pressing. Its ceramic-coated soleplate glides smoothly over fabrics, while the ergonomic handle ensures comfortable usage.

With dual voltage options of 120V/240V, you can take this iron with you on your international travels without any worries. The quick heating feature lets you start in seconds, saving you valuable time. The easy-to-control temperature gauge ensures you can adjust the heat according to different fabric types.

• The Quilted Bear specialises in goods for Crafting and Quilting, with this portable iron being a…
• Why stop at Crafts? It’s petite size and sleek design makes it the perfect mini travel iron for…
• Ceramic coated soleplate with ergonomic handle means the lightweight iron steamer will glide…
• Dual voltage: 120V/240V
• Ceramic coated soleplate
• Ergonomic handle
• Anti-drip technology
• Versatile for various crafts
• Dual voltage capabilities for travel convenience
• The quick heating feature saves time
• Easy-to-control temperature gauge

Matt Francis

Hi, I'm Matt Francis. A digital nomad, blogger, web developer and all-around good egg! I am the brains (and brawn) behind Everyday Ape. My website features a wide range of topics, with a focus on travelling and working online.

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• Closet and laundry

The Best Clothing Iron

By Jackie Reeve

Jackie Reeve is a writer covering all things bedding. She has also reported on towels, rugs, and chicken coops (with help from her 20 backyard pets).

A hot, steamy iron is a crucial tool in your laundry arsenal. A steamer does a pretty good job of smoothing fabrics, but nothing creates sharp pleats or flattens stubborn wrinkles like an iron.

We’ve tested more than two dozen irons and researched countless more, and we recommend the Chi Electronic Iron with Retractable Cord 13102 for its powerful steam, durability over time, and useful features for frequent ironers.

Everything we recommend

Chi Electronic Iron with Retractable Cord 13102

A reliable everyday iron.

This durable iron flattens creases in no time, and it stays hot longer than any other iron we’ve tested, so it’s ideal for marathon laundry sessions and craft projects with lots of back-and-forth trips to the ironing board.

Buying Options

Costco membership required

Budget pick

Black+Decker Allure Professional Steam Iron D3030

An excellent but less reliable iron.

This affordable iron produces more powerful steam than many other models we’ve tried (even pricier ones), so it removes wrinkles quickly. The company has strong customer service, too. The heating element, however, is prone to breaking.

Upgrade pick

Rowenta SteamForce DW9280

Top of the line.

The SteamForce DW9280 is the most reliable iron we’ve ever tested for regular use, with the strongest bursts of steam, but it costs nearly three times as much as many irons we’ve tried and has only a one-year warranty, the shortest among our picks.

How we picked

We looked for irons with forceful bursts and visible clouds of steam. The bigger the puff, the better the iron.

Our iron picks all have at least 1,500 watts, which is enough to get the job done.

We looked for irons that had comfortable handles and weren’t too heavy.

Ideally the cord should be at least 8 feet long so that you can comfortably work around the ironing board.

The Chi Electronic Iron with Retractable Cord 13102 is one of the best irons I’ve ever tested, and it’s been a reliable performer for three years of regular use on clothes, bedding, and sewing and craft projects (where it really shines). Its steam bursts are almost as powerful as those of our upgrade pick, the Rowenta DW9280, but smoother. It’s lighter, too, and it has a slightly larger water tank, so it can produce steam for a couple of minutes longer. It’s our only pick with a retractable cord, and it has a 30-minute auto-shutoff time when you leave it vertical, the longest of any iron I’ve tried; this is helpful for sewists and crafters who want an iron that stays hot while they’re working on a project.

The Black+Decker Allure Professional Steam Iron D3030 creates strong whooshes of steam, its stainless steel plate glides smoothly across a variety of fabrics, and its handle is comfortable to hold and use. It’s a fantastic, affordable iron—as long as it works. This iron was once our top pick, but after a year, the heating element in our test unit broke. Thanks to its two-year warranty, I easily traded it in for a replacement, which I’ve been using since late 2016 with no problems. We’ve seen similar reports of mixed reliability in reviews, as well. If you don’t mind possibly replacing this iron every so often, it’s still a top performer, and it’s almost half the price of the Chi 13102.

The Rowenta SteamForce DW9280 performs better than any other iron I’ve tested. It melts creases out of crinkled button-downs and flattens quilt seams with almost no effort. I’ve never seen an iron give off more steam. I’ve been using our original test model since 2015, and it still produces strong steam, with just a few minor water leaks onto fabrics. It’s heavier and much more expensive than the Chi and Black+Decker irons, but it’s worth the upgrade if you craft or sew (that weight is helpful for pressing seams), do tons of laundry, or want an iron with the best chance of surviving more than a couple of years.

The research

Why you should trust us, who should get this, how we picked and tested, our pick: chi electronic iron with retractable cord 13102, budget pick: black+decker allure professional steam iron d3030, upgrade pick: rowenta steamforce dw9280, what to look forward to, the competition.

I’m a senior staff writer at Wirecutter, and I’ve covered irons since 2015. I’ve also written our guides to ironing boards , sheets , blankets , and robes (among many others), and I’m a quilt designer with more than a decade of experience. I iron almost every day. I’ve talked about irons with Ingrid Johnson, a professor in the Textile Development and Marketing Department at the Fashion Institute of Technology; Tod Greenfield, co-owner of bespoke New York City tailor Martin Greenfield Clothiers ; Kimberly Chaveco, senior product manager at Rowenta at the time of our interview; and members of the NYC Metro Modern Quilters Guild (I’m a former member myself but have since moved to the Seattle area).

Nothing I’ve tried—using a steamer, hanging things in the shower, or grabbing clothes right out of the dryer—combats tough creases like an iron. An iron is the most effective tool for busting wrinkles, for creating sharp pleats, and for sewing and crafting. If you hate to iron, though, and most of your clothes and linens just get lightly rumpled, choose a steamer instead; here are our favorite steamers .

In addition to testing irons for Wirecutter, as a quilter I’ve been a heavy iron user for years. I’ve also read hundreds of iron owner reviews on various major retailer sites, including Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, and Walmart, and I’ve checked review sites like The Strategist and Good Housekeeping for their recommendations, noting how they compare to my own testing experience. These are the qualities I’ve found that make the best irons:

Strong steam bursts: The amount of steam whooshing out of an iron’s soleplate affects how quickly you can press an item, especially with heavier fabrics. I look for forceful bursts and visible clouds of steam while ironing—the bigger the puff, the better the iron. I also look for irons that strike a good balance between lots of steam and a water tank that doesn’t need constant refilling.

Enough wattage: Every iron we recommend offers at least 1,500 watts, which is enough to get the job done. In testing, I’ve found that low-wattage irons don’t produce enough heat and steam to fight tough wrinkles. Higher-priced, more powerful irons—like the Rowenta SteamForce DW9280, which has 1,800 watts—produce bigger clouds of steam and make the task faster.

Comfort: An iron that is too heavy or has an uncomfortable handle makes the chore harder on your arms and hands. Some heft can be helpful for pushing wrinkles out of fabric, but having the right combination of weight, an ergonomic handle, and powerful steam makes ironing much easier.

A good warranty and responsive customer service: Testing irons for this guide has been particularly frustrating because we’ve found so many of them—even the top performers—to have reliability problems. We’ve been reporting on irons since 2013, and almost every year we’ve changed our picks after long-term testing and reader feedback revealed problems. The best irons we’ve tried perform beautifully, but we just can’t guarantee they’ll last long. If an iron is going to fail, it seems to happen within two years of purchase (based on my experience and all the reviews I’ve read), and that’s the typical warranty length I’ve seen. And if you do have to replace your iron under warranty, you need good customer service to make the process as painless as possible.

A long cord: A cord that’s at least 8 feet long offers more mobility for you to work along the entire length of an ironing board and makes the iron easier to use if you’re tall. A long cord is also helpful if your electrical outlets aren’t conveniently located.

After evaluating models based on the above criteria, reading owner reviews, and combing our own reader comments, I came up with a list of 16 irons in 2019. We narrowed the list to 13 irons that we brought in for testing, including brand-new samples of our three current picks for retesting, new-to-us irons, and a few options that we had tested and dismissed in years prior. (These were models that other publications, including The Strategist and Good Housekeeping , recommended—I wanted to give them a fresh look.)

In 2019, I set up the irons in my home with our top-pick ironing board , the Brabantia Ironing Board B, and ran them through a series of tests. I timed how long each iron took to heat up and to automatically shut off (a safety feature that’s standard on every iron I’ve seen). I measured the water tanks to their fill lines, timed how long the steam lasted before the tank needed a refill, and noted how powerful the bursts were. I also measured the length of the cords.

I tested each iron’s wrinkle-busting ability on a variety of materials that I kept in a laundry basket for a week to make sure they were good and wrinkly: button-down shirts, cotton pillowcases, silk tops, cotton-polyester tees, and denim. I noted which irons produced weak steam or leaked water from the holes in the soleplate, causing wet spots. I also noted how comfortable each iron was to hold and use, and I recruited another tester (my mom) to weigh in on comfort, too. For 2019, the top performers turned out to be the same three irons we’d been recommending and long-term testing for several years: the Maytag M400 (now discontinued), the Rowenta DW9280, and the Black+Decker D3030. In 2023, we replaced the discontinued Maytag model with the Chi 13102, which we had been long-term testing since 2019.

The 1,700-watt Chi Electronic Iron with Retractable Cord 13102 is a fantastic steam iron that has performed reliably for three years of continued testing. It’s a new top pick for 2023, but I originally tested it in 2019 and have continued using it regularly since. We’ve had several top-pick irons over the years, and this Chi model is the most expensive iron we’ve ever recommended as a top pick, but it is so pleasant to use, and so durable compared with our past top picks, that we’ve concluded it’s a worthwhile investment. It’s an effective everyday iron for eliminating wrinkles, it’s the most comfortable of our picks to use, and it has clever features that make it my favorite iron for sewists and crafters. It’s been consistently available since it was released in 2017, and it comes with a two-year limited warranty from the manufacturer (PDF) .

The Chi 13102’s steam burst function is almost as powerful as that of our longtime upgrade pick, the Rowenta SteamForce DW9280 . The Rowenta iron’s steam bursts are short and assertive—perfect for attacking the toughest creases—but the Chi iron’s bursts are long and smooth, so it applied more consistent steam to the surface of our test fabrics in our 2019 testing. The Chi iron also has a larger water tank than the Rowenta model (12 ounces versus 10 ounces), so it can produce steam for a few minutes longer before needing a refill. And in three years of semi-regular use of the Chi 13102, I’ve never had problems with drips from the plate’s holes, which are a chronic issue with most irons I’ve tested, including the Rowenta DW9280 and our budget pick, the Black+Decker D3030 .

Since 2019, the Chi 13102 has become my go-to iron because it’s so comfortable to use. At 3.3 pounds, it is heavier than the Black+Decker iron but lighter than the Rowenta model. It feels well balanced, and its heftiness helps apply pressure to fabrics so I don’t need to push down as hard on wrinkles to eliminate them. Because of those long, smooth bursts of steam, I also don’t have to push the steam button as often, which is a thumb-saver during frequent use or long sessions at the ironing board. The ceramic soleplate (Chi’s marketing says it’s “titanium infused,” whatever that means) glides more easily across most fabrics than the stainless steel plates of the Black+Decker and Rowenta irons. Even little touches such as the water-tank cover, which has a sliding latch instead of a flip top as on most irons, and the retractable cord (it’s our only pick that has one) are less physically taxing to use, and they make the whole experience of ironing less of a hassle.

As someone with over 15 years of experience quilting and sewing, I love this iron for almost every craft project, from quilts to Halloween costumes. (For messier projects that might melt onto the iron’s soleplate, however, I’d opt for the cheaper, easily replaced Black+Decker model.) My favorite feature on this Chi iron is its 30-minute auto-shutoff time, the longest of any iron I’ve tried (most are about eight minutes). If you’re working on a project and constantly going back and forth to the ironing board, this feature is a time-saver, keeping the iron hotter for longer so it’s ready when you are—this is especially helpful for the Chi 13102 because it’s the slowest of our picks to heat up and produce steam. This Chi model also has the longest, narrowest tip of our picks, which helps it get into pesky tight spaces if you’re pressing, say, a complicated quilt block or working on a curved garment seam.

How the Chi Electronic Iron with Retractable Cord 13102 has held up

The Chi 13102 looks almost as new as it did when I opened the box in 2019. The buttons and mechanisms all still function smoothly, with no signs that springs or screws are starting to wear down. It heats up as well as it did on day one, and the auto-shutoff feature still seems to last as long as ever.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

If you’re forgetful about shutting off your iron when you’re finished, or if you have young kids or curious pets around, the Chi 13102’s 30-minute auto-shutoff time might not work for you. Both of our other picks shut off after less than 10 minutes. And, as we mentioned, this Chi iron is the priciest top pick we’ve ever had in this guide. We were reluctant to recommend it in 2019 because of the price, but after observing several years of standout performance and consistent availability, we believe it’s an investment that should pay off over time.

The Black+Decker Allure Professional Steam Iron D3030 is the best iron I’ve found for about $50. It was once a top pick, and it’s one of the most powerful irons I’ve tried. It has the most unpredictable reliability of our picks, though, which is why we no longer recommend it in the top spot. This Black+Decker iron consistently produces stronger bursts of steam than most other irons I’ve tested, even though it’s less powerful than our other picks, with only 1,600 watts. It weighs 3.1 pounds, making it the lightest of our picks (the Chi 13102 is 3.3 pounds and the Rowenta DW9280 is 3.9 pounds), and it has a 14-ounce water tank, the biggest of our picks. As a result, it produces steam for longer than the Chi and Rowenta models, lasting about 22 minutes before needing a refill. In addition, the D3030 is the fastest to heat up of the irons we recommend, producing steam in 30 seconds. I’ve also tried the Allure D3040 , a very similar iron with a digital display, but I’ve found the cheaper D3030 to be the better performer.

This Black+Decker model’s reliability problems are well documented in owner reviews. I also had to replace our original review unit when the heating element suddenly stopped working after a year (I used the iron two or three times a week). The two-year warranty covered it, though, and Black+Decker’s replacement process was straightforward—I didn’t have to send back the whole iron, just the plug. I’ve now been using its replacement since 2016 with no problems. That’s more than six years of steady performance, with semi-regular use, from the replacement, although over time the Chi 13102 has surpassed the D3030 as my favorite everyday iron because it’s more comfortable to use. That length of service would make the D3030 more reliable than almost any other iron I’ve tested if it were not for the breakage of our initial test model. Irons, especially cheap irons, are unpredictable, and the D3030 is a perfect example—you could end up with one that breaks quickly or one that lasts for ages. For the price and performance, we recommend it as long as you don’t mind the possibility of replacing your iron every so often. It’s excellent—until it isn’t.

How the Black+Decker Allure Professional Steam Iron D3030 has held up

These days, the Black+Decker D3030 looks and feels like a six-year-old iron. It doesn’t look as new and shiny as it did when it came out of the box, and some of the buttons make creakier noises than they used to. The iron still works perfectly, though, and I’ve managed not to melt stuff on the soleplate or stain it with anything.

If an iron can be dreamy, the Rowenta SteamForce DW9280 is dreamy. This German-made iron has been the top performer in our tests since I first used it in 2015—it has flattened every wrinkle I’ve tried it on. The stainless steel soleplate has about 400 holes (I haven’t counted; that’s from the manufacturer), the same number as the Chi 13102 advertises, so it releases big clouds of steam to melt creases away. Its steam burst function, which shoots out an extra punch of steam to target problem creases at the press of a button, is much more forceful than the Chi iron’s. When I’m ironing something I’ve sewn, I push the burst button constantly to flatten new seams, and that extra force does wonders to smooth everything into place. It is less comfortable to push than the Chi model’s steam burst button, though, so over time your fingers might get stiff from using it. This iron’s tip offers Rowenta’s Precision Shot, a group of holes that emit an even more concentrated blast of steam for tougher creases. The DW9280 has a good-size water tank (10 ounces) in comparison with several other irons I’ve tested, but it’s the smallest of our picks, and it produces steam for only 12 minutes before needing a refill. Because this Rowenta model is so powerful, though, it makes up for its thirst for water by getting the job done a little faster.

The Rowenta DW9280 is the most reliable of our picks, too. Our original test iron lasted for four years of regular to heavy use on quilt seams and a variety of other fabrics before the steam feature stopped working in late 2019. Although the Black+Decker D3030 I’m currently long-term testing has lasted for six years, that iron has been through less rigorous everyday use than our original DW9280 test unit, which I used into the ground (ironing became a low priority at my house over the course of the pandemic). I’ve been testing our replacement DW9280 test iron since fall 2019, with no problems after three-plus years (although, again, it’s getting less regular use). Rowenta covers the DW9280 with a one-year warranty in the United States, which is less generous than the two-year warranties accompanying our picks from Chi and Black+Decker, but since our test unit performed well for so long, the warranty might not be as important a consideration for the DW9280 as it is for other irons.

The DW9280 also drips a bit more water from its steam holes than our other picks do, so it might not be ideal for delicate, water-stainable fabrics. I’ve read enough reviews to know that leaks are a common problem with all Rowenta irons, but I’ve tested six of the company’s models, and the DW9280 is the best when it comes to leaks. This iron is also heavier than our other picks (3.9 pounds, in contrast to the 3.3-pound Chi 13102 and 3.1-pound Black+Decker D3030), and that weight can help it push out the toughest wrinkles. It may be too heavy for some people to use comfortably, but because it gives off so much steam, I’ve found that using it cuts down on ironing time overall, which is helpful if you have mountains of laundry. The cord is only 7 feet long, which is a little puny, and the DW9280 is expensive—usually almost three times as much as the D3030. But I know that it lasts for years, so if you want the most powerful, reliable iron available, I’m confident this is it.

How the Rowenta SteamForce DW9280 has held up

I still love the way it feels to pick up the Rowenta DW9280 and blast a wrinkle with it. Our current test model is the same age as the Chi iron I’ve been testing, and over time the Chi model has come to feel a little sleeker and less noisy. But this Rowenta iron’s soleplate looks new, its steam functions all work as well as ever, and it still heats up the way I expect it to.

In early 2023 we’ll be testing several new irons under $100, including the Conair ExtremeSteam Pro Steam Iron GI300 , the Rowenta Access Steam DW2459 , and the Singer SteamCraft Plus . We’re also considering some cordless irons—a category we haven’t tested in years—as well as newer iron models from Chi. We’ll update this guide with fresh testing results soon.

The Black+Decker Allure Digital Stainless Steel Soleplate Iron D3040 is a slightly upgraded version of the Black+Decker D3030 , our budget pick. The main difference is this model’s digital display, which is a flashy, fun add-on but is a little less intuitive than the controls of the D3030. The main reason we didn’t pick this iron is that it didn’t perform as well as the D3030 or the Chi 13102. It also now appears to be discontinued.

I hated the Black+Decker Vitessa Advanced Steam Iron ICR2020 . It was hard to fill, it was uncomfortable to hold, and the steam was flimsy and ineffective. It’s only 1,200 watts, lower than we recommend—and in our tests, using it was a good reminder of the importance of a more powerful iron.

We brought in the PurSteam Professional Grade 1700 Watt Steam Iron for testing and then discovered that it was discontinued.

The Rowenta Everlast Anticalc DW7180 leaked right away during our testing, and there’s no excuse for an iron costing $100-plus to leak straight out of the box. It also was the least effective iron in our 2017 testing for getting out wrinkles.

I used to own the Rowenta Professional DW8061 and had major problems with it leaking. The unit we tested in 2017 was no different: It gave off a good amount of steam, but the leaks became too problematic for delicate quilt work or favorite clothes.

The Shark Lightweight Professional GI435 (now discontinued) was terrible, which wasn’t a huge surprise for an iron so cheap ($25 at the time of our research). As soon as I started testing, it left a scorch mark on a T-shirt, with hardly any pressure.

The Sunbeam Turbo Steam Iron GCSBCL-202-000 has a retractable cord, a great feature if you want easy storage. It’s one of the least-powerful irons I’ve tested, but if you can find it for less than $20, it isn’t bad.

In past years we’ve also tested the Black+Decker Digital Advantage Professional Steam Iron D2030 , as well as these now-discontinued models:

• Hamilton Beach Chrome Electronic Iron 14955
• Maytag M400 (our previous top pick)
• Maytag Premium Analog
• Maytag Smartfill Digital Iron and Steamer M1200
• Oliso TG1050 Smart Iron
• Panasonic NI-E660SR
• Panasonic W950A
• Reliable V50
• Rowenta Eco-Intelligence DW6080
• Rowenta Effective Comfort
• Rowenta Focus DW5080
• Rowenta SteamCare DW3180
• Shark Ultimate Professional GI505 (a former runner-up)
• Singer Expert Finish
• T-fal Ultraglide FV4495

This article was edited by Daniela Gorny and Christine Ryan.

Ingrid Johnson, professor, Textile Development and Marketing Department at the Fashion Institute of Technology , email interview , October 28, 2015

Tod Greenfield, co-owner of Martin Greenfield Clothiers , phone interview , October 27, 2015

Kimberly Chaveco, senior product manager at Rowenta , email interview , January 12, 2016

Members of the NYC Metro Modern Quilters Guild , online group chat , October 14, 2015

Meet your guide

Jackie Reeve

Jackie Reeve is a senior staff writer covering bedding, organization, and home goods at Wirecutter since 2015. Previously she was a school librarian, and she’s been a quilter for about 15 years. Her quilt patterns and her other written work have appeared in various publications. She moderates Wirecutter’s staff book club and makes her bed every morning.

Further reading

The Best Labels for Kids School Gear and Clothing

by Lauren Sullivan

Customized labels are a cute and convenient way to help kids keep track of their own stuff—and get things back when they’re lost.

If You Hate Ironing, Try This Handheld Steamer Instead

by Elissa Sanci

An iron isn’t the only way to blast away wrinkles.

The Best Ironing Board

by Jackie Reeve

For the second time, our favorite board is the Brabantia Ironing Board B . It’s the best we’ve tried for the price—just the right size, with a sturdy build.

The Best Clothing Steamers

by Jackie Reeve and Zoe Vanderweide

To smooth wrinkles without an iron, try the Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam Garment Steamer . It’s light and easy to maneuver, and you can control the force of the steam.

