Watch #343 ↗Handskit T12-X2
Buy ↗An iron and tweezers station from review #343. Choose the kit with both handpieces.
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SDG Electronics
Which soldering iron
would I recommend?
I’ve reviewed quite a few soldering irons over the years. This brings the results together, with the good points, the problems and the jobs each one is suited to.
- Compared
- 45 systems
- For your work
- Hobby · Professional · Portable
- Based on
- Reviews and follow-up tests
A few suggestions
Three worth a look
01For the hobby bench
AiXun T420D
Two useful handpieces, good soldering performance and a well-built controller.
Read the verdict
02For a professional bench
Metcal MX-5200 system
The Metcal system I’ve used on my bench for years.
Read the verdict
03For portable use
FNIRSI HS-02A
Accurate out of the box and worked very well with genuine C245 tips.
Read the verdictThe full list
Compare the irons
Choose hobby, professional or portable use, then sort by the things that matter to you. The starting order is based on my review conclusions. Premium identifies the higher-end systems, but they still have their drawbacks.
The comparison uses USD prices for the kits described in the notes. Where I’ve checked UK prices, they appear in GBP beside the UK shopping links. Check shipping, tax and whether you need to buy a supply, stand or better tips. Setting a price limit hides models without a confirmed USD price from the last 90 days.
I may earn a commission if you buy through an affiliate link. How this supports the channel.
| Review | Model & verdict | USD price | PCB work | Build | Temperature | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watch #264 | Value Recommended C245 · C210 · C115 | $265.55Listed kit price | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 200 WSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#264A really good dual-channel station. After a couple of hours of soldering, I could hardly tell the difference between this and the genuine JBC DDE. Keep in mind The small C210 tip struggles with some through-hole work, so use the T245 for larger joints. My review covers the earlier unit. I haven’t tested the newer Wi-Fi version.
PCB soldering5/5It handled several hours of PCB assembly without any problems. Heavy thermal loads4/5The T245 had plenty of power for demanding PCB work. The smaller T210 is better suited to fine soldering. Build quality4/5The large toroidal transformer and current monitoring are good to see. The build quality gets my recommendation. Temperature control4/5I measured 350°C and 380°C at those settings. There was some overshoot as it heated up. Ease of use4/5The two handpieces and separate stands make it easy to switch between fine work and larger joints. Tip choice5/5JBC offers a good range of tip shapes and sizes. If you want to use the same genuine cartridges as I did in the tests, remember to allow for their cost. Price & availability$265.55 USD · T245 + T210, six tips, 110 V Wi-Fi version Shipping is calculated at checkout, with any local taxes on top. This is a newer bundle than the one I reviewed. Price from PHONEFIX · checked . I may earn a commission if you buy through an affiliate link. How this supports the channel. | ||||||
 Watch #367 | Value Recommended C470 · C245 · C210 · C115 | $230Manufacturer’s price | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 350 WSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#367Very impressive on large thermal loads. It soldered onto the copper bar as if it were a thin PCB. This is one I wanted to keep beside the bench for higher-power work. Keep in mind The large C470 cartridge stores a lot of heat, but you’ll want a smaller handpiece for fine work. My main complaint was the basic stand supplied for the large handpiece.
PCB soldering5/5It worked really well with the smaller handpieces as well as the large C470. Heavy thermal loads5/5The large C470 cartridge had no trouble putting heat into the copper bar. Build quality4/5The custom case and toroidal transformer are improvements over the earlier Geeboon. I would still like to see a better earth lug. Temperature control4/5The first check was about 6°C high. It overshot when I changed the temperature, although the control settings can be adjusted. Ease of use4/5The presets and adjustable controls are useful. A better stand for the large handpiece would be welcome. Tip choice5/5JBC offers a good range of tip shapes and sizes. If you want to use the same genuine cartridges as I did in the tests, remember to allow for their cost. Price & availability$230 USD · Manufacturer’s listed price. Check which handpieces and accessories are included. Check the voltage, tips and stand included in the kit, then add shipping and any local taxes. Price from Geeboon · checked . This is the manufacturer’s listing. Check the kit contents before ordering. I may earn a commission if you buy through an affiliate link. How this supports the channel. | ||||||
 Watch #316 | Value Recommended C210 · C115 | Not confirmedSee review notes | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | Not listedSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#316A nice compact station for fine work with C210 and C115 cartridges. I was quite impressed with both the design and the soldering performance. Keep in mind The small tips can only transfer so much heat into a large copper area. There was also some electrical noise in the thermal measurement.
PCB soldering4/5A good choice for the smaller jobs these cartridges are intended for. Heavy thermal loads2/5It put much less heat into the test PCB than the Metcal, although the Metcal had a much larger tip. Build quality4/5A well thought out design, including an isolated USB connection. Temperature control3/5It was about 17°C out initially. A small adjustment brought it into line. Ease of use4/5The display and controls are clear. The way it selects presets was my main complaint. Tip choice5/5JBC offers a good range of tip shapes and sizes. If you want to use the same genuine cartridges as I did in the tests, remember to allow for their cost. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. Worldwide · AliExpress (replacement model) (affiliate link) The original C211 has been superseded. This link is for a replacement, which is not covered by the scores above. I may earn a commission if you buy through an affiliate link. How this supports the channel. | ||||||
 Watch #319 | Value With reservations C245 · C210 | Not confirmedSee review notes | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 200 WSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#319A good compact option for hobby use, with some useful improvements over the T3A and T3B. I would still choose the T420D if the budget allows. Keep in mind Touching an earthed PCB still affected the temperature sensing. The firmware appeared to stop heating when the readings went wrong, but that doesn’t establish that the circuit is fully isolated.
PCB soldering4/5Good for hobby work, although the T420D would be my choice with a larger budget. Heavy thermal loadsUnscoredThere isn’t a suitable heavy-load result to score for this setup. Build quality4/5A tidy universal-input power supply, with easy access to the electronics. Temperature control3/5The calibration was reasonable, but the behaviour on an earthed board is still a concern. Ease of use4/5The station and stand fit into a compact unit, and it is easy to get inside for servicing. Tip choice5/5JBC offers a good range of tip shapes and sizes. If you want to use the same genuine cartridges as I did in the tests, remember to allow for their cost. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. I may earn a commission if you buy through an affiliate link. How this supports the channel. | ||||||
 Watch #371 | Value With reservations C470 · C245 · C210 · C115 · T12 | $110Manufacturer’s price | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 400 WSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#371A lot of soldering power in a small, inexpensive station. It works well, although the fan is noisy and I have reservations about the tip earth connection. Keep in mind There is a fuse in the tip’s ESD earth path, which I questioned in the teardown. The case has a separate direct earth connection. The fan is quite loud when it switches on under load.
