The best USB soldering irons, compared.
Top pick: KAIWEETS KETS02 – 65 W USB-C, 80–420 °C, five tips and a GaN charger, with 4.5 from 400 reviews. Best value: Beizkna 3200 mAh – A C210 kit, 3200 mAh and 4.4 from 1,339 reviews at about £49.98, with modest stated output. Updated October 2026.
It is a 65 W USB-C iron with an 80–420 °C range, five tips and a charger, and no cell in the handle. Its listing says 16 W and 12 W DC, so treat it as a light-repair iron. These twelve amazon.co.uk listings are pencil irons powered by USB-C or by a battery you recharge over USB. They are not a mains station and not a gas iron. A cell is often claimed at about 4–16 W. A USB-C or DC handpiece is claimed around 65 W. Tell them apart by the cell and the tip family. Stars do not prove battery life: and both have UK reviews about cells. The [USB soldering iron buying guide](/hub/soldering-and-welding/usb-soldering-iron/sub/usb-soldering-iron-buying-guide) sets the order: architecture, then wattage, then the tip.
It is a 65 W USB-C iron with an 80–420 °C range, five tips and a charger, and no cell in the handle. Its listing says 16 W and 12 W DC, so treat it as a light-repair iron.
42 products checked · 58 hrs invested · +21,400 readers
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Personal buying guide
Question 1 of 2
What job is this?
The KAIWEETS KETS02 is a 65 W USB-C iron that trades an internal battery for steadier power from the included GaN charger. Its 80–420 °C range and five supplied tips give you more control than a single-temperature rechargeable pen. The 4.5-star rating from 400 amazon.co.uk reviews is a solid signal for this comparison, although it does not remove the need to match a power bank to the stated 12 V/3 A or 9 V/2 A profiles. UK reviews mention a short USB-C cable and the absence of a storage bag. Because there is no cell in the handle, it is portable rather than truly cordless, but that architecture avoids waiting for an integrated battery to recharge. At £76.49, it is expensive, yet the charger in the box makes the package easier to use as specified.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Portable electronics work where a suitable PD socket or power bank is available.
Less suitable: Jobs that must be completed with no cable or external power source.
Specifications
Common questions
Does this iron have its own battery?
No battery is stated. The power-source attribute says corded electric, and the bullets describe USB-C PD up to 65 W.
Will a power bank run it?
The bullet says outdoor use needs a 12 V/3 A or 9 V/2 A power bank. A phone-style 5 V port is not what that line asks for.
Is a case included?
A storage bag is not listed. The included line has a stand with a cleaning sponge. UK reviews ask for a bag and call the USB-C cable short.
The ingoodtle kit is a low-cost cordless iron for quick, light jobs, with a stand and three tips included for £14.89. Its 4.5-star amazon.co.uk rating looks attractive, but it comes from only 19 reviews and is therefore a thin signal. The listing gives 260–420 °C in a bullet while an attribute says 450 °C, so the actual control ceiling is not presented consistently. One UK reviewer reports about 50 minutes of use after an overnight charge, but the listing does not state the battery capacity. The wattage and tip family are also missing, which makes it difficult to judge heat recovery before purchase. It is an inexpensive starter kit, though not a well-documented choice for demanding repairs.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Occasional small joints on a tight budget.
Less suitable: Frequent repairs or buyers who need verified output and runtime.
Specifications
Common questions
What temperature does the listing state?
The bullet says 260–420 °C. The upper-temperature attribute says 450 °C. Both are kept.
How long does the battery last?
Capacity is not in the attribute block. One UK review says an overnight charge then about 50 minutes of use.
Does it come with a stand?
Yes. The title includes a stand, and the bullet adds a sponge.
The Fanttik T1 Max is a portable C210 iron for short repair jobs where carrying a separate power supply would defeat the point. Its 4.4-star rating from 1,989 amazon.co.uk reviews is the strongest volume signal in this group, and the four named cartridges make the kit more adaptable than a single-tip pen. The listing is less clear about power: it gives 16 W as an attribute but only 11 W maximum DC output in a bullet. That modest cordless output makes it better suited to wires and small pads than thick copper or large joints. The 2600 mAh cell and claimed DC/AC mode add flexibility, though neither claim proves sustained performance under load. At £75.99, you are paying for the integrated kit and established review base rather than raw wattage.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Short wire, connector and light PCB repairs away from a socket.