Ironing Out the Details: The 6 Best Travel Irons for Your Next Trip!

The Best Travel Irons

Is there anything worse than buying some new clothes – maybe a great new top or a flowing dress – for a vacation only to land on the other side and realize that your luggage has wrinkled all your clothing?

Yes, garment bags exist, but everyone who’s used one knows their limitations, especially when they’re being lugged over a long trip.

People often trumpet the virtues of the travel steamer , but what people often don’t tell you is how long travel steamers take to heat up, how water is liable to spill everywhere, and how they just don’t seem to get the wrinkles out as well as irons.

With new technology allowing travel irons to be as compact as travel steamers (if not more, in many cases), the best flat travel irons are the way to go – keep reading for 6 of our favorites!

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The Best Travel Iron – Summary Comparison Chart

To summarize, here’s a chart summarizing the best travel irons and comparing the various features between the different brands.

Best Travel Irons 2019

1. Rowenta 1700-Watt Steam Iron

With 1700-watt power and a stainless steel soleplate with a precision tip for those annoying shirt and pant corners, the Rowenta DW5080 Focus 1700-Watt Micro Steam Iron has enough horsepower and dexterity to be considered one of the best irons full-stop, let alone one of the best travel irons.

Two of its best travel features?

The Rowenta travel steam iron offers a 3-way automatic safety shut-off feature and, crucially for international travel, operates with tap water so you don’t need to distill extra water just to look great!

Rowenta Travel Iron

Available on Amazon

Read more reviews here

2. Steamfast Home-and-Away Mini Iron

One of the best mini travel flat irons on the market, the Steamfast Mini Steam Iron packs all the punches.

Unlike even the best travel steamers, which measure their heat-up times in minutes, the Steamfast travel iron heats up in just 15 seconds.

Throw in a completely non-stick sole plate, dual voltage for travel convenience and a handy travel bag, and the Steamfast SF-717 has everything you could ask for in a travel flat iron!

Mini Steam Iron

3. Small Mini Travel Iron

This non branded Ceramic Portable Travel Iron offers great bang for your buck! For under $25, it offers 420-watts of power, an anti-drip design and a ceramic exterior that won’t stick to fabric.

It’s really well designed, small enough to easily pack away, but with an extra long power cord so you have enough room to iron and move around. 

Best of all?

It heats up in just 15 seconds!

Foldable Travel Iron

4. Utopia Iron with Nonstick Soleplate

Despite having the compact weight and dimensions of a typical travel flat iron, the Utopia Iron packs all the punch of a full-size at-home iron!

The Utopia Iron features a polarized pin plug for international use, a retractable cord measuring over an incredible 75 inches, overheat safety protection, and a 100% non-stick sole plate allowing it to iron just about any fabric.

Pair all this with an unbeatable price, and it’s hard to ask for more from one of the best mini travel flat irons!

Best Iron for International Travel

5. BLACK+DECKER Compact Iron

When it comes to getting one of the best travel irons that’s tough and gets the job done, it’s hard to imagine choosing a brand more synonymous with durability and craftsmanship than BLACK+DECKER .

It’ll come as no surprise that the Black & Decker IR03V Easy Steam Compact Iron features all the latest bells and whistles the best travel irons have to offer.

With technology that optimizes the steam level based on the temperature setting, regulates water temperatures to prevent dripping, and even allows the Black + Decker to function vertically like a travel steamer for quick touch-ups, this is the only travel steam iron you’ll ever need!

Most Compact Travel Iron

6. Sunbeam Compact Travel Iron

First of all, can we all agree that “ Hot-2-Trot ” is an utterly adorable name for a travel iron? Agreed?

Aside from its great name, the Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot earns its stripes as one of the best travel irons by managing to include all the travel iron essentials in the most compact iron to be found on this list.

The only thing more impressive than featuring dry and steam iron functionality and variable temperature settings in this baby of a travel iron is the price!

Small Travel Iron

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  Read More     in my travel packing checklist series:

Best Travel Luggage

The Best Carry on Luggage for 2021

The Best Packing Cubes for a Perfectly Organized Bag

The Best Lightweight Luggage for Overpackers

The Best Hard Luggage Sets  for Stylish Travelers

The Best Underseat Luggage  for Minimalists

The Best Carry On Bags for Men - Rugged + Durable!

Business Travel

The Essential Business Packing List

The Best Business Travel Luggage

The Best Laptop Cases for Working Women

The Best Laptop Bags for Men

Packing Hacks

The Best Travel Wallets for All Your Vacation Essentials

The Best Jewelry Cases Never Untangle a Necklace Again!

The Best Toiletry Bags to Clean Up Quick

Travel Packing Lists

The Best Travel Jackets for All Types of Weather

The Best Duffel Bags for Your Next Weekend Trip

The Best Travel Backpacks to Hold Everything You Need

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Best Travel Irons — Our Top 14 Picks

K eeping your clothes wrinkle-free can be challenging when you’re constantly on the move, attending meetings, or exploring new destinations. You can’t always count on your hotel to provide an ironing and ironing board, especially if you’re in a hurry to get out the door. That’s where travel irons come in handy. Far from being heavy and bulky in a suitcase, the best travel irons are lightweight and compact. We’ve picked out some of the best irons to keep you looking good on the go.

1. Sharper Image SI-755 Mini Steam Iron Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and buy, SheBuysTravel may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you. Sharper Image SI-755 Mini Steam Iron Buy Now

• Heats up in 1 minute and has three temperature settings
• Weighs just 1.1 lbs
• 1.2-ounce water tank and 8-foot power cord
• The non-stick sole plate and dual voltage for travel
• Compact size for quilting, travel, and craft projects

The remarkable mini travel iron boasts a one-minute heat-up time. With its 1.2-ounce water tank, you can easily fill it with the included measuring cup. The SI-755 is equipped for the most demanding ironing tasks with its impressive 350 watts of power. The non-stick soleplate enhances its performance and prevents rust buildup. A generous 8-foot power cord means you can plug in almost anywhere. Its compact size makes it a perfect companion for quilting, travel, craft projects, and more. And when your adventures take you abroad, there’s no need to worry about voltage compatibility. Simply select between 120 and 220 volts.

2. Conair EZ Press 800 Watt Steam Iron Conair EZ Press 800 Watt Handheld Steam Iron Buy Now

• Steam iron with variable steam feature and steam burst
• Stainless steel soleplate for a smooth glide and anti-slip heel for safety
• Lightweight design and 8-foot long cord for portability
• Steam or dry switch, variable heat, and temperature-ready light

The Conair EZ Press 800 Watt Steam provides 800 watts of power while remaining compact enough for travel convenience. Its special features designed for a seamless ironing experience set the EZ Press apart. It has a variable steam feature with a hot steam burst for stubborn wrinkles. The stainless steel soleplate guarantees a smooth glide across fabrics, making ironing a breeze. Adjustable heat settings, a temperature-ready light, and palm-sized dimensions add to the appeal of this powerful little steam iron.

3. Rowenta Compact Steel Soleplate Iron Rowenta Compact Steel Soleplate Iron Buy Now

• Compact and powerful iron with the 1000-watt micro steam soleplate
• Large, transparent water tank
• Folding handle for travel storage
• Dual-voltage system for 120V or 230V
• Precision tip for smoothening collars, seams, and narrow edges

Don’t be fooled by the Rowenta Compact Steel Soleplate’s sleek and compact design — this iron delivers a robust 1000-wattage performance. Its durable, microsteam stainless-steel soleplate effortlessly glides over fabrics. This iron is compatible with regular tap water, unlike some irons that demand distilled water. So, it simplifies your ironing routine. The large transparent water tank allows for easy monitoring. With a dual-voltage system that supports 120V and 230V, it’s a travel-friendly companion, ready for international adventures. Its sleek handle folds neatly for storage, and a travel pouch is included for added convenience.

Enter for a chance to win! ($349 VALUE)

4. Oliso M2 Mini Project Steam Iron Oliso M2 Mini Project Steam Iron Buy Now

• Heats up in 45 seconds and delivers a powerful steam burst
• Ergonomic design with diamond ceramic soleplate and precision tip
• Fabric selector for all fabrics, including synthetics, silk/wool, and cotton
• Silicone stand for safe storage and use

The Oliso M2 Mini Project Steam Iron packs 1000 watts of power. It delivers the performance of a full-sized iron while maintaining an ergonomic and lightweight design. One of its standout features is the Solemate, a practical high-temperature silicone stand that allows you to leave your iron in the face-down position, safeguards your fabrics, and protects your ironing board from scorching. Plus, the cord wraps around neatly for storage convenience.

The Oliso M2’s diamond ceramic soleplate, infused with natural minerals, ensures effortless gliding over delicate fabrics. The 8-foot, 180° pivot cord allows right- and left-handed use while keeping the cord out of your way.

5. Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot Travel Steam Iron Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot Travel Steam Iron Buy Now

• Lightweight and portable at 1.2 pounds
• Powerful shot of steam for horizontal or vertical ironing
• Easy-to-use soft-touch ergonomic handle with 8-foot cord
• Nonstick soleplate and fabric select dial for different fabrics

The Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot Travel Steam Iron has an impressive 800 watts of power and dual voltage capability. The included travel bag keeps it protected while you’re in transit. The soft-touch ergonomic handle keeps controls at your fingertips, and the 8-foot cord provides easy outlet access. It glides smoothly over fabrics with the non-stick soleplate. You can choose the perfect heat setting with the fabric select dial, and the 90 ml water tank will ensure plenty of steam to tackle your ironing tasks.

6. Black & Decker D340 Easy Steam Iron Black & Decker LIME GREEN Easy Steam Iron Buy Now

• Smart Steam Technology generates the exact amount of steam based on the fabric you select
• Motion-sensitive feature shuts iron off automatically when not in use
• Anti-drip design protects fabric from spotting
• Spray mist and superior steam relax fabrics to remove tough wrinkles

A home iron that’s small enough to be a travel iron, the Black+Decker D340 EasySteam Iron stands out for its smart steam technology, which automatically generates the perfect amount of steam based on your selected fabric. The TrueGlide nonstick soleplate glides seamlessly across fabrics to ensure a smooth ironing experience. Moreover, the auto shut-off motion shuts off the iron when not used. The 360º pivoting power cord enhances maneuverability. It allows you to iron with ease. Its lightweight construction further contributes to a comfortable ironing experience.

7. Newbealer Travel Iron with Dual Voltage Newbealer Travel Iron Buy Now

• Mini size and extremely lightweight
• Nonstick ceramic soleplate
• Quick heat-up and dry ironing
• Silicone resting stand

One of the most compact travel irons on our list, the Newbealer Travel Iron offers 300 watts of power and a dual-voltage switch for switching between 100 and 240 volts. The Newbealer features a nonstick ceramic soleplate that conducts heat quickly and is more scratch-resistant than stainless steel plates. Its smooth surface glides effortlessly over delicate fabrics. The front and back double-pointed arc design helps iron small areas like buttons, collars, and plackets. It heats up rapidly and maintains a constant temperature of 302℉ within 2 minutes, allowing you to go directly to dry ironing. The practical, resistant silicone stand during use ensures no damage to your table. Use the included spray bottle to mist stubborn wrinkles.

8. Nori Press Compact Iron Nori Compact Iron Buy Now

• Heats up in 3 minutes and reaches a maximum temperature of 400°F
• Applies direct heat and pressure to remove wrinkles quickly and easily
• Six heat fabric settings
• No need for an ironing board

With its twin soleplates and unique design, the Nori Press Compact Iron eliminates the need for heavy and clunky ironing boards and ensures it can efficiently smooth out wrinkles, even during a crunch. This iron and clothes steamer combo applies direct heat and pressure to remove unwanted wrinkles. It has six heat fabric settings and elongated arms that reach the center of the clothes. The pointed tip targets small, hard-to-reach areas. At 14 inches long, it easily fits into any suitcase or carry-on luggage and takes up about the same space as a curling iron.

9. SMAGREHO Dual Voltage Iron SMAGREHO Dual Voltage Iron Buy Now

• Steam heat-up in 15 seconds and three temperature settings 
• Dry and steam ironing for any type of fabric
• Dual voltage for use anywhere in the world
• Includes a carrying bag and measuring cup

SMAGREHO Dual Voltage Iron means business with its 1.4 water reservoir and a 15-second heat-up time. It is equipped with one-touch steam control and three temperature settings to allow you to effortlessly remove wrinkles from a variety of fabrics. One disclaimer: Some Amazon reviewers note that the iron retains heat after use, so exercise caution.

10. Ivation Small Ceramic Soleplate Iron Small Mini Iron Buy Now

• Powerful 420-watt iron with nonstick ceramic soleplate
• Quick-heat technology heats up in 15 seconds
• Three heat power levels and 1-touch steam control
• Extra-long power cord (7.5 feet) with a wrap-around design
• Anti-drip design prevents water stains

With 420 watts of power, this mini steam iron effortlessly removes wrinkles from almost any fabric. What sets this iron apart is its nonstick ceramic soleplate. It conducts heat quickly and is more scratch-resistant than stainless steel plates. This means smooth gliding and easy cleaning, even when working with delicate fabrics. Another standout feature of this small iron is its extra-long power cord (7.5 feet), which conveniently wraps and clips around the iron handle. An innovative anti-drip design prevents harmful burns and frustrating water stains.

11. Hamilton Beach 1200 Watt 2-in-1 Iron Hamilton Beach 1200 Watt 2-in-1 Iron Buy Now

• 2-in-1 iron and steamer for versatility
• Durable, nonstick soleplate glides smoothly across fabrics
• Easy to use steamer nozzle for removing wrinkles from hanging clothes
• Space-saving design

Smaller than a conventional iron and slightly bigger than most travel irons, this Hamilton Beach model combines the power of traditional ironing with the convenience of a garment steamer. Because it has a durable, nonstick soleplate that smoothly glides across all fabrics, it eliminates wrinkles without any sticking. Switch to the steamer nozzle to freshen up the clothes on the hanger. The wide nozzle directs continuous steam onto clothes. It’s not just a powerhouse but also a space-saving design, so ideal for your next trip where you need to look sharp.

12. DenniesCare Travel Portable Iron DenniesCare Travel Portable Iron Buy Now

• 700W ultra-fast heating element produces strong steam in 35 seconds
• Non-stick Teflon soleplate with flower vents for easy gliding
• Temperature control button for different ironing needs
• Anti-skidding handle for comfortable use

The DenniesCare travel steam iron features a foldable design that is lightweight and compact. But don’t let its small size fool you! This top travel iron means business, with its 700W ultra-fast heating element. The temperature control is at your fingertips. It allows you to adjust the heat to suit different ironing needs effortlessly. The non-stick Teflon soleplate with flower vents ensures smooth gliding over all fabric types. It takes care of stubborn wrinkles easily. A fine mist of water spray is just a press and release of the steam button away.

13. YIKA Portable Steamer Iron YIKA Portable Steamer Iron Buy Now

• Powerful steam clothing iron with 1200w heating elements
• Heats up in 45 seconds and offers 9 minutes of continuous steaming
• Three gears in temperature (203°F-302°F) and two gears in steaming function
• Large nonstick soleplate for easy gliding on all fabrics

With 1200 watts of heating power, this cordless iron delivers fast results, heating up in just 45 seconds. Its 160 ml water tank offers a generous 9 minutes of continuous steaming, making quick work of your ironing tasks. Choose from three temperature settings (203℉-302℉) for traditional ironing. The nonstick soleplate has a large size and is coated with nonstick material. It enhances the iron’s performance. We also love the stylish design of this mini steam iron.

14. Dritz 29500 Petite Press Portable Iron Dritz 29500 Petite Press Portable Mini Iron Buy Now

• Compact and lightweight design for crafting, quilting, and sewing
• Ergonomic handle for comfortable home use or hotel room
• Four-position adjustable head for precise ironing
• Four temperature settings for different fabrics
• Heats and holds temperature in minutes

So, this iron has a comfy handle and is super light to hold – no arm workout needed! Plus, it’s got this four-position head and four temperature settings, so it can handle all sorts of fabrics and crafting jobs. It’s also the tiniest item on our list of best travel irons and at 11 ounces, is also the lightest. It heats up quickly and gets really hot, according to verified Amazon reviews, and its small soleplate is handy for pleats, collars, or any other tight places.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Should i buy a travel iron.

Travel irons are designed to be small, lightweight, and energy-efficient. They are perfect for packing in a suitcase and using on the go, but they may not offer the same power or features as a traditional iron. That said if you want to keep your clothes looking good while you travel and don’t want to rely on a hotel iron, a travel iron is a smart investment.

Is a portable iron good?

A portable iron is ideal for those who travel frequently or don’t have much space to store a full-size iron. However, they are not recommended for ironing large sheets and curtains. Additionally, portable irons may not last as long as their traditional counterparts.

Which iron is better, steam or dry?

Steam irons are more efficient when removing wrinkles and creases from fabrics. They are also easier to use and less likely to scorch the fabric. Dry irons are more affordable and durable, but they are not as effective when removing wrinkles.

This article may contain affiliate links that Microsoft and/or the publisher may receive a commission from if you buy a product or service through those links.

11 Best Travel Iron That Will Take Care Of Your Clothes On Vacations

Hello People,

You want to travel on a tight budget and avoid staying in hotels. One of the biggest challenges on this kind of journey is ironing clothes, right? So this article is all about the best travel iron for clothes that is easy to carry.

With a travel iron in your backpack , you can travel light and still look amazing when you arrive. Even if you pack correctly, you’ll inevitably have some wrinkled clothes. Use a travel iron briefly to remove the wrinkles .

Some of them can also be used as steamers, allowing you to de-wrinkle your clothing while it is still hanging. A tremendous little iron that fits tight areas is also a favourite among quilters.

For both quilters and travellers, the Steamfast SF-717 Mini Steam Iron(opens in the new tab) is ideal.

Best Travel Irons [Buying Guide]

There are a few things to consider when purchasing the best travel iron for you.

The higher the wattage, the more powerful the iron. The more powerful the iron, the quicker you’ll be able to iron heavier fabrics. If you tend to only wear lighter fabrics, then a higher wattage shouldn’t be necessary.

2. Dual Voltage

If any of your travels take you out of your home country, then it’s best to get a dual-voltage travel iron. The voltage output in the United States and Canada is about half of the output in most other countries.

If you visit Thailand and try to plug a US travel iron into a plug without having a travel converter or a dual-voltage iron, you’ll fry the iron. Almost all of the travel irons listed below are dual-voltage.

3. Heating Control

Ideally, your travel iron will allow you to adjust the heat settings. Adjustable heat settings allow you to iron a variety of fabrics without damaging the more delicate ones.

To keep your clothing looking nice you want to make sure your iron doesn’t leave burn or scorch marks from being too hot.

4. Portability

If it’s not easy to travel with, then it’s probably not something you want to bring along. The best irons will be easy to pack and won’t take up much space in your bag.

Some fold down, and others come with bags to make them easier to transport. Be sure to know the measurements of a travel iron before purchasing it so you can make sure you have space for it when you’re travelling4.

The biggest advantage travel irons have over standard irons is weight. Travel irons are lightweight and some even weigh less than one pound.

When considering weight, keep in mind that the smaller irons will weigh less, but they’ll also be smaller. The smaller the iron, the longer it’ll take to get the wrinkles out of your clothes.

Last update on 2024-04-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

A List of 11 Different Types of Best Travel Irons That Are Easy to Carry

Whether you are looking for the best travel steam iron or just a small travel iron that gets wrinkles out fast and is easy to pack, below you’ll find the top picks from all kinds of travel irons, including which ones are best for steaming only, international usage, and more.

1. Steamfast’s SF-717 Mini Steam Iron is the best overall

This 0.96-pound cutie includes a non-stick soleplate and a 1.4-ounce water tank. It offers three temperature settings for various types of fabric, a one-touch steam control feature, and heats up in 15 seconds. You have room to move, thanks to the 7.5-foot power cord.

It boasts 420 watts of power and depending on where you are in the world, you can easily change the voltage from 100 to 240 volts. It comes with a plastic measuring cup and a travel case, and it has a two-year warranty.

• QUICK HEAT UP TIME — A 1-ounce water tank heats...
• EQUIPPED FOR THE JOB — 800 watts of power...
• GREAT ON-THE-GO — Foldable handle allows for...
• NATURAL FABRIC CARE — Steam removes wrinkles...

Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

2. T-Fal FV4495: Best steam iron overall

The T-Fal FV4495 is ideal for fabrics that need strong heat to make them look smooth and crease-free. It is the hottest iron we tested, using 1,725 watts to attain a maximum temperature of 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

Working with stiff textiles or doing steam touch-ups is perfect for this iron. It includes 64 steam holes and a simple dial for adjusting steam pressure.

The iron turns off on its own after eight minutes of inactivity or after 30 seconds of being placed face down. This strong iron is practically flawless due to these safety features.

Along with its robust safety features, it also provides a good selection of convenience functions. The soleplate is nonstick and resistant to scratches.

The cable is the longest of any iron we tested as well. Even if you have a large ironing pile to get through, your arm shouldn’t become too fatigued because, despite its sturdy construction, this iron only weighs 2.5 pounds.

Additionally, the self-cleaning feature keeps this iron operating at its peak performance. When the FV4495 has reached the desired temperature, a helpful light will turn on.

Remember that the warranty period is not very long. That is somewhat unexpected given that the pricing is slightly above average. But with a more expensive product, we would anticipate greater coverage.

• Ceramic Coated Soleplate: This Sundu 1700W steam...
• Easy Thermostat Control: Based on fabric type, you...
• Safety Feature: Safety comes first. This iron...
• 15.21oz/450mL Water Tank: The iron comes fully...

3. Black + Decker IR1010 Light ‘N Easy Iron: Best cheap iron

Budget-friendly iron with all the essential functions you want in iron is the Black + Decker IR1010 Light ‘N Easy Iron.

A non-stick sliding plate and Smart Steam Technology, a function that decides how much steam to use based on the heat setting you’re using, are both to be expected.

You may also anticipate automatic shut-off, anti-drip, and a spray mist button, as with the majority of irons.

The Black + Decker IR1010 Light ‘N Easy Iron is quite difficult to fill, and the lid above the water hole occasionally snaps shut when you try to add water.

