We Tested the 9 Best Wood-Burning Tools

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If you’re ready to try your hand at a hot new hobby, check out these top pyrography tools.

If you’re looking to express yourself creatively in a new way—to add an extra touch to your projects or perhaps to start a small craft business—pyrography might be your inner artist’s new outlet. Pyrography is the art of writing or drawing on wood, leather, and other materials with an extremely hot metal pen, and the results can be quite impressive.

To practice pyrography, purchase the best wood-burning tool for your specific needs. We spoke to a skilled wood burning artist to help gain greater insight on what to look for. You can choose from stand-alone tools to well-stocked kits, some for beginners and some for seasoned pros. This guide will help you sort through them and describe why the following products are considered among some of the best wood-burning tools available. We’ve also included the results of our hands-on tests to aid you in your selection.

1. BEST OVERALL: TruArt Stage 1 Pyrography Pen Wood-Burning Tool Set
2. RUNNER-UP: Walnut Hollow Creative Woodburner Wood-Burning Tool
3. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Plaid 30725 8-Piece Decorative Wood-Burning Tool
4. BEST PROFESSIONAL: TruArt Professional Dual-Pen Wood-Burning Tool
5. BEST FOR BEGINNERS: Walnut Hollow Creative Wood-Burning Value Tool 
6. BEST FOR WRITING: YSBMZP Wood-Burning Tool Kit
7. BEST FOR CRAFTING: AOUTK 72-Piece Wood-Burning Tool Kit
8. BEST FOR WOODWORKING: Wall Lenk Creative 10-in-1 Wood-Burning Tool Kit
9. BEST KIT: Walnut Hollow Creative Wood-Burning Versa-Tool

How We Tested the Best Wood-Burning Tools

Before getting our hands on the products, we reached out to Aney Carver, owner of Pyrocrafters, who has over 10 years of experience creating gorgeous art with wood burning tools. Her advice? “Make sure you are investing in a quality machine from a good company. It’s tempting to buy something low cost online, but I’ve had so many people reach out to me when the low cost unit they bought breaks.” We took this advice into consideration and looked at reputable brands across a range of price points.

With this in mind, our testing prioritized user comfort and convenience, fast heating, and steady heat maintenance. We included picks for both craft-style and wire-tip tools. In addition, all of our craft-style tool recommendations include multiple tips to suit a wide range of design uses.

Carver added that temperature control is a worthy consideration. “Most wood burning is done at a low to medium heat, but you want a tool that offers a variety in case your types of projects vary.” We know that shoppers will be working with different types of wood, leather, and other materials, requiring a change in temperatures for optimal results, so we included several of our favorite products that boast an excellent temperature-control range.

Following the manufacturers’ instructions, we tested each wood-burning tool on basswood, pine, and oak. We timed the heating process, tested multiple tips, evaluated the burn patterns, measured power cords, and noted any special high and low points. We recorded our observations on a scoring rubric to determine the overall winner and the best picks.

Our Top Picks

With so many wood-burning products available, choosing the right tool or kit can feel overwhelming. The following list of products, considered among some of the top picks in each respective category, will help you pick the best wood-burning tool for your projects, skill level, and budget.

Best Overall

TruArt Stage 1 Pyrography Pen Wood-Burning Tool Set

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Product Specs

• Type: Solid tip
• Wattage: 15 or 30
• Number of tips: 21

Pros

• Kit includes a comprehensive set of tips for a wide range of pyrography and crafting projects
• Temperature adjustment feature accommodates both soft and hard materials
• Ergonomic cushioned grip offers excellent control and comfort
• Kit comes organized in a handy carry case

Cons

• 15/30W switch is less customizable than a temperature dial
• Short 4-foot power cord requires close access to an outlet or power strip

If you’re fired up to start wood burning, the TruArt Stage 1 pyrography tool set can get you going. This kit features a dual-temp 15-watt (W) and 30W craft-style solid-tip wood-burning pen, a steel letter and number stencil, a tool stand, and a plastic carrying case for safekeeping. It also comes with 21 interchangeable tips, including calligraphy, groove, dot, hot knife, and universal.

