The best desoldering pumps, compared.
Top pick: Voltrique solder sucker Best value: Fixpoint 51204 – Display badge for £5.78 and 4.5 from 1,882 reviews, the longest line in the set. Stuck plungers are in the reviews. No silicone temperature rating. Updated October 2026.
You still need an iron unless the listing is a heated piston. They split into manual pumps, three heated pistons and one rework station. A 4.8 from only seven ratings does not outrank that file. Heated tools need a BS 1363 plug on 230 V. Rosin fume remains an HSE point for regular work. The checks in order are on the [desoldering pump buying guide](/hub/soldering-and-welding/desoldering-pump/sub/desoldering-pump-buying-guide). You melt the joint, seal the nozzle, and fire once. If you fire early, the hole stays bridged. UK hobby repair uses one on through-hole boards, keyboards and old consoles. At work, rosin fume can cause asthma, and the pump does not extract it. A desoldering pump, often called a solder sucker, is a spring piston.
You still need an iron unless the listing is a heated piston. They split into manual pumps, three heated pistons and one rework station. A 4.8 from only seven ratings does not outrank that file.
44 products checked · 58 hrs invested · +16,200 readers
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Personal buying guide
Question 1 of 2
Do you already have an iron?
Voltrique’s solder sucker is listed at £7.69 with 4.8 out of 5 from only seven reviews in the capture. High stars, tiny sample. The title highlights a heat-resistant silicone nozzle, similar marketing language to the ENGINEER SS-03, but this file does not include a 350 °C manufacturer sheet for this ASIN. Early buyers mention strong suction for the price. Weigh that against the Fixpoint’s 1,882 reviews at £5.78. A “Made in Japan” line is not verified here. It remains a manual pump that needs your iron and regular emptying.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want a silicone-tip manual pump below ENGINEER pricing and you accept seven reviews.
Less suitable: You want a four-figure review count before you trust the seal.
Specifications
Common questions
Is the Voltrique made in Japan?
Do not treat it as made in Japan. The ENGINEER SS-03 origin is on the maker’s page. A Japan line on this Voltrique listing was not verified in the capture.
How many reviews support the 4.8?
Seven. That is a thin file next to 490 on the SS-03 and 1,882 on the Fixpoint. The star line can move. Listed weight is about 40 g.
Does it include an iron?
No. It is a hand-powered pump. You melt the joint first. The title claims a heat-resistant silicone nozzle. A 350 °C rating is not in this file for this ASIN.
Across 490 amazon.co.uk reviews at 4.7 out of 5, the ENGINEER SS-03 is the manual pump buyers mention when a silicone tip actually seals a through-hole joint. ENGINEER rates the nozzle to 350 °C contact and lists a 48 g body with about 9 ml capacity. This page did not bench-test suction. UK reviewers often compare it with £5–£10 suckers and say the seal and clean ejection are worth the step up to £20.99. The spring is stiff enough that thumb effort comes up repeatedly, and clogged nozzles still appear if you let solder cool inside the barrel. You still need your own iron. This listing is pump only.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Regular through-hole repair, keyboard switches, and console boards where seal quality matters.
Less suitable: One-off jobs on a £3 budget pump, or surface-mount pads where wick or hot air is the right tool.
Specifications
Common questions
What nozzle does the SS-03 use?
ENGINEER rates the silicone nozzle to 350 °C. The maker’s page lists a 48 g body, about 9 ml capacity, and a size of 20 × 153 mm. This page did not measure suction.
Does the SS-03 include an iron?
No. The listing is the pump only. You melt the joint with your own iron, then fire the piston. There is no wick in the box.
Why do reviews mention thumb effort?
The spring is stiff. UK review themes include thumb effort and nozzles that clog if solder cools in the barrel. Empty it while the solder is still soft.