Given that it costs less than $30, the Black + Decker IR1010 Light ‘N Easy Iron does have a two-year warranty, which is decent.

Additionally, the cord of this iron is simple to loop around the base, saving you the trouble of detangling it every time you use it.

This iron automatically adjusts the steam, but there isn’t a button to boost the steam further, which could be a big disadvantage for some particularly difficult creases.

• SmartSteam Technology - Take the guesswork out of...
• Anti-Drip - The iron is engineered to prevent...
• Spray Mist - The push-button mister helps moisten...
• Automatic Shutoff - For added peace of mind, the...

4. Top All-Purpose Flat Iron

If you’re torn between a normal straightener and a travel flat iron, the Lucea flat iron straightens hair beautifully and smoothly.

Also, it functions as a styling iron with Rapid HeatIQ Technology. In addition to straightening, it also curls and waves hair, giving you various looks to experiment with.

Ideal for coarse and natural hair types, with up to 9 heat levels that can be adjusted. If you have a history of forgetting to use your styling products, the auto shut-off feature will come in handy! Also offered at Nordstrom!

• Rapid Heating – Our Professional Steam Iron...
• 3-Way Auto Shutoff – Our iron for clothes...
• Preset Modes – Choose from preset fabric modes...
• Vertical Steaming – This is an iron and steamer...

5. Top Two-In-One Flat Iron

The 6th Sense Mini Straightener is a 2-in-1 travel flat iron that combines a curling iron and a flat iron for simple carrying. In a few seconds, the 374°F temperature rises.

Your hair will seem lustrous and healthy thanks to the 1-inch tourmaline plate. It comes with a chic carrying case with leopard pattern insulation.

In our opinion, the best dual-voltage flat iron is one that can perform multiple tasks. Thus, we give this one a thumbs up!

Check out the Amobee 2in1 Mini Flat Iron Curling Iron, which according to our readers, is the most excellent 2-for-1 straightener set if you’re looking for more options.

• 【Durable Ceramic Soleplate】Outperforming...
• 【Rapid and Efficient Wrinkle Removal】Boasting...
• 【Large Capacity Water Tank】The 15.21oz (450ml)...
• 【Easy-Control Thermostat Knob】Tailored for...

6. Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot Travel Iron, Best Value

The non-stick soleplate of this 800-watt, 1-pound compact iron boasts a dual-voltage mechanism that can switch between 120 and 240 volts.

Whenever you need to get rid of persistent creases, use a shot of steam. With variable temperature control, you can use various types of materials. You can tell when the iron is hot, thanks to an indicator light.

• MADE TO TRAVEL: Hot-2-Trot Travel Iron 800 watt,...
• POWERFUL SHOT OF STEAM FEATURE: works horizontally...
• EASY-TO-USE: soft touch ergonomic handle keeps...
• NON-STICK SOLEPLATE: nonstick soleplate to easily...

7. Ivation Mini Iron Is The Best Anti-Drip

This dual-voltage, 420-watt small iron has an anti-drip construction and a non-stick ceramic soleplate.

It features three temperature settings ranging from 140 to 428 degrees Fahrenheit, worms in just 15 seconds, and releases steam with a touch.

The 7.5-foot cable clips into place after wrapping around the handle. It weighs 1.08 pounds and can carry 1.1 ounces of liquid.

• Powerful 420-Watt Mini Steam Iron Easily Removes...
• This Compact Iron Features Nonstick Ceramic...
• This Travel Iron Features Quick-Heat Technology...
• This Small Iron Features an Extra-Long Power Cord...

8. SMAGREHO Mini Travel Steam Iron, the best-looking

Why not get a red-hot portable iron, considering how much time you spend picking out beautiful accessories for your house and vacation?

It has three temperature settings for your different materials and heats up in just 15 seconds, so it’s more than just hot-looking.

 You can tell when it’s hot (in terms of temperature) by the heat indicator light. You can use a one-touch steam control to iron with or without steam.

It is a dual-voltage iron that operates between 100 and 240 watts so that you can travel the globe. It has a plastic measuring cup and a carrying bag, and it only weighs 1.15 pounds.

• Electronic Controls
• 485 Steam Holes Ceramic Soleplate
• 3-Way Auto Shut-Off
• Spray and Burst of Steam Functions

9. ABOX Travel Steamer Iron is the best steamer/iron .

You’re not sure if you need an iron or a steamer? Why not both? You can either iron your clothes (dry or with steam) on a level surface or steam them while hanging up with the ABOX Travel Steamer Iron.

The water tank has a capacity of 100 millilitres (3.38 ounces) for continuous steaming for seven minutes and requires only 40 seconds to heat up.

Even if you stand still for an extended period, a ceramic soleplate protects your clothing from fading.

The steamer iron weighs only 1.4 pounds and has an eight-foot retractable cord, making it the ideal travel companion.

• Powerful Steam Iron - 1200w heating elements,...
• Ironing - can be used as traditional iron work...
• Steaming - 2 gears in steaming function, max steam...
• Nonstick Soleplate - large soleplate coated with...

10. Steamfast SF-710 Mini Steam Iron

This small iron is smartly constructed to function both ways. It can be folded and used as a collar iron, or it can be spread out and used like a regular iron.

It is simple to throw into your bag because it weighs 12.3 ounces. No steam is available. However, there are six different heat settings for various fabrics.

11. Rowenta DW5080 Steam Iron: Best steam iron for precision

The Rowenta DW5080 Steam Iron is one of the more expensive models in our comparison, but for the money, you get a strong iron with 400 micro steam holes, the most we found.

This iron’s stainless steel soleplate will slide easily over your clothing and is made to operate with tap water. Although it may seem straightforward, one of this iron’s main selling qualities is its shape.

If your iron’s tip is pointed, you can reach into awkward spaces to iron shirts or collars, as well as get a neat finish on quilts and sewing projects.

The Rowenta DW5080 Steam Iron’s warranty is only for one year, which is disappointing given that this iron costs more than twice as much as several other irons in our review with longer warranties.

Additionally, it lacks features like a retractable cord and a digital display that some other, more expensive models have. However, if you don’t place much importance on these features, this iron is a good option due to the outstanding number of steam holes.

• Made With Chi Flat Iron Technology. Designed Using...
• Powerful Steam for Effortless Ironing. With Over...
• Retractable Cord. for Easy Use and Storage, the 8...
• Fabric Guide. Choose Your Fabric Type and the IRON...

What is the price of a steam iron?

We evaluated irons with substantial power, roomy water reservoirs, and responsive steam settings that range in price from $20 to $80.

Although there are irons that cost closer to $20, they often have fewer features and are less effective on sensitive textiles.

Important Things To Consider While Purchasing Best Travel Iron For Your Expensive Clothes

1. performance.

When it comes to ironing garments, you can find yourself doing less labour all of a sudden if you find a steam iron with a high wattage.

Greater steam capacity, more effective ironing, and less labour per garment are all benefits of additional power. Larger steam bursts can also be produced using an iron with a lot of steam pores.

Additionally, you can choose how much steam, if any, you use at once thanks to adjustable steam gauges.

If you anticipate using a lot of steam, seek appliances with quick steam regeneration durations between bursts.

There are various soleplate shapes as well, with the standard U shape or a tapered shape being the most popular.

These shapes make it simple to iron around buttons, collars, and other challenging areas. Irons with non-stick soleplates that stay clean or at the very least are simple to clean are also essential.

 A self-cleaning feature, anti-calcification, and anti-scale systems are all desirable since they help to lessen and remove impurities from the iron’s inner soleplate.

2. Easy of use

The best irons include a lengthy cord to provide you with more mobility while ironing, which is crucial if you’re working on a sewing or quilting project.

Additionally, it ought to include helpful features like a temperature alert to let you know when the iron is ready to use and, with digital irons, a user-friendly interface that is simple to understand and control.

When you get an unexpected call or are engrossed in an exciting TV show while ironing your favourite T-shirt, it might be easy to forget that your iron is plugged in, but most contemporary irons have you covered.

Make sure to take safety features like automatic shut-off into consideration when buying an iron.

Most irons are set to turn off after eight to fifteen minutes if they are left upright, or after 30 seconds if they are face down or tipped over. Having a burned garment or other severe dams

Dual Voltage: What Does It Mean?

A few electronic devices are made to be used internationally. They will therefore be identified as “dual voltage.”

There are two voltage ranges for dual voltage electronics: 110-120V and 220-240V. They are perfect for travel because they are secure to use domestically and internationally.

Some products, including more recent Macbooks and iPhones, include dual voltage that adapts to the destination automatically.

However, you might have to manually change the voltage in some products, like hair tools, by turning an exterior switch.

You would be better off leaving your device at home if it isn’t dual voltage. However, the majority of contemporary gadgets, like phones and laptops, already come with a double voltage feature built in.

Dual voltage flat irons, often known as dual voltage straighteners, come in two voltage ranges: 110-120V and 220-240V. They are perfect for travel because they are secure to use domestically and internationally.

What Justifies the Need for a Dual Voltage Flat Iron When Traveling Abroad ?

Electricity is referred to as voltage, and there are several sorts of electricity in various nations. Your devices will, therefore, likely not function if you take them to a different country because they are the same voltage as the one in which you purchased them.

For instance, while Europe uses 220-240V, the US uses 110-120V. Our electronics could trip a fuse if we plug them into each other’s outlets and cease functioning. They may even damage your hair in some circumstances.

FAQs About Best Travel Irons

Can you take a travel iron on a plane.

Yes, you can take iron in the plane but if you’re unsure of what you can bring as hand luggage, contact your airline before you leave.

Are travel irons allowed on cruise ships?

Because they present a fire risk, clothing irons and steamers are not allowed on cruise ships. If you require it, almost every cruise ship in the globe has some type of onboard washing service, and if you’d prefer a less expensive and more convenient option, there is also wrinkle release spray.

How much does a travel iron weigh?

Different variants with various weights are available on the market. A typical portable iron, however, weighs only 1-2 pounds.

Do I need a travel iron?

It’s difficult to avoid the need for a travel iron if you frequently travel, especially in a professional position. Travel irons are intended to keep you looking fresh when you’re on the travel.

Tell Us In The Comments As Per You Which Are The  Best Travel Irons?

Also, don’t forget to book your personalised holiday package with  Fiery Trippers . Let us make your vacation a romantic as well as a dreamy getaway.

Rahul Siddharth

He is a dedicated travel writer with a wealth of 10 Years + experience that enriches his narratives. He holds a degree in Hospitality and Hotel Administration from IHM Dehradun, which he couples with hands-on expertise in the field. Drawing from his diverse experiences, Rahul's writings offer readers a captivating glimpse into the world of travel. Embark on a journey of exploration and inspiration with Rahul as your guide. Read More

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Winter is here! Check out the winter wonderlands at these 5 amazing winter destinations in Montana

• Travel Essentials & Accessories

13 Best Travel Iron for 2024

Published: August 21, 2023

Modified: December 27, 2023

by Florella Krieger

• Hotel Reviews
• Tech & Gear

Are you tired of arriving at your destination only to find that your clothes are wrinkled and unappealing? Look no further! In this article, we will explore the 13 best travel irons for 2023. Whether you're a frequent traveler or have an upcoming vacation, having a reliable and compact travel iron is essential to ensure your clothes look their best. With advancements in technology, these irons offer a combination of functionality, efficiency, and portability. So, get ready to say goodbye to those pesky wrinkles and say hello to crisp, wrinkle-free clothes no matter where you go.

Jump to Review

Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot Travel Steam Iron

This product has a rating of A. * What does this rating mean?

Overall Score : 8/10

The Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot Travel Steam Iron is the ultimate companion for all your travel ironing needs. This compact and portable iron weighs just 1.2 pounds, making it lightweight and easy to carry. It features dual voltage capability, so you can use it both locally and internationally. The iron comes with a travel bag for added convenience. With its powerful shot of steam feature, you can easily iron hanging garments, upholstery, or drapery. The non-stick soleplate glides effortlessly over fabrics, and the fabric select control dial ensures the right heat for different materials. The iron has an 8-foot cord for easy maneuverability, and the soft-touch handle provides comfort during use. Whether you're traveling or at home, the Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot Travel Steam Iron is a reliable and efficient choice.

Key Features

• 800 watt, dual voltage for travel
• Powerful shot of steam for vertical use
• Soft touch ergonomic handle
• Non-stick soleplate for easy gliding
• Fabric select control dial for different materials
• 8-foot cord for freedom of movement
• Travel bag included
• 1-year limited warranty

Specifications

• Color: Light Blue
• Dimension: 3.60Lx7.90Wx4.00H
• Size: 1 Iron
• Portable and lightweight
• Versatile horizontal and vertical use
• Easy to use with soft touch handle
• Effortless gliding with non-stick soleplate
• Suitable for different fabric types
• Long cord for easy maneuverability
• Comes with a travel bag
• Slightly heavy for ultralight travel
• Cord placement may be inconvenient for left-handed users
• May not be suitable for use on cruise ships
• Some durability concerns

The Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot Travel Steam Iron is a reliable and efficient iron that offers convenience and versatility for both travel and home use. Its compact size and lightweight design make it easy to carry, while the powerful shot of steam feature allows for effective ironing of hanging garments and upholstery. The non-stick soleplate ensures smooth gliding, and the fabric select control dial offers the right heat for different materials. However, it may not be suitable for those seeking an ultralight travel option, and left-handed users may find the cord placement inconvenient. Overall, this iron is a great choice for travelers and those looking for a compact ironing solution.

Portable Travel Iron with Dual Voltage

Overall Score : 8.5/10

The Newbealer Travel Iron with Dual Voltage is the ultimate accessory for any traveler. Its compact and lightweight design makes it perfect for packing in a suitcase or travel bag, while its dual-voltage switch allows it to be used worldwide. With 300 watts of power and a non-stick ceramic soleplate, this iron is capable of removing wrinkles from almost any fabric. The Diamond Coated ceramic soleplate conducts heat quickly and is more scratch-resistant than stainless steel. The iron heats up to a constant temperature of 302℉ within 2 minutes, making it perfect for quick touch-ups on the go. It also comes with a travel pouch, water spray bottle, and silicone rest for added convenience and protection. The Newbealer Travel Iron is not only practical and efficient, but it also adds a touch of sophistication and style to your travels.

• 100-240V Dual Voltage, Ideal for Travel
• Mini Size & Extreme Lightweight
• Nonstick Ceramic Soleplate
• Dry Ironing & Easy to Use
• All Types of Fabric
• Color: Gold
• Dimension: 6.00Lx3.10Wx1.30H
• Size: 120V/220V (6"x3")
• Dual voltage for worldwide use
• Compact and lightweight design
• Non-stick ceramic soleplate for easy gliding
• Quick heating and constant temperature
• Includes travel pouch, spray bottle, and silicone rest
• Suitable for all types of fabric
• No steam option within the iron
• Silicone grip pad is the same size as the iron
• Takes a long time to cool off
• Slightly heavy for airplane travel
• Not suitable for all types of fabric

The Newbealer Travel Iron with Dual Voltage is a must-have accessory for any traveler. Its compact size, lightweight design, and dual-voltage capabilities make it perfect for use anywhere in the world. The non-stick ceramic soleplate ensures effortless gliding over fabrics, while the quick heating and constant temperature provide efficient wrinkle removal. The included travel pouch, spray bottle, and silicone rest add to the overall convenience and protection. Although it has a few drawbacks, such as the lack of a steam option and slightly slower cooling, the pros outweigh the cons. Overall, this travel iron is a reliable and practical companion for all your travel adventures.

Steamfast SF-710 Mini Steam Iron

Overall Score : 7.8/10

The Steamfast SF-710 Mini Steam Iron is a compact and portable travel accessory that ensures wrinkle-free clothing wherever you go. With a quick heat-up time of just 45 seconds, this mini steam iron is equipped with various temperature settings and a steam burst button to handle different fabric types. It features 800 watts of power and four steam outlets for effective wrinkle removal, while the foldable handle adds convenience during travel. The steam function freshens fabric without the need for harsh chemicals, promoting natural fabric care. With superior performance and design, this mini steam iron comes with a 2-year warranty and customer service support. Its built-in safety features make it suitable for use in the United States only.

• Quick heat up time of 45 seconds
• Temperature control dial and steam burst button
• 800 watts of power and 4 steam outlets
• Foldable handle and included measuring cup
• Steam function for natural fabric care
• Supported by a customer service team
• Certified, safety-tested, and warrantied for use in the U.S.
• Color: White
• Dimensions: 7.10Lx3.00Wx3.70H
• Compact and portable design
• Quick and efficient wrinkle removal
• Suitable for various fabric types
• Convenient for travel with foldable handle
• Easy and safe to use with temperature control
• Water needs frequent refilling
• May leave splotches on delicate fabric
• Some instances of leaking and overheating
• Not suitable for use outside of the U.S.
• Limited lifespan reported in some cases

The Steamfast SF-710 Mini Steam Iron is a convenient and efficient companion for travelers and those seeking a compact iron for everyday use. Despite its small size, it provides quick and effective wrinkle removal with various temperature settings and steam functionality. The foldable handle and included measuring cup make it easy to pack and use on the go. While some users have experienced issues like water leakage and overheating, the majority find this iron to be reliable and durable. With its natural fabric care and 2-year warranty, the SF-710 offers a great balance of performance, convenience, and portability. Say goodbye to wrinkled clothes while traveling and enjoy a refreshed look wherever you are!

Portable Handheld Iron, Brynnl Mini Handheld Steamer Iron

Overall Score : 6.5/10

The Portable Handheld Iron by Brynnl is a mini, lightweight, and portable garment steamer. It features a ceramic panel heating system that quickly removes wrinkles and is safe to use on various fabrics. The 180° rotatable design and pointed curved design allow for easy ironing of narrow areas. This handheld steamer is simple to use and heats up quickly in just 3 minutes. It is ideal for both home and travel use, as it is compact and easy to store. The Brynnl Portable Handheld Iron is perfect for on-the-go individuals who want to keep their clothes wrinkle-free.

• Mini handheld garment steamer for easy ironing without an ironing board
• Ceramic panel heating for quick wrinkle removal
• Pointed curved design for ironing narrow areas
• Easy to use and heats up quickly
• Compact and lightweight for travel use
• Dimension: 1.97Lx1.57Wx1.18H
• Size: 15 x 12
• Heats up quickly
• Can be used for dry and wet ironing
• Ceramic panel is scratch-resistant
• Not a traditional steamer, only releases limited steam
• Short cord length
• No stand included

The Brynnl Portable Handheld Iron is a convenient and lightweight option for individuals who need to keep their clothes wrinkle-free while on the go. It offers quick and efficient wrinkle removal with its ceramic panel heating system. Although it may not provide the same level of steam as a traditional steamer, it makes up for it with its compact design and easy-to-use features. Keep in mind that the cord length is short, and there is no stand included. Overall, it is a practical choice for travel purposes, earning a score of 6.5 out of 10.

Wavytalk Mini Flat Iron

The Wavytalk Mini Flat Iron is a compact and lightweight hair straightener that is perfect for travel. It features advanced PTC ceramic heaters for even heat distribution and 3D floating plates for snag-free and frizz-free results. With a rapid heating time of just 30 seconds, this mini flat iron allows you to achieve salon-quality hairstyles quickly. It can be used for both straightening and curling, making it versatile for various hair types and styles. The dual voltage feature makes it suitable for worldwide use, and its small size and lightweight design make it easy to store and carry. Overall, the Wavytalk Mini Flat Iron is a convenient and effective travel companion for achieving beautiful hair on the go.

• Ceramic Mini Flat Iron with 3D floating plates
• Rapid heating in just 30 seconds
• Ideal for bangs, bobs, short and thin hair
• Lightweight and portable design
• Color: Graphite Black
• Dimension: 6.70Lx0.70Wx0.01H
• Size: Small
• Compact and lightweight for travel
• Versatile for both straightening and curling
• Quick heat-up time
• Dual voltage for international use
• May take longer to style larger amounts of hair
• Lock feature and stability could be improved

The Wavytalk Mini Flat Iron is a reliable and convenient companion for travelers who want to maintain their hairstyling routine on the go. Its compact size and lightweight design make it easy to pack and store, while its advanced ceramic heating technology ensures salon-quality results. Whether you have short hair, bangs, or thin hair, this mini flat iron can handle a variety of styling needs. The dual voltage feature adds to its versatility and makes it suitable for use anywhere in the world. While it may take a bit longer to style larger amounts of hair, the Wavytalk Mini Flat Iron provides excellent value for its price and is a worthwhile investment for travel enthusiasts.

Sharper Image Mini Steam Iron

The Sharper Image SI-755 Mini Steam Iron is the perfect travel companion for anyone on the go. With its quick heat-up time and dual voltage convenience, this mini iron is equipped to remove wrinkles from almost any fabric. Its compact size and versatile design make it ideal for quilting, travel, craft projects, and more. The iron features 1-touch steam control, 3 temperature settings, and a non-stick sole plate for easy use and maintenance. With a customer rating of 4.4/5, this mini steam iron has received rave reviews for its portability, functionality, and lightweight design. However, some users have found that the steamer function is not as effective as a normal steamer. Overall, the Sharper Image SI-755 Mini Steam Iron is a must-have accessory for travelers and craft enthusiasts alike.

• QUICK HEAT UP TIME: 1.1 ounce water tank heats up in one minute
• EQUIPPED FOR THE JOB: 350 watts of power and non-stick sole plate
• DUAL VOLTAGE CONVENIENCE: Select between 120 and 220 volts
• VERSATILE DESIGN: Compact size perfect for quilting, travel, craft projects
• Dimension: 5.30Lx3.00Wx3.70H
• Portable and easy to use
• Great for travel with wrinkled clothes
• Functional and lightweight
• Perfect for baby girl dresses
• Convenient for working with fabric pieces
• No need for distilled water or ironing board
• Small and light enough for carry-on
• Gentle for arthritic hands
• Steaming function is not professional-grade
• Short lifespan for heavy usage

The Sharper Image SI-755 Mini Steam Iron is a highly recommended travel accessory. Its compact size, quick heat-up time, and dual voltage feature make it perfect for globetrotters. It is praised for its effectiveness in removing fabric wrinkles and its lightweight design. However, the steaming function may not meet professional standards, and the iron may have a short lifespan with heavy usage. Despite these minor drawbacks, this mini steam iron is a valuable tool for travelers, craft enthusiasts, and those with arthritic hands. Whether you want to keep your clothes neat on-the-go or pursue your creative projects, the Sharper Image SI-755 Mini Steam Iron delivers convenience and functionality.

