10 Best Welding Machines of 2024

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The Best Welding Machines

The Best MIG, TIG and MMA Welding Machines
  1. Best MIG welding machine for heavy welding - Rohr MIG / ARC Welder Inverter

  2. Best MIG welding machine for beginners - Static Arc 130A Inverter Gasless MIG Welder

  3. Best lightweight stick welder - Dekopro 220V MMA Welder

  4. Best 3 in 1 welder for beginners - HITBOX 3 in 1 Portable 130A Inverter MIG, TIG, MMA Welder

  5. Best 3-in-1 welder for versatility - Reboot RBM2100D MIG Welder

  6. Best lightweight stick welder - Röhr SMINI-120NI ARC 2 in 1 Gasless Welder

  7. Best TIG welding machine - Röhr TIG Welder Portable Inverter 240V / 160 Amp

  8. Best MIG welding machine for DIY enthusiast - Sealey Mightymig 100 MIG Welder

  9. Best MIG welding machine for home mechanics - Sealey Supermig 140 MIG Welder

  10. Best portable MMA / Stick welder - GYS 030077 Gysmi 160P – 160 Amp Welder

Welding Machine Reviews

Editors Choice

1. Rohr MIG / ARC Welder Inverter

Best MIG welding machine for heavy welding

best welding machine Rohr MIG / ARC Welder Inverter
  • The MIG current output range of 50 – 200 Amps is enormous.
  • Run the unit from a standard 13 Amp 3 pin plug. No adapters necessary.
  • An inverter welder like this uses less energy than a standard arc welder or stick welding machine. Compared with the Sealey SuperMig 140 it’s much more efficient.
  • The duty cycle of 35% at 180 Amps is seriously impressive. It means you need less down time between welds. You’ll get the job done more quickly.

  • It’s good that Röhr have included a slag cleaning tool, but it’s not the best quality. If you’re planning on doing a lot of welding work, I would upgrade it.
  • The reputation of this Röhr welder, according to some users, can leave a little to be desired.
  • Some users have complained that the customer service offered by Röhr isn't great.
Type
MIG / MMA
Inverter
Yes
MIG Gas/No-Gas
Gas
Output Current
50-200A (MIG)
Duty Cycle
60%@150A,35%@180A
Electrode Cable
2.0m
Maximum Weld
0.8mm
Weight
16.0kg
Overall Score 5
Build Quality
5
Performance
5
Ease of Use
5
Value for Money
5

German engineering firm Röhr have made an inverter welder that punches way above its weight, literally, because it only weighs 16 kg. And because it’s an inverter, it’s capable of creating an enormous 200 Amp output. It’s powerful enough for the heaviest welding you might want to do in a DIY setting.

Designed for both MIG, MAG, and stick welding, the components installed in this welder are impressive for the price. IGbT transistors are usually found in more expensive professional equipment. They help, among other things, to keep electrical consumption low.

The build quality of the welder is good, and you get a quality Euro standard torch. It has a nice long cable and comes with a stick welding clamp too. They even throw in a little cleaning brush and hammer for clearing off slag. A little hidden feature I like is the wire power feed button inside the case. Instead of pulling the trigger on the torch, you can feed the wire through the cable with the press of a button.

I’m really impressed that Röhr can make such a powerful welder that looks and feels solid for such a competitive price. Hopefully, it lasts for a long time.

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Runner Up

2. Static Arc 130A Inverter Gasless MIG Welder

Best MIG welding machine for beginners

best welding machine Static Arc 130A Inverter Gasless MIG Welder
  • If you combine this welding machine with quality flux core wire and dial in the power carefully, it can create excellent welds in a relatively inexpensive machine. Ideal for DIYers.
  • Weighing just 6 kg, it’s not the lightest welder on my list, but it’s far from the heaviest too. Combined with the large handle on top, it’s a cinch to pick it up and take it with you.
  • More than a few customers have praised the Static Arc for it’s ease of setup and use. The controls are straightforward, and it comes with everything you need to get working.

