Mig welding is an efficient joining process that is necessary for many high-end welding jobs. As compared with gas welding, MIG welding is more accurate, safe, as well as effective. While buying an appropriate MIG welder, you have to consider some important parameters that are mentioned below:
- Amp: The most important aspect of an electric MIG welder is the amperage range. The amperage range will give you a slight idea about the intensity of the electric current required for the welding to be done. The most common amperage rating in MIG welders is 120 amp, but you will also find some MIG welders with 140 amp or even higher.
- Volt: You should also consider the voltage rating of a MIG welder before finalizing your purchase. Just like the amp rating, the voltage rating is also an indication of the input power level as well as welding properties. For example, a 120-volt MIG welder has a less input requirement as compared to a 240-volt MIG welder. But, the performance of a 240-volt MIG welder will be significantly better.
- Portability: Before buying, you should look out for the size and weight of the MIG welder. This factor mainly affects the application of the MIG welder. For example, a portable MIG welder might have less power output, but it can be carried around easily. Similarly, heavier MIG welders are best for stationary welding.
Here, we have prepared a list of best MIG welders available in the market. This article also contains detailed information about each mig welder along with its essential features. We have also included a feature-oriented Buying Guide that will help you select the perfect MIG welder according to your needs. So, you can be rest assured that you will find the best MIG welder for you after you have finished reading this article.
Best Mig Welders 2020
| Mig Welders | Amp | Volt | Warranty | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forney Easy Welder | 140 amp | 120 volt | 1 year | Check the Price |
| Display4top Welding Machine | 120 amp | 110 volt | 1 year | Check the Price |
| Hobart Handler Welder | 140 amp | 115 volt | 5 years | Check the Price |
| SUNGOLDPOWER MIG Welder | 140 amp | 220 volt | 1 year | Check the Price |
| VIVOHOME Welder Machine | 120 amp | 110 volt | --- | Check the Price |
| LOTOS Welding Wires | 175 amp | 240 volt | 1 year | Check the Price |
| HITBOX Welding Machine | --- | 220 volt | 1 year | Check the Price |
Top Mig Welders Reviews
1. Forney Easy Welder
Forney is a brand that makes all sorts of machining equipment that can be essential in a workshop. Amongst other things, they also make various MIG welders, including the one mentioned here.
At 1st position, we have Forney Easy Weld 261 MIG welder. Forney Easy Weld 261 is a 140 amp MIG welder that comes with 120-volt power input. It is a completely gasless welder that runs on AC power source. This MIG welder has a controllable feed rate of welding wire that can be adjusted by a dial. Its controllable feed rate is essential for efficient welding as it prevents excess use of wire. It can weld up to ¼ inch metal plates or sheets having a gauge of 24.
Forney also provides two different types of electrical adapters in the packaging that are 20 amperes and 15 amperes. Talking about the build quality, the entire outer body of this MIG welder is made out of metal. So, you can rely on the build quality to last even after a significant amount of transport and usage. The brand warranty on this MIG welder is 1 year long. The overall weight of Forney Easy Weld MIG welder is 19 pounds, which is considered lightweight for such a powerful machine. The average duty cycle of Forney easy weld MIG welder is 30 percent if it is used at 90 amperes.
Best features:
- Lightweight
- 120-volt machine with 140-ampere output
- Completely gas less operation
- Wire feed control
- Metal body
- Weld up to ¼ inch metal of 24 gauge
- Weighs 19 pounds
- 30% duty cycle at 90 ampere
Components:
- Mig welder
- 8-inch mig gun
- 8-inch ground clamp
- Two AC adapters
- User manual
- Warranty card
2. Display4top Welding Machine
Display4top is a brand that is known for its different kinds of products that generally have an affordable price tag. Fortunately, they also have a cheap mig welder in their line up.
Display4top portable MIG welder is our 2nd choice for the best MIG welders. It is a gasless welder that uses flux-cored wire for welding. This 110-volt MIG welder operates on DC power type, and it is capable of 120-ampere power output, which is considered decent for various welding jobs. It can be used on various materials such as carbon steel, aluminum, stainless steel, etc. The MIG welder is pretty strong in build quality while offering a compact design. This makes this MIG welder a very good choice for portable welding.
