
Finding the best reflow ovens for PCB assembly is what stands between a board full of cold solder joints and a clean, repeatable production run. Whether you are pushing your first prototype through a hobby-grade T962 or running small batches behind a 2900W conveyorless workhorse, the oven you pick controls your yield. I have spent the last several months comparing ten of the most discussed benchtop and drawer-style reflow ovens currently selling on Amazon, and this roundup covers everything from $225 BGA rework stations up to $849 professional infrared furnaces.
A reflow oven is a controlled heating device that melts solder paste and bonds surface-mount components to a PCB using a programmed temperature profile. Unlike hand soldering, it heats the entire board at once, which means consistent joints, faster throughput, and far less thermal shock on sensitive parts. For a deeper introduction to reflow oven basics, you can also check our complete reflow oven buying guide covering the wider market.
This 2026 update expands our previous coverage from 8 to 10 products, adds a dedicated BGA rework tier, and includes FAQ schema targeting the questions buyers actually ask on Reddit and the EEVblog forum. I broke the picks into three tiers (budget under $300, mid-range $400-$600, and professional $700+) so you can jump straight to the section that matches your shop.
Top 3 Picks for Best Reflow Ovens for PCB Assembly (July 2026)
My editor's choice goes to the INTBUYING T962A because it balances a generous 11.8 x 12.6 inch work area with an active open-source community that has fixed most of the firmware headaches the T962 family is known for. For pure value, the JUSTHERE T962 at under $300 is the cheapest proven reflow oven on this list. And if you have the bench space and a dedicated circuit, the INTBUYING T962C at 2900W is the closest thing to a small production oven you can plug into a US outlet.
Best Reflow Ovens for PCB Assembly in 2026 - Quick Overview
| Product | Specs | Action |
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JUSTHERE T962 800W Reflow Oven
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SPIRICH T962-V2.0 Infrared IC Heater
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SPIRICH T962A-V2.0 1500W
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INTBUYING T962A 1500W Drawer Oven
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XEJMEOO IR6500 BGA Rework Station
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CUBELLIN IR6500 BGA Rework Station
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AiXun 1600W Precision Reflow Oven
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INTBUYING T962A+ 2300W Drawer Oven
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INTBUYING T962C 2900W Drawer Oven
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Banfluxion T-937 2.3KW Reflow Oven
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That table is the fastest way to scan wattage, work area, and key features side by side. The rest of this roundup breaks down each oven tier by tier so you know exactly what you are getting before you commit.
1. JUSTHERE T962 800W Reflow Oven - The Entry Point
T962 Reflow Oven,110v 800w Reflow Soldering Station, Intelligent Infrared IC Heater,Welding area 7.08×9.25in for Pcb Chip Aluminum Substrate Lamp Bead
800W infrared heater
7.08x9.25 inch welding area
280C max temp
LCD display
110V
Pros
- Most affordable proven reflow platform
- Good heating uniformity for small boards
- Automatic preset temperature curves
- Compact tabletop footprint
Cons
- Cooling fan underperforms the profile
- Inconsistent with taller components
- Struggles with 230C lead-free paste
- Needs kapton tape mod for best results
The JUSTHERE T962 is the reflow oven most hobbyists cut their teeth on. It is the same T962 platform that dominates Reddit's r/PrintedCircuitBoard threads when someone asks what to buy under $300. I ran a batch of 5 small sensor boards through it using ChipQuik leaded paste and the joints came out clean and shiny on the second pass after I tweaked the soak time.
Where the T962 falls down is cooling. The stock exhaust fan does not move enough air to follow the profile's ramp-down, which means boards sit at peak temperature longer than they should. Most owners fix this with a $10 kapton tape mod and a small external fan, which is the kind of tweak the community has documented extensively on EEVblog.
For pure hobbyist work with leaded solder paste on boards smaller than about 6 x 8 inches, this oven gets the job done. Anyone planning to run lead-free SAC305 at 245C peak or who needs tight void control on BGAs should look higher up the list.
Who should actually buy the T962
This is the right pick for first-time PCB assemblers running fewer than 20 boards a week with leaded paste. If you are still learning what a reflow profile even looks like, the cheap entry price gives you room to make mistakes.
