8 Best Welders for Beginners – It’s Time to Start!

By the end of our list of the top 8 best welders for beginners, you'll learn about the best options on the market and why they'd be a good fit for your workshop.
By
Christopher McDonagh
Christopher McDonagh
Research Writer
Chris is a teacher of Literature at a school in New Berlin, Wisconsin. He is also our favorite irreplaceable freelance writer who can turn such a boring topic into something read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Thomas Garcia
Thomas Garcia
Expert Consultant
Thomas is a professional welder who gained his certification several decades ago and learned all the nuances of this job since then. When not at work, Thomas loves fishing i read more
Last updated: February 28, 2024
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Welding is a fun and productive hobby that anyone can take up, and if you get good at it, you can even become a professional welder and earn some money! But to start your journey, you need to get your hands on one of the best welders for beginners.

It’s no lie that welding is a pretty tough task that requires a whole lot of work. And if you’re just starting, you might even find there to be a pretty steep learning curve you need to get over before you actually get the hang of things. But if you have a good welder designed for beginners, it will be much easier to get the hang of the process and start getting quality welds.

With all the different options out there that claim to be the best MIG welder for beginners, it can be hard to find tools that do the job as advertised. That’s where we come in. To make it easier for you, we’ve scoured the internet and done the research to find the best welders for beginners on the market today.

We chose these options based on their duty cycle, ease of use, material, price, and many more other factors to ensure that we only show the best options available. In these reviews, we dive deep into the different features, benefits, and disadvantages of each welder to provide you with an honest and transparent review.

Quick Summary

  • Editor's Choice: YesWelder Digital MIG-205DS
    "The best overall option for beginners is that’s easy to use and has useful functions."
  • Best Multifunction Welder for Beginners: LOTOS MIG140
    "Comes with everything you need to start gasless MIG, TIG, and stick welding."
  • Best Duty Cycle: Tooliom 200A MIG Welder
    "A strong welder with a tough and strong fan provides a longer duty cycle."
  • Best Small Welder for Beginners: Forney Easy Weld 140 FC-I
    "A compact and portable option ideal for beginners."
  • Best Value: DEKOPRO MMA Welder
    "Our best option on a budget offers great functionality at a relatively low price."
  • Premium Pick: Hobart Handler 140
    "The best premium option with robust features and a durable build."
  • Best Gasless MIG Welder for Beginners: HZXVOGEN MIG Welder
    "A great option that’s easy to control with a useful display to view different parameters."
  • Best Flux-Core Welder for Beginners: Goplus Mig 130 Welder
    "A great beginner welder that handles flux-core wires very well."
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1
Premium Pick

Hobart Handler 140

Features
  • Welding Wire: flux-cored
  • Duty Cycle: 20% @ 90A 19V
  • Input Voltage: 115V
  • Item Dimensions (in.): 19×11×13
  • Weight (lbs.): 57
  • Material: aluminum, stainless steel
  • Warranty: 5-year limited

Other features: 5-position voltage control selector

This next pick is one of the best TIG welders for beginners on the market today.  The reason it made our list is that it makes TIG welding much easier, which is a great feature since TIG is one of the more complex and complicated welding methods out there.

This is one of the most versatile models on the market, and despite the slightly weaker duty cycle, it’s very easy to use. To start using this, all you have to do is switch the welder on, select the type of metal, then select the wire thickness. From there, you’re about ready to weld, making this a great option for beginners who aren’t keen on tweaking all the parameters manually.

    Why did it make our list?
  • Aside from the very intuitive user interface, another thing we enjoyed with this welder is the ability to handle oxidized metals. This is because it uses AC power, which gives it more versatility than many other models. You have full control over the amperage of this welder, which makes it great for beginners. Additionally, it's a very forgiving welder, so small mistakes during TIG welding won't matter as much. And trust us, when you start TIG welding, there's a high chance you're going to make a lot of mistakes at first.
    What is not ideal about it?
  • While this is a great TIG welder, it comes with a significant downside: it can't handle other welding methods. This is a major letdown as most beginners need versatile machines that handle a variety of techniques. On top of that, it has a fairly weak duty cycle, which means you won't be able to use this machine for more complex projects. But if you're a beginner looking to get the hang of TIG welding only, this could be a great option for you.
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9.0
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8.8
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2
Best Gasless MIG Welder for Beginners

HZXVOGEN MIG Welder

Features
  • Welding Wire: flux/solid-cored
  • Duty Cycle: 40%, 160A; 60%, 130A; 100%, 101A
  • Input Voltage: 110/220V
  • Item Dimensions (in.): 15.8×13×11.1
  • Weight (lbs.): 23.6
  • Material: steel
  • Warranty: 1 year

Other features: color LCD display, gas/mix gases/gasless MIG, lift TIG

With all its functions, this is one of the best gasless welders for beginners available while also handling a bunch of other welding methods such as MIG and lift TIG.

