Last updated: October 2026

For most hobbyists in 2026, the Pinecil V2 is the best soldering iron to start with: it costs about $26 to $36 at Pine64’s store, runs from a USB-C PD charger, and uses widely available TS100-style tips. If you want a bench station that stays put, the Hakko FX-888DX (about $121 list) is the long-running standard, and the Weller WE1010NA (about $198) is the step up with a 70 W iron and toolless tip changes.

How we picked: compiled from manufacturer specifications, published prices and owner feedback patterns. We have not tested these tools ourselves. Our method.

Quick picks

  • Best overall for hobbyists: Pinecil V2. Cheap, portable, open firmware, strong published power.
  • Best portable alternative: Miniware TS101. Same tip family, dual power input, very light handle.
  • Best bench station for most people: Hakko FX-888DX. Stable temperature, huge T18 tip range, replaceable parts.
  • Best station step up: Weller WE1010NA. 70 W iron, ET tips, password lock and standby.
  • Best for a first afternoon of soldering on a tight budget: a basic adjustable-temperature kit.

Comparison table

IronTypePublished powerTemperature rangeTip seriesPower sourcePrice (Oct 2026)
Pinecil V2Smart pen ironUp to 88 W at 24 V (Pine64 wiki)100 to 400 °C (Pine64 store)Pinecil and TS100-compatible tipsUSB-C PD/QC 12 to 20 V, or DC5525 12 to 24 VAbout $25.99 community / $35.99 retail at Pine64
Miniware TS101Smart pen ironUp to 90 W via USB-C PD 3.1 (after firmware upgrade); up to 65 W via DC50 to 400 °CTS100 tipsUSB-C PD, or DC5525 9 to 24 VCheck retailer
Hakko FX-888DXBench station100 W station; 65 W FX-8801 iron50 to 480 °C (120 to 899 °F)Hakko T18Mains (120 V in the US)About $121.47 list at Hakko USA
Weller WE1010NABench station70 W WEP 70 iron (85 W station)100 to 450 °C (200 to 850 °F)Weller ETMains (120 V)About $197.50 at Weller US
Basic adjustable kitPlug-in pen ironVariesVariesVaries by brandMainsVaries

Pen irons such as the Pinecil and TS101 do not include a power supply, so budget for a suitable USB-C PD charger if you do not already own one.

Pinecil V2: best overall for hobbyists

Why it stands out: price, power and openness. Pine64’s store lists the Pinecil V2 at $25.99 (community price) and $35.99 (retail). The box contains the iron and one ST-B2 short tip.

Published specs:

  • Power input: USB-C with PD or QC 3.0 at 12 to 20 V, 3 A; or a DC5525 barrel jack at 12 to 24 V, 3 A (Pine64 store and wiki).
  • Power: the Pine64 wiki states that “Pinecil V2 will support up to 24V-88W”. On USB-C PD at 20 V, the wiki lists a maximum of 64 W with the new 6.2 Ω short tips and 50 W with the standard 8 Ω tips.
  • Temperature: adjustable from 100 to 400 °C on the store listing, with a quoted 6 second heat-up.
  • Firmware: Ralim’s open-source IronOS, on a RISC-V processor. The V2 adds Bluetooth Low Energy support.
  • Tips: Pinecil short and standard tips, and the wiki states it is “compatible with other TS100 tips”. The V2 automatically detects 6.2 Ω vs 8 Ω tips.

Who it fits: anyone building kits, repairing gadgets, or soldering away from a fixed bench. Pine64 recommends a USB-C PD 65 W, 20 V, 3 A or higher charger for full performance.

Trade-offs: it is a pen iron, so you need a separate stand, and settings live in small on-handle menus.

Related: Pinecil vs TS101 and how to update Pinecil firmware.

Miniware TS101: best portable alternative

Why it stands out: a light handle and two power inputs. Retail listings from Pimoroni describe:

  • USB-C Power Delivery input up to 90 W with PD 3.1, after a firmware upgrade that enables 28 V input; a DC5525 barrel input at 9 to 24 V up to 65 W.
  • Temperature range of 50 to 400 °C with ±2% stability, and heat-up in about ten seconds on a 24 V supply.
  • A weight of 33 g, an OLED display in the handle, boost mode, auto-sleep and overheat detection.
  • TS100 tip compatibility. The box includes a B2 tip, a stand cap and a USB-C cable, but no power adapter.

Who it fits: someone who already owns TS100 tips, or who wants a slightly different handle and menu from the Pinecil. Because both irons use the TS100 tip family, tips can move between them; see the tip compatibility table.

Trade-offs: the full 90 W figure depends on a PD 3.1 charger and the firmware update, so check your power source before expecting maximum power.

Hakko FX-888DX: best bench station for most people

Why it stands out: Hakko presents it as the successor to the FX-888 and FX-888D. Hakko USA describes the FX-888DX as an improvement on the FX-888D with a more intuitive push-button temperature dial and a parameter lock that prevents accidental calibration changes. The list price on Hakko USA is $121.47.

