7 Best Heat Press Machine in 2023
The world of crafting and design is constantly changing and evolving. As technology advances, so do the tools we use to create our art. The heat press machine is one such example – this versatile device allows crafters to add all sorts of designs and patterns to fabric without any sewing required.
Heat press machines come in all shapes and sizes, from small handheld units to large floor-standing presses. And with so many models on the market, it can be tricky to know which one is right for you.
In this article, I’ll look at some of the best heat press machines on the market and give you my top picks. I’ll also provide a buyer’s guide to help you choose the suitable heat press machine for your needs.
So, whether you’re an expert or a complete beginner, read on for my guide to the best heat press machines on the market.
What Is a Heat Press Machine?
Heat press machine applies heat to a substrate to create the desired effect. Heat press machines are used to create designs on fabric, apply for heat transfers, or create custom T-shirts. With a suitable heat press machine, you can easily create professional-looking designs.
The ever-evolving crafting and heat transfer world has made heat press machines more popular. As heat press machines have become more affordable, they’ve also become more accessible to crafters of all levels.
While a basic iron is sufficient to transfer vinyl designs onto fabric, a press machine can do so much more. A heat press machine can apply heat at a consistent temperature. It allows you to achieve better results with heat-sensitive materials like flock, rhinestones, and sublimation transfers.
Types of Heat Press Machine
There are four main types of heat press machines on the market, each with its own unique set of features:
Clamshell Heat Press Machines
Clamshell heat press machines are the most common type of heat press machines. They’re well-suited for small businesses and home craft rooms. Clamshell heat press machines have a top and bottom heat plate that open and close like a clamshell.
Clamshell heat press machines are easy to use and don’t require a lot of space. They’re a good choice for heat printing smaller items like baby clothes, tote bags, and patches.
Swing Heat Press Machines
Swing heat press machines are similar to clamshell heat press machines, but they have a swing arm that allows the top heat plate to swing away from the bottom heat plate. It offers you more room to place your substrate on the bottom heat plate.
With swing heat press machines, you can heat print larger substrates like hoodies and aprons. Swing heat press machines are a good choice for businesses that heat print various items in different sizes.
Draw Heat Press Machines
Draw heat press machines with a bottom heat plate that slides out like a drawer. This heat press machine is well-suited for heat printing larger substrates like blankets and quilts.
Draw heat press machines are easy to use and allow you to heat large print items with ease. However, they require more space than clamshells or swing heat press machines.
Sublimation Heat Press Machines
Sublimation heat press machines are specially designed for sublimation transfers. Sublimation is a printing process that uses heat-sensitive inks. When these inks are heated, they turn into gas and bond with the substrate.
Sublimation heat press machines have a higher temperature range than other machines. It allows you to heat the inks to the proper temperature for sublimation.
Sublimation heat press machines are a good choice for businesses specializing in sublimation transfers. However, they can be used for heat transfers and vinyl designs.
Comparison of Best Heat Press Machine
IMAGE | MODEL | FEATURES | COST | RATING |
 | Cricut EasyPress 2 | Professional heat-transfer results, Get prints that stick even after multiple washes, Precise temperature control up to 400 degrees | CHECK PRICE | 4.8 / 5 |
 | PowerPress Industrial-Quality Heat Press Machine | Teflon coated heating plate, Removable silicon mat, Patented design control chip | CHECK PRICE | 4.5 / 5 |
 | Fancierstudio Power Heat Press Machine | Steel frame aluminum heat platen material, Silicon gel baseboard pressure, Electronic time, and heat control | CHECK PRICE | 4.7 / 5 |
 | Cricut Mug Press | Comes with a pro heating feature, Create artistic designs, Patent-pending heat plate with zone heating | CHECK PRICE | 4.8 / 5 |
 | Vevor Heat Hat Press | Equipped with digital controller & automatic time controller, Curved components are reasonably sized, Aluminum, Steel material | CHECK PRICE | 4.4 / 5 |
 | F2C 5 in 1 Pro Heat Press Machine | 12 x 15 inches large heat platen, Platen is covered by Teflon coating, Swing arm is fully rotated 360 degrees | CHECK PRICE | 4.5 / 5 |
 | BLZK Easy Heat Press Machine | Mini Heat Press transfers dry and uniform heat, Perfect size for heating plate 7″x3.8″, Comes with High, Medium & Low Heating Levels | CHECK PRICE | 4.5 / 5 |
Let us explore each of the listed heat press machines.
Top 7 Heat Press Machine On The Market
Cricut EasyPress 2
SPECIFICATIONS
- Professional heat-transfer results
- Get prints that stick even after multiple washes
- Precise temperature control up to 400 degrees
- Advanced heat plate design with ceramic-coated surface
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
The Cricut EasyPress 2 is a small clamshell heat press machine that’s perfect for home craft rooms. It has a ceramic-coated heat plate that evenly distributes heat and prevents moisture damage.
