![The 9 Best Welders [Buyer’s Guide + Reviews]](https://meeppa.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/best-welder.png)
Looking to get into welding but not really sure where to start?
Maybe you’ve just landed that entry-level job or enrolled in welding classes at your local community college. For many of us spending any sort of tangible cash starting out in an unfamiliar trade can be a scary ordeal.
The unknowingness of new machines and gear, sometimes with an intimidatingly high overhead cost, can leave one wondering which investment is going to give them the best bang for their buck.
The following guide is a list from us to you, outlining the inside track on a few different options for the up and coming welder.
Miller Electric – 951601 – 141 MIG
Miller is well known throughout the welding industry. The Millermatic 141 is the layman’s chance to get into a bigger name brand welder without quite the exorbitant entry fee. These welders will draw one of the smoothest, most easily controlled welds of any machine however this benefit comes with a higher price tag.
With a maximum wire feed speed range of 360 IPM the Miller is a bit slower than the Hobart Handler (coming in at 700 IPM), but the set-and-go controls provide an extreme amount of spatterless bead control. Just set the thickness of the base metal and filler wire, and away you go.
Pros
- Though not as powerful as some, has set-and-go controls contributing to a good user experience
- Has built-in thermal overload protection
- Infinite voltage control settings
- 3 year ‘True Blue’ warranty
- Produces clean, manageable welds
- Can be used with home outlet
Cons
- Not a good choice for welding thicker metals or heavy duty jobs
- Given the lower output versus others in its class, a rather expensive option
- Somewhat of a slow top speed feed rate comparatively
The Millermatic 141 is a nice machine from a quality brand. If you happen to have the cash, it’s really not a bad way to go- you could certainly do worse than a 3-year warranty.
Hobart Handler MIG 140 115V
The Hobart Handler 140 115V is a very capable welder in an attractively priced package. This machine is sturdily built and comes with an excellent accessories kit. The ground and electrode cables are longer than many in its class coming in at a substantial 10 feet, whereas others tend to come in around the 6 to 8-foot range.
The input voltage of this machine is 115V meaning you can plug in anywhere there’s a power source, furthering its mobility. The duty cycle runs at 20%, requiring an eight-minute cooling period for every two minutes of welding. The widely adjustable operating range also offers excellent bead control.
Pros
- All metal wire feed assembly rather than plastic
- 10-foot MIG gun and ground cables
- Excellent build quality/ solid fit & finish
- Capable of welding steel plate up to ¼” thick
- Has a door chart explaining what voltage to use with what metals/ thicknesses
- Includes higher quality regulator than with other brands
- Can be used with home outlet
Cons
- Only comes with a ‘sample’ spool of filler wire
- Wire spool adjustment requires the use of a wrench, rather than bare hands
- Can sometimes arrive damaged despite double thick boxing- warranty will cover it
- Short power cable somewhat limiting agility (5 foot)
- Somewhat heavy compared to others in its class (57 lbs)
A very solid machine for the entry-level or home welder, most anybody would be glad to add this piece to their arsenal. The versatility and value lent by the Hobart 140 definitely outweigh its price.
Forney Easyweld 125 FC MIG
An exceptional value, the Forney 125 FC MIG is worth serious consideration. Being that this machine is capable of both MIG and flux core welding it makes a great choice for use outdoors, or in tight spots where the shielding gas supply is not easily reached.
Of fantastic build quality, it seems you get more than what you pay for in this instance, yet there are a few drawbacks. One main deterrent is that there are only two power settings; one for sheet metal and one for steel plate. This, combined with a welding range of only 65-80A doesn’t leave a whole lot of adjustability.
Pros
- The machine only weighs in at 14 lbs for great portability
- Flux core capability for gasless welding
- Can weld up to ¼” and hold up to 10 lbs spools
- Great build quality at price point
- Less confusing interface for inexperienced welders
Cons
- Only two power settings; sheet metal or plate
- Leads not very long
- Only (6 month) warranty
- Can only weld steel
- Not overly adjustable
The Forney Easyweld 125 FC MIG is a great option for an entry-level machine and can handle almost any job under ¼”. Its maneuverability, durability, and flux core capacity make this a
decent choice for the welder on the go.
ESAB MiniARC 161 LTS
ESAB is known for its quality and extensive production within the welding world. This particular rig is not only for stick welding but is also an extremely capable TIG machine. However, since this package does not include the TIG torch or foot pedal with ESAB’s stick kit we will review it as a single process stick machine.
Of excellent construction, the 161 LTS sports great adjustability ranging from 5-160 amperes. Adaptive arc force control ensures a quality bead even with a shaky hand, and the hot start feature keeps you ready to strike an arc at any time.