Published specs (Hakko USA):

  • Station: 100 W at 120 VAC, 50 to 480 °C (120 to 899 °F), ±1 °C temperature stability, closed-loop sensor, ESD safe.
  • Iron: FX-8801, 65 W at 26 VAC, ceramic heater, T18 series tips, T18-D16 chisel tip included.
  • Five preset temperatures.
  • Optional handpieces: the FX-8805 large iron (T19 tips) and the FX-8806 95 W high-power iron (T32 tips), which Hakko says is made exclusively for the FX-888DX.
  • Replacement parts such as heaters, cords, knobs and cases are listed individually on Hakko’s site.

Who it fits: anyone soldering at the same desk most days, from through-hole kits to small SMD parts. The T18 range on Hakko’s site runs from fine conical tips to wide chisels and knife tips, most listed between about $6 and $12.50 each in October 2026.

What about the FX-888D? Hakko lists the FX-8801 handpiece and T18 tips as compatible with the FX-888, FX-888D, FX-889 and FX-888DX, so tips and irons carry over if you own or find an older unit.

Trade-offs: it plugs into the wall and is not portable.

Weller WE1010NA: best station step up

Why it stands out: more iron power and workshop features. Weller’s US page lists the WE1010NA at $197.50 as a one-channel station with the WEP 70 iron and PH 70 safety rest.

Published specs (Weller US):

  • 70 W soldering iron with an ergonomic handle and toolless tip change; station power listed as 85 W.
  • 100 to 450 °C (200 to 850 °F), ±6 °C stability, ±5 °C accuracy.
  • About 28 seconds to heat from 50 to 350 °C.
  • ET series tips.
  • Standby mode and auto setback, password-protected settings, and ESD-safe station, iron and silicone cable.

Tip note: Weller’s ET tips are listed for the WE1010, WE1010EDU, WES51/50, WESD51 and LR21 stations. Weller’s product page also notes that some ET part numbers have WEP 70 specific “L” versions (for example 4ETHL rather than 4ETH), so check the exact part number before buying spares.

Who it fits: a classroom, makerspace or home bench where several people share one station and locked settings help.

Trade-offs: it costs more than the Hakko, and its published stability figure (±6 °C) is wider than the Hakko’s (±1 °C), though makers may not measure stability under identical conditions.

Budget kits: fine for a first try, with limits

A basic adjustable-temperature kit is the cheapest way to try soldering. We are not naming a single kit, because budget listings change often and many do not publish verifiable temperature or tip specifications. If you buy one, look for:

  • Adjustable temperature rather than a fixed-power iron.
  • A tip you can buy again. If the listing does not name the tip series, replacement tips are a gamble.
  • A real stand. RPI’s soldering safety guidelines say to always use the iron’s designated stand and never set it directly on the work surface.

If you expect to keep soldering, a Pinecil costs little more than many kits and uses a documented tip family.

How to choose

  1. Where will you solder? Same desk every time: a station. Different places, or limited space: a pen iron.
  2. What power do you already own? A pen iron needs a capable USB-C PD charger or DC supply. Pine64 recommends PD 65 W, 20 V, 3 A or higher for the Pinecil.
  3. Which tips can you get? T18 (Hakko), ET (Weller) and TS100-style tips (Pinecil, TS101) are all sold by their makers. See the tip compatibility table.
  4. Lead or lead-free? Lead-free alloys melt hotter. Kester’s alloy chart lists SAC305 at 217 to 220 °C versus 183 °C for 63/37, so pick an iron with headroom. See best solder and flux.

Safety notes

  • Ventilate. RPI’s guidelines note that heating rosin flux releases fumes that irritate the eyes and respiratory system, and call for fume extraction.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water after soldering, especially with leaded solder, and do not eat or drink at the bench (RPI).
  • RPI notes soldering irons operate at 600 to 800 °F. Park the iron in its stand and switch it off when you walk away.

New to soldering? Start with how to solder through-hole parts.

FAQ

Is the Pinecil good enough to replace a station? On published specs, its peak power (up to 88 W at 24 V per Pine64) is higher than the 65 W and 70 W irons supplied with the two stations here. The difference is ergonomics: a station has a fixed stand, a dial and a heavier cord.

Can I use TS100 tips in a Pinecil or TS101? Yes, according to the Pine64 wiki and TS101 retail listings, both accept TS100 tips.

FX-888D or FX-888DX? Hakko describes the FX-888DX as the improved version with an easier dial and a parameter lock. Both use the FX-8801 iron and T18 tips.

What temperature should I solder at? Kester’s 44 datasheet says tip temperatures for 63/37 are most commonly between 315 and 371 °C (600 to 700 °F). Lead-free alloys need more heat.

Do I need a fume extractor? University safety guidelines such as RPI’s call for fume extraction when soldering with rosin flux. At minimum, solder in a well-ventilated space.

Sources