Weller’s 7874B manual pump is listed at £15.79 with 4.6 out of 5 from 871 reviews. The title calls it ESD-safe and hand powered. Treat ESD-safe as a listing claim, not a BS EN 61340-5-1 certificate. The aluminium body is listed at 80 g. Review praise centres on suction when the tip seals. Complaints mirror the category: clogged tips and mixed durability. It undercuts the ENGINEER SS-03 on price and stays above the £5.78 Fixpoint. A 60 W line that appears on some tables conflicts with the hand-powered title. Ignore that wattage. You need a separate iron.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A branded manual pump below ENGINEER pricing for light repair.
Less suitable: You need a stated UK mains iron, or one-handed heated piston work.
Specifications
Common questions
Is the Weller 7874B a 60 W iron?
No. The title says hand powered. A 60 W row that conflicts with that title should be ignored. There is no mains plug to check.
Does ESD-safe mean a certificate?
No. ESD-safe is wording in the title. It is not a BS EN 61340-5-1 certificate in this file. Workplace ESD practice is a mat and a wrist strap, which this pump does not supply.
What is the listed weight?
80 g, with an aluminium body, at £15.79 and 4.6 from 871 reviews. The nozzle material is not specified the way the SS-03 silicone nozzle is.
This black manual solder sucker is priced at £3.69 on amazon.co.uk. The capture shows 4.6 out of 5 from only 13 reviews, so the star line is thin next to the Fixpoint or the Weller. Early feedback mentions usable suction for simple through-hole jobs and easy ejection when the barrel is kept clean. At under £4 it is a spare or a first try, not a stand-in for a silicone-sealed pump. There is no wick, no iron, and no plug, because it is hand powered. Recheck the live listing before you rely on the count.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A backup pump, or a first attempt on a cheap board.
Less suitable: Frequent repair, where a long review file shows the failure pattern.
Specifications
Common questions
How many reviews does this £3.69 pump have?
Thirteen, at 4.6 out of 5 in the capture. That is a thin line. The listing weight is about 30 g, and no heat-rated silicone nozzle is stated.
Does it need a plug?
No. It is hand powered. You still need an iron to melt the joint, and you should desolder on a board that is unplugged.
Is it a substitute for the SS-03?
No. It is a low-price spare. The SS-03 is the pump with a silicone nozzle rated to 350 °C and 490 reviews. This listing has little spec detail.
The Fixpoint 51204, sold with Goobay branding on amazon.co.uk, sits at £5.78 with 4.5 out of 5 from 1,882 reviews, the highest review count in this set. That volume makes it the best value for occasional desoldering, not proof of vacuum pressure. Praise matches other manual pumps: it clears through-hole blobs when you prime, melt, and fire in one motion. Critical notes include stuck plungers and seals that fail after heavy use, which is typical in this price band. There is no stated silicone nozzle spec like the ENGINEER SS-03. Pair it with your existing iron and strip the barrel when solder sets inside.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Occasional desoldering when you want a long review file without ENGINEER money.
Less suitable: Daily bench use where nozzle life and seal consistency justify a £20 pump.
Specifications
Common questions
Why is the Fixpoint the best value?
It is £5.78 with 4.5 from 1,882 amazon.co.uk reviews, the longest rating line in this set. The stars are not a suction measurement. Stuck plungers show up in the reviews.
Does it include a silicone nozzle?
No temperature-rated silicone nozzle is stated, unlike the ENGINEER SS-03. It is a spring piston for through-hole joints, and you still need an iron.
What fails on this pump?
Reviews include stuck plunger buttons and seals that wear after heavy hobby use. Clean the barrel when solder sets inside. There is no wick in the box.
Tabiger’s kit at £8.99 bundles one manual pump with two 2.5 mm × 1.5 m desoldering braids, and 4.4 out of 5 from 706 reviews. It is the row in this set if you want pump and wick together for through-hole cleanup. The pump uses a nylon or plastic tip rather than silicone, so keep it off prolonged iron contact or the tip melts and clogs. Review praise covers value and suction on simple joints. Negatives include stiff springs and weak suction on heavier joints compared with premium seals. You still need a separate iron. Listed weight is about 70 g.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A first kit with bulk removal and pad cleanup in one order.
Less suitable: Daily use where nozzle material and the seal are the limit.
Specifications
Common questions
What wick is in the Tabiger kit?
