It has never been easier to create a beautiful imprint on a t-shirt or coaster. One of today’s fastest-growing markets, the heat press machine has helped to create thousands of businesses while families are also discovering the fun that they can have when using them at home. No matter if you use it in your business or are creating memories at home, these machines are versatile and easy to use.
Our Top Picks
- Editor’s Choice: Cricut Easy Press 2
- Best For T-shirt Printing: Fancierstudio Power Digital T-Shirt Heat Press 15×15
- Best 5 in 1 Heat Press Machine: F2C Pro 5 in 1 Professional
- Best for Beginners: VEVOR Heat press with 3 Pack Teflon Sheet
- Budget Pick: Cricut Easy Press Mini
Using a combination of pressure and heat to apply a design or transfer to a wide range of media, the heat press can also be used to apply your own unique designs to mouse pads, caps, tote bags, and t-shirts. These pre-made designs can be created first on a computer and then printed with a heat presses onto different materials for transfer to give you different effects to make fun and memorable keepsakes.
What is the best heat press machine?
Using expert and customer reviews, we have researched five heat press listing their features, temperature ranges, and heat plate designs. We have also included detailed reviews and a buying guide to help you know what to look for as you start your search for the best heat press machine for your needs.
1. Cricut Easy Press 2 – Editor’s Choice
FEATURES
- Simple to use a heat press
- Portable, lightweight, and easy to store
- Needs a maximum input 120-volt outlet
- Perfect for aprons, pillows, tote bags, and t-shirts
- Professional iron-on results in under 60 seconds
- Advanced heat platen design includes a ceramic coated surface
- Precise temperature control up to 400 degree Fahrenheit
- Compatible with most major brands of heat transfer vinyl
Perfect for everyday ironing, the Cricut Easy Press 2 has adjustable heat up to 400℉. Providing professional iron results in under 60 seconds, Cricut Easy Press 2 combines the convenience of an iron with the speed of a heat press. You also get foolproof results quickly that really stick, especially after several washes.
You can eliminate guessing with the rigorously tested temperature and time settings for each project you have planned. Just apply a little pressure and you’ll know when it’s done when you hear the beep. The Cricut Easy Press 2 features safety features that include automatic shutoff include and a resting base that is insulated.
Lightweight and portable, this Easy Press is easy to store and is also compatible with several major brands of heat transfer material, plus, of course, Cricut cutting machines. With two heating elements that wind through a big ceramic plate, you get flat and dry results from the even heat giving you flawless iron-on results. The heating element was created to remove wrinkles and reduce steam while creating one large hotspot in the center.
PROS
- It is easy to carry and store with its compact size
- It is simply to use once you get the hang of it
- The machine puts out good, even heat
CONS
- The size limits to the design size you can use
- The instructions are not at all helpful
2. Fancierstudio Power Digital T-Shirt Heat Press 15×15 B/BLK – Best For T-shirt Printing
FEATURES
- Measures 15 x 15-inch
- Heat press sheet included
- 110 volts and 1800 watts
- Temperature Range up to 699 degrees F
- Electronic heat and time control
- Precision time set-up
- Silicone-gel baseboard
- Adjustable pressure
This industrial-quality Fancierstudio Power Digital T-Shirt Heat Press features improvements from a previous model that includes coating and sheet on the heat platen. Compact and easy to use, this t-shirt printing machine includes a glued down base is made of silicon rubber base. This upward-opening model saves on space and is perfect for applying images, numbers, letters, and transfers on ceramic tiles, ID badges, jigsaw puzzles, mouse mats, bags, garments, and t-shirts.
You also get precise time setup with the electronic heat and time control and adjustable pressure. The Fancierstudio Power Heat press is perfect for those that are budget-minded that also want a professional-looking result from a t-shirt press machine.