PCB soldering4/5It worked well with the handpieces I tested. Heavy thermal loads5/5The C470 setup delivers plenty of heat for larger jobs. Build quality3/5Generally tidy inside, but I’m not keen on the fuse in the tip earth path. Temperature control4/5The calibration looked good, and I didn’t measure any tip leakage with the multimeter. That was a bench check, not a full safety test. Ease of use3/5The display and rotary control are good. The fan switching on and off is rather intrusive. Tip choice5/5JBC offers a good range of tip shapes and sizes. If you want to use the same genuine cartridges as I did in the tests, remember to allow for their cost. Price & availability$110 USD · Manufacturer’s listed price. Check what is included. Check which handpiece and stand you are getting, along with shipping and any local taxes. Price from Geeboon · checked . This is the manufacturer’s listing. Check the kit contents before ordering. At the time of #371, it was £93 plus £20 for UK shipping. I may earn a commission if you buy through an affiliate link. How this supports the channel. | ||||||
 Watch #361 | Value Recommended C245 · C210 · C115 | Not confirmedSee review notes | 5/5 | 4/5 | N/A | 300 WSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#361A really nice piece of kit. I preferred some of the build quality and the stands to the AiXun T420D, and I would have been happy using it full-time in my lab. Keep in mind The supplied small tip couldn’t put much heat into the heavier boards. A larger genuine JBC cartridge made a big difference. You’ll also need a separate sponge or brass-wool cleaner.
PCB soldering5/5It had no trouble with the PCB work once I fitted a suitable cartridge. Heavy thermal loads5/5With the larger tip, it handled the high-demand pads and the coin without any trouble. Build quality4/5Nicely built inside, with well-designed stands. Temperature controlUnscoredThere isn’t enough temperature data here to give this a score. Ease of use4/5The two handpieces and stands work well. The missing part is somewhere to put a sponge or brass wool. Tip choice5/5JBC offers a good range of tip shapes and sizes. If you want to use the same genuine cartridges as I did in the tests, remember to allow for their cost. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. On 5 October 2026, PHONEFIX listed the original PDK1200 as unavailable and selected the PDK1200R by default. Check the exact model before ordering. I haven’t reviewed the replacement models here. I may earn a commission if you buy through an affiliate link. How this supports the channel. | ||||||
 Watch #72 | Value Recommended T12 | Not confirmedReview price in notes | 4/5 | N/A | N/A | Not listedSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#72 · #220A good place to start if you want an inexpensive station for general PCB work. The low cost of the station and the replacement tips is a big part of the appeal. Keep in mind There are quite a few hardware versions. In #220 I looked at the Mini with an external supply and custom firmware, so check which version you are buying.
PCB soldering4/5Good for ordinary PCB work, particularly if you are just starting out. Heavy thermal loads2/5It struggles with larger thermal loads, especially where there isn’t room to use a bigger tip. Build qualityUnscoredBuild quality is unscored for this one. Temperature controlUnscoredThere isn’t enough temperature data here to give this a score. Ease of use3/5The custom firmware adds useful options, but the KSGER needed some calibration and PID adjustment. Tip choice4/5T12 tips are inexpensive and available in plenty of shapes. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. I mentioned a price of around £40 when comparing the KSGER in #089. That is the price from the review, not a current listing. I may earn a commission if you buy through an affiliate link. How this supports the channel. | ||||||
| Watch #72 | Value Recommended T12 | Not confirmedSee review notes | 4/5 | N/A | N/A | Not listedSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#72 · #220Another inexpensive option for general PCB work. The STM32 version is the one to look for if you want to use the custom firmware shown in the review. Keep in mind QUICKO sells different controllers and power supplies under similar names. The non-STM32 unit in the comparison is a different setup.
PCB soldering4/5A good starting point for ordinary PCB soldering, as discussed in #220. Heavy thermal loads2/5The heavier copper work showed the limits of these T12 systems. Build qualityUnscoredBuild quality is unscored for this one. Temperature controlUnscoredThere isn’t enough temperature data here to give this a score. Ease of use3/5The custom firmware lets you tune the settings for individual tips, but it takes some setup. Tip choice4/5There is a good choice of inexpensive T12 cartridges. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. I may earn a commission if you buy through an affiliate link. How this supports the channel. | ||||||
 Watch #140 | Value Recommended C245 | Not confirmedSee review notes | 4/5 | 4/5 | N/A | Not listedSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#140A solid, straightforward station. I particularly liked having the stand separate from the controller. Keep in mind Despite the T12 name, this station uses C245 cartridges. The supplied tip shapes weren’t particularly useful for my work, so allow for some replacements.
PCB soldering4/5With a suitable genuine JBC tip, it handled both through-hole and fine-pitch soldering well. Heavy thermal loadsUnscoredThere isn’t a suitable heavy-load result to score for this setup. Build quality4/5The controller and heavy stand both feel well made. Temperature controlUnscoredThere isn’t enough temperature data here to give this a score. Ease of use4/5The separate stand, simple temperature controls and sleep function all worked well. Tip choice5/5JBC offers a good range of tip shapes and sizes. If you want to use the same genuine cartridges as I did in the tests, remember to allow for their cost. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. No longer available from the suppliers checked. | ||||||
 Watch #89 | Value Recommended C245 | Not confirmedReview price in notes | 4/5 | 4/5 | N/A | Not listedSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#89A substantial JBC-style station that solders well. I was quite impressed with the case, handpiece and stand. Keep in mind The interface is in Chinese, and genuine cartridges add to the cost. The video title also mentions the Jabe UD-1200, but check the hardware before assuming a differently branded station is identical.
PCB soldering4/5The soldering performance gets my recommendation. Heavy thermal loads4/5It had considerably more power available than the cheaper T12 station used for comparison. Build quality4/5The case, handpiece and stand all feel substantial and well made. Temperature controlUnscoredThere isn’t enough temperature data here to give this a score. Ease of use3/5A nice handpiece and stand, although the Chinese-language interface is a limitation. Tip choice5/5JBC offers a good range of tip shapes and sizes. If you want to use the same genuine cartridges as I did in the tests, remember to allow for their cost. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. At the time of #089, it was about £190 delivered after a discount. I may earn a commission if you buy through an affiliate link. How this supports the channel. | ||||||
 Watch #221 | Value With reservations C245 | Not confirmedSee review notes | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 200 WSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#221 · #229The T245 version is a worthwhile step up from the T12 stations. The later cradle changes were useful, although I still had concerns about the heater protection. Keep in mind The original design had limited protection against a heater-control fault. The cradle and firmware shown in #229 differ from the original review, so check which version you are buying.
