No matter whether it’s DIY projects or professional touches, MIG welding is just unbeatable.
Yes, you heard that right. MIG is literally a versatile welding method which has several practical applications.What is the best part of mig welder?
Plain and simple!
Just look at the application of MIG welding. It can be used on all thicknesses of aluminum, on steels, on stainless steel, and even on nickel, etc. Meanwhile, it is mostly used in manufacturing as well as in commercial fabrication settings.
And what’s a worse part?
A bit pricey!!!!!
But if you consider the productivity and speed, definitely it worths buying. MIG welding was first introduced during World War II as a portable, fast process to create durable joints. Thus, today, it is widely used in many factory and shop applications and welding enthusiasts.
Stay along with this best budget MIG welder review article to get all teeny tiny detail about MIG welder.
Let’s get this show on the road.
Before start MIG welding, select the best budget welding helmet for mig. Safe your head and face.
What Is The Best MIG welder?
Before anything else, you should have a clear idea of MIG welder.
MIG refers to metal inert gas. In fact, the technical name of MIG is gas metal arc welding, and the slang name is wire welding.
MIG welding is actually an arc welding method in which a continuous wire electrode is fed by a welding gun, joining the two materials together.
Have you wondered why it’s so popular or what is MIG welding used for?
The MIG process enables the artist, home-hobbyist, farmer/rancher, DIY or motorsports enthusiast welder suit most types of maintenance/repair welds and fabrication on material from 24-gauge to 1/2-inch thick.
But you know what else?
When it comes to flexibility, most people turn to MIG welding just because they’ve thought that it’s a simple process to learn.
Honestly speaking, it’s not quite that simple. But it is true that most people become comfortable with MIG welders just by following some easy basic advice.
RELATED: What is tig welding used for?
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of Mig Welding
Before buying the machine, let’s see the real deal of mig welder and welding so that you can take the decision.
Advantages of MIG Welding
- Much faster
- High-quality welds
- Only produce minor weld spatter
- MIG welding is more versatile, can be used with a wide variety of alloys and metals
- The MIG process can be operated in various ways, including fully and semi-automatic
- Even a starter can operate the machine
Disadvantages of MIG Welding
- A bit pricey
- Not so great for outdoor welding
- Took more time for metal preparation
- Only allow a limited position
Best Mig Welders Comparision Table
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5 Best Budget Mig Welders That Probably You Wouldn’t Want To Miss
Love to weld?
Here is some good MIG welder review that you can grab your hands on at a modest price. Let’s see the Mig welder comparison review.
In a hurry? Feel free to check our quick navigation:
- Hobart Handler 190 Mig Welder – Best MIG Welder For Beginner
- LOTOS MIG175 175AMP Mig Welder – Best 220v MIG Welder
- Forney MIG Welder Start-Up Kit – Best 120v MIG Welder
- Hobart Handler 140 Mig Welder – Best MIG Welder For Home Use
- Lincoln Electric K2185-1 Handy MIG Welder – Best Professional MIG Welder
Best Mig Welder Under $1000
Do you freeze in the tracks, Higher Price, Better Product?
Can’t blame!
Most of the cases it’s true. If you are one of them to whom budget won’t be a great problem, then this part is for you. Personally, I also think that a great product worth some extra bucks.
Let’s get STARTED…
1. Hobart Handler 190 Mig Welder – Best MIG Welder for Beginner
If you are looking for a low-cost option to work with aluminum, 190 Hobart MIG welders could be a really good choice.
Why am I saying this?
This welder has an amazing feature of the SpoolRunner 100 spool gun, which helps to eliminate the feeding problem of aluminum wire.
Yes, it’s true!
My impression
Built with quality in mind, the Hobart welders 190 is an Operates off 230 volts with industrial PERFORMANCE. Each item is manufactured and designed in Troy, OH USA.
What’s included in the Box?
Technical Details
- 10 ft. MIG gun
- Built-in gas valve
- Dual gauge regulator
- Gas hose, Work cable & clamp
- 10-ft power cord, 030 contact tips
- 8-inch spool adapter
- Owner’s manual/set-up guide
The best thing about this big machine is it’s easy to set and can adjust for different materials. The Hobart Handler 190 is backed by the company’s 5/3/1 Industrial Warranty.
