HASL vs. ENIG: Which PCB Surface Finish is Better?

Two of the most common PCB surface finishes are Hot Air Solder Leveling (HASL) and Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold (ENIG). But which one is better?

HASL: Pros & Cons

• ✅ Cost-effective and widely used
• ✅ Good solderability
• ❌ Uneven surface, unsuitable for fine-pitch components
• ❌ Contains lead (unless using lead-free HASL)

ENIG: Pros & Cons

• ✅ Smooth, flat surface—ideal for BGA and SMT components
• ✅ Long shelf life and excellent corrosion resistance
• ❌ More expensive than HASL
• ❌ Risk of black pad defect in poor plating

For high-density PCBs, ENIG is the preferred choice, while HASL is great for low-cost applications. The decision depends on design complexity and budget.