UY CHAN Upgraded Original TS101 40W PD 65W DC Power Programm

The Verdict

The UY CHAN TS101 isn’t just another USB-C soldering iron. It’s the answer to a specific question: do you need a full station for occasional board work, or do you want something that heats up before you finish plugging it in? At 4.5 stars across 225 ratings, this pocket-sized iron has clearly found its audience. Here’s who that audience is — and isn’t.

What you actually get

The box contains the iron itself, a 1.2m USB-C to USB-C cable, a TS-I01 conical tip (installed), and a basic manual. No power adapter — you supply your own USB-C PD charger. That’s either a smart cost cut or an annoyance depending on what you own. If you’ve got a 65W laptop charger lying around, you’re set. If not, factor in another $20-30 for a proper PD adapter.

The iron itself is compact: roughly 180mm long and 34g without the cable. It feels like a quality pen, not a toy. The OLED screen is the standout feature — it displays current temperature and wattage draw in real time, which is genuinely useful for diagnosing thermal performance on heavy joints.

Performance: the headline numbers

With a 65W PD adapter, the TS101 hits 350°C in about 5 seconds. That’s not marketing hype — it’s the same heating core used in the Miniware TS101, and the UY CHAN is a licensed/upgraded variant. The 40W USB-C mode (standard PD) still gets you to soldering temperature in under 10 seconds, which beats most $60+ stations that need 30-60 seconds to stabilize.

Temperature control is accurate to ±5°C, and the iron recovers quickly on large ground planes — a common weakness in cheap irons. The firmware supports temperature adjustment in 1°C increments from 100°C to 400°C, and you can program it via the PC UI if you’re into that level of control.

What buyers consistently praise

The recurring theme in positive reviews is the “grab and go” factor. One verified buyer wrote: “I replaced my 60W station with this for 90% of my work. Heats up faster than my station, and I can toss it in a drawer when done.” Another noted: “The OLED display showing wattage is brilliant — you can see exactly when the tip is struggling.” Multiple reviewers mention using it with power banks for field repairs, which is a legit use case no station iron can match.

Where it falls short

The 1.2m cable is genuinely short. On a bench with your PD charger on the floor, you’ll feel the constraint. Buy a 2m USB-C extension or mount the charger on your desk.

The stock conical tip is fine for SMD and fine-pitch work, but it struggles with through-hole soldering on larger pads. A TS-I chisel tip (about $8) fixes this immediately — just budget for it.

No sleep stand is included. The iron has an auto-sleep after 10 minutes idle, but you’ll want something to rest it on during active use. The silicone mat sold separately is $15+; a cheap metal stand works just as well.

Who should buy this

• Drone/RC hobbyists who solder in the field — this pairs perfectly with a 65W power bank
• Electronics students who need one iron for dorms, labs, and home — it replaces three tools
• Anyone with limited bench space — it’s smaller than a pencil case

Skip it if you do heavy through-hole work daily (like appliance repair) or you want a full station with hot air. This is a precision iron, not a workhorse.

FAQ

Q: Can it run off a standard 5V USB port? A: No. It needs USB-C PD at 12V/20V minimum. A phone charger won’t work.

Q: Does it work with TS100 tips? A: No — TS101 uses TS-I series tips. They’re not cross-compatible with the TS100’s TS-C series. Buy accordingly.

Q: Is the OLED screen durable? A: Yes, it’s recessed and protected by the aluminum body. No reported failures in the review sample set.

The Verdict

Buy it if you want a genuinely portable, fast-heating iron that handles 90% of electronics work and disappears into a drawer when done.

Skip it if you need a dedicated station with hot air or do heavy production soldering daily.

Rating: 4.6/5 — The TS101 nails portability and speed with real firmware smarts. It’s not perfect (that cable!), but at this price, it’s the best pocket iron you can buy. Pair it with a chisel tip and a 65W charger, and you’ve got a kit that punches far above its size.

Where to Buy

👉 Check Price on Amazon →

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.