PROS
- This is a great product for the price, which is good for those on a budget
- Custom heat transfers come out looking really good
- This is a simple to use machine that is easy to adjust the times and temperatures
CONS
- The handle is hard to open
- It smells a little when using it
3. F2C Pro 5 in 1 Professional – Best 5 in 1 Heat Press Machine
FEATURES
- 360-degree rotation
- Professional swing-away design
- Upgraded aluminum alloy detached cradle
- LED Digital controller
- Allows you to make hats, pads, mugs, and t-shirts
Perfect for creating plates, hats, cups, and t-shirts, the F2C Pro 5 in 1 Heat Press Machine features all the attachment you want need and want in a multifunction heat press machine. You can easily transfer colorful characters and pictures onto nylon, chemical fiber, flax, cotton, glass, and ceramics.
Using a standard 110 volt plus, you get 1200 watts from the F2C Pro with a temperature range between 32 and 430 degrees Fahrenheit as well as a timer control up to 999 seconds. It also gives you an adjustable height up to 17-inches and an adjustable multi-spring balancer. You get heat evenly distributed across the entire Teflon coated platen (to protect against transfer paper damage) as well as a structural support that is built-in to help maintain flatness.
The F2C is a lightweight, compact, and combo heat press that heats up quickly and is easy to store. It also features an upgraded aluminum alloy cradle that is detachable when used on mugs.
PROS
- It is lightweight and compact making it easy to carry with you and store
- The machine works really well on t-shirts
- This is a well-built machine that comes at a good price
CONS
- The slide-out bottom doesn’t lock so it will fall out
- The cap setup is not easy to use and needs more room to let the cap hang
- The mug press is not included in the package
4. VEVOR Heat press with 3 Pack Teflon Sheet – Best for Beginners
FEATURES
- Measures 12 x 15 inches
- Teflon-Coated Platen Press
- Digital LCD Time-Temperature Control up to 480 degrees Fahrenheit
- 360-degree rotation of swing arm
- Uniform Pressure Distribution
- Can be used on fabrics, puzzles, mouse pads, coasters, mugs, ceramic tiles, ceramic plates, caps, and t-shirts
With a built-in Teflon coating, the VEVOR Heat Press is a versatile machine that can work on a variety of projects. Including a full range of heating coils, this beginner heat press get consistent heat through its entire surface. In comparison to a regular clamshell heat-press, this heat press machine applies pressure in a top to bottom transfer giving you even contact on the surface below as well.
Using a unique swing-away feature, the VEVOR Heat Press lets you rotate the upper heat platen around 360 degrees. When you move the heating element to the side, you lessen the risk of accidentally contacting the area where you are distributing heat. Plus, you get a little red button that will pop up on the control box when the voltage becomes too high or unstable to protect the machine from overload.
Using a digital LCD temperature and timer control, you can more accurate settings with the VEVOR Heat Press. You also get a pressure-adjustment knob that provides a full range of options, so you can adjust it according to the material’s thickness. And, the lower platform can detach so you can exchange out the elements when needed.
This starter heat press can be used on all sorts of fabrics including nylon, chemical fiber, flax, cotton, glass, and ceramics. And, you can make all sorts of items including jigsaw puzzles, mousepads, coasters, mugs, ceramic plates and tiles, caps, and t-shirts.
PROS
- It has great attachments for mugs and ball caps
- The machine heats up quickly
- It is just use and understand
- Teflon coating for protection against sticking and damage transfer paper
CONS
- It doesn’t come with any good instructions, just minimal instructions that are not helpful
- The hat press is tricky because it doesn’t cover an entire hat face
5. Cricut Easy Press Mini – Budget Pick
FEATURES
- Compact size is perfect for small heat transfer projects
- Easy to use to customize stuffed animals, hats, and shoes
- Ceramic coated heat platen
- Three heat settings
- Insulated Safety Base
- Automatic shutoff feature
Perfect for use on unusual objects or projects you think are impossible to create. The Cricut Easy Press Mini gives you professional level results on your most shapely projects and objects like stuffed animals, baby shoes, and hats. Compact and lightweight, this budget heat press takes very little effort to guide it around curves, seams, and buttons.
With three heat settings, the Cricut Easy Press Mini gives you all the options you need to take on any type of heat-transfer project. This includes permanent Infusible Ink that will transfer as the base material. You also get added protection with the ceramic heating plate that gives you even dry heat edge to edge.
