Miniware TS101 Soldering Iron: Specifications, Real-World Power, and What It's Good For

In short: The Miniware TS101 is a compact, USB-C powered smart soldering iron with an OLED display, adjustable temperature from 50°C to 400°C, and dual power input — it runs from either a USB-C Power Delivery (PD) supply or a DC barrel jack. It is the direct successor to the popular TS100 and uses the same tips, which matters if you are upgrading. It suits electronics hobbyists, repair work, field use, and 3D-printing makers who install heat-set threaded inserts.

If you have spent any time in the maker world, you have seen the TS-series irons. The Miniware TS101 is the current model, and most of the questions people ask about it are practical ones: how much power does it really have, will it take the tips I already own, and is it any good for 3D printing? This guide answers those plainly, including the wattage question — which is widely misunderstood — and where the TS101 fits against the TS100 and the Pinecil V2.

What is the Miniware TS101?

The Miniware TS101 is a portable, temperature-controlled soldering iron made by e-design. It is the latest in a line that began with the TS100, which brought small, pen-style smart irons into the mainstream, and continued through the USB-C TS80 and TS80P. The TS101 keeps the pen form factor and the on-handle controls, adds a larger OLED screen, and — its headline change — accepts both USB-C PD and a DC barrel jack rather than just one or the other.

It is a complement to a bench station, not a replacement for a heavy-duty one. For everyday soldering, repairs and portable work, it does the job in a package that fits in a laptop bag.

Miniware TS101 specifications at a glance

A point worth flagging up front: the USB-C and DC inputs cannot be used at the same time. You pick one source for the job.

How much power does the TS101 really have?

This is the most common point of confusion, so it is worth being precise.

You will see the TS101 advertised at "up to 90W." That figure is achievable, but only under specific conditions: a USB-C PD3.1 power supply capable of 28V at 5A, a cable rated for 240W (EPR), and firmware set to allow the higher draw. Take away any one of those and you do not get 90W.

In normal use, expect:

• Around 45W over USB-C with a typical PD charger or power bank.
• Up to 65W over DC, and only when you feed it a 24V supply.

For the large majority of work — through-hole components, headers, most wires, SMD rework and heat-set inserts in 3D prints — 45–65W is plenty, and the iron reaches a stable 350°C in roughly 15 seconds. The 90W ceiling only matters if you regularly solder heavy-gauge wire, thick ground planes or large multi-layer boards that soak up heat. The TS101 can handle those, but you have to buy the right power supply and cable to unlock it.

It is also worth knowing that wattage ratings across all USB-C irons are a bit slippery: the figure on the box is what the iron can negotiate, while the wattage actually delivered to the heating element depends on your charger's PD profile and cable. The practical takeaway is simple — a cheap 5V phone charger will not run this iron. Budget for a proper PD supply.

Dual power input: USB-C PD and DC

The standout upgrade over earlier models is flexibility. The TS80 and TS80P were USB-C only; the TS100 was DC only. The TS101 takes both:

• USB-C PD, 9–28V — power it from a USB-C wall plug or a PD power bank. This is what makes it genuinely portable.
• DC barrel jack (5.5 × 2.5 mm), 9–24V — feed it from a bench supply or a higher-voltage source when you want more headroom.

In practice, most people use USB-C for convenience and on-the-go work, and switch to a 24V DC supply when they want the extra wattage for bigger joints.

Display, controls and smart features

The TS101 carries a 128 × 32 pixel OLED screen — larger than the TS100's — and two buttons (A and B) on the handle for navigating temperature, presets and settings. The features that matter day to day:

• Boost mode — a quick jump to a higher temperature for a stubborn joint, then back down.
• Overheat detection — a safety cut-out and warning if it runs too hot.
• Updatable firmware — connect over USB-C and the iron mounts as a drive; you can adjust settings through a plain text file, set custom temperature profiles and presets, and even change the boot logo. It also supports open-source community firmware.

Tips and consumables: why TS100 compatibility matters

The TS101 uses TS100-compatible tips, and this is a more practical advantage than it sounds. Because the TS100 was so widely adopted, its tips are cheap, plentiful and stocked nearly everywhere — fine conical tips for detail work, chisel and bevel tips for general soldering, knife tips, and so on. If you are upgrading from a TS100, your existing tips carry straight over.

Swapping a tip is a quick screw-off, screw-on operation — handy both for changing shape mid-project and for replacing a worn tip without binning the whole iron.

Using the TS101 for heat-set inserts in 3D prints

This is where the TS101 earns its place on a maker's bench, and it is the use case most generic soldering guides skip.

