Today, several reputable companies are manufacturing Mig welder. But with many companies offering different models, it is challenging to find the one that fits your need and budget. To help you get the right mig welder for your welding tasks, we evaluated 24 different mig welders for 90 hours and consulted five experts on mig welders. After carrying out several tests, We found that Hobart 500559 Handler is the best mig welder. And Lincoln Electric Powering is runner up.
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Best MIG Welders
1. Hobart 500559 Handler – Best MIG Welder Under 500
Hobart 500559 Handler, the best professional mig welder is a versatile and sturdy mig welder. Welder professionals are capable of handling any household projects with excellent performance. It is a great choice when it comes to welding any thin materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, and similar type of metals.
The process of setting up the Hobart 500559 Handler mig welder is very easy. It comprises a guide chart that helps you understand the whole set up process. This makes it easier to match material thickness and type of wire. Its users only need to read the knobs and make adjustments to the voltage when it comes to the preparation.
- Very easy to Install using voice or text guided installation procedure.
- Design blends with the interior and makes it invisible.
- Easy to set up.
- Affordable.
- Has simple controls.
- Has lots of accessories.
- Runs on a 110V power.
- It features thermal overload protection.
- It requires a 20A outlet.
- It can only weld up to 0.75 in.
Bottom Line
This best mig welder for 1/2 steel does feature one of the best safety arrangements in the world. The five-position control makes it much easier to change the arc depending on the metal thickness.
2. Lincoln Electric Powering – Most Portable MIG Welder
Lincoln Electric Powering mig welder is known to be an excellent choice for the small scale workers, farmers, or instructors who are interested in undertaking mig fusing as well as TIG welding, flux coated, and stick welding.
Lincoln Electric Powering mig welder is excellent for both the flux-cored welding and the mig welding making it one of the best and most versatile welders currently available. It is also considered to be an excellent welder for any welding novice as it offers a great experience to any starter.Just like any other high end brands, it has dual voltage inputs that support both the 230V and 120V.
- It is durable.
- Overly portable.
- Comes with a three year warranty.
- Had advanced settings and options.
- It is powerful.
- It is easy to use
- It is quite expensive.
- Has wide feeder issues.
Bottom Line
This is an excellent machine for welding thicker materials that requires larger power inputs in smaller shops. Its buyers get a three year warranty from the manufacturer which is a sign of trust from the manufacturers of the products quality.
3. Hobart Handler MVP – Best Versatile MIG Welder
It is advisable that any welder who is interested in a versatile welding machine considers the Horbart Handler MVP mig welder. Its exceptional versatility makes it capable of running on both the 115V and the 230V.
Having a maximum duty cycle of around 30% at 150A, Horbart Handler MVP mig welder is capable of welding different metals such as steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. Apart from its dual voltage input, this mg welder also consists of key features such as the built-in gun control circuitry which alleviates common issues relating to feeding that associated with aluminum wires, 7 voltage settings, easy to access polarity changeover, built-in contractor among others.
- It is portable.
- It is compact in size.
- It is good for both experts and novice users.
- It is ideal for various types of projects.
- Has infinite control on the wire feed speed.
- Has a dual voltage input.
- Requires a cart since it is relatively heavy.
- Its cables can be short.
Bottom Line
Hobart consists of a faster reference guide which assists novice welders to navigate through their machines easily. The guide also explains how one should set optimal settings for the usual material and thickness.
4. Everlast PowerARC 200ST – Best MIG Welder For Beginners
Everlast PowerARC 200ST, the best mig welder for aluminum refers to an expertly constructed welder capable of handling most common welding tasks back at home, at the farm or at small shops.
In case you are interested in undertaking a TIG weld together with this machine, it is important you ensure that you buy the gas TIG torch valve together with the gas regulator. The 17V series TIG touch is an excellent choice for the proper functioning of this TIG unit.
- Has a dual power input.
- Easy and simple to use the controls.
- It is good for both experts and novice users.
- Stable and smooth DC arc for TIG welding and stick.
