Top 10 Best MIG Welder For Every Budget (2024)

The word MIG stands for “Metal Insert Gas” welder.

And the best MIG welder will be a useful item that you can own in your workstation when you do any metalwork.

You can perform a wide range of welding tasks using a MIG welder.

Whether you are a professional welder or a DIY enthusiast, this article aims to provide you with a list of the best welder machines for your MIG welding task.

So, let’s look at the good mig welder brands they offer to make your task effective.

Top 10 Best MIG Welder Reviews

Finding the best top rated mig welders is always tricky, and it becomes a more daunting task when you have many options in your hand.

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1. Hobart 500559 Handler 140 MIG Welder 115V

 

Key Features:

• Built-in wire feeding.
• Welding range: 25Amps – 140Amps.
• Input Voltage: 115VAC

The Hobart 500559 Handler MIG welder is one of the popular units in the welding industry manufactured by Hobart. Ensuring top-class quality and exceptional workmanship is the motto of Hobart

In the MIG lineup of Hobart, it is the 2nd smallest MIG welder; thus, it is the best welder for the money and has become popular among the best home use mig welders and DIY lovers.

It has come with a compact design, and compared to many other regular welding machines, it delivers a significantly robust power of 140A. It will allow you to do daily metal-involving household work with its 20% duty cycle at 90 amps.

Welding thin materials like aluminum and stainless steel is the prime responsibility of this welder. And more importantly, you can operate it with 115V common household electricity.

If you want to weld a thin material 24-gauge and the thickest material of ¼”, you can easily handle the MIG project of this type of material. It is ideal for welding in homes, farms, rental shops, and construction sites.

Due to its compact design, it will not take too much space to get stored in a van or your workshop. Relatively, the unit is lightweight, and thus, you will not face any problem carrying it. By all accounts, you will get a long service from the unit.

2. LOTOS MIG175 MIG Welder – Best Mig Welder Under $300

 

Key Features:

• Aluminum wire feeder.
• Durable body.
• Multi-functional.

Do you need to perform daily welding on stainless steel, aluminum, and mild steel? The LOTOS MIG175 MIG welder has a spool gun, an argon regulator, and a mask, offering stable and better welding operation.

You will find the unit as a flexible welder surfing in the market. It has nearly all the features to meet your requirements.

The unit will give you an impressive welding experience that you can resist love yourself. It will provide you with a 20% duty cycle @ 175Amps and a 30% duty cycle @ 135Amps.

To simplify its use, the welder has unlimited welding speed and wire handling. The machine is robustly built and available with good welded penetration to make the operation of the wire feed motor easier.

The welding capacity of the unit is ¼” stainless steel and 3/8” aluminum. Handling a 4” or 6” wire spool on an industrial level is not complicated for the unit. Besides, you will get a long service period from the machine since it is available with overload protection.

No metal distortion will happen when you perform a smooth and clean cut in a wide range of materials like stainless and alloy steel, brass, aluminum, and various conductive materials.

Its robust metal finish body gives it a unique and costly look that will last long for a prolonged period. Also, a 6ft long power cable will allow you to perform efficiently in a compact space.

3. Forney 309 140-Amp MIG Welder 

 

Key Features:

• Metal-made construction.
• Dimension: 20.2” X 10.2” X 16”
• Portable.

Your search for a flux-core capable welder will end with the Forney 309 140-Amp MIG Welder. It can weld thick steel up to ¼” around your home, or it is an industrial mig welder workstation.

The welding machine comes with many advanced features that many users appreciate. It is responsible for providing cleaning and smooth cutting.

No other welder can easily be operated like the Forney 140 MIG welder. Even a novice can run it without facing any problems. It is possible because all instruction is given with easy wordings.

For example, you can control its output power by setting the maximum amps. Moreover, if you need to increase control wire feeding, simply rotating the button clockwise and anti-clockwise rotating will allow you to decrease it.

The Forney 309 140-Amp MIG Welder runs with 115V household current. So, you can run the device at any place where 115C is available without facing any hassle.

30Amps – 140Amps is its output range. The 20% 115 Amps duty cycle is pretty much excellent. it is eligible to work as a flux core, so there is no confusion in calling it a multi-functional welder, as it is one of the best portable mig welders.

Compared to a similar price welder, it is lightweight, and this feature makes it portable and can be carried anywhere.

4. New 2021 Model Cyclone 140E MIG Welder

 

Key Features:

• IGBT inverter.
• Lightweight.
• Impressive duty cycle.

No other MIG welders can beat top mig welders 2019 Everlast MIG 140MIG welder in terms of performance. The manufacturer Everlast Welders, uses exclusive technology in the welder to get professional-grade performance without eating much electricity.

