10 Of The Best Soldering Irons For Beginners

If you have a keen interest in electronics or are a do-it-yourself enthusiast, you absolutely need to have a few tools and accessories at your disposal at all times. One of them is a soldering iron. Whether you want to fix a printed circuit board (PCB) that's not working or you need to replace a burnt capacitor on your R.C. car's circuit board, a soldering iron is the most important tool. Apart from fixing broken items, you may also need a soldering iron if you're building any of the best Raspberry Pi projects or an easy Arduino project for beginner coders. In fact, it's also one of the must-have tools in your 3D-printing arsenal.

Once you decide to purchase a soldering iron, either for work or a hobby, it's vital to determine the exact kind of soldering iron you need. There are various types of irons available based on skill level, purpose, and scale of use. You will also find irons with different sizes of tips since they cater to varying sizes of circuit boards and solder joints. The whole process can be somewhat intimidating. To make the decision easier, we've compiled a list of the best soldering irons for beginners, ranging from some super affordable options to sophisticated ones that provide the utmost precision. We've also thrown in some advanced irons for those who want to expand their horizons down the line and need future-proof options.

If you're just starting to familiarize yourself with electronic components and the art of soldering, the Q-Ming soldering iron is highly recommended. For starters, it's one of the most affordable options on this list, so it's the perfect way to get your hands dirty without a big investment. Despite being affordable, the Q-Ming soldering iron is rated at 80W of power, which is respectable. It has a ceramic heating element that can achieve temperatures of 356 to 896°F (180 to 480°C). That's a large range for something this affordable. The brand has also added an LCD display on the iron itself to view the current operating temperature. There are buttons on either side to set how hot you want the iron to be.

There's an anti-scalding coating at the end of the handle for added grip and to make sure the heat doesn't travel to your fingers. These nice touches are generally only found on more expensive products. In the box, Q-Ming includes five different tips of varying sizes depending on what you're soldering. This excludes the ultra-slim, pointy one that already comes pre-installed. Then, there's some solder wire to get you started, a box of flux paste to prepare your metal surface for soldering, and a small stand to rest the iron when it's not in use. This is the perfect starter kit for beginners, with almost everything you need at a low price point. 

Plusivo has gone all out with this soldering kit for beginners. The brand has thrown the kitchen sink into the Plusivo soldering iron kit, which has made sure this is possibly the one-stop solution for all your soldering needs as a beginner. For starters, there's a standard 60W soldering iron with an adjustable temperature knob, taking the hot end from  392 to 842°F (200 to 450°C). However, there's no display onboard to signify the current temperature, which is a bit of a bummer since the Q-Ming soldering iron offers it. On the upside, Plusivo bundles a ton of accessories with the kit that most other brands don't.

Along with the iron, there are a total of six tips of different sizes and shapes, two pairs of tweezers, soldering wire, a desoldering pump, some copper wire, multiple sizes of heat shrink tubes, a sample etched PCB, a stand with a sponge, a wire stripper, and mini-screwdrivers. Finally, there's a carrying case that can accommodate all of these items, making it easy to travel with them. The brand also lets you download a free e-book that details how the kit can be used so that you don't make mistakes when working with Arduino or Raspberry Pi boards. Irrespective of whether you're planning to solder electronic items, jewelry, or other metallic objects, the Plusivo soldering kit has every vital tool required for the process. It's also priced competitively and is more affordable than buying all of these components individually.

The products mentioned so far are strictly for beginners since they offer basic features while being extremely easy on the pocket. However, if you're looking for something slightly more serious and don't mind spending a little more, the YIHUA 939D+ digital soldering iron is the perfect balance of performance and value. The output power is equivalent to 75W, with a temperature range of 392 to 896°F (200 to 480°C).  Unlike the other irons so far that have controls on the soldering iron itself to vary the temperature, the YiHua soldering iron needs to be plugged into a power supply that contains the temperature control.

Once you plug the iron into it, there's a knob that lets you vary the temperature, along with a button to switch between units. There are six tips of various sizes and shapes inside the box, along with a fully metallic stand for the iron. Extras like soldering wire, flux, and a pair of tweezers are also included. The biggest difference between the 939D+ iron and more affordable options is the fine temperature control and faster element heating speeds. There's also a built-in transformer for stable performance, along with an electrostatic discharge (ESD) safe design that makes it appropriate for professional use. It does occupy a fair bit of space, though, so ensure you have sufficient room on your desk. Despite being slightly more sophisticated, the YiHua 939D+ is easy to operate, making it a good choice for beginners who want a little bit of future-proofing.

