So many people bought a travel steamer only to reach their destination and realize that it’s not Dual Voltage!
The best travel steamer will be able to switch from 110 Volts in North America to 220 Volts in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Without it, it will not work. Please be wary of steamers that claim to be travel friendly and don’t have this Dual Voltage function. It also needs to be portable enough and light enough to fit in your check-in as well as carry-on luggage. We’ve reviewed the perfect travel steamers with everything you’ll need right here.
For all other types, also see our Best Clothes Steamer article.
1. Rowenta Dual Voltage Steamer
- Power: 1100 watts
- Ready: 45 seconds
- Weight: 2.5 lb
- Water: 5 oz | 150 ml
The Rowenta is perfect for travel due to its smaller size and relatively light weight. Not only that, it’s dual voltage, which is absolutely essential if you’re traveling to Europe, Asia, Australia or Africa.
It heats up much faster than we thought and has a decent water tank for such a small device. We really love the price for what you get, but I feel it might really struggle with larger loads. (Code-42-376)
- Dual Voltage for Travel (110 volts and 220 volts)
- Great Quality
- Excellent Steam Output
- A little large, but well worth it
2. Conair Small Travel Steamer
- Power: 450 watts
- Ready: 120 seconds
- Weight: 1.2 lb
- Water: 3 oz | 100 ml
The Conair Travel Steamer is a lighter alternative, dual voltage option. Even though weighs only 1.2 pounds, the trade-off is that it doesn’t have very much power.
It’s still large enough to steam a couple of items but you’ll struggle with home steaming and there are much better options available. If you only want to use it for travel and you won’t be steaming much (an of course if the Rowenta is too heavy for you) then you may want to pick up the Conair Travel steamer instead. Otherwise, the alternatives are probably a little better. (Code-30-852)
- Dual Voltage for Travel (110 volts and 220 volts)
- Lightweight
- Seriously Lacks Power
3. Best Mini Steamer by iSteam
- Power: 900 watts
- Ready: 25 seconds*
- Weight: 1.2 lb
- Water: 4 oz | 120 ml
The iSteam is small and lightweight with medium power. It will fit into most carry-on bags without having to sacrifice other items. The steam output is OK, but compared to the overall size, it might just be the right option if you’re looking for something more compact.
Very important: The iSteam does not have dual voltage capability so you will need a converter to use it in Europe or elsewhere. (Code-37-14700)
- Compact
- Lightweight
- Not Dual Voltage!
- Medium Power
4. Conair Portable Travel Steamer
- Power: 1875 watts
- Ready: 40 seconds
- Weight: 0.45 lb
- Water: 7.3 oz | 210 ml
The Conair Turbo is larger than the iSteam but lighter than the Rowenta. It’s extremely popular for its portability and has excellent steam output.
Unfortunately, this is another steamer without Dual Voltage capability so you’ll need to use it inside the U.S. or Canada as well as in Central American countries like Mexico or Belize. On local U.S. trips though, it’s a fantastic choice with excellent power for the money you’ll spend. (Code-53-9000)
- Powerful
- Lightweight
- Not Dual Voltage!
5. Kexi Foldable Travel Steamer
- Power: 1200 watts
- Ready: 40 seconds
- Weight: 1.61 lb
- Water: 4.5 oz | 140 ml
The Kexi travel steamer has a foldable handle which packs into a neat 4.76 inch by 8.46 inch unit. The front of the steamer is equipped with a small soleplate for ironing too!
It’s a real pity that it does not have dual voltage functionality. The Kexi is really powerful while still being a very compact and lightweight steamer. This makes it a higher-end travel steamer and the price follows suit. It’s not cheap and you’ll really need to decide if it’s for you, given that you can get a dual voltage model for cheaper. (Code-99-266)
- Really Powerful
- Very compact
- Folding Handle
- Soleplate for Small Ironing Tasks
- Not Dual Voltage!
- Quite Pricey
What to Look for in a Travel Steamer
The most important considerations when buying a travel steamer are whether it has Dual Voltage functionality and its overall size. Of course, you still need something with a bit of power too, otherwise, you’re wasting your time taking it along on the trip.
Let’s dive into each consideration and why it’s so important.
Dual Voltage Capability – 110 Volt vs 220 Volt
North and Central America use 120 Volts and 60 Herz.
For the most part, the rest of the world uses 230 Volts and 50 Herz.
If you want to use a 120V travel steamer in Europe, Africa, Asia, or Australia, you will need a voltage converter and a plug adapter.
See the world voltage map.
Light Weight & Compact Travel Size
When flying, the average weight limit is 50 pounds for checked in and 35 pounds for carry-on. (see airline guidelines)
This is enough to squeeze in a 2.5 pound travel steamer if it’s important to you.
Smaller, weaker steamers might be easier to haul across the globe, but they will frustrate you more if they lack adequate steam output and dual voltage capability.
If you’re going to steam a dress or a suit while traveling, you should opt for the best product, not the smallest one.
Power and Steam Output
If you want to steam anything more than a dress shirt, you might want to make sure the steamer has some oomph.
The higher the power (in watts) the faster the steamer will heat up and be ready to use. It also ensures that the steamer can keep warm every time you pour new water in the water tank.
This, in turn, also affects steam production. So the entire steamer’s performance is directly tied to the power.
More powerful travel steamers can reach up to 1100 watts and produce a fantastic amount of steam, making using it a real dream. The entire process of steaming is almost cut in half!
Less powerful units, like the iSteam, are a mere 900 watts, which many people feel, lacks the power to really get through the work they are trying to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Take a Steamer on a Cruise Ship
No. Most cruise ships forbid you to take a steamer on-board due to the potential fire hazard.
Can you Fly With a Steamer?
Yes. You can fly with a travel steamer either in your check-in or carry-on luggage. It needs to be completely emptied of any water before packing it in your suitcase or bags.