COMPARISON · SOLDERING IRONS
Pinecil V2 vs Q-MING 60W Kit
Pinecil V2 vs Q-MING 60W Kit is a choice between a smart portable iron and a complete starter box. The Pinecil V2 runs from USB-C Power Delivery or a 12–24V DC supply, shows its temperature on an OLED, and reaches up to 88W at 24V. The Q-MING plugs into a wall outlet, sets temperature with a 200–450°C dial, and ships with a stand and five tips. Buy the Pinecil for control and portability, the Q-MING to start soldering with nothing else to buy.
By the OhmSavvy Research Team ·
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Pinecil V2
4.7★★★★★USB-C powered and pocket-sized — the rare budget tool that doesn't feel like a compromise.
Q-MING 60W Kit
4.3★★★★☆A genuinely complete starter kit — easy first purchase for anyone new to soldering.
Specs side by side
| Pinecil V2 | Q-MING 60W Kit | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.7★★★★★ | 4.3★★★★☆ |
| Power | Up to 88W at 24V DC; about 60W from 20V USB-C PD | 60W |
| Heat-up time | ~12 seconds (with a 20V+ supply) | ~15 seconds |
| Temperature control | OLED digital display | Adjustable dial, 200–450°C |
| Best for | Portability, field repairs | Beginners, occasional use |
| Power input | USB-C PD 12–20V 3A, or DC barrel 12–24V | Mains outlet, corded |
| Maximum power | 88W at 24V; about 60W on 20V PD | 60W rated |
| Temperature range | Not published by Pine64 | 200–450°C (dial) |
| Display | 0.69-inch OLED, 96 × 16 | None (marked dial) |
| Length / weight | 155 mm with tip; 28 g with tip | Not stated |
| Included tip | ST-B2 short tip | 5 interchangeable tips |
| Stand | Not included by default | Included |
| Firmware | Open-source IronOS | None (analog) |
Specs checked against manufacturer documentation and official Amazon listings. Desk research, not bench testing. How we research.
Key differences
- →Power: up to 88W at 24V (about 60W from a 20V USB-C PD charger) for the Pinecil against a fixed 60W rating for the Q-MING.
- →Heat-up: about 12 seconds on a 20V or higher supply for the Pinecil against about 15 seconds for the Q-MING.
- →Temperature control: the Pinecil sets and shows a number on its OLED; the Q-MING uses a dial marked 200–450°C with no readout.
- →In the box: the Q-MING includes a stand and five tips; the Pinecil ships with one ST-B2 tip and no stand by default.
- →Power source: the Pinecil needs a USB-C PD charger, power bank or 12–24V DC supply; the Q-MING plugs into a standard outlet.
- →Size: the Pinecil weighs 28 g with its tip, light enough to carry in a pocket or repair kit.
Pinecil V2 vs Q-MING spec by spec
Pine64 publishes a detailed spec page for the Pinecil V2; Q-MING publishes no maker page, so its figures come from our Pick and the official Amazon listing. Where one side is missing a number, we say so rather than guess. Power and heat-up are the two figures both sides state.
On the most common supply, a 65W USB-C PD charger, the Pinecil and the Q-MING have the same 60W on paper. The arithmetic is simple: Power Delivery tops out at 20V and 3A for this iron, and 20 × 3 = 60W. To reach the 88W rating you need a 24V DC supply on the barrel jack. Pine64 also notes that a 12V source works but heats more slowly, which matters if you plan to run it from a small power bank.
Digital set point against a dial
The Pinecil runs IronOS, open-source firmware that sets a target temperature and shows it on the OLED, so you can return to the same setting every time: one value for leaded solder, a higher one for lead-free, a lower one for small parts. The Q-MING's dial is marked from 200°C to 450°C, which gets you into a usable range quickly but gives no readout of what the tip is actually doing.
Pine64's spec page doesn't publish a temperature range for the Pinecil, so we can't chart the two ranges side by side. As a general guide, many solder makers suggest a tip somewhere around 315–370°C for common leaded solder and higher for lead-free; check the data sheet of the solder you buy. Both irons cover that band. If your joints come out dull or grainy, our guide to fixing an iron that won't melt solder walks through tip and temperature checks.
What the box costs you later
Pinecil V2 vs Q-MING: which should you buy?
| You are… | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-time solderer with no tools | Q-MING 60W Kit | Stand and five tips included; plugs into the wall |
| Hobbyist who already owns a 65W USB-C charger | Pinecil V2 | Digital set point and OLED with no extra power brick |
| Field repairs, drones or RC away from mains | Pinecil V2 | Runs from a USB-C PD power bank, 28 g |
| Heavy wires and large connectors | Pinecil V2 on 24V | Up to 88W on a 24V DC supply |
| Occasional household fixes | Q-MING 60W Kit | Simple dial, nothing to configure |
| Learning on lead-free solder | Pinecil V2 | Repeatable temperature setting helps with hotter solder |
For another USB-C option, see Pinecil V2 vs TS101. If you are just starting out, our best soldering iron for beginners guide and how to use a soldering iron cover the first joints.
Safety: both tips run hotter than 200°C
Choose the Pinecil V2 if…
- ✓You solder away from a bench, or want an iron that fits in a pocket at 28 g
- ✓You want a digital set temperature and already own a USB-C PD charger or power bank
- ✓You may later run it from a 24V supply for more power on heavy joints
Choose the Q-MING 60W Kit if…
- ✓You're new to soldering and want iron, stand and tips in one box
- ✓You solder a few times a month and prefer a simple dial
- ✓You don't own a USB-C PD charger and don't want to buy one
The bottom line
For a first-time buyer who just wants to start, the Q-MING kit removes every extra purchase: plug it in, set the dial and solder. If portability, a repeatable digital temperature or more power from a 24V supply matter to you, the Pinecil V2 is the more capable tool, as long as you budget for a stand and have a USB-C PD charger.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Pinecil V2 need a special power supply?+
It needs a USB-C Power Delivery or QC 3.0 source that offers 12–20V at 3A, or a 12–24V DC supply on its DC5525 barrel jack. Pine64 rates it at up to 88W from 24V, and a 65W 20V PD charger gives about 60W. A phone charger that only offers 5V won't heat it properly.
Can the Pinecil V2 run from a power bank?+
Yes, if the power bank supports USB-C Power Delivery at 12V or higher. A bank that offers 20V at 3A gets close to the iron's 60W PD figure; a 12V-only bank works but heats more slowly, as Pine64 notes. Check the bank's output label for its PD voltages before relying on it for a field repair.
Which is better for a complete beginner?+
The Q-MING 60W Kit, if you want everything in one box: it includes a stand and five tips and plugs into the wall. The Pinecil V2 suits beginners who want a digital temperature readout and portability, already own a USB-C PD charger, and don't mind buying a stand separately.
Is the Q-MING 60W temperature dial accurate?+
Q-MING doesn't publish an accuracy figure, so treat the 200–450°C markings as a guide rather than a measurement. Start in the middle of the dial and turn it up only until solder flows cleanly within a couple of seconds. If you need to know the real tip temperature, a tip thermometer is the only way to check it.
Can I use other tips on the Pinecil V2?+
Pine64 lists the ST-B2 short tip as the one included with the V2. If you add more shapes, use tips sold for the Pinecil rather than random pen-iron tips, because the tip carries the heater and sensor connection. The Q-MING includes five tips, but its listing does not name the tip series, so buy spares from the same listing.
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