Soldering iron for home: how to choose the best one in 2020

In almost every home, the tool kit includes a soldering iron - a special device for soldering parts. The principle of operation of this device is to melt the tin (solder) and then apply the solder to the edges of the alloy parts. In addition, using a soldering iron, you can cover the desired item with a thin layer of molten tin - irradiate it.

Types of soldering irons

Soldering irons differ in tip heating technology into several types, these are:

1. Electric soldering iron. The most common and popular type. Its sting is heated by electricity.
2. Hot air. A thin jet of hot air heats the surface to be treated.
3. Arc. The surface is heated by an electric arc between the tip and an electrode placed inside the device.
4. Hammer and end. Soldering iron tips of this type are fixed on elongated handles, heating occurs under the influence of an external heat source.
5. Gas. In other words, a gas burner.
6. Infrared Soldering Station. The soldering process is carried out using infrared radiation.

Electric soldering irons also have their own varieties, differing in the type of power and type of heater: nichrome and ceramic. Pulse also refers to electric soldering irons, their tip heats up at the moment when it is needed. Each type of device has its own functional features, distinctive characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.

Nichrome soldering iron

It is also called an electric soldering iron with a spiral heater, or ESPN. The heating element of this instrument is a spiral made of thin nichrome wire through which an electric current passes. In more modern models there is a nichrome element built into the insulators.

• average price, availability;
• shock resistance, the soldering iron is not sensitive to mechanical damage.

• sensitivity to stress, with intensive daily use, its spiral burns out;
• the tip takes a long time to warm up.

Ceramic Soldering Iron

The heater is made in the form of a ceramic rod heated by electricity. Soldering irons of this type are more convenient, but most often there are fakes - nichrome, in which only the insulator is ceramic.However, real ceramic is produced by a limited number of manufacturers, and there are many cheap, low-quality imitations.

• heating occurs quite quickly;
• the temperature is maintained by the control system;
• high power;
• small size;
• resistance to loads.

• difficulties in identifying a fake;
• fragility of the heating element;
• the inability to use replaceable stings;
• high price of the device.

Hammer soldering iron

Modern models are electric or heated from external heat sources (from open flames). The name "hammer" comes from the design - a handle with a thick tip. The device allows you to solder large parts.

• low price;
• the ability to make such a soldering iron by hand;
• good power (100 to 150 watts).

• small functionality;
• inability to regulate the heating temperature.

Pulse soldering iron

Soldering irons of this type do not have constant heating, and the tip heats up when a button is pressed. For convenience, such a device has a curved shape. Long-term soldering is not provided in this case, but it is convenient to operate with a pulse soldering iron for short-term work.

The tip is made of copper wire and is heated by electric current. Modern firms produce impulse instruments with removable tips and a ceramic heater.

The devices of the new type have additional functions such as power and temperature control, which makes it possible to solder both small and large parts.

• rapid heating of the tip;
• soldering parts of different sizes;
• high efficiency (heating of the tip directly during soldering).

• can be used exclusively for short-term work.

Cordless soldering irons

The power of this type of device is relatively small, the soldering iron does not work from the mains, but on batteries and is used in cases of lack of electricity or the need to work in special conditions.

• fast heating;
• mobility and no need for a power supply network;
• small size.

• low power.

Portable USB Soldering Irons

These are small USB powered soldering irons. Such a device can be powered by a car cigarette lighter and is designed for soldering small parts.

• mobility;
• small size;
• heats up quickly.

• low power.

Soldering iron with tin suction

This is a rather original and convenient device that is easy to use. It is best to choose a soldering iron with an insulated handle, it will ensure safety when working and will last longer. Poor-quality soldering irons with built-in solder suction are characterized by quick failure.

Soldering iron for children

This is a device with a low power - from 30 to 60 watts. They are electric, pulse and battery operated. We recommend purchasing a tool with a wooden handle.

Tip types

Soldering iron tips have several varieties and are made of ceramics, copper, and can also have a silver, aluminum, nickel coating.

Copper sting

Such tips are installed in electric soldering irons.

• good thermal conductivity;
• heat capacity.

• oxidation of the rod and, as a consequence, a decrease in its functionality;
• such a sting has to be cleaned, it becomes thinner and soon needs to be replaced.

Nickel plated tip

Such a sting is also included in the design of electric soldering irons and devices with a ceramic heater.

• does not burn during work;
• there is no need to regularly clean it.

• high price;
• fragility of the material.

Ceramic tip

Its body is made of ceramic, and the tip is usually copper plated with nickel.

• thermal conductivity;
• resistance to corrosion;
• no need for constant cleaning.

• high price;
• fragility of the ceramic case.

Sting shape

The shape of the tip depends on the type of work being done. At the same time, some designs of soldering irons do not imply the use of replaceable tips, and in this case, replacing the tip becomes difficult and time-consuming. In addition, there are soldering irons with adjustable tip length.

The tips are in the form of a wedge (screwdriver), a rod with a beveled edge, cone-shaped, in the form of a needle. The most convenient, versatile shape is the shape of the screwdriver, as it is suitable for various jobs. This shape allows you to quickly heat the required part, and the solder on such a tip holds better than on other tip shapes.

Soldering iron handle material

The soldering iron handle must be made of materials with low thermal conductivity. It can be a wooden handle, ebonite, as well as a handle made of carbolite and PCB. Plastic handles are found on the cheapest models, they heat up quickly and can melt. The best choice would be a wooden handle, as it has the lowest thermal conductivity.

How to choose the right soldering iron

When choosing a soldering iron, you should be guided by the main criteria, such as its power, thermal stabilization and, of course, at the price of the device.

