It’s not a question but choosing the best welder machine can be a difficult process, especially if you are just getting started and you are not sure what features to consider.
If you are looking for the best welder machines, then you have come to the right place.
In this article, we have put together 12 best welder machines you can buy today.
Check our comprehensive list below.
Top 12 Best Welder Machines
1. AHP AlphaTIG 200X
If you are looking for the best quality yet affordable TIG welder machine that welds aluminum, stainless steel and is also great for stick welding, then the AHP Alpha TIG 200X would be the best option for you.
The unit comes with cool features that you may not find in other welder machines of its category. It comes with a pocket-friendly price tag and offers awesome functionality. It’s easy to use and can create a smooth, accurate, and stable arc.
What’s more? This welder machine can weld 1/4 inches and 3/8 inches thick of aluminum and stainless steel metal. In addition, it is ideal for heavy and light duty welding since it works in 110V and 220V outlets.
Another amazing feature of this welder machine is its HF start TIG and foot pedal that improves the adjustment.
Pros
- Provides accurate, smooth and stable arc
- It’s a versatile welder machine
- It’s portable
- It’s a budget-friendly welder
- It has dual input power outlets
Cons
- The fans tend to be noisy
- It is somehow complicated when starting
To sum it up, the AHP AlphaTIG 200X welder machine is ideal for you if you do not want to spend too much on a unit and want to achieve quality welds. It’s easy to assemble and use since it comes with a user manual. It’s an awesome versatile welder machine that works in 110V and 220 V respectively.
2. ESAB 0558101694 MiniArc 161LTS
The 0558101694 MiniArc 161LTS comes from ESAB, the largest manufacturer of welding equipment. The company boasts many years of experience producing high-quality welding machines and this welder is no exception.
The 0558101694 MiniArc 161LTS is the best TIG welder ideal for beginners and experts alike. It’s also a light and heavy duty welder you can use for large welding projects.
The greatest thing about this welder is that it packs the great features all at an affordable price. It is lightweight and can produce a range of 5 to 160 amps. It also works in 115V or 230V outlets.
Pros
- It’s easy to set up and use
- It is lightweight and portable
- It does not produce noise on operation
- It is durable
Cons
- It lacks a foot pedal
In summary, if you are looking for a lightweight yet high-quality welder, then perhaps this would be the best option for you. It is portable at only 18 pounds. It can weld against rust, old paint, and slag. It is ideal for beginners and welding enthusiasts.
3. Hobart Handler 210 MVP
If you are a novice or an expert looking for a welder machine that is not only affordable but high-quality and durable, then the Handler 210 MVP would make the best option for you. This is a MIG and Flux Core welder as well capable of working in 210A of power. It is a reliable and powerful welder machine ideal for a wide range of welding applications such as home, farm, and auto body workshops fabrication applications
The best thing about this welder machine is that it can weld aluminum, stainless steel, and steel materials. What’s more? It can weld 3/8 inch thick mild steel and can be used for Flux-Cored welding as well.
Pros
- It can be used in a wide range of welding projects
- It’s easy to use
- Delivers clean and precise welding
- Apart from MIG welding, you can also use it for Flux-Core welding
Cons
- Carrying it might not be easy- You will have to use a car to transport it
- Its cables tend to be too short
Overall this dual voltage welder machine is designed to withstand heavy-duty projects and is ideal for welding workshop projects, auto body fabrications and garden equipment among others.
4. Hobart 500559 Handler 140 MIG Welder
If you buy this welder machine, you get a 10-foot MIG gun, 10-foot work cable clamp, and dual gauge regulator surprisingly, all at a pocket-friendly price.
The Hobart 500559 is one of the best reliable welder machines coming from a US manufacturer and is ideal for a wide range of welding applications. It is sturdy and versatile and is capable of working on any household welding project.
The best thing about this welder machine is that it can work on metals including aluminum, steel, and stainless steel up to 1/4 inch thick. This plug and play welder machine will make your construction business, farm equipment repair and auto body work a fun experience.
To conclude, if you want to build fences, create metal art, and fix up auto body panels, then you would never go wrong with this welder machine.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Easy to use
- Packs plenty of remarkable features
- It is a versatile MIG welder
- No overheating- It has a thermal overload protection mechanism
Cons
- Lacks safety gear so you need to buy your own mask and gloves
- Power cable tends to be short
5. Hobart Handler 500554
If you are looking for an easy to use, powerful and portable welder machine, then the Handler 500554 is for you. This compact welder by Hobart is ideal for hobbyists and expert welders alike. Hobart has earned its reputation for the production of top quality welding equipment and this welder proves that.
With this welder machine, you can handle almost every type of project. It can be used in a wide range of welding tasks such as in creating fences, farm equipment, DIY projects, exhaust systems, auto body panels, and more.
