Almost innumerable MIG welders with different price points fill the market today. And if you are on a tight budget, looking for one that can fulfill your requirements can be grueling.
But do not despair because, today, we will introduce you to the five most affordable gas MIG welders you can choose to avoid digging deep into your pocket.
Cheapest Gas MIG Welder Comparison Table
| Welder | TOOLIOM 200A MIG Welding Machine | Hobart Handler 140 MIG Welder | HITBOX 220V Welding Machine | Reboot MIG160 Gas/Gasless Welder | SUNGOLDPOWER MIG Welder 140A |
| Manufacturer | TOOLIOM | Hobart | Shenzen Unitweld Welding and Motor | Reboot-US | SUNGOLDPOWER |
| Item Weight | 31.9 pounds | 57 pounds | 19.4 pounds | 30.9 pounds | 29.2 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 20.5 x 15.6 x 12.6 inches | 19 x 11 x 13 inches | 18.62 x 18.31 x 11.61 inches | 21 x 13.6 x 12.4 inches | 20 x 15 x 11.9 inches |
| Material | Metal and Plastic | Steel, Stainless Steel and Aluminum | Iron aluminum copper ABS | Metal | Iron |
| Power Source | Household current | Corded-electric | Corded | AC | AC |
| Voltage | 110(120)V / 220(230)V | 110/115/120 V | 220 V | 240 V | 110V/220V |
| Amperage | 115-200A | 25-140 A | 230A | 160A | 140A |
| Duty Cycle | 60% at 200 amps & 100% at 115 amps | 20% at 90 amps | 100% | 40% at 160A and 100% at 120A | 60% |
| Batteries Required | No | No | No | No | No |
| Batteries Included | No | No | No | No | No |
Things to Consider Before Buying a Low Budget Gas MIG Welder
Your Needs and Budget
As with most undertakings, you always have to identify the objectives and goals you want to accomplish when welding. What types of metals are you going to weld, and in what position? The answers to these questions will serve as your requirement in creating a budget.
With the questions answered, set a budget and stick to it. Prepare enough money that will allow you to buy a good MIG gas welder that meets all your requirements without breaking the bank.
Amperage
A factor that determines the performance of a welder, no matter how affordable, is the power requirement. Get one that does not provide enough power, and you end up losing valuable time and materials.
Find a cost-effective gas MIG welder that can supply enough amperage that will enable more smooth-sailing welding.
Duty Cycle
The duty cycle, or the time within 10 minutes, is the period your welder needs before reaching peak performance. And it is dependent on your welding goal.
If you plan on welding for a long time per cycle, choose a welder with at least a 50% duty cycle, which will allow you to continuously weld for 5 minutes before it overheats and cools off for 5 minutes.
But keep in mind that the duty cycle is relative to the amperage used. The higher the amperage, the shorter the duty cycle. And vice versa.
Voltage
Voltage refers to the power a welding machine draws from an outlet. That is why a higher voltage requirement needs a specialized outlet.
Generally, a welder with a voltage requirement of below 150 can function using the usual domestic sockets. But beyond that, you will need a socket that can handle the higher power consumption to avoid overload and accidents from happening.
Weight
You also have to consider the weight of the gas MIG welder to purchase. You might want to move to a different location, so the welder has to be portable enough to be carried off without a carrier or straining yourself too much.
Cheapest Gas MIG Welders
TOOLIOM 200A MIG Welding Machine
Feature:
· Automated synergic current and voltage control
· Dual voltage input of 110 (120) / 220 volts automatic fitting
· Large enough and weighs 31.9 pounds, suitable with 2 and 10 pounds rolls of wire.
The TOOLIOM 200A MIG welding machine is a dependable welder for its price range.
For under $300, you can’t go wrong with the TOOLIOM 200A MIG welding machine. The TOOLIOM welder is a machine you can use for gas MIG welding, MMA, lift TIG, and flux MIG.
It is a decent choice if you need a cheap welding machine for your home repair work. It can produce similar results that you only achieve while using pricier equipment. Plus, it can easily weld up to 1/4″ welding material in a single pass.
Pros
· Budget-friendly
· Multivoltage (110 (120) / 220)
· Provides good stable arc
· Decent MIG gun
Cons
· Tricky setup for beginners
· A bit heavy
· No regulator
· Ground clamp is cheap
· The cable is adequate, and you may need to spend $10 on a better one.
Hobart Handler 140 MIG Welder
Feature:
· 5-position voltage control selector
· 10-feet work cable with clamp
· Dual-gauge Miller regulator
· Multifunctional for MIG and FCAW
· 5-year warranty
Despite being over $500, this Hobart still deserves to be part of our list simply because of its 5-year warranty and ability to deliver performance comparable to high-end welders.
The Hobart Handler 140 MIG welder is much more solidly constructed compared to other welders in every respect. Its size makes it so versatile and mobile for all your project needs.
