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Soldering stations are essential tools for plumbers, jewelers, and hobbyists who need to create a solid, gap-free bond between metal surfaces. We researched dozens of soldering stations and tested four highly rated models in our own workshops. Eventually, we found a favorite: the Weller Digital Soldering Station. While no single station can perform all types of soldering, this Weller model heats up fast, offers easy temperature adjustment, and comes with a sturdy soldering iron stand.
Whether you’re looking to create a stained glass masterpiece or you’re working on your first electronic circuit board, generating precise heat is the key to successfully soldering bonds. Below, we offer some shopping tips and explain how the following models earned a spot on our lineup of the best soldering stations for pros and DIYers.
- BEST OVERALL: Weller Digital Soldering Station
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Weller WLC100 40-Watt Soldering Station
↓ Jump to Review - UPGRADE PICK: Yihua 853D 2A USB SMD Soldering Iron Station
↓ Jump to Review - BEST SOLDERING TORCH: Smith Air/Acet Kit
↓ Jump to Review - BEST CONTACT: X-Tronic 3060-PRO-ST-ACC – 75W Soldering Iron Station
↓ Jump to Review - BEST LEAD-FREE: Yihua 939D+ Digital Soldering Station
↓ Jump to Review - BEST HOT AIR: Txinlei 8586 110V Solder Station
↓ Jump to Review
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 4 |
| Time spent testing | 7 hours |
| Tests performed | 4 |
| Price range | $40 to $300 |
Our Top Picks
After examining a dozen soldering stations from various leading brands and considering several different styles, we found the following models most worthy of consideration. The options below cover a range of categories, from the overall best soldering station to the most compact.
Best Overall
Weller Digital Soldering Station
What We Like
- Flexible cord makes soldering easier
- Precise temperature control
- Heats up quickly
- Easy-to-see LED display
- Interchangeable tips (sold separately)
What We Don’t Like
- Only one tip comes with the station
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Performance 4.75/5; Value 4.75/5
Product Specs
- Type: Contact
- Wattage: 70 watts
- Temperature range: 200 to 850 degrees Fahrenheit
Weller is one of the top brands in soldering irons, and we’ve owned several of them throughout the years. This digital version, the Weller WE1010NA, was a pleasure to test. The first thing we noticed was the flexibility of the cord that connects the soldering iron to the control station. It was soft and supple and didn’t produce any resistance while we worked. That’s a big benefit because older-style cords are stiffer and more challenging to maneuver.
In actual testing, the WE1010NA excelled. We could select the exact temperature we wanted just by pushing the up or down buttons. The LED screen clearly shows the temperature of the soldering iron, and we saw that it heated up very quickly—it reached 500 degrees Fahrenheit in about 20 seconds. We tested it at 600 degrees for leaded solder and 650 degrees for lead-free solder. In both cases, the solder flow was quick, and it formed a smooth, solid seam.
The small soldering iron comes with only one tip (0.062 mm), suitable for detailed work on small components and some circuit board connections. Tips are interchangeable on this station, and we think it would be worth ordering a couple more sizes to extend its versatility. Overall, this is a great little soldering station for a range of DIY and electronic uses.
Get the Weller digital soldering station at The Home Depot.
Best Bang For The Buck
Weller WLC100 40-Watt Soldering Station
What We Like
- Affordable price point
- Five temperature settings
- Built-in tip cleaning station
- Interchangeable tips (sold separately)
What We Don’t Like
- No precise digital temperature control
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.25/5; Performance 4.5/5; Value 4.75/5
Product Specs
- Type: Contact
- Wattage: 40 watts
- Temperature Range: Up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit
If you can manage without a digital readout, this Weller soldering iron kit will cover most, if not all, of your soldering needs, and it’s budget-friendly to boot. We’ve used the Weller WLC100 for about three years, mostly for soldering stained glass, and it’s always performed well.
The WLC100 comes with an ST3 tip, which is great for large soldering projects but too bulky for the fine detailed work necessary for printed circuit boards (PCBs). The tip is interchangeable, though, so you can purchase a tip with a narrower point for finer work. The cord isn’t quite as flexible as Weller’s newer models, but it’s not bad. The stand is sturdy and holds a cleaning sponge.