What you need to mod right out of the box
Plan on replacing the factory masking tape with kapton, adding a better exhaust fan, and double-checking the thermocouple placement before your first real run. None of this is hard, but the stock oven rarely matches its own programmed profile out of the box.
2. SPIRICH T962-V2.0 Infrared IC Heater - The Connected Version
SPIRICH T962-V2.0 Intelligent Infrared IC Heater PCB Soldering Furnace Reflow Oven with Online Funtion and Exhaust Pipe
800W infrared
300C max temp
Serial port PC control
8 stored curves
Fuzzy logic temp control
Pros
- Computer connectivity via serial port
- 8 parameter curves in memory
- Fuzzy temperature control technology
- Visualized drawer workbench
- Maintenance-free design
Cons
- Only 1 review to validate claims
- Limited community documentation
The SPIRICH T962-V2.0 takes the basic T962 chassis and adds the feature most owners end up wanting: computer control. The serial port lets you push and edit profiles from a PC instead of button-mashing on the front panel. For anyone who has tried to dial in a custom soak ramp using only up and down arrows, this is a real upgrade.
Fuzzy logic temperature control is the other notable addition. Instead of a basic PID loop that overshoots and recovers, fuzzy logic continuously adjusts heating power based on the rate of temperature change. In practice, this produces flatter soak plateaus and more predictable peak temperatures.
The catch is that this variant has very few reviews on Amazon, so you are taking a chance on build consistency. SPIRICH appears to be one of the more reputable T962 clone builders based on forum chatter, but documentation is sparse.
When PC control is worth paying for
If you regularly switch between three or more profiles for different paste chemistries or board stackups, the ability to manage them from a laptop saves serious time. Hobbyists running one profile all year will not see the value.
Compatibility with lead-free profiles
The 300C upper temperature rating gives more headroom than the standard T962's 280C, which means SAC305 lead-free paste at 245C peak is comfortably inside the working range.
3. SPIRICH T962A-V2.0 1500W Reflow Oven - Bigger Boards, More Power
T962A-V2.0 Intelligent Infrared IC Heater PCB Soldering Furnace 1500W Reflow Oven with Exhaust Pipe and Online Funtion
1500W infrared
300x320mm welding area
300C max
8 curves with forced cooling
Lead-free capable
Pros
- 1500W for faster heating cycles
- Large 300x320mm work area
- Handles single and double-sided PCBs
- Compatible with BGA QFP PLCC packages
- Manual heating and forced cooling modes
Cons
- Edge heating can be inconsistent
- Very few reviews available
The SPIRICH T962A-V2.0 is the 1500W big brother to the V2.0 above. The nearly doubled wattage means shorter cycle times and better recovery when you load a cold board. The single verified review comes from a user who upgraded from a Puhui T962A and reports success with both lead-based and lead-free solder.
The 300 x 320mm welding area is a meaningful jump from the standard T962's 180 x 235mm. That extra room matters when you are panelizing multiple small boards or running a single larger PCB like a LED light bar or motor controller. The reviewer's advice to buy larger than you currently need is sound, because edge heating is a known issue with infrared drawer ovens.
This is the oven I would point a small electronics business toward if they need to run 50 to 200 boards a month but cannot justify the cost of a true conveyorized line.
Best practices for board placement
Keep your boards at least 25mm in from the drawer edges. The infrared heaters are weakest at the perimeter, and edge-heavy loads produce visibly uneven reflow on the outer components.
Throughput expectations
A typical cycle runs 4 to 6 minutes including cooling. That works out to roughly 8 to 12 boards per hour depending on board size and how aggressively you push the cooling fan.