However, you can’t raise any questions regarding the welding result, and more importantly, you are getting excellent welding with fewer electricity bills.

One of the best features of the welder is the IGBT inverter. The inverter makes the unit eligible for a higher amp output with an improved duty cycle compared to transformer-based MIG welders.

It is made to provide efficient performance without using adequate power. The feature boosts the unit’s performance as well as assists in keeping the electricity cost less.

Another impressive feature is that the unit has infinite voltage and wire speed settings and other welders with 4, 7, or 10 voltage settings.

Using the unit, you can cut mild and stainless, 3/16” thick chrome. You can use it with both 4” and 8” wire spools. With the power, the 2019 Everlast MIG 140MIG welder is exceptionally lightweight.

The welder’s duty cycle is 25% @ 140Amps and 35% @ 135Amps. It is designed with 120V input power to be used anywhere. The weight is only 28 lbs, and it is one of the lightest welders on this list.

5. Miller Electric 120/240VAC MIG Welder

 

Key Features:

• Transportable.
• Auto spool gun detect.
• Inverter innovation.

Keeping your eyes shut off, you can trust the manufacturer Miller. Miller is a company that is one of the pioneers in the welding machine industry. And their manufactured items are the best in quality, performance, and durability.

The Miller Electric 120/240VAC MIG Welder is also no exception. The forced auto-set element feature of this 120/240VAC MIG welder gear enables you to determine the cable width, which sets the cable speed.

Along with this line, the welding work is done more precisely, without any trouble, and by not keeping any mystery. Besides, the inverter innovation with a lightweight blend makes it the most versatile welder in the market.

Due to this, the Miller 120/240VAC MIG welder delivers the best welding operation. Impressively, the fan-request feature of the device is a power source cooling framework that works alone when necessary.

This feature reduces shock, control use, and the number of contaminants drawn through the machine. You will never face any trouble starting the unit as it’s a smooth-start option.

6. Longevity MIGWeld 140 – 140 MIG Welder

 

Moreover, using the unit will not give you much hassle as you can connect it to your existing 110V power source.

Since the unit has an exclusive versatile feature, you can efficiently complete working with hot rods, motorbikes, the best home mig welder fittings, home repairs, decorative gates, BBQ pits, and many other purposes.

With its high performance, it will always make a significant difference in any welding work. You will not face any problems with the setup process; it will take only a few minutes to set up the full unit.

Cutting up to 3/8” mild steel using the power unit is not difficult. Efficiently, you can handle any mild steel welding tasks. If you want to work with aluminum-based materials, its spoon gun feature will let you do so comfortably.

More interestingly, being much more versatile, the device is not expensive. You don’t need to break your ban or borrow $ to purchase the unit. This is one of the biggest reasons for its high sales.

7. Hobart 500553 MIG Welder

 

Key Features:

• Dual-voltage option.
• Long power cord: 3M.
• MVP plug option.

It is the 3rd welder from the manufacturer Hobart, and all features of the Hobart 500553 MIG Welder insist I give a place in the top 10 best MIG welder review list.

The device is small; you can run it using dual voltage, either 115V or 230V, with an MVP plug. As a result, you can find a power source easily. With 79lbs and using a wheeled cart, you can easily transport it to your workstation.

To let you achieve your required smooth and top-notch quality weld, it is available with 210MVP MIG.

An expert welder will find the welder highly attractive since the 7-voltage option makes the welder a more versatile one than many other welders. To get precision welding, the 7-voltage option is vital and ensures you will get clean and excellent welding.

Regarding usability, the Hobart 500553 MIG welder is one of the most convenient welders surfing in the market. After unboxing the device, it is ready for an operation that can weld up to 3/8” thick steel.

It comes with a great 1/3/5 year of warranty, confirming the item’s superior quality. It is confirmed that the device will give you prolonged years of service without any disturbance with the warranty.

8. Forney 318 190-Amp MIG – Best Mig Welder Under $1000

 

Key Features:

• 3-in-1 welder.
• Versatile.
• Inverter technology.

Many professionals search for a multi-purpose welding machine, and the Forney 3-in-1 190-Amp Welder will be a safe choice. The name gives you an idea about the welder; it is a 3-in-1 welder that can be used for MIG, Stick, and TIG welding work.

The 3-in-1 feature saves both your valuable money and space. Since you can use it for 3 types of welding work, you don’t need to purchase several welders to accomplish different tasks.

Even switching the welding process is pretty simple. Due to its DC TIG characteristics, you can’t weld aluminum with it. Also, it is available with an MIG and Sticks ready with a gas hose and regulator.

An understandable setup guide will assist you in setting up the whole unit without wasting unnecessary time. Additionally, beginners and professionals can benefit most from this welding machine.

