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Homeowners are constantly searching for the best welder for home use. This is predominantly because there are always some tasks that should be completed around the house. And people want to take care of them by themselves.
Yet often they are on a budget and want to get a welder that offers high-quality features and is affordable. Luckily, there are multiple types of these machines on the market in different price ranges. The key is to determine where your priorities lie and to learn which details to pay attention to the most before making the final choice.
In this guide, we’ll show you this and more. So, follow suit!
Reviews Of The Best Welder For Home Use This Year
1. Hobart 500559 Handler 140 MIG Welder 115V
This is a welder that can be plugged in a standard socket at a current produced inside homes. Therefore, it can be utilized by enthusiasts and hobbyists that don’t weld full time. Although it isn’t one of the cheapest models on the market, it incorporates some premium features that come in handy in various situations.
Moreover, it’s adjustable, letting the owner choose from five levels of the selector of voltage as well as control the thickness. In fact, it’s able to weld a maximum of ¼ inches of mild steel. However, it should be noted that this tends to be a heavier welder than some of the others. While it’s still relatively portable around the house, users consider this as its biggest downside.
Here are more specifications:
- Power range: 25 – 140 amps
- Duty cycle: 20%
- Operating voltage: 115 volts
- Weight: 57 pounds
- Size: 19 x 11 x 13 inches
- Can be easily adjusted
- Long warranty of five years
- Operates on standard current
- Can weld various types of steel and metal
- Heavy and not very easy to move around
2. Forney Easy Weld 261, 140 FC-i MIG Welder, 120V, Green
This MIG welder has a noticeable green color that attracts users from the moment they see it. Luckily, it has many options and features to offer on the inside, as well. For starters, it’s simple to utilize for welding at home. This is because it provides endless control of the speed of the wire and the voltage. Thus users can adjust it to fit their needs.
Also, it’s very lightweight and can be transported from one room to the other quickly. At the same time, its design is rugged and durable. The fact that it’s made with a metal case justifies this. Not to mention that it utilizes standard current and can be plugged into a regular outlet.
Despite this, a possible downside people discuss is the small warranty of only one year that the brand offers. Overall, though, this is a worthy model to at least check out.
More specifications are as follows:
- Weight: 19 pounds
- Maximum thickness: ¼ inches of mild steel
- Power input: 120 volts
- Power output: 140 amps
- Duty cycle: 30%
- Lightweight and portable
- Affordable
- Can weld steel with a fair thickness
- Small and compact
- Needs standard current to operate
- Short warranty period
3. Amico ARC-160D, 160 Amp Stick ARC IGBT Inverter DC Welder
Although this is a powerful model, it manages to be portable and compact. This is exactly why it’s suitable for home use. Another big reason is its affordability. Since more people can afford it, homeowners are inclined to buy it and save more money.
Still, this is a helpful machine that can weld a nice thickness of metal. Also, it needs a regular power outlet to operate. Not to mention that it enables users to control the intensity of the current and access other settings easily. They can also be adjusted to meet all needs. This comes in handy especially for do-it-yourself owners.
However, you should be aware of some downsides reported by other users. One of the main ones is connected to the issues people apparently had with the accuracy of the amperage display.
More specifications are:
- Weight: 14 pounds
- Current range: 5 – 160 amps
- Duty cycle: 80%
- Power input: 230 volts
- Dimensions: 14.1 x 6.2 x 11.3 inches
- Control of current intensity and adjustable settings
- Affordable
- Lightweight and portable
- Operates in a regular outlet
- Can cut through mild steel with a maximum thickness of 1/4 inches in a single pass
- Amperage display isn’t always accurate
4. AHP AlphaTIG 200X 200 Amp IGBT AC DC TIG/Stick Welder
Before everything else, it should be mentioned that this welder is able to perform multiple functions. Therefore, people aren’t required to buy two or more machines if they need to complete different projects around the house. It does this thanks to the TIG and stick welding capabilities.
