As an experienced welder, I’m often asked for advice about which MIG welder to buy. I understand that people have different budgets and needs, so I compiled a list of the seven best MIG welders currently available. I’ve spent hours researching and testing the top models to make sure they are up to the job. […]
As an experienced welder, I’m often asked for advice about which MIG welder to buy.
I understand that people have different budgets and needs, so I compiled a list of the seven best MIG welders currently available.
I’ve spent hours researching and testing the top models to make sure they are up to the job.
From budget-friendly options to ones that offer top-of-the-range features, this list has something for everyone.
Lincoln Electric POWER MIG 210 MP
Best overall – $2,529
Tooliom 200M
Best budget – $299.99
So, let’s take a look at the seven best MIG welders on the market right now!
1: Lincoln Electric POWER MIG 210 MP
In first place on my list of the best MIG welders is the welder I’ve been using for the past few years, and it’s called the Lincoln Electric Power MIG 210 MP.
It’s lightweight, reliable and an all-around great welder, and I think this is the best MIG welder you can buy right now.
MIG, stick, TIG and flux-core (Gasless MIG) welding
40 lbs
Up to 5/16 inches, mild; or stainless steel or aluminum, up to 3/16 inches
25%
Mild or stainless steel or aluminum
110V and 220V
Three-year factory warranty
The Lincoln Electric POWER MIG 210 MP is an incredibly versatile welder.
It has four welding functions – MIG, stick, TIG and flux-core (Gasless MIG) welding – allowing you to tackle a wide range of projects.
It can weld stainless steel or aluminum up to 5/16 inches thick.
The machine is lightweight at 40 pounds and can handle 110V and 220V input voltages.
Lincoln Electric also offers a great three-year factory warranty with the machine, so I’m confident it will last you a long time.
I’ve had my 210 MP since 2019.
It’s been my go-to MIG welder ever since. This machine is made to last and is built from sheet metal with an all-metal wire drive.
It’s perfect for small contractors like me but also great for hobbyists and educators – it’s so easy to set up and use.
It comes with everything you need to get going, like a MIG gun, regulator, stick clamp and ground clamp.
If you want to take your welding to the next level, there’s an optional spool gun, TIG gun and foot pedal.
It’s clear that other welders like this machine, too. It’s currently rated 4.8 out of 5 on Amazon, and 86% of customers gave it a 5-star review.
Take Will, for example, who says he loves how compact and easy to use the 210 MP is and says he’s used it for various projects, including lock racks, fire pits and even a BBQ.
As a welder, I find the Lincoln Electric Power MIG 210 MP an excellent machine.
It’s lightweight and compact, making it easy to move around my shop or transport to outside jobs.
The color screen is excellent, and the interface is intuitive.
The re-programmed settings make the 210 MP so easy to set up that even a novice can do it.
I’ve used this machine to complete hundreds of jobs and am always pleased with its performance and results.
On top of that, the after-sales support from Lincoln Electric is first-class, and I’ve never had a problem buying spare or replacement parts.
Currently selling on Amazon for $2,529, the 210 MP is my pick for the overall best MIG welder.
It’s not cheap, but it’s the best I’ve ever used and built to last.
Click here to learn more about the Lincoln Electric Power Mig 210 MP on Amazon.
2: Hobart 500554 Handler 190 MIG Welder 230V
In second place on my list of the best MIG welders is the Hobart 500554 Handler 190 MIG Welder 230V.
I am always on the lookout for a great value MIG welder.
After careful consideration, I have settled on the Handler 190 from Hobart 500554 as my pick.
The Handler 190 MIG welder is an excellent choice for new and experienced welders alike.
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It runs on a 230-volt circuit, which means it is more powerful than other MIG welders on the market.
This, in turn, helps produce clean, good-looking welds.
It also features various settings and options, making it easy to tailor your welding experience to your specific needs.
What sets the Handler 190 apart from the competition is its price point. Currently selling on Amazon for just $804.06, this is the best-value MIG welder on the market.
MIG and flux-core welding
68 pounds
Up to 5/16 inches, max.
30%
Steel, stainless steel, aluminum
15-190 amps
230V
Five-year limited warranty
It offers MIG and flux-core welding and can weld materials up to 5/16 inches thick.
The amperage range is 15 to 190 amps and has a 30% duty cycle.
Furthermore, it can be used to weld steel, stainless steel and aluminum.
The Handler 190 is lightweight at only 68 pounds, making it easy to move around.
