Best Tig Welder Reviews For Save The Money | Insider Secret Only Welders Know

Fed up with the welding machine that performs like a toy?

I know how it feels when you can’t achieve quality weld finish. You gave a lot of effort, and the result is a big zero.

Don’t give up!

All you need is the right tool. Just a tig welder can give a magical experience for a perfectionist welder like you.

What will be best tig welder for the money?

Don’t panic. I drew up a list of tig welder comparisons which may help you to find the right one.

So let’s get started.

Tig welder reviews with comparison

Budget-friendly

Yeswelder TIG-205DS

• Auto temp control
• Duty cycle: 60%
• Input Power: 110/220V
• Dual voltage

Check price today

Our best pick

AHP AlphaTIG 200X

• Warranty: 3 years
• Duty cycle: 60 @ 200A
• Input Power: 220
• Engine Power: AC
• Advanced Inverter Technology

Check price today

All-rounder

Lotos 200A -AC/DC tig welder

• Warranty: 1-year
• Duty cycle: 100%
• Input current: 30A@ 240V
• Inverter Technology

Check price today

What is tig welding used for?

TIG welding, known as gas tungsten arc welding, is a welding process that works to join metals by heating them with a non-consumable electrode and the workpiece.

Why will you Use TIG welding?                    

• To join almost all metals, with free of defects and with superior weld quality.
• It offers to weld Free from spattering.
• It provides great control of the root pass.
• You could be used with or without filler metal if it required for the specific application.
• It can be used to produce autogenous welds with good penetration.
• Provides for separate control over filler metal additions.

We have reviewed the best welding helmet for tig welding. Read in detail & safe your head and eyes.

10 Best Tig Welder For The Money For Professional To Create Their Masterpieces

I have welded most of my life, especially TIG. Now I have a fabrication shop. I have MIG welded a hundred sets of headers, and literally the grinding drives me crazy.

Here is my Handpicked list of tig welder reviews that you can grab your hands on.

1. 2018 AHP AlphaTIG 200X – Best Tig Welders for Aluminum

This welder is crazy good!

Yes, you heard that right, thoroughly satisfied with the welder so far.

Powerful AC/DC tig welder comes with stick function gives both the professional as well as hobby welder a vast range of welding opportunities with this AHP tig welder.

Now let’s get to it:

Technical feature

• Weight: 69 pounds
• Color: Yellow
• Material: Stainless Steel
• Shipping Weight: 71 pounds
• Power Output: 150 amps
• Process: Stick welding & TIG
• Warranty: 3 Years
• Amperage Range: 10A-200 A

My impression

Can’t be beaten for its price!

Yes, testing it i have to admit it. You can do 1/4″ aluminum/ 3/8″ mild steel. The best part is you can run it with 110/220 volts as well as capable of welding 6013, 7018.

Sounds GREAT?

Apart from this, it’s advanced inverter technology with pulse width modulation to ensure precise welding. It offers professional quality at reasonable pricing.

What about the ahp alpha tig 200x problems?

Well, let’s be honest, the knobs don’t look to perfectly line up with the background markings. However, high standard metal foot pedal control is applied for ease of use.

Wow feature of AHP AlphaTIG 200X tig welder

It comes with pulse freq and ac freq along with a new torch.

What I like most

What could be better?

What’s include with box?

2. Lotos 200A dual voltage – best cheap ac/dc tig welder

Are you a beginner in the welding industry?

Or perhaps a part-time user who wants to take the chance to own a trustworthy welder within an affordable budget tig welder?

This is the welder what you are looking for!

So PAY attention…

Technical feature

• Weight: 58.0 pounds
• Length: 123.6 inches
• Material: Aluminum
• Source of Power: Ac/Dc
• Voltage: 240.00 volts
• Shipping Weight: 58.7 pounds
• Output: Maximum 200 amps
• Warranty: 1 year

My impression

I literally fall in love with this Lotos tig welder. This compact, versatile TIG200 offers you a simple array of controls to perfectly set the welder to weld under a wide variety of situations.