  • Although it’s good that you receive some accessories with this welding setup, the mask should be upgraded to a hands-free version as soon as possible.
  • You’re limited to just MIG welding here. If you want to practise your arc or TIG welding, you need a more versatile machine.
Type
MIG
Inverter
Yes
MIG Gas/No-Gas
No-Gas
Output Current
30-130A
Duty Cycle
60% @130A
Electrode Cable
not stated
Maximum Weld
0.8-5mm
Weight
6.0kg
Overall Score 3.9
Build Quality
4
Performance
3.5
Ease of Use
4
Value for Money
4

With an impressive range of welding machines and accessories from die grinders to WP17 TIG Welding torches, Static Arc are one of the best names in the DIY welding game. Their MIG-130FS MIG welder is a robust and easy-to-use gasless setup for welding together mild and even stainless steel. Gasless MIG welding is ideal for all weather conditions and a low-cost way to get into the art.

The output range is 30 – 130 A, and you can adjust the wire feed speed from 2 – 13 m/s depending on the task at hand. It can take up to 1 kg spools of 0.8 or 0.9 mm flux core wire. With a duty cycle of 100% @100A, 60% @130A, you can weld for a long time without breaks as well, which is a good feature on an inexpensive machine.

There’s no readout to speak of, but you don’t really need one on a MIG-only machine like this. The power output is controlled via the two knobs on the front and the IGBT inverter inside maintains the temperature for you. If it does overheat, there’s a thermal cut-out circuit to avoid damage or injury. This basic MIG welder is an ideal place to start if you want to take up welding as a hobby.

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Also Good

3. Dekopro 220V MMA Welder[ SAVE 30% ]

Best lightweight stick welder

best welding machine DEKOPRO 220V MMA Welder
  • MMA welders are a lot more straightforward to use than MIG or TIG. If you’re just trying out welding, then this is a good place to start compared with the Sealey Mightymig 100.
  • The earthing clamp and electrode holder are both made from decent quality materials. The clamping force on the earthing clamp is good and shouldn’t slip off.
  • Stick welding is also cheaper compared to MIG welding because you don’t need to buy gas to shroud the weld. At this price, it’s one of the cheapest ways to get into welding.

  • The power cable is on the short side at 1.8 m. It’s not quite as heavy duty as I’d like to see on such a high Amp machine either. I’d feel safer with a heavier gauge power cord in place.
  • Several users have complained that the welding machine isn’t shipped with a proper fuse attached. Make sure you check out the fuse before your first use.
  • Even though this welding machine is rated to 200 Amps, some users have complained about a lack of power when using thicker rods. It’s probably more suitable for light welding work.
Type
MMA
Inverter
Yes
MIG Gas/No-Gas
n/a
Output Current
20-200A
Duty Cycle
40%
Electrode Cable
1.5m
Maximum Weld
4.0mm
Weight
4.5kg
Overall Score 3.5
Build Quality
3
Performance
3
Ease of Use
4
Value for Money
4

Started by Bosch engineer Robert Kok, the tool brand DEKO have built up a decent range of hand and power tools including one of the best little welding machines available right now. The Dekopro 220V MMA Welder is a lightweight and easily portable welding machine for beginners as well as pros. Simple to set up and easy to use, this is an ideal stick welding machine for anyone who wants to learn the art of welding.

First off, this is a good-looking machine, with a big carry handle and easy-to-read current meter. All adjustments are made with the single knob that controls the current, and therefore welding temperature. It’s simple because it’s an MMA-only stick welder, so you’re not messing around with bottles of gas or wire feed speeds.

This welder accepts 1.6 – 4 mm thick electrode rods, which are easy to find and can work on multiple surfaces. And thanks to the onboard IGBT transistor, the current is kept stable enough for accurate welding jobs.

If you make sure to buy decent quality welding rods, there’s not a lot you can’t weld with this highly portable machine. Something that I really like about arc welders with inverter technology is that they use less energy than other types of welding machines.

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  • Gasless MIG welding is becoming more cost effective as the price of Argon increases. You don’t need to lug or store around gas bottles either. It’s an ideal method for DIYers.
  • It’s an incredibly light and portable piece of machinery. Whether you’re using it on site or keeping it at home, the handle means it’s easy to take with you in just one hand.
  • Welding doesn’t get much more straightforward than this. With only two controls for Voltage and current and a clear digital readout, you can set the power and get to work.
  • It’s impressive how much control you have over this welder considering that it’s relatively inexpensive. You can fine tune the feed speed, power output, and welding type easily.

