Small apartments or laundry rooms require furniture that complements the space, and compact ironing boards are one of those conveniences that makes these areas feel less cramped and cluttered.
Size and weight are two key factors that we’ve considered when selecting the best small and compact boards. Besides being ideal for small rooms, they also come in handy for individuals with limited mobility because they are easy to maneuver. Self-sufficient elderly people can also benefit from a lightweight board that isn’t back-breaking to set up.
For full-sized options, check out our comprehensive best ironing board review too.
1. Leifheit Lightweight Board
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The Leifheit is a quality German made product. Although it is a bit pricier than the average small board, it’s the superior board because it’s lighter, more stable and very well made.
The base of the board is made of EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) which is a kind of bead-foam that makes it super lightweight, but at the same time, strong and water-resistant. And for those who care for the environment, it’s recyclable too.
The cover includes a Thermo Reflect titanium coating that speeds up ironing time because it reflects heat and steam from your steam iron. It also has a steam iron rest so you avoid any risk of scorching on the ironing surface and it has a leg-lock system to prevent the legs from falling open accidentally.
This is our obvious first pick for anyone looking for a small, yet high-quality board… and if you’re browsing for parents, we also recommend this lightweight ironing board for elderly people.
- Ironing board surface dimensions: 43 x 12 inches (109 x 30 cm)
- Adjustable board height: Up to 35 inches (89 cm)
- Lightweight: 7.3 pounds
- Perfect for small apartments and laundry rooms
- Built-in steam iron rest
- 5 year guarantee
- Quite narrow, but this might be desired
2. Homz Compact
The Homz T-leg is closer to a full sized while still being small enough to consider it a pretty compact ironing board. The removal of the steam rest results in a really compact design while still offering a large enough ironing surface.
Due to its lightweight 7.5 pound design, it is easy to move and great for use by elderly people. It includes a cotton cover and you can choose between the grey and white lattice or marble design. It also comes with a foam pad and a leg locking system.
The board base has a typical perforated structure to allow steam from the steam iron to pass through the fabric and board without collecting and dampening the board’s surface.
- Ironing board surface dimensions: 53 x 13 inches | 135 x 33 cm
- Adjustable height: 35 inches | 89 cm
- Weight: 8 pounds | 3.6 kg
- Slightly larger
- Good for small spaces
- No separate steam iron rest
3. Honey-Can-Do Portable
The Honey-Can-Do is the smallest, lightest and cheapest board in this review.
For those of you looking for a very small portable ironing board solution, you will be hard-pressed to find a more compact ironing board. Even its small legs that allow adequate clearance from the countertop, compactly fold away so it can be stored in a cupboard or under a bed or sofa. It also has a steam iron rest that slides in and out when needed.
The small wooden board is made of particleboard. Although we don’t recommend a wooden base for large ironing needs, it is perfect or weekly use or the occasional touchups. If you only need an ironing surface to spruce up an outfit for a date or interview, you don’t need much more.
If you need a compact portable board for use in a camper or RV, this small board is ideal. It fits perfectly on the average dryer so you can set it up in seconds if you need to polish off a garment before putting it on.
- Ironing board surface dimensions: 26 x 12 inches | 66 x 30 cm
- Very light: 4.8 pounds | 2 kg
- Super convenient space saver
- Portable and convenient for travel
- Ideal for college students
- Cheap
- Not ideal for ironing large items
- Wooden board made of particleboard
Board Buyers Guide for Small Spaces
When looking for an ironing board solution for small spaces, there are a few key factors that will ensure you find the perfect fit. Here they are in a nutshell.
Small Board Size
The size of your ironing board all depends on the space you have available.
The Leifheit is the smallest board with legs at 43 x 12 inches, followed by the longer and wider Homz at 53 x 13 inches. The legless, tabletop Honey-Can-Do measures 32 x 12 inches so it has the smallest surface area, and being very small, it takes up next to no space when stored away.
Best Lightweight Ironing Board Choice
Although the Honey-Can-Do is the lightest in the above selection at 4.8 pounds, the Leifheit is the lightest board with legs and steam iron rest (7.3 pounds) because the board is constructed using ultra-lightweight EPP.
The Homz is a very close second at 7.5 pounds but does not have the same sturdy feel of the Leifheit, nor does it have a steam iron rest station. Both small folding ironing boards are easy to open and close…and they have safety clips to keep them securely in the position you choose.
Affordability
The Leifheit is the pricier of all the above products, but it is also the more superior board when it comes to build quality and design.
The Homz is next in line followed by the smallest and most portable Honey-Can-Do.
Stability
The Leifheit is the most stable of all the boards, having its weight evenly distributed on its 4 legs. The Homz has a T-leg system that you’ll find a little wobblier.
With lighter boards, you may find that they shift a little easier that weightier options, and that’s just part of the territory. This can be improved by adding non-slip rubber feet to the legs. Using it on a carpeted surface will also make a marked difference.
These boards are not designed for heavy-duty use, but best suited for lightweight ironing needs. If stability is a concern, you may want to opt for a larger heavyweight alternative but with this, price, weight and overall size of the product will likely increase.
Best Board for the Elderly
The Honey-Can-Do is the best solution if you prefer to sit while ironing. It can be placed on any counter surface and its light and easy to set up and pack away.
Because it can be set up on any table, it allows space below the board where you can comfortably slide in a chair.
But if it’s a conventional lightweight folding board you’re looking for, then you won’t find lighter and easier to handle than the Leifheit. Its the German board equivalent of the Rowenta steam irons that we’ve unashamedly fallen in love with.
Warranty
Leifheit offers a 5 year guarantee on their boards. Although I’ve never dealt with them personally, they have a worldwide support network and a reputation for excellent customer support.
Even though ironing boards are more likely to be replaced at the end of their life cycle, it builds confidence in a brand when the manufacturer backs their products.
In Conclusion
The Leifheit is the overall winner if you are looking for a quality board that will last you years. For those on a budget who just want a basic board to fulfill basic ironing needs, then the Homz and the Honey-Can-Do will be the lightest on your pocket. All the above boards are for sale on Amazon right now.
An ironing board’s purpose is to make the task of ironing easier, and let’s face it; the overall consensus is that ironing is not a heap of fun. Choosing the right size will make the ironing portion of your life so much simpler. For small spaces and small ironing needs, you don’t need a long wide board cluttering up the little space you have. Anyone of these small boards will make a big improvement to your ironing setup.