Last updated: October 2026

For most people the Pinecil V2 is the better buy: it costs well under half as much, runs the open-source IronOS firmware out of the box, takes the same TS100-style tips, and adds Bluetooth. The Miniware TS101 is worth it if you want a slightly lower minimum input voltage (9 V vs 12 V), a tool-free tip change cap, or Miniware’s own firmware, and you do not mind paying more. Both reach 400 °C and accept power over USB-C PD or a DC barrel jack.

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

Side-by-side specs

Pinecil V2Miniware TS101
USB-C inputPD and QC 3.0, 12 to 20 V, 3 A (Pine64)PD, 9 to 28 V, up to 90 W (28 V PD 3.1 needs firmware APP 2.0 or later)
DC barrel inputDC5525, 12 to 24 V, minimum 3 ADC barrel jack, 9 to 24 V, up to 65 W
Rated power88 W at 24 V officially (Pine64 wiki)65 W on DC, up to 90 W on PD
Temperature range100 to 400 °C50 to 400 °C
Heat-up (maker or retailer figure)About 6 seconds to operating temperatureAbout 10 seconds on a 24 V DC supply
TipsTS100-compatible; ships with a short ST-B2 tip; detects 6.2 and 8 ohm tipsTS100-compatible; ships with a B2 tip
Tip changeStandard TS100-styleTool-free with the included anti-slip cap
FirmwareIronOS (Ralim’s build) preinstalledMiniware firmware; IronOS supports it with caveats
WirelessBluetooth Low Energy (BL706 MCU)None listed
Weight28 g with tip33 g with tip
Price snapshotabout $26 community price, $36 retail at Pine64 (October 2026)about £57.50 at The Pi Hut, UK (October 2026)

US pricing for the TS101 varied too much across sellers for us to confirm a single figure. One US seller, SainSmart, lists it at $69.99 but marks it discontinued and sold out.

Power input: the biggest practical difference

Both irons are only as hot and fast as the power you feed them, so this matters more than any other spec.

Pinecil V2. Pine64 lists USB-C input of 12 to 20 V at 3 A over PD or QC 3.0, and a DC5525 barrel input of 12 to 24 V at a minimum of 3 A. The Pine64 wiki rates it at 88 W officially on 24 V and notes tentative support for USB PD EPR at 28 V / 140 W. In practice, a USB-C charger that only supplies 5 V or 9 V falls below the 12 V minimum, so you need a PD charger that offers at least 12 V, and ideally 20 V, at 3 A.

TS101. The Pi Hut and Pimoroni listings give DC input of 9 to 24 V at up to 65 W, and USB-C PD input of 9 to 28 V at up to 90 W. Pimoroni notes that PD 3.1 at 28 V requires firmware APP 2.0 or later. The 9 V minimum means more chargers will at least power it, though at lower wattage.

Bottom line: if you already own a 65 W or larger USB-C PD laptop charger, either iron works well on it. If you plan to run off a 24 V DC brick, both accept one.

Tips

Both irons accept TS100-style tips, so the same TS100 tip family fits either one. The Pi Hut lists D24, I, BC2 and B2 shapes as interchangeable options for the TS101.

The Pinecil adds one twist. The Pine64 wiki says the Pinecil ships with a shorter 6.2 ohm tip designed by Pine64 and can automatically detect whether a 6.2 or 8 ohm tip is fitted. Lower resistance draws more power at a given voltage, which is part of how the Pinecil reaches its rated power.

The TS101’s included anti-slip cap doubles as a tool for changing tips without extra equipment, according to The Pi Hut. On the Pinecil, tips are changed the standard TS100 way.

For a full list of which tip series fit which irons, see our soldering tip compatibility table.

Firmware: IronOS on both, with a catch for the TS101

The Pinecil V2 runs Ralim’s IronOS from the factory on a Bouffalo BL706 chip, and the BL706 is what enables Bluetooth Low Energy control on the V2, per the Pine64 wiki. IronOS is open source and updates are free. Our Pinecil firmware update guide walks through flashing.

The TS101 ships with Miniware’s firmware, and Pimoroni notes it can be upgraded over USB-C from a computer. IronOS lists the TS101 as a supported device, but its README (stable release v2.23 at the time of checking) carries two caveats:

  1. The TS101 has a higher-resolution OLED than the older irons, and full support is still in progress; for now IronOS shows a cropped view that is usable.
  2. Some newer TS101 revisions use a different OLED model that IronOS does not support at all yet.

So if running IronOS is part of why you want the iron, the Pinecil is the safer choice. If you are happy with stock firmware, the TS101 works as shipped.

Temperature and heat-up

Pine64 lists an adjustable range of 100 to 400 °C and says the Pinecil reaches operating temperature in about 6 seconds. The Pi Hut lists 50 to 400 °C for the TS101, and Pimoroni says it reaches operating temperature in about ten seconds on a 24 V DC supply. Pimoroni also lists a one-button boost mode, auto sleep and overheat detection for the TS101.

Heat-up figures depend on the power supply and tip, so treat them as maker claims rather than a guaranteed result. Both cover the tip temperatures solder makers publish for leaded and lead-free work; see our through-hole soldering guide for those ranges.

Size and weight

The Pine64 wiki lists the Pinecil at 155 mm long with a tip, 28 g with a tip and 18 g without. The Pi Hut lists the TS101 at 33 g including the tip.

Is the Pinecil worth it?

Based on the published specs and prices, yes for most buyers:

  • Price. Pine64’s community price of about $26 is well under half the TS101’s UK price of about £57.50.
  • Firmware. IronOS is preinstalled and fully supported, with Bluetooth on the V2.
  • Power. 88 W rated on 24 V DC, and up to 20 V on USB-C PD.
  • Tips. Same TS100 ecosystem as the TS101.

Its main limitations are the 12 V minimum input (no running it from a 9 V-only PD source) and the lack of a tool-free tip cap.

Who should pick which

Pick the Pinecil V2 if:

  • You want the lowest cost for a capable portable iron.
  • You want IronOS and future community updates without caveats.
  • You like the idea of Bluetooth control.
  • You already have a 20 V USB-C PD charger or a 24 V DC supply.

Pick the TS101 if:

  • You want the 9 V minimum input so more power sources will run it.
  • You want up to 90 W over a PD 3.1 28 V charger and are willing to update firmware.
  • You value the tool-free tip change cap.
  • You prefer Miniware’s stock firmware or already own TS100 accessories.

Pick neither if you solder for hours at a time on large ground planes. A temperature-controlled station with a heavier handpiece suits that work better. See best soldering iron for station options.

FAQ

Can I use TS100 tips on the Pinecil and the TS101? Yes. Pine64 and The Pi Hut both list TS100 tip compatibility. The Pinecil also detects its own short 6.2 ohm tips.

What charger do I need for the Pinecil? A USB-C PD or QC 3.0 charger that supplies 12 to 20 V at 3 A, per Pine64. A 20 V, 3 A PD charger gives the most power over USB-C. A 24 V DC supply through the barrel jack gives the official 88 W.

Does the TS101 run IronOS? IronOS lists it as supported, but notes a cropped display on the higher-resolution OLED and no support yet for some newer revisions with a different OLED.

Which heats faster? Pine64 claims about 6 seconds for the Pinecil; Pimoroni lists about ten seconds for the TS101 on 24 V. Supply and tip affect both numbers.

Is the Pinecil good for beginners? Yes, if you pair it with a proper PD charger or DC supply and a stand. Read our soldering guide for safe technique.

Sources