  • Compared with other welders that have standard Euro connectors for the MIG torch, this one is fixed. You can’t easily swap it out for a better quality one if you need to.
  • One of the drawbacks of such a small and portable welding machine is you can only fit 1 kg spools in at a time. It’s not big enough to fit large size spools that are better value for money.
  • Although you can perform TIG welding with this machine, it doesn’t come with a lift TIG torch. You’ll need to factor that into the cost of the welder when buying this device.
Type
MIG / TIG / MMA
Inverter
Yes
MIG Gas/No-Gas
No-Gas
Output Current
20-200A
Duty Cycle
40@85%
Electrode Cable
not stated
Maximum Weld
0.8-5mm
Weight
4.6kg
Overall Score 4
Build Quality
3.5
Performance
4
Ease of Use
4.5
Value for Money
4

Welding machine experts HITBOX make a wide range of equipment for joining different types of metal together, but their ultra lightweight and portable HBM1200 3 in 1 welder is the best one for beginners. It’s affordable, versatile, and the ideal way to try out different welding types for beginners and experienced welders too.

The first thing I like about a 3 in 1 welding machine like this is you can do basic arc welding, MIG welding with gasless flux wire, and even TIG weld for stainless steel. You can load it up with 0.6 – 1 mm flux core wire, or up to 2.5 mm arc or TIG welding electrodes.

It has an output range for MMA stick welding of 20 – 200 A, or MIG from 17 – 200 A. You can adjust the wire feed speed from 1.5 – 12 m/min as well, which will help when you’re working on different thicknesses of material. The duty cycle of 40@85% is fine for a hobbyist, but not exactly pro-level. Weighing less than 5 kg, it’s light enough to take with you too.

It has a built-in overheat and overcurrent protection, that will cut power when safe levels are exceeded. You get a digital readout on the front, and control the current and Voltage with two knobs, so it’s easy to see what power you have dialled in. And because it has an IGBT transistor built in, it’s more energy efficient and leaves a much cleaner weld.

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5. Reboot RBM2100D MIG Welder

Best 3-in-1 welder for versatility

best welding machine Reboot RBM2100D MIG Welder
  • Compared with some of the lower cost welders on my list, you can do an awful lot more with this little machine. It’s compatible with welding gas as well as TIG, MMA, and gasless flux welding.
  • This welder has 2T and 4T modes. It’s a feature that allows you to save your trigger finger on long welds. On 4T mode, you pull the trigger to start, then again to stop. It’s rather handy.
  • The digital readout of current and Voltage is always good to see. Alongside the wide output range and different welding modes on offer, it makes this a highly customisable machine.

  • Several users have complained that this machine comes without a standard UK 3-pin plug attached. Although it’s easy to wire in a plug, it’s a strange and dangerous thing to leave out.
  • Having an automatic wire feed speed controlled by the internal RBM210D chip is good for some users, especially beginners, but not for more advanced users.
Type
MIG / TIG / MMA
Inverter
Yes
MIG Gas/No-Gas
Both
Output Current
31-210A
Duty Cycle
60% at 200A
Electrode Cable
not stated
Maximum Weld
1.0mm
Weight
6.4kg
Overall Score 3.6
Build Quality
3
Performance
4
Ease of Use
3.5
Value for Money
4

With a range of quality welding and metalworking equipment from plasma cutters to welding gauntlets and flux core wire, Reboot are a one-stop welding shop. The RBM2100D is an excellent versatile welder for anyone who wants to try their hand at MIG, TIG, and MMA techniques. It’s straightforward enough for a beginner, but there are plenty of features for advanced welders to get their teeth into as well.

With an impressive output range of 30 – 210 A, you can weld a variety of thicknesses of material, and the automatic feed speed goes from 2.1 – 15 m/s. Alongside the standard Amp and Volt dials, you have a lot of control over the welding conditions. The duty cycle of 60% at 200A and 100% at 155A is decent, and you can load up to 5 kg wire spools.

Weighing in at 6.4 kg, it’s not exactly heavy for a versatile welder like this. There’s a comfortable handle on top, and unless you’re welding with gas, there are no issues with picking it up and taking it with you to the job. And because it’s an IGBT inverter welder, it’s a bit more energy efficient than older welders.

