Best mig welders for the money 2021 Reviews

MIG welding is useful as it helps in combining different kinds of metals including aluminum, magnesium, carbon and other compounds. If you are a professional, you will know how functional this welding is or if a beginner, you will have fun while doing MIG welding as it helps in fixing the complex tasks swiftly. MIG welding was invented in 1940.

Though the products are available online easily, but finding the right one with desired specification is a thing to consider. Being a professional, this task will be easy for you but if you are hobbyist or DIYer, you will go through several markets and research and you will go for a product which is pocket-friendly yet not cheap.best mig welder under 500  best mig welder under 1000

To help you, we have spent hours in researching the best MIG welders and we came up with a list of best eight MIG welders online. We have listed down all without being biased or unreal with any brand. All the good and bad of the brands is provided along so you can have a better understanding of the product you are buying.

In this Article we will also help you to find best mig welder for the money and best cheap mig welder as well  as mig welder under 500 and mig welder under 1000.

Welder	Images	Process	Volts	Weight (lb)
Lincoln PowerMIG 210MP		MIG/TIG/ Flux/Stick	Dual	40lbs
Hobart Handler 140 MIG Welder		MIG/Flux	120V	65lbs
Millermatic 211 MIG Welder		MIG/Flux	120/240V	74lbs
Hobart Ironman 230 MIG Welder		MIG/Flux (powerful)	230V	185lbs
Forney 299 125FC Flux core Welder		Flux core/MIG	120V	42.85lbs
Lotos MIG 175 AMP Welder		Flux/MIG	220V	85lbs
Lincoln K2185-1 Handy Welder		MIG/flux	115V	46lbs
WeldPro Inverter Stick/MIG/Arc Welder		Versatile	Dual	30lbs

1. Lincoln Power MIG 210 MP (Multi-Processor):

 Specifications:                                                               

•   115V household current
•   20% cycle 90 amps
•   MIG and Flux supportive
•   Wire feed 40-700 IPM

Overview

The Lincoln power Mig 210 is a versatile welder and our top pick of today as it is used not only for MIG welding but also for TIG, Stick and Flux welding. This product is perfect choice for those who are looking for multi-functional product or those who work on daily basis and a versatile product is their requirement. Lincoln electric power Mig 210 has a digital display with all the functions of the product which is easy to operate. Investing in a multi-tasking product can save your money as you would not need to buy different products rather once and for all. it is also best cheap mig welder for the money.

2. Hobart Handler 140 MIG Welder:

 Specifications:                                                       

•   115V household current
•  20% cycle 90 amps
•  MIG and Flux supportive
•  Wire feed 40-700 IPM

Overview:

Hobart handler 140 product would be considered as a fusion between pro and pre level performances as it welds up-to 1/4 inches steel and works for MIG welder and Flux welder. Hobart handler 140 mig welder has a duty cycle of 20% and 90 amps which is enough to work if you are a newbie while for working on highly professional projects, you can run it off on 4000 watt generator which will be enough to help you in completion of task.

3. Millermatic 211 MIG Welder:

 Specifications:

• Offers refund 
• Thermal protector
• Reliable
• Smooth finishing of task

Overview:

Millermatic 211 Ideal for highly professional work, this product is marked best by the skilled welders across the world. Miller is a brand well known for its quality products. When you triggers it up, it starts smoothly by ensuring that wire starts making arc rays first and there should be no deformity in your work.

People complain for the product being pricey but investing in one good product is better than cheap welder or to buy different products or repair them again and again. It has a 10-foot long lead which does not reach as we want it to but, it is still better. This welder offers refund offer if you have bought it from a trusted seller.

Millermatic 211 welder also has an auto spool gun detect and Thermal Overload Protection which keeps your product safe and informs you in an alarming situation and the dimension of this welder is 20.5 x 11.25 x 12.5 inches.

4. Hobart Ironman 230 MIG Welder:

Specifications:

• 5 x 19 x 36.5 inches
• 230V
• 185lbs
• Different voltage setting

Overview:

Hobart ironman 230 has marked itself among the most trusted brands and has excellence in making welders. This model of Hobart is powerful that can weld 1/2 inch steel in first attempt with its excellent arc rays. Hobart ironman 230 mig welder is too large but has wheels so you can drag it easily. It has 12 different voltage setting and various wire control. A hobbyist would not need it but it would be a blessing as it is a MIG welder with extra power.

5. Forney 299 125FC Flux Core Welder:

Specifications:

• Lightweight
• 120V
• Supports MIG and Flux
• Metallic body

Overview:

The Forney Easy Weld 299 Welder is a perfect option for the beginners who have started welding as their passion or profession. This welder has a handle by grabbing which, you can carry it along. It weighs only 41.9 pounds and is lightweight than the ones discussed previously.

Forney welder  welder is ideal not only for core welding as it suggests but, it will give you a great pleasure in doing MIG welding too but for newbies. The startup is quite simple and is plug and go thing. MIG welding is one of interesting and easiest welding types and doer can have fun doing it.

Furthermore, forney mig welder welder has 120V input and provides 125amp output. It has metallic body and is well-manufactured but we would not recommend it for heavy use.

