For DIY enthusiasts and professionals alike, having a welder in your shop or garage is a given. This tool is an indispensable part of anyone who loves to tinker around because a lot of work can be accomplished with it.
We won’t be talking about all welders though, but rather a particular type of welder, the single-phase MIG welder to be exact. Here we will be getting into some details as to why this particular kind of welder is a popular choice among hobbyists, DIYers, and pros alike.
What is the difference between a single-phase MIG welder and other multi-phase MIG welders?
A single-phase welder has a major advantage over a multi-phase one, and that is sheer simplicity and ease of use. The only way a three-phase machine will give you an advantage is if you are building industrial projects.
As such, single-phase welders are right at home in any garage or home workshop and will work without any modifications to your residential wiring. Single-phase welders are portable and simple to wire plug and play devices. Multi-phased welders are rarely seen outside of huge factories, such as aircraft or automobile factories as they are built for heavier duty loads.
These welding machines are quite popular, and numerous brands are flooding the market, each claiming to be the best. We all know it’s not really in anyone’s best interests to just take the word of a salesman right? Well, you do not have to, as we have prepared a list of five of the best single-phase MIG welders you can find today. Let’s dive right in starting with the comparison chart below.
Best single-phase MIG welder comparison chart
| Brand | Model | Welding Process Type | Output Amperage | DUTY CYCLE | Input Voltage | Weight | Dimensions |
| Hobart | Handler 140 MIG Wire Welder | MIG wire welder | 25A-140A | 20%@ 90A | 110/115/120 V | 57 lbs | 19 x 11 x 13 inches |
| Lincoln Electric | Handy Core MIG Welder k2278 | MIG wire welder | 35A-88A | 20% @70A | 110/115V | 45 lbs | 8.82 x 17.99 x 12.8 inches |
| Vivohome | MIG 130 | MIG | 50A-120A | 15%@ 105A | 110V | 34.6 lbs | 13.4 x 7.2 x 11.5 inches |
| Forney | Easy Weld 261 | MIG | 140A Max | 30%@90A | 120V | 19 Lbs | 16.7 x 12 x 8.1 inches |
| Etosha | MIG 160 | MIG | 50A-160A | 15%@160A | 110V | 18.76 lbs | 18 x 11.75 x 11.75 inches |
These five machines all have the necessary features that anyone starting with welding will need. It is no coincidence that we put the Hobart Handler 140 at the top of the chart as our top pick on the list. This welder is among the most popular, starting with its solid build, reassuring weight, to its smooth running arc that produces clean results.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Single-Phase MIG Welder
There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a MIG welder but for single-phase machines, we covered the absolute basics of the things you need to check before any purchase.
Input Power Voltage
When choosing a single-phase welder, there are only two choices available in terms of power input. If you are concerned or do not want any modification to your standard power outlets at home, get a welder that can be powered at 110V.
If you want more juice for your projects, you may want to look for one that can accept a 220V source, but this might require some modifications to your power source. With anything over 110V, one will probably be going to need a professional electrician to wire up your sources if you go this route.
The metal thickness
Knowing beforehand the metals that will be involved in your project will pretty much dictate what kind of welder you will need.
This will narrow down your choices considerably, so choose a machine that has the correct output and amperage for the metal thickness you will be working on.
Choose a machine that has a wider range of incremental output from its minimum to maximum amperage.
Size and Portability
Look out for the size, noting the dimensions and weight of the product, this is extremely important especially if you have limited space or work area around the shop.
If you also plan on doing work in and around the house, a portable and lightweight machine is always an advantage. Look for welders that are between 20-50 lbs in terms of weight as this would be perfect for lugging them along for a job.
Duty Cycle
This refers to the amount of time you can continuously weld before the machine overheats. When it comes to the duty cycle, the higher it is the longer you can work on a weld before any pause.
With this in mind, also take into account if the machine has a decent cooling system. Check reviews and pay specific attention to how the machine’s cooling system performs.
