A travel iron is an essential tool to have in your arsenal if you're someone who likes to look sharp on the move.
It's all well and good packing away your favourite shirts ahead of your next trip but, without an iron to hand, they'll likely stay packed away in your bag for the duration of your holiday. Of course, you could cross your fingers for an iron in your hotel room. Or you could take matters into your own hands and invest in your own travel iron.
When it comes to choosing a travel iron, portability and convenience are paramount. Look for compact and lightweight options that won't take up much space in your luggage otherwise your biggest problem will be washing your clothes rather than ironing them. A foldable handle or a retractable cord can be a great space-saving feature and many newer models include these.
It's also worth paying attention to the power source requirements of your next destination. Opting for a dual voltage travel iron that can switch between different voltage settings, ensuring compatibility across various countries, is your best bet for overcoming this issue around the world.
You'll also want to keep in mind the iron's heating capabilities. Look for a model that heats up quickly and maintains a consistent temperature for effective wrinkle removal. Adjustable temperature controls allow you to adapt to different fabrics and avoid damaging delicate materials, while a non-stick soleplate is also essential for a smooth glide over your clothes without leaving marks or residue.
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Steamworks ES143 Travel Iron
More than 1000 positive reviews can’t lie and it’s fair to say that Steamworks’ ES143 Travel Iron ticks all the boxes when it comes to a budget-friendly, seriously efficient travel iron. This Steamworks model has a stainless steel soleplate and an indicator that lets you know when the temperature’s ready.
It also comes with a variable steam function which means you can adjust the humidity, direction and power of the steam flow. It’s lightweight with a compact design, which means you’re free to pack it away no matter where you’re heading next.
Buy now £10.00, Argos
John Lewis Travel Steam Iron
With its sleek grey and black design, this John Lewis Travel Steam Iron is easy to use and easy to store, making it ideal for those often on the move.
Designed to make ironing quick and easy when you’re on the go, the John Lewis & Partners travel iron lets you choose between dry or steam settings, or a vertical burst of steam when you need it. Plus, its soft grip handle, ultra-lightweight design and ceramic soleplate make it effortless to use even for those who don’t quite have the natural gift for ironing.
Buy now £20.00, John Lewis
Quest 34030 1000W Travel Steam Iron
Quest’s 34030 1000W Travel Steam Iron was very much designed to be portable, with plenty of handy features that’ll ensure a seamless ironing experience no matter where you’re pulling it out. Lightweight and portable, it features a fully collapsible handle that makes it perfect to fit into bags and suitcases for business trips and holidays.
Better yet, it features a dual voltage functionality that easily allows you to switch between 110V to 120V, or 220V to 240V, ensuring it will work wherever you are in the world.
Buy now £16.63, Amazon
Swan SI3070N Compact Fast Heat up Steam Travel Iron with Pouch and Beaker
There are few things more frustrating than realising the shirt you were about to throw on desperately needs an iron, especially when you were supposed to leave the house 10 minutes ago.
Swan’s SI3070N travel iron is renowned for its ability to heat up quickly, ensuring you’re not quite as late as you could have been with a lesser iron. Its steam button features an impressive steam shot that lets you easily tackle tough creases quickly and easily, while its compact design makes it perfect for travellers limited on space and weight.
Buy now £19.99, Amazon
Duronic Si2 Mini Compact Potable Home/Travel Steam Iron
Measuring only 13cm long, this tiny Duronic Si2 Mini Compact Portable travel iron squeezes into even the smallest of hand luggage bags. Efficiently powered by 375W, this iron takes just seconds to heat up fully and is ready to use almost immediately.
It features a variable heat setting as well as a steam function to freshen up all kinds of garments. While many irons on the market have the wire leaving the iron on the right, making them harder to use by left-handed people, this ambidextrous option makes freshly ironed clothes a breeze for everyone.
Buy now £24.99, Amazon
Prym Mini Steam Iron
If you’re something of a perfectionist when it comes to looking fresh, this teeny tiny Prym Mini Steam Iron is a great choice for throwing in your bag ahead of your next trip. While it’s designed more for sewing and crafts than ironing an entire suit, it’s versatile enough to freshen up all kinds of outfits and takes up virtually no space.
Buy now £55.00, John Lewis
Go Travel Mini Garment Iron
Designed specifically for travellers and those short on space, this Go Travel Mini Garment Iron is a dual-voltage travel iron that’s capable of rapid steam generation.
Ergonomic by design and equipped with a steam boost function, its non-stick sole plate glides effortlessly across even the most stubborn creases, while its smaller size can easily be popped into your suitcase.
Buy now £29.99, John Lewis
The Quilted Bear Mini Iron
Available in both black and pink, this The Quilted Bear Mini Iron is the perfect mini travel iron for taking anywhere with you. Its dual voltage options of 120V/240V allow it to be used in multiple different countries while its ceramic coated soleplate and ergonomic handle means it glides effortlessly over fabrics and won’t leave any water marks behind, thanks to the anti-drip technology.
Ideal for compact areas, this smaller iron promises to clear out any creases on your favourite shirts.
Buy now £24.99, Amazon
ANSIO Travel Iron Quilting Mini Steam Craft Iron with Ceramic Soleplate
ANSIO’s Travel Iron Quilting Mini Steam Craft Iron is officially a craft iron, which means you’re more likely to use it for sewing, quilting and other fabric-based projects more than you are on holiday. But its precise tip and smaller size make it a great choice for packing away as your go-to travel iron, too.
Pulling together plenty of travel-friendly features like its generous 1.9M power cord, allowing you more freedom of movement when ironing, this small iron has a dual voltage and tucks away easily in your bag.
Buy now £20.97, Amazon
Duronic Vertical Steamer HS90 BK
Want to bring both your iron and your steamer away with you? This handy Duronic Vertical Steamer HS90 BK ticks both boxes with its two-in-one function. This clever travel iron can be used as a normal iron using the soleplate either dry or with a steam option for the extra stubborn creases.
For hanging garments, just rotate the handle and hold the iron in a comfortable position to steam your clothes vertically. Whether you’re ironing or steaming, you can get to work almost straight away as the iron heats up in just 45 seconds.
Buy now £34.99, Amazon
Verdict
Steamworks' ES143 Travel Iron is a bestseller and the thousands of positive reviews don't lie: this travel iron is a safe bet for keeping you looking fresh no matter what far-flung destination you're heading to next.