Two braids, each stated as 2.5 mm wide and 1.5 m long, plus one manual pump, at £8.99. The wick is for the film the pump leaves. It is not a heated tool.
Can the tip sit on the iron?
No. The tip is nylon or plastic. Resting it on the iron melts it and clogs the bore. Silicone on the SS-03 is the row with a stated 350 °C contact rating.
Do you still need an iron?
Yes. The kit is a pump and braid. Melt the joint with your own iron, fire the pump, then use the braid on the pad if a film remains.
YIHUA’s 929D-VI adds temperature control at £49.99, with 4.4 out of 5 from 31 reviews in the capture. The listing states Type G, up to 180 W peak with 37 W rated, and nozzles at 1.0, 1.2 and 1.5 mm. That sits above the 929D-V if you want adjustable heat on the same one-handed piston. One review says the flex was stiff and not very heat-resistant. Inspect the lead on delivery. Nozzle crumbling still appears on heated tools in this category. Each stroke is still a spring piston, not a continuous vacuum. Recheck the live count. Thirty-one is modest. Listed weight is 390 g.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Regular desoldering with adjustable tip heat and a stated UK plug.
Less suitable: Light hobby use, where the 929D-V or a manual pump is enough.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the 929D-VI have a UK plug?
The listing states Type G. That is one of only two rows in this set that do. The other is the 929D-V. Confirm the pin on the lead you receive. One review calls the flex stiff.
What power does the listing state?
Up to 180 W peak and a rated 37 W, with temperature control. The wattage field in the stored table is blank, so those figures are the listing bullets, not a measurement.
Is this a vacuum station?
No. It is a heated tip plus a spring stroke. It is not continuous vacuum. Nozzles are 1.0, 1.2 and 1.5 mm. Budget a spare. The bore should just clear the lead.
The YIHUA 929D-V combines a heated tip with a spring piston at £37.99, with 4.3 out of 5 from 315 reviews. The listing states a Type G plug and nozzles at 1 mm, 1.2 mm and 2 mm. The digest records 60 W for this model. Reviewers like freeing one hand compared with an iron plus a pump. Crumbling or worn nozzles show up often enough to budget spares. This is not a continuous vacuum station. Each joint still needs a timed melt and a stroke. Listed weight is 340 g. Confirm the nozzle bore against the lead before you buy.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Regular through-hole desoldering where a stated UK plug matters.
Less suitable: Occasional hobby use that a manual pump plus your iron already covers, or a board that is mostly surface-mount.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the 929D-V state a UK plug?
Yes. The listing states Type G, as does the 929D-VI. The Preciva and the rework station do not. Still look at the pins before you use 230 V.
What nozzles are included?
1 mm, 1.2 mm and 2 mm. Pick a bore that just clears the lead. Reviews report crumbling nozzles, so a spare is part of the cost. There is no wick in the box.
Is the suction continuous?
No. It is a heated tip plus one spring stroke, not a vacuum station. The digest records 60 W for this model. Listed weight is 340 g, at £37.99.
Preciva’s 30 W heated desoldering pump is £36.05 on amazon.co.uk with 4.3 out of 5 from 208 reviews. It ships 1.0 mm and 1.2 mm nozzles and a cleaning needle. The capture does not state a UK plug. Confirm a BS 1363 plug in the carton before you connect it to 230 V. Reviewers like one-handed work versus a separate iron and sucker. One note mentions a power LED and no mains switch on the tool. Nozzle clogging and tip wear match the YIHUA piston themes. It is not a continuous vacuum station. Listed weight is 280 g.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Through-hole work if you will confirm the plug and you want this nozzle pair.
Less suitable: You need a Type G line on the listing before you open the box.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the Preciva listing state a UK plug?
No. Only the two YIHUA listings in this set state Type G. Confirm a BS 1363 plug in the carton before you use this 30 W iron on 230 V.
Is the temperature adjustable?
Not on this row. The 929D-VI is the heated piston with temperature control. The Preciva is 30 W with 1.0 mm and 1.2 mm nozzles, a cleaning needle and spare gaskets.
What did one review say about the switch?
