The $10 “fire-starter” is the most common beginner soldering iron. These are simple irons with a hot end, a handle, and little else. There’s no temperature control or indication. Despite their ...

If you have a keen interest in electronics or are a do-it-yourself enthusiast, you absolutely need to have a few tools and accessories at your disposal at all times. One of them is a soldering iron.

It costs two to 10 times as much as a Pinecil, though! It costs two to 10 times as much as a Pinecil, though! is a senior editor and founding member of The Verge who covers gadgets, games, and toys.

One of the first tools that is added to a toolbox when working on electronics, perhaps besides a multimeter, is a soldering iron. From there, soldering tools can be added as needed such as a hot air ...