The Cricut EasyPress 2 comes in two sizes: 9×9 inches and 12×10 inches. It has a heat range of 200-400 degrees Fahrenheit and can be used with a variety of heat-sensitive materials. The best thing about the Cricut EasyPress 2 is that it only takes 60 seconds to transfer a design.
Users will appreciate the automatic time and temperature settings.
The Cricut EasyPress 2 also has an insulated safety base and a heat-resistant mat. The long-lasting results, even after washings, are a bonus.
PowerPress Industrial-Quality Heat Press Machine
SPECIFICATIONS
- Teflon-coated heating plate
- Removable silicon mat
- The patented design control chip
- Replaceable fuse
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
While the Cricut EasyPress 2 is designed for home use, the PowerPress heat press machine is built for commercial use. It’s a hands-free press machine with a lever that makes it easy to operate. Instead of lifting the entire heat press, you only need to lift the lever, making it a good choice for businesses that heat print many items.
The PowerPress heat press machine comes in a 15×15 inch size and has a heat range of 0-500 degrees Fahrenheit. An LCD control board lets you set the time and temperature. The heat press also comes with a Teflon-coated heat plate that prevents sticking.
The dial at the back of this heat press makes it easy for users to adjust the pressure, which comes in handy when different printing shapes or sized items. The heat press also has a safety feature that turns off the power when the heat press is not in use.
Fancierstudio Power Heat Press Machine
SPECIFICATIONS
- Steel frame aluminum heat platen material
- Silicon gel baseboard pressure
- Electronic time and heat control
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
Another commercial-grade heat press machine, the Fancierstudio Power heat press, is a good choice for businesses that heat print many items. It’s a swing press machine with a 15×15 inch heat plate.
The Fancierstudio Power heat press is a bit more expensive than the previous heat press machine I reviewed, but it’s made with higher quality materials. It has an aluminum heat plate and a robust and durable build.
This press machine also comes with a Teflon sheet to protect your clothes from getting damaged by the heat. With electronic time and heat control, it’s easy to use this press machine to get great results.
Cricut Mug Press
SPECIFICATIONS
- Comes with a pro heating feature
- Create artistic designs
- Patent-pending heat plate with zone heating
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
If you’re looking for a more niche heat press machine, the Cricut Mug Press is a great option. This heat press machine is specifically designed for mugs, so if you heat print many mugs, this could be a good choice.
The mug sizes that this press machine can accommodate range from 11 ounces to 16 ounces. However, only compatible mugs and Infusible Ink sheets can be used with this heat press machine.
Users can remotely control the heat and time settings with the Cricut software, which makes it easy to get great results. The Cricut Mug Press is a bit less versatile than some of the other heat press machines I’ve reviewed, but it’s a good choice for businesses that heat print many mugs.
Vevor Heat Hat Press
SPECIFICATIONS
- Equipped with digital controller & automatic time controller
- Curved components are reasonably sized
- Aluminum, Steel material
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
The Vevor Heat Press is a clamshell heat press machine that’s great for various heat printing applications. This press machine can accommodate non-flat surfaces like hats, so it’s a good choice if your business prints many hats.
This press machine has adjustable heat and time settings so that you can customize it to your specific heat printing needs. The ergonomic foam parallel arm handle makes it easy to apply even pressure when heat printing.
The Vevor Heat Press has a 6×3.75 inch heat platen, which is small for some heat printing applications. However, this heat press machine is still a good choice for businesses that heat print many hats or other non-flat surfaces.
F2C 5 in 1 Pro Heat Press Machine
SPECIFICATIONS
- 12 x 15 inches large heat platen
- Platen is covered by Teflon coating
- The swing arm is fully rotated 360 degrees
- The digital control box can be set to the desired time and temperature
- Vinyl, Silicone material
- 2-year warranty
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
If versatility is what you’re after in a heat press machine, then the F2C 5 in 1 Pro Heat Press Machine should be at the top of your list. This press machine can be used for a variety of heat printing applications, including t-shirts, mugs, plates, and more.
Including a shirt press bed, a cylindrical mug heating bed, cap press equipment, and circular plate heating disks, this press machine can heat print just about anything. The F2C 5 in 1 Pro Press Machine also has a 360-degree swing-away design, so you can easily heat print garments of all sizes.
The large 12″ x 15″ heat press platen is also a nice feature, as it gives you plenty of space to heat print larger items. Overall, the F2C 5 in 1 Pro Press Machine is excellent for those looking for a versatile and user-friendly option.
