I have a genuine Hakko 888, a “T12 clone” and a pinecil. These clones are usually not fake Hakko products but they use the very common T12/T15 tips. I got the T

I have a genuine Hakko 888, a “T12 clone” and a pinecil. These clones are usually not fake Hakko products but they use the very common T12/T15 tips. I got the T12 clone because I was moving and wanted something that worked on the voltage of my new country (it has a DC power input so it’s easy to change). This clone was like $20 and works just as well if not better than the real Hakko. But I have yet to set it up in my new place because the $25 pinecil also works just as well and is so small and works on a usb-c power supply which I always have plugged in at my desk anyway. So really I would just recommend the pinecil as your first iron.