PCB soldering4/5A worthwhile improvement over the T12 systems I compared it with. Heavy thermal loads4/5The C245 setup performed well on the heavier work. Build quality3/5Good for the money, but I would like better protection if the heater-control circuit fails. Temperature control4/5In #221 I measured about 406°C at a 400°C setting and close to 280°C at 280°C. The error at 350°C was small too. Later firmware behaves differently. Ease of useUnscoredHandling and controls are unscored for this one. Tip choice5/5JBC offers a good range of tip shapes and sizes. If you want to use the same genuine cartridges as I did in the tests, remember to allow for their cost. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. I may earn a commission if you buy through an affiliate link. How this supports the channel. | ||||||
 Watch #229 | Value With reservations C210 · C115 | Not confirmedSee review notes | N/A | 3/5 | 4/5 | Not listedSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#229 · #232A tidy little station for the smaller cartridges, with a clear display. My initial impressions were good, although I wanted to do more testing with suitable chisel tips. Keep in mind I used the supplied fine tips and planned to try genuine JBC chisel cartridges later. This generation also lacks the heater current monitoring discussed in #264.
PCB solderingUnscoredPCB soldering is unscored here. See the video for the tests I carried out. Heavy thermal loadsUnscoredThere isn’t a suitable heavy-load result to score for this setup. Build quality3/5The layout and wiring are neat, but the heater protection is limited on this generation. Temperature control4/5It was about 5°C out at 325°C and 13°C out at 400°C, with a little overshoot. Ease of use4/5A clear display, and you can adjust the temperature while the iron is asleep. Tip choice5/5JBC offers a good range of tip shapes and sizes. If you want to use the same genuine cartridges as I did in the tests, remember to allow for their cost. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. I may earn a commission if you buy through an affiliate link. How this supports the channel. | ||||||
 Watch #341 | Value With reservations AE680D | Not confirmedReview price in notes | 3/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 80 WSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#341A reasonable mains-powered iron for starting out or doing ordinary hobby soldering. It is less convincing when you need to put a lot of heat into a joint. Keep in mind Tip choice is limited, and it struggled to transfer heat in the coin test. The video title says AD680D, but I refer to it as the AE680D in the review.
PCB soldering3/5Fine for general-purpose soldering. Heavy thermal loads2/5The coin test showed that it couldn’t deliver as much heat as the power rating might suggest. Build quality3/5The design and construction are reasonable for the price. Temperature control4/5I was impressed by the reading on the tip thermometer, even though it struggled more under load. Ease of useUnscoredHandling and controls are unscored for this one. Tip choice2/5The five tip shapes cover the basics, but there isn’t much choice beyond that. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. It was about £37 in the UK when I made #341. | ||||||
 Watch #339 | Value With reservations C245 · C210 · C115 | Not confirmedSee review notes | 3/5 | 3/5 | N/A | 120 WSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#339Reasonably well made and compact, but rather short on power. It makes more sense for lighter work with the smaller handpiece. Keep in mind It couldn’t match the AiXun or JBC for power. The metal collar on the small handpiece also became hot close to where you hold it.
PCB soldering3/5Usable for lighter work with the small handpiece, but it has its limits. Heavy thermal loads2/5Performance was closer to the GVM H3 than to the more powerful stations. Build quality3/5It seems reasonably well made. Temperature controlUnscoredThere isn’t enough temperature data here to give this a score. Ease of use3/5The compact size is useful, but the hot collar is uncomfortable near your fingers. Tip choice5/5JBC offers a good range of tip shapes and sizes. If you want to use the same genuine cartridges as I did in the tests, remember to allow for their cost. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. | ||||||
 Watch #299 | Value With reservations C245 · C210 · C115 | Not confirmedSee review notes | 4/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 | Not listedSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#299It can solder well once calibrated, but the temperature was a long way out on my sample. I also have concerns about how long some of the electronics will last. Keep in mind The two channels initially read about 25°C and 50°C high. Inside, a hot regulator and the likely life of the electrolytic capacitors were concerns.
PCB soldering4/5It was quite capable once I adjusted the temperature. Heavy thermal loadsUnscoredThere isn’t a suitable heavy-load result to score for this setup. Build quality2/5The heat around the regulator and power-supply capacitors is a concern. Temperature control2/5Both channels needed a substantial correction. Changing handpieces may mean calibrating it again. Ease of useUnscoredHandling and controls are unscored for this one. Tip choice5/5JBC offers a good range of tip shapes and sizes. If you want to use the same genuine cartridges as I did in the tests, remember to allow for their cost. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. I may earn a commission if you buy through an affiliate link. How this supports the channel. | ||||||
 Watch #329 | Value With reservations C245 · C210 · C115 | Not confirmedSee review notes | 3/5 | 2/5 | N/A | 80 WSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#329 · #331 · #333Much better after fixing the assembly error, but still a little underpowered. You really shouldn’t have to check whether a new station has been put together properly. Keep in mind In #333 I corrected two swapped connectors on the transformer secondary windings. The earlier result of about 34 W into the heater was from the incorrectly wired unit.
PCB soldering3/5Quite usable for lighter work once the wiring was corrected. Heavy thermal loads2/5Even at about 60 W after the fix, it was behind the more powerful C245 stations. Build quality2/5Using two identical connectors allowed the assembly mistake to happen. Temperature controlUnscoredThere isn’t enough temperature data here to give this a score. Ease of use2/5Sleep switches the heater off completely, so it takes too long to heat up again when you pick it up. Tip choice5/5JBC offers a good range of tip shapes and sizes. If you want to use the same genuine cartridges as I did in the tests, remember to allow for their cost. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. I may earn a commission if you buy through an affiliate link. How this supports the channel. | ||||||
 Watch #352 | Value With reservations Quick TS11 | Not confirmedSee review notes | 3/5 | N/A | N/A | 80 WSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#352Worth considering if you already use Quick equipment. The performance is closer to a C210 system than to the larger C245 stations. Keep in mind It uses Quick’s own cartridges, with a limited choice of shapes. Getting the control settings right also involves some compromises.
PCB soldering3/5The soldering performance is closer to C210 than C245. Heavy thermal loads2/5The cartridges limit how much heat it can put into a large joint. Build qualityUnscoredBuild quality is unscored for this one. Temperature controlUnscoredThere isn’t enough temperature data here to give this a score. Ease of useUnscoredHandling and controls are unscored for this one. Tip choice2/5The tips were reasonably priced at the time, but there wasn’t a particularly wide choice. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. I may earn a commission if you buy through an affiliate link. How this supports the channel. | ||||||
 Watch #213 | Value Not recommended as reviewed Quick TS1200A | Not confirmedReview price in notes | 3/5 | 3/5 | N/A | 120 WSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#213I couldn’t recommend it at the price. There were cheaper options for hobby use and better choices if you wanted a professional station. Keep in mind The tip range was limited, and the handle didn’t feel particularly good for the money. The minimum sleep delay was also too long.
