Best Hat Press

Annabelle Evans

By Annabelle Evans

| Updated 3 Days Ago

  • If you want to keep your hats looking sharp, a hat press is a game-changer. This tool uses heat and pressure to smooth out wrinkles, remove creases, and help your hats maintain their original shape. Hat presses come in different sizes and styles, some specifically made for certain hats like baseball caps or fedoras, while others can handle a variety of styles. When choosing a press, think about the types of hats you own and how often you’ll use it. Features like size, temperature control, and ease of use are important. We tested several hat presses to find the best picks for different needs and budgets.

  • HTVRONT Hat Press

    10

    This compact hat press is a great choice for crafters who want professional-looking results at home.

    10

    This compact hat press is a great choice for crafters who want professional-looking results at home.

    Pros

    • Fast heat-up time
    • Digital display for easy monitoring
    • Portable and space-saving design

    Cons

    • Limited size for larger hats
    • Auto shut-off can be inconvenient
    • May require practice for best results

    We found the HTVRONT Hat Press to be a handy tool for hat customization projects. Its small size makes it easy to store and use in tight spaces. The digital display is clear and lets us keep an eye on temperature and time settings.

    The press heats up quickly, which is great when we’re working on multiple hats. We liked how evenly it applied heat, even to the edges of designs. This made a big difference in the quality of our finished products.

    One thing to note is the auto shut-off feature. It turns off after 15 minutes of no use, which can be a bit annoying if you’re working on a big batch. We had to remember to keep using it or turn it back on. The size also limits its use to smaller hats and designs. For bigger projects, you might need a larger press.

  • VEVOR Hat Press

    9.7

    We think this compact hat press is a solid choice for beginners and small businesses looking to create custom hats.

    9.7

    We think this compact hat press is a solid choice for beginners and small businesses looking to create custom hats.

    Pros

    • Easy to use with digital controls
    • Compact size fits on a desk
    • Works on various hat types

    Cons

    • Limited pressing area
    • No pressure adjustment
    • Some quality control issues

    We tried out this VEVOR hat press and found it pretty straightforward to use. The digital timer and temperature controls made it simple to dial in the right settings for different transfer types. We liked that it doesn’t take up much space – you could easily use this on a desk or small workbench.

    The 3.5″ x 5.5″ pressing area worked well for most hat designs we tested. It heated up quickly and applied even pressure. We did notice it works best on flatter areas of hats. The curved element helped, but very rounded hats were trickier to press evenly.

    While it performed well in our tests, we did see some complaints about machines breaking down after a few months. The lack of a pressure adjustment could also be an issue for some projects. Still, for the price, we think this press offers good value for those just starting out with hat customization or doing small batches.

  • Cricut Hat Press

    9.5

    We think the Cricut Hat Press is a must-have for crafters who want to easily customize hats with professional-looking results.

    9.5

    We think the Cricut Hat Press is a must-have for crafters who want to easily customize hats with professional-looking results.

    Pros

    • Curved heat plate for even pressure
    • Adjustable temperature settings
    • Bluetooth connectivity for precise control

    Cons

    • Only works with Cricut Heat app
    • Limited to hat projects
    • Contains walnut shells (allergy warning)

    We tested the Cricut Hat Press and were impressed by its ease of use. The curved ceramic-coated heat plate fits snugly over hats, giving us crisp, wrinkle-free transfers every time. We found the included pressing form really helpful in creating a firm surface for almost any hat style.

    The three heat levels, up to 400°F, gave us plenty of options for different materials. We loved being able to send exact time and temperature settings from our phones via Bluetooth. It made following project instructions a breeze.

    Safety features like auto-off and the safety base put our minds at ease. The comfortable grip made it easy to handle during longer crafting sessions. While it’s great for hats, we wish it was more versatile for other items. Still, for hat customization, this press is hard to beat.

  • VEVOR Mini Hat Press

    9.4

    We recommend this compact and versatile hat press for DIY enthusiasts looking for an affordable, easy-to-use option for custom hat designs.

    9.4

    We recommend this compact and versatile hat press for DIY enthusiasts looking for an affordable, easy-to-use option for custom hat designs.

    Pros

    • Curved heating plate for even heat distribution
    • Three temperature settings for different materials
    • Portable and lightweight design

    Cons

    • Small heating area limits design size
    • May require practice to achieve optimal results
    • Limited to caps and small fabric items

    We tested the VEVOR Mini Hat Press and found it to be a solid choice for beginners and casual users. The curved ceramic-coated heating element fits nicely over hat brims, giving us crisp transfers without annoying creases.

    The three heat settings came in handy when working with different fabrics. We started with the low setting for delicate materials and worked our way up for tougher jobs. The flexible cap pad helped us get smooth results on various hat styles and sizes.

