Table of Contents
Introduction
Making and repairing electronics is not an easy job. There are countless tools used and each of them is very important. One of these tools is none other than the soldering station that is specifically designed for soldering electronic components. You can find these types of equipment anywhere in the electrical engineering industry. They also make excellent gifts for DIY lovers that are into electrical engineering. It’s also a great addition to your work tools if you repair electronics from time to time.
Product | Hakko | Weller | LONOVE |
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Description | The Hakko soldering station is one of the best on the market and is designed for a wide range of jobs. It can last a long time and is very easy to use.(Check price at Amazon) | The Weller soldering station is not far behind our first pick. It’s high-end quality and made to last a very long time.(Check price at Amazon) | The LONOVE soldering station is the most affordable on this list but it gets the job done. It’s an excellent kit for beginners.(Check price at Amazon) |
While it’s totally possible to make electronics without using soldering, picking up this skill offers you a lot more possibilities. It’s not a hard-to-learn skill and it doesn’t take years to be perfect at it. This is why soldering stations are used by people with various hobbies as well. If you love making electronics, soldering is definitely something you should learn how to do. And there are various soldering stations on the market that are excellent for starters and are not complicated to use.
If you’re just starting and you’re looking for your first soldering station, you should focus on a model that’s easy to understand. Even a model that doesn’t have temperature control will get the job done. But if you’re already a pro, it’s highly recommended to invest in a temperature-controlled soldering station. This is because it gives you all the accuracy you need and it’s easier to use once you know your way around soldering.
Typically, soldering stations are quite affordable as they cost between $65 and $100. If you’re looking for the best on the market, you can end up investing a few hundred dollars.
Best Soldering Station – How to choose
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A soldering station works by heating up the tip of the wand and allowing you to solder various pieces inside an electronic device. This means that you will have to look for a model that has a good wattage. The soldering stations that have low wattage take a lot longer to heat up. More than that, they have a hard time holding a specific temperature. One minute the tip is extremely hot, and the other it starts to cool off. It’s highly recommended to get a station that has at least 30W of power.
As mentioned before, temperature control is important and is the best choice if you know what you’re doing. Different soldering jobs require different temperatures. A station that allows you to switch to and maintain a specific temperature also allows you to work on different jobs with the same equipment. Buying different soldering stations for different jobs is unnecessary if you invest in a high-quality one. The better the quality the more the station will last and the better it will work.
The tip of the wand is not hard to ruin, especially if you work a lot. This means your station must come with a replaceable wand tip. More than that, it should be compatible with as many tips as possible. This will ensure that you have everything you need for any job you might have to do.
Another thing to keep in mind is the accessories that come with the station. This includes the holding stand that is a must-have. Its job is to offer you a place where to keep the wand when it’s not in use, especially when it’s hot.
In this article, we’ll talk about Our Top 3 Best Soldering Station.
Best Soldering Station – Comparison Table
Product Name | Hakko | Weller | LONOVE |
Image | | | |
Digital | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Power | 70W | 70W | 90W |
Temp Range | 120F – 899F | 200F – 850F | 362F – 896F |
Preset Temp | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Password Protection | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Portable | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Energy-Efficient | Yes | Yes | Yes |
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1 Hakko FX888D-23BY Digital Soldering Station
Description
The Hakko FX888D-23BY Digital Soldering Station is one of the best on the market and it has various new features. It’s designed to be used by both DIY enthusiasts and people that are forced to share the same station with other people. It gives the possibility to lock them out and the station remains set at only one temperature. You can use it for various soldering jobs and it makes an excellent gift for a passionate electrical engineer.
Thanks to its colorful design, it can also brighten up your workspace. But be very careful not to leave it around children as they might confuse it with one of their toys because of its design. The station has parts made of metal and the case is made entirely from high-quality plastic. This ensures the station will last various types of jobs and you won’t need to replace it for a long time.
This soldering station weighs around 2 pounds and is easy to take with you anywhere you need it. You’ll only need to make sure you have electricity in your workspace. The station is corded and you’ll need a power socked nearby. You’ll also love the fact that it has 70W of power and it gives you a stable performance. You will also be able to use it for any soldering job you need.
With the T18 series tips, you will benefit from an excellent thermal recovery. These tips are made for high-end heat conductivity and you will be able to switch between tips without much effort. You won’t have to worry about tip oxidation or any thermal impact on the station’s components. This station is made to last a long time.
Best Soldering Station Features
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The Hakko FX888D-23BY Digital Soldering Station has lots of new features. This includes selectable preset temperatures, digital calibration, and even password protection. The preset temperature feature is an excellent new addition for people that work on different jobs and need a quick switch.
You will also enjoy a low-temperature alarm that gives you all the peace of mind you need while you work. There’s no need to keep your eyes on the displayed temperature to make sure it doesn’t drop. The alarm will alert you the second the temperature starts lowering while you’re in the middle of a job.
Thanks to the adjustable temperature control, you will able to set the desired temperature anywhere between 120F and 899F. You can be assured that the station maintains the needed temperature within 1.8F. The system also has a ceramic heating element and a closed-loop sensor. This ensures accuracy and perfect performance.
With the preset temperature feature, you can choose between 5 different temperatures you prepared. You won’t have to keep pressing on the arrow to achieve the needed temperature. All you have to do is select the desirable setting and wait a little bit. When it comes to the tips, you can easily find replacements that cost around $6 or $8. The price will depend on the type of tip you need.
This soldering station is very well thought out and it’s made to contain everything you need. This also includes a cleaning wire that’s placed inside the special holder. The wire is very soft and works very quickly. You need to make sure the tip is hot when you stick the tip inside. Otherwise, it will have a hard time cleaning it.