Mini Iron for Crafts Quilting

Overall Score : 8.1/10

The Mini Iron for Crafts Quilting is a compact and portable ironing solution that is perfect for travel and crafting. It is easy to operate and comes with different gears for various objects. With its upgraded mini size, it is easy to carry and store, making it highly convenient. This small iron is suitable for crafting, DIY projects, and ironing clothes for your family. It makes a great gift for craft lovers, students, and housewives. The mini iron features a comfortable handle, a high-strength shell made of resin material, and a ceramic heating element that heats up in just 1.5 minutes. It has a purple color and dimensions of 6.60Lx2.70Wx3.80H. Overall, it is a practical and reliable tool for all your ironing needs.

• Clothes Iron Size: Upgraded mini size for easy carrying
• Easy to Operate: Select gears and start ironing
• Practical: Ideal for crafting and DIY projects
• Great Gift: Perfect for craft lovers and students
• Features: Comfortable handle, high-strength shell, quick heating
• Color: Purple
• Dimension: 6.60Lx2.70Wx3.80H
• Size: 1 Count (Pack of 1)
• Compact and portable
• Comfortable handle
• Quick heating
• Suitable for various objects
• No power indicator light

The Mini Iron for Crafts Quilting is a reliable and handy tool for any craft lover or DIY enthusiast. Its compact size and easy operation make it a perfect companion for travel and on-the-go ironing. While it lacks a power indicator light and the cord could be longer, the overall performance and convenience of this mini iron outweigh these minor drawbacks. Whether you need it for ironing clothes or for crafting small items, this mini iron delivers efficient results. With its durable construction and high-quality materials, it offers long-term usability. If you’re looking for a portable iron that combines functionality and practicality, the Mini Iron for Crafts Quilting is an excellent choice.

ALLENLIFE Heat-Resistant Storage Bag Travel Case

Overall Score : 9/10

The ALLENLIFE Heat-Resistant Storage Bag Travel Case Cover Pouch is the ultimate accessory for your hair straightener, curling iron, or flat iron. Made of soft and waterproof neoprene material, this bag not only protects your hands from scalding, but also keeps your styling tools safe and organized. With its 3mm thickness and water-resistant feature, it ensures the ultimate protection for your flat iron or curling iron. The bag has a dimension of 13 x 5 x 1/4 inches, making it suitable for most full-size styling tools. It even has a second pocket for your hairbrush, hair curler, or any other accessories. Whether you're traveling or at home, this storage bag is a must-have for anyone who values convenience and style.

• Soft and waterproof neoprene material
• Fits most full-size flat iron and curling iron
• Two pockets for additional accessories
• 3mm thickness for maximum protection
• Water-resistant feature
• Dimensions: 13 x 5 x1/4 inches
• Color: Black
• Dimension: 14.96Lx5.12Wx0.79H
• Size: 13 x 5 x1/4 Inch
• Excellent heat-resistance
• Keeps styling tools organized
• Waterproof and scald-proof material
• Extra pocket for accessories
• Suitable for travel or home use
• Weird smell
• Size may be bigger than expected
• Front pocket may be difficult to use

The ALLENLIFE Heat-Resistant Storage Bag Travel Case Cover Pouch is a fantastic accessory for anyone who travels frequently or wants to keep their styling tools safe and organized at home. Its soft and waterproof neoprene material, along with its heat-resistance and water-resistant features, provide the ultimate protection for your flat iron or curling iron. The extra pocket is a convenient addition for storing accessories. Although some users reported a weird smell and larger size, these minor drawbacks are outweighed by the bag’s overall functionality and durability. Don’t leave home without this stylish and practical storage bag!

Mini Portable Flat Iron Tourmaline Ceramic Dual Voltage Travel Iron for Worldwide Use LED Indicator LOVANI Hair Straightener (Black)

The Mini Portable Flat Iron Tourmaline Ceramic Dual Voltage Travel Iron is the ideal travel companion for those who want to maintain smooth, shiny hair while on the go. With its ceramic tourmaline plates, this flat iron provides even heat that is gentle on the hair, creating smooth and shiny results without causing any damage. The 3D floating plate ensures a better contact with the hair, leading to straighter and more polished locks. Its portable super mini travel size and dual voltage design make it suitable for worldwide use, perfect for jet-setters. The flat iron heats up quickly and has a non-slip grip, making it easy and comfortable to use. It also comes with a professional heat resistance bag for easy storage and travel. Overall, this mini flat iron offers salon-quality results in a compact and convenient package.

• Ceramic Tourmaline plates for even heat and no damage
• Portable super mini travel size with dual voltage
• Fast heating up and negative ions for shiny hair
• Auto adjusts to hair thickness and type for best results
• 2-in-1 function for straightening and curling
• High heat of 410F with power on indicator LED light
• Professional heat resistance bag included
• Dimension: 9.00Lx2.00Wx2.00H
• Compact and portable for travel
• Gentle on hair, no damage
• Heats up quickly for fast styling
• Provides salon-quality results
• Includes heat resistance bag for storage
• No adjustable temperature settings
• Cord is a little short
• No indication when it reaches temperature

The Mini Portable Flat Iron Tourmaline Ceramic Dual Voltage Travel Iron is a must-have for frequent travelers or anyone in need of a compact and convenient styling tool. Despite its small size, this flat iron delivers salon-quality results with its ceramic tourmaline plates and high heat. It is gentle on the hair, creating smooth and shiny locks without causing damage. The dual voltage design makes it suitable for use worldwide, and its fast heating feature ensures quick styling. While it may lack adjustable temperature settings, it compensates with its auto-adjust feature, which adapts to your hair type and thickness. The included heat resistance bag adds to its portability. Overall, this mini flat iron is a reliable and effective travel companion for maintaining beautiful hair on the go.

The Quilted Bear Mini Iron – Lightweight Steam Iron for Crafting and Traveling

The Quilted Bear Mini Iron is a lightweight and portable steam iron that is perfect for crafting and quilting. Its compact size and sleek design also make it an excellent travel iron for taking anywhere with you. The ceramic coated soleplate and ergonomic handle ensure effortless gliding over fabrics without leaving water marks. With a temperature range of 65-230°C, you can adjust the heat for different fabrics. It heats up quickly, saving you time. The mini iron is fitted with a US plug but offers dual voltage options of 120V/240V for international use. Its small size and efficient performance make it an ideal companion for quilting, sewing, and travel.

• Suitable for crafting, quilting, and travel
• Ceramic coated soleplate with anti-drip technology
• Easy temperature control gauge
• Dual voltage options for international use
• Color: Black Case
• Dimension: 8.66Lx5.31Wx3.54H
• Size: 130 x 75 x 90mm
• Portable and versatile for various purposes
• Effortless gliding over fabrics
• Fast heating up
• Easy temperature adjustment
• May not completely remove deep wrinkles
• Case size is slightly larger than expected

The Quilted Bear Mini Iron is an excellent accessory for crafters, quilters, and travelers. Its lightweight and compact design make it easy to carry and store. The ceramic soleplate and temperature gauge ensure efficient and convenient use on various fabrics. While it may not completely eliminate deep wrinkles, it works great for touch-ups and small ironing tasks. The quick heat-up time and dual voltage options make it suitable for international use. Overall, this mini steam iron offers great value and functionality, making it a must-have for anyone in need of a portable iron for crafting or traveling.

Riding the Iron Rooster: Train through China

Embark on a captivating journey through China on the Iron Rooster train with Paul Theroux. This travel memoir takes you on a train ride through the diverse landscape and introduces you to the people and culture of China. With engaging descriptions and insightful observations, Theroux provides a fascinating glimpse into China's past and present. Whether you're planning a trip to China or simply love reading about travel adventures, Riding the Iron Rooster offers a unique perspective on this vast and enigmatic country.

• Engaging descriptions of people and landscape
• Insightful observations on China's past and present
• Provides a unique perspective on the country
• Some readers may find the author's tone condescending
• Spelling errors in the Kindle edition

Riding the Iron Rooster takes you on a captivating train journey through the vast landscape of China. Paul Theroux’s engaging writing style and insightful observations make this travel memoir an enjoyable read. Although his tone may come across as condescending to some readers, Theroux provides a unique perspective on China’s culture and history. Whether you’re planning a trip to China or simply interested in travel adventures, Riding the Iron Rooster offers an entertaining and informative experience. Pick up this book and embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of China.

GWCASE Mini Iron Carrying Case Compatible with Oliso M2 Pro Mini Project Iron

Overall Score : 8.2/10

The GWCASE Case is a perfect travel accessory for your Oliso M2 Pro Mini Project Iron. This mini iron carrying case is made of hard EVA materials, providing 100% protection to your iron from scratches and dust. With its portable design, smooth zipper, and strong handle, it's easy to carry and use. The case also features a mesh pocket to hold accessories like the Solemate Silicone Iron Soleplate Protector. Suitable for various scenes, this iron organizer case is an ideal gift for travelers, sewers, quilters, and crafters. Please note that the case does not include the iron. Overall, customers have praised the GWCASE Case for its quality, perfect size, practicality, and attractive color. If you're looking for a reliable and stylish case for your mini iron, look no further than the GWCASE Case.

• Mini Iron Carrying Case Perfect Fit
• Small Travel Iron Mini Box with 100% Protection
• Iron Storage Case with Portable Design
• Mini Irons Organizer Case Is Great Gift
• After-sale Service
• Color: Yellow
• Size: Yellowcase
• Perfect fit for Oliso M2 Pro Mini Project Iron
• Provides 100% protection from scratches and dust
• Portable design with smooth zipper and strong handle
• Mesh pocket for accessories
• Suitable for various scenes
• Great gift idea
• After-sale service
• Does not include the iron
• Some customers received a different color than expected
• Strong odor initially

The GWCASE Case is a must-have accessory for anyone with an Oliso M2 Pro Mini Project Iron. Its perfect fit and high-quality construction ensure that your iron is protected at all times. The portable design, mesh pocket, and attractive yellow color make this case both practical and stylish. Customers have praised its functionality, size, and durability, making it a great investment for travelers, sewers, quilters, and crafters. Although some customers experienced minor issues like the absence of the iron and a strong initial odor, these are easily outweighed by the overall positive features and benefits of this case. So, if you’re looking for a reliable and visually appealing case for your mini iron, the GWCASE Case is a fantastic choice.

FURIDEN Lite Travel Curling Iron

The FURIDEN Lite Travel Curling Iron is a versatile hair styling tool that combines a flat iron and a curling iron. With dual voltage compatibility, it can be used anywhere in the world without the need for an adapter. The curling iron heats up quickly and reaches temperatures up to 450 degrees, delivering soft curls or sleek straight hair. Made with tourmaline and ceramic plates, it is safe for all hair types and regulates temperature automatically to protect your hair from damage. The travel curling iron comes with a heat-resistant glove for styling and features a 360-degree swivel cord for convenience. Its compact size makes it ideal for travel, and it even comes with a storage bag for easy packing. Overall, this FURIDEN curling iron is a reliable and convenient tool for achieving various hairstyles while on the go.

• 2-in-1 design combines a flat iron and a curling iron
• Global dual voltage for use worldwide
• Heats up quickly and reaches up to 450 degrees
• Made with tourmaline and ceramic plates
• Comes with a heat-resistant glove and 360-degree swivel cord
• Dimension: 8.86Lx1.26Wx2.48H
• Size: 1 inch
• Versatile styling options
• Compact and travel-friendly
• Suitable for all hair types
• Regulates temperature to protect hair
• Short barrel may be challenging for longer hair
• Bulky and stiff cord
• No temperature adjustment feature

The FURIDEN Lite Travel Curling Iron is a reliable and convenient hair styling tool for travelers. Its 2-in-1 design offers versatility, allowing users to switch between flat iron and curling iron modes. With its global dual voltage and compact size, it can be easily used anywhere in the world. The tourmaline and ceramic plates ensure safe styling for all hair types, and the automatic temperature regulation protects hair from damage. Despite some minor drawbacks like the short barrel and bulky cord, this curling iron delivers excellent results and is a great addition to any travel beauty kit.

Buyer's Guide: Travel Iron

Why do you need a travel iron.

• Compact Size: A travel iron is specifically designed to be portable and easy to carry in your luggage. Its compact size ensures it won't take up much space or add unnecessary weight to your bags.
• Wrinkle-Free Clothes: Nobody likes wearing wrinkled clothes, especially for important events or business meetings. A travel iron allows you to quickly remove wrinkles and creases from your clothes, keeping them neat and presentable.
• Versatility: Travel irons often come with dual voltage capabilities, allowing you to use them in different countries. This flexibility is essential for globetrotters who may encounter different electrical systems during their travels.
• Convenience: By having your own travel iron, you can avoid relying on hotel irons that may not be readily available or in the best condition. It gives you the convenience of ironing your clothes whenever and wherever you need.

Features to consider when buying a travel iron:

• Size and Weight: Look for a travel iron that is lightweight and compact. This ensures easy portability and saves space in your luggage.
• Dual Voltage Capabilities: If you plan to visit different countries, make sure the travel iron supports dual voltage, usually between 100-240 volts. This way, you won't need to worry about voltage converters or damaging the iron.
• Heat Settings: Check if the travel iron has adjustable heat settings for different types of fabrics. This allows you to iron delicate garments without the risk of burning them.
• Steam Functionality: Some travel irons come with steam functionality, allowing you to remove wrinkles more efficiently. This feature can be useful when dealing with stubborn creases or thicker fabrics.
• Cord Length: Consider the length of the cord, as it can impact the convenience and flexibility of ironing. A cord that is too short can restrict movement, while a lengthy cord might get tangled easily.
• Auto Shut-off: Safety should always be a priority. Look for a travel iron with an auto shut-off feature, which automatically turns off the iron when it's not in use for a certain period. This prevents accidents and saves energy.
• Non-Stick Soleplate: Opt for a travel iron with a non-stick soleplate to reduce the risk of the iron sticking to your clothes or causing damage.

Frequently Asked Questions about 13 Best Travel Iron for 2023

Travel irons are designed to provide similar functionality to regular irons, but they are usually smaller and less powerful. While they might take a bit longer to heat up and complete the ironing process, they still offer adequate performance for travelers’ needs.

Some travel irons come with steam functionality, making them suitable for steaming clothes. However, it’s important to note that travel irons aren’t specifically designed for steaming purposes like dedicated clothes steamers. The steam functionality on travel irons may not be as powerful, but it can still help remove light wrinkles.

Yes! You don’t necessarily need an ironing board when using a travel iron. You can use flat surfaces such as a table or even the bed in your hotel room. Just make sure the surface is heat-resistant and place a thin cloth or towel underneath your clothes to protect the surface.

Always check the manufacturer’s instructions for the specific travel iron you purchase. Some travel irons require distilled water, while others can use tap water. Using the wrong type of water can potentially damage the iron or affect its performance.

Travel irons are generally allowed in carry-on luggage, but it’s recommended to check with your airline first, as certain restrictions may apply. It’s also important to ensure the iron is cool and doesn’t pose a risk of overheating during the flight.

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Keep Your Clothes Looking Great Even When You’re Jet Lagged With a Travel Iron

By Allison Bowsher

Allison Bowsher

Contributor

• Share This Article

Even with the hundreds of YouTube folding tutorials , a wide range of packing cubes , and hours spent meticulously preparing items, many travelers still open their suitcase at the end of a long flight to find wrinkled clothes. Just because you have jet leg doesn’t mean your clothes should look like they do as well. With a travel iron, it’s easy to look your best even when you’re not sure what time zone you’re in.

Many hotels and vacation rentals come equipped with complimentary irons, but these can often house germs since they are not cleaned as frequently as other high-touch areas, like beddings, towels and sinks. If your trip includes staying with friends or family, they may not have an iron available for you to use.

Then there’s the argument for using travel irons without the ‘travel’ action. Many travel irons included on our list come with an impressive level of power and offer both ironing and steaming capabilities. For customers who are short on space in their home and for those who only require the use of an iron or steamer periodically, travel irons offer a more financially feasible option and one that won’t take up excess cupboard space.

Travel irons are also a great option for crafters as they can get into the corners of smaller pieces of fabric better than a full-size iron. They are often available at a lower price point as well, which is good news in the case of accidental glue or paint spillage.

Wrinkles aren’t a good look in any country. Keep your clothes looking their best even when you’re short on space with a powerful and useful travel iron.

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The modern status showdown is 40,000 feet in the air, the traveler’s choice luggage set is under $160 for amazon’s big spring sale, 1. pursteam travel steamer and iron.

BEST OVERALL

Affordable, powerful, small. These are the three main criteria to look for when searching for a new travel iron and the steamer and iron combo from PurSteam has all these features and more. The compact travel iron has an impressive 800 watts of power behind it, producing up to 50% more steam than other industry favorites. We like that customers get an iron and a steamer in one without buying two gadgets. The dual voltage design of the PurSteam makes it appropriate for international travel and we like that the modern design of the iron also includes an anti-slip handle and nonstick soleplate.

PurSteam Travel Steamer and Iron

2. rowenta travel-ready compact steam iron.

MOST COMFORTABLE TO USE

If you want the power of a full-sized travel iron without the bulk, we recommend the Rowenta Travel-Ready Compact Steam Iron. The Rowenta is an impressive 1000-watt travel iron that features a stainless-steel soleplate. Customers can easily adjust the settings to choose a vertical steam option or create bursts of steam while ironing. A two-ounce transparent water tank makes it easy for customers to see when they need to fill the iron. The ergonomically designed handle makes the Rowenta comfortable to use and folds flat for a more streamlined storage option.

Rowenta Travel-Ready Compact Steam Iron

3. aevo 2-in-1 portable steam iron.

BEST FOR STEAMING

You likely don’t want to travel with both an iron and a steamer, which is why we recommend the AEVO 2-in-1 Portable Steam Iron. With an impressively fast heat time of 40 seconds, the 1300-watt AEVO can produce a constant stream of steam for up to nine minutes thanks to its 105 mL detachable tank. Designed with a ceramic soleplate, the AEVO is suitable for a wide variety of fabrics, including linen, silk, cotton, wool and synthetic items. We also like that it comes with overheat protection for added safety and has a leakproof design that means no accidental water dripping on your clothing.

AEVO 2-in-1 Portable Steam Iron

4. homedics perfect steam professional mini garment steamer and iron.

BEST ACCESSORIES

The HoMedics is on the pricier end of travel irons, but for good reason. For a few extra dollars, customers get an iron that heats up in only 15 seconds and has an impressive 10-minute run time of continuous steam. Small enough to fit in a carry-on suitcase but powerful enough to replace an everyday iron, the HoMedics features four settings, including a setting for delicate items. The iron is designed with a high-pressurized power pump and nano-sized molecules that get out stubborn wrinkles and even steam away odors. Safe for both horizontal and vertical use, the HoMedics comes with a travel case, travel pouch and a water cup for added convenience.

HoMedics Perfect Steam Professional Mini Garment Steamer And Iron

5. steam fast travel mini 400 steam iron.

BEST NON-STICK PLATE

Bigger isn’t always better and that is definitely the case with travel irons. With the Steam Fast Travel Mini 400 Steam Iron, customers can easily navigate around pleats, pockets, collars and other spaces that full-sized irons struggle to reach. Made with a dual voltage option for overseas travel and featuring a stainless steel nonstick soleplate, the Steam Fast has an adjustable steam temperature gauge and comes with a travel bag for added convenience and safe storage.

Steam Fast Travel Mini 400 Steam Iron

6. smagreho mini travel steam iron.

FASTEST HEATING TIME

When it’s time to travel, you don’t want to spend all day in a hotel room getting ready. That’s why we like the SMAGREHO Mini Travel Steam Iron, which heats up in 15 seconds and quickly gets to work ironing and steaming clothes. Customers can choose from three heating options depending on their needs, with the SMAGREHO safe for cotton, linen, wool, synthetic, and silk fabric. The compact iron, which measures only 5.2 inches by 3 inches, has dual 100- and 240-volt options for international travel. Customers can get rid of lines and wrinkles with bursts of steam or by holding the iron horizontally to turn it into a portable steamer. The SMAGREHO includes a travel pouch, measuring cup and protective mesh.

SMAGREHO Mini Travel Steam Iron

7. sharper image mini steam iron.

BEST BARGAIN BUY

For times when you need a small iron for quick touch up jobs while traveling, we like the affordable Sharper Image Mini Steam Iron. The 350 W travel iron is convenient to use thanks to its eight-foot power cord. Designed with a nonstick soleplate that resists rust, the Sharper Image has a 1.1-ounce water tank and three heat settings that make it useful for most fabrics. The one-touch steam control provides an extra boost for stubborn wrinkles and the dual 120- and 220-volt options make it a great iron to use anywhere in the world.

Sharper Image Mini Steam Iron

8. dyno merchandise handy press mini iron.

MOST COMPACT

Putting the ‘mini’ in mini irons is the Dyno Merchandise Handy Press. Measuring only 4.2 inches long and 4.8 inches wide, the Dyno is as close as you can get to a pocket-sized iron. When packing space is at a minimum, the Dyno is a great option. Although designed for crafting purposes, the Dyno makes a suitable travel iron for touching up collars, cuffs, and other small ironing jobs.

Dyno Merchandise Handy Press Mini Iron

The 21 Best Weekender Bags for the Perfect Getaway in 2020

Allison spent four years as the Editor and head writer for Much.com, aka the Canadian MTV. During her time at Much, Allison conducted more than 100 on-camera interviews with some of the biggest names…

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Tested and Reviewed: The Best Travel Steamer to Take on the Road

By Erinne Magee

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Even the most seasoned travelers open their suitcase after landing and find themselves with a daunting task ahead: deciding if their wrinkled clothes can get by with a thorough shake out or if reinforcements are needed.

Of course, most hotel rooms are equipped with irons, but the task of setting up the ironing board and fitting each article of clothing just right can feel overwhelming. Not to mention, some pieces are too delicate for harsh heat. Enter our swanky new friend, the travel steamer.

