I HAVEN’T OWNED an iron for years. What do I do when my clothes inevitably crease and crinkle? I shake them out (5% effective), or I lazily steam them using the dubious “hang them in the bathroom while you shower” method (40% effective). I can get by using these methods except when I travel. Last month, I embarked on a two-week business trip, and, as usual, contorted my clothes into a small suitcase. As usual, they emerged with cataclysmic creases. It didn’t help that I also packed several hand-held steamers for on-the-road testing. Garment steamers—the iron’s lighter, no-board-required cousin—are becoming increasingly popular for both travel and home. According to Joe Derochowski, vice president at market-research firm the NPD Group, sales of garment steamers ticked up 6.5% between 2018 and 2019. In my tests of the three steamers at right, they all eradicated rumples, but differed in crucial, time-consuming ways.
Conair CompleteSteam Travel Fabric Steamer
Weight: The handle is cannily incorporated, saving space on this 2-pound option.
Efficiency: It heated up fast yet I found that it belched water a little too easily. My shirt was left so damp I had to wait for it to dry.
Downsides: The filling mechanism is not user-friendly. You pour water down into an opaque reservoir, so it’s not always clear how close you are to overfilling it. $20, amazon.com
Sunbeam Power Steam Fabric Handheld Steamer
Weight: Heavier (3 pounds) and larger than the others I tried. If you cart this big boy, be prepared to pony up extra baggage fees.
Efficiency: This hefty model kills wrinkles expertly. But it cheats, with a metal bar along the top that presses like a micro-iron.
Downsides: Again, it’s substantial. This is less of an on-the-road option than an at-home iron substitute. $50, amazon.com
Lemontec Portable Travel Garment Steamer
Weight: I could see myself tossing this micro model, less than 2 pounds, into my carry-on.
Efficiency: Quickly became my favorite. The only caveat: It takes a while to heat up. Not for rushed situations.
Downsides: It has a tiny water well, so if you’re steaming out an entire outfit, it may require several refills. The plastic feels cheap, making me wonder how many trips it could endure. $18, amazon.com
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Ironing Is Boring. Try a Fast, Cheap Handheld Steamer Instead. - The Wall Street Journal
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