PCB soldering3/5It does solder, but I didn’t think it offered good value overall. Heavy thermal loadsUnscoredThere isn’t a suitable heavy-load result to score for this setup. Build quality3/5I liked the transformer-based design more than the handpiece. Temperature controlUnscoredThere isn’t enough temperature data here to give this a score. Ease of use2/5It has to wait at least a minute before sleeping and doesn’t detect when the handpiece is put in the stand. Tip choice2/5There wasn’t enough tip choice for a professional station at this price. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. The price in the #213 video title was $220. That is not a current offer. I may earn a commission if you buy through an affiliate link. How this supports the channel. | ||||||
 Watch #243 | Value Not recommended as reviewed C245 | Not confirmedReview price in notes | 4/5 | 1/5 | N/A | Not listedSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#243It solders quite well for the money, but my recommendation depended on fixing the case earth connection. I wouldn’t recommend using the unit as it arrived. Keep in mind My sample needed an internal safety modification. It was also weaker than the AiXun on heavier copper work.
PCB soldering4/5Good enough for most hobby soldering tasks. Heavy thermal loads2/5It struggled with the demanding pads on a four-layer board. Build quality1/5The case earth connection needed correcting before I could recommend the construction. Temperature controlUnscoredThere isn’t enough temperature data here to give this a score. Ease of useUnscoredHandling and controls are unscored for this one. Tip choice5/5JBC offers a good range of tip shapes and sizes. If you want to use the same genuine cartridges as I did in the tests, remember to allow for their cost. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. It was about £75 when I made #243. | ||||||
 Watch #362 | Value Not recommended as reviewed C245 · T225 system | Not confirmedSee review notes | N/A | 4/5 | 1/5 | 200 WSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#362The hardware looks promising, but the software lets it down. I couldn’t get the new T225 handpiece working properly in the version I reviewed. Keep in mind I couldn’t correct the T225 calibration, the temperature control was unstable and several advertised functions were unfinished. I haven’t retested later firmware.
PCB solderingUnscoredPCB soldering is unscored here. See the video for the tests I carried out. Heavy thermal loadsUnscoredThere isn’t a suitable heavy-load result to score for this setup. Build quality4/5The hardware itself looks quite good. The main problems were with the software. Temperature control1/5I couldn’t get the smart handpiece properly calibrated, and the temperature regulation was unstable. Ease of use1/5The touch controls were unresponsive and several advertised features didn’t work. Tip choiceUnscoredTip choice is unscored for this one. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. I may earn a commission if you buy through an affiliate link. How this supports the channel. | ||||||
 Watch #366 | Value Not recommended as reviewed C470 | Not confirmedReview price in notes | N/A | 2/5 | N/A | 380 WSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#366Huge amounts of heat from the large C470 cartridge, but the electrical construction needed work. I couldn’t recommend it as supplied. Keep in mind I wanted to see improvements to the electrical safety. The impressive soldering performance doesn’t remove those concerns.
PCB solderingUnscoredPCB soldering is unscored here. See the video for the tests I carried out. Heavy thermal loads5/5It heated the large wire bundles and copper bar better than the Metcal setup used in that test. Build quality2/5The electrical construction and earthing needed improvement. Temperature controlUnscoredThere isn’t enough temperature data here to give this a score. Ease of useUnscoredHandling and controls are unscored for this one. Tip choice4/5C470 cartridges are available in the large shapes needed for this sort of work. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. It was about £100 delivered at the time of #366. Worldwide · AliExpress (HC24 replacement) (affiliate link) The original two-supply C470 station has been superseded. This link goes to the HC24, which has its own review and ranking on this page. I may earn a commission if you buy through an affiliate link. How this supports the channel. | ||||||
 Watch #242 | Value Not recommended as reviewed C210 · C115 | Not confirmedSee review notes | 1/5 | 1/5 | N/A | 160 WSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#242One to avoid. It struggled with basic soldering, and the construction had several serious safety problems. Keep in mind It couldn’t properly solder pin headers onto a fairly undemanding PCB. Changing the power supply alone wouldn’t fix the poor soldering performance.
PCB soldering1/5It struggled with basic pin-header soldering. Heavy thermal loads1/5It couldn’t handle the easy jobs, so there was little point trying a larger thermal load. Build quality1/5I found several electrical-safety problems in the teardown. Temperature controlUnscoredThere isn’t enough temperature data here to give this a score. Ease of useUnscoredHandling and controls are unscored for this one. Tip choiceUnscoredTip choice is unscored for this one. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. I may earn a commission if you buy through an affiliate link. How this supports the channel. | ||||||
 Watch #224 | DIY Build project C245 | Not confirmedSee review notes | N/A | N/A | N/A | Not listedSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#224An interesting project if you want to build a soldering controller yourself. It takes quite a bit of work before you have a complete station. Keep in mind Sourcing the parts, dealing with minimum order quantities and assembling the board all take time. You also need to sort out an enclosure.
PCB solderingUnscoredPCB soldering is unscored here. See the video for the tests I carried out. Heavy thermal loadsUnscoredThere isn’t a suitable heavy-load result to score for this setup. Build qualityUnscoredBuild quality is unscored for this one. Temperature controlUnscoredThere isn’t enough temperature data here to give this a score. Ease of use2/5There is a fair amount of assembly and setup before you can get on with soldering. Tip choice5/5JBC offers a good range of tip shapes and sizes. If you want to use the same genuine cartridges as I did in the tests, remember to allow for their cost. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. | ||||||
 Watch #358 | DIY Build project C245 | Not confirmedSee review notes | N/A | 4/5 | N/A | Not listedSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#358A promising open-source controller for JBC cartridges. I liked the hardware, and the portable version could be quite useful. Keep in mind I used different solder for the coin test, so it wasn’t a fair comparison with the other results. Nudging the cable could also wake the iron while it was sitting on the small rest.
PCB solderingUnscoredPCB soldering is unscored here. See the video for the tests I carried out. Heavy thermal loadsUnscoredThere isn’t a suitable heavy-load result to score for this setup. Build quality4/5The electronics look well designed. The enclosure depends on how you build it. Temperature controlUnscoredThere isn’t enough temperature data here to give this a score. Ease of use3/5The controls are useful, but accessing the settings and using the portable rest could be better. Tip choice5/5JBC offers a good range of tip shapes and sizes. If you want to use the same genuine cartridges as I did in the tests, remember to allow for their cost. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. | ||||||
| Watch #1 | Premium Recommended Metcal STTC · Metcal HCV | $1,030Manufacturer’s price | 5/5 | 5/5 | N/A | 80 WSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#1 · #226 · #313 · #373This has been my main bench system for years. It solders well and has a wide range of handpieces for everything from fine work to large thermal loads. Keep in mind The standard cartridges and the high-thermal-demand handpiece deliver different amounts of power. Choose the handpiece and tip for the work you actually need to do.
