Best MIG Welder Reviews – Guide & Reviews

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Our top choice for the Best MIG welder is the LOTOS MIG175 175AMP MIG Welder.

You can read more about why we have chosen this machine it further down the post or you can buy directly via amazon here:

[amazon box=”B00QMXEIMK”]

Learn how to choose a MIG welding machine and find our top picks for the best MIG welder for the money in this guide.

MIG welding may appear intimidating and difficult to learn initially, but not until you know how to use one.

MIG stands for Metal Inert Gas and is an entry-level universal welding machine. It can quickly be learned even by neophytes and used for simple repair jobs in and around the home.

MIG welders are easy to use. 

  1. Plug the unit
  2. Crank up the gas shield
  3. Start to MIG weld 

Some first-time users can run good beads utilizing a MIG in just a couple of hours. Instructors can even give basic training in less than an hour.

A MIG welding machine makes use of a wire welding electrode on a spool. It can bond together metals such as aluminum, copper, mild steel, stainless steel, nickel, magnesium, and their alloys.

You can also check out our other reviews and editors choice.

Recommended MIG Welder Reviews

I know it can be very confusing to buy just one MIG machine, so I have made things easier for you by creating the top 10 best MIG welder reviews today:

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LONGEVITY Migweld 140 – 140 Amp MigWelder

[amazon box=”B0087RJKGS”]

This unit operates on a standard 110 volt power outlet. It’s a good cheap MIG welder for home and shop welding. It can weld up to 3/8 inches of mild steel and is very simple to use.

You’ll appreciate its clear and concise controls. It also comes with a spool gun that should make you weld with more precision. It runs on 0.25 to 0.35 diameter wire. The 0.35 tip is ideal for welding metals that are up to a quarter of an inch thick.

Lastly, this weighs less than 60 pounds making it very portable and transport. You can even bring it for field-based welding jobs.

But it does have its weaknesses. Perhaps the most disappointing is its wire feed system. It isn’t the most reliable that many owners complain; it falls apart just an hour or so of welding work. And although the maker says that this unit can weld 3/8 inch metal, it would take many passes for the unit to complete a join.

Notwithstanding those flaws, this is still a highly recommended welding machine both for pros and hobbyists.

You’ll appreciate its clear and concise controls. It also comes with a spool gun that should make you weld with more precision. It runs on 0.25 to 0.35 diameter wire. The 0.35 tip is ideal for welding metals that are up to a quarter of an inch thick.

Lastly, this weighs less than 60 pounds making it very portable and transport. You can even bring it for field-based welding jobs.

Forney Easy Weld 140 MP Multi-Process

[amazon box=”B078V852S2″]

This is also a user-friendly and compact wire-feed MIG welder. It plugs right into a 115 volt wall socket. You can weld mild metal that is up to 1/8 inch thick with this unit.

The package includes a mask, work clamp, cable, wire plus gun, gas nozzle, gas hose and regulator, a spool of cable, and tactile hands shield.

Four voltage configurations can let you weld soft metals on top of the constant cable feed acceleration adjustment in this unit. The cable feed can handle the electricity and prevent overheating.

It weighs just 49 pounds so that you can quickly move it from one place to another. 

You can work inside the shop or take it for some field-based work. 

It’s best used for light tasks like repairs and bodywork on the car, among others. But it does have its weaknesses, like its safety tools not the best in terms of quality.

It is also a unit that is not appropriate for heavy-duty use. The mask included in the package isn’t the full-helmet type. You will have to hold it with one of your hands while welding.

Further reading: Best MIG Welders under $500

Lincoln Electric K2185-1 Handy MIG Welder

[amazon box=”B004HL01PW”]

This is also a user-friendly and compact wire-feed MIG welder. It plugs right into a 115 volt wall socket. You can weld mild metal that is up to 1/8 inch thick with this unit.

The package includes a mask, work clamp, cable, wire plus gun, gas nozzle, gas hose and regulator, a spool of cable, and tactile hands shield.

Four voltage configurations can let you weld soft metals on top of the constant cable feed acceleration adjustment in this unit. The cable feed can handle the electricity and prevent overheating.

It weighs just 49 pounds, thus you can quickly move it from one place to another. You can work inside the shop or take it for some field-based work. It’s best used for light tasks like repairs and bodywork on the car, among others. 

But it does have its weaknesses, like its safety tools not the best in terms of quality.

It is also a unit that is not appropriate for heavy-duty use. The mask is included in the package.

Forney 309 140-Amp MIG Welder

[amazon box=”B00TGSK1YM”]

It is another compact MIG welder that you would love to have for your DIY jobs. It’s the right choice for novice welders and can be used for welding materials like stainless steel, aluminum, mild steel, and cast iron that is up to a quarter of an inch thick.

With a maximum output of 140 amps, this machine is something you will find useful for DIY jobs, auto body repairs, farm and ranch equipment repair, among others. It’s very user-friendly and durable. You’ll get your money’s worth with this unit.