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6. Röhr SMINI-120NI ARC 2 in 1 Gasless Welder

Best lightweight stick welder

best welding machine Röhr SMINI 120NI ARC 2 in 1 Gasless Welder
  • It’s great to see a sturdy case included with a low-cost welder like this. There’s enough space for the welding machine, leads, brush, and hammer. It should keep it safe between jobs.
  • Weighing 3.2 kg, this is by far the lightest welding machine on my list. Rather than lugging around a big welding machine and heavy gas bottles, you could take this just about anywhere
  • Although the quality of the individual components isn’t great, this welder comes with a scale brush, hammer, and face mask. You need to start somewhere before investing in better gear.

  • Compared with the highly versatile Reboot RBM2100D, you can’t try out MIG or TIG welding with this little machine. You can’t work on aluminium, for example.
  • You need to wear the appropriate level of PPE when welding and remain aware of the fumes that stick welding creates. Always wear a mask and properly ventilate the work area.
Type
MMA
Inverter
Yes
MIG Gas/No-Gas
No-Gas
Output Current
20-120A
Duty Cycle
60%
Electrode Cable
2.0m
Maximum Weld
not stated
Weight
3.2kg
Overall Score 3.8
Build Quality
3.5
Performance
3
Ease of Use
3.5
Value for Money
5

One of the bigger names in welding, German brand Röhr are a safe pair of hands for beginner welders, hobbyists, and even professionals. The SMINI-120NI is exactly what it sounds like, an incredibly small and portable arc welder that’s easy to set up and straightforward to use. If you’re thinking about trying MMA welding, this budget machine is an ideal place to start,

The tiny proportions of this pint-sized welder shouldn’t put you off- it’s capable of putting out 30 – 210 A that will help you work on a range of mild, stainless, and alloy steels. It boasts hot start and anti-stick features for ease of use, and because it’s only got a single dial, it’s easy to learn on too. It has a duty cycle of 60% and comes with a 2m stick welding clamp and 1.5 m earthing clamp.

 

Something I like about this welding machine is how easy it is to get started. If you’re new to sticking pieces of metal together, all you need is the right safety gear, some decent electrodes, and a 13 A plug socket. It’s an ideal setup for anyone who wants to try out MMA welding for not a lot of money.

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  • Röhr are one of the best known and trusted welding brands around. The build quality and range of features on this machine make it ideal for welders of any skill level.
  • The 4m torch cable length is enormous! Compared with the GYS 030077 it’s double the length. It’s a nice touch for when you’re working with larger pieces of metal.
  • Compatible with a range of metals. You’re not confined to just mild steel. You can work with stainless steel, carbon steel, copper, and other coloured metals if you want!
  • This machine is set up for either TIG gas welding using Argon as the shielding gas, or as a stick welding rig. I like having the option to use different methods for different jobs.
  • The duty cycle of 60%@85A is what makes this such a workhorse - there’s barely any downtime.

  • TIG welding takes more skill and coordination compared with MIG welding. In comparison with the super simple Dirty Pro Tools MIG 130, you need to hold a filler rod in one hand and the torch in the other.
  • Although the included welding mask is slightly better quality compared to the one that comes with the Dirty Pro Tools MIG 130, it’s still not great. I would upgrade it.
  • The torch supplied with this TIG machine is not the more refined “flexi” style. It’s not as easy to get into tight spots.
Type
TIG / MMA
Inverter
Yes
MIG Gas/No-Gas
n/a
Output Current
20-160A
Duty Cycle
60%@85A
Electrode Cable
4.0m
Maximum Weld
2.4mm
Weight
9.0kg
Overall Score 4.8
Build Quality
5
Performance
5
Ease of Use
5
Value for Money
4

The 160 Amp Röhr Portable TIG Inverter Welder is one of the best TIG welders on the market. You get a bit more control over a TIG weld compared with a MIG, and this capable machine makes it easy.

This TIG welding machine has an impressive arsenal of features to improve your welding projects. These include auto hot start, anti-stick, arc force stabilization, and thermal overload protection. It’s also rated at a 60% duty cycle at 85 Amps, allowing you to weld for longer and reduce your downtime.

This machine is ideal for beginners because it comes with a full set of accessories. An earth clamp, clipping hammer, wire brush, and mask mean you get to work straight away.