Pros
- Professional grade welder yet very user-friendly
- Arc force control, hot start, and lift arc TIG capable
- Only weighs 18 lbs for extreme portability
- Includes 10-foot ground and stinger cables
- Current range from 5-160A for high adjustability
Cons
- Somewhat expensive for someone just starting out
- Does not include the regulator, TIG torch, or foot pedal for TIG welding
ESAB builds top-notch quality machines and is a reliable source in which to invest your hard earned dough. For anything from home projects to semi-heavy duty professional work, the ESAB MiniARC 161 LTS will not disappoint.
Hobart Stickmate 160i
The next one on our list is the Hobart Stickmate 160i. The 160i is a single process machine, meaning it can be used only for stick welding, rather than both stick and TIG. As usual, Hobart offers a well built outer casing and quality components.
The duty cycle on this machine is slightly less than that of the ESAB though only minutely, yet the manufacturer’s rating seems higher than it really is. Hobart has this machine built overseas using the same rigorous specifications they adhere to in the U.S.
Pros
- Can run 120V and 240V
- Hot start
- Infinite amperage control
- 10-foot ground and stinger cables
- Weighs only 15 lbs
Cons
- Built in China, which some people don’t prefer
- When mail ordered can sometimes arrive without all the pieces
- Some say it has a low duty cycle although rated at 30%
Hobart is a tried and true brand which has become a household name. Consistently offering very decent machines over the years, this brand has a reputation to uphold- and they do a good job of it.
If you want to purchase a great welder at a very fair price, the time has proven that Hobart is generally a safe way to go.
Amico Power ARC140
The Amico ARC140 comes in as the cheapest welder in our entire list, yet still packs quite a punch. With a reasonable 35% duty cycle at 115V house current, this unit can even burn up to ⅛” 7018 rod. This compact machine weighs in at a striking 9 lbs and includes a good quality set of cables, as well as a few electrodes to get you going.
Though devoid of bells and whistles, this welder is a great deal for beginners, its ease of use and consistency far exceed expectations. At just a tick under 100 dollars, you might as well just grab one to keep around as a reliable backup or even your main machine.
Pros
- User-friendly interface/ digital readout
- Has ports for MIG and TIG gas
- Machine alone weighs 9 lbs- the lightest welder of the group
- Can be used with home outlet
- Includes 10-foot ground and stinger cables
- IGBT (no MOSFETs) at an extremely reasonable price
- Over voltage, under voltage, over current, and overload protection
Cons
- No foot pedal included in the kit
- No carrying case
- Not a whole lot of different manual controls
The ARC140 is a fantastic value and can hold its own on many different types of projects. For the beginning welder on a budget you’ll be hard pressed finding a more capable and reliable little rig at this price point, and possibly even slightly higher price ranges.
Lincoln Electric TIG 200 Squarewave (GTAW)
As one of the best-known brands in welding, Lincoln Electric again delivers with this solid square wave TIG offering. Square wave technology accompanied with a lower pulse rate keeps beautiful welds easy to come by. Due to extreme voltage input flexibility, this welder is a great candidate for mobility as it can basically be plugged into any available power source.
Pair that with the fact that it can be used for either TIG or stick, and you have yourself a very versatile machine. It is worth mentioning that the arc force on the TIG 200 is a bit strong. Some people prefer a stronger arc and some do not, its just something to keep in mind prior to purchase.
This model is not recommended for very heavy duty work, however for the hobbyist or home welder its an all-around win.
Pros
- Widely variable voltage input
- Easy to lay down great welds
- Excellent choice for welding aluminum due to the good cleaning action
- User-friendly interface
Cons
- Weighs in on the heavier side at 47 lbs
- Ground cable a bit short
- Post flow on this machine is longer resulting in more gas use
- Fairly expensive for the newcomer
The mobility of this machine and its ability to weld both steel and aluminum make it a good choice for the beginning welder given they have the finances.
Although a bit more expensive, it seems this welder may be worth the extra cash given its reliability, versatility, and ease of use.
EVERLAST PowerARC 140
Everlast has a reputation for producing quality welders at an affordable price. This unit’s capacity to run on virtually any power source makes it more portable than other options, as does its lighter weight. The adaptive arc force control keeps beads nice and consistent throughout the amperage range, ensuring your best quality work.
As if that wasn’t enough, the PowerARC 140 also includes a very decent accessories package not offered with many others.
