Confession: I have a deep-seated hatred of wrinkles. It was so excessive in high school that I would iron my clothes before leaving home for the day. A wrinkle truly hates to see me coming. Table linens, napkins, sewing projects, or sheets—you name it, I’ve ironed it. 

Needless to say, when I got married six months ago, I had several wrinkle-busting tools packed, one of which was the Chi Handheld Garment Steamer. 

An even bigger confession: I haven’t always been a fan of clothes steamers. They never felt quite as reliable as my trusty, heavy-duty steam iron, and all of the models I tried felt akin to working with a top-heavy boiling kettle, complete with water marks everywhere. 

Little did I know that this travel steamer would become my most-reached-for tool for all of my wrinkled garments. Several of my friends are getting married this year, so I know this little steamer will stay busy in my travel and bridesmaid bags. 

I can’t recommend it enough for your travels, wrinkles, and upcoming events, too—especially since it’s under $50.

No Hand or Arm Cramps in Sight

There’s a lot to love about this travel steamer, like its compact size and surprising steam output, but its comfortable operation tops my list. The handle has a 5.81-inch circumference, similar to a small rolling pin, so it’s comfortable to grip and hold, even for smaller hands. 

More importantly, this steamer isn’t top-heavy or awkward to hold, which I’ve experienced with other designs. It’s lightweight and your arm and wrist won’t tire after a few minutes of smoothing out wrinkles—a bonus when steaming any long wedding-gown trains and full-length bridesmaid dresses. It can be held horizontally or vertically, too, without fear of steaming-hot leaks from the water tank. 

I’m also a fan of the continuous steam button. Rather than having an on-off switch or a latch that you have to lock for continuous steaming, this mighty travel steamer has a large button you hold to release the steam. This feature makes me feel confident in stopping the hot steam whenever I want and need—for instance, before swiveling the hanger of my garment. Simply remove your finger from the button and the steam is off! 

The one downside to this steamer’s continuous steam button is that it’s not user-friendly for anyone with limited hand strength or mobility. It’d be nice if the steamer featured two buttons: one that’s a standard on-off switch and one for the continuous steam. But the design is still much better in my experience than that of other clothes steamers. 

Just the Right Amount of Steam

You also won’t be disappointed by this steamer’s output. The steamer may be small enough to easily pack in a suitcase, but it has an impressive amount of steaming power that makes quick work of wrinkles. It takes just 35 seconds to heat up—you’ll know it’s ready when the light on the button stops flashing—and then gives you five minutes of continuous steam, according to the product listing. I timed the steaming process to confirm. 

It took just 30 seconds for the light to stop flashing and another 4 seconds for the steam to begin after I began pressing the button. The steamer was still running for me after 5 minutes, and I noticed the water tank was close to empty at the 6-minute mark.

The water tank can hold approximately 75 milliliters of water, and I like the transparent panels on the sides that make it simple to monitor the water level as you use it and know when it’s time for a refill.

I always opt to fill this steamer from my sink tap, but if you have a measuring cup, that makes the job less messy. I recommend wiping off the handle of the steamer before you use it so it’s not slippery, and you should always unplug your clothes steamer and let it cool down before filling it back up again.

I’ve never noticed water spots on my clothes when using the Chi Handheld Garment Steamer, which is a major plus. The last thing you want is a giant water stain on your satin bridesmaid dress. The steam cloud is just enough to cover large patches of wrinkles, without being so overpowering that your hand gets uncomfortably hot, too.

Pack It Up

I’d be remiss to ignore the compact size. At just 10.5 inches long, this steamer is smaller than my Shark FlexStyle hair styler with an attachment (which also travels everywhere with me), so it can easily be packed in a carry-on bag. Plus, it comes with a travel bag. You could even store this steamer in your bathroom vanity at home—it’s truly that compact. 

The cord is about 8 feet long, so it’s also compatible with any room’s outlet setup. I typically use this steamer in my bathroom, because my shower curtain rod is the perfect place for hanging garments, and the cord easily stretches the room’s length. 

You may be more limited when it comes to how long you can steam for, but its compact size has made this steamer my favorite tool for getting rid of wrinkles. (Sorry, loyal steam iron.)

Why It’s Worth It

I’m always looking for home tools that are not only reliable but also conducive to limited storage, and the Chi Steam Handheld Garment Steamer—which is under $50 on a normal day—meets both those requirements. 

It’s impressed me both as a stickler for wrinkles and a previous steamer skeptic. It’s more than worth scooping up at its regular price and, of course, when it’s on sale. (I’ve seen it drop to under $40 during Amazon’s Big Spring Sale.)

It’s simple to use, comfortable to hold, and easily packs in a bag, which is exactly the kind of tool you want accompanying you on your wedding day, a work trip, and any other day when you just want to feel and look your best. It’s a must-pack and a must-have.