If you 3D print functional parts, heat-set threaded inserts are one of the highest-value upgrades you can make. A brass knurled insert, melted into the plastic, gives you a proper metal thread that survives being assembled and disassembled many times — instead of a printed thread or a self-tapping screw that strips after a few cycles. The TS101 is well suited to this for three reasons:

1. Adjustable temperature. Different plastics behave differently — PLA, PETG and ABS each soften at different points (see our PLA vs PETG guide for the detail). Being able to dial in the temperature means you melt the plastic cleanly rather than scorching it.
2. It takes insert tips. Brass heat-set insert tips and adapters are made for TS100/TS101-compatible irons in M2, M2.5, M3, M4, M5, and M6  sizes, and screw on the same way a normal tip does.
3. Size and balance. The light, pen-style body makes it easy to press an insert in squarely without it tilting.

A quick note on technique: set the temperature high enough to melt the surrounding plastic cleanly but not so high that it overflows or scorches the surface. Press slowly and let the brass do the work — the insert should sink in and finish flush with the part. Tips designed with a shorter embedding distance help avoid deforming the part as the insert seats.

TS101 vs TS100 vs Pinecil V2

These three come up together constantly, so here is an honest side-by-side.

 

The honest verdict: the TS101 is the more complete, ready-to-use package. It comes with a heat-resistant USB-C cable and a tip in the box, has a more ergonomic body with a finger guard and a clear 128 × 32 display, and takes the widely stocked TS100 tips directly. The Pinecil V2 has a lower sticker price and a very active open-source firmware community, but it ships bare — no cable and no power supply — so once you add a decent charger and cable, the real-world cost lands much closer than the price tags suggest. The TS100 still works if you already own one and have a DC supply, but it is the older, DC-only option.

For most makers — and especially if you are installing heat-set inserts as part of a 3D-printing workflow — the TS101 is the one to reach for. It is also the iron we stock and support locally, with delivery across Kuwait and the GCC, rather than something to import and arrange warranty for from abroad.

Who the TS101 is — and isn't — for

A good fit if you are:

• An electronics hobbyist or maker doing through-hole, SMD rework and general repairs.
• Working in the field or away from a bench, where USB-C power matters.
• A 3D-printing maker installing heat-set inserts.
• Upgrading from a TS100 and want to keep your tips.

Probably not the right tool if you are:

• Doing long, heavy-duty bench sessions all day — a full soldering station with strong thermal recovery is the better buy.
• After the absolute lowest price — only soldering occasionally and want the cheapest possible iron — a basic fixed-temperature iron is cheaper, though you give up the temperature control and portability.
• Unwilling to use a proper PD or 24V supply — without one, you will be disappointed by the heat-up.

What you need to get started

The iron alone is not a complete setup. Plan for:

• A power supply. A 45W-plus USB-C PD charger or power bank is the sensible minimum. If you want the full power ceiling, you need a PD3.1 28V/5A supply and a 240W-rated cable, or a 24V DC supply for the DC input.
• A good USB-C cable rated for the wattage you are drawing.
• The right tip(s) for your work — and heat-set insert tips if you are setting inserts into 3D prints.
• A stand to rest the hot iron safely between joints.

FAQ

What is the Miniware TS101?

The Miniware TS101 is a compact, UeB-C powered smart soldering iron with an OLED display and adjustable temperature from 50°C to 400°C. It is the successor to the TS100 and accepts both USB-C PD and a DC barrel jack.

Is the Miniware TS101 really 90W?

Up to 90W is possible, but only with a PD3.1 28V/5A power supply, a 240W-rated cable and updated firmware. In normal use the TS101 delivers around 45W over USB-C and up to 65W over DC with a 24V supply, which is enough for most work.

Does the TS101 use TS100 tips?

Yes. The TS101 is compatible with TS100 tips, which are cheap and widely available. If you are upgrading from a TS100, your existing tips carry over.

Can the TS101 run from a power bank?

Yes, from a USB-C PD power bank that can supply a high enough voltage. A 45W-plus PD bank gives a comfortable experience; a basic 5V phone charger will not run it.

Is the TS101 good for 3D printing and heat-set inserts?

Yes. Its adjustable temperature and TS100-compatible insert tips (available in M2 to M8) make it well suited to melting brass heat-set inserts into 3D-printed parts for strong, reusable threads.

Can I use USB-C and DC power at the same time?

No. The TS101 uses one power source at a time — either USB-C PD or the DC barrel jack.

TS101 vs Pinecil V2 — which should I buy?

The Pinecil V2 is usually cheaper with a more mature open-source firmware community, but ships without a cable or power supply. The TS101 is the more polished out-of-the-box option, includes a cable and tip, and uses widely available TS100 tips. Choose based on whether you value the lowest price and firmware tinkering (Pinecil) or a ready-to-use experience (TS101).

What power supply do I need for the TS101?

A USB-C PD charger of 45W or more, or a 24V DC supply, covers most needs. For the maximum power ceiling, use a PD3.1 28V/5A supply with a 240W-rated cable.