Heat Press Machine Comparison Chart (Review) All Major Brands

Need a starting point? When considering a Heat press you should take into account that a standard full size T-shirt press is 16"x20". This size makes it easier to place the transfer on the shirt straight. Most of the shirt is on the heat press and you can line up the transfer, rhinestones, etc. faster because you can see the collar and shoulders as a reference. Additionally, the 16"x20" size accommodates just about all heat transfer sizes. Furthermore, you can press multiple items at one time (ie: two mouse pads). This cuts your labor in half… a big time saver!

Trying to decide between a Clamshell or Swing-Away style heat press? Here are some things to consider. Swing-away heat presses have some advantages over clamshell heat presses. First, the hot plate of the heat press is not facing the operator and therefore you can work safer and faster on a swing-away heat press. For example, you can lean over the lower platen of the heat press and load the heat press faster and you can place the transfer faster because you can look straight down on the shirt or mouse pads to determine the transfer is straight very quickly. In essence you get a higher production rate out of swing-away heat press. Additionally, a swing-away heat press is best to use for items such as ceramic tiles because the head of the heat press comes straight down and therefore it does not allow the transfer to shift. Furthermore, the commercial model swing-away heat presses such as the Geo Knight DK20S or the Hotronix Fusion IQ are great for those demanding items such as tote bags because you can overcome the thick folds, seams and gussets of the bag with the heat presses heavier duty pressure control ability. The Geo-Knight DK20S heat press and the Hotronix Fusion IQ heat press are two of the best heat presses for applying heat transfers to just about any flat item and are both extremely popular presses on the market today.

Why Buy A US Made Heat Press?

Hobby/Starter Heat Presses (9"x12" up to 11"x15" platen sizes)

Click picture for more info!	Make, Model, Platen Size	Adj. Thermostat with ready light	Adj. Timer	Temperature Gauge	Counts # of Impressions	Memory Function For Time, Temp, etc	**Press items up to (thickness)	Heating Platen Warranty	Machine Weight	Comments
	*Panther Press: 9x12	Y	N	N	N	N	1.5"	1 Year	20lbs	Great Starter Press. Keep in mind this is a Hobby Machine and is not meant for pressing more than 8-12 shirts in a row. The heat recovery slows if you exceed this. Has heat ready lite. No temp. gauge or timer.
	*Hix HL Hobby Lite: 9x12	Y	N	N	N	N	1.5"	1 Year	20lbs	Great Starter Press. Keep in mind this is a Hobby Machine and is not meant for pressing more than 8-12 shirts in a row. The heat recovery slows if you exceed this. Has heat ready lite. No temp. gauge or timer.
	*Geo Knight JetPress14 12x14	Y	Y	Y	N	N	1"	1 Year	58lbs	Has higher heat recovery time than Hobby Lite. Also has Temperature Gauge in platen. (Small Battery Powered Timer)
	Maxx Press Digital 11x15	Y	Y	Y	N	N	0.75"	Lifetime Heating Element	56lbs	Fully Digital Clamshell. Teflon coated heating element.
	Hotronix Auto Open Clam 11x15	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	1"	Lifetime Heater Block	57lbs	Auto Opening. Dual Timer. Digital Pressure readout.

Mid Sized Heat Presses (15"x15" up to 16"x16" platen sizes)

Click picture for more info!	Make, Model, Platen Size	Adj. Thermostat with ready light	Adj. Timer	Temperature Gauge	Counts # of Impressions	Memory Function For Time, Temp, etc	**Press items up to (thickness)	Heating Platen Warranty	Machine Weight	Comments
	*Hix SwingMan 15: 15x15	Y	Y	N	N	N	1.75"	Lifetime Heating Element	58lbs	Lightweight Swing Press Adjusts for items up to 1 3/4 inches thick.
	Maxx Press Digital 15x15	Y	Y	Y	N	N	0.75"	Lifetime Heating Element	62lbs	Fully Digital Clam press. Opens 50 degrees wide.
	Hix HT400: 15"x15	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	1"	Lifetime Heating Element	72lbs	Digital Touch-Screen Controller clam press wIth full range pressure control, digital pressure readout, thermostat, timer, floating lower platen and more.
	Insta Heat Press Model 718 15x15	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	0.25"	Lifetime Upper Heating Element	168lbs	Integrated digital controller which features controls for time, temperature, 5 programmable presets & cycle counter, Swing-away upper platen, Fully adjustable pneumatic pressure control located at the front of the machine for easy access.
	Geo Knight DK16: 14"x16"	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	** 0.25"	Lifetime Heat Platen	83lbs	Has full features: Adj Thermostat, Timer, Temp Gauge, Pressure Control, Counts # of Impressions, Memory Settings for Time, Temp, 3 year warranty on controls plus much more. Press opens up 110˚
	*Geo Knight DC16: Digital Combo 14"x16"	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	2"	Lifetime Heat Platen	120lbs	Interchage-able platens for mugs, t-shirts, plates, and cubed items.
	Hotronix Auto Open Clam 16x16	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	1"	Lifetime Heater Block	68lbs	Fully digital. Auto Opening clamshell.