Without a digital readout, it’s a bit of a guessing game when determining the temperature of this electric soldering iron. In our tests, however, leaded solder flowed on Setting 2, so it’s at least 600 degrees Fahrenheit, and lead-free solder flowed on Setting 3, which makes it at least 650 degrees Fahrenheit. Settings 4 and 5 could be used for large joints and connections that require more heat. They would also be suitable for the type of quick heat transfer that’s necessary for sensitive electronic connections. If you choose this soldering unit, take your time and familiarize yourself with the different settings on different metals and joint sizes before embarking on any sensitive projects.
Get the Weller VLC 100 at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Upgrade Pick
Yihua 853D 2A USB SMD Soldering Iron Station
What We Like
- Includes rework gun and soldering iron
- Four digital displays
- Powerful 75 watt iron
- Automatic readings and adjustments
- Built-in voltmeter
What We Don’t Like
- Nozzle on rework gun seems wide
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.5/5; Performance 4.75/5; Value 4.75/5
Product Specs
- Type: Contact/Hot air
- Wattage: 75 watts
- Temperature Range: Soldering iron: 392 to 896 degrees Fahrenheit; hot air gun: 212 to 896 degrees Fahrenheit
Not all soldering projects go as planned, and that’s where a rework station comes in. The YIHUA soldering station is a complete soldering solution for anyone who has ever made a mistake—or will. It’s best suited for fine detail work on PCBs, but could be used for other small-joint projects as well.
Unboxing the YIHUA was fun—it came with so many extras! In addition to the soldering iron and 10 interchangeable tips, it included the hot-air rework gun, a voltmeter for checking electrical circuits, and a desoldering pump for removing liquid solder.
We performed several extra tests with this soldering station to see whether all the bells and whistles were worth the investment, and we think they are. This is a comprehensive soldering machine for someone who needs more than a simple soldering iron.
With the YIHUA, leaded solder flowed at 600 degrees Fahrenheit and lead-free at 650 degrees Fahrenheit, so the temperature display appears to be accurate. We wished the rework gun had a more precise nozzle to prevent inadvertently damaging nearby elements while fixing solder mistakes. Still, it liquified the solder and we were able to remove most of it with the desoldering pump.
The cord on this soldering station is wonderfully flexible, and the iron stand is sturdy. The setup even comes with a roll of lead-free solder to get you started. For crafters, the YIHUA may be overkill, but for anyone involved in electronics assembly or repair, it’s an all-in-one solution.
Get the YIHUA soldering station at Amazon.
Best Soldering Torch
Smith Air/Acet Kit
What We Like
- High temperature range
- Interchangeable tips (sold separately)
- Self-mixing oxygen
- Flexible hose for maneuverability
What We Don’t Like
- Too hot for PCB work
- Higher learning curve
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.75/5; Performance 4.5/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Type: Air/Acetylene torch
- Wattage: N/A
- Temperature range: Up to 4,770 Fahrenheit
Crank up the heat! The Smith Air/Acetylene Silversmith soldering torch can reach up to 4,770 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the chosen soldering tip. It comes with a #00 tip, which is very small and suitable for soldering fine details, but the temperature generated by the Smith torch is too hot for PCBs—it’s designed for soldering copper, silver, and gold elements.
The Smith torch requires an acetylene tank (not included). We purchased one from a local welding supply store. The system comes with a flexible hose that runs from the tank to the soldering tip and gauges for regulating the acetylene’s flow pressure. It also comes with a manual striker for igniting the torch. As the acetylene flows, the Smith torch automatically blends in oxygen at the correct ratio. All we had to do was turn a brass knob on the gauge to select the acetylene pressure (Smith recommends 12-14 psi).
To test this station, we used silver solder rather than the leaded or lead-free solder we used with other models. Silver solder starts to flow around 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit. We upgraded to a larger #03 tip and lit the torch. By turning a knob on the handle, we could adjust from a soft, silent flame to a strong, audible one. We sprayed flux on our test pieces, positioned the silver solder at the seams, and within a few seconds, the solder flowed evenly through the seams.
This is a great little torch for soldering handcrafted jewelry, but a plumber could use it with a low flame to solder copper pipe joints in a shop setting as well. The only thing to remember with the Smith soldering kit is to turn off the gas to the tank when you’re done.
Get the Smith Silversmith soldering station at Amazon or Cool Tools.
More Great Options
While we didn’t personally test the following models in our workshops, they made our short list of the best soldering stations due to customer feedback and our in-depth research of the products. If you are still unsure about picking a soldering station, one of these might be what you’re looking for.