Plus, with its five-year limited warranty, you can know that you’re getting a reliable machine that won’t disappoint you.
This machine was first released in 2011, and it comes with everything you need to get started, including a 10-foot HR-100 gun, 10-foot work cable with clamp and .030” contact tips.
The Handler 190 is easy to set up for different wires, gasses, materials and thicknesses, with two grooves for different sizes of solid wire and a third for flux-cored wire.
Plus, it offers seven pre-set voltages to choose from, and the infinite wire feed speed control makes it easy to make clean welds with less spatter.
The power transformer also has overload protection so you can quickly switch between materials without causing damage.
It’s no wonder so many people are impressed with the Hobart 500554 Handler 190.
It’s currently rated 4.8 out of 5 on Amazon, and 90% of the reviewers have given it a 5-star review.
Most customers have praised the 190 for its ease of use and have awarded a high score for value for money.
I recently talked on my blog HappyWelderHQ about how I tested the Hobart 500554 Handler 190 and am glad I did.
It’s a great-value MIG welder that’s perfect for beginners or hobbyists.
I was impressed by the clean, great-looking welds that had very little spatter. The preset voltage settings are also a great feature, making switching between different materials and thicknesses easy.
I’ve tested it on ¼-inch steel, ½-inch plate and 24-30 gauge metal, and it works brilliantly. I highly recommend this welder to anyone looking for an affordable, reliable MIG.
You can pick one up on Amazon for $804.06.
Click here to learn more about the Hobart 500554 Handler 190 on Amazon.
3: Hobart 500559 Handler 140 MIG Welder 115V
In third place on my list of the best MIG welders is the Hobart 500559 Handler 140 MIG Welder 115V.
If you’re looking for a mid-range MIG welder that won’t break the bank, the Hobart 500559 Handler 140 is a great choice.
This machine is Holbart’s best-selling MIG welder and is my pick for the best mid-range MIG welder for beginners and home welding.
The Handler 140 has a wide range of features, making it an excellent choice for beginner welders.
It functions with both MIG and flux-core welding and has an amperage range of 25-140 amps.
It can weld materials up to a 1/4 inch thick and is capable of welding steel, stainless steel and aluminum.
With a duty cycle of 20% and a lightweight design weighing just 57 pounds, the Handler 140 is portable and easy to use.
It also comes with a five-year limited warranty, so you can be sure your investment is protected.
The best part is that the Handler 140 is priced at just $679.99.
That’s a great deal for a quality MIG welder, making it an excellent choice for beginner welders and home welders.
MIG and flux-core welding
57 pounds
Up to 1/4 inch, max.
20%
Steel, stainless steel, aluminum
25-140 amps
115V
Five-year limited warranty
It includes everything you need to start MIG welding, including a MIG gun, cable, contact tips, regulator and a drive roll.
With an intuitive five-position voltage control selector, it lets you fine-tune your arc and get a smooth, stable arc on materials of all thicknesses.
The Handler 140 has been highly rated on Amazon, with 4.8 out of 5 stars based on 1,243 global ratings.
This is a testament to its quality and ease of use.
Most customers love the Handler 140 and rate it highly for its ease of use and value for money.
Take M Goodling, for instance, who says the Handler 140 is a valuable mid-range welder that performs really well.
I recently got to try the Hobart 500559 Handler 140.
The setup was a breeze, taking just a few minutes, and the welds look great with excellent penetration.
The wire feed is one of the best I’ve ever used, and it can easily handle flux core or solid wire.
I tested it on various thicknesses, from 1/8-inch 304 stainless steel square tubing to 3/16 inch thick steel tubing, and it didn’t miss a beat.
The 20% duty cycle is enough to prevent overheating when welding and is perfect for DIYers.
This is the welder for anyone who doesn’t have a 220-volt outlet and isn’t sure if they’ll be welding anything thicker than 1/4 inch steel.
At just $679.99, it’s an incredible value and would make a great first welder. I highly recommend it.
Click here to learn more about the Hobart 500559 Handler 140 115V on Amazon.
4: Miller 951766 Millermatic 255 MIG/Pulsed MIG Welder
In fourth place on my list of the best MIG welders is the Miller 951766 Millermatic 255.
If you’re in the market for a high-end MIG welder, the Miller 951766 Millermatic 255 is the way to go.
It costs $4,789 and is my top pick for a high-end MIG welder.
It offers a range of functions, including MIG, Pulsed MIG and flux-core welding.