Another noteworthy feature of this MIG welder is the overload safety protection that is great to have. This will turn off the MIG welder if there is a sudden change in the power input or if the welding gun is overheated. You also get an integrated cooling system with this MIG welder that prevents overheating after continuous use. The duty cycle of Display4top portable MIG welder is 35%. It comes with a 1-year long manufacturer’s warranty. A protective weld mask is also included in the packaging for no extra cost.
Best features:
- 110 volt with a maximum of 120-ampere output
- Compact design
- Stainless steel body
- Applicable for various materials
- Overload and overheat safety measures
- 35% duty cycle rating
Components:
- Mig welder
- Welding gun
- Grounding clamp
- Welding wire
- Brush
- Weld mask
- User manual
- Warranty card
3. Hobart Handler Welder
Hobart is a well-known brand that produces various industry-standard production tools. In this article, we have a MIG welder from Hobart.
Hobart 500559 is our 3rd pick for the best MIG welders available for you. This MIG welder has a 115 voltage rating that can provide output in the range of 25-140 amps. As this current rating is similar to other general household appliances, you will be able to use it in your backyard as well. You can weld up to ¼ inch thick metal plates having 24 gauge with this MIG welder, which is considered as standard welding thickness. It can weld a wide range of materials that include cast iron, copper, brass, titanium. Magnesium alloys, etc.
The duty cycle for Hobart 500559 MIG welder is 20% at 90-ampere power output and 19-volt current. You can also vary the welding speed from 40 all the way up to 700 inches per minute. It also comes with a dedicated voltage control system that will allow you to adjust the voltage according to your requirements. It is probably the most reliable option from our list as it comes with a long 5 year warranty period. The warranty period is also an indication that the build quality of this MIG welder is comparatively better.
Best features:
- 115 volt with 140-ampere output
- Wide range of weldable materials
- Variable speed range from 40 to 700 rpm
- 5-year warranty
- Weld up to ¼ inch metal plates with 24 gauge rating
- 20% duty cycle at 90-ampere current and 19-volt input
Components
- Mig welder
- Welding gun
- Unit instruction guide
- User manual
- Warranty card
4. SUNGOLDPOWER MIG Welder
Sungoldpower is a wholesaler of various industrial tools and equipment. They also provide a decent mig welder for an affordable price tag.
Sungoldpower MIG welder is a multifunctional MIG welder that runs on a maximum of 220 volts DC current while using a 140-ampere current. An important feature of this machine is that it can either run on 110 volts or 220 volts. This is important if you wish to use the MIG welder for different applications. Unlike previous ones, this MIG welder can be used for both gas shielded as well as gasless MIG welding. The flux-cored wire that is used in it is capable of 2 pounds and 10 pounds of wire spool. The wire fed rate is controllable that grants you complete control over the welding speed of Sungoldpower MIG welder.
The welding current can also be adjusted via the variable current control options to suit your application correctly. This also affects the welding thickness and power consumption. This MIG welder can weld various materials such as stainless steel, mild steel, or other similar metals. The size of Sungoldpower MIG welder is pretty compact that weighs only 31 pounds. This makes it ideal for outdoor work. You will get a 60% duty cycle with it that is better than many similar MIG welders.
Best features:
- Multifunctional MIG welder
- 220-volt input with 140 ampere current
- Dual voltage settings
- Both gasless and gas shielded welding available
- Adjustable wire feed rate
- Compact size
- Lightweight
Components
- Mig welder
- 7-inch mig torch
- 59-inch welding cable
- Grounding clamp
- Flux-cored wire (sample only)
- Mask
- Welding brush
- Warranty card
- User manual
5. VIVOHOME Welder Machine
Up next, we have a MIG welder from Vivohome company. This brand specializes in creating various a variety of products, including a cheap mig welder.
