Are you trying to find a small heat press?
A heat press machine is a fairly simple device that uses strength, pressure, and ultra-high temperatures to imprint a design to a substrate, such as a T-shirt.
If you want to transfer graphics to smaller products, such as baby oneness, ceramic tiles, small bags or pockets, you can get a mini press machine of your own.
If you wish to work on shirts, we do recommend that you invest in a larger press. You can find a guide to help you find the best t shirt press here.
Whatever you decide, a tiny heat press machine is a great place to start.
You can choose between various features and prices, so do some research before you buy one.
In this article, we will look at the best small format heat press machines of this year.
Best Mini Heat Press Comparison Chart
Below is a comparison chart to feature the top small press machines which is mentioned later in this article.
You can then read my reviews below.
NAME | RATING | Size | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Two Sizes: 9 x 9" 12 x 10" | ||
 | 3.5 x 2″ | ||
 | 3.5 x 2″ | ||
 | 9 x 12" | ||
 | 12" x 10" | ||
2.6" x 4.4" | |||
 | 3.7 x 2" | ||
 | 9 x 9" | ||
 | 6 x 8" | ||
 | 6 x 6" |
Guide to Buying a Heat Press
Find below some helpful guidelines that you can follow to help you find the right small press for your needs.
Size
Decide on the size of your small heat press depending on the items you’re planning to work with.
For smaller details, such as baby clothes, you can use a 3” x 3” or 6” x 6” heat press.
But if you want to apply small graphics to regular sized t-shirts, bags, or pillows, you should always look for machines that are at least 9” x 9” in size.
This will cover the middle area of your t-shirt well, but you’ll need a larger heat press for larger applications.
Some small heat presses are big enough for flags, banners, extra-large clothes, and many other things.
A heat press that is 15” or larger is usually considered to be medium-sized.
Price
When it comes to price, many factors come into consideration.
Whilst you can find the mini presses for around $50, a more versatile 9” x 12” heating press can be bought for only slightly more at around $120.
The price grows depending on the size.
In this article, you will find a few extremely expensive small heat presses.
That’s because they are of impeccable quality, from trusted manufacturers, and they’re meant for professional use.
Temperature
You should always look for a small heat press that can go up to at least 400°F. This heat is enough for most types of fabric in any color.
It is also important to remember that different types of vinyl requires different temperature settings.
You can browse through our heat transfer vinyl reviews here to learn more.
For example, you can transfer a colored graphic to a normal T-shirt with 300°F.
However, a cotton T-shirt will require a little more heat to transfer perfectly, so it is best to set the temperature to at least 380°F.
Polyester, on the other hand, needs a lower temperature, so you should use at most 280°F.
That’s why you should always choose a small heat press that has an adjustable temperature bar.
It’s important to know exactly how hot your heat press will be.
Small Heat Press Machine Reviews
So what is the best small press? Here are some reviews to help you decide.
I will outline the top features, the pros and cons of each in detailed reviews, which should help you choose the best small heat press 2024 has on offer.
1. Cricut EasyPress 3 Review (Best Handheld Heat Press)
This small hand press machine is an upgraded version of its predecessor and it is an affordable small heat press machine for various-sized projects.
Depending on what kind of area you want to cover, you can decide between two different sizes.
- With 9” x 9”, you can design bags, T-shirts, pillows, and other medium-sized things.
- In the end, you may get a 12” x 10” press for larger clothes, and even flags or smaller banners.
Setting the temperature and time in a couple of taps will help you create the perfect conditions for various types of fabric or other surfaces.
The temperature goes up to 400°F. Once you hear the beep, you’ll know that you’re done.
A great new feature of the EasyPress 3 is the Bluetooth technology.
The EasyPress can connect to the Cricut Heat app and you can use the app to select your material type and the heat and time settings will be automatically set for you!
Such a great feature as there’s no need for guesswork.
With the heavy press and careful temperature control, you can easily make sure that the design will stick after you wash it multiple times.
The machine comes with a convenient handle, and a safety stand to put it away when you’re done.
If you forget to turn it off, an automatic switch will do it for you. That means no more worrying if you’ve left the heat press on.
The only downside comes with the size; since even the largest size will fit your hand, you won’t be able to cover areas larger than a medium-sized pillow.
Whilst the 10 x 12" is a great small t-shirt press, we do find that we have to do multiple presses for larger size shirts.
It might also be tricky to get the correct pressure, as you apply to apply this manually with your own body strength.
Pros
- Convenient and portable - a handheld heat press
- Comes in two different sizes
- Automatically or manually set temperature and timer
- Automatic turn-off switch
Cons
- Very small, unable to cover larger areas
>>> Read through our detailed Cricut EasyPress 3 review here. Or read a more detailed post comparison heat press machines vs the EasyPress 3.