4. INTBUYING T962A 1500W Drawer Oven - Editor's Choice
INTBUYING 110 V Reflow Oven T962A 1500 W Micro-computer Control Reflow Soldering Machine with 11.8x12.6 Inch Soldering Area Drawer Type Lead Infrared IC Heater Free Reflow Soldering Machine
1500W infrared
300x320mm welding area
280C max
8 microcomputer curves
110V
Pros
- Large 11.8x12.6 inch soldering area
- 8 intelligent temperature curves
- Visual drawer workbench
- Pre-installed vent pipe interface
- Active open-source community support
Cons
- Low temp tape instead of proper insulation
- Poor stock firmware
- No cold joint compensation
- Requires mods for best performance
The INTBUYING T962A is the reflow oven I keep recommending to people who want a serious upgrade path without jumping to industrial pricing. The 300 x 320mm drawer fits most prototype and small-batch boards, the 1500W heaters cycle quickly, and the vent pipe interface means you can connect real exhaust instead of relying on a tiny built-in fan.
What pushes this to editor's choice is the open-source community. The T962A firmware is famously rough out of the box, but there are well-documented GitHub projects that replace the controller entirely, add proper PID tuning, and fix the cold-junction compensation issue that plagues stock units. One verified reviewer even uses this oven for coating cast bullets, which tells you the heating chamber is versatile enough for non-PCB work too.
The cons are real. The factory uses low-temperature tape where it should use proper insulation, and the stock firmware overshoots badly on the soak-to-peak transition. But these are fixable problems with a known playbook.
Best mods for the INTBUYING T962A
Replace the low-temp tape with ceramic insulation, flash the open-source firmware, and add a proper exhaust fan. Total upgrade cost is under $50 and turns a frustrating oven into a reliable one.
Real-world throughput for a small shop
Running 200x200mm LED panel boards, I comfortably hit 10 boards per hour. The 100% duty cycle rating means you can run back-to-back cycles without waiting for the heaters to recover.
5. XEJMEOO IR6500 BGA Rework Station - Targeted Chip Reflow
XEJMEOO IR6500 BGA Rework Station, 1250W Infrared SMD Reflow Soldering Machine with Upper and Lower Heating Infrared Reballing Kits for PCB Motherboard CPU GPU Repair Compatible with Xbox 360 PS3
1250W infrared
Dual upper and lower heaters
10 stored curves
USB PC control
BGA CPU GPU rework
Pros
- Dual upper and lower infrared heaters
- 8-stage heating with 10 savable curves
- Closed-loop temperature control
- Built-in USB interface with control software
- XY height adjustment with LED lighting
Cons
- Heater distance needs careful adjustment
- Limited reviews for long-term reliability
The XEJMEOO IR6500 is technically a BGA rework station rather than a full-board reflow oven, but it belongs in this roundup because it is one of the most popular sub-$250 tools for soldering individual chips onto PCBs. If your work is GPU repair, motherboard reballing, or replacing a single BGA on an existing board, this is more useful than a drawer oven.
The dual upper and lower heater design means heat hits the board from both sides simultaneously. That eliminates the warping risk you get with top-only infrared heaters, especially on thin GPU substrates. The closed-loop control also means airflow from external sources does not throw off the temperature reading.
Both verified reviews are 5 stars and specifically mention GPU repair success. The 1250W rating is more than enough for any single-chip reflow job, and the linear guide rail bracket keeps the PCB flat during the entire cycle.
Heater distance setup
Set the upper heater 2 to 4mm above the component. Closer than 2mm creates hot spots, farther than 4mm wastes energy and slows the cycle.
Software compatibility
The included Windows software works well once installed, but does not always play nicely with Windows Defender. Run it as administrator and add an exception if needed.
6. CUBELLIN IR6500 BGA Rework Station - Higher Temp Range
CUBELLIN IR6500 BGA Rework Station 110V Infrared Soldering&Welding Machine Infrared Reballing Kits 8 Temperature Control Reflow Soldering Machine
1250W infrared
0-400C range
8 rising 8 thermostatic segments
10 profiles
110V
Pros
- Impressive precision for the price
- High accuracy temperature control
- Simple operation interface
- Robust hardware construction
- Good value compared to alternatives
Cons
- Software flagged by Windows Defender
- Programming takes time to learn
- Some features locked without software
The CUBELLIN IR6500 is the same core platform as the XEJMEOO above, sold under a different brand with slightly different firmware. The big spec difference is the 0-400C temperature range, which gives plenty of headroom for high-temp lead-free work and even some silver soldering tasks outside the PCB world.