PCB soldering5/5I use it regularly for PCB soldering and as a comparison in the reviews. Heavy thermal loads5/5In #226, the high-thermal-demand handpiece and cartridge put plenty of heat into the copper. Build quality5/5A substantial, well-made system that has seen years of use on my bench. Temperature controlUnscoredThere isn’t enough temperature data here to give this a score. Ease of use5/5Simple to use, with temperature set by the cartridge and specialist tools for different jobs. Tip choice5/5A good choice of standard, high-thermal-demand and micro-fine tips. Make sure you have the matching handpiece. Price & availability$1,030 USD · MX-5210: station, one advanced handpiece and workstand This is the soldering-only kit. Desoldering and high-thermal-demand tools cost extra. Allow for cartridges, shipping and local taxes. Price from Metcal US store · checked . This is the manufacturer’s listing. Check the kit contents before ordering. UK · RS (MX-PS5200 power unit) Power unit only. Handpieces, stands and cartridges are needed for a complete system. Listed at £648.09 GBP excluding VAT (£777.71 including VAT), checked 9 October 2026. Check delivery costs. US · Metcal (UK product page) This link opens Metcal's UK site. Select your country and check local availability.
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 Watch #216 | Premium Recommended C245 · C210 | Not confirmedSee review notes | 5/5 | 4/5 | 2/5 | Not listedSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#216 · #226A very capable two-tool station. With a suitable C245 cartridge, it has no trouble with the larger copper pads and more demanding soldering. Keep in mind My sample ran about 20 to 25°C hotter than indicated and overshot quite aggressively. Even at this price, it is worth checking the temperature.
PCB soldering5/5Excellent PCB soldering with the right handpiece for the job. Heavy thermal loads5/5It performed very well on the larger pads and copper tests in #216 and #226. Build quality4/5The overall construction made a good impression. Temperature control2/5The temperature was a long way out initially, and the overshoot was more aggressive than I would like. Ease of use4/5Having two different handpieces makes it easy to switch between fine and general work. Tip choice5/5JBC offers a good range of tip shapes and sizes. If you want to use the same genuine cartridges as I did in the tests, remember to allow for their cost. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. UK · Kaisertech (DDE-2D control unit) This is the later DDE-2D control unit. I reviewed the DDE-2C. Handpieces, stands and cartridges cost extra. Listed at £792.00 GBP excluding VAT (£950.40 including VAT), checked 9 October 2026. Check delivery costs. US · JBC (DDE-2B product details) Manufacturer information for the DDE-2B. The review covers the DDE-2C, so check the revision and available kit. | ||||||
 Watch #303 | Premium Recommended C245 | $965Listed kit price | 4/5 | N/A | 3/5 | Not listedSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#303A good compact station if you are buying a JBC. I liked the display, although the soldering assistant wouldn’t persuade me to replace a station I already owned. Keep in mind The factory temperature was about 18°C high, with some overshoot. The assistant is a useful extra, but I wouldn’t buy the station for that feature alone.
PCB soldering4/5It worked well on the PCB soldering in the review. Heavy thermal loadsUnscoredThere isn’t a suitable heavy-load result to score for this setup. Build qualityUnscoredBuild quality is unscored for this one. Temperature control3/5It was about 18°C out initially. After adjustment, I measured roughly 346°C at a 350°C setting. Ease of use4/5The display and controls are good. I would have liked more history and statistics from the soldering assistant. Tip choice5/5JBC offers a good range of tip shapes and sizes. If you want to use the same genuine cartridges as I did in the tests, remember to allow for their cost. Price & availability$965 USD · CDE-1BQA, 120 V, T245 compact station The retailer lists a manufacturer lead time. Check the voltage and included cartridges, plus shipping and any local taxes. Price from TestEquity · checked . UK · Kaisertech CDE-2BQA with T245-A handpiece. Cartridges are not included. Listed at £598.00 GBP excluding VAT (£717.60 including VAT), checked 9 October 2026. Check delivery costs. | ||||||
 Watch #313 | Premium Recommended Metcal STTC | $710Manufacturer’s price | 4/5 | 4/5 | N/A | Not listedSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#313I preferred the MX-500 to the Thermaltronics when I compared them in #313. At almost the same price, the Metcal would be my choice. Keep in mind The evidence here comes from the comparison in #313. The MX-5200’s high-thermal-demand results don’t apply to this station.
PCB soldering4/5It performed better than the Thermaltronics in the direct comparison. Heavy thermal loadsUnscoredThere isn’t a suitable heavy-load result to score for this setup. Build quality4/5I preferred the finish, handpiece and stand to the Thermaltronics. Temperature controlUnscoredThere isn’t enough temperature data here to give this a score. Ease of useUnscoredHandling and controls are unscored for this one. Tip choice5/5It uses Metcal’s well-established cartridge range. Price & availability$710 USD · MX-500S soldering/rework system Metcal’s listed system price. Check which cartridge is included, plus shipping and any local taxes. Price from Metcal US store · checked . This is the manufacturer’s listing. Check the kit contents before ordering. UK · RS MX-500S with power supply, handpiece and stand. Listed at £628.86 GBP excluding VAT (£754.63 including VAT), checked 9 October 2026. Check cartridge requirements, delivery and lead time. US · Metcal (UK product page) This link opens Metcal's UK site. Select your country and check local availability. | ||||||
 Watch #209 | Premium Recommended Metcal GT | $583Manufacturer’s price | 4/5 | N/A | 5/5 | 120 WSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#209 · #211 · #231 · #250My later experience was much better than the first review. The integrated cartridges helped considerably, and the replacement station performed better too. Keep in mind The separate heater and tip were disappointing in #209. Integrated cartridges improved things in #211, and #231 covers the replacement station. The small T4 tips are still awkward to change while hot.
PCB soldering4/5The later setup works well for general soldering. Heavy thermal loads4/5The integrated high-capacity cartridges are a substantial improvement over the separate heater and tip. Build qualityUnscoredBuild quality is unscored for this one. Temperature control5/5The replacement in #231 calibrated well and recovered smoothly in the sponge test, with no overshoot. Ease of use3/5The T4 handpiece is light and pleasant to use, but changing the small tips while hot is awkward. Tip choice3/5At the time, the range and availability were more limited than JBC or the Metcal MX series. Price & availability$583 USD · GT120-HP-T6: station, adapter, T6 handpiece and workstand Check whether the integrated high-capacity cartridge is included. Confirm the supplied heater and tips, then add shipping and any local taxes. Price from Metcal US store · checked . This is the manufacturer’s listing. Check the kit contents before ordering. UK · RS GT120-HP-T6 kit, 100–240 V. Listed at £558.29 GBP excluding VAT (£669.95 including VAT), checked 9 October 2026. Check the supplied heater and tips. Check delivery costs. US · Metcal (UK product page) This link opens Metcal's UK site. Select your country and check local availability.