Hobart 190 vs. 210, which one is right for you?
The Hobart 210 machine is the more versatile welding tool that can work fine on both voltages.
Wow Feature of Hobart MIG welder
7 voltage selections, infinite wire control, and enhanced magnetics offer fine control of the output parameters with less spatter.
What I like most
- Improved arc performance.
- Dual groove.
- 7 voltage selections.
- 30% duty cycle.
What could be better?
- The spool is not satisfactory.
2. LOTOS MIG175 175AMP Mig Welder – Best 220v MIG Welder
If you are an amateur, it’s not the machine for you.
Don’t even DARE!
It is capable enough to weld aluminum with the spool gun. This lotos MIG welder is counted as one of the best professional MIG welders on the market right now.
Why am I saying this?
Its transformer technology was established to be trustworthy and durable.
Technical Details
- Voltage: 220 volts
- Power Source: Dc
- Material: Metal
- Weight: 85.0 pounds
- Warranty: 1 Year
- 30-day refund
- Spool Gun Include
My impression
Gosh, such as welding capacity!
- Aluminum: 3/8″ or Thinner
- Mild/Stainless Steel: 1/4″
It’s a multi-use tool, suitable for mild welding steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and other metal material. The durable top-quality aluminum wire offers a better welding experience.
What about the wire range?
It’s 0.6-0.8mm Wire Range for Solid Steel and 0.8-0.9mm for Flux Cored. It handles incorporates resettable overload security to assure a long operating life.
Wow Feature of LOTOS MIG175
Buy with Confidence–lotos Offer 100% Satisfaction and 1 Year Limited Warranty for their products.
What I like most
- Spool Gun Included.
- Aluminum Wire Feeder.
- Most versatile welders.
- Setup quickly.
What could be better?
- Heaviest power supply.
- Entry-level units.
3. Forney MIG Welder Start-Up Kit – Best 120v MIG welder
Fed up with hunting Craigslist ads that actually well for nothing?
Then this is the perfect welder for you!
Believe it or not, it encourages doing it yourself. Forney has been dominating this industry for over eight decades.
Who Should Buy this?
The Forney Start-Up Kit MIG Welder is full of features that make this welder apart from the rest of the others.
Technical Details
- Weight: 62 pounds
- Voltage: 120 volts
- Warranty: 5/3/1 warranty against manufacturer defects
- Size: 140-Amp
- Color: Green
- Material: Metal
- Power Source: Corded-Electric
My impression
It’s true, Forney isn’t as giant as Lincoln, but this welder ensures as top-grade welds. Undoubtedly it is a solid piece of kit.
At only 57lbs, it’s not too bulky and can be carried easily by using the handle on top. Still, it’s going to be quite bulky for some as its transformer design might be convenient to place on a wheeled cart.
Still not CONVINCED?
The Forney kit has an 115V input power, which means it’s perfectly designed for household use not only that it is capable of Flux-cored welding and MIG.
What about output?
The output is from 30A -140A with a decent duty cycle of 35%, which is a fair amount and even better than some 140 welders
Wow feature of Forney MIG Welder
There are 4 separate voltage settings for its transformer which maximize in 1/16 inch increments from up to 1/4 inch in the highest setting.
What I like most
- Smooth/ stable arc.
- Easy access.
- Torch wrap included.
- Euro type connector.
What could be better?
- Not great for heavy duty projects.
- Poor quality flux core.
Best Mig Welder Under $500
Do you FEEL you’re banging your head against a wall just to find the best MIG welder under 400 or 500?
Quite LEGIT!
It’s won’t to so easy to find a reliable one on this range. Let me help you to find the right one for you, even at a tight budget.
Have a look.
1. Hobart Handler 140 Mig Welder – Best MIG Welder for Home Use
A cool choice for the smartest welder!
Yes, you heard that right.
Just a few minutes for arrangement and you are ready to weld, quickest tool even for the first time welder. A weld set-up guide is included on the inside of the cover to set your welder properly.
Technical Details
- Weight: 65 pounds
- Material: Steel
- Installation Method: MIG-welding
- Warranty: 5-year limited warranty
- Shipping Weight: 65 pounds
My impression
Great for DIY Welding Projects!