Weighing in at just 9 kg, taking this welding rig with you is no problem. The combination of portability, light weight, range of good features, and reasonable price is ideal.

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8. Sealey Mightymig 100 MIG Welder[ SAVE 36% ]

Best MIG welding machine for DIY enthusiast

best welding machine Sealey Mightymig 100 MIG Welder
  • No-gas systems are ideal for beginners. There’s less equipment to buy and maintain, and they’re generally cheaper compared with gassed systems.
  • This is a totally affordable welding system. It comes from one of the best names in the business as well.
  • If you want to get into gas welding, it’s totally possible. You can purchase a gas conversion kit if you want to up your game over time.
  • The max weld width in one pass is an impressive 1.0 mm. That’s wide compared to the Röhr.

  • This is a much less refined welding rig compared to some other inverter welders. You don’t have anywhere close to the level of control over temperature in the welding process.
  • Some users have complained about the earth clamp. It’s not the best quality and might need an upgrade after a while.
  • This isn’t a welder designed for heavy duty work. It will start to struggle with mild steel over 4 mm thick.
  • You can’t use this to weld stainless steel. You’ll need to stick with mild steel welding projects only.
Type
MIG
Inverter
No
MIG Gas/No-Gas
No-Gas
Output Current
55-100A
Duty Cycle
60%@55A,20%@90A
Electrode Cable
1.8m
Maximum Weld
1.0mm
Weight
15.4kg
Overall Score 3.5
Build Quality
4
Performance
3
Ease of Use
4
Value for Money
3

Another entry from the good people at Sealey is the MIGHTYMIG100 no-gas MIG welding machine. Aimed at the DIY market, no gas welding is a bit messier than gassed systems. But this is one of the best home MIG welders on the market and it’s an excellent starter step to get into the world of welding.

In terms of build quality, it’s not up there with some professional-level setups. However, it’s not flimsy and is solid enough for a DIYer that isn’t going to take this machine on-site with them. It’s a thankfully lightweight piece of kit at 14.5 kg. Seeing as it’s a no-gas model, you don’t have to lug around bottles of CO2 or Argon either.

One of the benefits of this system is that you can convert it to gas if you want and use standard welding wire rather than hollow flux core wire, so it’s versatile as well. There’s not much in the way of settings to fiddle with except the wire speed and low or high power, so don’t expect to be able to finesse the torch heat to a specific level.

If you’re a beginner and not sure if you’re going to get into serious welding, then I reckon this is an excellent place to start. Or, if you’re an experienced welder who needs a small and portable rig for home garage use, it won’t take up much room and is perfect for welding outdoors on a windy day.

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9. Sealey Supermig 140 MIG Welder

Best MIG welding machine for home mechanics

best welding machine Sealey Supermig 140 MIG Welder
  • The build quality of the welding rig is obvious. It’s a solid kit that will last the knocks and drops expected from metalworking.
  • The forced air cooling system does a good job at keeping the transformer cool. That can be seen in the duty cycle stats: 100% @ 36A, 75% @ 41A, 50% @ 55A, 20% @ 80A.
  • Sealey include a spool of wire as well as 0.6 and 0.8 mm tips. Not a bad set of accessories to get you started.
  • You can choose from a decent output current range, 30 – 140 Amps should cover you for most welding applications.

  • Some users have complained about the quality of the regulator. It’s not as well made compared with the Röhr.
  • The torch has a shorter nib than some of the other MIG welders. It makes it harder to get into tight corners.
  • Compared with the Sealey MightyMig 100, this is a gas only welder. You’ll need to purchase gas bottles with CO2 or Argon separately.
  • Weighing 22 kg, this isn’t the lightest welder. Especially when compared with the lightweight 14 kg Dirty Pro Tools Mig130.
Type
MIG
Inverter
No
MIG Gas/No-Gas
Gas
Output Current
30-140A
Duty Cycle
50%@55A,20%@80A
Electrode Cable
2.0m
Maximum Weld
0.8mm
Weight
22.0kg
Overall Score 3.8
Build Quality
4
Performance
4
Ease of Use
4
Value for Money
3

British professional tool and workshop equipment experts Sealey have been in the game since 1978. They definitely know a thing or two about producing the best MIG welding machines. I looked at their SUPERMIG140 and think it’s a brilliant bit of kit for home mechanics and other metalworkers.

