Do you need a mini-iron for crafting but aren’t sure which is the best? Perhaps you have heard about mini-irons but don’t know much about them? Or maybe yours has failed you and you need to grab a new one but don’t know which one to go for?
Whatever your reason might be, we have the answer for you!
We know how difficult it can be to find the right mini-iron for you. With so many choices out there and different features to navigate, you can quickly find yourself lost in a sea of steam, dry heat, and cord length, unsure what is best and which one you should buy.
Keep reading to discover the five best mini-irons for sewing, quilting, and crafting. We also have some top tips you can use to find the best iron for you.
What Are Mini Irons?
Before we dive in, let’s have a quick recap for those in the room that need it!
A mini-iron is essentially an iron that is smaller than a standard iron. These irons are perfect for traveling with and are perfect for pressing in small spaces. You will get excellent precision with these irons compared to larger irons.
It might not be entirely necessary to have a small iron, but these lightweight irons can get into small spaces and can be used just like your standard iron! Sure, there are still times where you might want to reach for your standard iron (like when you are getting wrinkles out of fabric before sewing), but they are nifty products and one we think you are bound to love!
Now let’s move on and look at what the best mini irons for sewing, quilting, and crafting are!
5 Best Mini-Irons For Sewing, Quilting, And Crafting
Below we have five of the best mini-irons on the market! We’ve selected a range to cater to a wide variety of budgets and needs.
Steamfast Mini Steam Iron
First up, we have this fantastic mini iron from Steamfast! With a super speedy heat-up time of 15 seconds, this mini-iron is fantastic for pressing quilt blocks, putting on hem tape, making applique, and anything else that you want to do!
The iron is super lightweight and fits in your hand perfectly. The long 7.5 feet cord also wraps around the handle allowing you to store it away easily. You won’t have trouble finding somewhere to store it either, as it measures 3.1 x 3 x 5.2 inches, meaning it can be stored away discreetly.
The iron is also super easy to use! There is a small green button to turn on or off the steam. It’s ideal for those that use a range of materials that require dry or steam heat.
You can simply switch with the press of a button and iron your fabric without damaging it. There is also a green temperature dial on the base that controls the temperature. You can adjust the iron to find the right temperature for you and your fabrics.
We do recommend reading through the instructions first to understand how the iron works. The controls aren’t the easiest to understand so it’s best to give the instructions a read and save yourself the time of struggling! Learn from our mistakes and get to grips with the instructions before diving in!
We also recommend taking care of the temperature, because this iron gets hot! At the maximum temperature, this oven gets hot and could scorch some more gentle fabrics. Be sure to take care when using the max temperature and allow the iron to cool down before using it on gentle fabrics.
When you use the iron though, you will understand why we love it so much! It removes wrinkles super easily and helps get the sharp folds that you want in your fabric. You can also enjoy fantastic steam with it, just be sure to watch your fingers.
For those after a mini-iron, then Steamfasts option is absolutely fantastic and will be a welcome addition to your home.
Pros
- Variable temperature: can set the temperature to suit the fabric you are working with
- Option to turn steam on or off: perfect for when you need dry heat
- Compact size: is easy to use and store
- Heats up quickly: allows you to get to work quickly
Con
- The cord can flip over the iron if it’s twisted
Conair EZ Press Hand-Held Steam Iron
Up next we have this fantastic mini-iron from Conair! The affordable iron is perfect for anyone on a budget that is after a mini-iron. While it is still smaller than a regular iron, this is one of the largest irons included in our list today! It measures 6.8 x 4.3 x 5.1 inches. You will find it smaller than a normal iron, but those after a mini-iron to get in all the hard-to-reach places, you might struggle!
The iron comes with a decent cord length of eight feet, offering you lots of space to maneuver without getting tangled in the wire! It’s similar to the Steamfast we discussed earlier and features a larger water reservoir and bigger size than other mini-irons on the market.
What we love about this mini-iron is the variable temperature dial that allows you to set the iron to the right temperature for you. You won’t need to worry about burning any fabric with this iron, simply set it to the correct temperature and you are good to go!
You can also switch between steam or dry heat to suit the fabric you are working on. This is wonderful for those that use different fabrics that require steam or dry heat, you can use the same iron. You won’t need to switch or worry about harming the fabric, you can just adjust and get cracking.
Although this is a larger mini-iron, it is the perfect option for those new to the mini-iron world. Why not start with this slightly larger mini-iron and see if it’s the one for you?
Pros
- Variable temperature dial – allows you to change the temperature to the perfect heat
- Switch from steam or dry heat – allows you to press fabric in the best way for you
- Affordable – perfect for those on a budget
Con
- Larger than other mini-irons on the market
Dritz Petite Press Mini Iron
Next, we have this wonderful mini-iron from Dritz! It’s a little bulkier than some others on the list, with a 1 x 2.5-inch soleplate, making it a little tricky to get into tiny spaces and between buttonholes. If you need a mini-iron specifically for these tiny spaces, then you might want to look elsewhere.
