What Is The Best Mig Welder For Home Use – Reviews for 2019.

Finding the best MIG welder for home use can be an uphill task. I mean, there are plenty of shapes and sizes, and this can be overwhelming.

I indeed did get confused when I went shopping for one a few years back.

Questions like what is the best MIG quality, which one is the best priced, which is the best MIG welder for home use had me wracking my brain.

There are right and wrong welders for some jobs.

So which is the best MIG welder for home use? It’s vital that you get the welder with the right fed spool that creates the perfect electrical current. The current shouldn’t just melt the wire, but also join it to the base.

Getting the best Mig welder for home use will help you experiment with all sorts of metals whether they’re thick or thin.

An ideal MIG simplifies the process, it does a clean job and makes it a more manageable task experimenting with all sorts of metals be they thick or thin.

I prefer the LOTOS MIG175. It comes with 175AMP, a free spool gun, aluminum welding wires, standard MIG gun, solid wires, argon regulator and a mask.

I love how versatile the Lotos welder is; I hook it up to the 220v in the garage within a few minutes.

I use the spool gun to weld aluminum and most of all, I love it because it tackles industrial standard 4” and 6” wire spools.

It’s a reliable, durable welder that comes with overload protection thus lengthening its life. I’ve had mine for 3 years plus, and I use it frequently, it still works like its new!

But this is one of the MIG welders I’ve bought over the years. I will breakdown some of the welders I have by mentioning their use and my likes and don’t like. Be sure to check out the buyer’s guide at the end of this article for more helpful insight.

Top Pick: LOTOS MIG175 175AMP Mig Welder

It appears as my favorite MIG welder due to some reasons; first, the 220V. 50Hz or 60Hz power ability means I didn’t have to augment my garage power output.

The fact that handles different wire reel sizes, and I can weld steel, stainless steel, and aluminum from one unit thanks to the attached gas regulator, to me is nothing but AWESOME!

I’m not really what you’d call a bulky (well build man), luckily for me; I can move this welder with ease as it only weighs 85 pounds.

I move it quickly from one place to the next especially when I’m called out to help out with a weld outside my home.

Use the handle for more natural movement and due to its compact size; you can use it in enclosed spaces without worry. The fact that it’s easy to set up is yet another huge point.

Once the package arrives, it comes enclosed with all you need. You will take less than 20 minutes putting it together and get started right off.

I should add, my welding torch is a little over 8-foot, included was the torch and spool gun cleaning brushes which helped me save on purchasing necessary accessories.

The spool gun comes as standard with this unit. The Argon gas captures any impurities in your work thus lengthening its lifespan.

The unit has been designed to produce a steady metal heating arc thus making your welds standout!

I am what you’d call a professional welder, given my 10 years plus in the welding business.

I use this MIG welder at home for my projects. However, I can attest that whether you’re just an enthusiast or a professional, this is the best MIG welder for home and professional use.

The only issue I have seen most people raise with this unit is that it doesn’t come with a user manual. Check it out here.

Premium Choice: Hobart 500559 Handler 140 MIG Welder 115V

Like many welders before and after me will attest, the Hobart 500559 welder is an affordable yet quality MIG welder.

Its many qualities come second to none, weighing at only 57 pounds, you can carry it anywhere around your workshop or garage.

I love it because it runs smoothly on a current range of 25-140 amps. Tell me of a better amateurs’ beginners MIG welder; I’ll wait…

Moreover, it comes with a gun and ground feature that is 10 ft long that makes it possible to move the MIG welder about without lots of effort.

The gun tips are made to be replaced with ease. Its versatility adds another feather to its cap; the handling remains consistent as you weld steel projects that range from 24 gauge to ¼”.

Also, you can use this tool to weld other materials including:

• Magnesium Alloys
• Copper
• Titanium
• Brass
• Iron
• Cast Iron
• Flux-Cored-Aluminum

The Hobart 500559 Handler’s gas regulator is well made and properly fit on the welder. Its overall build quality is solid starting from the outer shell to the MIG gun.