We're now moving towards more sophisticated options that offer more features and precision when soldering. While some of these offerings may feel complex or premium, they're still perfectly suitable for beginners and, at times, can even help folks who are new to soldering. The X-Tronic 3020-XTS is a great example of that. It has an integrated stand, so you don't have to worry about placing or orienting it in the right place. There's also a repair mat attached to it where you can set and segregate all the different components and screws when fixing something. Finally, there are two alligator clips attached to flexible handles to hold wires when soldering. This is one of the most useful aspects when you're new to soldering since you don't have to hold the cables by yourself.

Clip the two wires you want to solder to each of the clips and apply the solder wire with the iron. Speaking of the iron itself, it has a temperature range of 392 to 896°F (200 to 480°C). The highlight of this product, apart from all the additional perks, is that the iron takes under 30 seconds to hit the required temperature, which is a bonus when you're working in a hurry. There's also a sleep mode for when you want to pause the heating temporarily. If you're a solo person learning to solder, the alligator clips are a lifesaver, making the X-Tronic 3020-XTS a solid recommendation for beginners.

There are two types of audiences the YiHua soldering iron + hot air rework station caters to. First are those who are willing to spend good money on a soldering station that is not only beneficial for the time being but is also future-proof for a long, long time. This is because the soldering iron included with this kit is professional grade, thanks to ESD-safe compliance and Proportional – Integral – Derivitave (PID) temperature control technology. For those wondering what it means, there's a dual-core microprocessor inside the machine that checks the real-time temperature of the heating element every 20 milliseconds and then tweaks the operating temperature in case there is an arbitrary increase or decrease. This level of precision is what makes it an excellent pick for both beginners and professionals.

A hot air station is also included for reworking electronic components. This is generally used in PCB-level repairs, but it is also helpful if you're trying to fix smartphone screens or pretty much anything that is glued shut that you need to separate. You can also use a hot air gun for soldering on some occasions. YiHua has included six soldering tips in the package and four hot air nozzles that direct the air flow in a specific direction. Additionally, there's a pair of tweezers and a desoldering pump. If you have ample space and need a soldering workstation that you won't need to upgrade for the next few years, or if you're just looking to own a heat gun with a soldering iron, the YiHua 862BD soldering station is a worthy investment.

Here comes the first cordless soldering iron of this compilation — the Weller Super-Pro butane soldering iron. There are two primary advantages of this type of soldering iron. The biggest upside is that you're not tethered to a wall outlet every time you want to solder something. With other soldering irons on this list, you will have to place the setup on your desk or a place where you have access to an electrical outlet. Since there are no cables attached to the Weller Super-Pro, you can use it while you're on your couch, at your work desk, or even when traveling.

Along with being cordless, it's also free of any sort of electricity or battery power. So you can use the iron even if you're off the grid. This is possible due to the fact that this Weller soldering iron is powered by butane. For those wondering, butane is an organic gas that's also used in lighter fuel. So, you need to refill the butane tank once the iron runs out of it. The brand claims a runtime of two hours per refill. While this can be a setback for some, a soldering iron like this has its own advantages. Apart from being portable, the Weller Super-Pro can hit a max temperature of 1076°F  (580°C) — higher than all the other options mentioned so far. However, you cannot set specific temperatures. This type of soldering iron is beneficial for those who also want to use it for heat-shrinking and cutting objects or ropes.

Hakko is renowned for its high-quality products among hobbyists and enthusiasts, and the FX888DX-010BY soldering station from the brand is no different. It's a simple, no-frills soldering workstation that is high quality and gets the job done. There's a small station that connects to the soldering iron via a cable. This station is what gives power to the iron, along with providing a knob to set the temperature. Speaking of temperatures, the Hakko FX888DX-010BY offers one of the widest ranges of any soldering station, going all the way from 120 to 899°F (48 to 482°C). The lower temperatures can be used for shrinking heat tubes or burning holes through certain materials, whereas the higher temperatures can be used for soldering, depending on the type of material.

