FAQ · Wattage, temperature & technique
What wattage soldering iron do I need for electronics?
Last verified 2026-08-09
18–25W is enough for light hobby electronics and small-component work — this is why classic irons like the Antex CS18 (18W) and XS25 (25W) have stayed popular for decades. For general PCB and repair work, 60–110W (the range covered by YIHUA's digital stations in this comparison) gives faster heat recovery so the tip doesn't cool noticeably between joints. Wattage above that mainly matters for thicker wire, larger connectors or ground-plane joints that pull heat away fast.
Related questions
See every question in our full FAQ index, or the product comparison in our best soldering stations & irons guide.