When I set out to find the best travel steamer, I admit, I was hesitant about such a practical item taking up precious carry-on space. But when traveling as a family of four , as I often do, an ironing board set-up can quickly become a catch-all for toys, shopping bags, or electronics and simply get in the way. After testing these steamers, I’ll be leaving the iron tucked away.

Of the nine steamers tested, my favorite models had one thing in common: a metal soleplate, allowing you to touch the steamer to the clothing to smooth out tricky spots. While steamers are mostly celebrated for their ability to get the wrinkles out, they also kill 99.9% of bacteria. Important to note, most steamers come with the recommendation of distilled water to keep the sediment buildup at bay, which I did not use as most of us don’t have easy access to it when we travel.

Each steamer has been tested and reviewed on jeans, khakis, T-shirts , button-down shirts, blouses, and jackets based on the following criteria:

• Size/packability : Does it fit into a weekender or carry-on?
• Power/efficiency: Is it faster and easier than setting up and using the hotel iron? Or at least just as good?
• Water capacity: How many times do you have to refill the reservoir to steam an entire outfit?
• Leakproof: Will you be late to dinner while waiting for the wet spots to dry?
• Durability/longevity : Is the quality going to withstand enough trips to make the steamer worth packing and purchasing?

Which is the best travel steamer?

The design here is just smart. The 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 appreciated. 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 seamer compact, but gives you the option to steam at different angles. I did wonder if frequent adjusting of the head would loosen the feature, but the steamer seems to be quite solid and well made. The unit also comes with a wall mount so you always have a place to hang the garment at home.

Weight: .8 pounds

Pros -Lightweight and packable -Adjustable head -Comes with wall mount -Powerful

Cons -Works best on lighter fabrics only

Can I travel with a portable steamer?

Most travel steamers will fit into your carry-on and can go through TSA without any issues; just make sure any remaining liquid from the reservoir has been emptied before getting to the airport.

Is a portable steamer worth it?

If you are going to a formal event or know you’re packing clothes that are famous for wrinkling, then yes, it's worth adding to your suitcase. As someone who typically only uses a carry-on unless traveling with family, I do value my space and find the steamer to be an easy item to remove should I be running short on room.

What is the lightest travel steamer?

The Nesugar steamer weighs less than a pound, which inched it ahead of the Conair Turbo (weighing in at two pounds and measuring 13 inches long) in overall rating.

More steamers I tested

Of the nine steamers I tested out, these are the others I would recommend, with caveats:

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 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.

Weight: 2 pounds

Pros -Can dewrinkle anything  -Various settings to choose from -Quick heat-up

Cons -Hard to fill with small opening -On the larger side for travel

This is by far the most aesthetically pleasing steamer I tested and ranks number two for packability. With a 30-second warm up and automatic steam (no trigger to hold), the Seekclass was off to a good start, but it did take four minutes to steam one pair of pants and I had to utilize the metal soleplate in order to get the job done. The reservoir is tiny, so I had to refill it before I could finish the pants, too. Because the hole to refill is so tiny, it’s also hard to get out any remaining water when you’re ready to pack up the unit. Knowing this, it’s smart to let the steamer dry out at your earliest convenience to keep any build-up from forming.

Pros -Handle folds in, making it easy to travel -Metal soleplate -Quick heat-up

Cons -Leaks when on its side -Very small, hard-to-fill reservoir -Heavier material requires at least one refill

At first I was wondering if I had a faulty unit because it took several minutes for this steamer to heat up, which felt like an eternity compared to others. Once it was ready to go, though, the steam was quite efficient as long as the material wasn’t too thick (button-down shirts worked fine, but nothing heavier). Again, the metal plate comes in handy for more stubborn wrinkles. You have the option to lock the steamer into a continuous stream or control the trigger for smaller bursts (this helps save water in between items, too).

Weight: 1.57 pounds

Pros -Metal plate -Option for continuous steam or manual

Cons -Longer heat up time -Won't tackle jeans or heavier garments

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.

Weight: 1.2 pounds

Pros -Collapsible handle for travel -Automatic heat-up (no power button) -No trigger needed to release steam

Cons -Cannot promptly refill reservoir because the tank gets so hot

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

The 6 Best Steam Irons of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

We tested 30 steam irons—here are our top contenders

Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics including environmental science and houseplants.

In This Article

• Our Top Picks
• How We Tested
• What to Look For

Standout Features

• Why Trust The Spruce

The Spruce / Dera Burreson

Whether you're ironing a blouse for a day of work, quickly  de-wrinkling everyday clothes , or prepping fabrics for your next crafty DIY project, you'll want to reach for a dependable steam iron. The good news is that there are plenty of great brands out there that heat quickly and glide smoothly. But it can be quite a challenge to iron out which ones are the best on the market.

As part of our extensive research, we reached out to Jerry Pozniak , CEO of Jeeves New York, a professional dry cleaning service. "All irons do the same thing. They have a smooth metal iron surface, get hot, and most have the ability to produce steam." But, he adds, "The most important factors are reliability and weight. I prefer an iron that is heavier as it will aid in producing crisp creases and flat seams."

Taking Pozniak's advice, we asked ironing newbies and experienced professionals alike to test 30 steam irons in The Lab and narrowed down our list to the top six. To make sure we found the best of the best, we got to work ironing satin, linen, and cotton fabrics and rated each iron based on effectiveness, thoughtful design, portability, heat up time, and overall value. We also tested heating times and evaluated how each one removed wrinkles. We even extended our testing to six months, so that you would know exactly what you're getting over time.

Editor's Note: This review was revised in April 2024 with new testing insights.

Best Overall

Beautural 1800-watt steam iron.

Heats up in 10 seconds

Splash guard

Has an auto shut-off feature

Steam setting didn't perform as well on cotton

Limited availability through select online vendors

Hands down, our best overall pick is the Beautural 1800-Watt Steam Iron with Digital LCD Screen. We think it's ideal for beginners and professional ironers alike.

We gave this steam iron a perfect rating for its heat-up time because it was ready to use in just 10 seconds—the fastest of the 30 we tested. We especially appreciated that the display screen noted whether the specific fabric should be wet or dry. (You seriously don't have to do any internet research when using this device because all of the details are right at your fingertips.)

Plus, the display does an excellent job of telling you which setting to choose, so you won't waste any time. The iron also earned a perfect score for both design and portability. We think its ceramic soleplate is large enough to iron everyday fabrics with ease, and the grip handle is perfectly designed for hours of ironing. (This is ideal if you're a quilter working on a lengthy project or tackling a week's worth of dress shirts.)

During testing, when ironing satin materials , the Beautural iron only took one to two passes to remove all wrinkles and was able to remove a crease in one pass. On linen (both dry and steam settings), it removed all wrinkles and a crease in one pass. With cotton, this steam iron worked to remove all creases in one pass on the dry setting. We docked a few points on effectiveness because the steam setting took several passes to remove wrinkles and used a good amount of water to remove them all. We also noted that this cord is a little bit shorter than the majority of our picks; it's 6 feet whereas many of our options are 8 feet long.

Notably, this user-friendly iron is decked out with several safety features, including an automatic shut-off feature that'll kick in if it's idle for 30 seconds when lying flat. The water fill area has a splash guard to help prevent leaks or accidental spills onto your clothing, too. Even after six months, we found that the iron continued to perform as expected, and we were still amazed at its efficiency.

Dimensions: 5.75 x 4.88 x 11.3 inches | Weight: 3.18 pounds | Color: Gray and white | Cord Length: 6 feet | Wattage: 1,800 watts | Water Tank Capacity: 11.5 ounces

What is a soleplate?

When ironing, a soleplate is the part of the iron that comes into contact with your clothes and other fabrics. The type of soleplate material, such as stainless steel, ceramic, or aluminum, affects how well the iron glides over fabrics and how effectively it removes creases. A good soleplate should be non-stick and should not cause fabrics to snag when pressed.

BLACK + DECKER Advanced Steam Iron

Space-saving

Large water reservoir

Vertical steaming feature

No ready light

Cotton and linen fabrics are on the same setting

If you're looking to save space in your laundry room, opt for an iron with a retractable cord. The Black+Decker ICR2020 Steam Iron is our favorite because it's incredibly effective at removing wrinkles and is easy to store when you're done with your chore. It also has the best of both worlds: Like a clothes steamer , this iron has a vertical steaming feature, which is optimal for quick touch ups on hanging garments.

But the real reason we love it: It was able to smooth out all fabrics in just one to two passes in our tests, and we were impressed with how immediately it removed wrinkles from linen fabric. For cotton and linen, the iron heated in two minutes. For satin, it was ready in 30 seconds!

While we weren't too happy there was no "ready" or "not ready" light, we appreciated the detailed setting information, even though cotton and linen fabrics ended up being on the same setting. We also noted that the water reservoir is large, which is great when you have mounds of ironing to get through—you won’t run out of steam. After testing for six months, we loved how this iron packs a punch despite its diminutive size and continues to perform well. We think it's lightweight, yet still has all of the features and capabilities of a larger, heavier iron.

Dimensions: 4.84 x 11.73 x 5.79 inches | Weight: 2 pounds | Color: Green | Cord Length: Not listed | Wattage: 1,200 watts | Water Tank Capacity: Not listed

Can you use a steam iron without steam?

Yes! You can use your steam iron without steam. This is known as a dry iron. Dry irons work well on satin, silk, and wool. Using your steam iron as a dry iron is a cinch. Just empty the water reservoir, or dial it to its "dry iron" setting and iron as usual.

Best Splurge

Rowenta perfect pro station iron.

Docking station

Large water tank

Professional-grade performance

Heavy, bulky design

Our splurge-worthy pick is the Rowenta DG8624U1 Perfect Pro Station Iron because it delivers professional-grade results and comes with its own docking station. If you're someone who irons often or values the feel and design of a top-notch product, this is an excellent choice. The removable, 1.1-liter water tank and smartly designed pointed tip made this pick a definite standout in our testing. Plus, it has the longest cord of all of our picks at 12 feet.

During testing, this iron breezed through satin, linen, and cotton fabrics, and the steam was particularly spectacular at removing creases and wrinkles. This iron is heavier and bulkier than others we tested, which can be an asset if you need to apply pressure to a garment or seam, but it might seem more like a workout for everyday use. Katie Berry, The Spruce's Cleaning Review Board member and cleaning expert, stresses that "it's 12 pounds without water." Also, while the design is eye-catching, this iron does take up a good amount of space, so you'll want to make sure you have somewhere to store it.

We affectionately refer to this steam iron as a "workhorse" after using it regularly for six months to support our sewing and quilting. We especially love that it gets nice and hot, and you can iron for a whole session without running out of steam. In fact, this iron is equipped with a soleplate sporting 400 holes, meaning steam is precisely distributed. Just know this model had to have a permanent residence in our laundry room since with the docking station it's about twice as large as any other machine on our list.

Dimensions: 18.11 x 11.81 x 14.7 inches | Weight: 14 pounds | Color: Blue | Cord Length: 12 feet | Wattage: 1,800 watts | Water Tank Capacity: 37 ounces

Sunbeam Classic 1200-Watt Iron

Easy to distinguish between settings

Heats up quickly

Easy to grip

Did not work well on linen

Awkward spray nozzle placement

If you're looking for a no-fuss steam iron, we suggest opting for the Sunbeam Classic 1200-Watt Mid-Size Anti-Drip Non-Stick Soleplate Iron. As the name suggests, it packs a ton of good features for an affordable iron, and it was so quick to heat up and easy to use.

In our testing, this Sunbeam iron heated to 450 degrees in less than a minute. We loved that it was light and easy to maneuver, and we only docked half a point for portability because the 8-foot cord is not retractable. When it came to ironing multiple fabric types, this iron performed well on both satin and cotton, getting all of the ripples out in just a few passes. It took a little more effort to  remove wrinkles from the linen , and overall didn’t do too well there, hence our rating.

We also like that the iron is straightforward to use, and it's easy to distinguish between the settings. When testing, we also noted that the iron is easy to grip, but the spray feature is a little awkward to use because of its placement—it’s perched up high, so the water sprays out inconsistently. Even with this minor inconvenience, this option is for you if you're looking for a reliable basic iron to add to your routine. Even after six months of use, we love the iron for its long, 360-degree swivel cord, which allows for plenty of movement while ironing.

Dimensions: 6.3 x 11.6 x 5.6 inches | Weight: 2.7 pounds | Color: White | Cord Length: 8 feet | Wattage: 1,200 watts | Water Tank Capacity: Not listed

Best for Travel

Sunbeam hot-2-trot travel iron.

Lightweight

Large water opening to prevent spills

Irons armholes easily

Plastic smell

Difficult to sit upright

If you're looking for a travel steam iron to take on your business trips and vacations, try the Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot Travel Iron that we deemed small but mighty. It effectively de-wrinkled all three fabrics we tested, and we specifically noted that it's the perfect size to iron armholes and more delicate, hard-to-reach places, like collars and cuffs.

This tiny steam iron heated in under a minute, although our temperature gauge said it wasn't quite as hot as the manufacturer claimed. While it's lightweight, it's likely only good for someone with smaller hands as the features are quite tiny. The heat dial is miniature and the puff steam button is hard to click on. If you have long nails or larger hands, you might have difficulty using this iron. It was also troublesome to sit the iron upright because of where the cord meets the iron.

However, we love the large water opening and how you can quickly fill up the reservoir without spills—it will fit easily under awkward bathroom sinks in hotels. It also holds enough water for small craft projects, if you want an iron dedicated specifically for that use. Ultimately, this would be a great iron for traveling or crafting. We think you should opt for a more heavy-duty steam iron if you tend to iron frequently, or if you iron tough seams or larger quilts.

Dimensions: 3.46 x 3.13 x 6.57 inches | Weight: 1 pound | Color: Blue and white | Cord Length: 8 feet | Wattage: 800 watts | Water Tank Capacity: 3 ounces

Best Portable

Conair ez press steam iron.

Our testers liked that the Conair EZ Press 800-Watt Handheld Steam Iron was lightweight and had an indicator light showing when it was ready to get to work. For the most part, this iron effectively got all of the wrinkled creases out fairly adequately in our testing.

There were a few drawbacks, though. The stopper covering the water area felt cheap and dripped during the ironing process. And the soleplate was also pretty small, so this wouldn't be a great choice for someone ironing larger items. Still, we love how portable this model is and think it'll work great for college students or travelers. Even after six months of testing, this iron still held up, and we continue to be impressed with its effectiveness.

Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.29 x 5.12 inches | Weight: 1 pound | Color: Blue and white | Cord Length: 8 feet | Wattage: 800 watts | Water Tank Capacity: Not listed

Real Simple / Dera Burreson

Final Verdict

Our best overall pick is the Beautral 1800-Watt Steam Iron with Digital LCD Screen , because it's easy to use, effective at quickly removing wrinkles, and features a helpful display screen. Or consider the Black+Decker ICR2020 Steam Iron Vitessa Advanced Steam Iron with Retractable Cord as a best value option. This steam iron is incredibly effective at removing wrinkles and easily stores in small spaces.

How We Tested the Steam Irons

We spent one day thoroughly testing 30 irons to find the best ones. In The Lab , we tested and evaluated effectiveness , portability , heat time , the design , and overall value .  

• Effectiveness: We set wrinkles on three types of fabric ahead of the test. First, we wet the satin, cotton, and linen cloth napkins, and then balled up each napkin and secured it with a rubber band. We then let the napkins sit for a couple of days until dry. We ironed to see how effectively they removed wrinkles. The irons were tested on each fabric on both their non-steam and steam setting (if equipped), except for the satin—that fabric type should never be steamed. On the day of the test, we timed how long it took each iron to remove the wrinkles from each type of material. We also purposely added ironed creases to each fabric and then tried to remove them.
• Portability: While ironing, we made detailed observations on the device’s portability, noting how heavy the irons were when their water reservoir was full and how comfortable the iron was to maneuver across the ironing board. We also looked at the model’s cord length to evaluate how much flexibility users would have in the distance of their iron from the outlet where it’s plugged in.
• Heat Time: We measured the heating time of each iron, using a stopwatch to see how long it took to heat to the appropriate temperatures for ironing satin and delicates, linen, and cotton, noting if the time seemed quick, average, or unreasonably long. We also used a thermometer to make sure the soleplate’s temperature remained consistent and reached the advertised and desired temperature.
• Design: Throughout testing, we also paid attention to the design of each iron. We observed the device’s overall temperature, noting if the handle or body of the iron seemed uncomfortably hot. We looked at whether or not the water reservoir leaked water droplets, the ease of filling the reservoir, built-in safety features, the comfortability of the handle, how easy the controls were to operate, and the overall aesthetic of each device.
• Overall Value: After testing all 30 irons, we used our experience and the price tag to rate come up with an overall value of each iron.

All of the testing data was analyzed by our editors to make this list of the best steam irons. We also sent 10 irons home with long-term testers who used them over the course of six months to determine their longevity and real-world effectiveness. These testers evaluated the irons based on the attributes listed above, and shared whether the iron became a part of their everyday routine and a go-to product compared to previous models they had owned.

What to Look for in a Steam Iron

The life of a steam iron varies based on the quality of the iron, as well as how often you use it. For the most part, a top-notch steam iron can last 10 years, while lower quality ones might decrease in effectiveness after a couple of years. As we tested irons in the lab, we discovered a few key features that kept making our lists, such as temperature settings, steam output, portability, and safety features.

Precise Temperature Control

Temperature control is important when picking out a steam iron. Different  fabrics need to be ironed at different temperatures  so they aren't scorched or damaged. "Certain fabrics are sensitive to higher heat, says Stefan Bucur, a cleaning and organizing expert. "Ideally, a good quality iron should have a precise temperature gauge where you can easily switch to a lower heat when required."

It's also important that the iron heats up to its promised temperature in a reasonable amount of time. Some irons can heat up in a quick 30 seconds, while others can take minutes to reach the desired temperature. The Beautural 1800-Watt Steam Iron with Digital LCD Screen , our best overall pick, for instance, heats up in seconds. Plus, it has everything you need in a quality iron: it removes wrinkles without much effort, and it has an automatic shut-off feature for safety.

Effective Steam Output

"Steam penetrates the fibers to get rid of wrinkles, then the hot, dry iron will remove the moisture and give you a flat, crisp finish," explains Pozniak. It's handy to know that steam output is measured in grams per minute, and typically, the higher the grams per minute, the more effective the iron. Some models offer more than 200 grams of steam per minute, while others produce a less generous 35 grams per minute.

In addition to a powerful steam output, some irons (such as our best value pick, the Black+Decker ICR2020 Vitessa Advanced Steam Iron ) have a vertical steam feature that allows them to steam and de-wrinkle hanging clothes, much like a traditional steamer . You want to make sure an iron with a vertical steam feature also has anti-drip safety features, so extremely hot water doesn't leak out and cause harm. Whether vertical or horizontal, it's important that the steam output is powerful, because that's what distinguishes a steam iron from a dry iron.

Easy Portability

You should take into account the weight of the steam iron. A lightweight iron may be easier to use and put away than a heavier iron. So, if you're only using your steam iron to complete crafty projects every now and then, or if you have trouble lifting objects and would benefit from using a lighter iron, take that into consideration. Bonus points if the handle has a comfortable grip, too.

Plus, it's pretty nice to have an iron with a retractable cord so you can iron traditionally and then retract the cord for easy storage. We love the Black+Decker ICR2020 , our best value pick, for this very reason!

Safety Features: Automatic Shut-Off, Anti-Drip, and Retractable Cord

You should always look for the safety features on an iron. Common safety features include an automatic shut-off feature or anything that prevents water from dripping. Each model's automatic shut-off feature is a bit different. Some models, including our best overall pick, the Beautural 1800-Watt Steam Iron , will automatically shut off if not used after a certain period of time. Some will also begin cooling down if left in an upright position for too long. Remember, you should always unplug your iron when it's not in use, but a safety shut-off feature is still a huge sigh of relief in our book.

You should also look for an anti-drip feature. This keeps the iron from dripping water out of the soleplate. Dripping water obviously isn't safe around electrical cords, and it also can create frustrating water stains on garments . Look to our best basic pick, the Sunbeam Classic 1200-Watt Mid-Size Anti-Drip Non-Stick Soleplate Iron , for an anti-drip feature.

A retractable cord is also a useful feature when ironing, so you won't have to worry about anything left dangling or tripping you up. You get the power that comes from a corded steam iron, but you're able to store the iron away until your next laundry day with no bulky cord. For a model with a retractable cord, consider our best value pick, the Black+Decker ICR2020 Steam Iron

Digital Screen to Display Heat Settings

Many new steam iron models—such as our best overall option, the Beautural 1800-Watt Steam Iron —feature a digital screen that displays heat settings, temperature, and other useful information. If you're investing in an iron with a digital screen, make sure it enhances your ironing experience by showing essential details, such as exact temperature and which fabric setting you are on.

Self-Clean Option to Prevent Mineral Deposits

One essential rule to ironing: Clean your iron on a regular basis to prevent mineral deposits from building up and blocking steam vents. For optimal performance, you should empty the water from your iron's reservoir when you're done ironing. This will help prevent mineral buildup inside the iron. It will also prevent any accidental spills or leakage when storing your steam iron. Pozniak recommends using distilled water instead of tap . "Mineral buildup will kill an iron faster than anything else," he cautions.

If you'd rather not worry about remembering to empty out your iron, you can use a spray mister and lightly mist your garment to dampen it slightly before using a dry iron. "This is helpful when ironing cotton or linen, and you want a nice finish," Pozniak says.

Some irons, such as the Beautural ( best overall ), come with a self-clean option that takes care of cleaning your iron for you. Each model is different, but in order to use the self-cleaning function, place your iron over a sink and hold down the self-cleaning button until all of the water has drained from the soleplate. Once the water reservoir has emptied, release the self-cleaning button.

The Checkout Counter

Before you check out, consider these products you may also need.

• Sally's Organics Spray Bottle : This stylish water mister, which we named as our best overall spray bottle , would be a great ironing companion, especially if you're worried about leaving water sitting in your iron's water tank.
• Brabantia Ironing Board C : If you're looking for a quality ironing board, we recommend this reliable choice , which comes with a removable cover and an extra-large iron rest.
• AmazonBasics Slim Velvet Hangers : Once you finish ironing, you'll want to keep your clothes wrinkle-free with these non-slip hangers, which we named as our best overall clothes hangers .