2. Cricut Mini Press Review (Best Portable Heat Press)
With this mini heat press machine, you will have a carry-around lightweight, compact press wherever you go.
It is a fabulous for products that can be tricky to press with a large bulky press. We are talking about things such as hats, shoes, or stuffed animals.
This portable press is even smaller than other small heat presses, so you can pack it up with your luggage and take it on a trip.
You can use it to decorate small accessories or add some eye-catching details to your clothes.
It is also great for when you want to press items that are close to seams or buttons.
It has three simple heat settings and you can also even use the press with Cricut's new Infusible Ink transfers.
The press plate is only 3” x 2”.
In my opinion not a very practical product, but could be fabulous if you work on really small-scale designs.
Pros
- Extremely small and portable
- Heats up quickly
- Auto shut-off feature
- Small 3 x 2" plate
Cons
- Tiny press surface (which can be a pro too)
>>> Click the button below to check the price.
3. DODODUM Portable Mini Heat Press Machine Review
The DODODUM Mini Easy Press machine is perfect for small or unique heat transfer projects .
Essentially it is a 'copy' of the Cricut Mini Press, but it comes at a much cheaper price tag which is why it is so popular.
The press is obviously very small which makes it easy to carry around (you can even travel with this baby).
Just like with the Cricut mini press it comes with three different heat settings: Low temperature: 284℉(140℃), Medium temperature: 320℉(160℃), High temperature：374℉（190℃).
It also comes with the safety base that you might be used to seeing with portable presses.
All in all this is a solid press if you are after something small and compact.
I love these sizes for when I'm working on curved surfaces such as shoes and caps. I also use it for canvases, pockets and onesies.
Pros
- Very small and easy to carry
- Equipped with an insulated safety base
- Automatic turn-off switch after 10 min of inactivity
Cons
- Can only be used under 110-120V
>>> Click the button below to check the price.
4. Fancierstudio 9 x 12" Heat Press Review
Whether you just want to make T-shirts for you and your family, or you are looking to start a business, this heat press machine should fit your needs, and it falls into an affordable price range.
With the width of 12”, it is great for large T-shirts, banners, and flags.
It comes with a Teflon sheet and a silicone-gel pad that you can easily replace once it wears out.
It also has digital controls to set your temperature and time. It can go up to a fabulous 500°F.
We also love that it is a swing away press, which allows for precision work and transfer placement.
To use it, simply place a design on the surface that you want to transfer it to, and press the handle.
Then, you can set up the timer and temperature.
The machine presses down with an industrial strength, making sure every single inch is transferred.
Even though we prefer a 15 x 15" press for shirts, this might just be the best small heat press for t-shirts if you are short on table top space in your craft room.
Pros
- Great value
- Easily movable from place to place
- Industrial-strength pressure
- Swing Away Style
Cons
- Slightly too loose before locking your design – requires steady hands
>>> Click the button below to check the price.
5. Fierton 12"×10" Heat Press Machine Review
Similar to the previous options on the list, this heat press machine will make awesome T-shirts in a matter of minutes.
This heat press is great for those who love to multi-task.
After setting the appropriate time and temperature, you can leave it alone and do other things while it is working.
It has a patent high frequency automatic press technology so you can free up your hands as there is no need to press manually.
With the dimensions of 10” x 12”, you can cover T-shirts of almost all sizes. But you can also use this heat press for other things.
For example, you can make your own bags, towels, ceramic plates, etc.
However if you want to do mugs, we do recommend you invest in a mug press instead.
Since it is quick and easy to handle, you can test the machine many times before you get perfect results.
With digital time and temperature settings this really is a fabulous choice.
Pros
- Good for both personal and commercial use
- Affordable
- Easy to use
- Set your own time and temperature
- Applies pressure automatically
Cons
- Can’t cover a surface bigger than a large T-shirt
>>> Click the button below to check the price.
6. HTVRONT Heat Press Review
The HTVRONT heat press is a fabulous, mini portable heat press machine if you work on small-scale designs of 3" x 4" or less.
This mini handheld heat press is efficient and reliable and has 3 heat settings so that you can freely control the heating degree to meet your different heating needs.
With it small size comes a light weight. This HTVRONT hand held mini heat press weighs only 1.4 lbs. that makes it so lightweight and easy to move or transport.
Along with the 3 heat setting modes it can reach a maximum heat setting of 356°F in a short amount of time.
The press has an auto off design so it will automatically shut off after 10 minutes of inactivity, so you don't have to worry about forgetting to turn off the heat press.
Pros
- Full-featured small heat press
- Easy to use
- Portable
- High maximum temperature
Cons
- 1 year manufacturer warranty
>>> Tip: I recommend you purchase from HTVRONT direct. If you sign up for their newsletter you will receive a 20% off code which makes this press super cheap!
