If you're looking for DTF transfers, you probably already know what a heat press is, but you might not know how many variations and features heat presses can have, how to find the best press for your production and business size, and which presses are the best on the market.

We've done the hard work for you and have compiled a comprehensive list of the best heat presses for crafters and hobbyists all the way up to the industrial level. 

Our list includes clamshell presses as they are the best for t-shirts, sweatshirts, canvas totes, etc. Please note that the presses listed here are not budget friendly. The least expensive press listed is $517. You can certainly find presses for cheaper, but we were not focused on price for this blog. As the title of this blog states, we are showing only THE BEST heat presses regardless of price point.

We hope you enjoy this article and find the perfect press for your needs. Press on!

The Best Heat Press for Your Home: 

Perfect fit: Heat presses for your home should be smaller than industrial presses, easy to use, and shouldn't be considered for heavy use. Typically, home presses are budget friendly and are perfect for hobbyists, crafters, or small businesses just starting out. Home presses should not be used to press more than 20 items per day.

HeatPressNation CraftPro 15" x15" Crafting Transfer Machine

First on our list is the HeatPressNation CraftPro.

With a 4.9 star rating given by 335 reviewers, we can safely say that this press keeps users extremely satisfied! The CraftPro combines the best of both worlds by taking the most desirable features from industrial presses and applying them to a compact, affordable model. 

The CraftPro features a slide-out lower platen so you can work away from the heat and can easily arrange garments. It also has exceptionally accurate heat and pressure application so that your design is pressed evenly and each garment will be pressed with the same amount of temperature and pressure. In addition it is easy to setup. 

It also has a dual digital timer and temperature gauge, can reach up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and the timer can count up to 999 seconds. The timer is automatic making it less likely that you'll burn your garment. 

The downsides of this machine compared to other home models is that it is heavy (59.9 pounds), it's larger than some home machines (24" x 15" x 27" with a platen size of 15"x15") and it is on the pricier side at $539.95. However, the quality of the machine and convenience of the slide-out platen exceeds the price tag, so the investment is well worth it! 

Quick Summary

Pros:

• Slide-out lower platen
• Heats up to 400F and times up to 999 seconds
• Accurate, reliable, and even pressure and heat
• Dual timer and heat display with an automatic timer
• Easy setup
• Great quality

Cons:

• Heavy and large compared to other home presses
• Expensive 

The Best Heat Press for Small Businesses: 

Perfect Fit: Small business presses are larger and more robust than home heat presses. Their capacity is around 20-50 items per day. They have upgraded features such as secondary handles and upgraded heating elements.

HeatPressNation Black Series 15" x 15" High Pressure Heat Press Machine

Next on our list is the HeatPressNation Black Series High Pressure Heat Press.

This press is our first commercial quality, business grade press. And it means business...it's made of solid steel, painted with scratch resistant baked-on paint, and has a reinforced structure to ensure high pressure. In addition, it can press thick items (up to 1/2 inch thick). 

This press uniquely sports two leverage handles to increase leverage and torque with very little effort and provides even end-to-end pressure and temperature.

It's also unique in that it has a dual fuse design for added protection of your electrical system and reduction of downtime, making this HPN Black Series one of the most reliable presses for small business owners. 

Speaking of temperature, both the timer and temperature gauges have been optimized to provide the best press possible. The temperature gauge seamlessly converts from Celsius to Fahrenheit and displays temperatures with a 4-degree accuracy range! 

The upgraded timer will sound 3 seconds before it reaches zero to prevent overheating your design and garment.  

As for other important specs, this press will heat up to 400º F, time up to 999 seconds, and has a 15" x 15" platen. It weighs just under 63 pounds and has a base dimension of 24" x 15" x 31".

This reliable press can be yours for $519.95. 

Quick Summary

Pros:

• Two leverage handles provide more leverage and torque
• Even end-to-end pressure
• Sturdy and reinforced structure
• Upgraded timer and heat gauge displays
• Can press items up to 1/2 inch thick

Cons:

• Takes a while to heat up
• Expensive 

 

The Best Heat Press for Medium Sized Businesses:

Perfect fit: Medium business presses are built to press 50-100 items per day. They have even more features like automatic opening and slide-out draws.

HPN Signature PRO 15"x15" Auto-Open Heat Press with SurePressure

The HPN Signature PRO tops our list as the best press for mid-sized companies. 

This press stands out due to a signature feature that you won't find on any other press on the market called SurePressure. SurePressure allows you to find the right amount of pressure for your transfer so you can replicate your results for the next time you press the same transfer, making this press flexible in temperature, heat, and pressure settings! Unfortunately, the SurePressure gauge is not electronic meaning you'll have to store your favorite pressure settings somewhere else.

Another amazing feature on this press is the magnetic auto-open release. Once the timer on your heat press reaches zero, the press will automatically opens which reduces operator fatigue and allows you to focus on other aspects of your project while your garment is being pressed.