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 Watch #218 | Premium Recommended Metcal PS | $352Manufacturer’s price | 4/5 | N/A | 4/5 | Not listedSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#218A good way into the Metcal range. It performed better than the modest power rating might suggest, and I thought it was a worthwhile upgrade. Keep in mind The tip and heater determine the working temperature. There isn’t a temperature setting on the front panel.
PCB soldering4/5It soldered the PCB well and gets my recommendation as an upgrade. Heavy thermal loads3/5The coin result was similar to the higher-rated PACE and Quick stations. A larger tip also improved the PCB result. Build qualityUnscoredBuild quality is unscored for this one. Temperature control4/5I measured about 375°C, which was reasonable for the fitted tip. The temperature recovered well too. Ease of use4/5Just switch it on and solder, provided the fixed-temperature system suits your work. Tip choiceUnscoredTip choice is unscored for this one. Price & availability$352 USD · PS-900 soldering system Check the supplied heater and tip before ordering. Shipping and local taxes are extra. Price from Metcal US store · checked . This is the manufacturer’s listing. Check the kit contents before ordering. UK · RS PS-900 soldering system. Listed at £263.73 GBP excluding VAT (£316.48 including VAT), checked 9 October 2026. Check the supplied heater and tip. Check delivery costs. US · Metcal (UK product page) This link opens Metcal's UK site. Select your country and check local availability. | ||||||
 Watch #225 | Premium With reservations Metcal CV · Metcal HCV | $1,183Manufacturer’s price | N/A | N/A | N/A | Not listedSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#225 · #226A professional system with connection-validation feedback and the option of high-thermal-demand tooling. Whether the extra functions are worth paying for depends on the work you do. Keep in mind The displayed temperature is calculated rather than measured by a thermocouple in the tip. The connection-validation indication doesn’t replace inspecting the finished joint.
PCB solderingUnscoredPCB soldering is unscored here. See the video for the tests I carried out. Heavy thermal loads5/5The high-thermal-demand setup performed very well on copper in #226. Build qualityUnscoredBuild quality is unscored for this one. Temperature controlUnscoredThere isn’t enough temperature data here to give this a score. Ease of useUnscoredHandling and controls are unscored for this one. Tip choice5/5There are standard and high-thermal-demand options. Check that the cartridge matches the handpiece. Price & availability$1,183 USD · CV-5210 standard soldering and rework system This is the standard CV-5210 kit. The high-thermal-demand tooling used in #226 costs extra. Check the cartridges included and allow for shipping and local taxes. Price from Metcal US store · checked . This is the manufacturer’s listing. Check the kit contents before ordering. UK · RS CV-5210 standard system, 100–240 V. Listed at £1,082.44 GBP excluding VAT (£1,298.93 including VAT), checked 9 October 2026. Specialist handpieces and cartridges cost extra. Check delivery costs. US · Metcal (UK product page) This link opens Metcal's UK site. Select your country and check local availability. | ||||||
 Watch #215 | Premium With reservations PACE TD200 | Not confirmedSee review notes | 3/5 | 5/5 | N/A | 120 WSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#215 · #226 · #231Very solidly built, but the performance on larger thermal loads was disappointing. It couldn’t sustain the heat delivery I expected. Keep in mind The high peak power didn’t translate into sustained soldering performance. There was also uncertainty about the thermometer in the early tests, so temperature is unscored here.
PCB soldering3/5It is more suited to ordinary PCB work than the heavier jobs where it struggled. Heavy thermal loads2/5It repeatedly struggled with high-demand work compared with the JBC and Metcal. Build quality5/5A very robust metal case and a substantial separate stand. Temperature controlUnscoredThere isn’t enough temperature data here to give this a score. Ease of use4/5I liked having the stand separate from the controller. It is easier to arrange on the bench. Tip choiceUnscoredTip choice is unscored for this one. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. UK · Farnell ADS200 bundle with TD200 handpiece, setback stand and three tips. Listed at £307.79 GBP excluding VAT, checked 9 October 2026. The page gives conflicting 120 V and 230 V descriptions, so confirm the voltage with Farnell before ordering. Check delivery costs. US · PACE (ADS200 Plus replacement) This page now lists the ADS200 Plus. My reviews cover the original ADS200. It shows $319.28 USD before selecting a voltage, checked 9 October 2026. Confirm the final kit price, shipping and taxes after choosing your version. | ||||||
| Watch #313 | Premium With reservations Thermaltronics / Metcal-compatible | Not confirmedSee review notes | 3/5 | 3/5 | N/A | Not listedSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#313It works, but I would choose the Metcal MX-500 when the prices are so close. The Metcal performed better and felt nicer to use. Keep in mind I preferred the Metcal’s finish, stand and handpiece as well as its soldering performance. A much cheaper second-hand Thermaltronics could be a different proposition.
PCB soldering3/5It does the job, but the Metcal was better in the direct comparison. Heavy thermal loadsUnscoredThere isn’t a suitable heavy-load result to score for this setup. Build quality3/5The finish and feel of the handpiece weren’t as good as the Metcal. Temperature controlUnscoredThere isn’t enough temperature data here to give this a score. Ease of use3/5I wasn’t particularly keen on the stand or the feel of the handpiece. Tip choiceUnscoredTip choice is unscored for this one. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. UK · RS TMT-9000S-2, 220–240 V, with handpiece, holder and M7CH176 cartridge. The power cord is not included. Listed at £456.32 GBP excluding VAT (£547.58 including VAT), checked 9 October 2026. Check delivery costs. | ||||||
 Watch #222 | Premium Not recommended as reviewed Ersa i-TOOL | Not confirmedSee review notes | 2/5 | 4/5 | 2/5 | 120 WSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#222Well made, but I was disappointed by the soldering performance. At that price, I would spend the money on one of the alternatives. Keep in mind The separate heater and tip struggled to transfer heat as well as the systems I would recommend. This is about the i-TOOL setup I tested, rather than the whole Ersa range.
PCB soldering2/5I would choose a different system for the money. Heavy thermal loads2/5Getting heat from the heater into the work was the main weakness. Build quality4/5The build quality is good, even though I wouldn’t recommend the station overall. Temperature control2/5There was substantial overshoot. With 330°C set, the display rose to about 365°C. Ease of useUnscoredHandling and controls are unscored for this one. Tip choiceUnscoredTip choice is unscored for this one. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. UK · Farnell (i-CON 2V MK2 replacement) The later i-CON 2V MK2, 230 V, with i-TOOL MK2, tip and holder. My review covers the original i-CON 2V. Listed at £491.30 GBP excluding VAT, checked 9 October 2026. Check delivery costs. US · Ersa (i-CON 2V MK2 replacement) This is the later MK2 model. The review and scores cover the original i-CON 2V. | ||||||
| Watch #340 | Value Recommended C245 | $35.99Listed kit price | 5/5 | N/A | 5/5 | 100 WSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#340A very capable portable iron. With genuine JBC cartridges, I found it difficult to fault the soldering performance, and the factory calibration was good too. Keep in mind My kit didn’t include a cable or power supply, so check what comes with yours. The larger tip made a big difference on heavy work. A heat-resistant pad is useful for changing hot cartridges.