Pros
● Hot start, lift arc TIG
● Automated arc force control to maintain a consistent bead easily
● Decent duty cycle for a cheaper machine
● Portable at less than 25 lbs
● Has solid stinger and ground cable/clamps, plastic case, mask with a lens, and TIG torch
with lead, gas hose, and accessories
Cons
● Sturdy, yet typical home welder quality build
● No foot pedal
● ONLY DC OUTPUT so cannot TIG weld aluminum or magnesium (can still STICK weld aluminum with proper filler rod).
The Everlast Powerarc is a well built, quality welder at a great price. It packs some power given its small size and its relatively simple controls leave more time for welding. Able to plug in anywhere, the Powerarc will deliver continuously good welds at any power range.
SUNGOLD POWER TIG 200
Sungold Power seems to be a lesser known brand yet they seem to deliver great value with their machines. The TIG 200 is no exception, proving to be a solid little unit at a bargain. This machine can be used with either 110V or 220V adding greater versatility and has some excellent built-in features.
Things like easy start TIG, automatic voltage fluctuation correction, and the ability to weld multiple metals only add to this great deal. One item of note is that although this is indeed a TIG machine, the package does not include an argon line, which seems almost like a no-brainer.
Pros
- Over voltage, under voltage, over current, and overload protection
- HF easy start TIG
- Can weld steel, stainless, copper, brass, bronze
- Built-in voltage fluctuation correction
- Automatically recognizes 50Hz or 60Hz
- Packaged with wood paneling to ensure an undamaged delivery
- IGBT at a very decent price
Cons
- Cannot weld aluminum
- Does not include hose for argon gas
This machine can weld anything from stainless steel to bronze, yet oddly does not have the capacity to weld aluminum- a fact may make this welder less desirable for some.
If you plan on working mostly steel this machine definitely delivers for the price ringing in at under 300 bucks. Just make sure you already have your own gas line or you’ll be out of luck.
Buyer’s Guide
One of the most important items for any new welder to seek in a machine is versatility. The option to support different input and/or output capabilities, welding types, and physical portability
in one unit ensures that if the work is prone to change from time to time – or rapidly as the case maybe – you’ll have a head start on keeping up.
The weight of a machine does not always predict its durability. Take your time searching through your options comparing weight to quality, and you’re bound to find more than a few nice machines sold at a very reasonable price point. For workers who move around on the job, anything over fifty pounds could begin to cause fatigue after a while. It is basically mandatory – unless you’re working in a controlled shop setting – to have the availability to plug into multiple power sources.
If possible this should include clean energy generators. Some of the big dogs have gas-powered machines that run the gamut in higher price ranges, enabling them to literally go anywhere and work. Starting out at a lower budget, selecting a unit capable of running on generator power is a nice touch especially in a career field such as pipeline work, where it can be rather difficult to find any sort of outlet.
Fancier things like automated arc force control – though they can be nice in the field – are not mandatory to complete good quality work. These more ‘luxurious’ features might be better off overlooked in search of a higher end accessories kit, or a machine offering with longer leads, gasless capacity, etc.
Many times the peripherals (cables, clamps, foot pedals, etc.) will wear out faster than internals from being dragged around on the ground or what have you. Make absolutely sure not only to procure a welder with a higher level kit but a very complete kit as well.
You’re going to want to look for an IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) machine rather than MOSFET, especially for continuous high voltage welding. MOSFET units are an older technology with a slightly higher tendency to burn out or run into complications.
Some cheaper models may still utilize a MOSFET design, and though still able to produce welds they beg the question; what other ‘features’ will be out of date also? IGBT transistors are longer lasting and produce a more reliable, consistent arc, which is the bread and butter of welding. This type of welder also promotes the use of multiple processes rather than just single, most times providing added value.
It is imperative your choice of a machine has the capacity to handle different types of metals, at least until you put enough money away to buy designated rigs for each task. It is exceedingly rare that a career welder only works on one type of metal.
The more materials you are familiar with fusing, the more work you’re going to find. It’s always nice to have a machine that allows you to dabble around trying out new currents, methods, and materials before diving all the way into another investment.
Duty cycle is very important. If the duty cycle of the obtained machine is too low you will find yourself sitting, waiting for your rig to cool down while everyone else is welding. You are essentially looking for the highest duty cycle per price on any machine you decide on, and the bosses will definitely notice- time is money.
Conclusion
Being that there is a veritable sea of options on the market, selecting your new welder can seem like a daunting task. With a greater understanding of which machines are suited to which types of work, you will be much better prepared by taking your time and studying before spending your precious money.
We hope we have provided you a more thorough insight into some of the best machines for the entry-level welder. This is indeed not an all-inclusive list but should give you a good idea of the differences in build quality versus price, as well as what different brands and models have to offer.
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