Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot Review
Pros: Inexpensive, portable
Cons: Weak, relatively poor ironing performance
Manufacturer: Sunbeam
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
![]() This Product
Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot | |||||
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Awards | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
Price | $15 List $13.81 at Amazon | $100 List $70.98 at Amazon | $70 List $59.00 at Amazon | $120 List $100.87 at Amazon | $65 List $39.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score ![]() |
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Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Inexpensive, portable | Great glide, steam output, precise | Rapid heating, good steam output, smooth glide | Great steam output, glide, precise | Decent steam output and ironing performance |
Cons | Weak, relatively poor ironing performance | Expensive | Difficult to fill | Very expensive | Doesn't excel in any particular aspect |
Bottom Line | Nice and portable for travelling, but lacks the punch needed for regular use | Providing the same precision and power as other Rowenta models for much less, this is the best model for serious sewers and quilters | Top-tier performance at a reasonable price | Precise and powerful steam for the most discerning user | While this model offers decent performance, there are other low price options that offer better values |
Rating Categories | Sunbeam Hot-2-Trot | Rowenta DW5080 Focus | CHI Professional | Rowenta DW7180... | Black & Decker D2030 |
Ironing Performance (30%) | |||||
Steam Output (30%) | |||||
Ease Of Use (20%) | |||||
Heating (20%) | |||||
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.
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.
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.
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