First off, it’s a big and solid welder that weighs more than 20 kg. Sealey have put wheels on the back to make it more portable though. The build quality is great, it’s got a tough frame, and everything feels chunky and robust.

You can select anywhere from 30 – 140 Amps, but this will be limited because it’s supplied with a standard 13 Amp plug. Controlling the power is as simple as it gets, there’s only a single dial to fiddle with to get the right welding temperature.

The wire feed mechanism works well and feels nice and smooth, and the regulator for CO2 or Argon is of good quality too. For the money, this is one of the best budget MIG welding machines out there. It’s not got some of the features of a professional-level MIG machine, but if you want simple, reliable MIG welding, this is a great choice.

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10. GYS 030077 Gysmi 160P – 160 Amp Welder

Best portable MMA / Stick welder

best welding machine GYS 030077 Gysmi 160P – 160 Amp Welder
  • If you need a lightweight and portable welding rig, look no further. Weighing in at just 4.2 kg, this stick welder is easy to carry around.
  • Adding to this unit’s “take it with you” characteristics, GYS have packed everything into a sturdy black plastic case. Ideal for storage, it’ll keep everything safe between uses.
  • The welding power supply of this arc welder is more than enough for welding mild steel up to 4 or even 5 mm. For such a small unit, it really punches above its weight!
  • One of the benefits of short cables means you can easily stow them away in the carry case. I’ve never been a fan of forcing a tangled mess of leads back into a tiny plastic case.
  • This stick welder is proudly made in France. It’s always pleasant to see European manufactured goods, the quality control process is usually excellent, along with customer services.

  • Compared with other welding kits on my list like the Display4top MIG 130, you don’t get any accessories. You need to buy stick welding rods and all safety equipment before use.
  • The power cord is far too short. It keeps the overall size of the unit down, but you’ll need to carry an extension lead around as well. Make sure it’s a heavy duty extension cord as well.
  • The earth cable is also a bit too short. Unless the workpiece is easy to move, you’ll find yourself re-positioning the welding unit quite a lot.
  • Several users have complained that the manual instructions are tiny and hard to read. Unless you have a magnifying glass, it could be a bit of a pain.
Type
MMA
Inverter
Yes
MIG Gas/No-Gas
n/a
Output Current
10-160A
Duty Cycle
60%@85A,14%@160A
Electrode Cable
2.0m
Maximum Weld
4.0mm
Weight
4.2kg
Overall Score 4.8
Build Quality
5
Performance
5
Ease of Use
5
Value for Money
4

The GYS 030077 160 Amp Welder is an amazingly light and portable MMA/arc/stick welder. It comes from one of the more established names in welding. French firm GYS have been making specialist welding and cutting equipment since 1964. They know what it takes to make one of the best stick welders in the business.

Thanks to its high voltage capability the unit supports an immediate start-up function. This is a great feature because there’s no more waiting around for the unit to get to the correct stick welding temperature. It’ll save you time on every weld.

Its inverter technology helps to keep energy consumption down. The onboard microprocessor controls everything. It enables you to finely control the thickness of your weld as well as the bead size precisely.

One of the things I like about this stick welder is the range of electrodes you can work with. Choose from basic, rutile, stainless steel, or even cast iron, for working on almost any type of metal.

The unit is small and neat and measures just 34 cm in height, including the carry case, making this one of the most portable stick welders to store and transport.

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Harry's Smart Buying Tips

  1. The best welding machines should be portable enough for onsite work.
  2. They should have long duty cycles so they can run for longer before needing a cooling-off period. Duty cycles with higher percentages are better when comparing the same output current for different machines. But the duty cycle will increase for lower amperages.
  3. Fan cooling and thermal overload protection are worthwhile temperature control features to consider.
  4. A hot start function is really useful – you don’t have to wait for the unit to warm up, especially when working in difficult conditions.
  5. Arc force stabilization and electrode anti-stick functions are also very handy.
  6. For MIG welding look for a welding torch gun with a Euro standard connection and a long cable (at least 2m).
  7. A smooth wire feed mechanism and, if the machine uses gas, a good quality CO2 or Argon gas regulator, are very handy features too.
  8. Don’t forget to check out all the accessories – the range of electrodes the welding machine can work with, the electrode holder and lead, earth clamp, clipping hammer and wire brush are all very useful. You could even get a welding mask thrown in.