The Hobart welder is easier to work with than other welders, whether pushing or pulling the weld beads. Welding aluminum and stainless steel is also a breeze because of the gas shielding.
As a higher-end budget-friendly welder, the Handler 140 provides a solid aluminum wire feed drive that enables spool wire mounting up to 15 pounds.
Pros
· Heavy-duty clamp
· Easy to install and use
· Easy move around
· Durable and lasts long
· Provides quality welding materials
· Good for medium-duty tasks
· Steel-based outside shell
Cons
· Slow adjustment system
· Not suitable for heavy-duty welding
· It comes with a sample spool of wire
· Heavier than most affordable welders
HITBOX 220V Welding Machine
Feature:
· Ready-to-use gun, earth clamp, electrode holder, gas tube, and portable plug
· Dual-purpose MIG welder for gas and no gas shielding welding
· 100% duty cycle for continuous welding in 10 minutes
· Multifunctional 220V DC inverter
The HITBOX 220V is a welding machine for gas MIG, ARC, and lift TIG gas welding.
This welder looks like a small radio with a black knob, but this is an authentic welder, not a toy. It is a perfect machine for home-based tasks. But using it in fieldwork will not pose issues either as it is lightweight.
Despite its price, it can give high-quality welds with good penetration without burn through and very little spatter, unlike the $120 to $150 AC machines.
The exceptional spool motor smoothly transfers the wire to the nozzle, ensuring easy arc formation.
Pros
· Small and portable welder
· Provides clean-cut welds
· Fewer spatter, so work looks neat
· Great for both indoor and outdoor projects
· Automatic wire speed adjustment selector
Cons
· It does not last long, so a bad choice for experts
· Produces sparks
Reboot MIG160 Gas/Gasless Welder
Feature:
· Usable for both gasless and gas welding
· Supports 2lbs/10lbs .030’’ or .040’’ wire to weld over .030’’ thick carbon steel, stainless steel, or mild steel
· Works well with a generator
· 3-year limited warranty and local support assistance
The Reboot MIG160 Gas/Gasless Welder is a suitable machine for you in terms of value for money. The unit is compact and light, making it an outstanding option for DIY work and home projects.
And the standard Dinse 10-25 connectors give you various replacement options for ground and electrode cables.
This unit is the right choice for someone looking to learn to weld because of the low price point and automatic wire-speed selector when setting the amperage.
Pros
· Generator supported
· User-friendly for welding beginners
· Has high versatility for both FCAW and MIG welding
Cons
· A bit heavy
SUNGOLDPOWER MIG Welder 140A
Feature:
· Dual voltage DC inverter
· Multifunctional welder for FCAW and MIG
· Can accommodate 2lb and 10lb wire spool
· Adjustable wire feed speed and welding current
· Welds stainless and mild steel
Totally on a tight budget? Then, the SUNGOLDPOWER 140A MIG Welder might save you.
For under $200, you get a highly functional and portable gas MIG welder that provides you welding performance comparable to pricier welders. It packs all the features a beginner needs, plus it supplies all the necessary welding accessories.
From patching exhaust to rebuilding the rear deck and bumper of a C7500 cube van, and even some logistics racking in another service truck, you can complete a well-rounded variety of tasks with SUNGOLDPOWER MIG welder.
Pros
· The very affordable price point
· Heat overload protection feature
· Simple operation and installation
· Portable
· It comes with a hammer, welding torch, earth clamp, hammer, and a welding mask.
Cons
· Not suitable for heavy-duty welding
· Noisy operation
· The outer jacket on the gun/whip is a bit thin and has a problem tolerating heat
Conclusion
And there you have it. The most affordable models of gas MIG welders you can find in the market today.
Take note that the results when you choose any of these options will vary as much as our welding requirements differ. So take this article with a grain of salt, and do your due diligence before buying one.
Budget aside, you should always go for a gas MIG welder that can serve you for a long time. Invest in a unit that helps you appreciate the value of your projects.
Gas MIG Welder FAQs
1. 📌 Where to use a MIG welder?
MIG welder is used in fabricating thicker metals, and the process is called MIG welding or Gas Metal Arc Welding. It is an electric arc welding process that uses a thin filler wire electrode to bond metal workpieces.
2. 📌 How big should my MIG welder be
The size of the gas MIG you need is dependent on your objective and the requirement you set. DIY and home projects generally only require the ones on this list. But you need the bigger and more high-end welders if you are doing heavy-duty or industrial-grade welding.
3. 📌 Do cheap gas MIG welders last long?
The longevity of affordable gas MIG welders lasts for years when maintained and used the right way.
4. 📌 How do I select the best cheap gas MIG welder?
The best cheap gas MIG welder will depend on your specific usage requirements. A one-size-fits-all welder does not exist. But to ensure you get the best welder for your money, always consider these four: duty cycle, voltage, amperage, and weight.