In addition, the HPN Signature PRO has a gas shock opening mechanism for smooth and easy opening and closing action, a drawer style lower platen so that you can adjust your garment away from the heat, and a digital timer and temperature gauge that converts from C to F.

Other important features and specs include improved heating for a faster heat up time, the ability to press 1/2 thick items, dual fuse protection, a 15" by 15" non-stick coated platen, the ability to heat up to 400º F, the ability to count to 999 seconds, and base dimensions of 27" x 15" x 32". 

Make this press yours for $799.99.

Quick Summary:

Pros:

• SurePressure gauge allows for adjustable pressure settings
• Magnetic auto-open feature
• Gas shock mechanism
• Two leverage handles provide more leverage and torque
• Even end-to-end pressure
• Sturdy and reinforced structure
• Upgraded timer and heat gauge displays
• Can press items up to 1/2 inch thick
• Dual fuse system
• Drawer style lower platen
• Non-stick coated platen

Cons:

• SurePressure gauge is plastic and does not store preferred settings 

The Best Heat Press for Big or Full-Time Businesses:

Perfect Fit: if your business is large or full-time, you should get a press that has a capacity to press 100-250 items per day, has heavy duty components, should have the most consistent and even heat distribution possible, and should come with an industry best warranty.

Stahls' Hotronix Auto Open 16" x 20" Clam Heat Press

The best press for large businesses is the Stahls' Hotronix Auto Open Press. 
Stahls is known for it's amazing craftsmanship and durability. This press is made in the USA and has a laser quality steel framework.

Hotronix also has industry leading warranties. They offer a lifetime warranty for their product's heating elements, a five year warranty on their framework, and a two year warranty on their circuit board, along with a lifetime of technical support. If taken care of properly, this press will last for years to come! 

The Hotronix auto open features a patented over-the-center pressure adjustment which ensures even pressure over the entire platen and it provides the ability to adjust the pressure, a 3/4" non-stick coated upper platen, dual time settings for 2 step applications, the ability to change your platens for size variability, cast in tubular heat elements every 2" to ensure no cold spots and even heating, digital time, temperature, and pressure controls, wide opening for easy garment manipulation, and, as the name implies, patented magnetic auto open.

The platen the machine comes with is 16" by 20" (as mentioned earlier the platen can easily be switched with a different Stahls platen), has a base dimension of 29" x 17" x 17", weighs 87 pounds, and can heat up to 420°F.

You can get this 5-star rated press for $1,875.

Quick Summary:

Pros:

• Quality craftsmanship and materials (made in the USA)
• Digital time, temperature, and pressure display
• Gas shock mechanism
• Easy platen change
• Tubular heating elements every 2"
• Over-the-center pressure adjustment
• Dual temperature display 
• Wide opening for easy garment manipulation
• Non-stick coated platen

Cons:

• Expensive, but the quality matches or exceeds the price

The Best Industrial Heat Press:

Perfect Fit: Industrial presses should be able to press 250+ items, should be designed to maximize production output, and should have pneumatic or dual station features.

HIX EVO PRO N-880 16" x 20" Air Automatic Clamshell Heat Press

The final press on our list is the HIX EVO PRO N-880. 

Like Stahls, HIX is another industry leader in quality and durability. The Evo Pro press is made in the USA and comes with a lifetime heat element warranty and a one year general warranty. 

The Evo Pro is perfect for extra high volume work because it is commercial-grade, air-operated to reduce operator fatigue, and built with a long-lasting pneumatic air cylinder lift system, a stronger air valve for faster clamping, and reinforced hinges for better durability. 

This impressive press comes with a full color LCD touch screen that displays temperature, time, and pressure and the screen allows you to save your favorite settings for various garments! 

Not only does this machine have fantastic display, it also has incredible heating and operation features. This press is so well designed that you can close it with one finger and walk away for however long you'd like! While you're gone the press finishes pressing, opens automatically to stop the transfer process, and keeps the upper platen heated to your desired temperature so you can continue working immediately when you return.

The N-880 features a tilting lower platen that tilts up towards the upper platen as the heat press closes. This unique feature creates equal pressure across the surface, even when pressing thick items. Speaking of thick items, you can press items up to 3/4 of an inch thick with this press. 

The platen is 16" by 20". This incredible, high-quality, well-thought-out press can be yours for $3,960.

Quick Summary:

Pros:

• Quality craftsmanship and materials (made in the USA)
• LCD Digital time, temperature, and pressure display
• Long-lasting pneumatic air lift
• Tilting lower platen
• Can press very thick materials
• Adjustable pressure settings
• Deep over-slip for dressing of the garment
• Automatic close feature

Cons:

• Expensive, but the quality matches or exceeds the price
• Air compressor needed