My first experience with a USB-C soldering iron was eye-opening. I couldn’t believe how simple it was to make metal connections anywhere, just by plugging the tool into a USB cable. Now, iFixit, a company known for repair tools, has launched its own version of this concept. The iFixit FixHub Smart Soldering Iron claims to be powerful enough for professionals while being user-friendly for beginners.
While it’s not a huge leap forward in technology, after spending a couple of hours with it, I’m really impressed with iFixit’s improvements to an already good idea.
For starters, the $80 soldering iron comes with some smart features. There’s a heat-resistant magnetic cap that lets you safely store it when you’re done, and an LED light that warns you when the tip is still hot. It even has motion sensors to automatically turn it off if you leave it sitting too long or drop it. Additionally, the triangular grip prevents it from rolling off your workbench. I’m not a soldering expert, but these features worked great during my initial testing.
Another thing I love is the dedicated power switch on the handle, unlike my older Miniware TS80 where I had to pull out the plug to turn it off. This iFixit version has a locking USB-C cable, which also makes it harder to accidentally unplug.
If you decide to spend $250 for the complete kit, you’ll also get a portable 55 watt-hour battery designed by iFixit. This battery turns the soldering iron into a portable station. It can provide 100W of power, enough to heat the iron up to melt lead-free solder in just four seconds. The temperature dial feels solid, and the iron’s cap can even transform into an adjustable holster, so you can quickly put the iron away when you’re done.
The battery has two USB-C ports, so if you’re not using the soldering iron, you can use the ports to charge your phone, laptop, or other devices. I saw about 75 watts of power output when testing it. iFixit also mentioned they’re developing other USB-powered tools that will work with this battery.
As expected from iFixit, everything is built to be easily repairable. You can open the power station with the included screwdriver, replace the battery with one iFixit sells for $80, and take apart the rest of the device with a few more screws.
I do have some small complaints, though. The purple LED that indicates the iron is cooling down is hard to tell apart from the blue LED that signals it’s safe to touch. The magnets on the storage cap are very strong, and sometimes they pull the tip toward them, making it tricky to sheath. On occasion, I even dragged the battery pack across the table while trying to pull the iron out.
Another downside is that iFixit didn’t make the tips compatible with other popular USB-C irons like the Pinecil or Miniware models. Although my old Miniware TS80 tips fit perfectly, they aren’t interchangeable. However, iFixit’s additional tips cost $20 each, which is cheaper than what I paid for my TS80 tips. Keep in mind, USB-C tips have built-in heater cores and sensors, so they’re pricier than standard tips.
As much as I’m enjoying the iFixit FixHub, I have to wonder how many people would be just as happy with a cheaper option like the Pinecil, which costs just $26 and is also easy to use. The $80–$250 price range for the iFixit version might be a bit high for some, especially when you need to connect it to a computer to set the temperature. That’s cool, but not as convenient as having a built-in screen like its competitors.
Still, iFixit’s CEO, Kyle Wiens, believes this new soldering iron will appeal to people who might have been intimidated by soldering before. He’s determined to eliminate the frustrations that come with soldering, making it more accessible. He even says he’s on a mission to teach people how to solder, calling it the “glue of the modern age.” iFixit plans to offer more products in the future to support this goal.
Preorders for the FixHub open today, and iFixit will start shipping the product to the US, Canada, Australia, and Europe on October 15th. Additional soldering tips won’t be available for preorder, but they’ll go on sale that same day in different shapes like cone, bevel, wedge, point, and knife edge.
Additionally, iFixit is offering a $300 Portable Soldering Toolkit that includes the iron, battery station, and other handy soldering tools, like a wire stripper, tip cleaner, and flush cutter, all packed into a custom tool roll.
