Herbert Miller
MIG is the most commonly used welding machine. We use MIG welders for various reasons like equipment maintenance, welding hobbies, or work related to the auto body. People generally prefer using MIG welders as they are versatile, fast, and reliable. They are also cheap and help to make our job easier. There are a large number of MIG welders that are available in the market. So, choosing the best MIG welder for your work or home can be a very complicated process. That is why, to make your job easier, we have come up with a list of the ten best MIG welders.
The top 3 best MIG welders are listed below. You can see the main overview of the features of these MIG welders. Afterward, go through their reviews in detail to know more about their features.
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Best Overall
Hobart – 500553 Handler 210 MVP MIG Welder, Small
- Input Voltage is 115/230V.
- 25-210 Amperage Range (in amps).
- Flux core or MIG.
- Speed Range of Wire Feed is 40-680 (in IPM).
Premium Choice
Miller Electric 120/240VAC, 1 Phase
- MIG or flux core.
- Speed Range of Wire Feed is 60-600 (in IPM).
- The amperage range is 30-230 amps.
- Input voltage is 120V and 240V.
Best Budget
Super Deal PRO Commercial MIG 130
- The amperage range is 120-130 amps.
- 110 volts.
- Flux-core (gasless).
- Speed control is variable.
We have already mentioned the features of the top 3 best MIG welders. So, let us look at them in a detailed manner to understand them better.
1. Hobart – 500553 Handler 210 MVP MIG Welder, Small
The Hobart Handler 210 comes with durable components that are of high-quality. It is full of power and versatility, making it worth the price. Also, it comes with a warranty of three years. The amperage is around 210 amps along with different ranges of wire speed. We can therefore keep control over our setup. It produces an arc that is consistent and smooth. We can use it to repair the auto body with a welding power of 3/8 inch. The model can easily transition between 115V and 230V.
Any beginner can easily follow the manual and start working. The setup only requires a few minutes. They also consist of capabilities of motor protection and thermal overload guard. The latter can detect overheating and immediately starts the processes of cooling. The motor protection looks at its overall functioning and saves it from any unprecedented damage. The packaging will also have a gas hose and dual gauge, regulator. The only problem that we can face is its heaviness, which makes it difficult for transportation.
Pros
- Good for beginners.
- Great wire speed range.
- Drive roll of cast aluminum.
- Affordable.
Cons
- Heaviness.
2. Miller Electric 120/240VAC, 1 Phase
Millermatic 211 is a premium quality machine that gives an extraordinary performance. It has a 10-foot long gun lead, which is hard to come by in other MIG welders. The input voltage is between 110V to 240 V. In the house at 110V in 115 amps; it can deliver a 20 percent duty cycle. And, at 240V, it can provide a 40 percent duty cycle in 150 amps.
A handy feature is the Auto Spool Gun Detect, which eliminates a switch’s function and detects it automatically when there is a connection in the Spool or MIG gun. Thermal overload protection is another of its notable features. We can weld up to 3/8 inch in steel.
There is a feature of Advanced Autoset where you can manually input parameters like the metal thickness, the wire’s diameter, etc. The bead profiles are rarely deformed, and there are significantly fewer splatters. This aspect makes it stand out among other MIG welders. Moreover, its reliability, portability, and lightweight make it worthy of its price.
Pros
- Lightweight.
- Low amperage produces a light gauge sheet.
- Long period of warranty.
- Slow Start function.
- Dual voltage.
Cons
- High price.
- Cheap ground clamp.
3. Super Deal PRO Commercial MIG 130 AC Flux
The Super Deal Pro MIG 130 has multiple accessories, including a wire brush, a 2.5M torch, a spool of a flux welding wire, extra fuses, tips, and electrodes, and one chipping hammer. It is effortless to control, and its exterior is beautiful. The clear labeling of the controls in white and the instruction manual offers the beginner clarity.
Besides, this model has high-grade PVC as a building material. We can move from one current to another one because of its waveform control technology.
The Super Deal Pro 130 can perform metal and welding works ranging from heavy to delicate. Its temperature and wire feed speeds are also adjustable. For safety reasons, it also comes with thermal overload protection and a welding helmet. We can thus safely use it both in our homes and workshops.
Pros
- Cheap.
- No need for gas.
- Metal tip.
Cons
- Not suitable for long term use.
