Are you looking to save some cash on repair welding in your home? Or do you want to get into metal crafting for DIY projects? Whatever the case, learning to weld is a very useful skill that every handyman should have.
Back in the day, welders were huge pieces of equipment that cost a ton of money. Today, however, portable and affordable welders are very common. This makes welding something many can learn right from home.
However, a lot of manufacturers will tell you that their welders are durable, portable, and user-friendly. But that’s not always the case.
If you’re not careful, you might be tricked into buying an expensive welder that will end up being too difficult to use or too fragile to even finish your first weld!
So before you go straight to the store, take a look at this list of the best starter MIG welders for beginners.
This will help you get a better understanding of welders, why you should start with MIG welding, and which ones are the best for newbies.
Best Starter MIG Welder Comparison Chart
In a hurry? Here’s a comparison chart that will help you compare the 5 best MIG welders on this post.
| Product | Price | Voltage | Rating |
| Forney Easy Weld 140 MP, Multi-Process Welder | Check on Amazon | 120V | 5/5 |
| Hobart 500559 Handler 140 MIG Welder | Check on Amazon | 115V | 4.5/5 |
| Eastwood MIG 135 Welder | Check on Amazon | 120V | 4.5/5 |
| WeldPro MIG 155 Welder | Check on Amazon | 110V | 3.5/5 |
| SUPER DEAL PRO Commercial MIG 130 Welder | Check on Amazon | 110V | 3/5 |
What To Look For in a Starter MIG Welder
Before you even start looking for MIG welders, you have to know what to consider. Otherwise, you might end up buying a MIG welder that is way above your skill level, budget, and use.
So when looking for the best starter MIG welder, consider the following:
- Skill level
- Welding process
- Materials to weld
- Features
Let’s talk about them briefly.
Skill Level
First up is skill level. If you’re still reading this now, then it’s safe to assume that you’re a beginner.
And as a beginner, you should only be looking at user-friendly and simple welding machines. Avoid complex and top-of-the-line models because they might just end up confusing you.
Welding Process
There are three popular methods of metal welding – MIG, TIG, and stick welding. But since you’re a beginner, the easiest method to master is MIG (Metal Inert Gas) or GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding).
Unlike the other two metal welding processes, MIG welding is very straightforward. This means that you just have to turn on the welder and the gas, and you’re set to guide the stick between the two metals.
No, you don’t need to be an expert to do this. It’s simply like tracing a line between the two metal slabs.
Another advantage of MIG welding is the neatness of the finished product. Compared to stick welding, MIG welding doesn’t create a spatter that results in bumps on the metal. The end product is a relatively cleaner and smoother metal.
Features
When it comes to features, most people think that the more features the better. However, when you’re new to the trade, sometimes the features will just complicate things.
What you should be looking for are features that will make it easier for you to use the welder. Features like input parameters, self-adjusting power, screen displays, and built-in safety features.
Best Starter MIG Welder
Excited to know the best starter MIG welders on the market? Let’s get right to it.
Forney Easy Weld 140 MP, Multi-Process Welder
Features:
- Multi-process welder (MIG, TIG, Stick)
- Infinite voltage and wire feed speed
- Full metal case
- Capable of using gas or gasless wire
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
The Forney Easy Weld 140 MP is one of the best beginner-friendly units in the market. It’s capable of doing all three welding processes and it also has an infinite voltage.
In other words, you can customize the dials for the perfect weld for different kinds of metal. So there’s no doubt that the Forney Easy Weld 140 MP is a versatile starter MIG welder.
But what makes this a great option is that it’s both durable and portable. With an all-metal case, you’re guaranteed its longevity while weighing only 25 lbs.
Pros:
- Well-made materials
- Beginner-friendly operation
- Generator-friendly
Cons:
- Several units having poor quality control
Hobart Handler 140 MIG Welder
Features:
- Easy select voltage and wire-speed
- 5-position voltage control
- 20% duty cycle
- Includes dual-gauge regulator with gas hose
- Comes with a 5-year limited warranty
The Hobart Handler 140 MIG Welder might be a bit expensive for your budget, but it’s one of the high-quality MIG welders out there.
