QianLi H240 vs H400 Smart Soldering Station: Which One Should You Buy?

The QianLi H240 and H400 share the same 135W USB-C PD core, PID temperature control, and live color heating curve — but the H400 adds three physical preset keys, ships with a C245 + C210 dual-handle bundle, and supports the larger C470 tip. Choose the H240 for a lean phone-board bench; choose the H400 if you switch temperatures often or solder power and laptop boards.

At a Glance: Side-by-Side Comparison

The two stations look similar on the bench, but the daily workflow differs more than the photos suggest. The infographic below highlights the four points that actually change how you work.

Shared DNA: What Both Stations Do Well

Before the differences, it is worth noting how close these two are at the core. Both are built on the same QianLi smart-soldering platform:

• 135W via USB-C PD — power from a PD charger or power bank, no bulky brick.
• PID + real-time algorithm compensation — stable tip temperature with live correction.
• Color screen with a live dynamic heating curve — see temperature ramp in real time.
• Three customizable presets (commonly 260 / 310 / 350°C) for fast switching.
• 160°C sleep mode — auto idle to protect tips and save power.
• HQ3 cleaning-sleeping dock compatible (optional) — one-touch clean + park.
• Adjustable feet for a stable, ergonomic bench angle.

Full Specification Comparison

QianLi H240 vs H400 specifications

Three Differences That Matter in Real Repairs

1. Preset switching: knob only vs three physical keys

The H240 cycles presets with a single rotary knob — fine when you set one temperature and stay there. The H400 adds three dedicated preset buttons next to the knob, so jumping from 260°C (fine IC) to 350°C (ground plane) is a single press. For a busy repair bench, that single change removes a noticeable amount of friction.

2. Handle & tip bundle: one vs two out of the box

The H240 ships with one C210 handle and one C210-K tip — ideal for precision phone-board work. The H400 ships with a C245 handle + C210 handle and both matching tips. The C245 transfers heat faster for larger pads and heavier ground, so you are ready for more jobs without buying extras.

3. Tip range: H400 reaches C470 for big thermal mass

This is the biggest ceiling difference. The H240 supports C245 / C210 / C115. The H400 adds C470, the high-power tip family for laptop motherboards, power-supply boards, and other high thermal-mass targets. If those jobs are on your bench, only the H400 covers them natively.

Bottom line on the core: power, PID accuracy, screen, sleep mode, and HQ3 dock support are identical. You are not paying for more heating performance on the H400 — you are paying for faster workflow, a second handle, and C470 reach.

Which One Should You Buy?

1. Do you switch temperatures a lot during a single repair? → H400 (preset keys).
2. Do you solder large ground planes, power boards, or laptop mainboards? → H400 (C245 handle + C470 support).

If you mostly do phone-board micro-soldering with one tip type and one stable temperature, the QianLi H240 keeps the bench lean and is the better value. If you want one station that covers the widest job range, the QianLi H400 is the safer long-term pick.

Frequently Asked Questions