One of the main reasons we chose this option for beginners is its display. On display, you can view a bunch of very important parameters which are crucial in getting quality, seamless welds. The welder also has convenient knobs in place that you can use to adjust different parameters, making this one of the easiest to use options on the market today.

    What are its best features?
  • By far, our favorite feature when testing out this welder was its versatility. As a multi-functional starter welder, this machine has about everything you need to get started. It has a MIG function that supports gas and gasless welding, a lift TIG function for TIG welding, and even an MMA function, which comes in handy during a variety of situations. And since it works with both 110V and 220V outputs, you can use this in a bunch of different homes and workshops.
    What could be improved?
  • It was hard to find a downside to this welder since it's compact, easy to use, and has a fairly tough duty cycle. This is natural for all beginner welders anyway, so it isn't too big of a drawback. However, we still found that this welder had a hard time with more complex welding projects. So, there's a high chance that as you get better at welding, you're going to have to end up upgrading eventually.
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3
Best Duty Cycle

Tooliom 200A MIG Welder

Features
  • Welding Wire: flux-cored/solid wire
  • Duty Cycle: 60%@200A
  • Input Voltage: 110/220V
  • Item Dimensions (in.): 20.5×15.6×12.6
  • Weight (lbs.): 31.9
  • Material: stainless steel
  • Warranty: 1 year

Other features: multi-functional (MMA, lift TIG, flux MIG, gas MIG), heavy-duty cooling fan

This is another multi-function welder that’s great for beginners that has a heavy-duty cooling fan, allowing it to have more power than a lot of other options in the same price range.

With an output of 200A, this is one of the strongest beginner welders out there. This will allow you to handle a wide variety of projects, from the simple ones all the way to the more complex ones. So, this is one of the best beginner welders because it can last you a long time without needing an upgrade.

    What makes it stand out?
  • When testing out this welder, we loved the heavy-duty cycle it could handle. With a duty cycle of 60% at 200A, this is arguably one of the strongest welders on our list. The main reason it can handle this heavy-duty cycle is because of the tough cooling fan. This keeps the machine at optimal temperature, ensuring that you won't need to cool down after a short time. On top of that, it has a great display and convenient knobs that you can use to control and tweak certain parameters.
    Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?
  • One thing that sets this welder back is the inability to handle stick welding. This is a major letdown as it greatly reduces the versatility of the machine. However, this is a great option for lift TIG, MIG, flux MIG, and MMA welding. Another we didn't enjoy is that this is one of the harder machines to use, which is largely because of its power, which can be hard for beginners to handle.
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4
Best Flux-Core Welder for Beginners

Goplus Mig 130 Welder

Features
  • Welding Wire: flux-cored
  • Duty Cycle: not specified
  • Input Voltage: 110V
  • Item Dimensions (in.): 13.4×7.3×11.4
  • Weight (lbs.): 35
  • Material: stainless steel
  • Warranty: 1 year

Other features: 4 levels of current flow settings, 10 levels of wire feeding speeds, 2 air-vents

This option is one of the best flux-core welders for beginners on the market today. With 4 different current flow settings and 10 levels of wire feeding speeds, this machine is very easy to control and is great for beginners.

When you start your welding journey, it’s very important to have control over your machine. However, if the machine is full of confusing knobs and buttons, it may be hard to figure out how to tweak certain parameters. However, with this welder, since you have 4 set levels of current flow and 10 levels of wire-speed, it’s much easier to set it to just the right settings for the task at hand.

    What do we love it for?
  • One thing that truly stood out to use when researching this welder is the design. It features a bright yellow/orange color and a very compact design. This makes it very easy for you to carry it around with you wherever you need it. Additionally, this is one of the best gasless welders for beginners out there, so this is a great option for you if you want to avoid toxic and hazardous gases while at the workshop.
    What were we disappointed with?
  • One of the downsides to this machine is that it only accepts 110V input voltage. So, if you're on the hunt for one of the best 210V stick welders for beginners, this is not the right option for you. However, for basic flux-cored welding projects, this is a great option if you're a starter. Since it's very easy to control and use, this is a great pick for your first-ever welding machine!
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9.6
5
Best Value

DEKOPRO MMA Welder

Features
  • Welding Wire: flux-cored
  • Duty Cycle: 60% @ 160A
  • Input Voltage: 110/220V
  • Item Dimensions (in.): 11.4×4.92×7.87
  • Weight (lbs.): 12.1
  • Material: stainless steel, cast iron
  • Warranty: 1 year

Other features: leading control mode, multi-use, comes with a brush

This next option is a very heavy-duty welder. It’s easy to use, has a durable build and design, and offers a whole lot of functionality. And with 110V and 220V compatibility, this is arguably the best 220V stick welders for beginners available on the market today.