Less suitable: Ground planes, thick lugs and buyers seeking maximum power per pound.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the Fanttik T1 Max run without a lead?
The power-source line says battery powered, and the bullet describes a 2600 mAh cell. The same bullet also claims a DC/AC mode.
Which tips does the listing name?
The bullet names four C210 tips: C210-I, C210-IS and two C210-K.
Why are there two wattage figures?
The attribute says 16 watts. The bullet says the maximum DC output is 11 W. Both are kept.
The Beizkna kit pairs a 3200 mAh cell with C210 cartridges, a stand and a tool box for £49.98. Its 4.4-star rating from 1,339 amazon.co.uk reviews provides much stronger buyer evidence than most cordless rivals in this set. The listing gives 16 W in the attributes but 12 W maximum DC output in a bullet, so it should still be treated as a light-repair iron rather than a high-power station. A claimed wired mode adds flexibility, although one UK reviewer reports repeated shut-offs when using it plugged in. Named C210 tips make replacements easier to identify, and the two-year listing warranty is unusual here. It offers the strongest balance of kit, review volume and price, provided you accept its modest output and disputed pass-through behaviour.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Cordless small repairs where a complete, replaceable-tip kit offers good value.
Less suitable: Ground planes, thick terminals and guaranteed use while charging.
Specifications
Common questions
Which replacement tips fit?
The bullet names C210-I, C210-IS and C210-K. A UK review says to seat the cartridge fully or the iron shows a fault.
Can it run from the cable as well as the cell?
The bullet claims a wired mode. A UK review says it kept shutting off when used while plugged in.
What is the wattage?
The attribute says 16 watts. The bullet says up to 12 W DC from the 3200 mAh cell. Both are kept.
The HOTO I-A06 is a dual-mode C245 iron that claims up to 60 W cordless and 140 W when wired, giving it a broader operating range than the low-power battery pens. Three C245 shapes and a 100–450 °C range suit varied electronics work, while the 150 g handpiece remains relatively compact. Its 4.4-star amazon.co.uk rating comes from only 43 reviews, so the evidence is much thinner than the headline specification. UK feedback says the cell drains quickly on larger jobs and that the iron is not intended for big joints, despite the 140 W wired claim. The battery capacity and BS 1363 plug status are not stated. At £89.99, it is the most expensive product here and is best justified by genuine use of both modes.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Buyers who need one compact iron for cordless touch-ups and higher-powered wired work.
Less suitable: Large joints on battery power or value-focused occasional users.
Specifications
Common questions
Is 140 W the cordless power?
No. The attribute says 140 watts. The bullet says up to 140 W when plugged in and up to 60 W cordless.
Which tips are in the box?
Three C245 tips: C245-KU, C245-B and C245-C2, plus a stand and a Type-C cable.
Will it do large joints on the cell?
A UK review says it is not for big jobs and that the battery drains quickly on larger work. The listing’s cordless figure is 60 W, not the 140 W wired figure.
The Offfay TS101 is a light 33 g handpiece that draws up to 65 W from USB-C or a DC 5525 supply rather than carrying its own cell. Its 50–400 °C range and external-power architecture suit a compact bench or tool bag where a capable PD source is already available. The 4.4-star rating comes from only 38 amazon.co.uk reviews, and one buyer says a suitable working plug was not included. Buyers who assumed it was battery powered were disappointed, so the need for an external source is a central limitation rather than a minor detail. A case and stand are not stated, and the listing names only a TS-I tip without clarifying the family. At £58.64 before any missing power accessory, it makes most sense for someone who already owns the supply.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Portable bench work with an existing compatible PD or DC supply.
Less suitable: Buyers expecting a self-contained cordless kit.
Specifications
Common questions
Is the TS101 battery powered?