Best Contact
X-Tronic 3060-PRO-ST-ACC – 75W Soldering Iron Station
What We Like
- High wattage output
- Digital temperature display
- Built-in arms to hold workpiece
What We Don’t Like
- No extra tips provided
Product Specs
- Type: Contact
- Wattage: 75 watts
- Temperature Range: 392 to 896 degrees Fahrenheit
We think XTronic’s 3060-PRO-ST-ACC contact soldering station has plenty of power and convenient features to make soldering projects quicker, easier, and more enjoyable. At 75 watts, the soldering iron reaches temperatures between 392 and 896 degrees Fahrenheit within 30 seconds. Its digital display makes temperatures easy to read.
Two “helping-hands” hold the workpiece in place while the user feeds solder and manipulates the iron. We’ve found these helping hands to be more than useful in several situations, such as when we need to have both of our hands free for holding the solder and the soldering iron but when we also need to hold together different metal pieces in a specific way for soldering.
The device includes a holder for a tip cleaner (sold separately) and a space for a wet sponge. Be sure to keep the tip clean, as this kit doesn’t come with extras.
Get the XTronic soldering station at Amazon or Walmart.
Best Lead-Free
Yihua 939D+ Digital Soldering Station
What We Like
- Includes lead-free solder
- Comes with 3 replaceable tips
- Digital temperature display
What We Don’t Like
- No exact wattage rating
Product Specs
- Type: Lead-free
- Wattage: 75 watts
- Temperature Range: 392 to 896 degrees Fahrenheit
For DIYers who prefer lead-free solder, we think YIHUA’s 939D+ soldering station is a solid choice. A digital contact soldering station, its iron reaches temperatures between 392 and 896 degrees Fahrenheit—more than hot enough to liquefy lead-free solder. YIHUA also includes a roll of lead-free solder in the kit.
Three included replaceable tips allow users to choose the right one for the job and replace the tips after they’re past their usable state. The station also comes with a soldering tip cleaner—important for creating the best possible lead-free joints. This is a scaled-down version of the YIHUA soldering/rework station we tested above—it appears to have the same heating capabilities but lacks the rework hot air gun and voltmeter. If you’re not heavily involved with electronics production and don’t need extra equipment, you can save money and still get a top-notch YIHUA soldering station with this model.
Get the YIHUA soldering station at Amazon.
Best Hot Air
Txinlei 8586 110V Solder Station
What We Like
- Comes with tools, soldering tips, and wire
- Hot air gun with adjustable temperature
- Built-in tip cleaning tray
What We Don’t Like
- Parts of the soldering iron stand are plastic
Product Specs
- Type: Hot air
- Wattage: 60 watts
- Temperature Range: 392 to 840 degrees Fahrenheit
For those new to rework, we think the TXINLEI’s 8586 Soldering Station is a good kit for learning the ropes. This station includes a hot air gun, a soldering iron, swappable tips, tweezers, a desoldering pump, brushes, picks, and soldering wire. Basically, it has everything you need to get started soldering and desoldering.
A digital display allows users to dial in the exact temperature for the type of work. The 60-watt soldering iron provides enough power for most jobs, reaching the same temperatures as most other kits with a slightly slower recovery time. The hot air gun reaches temperatures between 392 and 840 degrees Fahrenheit. TXINLEI’s station also boasts a built-in tray for wet sponges, making it easy to clean the iron’s tip.
Our only concern is that the stand for the soldering iron contains plastic; several users appear to have inadvertently melted it by positioning the hot iron the wrong way.
Get the TXINLEI Soldering Station at Amazon or NewEgg.
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Chose and Tested the Best Soldering Stations
We researched more than 25 different soldering stations and soldering kits and then narrowed our list to the 7 models we felt offered the best range of features for various users. From those, we selected the top 4 for hands-on testing in our own workshops.
The actual testing process was straightforward but varied slightly to suit the individual soldering stations. For instance, if the soldering iron came with a single large chisel tip, we tested it on large seams like those found in stained glass, but we didn’t attempt to use it for tiny printed circuit board (PCB) work. We geared our testing to the soldering purposes of each station.
For contact-type soldering stations, we tested using both leaded and lead-free solder. For the torch soldering station, we used silver solder. All of our tests involved flux, a chemical substance used in soldering that removes oxide films from the surface of metals and allows solder to flow smoothly. We tried out all the features a unit had to offer, and we awarded points based on a rubric. The better a soldering station performed on a test or assessment, the higher the points.
After testing, we averaged the points to find our best overall pick and to categorize the other models according to their ideal use.