Why Trust The Spruce?

This story was written by Erin Johnson , who has previously tested and reviewed multiple vacuums, mops, and other household appliances for Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, and Southern Living. For this article, Johnson took insights and feedback from in-lab testers to curate the list of our top picks.

Our Experts:

• Jerry Pozniak , CEO of Jeeves New York, a professional dry cleaning service
• Katie Berry , The Spruce's Cleaning Review Board member and cleaning expert
• Stefan Bucur , a cleaning, organizing, and design expert
• Emma Phelps , associate editor at The Spruce
• Michelle Lau , editor at The Spruce

More from The Spruce

• How to Iron Clothes: 4 Simple Steps
• How to Clean an Iron: Part by Part
• The Best Ironing Accessories to Help You Iron Like a Professional
• How to Get Permanent Marker to Stay on Fabric
• Steamer vs. Iron: What's the Difference?
• How to Get Creases and Dents Out of Shoes
• Can You Iron Dry-Clean Only Clothing?
• How to Select the Right Iron Settings for Any Fabric
• Is Your Shark Steam Mop Not Steaming? 5 Fixes You Should Try
• How to Clean Velvet Furniture
• How to Read Laundry Symbols
• How to Use a Steamer on Clothes
• 9 Smart Ways to Get Wrinkles Out of Clothes Without an Iron
• How to Wash Tablecloths and Linens
• How to Wash and Care for Curtains Three Different Ways
• How to Iron Linen Shirts and Pants

Best Small Travel Iron: For Your Backpack

Travel iron is an important item, you have to keep with you while traveling. As it helps to make your clothes creases fee and enhance the beauty of your dress. Beautiful clothes make your look more elegant.

If you are an avid traveler ? Or dream to explore the beautiful places of the world. On the other hand, if your job requires traveling more to different destinations other than your hometown. One of the main basic requirements is pressed clothes . If you get your clothes ironed from a laundry service it requires a cost that increases your expenses. However, bearing a one-time cost is better than paying again and again . So, buy the best travel iron and move freely around the world with well-pressed creases-free clothes.   

We do detailed research by taking different travel steam iron for clothes and getting reviews from our customers about different travel irons. To sum up , we recommended the best portable steam iron, which is compact, lightweight, and steams fast.

Moreover, we give priority to that best travel iron which easily fits in your luggage and best companion for your clothes during your journey. 

After going through all details of our selected top travel irons, choose the best one that suits you.

• Best Small Travel Iron: BEAUTURAL Mini Travel Steam Iron
• Compact Travel Iron: Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot
• Dual Voltage Steam Iron: Invasion Small Mini Iron
• Best Lightweight Steam Iron: SMAGREHO Mini Travel Dream Iron
• Portable travel iron: Conair EZ Press Handheld Steam Iron
• Best Travel Steam Iron for Quilting: Oliso M2 Mini Project iron  
• Folding travel iron: Rowenta DA 1560 Travel- Stainless steel

7 Best Mini Travel Iron Reviews:

In This Article

1. BEAUTURAL Mini Travel Steam Iron

2. sunbeam hot-2-trot, 3. invasion small mini iron, 4. smagreho mini travel dream iron, 5. conair ez press handheld steam iron, 6. oliso m2 mini project iron  , 7. rowenta da 1560 travel- stainless steel, 1. wattage /power:, 2. water capacity:, 3. temperature setting range:, 4. portability:, 5. dual voltage:, frequently asked questions:.

Best Small Travel Iron

Small unique iron with a weight of 1 pound, its performance is just astonishing, and one of the leading irons for travelers. Beautural mini just heats up in 35 seconds and has options for temperature settings according to various fabric types. Moreover, it has a dual voltage of 110 and 230 volts , which you choose according to your needs. It works perfectly fine with a watt power of 400 to remove wrinkles. It has a long cord of 7.5 feet.

Furthermore, it comes with a silicon pad. Its small size and tiny non-stick soleplate make it best for ironing shirts and collars to cover small inside places, after using this you realize this cheap travel iron is the best choice for pressing,, applique work, sewing and patch work too.

In addition, it works with steam as well as without steam also, if you want it as dry iron it’s totally on your choice. 

Additional Specifications:

• Less weight
• Heat up quickly
• Use steam as well as dry iron
• Some people are not comfortable with the shape

Compact Travel Iron

Beautiful small compact iron with a just weight of 1 pound, provides the heat strength of 800 watt power which is very helpful to remove creases very finely and quickly. Furthermore, dual voltage with a shot of steam feature makes it more amazing, deep penetration of steam helps to remove creases. Hence, one of the demanding products in the market.

Moreover, it can be used with an iron variety of fabrics as different steam settings, and a light indicator is present that lets you know about the iron getting hot. One main quite a great feature of sunbeam iron is it has a compact smooth non-stick soleplate, lightweight travel iron, and its simple design makes it easy for you to use the iron left or right-handed whichever is convenient for you.

• Dual voltage settings with different temperatures.
• Less price.
• Steam shots.
• Some users complain about rusting.

Dual Voltage Steam Iron

Your search for the perfect travel iron is over. Small Mini Iron’s with dual voltage compact design, great for travel – non-stick soleplate, 1-touch steam control, and variable voltage are just a few of the features that make this little iron so great for those who travel frequently.

Moreover, the mini Iron has an innovative anti-drip feature to prevent harmful skin burns and frustrating water stains. This small but mighty iron weighs in at only 1 pound and has an extra-long power cord for ease of use while traveling or at home.

Furthermore, it has 3 heat power levels and heats up so quickly that is just in 15 seconds because of the quick-hit technology feature. Best used for craft and sewing projects, you can use this iron both ways either dry or steam. Hence, not to go on its small size, it’s having a lot of great features.

Our team of researchers gets astonished with its amazing results and falls in love with this mini iron after just one use.

• Can be used as dry as well as steam ironing.
• Cord length is extraordinarily long.
• It is best for patchwork, pressing seams, and crafting also.
• Need extra care for long-term use, as it is a bit sensitive.

Best Light Weight steam Iron

Looking for a handheld iron that travels well? SMAGREHO’s Mini Travel Steam Iron is perfect for your needs. Boasting a powerful 1.4-ounce water tank and has adjustable temperature settings, this lightweight, compact iron heats up quickly.

Furthermore, its dry and steam ironing easily removes wrinkles from any fabric type – making you look more charming on the go! Plus, it includes dual voltage so you can take it with you wherever you go in the world.

And to top it all off, it’s equipped with a travel bag, plastic measuring cup, and protective mesh making usage and transport a breeze. Peripherally, it’s not only lightweight and portable but also effective in its functioning.

• Can be used for any type of fabric, easily remove wrinkles.
• Provide a warranty of one year and lifetime customer support.
• Its compact design with high functionality is commendable.
• May require a converter or adapter for use in different countries.
• It stops steaming in an upright position, so it cannot press clothes on a hanger.

Portable travel iron

Looking for a handheld iron that can handle tough wrinkles? Look no further than the Conair EZ Press 800 Watt Handheld Steam Iron .

Most importantly, with its variable steam feature and steam burst, this little powerhouse is perfect for removing stubborn wrinkles from your clothes. Plus, it comes with a stainless steel soleplate for a smooth glide, an anti-slip heel for safety, and dual voltage for international travel.

Moreover, both dry and steam setting options for the user and its less weight and portability with extra-long cord make it more popular among travelers. It is the best travel clothes iron. So why wait? Grab your EZ Press handheld iron today!

Best Travel Steam Iron for Quilting and crafting

The best travel Iron is perfect for taking while traveling. The Oliso M2 Mini Project Steam Iron with Sole mate combines the power of a full-sized iron with an ergonomic compact and lightweight design that is perfect for travel or use next to your sewing machine. At only 4 pounds, it’s easy to move around. 

In addition, the diamond-coated ceramic soleplate glides effortlessly over delicate fabrics, while the accurate temperature control ensures that all fabrics are treated evenly. Moreover, Its precision tip helps to iron hard-to-reach areas of clothes like collars, pockets, cuffs, and fabric in-between areas.

Furthermore, with 1000 WATTS OF POWER, this steam iron has all the power you need to tackle any project at home or on the go. The mini-project iron is perfect for crafters who need an iron on the go. Its small size and high-temperature silicone stand to make it ideal for quilting and sewing.

Above all, dual voltage makes it ideal for international travel while the 8 foot long 180° pivot makes it amazing.

• Non-stick ceramic soleplate with precision tip.
• Temperature control selector for different fabrics with even heat distribution.
• 3-Year warranty.
• It packs easily with its resting plate.
• No, auto-switch off, so need extra care after use to switch off.
• While keeping the mini-iron on the silicon pad make sure that the temperature is not on a high setting, because it may cause a burning impression on the solemate.

Folding travel iron

Rowenta DA 1560 is the perfect compact steam iron for worry-free travel! This high-performance, quality steam iron offers all the features you need for traditional ironing tasks, including a sleek ergonomic design, comfortable use.

This top-of-the-line, 1000 watt iron is perfect for taking on the go. The 2-ounce transparent water tank, so you can easily see how much water is left. Furthermore, its dual voltage makes it perfect for travel anywhere in the world, and the handle folds flat for easy storage.

In addition, its micro steam stainless steel soleplate ensures a smooth glide and quick heat-up time. For the safety and longevity of the soleplate, ZD 100 non-toxic stainless steel soleplate cleaning kit can be used to clean and remove clogs, and detergent buildup.

Furthermore, 1000 watts of power ensures quick and efficient heating, while dual voltage makes it usable anywhere in the world. In addition, its size and handle that folds flat for storage make it easy to take on the go, while a travel pouch provides added protection.

• Micro-steam soleplate with 200 holes distributes steam all over the cloth.
• One of the unique features is a folding handle which is very helpful for travelers for storage.
• Can do vertical ironing as it produces steam in vertical position too.
• A travel pouch is given with iron for the storage of iron safely.
• The small water tank capacity is only an ounce.
• No, auto-shutoff feature.

Buying Guide for best travel steam iron

There we describe in detail some key features which an avid traveler must keep in mind before buying the best travel steam iron, A good analysis before buying is necessary because you don’t want a couple of bucks in your pocket to buy a low-quality iron which will have problems after a couple of uses.

One must keep in mind about few important things such as Wattage, Power, Water Capacity, Temperature setting range, Portability, Dual Voltage, and Extra Features.

It is one of the most important factors in an iron box, higher wattage means it consumes more energy and heats up faster, you can use it continuously with no time gaps between different clothes which will give you a better result in lesser time. Lower wattage is preferred when space is your top priority because it will consume less energy and heat up slowly to maintain the temperature which can take more time to iron.

So, be sure about how many clothes are there in your suitcase before buying an ultra-lightweight travel iron.

Water capacity not only increases the weight but higher water capacity is also preferred when you are looking forward to ironing clothes for a larger family or you have kids who are involved in activities that cause a lot of dirt on their clothes.

If your priority is portability and wants to take iron for traveling then lower water capacity might be a better choice. Because for travel you keep fewer clothes mostly for need and prefer less weight so if a water tank of the iron is large weight also increases. A better choice is to keep wrinkle release spray which is very helpful for removing stubborn creases. With less weight, you can get your problem solved easily.

You can check the best wrinkle release spray reviews and buy the best one for you according to your clothes material.

It is one of the most imperative features to look for because using an iron with less than 100°C will result in difficulty in moving creases and using it at higher temperatures might burn your cloth. The temperature setting range helps you to control the heat according to the fabric type, so before buying be sure about which fabrics are there in your luggage.

Prefer the iron which has versatility in temperature settings because more range will help you set heat according to fabric type. Better to choose the iron having both dry iron and steam iron option.

One of the prime factors of traveling is to be on a go with minimum baggage, Higher the weight of iron, the more difficult it will be to carry, Some companies which are known for their travel irons make them ultra-lightweight with low water capacity and lower wattage like Steam fast, Sunbeam, Oliso, and Rowenta . So, choose wisely according to your priority and luggage weight limit.

The voltage output of other countries may be different from your home country . So, choose an iron with a dual voltage feature that will help you to use it in different countries by adjusting the wattage and voltage. Like the US and Canada have 110V power supply whereas 220V is the common voltage range in other countries.

Some extra features added , like an anti-slip handle, powerful steam, and long cord are retreats that are appreciated for comfort and ease of ironing while traveling. Some good companies keep looking upon these features too. Like Rowenta, sunbeam and oliso have these features.

Finally, now you are well aware of the features to look for in a travel iron, Make sure that you choose according to your needs and priorities to save your time and energy.

Hope you liked our article about buying guide for the best travel iron, if you have any questions or suggestions then feel free to comment below, we will reply as soon as possible.

Yes, voltage is really important to look at because the voltage power of that country may be different than your home country to which you are planning to travel. So, prefer the iron which is having a dual voltage feature.

After thorough research, we found that Oliso Smart Iron TG1600 is the best travel steam iron for clothes, it has all the latest technology and features that an ultra-light travel iron should have.

Yes, you can use a travel iron if you have no, room or proper space for ironing and you have less laundry to press depending on your family size. Travel iron is small and can be stored in less space easily. You can check the steam iron choices for regular use at home.

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What’s the Best Travel Curling Iron? See Our Top 5 Picks

Hair , TOILETRIES

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For those of us with high-maintenance hair, traveling without the right tools is not an option. These are the best travel curling iron options for domestic and international trips to keep your luggage to a minimum!

Best Travel Curling Iron

Table of contents.

One of the biggest secrets to chic style is great hair and makeup — without these, it doesn’t matter how perfect your capsule wardrobe looks. Well-styled hair and makeup can create a polished look, even if you’re decked out in a pair of sneakers with jeans and a T-shirt.

Unfortunately, not all of us travelers are blessed with easy-to-maintain, smooth, glossy locks. So, we feel it’s worth it to sacrifice some suitcase space to make sure we have the best hair tools, like our favorite travel curling iron.

If a curling iron is on your must-have travel list, we’ve rounded up a few of the best travel curling iron options on the market. They are a collection of the most versatile and compaction travel curlers for your next trip!

Best Travel Curling Iron Reviews

Shop L’ANGE Le Duo 360° Airflow Styler: Amazon | Ulta

2-in-1 Travel Curling Iron

If you need to curl and straighten your hair while traveling, then a 2-in-1 travel hair curler is a great option. You have access to both tools without sacrificing the extra space.

This travel sized curling iron by L’ANGE doubles as a flat iron, to give you a variety in your hair without having to worry about carrying multiple items. Plus, it’s a dual voltage curling iron, which means you can cart it around to any country in the world and not have to worry about blowing a fuse.

I’ve always traveled with both a curling and flat iron (unless I’ve had my hair permanently straightened recently) so when I found this 2-in-1 travel hair curler, it was the perfect solution.

 You can choose your preferred heat with the adjustable temperature setting of 280°F-430°F. My hair is fine and wavy, but the roots carry some extra curl, so when I brought this on a four-week trip, it took a few extra glides.

All things considered, I have to say this 2-in-1 curling and straightening tool is one of the best travel curling iron tools out there. It works perfectly for the occasional curl and daily smoothing.

Looking for a dual voltage flat iron ? See our list of the best ones!

VAV 2in1 Mini Travel Hair Curling Iron

Mini Curling Iron with Two Heat Settings

If you prefer that your hair styling regime mimics a salon-style treatment, then the 1-inch VAV 2in1 Mini Hair Curling Iron is the ideal choice. This mini curling wand is your standard ceramic-coated curling iron but with a compact design for easy storage during your travels.

It’s an easy-to-carry mini curling iron that heats up quickly and creates smooth, shiny curls in seconds. It only takes 30 seconds to reach the hottest setting!

Not only does this travel hair curler heat up quickly, but you have control over the temperature with two heat settings — just flip the switch from high to low. For those of us with thin and damage prone hair, the low setting is built to be gentle enough to protect your hair while leaving you with amazing curls.

Learn how to make your blowout last for days !

Conair Mini Pro 1″ Ceramic

A Travel Size Curling Iron that’s Budget-Friendly

If you need a budget-friendly travel size curling iron, then the ultra-tiny Conair Mini Pro iron is a great choice. It is compact and can easily fit in any bag or purse without you needing to sacrifice the space for other necessities.

This travel size curler heats up quickly and gets to a high enough temperature for you to curl thick hair. That said, because of its smaller size, it might not be the best travel curling iron for travelers with extra long hair.

Need to dry your hair fast on the go? See our tips!

AmoVee 2 in 1 Mini Flat Iron Curling Iron

Mini Travel Curling Wand to Save Space

If you have limited space but want to bring a travel hair curler along with you on your next trip, then a mini curling wand might be the solution for you

A great option for a mini curler is the titanium AmoVee 2in1  styler, which creates curls or waves in your locks while adding shine and luster to your hair. Additionally, you can straighten with this small-size tool, too!

It is an easy to use travel curling wand that helps create fast hairstyles in a single stroke. Plus, the titanium barrel distributes heat evenly to eliminate kinks whether you’re curling or straightening. It also heats up fast.

I describe myself as ultra lazy when it comes to hairstyling, but when I started using this travel curling iron , I became obsessed with how easy it was to use! Now I rarely travel without it, especially since it’s dual-voltage.

We round up the best hair diffusers for travel!

Conair ThermaCell Compact Curling Iron

Cordless Curling Iron for on the Go

When you travel with electronic devices or hair styling tools, you have to think about plugs, adapters, and voltage. Especially if you’re traveling to somewhere like Europe, where the plugs don’t match. Unless you travel with a cordless curling iron.

I had always wanted cordless hair tools for road trips or places where access to power outlets aren’t easy to come by. Measuring a mere 6.4 inches, the ThermaCell by Conair is the ultimate cordless curler to carry throughout your travels!

Our favorite feature of this cordless curling tool is obviously the fact that there are no plugs or batteries to fuss with. And the ThermaCell cartridges last several months, so you can style your hair anytime, anywhere without worrying about running out of juice.

The ThermaCell also saves you time by heating up in as little as 30 seconds, giving you plenty of time to hit the city and enjoy your vacation. This portable curling wand is a great addition to your packing list, and due to the lack of cord, you don’t even have to worry about the voltage. Roadtrip, here we come!

Check out our ultimate guide to hair while traveling!

Best Travel Curling Iron Comparison Chart

Here’s a quick review of the best travel curling irons.

Universal Travel Plug Charger

The Importance of Dual Voltage Curling Irons

Before you head off to purchase you’re favorite of the best travel curling iron options, we need to have a chat about the importance of a dual voltage curling iron. Voltage refers simply to electricity, and different countries you might travel to have different types of electricity. For example, here in the US, we use 110-120V, but in Europe, they use 220-240V.

There’s a good chance that your electronics are built for the same voltage as the country in which you bought them. That means that if you take your non-dual voltage hair curler with you while you’re visiting another country, it might not work. In fact, you could even blow a fuse or destroy your travel hair tool if you try to use it. Not cool!

If you want a full run-down on voltage by country, you can check out this World Standards page .

Learn about voltage converters vs. adapters !

To use your favorite travel curling iron in another country, you’re going to need two things:

• The correct voltage
• A travel adapter

Your hair styling tools, including blow dryers, curling wands and irons, and hair straighteners use a ton of electricity. That means it’s important they they are used with the correct voltage.

Some hair tools are labeled “dual-voltage,” which means they’ve been designed to be used in multiple countries. If you’re traveling outside of the US (or a country that uses the same voltage) you’re going to want to bring your dual voltage curler with you.

Once you have your hands on a dual voltage curling iron, you’re also going to need a travel adapter. A travel adapter enables you to plug your electronics into international outlets while you travel. Since not every country uses the same type of plug, we highly recommend you buy an international adapter .

Visit this power outlet guide for travelers to see a full list of plugs and outlets by country!

The Best Travel Curling Iron for the US

If you’re both from the US and traveling within the US, you won’t need to get a dual voltage curling iron. But you might want to save some space by choosing to travel with a mini curling iron.

If you are traveling to the US from a country outside of the US, you’ll need to travel with a dual voltage curler (you can still save space by getting yourself a mini iron). Make sure that you switch the voltage to 110V/120V before using your travel hair curler once you’ve arrived in the US.

The Best Travel Curling Iron for Europe

Is your travel curling iron dual voltage? If so, then that is the one you’ll want to use if you’re traveling from the US to Europe, Asia, Africa, or the South Pacific.

If the one you have at home is not a dual voltage curling iron, you’ll want to look into purchasing a new one for your travels (but avoid the 1-inch Mini Hair Curling Iron because it doesn’t have that feature).

Note that if you purchase a travel curling iron for Europe while you’re there, it likely will be a curling iron with a European plug. If you’re from the US, a European curling iron won’t help much when you get home!

A dual voltage curling iron is not automatically set for travel, so make sure to switch your hair tools to 220V/240V before you use them at your destination!

So, are you ready to spend your vacation with beautiful curls without the fuss? The best travel curling iron can easily take your hair from flat to va-va-voom in a matter of minutes!

What are your picks for the best travel curling iron? Share in the comments!

For more tips on travel hairstyles, please read:

• What’s the Best Travel Hair Dryer?
• Should I Pack a Travel Blow Dryer?
• What’s the Best Travel Hair Straightener?
• Best Hair Products for Travelers

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10 comments.

Regarding the cordless one, can it be brought onto the airplane in carryon?

I would like to purchase a 220v -2 prong curling iron. Not a dual voltage. They are not consistent in overheating even with all the adapters and “dual capability.”

I simply want to purchase a European 2-prong curling iron. Could someone post that as a purchase option please?

1”-1 1/2” barrel

Hi Lori, to get the most help in your search, of you haven’t already done so, I would highly recommend that you join our TFG facebook group and post your question there – it’s a fabulous community of helpful female travelers that love to share their travel advice and recommendations!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelfashiongirl

I bought two of the 6th Sense Styling Technology. One for travel/gym bag and one for home. I love it so much!

Thanks for sharing your love of your curling iron with us Jillian! Always love hearing the feedback of our readers!