What’s more, it’s flexible and can operate on standard power input. In terms of the supported thickness, though, the machine treats steel and aluminum differently. This means that it can go through materials with varying thickness. All of the features are backed by the manufacturer’s extensive warranty. So, this is a confirmation of the welder’s quality to many people.
However, it should be acknowledged that it weighs more than some other similar models. Due to the increased weight, users reported troubles with moving it around their home frequently.
Here are more specifications:
- Supported thickness: ¼ inches for aluminum and 3/8 inches for mild steel
- Weight: 69 pounds
- Warranty: 3 years
- Operating power: 110 and 220 volts
- Color: yellow
- Long warranty
- Can serve for TIG and stick welding
- Can weld various materials with different thickness
- Durable
- Heavy
- High price for some users
5. Reboot Arc Welding Machine Stick Welder
As a brand Reboot is known for its lightweight and portable models. This one is no exception. In fact, it’s among the lightest welders on the list. That’s why it comes in handy for home utilization.
Another reason in favor of this is that it has a built-in converter that enables the machine to operate both on 110 and 220 volts. Due to this, it can be connected to various outlets. Of course, there are some downsides like reported malfunctions of the converter. Yet the low price justifies this.
More specifications are the following:
- Duty cycle: 60%
- Weight: 13 pounds
- Material: stainless steel
- Power output: 40 amps at 110 volts and 26.4 amps at 220 volts
- Warranty: 1 year
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Affordable
- Versatile
- Issues with the converter
- The construction appears cheap
6. Goplus MIG 130 Welder Flux Core Wire Automatic Feed Welding Machine
This is another welder made specifically for beginners that need a machine like this for smaller tasks around their home. Firstly, it has a low price that makes it clear that it has some issues.
Still, it’s worth checking it out because of some of the useful details it incorporates. They have to do with the fact that it arrives as a set of a wire, mask, and brush. Also, users have the option to pick between ten speed levels. It’s easy to move around, as well. This is thanks to the relatively low weight.
However, some other users state that they had trouble with MIG welding as the machine was rather for flux core welding. Not to mention that the speed of the wire tends to be inconsistent. Many beginners find this complicated.
For more detailed specifications, take a look at these:
- Weight: 35 pounds
- Dimensions: 13.4 x 7.3 x 11.4 inches
- Color: black with orange-colored parts
- Warranty: 3 months
- Affordable
- Compact and small
- Adjustable speed levels
- Doesn’t really work for MIG welding
- Inconsistent wire speed
7. Hobart 500570 Stickmate 160i
Hobart is one of the leading brands on the welders’ market. With this model, it blended quality and portability, making it the right choice for homeowners. It’s true that the price may be high for some buyers. But taking into consideration the features it possesses, it’s worth it.
More precisely, it can go through mild steel without any problems. Its hot and quick start contributes to this and shortens the time needed to complete the tasks. What is useful in the house is that it incorporates settings for adjusting the current and operates on different power inputs.
Despite this though, people report some downsides. One of them is the fact that it’s made in China.
More specifications for your consideration:
- Input power: 120 or 240 volts
- Power output: 160 amps
- Welding thickness of mild steel: 5/32 inches
- Weight: less than 20 pounds
- Power cord: 2 meters
- Duty cycle: 30%
- Warranty: 3 years
- Portable and lightweight
- Adjustable settings
- Can weld a nice thickness
- Long warranty
- High price for some people
- Made in China
8. PRIMEWELD TIG225X 225 Amp IGBT AC DC TIG/Stick Welder
What makes this welder popular for home use is that it provides many high-quality features for the price. For starters, it’s an AC/DC, TIG, and stick welder all in one. That way, homeowners are able to perform multiple tasks with the same machine.
Then, it incorporates an IGBT power inverter accompanied by a regulator for gas. Also, it supports continuous welding depending on the steel plate. Yet it should be known that users apparently had trouble with the manual not being accurate and the machine sometimes arriving without some parts and accessories.