The reason we chose this as one of the best beginner welders out there is because of its design. It features a very durable and sturdy build with a convenient display to show you valuable information. On top of that, it only has one knob, which makes it very easy to tweak certain parameters without jumping through a bunch of different hoops.

    What are its best features?
  • One of our favorite features of this welder is the leading control mode. This is a very convenient feature that allows for much more versatility and adaptability. With this mode, the output voltage will remain very stable, which makes for a more reliable welder overall. On top of that, this welder also has MMA capabilities and can weld cast iron, stainless steel, and a variety of other metals.
    What could be improved?
  • When testing this welder out, we found that it wasn't the strongest one out there. If you're on a hunt for the best aluminum welder for beginners out there, this isn't the one for you. While this welder is more than capable of handling your basic stick welding needs, it admittedly lacks a lot of power, so you might have a hard time handling the heavier and stronger metals.
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6
Best Small Welder for Beginners

Forney Easy Weld 140 FC-I

Features
  • Welding Wire: flux-cored/gasless
  • Duty Cycle: 30% @ 90A
  • Input Voltage: 120V
  • Item Dimensions (in.): 16.75×8.125×12
  • Weight (lbs.): 19
  • Material: rugged metal
  • Warranty: 1 year

Other features: integrated handle with torch wrap

This next option is one of the best small welders for beginners. If you’re starting out with basic welds and projects, this is a great option because it’s lightweight, compact, and very easy to use.

The reason this makes our list of the best arc welders for beginners is because of its portability. When you’re starting out, there’s a high chance you’ll find yourself working and learning in different workshops. With this welder, you can easily load it into your car or bag before heading out without causing too much of a strain on your body.

    What are its best features?
  • One of our favorite features of this welder is its size. And because it's small and simple, this is also a very convenient option. If you're doing flux-cored MIG welding, this is one of the best options out there. It comes with a MIG gun and ground clamp, which gives you just about everything you'll need to start welding. And as long as you're sticking to flux-cored and gasless welding, this is a great machine to have in the workshop.
    What could be improved?
  • With that said, the simplicity of this machine can also be its downfall. Since it's so simple, it lacks a lot of different features and options that you'll find on other welders. While this is a great MIG welder for beginners, it can't handle TIG or stick welding, which means you'll have to use other machines if you want to learn other welding techniques and methods. So, if you plan on becoming versed in different welding techniques, this might not be the best option for you.
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9.2
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9.4
9.5
7
Best Multifunction Welder for Beginners

LOTOS MIG140

Features
  • Welding Wire: flux-cored
  • Duty Cycle: 20% @ 90A 18V
  • Input Voltage: 110/120V
  • Item Dimensions (in.): 20×10×16
  • Weight (lbs.): 54
  • Material: aluminum
  • Warranty: 1 year

Other features: included MIG torch, multi-use, gasless

If you’re looking for an entry-level welder, this LOTOS option is a great choice as it is one of the best MIG welders on the market today. It comes with a MIG torch, supports gasless welding, and is a very versatile option for beginners.

The reason this is great for beginners is the precision and control you have over the machine. For starters, it has an aluminum wire feeder that makes it easier for you to feed wires, and the digital displays give you a whole lot of control over the feeding speed. These are all very valuable features for beginners and are the main reason this welder made the list.

    What makes it special?
  • Since this can handle MIG, TIG, and Stick welding, this is also one of the best multiprocess welders for beginners on the market today. It already comes with a MIG torch, which means you can start using the machine once it arrives. We also enjoyed the fact that this welder comes with a three-year limited warranty, which can come in handy in the event of a factory defect. Customers from all over have reported great customer service for this welder, which is another huge plus in its favor.
    What cons did we find?
  • One thing about this welder we didn't enjoy is the duty cycle. It only has a duty cycle of 20% at 90A. This is not that strong and means you'll have to rest this welder a lot when at the workshop. On top of that, it also means that you won't be able to take on heavier and more complex projects with the welder, so this is best reserved for beginners.
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9.7
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9.2
9.7
8
Editor's Choice

YesWelder Digital MIG-205DS

Features
  • Welding Wire: flux-cored
  • Duty Cycle: 60% @160A
  • Input Voltage: 110/220V
  • Item Dimensions (in.): 18.5×14.2×7.9
  • Weight (lbs.): 33
  • Material: multiple
  • Warranty: 1 year

Other features: 3-in-1 multiprocess, gasless, synergic controlled

We kick things off with our favorite overall pick and one of the best MIG welders for beginners on the market today. With MIG, Stick, and TIG welding capabilities, this is one of the most versatile tools out there and could be just what you need to start your welding journey.