4. Forney Easy Weld 261, 140 FC-i MIG Welder, 120V, Green
If you are on a budget under $300, you can go for the Forney Easy Weld 261, 140 MIG welder. The model comes with an all-metal casing, which makes it strong and sturdy. It is a gasless, flux-core unit that can weld metal up to 0.25 inches of thickness.
Also, this MIG welder gives at 90 amps a duty cycle of 30 percent. We can also adjust the wire feed rate. It, therefore, helps to weld efficiently. The welding can be done up to ¼ inch metal with a 24 gauge. Its electric adapters are 15 amps and 20 amps. Forney Easy Weld is portable as it only weighs 8.6 kilograms. Its simplicity makes it the perfect choice for beginners.
Pros
- It is lightweight.
- Good value for budget.
- It is portable.
- Infinite voltage and wire feed speed control.
Cons
- Not of high quality.
- Connecting gas for MIG is not possible.
5. LOTOS MIG175 175AMP Mig Welder
Lotos MIG175 Welder comes with an aluminum spool gun. So, we do not have to buy it separately. The aluminum is about 10 feet and 4 inches long, which is convenient to use. The spool gun makes the wire smooth without any folding in the lead. It produces clean beads on most types of metals that are weldable. There are very little spatter welds. This model relies on transformers and not on inverters reducing the chances of malfunction. It has a variable voltage of 220V to 240V input with a 175 amp output.
Lotos MIG175 has a warranty of one year with a refund policy of 30 days. The welding wire is made of aluminum and 0.9 mm in diameter, providing an excellent welding performance. The 18 gauge gives ¼ inch stainless steel and 3/16 aluminum sheet. For our safety, the packaging also consists of welding masks.
Pros
- Aluminum spool gun
- Weld output of 175 amps.
- It comes with welding masks.
- It produces clean welds.
Cons
- Not good for daily use.
- Needs 220 volts, which can hamper welding capability.
6. SUNGOLDPOWER MIG Welder
Sungoldpower 140A MIG welder has multiple functions. It can run in both 110V and 220V. We can do both gas shielded and flux-cored gasless welding. We can control the speed of welding by controlling the wire fed rate. We can also adjust the welding current through the variable current’s control options, which will suit our application. This will determine the thickness of welding and the consumption of power. It can weld mild steel, stainless steel, and other related types of metals. We can get a 60 percent duty cycle, which is better in comparison to other MIG welders.
The model comes furnished with wires that are solid and flux-cored. However, it can be difficult for the beginner to follow the manual by herself. But if we keep that aside, this MIG welder has other good qualities. It can withstand harsh outdoor environments because of its sturdiness. Some modern technology and features are lacking. Otherwise, it is a multifunctional and durable MIG welder.
Pros
- Comes together with flux cored and solid wires.
- We can control the current and speed.
- Durable.
Cons
- Difficult to follow the manual.
- Lacks modern technologies and features.
7. VIVOHOME Portable lux Core Wire No Gas MIG 130 Welder Machine
Vivohome MIG 130 welder machine functions at 110 volts of DC current. It gives current that ranges from 50 to 120 amps for welding. The model is gasless, which results in some splatters. But, it also helps us to avoid buying gas that cuts down the extra cost. The inert metal gas resists the oxidation occurring on the welded surface. Also, its material is stainless steel and mild steel. This makes it suitable for the welding of automobile parts and thin metal sheets.
Besides, we can keep our control by changing the wire feed’s current flow. It is lightweight and portable. At about 105 amps, the rating of the duty cycle is 15 percent. There is an additional feature that protects the welder from overheating. Vivohome MIG 130 comes with a brush and helmet for welding.
Pros
- It does not require gas.
- Resists oxidation.
- Affordable.
- Portable.
Cons
- It produces splatters.
8. 2020 Weldpro 200 Amp Inverter Multi Process Welder
The Weldpro 200 is an inverter-based model that makes it lightweight. It suits all kinds of welding, including MIG, TIG, aluminum, and stick welding. This adds to its versatility, and the operator can easily transition depending on the operation and metal type. The maximum output level is at 200 amps. Its uniqueness also lies in its duty cycle at very low amperage. At 110 amps, it can provide a duty cycle of about 100 percent, and at 200 amps, 30 percent.
There is a dual digital display for monitoring the welder’s operation. It also has significant buttons in yellow for easy understanding and comprehension. The two-year warranty it comes with increases its reliability. We can use it both at workshops and homes. But, in the second case, we need to call a professional for the installation of a 220V socket if we use it till the maximum level output.