All necessary parts are made from high-quality metal. The operations manual is well detailed, and you will only need a few minutes to set everything up following the instructions given.

The only downside with this magnificent MIG welder is that you may have to use a wrench to adjust the spool wire. Other than that, this is a quality welder that will do the work correctly! Check it out here.

Best Budget: Super Deal PRO Commercial MIG 130 AC Flux Core Wire Automatic Feed Welder Welding Machine w/Free Mask 110V

If you’re in the market for an ample, budget-friendly MIG welder, look no further than the Super Deal Pro welder.

I was amazed that at its price (less than $100) it comes with all the necessary gear at no additional cost!

In the package, I received: Welding spool wire, Chipping Hammer, Welding Face Mask, Wire brush, 2 extra tips, a moderately but powerful 2.5M Torch, and a ground cord.

For slightly over one year, I’ve been using my unit for MIG and stick welding. I use the feed speed control that helps me achieve a smooth weld.

I use the 4 current flow buttons to switch from ½, Max, Min. The unit comes with a wire feeding speed adjust rotary knob as standard.

You can plug it in a current range of 50-120 amps. The interface is user-friendly and you set it up with ease.

The unit produces ample power to help you handle welding gigs professionally (even if you’re a beginner) with ease and confidence.

The unit is portable, practical and its small size means that you can store it without hassle. Its power, rigidity, and sturdiness mean that you can work on a big project without any fuss.

For some, however, they find that the wire feed is too fast at the lowest setting, so this is something to consider. Get one here.

Forney Easy Weld 299 125FC Flux Core Welder, 120-Volt, 125-Amp

The reason I have included this MIG welder in this list is that I was blown away by its features. The unit retails for less than $200 and comes with a plethora of features.

You need to plug in and start right away. The unit comes with a robust handle and a portable design.

You can move it about with ease from one place to the next. It comes with added storage for additional wire spool options either 2 or 10 pounds.

The affordable welder comes with 120V input and 125A output. It has a high-quality build made from durable plastic combined with a thin gauged metal.

The simple design means that the welder can be used with ease and the maintenance is on the low side.

After several months, it’s advisable to take out the side panels to blow out the accumulated dust and dirt.

The Forney easy MIG welder is perfect for small projects, whose metals are 24 gauge and ¼” thick.

To be on the safer side, you should purchase a wire spool to add on the demo wire if you plan on using your welder to the maximum. Check it out!

Lincoln Electric Powering 210Mp #K3963-1

The Lincoln Electric welder is the right tool for hobbyists.

If you are a seasonal welder or like working on metal projects over the weekends, then grab this  MIG that welds with flux-core, stick, TIG and MIG.

It’s a versatile welder that comes with the dual voltage of 120V and 230V.

With just 40lbs in weight, it’s easy to move the welder from one project site to another whether in the home or outside.

Also, if you are not skilled with setting up welders, you can use the color display user manual that simplifies everything, and you will set up and be ready to weld within minutes. I added TIG One-Pak for the torch and foot adapter while the Aluminum One-Pak gave me a spool gun that feeds the wire with ease.

These purchases were affordable too. I love this friendly MIG welder thanks to the sheet-metal construction that makes it seem durable.

Been using mine for five months now and it looks like it has a lot of years left. The welder is great for stainless steel and 5/16”mild welds.

Others have reported that some units may need to have the feed rollers replaced due to consistent wobbling. Make sure that you get a quality unit. Got mine here.

Goplus MIG 130 Welder Flux Core Wire Automatic Feed Welding Machine w/Free Mask

Of all MIG welders, I know this is the easiest to assemble. Moreover, the unit comes inclusive of all the accessories. I want to add that this particular unit works best on thin metal.

With an affordable price tag, the Goplus welder comes with a long 12” handle to tackle any welding project. It comes with four heating settings.

You can start from the lowest to the highest depending on the scale of the job. The welding unit works best on thin iron and steel making it ideal for general repair and DIY home projects.

The unit is lightweight, compact and comes with a comfortable carry handle for easy carrying and storing.