No. The attribute says corded electric. The bullet lists USB-C and a DC 5525 port. UK reviewers who expected a cell say it needs an external supply.
What supply does the listing ask for?
The bullet says DC 9–24 V and PD 3.0 9–28 V. The title mentions an adapter for DC 9–24 V or PD 3.0 9–24 V. One UK review says a working plug was not in the box.
Does it include a case?
A case is not stated. The included line lists soldering iron tips and USB.
The FROGBRO LD006A-Pro is an 11 W cordless pen aimed at thin wires, jewellery work and brief repairs rather than sustained bench use. Its 4.0 rating from 490 amazon.co.uk reviews gives a useful evidence base, but the UK reviews also say thicker work can overwhelm its heat delivery. A touch sensor may make wake-up convenient, while the 2500 mAh cell keeps the iron independent of a lead. The listing supplies only an upper temperature of 520 °C rather than a clear adjustable range, so control is less transparent than on models with a proper display. A stand is named, but a case and tip family are not. At £30.67, it sits in the middle of the battery-pen market without resolving those specification gaps.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Thin wires, jewellery and occasional low-mass joints.
Less suitable: Thick conductors, old joints and work needing precise temperature control.
Specifications
Common questions
Is the temperature adjustable?
A stepped user range is not stated. The upper-temperature attribute is 520 °C.
Does it include a case?
A case is not named. The included-components line names a stand.
What job does the listing give it?
The usage attribute says jewellery soldering. UK reviews talk about thin wires and say thicker work lacks heat.
The XIHXWL cordless pen covers small, short repairs with a 260–420 °C display and USB-C recharging for £13.69. UK reviewers say it heats quickly enough for light work, and one also used a power bank to extend a job. Its 4.0-star rating from 47 amazon.co.uk reviews is only a modest evidence base, however. UK reviews repeatedly flag short battery life, including one unit that went flat after a few minutes, and reviewers do not expect the supplied tips to last. Wattage, battery capacity and a wired operating mode are not stated, so the headline temperature does not tell you how well it will recover on a heat-sinking joint. This is a cheap convenience tool, not a dependable substitute for a powered iron.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A few small wire or component joints where portability matters.
Less suitable: Long sessions, old solder and thermally heavy joints.
Specifications
Common questions
Can it charge from a power bank?
The bullet says it can be recharged from a laptop, power bank or adapter. One UK review also ran it from a USB power bank for longer work.
Is a case included?
The included line says a soldering iron set. A case is not named.
What do UK reviews say about the tips and the cell?
Reviewers say it heats quickly for small jobs. They also say the included tips will not last and that the battery is only enough for short work. One unit went flat after a few minutes.
The SZ-KARIDGE kit combines a 1600 mAh cordless iron, a 180–450 °C range, a stand and a storage case for £26.99. That complete box is convenient for small electronics or vehicle wiring where loose hot tools are a nuisance. Its 4.0-star amazon.co.uk rating is based on only 37 reviews, and the feedback includes rapid discharge and one cell that stopped charging at about 60%. The listing claims use while charging, but it does not state the wattage, so sustained heat delivery remains uncertain. Three tips broaden the kit, although their family is not named for replacement buying. It offers more organisation than cheaper pens, but battery confidence is the main compromise.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Small mobile repair kits where a case and stand matter.
Less suitable: Long sessions or work that depends on reliable sustained output.
Specifications
Common questions
Can it be used while charging?
The bullet says yes. UK reviews also describe a cell that discharges quickly and one that stopped charging at about 60%.
What is the temperature range?
180–450 °C, with a default start of 350 °C in the bullet. Wattage is not stated.
Is a case included?
Yes. The included line lists a stand and a storage case.
The XunHe pen is the cheapest product in this comparison and combines a 1000 mAh cell with a claimed 25 W attribute and 260–420 °C control. It can handle brief, low-mass repairs, but the listing itself excludes plumbing and UK reviews describe difficulty melting solder on old joints. Its 4.0-star rating is based on only 30 amazon.co.uk reviews, so faults and runtime are not yet well characterised. The listing claims more than 40 minutes after a 1.5-hour charge, while buyers report a short battery and poor recovery when the joint absorbs heat. It also warns against high-power charging heads, an awkward limitation for a USB-C product. At £10.98, the price is appealing, but its practical envelope is narrow.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Very occasional small electronics and wire repairs.