7. Xinart Mini 3.7 x 2" Heat Press Review
This mini heat press is an affordable 3.7” x 2” option, ideal for those small and intricate objects like hair bows, earrings, socks, baby clothes, and more.
It has 4 temperature settings, ranging from 285°F to the highest temperature of 400°F.
This mini press is well-made with a ceramic-coated dry heat plate ensuring that the heat is evenly distributed across the plate.
If you want to print some designs on a larger surface, you can opt for the larger heat presses that range from 9” x 9” and above.
This mini heat press is super compact and only weighs 1.74 lbs.
It also has an auto switch-off feature if the press has been inactive for 10 minutes.
Pros
- Great price
- 4 Temperature settings
- Small and compact
- Auto shut off feature
Cons
- You may need a larger press for larger items
>>> Click the button below to check the price.
8. OFFNOVA Portable 9 x9" Press Machine Review
If you’re looking for a small heat press for T-shirts, consider this portable, easy-to-use machine.
Since it has a convenient handle, you can use it instead of a normal iron.
There’s a small display from which you can adjust the temperature and timer.
Once you find the ideal combination for your transfers, you can always return to the same settings.
A small beep will inform you that the process is finished and that you can lift your press up.
You can use it to place an object such as a T-shirt, bag, hat, etc.
Place the design, adjust the time and temperature, and you are good to go.
You will also get a safety pad to place this heating pad in. If you don’t use the heat press for more than 10 minutes, it will turn off automatically.
For personal use, this heat press machine could be the perfect choice.
Also, it covers an area of 9” x 9”, which is a bit smaller than usual.
Pros
- Small and portable
- Can be an occasional replacement for a regular iron
- A timer that signals when it finishes work
- A special safety pad to put your heat press in
Cons
- You have to apply pressure manually using your own body strength.
>>> Click the button below to check the price.
9. Geo Knight DK8 6 x 8" Heat Press Review
You can use this great heat press to transfer tiny details to a bigger surface.
The iron pad is around 6” x 8” in size, so it is perfect for applying details to pockets, transferring small logos and other applications without pressing the area around it.
There are two more tables that you can use for even more finesse – one is 3” x 3”, and the other is 3” x 5”.
With larger heat presses, you need to guess the area correctly when applying smaller details. It is far too easy to position the detail incorrectly and only notice when it’s already late.
But with this small Geo Knight heat press machine, you’ll always hit the target.
On the digital screen, you can set the timer and temperature.
But, before you decide to get this heat press, you should know that it is one of the most expensive ones on the list.
It offers you some great features and impressive durability, but it’s not the best choice if you are on a tight budget.
Pros
- Made for detailed applications
- Quality material and reliable
- Lifetime warranty for its heat plate
Cons
- Premium Price tag
10. Hotronix 6 x 6" Heat Press Review
The Hotronix is another small, portable heat press that can transfer the smallest applications to your t-shirts and other objects.
It has a convenient design that doesn’t require a lot of space.
On the other hand, you get a very durable machine you can use to decorate your pockets, children’s clothing, and other small areas.
With a built-in LED screen, you can adjust time and heating in two different periods.
You can either set it for two-step transfer, or for pre-application heating and the transfer itself.
It will magnetically lock the two heating plates until the process finishes.
In the end, the press will open automatically thanks to the same magnetic mechanism, so there’s no chance of overheating or over application.
On the downside, you’ll need to spend a lot of money to get this heat press.
You get immense quality and a lifetime warranty in exchange.
Pros
- Great use of space
- The magnetic mechanism guarantees easier locking and automatic opening
- Made for detailed applications
- Two-period timer
Cons
- The most expensive heat press on the list
Final Verdict
As you can see, getting a proper heat press can be a tough job. It all depends on your plans, the types of applications that you want to do, and your budget.
Finding the right combination of these features will lead you to the best heating press.
If you want a really small heating press for tiny details, you can opt for the Cricut EasyPress 3, it is great for hobby use at home.
However, a more serious detailed heating press would be Geo Knight or Hotronix, which are 7 to 8 times more expensive, but comes with some impressive features.
The Cricut EasyPress Mini is a great option for intricate, small or oddly shaped items and designs due to the small press size of 3" x 2.5".
Hopefully, once you know what you need, you’ll start applying your designs in no time.
Remember that you can always invest in a bigger heat press machine if your business takes off.
You can also use small heat presses with 15” wide heating pads, which is enough to print on a small banner or an extra-large T-shirt.
If you’re not sure yet if this is your passion, one of the more affordable heat presses on our list can be a great way to start experimenting.
Now that you have found a new press for your home or business, why not hop over to our DIY craft blog section.
We have loads of tutorials, project examples as well as step-by-step posts to help you get started.