One review notes a power LED and no mains switch on the tool. Treat that as a single report. Nozzle clog and tip wear are the wider theme, shared with the YIHUA pistons.
Switch Electronics lists this 140 W desoldering rework station at £89.99, with 4.3 out of 5 from 122 reviews. It is the only station in the capture, with a gun and a control unit at 3.46 kg, 220–240 V, and 160–480 °C on the listing. The listing does not state a Type G plug. Two reviews disagree on the lead, one calling it British and one American, then an IEC swap. Open the box and confirm a BS 1363 plug before first use. This class of tool is for repeated bench work, not one keyboard switch. It does not replace local exhaust for rosin fume at work.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Frequent through-hole rework on a bench that has room for a station.
Less suitable: A one-off repair, where a manual pump or a heated piston is enough.
Specifications
Common questions
Does this station state a UK plug?
No. Do not read Type G onto this row. Only the two YIHUA listings state it. Two station reviews disagree on the lead. Confirm a BS 1363 plug in the box before you use 220–240 V.
What power and temperature are listed?
140 W, 220–240 V, and 160–480 °C, with the unit listed at 3.46 kg and £89.99. Those are listing figures, not a lab measurement. amazon.co.uk shows 4.3 from 122 reviews.
Does a station remove the need for extraction?
No. Rosin fume can cause asthma. HSE expects local exhaust for regular desoldering at work. A station is the removal tool. It is not a fume control.
This £3.49 manual solder sucker had no star line on the amazon.co.uk capture, so treat quality as unknown until you recheck the live page. The listing matches other budget pumps at about 30 g and hand power only. Without review volume you cannot see clog, seal, or spring faults the way you can on the Fixpoint. It may suit a single job or a disposable spare beside a better pump. You still supply the iron, and you desolder on an unpowered board.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A very cheap trial when you accept an unknown review history.
Less suitable: Your main pump, before you have read live UK reviews.
Specifications
Common questions
Are there reviews for this £3.49 pump?
Not in the capture. The star line is missing, so amazonRating is 0 and the count is 0. Recheck the live amazon.co.uk page before you treat it as tested by buyers.
What does the listing specify?
Hand power and about 30 g. No heat-rated nozzle material is stated. There is no wick. You need your own iron.
How does it differ from the £3.69 black pump?
The £3.69 listing has 4.6 from 13 reviews. This £3.49 listing has no star line in the capture. Neither has a silicone nozzle rating.
This solder sucker pen is listed at £1.99 with no amazon.co.uk rating line in the capture. It is the cheapest manual pump here and the listing uses a nylon or plastic tip. With no review volume you cannot judge suction, spring life, or clogging the way you can on the Fixpoint. It may suit a school kit or a single attempt if you already own an iron. Treat it as expendable unless live reviews appear. Hand power only, so there is no plug to check.
Pros
Cons
Best for: The smallest spend on a spare you can afford to bin.
Less suitable: The main tool on a board you cannot afford to damage.
Specifications
Common questions
Why is there no star rating?
The capture has no amazon.co.uk rating line for this ASIN. The count is 0. That is absence of evidence, not a score of zero stars from buyers. Recheck the live page.
What tip does the listing use?
A nylon or plastic tip. Do not rest it on the iron. PTFE and nylon tips melt and clog. The SS-03 is the row with a silicone nozzle rated to 350 °C.
Is £1.99 the whole job?
No. You still need an iron, and usually wick for the film a pump leaves. Desolder on an unplugged board. This pen is hand powered.
Twelve amazon.co.uk listings were read for this page. There is no separate score sheet in this folder. The display score is the star line scaled to 100, not a suction test. The top pick and the best value are the badges already on those rows: the ENGINEER SS-03 and the Fixpoint 51204. A 4.8 from seven ratings does not outrank 4.7 from 490. The weights below are how this page reads a listing. They sum to 100. No cm-Hg figure is published for these ASINs. There was no lab test.
Review evidence
30%Star rating and review count on amazon.co.uk for that ASIN. A count under 20, or a missing star line, cannot carry the row. Stars are not a vacuum measurement.
