How do I steam delicate fabric?

“To steam delicate fabrics, it is important to use the steamer correctly to avoid any damage,” says Manktelow-Pimm. “Firstly, ensure that the steamer's heat setting is appropriate for the fabric. Secondly, hold the steamer a few inches away from the fabric and let the steam gently penetrate without applying too much pressure. Finally, allow the steamed fabric to hang and air dry for a few minutes to set the steamed effect.”

Can I take a portable steamer on a plane?

“Portable steamers are generally permitted on planes, but it is wise to check with your airline beforehand to ensure compliance with their specific guidelines,” Manktelow-Pimm says. “Some airlines may have restrictions on carrying certain types or sizes of portable steamers.” Generally, if it can fit in your carry-on baggage, it should be fine.

Is it better to steam or iron a wedding dress?

Steam is preferred. “Wedding dresses, especially those made with delicate fabrics or intricate details, can be easily damaged by ironing,” explains Manktelow-Pimm. “Steaming, on the other hand, helps to release wrinkles without applying direct heat or pressure, reducing the risk of causing any harm.”

The 10 Best Portable Steamers of 2024

Collage of three of the Best Portable Steamers for Your Suits and Wedding Dresses on a beige patterned background — Brides / Kristin Kempa

Whether you’re traveling for a bachelorette, destination wedding, or your honeymoon, a portable steamer is essential to have on hand. Portable steamers ensure wrinkle-free, flawless ‘fits no matter how much they got stuffed and squashed in transit.

“Portable steamers are excellent for travel because they are lightweight, compact, and easy to use,” says fashion expert Joe Manktelow-Pimm. “They allow you to quickly and effectively remove wrinkles from your clothes, keeping them looking fresh and presentable while on the go.”

To ensure you get a high quality portable steamer, we’ve narrowed down the list to top performers in a variety of categories to suit your individual needs. We looked for steamers that are easy to pack and work quickly to safely steamer your precious outfits. From budget to international outlet-friendly, we’ve got you and your delicate fabrics covered (in steam)!

Our Top Picks

Best Budget:

Conair Handheld Travel Garment Steamer for Clothes, CompleteSteam 1100W at Amazon ($20)

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Best Splurge:

Steamery Travel Steamer at Amazon ($179)

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Best Compact:

Nesugar Steamer for Clothes Steamer at Amazon ($59)

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Best For Thick Fabrics:

Electrolux Garment Steamer at Amazon ($60)

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Best for International Weddings:

Conair Travel Garment Dual Voltage Steamer at Amazon ($43)

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Best For Delicate Fabrics:

BLACK+DECKER HGS200 Advanced Handheld Steamer at Amazon ($50)

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Best Foldable:

Kexi Travel Garment Steamer at Amazon ($89)

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Best Quick Heating:

Polardo Hand Held Portable Travel Garment Steamer at Amazon ($40)

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Best Iron/Steamer:

Nori The Nori Press at Amazon ($119)

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Best Ergonomic :

Newbealer Handheld Steamer for Clothes at Amazon ($49)

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In This Article

Our Picks
What To Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Brides

Conair Handheld Travel Garment Steamer for Clothes, CompleteSteam 1100W

Amazon

View On Amazon $20 View On Wayfair $23 View On Target $20

This budget-friendly portable steamer is such a steal! It features 1100 watts of power, a 4.9 ounce tank capacity, an 8 foot cord, and provides up to 10 minutes of continuous steam. It has an ergonomic handle, a spill protection feature for added safety, and measures only 9 x 5.5 inches so it’s great for travel and on the go.

Capacity: 4.9 oz | Wattage: 1100 watts | Heat Up Time: 1 minute

Amazon

View On Amazon $179 View On Steamery.us View On Anthropologie $180

This sleek and stylish tool is a hybrid between a steamer and an iron, which can make for either a natural look or super crisp finish. It includes a wearable ironing tool so you can steam on your body, and features a curved shape with a textured surface. It can either stand up or lie down flat when hot or not in use, and it has an auto shut off for added safety.

Capacity: 3 oz | Wattage: 1000W | Heat Up Time: About 1 minute

Amazon

View On Amazon $59

With an ultra-speedy heat up time of 15 seconds, this compact steamer is as stylish as it is convenient. We love the lightweight, unique design that fits easily into any carry-on bag; it weighs less than one pound and measures only 8.9 X 3.1 X 1.65 inches. Built for travel, it features 10 minutes of continuous steaming, a 6 foot power cord, and comes with a wall mount bracket and a travel storage bag. With a rotating head, it can steam from various angles. Plus, it just looks beautiful!

Capacity: 2.4 oz | Wattage: 900 watts | Heat Up Time: 15 seconds

Amazon

View On Amazon $60 View On Nordstrom $80 View On Lowe's $60

With a powerful 1500W system, this steamer has enough power to steam through any thick fabric like cotton and wool. It has a whopping 18 minutes of continuous steaming to work through those tougher wrinkles and a quick 30 seconds of heat up time. It also has a 10 ounce capacity, so you can work through many different clothes without having to refill. It includes a fabric brush, lint brush, and a heavy duty ceramic sole plate.