Vivohome Portable MIG 130 MIG welder is a compact machine that operates on 110 volts DC current and provides 50 to 120-ampere welding current. This is a gas welder that uses metal inert gas that prevents oxidation of the welded surface. This MIG welder is specifically designed for mild steel and stainless steel. Therefore, it is ideal for welding automobile body parts or similar thin sheets of metal. You have complete control over the welding speed of the Vivohome Portable MIG welder by either varying the current flow of wire feed.
The design of this MIG welder is compact and lightweight, as it is made out of stainless steel. This provides you with the option of easy transportation. As for the duty cycle rating for Vivohome Portable MIG welder, it is rated at 15% when used at 105 amperes. It comes with an overheat protection feature available that will prevent the MIG welder from damage due to constant use. You also get a free welding helmet and a welding brush with it.
Best features
- 110-volt power rating with a maximum 120-ampere output
- Gas welder
- Variable current flow
- Variable wire feed rate
- Stainless steel body
- Compact size
- Lightweight
- Overheat protection
Components:
- Mig welder
- Welding gun
- Welding helmet
- Welding brush
- User manual
6. LOTOS Welding Wires
The next MIG welder on our list is presented by Lotos. There are a lot of superior quality welding machines available from Lotos.
Lotos Mig175 is a DC powered MIG welder that has a strong 175-ampere current output with a variable 220 or 240-volt input. This welding machine works with an aluminum wire feeder that creates a stable and controlled welding flow. The welding gun that comes with Lotos Mig175 is also an aluminum built 10 feet 4 inch long that is quite handy to use.
There is a 1-year warranty on this MIG welder, along with a 30-day refund policy. Lotos also includes a pound aluminum welding wire having 0.9-millimeter diameter along with the welding gun. You can expect a great welding performance from this for 18 gauge ¼ inch thick stainless steel sheets or 3/16 inch aluminum sheets. You will receive a free welding mask along with welding wires included in this kit.
Best features:
- 175-ampere welding current with dual voltage input
- DC powered MIG welder
- Aluminum wire feeder
- Ergonomic welding gun
- 1-year warranty with a 30-day refund policy
- Aluminum welding wire
Components:
- Mig welder
- Aluminum welding gun
- Ground clamp
- Gas hose
- Argon regulator
- Multiple contact tips
- Welding mask
- Welding wire
- Warranty card
- User manual
7. HITBOX Welding Machine
Welding machines made by Hitbix are widely used for indoor as well as outdoor applications. They also produce mig welders along with other types of welding machines.
This is another multi-purpose MIG welder available in our list of best MIG welders. The Hitbox MIG welder can perform Mig, Arc, and Lift tig welding along with the choice of gas or gasless welding method. For the gas welding method, the solid welding wire has 0.8 to 1 mm diameter. And for the gasless welding, a flux-cored wire is used. You can use a selection of certain standard diameter electrodes with it.
The input voltage of Hotbox MIG welder is 220 volts, and it can weld surfaces having 0.8mm thickness. It can weld various materials such as Carbon, Stainless steel, Low-alloy steel, etc. The wire feed rate is controllable within a 3 to 18 meter per minute range. This MIG welder is designed while considering the portability of the machine. Therefore, the machine is compact in size and weighs only 19 pounds. The manufacturer will provide a 1-year warranty on the Hitbox MIG welder.
Best features:
- Multi-purpose Mig welder
- Gas and gasless welding available
- Works on 220 volts input
- Can weld various materials
- Controllable wire feed rate
- Compact size
- Lightweight
Components:
- Mig welder
- Gas tube
- Grounding clamp
- Electrode holder
- Warranty card
- User manual
Buying Guide For The Best Mig Welders
At this point, you must have gathered a lot of information about MIG welders and their general characteristics. But as you may already know, a single MIG welding machine cannot be used for multitasking. Therefore, you must choose your MIG welder carefully after considering the required application. This buying guide will surely help you through the selection process and make your task easier. Here, you can evaluate various essential aspects of a MIG welder that are important to consider before buying one. Thus, consider the following factors before buying a MIG welder:
1. Amp Rating
The amp rating of a MIG welder is the representation of output current intensity available for the machine. In simpler words, as the ampere value increases, the performance of the MIG welder also increases. As a result, different MIG welders come with different amp ratings that make them ideal for different applications. For instance, it is better to have a 140 or 175 amp mig welder for heavy-duty work. But for domestic welding jobs, even a 120-ampere rating is sufficient.