Thermal overload protection
While common sense dictates that every MIG welder should have this, not all have. The thermal protection will shut down power once a certain heat threshold is reached, saving the machine from overheating.
The welder will restart itself when it cools down without suffering any damage. This goes a long way in contributing to the longevity of the single-phase MIG welder, so look for this feature when applicable in your purchase.
Best Single-Phase MIG Welders
Hobart Handler 140
Stand out features:
- Excellent aluminum wire drive system provides a durable wire feed performance
- Fine-tuning your arc is a breeze with its five-position voltage control
- Quick set up drive roll with its three presets for solid and flux-cored wire
- Equipped with a self-resetting thermal overload protection
- The Control panel is tilted at an angle for visibility and easy access
The Hobart Handler 140’s main selling point is its ease of use, with a durable wire feeder with presets that is great for just about anything. From automotive jobs, home repair, and projects around the farm.
Its impressive 140A power output packs just enough punch for multiple jobs, coupled with a 20% duty cycle @ 90A it is ideal for light to medium scale welding projects. The included setup guide allows you to set it up in mere minutes, even for first-timers.
Go through your projects with peace of mind as the Handler 140 is equipped with thermal overload protection and a spool contractor that keeps the wire electrically cold until triggered. No wonder this welder is popular for beginners and pros alike!
Pros:
- Relatively lightweight @ 57 lbs makes it easier to move and store
- Very easy to use, suitable for newbies
- Comprehensive owners manual
- Precise arc performance with the included 10-feet MIG gun
- The quick select drive roll system lets you easily change wires
Cons:
- Requires an extra gas cylinder for MIG welding
- A cart may be needed to move it around the shop due to attachments
Lincoln Electric Handy Core
Stand out features:
- Welding gun and cable assembly
- Intuitive and easy to use control panel
- Equipped with a contractor that keeps the wire cold until trigger press
- Auto configure wire speed according to wire diameter
- Easily handle ⅛ gauge steel with one pass
While the Handy Core is a light-duty welder with an amperage of 35-88A, it packs more than enough power for automotive repairs as well as repairs around the house. This welder offers an amazing value for money for welding anywhere from 18 gauge up to ⅛ steel.
The Lincoln Electric Handy Core is equipped with a contractor safety feature that keeps the wire electronically cold until the trigger is pressed for that added peace of mind while welding. Its 20% duty cycle allows for continuous welds longer, keeping the joints clean looking and strong at the same time.
Best of all, it comes ready to weld out of the box with complete accessories. The gun and cable assembly, work clamp, and power cable all come pre-assembled from the factory. A spool of flux-cored wire, chipping hammer, and brush complete the package.
Pros:
- At 45 lbs, it can easily be carried for jobs around the house or shop
- A breeze to set up, ready to weld out of the box with complete accessories
- Great price-to-performance ratio
- Very clean welds on thin gauge metals
- Plugs into a household 115V 20A power outlet
Cons:
- Can be a bit finicky with power sources
- Light duty jobs only, may struggle with medium work
VIVOHOME MIG 130
Stand out features:
- Durable powder coated chassis made of stainless steel
- 10 levels of adjustable welding speed
- Easy to use and accessible knobs and controls
- Flux-core welder instantly produces oxidation-free welds
- Has storage space for small items such as screws, nails, and other small items
The VIVOHOME MIG 130 is as basic as you can get for a welder, and it shows in its pricing. Coming in at just under $150 you will be hard-pressed to find anything at this price range with the same feature set.
Its price however belies its quality that is apparent as soon as you open the box. It is not too light, nor too heavy but has a reassuring and solid weight to it. The package has everything that you need right out of the box, including a high-quality welding mask to get you started right away.
This welder uses flux-cored wire for clean, oxidation-free welds, and its adjustable welding speed makes it easy to do light-duty repairs around your house and garage. On top of that, the MIG 130 is also equipped with thermal overload protection, something that is rare at this price point.