I always travel with a normal size curling iron but find it is a little too long to fit comfortably in my personal item. I purchased the Conair Mini Pro Ceramic but found it was too hard to use on my shoulder-length hair. I kept burning my fingers! I think it would work well for someone with short hair, however. I returned it and bought the AmoVee 2-in-1 curling iron. This one is a keeper. Much easier to use and I like the padded sleeve that comes with it. It is dual voltage too! In the meantime, I stumbled across an old Charlescraft Quartette curling iron in a second-hand store for $10. The handle and the four curling iron barrels are separate and snap together. Smart design! It is not dual voltage but I can use it for domestic travel. I notice a similar one (Triplette instead of Quartette) is for sale on Poshmark.

The best thing I’ve used is my Karmin curling iron, I love it.❤❤❤

Hi Katherine, thank you for sharing how you like to style your hair when traveling with us! ?

I prefer Karmin.

Hi Heidi, thank you for sharing your recommendation with us! 🙂

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IRONMAN Canada-Ottawa

Part of the vinfast ironman north america series  , ottawa, ontario.

August 3, 2025  |   3 Août 2025

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Canada's Capital City Grandeur

The captivating capital of Canada, Ottawa, offers the perfect venue for a summer IRONMAN, with kilometers of gorgeous landscapes, warm hospitality, and those iconic Canadian delights like poutine and maple syrup. IRONMAN Canada-Ottawa offers athletes ease of access via plane or car, abundant accommodations, and plenty of dining options. The course caters to both novice and seasoned competitors with a river swim, a bike route weaving through city streets offering a glimpse of the historic embassy row and rural landscapes, and a vibrant run through downtown Ottawa, culminating with a finish in front of the Parliament of Canada.

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La fascinante capitale du Canada, Ottawa, offre le lieu idéal pour un événement d'été IRONMAN, avec des kilomètres de magnifiques paysages, une hospitalité chaleureuse et des délices canadiens emblématiques, tels que la poutine et le sirop d'érable. IRONMAN Canada-Ottawa offre aux athlètes un accès facile en avion ou en voiture, des hébergements abondants et de nombreuses options de restauration. Le parcours s'adresse aussi bien aux novices qu'aux compétiteurs chevronnés avec une nage en rivière, un parcours à vélo qui serpente les rues de la ville offrant un aperçu de la rangée historique des ambassades et des paysages ruraux, et une course à pied vibrante à travers le centre-ville d'Ottawa, culminant avec une arrivée en face du remarquable Parlement du Canada.

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Ottawa to host Ironman Triathlon in 2025

The city of Ottawa will be hosting the Ironman Canada Triathlon in 2025.

It will be the first full-distance Ironman event to be held in Ottawa. The event is scheduled to take place Aug. 3, 2025.

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"We are thrilled to announce this new partnership with Ottawa and bring Ironman Canada-Ottawa, one of our most historic race franchises, to the Canadian capital," said Ironman VP of North American operations Keats McGonigal in a news release. "Ottawa offers the quintessential Canadian race environment with a plethora of outdoor activities, great weather and a mosaic of culture all nestled at the very seat of government. Ironman Canada has played a prominent role in the history of Ironman and will continue with the expansion to Ottawa. We are enthusiastic and excited to see what futures hold here in Ottawa, Ontario."

The triathlon will begin at Britannia Beach, with a 3.8-kilometre two-loop swim in the Ottawa River.

From there, the 180-km bike portion will run along NCC and city roads, including the Kichi Zibi Mikan, the Queen Elizabeth Driveway, Laurier Avenue, Nicholas Street, Sussex Drive, and the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway. Roads will be closed to traffic for the event.

"One of the really unique selling points for this race in particular is it's highly urban," said Ironman regional director Dave Christen. "To be able to race in front of Parliament like we are, to be able to finish eventually in front of Parliament as well, to pass through the city streets of this great capital city."

Finally, the marathon run will begin at Parliament Hill, run along Wellington Street before looping to head south on Colonel By Drive alongside the Rideau Canal to Hog's Back and then back up the Queen Elizabeth Driveway to Parliament Hill.

"I am thrilled to welcome the Ironman Canada competition to Ottawa," said Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe. "I love this city and so will you. There are so many triathletes in Ottawa. And it's an absolutely stunning and beautiful place to swim, bike and run. It's also the perfect location for outdoor adventures and world class events, especially an event as prestigious as Ironman Canada. Ottawa is a great place for this amazing competition. Everyone from athletes to families, friends and fans will have an amazing race experience here. I look forward to seeing everyone here in August 2025."

Sutcliffe told CTV News he does not intend to compete in the Ottawa Ironman. While he's an avid marathon runner, who will be running the London Marathon during a trade mission abroad, he said his mayoral responsibilities prevent him from training for this triathlon.

"I would love to, if I could, but training for an Ironman is a completely different level of training than training for a marathon and I don't have that kind of time unfortunately, so I'll be there cheering people on," he said.

General registration opens April 22 on the Ironman website.  The Ironman Canada-Ottawa triathlon, part of the VinFast Ironman North America Series, will offer qualifying slots to the 2026 VinFast Ironman World Championship.

Rick Hellard, who has competed in Ironman events, says it takes a lot of effort to prepare.

"The actual race day isn't that bad," Hellard said. "It's the getting ready for it, all the preparation, because it takes years to get there and it's being consistent with the training."

The event is also expected to provide a major tourism boost for the city, bringing top athletes and their families to the capital. 

"This event showcases the resilience and determination of athletes from far and wide, leaving a legacy of excellence in our city," said Ottawa Tourism president and CEO Michael Crockatt. "We're confident about this partnership and believe this will significantly contribute to our local economy, grow our sports tourism market, inspire our community, and further showcase our ability to host world-class events. Ottawa's scenic landscapes and vibrant communities are ready to welcome participants and spectators alike for an unforgettable experience."

Turn by turn directions

Bike course

• Head southeast on Greenview Ave
• Turn left onto Carling Ave
• Take the ramp onto Kichi Zibi Mikan East
• Stay on parkway until it turns into Wellington St
• Turn Right onto Lyon St
• Turn Left onto Laurier Ave W
• Take Ramp onto Queen Elizabeth Driveway and head south
• Turn Right onto Queen Elizabeth Pl towards Wilton Crescent and Bank St
• Turn Right onto Wilton Crescent
• Turn Right onto Bank St
• Turn Right onto Echo Dr
• Turn Right onto Colonel By Dr and head north
• Colonel By Dr ends and becomes Sussex Dr – Continue North on Sussex Dr
• Sussex Dr continues along the Ottawa River and turns into Princess Ave
• Princess Ave becomes Sir-George-Étienne-Cartier Pkwy
• Stay on Sir-George-Étienne-Cartier Pkwy until it ends at Regional Rd 48/St Joseph Blvd where you will U-Turn prior to the intersection.
• Stay on Sir-George-Étienne-Cartier Pkwy west until its Princess Ave, and then Sussex Dr again into Ottawa
• Right onto Wellington St
• Continue on Wellington St until it turns back into Kichi Zibi Mikan West
• Stay on Kichi Zibi Mikan until the yet to be determined exact turn around point approx. near Deschênes Rapids Lookout and begin your second or final loop.
• Repeat these steps above until you return to our transition area for the final time and dismount.

Exact transition area is still being determined and right now it shows on Wellington St. This remains to be determined but it will be in and around this general area within 800 meters.

• Head west on Wellington St
• Use the Wellington St Underpass to access Commissioner St
• Turn left onto Commissioner St
• Right on Colonel By Dr- Stay on Colonel By Dr all the way down to Hogs Back Rd
• Turn around just before Hogs Back Rd and head North
• Turn Right onto the ramp up to Bronson Ave
• Turn Left onto Bronson Ave
• Turn Left onto Lakeview Terrace
• Turn Right onto Queen Elizabeth Driveway
• Queen Elizabeth Driveway turns into Prince of Wales Dr
• Turn around at Prince of Wales Dr and NCC Scenic Driveway (exact turn around will be adjusted here to make the exact distance and may be before or after the roundabout)
• Head North on Prince of Wales Dr
• Prince of Wales Dr turns into Queen Elizabeth Driveway
• Stay on Queen Elizabeth Driveway until Hawthorne Ave
• Turn right onto Hawthorne Ave
• Turn left onto Colonel By Dr
• Turn left onto Wellington St
• Continue on Wellington until turn around to start second loop
• Follow steps above to complete second loop
• Finish line is currently planned on the beautiful and historic Wellington St.

Athletes will notice the bike, run and finish are all planned for Wellington St. Ironman has different versions of the plan still being vetted out and will have updates as it completes those discussions.

--With files from CTV News Ottawa's Tyler Fleming.

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2024 Federal Budget analysis

On April 16, 2024, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland, presented the government’s budget. The budget:

• increases the capital gains inclusion rate from 1/2 to 2/3, effective June 25, 2024 (up to $250,000 of annual gains for individuals will continue to benefit from the 1/2 inclusion rate)
• raises the lifetime capital gains exemption to $1.25 million and introduces a new 1/3 inclusion rate for up to $2 million of certain capital gains realized by entrepreneurs
• confirms previously announced alternative minimum tax proposals effective January 1, 2024, but softens the impact of these proposals on charitable donations
• provides design and implementation details for the clean electricity investment tax credit
• introduces accelerated capital cost allowance (CCA) for, and relief from interest deductibility limitations for debt incurred to fund the construction of, certain purpose-built rental housing
• provides immediate expensing for the cost of certain patents and computer equipment and software
• gives the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) additional information gathering powers

This Tax Insights discusses these and other tax initiatives proposed in the budget.

Tax measures

Capital gains inclusion rate.

• Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption

Canadian Entrepreneurs’ Incentive

• Alternative Minimum Tax

Employee Ownership Trust Tax Exemption

Volunteer firefighters tax credit and search and rescue volunteers tax credit, mineral exploration tax credit for flow-through share investors.

• Canada Child Benefit

Disability Supports Deduction

Charities and qualified donees.

• Home Buyers’ Plan

Qualified Investments for Registered Plans

Deduction for tradespeople’s travel expenses, indigenous child and family services settlement, clean electricity investment tax credit, ev supply chain investment tax credit, clean technology manufacturing investment tax credit.

• Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance

Interest Deductions and Purpose-Built Rental Housing

Taxing vacant lands to incentivize construction, confronting the financialization of housing, halal mortgages, non-compliance with information requests, synthetic equity arrangements, mutual fund corporations, canada carbon rebate for small business, avoidance of tax debts, reportable and notifiable transactions penalty, manipulation of bankrupt status.

• Scientific Research and Experimental Development

International

Crypto-asset reporting, withholding for non-resident service providers, international tax reform.

• Extending GST Relief to Student Residences

GST/HST on Face Masks and Face Shields

Previously announced, personal tax measures.

The budget proposes to increase the capital gains inclusion rate from 1/2 to:

• 2/3 for dispositions after June 24, 2024 for corporations and trusts, and
• 2/3 for the portion of capital gains realized after June 24, 2024 in excess of an annual $250,000 threshold for individuals

The $250,000 annual threshold would apply to capital gains realized by an individual, either directly or indirectly via a partnership or trust, net of:

• current year capital losses
• capital losses of other years applied to reduce current year capital gains, and
• capital gains in respect of which the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE), the proposed Employee Ownership Trust Exemption or the proposed Canadian Entrepreneurs’ Incentive is claimed

As a result, the following rates will apply to capital gains earned by individuals in excess of the $250,000 threshold who are subject to the top marginal income tax rate (i.e. on taxable income exceeding: $355,845 in Alberta, $252,752 in British Columbia, $1,103,478 in Newfoundland and Labrador, $500,000 in the Yukon and $246,752 in all other jurisdictions).

The budget also proposes to decrease the stock option deduction to 1/3 to align with the new capital gains inclusion rate.  Individuals would continue to benefit from a deduction of 1/2 of the taxable benefit up to a combined $250,000 for both employee stock options and capital gains.

The inclusion rate for net capital losses carried forward and applied against capital gains will be adjusted to reflect the inclusion rate of the capital gains being offset.   

Transitional rules will apply to taxation years that begin before June 25, 2024 and end after June 24, 2024 such that capital gains realized before June 25, 2024 would be subject to the 1/2 inclusion rate and capital gains realized after June 24, 2024 (net of any losses) would be subject to a 2/3 inclusion rate. The $250,000 threshold will not be prorated for individuals in 2024 and will apply only against capital gains incurred after June 24, 2024.

Additional details will be provided in the coming months.   

Earning capital gains through a Canadian-controlled private corporation (CCPC)

In most jurisdictions, the increase in the capital gains inclusion rate makes it less attractive for individuals to earn capital gains in excess of $250,000 through a CCPC instead of directly. The  Appendix shows the resulting income tax deferral (prepayment) and the tax cost for an individual who realizes capital gains in excess of $250,000 and pays tax at the top tax rate.

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Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE)

The budget proposes to increase the LCGE on eligible capital gains from $1,016,836 to $1,250,000 for dispositions that occur after June 24, 2024. The indexing of the LCGE to inflation will resume in 2026.

The budget introduces the Canadian Entrepreneurs’ Incentive, which will reduce the taxes on capital gains from the disposition of shares by eligible individuals which meet the following conditions:

• at the time of the sale the share was a share of a small business corporation owned directly by an individual
• used principally in an active business carried on primarily in Canada by the CCPC or a related corporation
• certain shares or debts of connected corporations, or
• a combination of these assets
• the individual was a founding investor and the individual held the share for a period of five years prior to the disposition
• at all times since the share subscription until the time immediately before the sale, the individual directly owned shares with a fair market value (FMV) of more than 10% of the FMV of all of the issued and outstanding shares of the corporation and shares entitling the individual to more than 10% of the votes
• throughout the five year period before the disposition the individual was actively engaged in a regular, continuous and substantial basis in the activities of the business
• the share does not represent a direct or indirect interest in a professional corporation, a corporation whose principal asset is the reputation or skill of one or more employees, or a corporation that carries on certain types of businesses including a business operating in the financial, insurance, real estate, food and accommodation, arts, recreation, or entertainment sector, or providing consulting or personal care services
• the share must have been obtained for fair market value consideration

The incentive would provide a capital gains inclusion rate of one half of the prevailing inclusion rate on up to $2 million in capital gains per individual during their lifetime. The $2 million limit will be phased in over 10 years by increments of $200,000 per year reaching $2 million by January 1, 2034.  

Applying the proposed 2/3 inclusion rate would result in an inclusion rate of 1/3 for qualifying dispositions.  This will apply in addition to the LCGE.

This measure would apply to dispositions that occur after December 31, 2024.

Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)

The 2023 budget announced amendments to change the calculation of the AMT. Draft legislative proposals were released for consultation in the summer of 2023. (For more information, see our Tax Insights “ Proposed changes to the alternative minimum tax: How will it affect individuals and trusts ”.)

The budget proposes to revise the proposed charitable donation tax credit claim to allow individuals to claim 80% when calculating AMT (as opposed to the previously proposed 50%).

The budget also proposes additional amendments to the AMT proposals including:

• allowing deductions for the Guaranteed Income Supplement, social assistance and workers compensation payments
• fully exempting employee ownership trusts (EOTs) from the AMT, and
• allowing certain disallowed credits under the AMT to be eligible for the AMT carry-forward (i.e. the federal political contribution tax credit, investment tax credits (ITCs), and labour-sponsored funds tax credit)

The amendments would apply to taxation years that begin after December 31, 2023.

The budget also proposes certain technical amendments to the AMT legislative proposals to exempt certain trusts for the benefit of Indigenous groups.

The 2023 budget proposed tax rules to create EOTs. The 2023 Fall Economic Statement proposed to exempt $10 million of capital gains on the sale of a business to an EOT subject to certain conditions.

The budget introduces the conditions for this exemption. The exemption will be available to an individual (other than a trust) on the sale of a business to an EOT where the following conditions are met:

• the individual, a personal trust of which the individual is a beneficiary, or a partnership in which the individual is a member, disposes of shares of a corporation that is not a professional corporation
• the transaction is a qualifying business transfer (as defined in the proposed rules for EOTs) in which the trust acquiring the shares is not already an EOT or a similar trust with employee beneficiaries
• throughout the 24 months immediately prior to the qualifying business transfer, the transferred shares were exclusively owned by the individual claiming the exemption, a related person, or a partnership in which the individual is a member; and over 50% of the FMV of the corporation’s assets were used principally in an active business
• at any time prior to the qualifying business transfer, the individual (or their spouse or common-law partner) has been actively engaged in the qualifying business on a regular and continuous basis for a minimum period of 24 months
• immediately after the qualifying business transfer, at least 90% of the beneficiaries of the EOT are resident in Canada

Where multiple individuals dispose of shares to an EOT as part of a qualifying transfer and meet the conditions above, they may each claim an exemption, however the total exemption in respect of the sale cannot exceed $10 million. The individuals would have to agree on the allocation of the exemption.

If an EOT has a disqualifying event within 36 months of the transfer, the exemption claim will be retroactively denied. If this occurs more than 36 months after a transfer the EOT will be deemed to realize a capital gain equal to the total exempt capital gains. A disqualifying event would result where an EOT loses its status as an EOT or if less than 50% of the FMV of the qualifying business shares is attributable to assets used principally in an active business at the beginning of two consecutive years of the corporation.

The EOT, any corporation owned by the EOT that acquired the transferred shares, and the individual will need to elect to be jointly and severally, or solitarily liable for any tax payable by the individual as a result of an exemption being denied due to a disqualifying event occurring during the first 36 months.  

For the purposes of the AMT calculation the capital gain on the transfer would be subject to an inclusion rate of 30% (consistent with the inclusion rate for capital gains eligible for the LCGE).            

An individual’s normal reassessment period as it relates to this exemption is proposed to be extended by an additional three years.

The budget also proposes to expand qualifying business transfers to include the sale of shares to a workers cooperative corporation, provided it meets certain conditions.

These measures will apply to qualifying dispositions of shares that occur between January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2026.

The budget proposes to double the volunteer firefighters tax credit and the search and rescue volunteers tax credit to $6,000 for the 2024 and subsequent taxation years; this increases the maximum annual tax savings to $900.

The budget proposes to extend the eligibility for this credit for an additional year, so that it will apply to flow-through share agreements entered into before April 1, 2025.

Canada Child Benefit (CCB)

A CCB recipient is no longer eligible to claim the CCB in respect of a child in the month following the child’s death. The budget proposes to extend eligibility for the CCB to six months after the child’s death, provided the individual continued to be eligible for the CCB.

The budget proposes to extend the list of expenses recognized for the disability supports deduction.

It also provides that expenses for service animals, as defined under the medical expense tax credit (METC) rules, will be recognized under the disability supports deduction. The individual will choose whether to claim under the METC or the disability supports deduction.

A foreign charity may register as a qualified donee for a 24-month period where it received a gift from His Majesty in right of Canada and it is pursuing certain activities in the national interest of Canada.  The budget proposes to extend the eligibility of a foreign charity to be considered a qualified donee from 24 months to 36 months.  The foreign charity would also be required to submit an annual information return to the CRA that would be made publicly available. The extension will apply to foreign charities registered after April 16, 2024. The reporting requirements will apply to taxation years beginning after April 16, 2024.        

The budget also proposes to simplify the issuance of official donation receipts by removing certain requirements.

Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP)

To help first-time home buyers, the budget proposes to:

• increase, from $35,000 to $60,000, the amount that an eligible home buyer can withdraw from their Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) under the HBP, without subjecting the withdrawal to tax, to buy or build a qualifying home (i.e. a first home or a home for a specified disabled individual), effective for the 2024 and subsequent calendar years, for withdrawals made after April 16, 2024
• temporarily extend the repayment grace period by three years, to five years, under the HBP, so that eligible home buyers who withdraw from their RRSP between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2025 will have up to five years before they need to start repayments to their RRSP

Registered plans (RRSPs, Registered Retirement Income Funds, Tax-Free Savings Accounts, Registered Education Savings Plans, Registered Disability Savings Plans, First Home Savings Accounts, and Deferred Profit Sharing Plans) can invest only in qualified investments for those plans. Qualified investments include mutual funds, publicly traded securities, government and corporate bonds and guaranteed investment certificates. Over the years the qualified investment rules have been expanded to include additional investments for certain plans and to reflect the introduction of new types of plans, but there are inconsistencies and the qualified investment rules are difficult to understand in some cases.

Specific issues are currently under consideration. Stakeholders are invited to submit comments by July 15, 2024 as to how the qualified investment rules can be modernized on a prospective basis to improve the clarity and coherence of the registered plans regime.

Eligible tradespeople and apprentices in the construction industry are currently able to deduct up to $4,000 in eligible travel and relocation expenses per year by claiming the labour mobility deduction for tradespeople. A private member’s bill (Bill C-241) was introduced to enact an alternative deduction for certain travel expenses of tradespeople in the construction industry, with no cap on expenses, retroactive to the 2022 taxation year.

The budget announces that the government will consider bringing forward amendments to the Income Tax Act (ITA) to provide a single, harmonized deduction for tradespeople’s travel that respects the intent of Bill C-241.

The budget proposes to amend the ITA to exclude from taxation the income of the trusts established under the First Nations Child and Family Services, Jordan’s Principle, and Trout Class Settlement Agreement. This will also ensure that payments received by class members as beneficiaries of the trusts will not be included when computing income for federal income tax purposes.

This measure will apply to the 2024 and subsequent taxation years.

Business tax measures

The 2023 budget proposed a refundable ITC for clean electricity, equal to 15% of the capital cost of eligible property. The 2024 budget provides the design and implementation details of the ITC, including the eligibility criteria. It also includes special rules for property that generates electricity from natural gas with carbon capture and property used to transmit electrical energy between provinces or territories, as well as details of the compliance and recovery process.

The ITC will be available only to eligible Canadian corporations, which are defined as:

• taxable Canadian corporations and pension investment corporations
• provincial and territorial Crown corporations (subject to additional requirements)
• corporations owned by municipalities or Indigenous communities

Property eligible for the ITC includes equipment used to generate electricity from:

• solar, wind or water energy (certain class 43.1 property, but hydroelectric installations would not be subject to a capacity limit)
• concentrated solar energy (as defined for the purposes of the proposed clean technology ITC)
• nuclear fission, including heat generating equipment (as defined for the purposes of the proposed clean technology ITC, without the generating capacity limits and other certain requirements of that credit)
• geothermal energy, including heat generating equipment, if it is used exclusively for that purpose (excluding equipment that is part of a system that extracts fossil fuel for sale)
• specified waste materials, as part of a system

Eligible property also includes equipment that is:

• stationary electricity storage equipment and equipment used for pumped hydroelectric energy storage (excluding any that uses a fossil fuel in operation)
• part of an eligible natural gas energy system (special rules apply)
• used for transmission of electricity between provinces and territories (special rules apply)

Previously proposed labour requirements must be met to qualify for the 15% ITC, otherwise a 5% ITC is available. The ITC will be subject to potential repayment obligations, repayable in proportion to the FMV of the particular property when it has been converted to an ineligible use, exported from Canada, or disposed of.