It comes with 5-position voltage control and adjustable wire speed so you can customize the welding process based on your preferences. Even a seasoned welder will love these features.
But what the Hobard Handler 140 MIG Welder is known for is its durability. All of its parts are very well-made and there are no complicated features.
Pros:
- Durable and high-quality materials and construction
- Wire feed is metal for additional durability
- Comes with a sample spool of wire
Cons:
- Expensive
Eastwood MIG 135 Welder
Features:
- Uses standard household current
- Tweco-style Torch
- Free gas regulator and gauges
- Comes with a 3-year warranty
- 100% customer satisfaction guarantee
Another high-quality MIG welder is the Eastwood MIG 135 Welder.
This beginner-friendly MIG welder has received a lot of great reviews because of the quality of its material and make. It’s easy to use and straightforward too!
However, its unique selling point is its Tweco-style torch. This design makes it easier to weld and produces a smooth finish whether you do it on aluminum or stainless steel.
And to cap it all off, Eastwood has an impressive customer support team that assists you whenever you have issues with your unit.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Smooth operation and quality of welding
- Long warranty
Cons:
- Several units are faulty
WeldPro MIG 155 Welder
Features:
- Compact and portable design
- Equipped with an electronic reactor circuit
- Electromagnetic noise-free mechanism
- Inverter design and automatic overhead and welding protection
- Comes with a 3-year warranty
The WeldPro MIG 155 Welder is one of the best-selling MIG welders on Amazon. Why?
First, it’s a very compact and portable MIG welder. It’s so nicely designed that you won’t think that it’s a heavy-duty welder until you realize that it can be used as a MIG or a Stick Arc.
Yep, it’s dual-purpose and a lot of welders cite this as one of the best features of this welder.
Another reason to love WeldPro MIG 155 is its safety features. It has automatic overheat and welding protection making it safer to use even for beginners.
Pros:
- Good quality and high-performance for the price
- Welds smoothly
- Excellent customer service
Cons:
- Doesn’t last long
- Wire feed gets tangled
- Low-quality parts
SUPER DEAL PRO Commercial MIG 130 Welder
Features:
- Uses PVC material for the outer shell
- Variable feed speed control
- Compact design
- Works with standard household current
- Safety control and overheating protection
Looking for a MIG welder below $200? Then the SUPER DEAL PRO Commercial MIG 130 Welder is perfect for you!
The SUPER DEAL PRO MIG 130 is ideal for beginners who aren’t sure if they want to continue welding. In other words, if you just want to give welding a try, then this is a small enough investment for you to get started.
Another thing I like about this MIG welder is its compactness. Not a lot of welding machines are like that.
However, there’s a downside to all of these.
For one thing, the SUPER DEAL PRO MIG 130 isn’t for big projects. You can’t use this regularly either because it’s not heavy-duty.
Besides, with its price, don’t expect that it gives the smoothest make.
Pros:
- Very portable
- Good quality for the price
- User-friendly functionality and design
Cons:
- Not for detail work or for serious projects
- Low-quality face shield
- The circuit breaker keeps on tripping
Conclusion
We hope this article has cleared up a few questions you had about buying your first welder. You can’t really go wrong with the five welders we recommend here.
However, if you want to continue your search, we hope our buying guide will be helpful in your journey to purchasing the perfect starter MIG welder for yourself.
Happy welding!
MIG Welding FAQs
📌 Is MIG welding easy?
Of all the popular welding processes (MIG, TIG, stick welding), MIG welding is the easiest for beginners.
It doesn’t require you to be skilled or to have the steadiest hands. All you need is to be able to guide the spool gun in between the two metal slabs.
When it comes to operation, most MIG welders are user-friendly. You just have to turn on the welder and the gas and you’re set to weld.
📌 How much does a MIG welder cost?
MIG welders start at $100 and can go up to as much as several thousand dollars. This highly depends on the brand, quality, features, and size.
📌 Do you need a welding helmet?
Yes, a welding helmet is required when you weld.
Welding helmets make sure that your eyes and your skin are protected from the fumes, the blue light, and the UV rays produced when combining metals.