Pros
- Easy to Install
- Extremely Easy to Use
- Digital Calibration
- Password Protection
- Portable and Reliable
- Features 70 Watts Power
- High-End Quality and Durability
- Selectable Preset Temperatures
- Temperature Range Between 120F and 899F
- Long-Lasting and Designed With Lots of Features
Cons
- It doesn’t have any spare tips of different sizes.
2 Weller WE1010NA Digital Soldering Station
Description
The Weller WE1010NA Digital Soldering Station is another excellent model that can help you get various soldering jobs done with one station. This equipment is designed to be used by both professionals and amateurs. Its job is to help you build a very wide range of electronics and make your work as easy as possible. You will benefit from all the features and accessories you need as everything will be included in the package. The replacements for some of this station’s parts are widely available and affordable.
Thanks to the compact design, you will be able to transport this station anywhere you need to. It has a digital display that informs you about various things and a few easy-to-use buttons. The station is made from metal and plastic and the case has a nice and bright blue/greenish color. You will be able to lighten up the mood in your workplace just by having this station around.
The package includes one station, one tip retainer, one iron, one safety rest with a sponge, and one tip of 0.062” screwdriver. The dimensions of the station are 5.91in x 4/92in x 3.94in. It’s designed with 70W power and a temperature range between 200F and 850F. You will also benefit from temperature stability that ensures the temperature is always heated up perfectly. It will barely be off by up to 4F.
This soldering station is ESD approved and has a certificate of compliance for electrical safety (CE and UL). You can use it for PCBs, electronic kits, professional soldering jobs, electronic kits, indoor lightning, radio-controlled devices, cable assembling, low-voltage wiring, etc. You can also use it for your hobbies, small engines, crafts, audio systems, repairs, etc. There is also a one-year warranty you’ll benefit from.
Best Soldering Station Features
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The Weller WE1010NA Digital Soldering Station is designed to be 40% more powerful than the two models that came before it. This station can help you finish your work a lot faster and is very easy to handle. It features a heat-resistant silicone cable that ensures you won’t have to deal with any overheating problems. Its body is easy to move around but make sure you have a power socket around as this is a corded electrical tool.
Thanks to the temperature lock design, you will be able to enjoy the exact same temperature for hours on end. You won’t have to worry about the tip cooling down while you’re in the middle of the job. The station is also made with various heat-resistant components that ensure a long lifespan and an optimum performance. It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting or you’re already a professional, this soldering station can be used by anyone.
With the high-end features included in this model, you will benefit from one of the best performances on the market. It has intuitive navigation, standby mode, and auto setback features. This helps you save energy when you’re not using the tool. And if you use your tool in a shared workspace, and you don’t want anyone else using your station, you will love the password-protection as well. You can set a password and the station will lock to a standard temperature. This will help you save all of your preset temperatures and other settings.
The wand features a pencil style design that is very lightweight and has a molded grip. When you’re not working, you can rest the wand in the offered support and keep it clean.
Pros
- Easy to Install
- Easy to Use
- High-End Quality
- Durable and Long-Lasting
- Up to 40% More Powerful
- Features 70 Watt Power
- Temperature Preset and Stability
- Intuitive Navigation and Standby Mode
- Auto Setback and Password Protection
- Temperature Control Ranges Between 200F and 850F
Cons
- Slightly Pricey
3 LONOVE Digital Solder Station
Description
The LONOVE Digital Solder Station is not the best on this list but it’s definitely the most affordable. And despite its affordable price, this station offers pretty good performance as well. It’s the ideal choice for beginners and it gets the job done for professionals as well. You’ll love its outstanding features that make it excellent for light soldering jobs.
Thanks to its high precision and great power, this station can deal with even the most sensitive jobs. You should also keep in mind that this is a whole beginner’s kit and anything you need to replace is widely available and easy to find. This station is made to offer high-quality performance and make your soldering process as smooth and simple as possible.
The package includes one soldering station machine, one solder handle, one solder stand, one sponge tip cleaner, one brass tip cleaner, one extra solder sucker, one extra solder tweezer, and a manual. You’ll also benefit from a one-year warranty. The machine is durable and has a heat-resistant design and low smoke, an independent power switch, and an efficient and handy cleaning tool.
Best Soldering Station Features
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The LONOVE Digital Solder Station features 90W of power and is very quick to heat up. This allows you to heat the tip as high as you need, regardless of the type of job you need to do. You won’t have to worry about wasting time while waiting for the tip to heat up. All you need to do is start it up and wait a minute or two. And if anything goes wrong, the short circuit protection will keep you safe and prevent bigger problems.
Thanks to the password protection feature, you will be able to shut down the station and ensure no one else can mess with the settings while you’re away. This means your preset temperatures will still be there when you come back, regardless of how many people used that station. When you’re locking it you can set the temperature you want it to remain in. This allows other people to still use your station but only for jobs that require the temperature you set. You’ll have 3 options available.
With the auto-standby, you will also save energy. When you put the wand away because you need to check something, the soldering station puts itself on standby mode as well after a while. The LCD is 2.9 inches in diagonal and it allows you to switch between C and F degrees. And if it goes some time without being used, it will go to sleep on its own and assume you’ve forgotten to close it.
The station’s temperature can range between 356F to 895F. And the soldering tip is antioxidant, and the wand has an ergonomic grip. The tips are not hard to get and the machine is made to last quite some time
Pros
- Easy to Install
- Easy to Use
- High-Quality
- Features 90 W
- Password Lock
- Short Circuit Protection
- Temperature Ranges Between 362F and 896F
Cons
- The quality could be a little better.
Conclusion
Soldering stations are a very important part of the electrical engineering industry. It’s not exactly a must-have to create some electronics, but having one will expand your horizon notably. These models are easily some of the best in the world and they can help you do your job faster and safer.