If you’re a beginner looking to learn how to do different types of welds, this is the best option for you. Since it’s a 3-in-1 welder, you can use it to handle just about any beginner welding task out there. On top of that, it has a fairly intuitive user interface which makes it easier to navigate through the different features.

    What are its best features?
  • When testing out this welder, our favorite feature was its sheer power. Since it's a fairly affordable and entry-level welder, we didn't expect much from the machine. However, with a duty cycle of 60% at 160A, you can use this machine for a fair amount of light to medium projects without any worries. On top of that, we also enjoyed the dust cover to protect the interface, display, and screens from dust and debris, which is commonplace in any workshop.
    What could be improved?
  • One thing we didn't like about this welder is that it doesn't come with the appropriate attachments for MIG and TIG welding. This means you'll have to buy the attachments separately to use different welding methods. However, investing in welding attachments is always a good idea when starting out, as it allows you to test out a variety of methods from the get-go and start improving your skills.
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Things to Consider

The best beginner welder for you is the one that can fulfill all your needs. However, even with all the best options presented to you, it will be very hard to choose the best one for your needs if you don’t know what to look for. To make the search for the best welder for beginners easier, here’s a brief buying guide with everything you need to know about finding beginner welders.

How to Pick the Best 110V Entry-Level Welder?

There are tons of things to consider when buying a or starter welder. However, the most important thing to consider is your own goals. The welder for you is one that handles your needs. So, before looking at all the different options available, make sure to ask yourself what kind of welding you’ll be doing and choose options based on your answer.

Features to consider

By comparing different options based on their features, it will be much easier to distinguish the good from the bad. So, here are some of the most important features you need to consider when choosing a welder for beginners.

Welding Wire Support

There are many different joining methods for metal Trusted Source Joining methods - Metals - Eduqas - GCSE Design and Technology Revision - Eduqas - BBC Bitesize Learn and revise metals with BBC Bitesize for GCSE Design and Technology Eduqas. www.bbc.co.uk , and each of them requires specific gear. And if you choose to weld two pieces of metal together, you need to choose the right wires. For example, if you plan on doing MIG welding, you need a machine that can handle flux-cored wires, as these are the best options for this type of welding. On the flip side, if you plan on doing a bunch of different types of welding, it’s best to choose options that can handle multiple different wires and welding types, such as the YESWELDER Digital MIG205 or Hobart 500559.

Duty Cycle

8 Best Welders for Beginners - It's Time to Start!
The duty cycle of a welder determines how long you can keep the welder running before needing to cool it down.

In terms of welders, these are presented in terms of a percentage of 10%. This can be confusing, but once you understand it, it’s actually very simple. For example, TOOLION MIG Welder has a duty cycle of 60% at 200A. This is one of the strongest welders on our list, and it means that you can run the machine for 6 minutes at 200A before needing to cool down for 4 minutes. Obviously, it’s best to choose options with a long duty cycle for heavier and more complex projects. That way, you can handle the task much easier without the need for constant cooldowns.

However, if you want to save a bit of money and only plan on conducting smaller basic welding projects, then you can get options such as the Forney Easy Weld 261, which is a more affordable option with a fairly light and short duty cycle.

Input Voltage

It’s very important that your welder is compatible with power in your home. Otherwise, you’ll need some sort of voltage regulator to use the machine at home. Most American homes supply 110V power, Trusted Source What are the pros or cons of a 110-volt electricity supply against a 220-volt supply? | Notes and Queries | guardian.co.uk A 110-VOLT supply is less likely to electrocute you. A 220-volt supply can transmit the power more cheaply because a smaller current is needed, and so you can use thinner cables and/or lose less energy through heat generated in the cables. www.theguardian.com so you have to make sure to get options that run on 110V, such as the DEKOPRO MMA Welder. However, for more versatility, we always recommend getting options that are compatible with both 220V and 110V outlets. That way, you can plug the welder just about anywhere without worrying about damaging the machine. On our list, the HZXVOGEN MIG Welder is one of the best 220V welders for beginners out there as it’s compatible with both 220V and 110V.