    While it’s marketed as a hat press, we also tried it on small sections of t-shirts and canvas bags. It worked well, but the small heating area (6.1″ x 3.5″) limits larger designs. We liked how portable it is – perfect for craft fairs or small workspaces. The auto-shutoff feature gave us peace of mind when we got distracted mid-project.

  • VEVOR 4-in-1 Hat Press

    9.3

    We think this versatile hat press is a smart choice for small businesses and DIY enthusiasts looking to create custom hats.

    9.3

    We think this versatile hat press is a smart choice for small businesses and DIY enthusiasts looking to create custom hats.

    Pros

    • Four interchangeable heating pads
    • Large 8.5 x 4 inch heating plate
    • Digital temperature and time controls

    Cons

    • Foam handle grip feels a bit flimsy
    • May need extra temperature checking
    • Not ideal for high-volume production

    We tested the VEVOR 4-in-1 Hat Press and found it to be a solid option for customizing various hat styles. The machine comes with four different-sized heating pads, which gave us flexibility when working on baseball caps, beanies, and even bucket hats.

    The large heating plate is a standout feature. At 8.5 x 4 inches, it’s bigger than most competitors we’ve tried. This extra size came in handy when pressing designs onto larger hats. We liked the Teflon coating too – it made cleaning up after each use quick and easy.

    We appreciated the digital controls for setting temperature and time. The auto-shutoff feature worked well, beeping to let us know when the preset time was up. This helped prevent overheating and damage to our hats. While mostly accurate, we’d still recommend double-checking temps with a laser thermometer for best results.

    The aluminum construction feels sturdy and built to last. We pressed about 50 hats during our test run and the machine showed no signs of wear. For occasional use or small batch production, this press should hold up nicely.

    From our experience, the VEVOR hat press is best suited for hobbyists or small businesses just starting out. It’s not quite robust enough for high-volume commercial use, but it’s a great entry-level option for those looking to dip their toes into hat customization.

  • HTVRONT Auto & Hat Press Bundle

    9.1

    We think this versatile heat press bundle is a great choice for anyone looking to tackle a variety of custom printing projects at home.

    9.1

    We think this versatile heat press bundle is a great choice for anyone looking to tackle a variety of custom printing projects at home.

    Pros

    • Auto-press feature for hands-free operation
    • Fast heat-up time
    • Includes both flat and hat press options

    Cons

    • Bulky size may not suit small workspaces
    • Learning curve for beginners
    • Limited to 110V outlets

    The HTVRONT Auto Heat Press Machine & Hat Press Bundle caught our eye with its user-friendly design. We found the auto-press feature to be a game-changer. Just push the board in, hit a button, and the machine does the rest. This saved us from hovering over our projects and freed up time for other tasks.

    Heat-up speed impressed us too. It reached working temperature in about 4 minutes, which is quick compared to other presses we’ve used. The even heat distribution gave us consistent results across different materials.

    We really liked having both flat and hat press options in one package. The hat press was easy to use, even for beginners. Its compact size made decorating caps a breeze. The digital display on both machines helped us keep track of temperature and time without guesswork.

    One thing to note: this bundle takes up space. If you’re tight on room, you might need to rethink your setup. Also, while it’s great for home use, the 110V power might limit some heavy-duty applications. We had a bit of a learning curve at first, but once we got the hang of it, our projects turned out great.

  • Delclynee Hat Heat Press

    9

    We think this hat press is a solid choice for both beginners and experienced crafters due to its ease of use and versatility.

    9

    We think this hat press is a solid choice for both beginners and experienced crafters due to its ease of use and versatility.

    Pros

    • Easy setup and operation
    • Comes with two interchangeable platens
    • Compact design with ample workspace

    Cons

    • May require practice for perfect results
    • Limited to 110V power supply
    • Structured hats can be tricky to press

    We tried out the Delclynee Hat Heat Press and were impressed by its performance. The setup was a breeze, and we were able to start pressing hats within minutes of unboxing. The clear instructions helped us get started quickly.

    The press comes with two interchangeable platens, which we found really handy. We could switch between them to work on different hat styles. The silicone lower platen was a nice touch, as it helped reduce marking and scorching on our hats.

    We liked the compact design of this press. It didn’t take up too much space on our workbench, but still gave us enough room to rotate hats and print all around them. The cap stretcher was a useful feature, letting us secure hats easily with both hands.

    One thing to note is that it took us a bit of practice to get the hang of pressing structured hats. We had to play around with the temperature settings to find the sweet spot for different materials. The beep alert when the set temperature was reached was helpful.

    We pressed over 100 hats with this machine, and the results were mostly great. The time and temperature controls were easy to adjust, and we appreciated the lifetime warranty on the heating element. It gave us peace of mind knowing we had some long-term protection.

  • ITEFDTUTNE Mini Hat Press

    8.7

    We think this compact hat press is a great choice for small businesses and hobbyists looking for an affordable, user-friendly option.