What to Consider When Choosing a Soldering Station
When shopping for a soldering station for their needs, DIYers, pros, and electronic repair people should consider some important factors. These include the type of soldering station, its wattage rating, and other soldering station equipment.
Types of Soldering Stations
Many soldering stations look similar, but they vary slightly in how they work. Some DIYers may wish to go basic with a contact kit. Others may want to take on high-end, pro-level projects with a torch or an infrared station.
Contact Soldering Stations
Contact soldering stations use one of the most commonly recognized forms of soldering: a gun or a pen connected to an electrical source to heat a stick or spool of leaded soldering wire. The solder then runs onto the wires or circuit and cools, making one connection out of several pieces. Contact soldering is the basis of most beginner soldering kits.
Contact soldering stations have adjustable temperature settings, allowing users to solder a wider range of electronics and boards without overheating and damaging them. They also come in a range of wattages, determining how well the machine can maintain its temperature while in contact with a joint. Large joints can pull all the heat out of a lower-wattage machine, while higher wattages will remain at optimal temperatures for longer.
Lead-Free Soldering Stations
Lead’s harmful effects on health, including anemia, weakness, and kidney and brain damage, have prompted the electronics industry to create lead-free solders. These use a mixture of conductive metals—including tin, silver, and copper—to melt onto a joint and create a solid connection.
Because lead-free solder has a high melting point, lead-free soldering stations are often more powerful than their standard contact counterparts. Standard leaded machines may not reach a high enough melting temperature for lead-free solder or, if they do, the soldering tips will often burn out quickly.
Hot Air Soldering Stations
Hot air soldering stations, also called rework stations, use a gun to wash hot air over the electronic components and create a soldered bond. After placing soldering paste on the joint and connecting the two components, the user sets the hot air gun to the desired temperature and waves it over the components to heat the paste, which then becomes shiny and pulls the parts into place.
Hot air stations allow DIY electronics technicians to rework a board by removing components. The user simply washes over the joint with the gun (set at the proper temperature) until the solder heats enough to separate the components. This helps users save parts and replace components on functional boards.
Torch Soldering Stations
A live flame is required for certain types of soldering, such as creating leak-free seams in copper pipes and crafting silver, copper, or gold jewelry. These torches can reach a higher temperature than contact soldering irons, and they’re usually too hot to make connections to a PCB or other electronic joints.
Torch soldering uses gas, which can be butane, propane, MAPP gas, hydrogen, or acetylene. Like other soldering processes, the user must first cover the joint with flux so the solder flows smoothly and uniformly.
Infrared Soldering Stations
Infrared soldering stations work similarly to hot air soldering stations in that the user places a soldering mixture in the joint and then heats the joint to create a connection. Infrared stations, however, use a laser to heat the joint—a faster method both in setup and in heating. This method also allows for more accurate soldering since the laser doesn’t blow components around as a hot air soldering station might. The user can also heat the component instead of the joint by pointing the laser directly onto the component.
In terms of price, infrared stations run a little higher than hot air stations, which may make them less accessible to DIYers. They work well in professional shops that require speed and efficiency.
Digital vs. Analog
Some circuit boards require lower temperatures than others for soldering. If an unwitting DIYer has a go at one with a standard do-all soldering iron, they stand a good chance of destroying the board. Analog models require users to manually turn a dial to set the desired temperature—and they sometimes miss the mark. To gauge accuracy, one must measure the temperature with a temperature gun at the tip and adjust accordingly.
Digital temperature settings, generally pricier than analog, offer easier and more accurate calibration. Simply adjust the temperature with the machine and check the temperature at the tip. If the numbers don’t match, users can calibrate the machine to read correctly. This is a far more convenient way to ensure the correct temperature.
Wattage Rating
Most handheld soldering irons (non-station) have wattage ratings between 15 and 25 watts, while some stations can go to 75 watts or higher. This rating determines how long a soldering iron will take to heat up and how well it maintains its heat in a given situation. If soldering a heavy joint with a 15-watt soldering iron, the tip may cool too much to move onto another joint right away. With a 75-watt model, on the other hand, DIYers may solder and move quickly from joint to joint.
This recovery rate correlates directly with the wattage. DIYers looking to solder an entire circuit board will find higher wattages most useful. For those creating wiring looms for vehicles or trailers, a lower wattage or standard iron would work. In general, creating the kind of heat needed for soldering requires a substantial amount of energy, so there are very few battery soldering stations.