No matter what welding it is, it could be a cool gadget for autobody panels, mower decks, exhaust systems, tool carts, trailer frames & hitches, gun/bow racks, lawn and garden equipment.
I just love it!
Now let’s talk about its technical part. It welds 24 gauges, Operates off 115 volts, runs by 25 to 140 output amperage when it comes to duty cycle, its satisfactory – 20% at 90 amps.
If you compare Hobart 140 vs Lincoln 140, this Hobart 140 is damn good in all consideration.
Wow feature of Hobart 140 welder
Built with a proven cast aluminum drive system along with a heavy-duty work clamp – this Handler 140 is absolutely a wire welding package with superior performance.
What I like most
- Manufacturers limited warranty.
- Quick set up.
- No extra kit required.
- Easy to transport.
What could be better?
- Poor system for Speed adjustment.
- Only recommended for the small job.
2. Lincoln Electric K2185 – Best Budget Welder – Best Professional MIG Welder
Dare to try your hand at challenging wire welding?
Lincoln Electric has got the welder for you. Yes, this portable compact and lightweight wire feed is extremely user-friendly. It’s great for hobby projects/ home repair on light gauge around most households.
Technical Details
- Weight: 26 pounds
- Color: Red
- Material: Metal
- Warranty: Manufacturer Warranty
- Shipping Weight: 51.2 pounds
- Voltage: 115 volts
My impression
Before anything else, allow me to discuss the technical part. Its wire feed speed adjustment help you weld mild steel, from 24 to 1/8″ thick. It needs to be Plugged into 20 amp outlet, household 115V.
But wait that’s not all!
It comes with a spool of self-shielded, contact tips, flux-cored wire, and chipping hammer, you can use your MIG® to weld with flux-cored wire, gasless too. As a result, it’s easy to get started as practically everything you need to weld is in the box.
Wow feature of Lincoln electric MIG welder
Cold contactor safety helps to keep welding wire“cold” until the gun trigger is manually pressed.
What I like most
- Long life expectancy.
- Portable.
- Lightweight construction.
- Included wire feed welder.
What could be better?
- Flux core is quite annoying, so the auto-darkening mask is a must.
- Takes hell amount of time on set up.
Can MIG Welder Weld Aluminum?
It’s the question you secretly dread, right?
Listen:
The skill level of the welder, fit-up/positions, joint types, — as well as the power supply — all have a great influence on the weldability of the aluminum.
Does it make any sense?
Aluminum in the pure form is the comparatively soft metal that has various uses, which actually requires many alloys to increase its strength.
Despite these major issues, when it comes to aluminum MIG welding isn’t that difficult when you are using the right tools and maintaining the proper procedures.
How To Use MIG Welder?
Step 1: Take a clear idea about the background of MIG and how it works.
Step 2: safety comes first. So arrange the safety gear.
Step 3: Prepare for the welding.
Step 4: Set up the beads.
Step 5: Welding the metal together.
Step 6: Grind down the weld.
Wrapping Up and Decision Time
Based on our research and testing, your choice of the best MIG welder will ultimately depend on your job nature and preference. But no wonder budget is a great concern.
With that in mind, we tried to pick the best of the best MIG welder from the market at a modest price range. Each of the welders enters our list for their great performance.
From the Best Budget Welder list, Hobart handler 190 MIG welder (Click for details) is our personal favorite and we highly recommend it. This is literally a solid little MIG welder that does an amazing job in portable situations.
Happy welding!
I really agree with your words that “whether it’s DIY projects or professional touches, MIG welding is just unbeatable”. This MIG welder does a really great task in cutting aluminum and steel and cuts both aluminum and steel within a quick span of time which make this welder really popular in the industry. Another great thing about this MIG welder is even a starter can use this very easily which make this machine so much popular. I have checked all the list of MIG welder they are really great products. So thanks for sharing such an informative article with us. I think every visitor will find your article useful as you have described each and every single point about Mig welder.
I read this article in full as I understand it has been specific to beginners as well as it is separated by a voltage.you mentioned that there is a need for professionals. Youhave written pretty well here how to use a MIG Welder.