2. Duty Cycle
Another essential thing to consider before buying a MIG welder is its duty cycle. The duty cycle is basically the active time of the machine before it needs to be stopped for a resting period. As a result, the MIG welders having a higher duty cycle will work for a longer period without a break. For example, you can use a MIG welder having a 60% percent duty cycle for 6 to 7 minutes straight that is ideal for large-sized weldings.
3. Voltage Rating
Just like the ampere rating, the voltage rating of the MIG welder is an equally important factor. The voltage rating will give you an idea about the input requirements of the MIG welder. Mig welders with a higher voltage rating will require a high voltage input, but the power output will be equally strong. On the other hand, low voltage machines are designed for lightweight welding applications. A few MIG welders mentioned in this article have a dual input, which is a really good feature if you are looking for a multi-purpose MIG welder.
4. Weight and Size
This is a really important factor to consider before buying a MIG welder if you are looking for outdoor applications. As there are many lightweight options available that can be used for outdoor applications quite easily. This also adds up to the portability of the machine. On the other hand, heavier machines are designed for stationary welding jobs with higher power ratings. A compact MIG welder also takes less space while storing it in your workshop or garage.
5. Power Supply
The next thing that is to be kept in mind before buying the MIG welder is the power supply type of the machine. The electric current has two types of input that are AC and DC. While DC powered MIG welders are best suited for smaller applications, AC powered machines are designed for a heavy-duty workload. You should also consider the power input type available at your end so that there is not a need for any converter in the future.
6. Safety Features
The MIG welding machines are high voltage, high ampere machines. Therefore, you must consider the safety features available in the MIG welder. There are multiple safety features available in the MIG welding machines. For example, the overload protection feature is an extremely important safety feature that turns off the welding machine in case of a sudden electrical overload. This prevents various electrical hazards that can turn out to be fatal. The overheat protection is also an important feature that helps to maintain the integrity of the welding operation.
Conclusion
Mig welding is a widely used welding method that requires a dedicated MIG welder. These MIG welders are electric-powered welding machines that can be used to join two different surfaces seamlessly. But, as they are really popular machines, there are a lot of variants available in the market. And selecting one amongst all of these options can be a really tedious task. Therefore, we are here with some of the best MIG welders that offer different features. But, if you are still not sure about your purchase, you should take a look at our top recommendations given below:
- If you are sure that your primary requirement in a MIG welder is its power, you should go with the LOTOS MIG175 MIG welder. This is a 175 amp MIG welder that has a 240-volt rating. With this powerful MIG welder, you can weld up to a 3/16 inch aluminum sheet or up to a ¼ inch stainless steel sheet having 18 gauge. The input voltage can be varied from 220 volt to 240 volt according to your requirement. This brand provides a 1-year warranty with the MIG175 MIG welder that is sufficient considering the amount of work it can get done in that period.
- On the other hand, if you are looking for a budget option, you should consider buying a Display4top Portable MIG welder. As the name suggests, this MIG welder is comparatively smaller than other MIG welders mentioned in this article that adds up to its portability. This 110-volt MIG welder can provide quite decent power output for its price tag. You will also be getting 1 year of brand warranty on this product that is quite similar to other high-end options present in this article.
- Lastly, if you are looking for a multi-purpose option, check out the HITBOX MIG welder from our list. This is a 4 in 1 MIG welder that can perform gas MIG, gasless MIG, ARC, and lift tig welding. If you go with this MIG welder, you can rest assured that all four of these welding methods work perfectly. This MIG welder offers a stainless steel body to its users that provides a decent build quality for the continuous workload. The power voltage rating in the HITBOX MIG welder is 110 volts, along with a 120 amp maximum supported current. Its power rating is sufficient for all of the four welding methods it provides.
Make sure to share your thoughts in the comments section. You can also post any questions down there if you have any!
The post 7 Best Mig Welders for the Money in 2020 Reviews appeared first on Electronics Hub.
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