What about frequency and voltage?

The GOOD news is it has automatic dual voltage and dual-frequency. Meanwhile, Dual voltage capability allows the welder to run on 220 V 50/60 Hz power, or even on 110 V 50/60 Hz.

And another thing….

HF start hand torch gives you the control and precise foot pedal heat control. That’s why it is considered as one of the best starter tig welders.

Wait, wait, and wait!

If you think that it is just the cheapest aluminum welder, you are in fool’s paradise, dear. It comes with an amazing feature like TIG200‘s square-wave inverter. Ignore the ugliest box.

(Searching best welding umbrellas? Read more!)

Wow feature of Lotos Tig200 welder

Its compact package includes TIG torch, Power supply, MMA/Stick welder clamp, Argon Regulator, Foot Pedal, Converter Pigtail, Consumable Set, Ground clamp, Instruction Manual.

What I like most

What could be better?

What’s include with box?

3. Miller maxstar dc 150 STL – best tig welder for beginner

Hi, weekend, enthusiast! introducing the industrial quality features machine in an affordable range.

Can this really be true?

Yes, The Miller MaxStar 150 is a lightweight, DC output tools that utilize lift-Arc technology. Hence, Lift-Arc technology presents the TIG arc starting without the presence of high frequency.

Want to know more about this machine?

Check this out:

Technical feature

• Shipping Weight: 40.4 pounds
• Height: 9 inches
• Type: DC
• Amperage Range: 5A to 150A
• Brand: Miller
• Welded Material: Steel
• Welding Processes: TIG, Stick
• Warranty: 5 Years Parts — 3 Years Labor

My impression

Awesome little machine!

It’s compact design great portability.  This lightweight, a little inverter-based machine can be carried and taken anywhere.  Its dc inverter makes it suitable for both Stick and TIG application.

Astonishing, isn’t it?

By utilizing an effective inverter-based power source, superior arc starts. As a result, Stick and TIG settings are in a small, portable package. (Read more about small welder)

Wow feature of miller 150 welder

With the built-in gas solenoid, the Miller 150 eliminates the need for a heavyweight TIG torch with the gas valve.

What I like most

What could be better?

4. Hobart EZ-TIG 165i – Tig welder for home garage

What is the biggest struggle when using tig welding?

It’s an annoying user interface, right?

Admit it.

But the good news is Hobart presents an awesome machine with the super easy-to-use interface. And all you need to do is just power it up, pick your material, and then set the material thickness range.

And you are ready.

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I see this. So let’s get down to it:

Technical feature

• Weight: 60 pounds
• Material: Stainless steel
• Shipping Weight: 60 pounds
• Installation Method: Tig-welding
• Amperage Range: 10A – 165A
• Warranty: 5/3/1 years

My impression

The EZ-TIG is a complete AC/DC welding machine that offers a distinct single knob control. This knob makes it welder the quickest and easiest TIG welder to use.

Too GOOD!

This Hobart EZ tig 165i review won’t be complete without mentioning its superior performance from .81 mm to 4.8 mm in both AC and DC. Besides, it includes Fan-On-Demand for reducing debris.

But wait, there is more.

Infinite amperage controls the vast operating range. However, Inverter-based power offers consistent performance while utilizing less power.

Wow feature of Hobart tig welders

Auto-post-flow provides optimum shielding without wastage or adjustment.

What I like most

What could be better?

What included with Hobart EZ 165i tig welder

1. Welder power source
2. Primary cord
3. Gas hose and regulator
4. Work cable with clamp
5. Tig welders torch
6. Food padel

5. Everlast powerTIG 250EX 220 Volt – Best budget TIG welder

Sleek, compact, and portable, the Everlast 250ext delivers an impressive amount of welding for stick welding—you’ll never have to take any hassle on welding for TIG.

Not only is a versatile, putting out 250 amps of stick/TIG welding power, with a 60% duty cycle.

Let’s jump right in.