Variable Temperature
DIY electronics technicians will benefit from a soldering station’s adjustable temperature settings. Users should set the tip temperature to the lowest possible effective temperature. In a pinch, soldering irons have even been used as wood-burning tools, but they’re not ideal.
Cranking up a portable soldering iron as hot as it can go will surely burn out the tip, creating an oxidized and misshapen point that will lose its effectiveness. Some components also handle heat better than others. If the solderer exceeds a component’s temperature tolerance, they could damage it and only realize it after they have put the device back together.
Replaceable Tip
Contact-style soldering stations must have replaceable tips. Some tips work better in certain scenarios. For example, a chisel tip works well for heating large joints and removing parts. A fine point, on the other hand, can heat tiny joints without affecting the other joints around it.
Many soldering stations come in kits that include a variety of tips. Users can also buy replacements, so they don’t need to go to the manufacturer to replace a tip that’s no longer usable. Tips do burn up after a while, so purchase a quality station that allows for swapping them out.
Accessories
Electronics work can make for an exciting hobby. As with most hobbies, soldering and electronics repair involves a wide range of gear to make the project more enjoyable and efficient.
Hands-free holders secure a workpiece in place while heating or melting the solder. Tip cleaners remove flux from the end of the soldering iron and ensure minimal resistance between joints. If a soldering kit doesn’t come with additional tools for working with wires and electronics, such as a crimping tool, users can always purchase them separately.
Tips for Using a Soldering Station
When it comes to soldered joints, oxidation—a form of corrosion between the soldering iron’s tip and oxygen, accelerated by heat—poses the main issue. To help combat oxidation, soldering pros use flux: a chemical cleaning agent that helps prevent oxidation and promotes the flow of solder, allowing the solder to attach itself more easily to the joint. Soldering wire with a rosin core is also helpful; rosin helps the solder flow and reduces the effects of oxidation.
Soldering creates fumes and smoke. While most smaller jobs won’t create serious health hazards, the fumes can give users a sore throat and possibly a headache, so it’s important to always keep the soldering area ventilated. Open a window and use a fan to remove irritants from the room, and consider wearing an N95 mask and other protective gear.
When soldering a wire onto a control board, one pro move is to pre-tin the tip of the wire. Simply melt a bit of solder onto the wire end before soldering it to the board. This ensures an oxidation-free wire tip, and it allows the solder to attach faster and finish with a far more reliable result. The top soldering station tips include:
- Use a rosin-core solder to help minimize oxidation.
- Keep the area well-ventilated or wear a mask to avoid fumes.
- Pre-tin wire ends before soldering to a control board for the best results.
FAQs
You’ve just received a crash course in the best soldering stations, but you might still have a few outstanding questions. Below, we provide some answers to the most frequently asked questions about soldering stations and soldering in general.
Soldering irons typically connect to a station that provides constant power to the iron to keep it hot. Soldering guns have switches that heat the tip when depressed and cool upon release.
A good soldering station is essential for fixing electronics such as video game controllers, computer boards, remote controls, drones, and other small items, and potentially crafting with metals.
For soldering electronics, it’s helpful to have an electric soldering iron, solder, a pair of electronics tweezers, spare solder tips, and a sponge for cleaning the tip of the soldering iron.
If you plan on doing regular soldering projects, a soldering station may be a worthwhile investment. They come in a range of prices, so you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a good one. If you don’t need that much heat, you might consider choosing a plastic welder instead.
A soldering station contains a soldering iron, but it also includes a stand and (sometimes) a hot air rework gun, digital controls, and other features that can make soldering easier.
Some do, but most don’t. While soldering stations come pre-calibrated, over time their temperature settings may lose their accuracy. DIY soldering stations are relatively inexpensive and most users will opt to replace one rather than spending the money to have it professionally recalibrated.
On average, set the temperature around 600 to 650 degrees Fahrenheit if you’re using leaded solder, and 650 to 700 degrees for lead-free solder. Torch units don’t come with temperature controls but you can adjust the flame higher or lower depending on what you’re soldering.
In general, any solid surface will work for soldering because the station typically has a stand that keeps the hot iron from touching anything else.
Unless you have special fluxes, it can be difficult to solder onto aluminum and stainless steel. Cast iron and titanium are also among the more challenging to work with.
Meet the Tester
Glenda Taylor is a contractor, product tester, and writer focusing primarily on construction, DIY tools, and home appliances.
Additional research provided by Tom Scalisi.