The best thing about this welder is that it can weld flux core steel, aluminum, stainless steel, and steel up to 5/16 inches in a single pass.
Pros
- Dual duty cycle
- It is Portable
- Easy to use
- Fast set up
- Built tough for any type of welding
Cons
- It might not be ideal for heavy-duty welding
- It is costly than other welder machines of the same category
To conclude, if you are in the market looking for a solid entry-level MIG welder then perhaps you should settle with this one. This welder is capable of working on any type of project. It is ideal for beginners and expert welders alike.
6. Miller Maxstar 161 S
The Maxstar 161 S is a DC only TIG welder machine with awesome functionality. It’s one of the lightweight welder machines out there weighing only 13lbs. However, it’s not ideal for working on aluminum alloys but it can work on steel.
It’s versatile and offers high performance. This model can work as a TIG and Stick welder as well. The portability of this welder machine allows you to carry it to various welding places.
The greatest thing about the Maxstar 161 S is that is designed with a shoulder strap and adjustable handle so transporting it from one point to another is not a hustle.
Moreover, the welder stands out due to its thermal overload protection feature. This feature makes the welder last longer and cost-effective. It can be powered by 120V or 240V.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Portable
- Cost-effective
- Can use either 120V or 240 V
Cons
- It is not ideal for working on aluminum
Overall, if you are looking for the best portable welder machine then the Maxstar TIG Welder 161 S would be the best option for you. It’s portable, durable and cost-effective.
7. Lincoln Electric K2471-1
Lincoln Electric is perhaps the world leader in the production of powerful welder equipment. The manufacturer produces MIG welder, TIG welders, Stick welders, and multi-purpose welders that all come at affordable prices. The manufacturer offers a 3-year warranty for this welder.
The welder machine welds up to 5/16 inches steel.
This welder machine also offers great power and is easy to use. It is versatile and is ideal for light and heavy-duty welding.
What’s more? It welds aluminum, steel materials, and mild steel as well. Moreover, it supports 120V with amperage of 140.
Pros
- It can handle flux core welding and MIG welding
- It delivers clean and strong welds
- It is durable
- It is affordable
Cons
- It is not as portable as other models reviewed in this article
- It does not support generator
If you are thinking of getting into the welding profession and you are looking for a great welder machine, then grab the Lincoln Electric Welder Power 140C. It is ideal for beginners and professionals alike. It delivers clean and strong welds.
8. Lincoln Electric K2698-1
If you are looking for a welder that is ideal for light fabrication, auto body panels or home repairs, farm equipment fabrication, and many others, then we would recommend you to buy the Lincoln Electric K2698-1.
With power up to 208/240Volts, you can weld up to 3/16 inches or a half inch with gasless flux core welding within a single pass.
What’s more? This is an industrial grade welder you can use to create fences, cut through thick steel shits or aluminum. However, this welder does not support the generators. It’s also a bit heavier and its price is also higher for a welder of its category.
Pros
- It comes with different voltage controls to enable smooth arc and enhanced welding
- Can weld thick aluminum and steel materials
- It has industrials grade plastic coating that protects the inner parts.
Cons
- It does not support the generator
- It is a bit heavier and pricey for a welder of its category
Despite all the drawbacks this welder has, it still delivers great results you will not get from other welder machines of its category. It is ideal for small and industrial welding projects and is also perfect for farmers and hobbyists alike.
9. Lincoln Electric K2278-1
Lincoln Electric has been on the market for decades now. The company boasts the production of high-quality products with the sole purpose of simplifying work for users. The K2278-1 proves exactly that with its ability to handle heavy-duty household welding and make it look like a small task.
If you are experienced welder looking for a welder machine capable of welding up to 1/8-inch mild steel on a single pass, then Lincoln Electric gets you sorted here. This welder is ideal for welding flux corded and is able to produce up to 70 amps of welding power.
It packs everything you would want to have in a welder machine and is great for hobbyists and beginners alike.
Pros
- Affordable and high-quality welder machine
- Durable, portable and versatile
- Welds MIG and flux cored as well
- Packs plenty of welding tools
Cons
- May only be ideal for use on household power phases
We recommend this welder machine due to its durability, quality, and versatility. It is also a portable and convenient machine to use in home and workshop.
10. Mophorn TIG WRC-300A
Coming with an amazing price tag, this Mophorn TIG welder 350A 110V from Vevor is perfect for TIG welding and delivers enough cooling capacity. When you buy this welder machine, you will get plenty of qualities such as TIG torch and more.
The cooling plug may be detached for use with other brands of welders. The welding machine has color-coded quick connectors so connecting of the torch lines is easy and fast. To ensure proper cooling is achieved, the radiator is made from copper.
