Cordless Soldering Irons

Choosing the right cordless soldering iron
A cordless soldering iron lets you make a joint wherever the job is, whether that is a car loom, a loft light fitting, a garden lighting cable or a circuit board on the kitchen table. No hunting for a socket and no lead dragging across delicate work.
Types of cordless soldering irons
USB rechargeable pens. Slim, light and quick to heat, these charge over USB-C and suit electronics, hobby work and small repairs. Runtime is limited, so they are best for short jobs.
Power tool battery irons. These slide onto an 18V pack from Makita, Bosch, DeWalt and similar platforms. They usually offer more wattage, longer runtime and digital temperature control, which makes them a good fit for electricians and auto electricians who already carry those batteries.
Smart pocket irons. Compact irons such as the TS100 and TS101 style run from a USB-C PD power bank or DC supply. They heat very fast, have programmable temperatures and take a wide choice of tips.
Butane gas irons. Refillable gas irons need no battery at all and often double as a mini torch or hot air tool for heat shrink. They are handy in the van, but temperature is harder to control precisely.
What to compare

Temperature control. Adjustable heat, ideally with a display, lets you set around 300 to 350°C for most lead free solder and lower for delicate parts.
Heat up time. Many modern irons reach working temperature in well under 30 seconds.
Wattage. Higher wattage holds temperature better on thicker cables and larger joints.
Tips. Check the tip type and how easy replacements are to buy. A fine conical tip for boards and a chisel tip for wires covers most work.
Auto sleep and safety cap. These save battery and stop the hot tip damaging your bag or toolbox.

Safety and care
Always use a stand, work in a ventilated area and keep flux fumes away from your face. Clean the tip on a damp sponge or brass wool and keep it tinned with solder so it lasts. Let the iron cool fully before packing it away.
If you are putting together a kit for electrical work, our guide to what tools electricians need is a good place to start, and you can browse more cordless power tools on the same battery platform.
Cordless soldering iron FAQs
Is a cordless soldering iron powerful enough? For electronics, wiring and most repairs, yes. For heavy cable lugs or large metal parts, a high wattage mains iron or gas torch is still better.
What solder should I use? Lead free rosin core solder for electronics. Never use plumbing flux on circuit boards.
How long does the battery last? It varies with pack size and temperature. Small USB pens suit shorter sessions, while an 18V pack will run far longer.