Technical feature

• Weight: 60 pounds
• Warranty: 5 years
• Input Power: 110V – 220V
• Material: Stainless Steel
• Voltage: 240 volts
• Amperage range: 250 A
• Shipping Weight: 60 pounds
• TIG Welding Power Output: 5-250A

My impression

Equally great for both the professional and the welding enthusiast that needs a well designed AC-DC TIG welder, the Everlast welders are a versatile solution.

See the difference?

For those needing to do thin gauge material, the machine features low amp in both AC and DC modes.  The IGBT inverter reduces the size of the tools and keeps it portable. Meanwhile, the welder will operate handy on both 240V single phase, as well as 240V 3 phase power.

What does it include?

• 12 ft. Everlast TIG torch
• 35 series DINSE connectors
• Torch switch
• 2T/4T operation electrode holder
• 10 ft. cable
• Billet brass consumable starter kit 
• 6 ft power input cable.

What I like most

What could be better?

6. Primeweld 225 Amp – Best versatile TIG welder

This heavy-duty machine is most probably what you are yearning for a while.

You bet it is!

The Primeweld tig225x is the appropriate choice for those who wish to clean weld multiple metals with a single machine.

Now let’s get to Primeweld tig225x.

Product information

• Shipping Weight: 90 pounds
• Warranty: 3 Years
• Weight: 90 pounds
• Duty cycle: 40%
• AMP: 10-225
• AC Frequency: 40-200hz

My Impression

I have to admit, The Primeweld TIG225X Welder got the versatility to fulfill the needs of not only hobbyists but also pro welders alike. Just look at the primeweld tig 225 dimensions. 

Quite impressive, isn’t it?

Featuring 200HRTZ on pulse freq, it is capable of welding 6013, 7018. This unit support AC/DC Tig welding along with stick function.

The coolest thing, it allows a wide range of uses, including stainless steel, aluminum, and thinner metals. You will find the recommended freq in the primeweld tig 225 manual.

And get this:

Though it’s a compact package, this is a 225A welder that needs accessories like arc voltage control, oscillator, a tracking device for the seam, electrode positioning system, etc.

What does it include with Primeweld tig225x?

• Pulse CK17 Flex Torch
• Cable 3 Year Warranty
• CK Dinse connector

Wow feature of Primeweld tig225x

No matter whether it’s 110v and on 220v, this beast gonna give High performance with a full range of pulse. Much needed consistency you can ask for!

What I like most

What could be better?

7. Amico power tig 185/180 Amp – A dual voltage welding machine

When you take to count all the welding types, TIG seems easier, but the harsh reality is you need a hell amount of practice to get the piece done.

But more than that, you need a handy machine to clean weld.

Meet the most beloved TIG welder, Amico power atig185201. This machine is perfect for high frequency TIG torch as well as hf arc starting. However, it does a good job of improving tungsten’s life. (Read more reviews of Amico welder)

My impression

TIG-185 is a product equipped with the most updated inverter technology. As a result, it can weld not only steel but also various metals and steel like Stainless, Alloy, Mild, Nickel alloys.

But wait – there’s more.

 It works great with Brass, Bronze, Copper, Cast Iron, and Chrome also. The quality of the machine seems pretty ok to me. And the company claims that all of the machines are tested in the USA.

Worried about arc stability?

No worries, Advanced IGBT Inverter technology provide way more arc stability than your expectation. 15-180 amps are more than enough to weld thin materials and thick workpieces. 

It includes some excellent control features like Automatic temperature and steeples amperage. This dual voltage input machine supports both 115V and 230V.

Product information

• Shipping Weight: 27 pounds
• Rated Output: 60% @ 180 Amp
• Warranty: 1 year
• Item Weight: 19 pounds
• Multifunction: TIG / STICK / ARC
• Amperage: 180 A
• Certification: ETL Listed
• Pattern: USA

What does it include Amico welder 185?