To ensure maximum protection, the motor is sealed. The unit has a reservoir that holds at least 2 gallons of coolant for ample circulation capacity. The rated amperage for this unit is 350A and can work with 110V at a frequency of 60Hz.
Pros
- The welding machine has color-coded quick connectors so connecting of the torch lines is easy and fast
- It’s affordable and offers value for money
- Delivers smooth welding
Cons
- It is somehow complicated to use, especially for beginners
11. Millermatic Electric 141
The Miller Electric 141 is top-quality dual voltage MIG Welder. This welder can weld aluminum or mild steel of up to 3/16 inches thick. This means it is ideal for handling various fabrication projects such as DIY, farm welding, home fabrication projects, metal art and more. Apart from MIG welding, this welder allows flux-cored welding processes.
The greatest thing about this welder is that it packs awesome features that make it easy to assemble.
Coming from well-known welding manufacture, the Miller 141 can be used on 120 Volt.
What’s more? The Millermatic 141 is also the best portable MIG welder and this makes it ideal for home DIY and professional welding as well.
Another greatest thing about this welder is that it comes with an auto-set technology which serves the machine with continuous voltage.
Pros
- It’s a versatile dual voltage MIG welder
- It’s portable
- It provides high-quality welds
- It’s a user-friendly welder machine for beginners and expert welders alike
Cons
- Its price is relatively higher than most of the other MIG welders of its category
To summarize, the Millermatic 141 would be a good option for beginners and expert welders as well. It’s a top quality MIG welder that can achieve awesome quality MIG welds across a range of metals.
12. Forney Easy Weld 261 140 FC-I
Our last item in the list of the best welder machines is the Easy weld 261.
The Forney Easy Weld 261 is a portable welder machine that uses gasless/flux core wire- it is a flux core welding only machine. The welder is ideal for use in a wide range of welding projects including maintenance and repair, metal fabrication, household welding and more.
The unit comes with a duty cycle of 30% at 90A and also work in 120V. It also produces 140 amp power output.
What’s more? This unit can weld up to a 0.30-inch wire. When you buy the Easy weld 261, you get an 8-inch MIG gun, and ground Clamp, plus 20A to 15A adapter.
Pros
- Easy to set up and use
- Compact and portable
- Ideal for novices and expert welders alike
- Affordable and high-quality unit
Cons
- Not ideal for welding thicker metals
- Adjusting the settings and the coil wire might take some time
Guide to Buying a Welder Machine
Welders are handy machines, especially at manufacturing industries and the constructions sector as well. They help when working with metals to make a certain product.
Well, sometimes people want to try with used models but choosing a top quality welder from a reputable brand the first time can help you do the work in the most efficient way, save you a lot of headaches, and money.
The market is loaded with welder models from different brands and manufacturers and this can make it even complicated to know which one to pick. However, with proper research, you can get high quality and durable welding machine.
Here is a beginner’s guide to buying a welder machine.
Consider the Type of Metal to be Welded
First things first; you need to know the type of metal on which you are going to use the machine. This way, you will be able to choose the right welder machine. Usually, the most popular types of metals used in welding are aluminum alloys, steel, iron, copper and many others all of which require certain welder machines to produce the results you desire.
Understand that It’s an Investment
As mentioned above, your first welder machine is an investment. It’s important to know that there are more welders out there than you can imagine most of which are affordable and others costly as well.
In this case, you should do proper research to ensure you pick the right if not the best for the job.
Understand the Type of Welding
Usually, there are three main kinds of welding. These include TIG, MIG, and Stick and each form require a particular welder machine. If you are just getting started with welding or you are a learner, it is advisable to buy a MIG welder machine.
Here are the main types of Welders
TIG Welders
TIG welders are most suitable for professional welders. This is because they require some more learning to operate. These are the most versatile welders out there.
MIG Welder
MIG welders are ideal for people who are just getting started or learners. They are easy to use on aluminum alloys and steel. These types of welders are also versatile and make good learning opportunities for beginners.
Stick Welder
Stick Welders are suitable for home repairs and DIY projects. If you want to repair your farm equipment or wheelbarrow at home, these are the best welder machines to buy. They are also ideal for outdoor applications.
Final Thoughts
For a unit to qualify as the best welder machine it must have enough power for your type of project, it must also have a great duty cycle, and also pack reliable features that help to handle light and tough projects.
Nevertheless, the best welder machine will depend on what you intend to use it for. If you are looking for a welder machine for home repairs and light welding, then a MIG machine would make the best option for you. If you need a heavy-duty welder machine that you will use it daily, then a versatile TIG, MIG or Stick welder would be ideal for you.
Lastly, you need to go to the market equipped with information about what to buy. Understand what you require from a welder machine so as to make a wise investment of your hard earned bucks.