The Cricut Easy Press Mini glides effortlessly over surfaces that are oddly shaped allowing you to transfer your designs. This cheap heat press is equipped with automatic shutoff features and an insulated base. This portable, lightweight, and easy to store machine is compatible with the major brands of iron-on, HTV, and the Infusible Ink family of products as well as the Cricut cutting machine.
PROS
- It does the job and is good for attaching badges to sashes
- This machine works as well as an iron
- It is easy to store and works well on t-shirts
CONS
- It is smaller than some users expected
- It doesn’t come with an explanation of the three heat settings, which is best for what type of material
Buying Guide
Heat Press Machine Types:
Clamshell
Using a hinge in between two plates, a clamshell heat press opens up just like a clam. To work the machine, just lower the upper plate on to the lower plate and apply pressure to the transfer. This is a great type of machine for a beginner, and they are perfect for making t-shirts. Keep in mind that they aren’t great for thick items since the opening is restricted in between two plates. Also, make sure not to touch the two plates when you are putting items onto the press.
Swing Away
Consisting of an upper plate that swings to the side, a swing-away heat press gives you direct access to the lower plate. This allows you to lay the transfer and t-shirt without having to worry about touching the hot top plate. Keep in mind that you will need more room to use this type of heat press since the top part swings out. However, you will be able to work faster since you get better access which creates a more efficient production.
Draw
With a lower plate that you can pull out, a draw style heat press operates a lot like a drawer in your cupboard. Similar to a swing-away heat-press, you get direct access to the lower plate without risking a burn. In this case, however, the lower part is the part that moves, so be careful when you position the design under the heat to make sure it does not move.
Features to Look for in a Heat Presses
Versatility – If you aren’t sure you only want to do one type of print, it is important to find a versatile press that can adapt to different types of heat press media and materials.
Durability – Depending on the volume of items that you plan to create, you may only need a lightweight heat press that can handle a few gifts for friends and family. But, if you are dealing with a large volume of transfer, you will want to buy a more durable machine that withstands a lot of regular high volume use.
Temperature – Do you use slick heat vinyl transfers or like the ease of ink? Depending on your preferences, the temperature your heat press can range is a big consideration. This will help to determine what heat transfer vinyl products you can use. Make sure you choose the right machine for your projects, as you don’t want to end up with something that can’t do the work you need to be done.
Portability – If you need to move your machine regularly, you will want to make sure it is portable. A large model can be cumbersome and heavy, so not something you want to drive around with. However, if you expect to keep it one place most of the time, having a larger heat press will give you more flexibility when it comes to the variety of items that you can print.
Wrapping it up
These days, you don’t need to have a promotional company to make your t-shirts for you. You can buy your own heat press machine and start your own business or create beautiful family memories on your own. We did the research for you and found three great machines that will help you get started.
The Cricut Easy Press 2 is our Editor’s Choice giving you professional results in just 60 seconds. Using an advanced heating plate design, you can crank out t-shirts, tote bags, and pillows easily with results that stick well, even through several trips through the washer.
The Fancierstudio Power Digital T-Shirt Heat Press gets our vote for the best heat press machine for t-shirts. This is an industrial-quality heat press that is compact and simply to use. It works well for applying images, numbers, letters, and transfers on all sorts of materials include ceramic tiles, mouse mats, bags, and t-shirts. The Fancierstudio Power Heat press is a great choice if you are on a budget but still want that professional-looking result.
And finally, our Best 5 in 1 Heat Press winner is the F2C Pro 5 in 1 Professional. You get all the attachments you are looking for to transfer pictures easily onto glass, ceramics, fiber, and nylon. This lightweight and compact machine will heat up quickly and is easy to store, plus it comes with an upgraded aluminum alloy cradle that is detachable when used on mugs.
No matter which heat press you end up choosing, you will be able to create lots of great memories for your family. Or even start your own business. The sky is the limit when you find the best heat press machine for your creative mind.
