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A heat press machine allows you to create unique products with eye-catching designs that are customized for you, your loved ones, or your customers.
If you’re new to the heat transfer industry, you’re probably wondering which heat press machine would serve you better. Heat press machines come in a wide range of models, brands, and price tags, which makes the choice a bit challenging.
That’s why we’ve created this roundup so you can pick the best heat press machine just for you!
Putting the tech specs aside, let’s take a closer look at each of these machines to see what they’re capable of and whether there are any annoyances that you need to be aware of before making the final decision.
1. PowerPress Industrial-Quality – Our Top Pick
The PowerPress Industrial-Quality is a hands-free heat press machine that has lots of tricks up its sleeve.
With this machine, you don’t need to lift the whole press to heat-press on your shirt. All you have to do is pull down the lever, and the PowerPress will do its magic.
This pro-level machine has a spacious press space that can accommodate apparel, bed sheets, and other items with ease.
The LCD control board enables you to adjust the temperature to up to 235°C. You can even adjust the timer in the blink of an eye. There’s also a dial at the back of the PowerPress that allows you to change the pressure.
In addition, the PowerPress is equipped with a silicone gel board to protect your item when applying heat. Oh, and if safety is a concern, this machine comes with a replaceable fuse that can be changed in case of overheating.
What We Like:
Easy to use
Spacious press area
LCD control panel for temperature and timer adjustments
Safety fuse
Gel-covered heat plate
What We Don’t Like:
Bulky design
Bottom Line
The PowerPress Industrial-Quality is one of the best heat press machines out there when it comes to safety, ease of use, and controls.
2. F2C Digital Clamshell – Versatile Pick
The F2C Digital Clamshell Heat Press features an innovative 5-in-1 design that lets you print on many item categories. These include hats, mugs, caps, puzzles, fabrics, coasters, and lettering.
What’s even more interesting is that you don’t need to buy any extra attachments or parts to be able to get the most out of the machine.
This is made possible with a heat press, mug press, and 2 plate presses, all of which are included right inside the box that gets delivered to you.
The heat plate has enough room to handle small-medium sized items, making this machine a good choice for business use.
Further, the F2C Clamshell doesn’t require any setup steps since it ships fully assembled. It also comes with interchangeable silicone and cotton pads.
And the maximum working temperature is 200°C, which should be enough for most applications. It also has intelligent temperature and time controls that can be adjusted to suit the product being printed.
On a side note, keep in mind that preheating this machine may take a while.
What We Like:
Multifunctional 5-in-1 design
Comes fully assembled
Adequate working area
Includes silicone and cotton pads
Temperature and time controls
What We Don’t Like:
Takes a long time to preheat
Bottom Line
The F2C Digital Clamshell is built to handle a wide array of products with an innovative 5-in-1 combo design.
3. Cricut EasyPress 2 – Best for Beginners
The Cricut EasyPress 2 is one of the simplest heat press machines out there. You’ll be able to get consistent results out of it with little effort. This is why it’s suitable for beginners.
It features a handheld design that feels like iron. There’s also an automatic timer that allows you to nail the press time for each item. Also, the temperature is fully adjustable, with a maximum of 205°C.
The durable, ceramic-coated press area is large enough to accommodate a wide range of apparel items, including t-shirts and sweatshirts.
In addition, the machine integrates an insulated base for extra safety. Not to mention, it automatically shuts off when not in use.
Our only complaint is that the EasyPress 2 is a little heavy for a handheld device.
What We Like:
Auto-shutoff function
Convenient design
Insulated base
Adjustable temperature
Automatic timer
What We Don’t Like:
Heavy
Bottom Line
For small projects or personal use, the Cricut EasyPress 2 would be an excellent beginner heat press machine. It’s compact, safe, and doesn’t have a steep learning curve.
4. TUSY – Most Affordable
The TUSY Heat Press is an affordable machine that has a small footprint and a minimalistic design.
It’s effortless to set up and use; even if you have zero knowledge about heat press machines, you’ll be able to get it up and running in no time.
It boasts a large platform that measures 15” x 15”, allowing you to print on garments of all sizes. What’s more, the platform has a non-stick coating to protect your transfers from getting ruined.
Additionally, the TUSY press packs all the controls you could need, including pressure and temperature controls, as well as a digital timer.
The maximum temperature is 224°C, which should be enough to handle most types of sublimation projects. Not to mention, the highly efficient heating coils are well spread-out to distribute heat effectively across your item.
And the press’ handle is very easy to grip, enabling you to open and close the lid with no effort.
The only disadvantage is that the TUSY machine is somewhat limited when it comes to the type of items you can print on.