The unit comes with a wire feeding speed adjust knob, 10 wire feeding speed levels, and 4 current flow setting levels.

To prevent the welded part from being oxidized, the unit uses convenient flux-cored wire together with self-triggered metal-inert gas.

Newer welders may find it difficult to make a good bead at first, but with constant use, they will get the hang of it.

Also, another hurdle is that the unit is electric only. Other than that, my 18 months Goplus unit is yet to give me any issues! Check it out here.

That is it, my list of MIG welders that I have been using for a while and some new to me. I use each for a different task, and perhaps that’s why I highly recommend them.

But, before getting any, kindly refer to the buyer’s guide below for more information.

What Is MIG Welding?

Metal inert gas (MIG) is a welding process where an electric arc forms in between a workpiece metal that heats it and a consumable MIG wire electrode.

The electric arc melts both the wire electrode and the workpiece metal forcing them to join together.

A shielding gas feeding through the welding gun protects the welding process from contaminants lurking in the air.

What to consider when purchasing a MIG Welder

As you search to acquire a MIG welder, some of the things you should prioritize, include:

Metal Type and Thickness: how thick is the metal (s) you will be welding? Thin metals don’t need loads of power; however, thick ones will demand more control.

If your welder requires over 100V to run, it’s likely that is has a shorter duty cycle and may need its power supply.

A shorter duty cycle means that you will have to pause the welding gig (if it’s large) to allow the unit to cool. If you’re welding thick metal, you need to go for premium units that have a long duty cycle.

Consider getting a welding unit that is easy to customize wire feed speeds. A bonus tip; get a pulse MIG welder that minimizes the odds of burn through and various imperfections that are likely to arise.

Metals: MIG welder units are designed differently. There are some that weld materials ranging from light aluminum to hardened steel. There are some that work best of light metals and may struggle to join together solid metals.

AC powered: AC powered MIG units are much more affordable. However, they have limited flexibility.

DC powered: these MIG welder units are priced a bit higher but allow users to make custom cuts. The additional electrodes come in handy for a cutting variety.

Some machines offer both AC and DC functionalities; thus according you the best balance between affordability and functionality.

MIG Welder Power Considerations

Welding power devices supply the electricity required for welding needs. Welding power sources play a critical role.

Machines may require either constant voltage or constant current power supply. These considerations encompass; ease of use, efficiency, compatibility and power output.

Constant voltage: this voltage is used predominantly in Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) and Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW).

The arc length is controlled automatically. Inverters applying this voltage are smaller and more compact.

Variable voltage (CC): cc welding units have limited maximum short circuit current. They have a negative Volt-amp flow.

Voltage changes to adapt to different arc lengths. Welders using CC units rely on fixed amp number that will reach the metal regardless of the arc distance.

What is wire feed speed?

Wire feed speed in MIG welder units helps regulate the quick or slow intervals the wire feeds into a weld joint.

The speed is regulated in Inches Per Minute (IPM). In MIG welds, the wire feed speed controls the amperage.

Wire size and material thickness

MIG welding projects come together when one picks on the right wire electrode.

You need to choose between a flux core wire that comes with its shielding or a solid core wire that is well protected by a shielding gas. The wire’s width determines the weld strength and appearance.

MIG Welder Portability

Getting a portable welder will help you determine what is the best Mig welder for home use. A massive unit may be difficult to move from one corner of the garage or workshop.

A compact one offers versatility; you can store it, move it to your car for welds outside your home.

Budget

Depending on the size of the projects you will be attending, you will have to set a decent budget for a unit that caters to your needs.

If you will be tackling heavy metals, a premium welding unit is dire. For simpler welds, an affordable welder unit will work. You also need to consider purchasing protective gear.

My Take

I own almost all the MIG welders above. Over the years and months I’ve been using each, I have come to know which one works best where.

However, for an overall job, I love the LOTOS MIG welder. Its versatility on thin aluminum metals is excellent. Crack a bit more power, and the iron and steel solid welds are outstanding.

I love how the welds come out smooth and well beaded.

I hope my list helps you get the right unit for your projects if you have other options you might suggest, feel free to share with me.