• TIG-185
• A 13 Feet TIG Torch Gun, 
• A 10 Feet Electrode Holder and Cable
• Work Clamp and Cable
• Argon Gas Hose
• Power Cord Adapter

Wow feature of Amico welder 185

Automatic compensation gives protection on over-voltage, under-voltage over current, overload protection. Plus, it controls voltage fluctuation.

What I like most

What could be better?

8. Weldpro digital 200gd Ac/Dc 200 Amp – A true tig welding machine

This machine is the best cost/benefit tool from the TIG welder list by far.

Yes, you heard that right.

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I see; this stuff is a digital designed machine equipped with all the handy TIG welding jobs. 

Why do I say this?

It’s quite astonishing how they manage to offer such features in this price range.

Product information

• Shipping Weight: 60.9 pounds
• Voltage: 220V/110V
• Rated Output: 40% for DC TIG & 60% for AC TIG
• Warranty: 2 year
• Digital designed

My Impression

This tool simply goes beyond welding aluminum and steel.

First of all, let’s talk about design. The TIGACDC200 is an inverter-based machine that specially designed for TIG welding jobs. However, it utilizes tremendous inverter technology. Plus, IGBT circuits have a greater impact on reducing size and weight.

See the difference?

Excellent Professional design foot pedal is decent and will allow you to use without intermediate amperage control. 

What does it include with Weldpro TIG 200GD?

• Pulse CK 17 Superflex Torch 
• Trigger Switch

Wow feature of the tig 200gd

This powerful welder to not only efficient by 30% but also the electronic circuitry makes it far more user-friendly for each specific weld.

What I like most

What could be better?

9. Yeswelder 205DS 200 Amp tig welder – A machine for flawless weld

If you are looking for a machine that is simple to operate, this welder is the right fit for you. It’s not only the DC TIG machine; it could be a handy tool for MMA, STICK, ARC also.

My Impression

Before we go any further, let’s talk about voltage and input. I am also a welder and know how important this part is.

Dual Voltage Input support both 110V and 220V. The compact and lightweight design makes it ideal for beginning tig welder.

And guess what?

It comes with advanced technology like IGBT soft switch, which makes it suitable for the thin workpiece.

Technical Details

• Shipping Weight: 23.2 pounds
• One year warranty
• Rated Output: 60%
• Input Voltage: 110/220V
• LCD digital display
• Processes: TIG, STICK, ARC, MMA

What does it include with YESWELDER TIG-205DS?

• TIG-205DS Machine
• Professional Torch Gun along with Assembly 
• Work Clamp with cable Electrode Holder 
• Transfer Plug (110V and 220V)
• One set consumables(Collet, Alumina Ceramic Cup, Short Back Cap, Long Back Cap)

Wow feature of YESWELDER

The lightness of its components not only gives the strength but also makes this stuff a reliable work beast for personal use.

What I like most

What could be better?

10. MTS 205 Amp combo welder – Best tig combo welder

Don’t get fooled with the cute little machine by thinking that Mts-205 could be a great choice for the upcoming DIY project.

Yes, you read that right.

 It’s actually way more than that. This beast is capable of welding alloy, mild steel, stainless steel, copper, and cast iron and even steel.

My Impression

Such a great 3-in-1 combo welder!

This MTS machine fits easily with solid wire, flux cord wire or even with aluminum wire. As it includes TIG Torch, this makes it a compact package.

What about the output range?

The output range is 10-205 amps. But it needs standard flux-core wire or 0.6-1.0mm wire for steel, and aluminum wire.

Sound’s cool, right?

Using high-quality wire which provides smooth wire feed. That feature makes it perfect for aluminum wire welding. And it’s a big plus for a welder. However, you don’t need to get worried about the installation. The control gas solenoid valve had automatically installed inside the tool.

Technical Details

• Shipping Weight: 48 pounds
• Duty Cycle: 60% at 205 Amp
• Amperage: 200 A
• Warranty: 1 Year
• Pattern: USA
• Item Weight: 25 pounds

Wow feature of mts-205

The settings are designed in such a brilliant way that easily adjust your output, even count the thickness and the polarity.