These are more specifications and details:
- Power input: 120 or 240 volts
- Warranty: 3 years
- Duty cycle: 100%
- Welding thickness: ¼ inches aluminum and 3/8 inches mild steel
- Weight: 90 pounds
- Wide range of power output
- Suitable for multiple tasks
- Starts with high arc frequency
- Long warranty
- Large duty cycle
- Difficulties with the manual
- Sometimes arrives with missing parts
9. 2020 Weldpro 200 Amp Inverter Multi Process Welder with Dual Voltage
As a compact model, this one incorporates many features without lifting the weight and the price too much. Unlike some of the other welders, it has a digital display for setting and reading the amperage. Also, people can control the wire speed through it.
Those that are starting with MIG or TIG welding will find great pleasure in it. Since it’s a multi-process welder, owners can perform various tasks. They can weld aluminum with the spool gun or go for MIG welding and use inert gas. It’s successful in both ways.
Not to mention that the inverter technology that it possesses is responsible for spares the users from the need to change sources of power. However, as a possible downside to have in mind is that in some instances the product arrived with broken vents or similar parts.
More specifications are:
- Dual voltage: 110 / 220 volts
- Duty cycle: 30%
- Welding ranges: MIG – 40 to 200 amps, TIG – 15 to 200 amps, MMA – 40 to 200 amps
- Color: black and yellow
- Weight: 30 pounds
- Lightweight and compact
- Supports dual voltage
- Has inverter technology
- Performs MIG, TIG and arc stick welding
- Has a digital display for controlling the settings
- May arrive with broken parts
- High price for some
10. ZENY Arc Welding Machine DC Inverter Dual Voltage
Among the first things that are noticeable about this welder is the design. It’s both portable and made to be functional. What we mean by this is that the inverter technology helps it switch from AC to DC and afterward produce the needed current and power voltage.
In terms of the welding thickness and materials, the machine is known to be able to go through a variety of them. Moreover, you can weld aluminum, mild steel, stainless steel, and similar materials.
But some issues to consider are connected to the electrode holder not being of such high quality. Due to this, some users were required to purchase another one additionally.
Here are more specifications:
- Duty cycle: 60%
- Power input: 115 volts / 230 volts
- Weight: 18 pounds
- Power output range: 5 – 160 amps
- Welding thickness: 1 – 15 millimeters
- Dimensions: 18 x 10 x 14 inches
- Portable design
- Dual voltage is supported
- Adjustable current
- Protection against overheating
- Affordable
- Low-quality electrode holder
Buying Guide: Things To Consider Before Buying The Best Welder For Home Use
Power
Welders are suitable for a variety of power supply options and amperage options. And the ones outlined in the features of the machine may not suit the ones you have at home. That’s why this is something that you have to check before you purchase a welder for home use. To illustrate, most homes have breakers of fifteen amps or twenty amps. However, some welders require circuits of fifty or sixty amps. So, what do you do? Understanding the power supply will save you plenty of anxiety, confusion, and misery.
Duty Cycle
This is a feature that’s very specific to welders and the welding industry. So, you need to familiarize yourself with it when you’re shopping for welders. Without further ado, it refers to how much your welder can work non-stop, uninterrupted, without having to shut down to cool itself. The cycle is usually measured in percentage. Naturally, the longer the welder can keep up the work without having to cool down, the better it is for you.
Weight And Size
While portability isn’t a priority as you’ll use the welder just at home, still the size and the weight of the model matter.
If you want a welder that’s capable of various welding types and processes and has lots of features, you can expect a bigger and bulkier model to encompass all of that. This also means that it’s going to be a bit heavier; according to some, the numbers can range from ninety pounds and higher.
With that being said, you’ll need plenty of space to accommodate the machine. Additionally, if you plan to get yourself some accessories and such, be prepared that the entire welding nook will take extra space. Some individuals get welding carts so that they can put everything in it.