- Has built in feature with optional gas valve touch.
- Portable and lightweight.
- It cannot run on 110V circuit.
- It cannot weld much on lower voltage setting.
- Its cables can be short.
Bottom Line
This welder is an industrial and commercial unit consisting of all the powers any professional welder can require. This welder works on stainless steel electrodes with lots of ease together with other stick welding rods such as hard facing, cast iron and aluminum.
5. Forney 309 140 – Budget-Friendly Mig Welder
Forney 309 140, the best mig welder under 200 is a no-frills affordable welder that consists of excellent features for any welding lover. It is an odd job oriented, compact and hobby machine that consists of everything you require.
It is mainly used for mig welding although it can also be used as a flux cored welding. This machine is much better and suited for welding tougher and relatively thicker materials. It can perfectly weld aluminum, steel, stainless steel among other metal alloys.
Use of Euro connects MIG gun makes it quick and painless when it comes to replacing the torch. The connector is able to save the welder’s time when they are handling the tasks at hand. This machine also comes with a 10 feet long cable which ensures enhanced convenience.
- It is portable.
- It is lightweight.
- It is easy to use.
- Comes with a cast aluminum system.
- It is affordable.
- Has a five year warranty.
- It is not suitable for industrial projects.
- It is only capable of doing MIG.
Bottom Line
The Forney 309 140 Mig welder cast aluminum drive system is capable of making it great for weekend warriors and hobbyists who will need the machine with on a longer lifespan.
Buyer’s Guide- What To Consider While Buying The Best Mig Welder?
It does not matter if you are after replacing your welder or purchasing a new one for the first time, what matters is finding the best mig welder for farm use. However, the process of getting one can be quite overwhelming due to the presence of a large variety of products in the market.
Do you know how much power is enough? Which the best brand? Specific features you need to consider? We have compounded on this since we have several varieties currently available in the market. Getting the best product in the market will require you to go through mig welder reviews. Here are some of the important factors you need to consider when buying the mig welder.
1. MIG/Flux-Cored Welders or Multifunction
The mid welders will either require a gas cylinder; flux cored or has both capabilities. The flux core welding can be appealing since one does not have to hook up the gas cylinder to your cylinder. However, flux does create a slag layer that will have to be chipped away. The majority of the welders available in the market have both flux core and mig functions. However, there are some which only have a single feature. I recommend a welder that comprises both of these functions to ensure one has the maximum diversity.
2. Input Voltage
Mig welders are known to have completely different input voltages hence they might never be compatible with electrical outlets where you will be welding. The majority of the welders are either 220/225/230V or 110/115/120V although there are some which have the capability for both.
is the best 110v mig welder and is the best 220V mig welder.3. Portability And Size
When selecting a welder, it is important that you consider the ease of transporting the machine including its weight and size. In case you are planning on leaving it inside your workshop, it is most likely that the weight might not be too much to consider.
In case you will be working on several locations, then there is a possibility you will need a welder that has a handle or one that is not too heavy to carry. The tiniest good quality mig welder weighs around 25 lbs. They do have inverter technology that is capable of reducing its weight significantly when it is compared to the heavier transformer models. You can try looking for machines that weigh 200lbs plus for the heavy industrial welders.
4. Spool Gun
In case you are planning on mig welding aluminum, it is important you purchase a welder that is capable of being attached to a spool gun. Most of the small welders never come with the ability to do this hence it is important that you lookout for it. For instance, Hobart 140 is known to be an excellent welder that does not have this although Longevity 140 does. In case you are interested in purchasing a buying spool gun, it is advisable you go for one with a quick-release feature.
5. Duty Cycle
Duty cycle is an important factor when it comes to length of time you are looking to weld. In case you are interested in your mig welder, you will have to go for a welder with a higher quality cycle. The duty cycle is displayed as a percentage. The percentage will be the percentage of the 10 minute period which the welder is able to operate before it overheats.
In most cases, you will always see that the higher the output power of the welder, the lower the duty cycle can be since it does take a longer time to cool down. The smaller welders don’t have powerful fans to help reduce the cool downtime. However, most of the larger welders do have powerful fans that are capable of reducing the cool downtime.