However, this iron does come packed with features we think you will love! The head adjusts to four different positions that allowed us to maneuver it into the odd-shaped spaces we were using. We found the digital controls easy to use too, and it gives it a more high-tech feel than other irons on the list!
You get four temperature settings, allowing you to press a range of fabrics. It heats up quickly, although it does not get as hot as the Steamfast iron we mentioned earlier.
The reasonably priced iron is great for those after an adjustable iron and isn’t working with tiny tight spaces!
Pros
- Reasonably priced – great for a range of budgets
- Adjustable head – allows you to get different angles for pressing
- Adjustable heat settings – ensures that your iron is never too hot for your fabric
- Digital controls – easy to use for a smooth experience
Con
- It doesn’t get as hot as the Steamfast iron
Clover Mini-Iron II
Next, we have the Clover mini-iron II! An upgrade from the original mini-iron, you get five compatible iron tips, allowing you to find the right size for you. All of these tips are incredibly tiny, making this one of the smallest iron’s on our list today.
The tips come in the following sizes:
- Small iron tip (standard tip)
- Slim tip (long and skinny)
- Large iron tip (2-3 times larger than standard)
- Ball tip (for shaping fabrics)
- Hot knife tip
This tiny iron is ideal for pressing doll clothes, especially if you want to flatten pant legs or armholes. It’s also fantastic for embroidery, you can use the mini-iron to press it onto a fusible stabilizer, making your work far easier!
We loved the three different heat settings that you get, and found that the iron gets super hot! But, it’s safe and easy to use, we didn’t burn ourselves once! The iron itself does take a while to heat up, but once it’s hot, you are good to go!
Pros
- Smallest iron – perfect for doll clothes and small spaces
- Diverse – countless uses
- Range of iron tips – allows you to find the right size for your uses
- Three heat settings – ensures that the iron is the right temperature for your fabric
Con
- It can take a while to get hot
Cricut Easy Press Mini
Finally, we have the Cricut mini-press! This is better suited to crafters rather than those looking for an iron for sewing or quilting, but is still worth mentioning! Cricuts press comes in a few different sizes, with the mini one being the smallest they have to offer!
It’s a little more expensive than others on the list but sits at a reasonable price. We recommend checking your budget beforehand to ensure that you can afford it. If the mini is too small for you, it’s also worth looking at other options to see if a larger one would be better suited to your needs.
So why don’t we recommend this press for sewers? Well, it doesn’t have a steam option and seems to be more geared towards pressing instead of ironing. So if you have fabric that needs dry heat, or is working with infusible ink and heat transfer vinyl, this is a great choice for you!
We found that the Cricut mini is fantastic for accessing small and unusually sized spaces like the tongues of shoes and in-between buttons on shirts. These machines also have a more uniform heat distribution, making them preferred over traditional irons in crafting settings.
For those that work with vinyl or infusible ink, small spaces, or appliqueing, then this is the tool for you!
Pros
- Recently priced – suitable for most budgets
- Range of temperature settings – offers accurate temperatures for a range of materials
- Fits into small spaces – great for oddly shaped spaces and small areas
- Best for crafting – works well with vinyl materials and infusible ink
Con
- No steam option
Mini Iron Buyer’s Guide
Not too sure what your mini-iron should have? We have a quick and easy buyer’s guide for you to use. Keep reading to find out what you should be looking for when purchasing your new mini-iron.
Steam Or No Steam?
Some mini-irons will have space for water to produce steam. Others will not and you will need to decide whether you want a steam or non-steam iron. So which is best?
Well, it’s a personal choice, but we recommend opting for a steam iron. These tend to have much better results, especially when you add steam to a tailor board or use the board as a clapper.
If you opt for a steam mini-iron though, we think it’s best to go for one where you can disable steam easily. This will also come in handy when you are working with projects that need dry heat only.
Size Matters: Let’s Talk Iron Body And Soleplate
If you are looking for an iron that can squeeze into small spaces, then you will want to consider the size of both the iron body and the soleplate. A smaller iron will fit into smaller places well, but a larger iron can press larger amounts of fabric quickly. It’s worth considering the size you want your iron to be, and the space you want it to cover before deciding which size is best for you.
It’s also worth considering the shape of the soleplate. A wider soleplate won’t fit into doll clothes’ arms, whereas a thin and long soleplate would. Consider what you need the mini iron for and the spaces it will need to fit in before deciding on the right shape and size for you.
Heat Capacity And Temperature
We all want an iron that can get to the temperature that we want, but we will also want a variety of fabrics. This will ensure that your iron is never too hot for your fabrics. The last thing you want to do is scorch or melt a craft you have been working on for days!
Consider the range of fabrics that you work with and the temperatures that they can handle. You can use this range to help find a mini-iron that will be able to deliver these temperatures without any issues.
Final Thoughts
And just like that, we have come to the end of our mini-iron journey today! As you can see, there are some fantastic mini-irons on the market, so you are bound to find one that suits your needs! Don’t forget to use our buyer’s guide to help you narrow your search and find the right mini-iron for you. No matter what iron you choose, we are sure that you won’t be disappointed!