It has a duty cycle of 60% and can weld materials such as steel, stainless steel and aluminum with a thickness of 18 ga. – 1/2 inch aluminum and 24 ga. – 0 1.2 inch mild steel.
The amperage range is 20-350 amps with an input voltage of 208V-240V.
It weighs 84 pounds and comes with a three-year warranty.
Considering these great features, the Millermatic 255 is well-priced at $4,789.
It’s not cheap but the perfect choice for a high-end MIG welder that will last many years and serve you well.
Here’s a brief overview of the key features that make the Millermatic 255 the best high-end MIG welder:
MIG, Pulsed MIG and flux-core welding.
84 pounds
18 ga. – 1/2 inch aluminum, 24 ga. – 0 1.2 inch mild steel.
60%
Steel, stainless steel, aluminum
20-350 amps
208V-240V
Three years
This professional-grade MIG, pulsed MIG, and flux-cored welding machine is perfect for small contractors who must ensure the job is done right.
It comes with a 7-inch color LCD screen, pre-set weld settings and a program mode to help you save and recall your favorite weld settings, reducing setup time and increasing weld time.
You can take full advantage of its impressive 60% duty cycle.
Plus, the MDX-250 MIG Gun with AccuLock provides an improved grip and less fatigue.
The pulsed MIG setting helps minimize distortion and spatter when welding thin materials by using lower heat input.
With a 4.7 out of 5 rating from 66% of customers giving it 5 stars on Amazon, you can be sure you’re getting a top-notch product.
Scott was impressed by how consistent and reliable the 255 welded and used it to weld 400 feet of 1/4 6061 aluminum effortlessly.
After using my Millermatic 255 for almost three years, I know it’s a great MIG welder for professional use with a high-duty cycle, allowing for fast jobs and minimal downtime.
I love the convenience of having an aluminum spool gun, and a standard steel gun hooked up simultaneously. The welder simply recognizes which gun is being used by tapping the trigger.
Overall, I’m very pleased with the Miller 951766 Millermatic and highly recommend it. For a high-end welder, it’s priced reasonably at $4,789 and will last for years.
Click here to learn more about the Miller 951766 Millermatic 255 on Amazon.
5: Forney Easy Weld 261, 140 FC-i Welder, 120V
In fifth place on my list of the best MIG welders is the Forney Easy Weld 261, 140 FC-i Welder, 120V.
If you’re looking for a great lightweight and portable entry-level MIG welder, then the Forney Easy Weld 261 is an excellent choice.
Released in 2018, this budget-priced wire feed welder is perfect for beginners, DIY welders and hobbyists who need a highly portable welder.
It offers many features, such as flux-core welding, up to 140 amps of amperage and a 30% duty cycle.
This popular welder also has an 8-inch MIG gun, 8-inch ground clamp and 20A – 15A adapter.
Despite being marketed as a MIG welder, it doesn’t have gas line support and only does 0.30 flux-core welding.
It also comes with a 12-month warranty and costs just $239.99, making it excellent value.
The Forney Easy Weld 261 comes highly recommended, with an impressive 4.7 out of 5 rating on Amazon based on 3,026 global ratings.
Take Chassy, for instance, who says she found her Easy Weld easy to dial in and got sturdy, smooth welds after a bit of practice.
It’s an ideal entry-level MIG welder for those looking for a highly portable welder for general DIY projects, maintenance and repairs.
Flux-core welding only.
19 pounds
Up to 1/4 inches mild steel.
30%
Steel, stainless steel
140 amps
120V
12 months
I’ve been welding for 20 years and recently tested out the Forney Easy Weld 261.
Despite its lightweight design and low price, it was pretty sturdy and easy to set up with a roll of flux-core wire.
It produced consistent welds that were far better quality than I was expecting.
It handled everything up to 1/4 inches mild steel and was easy to work with, and I was really impressed by the quality of welds this machine produced.
If you’re looking for an affordable MIG welder for a side project, I highly recommend the Forney Easy Weld. It’s available on Amazon for just $239.99 and provides excellent value.
Click here to learn more about the Forney Easy Weld 261 on Amazon.
6: YESWELDER Digital MIG-205DS MIG Welder
In sixth place on my list of the best MIG welders is the YESWELDER Digital MIG-205DS MIG Welder.
If you’re in the market for a good value digital MIG welder, then the Yeswelder MIG-205DS is for you.
This welder is perfect for hobbyists and professionals, featuring MIG, flux core, TIG and stick welding.