6.Warranty and Brand
Do you want to buy a trustworthy and reliable brand for your welder? Most welder manufacturers are known to offer different support levels. In most cases, you will always find that Everlast, Lincoln, Miller, and Hobart are some of the top qualities since they are able to stand the test of time.
It is important that you always check your welder’s warranty and never risk purchasing a cheap welder that has a poor warranty. Longevity and Hobart welders do come with a five-year warranty. They are known to be of high quality although the warranty provides them with extra assurance on investment.
7. Price
It is advisable that you go for a welder that matches your budget and fits your needs. Never approach your purchase with the notion that the most expensive will be the best. This will in most cases never be the case. In case you understand what you are looking for, or if you do have the budget, you can go for the welder which will save you most of your money and provide you with the best performance.
8. Thermal Overload Protection
It is important for one to go for a welder that has thermal overload protection regardless of the reason why you are getting the welder. The welder can always start to overheat if you weld for long depending on the duty cycle. Having a welder that has thermal overload protection will save you from facing problems of having welder overheat. It is something like a warranty on its own since it reduces the risk of damaging your welder by overheating.
FAQs
1. Is it possible I use Argon for mig welding?
Yes, in case you have plans on welding a nonferrous metal, you will require 100% argon. Metals such as magnesium, aluminum or titanium need pure argon.
2. What is mig welding role?
It is used in creating durable and strong joints.
3. Is it possible I MIG weld without welding experience?
Yes, Mig welding is considered to be one of the easiest welding to learn and it is also the most versatile.
4. What is the difference between TIG welding and MIG welding?
The main difference between these two welding processes is that the MIG uses a continuous feeding wire while TIG makes use of longer welding rods by feeding them slowly into the weld puddle.
5. What can you weld with the MIG welder?
It is only possible to weld thick to thin metals using MIG welders.
6. What is the most basic shielding gas for MIG welding?
The basic shielding gas for MIG welding is Argon. Although Helium can at times be used in addition to argon to help increase fluid and penetration of the weld pool.
7. What is the correct shielding gas that can be used on the stainless steel for MIG welding?
A mixture of three gases Argon (7.5%), Helium (90%) and carbon dioxide (2.5%) is the right shielding gas ratio that should be used to weld short circuit stainless steel.
8. Will I require a spool gun when welding aluminum?
No, you will never require a spool gun to weld aluminum. You can use special drive rolls or Teflon liners.
9. Is it possible to use mig welder to weld thick metals?
Yes, it is possible
How Do We Conduct The Tests?
Our team was in charge of the store when choosing the top mig welder. We considered the top 25 models, interviewed five experts and undergone 96 hours of testing to help come up with the top mig welders.
We took time and went to the brand manager to help get a complete idea of how the water heater functions, the type of technology it is using and its features. Additionally, we consulted five electrical engineers who are already in this testing field to understand the power consumption and the heating process.
Further, we were fortunate enough our team members already had two of these models at their home. So, it helped us to get personalized testing and accurate results. We evaluated all the models on three prime factors heating time, durability, and ease of use. For the same, we have come up with a table analyzing the overall performance of each product in percentage.
Product Name | DC/AC support | Arc Starting | Score | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart 500559 Handler | 98.1 | 97.9 | 98.0 | Check Price |
Lincoln Electric Powering | 97.4 | 97.2 | 97.3 | Check Price |
Hobart Handler MVP | 98.1 | 97.6 | 97.7 | Check Price |
Everlast PowerARC 200ST | 96.0 | 96.3 | 96.2 | Check Price |
Forney 309 140 | 97.1 | 95.3 | 96.5 | Check Price |
Final Thought
The above list has been created based on a series of testing, reviewing existing customers and expert views. Feel free to purchase any of them with a close eye. We do recommend that you narrow down your requirements and go through all the products together with the buying guide before you settle on your favorite mig welder. Ensure you don’t get confused about which is the best.
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