Item Dimensions and weight

For your first couple of welding projects, there’s a high chance you’ll be working in a bunch of different workshops. With that in mind, it’s important to get a welder that isn’t too heavy to carry around with you. That way, you can easily load it into a bag or in your car on the way to the workshop.

Welders such as the Forney Easy Weld 261 are great for those who move around a lot because it is lightweight and compact.

8 Best Welders for Beginners - It's Time to Start!
Due to compact sizes, it is really easy to take your welder everywhere.

Material

When we refer to the material, we are actually referring to the types of metal that the welder can handle. For example, the best aluminum welder for beginners out there might not be able to handle other metals and vice versa. Different metals and alloys require different techniques Trusted Source Different types of welding and what they are used for Welding is used to join pieces of metal together and is a very skilled trade. Here are the different types and what are they used for in industry? www.themanufacturer.com , so make sure to figure out the materials you plan on welding before choosing a welder. However, if you plan on working with a large variety of metals, then you can go for options such as the Hobart 500559, which supports a bunch of different welding techniques and can handle different materials.

Warranty

You can’t avoid factory defects, and you have to make sure to protect yourself against them. When buying mass-produced equipment like beginner welders, there’s a slight chance one of the models might be defective. When this happens, it’s important to have a proper warranty so you can either get it repaired or replaced for free.

Price

If you’re still having a hard time choosing between the large selection of beginner welders, a great way to narrow down the options is to set a definite price range. That way, products and models out of your price range are automatically eliminated. When choosing a price range, you need to take your means, the type of welder you need, and how much you’re willing to spend into account. But once you do that, you’ll find it much easier to choose just the right option for you.

Other features

Other features to consider might be an LCD display like the one on the YESWELDER Digital MIG-205DS, a heavy-duty fan like the TOOLIOM MIG Welder, or just about anything you need. They are called extra features for a reason. The best way to figure out the extra features you need is by making a comprehensive list of your needs in your welding workshop.

Included components

If you’re a beginner welder, it’s best to choose options that come with everything you need to start welding. This includes a welding torch, wires, and maybe a brush. Some models out there won’t come with any components, and if you don’t have any equipment in your workshop, it’s best to avoid them. On the other hand, there are a lot of welders out there that come with everything you need to get started, like the YESWELDER Digital MIG-205DS, which is by far our top pick for beginners.

FAQ

What are the easiest and hardest types of welding?

For beginners, TIG welding is usually considered the most complicated. TIG welding is one of the slower types of welding out there, so it takes beginners a bit more time to get the hang of it compared to MIG welding or stick welding.

What safety gear is the most important?

All safety gear is important in the welding workshop. However, it’s especially important to wear a welder’s mask and fireproof clothing like welding gloves and welding jackets to be as safe as possible when fusing two metals together. You can never be too safe, and it’s highly unadvisable for anyone, whether you’re a beginner or professional, to weld without the proper safety equipment.

Which one is better: TIG, Stick, or MIG welder?

For beginners, we recommend starting with MIG or stick welding. This is because these processes are generally easier to learn and require less time to get right. TIG welding is the most complicated technique for beginners, so it’s best to save that for last after learning the basics.

Our verdict

After doing all the research, we found that the YESWELDER Digital MIG-205DS was our favorite overall pick. This is because it has balanced functionality, ease of use, and price to create a highly functional welder that’s perfect for just about any beginner out there.

However, if you want to invest in a premium welder for beginners, then we recommend the Hobart 500559, as this comes with the most robust and versatile features, making it a great all-around welder.

In this list of the best welders for beginners, we made sure to do all the research. And if you think you found the right one for you on our list, then all that’s left to do is head out and get your hands on one yourself! That way, we present you with the best of the best that the market has to offer.

References

1.
Joining methods - Metals - Eduqas - GCSE Design and Technology Revision - Eduqas - BBC Bitesize
Learn and revise metals with BBC Bitesize for GCSE Design and Technology Eduqas.
2.
What are the pros or cons of a 110-volt electricity supply against a 220-volt supply? | Notes and Queries | guardian.co.uk
A 110-VOLT supply is less likely to electrocute you. A 220-volt supply can transmit the power more cheaply because a smaller current is needed, and so you can use thinner cables and/or lose less energy through heat generated in the cables.
3.
Different types of welding and what they are used for
Welding is used to join pieces of metal together and is a very skilled trade. Here are the different types and what are they used for in industry?
9,7
Total Score
Hobart Handler 140 - Premium Pick
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