Our Favorite Small Irons for Quilting

A good iron can take a quilting project from mediocrity to perfection, leaving you with a quality immaculate product. The time you spend crafting a unique design, choosing high-quality materials and mastering your stitches won't matter if you're using a substandard iron. The benefits of a good iron include:

• Smoothing creases and wrinkles

• Lining up patterns

• Reducing waste through precise cuts

There are several factors to take into account when choosing your quilting iron, such as the steam rate, heat settings and temperature control. One of the most important elements is the size; the average-sized irons you might already own aren't able to work with small spaces and won't do complex, detailed designs justice. Small irons, on the other hand, are able to work with a vast number of designs, letting you easily manage smaller pieces without putting too much strain on your hand.

If you're interested in quilting, a mini-iron is a must-have. With the vast amount of options available, it can be difficult to decide which is the best iron for quilting — the answer depends on your individual needs and preferences. To help you make that decision, we've compiled a list of some of the top mini-irons and their features.

SteamFast Mini Steam Iron (SF-717)

 

This tiny, 1-pound iron claims to be the world's smallest steam iron — it can fit easily into the palm of your hand, giving it the convenience of being lightweight and portable. It features a dual voltage power cord that extends to almost 8 feet, providing a decent amount of liberty when it comes to your workplace. The anti-slip handle lets you maintain a steady hand as you work, reducing the chances of accidentally damaging your work.

This iron also works fast. It reaches a high heat and steam output in less than 20 seconds, so you don't have to waste time waiting for it to heat up. You also don't have to worry about the type of fabric because this iron works on several materials, from curtains to clothes. One thing to note is that it has about 420 watts of power, which means it's not the strongest mini-iron on the market.

Who should get this?

 

The SteamFast Mini Iron is perfect for a quilter who desires portability or anyone looking for a second smaller, lightweight iron to supplement what they already have. Its ability to work with different types of clothes also makes it great for sewing projects.

Rowenta Steam Iron (DA1560)

This compact mini steam iron measures approximately 8" x 3" x 4" and packs a punch at 1,000 watts. Users are free to adjust the temperature settings until they reach their desired heat, and when it comes to variety, there are plenty of steam settings to choose from. You can maintain a consistent level of steam or, for a quick shot of power, use the "burst-of-steam" feature. There's also a vertical steam option, which is helpful if you don't have an ironing board on hand.

Other benefits include:

• Foldable handle

• Transparent water tank

• Stainless-steel soleplate

• Travel bag

 

Who should get this iron?

 

The mini Rowenta Steam Iron is perfect for a quilter who wants a small but powerful iron that comes with a solid range of options. The foldable handle also makes it a great option for someone looking for easy storage capacities.

Rowenta Micro Steam Iron (DW5080)

 

The Rowenta DW5080 is another Rowenta model. At 1700 watts, it's slightly more powerful than the DA1560 option. It's also more expensive, but it comes with extra amenities to support the price. These include:

• Stainless-steel soleplate with precision tip

• 400+ steam holes

• Automatic shut-off feature

• Anti-calcium system for tap water use

• Self-cleaning features

All you need to work this iron is tap water, which will remain protected thanks to the anti-drip lid. Its safety features and self-cleaning abilities make this iron self-sufficient, giving you extra convenience during your quilting projects.

Who should get this?

 

This micro steam iron is perfect for anyone looking for a more professional steam iron and who has room in their budget for these additional amenities. Its multiple steam features and auto-cleaning abilities make it a great primary iron.

Black + Decker (D2530)

 

What makes the Black + Decker mini-iron stand out is its high steam rate. This speed, combined with the 1500 watts of power, enables this iron to quickly and effectively get rid of any wrinkles and creases.

This model embraces technology, utilizing digital temperature control features, customizable steam settings and a notification feature to let you know when the product is ready to use. Other amenities include:

• 12-oz. water tank

• Smooth, stainless steel soleplate

• Automatic shut-off

One thing to be aware of is that this iron has a darker design, which can make it difficult to keep track of your water levels.

