Best Soldering Irons for Electronic Repair

Choosing a soldering iron can be overwhelming. There are so many different types, prices, and features. I’ve used many different kinds of soldering irons from almost every price range and these are my top picks. 

Beginner Soldering Iron 

When I first started soldering I bought the cheapest iron I could afford but worried that it wouldn’t do what I needed it to do. I was very surprised when it actually worked just fine.

That iron was very similar to this inexpensive iron. This soldering iron kit has almost everything you need to get started. It’s important to keep in mind that cheap soldering irons, like this one, generally don’t last as long and, more specifically, the tips for these irons wear out very quickly. Another thing to remember is that these irons won’t get as hot or heat as evenly as a more expensive one would. 

So the overall quality is not as good as a more expensive iron but, at the same time, that’s sort of what to expect when buying the cheapest option available. Ultimately, if you’re just getting started and you’re on a tight budget this is a great option. 

• Approximate Price: $16 on Amazon
• Includes: 60W adjustable temperature soldering iron, 5 soldering tips, desoldering pump, soldering iron stand, tweezers,  wire stripper/cutter, and storage bag

Check out this soldering iron on Amazon (paid link): ANBES Soldering Iron Kit

Hobby Soldering Iron 

As I got better at soldering, I bought a soldering set that was a little more expensive. This was after I started making a little bit of money from my electronics repair business (that I’d started out of my garage) and I had a little bit more to spend. It wasn’t as good as this model that I’m recommending here because this model didn’t exist yet. 

This soldering station is a really good, semi-affordable option that will get hotter and be more reliable than other cheaper products. But while this soldering iron is much better than the beginner iron, bit naturally will have some of the same problems, such as not heating as evenly and not getting as hot as the pro-level iron.

• Approximate Price: $76 on Amazon
• Includes: 72W adjustable temperature soldering iron, 3 soldering tips (NOTE: power cord not include and must be purchased separately.)

Check out this soldering iron on Amazon (paid link): KSGER T12 Soldering Station

Pro Soldering Iron 

Once my electronics repair business started making pretty good money it was time to upgrade to a pro-level soldering station. This is when I started checking out Hakko products.

I actually own multiple Hakko soldering stations and the reason I’m recommending this one is because it offers the best features for your money. It has two ports for multiple irons, it’s super reliable, and it has a large company behind it. I have a lot of experience using this product and my favorite thing about it is that I can turn it on and know that it will heat up to the temperature I need, and then stay hot while while soldering better than the less expensive irons. This is especially useful for working on motherboards that are very thick and soak up a lot of heat.

Other than changing the soldering iron tip periodically, this station holds up really well. And the tips last longer than cheaper tips because of the quality of the tips themselves, and because the station will go to sleep if you don't use it for a bit.

The only negative things I have to say about this station are that it’s pretty large and heavy, and the interface isn’t that user friendly. I sometimes find myself soldering at a different temp than is ideal because I don’t want to take the time to change it. 

• Approximate Price: $700 on Amazon
• Includes: 120W adjustable temperature soldering iron, iron holder with brass wool holder, soldering tip holder, power cord

Check out this soldering iron station on Amazon (paid link): Hakko Soldering Station

I hope this helps you decide which soldering iron to buy for yourself. Whether you just need to have an iron for a couple of projects per year or you’re running a busy repair shop, one of these three irons should be just what you need. 

About the Author

Steve Porter is a video creator with a passion for DIY repair. When he's not making videos he enjoys hiking, working on his property, and hanging out with his friends and family.