Welding can be a great hobby. But if you are using a low-quality welding machine, the experience may say differently.
Fortunately, you can find great hobby welders that deliver uncompromising quality and results online at great price points.
Today, we will give you our top five picks for hobby welders based on these criteria: price, features, usability, performance, and weld quality.
Hobby Welder Comparison Table
| Welding Machine | VIVOHOME MIG Welder 130 | DEKOPRO 110/220V MMA Welder | Lincoln Electric K2278-1 Handy Core | Forney Easy Weld 261, 140 FC-i Welder | Hobart 500559 Handler 140 MIG Welder |
| Manufacturer | VIVOHOME | DEKOPRO | Lincoln Electric Inc. | Forney Industries Inc. | Hobart |
| Item Weight | 34.6 pounds | 12.1 pounds | 45 pounds | 19 pounds | 57 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 13.4 x 7.2 x 11.5 inches | 16 x 11.12 x 6.5 inches | 8.82 x 17.99 x 12.8 inches | 16.7 x 12 x 8.1 inches | 19 x 11 x 13 inches |
| Material | Stainless Steel | Steel Frame and Plastic Handle | Metal | Metal | Steel, Stainless Stee,l and Aluminum |
| Power Source | AC/DC | AC | DC | AC | Corded-Electric |
| Voltage | 230V | 110/220V | 115V | 120V | 115V |
| Amperage | 40A | 10-160A | 35-88A | 140A | 25-140A |
| Duty Cycle | 15% | 40%/60% | 20% | 30% | 20% |
| Welding Process | MIG | MMA | MIG | Gasless/flux-core welding | MIG/Flux-core welding |
| Batteries Required | No | No | No | No | No |
| Batteries Included | No | No | No | No | No |
Things to Consider Before Buying a Hobby Welder
Welding Process You Will Use
If welding is only your hobby, that does not mean you should pick just any welder regardless of the process.
Do you think you are good with MIG, TIG, or both? There are many choices, but it always pays to choose a welding machine that matches your welding preference.
Input Voltage
Look at how much voltage a welder requires to learn if a domestic socket will supply the power requirement of the welding machine or if a special socket is necessary. A welder that operates at 110V to 150V can function with only a household power outlet. Higher input voltage requirements call for a 220V power outlet to weld.
Amperage
Depending on the thickness of the materials, your welder should be capable of releasing enough amperage to melt the workpiece.
The welding machine manufacturers include a chart that shows the amperage required to achieve smooth weld of materials based on thickness.
Duty Cycle
The duty cycle is the allowable welding time of a welder within ten minutes and is shown in percentage. For example, a 20% duty cycle means you can weld for 2 minutes straight, with a cooldown of 8 minutes.
Learning about this factor must be on top of your checklist when shopping for a welder. It will let you know if the welding machine is suitable for short or long bead formation without overheating and damaging your welder.
Weight and Portability
You will never know where your welding hobby will take you, so always consider how heavy the welding machine you are eyeing is. A perfect hobby welder should allow you to fabricate wherever you choose, regardless of your location.
Best Hobby Welders
VIVOHOME MIG Welder 130
Features
· 4X current settings for easy welding speed adjustment
· Lightweight design with snug and handgrip
· Weld oxidation resistance technology
· Two air vents for superior overheat prevention
· Built-in storage space
Got home repair and hobby projects? The VIVOHOME MIG Welder 130 is a great choice for such fabrication projects. It is a light-duty welder for beginners and delivers stable welds that even professionals can use.
This welder will protect the weld from oxidation thanks to the superior flux-cored wire or the self-release metal inert gas. An overheating protection system prevents heat overproduction. So you can weld 30-40 minutes per session without compromise. But you still have to pay attention to the duty cycle and go slow with your welds.