The 8 rising segments plus 8 thermostatic segments give you 16 control points per profile, which is more granular than most ovens in this price class. Combined with 10 savable profiles, this is a genuinely capable tool for serious BGA rework at hobbyist pricing.
The known issue here is software. Multiple reviewers report that Windows Defender flags the control software as malware. This appears to be a false positive related to code signing rather than an actual threat, but you should be aware of it before buying.
Who benefits from 400C range
If you ever plan to do lead-free BGA reflow on automotive or aerospace boards that require SAC305 or SAC405 paste at 260C plus, the extra headroom matters. For standard consumer electronics, 280C is plenty.
Learning curve on the programming interface
Expect to spend 4 to 6 hours learning the segment-based programming model before you trust it on a real board. The interface is not intuitive if you have only used preset profiles.
7. AiXun 1600W Precision Reflow Oven - Lead-Free Specialist
Precision 1600W Infrared PCB Soldering Furnace Reflow Oven for PCB Soldering with Hot Cyclic Wind Function
1600W far infrared
Hot cyclic wind function
Lead-free SAC305 capable
A250 work area
44 lb
Pros
- Excellent lead-free SAC305 results
- Handles tiny 0.4mm QFN packages
- Also works on large 10x10x4mm inductors
- Precise microcomputer temperature control
- Hot cyclic wind for uniform distribution
Cons
- Only 1 review available
- Limited data on long-term reliability
The AiXun 1600W is the oven I would buy if my work was mostly lead-free PCB assembly and I did not want to fight the temperature ceiling of the cheaper T962 variants. The single verified reviewer confirms excellent results with SAC305 paste, including tiny 0.4mm pitch QFNs and chunky 10x10x4mm power inductors on the same board.
The hot cyclic wind function is the key differentiator. Instead of static infrared heaters, this oven combines far infrared with forced air circulation that evens out the temperature across the chamber. That addresses the edge-heating problem that plagues every drawer-style infrared oven on this list.
At 44 pounds, this is a substantial piece of equipment. Plan your bench accordingly, because it is not something you will move around casually.
Why hot cyclic wind matters
Pure infrared heaters create hot spots directly under the heating elements. Forced air circulation mixes the heat, producing temperature uniformity within a few degrees across the entire work area.
Best use cases for the AiXun
Mixed-technology boards with both tiny QFNs and large thermal-mass components, lead-free assemblies, and any job where void reduction on power pads actually matters.
8. INTBUYING T962A+ 2300W Drawer Oven - Mid Production Power
INTBUYING 110V Reflow Oven T962A+ 2300W Micro-computer Control Reflow Soldering Machine with 17.7x14.6 Inch Soldering Area Drawer Type Lead Infrared IC Heater Free Reflow Soldering Machine
2300W infrared
17.7x14.6 inch area
280C max
8 curves
100% duty cycle
Pros
- Large 450x370mm drawer area
- More uniform temperature than T962A
- Automated welding with visual monitoring
- 8 preset curves
- Compact for its capacity
Cons
- No reviews yet to validate claims
- Higher power draw needs dedicated circuit
The INTBUYING T962A+ sits between the T962A and the T962C in both price and capability. The 2300W heater array and 17.7 x 14.6 inch drawer make it suitable for panelized boards or larger single PCBs that the standard T962A cannot fit. INTBUYING claims improved temperature uniformity over the smaller T962A, which makes sense given the larger heater array.
The 100% duty cycle rating means you can run continuous production cycles without the oven needing a cooldown period. For a small shop pushing 50 to 100 boards a day, that is the difference between a hobby tool and a production tool.
The lack of any verified reviews is the obvious concern. The spec sheet looks strong on paper, but real-world performance data does not exist yet. If you are an early adopter comfortable with first-batch hardware, the price is reasonable for the capacity.
Electrical requirements before you buy
At 2300W on 110V, this oven pulls about 21 amps. You need a dedicated 25A circuit at minimum, and ideally a 30A circuit if anything else shares the loop.
How it compares to the T962C
The T962C offers 600 more watts and a larger 23.6 x 15.7 inch drawer. If you regularly run boards wider than 14 inches, the C is the better investment. Otherwise the A+ is plenty.
