Hammers and screwdrivers aren’t enough. If you want to build electronics, fix up an instrument, or restore some retro hardware, then you’re gonna need a soldering iron. Here are some of our favorites.
Before Buying a Soldering Iron
A soldering iron is a handheld tool that heats up to skin-searing temperatures and creates secure connections between pieces of metal. It’s not the most complicated tool on earth, but it’s a lot more complicated than a hammer.
So don’t buy the first soldering iron that comes your way, even if it’s sold at a discount or packaged with a bunch of (potentially low-quality) accessories. Instead, look at the key features of soldering irons and think of how these features line up with your needs (and your budget).
- Wattage: Wattage doesn’t dictate temperature; it simply indicates how quickly your soldering iron heats up. This is important because your soldering iron cools down every time you solder a joint, but it’s not the most important thing about an iron. All of the soldering irons in this article are at least 40 watts, which is more than enough to maintain a stable temperature (unless you’re dangerously fast).
- Soldering stations: Soldering stations allow you to regulate your iron’s temperature. They also give you a safe place to put your hot iron, your sponge, and some other accessories. You can survive without a soldering station, but we suggest buying one anyway. They make soldering an easier, safer experience.
- Replaceable tips: Soldering tips wear down and oxidize over time. All of the soldering irons listed in this article have replaceable tips, but only a few of them are packaged with additional tips.
- Temperature control: While temperature controls aren’t necessary for most soldering jobs, they’re nice to have around. They’re useful for lead-free soldering jobs (which require high temperatures) or heat-sensitive jobs (which require low temperatures).
- The investment: Soldering irons are long-term investments. They can last for a few decades if they’re taken care of properly. So if you think you’ll want expensive features like temperature controls in the future, then it might be smarter to buy an expensive soldering iron right now. Of course, take into account other stuff that you might need to buy, like soldering wire, capacitors, and other electronic fodder.
Now that you know what you’re looking for in a soldering iron, it’s time to get right into it. Here are the best soldering irons for beginners, hobbyists, and professionals.
Best Overall: X-Tronic 3020 60-Watt Soldering Station
The X-Tronic 3020 is a fairly priced, fully-featured soldering station that’s perfect for any skill level. It sports an ergonomic form factor, temperature controls, and holders for your soldering iron, wire, sponge, and tip cleaner. It also has a handy 10-minute sleep mode (which cools down the iron if it’s in its stand for 10 minutes), and it works at 60 watts for consistent, fast performance.
Keep in mind that this is a big soldering station. It might not be the most convenient product for someone who’s working in a small space, or for someone who only needs to use a soldering iron a few times a year.
X-Tronic Model #3020-XTS Digital Display Soldering Iron Station – 10 Minute Sleep Function, Auto Cool Down, C/F Switch, Ergonomic Soldering Iron, Solder Holder, Brass Tip Cleaner with Cleaning Flux
The X-Tronic 3020 is an affordable and fully-featured soldering station. It’s got all the bells and whistles—from temperature controls to a built-in wire spool.
$59.80
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Best Budget: Weller WLC100 40-Watt Soldering Station
If you’re looking for a perfect balance between price and quality, then consider buying the Weller WLC100 soldering station. It’s a 40-watt soldering kit with adjustable wattage, a sponge holder, and a soldering iron holder.
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