Rating of the best soldering irons for 2022

When working with microcircuits and various boards, you need accuracy and precision. If earlier radio amateurs used an ordinary soldering iron that had a copper tip, now the microcircuits have become much smaller, and such a device is not suitable for work. Therefore, a soldering dryer became a replacement for him. In addition to working with microcircuits, it can be used to dry various compositions, and even to work with car bumpers. But still, for the most part, it is used among craftsmen involved in the repair of cell phones and computers.

What is a blow dryer

This appliance can heat metal bends. The desired heating temperature is reached in a short time. But a dryer is rarely used separately, usually it is used together with a soldering station. With the help of such a device it is easy to soften both plastic and tin or thin metal.

The operation of the hair dryer is quite simple and understandable, so both a beginner and a master of their craft can use such a device. After the device is turned on, the heating element will start to work, and with it the fan. So hot air will be supplied to the workplace. Since the temperature will be high enough, the object to be processed will begin to melt, at which point the required part or element should be connected or disconnected.

The temperature created by the device can reach 800 degrees. However, it can be adjusted. There is a relay for this. But besides this, this indicator will depend on the fan, as well as the distance from the hair dryer to the heated part.

If we talk about the design of such a soldering device, then it has a handle, a body, a heating element, a fan and nozzles. The handle and body are made of a material that can withstand high temperatures. Usually ceramics, ebonite or porcelain are used for this, also, in order to reduce the temperature, the handle can be wrapped with a special heat-resistant cloth. Nichrome wire serves as a heating element. It has a small radius, and so it does not deform under the influence of high temperature. On the reverse side of the device there is a small fan, it will supply air to the nichrome wire. Nozzles are steel tubes with a small diameter.

How to make a soldering iron with your own hands

If there is no desire to buy such equipment, then you can make it yourself from a conventional soldering iron. To do this, remove the tip from the soldering iron by unscrewing two screws. Now a steel tube nozzle is installed in its place. If the diameter of the tube is slightly smaller, then the empty space can be filled with foil. Also in this case, the foil will create tightness. After that, you need to remove the soldering iron handle and install an air tube inside. When the tube is installed, the handle is installed in place. Since conventional soldering irons have ventilation holes that protect the device from overheating, they will not be needed here. After all, the air and so will go out through the nozzle. These openings must be closed to create a tight seal. You can also close them with foil. The soldering iron is almost ready to work, you just need to connect the pump.

There is also another way to create a hot air gun. To do this, first a heating element is created from a wire with a cross section of 4-7 mm, a nichrome spiral will be wound onto it. The nichrome spiral should have a cross section of about 0.5 mm. When winding, the turns should not touch, but also be the same. Now the fiberglass layer is fixed with hot glue. A tube of heat-resistant material is installed on the adhesive layer. After that, the ends, as well as the places where the spirals will be displayed, should also be covered with a layer of glue. The output of the spirals is connected to the wire, which must be insulated. To be able to control the voltage, the wire must pass through the switch and the rheostat. Also, do not forget to install the air supply part. As a fan, you can take a cooler from your computer.Now you can fix the nozzle, and the device will be ready for use.

Criterias of choice

In order for the purchase not to bring disappointment and meet all the expectations of the buyer, you should pay attention to certain criteria.

Since the work may be carried out with different materials that do not have the same melting point, a model with a wide operating temperature range should be selected. For the device to be ideal, its minimum heating temperature should be about 50 degrees, and the maximum temperature should be about 500. Low temperatures will be useful for working with fragile materials, and high temperatures will manifest themselves when it will be necessary to solder transistors with thick legs. If the minimum heating temperature is considered too high for a certain material, then there is no problem. It can be adjusted by adjusting the distance from the part to the nozzle of the hair dryer, as well as using a wire.

Also, do not forget about the power of the device. The heating rate and, consequently, the time spent on work will depend on this parameter. Usually the power varies from 40 to 750 watts. If a hair dryer is needed on a case-by-case basis, then models with low power ratings will do. For craftsmen who use the device constantly, it is better to choose devices with a power of at least 200 watts.