Capacity: 10 oz | Wattage: 1500 watts | Heat Up Time: 30 seconds

Amazon

View On Amazon $43 View On Wayfair $47 View On Target $43

This dual voltage steamer works worldwide, making it the perfect option for destination weddings. With just a simple switch, the power adapts automatically for 1200 watts of wrinkle-eliminating power (but note you’ll still need an adaptor for the plug). It has a quick, 35 second heat up time, removable water tank, and an adjustable steam head for easy handling.

Capacity: 3.2 oz | Wattage: 1200 watts | Heat Up Time: 35 seconds

BLACK+DECKER HGS200 Advanced Handheld Steamer

Amazon

View On Amazon $50

With 1400 watts of power and 15 foot cord, this steamer features a locking trigger that lets you apply steam continuously or in small bursts. It also has three attachments included for removing lint, steaming upholstery, or steaming delicate fabrics, so you don’t end up damaging silks or other delicates along the way. We love that the steamer will automatically power down after 15 minutes of inactivity, providing added safety.

Capacity: 7.4 oz | Wattage: 1400 watts | Heat Up Time: Less than 1 minute

Amazon

View On Amazon $89 View On Kexi.com

If you’re looking for a compact, foldable design that can snap into half its size, this is it. Don't let the cute design fool you—this stylish and powerful steamer has a steam flow of 25g/minute that efficiently removes wrinkles. The tank heats in 40 seconds and can handle 12 continuous minutes of steam. Plus, the extended 70 ft ultra long cord is super convenient when setting up in a hotel room.

Capacity: 4.7 oz | Wattage: 1200 watts | Heat Up Time: 40 seconds

Polardo Hand Held Portable Travel Garment Steamer

Amazon

View On Amazon $40

With a compact design, stainless steel head, light design, and an ultra speedy 25 seconds heat up time, this steamer is great for a last minute steaming session. It's also leak-proof and offers 10 minutes of continuous steaming. The 4 oz capacity means you don't constantly have to refill it either. Bonus points for a travel pouch and lint removal brush.

Capacity: 4 oz | Wattage: 900 watts | Heat Up Time: 25 seconds

Amazon

View On Amazon $119 View On Nordstrom $120 View On Nori.co

This viral steamer looks like a hair flat iron, but it’s really a handy 2-in-1 iron and steamer that’s perfect for travel! Sometimes an iron is better at removing wrinkles, and this tool gives you the best of both worlds. The two heated plates clamp down and will iron the front and back of your garment simultaneously for quick and efficient unwrinkling. Offering six fabric-specific settings, it can treat everything from cotton to wool and there's a steam option as well. We love the chic colors too.

Capacity: 1 oz | Wattage: 120/220V-60Hz, Power: 450/750W | Heat Up Time: Less than 1 minute

Amazon

View On Amazon $49

The Newbealer steamer takes only 20 seconds to heat up with two steam levels (16-24g/min) for a more specific steaming experience. It features unique leak proof, anti-drip and anti-spill technology, so that you can steam from any angle that’s comfortable for your grip. The ergonomic handle is also great for sensitive wrists. You get about 10 minutes of continuous steam.

Capacity: 6 oz | Wattage: 1200W | Heat Up Time: 20 seconds

What to Look for in a Portable Steamer

Modes

“Look for a steamer with multiple modes, such as gentle or turbo, to cater to different fabrics and wrinkle severity,” says Manktelow-Pimm. You can also look into multiple attachments, for harder to work with materials like wool or more delicate fabrics like silk. We like BLACK+DECKER Advanced Handheld Garment / Fabric Steamer since it comes with three different attachments.

Tank Capacity

“Opt for a steamer that is compact enough to fit in your travel bag, while still having a sufficient water tank capacity to provide continuous steam for longer periods,” Manktelow-Pimm says. A good middle ground is around 2-3 oz tanks. For the largest capacity, we love how Electrolux Portable Handheld Garment and Fabric Steamer has a 10 ounce capacity in a portable steamer.

Heat Up Time

Manktelow-Pimm suggests opting for a steamer that heats up quickly, ideally within a minute or two, to save time during your travel routine. Some steamers can even heat up in 25 seconds, like Polardo Steamer for Clothes, which are great for busy schedules!

FAQ

How do I steam delicate fabric?

“To steam delicate fabrics, it is important to use the steamer correctly to avoid any damage,” says Manktelow-Pimm. “Firstly, ensure that the steamer's heat setting is appropriate for the fabric. Secondly, hold the steamer a few inches away from the fabric and let the steam gently penetrate without applying too much pressure. Finally, allow the steamed fabric to hang and air dry for a few minutes to set the steamed effect.”
Can I take a portable steamer on a plane?

“Portable steamers are generally permitted on planes, but it is wise to check with your airline beforehand to ensure compliance with their specific guidelines,” Manktelow-Pimm says. “Some airlines may have restrictions on carrying certain types or sizes of portable steamers.” Generally, if it can fit in your carry-on baggage, it should be fine.
Is it better to steam or iron a wedding dress?

Steam is preferred. “Wedding dresses, especially those made with delicate fabrics or intricate details, can be easily damaged by ironing,” explains Manktelow-Pimm. “Steaming, on the other hand, helps to release wrinkles without applying direct heat or pressure, reducing the risk of causing any harm.”

Why Trust Brides

Chelsea Frank has been a lifestyle writer for nearly 10 years. She’s contributed to dozens of online publications, researching and writing on a number of topics, from clean beauty and fashion to travel and wellness. Find her on Instagram @chelseafrank.

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