Let’s Address This Pressing Matter: What is the Best Mini Iron for Sewing?
No matter what type of sewing you plan on doing, a good iron is one of the most important tools you can invest in. Pressing seams, ironing out wrinkles, and setting creases are essential in almost every sewing area. But instead of using a large, heavy iron, many of us can get the job done with a small iron.
Today, we are going to find the best mini iron for sewing. We will discuss the benefits of using a mini iron and what to look for, and I’ll show you my top 5 options for a great mini iron.
What Type of Iron is Best for Sewing?
There are two types of irons: dry iron and steam iron. Steam irons give you an advantage when ironing out wrinkles or pressing seams flat. There are many options for mini steam irons, and we will look at several later in this post. If you have to use your iron for an extended period, a regular-size iron can get cumbersome.
Smaller irons are best for those who do a fair amount of ironing and pressing since they will save our hands and wrists from unnecessary wear and tear. If you combine a mini iron with a pressing spray like Best Press or a wool pressing mat, you will get excellent results and won’t need to use the steam feature.
Not all irons are created equal, and before you spend your hard-earned money on one, you should know what to look for in an iron. Some of you may think, “But, Miriam, isn’t an iron just an iron? You turn it on, it gets hot, you press or iron, and that’s it.”
Well, yes, that conclusion is true, but what features does iron have? Does it steam? How hot does it get? Is that hot enough for your sewing projects? Here is a list of features I highly recommend considering before purchasing an iron, whether mini or full-size.
- Max temperature
- Time to heat up
- Multiple heat settings
- Can it steam?
- If it does steam, how many steam holes does the soleplate have?
- Cord length or cordless
- Automatic power-off feature
- Size of soleplate
- Soleplate material
- Does it come with a warranty?
Are Mini Irons Worth It?
Yes, 100% mini irons are worth every penny, and I’ll give you a few reasons why.
- They are usually cheaper than their full-size counterparts. Let’s be honest. Budget is a big deal for most of us, and not all of us can throw down $200 on an iron.
- They’re easier to handle for those with smaller hands. I don’t have small hands, but my mom does, and I can’t imagine her doing the ironing I do with my large iron.
- They’re easier for those with carpel tunnel syndrome and/or arthritis. The best mini iron for sewing is the one that doesn’t induce or make these painful diseases worse.
- They’re great for travel. You could easily pack a mini iron for crafts for your weekend getaway.
Why Do Pros Use Smaller Irons?
Many professional quilters and sewists use small irons. Most of them probably use them for the reasons I listed in our last section. They’re cheap, easy to handle, gentle on problematic joints, and great for traveling.
Another reason is the best brands for sewing tools make excellent mini irons. Professionals in any arena want to use the best if they can afford them, right? The same goes for our heroes in the textile arts.
5 of the Best Mini Irons for Sewing
Now that we know a bit about the benefits of using a small iron and why it would be great to use one, let’s look at five excellent choices for your sewing needs. These are all available on Amazon, and I will list out the Pros and Cons for each iron to help you in your search.
This mini iron is small but mighty! This is one of the more popular irons I have seen recently, for a good reason. It’s pretty impressive how many features are packed into this small iron, from steam to a long cord to dual voltage, so you can use it anywhere, even if you travel internationally with it.
The water tank holds up to 1.4 ounces for the steam feature. This little iron weighs in at a lightweight measurement of 0.96 lbs.
PROS
- Dual Voltage: 100 and 240 volts
- Three heat settings for different fabric types
- Burst or continuous steam
- 7 ½ foot cord
- Heats up in 15 seconds
CONS
- It doesn’t have an auto shut-off feature.
If you have a tight budget and steam isn’t a big deal, this mini iron might just be the iron for you. This is the cheapest iron on this list and has excellent reviews on Amazon.
This is a great mini iron for smaller projects or for a new sewist who doesn’t want to shell out a bunch of money on an iron yet. This is the perfect entry-level mini iron if you like to do crafts with HTV (heat transfer vinyl) or applique pieces.
PROS
- Great price
- Works on a variety of fabrics and applications
- Removable cord for easy storage
- Compact for travel
- It weighs just under 6 ounces
- It comes in a variety of colors
CONS
- No steam
- 3-foot cord
- It takes 90 seconds to heat up
Sunbeam is a company that has been around since 1897 making all kinds of household electronics. This iron is a great example of their commitment to producing quality items at reasonable prices.
This 800-watt compact iron features an ergonomic handle, steam burst, and multiple heat settings. It also offers dual travel voltage and a non-stick soleplate for easy cleanup. The small iron weighs one pound, giving it enough weight to press seams without being too heavy for your wrist.
PROS
- Multiple heat settings
- Steam function
- Lightweight and portable
- Great ergonomic design
- 8-foot cord
CONS
- Cord storage is challenging.
This mini iron looks very similar to #1 in this list, except instead of being white, it is a beautiful shiny red. It features an ergonomic anti-slip handle and a Teflon soleplate for easy cleaning. You will have dual voltage and excellent steam burst for a compact iron.
There are three heat settings for various fabric types and a generous 1.4-ounce water tank for steam. The soleplate heats up in as little as 15 seconds, making this an excellent choice for last-minute pressing.
PROS
- It heats up fast and has three heat settings
- Extremely compact and lightweight
- 1-year warranty
- Weighs 1.15 pounds
CONS
- No auto shut-off feature
- The water level can be hard to see.
If you were to ask me what is the best mini iron for sewing, I would be hard-pressed (pun intended) to find one better than the Oliso M2 Mini Iron. Oliso is a leader in irons for sewing, and this mini version of their most popular iron is a gem.
Some features include an 8-foot cord, steam burst, three heat settings, a silicone mat to use with the iron, and a detailed tip for hard-to-press items like cuffs or quilt block seams. This is an excellent mini quilting iron.
PROS
- Long 8-foot cord
- Well-known and trusted brand
- 3-year warranty
- Diamond ceramic soleplate for even heat
- 45-second heat-up time
CONS
- More expensive than the other options
- Weighs 2.7 pounds- this could irritate sensitive wrists or hands.
I hope this post has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about mini irons. Which one do you think is the best mini iron for sewing? Let me know in the comments below!
Have a great day, and happy stitches!
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