The TruArt Stage 1 wood-burning tool has two temperature settings, allowing you to choose between 15W for soft materials and 30W for heavier woods. It’s lightweight and has a comfortable, grippy rubber handle, so beginners can practice their craft for long periods without tiring.

The TruArt Stage 1 pyrography pen was a pleasure to work with, included all the accessories we needed for a variety of craft projects, and didn’t break the bank. The curved handle shape and rubber grip infused a high degree of comfort and control, while the twin heat diffusers reduced heat transfer to the handle, keeping it cooler than the cheaper models we tested.

We especially liked having the three-position power switch built into the handle. Cheaper models have only one power setting and either no power switch or one located midway along the power cord, which gets in the way. Having it built into the tool handle improves range of motion. Also, the option to use either 15W or 30W makes this tool a better pick for a wider range of materials and artistic effects.

Read our full review: TruArt Stage 1 Pyrography Pen Wood-Burning Tool Set

Get the TruArt Stage 1 wood-burning tool at Amazon or TruArt.

Runner-Up

Walnut Hollow Creative Woodburner Wood-Burning Tool

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Product Specs

• Type: Wire nib
• Wattage: 16
• Number of tips: 4

Pros

• Dual-power controller offers a high level of temperature control
• Includes 4 reinforced wire nib points for a variety of writing, drawing, and shading applications
• Streamlined design and versatile features make this a great option for beginners
• Easy to use, even without prior experience

Cons

• Tips are not as easy to change as some of the other wire-tip wood burners we tested
• Foldout pen rest must be used with caution to avoid damaging the controller housing with a hot nib

The Walnut Hollow Creative Woodburner offers convenience and capability in one package. This tool’s power converter has a built-in stand and an adjustable temperature range between 600 and 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, despite a relatively low 16W power. It comes with a drawing point, universal shading point, ball point, and a rounded shading point to cover most beginner tasks.

The standout feature of the Walnut Hollow Creative Woodburner is its quick-change wire nibs. Using the included tweezers, you can pull hot points out of the tool and push new ones back in without loosening and tightening any fittings.

We found the Walnut Hollow Creative Woodburner to be a simple and relatively inexpensive entry point into woodburning with wire nib tips. The kit was uncomplicated, and the adjustable power converter let us create lighter or darker patterns in the wood as needed. It was fairly easy to get good results, even with zero prior experience. The tips did not get as hot or heat as quickly as the pro-quality kits we tested, but this kit cost significantly less and took up less space on the work table and in storage.

We had mixed feelings about how the tips on this set connect to the pen body. The large plug-style base is sturdy enough to last a long time, but they fit so tightly into the socket that they require a good bit of force to install and remove. We also wish the kit came with a storage case for the nibs. Still, this pyrography tool is a good value for an occasional-use hobbyist.

Get the Walnut Hollow Creative Woodburner wood-burning tool at Amazon, Blick, Michaels,Hobby Lobby, or Joann.

Best Bang for the Buck

Plaid 30725 8-Piece Decorative Wood-Burning Tool

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Product Specs

• Type: Solid tip
• Wattage: 25
• Number of tips: 6

Pros

• Budget-friendly price point for a fixed-temperature wood-burning tool
• Comes equipped with the most popular craft-style tips for writing and shading
• Metal pen rest prevents tabletop damage from accidental contact with the hot tip
• On/off switch built into the power cord reduces wear and tear on the plug

Cons

• Single high-temperature setting is not great for working on soft or sensitive surfaces
• The kit does not come with a storage case to keep everything organized when not in use

This Plaid wood-burning tool takes much of the guesswork out of getting started in pyrography at a price that might encourage you to start a new hobby. This kit comes with a simple craft-style 25W wood-burning pen with a basic on/off switch and can reach temperatures up to 750 degrees Fahrenheit. It allows beginners to start working without worrying about temperature settings.

This tool has a rubber handle to promote a positive, comfortable grip and a metal stand for storing your pen while taking a break. It comes with two tips for cutting stencils and four tips for pyrography, as well as a plastic case for storing them.