Remember to look at the type of heating element. This criterion affects the quality of the device, as well as its service life and safety.The most inexpensive models use nichrome wire as a heating element, slightly more expensive products have a ceramic coating on the rod, and the most expensive ones are induction models, here the heat comes from electromagnetic coils that are inside the handle.

The performance of the device will depend on the output of the air flow through the nozzle. Because the soldering iron has a small fan that can produce 20 to 120 liters of air per minute. Then when buying, pay attention to this technical characteristic. But if this is not enough for you, then you should pay attention to models with a compressor, which is located in the control unit. To better control the current status of the device, the device should have a digital display. So the master will be able to monitor the temperature, which will greatly facilitate the work process.

Also, for more comfortable work, some manufacturers complete the devices with several nozzles. These nozzles can differ in both shape and size. The more nozzles there are, the more work can be done.

Best Inexpensive Soldering Irons

Element 8032

Such a hair dryer is suitable for working with various components. It heats up quickly and is compact. And also the manufacturer installed a display here so that you can control the heating temperature. With "Element 8032" you can work autonomously, as well as easily transported. This model has 99 airflow modes. The minimum heating temperature is 100 degrees, and the maximum temperature is 480.

During operation, "Element 8032" does not emit a lot of noise that interferes with work.It is worth noting that this model has air blowing, which will remain after the device is turned off. This feature will extend the service life. The heating element has an additional wire that heats up during operation. This will make it possible to increase the heating at the same power, which will reduce the operating time. When the master holds the "Element 8032" in his hand, the device will be in working condition, and the transition to standby mode will be carried out when the hair dryer hits the holder.

The power of "Element 8032" is 650 watts. Overall dimensions are 12.4 * 18 * 7 * 24.9 cm, and weight - 880 grams. The cord has a length of 1.37 m.

The average cost is 3700 rubles.

• Heats up in 5 seconds;
• Small size;
• Doesn't make much noise
• Convenient operation;
• High quality heating element.

• Not detected.

Element 902D

This model is a soldering station. There is a digital indicator that controls the temperature. The two-channel equipment of the device consists of a power supply and a soldering iron, which has a hairdryer and various attachments.

The manufacturer guarantees that the device will be ready for operation in 5-7 seconds after switching on. The minimum heating temperature is 200 degrees, and the maximum reaches 450 degrees. The maximum air flow of the hair dryer can reach 120 liters per minute. The set comes with three nozzles for the hair dryer, which differ in their size. At temperatures of 70 degrees or below, the appliance will automatically stop.

"Element 902D" has a power of 700 watts. The size of "Element 902D" is 15*10*13.8 cm, and the total weight is 2.63 kg, while the unit weighs 1.55 kg.

The average cost is 4000 rubles.

• Fast heating;
• Power;
• Digital indicator;
• High quality soldering.

• There is no way to disconnect the cord from the station.

Baku BK-8032A

This model is a hot air gun, which is controlled by a microprocessor. It is suitable for dismantling and mounting electronic components, for installing a heat-shrinkable tube, as well as soldering plastic parts and much more.

"Baku BK-8032A" has a digital temperature indication, and the display will also show the amount of air flow. With the help of an electronic system, you can control the heating, change the air flow. But at the same time, the manufacturer installed a function that allows you to return to the original data. The heating element has the shape of a spiral, and the air blower in this model is of a turbine type. "Baku BK-8032A" operates in the temperature range from 100 to 480 degrees. The performance of the device is 30 liters of air per minute. The kit comes with two nozzles with a diameter of 8 and 10 mm.

The power of "Baku BK-8032A" is 450 watts. The length of the device is 27.7 cm and the diameter is 7.7 mm. In this case, the weight of the device is 1 kg.

The average cost is 800 rubles.

• Compact size;
• Comes with two nozzles;
• Digital indication;
• The device is controlled by a microprocessor.

• The handle of the appliance heats up quickly.