The ITC will be available for new eligible property (i.e. has not been used for any purposes before its acquisition) that is acquired and becomes available for use after April 15, 2024 and before 2035 in respect of projects that did not begin construction before March 28, 2023.

The budget introduces the EV supply chain ITC, equal to 10% of the cost of buildings used in Canada in the following electric vehicle supply chain segments:

• electric vehicle assembly
• electric vehicle battery production
• cathode active material production

To qualify for the ITC, the taxpayer (or member of a group of related taxpayers) must claim the clean technology manufacturing ITC (CTMITC) in all three of the segments (or must claim the CTMITC in two of the three segments and hold at least a qualifying minority interest in an unrelated corporation that claims the CTMITC in the third segment – the building costs of the unrelated corporation would also qualify for the new ITC).

The ITC is effective for property that is acquired and becomes available for use after December 31, 2023. The ITC will be reduced to 5% for 2033 and 2034 and 0% after 2034. Design and implementation details of the ITC will be provided in the 2024 Fall Economic Statement.

The 2023 budget proposed a clean technology manufacturing ITC, and draft legislative proposals were released in December 2023. The 2024 budget proposes to update the clean technology manufacturing ITC for production of qualifying minerals (such as copper, nickel, cobalt, lithium, graphite and rate earth elements) that occur at polymetallic projects (i.e. projects engaged in the production of multiple minerals) by:

• clarifying that the value of qualifying materials will be used as the appropriate output metric when assessing the extent to which property is used (or expected to be used) for qualifying mineral activities producing qualifying materials
• modifying eligible expenditures to include investments in eligible property used in qualifying mineral activities that are expected to produce primarily qualifying materials at mine or well sites, including tailing ponds and mills located at these sites (50% or more of the financial value of the output comes from qualifying materials)

A safe harbour rule will apply to the recapture rule for all qualifying mineral activities, to mitigate against the effects of mineral price volatility on the potential recapture of the ITC, the details of which will be provided at a later date.

Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance (CCA)

Purpose-built rental housing.

The budget provides an accelerated CCA of 10% for new eligible purpose-built rental projects that begin construction after April 15, 2024 and before January 1, 2031, and are available for use before January 1, 2036.

Eligible property will be new purpose-built rental housing that is a residential complex:

• with at least four private apartment units, or 10 private rooms or suites, and
• in which at least 90% of residential units are held for long-term rental

The Accelerated Investment Incentive (AII), which suspends the half-year rule, will continue to apply to eligible property put in use before 2028. The accelerated CCA will not apply to renovations of existing residential complexes, but new additions to an existing structure will be eligible. Projects that convert existing non-residential real estate into a residential complex will be eligible.

Productivity-enhancing assets

The budget provides immediate expensing (i.e. a 100% first-year CCA deduction) for property that is acquired after April 15, 2024 and becomes available for use before January 1, 2027, for the following CCA classes of assets:

• class 44 (patents or rights to use patented information for a limited or unlimited period)
• class 46 (data network infrastructure equipment and related systems software)
• class 50 (general-purpose electronic data-processing equipment and systems software)

The accelerated CCA will be available only for the year in which the property becomes available for use. For a short taxation year, the accelerated CCA must be prorated and will not be available in the following taxation year. Property that becomes available for use after 2026 and before 2028 will continue to benefit from the AII.

Property that has been used (or acquired for use) for any purpose before it is acquired by the taxpayer will be eligible for the accelerated CCA only if both of the following conditions are met:

• neither the taxpayer nor a non-arm’s length person previously owned the property, and
• the property has not been transferred to the taxpayer on a tax-deferred “rollover” basis

The excessive interest and financing expenses limitation (EIFEL) rules restrict a Canadian taxpayer’s deductions for interest and financing expenses, based upon a percentage of its “tax-EBITDA” (i.e. its taxable income, adjusted for items such as interest expenses, depreciation and amortization). For a discussion of the EIFEL rules, see our  Tax Insights “ Bill C-59 ─ Excessive interest and financing expenses limitation (EIFEL) regime .” The EIFEL rules currently include a single sector-specific exemption, for certain interest and financing expenses relating to public-private partnership (P3) infrastructure projects. The budget proposes to extend this election, on an elective basis, for certain interest and financing expenses relating to arm’s length financing that is used to build or acquire certain purpose-built rental housing located in Canada. This exemption will be effective for taxation years beginning after September 30, 2023, consistent with the EIFEL rules more generally. However, this exemption will be available only for expenses incurred before January 1, 2036.

The government is concerned that some landowners are holding residentially zoned vacant land as a speculative investment. The budget announces that the government will consider introducing a new tax on residentially zoned vacant land to spur development. The government will launch consultations later this year.

In March 2024, the government began consultations on how federal policies can better support the needs of all Canadians seeking to become homeowners. The government will provide an update in the 2024 Fall Economic Statement.

The budget announces the government’s intention to restrict the acquisition of existing single-family homes by very large corporate investors. The government will consult in the coming months and provide further details in the 2024 Fall Economic Statement.

The budget announces that the government is exploring new measures to expand access to alternative financing products for home purchasers, such as halal mortgages. These measures could include changes in the tax treatment of these products or a new regulatory regime for financial service providers, while ensuring adequate consumer protections are in place.

The budget proposes several amendments to the CRA’s information gathering provisions in the ITA, with the intent of enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of tax audits and facilitating the collection of tax revenues on a timelier basis. These changes include:

• allowing the CRA to issue a new type of notice, referred to as a “notice of non-compliance” and to levy a monetary penalty
• permitting the CRA to specify that any required information (oral or written) or documents be provided under oath or affirmation
• imposing a penalty when the CRA obtains a compliance order against a taxpayer, and
• extending the stop the clock rules (which suspend the counting of days in the assessment limitation period), so that these rules apply when a taxpayer seeks judicial review of any requirement or notice issued to the taxpayer by the CRA in relation to the audit and enforcement process, and during any period that a notice of non-compliance is outstanding

Analogous amendments are also proposed to other federal tax statutes administered by the CRA. The budget also proposes certain technical amendments to ensure the rules meet their policy objectives.

These amendments would come into force upon royal assent of the enacting legislation.

The ITA allows a corporation to deduct the amount of any dividends received on a share of a corporation resident in Canada, subject to certain limitations.

One of these limitations is an anti-avoidance rule that denies the dividend received deduction in connection with synthetic equity arrangements. Synthetic equity arrangements include arrangements in which a person receives a dividend on a share, but all or substantially all of the risk of loss and opportunity for gain or profit (the “economic exposure”) in respect of the share are provided to another person.

Where a taxpayer enters into a synthetic equity arrangement in respect of a share, the taxpayer is generally obligated to compensate the other person for the amount of any dividends paid on the share. This compensation payment may result in a tax deduction for the taxpayer in addition to the dividend received deduction. Unless the anti-avoidance rule applies to deny the dividend received deduction, a tax loss would generally arise as a result of the two deductions.

The anti-avoidance rule incorporates certain exceptions, including where the taxpayer establishes that no tax-indifferent investor has all or substantially all of the economic exposure in respect of the share. An associated exception is also available for synthetic equity arrangements traded on a derivatives exchange.

The budget proposes to remove the tax-indifferent investor exception (including the exchange traded exception) to the anti-avoidance rule. This measure would prevent taxpayers from claiming the dividend received deduction for dividends received on a share in respect of which there is a synthetic equity arrangement.

This measure would apply to dividends received after December 31, 2024.

A mutual fund is a type of investment vehicle that allows investors to pool their money and invest in a portfolio of investments without purchasing the investments directly. A mutual fund corporation is a mutual fund organized as a corporation that meets certain conditions set out in the ITA.

The ITA includes special rules for mutual fund corporations that facilitate conduit treatment for investors (shareholders). For example, these rules generally allow capital gains realized by a mutual fund corporation to be treated as capital gains realized by its investors. In addition, a mutual fund corporation is not subject to mark-to-market taxation and can elect capital gains treatment on the disposition of Canadian securities.

To qualify as a mutual fund corporation under the ITA, a corporation must satisfy several conditions, including that it must be a “public corporation”. A corporation can meet this condition if a class of its shares is listed on a designated stock exchange in Canada. A corporation that is controlled by a corporate group may satisfy this condition, and qualify as a mutual fund corporation, even though it is not widely held. The government is concerned that this could allow a corporate group to use a mutual fund corporation to benefit from the special rules available to these corporations in an unintended manner.

Although the government believes this planning can be challenged based on existing rules in the ITA, the budget proposes specific amendments to the ITA to preclude a corporation from qualifying as a mutual fund corporation where it is controlled by or for the benefit of a corporate group (including a corporate group that consists of any combination of corporations, individuals, trusts, and partnerships that do not deal with each other at arm’s length). Exceptions would be provided to ensure that the measure does not adversely affect mutual fund corporations that are widely held pooled investment vehicles.

This measure would apply to taxation years that begin after 2024.

The budget introduces the Canada Carbon Rebate for Small Business, to return a portion of the federal backstop pollution pricing fuel charge proceeds collected from a province. This will be an automatic refundable tax credit for CCPCs with less than 500 employees in Canada in the calendar year in which the fuel charge begins. The tax credit in respect of the 2019-20 to 2023-24 fuel charge years will be available to a CCPC that files a tax return for its 2023 taxation year by July 15, 2024 (with similar timelines for future fuel charge years).

The tax credit amount:

• is determined for each applicable province in which the eligible corporation had employees in the calendar year in which the fuel charge year begins; and
• is equal to the number of persons employed by the eligible corporation in the province in that calendar year multiplied by a payment rate specified by the Minister of Finance for the province for the corresponding fuel charge year

The ITA includes an anti-avoidance rule that is intended to prevent taxpayers from avoiding payment of their tax liabilities by transferring their assets to non-arm’s length persons. The effect of this tax debt avoidance rule is to make the transferee jointly and severally, or solidarily, liable with the transferor for the transferor’s tax debts, to the extent that the value of the property transferred exceeds the amount of consideration given by the transferee for the property.

The ITA contains a number of rules that address various planning techniques employed by taxpayers attempting to circumvent the tax debt avoidance rule, as well as a penalty for those who engage in, participate in, assent to, or acquiesce in planning activity that they know, or would reasonably be expected to know, is tax debt avoidance planning.

The budget includes a new specific measure to address tax debt avoidance planning (although the government believes this planning can also be challenged based on existing rules in the ITA). The measure would apply in the following circumstances:

• there has been a transfer of property from a tax debtor to another person
• as part of the same transaction or series of transactions, there has been a separate transfer of property from a person other than the tax debtor to a transferee that does not deal at arm’s length with the tax debtor, and
• one of the purposes of the transaction or series is to avoid joint and several, or solidary, liability

Where these conditions are met, the property transferred by the tax debtor would be deemed to have been transferred to the transferee for the purposes of the tax debt avoidance rule. This would ensure that the tax debt avoidance rule applies in situations where property has been transferred from a tax debtor to a person and, as part of the same transaction or series, property has been received by a non-arm’s length person. The penalty applicable to those who participate in tax debt avoidance planning would also be extended to this proposed new rule.

In many cases, tax debt avoidance planning is facilitated by a planner who receives a significant fee, which is effectively funded by a portion of the avoided tax debt. The courts have held that a taxpayer who engages in tax debt avoidance planning is normally not jointly and severally, or solidarily, liable for the portion of the tax debt that has effectively been retained by the planner as a fee. The budget proposes that taxpayers who participate in tax debt avoidance planning be jointly and severally, or solidarily, liable for the full amount of the avoided tax debt, including any portion that has effectively been retained by the planner.

Similar amendments would be made to comparable provisions in other federal statutes.

These measures would apply to transactions or series of transactions that occur after April 15, 2024.

The ITA includes a general rule providing that a person who fails to file or make a return or comply with certain specified rules is guilty of an offence, and liable to penalties of up to $25,000 and imprisonment for up to a year. The mandatory disclosure rules in the ITA also include specific penalties that apply in these circumstances, making the application of this general penalty provision unnecessary.

The budget therefore proposes to remove from the scope of the general penalty provision the failure to file an information return in respect of a reportable or notifiable transaction under the mandatory disclosure rules.

This amendment would be deemed to have come into force on June 22, 2023, which is the day the enhanced mandatory disclosure rules received royal assent.

Under the ITA, losses and other tax attributes that arise from expenditures for which a taxpayer did not ultimately bear the cost are generally not recognized. The ITA contains a set of debt forgiveness rules that apply where a commercial debt is settled for less than its principal amount. These rules generally reduce tax attributes by the amount of debt that is forgiven and, where tax attributes have been fully reduced, the rules cause an income inclusion equal to half of the remaining forgiven amount. The ITA also contains a rule that entitles an insolvent corporation to a corresponding deduction to offset all or part of an income inclusion from the debt forgiveness rules.

Bankrupt taxpayers are generally excluded from these debt forgiveness rules. Instead, a separate loss restriction rule applies to extinguish the losses of bankrupt corporations that have received an absolute order of discharge.

The government is concerned that some taxpayers have sought to manipulate the bankrupt status of an insolvent corporation, with a view to benefiting from the exception in the debt forgiveness rules while also avoiding the loss restriction rule applicable to bankrupt corporations. This planning seeks to preserve the losses and other tax attributes of the insolvent corporation (which would otherwise be eliminated upon the forgiveness of its debts), so that these attributes can be acquired and used by a profitable corporation. This planning is the subject of a designated transaction under the notifiable transactions element of the mandatory disclosure rules.

Although the government believes that manipulation of bankrupt status can be challenged based on existing rules in the ITA, the budget proposes a specific legislative measure to address this issue: repealing the exception to the debt forgiveness rules for bankrupt corporations and the loss restriction rule applicable to bankrupt corporations. This change would subject bankrupt corporations to the general rules that apply to other corporations whose commercial debts are forgiven. The bankruptcy exception to the debt forgiveness rules would remain in place for individuals. While bankrupt corporations would be subject to the reduction of their loss carryforward balances and other tax attributes upon debt forgiveness, as insolvent corporations they could qualify for relief from the debt forgiveness income inclusion rule provided under the existing deduction for insolvent corporations.

These proposals would apply to bankruptcy proceedings that are commenced on or after April 16, 2024.

Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED)

The government launched a consultation on the existing SR&ED tax incentives on January 31, 2024, which closed on April 15, 2024. The budget announces a second phase of consultations, to focus on specific policy parameters, explore how Canadian public companies could become eligible for the enhanced SR&ED ITC and inform how additional funding announced by the budget can support future enhancements to the SR&ED program. Further details of the consultation will be released on the Department of Finance Canada website at a later date.

International tax measures

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has developed a framework for the automatic exchange of tax information relating to transactions in crypto-assets, the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF). The budget proposes to implement the CARF in Canada. The new reporting rules will apply to crypto-asset service providers that are resident in Canada, or carry on business in Canada, and that provide services effectuating exchange transactions in crypto-assets. These service providers will need to report certain information regarding their customers and crypto-asset transactions. The budget also includes proposed amendments to the Canadian rules implementing the OECD’s Common Reporting Standard, including changes relating to electronic money products and central bank digital currencies. These measures will apply to 2026 and subsequent calendar years.

A person who makes a payment to a non-resident for services rendered in Canada is currently required to withhold 15% of the payment and remit that amount to the CRA. This is intended to serve as a prepayment of tax that the non-resident may ultimately owe in Canada. Certain non-residents do not owe Canadian tax for these services, e.g. due to exemptions in tax treaties, or exemptions for specific activities like international shipping. In these circumstances, the CRA may provide an advance waiver from the withholding obligation for specific transactions, or the non-residents may apply for refunds of amounts that have already been withheld. The budget proposes to give the CRA legislative authority to grant single waivers that cover multiple transactions occurring over a specific time period, where certain conditions are satisfied. This measure will take effect upon royal assent of the enacting legislation.

The OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting has developed a two-pillar plan to reform the international tax system, as part of the “BEPS 2.0” initiative. On October 8, 2021, Canada and 135 other countries in the Inclusive Framework committed to adopt this plan (for a discussion on that commitment, see our  Tax Insights  “ The new international tax framework and Canada’s digital services tax ”). The budget provides an update on the two pillars of this international tax reform initiative.

Pillar One will introduce new rules for allocating taxing rights between countries to address challenges raised by the digital economy. These rules will generally apply to multinational enterprises (MNEs) with annual revenue above €20 billion and profit margins above 10%. The right to tax a portion of these MNEs’ profits will be reallocated to market countries (i.e. the countries where the MNEs’ users and customers are located).

The budget reaffirms Canada’s commitment to bringing Pillar One into effect as soon as a critical mass of countries is willing to participate. In the meantime, Canada is moving ahead with its plan to enact the Digital Services Tax (DST). Implementing legislation for the DST is currently before Parliament in Bill C-59. The DST will take effect beginning in calendar year 2024, with the first year covering taxable revenues earned since January 1, 2022. (For a discussion of the DST, see our  Tax Insights  “ Digital Services Tax: One step closer to becoming a reality .”)

Pillar Two will introduce a 15% global minimum tax. This tax will generally apply to MNEs with global revenues of at least €750 million. These MNEs will be required to compute their effective tax rate (ETR) in each country where they operate. If the ETR for a particular country is below 15%, a top-up tax will be imposed, to raise that ETR to 15% (this top-up tax may be reduced by a substance-based income exclusion, which is computed based on the payroll costs and net book value of tangible assets located in the jurisdiction). Draft legislative proposals for a Global Minimum Tax Act to implement the Pillar Two regime in Canada were released for public comment in August 2023 (for a discussion of those proposals, see our  Tax Insights  “ Canada releases draft Global Minimum Tax Act ”). The budget states that Canada is moving forward with this implementing legislation and intends to introduce it in Parliament soon.

Sales tax measures

Extending goods and services tax (gst) relief to student residences.

On September 14, 2023, the government announced that it would temporarily remove the GST from new purpose-built rental housing projects (i.e. apartment buildings, student housing and senior residences built specifically for long-term rental accommodation) by implementing an Enhanced (100%) GST Rental Rebate for new qualifying purpose-built rental housing projects (for more information, see our  Tax Insights  “ Enhanced GST rental rebate for rental apartments that begin construction after September 13, 2023 ").

To ensure that universities, public colleges and school authorities can also claim the Enhanced (100%) GST Rental Rebate for student residences that are built for short-term use, the budget proposes to amend the  Excise Tax Act  to allow them to apply the normal GST/Harmonized sales tax (HST) rules that apply to other builders (i.e. paying GST/HST on the final value of the building) in respect of new student housing projects.

The budget also proposes to relax the rebate conditions so that universities, public colleges and school authorities that operate on a not-for-profit basis (i.e. those that would currently qualify for the Public Service Body rebates under the GST/HST) can claim the 100% rebate in respect of any new student residence that they acquire or construct provided it is primarily for the purpose of providing a place of residence for their students.

The proposed measures would apply to student residences that begin construction after September 13, 2023 and before 2031, and that complete construction before 2036.

The budget proposes to repeal the temporary zero rating of certain face masks or respirators and certain face shields under the GST/HST for supplies made after April 30, 2024.

Previously Announced Measures

The budget confirms that the government will proceed with the following previously announced measures, as modified to take into account consultations, deliberations and legislative developments since their announcement or release:

• legislative proposals released on December 20, 2023, which include measures relating to the clean hydrogen ITC, the clean technology manufacturing ITC, concessional loans and short-term rentals
• legislative and regulatory proposals announced in the 2023 Fall Economic Statement, which include measures relating to the Canadian journalism labour tax credit, the expansion of eligibility for the clean technology and clean electricity ITC, the GST/HST joint venture election rules and the Underused Housing Tax
• legislative and regulatory amendments to implement the Enhanced (100%) GST Rental Rebate for purpose-built rental housing announced on September 14, 2023
• the carbon capture, utilization and storage and the clean technology ITCs and labour requirements related to certain “clean economy” ITCs
• enhancing the reduced tax rates for zero-emission technology manufacturers
• flow-through shares and the critical mineral exploration tax credit – lithium from brines
• Retirement Compensation Arrangements
• strengthening the Intergenerational Business Transfer framework
• the income tax and GST/HST treatment of credit unions
• a tax on repurchases of equity
• modernizing the General Anti-Avoidance Rule
• global minimum tax and DST
• technical amendments to GST/HST rules for financial institutions
• providing relief in relation to the GST/HST treatment of payment card clearing services
• extending the quarterly duty remittance option to all licensed cannabis producers
• revised Luxury Tax draft regulations to provide greater clarity on the tax treatment of luxury items
• technical tax amendments to the ITA and the Income Tax Regulations
• legislative amendments to implement changes discussed in the transfer pricing consultation paper released on June 6, 2023
• tax measures announced in the 2023 budget, including the dividend received deduction by financial institutions
• substantive CCPCs
• technical amendments to the ITA and Income Tax Regulations
• legislative amendments to implement the hybrid mismatch arrangements rules announced in the 2021 budget

The budget also reaffirms the government’s commitment to move forward, as required, with technical amendments to improve the certainty and integrity of the tax system.

Integration – Capital gains ($)

(taxation year ended December 31, 2024, and $10,000 of capital gains earned after June 24, 2024)

This table shows:

• the income tax deferral (prepayment) if capital gains in excess of $250,000 are earned and retained in a corporation as opposed to being earned directly by an individual
• the tax (cost) if the after-tax corporate income is paid out as a dividend to the shareholder in 2024

The table assumes:

• the individual is in the top marginal tax rate
• no capital gains deductions are available
• the non-taxable portion of the capital gain is distributed as a tax-free capital dividend
• the taxable dividend paid is sufficient to generate a full refund of refundable tax 

Download a PDF

Tax Insights: 2024 Federal budget ─ Supporting housing, raising taxes

Dean Landry

National Tax Leader, PwC Canada

Tel: +1 416 815 5090

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