With an impressive amperage range of 30-200 amps, it can easily handle most welding jobs.
What’s more, it has a 60% duty cycle at 220A with automatic protection against overheating and 110V and 220V outlets.
The MIG-205DS also offers true lift TIG with the optional TIG lift torch and 100% argon aluminum MIG welding with the spool gun.
Speaking of TIG, you might also be interested in checking out the best TIG welders available right now.
Beginner welders will appreciate the synergic MIG setting, which automatically changes the voltage and wire feeding speed depending on the amperage and thickness of the material.
The MIG-205DS is rated on Amazon with 4.5 out of 5 stars based on 1,000 global ratings, and a three-year warranty backs it.
MIG, flux-core, Lift TIG and stick welding
35.5 pounds
1/4 inch max.
60%
Steel, stainless steel, aluminum
30-200 amps
110V and 220V
Three years
Take D, for example, who says that the MIG-205DS is ideal for beginner welders and loves how accurately the Synergic control adjusts the temperature and wire feed speed.
After tasting the MIG-205DS for a week, I can confidently say it’s an excellent pick for the DIY welder or hobbyist.
It has a clear interface which makes it easy to switch between materials and wire sizes, and the Synergic mode automatically adjusts the temperature and wire feed speed to create smooth, neat welds with surprisingly little spatter.
I didn’t have the spool gun to test aluminum MIG welds, but with it, the MIG-205DS offers both steel and aluminum capabilities.
For the price of just $399.99 on Amazon, you can’t beat the MIG-205DS.
Click here to learn more about the Yeswelder Digital MIG-205DS on Amazon.
7: TOOLIOM 200M MIG Welder 3 in 1
In seventh place on my list of the best MIG welders is the TOOLIOM 200M MIG Welder 3 in 1.
If you’re looking for a great budget MIG welder, I highly recommend the Tooliom 200M.
With over 20 years of experience in welding, I can confidently say that it is one of the best options for anyone looking for an affordable and reliable machine.
The 200M is a highly versatile welder, allowing you to perform MIG, flux-core, Lift TIG and stick welding.
It has a compact size of just 32.6 pounds, making it extremely portable and suitable for remote work.
The amperage range is 14-200 amps, with a duty cycle of 60%.
It can weld steel and stainless-steel materials up to 1/8 inch with flux-core wire and 5/32 inch with solid-core wire.
The 200M has a bright digital display, making switching between welding modes and choosing welding specs easy.
It also comes with a one-year limited warranty in case of any issues.
The 200M is great for home users, craft enthusiasts and beginners on a budget.
It can produce good-quality welds with flux-core wire and can be used with a 240V power source for more experienced welders.
Here’s a quick look at the 200M’s key features:
MIG, flux-core, Lift TIG and stick welding
32.6 pounds
Up to 1/8 inch using flux-core wire, 5/32 inch using solid-core wire
60%
Steel, stainless steel.
14-200 amps
110V and 220V
One-year limited warranty
Most customers on Amazon love the 200M, with 70% of reviewers giving it 5 stars.
Take Jamie, for example, who says the 200M produced clean, spatter-free welds with gas and .030 steel wire.
He was delighted with the results and is happy with how easy welding is with this welder.
The 200M is an excellent choice for any professional looking for a portable, budget-priced welder.
I recently borrowed one from a buddy and was impressed with its performance.
It put out some nice, solid welds using flux-core wire and had enough power to weld 1/8-inch steel plates easily.
I was also impressed with the 60% duty cycle, allowing me to weld for longer without worrying about overheating.
If you’re looking for a welder that offers gas MIG welding and flux-core welding, the 200M is a great pick at just $299.99 on Amazon.
Click here to learn more about the Tooliom 200M on Amazon.
Best MIG Welders Recap
These seven MIG welders are top-of-the-line and offer great value for money.
As someone who’s been welding for 20 years, I can attest to the quality and performance that these welders bring to the table.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, you won’t regret investing in one of the MIG welders on this list:
Lincoln Electric POWER MIG 210 MP
Best overall – $2,529
Tooliom 200M
Best budget – $299.99
While all of the products on this list will serve you well, the Lincoln Electric Power MIG 210 MP is the best MIG welder.
I use mine every day, and it never let me down. If you want a superior welding experience, get the Power MIG 210 MP. You won’t regret it.
Thanks for reading my article on the best MIG welders, and I hope you found it helpful!
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