Welding Task
The welding task you need to perform with the welder can be different from one individual to the next. And each task requires special specifications and features so that it’s carried out successfully. Welding aluminum and repairing a piece of furniture isn’t the same, right? All of this later on influences what type of welder you can browse as well as the pricing range, and more.
For welding heavier metals as well as building furniture from scratch, for example, you may need higher amperage settings of around ninety amps or more. Stick or flux welding may prove to be the most adequate processes. That’s not the same with simple repairs and maintenance. Welding thin metals may be easily done with TIG as well as MIG welding.
Price
Besides the needs, the price tag of the welder is one of the vital factors you should consider before making the final decision or even going shopping for a welder for that matter. Unsurprisingly, welders, which are more powerful and have plenty of awesome features in them, will extort a bit more cash from your pocket than other models.
But not everything lies in the expensive welders for home use. In fact, users can enjoy welding with a cheaper machine as long as it’s durable and has a great performance. Remember that the price isn’t always a guarantee for quality. And quality always comes first, including when you’re shopping for your next welder.
Make sure you see if you get a gas regulator, clamps, and such with the price that’s listed on the model or you have to buy these separately. If they aren’t included, the cost of your new welder may be higher than you might have originally expected. Usually, some experts tend to say that flux core welders, as well as stick welders, can be used immediately after you purchase them without having to buy anything extra unlike other types of welders.
Voltage And Amperage
Like with similar machines, the voltage and amperage features are quite important in welders. First, let’s explain the role that volts play in the welder’s performance. Voltage is defined as an electrical pressure and it doesn’t take care of the depth of the weld, but of the outer looks of it. Slimmer welds are achieved with lower voltage settings. On the other hand, higher voltage gives wider, more good-looking, and refined edges to the weld.
Now let’s move onto the amperage features. While the voltage took care of the quality and the looks of welds, the level of amps affects the welds’ depth. Having said that, the amperage levels refer to how strong the current is or how deep the welder can penetrate the metal. Subsequently, a lower amperage will most likely make a shallow weld and use less material while doing so. The situation is naturally different when it comes to higher amperage levels. They fill the weld with more material and make deeper welds.
Safety Measures
It goes without saying that you shouldn’t go blindly into welding and performing difficult and complex welding tasks. Of course, you should know how to do all of that. And this entails knowing how to protect yourself. First, you should buy yourself some safety equipment. This may include welding boots, an apron, gloves, a mask, and similar.
What’s more, you should think of having a proper ventilation system in the shop or room where you’ll be welding. This doesn’t have to be something overly complicated or expensive. A simple fan or more like a ceiling one can sometimes prove to be highly effective.
Final Words
Now, after going through all details in the buying guide and the reviews of the top models, we want to hear what you have to say about this matter. Do you own some of the best welder for home use? Or do you look for one to purchase for your home? In any case, we want to see which one is your favorite and why. So, share your opinions and experiences with us here in the comments.
Contents
- 1 Reviews Of The Best Welder For Home Use This Year
- 1.1 1. Hobart 500559 Handler 140 MIG Welder 115V
- 1.2 2. Forney Easy Weld 261, 140 FC-i MIG Welder, 120V, Green
- 1.3 3. Amico ARC-160D, 160 Amp Stick ARC IGBT Inverter DC Welder
- 1.4 4. AHP AlphaTIG 200X 200 Amp IGBT AC DC TIG/Stick Welder
- 1.5 5. Reboot Arc Welding Machine Stick Welder
- 1.6 6. Goplus MIG 130 Welder Flux Core Wire Automatic Feed Welding Machine
- 1.7 7. Hobart 500570 Stickmate 160i
- 1.8 8. PRIMEWELD TIG225X 225 Amp IGBT AC DC TIG/Stick Welder
- 1.9 9. 2020 Weldpro 200 Amp Inverter Multi Process Welder with Dual Voltage
- 1.10 10. ZENY Arc Welding Machine DC Inverter Dual Voltage
- 2 Buying Guide: Things To Consider Before Buying The Best Welder For Home Use
- 3 Final Words