Less suitable: Plumbing, thick copper, old joints and regular workshop use.
Specifications
Common questions
Is it suitable for plumbing?
No. The bullet says it is not suitable for plumbing.
What charging limit does the listing give?
The bullet says not to use high-power charging heads. It claims a 1.5-hour charge gives over 40 minutes of use.
Why might it fail to melt solder?
UK reviews say the battery is short and that the tip cannot keep up when the joint sinks heat. One review says it would not melt solder on an old joint at the stated 420 °C.
The Seesii S01 is a 16 W cordless C210 kit with a 2600 mAh cell, four cartridges and a foldable stand. Its 200–450 °C range and claimed cable-powered operation cover the basic features expected from a portable repair iron. The package also includes tweezers, a desoldering pump and sponges, although no storage case is named. The amazon.co.uk listing we used has no customer-review line or review text, so battery life, temperature recovery and durability cannot be checked against buyer experience. At £84.99, it costs more than better-evidenced C210 kits despite offering no verified advantage in output. It is therefore a specification-led option rather than a confident editorial recommendation.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Buyers specifically wanting this C210 kit and willing to accept missing review evidence.
Less suitable: Anyone prioritising proven runtime, value or sustained power.
Specifications
Common questions
What do buyers rate it?
The amazon.co.uk listing we used has no customer-review line and no review text, so the rating is not available here.
Which tips are included?
The included line lists four C210 tips, plus a foldable stand, a pump, tweezers, sponges and a charging cable.
Can it run from the cable?
The bullet says to connect the charging cable for continuous wired operation when the cell is low.
The WORKEASE cordless pen is a 4 W battery tool with one stated 450 °C setting rather than an adjustable range. Its claimed 2000 mAh cell and supplied bag make it easy to carry for a very small emergency joint. The fixed high setting gives you little control on delicate boards, while 4 W leaves little reserve when copper draws heat away from the tip. The amazon.co.uk listing we used has no customer-review line or review text, so the claimed runtime of up to two hours has no buyer evidence here. A bracket, solder, tweezers and sponges are listed, but the replacement tip family is not. At £21.99, it is inexpensive, yet the limited control and missing reviews make it one of the weakest-documented choices.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A rare emergency joint where low cost and portability outweigh control.
Less suitable: Delicate PCBs, heavy joints and buyers needing verified runtime.
Specifications
Common questions
Can the temperature be turned down?
A stepped range is not stated. The bullet says you press until the light is green and the iron reaches 450 °C.
What wattage does the attribute give?
4 watts. Special features also say 4 V battery powered. The bullet claims a 2000 mAh cell and up to 2 hours.
Is there a star rating?
The amazon.co.uk listing we used has no customer-review line and no review text.
We compared 12 USB soldering iron listings on amazon.co.uk. The score is an editorial comparison score. It is not a laboratory heat test, and it does not turn a marketplace star rating into measured battery life. Points come off where the review line is missing or the sample is very small, where wattage or temperature figures conflict, where battery or weak-heat complaints recur, and where a BS 1363 plug, charger, stand, case or tip family is unclear. Conflicting listing figures are kept separate rather than averaged. The weights below sum to 100.
UK customer evidence
30%Star rating, review count and whether the same strengths or faults recur in the UK review text. A high rating from a very small sample scores lower than a similar rating from hundreds of reviews.
Power and control
25%Stated output, temperature adjustment and power architecture, and whether the iron is likely to hold heat for light repairs. Conflicting listing figures stay separate.
Tip system and equipment
20%A named cartridge family, useful tip shapes, a stand, a case, a charger and repair accessories.
Value
15%The amazon.co.uk shelf price on 15 October 2026 against the documented capability and the kit in the box.
Practicality and support
10%Portability, a clear power source, any stated warranty and how easy it is to replace the tip.
