Silicon Junction

Starting out in electronics can be overwhelming — there are so many tools and gadgets to choose from. To help beginners get going without breaking the bank, I’m focusing on the two tools essential every project: a reliable soldering iron and a versatile multimeter. These are low-cost items I personally use and recommend.

Soldering Station

I can heartily recommend the KSEGR T12 soldering station — it’s fast, compact, and affordable. Here’s why I like it:

• Fast heating: reaches full temperature in under 10 seconds
• Ample power: 75 W is enough for virtually all hobby electronics
• Compact: small footprint, ideal for a crowded desk
• No extra power supply needed: unlike the Pinecil and some others
• Easy tip replacement: T12 tips are cheap and widely available
• Customizable handles: try different handles without replacing the whole unit
• Better overall value: cheaper than the Pinecil when you include the cost of tips
• High-quality compatibility: works with Hakko FX9501 handles and T12 tips, giving you the option to buy name-brand parts for the components that matter

Must-Have Tips (Cover ~90% of Projects)

These two tips alone will cover most soldering needs:

T12-D24 – Standard Chisel Tip

Perfect for most through-hole work; if you only ever do through-hole soldering, this could be the only tip you’ll ever need.

T12-BC1 – Small Beveled Tip

Extremely useful for SMT components, especially for drag soldering.

Nice-to-Have Tips

T12-D16 – Smaller Chisel Tip

Useful for small through-hole and some SMT work. Together with the D24, it gives a versatile beginner selection.

T12-K – Knife Tip

Larger contact area and thermal mass make it ideal for stubborn joints or tinning larger areas of bare copper.

T12-ILS – Fine Conical Tip

Sharp point can reach tricky spots, but rarely needed; keep it as a last resort option.

Multimeter

Zotek ZT111 (a.k.a. ANENG AN8009 / Richmeters RM111)

The Zotek ZT111 can often be found for around $20 and is very well suited to low-voltage hobby electronics.

This meter is also sold as the ANENG AN8009 and Richmeters RM111 — they are electrically the same.
Buy whichever is cheapest. The ANENG rebrand in particular tends to be overpriced.

Important: I do not recommend using this meter on mains voltage. For mains work, see my next recommendation instead.

Here’s why I like it:

• 9999 count – This means the meter scales in powers of ten (0–9.999, 0–99.99, 0–999.9), which makes readings much more intuitive than the awkward jumps you get on cheap 2000-count meters (1.999, 19.99, 199.9)
• Fast auto-ranging – unusually quick and unobtrusive for a meter at this price
• Runs on 2× AAA instead of a 9 V – cheaper, easier to find, and rechargeable-friendly
• Huge, high-contrast display – extremely easy to read
• Fast update rate – makes probing signals feel responsive
• Accurate – meets or exceeds its ratings in all my testing
• Full Range of Functions

And some added extras:

• Temperature measurement with probe included
• Frequency measurement up to 6 MHz – surprisingly useful and a very good range for a budget meter

UNI-T UT139C (Mains-Safe Option)

There’s nothing flashy or unique about the UNI-T UT139C, but at around $50, it’s one of the cheapest multimeters where I actually trust the CAT III safety rating to be legitimate.

If you plan to work on mains voltage or other higher-energy circuits, this is the better and safer choice compared to budget hobby meters.

Here’s why I like it:

Proper Input Protection

• 600 mA and 10 A fuses, both 600 V rated
• The 10 A fuse is certified to 10 kA breaking capacity, which is what actually matters for safety
• Four MOVs and two PTCs protecting the meter’s internal circuitry

True RMS Current Measurement

• Important for accurate AC power measurements, especially with non-sinusoidal loads

Power & Usability

• Runs on 2× AA batteries instead of a 9 V – cheaper, easier to find, rechargeable-friendly
• Fast auto-ranging – responsive and unobtrusive, just like the meter above
• Fast update rate – makes probing signals feel immediate
• Large, easy-to-read display

Useful Measurement Features

• Max/Min capture
• Relative (REL) mode for quick comparisons and offset measurements

If you never plan to touch mains voltage, the Zotek is perfectly fine. If you do, this UNI-T is the minimum tier of meter I’d personally recommend for safety.