Compare Product Features

Use the dropdown to sort the table by the feature you want to see.

  • Rohr MIG / ARC Welder Inverter
    best welding machine Rohr MIG / ARC Welder Inverter
    • 5
    • MIG / MMA
    • Yes
    • Gas
    • 50-200A (MIG)
    • 60%@150A,35%@180A
    • 2.0m
    • 0.8mm
    • 16.0kg
  • Static Arc 130A Inverter Gasless MIG Welder
    best welding machine Static Arc 130A Inverter Gasless MIG Welder
    • 3.9
    • MIG
    • Yes
    • No-Gas
    • 30-130A
    • 60% @130A
    • not stated
    • 0.8-5mm
    • 6.0kg
  • Dekopro 220V MMA Welder
    best welding machine DEKOPRO 220V MMA Welder
    • 3.5
    • MMA
    • Yes
    • n/a
    • 20-200A
    • 40%
    • 1.5m
    • 4.0mm
    • 4.5kg
  • HITBOX 3 in 1 Portable 130A Inverter MIG, TIG, MMA Welder
    best welding machine HITBOX 3 in 1 Portable 130A Inverter MIG, TIG, MMA Welder
    • 4
    • MIG / TIG / MMA
    • Yes
    • No-Gas
    • 20-200A
    • 40@85%
    • not stated
    • 0.8-5mm
    • 4.6kg
  • Reboot RBM2100D MIG Welder
    best welding machine Reboot RBM2100D MIG Welder
    • 3.6
    • MIG / TIG / MMA
    • Yes
    • Both
    • 31-210A
    • 60% at 200A
    • not stated
    • 1.0mm
    • 6.4kg
  • Röhr SMINI-120NI ARC 2 in 1 Gasless Welder
    best welding machine Röhr SMINI 120NI ARC 2 in 1 Gasless Welder
    • 3.8
    • MMA
    • Yes
    • No-Gas
    • 20-120A
    • 60%
    • 2.0m
    • not stated
    • 3.2kg
  • Röhr TIG Welder Portable Inverter 240V / 160 Amp
    best welding machine Röhr TIG Welder Portable Inverter 240V / 160 Amp
    • 4.8
    • TIG / MMA
    • Yes
    • n/a
    • 20-160A
    • 60%@85A
    • 4.0m
    • 2.4mm
    • 9.0kg
  • Sealey Mightymig 100 MIG Welder
    best welding machine Sealey Mightymig 100 MIG Welder
    • 3.5
    • MIG
    • No
    • No-Gas
    • 55-100A
    • 60%@55A,20%@90A
    • 1.8m
    • 1.0mm
    • 15.4kg
  • Sealey Supermig 140 MIG Welder
    best welding machine Sealey Supermig 140 MIG Welder
    • 3.8
    • MIG
    • No
    • Gas
    • 30-140A
    • 50%@55A,20%@80A
    • 2.0m
    • 0.8mm
    • 22.0kg
  • GYS 030077 Gysmi 160P – 160 Amp Welder
    best welding machine GYS 030077 Gysmi 160P – 160 Amp Welder
    • 4.8
    • MMA
    • Yes
    • n/a
    • 10-160A
    • 60%@85A,14%@160A
    • 2.0m
    • 4.0mm
    • 4.2kg

How to Choose The Best Welding Machine

Getting into welding is a step up for most DIYers, so understanding the different welding methods for your needs is important.

Types of Welding

There are several different ways to attach one piece of metal to another one, but all welding processes involve creating a molten pool of metal that joins different parts together. Most welding equipment uses electrical energy to create enough heat to melt the wire onto the workpiece.

The cheapest welding equipment is usually for arc welding, the commonest form of which is known as stick welding. Stick welders involve you holding the welding torch in one hand and a welding stick in the other and touching them together on a metal surface to make a pool of metal.

Metal Inert Gas, or MIG, is probably the most popular form of welding. For this welding process instead of using both hands, you simply hold the torch, pull the trigger, and a wire is fed from the machine and out of the tip. On contact with the metal surface, the circuit is completed, and the wire becomes molten metal.

