The world's most in-depth and scientific reviews of tech gear

Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot Review

Good if you need to travel with an iron, but too weak for regular chores at home
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Price:   $15.00 List | $15.98 at Amazon
Pros:  Inexpensive, portable
Cons:  Weak, relatively poor ironing performance
Manufacturer:   Sunbeam
By Max Mutter and Steven Tata  ⋅  Dec 5, 2017
  • Share this article:
38
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#8 of 8
  • Ironing Performance - 30% 4
  • Steam Output - 30% 2
  • Ease of Use - 20% 5
  • Heating - 20% 5

Our Verdict

With a super packable form factor and a name that is ready for a night on the town, the Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot is designed with travel in mind. If you really need an iron on your next trip and are afraid your hotel room might not have one, the Hot-2-Trot is a very inexpensive insurance policy. However, if you're looking for a cheap iron that you'll actually be using with some regularity, we would recommend spending a bit more on the Hamilton Beach 19900. It is much more powerful and capable than the Hot-2-Trot, and is still quite reasonably priced.


Compare to Similar Products

(change comparison)
 
This Product
Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Editors' Choice Award  Best Buy Award 
Price $15 List$100 List
$64.14 at Amazon		$70 List
$59.00 at Amazon		$120 List
$94.52 at Amazon		$65 List
$39.99 at Amazon
Star Rating
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Pros Inexpensive, portableGreat glide, steam output, preciseRapid heating, good steam output, smooth glideGreat steam output, glide, preciseDecent steam output and ironing performance
Cons Weak, relatively poor ironing performanceExpensiveDifficult to fillVery expensiveDoesn't excel in any particular aspect
Bottom Line Good if you need to travel with an iron, but too weak for regular chores at homeThe clear choice for quilters, sewers, and sharp dressers that demand high performanceA great choice if you're willing to spend extra, but not top dollarA top notch model for anyone that demands high end performanceA reasonable performer at a relatively low price, but there are better budget options out there
Overall Score Sort Icon
100
0
38
100
0
82
100
0
80
100
0
80
100
0
63
Rating Categories Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot Rowenta DW5080 Focus CHI Professional Rowenta DW7180... Black & Decker D2030
Ironing Performance (30%)
10
0
4
10
0
9
10
0
7
10
0
8
10
0
7
Steam Output (30%)
10
0
2
10
0
9
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
6
Ease Of Use (20%)
10
0
5
10
0
8
10
0
7
10
0
8
10
0
5
Heating (20%)
10
0
5
10
0
6
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
7
Specs Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot Rowenta DW5080 Focus CHI Professional Rowenta DW7180... Black & Decker D2030
Wattage 800 1700 1700 1750 1500
Weight 1.3 3.4 2.9 3.7 3.3
Cord Length 8' 8' 10' 8' 8'
Soleplate Non-Stick Stainless Steel Non-Stick/Ceramic Stainless Steel Stainless Steel
Steam Output Test 7 g/min 38 g/min 35 g/min 29 g/min 24 g/min
Temperature After Two Minutes of Heating (degrees F) 380 400 440 430 420

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot didn't do so well in our testing, but it's still capable enough to be used in a punch 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, we would recommend the Hamilton Beach 19900.


Performance Comparison


The Hot-2-Trot earned the worst overall score in our testing, mostly due to its lack of power. In the sections that follow we discuss the Hot-2-Trot's performance in all of our individual tests, and where it does have some merit.

Ironing Performance


The Hot-2-Trot was the lowest scorer in our ironing performance testing, earning just a 4 out of 10. It has a non-stick soleplate, but in our testing we found that it did tend to stick a bit. When ironing the Hot-2-Trot had the least smooth glide of any of the irons we tested. Not to a degree that we couldn't complete the task at hand, but it did take more effort to get a shirt wrinkle free than with any other model. Its relative lack of power also meant we had to make more passes to get wrinkles out than with other models. In comparison, the Hamilton Beach 19900 had slightly smoother glide and much more power, and got a shirt looking smooth and pressed in about half the time.

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

Steam Output


The Hot-2-Trot was again the worst scorer in our steam output testing, earning a score of 2 out of 10. It produced just 7 grams of steam per minute in our testing, just over half of the next best model and less than 20% of what the top scorers produced. The Best Buy Award winning Hamilton Beach 19900, the only other model that is close to the Hot-2-Trot in price, produced 31g/min of steam.

The Hot-2-Trot had the weakest steam output of any of the models we tested but still enough to get some wrinkles out in a pinch.
The Hot-2-Trot had the weakest steam output of any of the models we tested, but still enough to get some wrinkles out in a pinch.

Ease of Use


The Hot-2-Trot earned an average score of 5 out of 10 in our ease of use testing. Due to its small size the Hot-2-Trot is very easy to fill and fits in the hand quite nicely. However, the small soleplate means lots more passes are required to get a garment smooth. The soleplate also does not have a sharp point, 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.
The Hot-2-Trot is very small when compared to a full-sized iron.

Heating


The Hot-2-Trot again earned an average score of 5 out of 10 in our heating testing. After two minutes of preheating it reached a temperature of 380˚ Fahrenheit. This was slightly below the average of 402˚, and the ideal temperature of 400˚ for ironing cotton. This means you'll have to wait for more than two minutes before you can iron most garments.

Value


The Hot-2-Trot lists for just $15, making it the most inexpensive iron we tested by a fairly large margin. However, it isn't really powerful enough for regular ironing. If you just want an iron that can travel with you in case your hotel room doesn't have an iron, it's a great value, but if you need something for regular ironing the Hamilton Beach 19900, which lists for $34, is a much better value in the long run.


Conclusion


The Hot-2-Trot is great for travel applications and occasionally use, but doesn't really have the power or durability for regular ironing chores.


— Max Mutter and Steven Tata