Avoided packing your linen trousers and favourite shirts because you don't trust the iron at your hotel not to burn the creases out of them? You're not the only one.
But, if you've been staring a little too hard at the couple opposite and wondering just how they got their clothes looking so freshly pressed, the answer might come in the form of a travel steamer.
Maybe not the most exciting thing you'll throw in your suitcase but almost definitely one of the most useful, a travel steamer gives you the freedom to pack along all of the best parts of your wardrobe without worrying about removing the creases after a long journey.
A travel steamer not only helps you to save space and weight in your luggage (as well as avoid potential damage to your clothes from ironing), but it can also sanitise and deodorise your clothes, killing bacteria and eliminating odours from a suitcase that's past its best.
The best travel steamers are small enough to fit in your bag and light enough to carry around without taking up too much of your precious baggage restriction. In fact, you'll find travel steamers come in all sizes depending on the water tank capacity, the heating element and the design of the nozzle and handle.
It might go without saying but a larger steamer has a bigger capacity and can steam larger clothes without, well, running out of steam. You'll want a steamer that's powerful enough to produce enough steaming power to smooth out your clothes, and efficient enough to heat up quickly and last long. The performance and efficiency of a travel steamer depends on the wattage, the steam output, the heat-up time and the run time.
One final thing to keep in mind: wattage varies around the world, so you may want to invest in a voltage converter depending on where you're heading off to.
We've rounded up the best travel steamers
Philips STH3000/26 Handheld Foldable Garment Steamer
A top choice for iron-avoiders everywhere, the Philips STH3000/26 Handheld Foldable Garment Steamer was designed to be light, compact and foldable for easy usage and storage to refresh fresh outfits anytime, anywhere. Ready to go in 30 seconds and promising burn-free, odour-free clothes almost instantly, this travel steamer is a top choice for bringing your clothes back to their best without setting up the ironing board.
Buy now £37.99, John Lewis
PWRHUB Portable Travel Steamer
With its super-fast 30-second heat-up, you can save time and de-wrinkle your clothes even on the shortest of notice when you buy PWRHUB’s portable steamer. This steamer is one of the most powerful travel steamers on the market, with its 1450 watts power and 150ml detachable water tank, giving you up to 10 minutes of continuous steam without the need to refill. It has a foldable design for more convenient storage and comes with a heat-protective storage bag, so you can easily carry it in your luggage worry-free.
Buy now £39.99, Amazon
Rolipo Clothes Steamer 1800W Handheld
Rolipo’s Clothes Steamer heats up incredibly quickly, thanks to its 1800W power, which means it wastes no time at all when it comes to restoring your clothes to their best. Ideal for holidays, its compact size and 0.85kg weight make it the perfect travel companion for carrying in your suitcase even when you’re restricted to just hand luggage. It can also be used both vertically and horizontally, allowing you to steam clothing at any angle.
Buy now £25.49, Amazon
BEAUTURAL Clothes Steamer
This BEAUTURAL Clothes Steamer folds up into a tiny piece of equipment, so you’re free to shove it in your suitcase at the last minute without worrying about being over the weight allowance. Safe to use on all fabrics and suitable for clothes, curtains, furniture and toys, this versatile steamer has 1000 watts of power and can steam both vertically and horizontally.
Buy now £33.99, Amazon
YurDoca Steamer for Clothes
This steamer includes a specialised technology that ensures no leaking or spilling, keeping your garments dry and drip free as it works its crease-free magic. Combining the performance of an iron with the power of steam to instantly smooth out wrinkles in clothing, this powerful but gentle steamer is highly effective and safe to use on all fabrics; cotton, silk, wool, polyester, velvet, fibre and even your delicates.
Buy now £38.99, Amazon
Breville VIN430 CompactSteam Handheld Garment Steamer
One of the most popular travel steamers around, Breville’s VIN430 CompactSteam Handheld Garment Steamer fits in any bag with ease so you can look sharp on the go. It’s of the fastest we tested - so you don’t have to think twice about wearing that shirt you thought was far too creased for dinner - you can hang up your garment and start steaming in just 26 seconds precisely. With a generous 200ml water tank providing up to 15 minutes of run time, this steamer also features a three metre cord for those hotel rooms that put plugs in the least opportune spots.
Buy now £45.00, Argos
Tefal Access Steam Minute DT7000 Handheld Garment Steamer
A popular choice that’s ready to go within 45 seconds, Tefal’s Access Steam Minute DT7000 Handheld Garment Steamer has a height of just 24.5cm and is the brand’s most compact handheld garment steamer. Combining 1100W with 17g/min vertical steam, this travel steamer doesn’t just remove creases – it sanitises too, killing bacteria for crease and odour-free clothes in a flash. How’s that for a travel miracle?
Buy now £53.00, Argos
Steamery Cirrus No.2 Garment Steamer, Black
The Steamery Cirrus No.2 might sound a little more like a Harry Potter broomstick than an anti-crease device but you’ll swear this travel steamer is a little magic when you’ve given it a try. With 1500 watts of power and a weight of 780 grams, this small but mighty steamer does the job almost instantly with no fuss in sight. A sustainable and efficient alternative to both ironing and washing, you’ll want to reserve a little space for this one in your suitcase next time you’re off somewhere fun. It’s already been given the seal of approval by the fashion set where you’ll spot it backstage at fashion and magazine editorial shoots.
Buy now £120.00, John Lewis
Philips Steam & Go Plus Handheld Garment Steamer
The clue’s in the name when it comes to this travel steamer’s efficiency: you really will be able to steam and go. Philips’ handheld gadget offers continuous vertical or horizontal steaming and, with a 2.5 metre cord, is another top choice for those unusually-designed hotel room plugs. Its ergonomic design and removable water tank makes this steamer even more travel friendly too.
Buy now £74.99, John Lewis
Tefal Pure Pop
“Cute” might not typically be the first word that comes to mind when you think of travel steamers. But, once you’ve admired Tefal’s Pure Pop, that will likely be the word you think up. This handheld, compact steamer is one of the daintiest around and thus made for travel - it even has its own pouch.
With its sunshine yellow shade, this is a steamer that will get you in the holiday mood when you’re brightening up your favourite outfits before you’ve even headed down for dinner. It pumps out 20g of steam a minute to make creases disappear in a flash and features 1300 watts of power.
Buy now £39.00, Amazon
Verdict
This Philips STH3000/26 Handheld Foldable Garment Steamer is light, compact and foldable for easy usage and storage: everything you need for those last minute holiday outfits with no iron in sight.