PCB soldering5/5Very good soldering performance with the genuine JBC cartridges. Heavy thermal loads4/5It worked well with a larger genuine 5 mm chisel tip. Build qualityUnscoredBuild quality is unscored for this one. Temperature control5/5It was spot on at 330°C and within a few degrees at the higher settings. Ease of use4/5The interface is useful and it supports changing cartridges while powered. The kit lacked something to grip a hot tip with. Tip choice5/5JBC offers a good range of tip shapes and sizes. If you want to use the same genuine cartridges as I did in the tests, remember to allow for their cost. Price & availability$35.99 USD · HS-02A, one tip and bag, no adapter Allow for a suitable power supply, cable and any genuine JBC cartridges you want to use. Shipping and taxes depend on where you live. Price from FNIRSI · checked . I may earn a commission if you buy through an affiliate link. How this supports the channel. | ||||||
 Watch #345 | Value Recommended C210 | Not confirmedReview price in notes | 4/5 | N/A | 3/5 | Not listedSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#345Very good for the money. It soldered well, and I particularly liked the touch detection that wakes it when you pick it up. Keep in mind My sample needed calibration. The tip is connected to USB ground, so the power supply affects the tip voltage relative to earth.
PCB soldering4/5No trouble getting heat into the PCB pads I tested. Heavy thermal loadsUnscoredThere isn’t a suitable heavy-load result to score for this setup. Build qualityUnscoredBuild quality is unscored for this one. Temperature control3/5It was a fair way out initially. The review goes through the multi-point calibration. Ease of use4/5The touch detection works well and avoids waking the iron just because something nudges it. Tip choice5/5JBC offers a good range of tip shapes and sizes. If you want to use the same genuine cartridges as I did in the tests, remember to allow for their cost. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. It was about £15 when I made #345. A genuine JBC cartridge could cost more than the iron. I may earn a commission if you buy through an affiliate link. How this supports the channel. | ||||||
 Watch #297 | Value Recommended C210 | $33.80Listed kit price | 4/5 | 4/5 | N/A | 60 WSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#297A nice portable iron, particularly if you want access to the genuine JBC C210 tip range. It worked well with both the supplied and genuine cartridges. Keep in mind You need a suitable supply to get the full performance. SEQURE describes the current standard charger as providing only about 30 W in use.
PCB soldering4/5It soldered the PCB well with both the supplied and genuine JBC cartridges. Heavy thermal loadsUnscoredThere isn’t a suitable heavy-load result to score for this setup. Build quality4/5A nicely built little iron. Temperature controlUnscoredThere isn’t enough temperature data here to give this a score. Ease of use4/5The menus are sensibly grouped and straightforward to use. Tip choice5/5JBC offers a good range of tip shapes and sizes. If you want to use the same genuine cartridges as I did in the tests, remember to allow for their cost. Price & availability$33.80 USD · S60, one K tip, standard charger/cable/stand/bag The standard charger isn’t the full 60 W option. Check the kit contents and shipping charge. SEQURE also says newer units no longer support the custom-logo feature. Price from SEQURE · checked . I may earn a commission if you buy through an affiliate link. How this supports the channel. | ||||||
 Watch #335 | Value Recommended C210 · C115 | Not confirmedSee review notes | 4/5 | N/A | 4/5 | 80 WSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#335A very useful portable station. For the soldering I did, it performed much like a mains-powered station with a T210 handpiece. Keep in mind Putting the handpiece in the stand turns the heater off completely, so you have to wait for it to warm up again. I would like a reduced-temperature standby option when running from USB.
PCB soldering4/5Good PCB soldering on both USB and battery power. Heavy thermal loadsUnscoredThere isn’t a suitable heavy-load result to score for this setup. Build qualityUnscoredBuild quality is unscored for this one. Temperature control4/5I measured about 334°C with 330°C set. I couldn’t find a calibration adjustment. Ease of use4/5Battery and USB operation are convenient, although the delay waking from the stand is a nuisance. Tip choice5/5JBC offers a good range of tip shapes and sizes. If you want to use the same genuine cartridges as I did in the tests, remember to allow for their cost. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. I may earn a commission if you buy through an affiliate link. How this supports the channel. | ||||||
 Watch #344 | Value Recommended C210 | Not confirmedReview price in notes | 4/5 | N/A | 3/5 | Not listedSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#344A good inexpensive portable iron once calibrated. It soldered well with a genuine JBC cartridge, although the controls could be better. Keep in mind It initially measured about 390°C with 345°C set. The little joystick is also rather fiddly to press accurately.
PCB soldering4/5It soldered well with both the supplied tip and the genuine JBC cartridge. Heavy thermal loadsUnscoredThere isn’t a suitable heavy-load result to score for this setup. Build qualityUnscoredBuild quality is unscored for this one. Temperature control3/5A large initial error, but calibration brought it to about 344°C with 345°C set. Ease of use3/5It wakes from sleep quickly. The fiddly joystick is the main frustration. Tip choice5/5JBC offers a good range of tip shapes and sizes. If you want to use the same genuine cartridges as I did in the tests, remember to allow for their cost. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. It was about £20 when I made #344. | ||||||
 Watch #268 | Value Recommended TS100 / TS101 | Not confirmedSee review notes | 4/5 | N/A | N/A | Not listedSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#268A useful iron to take with you for repairs. It solders well and can use your existing TS100 tips, although I still prefer a conventional station on the bench. Keep in mind The kit didn’t include a proper stand, and there is quite a long distance from your grip to the tip.
PCB soldering4/5Good results on the PCB soldering in the review. Heavy thermal loadsUnscoredThere isn’t a suitable heavy-load result to score for this setup. Build qualityUnscoredBuild quality is unscored for this one. Temperature controlUnscoredThere isn’t enough temperature data here to give this a score. Ease of use3/5The anti-roll guard is an improvement over the TS80. I would still prefer a proper stand and a shorter grip-to-tip distance. Tip choice3/5Being able to reuse TS100 tips is useful, although there are fewer shapes to choose from than with JBC. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. I may earn a commission if you buy through an affiliate link. How this supports the channel. | ||||||
 Watch #179 | Value With reservations TS80P | Not confirmedSee review notes | 3/5 | N/A | N/A | Not listedSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#179Useful for occasional repairs or taking away with you. The limited tip choice makes it less appealing as the main iron on your bench. Keep in mind Fine-pitch soldering took extra passes with the tips available. There weren’t many shapes to choose from, and some were difficult to find in stock.