The Plaid wood-burning tool was a budget-friendly pick that worked well for wood burning but produced a bit too much heat for soft materials like leather. Although the kit didn’t come with many extra features, the basic set was adequate for line drawing and silhouettes. With no temperature-adjustment feature, we relied on tip changes, pattern varieties, long and short burn times, and other techniques for shading. The effects were pretty good, but they were more rustic with this kit than with adjustable-temperature models.

For the price, this is a really good buy. The overall quality was comparable to the entry-level Walnut Hollow wood burner, but the price was lower. It would have been nice to have a storage case to keep everything organized when not in use, though.

Get the Plaid wood-burning tool at Amazon, Plaid, or Walmart.

Best Professional

TruArt Professional Dual-Pen Wood-Burning Tool

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Product Specs

• Type: Wire nib
• Wattage: 60
• Number of tips: 46

Pros

• 2 pens help reduce the time spent switching between different wire nibs
• Near immediate temperature response; nibs heat and cool very quickly
• Twist-to-tighten nib fittings are easier to operate than screw- or plug-style fittings
• Kit includes pliers, tweezers, and diamond files for light tool maintenance
• Nibs have shorter posts, placing the hand closer to the workpiece for better control

Cons

• Large kit takes up more tabletop space and more space in storage
• Significantly more expensive than most hobbyist wood-burning kits

The Professional Dual-Pen wood-burning kit from TruArt is a complete wire-nib kit that comes with 46 wire nibs, a digital 60W power supply, a dual pen stand, and a wire brush and set of files to keep the nibs clean. It also includes a set of needle-nose pliers and tweezers to safely change hot tips.

The digital power supply allows you to dial in the perfect temperature, making small temperature adjustments as you work. It also powers two separate pens, so you can keep two different tips ready without switching tips.

When we opened the TruArt dual-pen wood-burning kit, we were impressed by the sheer variety of tips and provisions for keeping them clean for efficient and precise work. This high level of precision and adaptability came at a premium price that some users may deem excessive.

In operation, the first thing that we noted was that the two pens do not operate simultaneously. A power switch on the side of the control box serves as the “main,” and you can select Pen 1 or Pen 2 with a toggle switch. The pen heats almost instantaneously (in less than 30 seconds), which was much faster than any other wood burners we tested. On the high temperature setting, the tips become glowing red hot.

We also noted that the relatively short posts on the wire nibs reduce the distance between your hand and the workpiece. This makes the tool feel very natural—more like a writing pen and less like a clunky soldering iron. The high control and precision levels set this kit apart from all the others we tested. Those who don’t mind paying a premium for a pro-quality tool will get their money’s worth.

Get the TruArt professional wood-burning tool at Amazon or TruArt.

Best for Beginners

Walnut Hollow Creative Wood-Burning Value Tool

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Product Specs

• Type: Solid tip
• Wattage: 25
• Number of tips: 4

Pros

• Affordable price point for a basic single-temp wood-burning kit
• Kit includes 4 of the most commonly needed twist-on tips
• Heat shield and tool rest prevent accidental burns and heat damage to work surface
• In-line power switch reduces wear and tear on the plug

Cons

• Does not come with a storage or carry case
• Temperature element becomes too hot for leather and other sensitive materials

Our best pick for beginners is a sturdy yet inexpensive tool with broad functionality and a selection of the most commonly needed tips. The Walnut Hollow Creative wood-burning tool is a basic kit that comes with a wire tool rest and four craft-style twist-on tips: a cone point, a shading point, a universal point, and a flow point.

This 25-watt tool attains tip temperatures up to 950 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing you to effectively work with most woods. With no temperature control, you learn how to control effects by pen position and timing. The tool features an on/off switch wired into the power cord and a heat shield between the element and the handle.

Although it was a rather spartan kit with none of the bells and whistles found on pricier models, the Walnut Hollow tool tested very well in terms of basic functionality. The tip heated in less than 2 minutes. The included tips were adequate for making wide and narrow lines, dots, curves, circles, and shading. Between this model and our budget pick, this one heated faster, reached higher heat, and seemed to maintain its heat more consistently. For just a few dollars more, we would choose this pick.

Get the Walnut Hollow Value wood-burning tool at Amazon, Blick,