Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot Review

The Hot-2-Trot didn't score very high in our review, but it's still capable enough to be used in a pinch when you're on the road and need to get some wrinkles out. If you're looking for a cheap iron for your weekly shirt pressing session at home, there are plenty of other viable options in our test suite, but the Hot-2-Trot is a great supplemental option for the frequent traveler.

Performance Comparison

This compact iron is perfect for travel.

Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Ironing Performance

The Hot-2-Trot performs about how we expected it to — poorly. The non-stick soleplate still sticks to certain materials giving one of the least smooth experiences we encountered. This does not hinder your ability to steam iron a garment, but it does make it far less enjoyable. The relative lack of power also requires multiple swipes over the same spot to yield a wrinkle-free result. These things aside, it is still one of the better compact options out there.

We tested each steam iron out on a plethora of different materials. The Hot-2-Trot performed surprisingly well on some fabrics and expectedly subpar on others. It worked well on cotton, although we had to use the steam burst on one particularly stubborn area, and this ended up leaving calcium spots behind. Tests with linen went really well, requiring zero additional steam. The iron doesn't glide smoothly over linen, but the noticeable drag wasn't so much as to impede the process. We were also impressed with how the Hot-2-Trot moved across silk with no need for additional steam. Polyester, on the other hand, needed so much steam that it left the fabric wet and covered in calcium chunks. That said, it did manage to relieve the material of all visible wrinkles.

We are impressed with this compact iron's ability to glide across silk.

Credit: Laura Casner

The Hot-2-Trot is minimalistic and travel-friendly, so it does not come with standard features like a water spray. And while it is small and maneuverable, it is not very precise. The shape of the soleplate presents some issues when trying to move around obstacles like buttons or between pleats, but with a few extra passes, it works just fine.

The Hot-2-Trot doesn't have a water spray like most of its competitors.

Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Steam Output

Unfortunately, there isn't much we can say that we find redeeming about the Hot-2-Trot in the steam output metric.

The steam holes are placed in the middle of the top of the soleplate. There are only seven, which is significantly less than most of the other models in our test suite. The Hot-2-Trot also only emits six grams of steam per minute. This is shockingly low when compared to others on the market.

Ease of Use

We paid special attention to how each tested steam iron handles, how easy it is to fill up, and how convenient (or not) the cord is. We weren't particularly impressed with the performance of the Hot-2-Trot, though it is very easy to fill.

This iron is small, lightweight, and decently comfortable to hold in the palm of your hand. It could, however, be more comfortable if the transition from the top of the handle to the groove for your fingers was smoother. As it stands, the rough edge can be a little irritating.

The Hot-2-Trot is a little rough around the edges.

Credit: Laura Casner

In regards to handling, the Hot-2Trot has a very small soleplate that requires a larger number of passes to get a garment fully smooth. It also lacks a very sharply pointed nose, so ironing around buttons and under collars can be a bit of a hassle.

The Hot-2-Trot is very small when compared to a full-sized iron.

Credit: Jenna Ammerman

The cord is eight feet long, which feels a little bulky for such a small appliance. But a shorter cord would make ironing more difficult overall, so while this can feel unruly when cleaning up and for storage, we're glad for the length while the iron is in use. The most redeeming quality this appliance offers in the ease of use department is how simple it is to fill up. Because it is so small, you can easily fill it up in shallow sinks.

Due to its size, this steam iron is easy to fill up no matter what size sink you have.

Credit: Laura Casner

Heating

We are happy to announce that the Hot-2-Trot performs admirably in this metric. It may not offer a hefty amount of steam or a pointy nose to maneuver around buttons, but this iron heats up quickly and somewhat evenly.

After five minutes, the average temperate registered at 332 degrees Fahrenheit. We found a difference of 61 degrees from the hottest to the coolest part of the soleplate, but the whole thing heats up to over 300 degrees.

The Hot-2-Trot may be small but it lives up to its name.

Credit: Laura Casner

Value

The Hot-2-Trot is among the least expensive options in our test suite. With this low price comes a lack in performance and power, so this is only a valuable purchase if your main concern is portability. For just a few more dollars, you can easily purchase a higher-performing iron, though it will likely be larger as well.

Conclusion

The Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot is perfect for travel applications and occasional use, but it doesn't have the power or durability for regular ironing chores. There are other options in our test suite that are more efficient and only a little more expensive, so take a minute to consider where your priorities lie before making your purchase.

The Hot-2-Trot has mediocre glide and little power, making it suitable only for small and occasional ironing jobs.

Credit: Jenna Ammerman