Choose the architecture before the star rating. A cell in the handle, a USB-C or DC handpiece, and a dual-mode kit are different tools. Then read the wattage for the mode you will actually use.
A USB soldering iron, as UK shoppers use the phrase on amazon.co.uk, is a pencil iron powered by USB-C or by a built-in battery you recharge over USB. It is not a mains station and not a gas iron. These twelve listings split into a handpiece with its own cell, often claimed at about 4–16 W, and a handpiece that only heats from USB-C Power Delivery or a DC barrel lead, claimed around 65 W. Dual-mode kits, including Fanttik, Beizkna, Seesii and HOTO, claim both a cell and a lead.
The Offfay TS101 and the KAIWEETS KETS02 are corded over USB-C or DC. UK reviewers who expected a cell in the TS101 were disappointed. Check the power-source line before you assume the pen will run in a loft with no lead.
Fanttik prints 16 W and 11 W DC. Beizkna prints 16 W and 12 W DC. HOTO prints 140 W and, in a bullet, 140 W wired or 60 W cordless. Keep both figures. The cordless job is the lower one.
C210, named on Fanttik, Beizkna and Seesii, is a different cartridge from C245, named on HOTO. A tip family that is not stated, which is common on the cheap pens, is a gap, not a match.
Architecture comes first. A cell in the handle, on Fanttik, Beizkna, Seesii, FROGBRO, the cheap pens and HOTO’s cordless mode, is a different iron from USB-C or DC only, on the Offfay TS101 and the KAIWEETS KETS02. The TS101 weight attribute is 33 g because the battery is not in the pen. Dual-mode kits claim both a cell and a lead. A claimed wired mode is still a listing claim: one UK review of the Beizkna says it kept shutting off when used while plugged in.
Match the supply you already own. A 5 V phone charger can light a screen and still not run a heater. PINE64’s Pinecil notes, the mechanism example, say 12 V at 3 A is a slow minimum and a USB-C PD supply around 65 W, 20 V and 3 A or more is what they recommend. KAIWEETS names a power bank around 12 V at 3 A or 9 V at 2 A. XunHe tells you not to use high-power charging heads. None of these twelve listings states a BS 1363 plug.
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
You already understand Power Delivery and you can use a charger or a suitable power bank. The KAIWEETS KETS02 is about £76.49, with 65 W USB-C, 80–420 °C, five tips and a GaN charger, and 4.5 from 400 reviews. It has no cell, so it will not finish a job with no cable and no external supply. Keep a station for ground planes.
You already own a mains iron and want no lead for a vehicle, an overhead wire or a brief joint. The Fanttik T1 Max is a cordless C210 kit at about £75.99, with 4.4 from 1,989 reviews, four named tips and a 2600 mAh cell. The listing states 16 W and 11 W DC. It is a poor match for thick copper, and the stars do not prove runtime.
You want a low shelf price for small wires and you can accept a short runtime. The XunHe pen is about £10.98, with a 1000 mAh cell, a 25 W attribute and 260–420 °C. It has 4.0 from 30 reviews, the bullet excludes plumbing, and UK reviews describe weak heat on old joints. A named C210 kit is a different buy.
For portable electronics work where a USB-C supply is available, the top pick is the KAIWEETS KETS02 at about £76.49: 65 W, 80–420 °C, five tips and a GaN charger, with 4.5 from 400 reviews and no cell in the handle. For cordless small repairs, the best value is the Beizkna 3200 mAh kit at about £49.98, with named C210 tips, a tool box and 4.4 from 1,339 reviews. Its listing states 16 W and 12 W DC, so it is not a high-power station. Neither score is a lab test, or a claim about every USB iron on sale in Britain.
KAIWEETS KETS02
65 W USB-C, 80–420 °C, five tips and a GaN charger, with 4.5 from 400 reviews.
Beizkna 3200 mAh
A C210 kit, 3200 mAh and 4.4 from 1,339 reviews at about £49.98, with modest stated output.
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.
Public UK sources and the amazon.co.uk listings in this set, dated 15 October 2026.
This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices and review counts are from amazon.co.uk listings. We did not lab-test these irons.