The unique selling point of the Hakko soldering station is its simplicity. Inside the box, you'll find the soldering iron, the power station with temperature adjustment, a few extra tips, and a stand. It's all plug-and-play, with no prior information required to operate it. It achieves high temperatures easily and quickly and maintains it for long durations — two factors that are vital in a soldering iron kit. If you want a no-nonsense, long-lasting product, pick up the Hakko FX888DX. It is on the expensive end, but the product is of high quality, and you won't feel the need to upgrade it in the near future.

If you're looking for a portable soldering iron that isn't powered by a gas tank, you should be looking at the Fanttik T1 Max. Before getting into the specifics, let's first address the fact that it looks stunning, thanks to the premium metallic construction. However, it's not just about the exterior. Even when you get past the aesthetics, the T1 Max continues to impress with its rapid heating element that can start soldering in just seven seconds after being switched on. There are two modes in which the soldering iron can be used: wireless and wired. In both configurations, the maximum temperature the pen-shaped iron can achieve is 840°F (450°C). The primary difference is that in the wireless mode, the rated runtime is 60 minutes, whereas there's no such limit when plugged into a wall outlet.

It charges via a USB-C port, making it the perfect soldering iron to carry in your backpack when traveling. A knob on the top aids with temperature control, while a built-in mechanism facilitates the change of tips. Given the size of the iron and tips, it's worth noting that the Franttik T1 Max is primarily made for precision repairs and soldering, so if you have big appliances or joints where you need a lot of solder to hold things together, this may not be the ideal choice. Beginners learning smartphone or laptop repair can definitely consider it.

Weller makes yet another appearance on this list, this time with the Weller 260W & 200W soldering gun kit. Unlike a standard soldering iron, this soldering gun is intended for heavy-duty needs. Owing to this, the Weller gun has a maximum power rating of 260W, which allows it to achieve temperatures of up to 1,100°F  (593°C) in just six seconds. So, if you're going to spend a lot of time with devices that require extremely quick soldering, you should opt for this soldering gun kit instead of a run-of-the-mill iron. On that note, it's worth noting that the Weller soldering gun isn't recommended for precision soldering since the tips are slightly thicker, plus smaller components may not be able to sustain such high temperatures.

The brand provides three tips inside the package and some solder wire to start. The trigger on the gun controls the level of heat in the tip. Everything comes in a sturdy case that looks like a mini briefcase. It makes it easy to carry the soldering gun when traveling or if you plan on performing repairs for a living, where you may have to commute regularly to your clients' places.

The TS101 soldering pen is a popular cordless soldering iron that enthusiasts swear by. This is primarily because of its DC + USB-PD dual input mechanism, resulting in a total power of 65W — something that's rare to see on cordless irons. Thanks to this, the TS101 can be used at a desk while connected to a smartphone charger, or it can be used in the wireless configuration while you're on the move. There's a special boost mode that can heat up the tip in a matter of a few seconds, and the target temperature is displayed on the OLED screen onboard. As for the temperature — the minimum is 122°F (50°C) and the maximum is 752°F (400°C).

What's cool is that the TS101 can be interfaced with a computer, making it something of a smart soldering iron, after which you can analyze and reset the temperature rising curves and set custom functions. Additionally, the dual temperature sensors onboard ensure the soldering iron maintains the required temperature for an extended duration. At the same time, the accelerometer determines whether the pen is in use and, if not, puts it automatically in sleep mode to conserve energy. If the iron detects that it's overheating, it automatically shuts off the power supply. If you're eyeing a feature-rich cordless iron that doesn't break the bank, this is it. 

After going through the list, you may have realized that there are a ton of different options if you're in the market for a soldering iron. The use cases for all of them differ, from the different physical sizes to the maximum temperatures each of the irons can achieve. You will also have to consider the material you will be soldering on and the size of the components you will be soldering onto a PCB. Since everyone may not have the same use case, we've added options that cater to beginners who are looking to solder standard copper wire, students who are learning about circuit boards and electronic components, and those who want to try their hand at PCB-level repairs.

The best part is that most soldering irons mentioned in this list won't restrict your work to one type or size of components. Several options have replaceable tips with varying sizes to cater to small and large solder joints. We've also added portable and wireless options for those who don't necessarily need the highest temperatures but want to play around with electronic components away from their desk. If you plan on taking up repair jobs in the future, where you can head to a client's place and perform a repair, cordless soldering irons are your best bet. They're also arguably safer to use, so if you're teaching soldering to young adults, you know which option to pick.