It is ready to use out of the box, with a MIG regulator and gas hose. It weighs around 60 pounds. It has a large cabinet and an integrated cable wrap feature. The latter makes the welding unit easy to transport, aside from keeping the cable organized.

The 10-foot long Tweco MIG gun is another nice feature. It allows the user to work on a welding task without transporting the entire unit to another wall outlet. Of course, this is not the most potent welding tool out there. Its maximum output of 140 amps alone tells you that you can’t use it for heavy-duty welding.

LOTOS MIG175 175AMP MIG Welder

[amazon box=”B00QMXEIMK”]

It’s another welding machine that DIY enthusiasts will find very easy to learn. It has a maximum output of 175 amps, with a 20 percent duty cycle.

At an output of 135 amps, the duty cycle increases to 30 percent. You can work on simple tasks like car repairs or farm machinery repair with this welder.

It can weld aluminum, stainless steel, and mild steel. There are plenty of things you will appreciate with this welder.

One is that it is easy to set up. Assembly won’t take more than 10 minutes. It plugs into a 200 to 220 volt wall socket that you likely have in your garage. Safety is guaranteed with its temperature controller and overload breaker. It also has two automatic circuits to protect its wire feeder motor. This unit comes with a one-year warranty.

You need to bear with the weight of the unit as it comes in at 80 pounds. The mig torch isn’t the longest, too, at just under nine feet long. Moreover, the cable isn’t the thickest, but many users say that is a minor annoyance.

Pro-Series MMIG125 125 Amp Fluxcore Welder Kit 

[amazon box=”B003FGWZK4″]

If you need a MIG welder for small to medium-sized tasks around the house without spending too much, then this is the model you should get.

It’s among the most affordable on this list. But you will still get good performance with this welder.

For starters, this welding machine is easy to set up. There’s a manual inside the package to guide you in assembly. You don’t need to be an expert welder to put things together.

There’s a sample spool core cable together with three replacements inside the package. You will also get a welding gun, face shield, brush hammer, and ground cable with a clamp.

You can plug this unit into a standard 110 volt wall outlet. And because it is relatively lightweight at 40 pounds, you can transport it to the desired location pretty easily.

There are two voltage settings in this unit. It can handle all sorts of metals such as stainless steel, nickel, aluminum, magnesium, copper, and other alloys. You will have to be careful in welding soft metals, though, with this welder. The low setting on this unit is still too high that it can melt soft metals pretty quickly.

Forney 307 MIG Welder 130FI-A Flux Core

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The Forney 307 won’t keep you guessing how to operate it when you take it out of the package. There’s no assembly required, and its control panel located on one side is easy to use.

There are only a few knobs to adjust for the settings. It weighs 53 pounds. It is not easy to tote around, sure, but it becomes more portable if you buy a wheeled cart for it.

It can weld mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum, with up to a quarter-inch in thickness. It has an output range of 40 to 130 amps.

The unit features an internal cooling fan that keeps it cool even under extreme heat. It plugs into a 110 volt wall outlet. You can use it for small to medium jobs, like repairing home appliances, working on a car exhaust, and other small items.

Lotos MIG140 140 Amp Mig Wire Welder

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This one is another unit that you can turn to for your DIY jobs. With a maximum output of 140 amps, it can work on small to medium-sized jobs.

It includes a spool gun that you can use for welding aluminum. You can use it, too, for mild welding steel and stainless steel.

You’ll love that this welder is very user-friendly.

Set-up won’t take more than 10 minutes. It has a thermal overload protection system designed to protect the unit.

In terms of unit protection, it has an overload breaker and temperature control. There are also two automatic circuits for the wire feeder motor. Most of the user complaints are on the unreliable wire feed system of the welder. But aside from that weakness, this is an excellent choice for a MIG welder.

Hobart Handler 500554001 190 with SpoolRunner

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This is another exceptional MIG welder that is an excellent choice for domestic uses. It comes with a 10 foot long, 150 amp spool gun. You can weld aluminum, mild steel, stainless steel, and flux core with this unit.

And it is possible to weld up to 5/16 inches of steel in a single pass with this MIG welder. Many owners of this MIG welder say it is versatile and handy for household repairs, auto body repairs, and even farm projects.

It lets you use two different spool sizes that you can turn to for various projects. It’s also easy to get clean welds with this unit because of its enhanced magnetics and wire feed speed controls. With seven voltage selections available, you can make a steady arc with minimal spatters, resulting in a good bead appearance.

There aren’t many complaints about the performance of this MIG welder. Price isn’t exactly the most budget-friendly but keep in mind that you’re paying for a high-quality welder.

Hobart 500553 Handler 210 MVP For Use with SpoolRunner

[amazon box=”B004USV5UC”]

When it comes to quality performance and durability, the Handler 210 MVP is among the best. You can use it for metal fabrication for home, farm, auto repair, and DIY jobs.