9. Lincoln Electric K2185-1 MIG Welder

 

Key Features:

• 4-voltage options.
• Fan cooling system.
• Indoor chart.

The Lincoln Electric K2185-1 MIG welder is popular among hobby and beginner welders because of its easy-to-carry option. But this is not only the best feature of the welder.

Besides, the unit is durable and reliable, and an experienced welder also can use it since sometimes they require less power to complete their welding work.

You can trust the welder as it comes from a reliable brand, “Lincoln.” 88A is its maximum output amperage; thus, it has become one of the best MIG welders for a small workshop. You can choose 4 variable voltage settings as per your requirement.

The highest voltage setting will allow you to weld the thickest material. The good news is that a chart inside the welder shows which voltage setting to use for which thick material.

A solid handle is attached at the top of the welder for easy carrying. The price is within the range of a beginner and comes with 1 one-year warranty.

You can remain worry-free as the brand has a reputation for providing quality products to its customers.

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10. Hobart 500536 MIG Welder

 

Key Features:

• Reversible drive rolls.
• Built-in cylinder rack.
• Hinged door.

The Hobart 500536 MIG welder is an answer for welders looking for high-output currents, long-duty cycles, and exceptional arc quality.

Being bulky (more than 200lbs), the manufacturer added 4 wheels in the device to let you move around as required. It is made for the heavy-duty job, and all skill-level welders can use it effortlessly.

While all skill-level welders can operate the unit, it is designed to provide a professional result. All the interior and exterior parts of the unit are made of high-quality materials, as Hobart 500536 MIG Welder promises long-term service. And the unit can rigorously fit any workstation.

It has different unique features that will amaze you undoubtedly. Its heavy-duty cabinet is equipped with all the crucial parts.

With the help of the hinged door, you can quickly access the cable drive system. Also, changing the roll and spool has become accessible through the hinged door.

Moreover, it is also fitted out with a unique reversible drive roll system. Instead of having 2 drive rolls, the 500536 MIG welder boasts 2 groves for 2 separate wiring systems in a single roll.

This way, it backs you from ongoing maintenance, saving valuable time and cost as you don’t need to purchase an unnecessary roll.

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best MIG Welder?

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Output Power

One of the foremost things you must consider while purchasing a MIG welder is output power.

100Amps output power is sufficient for any DIY project. Also, a welder with 140Amps output power will be a safe choice because you will never know how much thicker material you need to weld. It will cost you a bit more, but in the end, you will benefit from it.

Moreover, you need to learn about the minimum power output of a welder while purchasing.

30Amps is a good option for 18-gauge metal. On the other hand, if welding is a 0.8mm thick material, a welder of 20 – 25 Amps will be a good option.

Duty Cycle

It is another essential factor of a welding machine. It refers to a welder’s efficiency.

The duty cycle means how long you can weld to optimize your machine’s lifespan.

You might have read a sentence, “The duty cycle of this welding machine is 20% at 90 amps.”

This means you can weld the right amount of amps for 2 minutes with a 20% duty cycle.

From Welder to welder, you will find a different amount of Amps, and adjusting the Amps is also straightforward, which can be done with the help of a dial placed in the machine.

Size and Portability

Besides the performance of a MIG welder, you need to know whether your selected item has a portable feature.

Depending on the feature and power, the size range of a welder is 40 lbs – 100 lbs.

If you need to move around for your welding project, you have no choice except to look for a welder with a cart option. You can purchase a separate cart for your welder, too.

Before purchasing, you need to know the type of your welding project. Based on that, learn whether you need a portable welding machine instead of a big mig welder.

Final Thoughts 

Knowing your requirements when planning to purchase or replace your current welding machine is essential. Knowing about the requirements will ensure you are investing in the right product.

Remember to learn what you are going to weld with your machine. You want to purchase the best MIG welder to provide long service.

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FAQ

What are the benefits of a MIG welder?

MIG welders are versatile, easy to learn, and fast. They can weld thin sheet metal to thicker steel and work with metals like mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum, etc. The wire feed system makes it convenient, too.

What accessories will I need?

You’ll need a welding helmet, appropriate gloves/clothing, wire brush, chipping hammer, pliers, clamps, welding table, and a bottle of shielding gas (like C25 argon/CO2 mix). A wire feeder, torch, and regulator come with the welder.

How difficult is it to learn MIG welding?

It’s relatively easy to pick up, especially with some practice. The wire feed system makes it simpler compared to stick or TIG welding. Taking a class can be extremely helpful when starting, too.

Can I use a MIG welder during the rain?

Absolutely not. Working with a MIG welder is dangerous during the rain. Accessories of a MIG welder will get damaged. Also, you may electrocute yourself. A dry condition is the best condition to do MIG welding.