PCB soldering3/5Good for basic work. Fine-pitch soldering took more effort. Heavy thermal loadsUnscoredThere isn’t a suitable heavy-load result to score for this setup. Build qualityUnscoredBuild quality is unscored for this one. Temperature controlUnscoredThere isn’t enough temperature data here to give this a score. Ease of use3/5Compact enough to take with you, but the distance from your grip to the tip is longer than I would like. Tip choice2/5The small range and patchy availability were my main complaints. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. I may earn a commission if you buy through an affiliate link. How this supports the channel. | ||||||
 Watch #275 | Value With reservations Pinecil short tips | $25.99Listed kit price | 3/5 | N/A | 2/5 | Not listedSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#275An inexpensive, flexible iron for occasional portable use. The replacement tips I tried were the main disappointment, particularly on heavier work. Keep in mind The 2.4 mm chisel tip struggled to put heat into the coin. I also couldn’t get calibration working as expected on that firmware. I haven’t retested later tips or software here.
PCB soldering3/5Usable for lighter, occasional jobs with the tips I tested. Heavy thermal loads1/5The chisel tip struggled to deliver heat under a heavy load. Build qualityUnscoredBuild quality is unscored for this one. Temperature control2/5It was about 14 to 15°C out, and my attempts to calibrate that firmware were unsuccessful. Ease of use4/5The compact design and open firmware are useful features. Tip choice2/5The short cartridges I tested were limited by both the choice of shapes and their performance. Price & availability$25.99 USD · Pinecil V2 and one ST-B2 tip, community price The store also lists a retail price of $35.99. You still need a supply, cable and stand, with shipping and local taxes on top. Price from PINE Store · checked . UK · PINE64 (product information) Documentation and buying information. This is not a direct shop link. US · PINE64 (product information) Documentation and buying information. This is not a direct shop link. | ||||||
 Watch #283 | Value With reservations C245 | Not confirmedSee review notes | N/A | N/A | N/A | 65 WSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#283 · #284Being able to use genuine C245 cartridges is attractive, but the power control needs more work before I could give it a full recommendation. Keep in mind In #283, the USB supply cut out with a genuine cartridge. I tried a bench supply in #284 and saw large current spikes. That is a different setup from normal USB use.
PCB solderingUnscoredPCB soldering is unscored here. See the video for the tests I carried out. Heavy thermal loadsUnscoredThere isn’t a suitable heavy-load result to score for this setup. Build qualityUnscoredBuild quality is unscored for this one. Temperature controlUnscoredThere isn’t enough temperature data here to give this a score. Ease of use2/5It took some experimenting with the supply and power control to get it working. Tip choice5/5JBC offers a good range of tip shapes and sizes. If you want to use the same genuine cartridges as I did in the tests, remember to allow for their cost. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. I may earn a commission if you buy through an affiliate link. How this supports the channel. | ||||||
 Watch #307 | Value With reservations TS1C | Not confirmedSee review notes | N/A | N/A | N/A | Not listedSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#307The cordless design could be useful for short jobs. For continuous PCB assembly, repeatedly putting it back to charge would be a limitation. Keep in mind You need to return it to the charging stand regularly. The kit I reviewed also needed a USB-PD supply above 45 W, which wasn’t included.
PCB solderingUnscoredPCB soldering is unscored here. See the video for the tests I carried out. Heavy thermal loadsUnscoredThere isn’t a suitable heavy-load result to score for this setup. Build qualityUnscoredBuild quality is unscored for this one. Temperature controlUnscoredThere isn’t enough temperature data here to give this a score. Ease of use3/5Having no cable is useful for occasional joints, but charging breaks get in the way of a longer soldering session. Tip choiceUnscoredTip choice is unscored for this one. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. I may earn a commission if you buy through an affiliate link. How this supports the channel. | ||||||
 Watch #288 | Value Not recommended as reviewed Atten GT-2010 | Not confirmedSee review notes | 2/5 | N/A | N/A | 10 WSee test notes |
My verdict & review notes#288I didn’t think this offered good value. A simple mains iron or one of the other USB irons would be a more useful choice. Keep in mind There is very little power available, and the overall setup doesn’t make much sense for general bench use.
PCB soldering2/5There are more useful, less expensive options for ordinary soldering. Heavy thermal loads1/5It doesn’t have the power for large thermal loads. Build qualityUnscoredBuild quality is unscored for this one. Temperature controlUnscoredThere isn’t enough temperature data here to give this a score. Ease of use2/5For portable work, I would rather have a simple USB iron. Tip choiceUnscoredTip choice is unscored for this one. Price & availabilityI haven’t confirmed a current price for this exact setup. It won’t appear in the results if you set a price limit. | ||||||
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About the comparison
What the scores mean
Based on the reviews
The scores run from 1 to 5 and summarise the findings in the linked videos. They have been added for this comparison. I didn’t give these numerical scores in the original reviews, and the test setup has changed over the years.
1: A serious problem.
2: Significant limitations.
3: Adequate, with some compromises.
4: Good performance.
5: Particularly impressive in the tests.
N/A: Not enough information to give it a score.
The order within each group takes the whole review into account, rather than averaging the scores. Good soldering performance won’t make up for an unresolved electrical-safety problem.
The tip makes a difference
A tiny precision tip and a large copper-working tip are intended for different jobs. The heavy-load scores apply to the setup I tested. Use the work and cartridge filters to compare similar systems.
Power drawn from the mains, power going into the heater and heat reaching the PCB are different things. The notes explain what was measured. For fixed-temperature Metcal systems, the temperature is checked against the rating of the fitted cartridge.
I’ve kept the initial temperature error, calibration and recovery behaviour separate where the tests allow. A later firmware version or a similar model name doesn’t mean you will get the same result.
Check the complete price
Check whether the kit includes a supply, cable, stand and a useful tip. If I used a genuine JBC cartridge in the test, allow for that in the cost of getting the same setup.
Prices from the original reviews are labelled separately from recent price checks. Unknown prices and checks older than 90 days are left out when you set a price limit. I haven’t scored tip costs, support or lifespan where there isn’t enough information.
The linked reviews include details of any sponsorship and supplied equipment. Shopping links are labelled by region. I may earn a commission if you buy through an affiliate link.
Which reviews are included?
This guide brings together 57 numbered reviews, comparisons and follow-ups. Where I’ve returned to a station in a later video, those results are included in the same entry. KSGER and QUICKO are listed separately, and the MX-500 entry uses the comparison in #313.
Videos about accessories, tweezers and maintenance are linked below where useful. They don’t get a separate place in the station rankings, nor does the short HA310 video. Replacement models need their own review before they can be included.