Full Size Heat Presses (15"x20" up to 22"x22" platen sizes)

Click picture for more info!	Make, Model, Platen Size	Adj. Thermostat with ready light	Adj. Timer	Temperature Gauge	Counts # of Impressions	Memory Function For Time, Temp, etc	**Press items up to (thickness)	Heating Platen Warranty	Machine Weight	Comments
	Insta Heat Press Model 228 15x20	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	0.25"	Lifetime Upper Heating Element	135lbs	Integrated digital controller which features controls for time, temperature and cycle counter, Pressure adjustment scale – goes from 0 - 10, Upper platen swings almost a full 180˚
	Insta Heat Press Model 204 15x20	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	2.5"	Lifetime Upper Heating Element	135lbs	Integrated digital controller which features controls for time, temperature and cycle counter, Swing-away upper platen, 3.75” maximum opening and can print items up to 2.5” thick.
	Insta Heat Press Model 728 15x20	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	0.25"	Lifetime Upper Heating Element	180lbs	Integrated digital controller which features controls for time, temperature, 5 programmable presets & cycle counter, Swing-away upper platen, Fully adjustable pneumatic pressure control located at the front of the machine for easy access.
	Geo Knight DK20: 16x20	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	** 0.25"	Lifetime Heat Platen	103lbs	Has full features: Adj. Thermostat, Timer, Temp Gauge Pressure Control, Counts # of impressions, Memory Setting for Time, Temp, 3 year warranty on controls plus much more. Press opens up approx. 110˚
	Maxx Press Digital 16x20	Y	Y	Y	N	N	.75"	Lifetime Heating Element	80lbs	Fully Digital. Opens 50 degrees wide.
	Hix HT600 16x20	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	0.625"	Lifetime Heating Element	83lbs	Digital Touch-Screen Controller clam press wIth full range pressure control, digital pressure readout, thermostat, timer, floating lower platen and more.
	Hotronix Auto Open Clam 16x20	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	1"	Lifetime Heater Block	79lbs	Dual digital timer, digital pressure gauge, auto open.
	Hotronix Hover Press 16x20	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	1"	Lifetime Heater Block	79lbs	Maximize production for direct-to-garment printing with the Hotronix® Hover Press. Upper platen hovers over garment to ensure a stronger bond & brighter colors between ink & garment.
	*Geo Knight DK20S: Digital Swinger 16x20	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	2"	Lifetime Heating Platen	184lbs	This Commercial swing-away press has all the full features as the other Geo Knight models. Also has a heavy-duty adj. Pressure control. In our opinion the most versatile and best manual press on the market today.
	Hotronix Fusion 16x20	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	1.125"	Lifetime Heat Element	150lbs	The Hotronix Fusion is an innovative heat press and a game changer in heat press technology. With its exclusive swinger/draw design, touch screen technology, energy saving sleep mode, live digital time, temperature & pressure readout this heat press is sure to impress!
	Hix N-880 16x20 Air Automatic	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	0.75"	Lifetime Heating Element	137lbs	Commercial clamshell air-automatic heavy-duty press, with Digital Touch-Screen Controller, wIth full range pressure control, digital pressure readout, thermostat, timer, floating lower platen, piston assist lift. Great for production shops!
	*Hix SwingMan20: 16x20	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	1.75"	Lifetime Heating Element	99lbs	The SwingMan 20 features a 16"x20" swing away heat platen that will meet the needs of any textile or sublimation business. Digital Touch-Screen Controller with full range pressure control, digital pressure readout, thermostat, timer and more.
	*Geo Knight DK20SP: Air Automatic 16x20 Digital Swinger	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	2"	1 Year Entire Press	210lbs	Commercial swing-away air-automatic with heavy-duty adj. Pressure control. Full features. Great for production shops.
	*Hix SwingMan25: 20x25	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	1.75"	Lifetime Heating Element	170lbs	The SwingMan 25 features a 20"x25" swing away heat platen that will meet the needs of any textile or sublimation business. Comes with Digital Touch-Screen Controller, full range pressure control, digital pressure readout, thermostat, timer and more.
	Insta Heat Press Model 828 20x25	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	0.25"	Lifetime Upper Heating Element	265lbs	Integrated digital controller which features controls for time, temperature, 5 programmable presets & cycle counter, Swing-away upper platen, Fully adjustable pneumatic pressure control located at the front of the machine for easy access.
	*Hotronix Air Swinger 16x20	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	1.375"	Lifetime Heating Element	140lbs	Air Swinger 16"x20" - Commercial Heat Press
	*Hotronix Air Swinger 22x22	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	1.375"	Lifetime Heating Element	265lbs	Air Swinger 22"x22" - Commercial Heat Press
*Swing away style presses. **For those presses that show it can accommodate items up to 0.25" thick, this is only for soft items such as mouse pads. It is not recommended for ceramic tiles. Furthermore, clamshell presses (any size) are not recommended for use on ceramic tiles. For ceramic tile production a swing-away press is best.

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