What I like most

What could be better?

What does it include?

• 250A pro. MIG gun with cable assembly
• TIG Torch gun 
• 500A electrode holder with cable assembly 
• 630A work clamp 
• Power plug adapter
• 1 spool
• Air hose 
• Argon connect 
• Owners Manual

How Does A Tig Welders Work?

Look:

Before you use a TIG machine, won’t it be cool to be familiar with each part of the welder and principle of tig welding?

Sound’s logical?

The work lead also referred to as a ground cable must be attached to the metal surface. Besides, the welding lead has an electric TIG torch at the very end.

Now let’s talk about the technical part.

Along with the cable, there is a small line for carrying the argon gas. In a plain word, this inert gas is more like the flux coating that protects the weld from any airborne contaminants. But yes, you will need a regulator and a gas bottle.

But first a warning: do not try to use the same gas you used in a MIG welder.

How To Use A Tig Welder

Step 1: Choose The Electrode

When it comes to the tig welding machine, choosing the Electrode is crucial. And For aluminum, the best option is a pure tungsten rod.

Step 2: Grind the Electrode

Secondly, grind that tungsten rod to a point. In the meantime, insert the electrode into the collet.

Step 3: Choose the Settings

Allow me to inform you, the typical TIG rig usually has three main electricity options –

• DCEP
• AC
• DCEN

AC is for only for aluminum – so choose “AC” if you have the plan to weld aluminum.

DCEP refers to “DC, Electrode Positive” mostly used for stick welding. And lastly, DCEN refers to “DC, Electrode Negative,” and for welding steel.

Step 4: Turn on the Gas

Undoubtedly, gas is a vital fact to keep the weld from corroded and protects at the high temperatures.

• For aluminum: pure argon.
• For steel: argon/carbon dioxide mixture

Step 5: Prepare the Metal and Welding Table

Prepare your welding table, in the meantime, Get Dressed Up. Don’t forget for one last check.

Step 6: Weld ! 😍

How Much Is A Tig Welder?

You will find various brands that are able to gain consumer trust. Some of these are:

• Miller tig welder   
• Lincoln tig welder   
• Everlast tig welder   
• Eastwood tig welder   
• Aluminum tig welder   
• Hobart tig welder

What about the price? Well, there is a different range actually.

What Are The Limitations Of Tig Welding?

• Travel speed is low.
• High weld cost.
• Deposition rates are low.
• It requires a high degree of operator welding skills to produce quality better welds.
• The process is not so easily automated.

Things To Consider Before Buying The Best Budget Tig Welders

Probably you have already known, tig welders machine are relatively high power consumer. That’s why you should consider some crucial things before buying a tig machine.

Duty cycle

The duty cycle refers to the ability of the machine to operate continuously. This will help prevent unnecessary time wastage from cooling down.

Input power

In short, the input voltage power measures the kind of tasks your device can perform. So if you are looking for heavy duties, look for a welder that has an impressive input power. Meanwhile, most TIG welders machines come with an automatic AC/ DC adjustability.

Automation and Digital Display

As I mention earlier, TIG tools are engaging machines. As a result, Automation and digitization make the work easier. That’s why you should pay extra attention to these two.

Weight and Size

No wonder, everyone likes light machines. And this factor is so important because it indicates the portability of your device. Meanwhile, we think the machine less than 100lbs is good enough for portability.

Decision Time And Wrapping Up

Before wrapping up this tig welder reviews, I want to remind some important issues. It’s better to spend some extra bucks for good quality rather than throwing it to the river by purchasing a cheap tool. So be wise.

Meanwhile, all the machines have entered on my best tig welder for their superior quality.

But let’s be ultra honest.

References

• What Is TIG Welding?
• How to Weld – TIG Welding
• Top 10 Mistakes Beginner TIG Welders Make
• TIG Welding Handbook (Updated Aug 2020)
• A Practical Guide to TIG (GTA) Welding