Pro
· Appropriate for gentle metal and stainless-steel
· Provides clean finish welds on any thin steel
· It comes with a ground clamp, welding helmet, wire brush, and torch
· A wide range of applicability, including automobile and fixed frames
Con
· Some units have no manual guide
· It can be difficult to control due to the hand-held welding helmet provided
· It makes a lot of spatter
· The ground clamp may be lacking to some
DEKOPRO 110/220V MMA Welder
Features
· Easy-carry handle and compact design
· IGBT energy system with distinctive management mode
· Closed-loop feedback control
· Welding frequency control
DEKOPRO MMA Welder is an amazing welding machine that lets you precisely weld steel, mild steel, aluminum, and several other metal materials. It is the perfect piece of equipment that will allow you to easily accomplish DIY projects such as coffee tables and more on 110v alone.
It delivers an even flow of rod and strong welds. It lays beads the same as a $3K machine would, with the addition of minimal cuts off and no overheat. If you are looking for an affordable, lightweight welder that will do your basic stick welding, this welder should go on your list.
Pro
· Reliable control mode for welding
· Easy to carry around different locations
· Suitable for mild, weld, and stainless steel, as well as cast iron
· Stable output voltage
· Highly efficient with little spatter
Con
· Less durable compared to high-end machines
· Can result in bad welds when used at 120 volts on a 50 foot 16 gauge extension cord
Lincoln Electric K2278-1 Handy Core
Feature
· Easy-carry handle and compact design
· IGBT energy system with distinctive management mode
· Closed-loop feedback control
· Welding frequency control
The Lincoln Handy Core wire feeder welder is another machine perfect for home repair or hobby projects with 18 gauge to 1/8″ mild steel. And even with just a standard household plug, you can already work on minor hobby projects.
Pro
· Affordable price range
· It comes with a welding gun and cable assembly
· Beginner-friendly, with easy setup
Con
· Quite heavy for its size
· Limited welding capability only up to 1/8” mild steel
· Only a 35-88 amperage range
Forney Easy Weld 261, 140 FC-i Welder
Feature
· Wire feed speed regulator
· Infinite voltage and wire feed speed control
· 140 amperage output
Are you thinking of replacing your old hobby welder? The Forney Easy Weld 261 is one of the best options you can find out there. It provides smooth wire feeding functionality and an easy-to-control arc that can weld mild steel up to 1/4″ thick.
It is portable enough at only 19 pounds, so you can weld in different locations, with the added benefit of easy setup. You can go from the box to your first bead in about 5 minutes with only a standard 110V outlet.
Pro
· Infinite voltage and wire feed speed control
· Light at only 19 pounds
· Perfect for beginners
· Can function with only a standard outlet
· Energy-efficient with tiny footprint
Con
· 1-year limited warranty
Hobart 500559 Handler 140 MIG Welder
Feature
· Wire feed speed regulator
· Infinite voltage and wire feed speed control
· 140 amperage output
· 40-700 IPM Wire Feed Speed Range
Are you that one hobbyist who takes welding seriously? If you are, then the Hobart Handler 140 MIG welder will not disappoint.
This high-quality equipment allows you to have complete control of your welding tasks regardless of the thickness of your material, thanks to its 5-position voltage selector. And it works perfectly for light-duty applications without issues with duty cycle or popping breakers.
This Hobart welder is solid, made of thicker steel that guarantees the value for your money.
Pro
· Multi-process welding equipment
· Operates at 115V standard household current
· Suitable for auto body, household repairs, farm projects, or yard art projects
· Provides solid penetration
Con
· Wire spool adjustment requires a wrench.
Conclusion
Welding as a hobby does not require you to purchase thousand-dollar welders. But you should not settle for the low-quality ones either.
Luckily for you, the best hobby welders in this blog are reasonably priced, packed with features and functions you need and are easy to install and control.
We hope that our recommendations bring you a step closer to achieving better welds and high-quality home projects.
Hobby Welding FAQs
📌 Which between TIG and MIG will be best for my welding hobby?
It will depend on the primary materials that will dominate your welding projects.
TIG welders are best used to precisely weld small metal pieces without compromising the quality. MIG welders, on the other hand, are suitable for thick metal sheets.
📌 Can regular outlets power my hobby welder?
Yes, home outlets can sustain the power requirement of a hobby welder, provided it only requires 110V to 150V input voltage. But higher input voltage requirement calls for a socket that can withstand high power consumption.