What We Like:
Simple design
Parameter controls
Non-stick platform
High working temperature
What We Don’t Like:
Limited functionality
Bottom Line
The TUSY Heat Press is an affordable machine that’s easy to operate and produces top-notch results.
5. Fancierstudio Power – Versatile Alternative
The Fancierstudio Power Heat Press Machine flaunts a large working area that makes working with all types of products a breeze. Add to that a power rating of 1800 watts, and you get yourself a versatile machine that’s capable of handling a wide range of printing projects.
With the Fancierstudio machine, you can print on T-shirts, garments, bags, jigsaw puzzles, ceramic tiles, mouse pads, and many more products.
It’s equipped with multiple controllers that allow you to fine-tune your parameters for the best results, including temperature, pressure, and time of application.
In addition, the machine’s upward movement design helps save space while also making it easy to use. The cherry on top is the 2-year warranty against manufacturing defects.
The only downside is that the hinges of the press aren’t very smooth and may wear out over time.
What We Like:
Space-saving design
2-year warranty
Controllable heat pressing parameters
Can print on a wide variety of items
What We Don’t Like:
Unreliable hinges
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a multifunctional sublimation machine, the Fancierstudio Power Heat Press Machine won’t disappoint you.
How to Pick the Right Heat Press Machine for Your Needs
There are multiple factors that you need to keep in mind when choosing a heat press machine. Here are some of the most crucial ones:
Safety
Safety is one of the most important aspects of a heat press machine. An unsafe press machine may lead to 2nd or 3rd-degree burns, as well as electric shocks.
Many modern heat press machines incorporate safety features that keep the user safe under all circumstances.
For example, lots of machines have an auto-shutoff function that automatically lowers the machine’s temperature to zero and cuts off the electric supply when the machine isn’t in use.
Some machines also have insulated heat plates to prevent you from burning yourself. Generally, a heat press machine should have built-in overloading and overcurrent protection.
Adjustability
Printing on different products and materials requires different heat press parameters. A good heat press machine should give you the highest possible level of control over temperature, pressure, and time.
You don’t want to restrict your designs or product range because of your machine’s limitations. Even if you try to surpass these limitations, you won’t likely achieve the results you seek.
One of the essential parameters is the machine’s temperature range. As a general rule of thumb, it’s recommended that your heat press machine should at least be capable of achieving a maximum temperature of 260°C.
Warranty
Heat press machines are prone to failure and manufacturing defects. Living with a defective heat press will definitely impact its results if you’re able to get any results in the first place.
Our recommendation is never to buy a heat-press machine without a warranty card. The warranty’s duration should be at least one year, but of course, the longer, the better.
Heat press machines have lots of internal parts that may fail after prolonged use. Replacing these components will cost you a lot of money if you don’t have warranty coverage.
And if your budget allows you to opt for an extended warranty, then, by all means, go for it.
Printable Items
Some heat press machines are only intended for one type of product, while others are more versatile. So before buying a heat press, make sure that it’s capable of printing on all the items you need.
Some heat press machines can only print on T-shirts, while others are capable of printing on sweatshirts too. A few models are designed for mug printing only. You can still find some machines that can print on virtually any product you want using extra parts or attachments.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Do Heat Press Machines Cost?
A heat press machine can cost you anywhere from $300 all the way up to $3000. Some of the variables that affect the price tag include features, style, and performance.
What Is the Best Watt Rating for Heat Press?
Many heat press machines have a watt or power rating of 1100-1800 watts. But if you’re using a generator, you’d need it to handle at least 2000 watts.
What’s the Difference Between Cricut and Heat Press?
“Cricut” is a manufacturer that makes heat press machines and other devices. On the other hand, a heat press is the type of machine itself, and it can be of any brand other than Cricut.
Can I Use an Extension Cord With My Heat Press?
It’s not really a good idea to use an extension cord with a heat press since these machines need a lot of power. Also, a low-quality extension cord may spark a fire. Therefore, if you really need to use an extension cord with your heat press machine, make sure that it’s heavy-duty and not too long. It should also be at least 12 gauges.
How Long Does It Take a Heat Press to Heat Up?
The exact time a heat press machine requires to heat up varies between the different models and manufacturers. However, as a general rule of thumb, your heat press machine should be fully heated up within 15 to 20 minutes.
Final Verdict
So that was our two cents on the most promising heat press machines out there.
The PowerPress Industrial-Quality would be a suitable choice for most users. It’s very easy to use, thanks to the LCD control panel and the convenient pull-up design. It’s arguably one of the best heat press machines on the market.
On the other hand, the Cricut EasyPress 2 would make a great choice if you prefer getting a compact, handheld machine. However, it may not be a suitable choice for professional use.
Finally, consider opting for F2C Digital Clamshell if you need a versatile machine that can print on a wide variety of items.
