Generally, it’s ok to look at this stat when making comparisons, but don’t put too much weight on it. It’s more important to understand how much wattage the iron requires to meet that temperature, which is a measure of efficiency. However, they basically all meet requirements to melt solder (around 700 degrees). The maximum temperature is a common stat you’ll find on most soldering irons. In the hatchet design, the heating element is at a 90 degree (or similar) angle to the handle, which can provide better leverage with less hand strain. The works well for most people, but if you suffer from joint pains or other issues with hand strength, consider one with a ‘Hatchet’ design option. Most soldering irons are a standard ‘In-Line’ design, where the handle and the heating end are in one long straight line. This is one of the most important attributes to consider when you look for a soldering iron, and a general rule of thumb is to buy the one with the highest wattage you can afford. 200 watts: High-End soldering irons - good for all projects and heavy use.Generally, wattage values can be categorized as: It’s also easier for an iron with high wattage to recover from drops in temperature when operating, so they provide a more consistent amount of heat. Irons with a higher wattage will be able to reach the target temperature faster. However, wattage alone doesn’t determine how hot an iron can get (see element type and max temperature below). Similar to light bulbs, higher wattage values are more powerful. Wattage is the amount of power available to a particular soldering iron to heat the element and maintain that temperature. Accessories: Supplemental items like a stand, flux, sponge, etc.Tips: The available soldering iron tips for a particular model.
Element Type: Type of heating element used in the iron.Max Temperature: The maximum temperature the iron can reach.Handle Type: The type of grip and ergonomics of the iron.Wattage: Roughly, the amount of power the iron has.The main attributes you need to keep in mind are: So what’s the difference between them? What makes for a good value? You’ll find a pretty broad range of prices when looking at stained glass soldering irons. Stained Glass Soldering Iron Buyer’s Guide We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to and affiliated sites.