Bison Professional 55350

This soldering station is made of high quality materials in compliance with all modern technologies. With the help of "Zubr Professional 55350" you can make high-quality soldering, as well as dismantling parts of microcircuits.

Here the manufacturer installed a ceramic heating element.Thanks to the high power of the device, there is instant heating, and there is also a precise adjustment of heating in increments of one degree. The air flow can also be adjusted, its maximum value is 120 liters per minute. When the "Zubr Professional 55350" is placed on the stand, the device will automatically go into sleep mode, which can significantly save energy consumption and extend the life of the soldering iron. It is worth noting that the handle has an ergonomic shape and a special base that will prevent the device from slipping in your hand.

The average cost is 4000 rubles.

• High power;
• Fast heating;
• Automatic transition to sleep mode;
• Precise temperature control;
• The maximum heating temperature is 500 degrees.

• Not detected.

The best professional soldering guns

Hakko FM-2029

A feature of this model from the company "Hakko" is a thin handle. With its help, you can solder or dismantle elements in hard-to-reach places. Also, for convenience during operation, the manufacturer installed the power button on the handle of the soldering iron, so it is much more convenient to control the supply of hot air during operation.

"Hakko FM-2029" operates in temperature conditions from 100 to 550 degrees. This model has a composite heating element. In addition, complete with the device, you can find a stand for a soldering iron, a pot holder to change the tips and a cable for connecting the stand.

The power of "Hakko FM-2029" is 140 watts. The length of the device with the tip is 23.2 cm, and the weight without cable is 50 grams. The cable length is 1.2 m.

The average cost is 14,000 rubles.

• Compact size;
• Convenient to work in hard-to-reach places;
• Light weight;
• High heating temperature;
• Japanese manufacturer.

• High price.

Lukey-868

With this soldering station, you can solder and dismantle various components, compress flexible tubes, do plastic soldering, as well as dry and heat parts. Due to its design and compact size, the soldering iron will not take up much space on the table and will be convenient for transportation.

There is a system of sensors, as well as a microcomputer that allows you to control the heating temperature. There are also LEDs that are controlled by a touch and circular switch. The manufacturer also installed an antistatic function, thanks to which you can not worry about the fee in the event of an electric discharge.

Also worth noting is the cooling system. After the device is turned off, airflow continues, this has a positive effect on the life of the heating element, as well as the handle. In this case, the device will automatically turn off when the air temperature reaches 50 degrees. "Lukey-868" has a circular impeller, this makes it possible to create a large air flow and at the same time the device does not create much noise.

The power of Lukey-868 is 750 watts. The device operates in a temperature range from 100 to 480 degrees. The size of "Lukey-868" is 16*19*11.6 cm, and the weight is 1.5 kg.

The average cost is 8000 rubles.

• Improved heating element;
• There is protection against electric discharge;
• Cooling system;
• High power;
• The ability to adjust the temperature with an accuracy of 1 degree.

• Has no significant shortcomings.

Rexant 12-0144

Such a soldering station is a universal device that is designed for soldering and dismantling electronic components. The design of this model has an LCD display that allows you to control the operating parameters of the device. The hot air supply can reach a volume of up to 22 liters per minute, while the temperature range can vary from 160 to 480 degrees. After the Rexant 12-0144 is turned off, the cooling system is activated, which makes it possible to extend the life of the heating element.

The power of "Rexant 12-0144" is 320 watts. The weight of the soldering iron is 3.75 kg.

The average cost is 8000 rubles.

• Has a lot of nozzles;
• Fast heating;
• Cooling system;
• Russian manufacturer.

• Little power.

Conclusion

The models of soldering dryers presented in the rating are very popular among craftsmen. Each of the soldering irons has fast heating and compact size. Thanks to this, you can reduce the time of work and increase productivity. If for someone the cost of the device seems high, you can look at the options on the Aliexpress site. Chinese models are also in demand among electronics lovers, and the price of such a soldering iron will not hit your pocket hard.