Pros:
- Lightweight and compact design, ideal for lugging around at just 34.6 lbs
- Competitively priced
- The inclusion of a welding helmet
- Has overheating protection
- 110V easily plugs into residential wiring
Cons:
- The wire feed needs some tweaking to work properly
- The included welding mask cracks easily
Forney Easy Weld 261
Stand out features:
- Gasless/flux-core welding prevents oxidation
- Infinite controls for wire speed and voltage setting
- Can weld up to ¼ inch thick metal in one pass
- 30%@90A gives you 3 minutes of welding time before having to cool down
- LED light indicators for overheating protection
The Forney Easy Weld certainly lives up to its name due to how fast it is to set up and use right out of the packaging. The package includes an 8” ground clamp and an 8” MIG gun with a torch wrap, ensuring efficiency.
The welder has a rugged all-metal case that is powder coated and is resistant to rough handling. One side opens up to house 10 lbs of wire. In addition, it is among the lightest welders available weighing in at just 19 lbs.
The Easy weld is ideal for the amateur welder and will do most repair work around the garage, house, and farm with ease. This machine can also tackle metal fabrication and automotive work.
Pros:
- At just 19lbs, this is an extremely portable machine
- Includes a 1-year product warranty
- Truly comprehensive instruction manual
- Integrated cable wrap for safety and efficiency
- Can weld ¼ steel in one pass
Cons:
- The ground clamp could use an improvement
- Low-quality wire included
ETOSHA MIG 140
Stand out features:
- Multi-process welding maximizes value
- Equipped with overheating protection for your peace of mind
- Easy start 140A power output
- Lightweight and compact inverter welder
- The durable construction of metal and heavy-duty ABS plastic
The ETOSHA MIG 140 maxes out at 140A for power output and coupled with a 15% duty cycle, is more than enough for professional welders, hobbyists, and beginners.
Its flux-core welder is completely gasless and does its job of protecting the welds from oxidation. Aside from the overheating protection feature, the welder also has an IP21 water resistance rating, making it immune to water splashes.
Its inverter-based power supply allowed this machine to have a small footprint and it only weighs 18 lbs, perfect for work in and around the house. The wire feeder, along with its steel and plastic chassis, is solidly built and will provide years of service.
Pros:
- ETOSHA includes a 1-year warranty on this welder
- Can weld different gauge metals
- Includes an efficient cooling system
- Easy to set up and use
- Overloading and overheating protection
Cons:
- The user manual is confusing
- Lower duty cycle than similarly priced welders
Conclusion
At the end of the day, the requirements of the projects one will undertake will dictate which welder is the right one. We hope that the simple but comprehensive guide we have prepared, as well as the list of top-notch welders, will help you choose. The list has something for everyone, from just over $100 to under $1000. A MIG welder has many uses, and adding one to your arsenal of tools is a definite win in any case.
FAQs
📌 What is the difference between a single-phase and a 3-phase welder?
3-phase power welders are more efficient than single-phase ones but you will rarely find them outside of large factories like aircraft factories or shipyards.
The contributor to the efficiency of multi-phase welders is the consistency of the power delivery. Multi-phase power sources are not prone to dips and peaks that plague single-phase systems. Furthermore, multi-phased power sources can deliver up to three times that of a single-phase source.
📌 What is the metal thickness that a MIG welder can handle?
If talking about a single pass, a MIG welder can weld up to a metal thickness of ⅜ inches but is also dependent on the type of metal and the skill of the welder.
For skilled welders, this is not a problem as they can achieve strong welds to thicker metals by doing multiple passes.
📌 Is a MIG welder good for beginners?
MIG welders are preferred for beginner welders as it is the easiest to master. MIG welding machines are also among the most portable and can easily be set up in a residential power source. This makes them perfect for those that have small shops or garage setups and are trying to start a career in welding.