Pros
- High output level.
- Versatile.
- Two-year warranty.
Cons
- Expensive.
9. Lincoln Electric K2185-1 Handy MIG Welder
Lincoln Handy MIG is the perfect welder for beginners. It is very simple to use and also quite affordable. With this welder, we can do some projects in our homes. It can ideally weld 1/8 inch of mild steel between a 24 gauge and not take up a large space. This is not the welder that can stand long hours of welding as it can lead to overheating. The welder works on a voltage of 115V that is very low among the ones available.
Some of its advantages include four types of voltage settings and adjustable speed of the wire feed. It comes with a pound of the flux-cored wire and solid MIG wire of 2 pounds. It also consists of three contact tips of 0.035 inches, three others of 0.025 inch, a chipping hammer, and a welding hand shield. There are some instructions available that tell you about the required settings for the metal thickness. Although the welder has a warranty of 3 years, it can last up to 10, which enhances its durability.
Pros
- Durable.
- Portable.
- It has a chart of settings.
Cons
- It can only weld 1/8 inch of mild steel.
10. Hobart 500559 Handler 140 MIG Welder 115V
Hobart Handler 140 is a welder that beginners can use. It gives a smooth arc and is useful for home projects, normal repairs, and auto body repair. This makes it one of the best among most of the 140A welders. It can weld up to a thickness of ¼ inch. The operation runs on 115V and consists of a duty cycle of 20 percent at about 90 amps. It goes up to 25 percent at 140 amps.
Besides, this welder is suitable for the welding of aluminum and the welding of stainless steel. It is also portable, which comes in handy if we need to move to different places.
Also, Hobart 140 comes with spare contact tips and a wire spool. It is not only sturdy but also has a good warranty.
Pros
- Sturdy build of cast aluminum.
- Budget-friendly.
- It is fully furnished.
Cons
- Only suitable for small projects.
MIG Welders Buyer’s Guide
We need MIG welders for welding metals for small projects and for repairing the auto body. Before we go on to choose the best MIG welders, we have to look through their features.
Duty Cycle
The duty cycle helps to determine the amount of time for which we can weld. After a certain period, it has to cool down. Its expression is in the percentage of 10 minutes in which it operates. For instance, a duty cycle rated at 40 percent can work for 4 minutes and then need 6 minutes to cool down. Some welders have fans to lessen the time of cooling down. A welder with thermal overload protection can resist overheating and damage if the duty cycle exceeds.
Power
The higher the power output, the lower will be the duty cycle. Some 120V machines can operate up to 140 amps, which are alright for a 3/8 inch steel. But it will have a short duty cycle in that rating. This can affect you if you need it for industrial welding. In the case of home projects, it is not a huge concern. On side 240, dual-voltage machines keep control. But if we are not buying from popular brands, the 120 side does not offer the same quality. In the case of output power, some manufacturers provide a chart to help us choose the right settings.
MIG/Flux-cored Welders
MIG welders can be both gas or gasless, flux-cored. Gas safeguards the welding against oxygen while the flux-core gives protection to the weld. The flux-cored welders create slag and splatters, which need cleaning, but the gas ones provide a cleaner result. Welding with gas is susceptible to weather conditions like the wind, but it does not affect the gasless welders. If you want some diversification in your welding, you should go for both.
Spool gun
When welding aluminum, we need a spool gun. Small welders mostly lack this. So, look for welders that have this feature.
Portability
If you require your welder in different locations, then you must first consider its size. The small standard welders weigh 25lbs. The heaviest ones weigh 200lbs. Inverters reduce the welder’s weight in comparison to transformers. But the former can damage the circuit as it is prone to some knocks if you are working on industrial sites.
Price
Before embarking on choosing a welder, we must first consider its features and determine whether it suits our needs. Some expensive welders come with better components and produce fewer splatters. It is not the same for all budget welders as some come with great features, so make your choice accordingly.
Warranty
We have to choose a reliable brand for our welder. The most popular ones are Hobart, Lincoln, and Miller. They provide the best quality. But still, we must look at brands like Hobart, which give a long warranty period.
Conclusion
We must buy a welder that has good quality, and that is best suited to our needs. But, you can make your choice from the top 3, which are Hobart Handler 210 (Best overall), Millermatic 211, and Super Deal PRO MIG 130 (Best Budget).
