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A soldering iron is like a power tool in the sense that you can do things you can’t do with it. The tool is used to melt solder, which, when cooled, will connect electrical contacts. It is often required in consumer electronics repairs, and performs the same function on electronics in musical instruments, household appliances, power tools, and sometimes even power equipment. After some welding practice, you can combine your skills with carpentry. For example, you could create .css-3wjtm9{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.125rem;text-decoration-color:#1c6a65;text-underline-offset. : 0.25rem; color: inherit; -webkit-transition: all 0.3 s ease-in; transition: all 0,3 s ease-in-out;}.css-3wjtm9: hover {color: #595959; text-decoration- color :border-link-body-hover;} A classic electric guitar (like our photo for the September 1990 issue) or a glamorous Bluetooth speaker. If woodworking isn’t your thing, but you like drones, you’ll especially need a soldering iron for repairs.
Check out our rundown on the best soldering irons, then scroll down to find information to keep in mind when buying your own, as well as our in-depth reviews of these models.
The soldering iron should be such that it is comfortable to hold in your hand, as if it were a large pen. For electronics, you’ll need a thin needle tip to help heat (and solder) where you need it. If you can get an iron with multiple attachments, or have attachments as accessories, that’s the icing on the cake. If you are soldering complex electronics, you will need to see temperature readings, both for the fact that solder is being applied and to prevent nearby electronics from desoldering. However, you don’t want to apply more heat than you would expect to melt the solder. For long hours at the soldering station, look for soft and flexible iron leads. A stiff rope will unnecessarily pull your work down.
However, if all you’re doing is repairing some basic electronics from time to time, then just about any soldering iron will do. As long as the iron has a cord long enough to get you where it needs to work, has a reasonable temperature scale, and maintains a fairly stable temperature for a few minutes, that’s all you need.
When deciding which soldering irons to test, we took into account the wide price range that seemed attractive to non-professionals. In addition to cost, we were looking for features that we would like to see in affordable irons, enough power to do a wide variety of jobs, and simplicity to make the iron affordable for people who don’t do this job every day.
We have two wireless models and one wired model. In our evaluation, we soldered the drone’s delicate electronics, and for a more reliable test, we applied molten solder to the 14-gauge solid wire and the 14-gauge stranded wire. We also use a process called tinning where you apply a thin layer of molten solder. You tin a soldering iron tip in preparation for soldering, or you tin two electronic components that need to be connected, melting the tinned surfaces of both. This can be both a reliable test of a soldering iron’s capabilities, and a measure of its ability to do work more accurately, its high temperature capabilities, and its ability to maintain a constant temperature. Our tests are also designed to help us determine if an iron can hold a much higher temperature than is normally required for repair work. We also turned the machine on and off, soldered, cleaned and re-tinned, and then soldered some more until we were satisfied with the performance of the machine.
All of the tools tested here will do the basic welding work required for homeowner-level repairs. We were particularly impressed by the portability of the wireless model. Take these tools and batteries with you if you need electronics repairs while on the road.
We also have a few other promising soldering irons – Weller WE1010NA, Hakko FX888D-23BY and Chicago Electric 64056 – that we haven’t tested yet. We have selected manufacturers based on their reliability and track record. We are also looking for good value for money in these irons, especially if you are someone who is transitioning from basic welding to a more advanced job, whether at school, as a hobby or at work.
This cdoe turned out to be the best in our tests due to three factors: it welds well, comes fully equipped with a beautifully designed stand with temperature indication, and has three tips. You won’t find a better price for soldering tools from well-known brands. Of course, you can buy something for this price (or even cheaper), but it’s from Harbor Freight, a well-known tool manufacturer. We also like the three temperature presets (392, 572, and 752 degrees Fahrenheit). All three can be adjusted in the 5-degree tool using the up and down buttons on the right side of the preset selector panel. The digital readings on the control box are very clear. A small but nifty feature of this tool is the small sponge tray on the front of the iron stand. The kit also includes a small sponge and three nozzles (one for the tool and two spare ones). Overall, this cdoe is ideal for DIYers and technology students.