Nozzle and seal
25%A stated silicone nozzle with a temperature limit scores above an unnamed plastic or nylon tip. Clogs and crumbled seals in reviews deduct.
Tool type
20%A manual pump, a heated piston, and a station are different jobs. A heated piston is one stroke, not continuous vacuum. Surface-mount work is outside a pump.
UK plug on heated tools
15%A heated tool needs a BS 1363 plug on 230 V. Only a listing that states Type G scores this. A manual pump is not marked down for having no plug.
Shelf price
10%GBP against occasional through-hole work. A low price does not repair a missing review line or a plastic tip on the iron.
The checks run in this order: the job, the nozzle, the plug if the tool is heated, then price. The table is the twelve listings. Stars are not a suction test. No cm-Hg figure is published for these ASINs.
A desoldering pump, often called a solder sucker, is a spring piston. You melt the joint, seal the nozzle, and fire once. The solder should be liquid. If you fire early, the hole stays bridged. UK hobby repair uses one on through-hole boards, keyboards and old consoles. At work, rosin fume can cause asthma, and the pump does not extract it. This page compares twelve amazon.co.uk listings from an October 2026 capture. It is not a lab test, and it is not a live price check.
The piston only pulls molten solder. If the joint is still solid, or still bridged, the part stays down. Heat, seal, then fire.
PTFE and nylon nozzles melt and clog. The SS-03 silicone nozzle is the one with a stated 350 °C contact rating. Keep other tips off the bit.
Only the YIHUA 929D-V and 929D-VI state Type G. The Preciva and the station do not. Two station reviews disagree on the lead.
A manual pump clears bulk solder from a through-hole joint. Wick cleans pads and the film left behind. Surface-mount ICs need hot air or tweezers. That split is the first decision, and it is why a 4.8 from seven reviews cannot answer a job the pump does not do. In this set the manual rows run from about £1.99 to £20.99. The heated pistons are £36.05 to £49.99. The station is £89.99. A different Weller pump, the SA21A, was £29.35 including VAT at RS.
ENGINEER rates the SS-03 silicone nozzle to 350 °C. The Voltrique title uses similar silicone language and has seven reviews, which is not the same evidence. Plastic tips on the Tabiger and the £1.99 pen melt if they rest on the iron. Heated nozzles are a size choice: 1.0 and 1.2 mm on the Preciva, up to 2 mm on the 929D-V, and 1.5 mm on the 929D-VI. The bore should just clear the lead. Crumbling nozzles are the review theme on the heated pistons, so a spare is part of the price.
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
Keyboard switches and console boards, where the nozzle has to seal. The ENGINEER SS-03 is the top pick at £20.99, with 4.7 from 490 reviews and a silicone nozzle rated to 350 °C. The spring is stiff, and you still need an iron.
You already own an iron and you want the longest review file at a low price. The Fixpoint 51204 is the best value at £5.78, with 4.5 from 1,882 reviews. Reviews include stuck plungers. There is no silicone temperature rating.
You want the iron and the piston in one tool, and the listing must state Type G. The YIHUA 929D-V is £37.99 with 4.3 from 315 reviews and nozzles at 1, 1.2 and 2 mm. Nozzles crumble. It is not a vacuum station.
The top pick is the ENGINEER SS-03 at £20.99, with 4.7 from 490 reviews and a silicone nozzle rated to 350 °C. You still need an iron, and reviews mention a stiff spring. The best value is the Fixpoint 51204 at £5.78, with 4.5 from 1,882 reviews, for occasional through-hole work. A 4.8 from seven reviews on the Voltrique does not replace that file. Only the YIHUA 929D-V and 929D-VI state a Type G plug. The Preciva and the Switch Electronics station do not. Stars are not a suction figure.
Fixpoint 51204
Display badge for £5.78 and 4.5 from 1,882 reviews, the longest line in the set. Stuck plungers are in the reviews. No silicone temperature rating.
Editorial
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Sources taken from the research digest. Listings were read on 20 October 2026. This page did not run a suction test.
This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars and review counts come from stored amazon.co.uk listings. We did not run a lab test.