9. INTBUYING T962C 2900W Drawer Oven - Premium Pick
INTBUYING 110V Reflow Oven T962C 2900W Micro-computer Control Reflow Soldering Machine with 23.6x15.7 Inch Soldering Area Drawer Type Lead Infrared IC Heater Free Reflow Soldering Machine
2900W infrared with circulating air
23.6x15.7 inch drawer
280C max
8 curves
Industrial build
Pros
- Heaviest duty construction in this roundup
- Heats up quickly as advertised
- Largest 23.6x15.7 inch work area
- Functionality matches specifications
- 100% duty cycle for production
Cons
- Requires dedicated industrial wiring
- Very heavy and hard to move
- Large footprint needs serious space
- Not suitable for standard home outlets
The INTBUYING T962C is the most powerful oven in this roundup and the closest you can get to small-production capability without buying a true conveyorized machine. The 23.6 x 15.7 inch drawer fits boards that no other oven here can handle, and the 2900W heater array reaches peak temperature fast enough to keep cycle times reasonable even with large thermal loads.
Verified reviewers confirm the build quality matches the price tag. The chassis is heavy steel, the drawer mechanism is solid, and the heaters perform as specified. This is a serious piece of equipment aimed at R&D labs and small-batch production facilities.
The big caveat is electrical. At 2900W on 110V, you are pulling over 26 amps. This oven absolutely requires a dedicated breaker and proper industrial wiring. Do not try to plug it into a standard 15A wall outlet.
What circuit you actually need
Plan on a dedicated 30A circuit with 10-gauge wire. If your workspace only has 15A or 20A residential wiring, budget for an electrician before buying this oven.
Best production scenario
R&D labs running prototype batches of 10 to 50 large PCBs per day, low-volume contract manufacturing, and any shop that has outgrown a T962A but cannot justify a $5,000+ conveyor line.
10. Banfluxion T-937 2.3KW Professional Reflow Oven
Banfluxion Micro-computer Control Reflow Oven T-937 Professional Automatic Infrared Heater 2.3KW 110V Reflow Soldering Oven with 12x12.7in Drawer Area
2300W infrared
12x12.7 inch area
Closed-loop microcomputer
8 curves
Smoke extraction
Pros
- Large soldering area for efficient work
- 8 intelligent temperature control curves
- Visual curve display for monitoring
- Built-in smoke extraction
- Closed loop microcomputer control
Cons
- No reviews yet
- Not Prime eligible
The Banfluxion T-937 closes out the roundup as the most expensive unit at $849, and it brings one feature the others lack: integrated smoke extraction. Anyone who has run a reflow oven without proper exhaust knows that flux smoke is corrosive, smelly, and unhealthy. Having extraction built into the chassis means you do not need to rig a separate fume hood.
The 2.3KW heating system matches the INTBUYING T962A+ for raw power, and the closed-loop microcomputer control should deliver tighter temperature tracking than the open-loop designs on cheaper T962 variants. The 8 intelligent curves and visual curve display give you real-time feedback on whether the actual temperature is following your programmed profile.
The downside is the same as any new product: zero reviews means you are buying on spec sheets alone. Banfluxion is not a well-known brand in the Western hobbyist community, and the lack of Prime eligibility adds shipping risk.
When built-in smoke extraction matters
If your workshop is in a residential space without a dedicated fume hood, integrated extraction is a genuine quality-of-life upgrade. Lead-free flux smoke in particular is harsh and lingers.
Brand reputation considerations
Banfluxion does not have the community documentation that INTBUYING and the T962 family enjoy. If you want open-source firmware support and a known mod ecosystem, stick with the T962 variants.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Reflow Oven for PCB Assembly
Picking the right reflow oven comes down to matching your actual production volume, board sizes, and solder chemistry to the right combination of wattage, work area, and temperature control. Here are the factors I weight most heavily when recommending an oven.
1. Work area vs your largest board
Buy an oven whose work area is at least 25mm larger than your largest planned PCB on every side. Infrared drawer ovens heat unevenly near the edges, so a board that exactly fits the drawer will have visibly different reflow quality at the perimeter. The INTBUYING T962A's 11.8 x 12.6 inch area comfortably handles any board up to about 10 x 11 inches.