The CMCE040 solders very well and is ideal for tinning heavy gauge wires and connections in delicate electronics. Also, it rides pretty well. It is easily broken down into its component parts, which are placed in a toolbox. The soldering iron stand can be easily detached from the control box. Separate the two parts, remove the battery from the control box and put the parts in the toolbox you take on the road. No matter where you are, simply place the stand back on the controls, insert the battery and let the iron warm up for 10-15 minutes (depending on the temperature setting).
The CMCE040 is the simplest of the three irons we tested. In fact, there is not much to do, except for the on off button in the control center of the temperature scale. Press the button, then turn the knob switch clockwise to increase heat. The green LED indicator light on the control box lights up when the iron reaches the set temperature set by the knob. There is no temperature indicator on this gadget, but we think that after a little practice you will learn how to solder and desolder. Turn the dial all the way to the right and the temperature of the tip will approach 900 degrees. We love the portability of the drone for field repairs, preferring its needle tip over the slightly wider Ryobi tip (below).
The strengths of the PCL946B are that it solders well, and its easy-to-read dial makes it easy and accurate to set the right temperature. Printed on the far left of the dial on the face of the control box is 400 F, and on the far right is the setting for 900 F. The dials in the path between them are in 100-degree increments. The tool may not have a digital readout, but you must be able to input heat to match the part you are soldering to the type of solder and its diameter.
The overall design is good too, but we think the iron stand is too close to the control box. We found that the soles of our hands rubbed against the control dial when we put the iron on and off the stand. Do you think? No, not at all. You can take your pliers and make a tighter bend on the long, thin steel rod to set the angle of the stand. I also wanted a little more wire from the iron to the control unit. The 26″ Ryobi is the shortest of the three irons. The Master has a 44 and the cdoe has a 55. Complaints aside, this soldering iron has a well-shaped handle that slips easily into your hand, and its three-lobed design allows you to place it on a surface without hot tip contact. If you are already using a Ryobi 18V platform, this soldering iron should be for you.
Weller is the most experienced manufacturer of soldering equipment (the founder of the company Karl Weller patented his first electric soldering iron in 1941). Today, the company’s products enjoy an excellent reputation. We believe the WE1010NA is ideal for both serious hobbyists and professionals. For your money, you get a soldering iron designed to last a long time, and the wires from the soldering iron to the control box are protected by durable and flexible silicone rubber. Unlike cheaper irons, the iron’s heating element is replaceable. It’s unlikely that a hobbyist will wear out a heating element, but after a few years of intensive 24/7 use, you might be able to. We also like Weller’s large digital display. The company claims the tool is 40 percent more powerful than the two similar irons it replaces in the Weller line. The company says the new irons operate at a very constant temperature, setting the temperature within plus or minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit as the heating element turns on and off.
If you are looking for an entry level soldering iron and maybe want to save some money compared to the Weller above, Hakko is a good choice. Reliable company has been supplying industrial soldering irons and hobbyist soldering irons to the US market for the past 35 years. The FX888D has five temperature presets and the widest temperature range (120 to 899 degrees Fahrenheit) of any soldering iron we know of. Also, if you’re serious about soldering and aim for more intricate jobs, there are 10 accessory heads available, far more than the usual 2 or 3 for similarly priced irons.
You’ll be hard pressed to find a more economical soldering tool than this Chicago Electric tool. It operates at about 1175 degrees Fahrenheit, enough to melt some low temperature solders and some high temperature forms of solder. We wouldn’t say that this vintage pistol-grip welding tool is the ticket to precision work. But for basic soldering, especially if you’re more interested in things like tinning thick cables, this is a good choice because of its solid construction and simplicity.
Roy Berendson has been with Popular Mechanics for over 25 years, where he has written about woodworking, masonry, painting, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, blacksmithing, welding, lawn care, chainsaw use, and outdoor power equipment. When not working on his home, he volunteers at Sovereign Grace Church, renovating homes for families in rural, suburban, and urban areas of central and southern New Jersey.