Power

This indicator depends on the type of work. Power up to 25 watts is suitable for soldering small electronic parts, power of 40 watts is suitable for working with thick wires. Higher power, from 100 watts and above, is suitable for soldering large parts. The advantages of high-power soldering irons are their reliability and a wide range of functions, but their disadvantage is that such devices are not used in everyday life.

The power of a home soldering iron should be between 25 and 40 watts. A lower power rating will lead to the fact that the soldering will take a long time, and the quality of the result will be questionable. Excessive power will make it impossible to solder parts that could simply burn out.

Thermal stabilization

Soldering irons with thermal stabilization significantly speed up the soldering process, improve its quality, and it becomes much more convenient to work, since they provide an opportunity not only to accurately set the temperature required for work, but also to maintain it. It is convenient for both beginners and professionals. The temperature controller can be either in a separate case or built into the design of the soldering iron.

• automatic maintenance of the desired temperature;
• the risk of overheating is excluded;
• one soldering iron can be used for work requiring different degrees of heating;
• there is no need to remove scale from the soldering iron tip.

• the original tip is not universal;
• fakes are often found;
• heats up for a long time.

Soldering iron cost

Prices directly depend on the characteristics and functionality, the type of heater, the presence or absence of a temperature controller and the brand that produces the device. You can buy an inexpensive soldering iron that has good characteristics and is suitable for homework, you can choose a more expensive model with additional functions.

Inexpensive and budget soldering irons include devices that cost from 80 to 600 rubles. Most often, these are electric soldering irons with a copper tip, with a capacity of 40 watts. This also includes ceramic soldering irons with a nichrome heater, a nickel tip and a power of 30 to 40 watts - their cost ranges from 300 to 600 rubles.

Medium-price soldering irons - pulse, with a power of 70 watts (from 300 to 700 rubles), wireless and USB soldering irons, with a low power of up to 10 watts (from 300 to 1300 rubles).

A soldering iron with a durable tip and a ceramic film heater, with a power of 50 watts, has a cost of 2500 to 5200 rubles.

Top ten

Today there is a rating of soldering irons of the best manufacturers, which includes high-quality and popular devices:

KVT XZ-1 - 10th place

Non-contact multifunctional gas soldering iron. Well suited for soldering in hard-to-reach places. It has three modes of operation - as a soldering iron, as a heat shrink hair dryer and as a gas torch. Its maximum temperature is 1300 degrees, and the temperature is 580 degrees, a system of smooth adjustment of the operating temperature is built into the design, and the kit includes a case and 4 nozzles. Its cost is from 1900 to 2912 rubles.

Read more about the soldering iron in the video:

Dremel VersaFlame - 9th Place

Gas soldering iron. It is a universal soldering station suitable for home soldering. It heats up quickly and has a continuous run time of 75 minutes. Its maximum heating temperature is 1200 degrees, the device comes complete with 4 replaceable nozzles, and its cost is from 2680 to 4609 rubles.

Sigma 200W - 8th place

Impulse gun-shaped soldering iron with impact-resistant body. Has a built-in transformer, and the tip of this soldering iron is made of high quality steel. The kit includes 3 replaceable nozzles. The maximum heating temperature is 400 degrees. Its cost is about 800 rubles.

Soldering iron video review:

Lukey 852D Plus - 7th place

Hot air soldering station with a power of 350 watts and a maximum temperature of 480 degrees. It has an impressive weight, but at the same time it is simple and convenient to use. The kit includes a stand and a hair dryer holder with an automatic shutdown function. Suitable for soldering microcircuits, as well as for repairing household appliances and electrical appliances. The device is equipped with a thermostat, and its cost ranges from 5250 to 6590 rubles.

REXANT ZD-708 - 6th place

This is an electric soldering iron with a ceramic heater, equipped with a power regulator in the range of 30 to 50 watts. The cone tip heats up quickly, and the device itself is reliable. Its heat-resistant handle is made of transparent plastic. The maximum heating temperature is 200-450 degrees. Its cost is from 590 to 1099 rubles.

Read more about the soldering iron in the video:

Lukey 852D Plus FAN - 5th place

Hot air soldering station with a powerful air flow, adjustable power of 350 watts and a temperature of 480 degrees. The temperature is also adjustable, and the price of the device is from 449 to 5890 rubles.

CT-96 (CT-Tools) - 4th place

Ceramic soldering iron with a temperature controller - a special sensor sets the operating temperature (from 100 to 400 degrees), warming up occurs within two minutes and the set heating level is stable during soldering. Its power is 50 watts, and the cost is about 530 rubles.

PROXXON EL 12 (28140) - 3rd place

Electric soldering iron with temperature control, which provides constant stabilized heating of the tip. Heats up quickly, within 10 seconds. The body of the soldering iron is protected from heating, in addition, the device is equipped with a backlight, has a low weight, its operating temperature is 250 degrees. The cost of such a soldering iron is from 1300 to 1550 rubles.

REXANT HT-019 (ZD-210) - 2nd place

Electric soldering iron with molten tin vacuum suction, good for household work. Much more convenient than soldering irons with conventional solder suction. The handle of the device is made of impact-resistant plastic. The power of the soldering iron is 40 watts, the operating temperature is 450 degrees, and the cost is from 280 to 520 rubles.

Dremel VersaTip - 1st place

Dremel VersaTip Non-Contact Gas Soldering Iron. Convenient, lightweight, versatile and can function as a soldering iron, gas torch, hot knife, and hair dryer. The operating time at minimum power is 90 minutes, and at maximum power - 30 minutes. Warming up occurs quickly, its maximum temperature is infinitely adjustable, and at its maximum is 1200 degrees. The kit includes 6 nozzles, and the price of the device is from 2545 to 3199 rubles.

Video review of the leader of the rating:

When choosing a soldering iron, you should rely on the planned amount of work, the frequency of its use and the technical characteristics of a particular device.