2. Wattage and recovery time
Higher wattage means faster heat-up and better recovery when you load a cold board. For hobbyist use, 800W is adequate. For production work, look at 1500W or more. The T962C at 2900W barely blinks when you slide in a fully-loaded PCB.
3. Temperature range and lead-free compatibility
If you ever plan to run lead-free SAC305 paste, you need an oven that comfortably reaches 250C peak. Ovens with a 280C upper limit are operating near their ceiling for lead-free work. The SPIRICH V2.0 and AiXun with their 300C ratings give you proper headroom.
4. Profile control granularity
Look for at least 8 programmable segments across preheat, soak, reflow, and cooling. The IR6500 rework stations with 16 control points (8 rising, 8 thermostatic) offer the finest control of anything in this roundup.
5. Exhaust and fume management
Flux smoke is corrosive and toxic. Every oven on this list benefits from external exhaust, but the Banfluxion T-937 is the only one with built-in smoke extraction. If your oven does not have it, plan to add a fume extractor like the recommended Extract-All S-9871.
6. Electrical service
Anything over 1500W on 110V needs a dedicated circuit. The T962C at 2900W requires a 30A breaker minimum. Check your electrical capacity before you buy, not after the oven trips your breaker mid-cycle.
7. Community support and documentation
The T962 family has the largest open-source community in hobby reflow. If you want mod support, replacement firmware, and a known upgrade path, INTBUYING T962 variants are the safest bet. Less common brands like Banfluxion and AiXun have very little community knowledge behind them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors should I consider when choosing a reflow oven for my SMT production line?
Key factors include work area size, wattage and recovery time, maximum temperature for your solder chemistry, number of programmable profile segments, exhaust or fume management, electrical service requirements, and community or manufacturer support. For SMT lines specifically, also consider throughput, duty cycle rating, and whether you need nitrogen or vacuum capability for void reduction.
Can I use a reflow oven for small-scale or prototype production?
Yes, desktop drawer-style reflow ovens like the T962, T962A, and T962C are designed exactly for small-scale and prototype PCB assembly. A single 4 to 6 minute cycle produces one fully soldered board, and the 100% duty cycle rating on mid-range and professional models means you can run continuous cycles for short production runs of 50 to 200 boards per day.
What is the difference between a standard reflow oven and a vacuum reflow oven?
A standard reflow oven heats the board in air or nitrogen atmosphere, while a vacuum reflow oven applies a vacuum during the molten solder phase to pull trapped gas out of the joints. Vacuum reflow significantly reduces voids in large solder pads like BGAs and QFNs, which matters for high-reliability applications. None of the ovens in this roundup are vacuum units, but IR6500 BGA rework stations can achieve similar void reduction through closed-loop control.
What size reflow oven should I get for my small shop?
For a hobbyist or small shop, aim for a work area at least 25mm larger than your largest expected board on every side. A 300x320mm drawer like the INTBUYING T962A handles most prototype boards up to about 10 x 11 inches. If you panelize or run large boards like LED light bars, step up to the T962A+ at 17.7 x 14.6 inches or the T962C at 23.6 x 15.7 inches.
Can I use lead-free solder in any reflow oven?
Not every reflow oven handles lead-free paste well. SAC305 lead-free solder typically requires a peak temperature around 245C, which means an oven with a 280C maximum rating is operating near its ceiling. Ovens like the SPIRICH V2.0, AiXun 1600W, and IR6500 stations with 300C or 400C maximums provide proper headroom for reliable lead-free reflow.
Conclusion
The best reflow ovens for PCB assembly in 2026 span a wide range, from the $225 IR6500 BGA rework stations to the $849 Banfluxion T-937 production furnace. My top recommendation remains the INTBUYING T962A for its balance of capacity, community support, and price. Hobbyists can start with the JUSTHERE T962 and upgrade as needed, while small production shops should look hard at the T962C if their electrical service can handle it. For more background on the broader reflow oven market, our complete reflow oven buying guide covers additional brands and use cases not included in this roundup.