    8.7

    We think this compact hat press is a great choice for small businesses and hobbyists looking for an affordable, user-friendly option.

    Pros

    • Compact and portable design
    • Quick heating with 4 temperature settings
    • Versatile for various small projects

    Cons

    • Limited temperature range
    • Small pressing area
    • Only 4 heat levels

    This mini hat press from ITEFDTUTNE packs a punch in a small package. We found its 5.5″ x 3.5″ curved heating plate worked well with most cap styles, from structured hats to kids’ sizes. The machine heats up fast, and we liked how easy it was to switch between the four temperature settings.

    We tried it out on a few different projects. It handled heat transfer vinyl on baseball caps with no problem. The curved platen made it easy to get even pressure across the hat’s front panel. We also tested it on some small bags and socks, which turned out great.

    The auto-shutoff feature is a nice safety touch. We left it on by accident once, and it turned itself off after 15 minutes. While the temperature range isn’t as wide as some larger presses, we found it sufficient for most hat projects. If you’re new to hat pressing or don’t need industrial-level output, this little machine could be just right for your needs.

  • SolDazz Portable Hat Press

    8.7

    We think this compact hat press is a solid choice for beginners and small businesses looking for an affordable, user-friendly option.

    8.7

    We think this compact hat press is a solid choice for beginners and small businesses looking for an affordable, user-friendly option.

    Pros

    • Easy temperature control
    • Even heating across curved surface
    • Portable and compact design

    Cons

    • Limited size for larger designs
    • May not work well with 6-panel caps
    • Some units reported faulty buttons

    The SolDazz hat press impressed us with its simple operation. We found the one-touch temperature control intuitive, allowing us to switch between heat settings for different materials quickly. The green, purple, and red indicators made it clear which temperature we were using.

    We liked the curved ceramic-coated heating plate. It spread heat evenly across hat surfaces, helping us avoid creases in our designs. The included high-temperature tape came in handy for securing our transfers. We got the best results with 5-panel caps, though.

    The press’s portability stood out to us. Its small size made it easy to take to craft fairs or use in tight spaces. We felt safe using it thanks to the UL certification and auto-shutdown feature. The insulated base was a nice touch, preventing accidental burns.

    While we enjoyed using this press, it’s not without flaws. The 6.3″ x 3.3″ plate size limited us on larger designs. Some users reported issues with faulty temperature buttons, which could be frustrating. Despite these drawbacks, we think it’s a good value for its price point, especially for those new to hat pressing or working with smaller designs.

  • PNKKODW Hat Heat Press

    8.6

    We think this hat press is a solid choice for small businesses and hobbyists looking to create custom caps.

    8.6

    We think this hat press is a solid choice for small businesses and hobbyists looking to create custom caps.

    Pros

    • Easy-to-use digital controls
    • Curved heating element for even transfers
    • Durable aluminum and steel construction

    Cons

    • Lacks a latch for the tension arm
    • May need minor adjustments out of the box
    • Learning curve for perfect pressure settings

    We tested the PNKKODW hat press and found it to be a user-friendly option for transferring designs onto caps. The digital timer and temperature controls made it simple to set up and use. We liked the curved heating element, which helped ensure even transfers across the hat’s surface.

    The machine’s build quality impressed us. Its aluminum body and steel frame felt sturdy during use. We appreciated the Teflon-coated surface, which protected hats from scorching. The comfortable handle was a nice touch, making it easy to open and close the press.

    While using the press, we noticed it lacked a latch for the tension arm. This wasn’t a deal-breaker, but it would have been a handy feature. We also had to make some minor adjustments to get the pressure just right for different hat materials. It took a bit of trial and error, but once we got the hang of it, the results were great.

Buying Guide

When shopping for a hat press, there are a few key things to look for. We’ve put together this guide to help you find the right one for your needs.

Size

The size of the press is crucial. Make sure it can fit the types of hats you plan to work with most often.

Temperature Control

Look for a press with adjustable temperature settings. This lets you work with different fabrics and transfer types.

Timer

A built-in timer helps prevent over-pressing. It’s a handy feature for consistent results.

Pressure Adjustment

The ability to adjust pressure is important for working with various hat styles and materials.

Plate Shape

Curved plates work best for most hats. Some presses offer interchangeable plates for more versatility.

Ease of Use

Check that the press opens and closes smoothly. Look for clear controls and displays.

Durability

A sturdy build ensures the press will last. Look for models with good warranties.

Safety Features

Auto-shutoff and heat-resistant handles are important safety features to consider.

Here’s a quick checklist of features to look for:

  • Adjustable temperature
  • Built-in timer
  • Pressure control
  • Curved or interchangeable plates
  • Easy-to-use controls
  • Sturdy construction
  • Safety features

By keeping these factors in mind, you’ll be well-equipped to choose a hat press that meets your needs.