 

Who should get this?

 

This model is great for anyone who prioritizes precision in their quilting projects. The digitized features make it possible for you to control everything, down to the exact heat levels you're using. It's better for more experienced quilters who have a solid idea of what they want from an iron.

Lofans Mini Wireless Steam Iron (YD-017)

This smart iron definitely stands out — and not just because of its fun color options. Its cordless feature makes it super-portable; with the large built-in battery, you can enjoy about 20 minutes of working time. One potential problem with cordless irons is that the lack of a power cord means you might forget to turn it off; the Lofans Mini Wireless takes care of that potential problem. To ensure safety, it includes an auto shut-off feature that will turn off the device in 10 minutes if it's not actively being used.

Another great element of this steam iron is its simplicity. All its functions can be controlled through just one button, so you don't have to spend too much time learning how it works.

Who should get this?

 

The battery power and cute colors (which include pink and green) make this device a great travel iron. It's perfect for anyone who wants to quilt while traveling but doesn't want to bring their primary iron with them.

Sunbeam's Hot-2-Trot

 

This 800-watt iron is on the larger side when it comes to mini-irons, measuring about 8" x 3" x 4". It's praised for being ergonomic, easy to use and affordable. Its features include:

• Four steam functions

• Six steam vents

• Non-stick soleplate

• Quick heating capability

These amenities work together to help you complete your project quickly and efficiently, leaving you with a high-quality product.

Who should get this?

 

The variety of steam options makes this one of the best steam irons out there, especially for a quilter who's looking for something compact. Its larger size and numerous options give it the durability and functionality you need in an iron.

Panasonic Multi-Directional Steam/Dry Iron (NI-WL600)

 

This cordless steam and dry iron offers the convenience of portability without sacrificing the quality of the device itself. The double-tipped and non-stick soleplate lets you move naturally across any type of fabric, smoothing creases effortlessly. It also comes with multiple heat, steam and dry settings; you can carefully select the amount of steam you want to employ for your project.

Who should get this?

 

This iron is perfect for anyone who doesn't want to deal with the hassle of a tangled cord but also wants a high-quality iron. Its range of options lets you personally tailor your ironing experience to your needs.

CHI Steam Iron (13102)

 

CHI steam irons are known for their sleek design and high functionality. Users enjoy over 400 steam holes, a convenient retractable cord and a scratch-resistant soleplate. While this mini-iron tends to be on the larger size in comparison to other small irons, it comes with tons of amenities that allow further customization, including:

• 1700 watts

• Electronic temperature controls

• 12-oz. water tank

 

Who should get this?

 

If you want a combination of good function and good design, the CHI Steam Iron is perfect. Its silver coating blends naturally into any home, and every quilter will enjoy the digitized features.

Cricut Easy Press Mini

The final item on our list is the Cricut Easy Press Mini, an iron specifically designed for small projects or projects that require heat transfer. The ceramic-infused heat plate gives you multiple options when it comes to heating, including dry heat and edge-to-edge heat. Other amenities include:

• Steam features

• Safety base

• Automatic shut-off

This iron features a tapered design — you can see that it actually decreases in thickness. The purpose of this isn't just aesthetics; the design allows the iron to access small, hard-to-reach places, making sure quality is maintained throughout the product.

Who should get this?

 

This iron is perfect for anyone planning on executing a heat-based project or who wants to customize their work. It's compatible with a variety of items, from clothing to stuffed animals.

 

Choosing Your Iron

 

When it comes to the question of what's the best mini-iron for quilters, there's truly no straight answer. Determining the best small iron for quilting depends on your own personal preferences, as well as the requirements of your project. If you're looking for a secondary iron, you may value a lighter weight and portability over steam and heat features.

Alternatively, if you're looking for a professional mini model, you'll want to take a closer look at the amenities offered.

Mini-irons provide the benefits of regular irons — but at a smaller size and with a higher capacity to work with intricate quilting projects. Any serious quilter definitely needs to have one in their arsenal! You can find quality steam irons online at Amazon or directly on company sites.