6. Lotos MIG175  175AMP Welder:

 Specifications:                                                                   

• Fair duty cycle              
• Thermal overload protection
• Welds steel and aluminum

Overview:

lotos mig welder  is a brand based in California and though it was established a few years ago, it has made name in best companies that make reliable products. Lotos has ability to weld steel from 18 gauge to 1/4 inch and 1/8 inch thick aluminum. It has Thermal overload protection which alarms if it gets hotter than required.

lotos mig175 has input power of 220Volts and thus, household voltage would not be supportive enough. This product has 20% cycle at actual but it can work 30% at 135amps.  It weighs 85lbs and a little heavy.

7. Lincoln K2185-1 Handy MIG Welder:

Specifications: 

• MIG/Flux support
• Supports 115V
• Beginner friendly
• Lightweight

Overview:

Lincoln handy mig is a renowned name in field of welding and this welder is good addition to their products. This one is beginner-friendly and not very powerful. Lincoln mig welder welds steel by 1/8 inch steel and is good for small home projects. It supports 115 Voltage and supports the amp range at 35-88.

It is quite lightweight of 46lbs has a good dimension of 12.8 x 8.8 x 18 and shows a good display. Lincoln electric mig welder supports Flux and MIG welding and you can fix it indoor with the chart that comes with it.

8. WeldPro Inverter Stick/MIG/Arc Welder:

Specifications:

• Portable and lightweight
• Beginners-friendly
• MIG options
• Affordable

Overview:

weldpro welders has portable design and is one of the affordable welders, small in size and MIG welder capable of plugging into both 110 220 volt power. weldpro 200  also has 2T and 4T switch which allows both manual and automatic wire feeding. It supports 155 amp and though it lacks few qualities comparatively to the others, its low price defines it.This  weldpro 155 weighs 30lbs only.

The leads that are required while working are not long enough but it supports the idea that a person with low budget can afford it easily and thus, if you are in need of long leads, you can buy one separately.

           How to choose best MIG Welder

Multi-functional:

When you are looking for a MIG welder, you will see that MIG welders usually support Flux core welding and vice versa. Flux core might sounds more appealing and interesting to you as they do not require gas cylinder to be hooked up with you usual cylinder.

Most of the companies merge Flux core and MIG welding into one another and very few keeps them separated. We would recommend you to go for the one who supports both.

Input Voltage:

MIG welders provide different voltage power in order to get compatible with electrical outlet. The basic ones are starting from 110/115/120V and goes up-to 220/225/230 voltage power.

110 Voltage is a great option for home projects as the household support 110V and therefore, you can plug in it easily. Furthermore, 220V outlet is not available at homes and when you buy a project supporting this voltage, try to plug in one outlet with this energy.

Duty cycle:

This is another important factor. The duty cycle determines how long it works continuously before it demands to cool down. If it offers you a duty cycle of 20%, it means it can work for 2 minutes before it gets exhausted and demands rest. This way, you will work for 2 minutes and will let it rest for next 8 minutes.

As for 35%, it means that the machine will be working for three minutes and thirty seconds and resting for six minutes and few seconds.

Weight:

It is better to go for a lightweight product as you will be able to carry it around. The products we have listed down provide multiple weights and you can choose one of your choice. We recommend you to buy products weighing 50 pounds.

Torch:

When you are welding, you might find a need to weld in places where there is no proper light to have focus on. Make sure to buy one if the brand does not support or provide torch.

Thermal Overload Protection:

If you are welding a project and you are totally absorbed into it, it is possible that you can forget about letting it rest. The welders supporting Thermal Overload Protection are marvelous as they do not let your welder to get overheated and are lifesaver.

Frequently Ask Question(FAQS)

What metals can I weld?

Well, a MIG welder can basically weld objects including mild steel and aluminum but it varies to the brand you are using. The list of all the products is available and you can have a better understanding according to the objects you are welding.

What is a Metal Inert Gas Welding?

MIG welding is used frequently for its fine finishing on the compound you are welding and is easy to use. When you trigger it, it release a shielding gas with a fuse of heat and these factors help to melt the two metals, needed to be weld.

What is Flux core wiring and can my welder use it?

MIG welders use a cylinder containing shielding gas but it is costly and it lessen the durability of welder. The Flux core wire contain shielding gas that are released from the wire without help of any cylinder. Flux core welding boosts the power of work.

Advantages of MIG welding:

• MIG welding is fast and it saves your time as you do not have to change the rods for change in task. It produces a fine weld and does not leave crap.
• MIG welders are budget friendly and you can get it under 500$ to 600$.
• MIG welder is multi-functional as it weld many compounds including stainless steel, steel, aluminum, iron and different elements. It is easy and weld different projects.

Disadvantages of MIG welding:

• It does not support outdoor welding as most of the products are not highly professional. Also, they consume shielding gas which is not suitable for working but in garage.
• MIG welding does not support penetration for thicker steel as it requires heavy weld.

Conclusion:

It is of crucial importance to have an idea about what you are buying and you need to understand your needs. If you are a professional, a hobbyist or a DIYer, you should understand the machine. The setup requires an hour or hardly two. It is important to know that you cannot do MIG welding on every object or compound but selected ones.

MIG welder can handle various tasks but not all. TIG and Stick welding also have welding machines having much better and fine finishing that a Metal Inert Gas Welder cannot do.

We have made research and listed down 8 best and top rated welders. Therefore, you can buy one according to your own desires and needs.