LAST UPDATED: October 10, 2019
Best Soldering Stations: Keep Your Tools in one Spot
Get organized with a soldering station that arranges all your tools in one place
Entering our 7th season of /DRIVE on NBC Sports, and with millions of YouTube and Facebook followers, The Drive is a leading authority of all things automotive.
The Review Team
17 Products
10 Hours
13 Reviews
How We Decided
The Drive and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.Read more.
PUBLISHED ON October 10, 2019
If you solder electronics or wiring, you know how frustrating it can be if you don’t have a dedicated space for soldering. Aside from accidentally burning your surface area or making a mess, you might misplace critical accessories. If you find yourself routinely working on projects that require you to use a soldering iron, it might be time to invest in a dedicated soldering station. We’ve shortlisted the best soldering stations that you should consider making a part of your workshop.
If you solder electronics or wiring, you know how frustrating it can be if you don’t have a dedicated space for soldering. Aside from accidentally burning your surface area or making a mess, you might misplace critical accessories. If you find yourself routinely working on projects that require you to use a soldering iron, it might be time to invest in a dedicated soldering station. We’ve shortlisted the best soldering stations that you should consider making a part of your workshop.
Why Trust Us
All of our reviews are based on market research, expert input, or practical experience with most products we include. This way, we offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
Tips
- Solder wire is not a one-size-fits-all accessory. If you don’t confirm that the solder you’re selecting is best suited to your project goals, you could experience problems during the soldering process and find that the bonds you create don’t hold properly.
- Avoid using solder designed for plumbing. This specific type of solder tends to be the cheapest option. While it’s ideal for creating long-lasting bonds for pipes that come into contact with grease, it can damage circuit boards by destroying the electric trace.
- Always double-check the compatibility between your soldering tip and your iron. This will impact your application process and the types of projects you can tackle.
FAQs
Q: What type of solder should I consider as a first-time user?
A: Unless you’re working on a specialized project, most DIY solder projects can be completed using flux-core, lead-free solder. This specific type of solder is ideal because it creates a good, conductive bond and is great for use with circuit boards.
Q: I’ve never soldered before. What thickness should I use?
A: Most projects should be fine if you use solder that’s between 0.711 and 1.64 millimeters in diameter. Within this range, you should be able to get the precision you need without wasting excess product to properly solder a joint.
Q: How do I clean the solder on the tip?
A: There are two main options for cleaning a soldering tip: a sponge or a brush. It’s a personal preference, but a damp sponge is ideal for most quick jobs that just require a clean surface. It is also ideal if you frequently clean your soldering iron tip during a project. However, if you’re working on a large job where gunk is quickly accumulating on your soldering iron tip, it’s better to use a brush.
Final Thoughts
If you want to guarantee that you’ll have everything you need when you start a soldering project, opt for our Best Overall selection, the Aoyue SMD Digital Hot Air Rework Station, which comes with soldering iron tips, accessories, and heating elements to tackle any job.
For those just starting out on DIY soldering projects, the Weller WLC100 40-Watt Soldering Station—our Best Value selection—is a smart option that gives you great functionality and is easy to operate.