BLZK Easy Heat Press Machine
SPECIFICATIONS
- Mini Heat Press transfers dry and uniform heat
- Perfect size for heating plate 7″x3.8″
- Comes with High, Medium & Low Heating Levels
- Heated up within 3-5 minutes
- Comes out with personalized DIY transfers
- Featured with Auto-Off Mode
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
A combination of affordability and user-friendliness, the BLZK Easy Press Machine is a great heat press machine for those just starting with heat printing. This press machine is compact and lightweight, so it’s easy to store and transport.
Combining the best of heat press machines and iron-on vinyl heat transfer technology, the BLZK Easy Press Machine is a versatile press machine that can be used for t-shirts, mugs, plates, and more.
The 7″x3.8″ heat press platen is the perfect size for smaller heat printing projects, and the BLZK Easy Press Machine also comes with a Teflon sheet to protect your garments during the heat printing process.
The BLZK Easy Press Machine is a great heat press machine for those just starting with heat printing. It’s affordable, user-friendly, and versatile, making it a great option for various heat printing projects.
How To Choose The Best Heat Press Machine?
Now that you’ve seen my top heat press machine picks, it’s time to start thinking about which press machine is right for your business. Here are a few factors to keep in mind when choosing the best heat press machine for your needs:
Size
Consider the size of the heat press platen. The heat press platen is the part of the press machine that comes in contact with your garment, so it’s important to choose a press machine with a heat press platen that’s the right size for your needs.
For example, if you heat printing t-shirts, you’ll need a press machine with a heat press platen that’s at least 12″x15″. If you heat printing smaller items like mugs or plates, you can get away with a press machine that has a smaller heat press platen.
Type
As explained earlier in this article, there are four primary heat press machines: clamshell, swing, draw, and sublimation. Each type of press machine has advantages and disadvantages, so choosing the kind of heat press machine that is perfect for your needs is essential.
Price
Heat press machines range in price from around $100 to $1,000. The price of a heat press machine depends on factors like size, type, and features.
If you’re just starting with heat printing, choosing a press machine on the lower end of the price range is best. As you get more experience with heat printing, you can upgrade to a more expensive heat press machine.
Features
Heat press machines have various features, including digital controls, automatic timers, and heat settings. Some heat press machines even have built-in flash heaters for heat printing multiple garments.
When choosing a heat press machine, you must consider which features are most important to you. For example, if you heat printing t-shirts, you might want a press machine with built-in flash heaters. If you heat printing mugs or plates, you might not need flash heaters, but you might wish to use a heat press machine with adjustable heat settings.
Brand
There are a lot of press machine brands on the market, and not all brands are created equal. Some brands are known for making high-quality heat press machines, while others are known for making lower-quality heat press machines.
When choosing a heat press machine, choosing a brand known for making high-quality heat press machines is essential. Some of the best heat press machine brands include Cricut, PowerPress, and Siser.
FAQs on Heat Press Machine
1. What can you do with heat press machine?
Using a heat press, you can permanently apply a heat transfer to a surface. There are various transfer types, including Printable Heat Transfer Vinyl, Heat Transfer Vinyl cut with a vinyl cutter, Inkjet Transfer Paper, Laser Transfer Paper, Plastisol Transfers, and Sublimation.
2. Is heat press machine good for t-shirts?
There are two kinds of heat press machines: one for printing on coffee mugs, caps, and other clothing and another for printing on t-shirts only. If you need a heat press machine just to print t-shirts, you will probably seek specific components that make these machines suitable for this task.
3. What is the difference between heat press and heat transfer?
Heat transfer vinyl requires you to cut, weed, and press each layer for 20 seconds, whereas heat transfer vinyl work using a heat press. All the colors are pressed at once for 4-6 seconds.
4. How long do heat press shirts last?
The manufacturer recommends 50 washes for vinyl heat transfers, which eventually fade and crack with proper care.
5. Is heat press better than screen printing?
While custom heat transfers are more expensive than screen prints, they provide higher-quality images. When selecting whether to have custom heat transfers or screen prints applied to T-shirts, you should consider design complexity, color, longevity, fabric options, and the size of your order.
6. Does a heat press need ink?
When you heat press a t-shirt, you’re not applying ink; instead, you’re infusing the material with a type of vinyl called heat transfer vinyl.
Related Topics:
- 10 Best Sublimation Printer for T-shirts: The Ultimate Guide
- 7 Best Screen Printing Machines in 2022 [Compared & Tested]
- Top 12 Tshirt Press Machines in 2022 [Compared & Tested]
Summary
Shopping for the ideal heat press machine can be tough with all of the choices that are available on the market. However, with my press machine reviews and buyer’s guide, you should now have all the information you need to choose the best heat press machine for your business. So what are you waiting for? Get heat printing today!
Mark Dalio
Mark is a tech-obsessed serial entrepreneur who also enjoys reading and writing. He has a strong urge to keep learning and talking about technology, which led him to become an author. Mark has co-founded two successful startups, one of which was acquired in 2018.
