Choosing the correct soldering iron tip is critical for effective and reliable soldering. It is important to consider the type of tip and also the size. Using the incorrect tip or a tip that is too small can lead to an inefficient soldering process and weak solder joints. Whereas using a tip that is too large can potentially cause damage to the component, pad or circuit board due to high heat transfer. 

Main Type Of Tips

Chisel

Chisel tips are one of the most popular and versatile types. They have two flat sides and a

tapered edge, this helps spread the heat uniformly and also allows the tip to get in between components. 

The tips are ideal for soldering cables, connectors, wider surface mount components, through hole components and desoldering applications. 

Chisel tips are available in a wide range of widths. For desoldering applications the size of the tip is important relative to the size of the pad. As a general guideline, the tip  should be approximately 60% of the pad size.

Conical

Conical tips feature a pointed tip, designed for precision applications requiring the heat to be concentrated to a small area. These characteristics make conical tips ideal for soldering connectors, surface-mount and through hole PCB components. 

Conical tips are not usually suitable for soldering larger components and cable due to the small heat transfer area. They are handy for precision work and working with small components e.g. soldering PCB connectors, surface mount LEDs and semiconductors. 

Hoof / Bevel / Sloped Conical

The hoof tip (also known as bevel and sloped conical) features a sloped flat edge, featuring a large surface area, capable of holding more solder than other types of tips. These tips are ideal for soldering components requiring high amounts of solder to make the joint.

The tip can be pre-loaded with solder making it suitable for drag soldering (method for quickly soldering multiple pins) and soldering small components where the pre-loaded solder is sufficient to make the connection. The hoof tip can save the user significant time when used for these applications.

Knife 

The knife tip features a sharp edge, used for soldering in tight cavities. The tip is ideal for soldering surface-mount components, J-leaded pins and fixing solder bridges.

This type of tip is less common and suited for specific applications.

Other Points To Consider

Compatibility

We always recommend purchasing genuine tips designed for your soldering iron. There are many different styles of tips, generally speaking they cannot be interchanged with a different style or brand. Some tips are also inferior quality, they will have a much reduced lifespan and can cause temperature or heat transfer issues with the soldering iron.

Size

Each type of soldering tip usually has multiple sizes available. It is important to choose the correct size otherwise it can lead to inefficient soldering, excess heat transfer and weak solder joints. We usually recommend a tip between 1mm to 2mm for general applications, unless your application is more specific. E.g. a larger tip may be used for soldering heavy duty cables, a small conical tip may be used for precise PCB soldering.

Versatility 

It is not always possible to carry a wide range of tips, so it is important to consider the versatility of each type of tip. The chisel tip is the most versatile tip by far, this tip should be your first purchase for your soldering iron for general applications. Most soldering irons come fitted with a conical tip, having a conical and chisel tip will be suitable for the majority of scenarios.