Gas and No-Gas MIG Welding

There are two main types of MIG welding- gas and no-gas. Both are types of wire welding- this welding process involves the machine feeding a roll of metal wire from a spool out through the end of the torch, where an electric arc heats it upon contact with a metal surface.

Gas MIG welding processes use bottles of an inert gas like CO2 or Argon connected to the welding machine to create a gas shield around the hot arc, where standard welding wire meets the metal workpiece. The shielding gas stops the weld from oxidising before it joins the metal parts together but this particular welding process can be affected by windy conditions.

In a no-gas welding process, the wire used is hollow and filled with a flux core which is used to generate a slag to cover the molten metal when you’re welding. This protects it from outside gases in the environment which weakens the bond you are making. The downside is that there’s more splatter with this kind of welding process, meaning there’s more to clean up afterwards.

TIG Welding

Tungsten Inert Gas, or TIG welding, is another way to attach two pieces of metal together. Like MIG welding, you use bottles of shielding gas to shroud the hot pool of weld from oxidising. Unlike the MIG welding process though, you need to use both hands when working with a TIG welder.

The main difference is that TIG welding doesn’t use a spool of wire fed through a torch head. Instead, you use long rods as you would for arc or stick welding. It’s a welding process favoured by professional welders for “face” welding when you need to be neat. TIG is a lot slower than MIG welding though and takes more skill to get accurate results.

Types of Wire

The two main types of welding wire are regular steel wire used in the gas welding process, and hollow wire filled with flux core for no-gas welding. When you pull the trigger on a MIG welding machine, the wire that is fed out becomes a wire welding electrode, completing an electrical circuit that creates a high enough heat to melt it where you want a pool of metal.

Welding wire is available in different thicknesses, depending on the size of weld you want to create. Most light fabrication tasks that the DIYer welder will get involved with don’t need wire much thicker than 0.6 – 0.8 mm. For welding thicker metals, thicker wire up to 1.2 mm is useful for these heavy welding processes, but it requires more power than is available in a domestic setting.

Welding Machine FAQs

Welding is an incredibly useful skill to have. The only way to get better is through practice- try using different heat settings if your welding equipment allows it, experiment with different gauges of wire, and don’t be afraid of making an ugly mess on bits of scrap metal in the name of improvement.

The quality of the welding wire you use can make a big difference in the quality of your welds – decent wire isn’t always much more expensive than the rubbish stuff, so shop around and see what professional welders use.

All three of these welding methods are great for onsite work and welding outdoors. They’re all portable and can join a range of metals together. The downside to TIG and MIG welding processes is you need to lug around bottles of shielding gas, whereas stick welders only use electricity. Arc or stick welding is not as refined though. MIG and TIG welds are strong and can work on a huge range of materials. If you need to work on very thin materials or need to create intricate, good-looking welds, TIG welding has the others beat. There’s no one welding process that is outright “the best”, just the better system depending on the job at hand.

If you invest in the proper safety equipment, maintain your welding gear, and treat it with respect, welding is as safe as any other DIY task. Welding creates sparks that can set light to flammable materials, so make sure you have a fire extinguisher to hand and always keep your work area clean.

If you want to create the perfect MIG welds, you need to take control of your torch. Once you’ve matched the wire feed speed to the correct voltage, the best technique is to move slowly in a tight coil, like you’re drawing a spring, or practising your lowercase joined-up “e’s”. This creates an even puddle of weld and a superior join. It’s worth practising this welding process, a lot.

If you’re welding together a frame, you need to consider the heat that you’re transferring to the workpiece. Weld for too long and you’ll end up warping the entire workpiece due to the heating and cooling process. The answer is to take frequent breaks, don’t over-weld, and use as few passes as possible.

Whether you’re arc/stick welding or MIG welding, you need a solid connection for the electricity to flow around the circuit and make a stable heat. Always grind back a rusty, painted, or greasy surface before clamping on your earth cable and getting to work. Always weld onto bare metal.

There’s a saying that goes “A grinder and paint make me the welder that I ain’t” – and it’s true. You can always grind back ugly welds with an angle or die grinder, or paint over the whole thing to hide a multitude of sins.

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