- 1). Consider where you will be doing most of your soldering. If you will be soldering often at a work bench with ready access to AC power, a soldering station is the best option, though it is also the most expensive. A soldering station has an adjustable wattage, which will give you a much more versatile soldering iron. If your soldering iron needs to be more mobile, consider one of the many quick cool portable soldering irons on the market.
- 2). Decide which type of soldering tip you need for your soldering iron. You should always select the largest diameter tip that will work. Use longer, more pointed soldering tips only when access to the solder point is limited and this type of tip is necessary. Most modern soldering irons have changeable tips that will allow you to swap tips depending on the job you are doing. Choosing this type of soldering iron will give you a more versatile tool.
- 3). Choose the type of temperature control you want to use. Some soldering irons are single temperature, meaning that once they are on or plugged in, they are always at the same temperature. According to EPE Magazine, these types of irons "form an ideal general purpose iron for most users." If you choose this type of soldering iron, make sure the temperature is appropriate for the type of soldering you will be doing. Soldering stations and more expensive soldering irons usually have adjustable temperatures, and if you work with many different types of materials this can be useful.
- 4). Determine your target price range. Prices can vary from less than $10 for a single-temperature iron to around $150 for a soldering station. Check online product reviews to make sure that the soldering iron you choose is a good quality tool and meets your requirements.
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