Its output power ranges from a low of 25 amps to a high of 210 amps. It is thus ideal for both novice and experienced welders. It has a maximum duty cycle of 30 percent at 150 amps.

You can use it for welding materials like aluminum, stainless steel, and steel.

It has a multiple voltage plug for both 230 V and 115 V input. You can connect it to either of the two receptacles without the need for any additional equipment. 

Choose a plug that fits the receptacles, connect it to the system, and you can start working. It’s cumbersome at around 80 pounds, so you can’t count on this welder for small welding tasks.

Further reading: Best MIG Welders Under $1000

How to Choose the Best MIG Welder

But just because a MIG welder is easy to learn doesn’t mean that you only buy a unit that you find online. The following are the things you need to look for in looking at MIG welder reviews.

Power

Simply put, the MIG welder’s power must be enough to weld the kind of material you are dealing with. Thus it would be best if you also had an idea of the metals you are likely to put together and buy a device that can weld it.

For instance, a MIG welder with 30 amps would be able to weld up to 1 mm sheet. A unit with 20 to 25 amps would be more suited for thinner sheets. 

If you’re working with ¼ inch of steel, you need a unit with at least 140 amps. If you are to bond together thicker materials up to 2 mm thick, the welder should have at least 40 amps.

Power Supply 

When shopping for a MIG welder, you will notice that the units come in 115 volts and 230-volt models. 

It can be confusing because we’re accustomed to hearing 110 volts or 220 volts. But don’t get confused as the welders can operate with up to 10 percent variance in input voltage.

So if you buy a 208 volt MIG welder, it would still work in a 220-volt outlet. A 110-volt wall outlet is usually rated at 15 to 20 amps. 

On the other hand, a 220-volt outlet is often rated at 40 amps or more. You can also refer to the electrical panel to determine how much the outlets are rated for.

Duty Cycle 

The duty cycle pertains to the amount of time needed in depositing weld material. It is expressed in percentage. 

For example, a unit with a 20 percent duty cycle at 180 amps and 220 volts means it can continuously work for two minutes and eight minutes for cooling time. Thus, it would help if you bought a MIG welder that has a high duty cycle. 

The ideal duty cycle for your welder would also depend on the task. For car repairs, for instance, a 30 percent duty cycle should be enough.

Other Considerations

  • Portability – small welders can weigh more than 70 pounds, so you should buy one with a wheeled cart or wheels unless you want to have a strained back.
  • Wire feed speed – this determines the speed and accuracy of the welding. MIG welders come in different wire feed speeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is MIG welding used for?

MIG welding (metal inert gas welding) is a type of welding process whereby electricity is used to melt and join metal together in a strong bond. MIG welding uses a lot of electricity which creates an electrical arc between the electrode wire and the metal being welded. The arc is so intense that it melts the wire, which is used to create the weld.

What is the difference between a MIG and TIG welder?

The main notable difference between the two methods is how the arc is used to create the weld. MIG welding uses a continuously fed wire that moves through the gun to create the spark, then melts to form the weld. TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding uses welding rods of different diameters to melt two metals together.

What is the best MIG welder on the market?

Our top 10 recommended MIG welders are all reviewed in our buyer guide:
LONGEVITY Migweld 140 – 140 Amp MigWelder
Forney 304 MIG Welder 95FI-A Flux Core Only
Lincoln Electric K2185-1 Handy MIG Welder
Forney 309 140-Amp MIG Welder
LOTOS MIG175 175AMP Mig Welder
Pro-Series MMIG125 125 Amp Fluxcore Welder Kit
Forney 307 MIG Welder 130FI-A Flux Core
Lotos MIG140 140 Amp Mig Wire Welder
Hobart Handler 500554001 190 with SpoolRunner
Hobart 500553 Handler 210 MVP For Use with SpoolRunner

What is the best MIG welder for home use?

In our MIG welder reviews, we have found that the LOTOS MIG175 is the best all-rounder and great for home use.

What is the best MIG welder for a beginner?

We would have to say the Lincoln Electric K2185-1 Handy MIG Welder is our top choice for a beginner MIG welder. The price is right, and it comes with a decent range of accessories, light and portable.

Are cheap MIG welders any good?

You can get some quite decent cheap MIG welders today. The thing is, you need to ask yourself: “what am I going to be using my MIG welder for?”.
If the answer is odd jobs around the house and is just starting, then a cheap MIG welder will fit the bill. If you are a semi-pro and weld for a living…then you most probably want to invest in a decently priced and specked model.

Final Verdict

As you can see, there are tons of MIG welders available for you.

These MIG welders are very much ideal for novice welders as you can easily lean them. Most of them are ready to use right out of the box. 

And with the available tools onboard these welders, you can work on DIY repair jobs, auto body restoration, and other small projects with relative ease.

Just don’t forget to compare MIG welder features, including their prices. Moreover, it would help if you had at least an idea of the materials you are to bind together to get the right MIG welder reviews for you.

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