Best Cheap MIG Welder Reviews: If you’ve been looking for the best MIG welder for the money, you’ve probably noticed that they can be quite expensive. While there’s a time and place for costly welding machines, many of us just don’t have room in our budget. And that’s why we’ve created these best cheap MIG welders reviews!
Best Cheap Mig Welder Reviews & Buyer’s Guide: Table of Contents
- Reviews of the 9 Best Mig Welders Under $500
- Buyer’s Guide: How to Find the Best Budget Mig Welder for You
9 Best Cheap Mig Welders for Sale Under $500
In the reviews below, you’ll find detailed information for each Mig welding machine. This includes specs, advantages, possible disadvantages, price range, and links to all the best discount welders.
With a good 110V or 220V MIG welder, you’ll be able to handle almost any home welding job, including MIG aluminum welding positions.
The Best Cheap Mig Welder Under 500: Reviews of the Top 2
Hobart Handler 140
#1 Best Seller in MIG Welding Equipment on Amazon
With their strong reputation for quality and reliability, Hobart is one of the best MIG welder brands. The Handler 140 is among one of Hobart’s smaller welders. If you’re looking for the best cheap welder out there for light welding work, the Handler 140 might be for you.
Mig Welder Specs
- Processes: Both Mig & Flux Core
- Duty Cycle: 20% at 90A
- Input Voltage: 115v
- Wire Feed Speed Range: 40 to 700 IPM
- Welding Amperage Range: 25 to 140 IPM
- Weld Thickness: 24 ga – ¼”
- Weight: 57 pounds
- Height: 12 and 3/8”
- Length: 19 and ½”
- Width: 10 and 5/8”
- Hobart Handler 140 Wire Size: 0.030 -0.035”
- Hobart Handler 140 Best Price: Check Current Discounts
- Warranty: Hobart 5/3/1 Industrial Warranty
Welding Machine Parts Included
- Handler 140 with built-in gas valve
- 10 ft. MIG gun with liner
- Dual gauge regulator & gas hose
- 10-ft work cable & clamp, 10-ft power cord
- Additional 0.030 contact tips
- Sample spool of.030 flux-cored wire
- 8 inch spool adapter
- Owners manual, set-up guide
Since the price includes almost all the necessary parts, this truly is a best MIG welder under 500 dollars.
Hobart 140 Review: Advantages
- Easy to use with simple controls
- Versatile enough for most light welding projects, maintenance, farm and automotive workshops
- Durable and made of quality reliable parts
- Portable and lightweight, considering that it’s a transformer-based welder
Hobart 140 Review: Special Considerations
- Incompatible with generators
- Short Leads
- Not compatible with SpoolRunner 100 for aluminum welding
- For increased portability, consider a cheap Hobart welder cart.
Overall Assessment
Overall, the Hobart Handler 140 is a long-lasting, quality welder. Users across the board agree that the Handler 140 is a welder for beginners on a budget. Arguably, it’s the best mig welder for the money.
Whether you are a farmer, home repairman, or auto enthusiast, this is one of the best options out there for all your light welding needs.
Hitbox MIG Welder Inverter 200Amp 220V DC Wire Welder
Best MIG Welder for Home Use
If you need more portability to MIG weld, the Hitbox MIG200 might be the right choice. It’s an inverter-based welder, so it’s great for welding mild steel, stainless steel, and many other metal materials. Furthermore, it’s capable of TIG welding with the right torch and gas.
Mig Welding Machine Specs
- Processes: MIG Welding, Arc Welding, TIG welding
- Welding Amperage Range: 30-200A
- Duty Cycle: 40%@200A
- Input Voltage: 220V
- Wire Feed Speed Range: adjustable
- Weld Thickness: up to 0.045”
- Weight: 12.35lbs
- Height: 12.8in
- Length: 17.6in
- Width: 7.2in
- Best Price: Check Current Discount
Parts Included
- MIG200, MIG torch AB-15 binzel with 3M cable
- 8.2ft Cable & Earth clamp
- 8.2ft Cable & Electrode holder
- 2lb,0.8mm flux-cored wire
- 2 pcs gas tub
Parts Sold Separately
- TIG torch (if you want the option of TIG welding)
- Argon gas
Hitbox Mig Welder: Advantages
- At a little over 12 lbs, this best home mig welder is lightweight.
- Variety of safety features, such as overheating protection
- Low power consumption
- It’s important to note that Hitbox delivers excellent customer service.
Special Considerations
- Not the best for more industrial work
- Incompatible with 120V outlets
Overall Assessment
Overall, the HitBox MIG200 is a contender for the best mig welder for home use.
- As an inverter welder, it is much lighter than other transformer-based welders, making it easy to transport. It’s also great for beginners because it’s ready to use right out of the box.
- Since this is a best 220v mig welder, the power enables you to do more than 110v welding machines
- Additionally, if you also want to TIG weld, it’s compatible with TIG welding torches and argon gas canisters. Except for industrial work, the HitBox MIG200 is a fantastic, affordable MIG welder.
It’s hard to go wrong with a dual purpose welding machine. (For more info, see Best Multi Process Welder: All in One Welder Reviews.)
Review of the Best Budget Welder for Mig Under 400
Sun Gold Power MIG Welder for Sale
Best 220V Mig Welder for the Money
At an even lower cost, this 220V MIG welder is a must-see. In a nut shell, the Sun Gold Power works for both MIG and ARC welding and features dual voltage and maximum performance.
Welding Machine Specs
- Processes: MIG/MAG/Arc/MMA Welder
- Welding Amperage Range: 50-180A
- Duty Cycle: 60%@180A
- Input Voltage: 110V/120V
- Wire Feed Speed Range: 1.5~16m/min
- Weld Thickness: 0.03~0.039 in
- Weight: 44lbs
- Height: 14.9in
- Length: 19.6in
- Width: 9.4in
- Best Price: Check Current Discounts
Parts Included
- 118″ Mig Torch
- Mask and brush
- 47’’ cable with earth clamp
- 71’’ cable with electrode holder
- 1lb Welding Wire Spool drive roll
- Dual nozzles; both gas and gas-less
Parts Sold Separately: Spool gun
Sungoldpower Mig Welder Review: Advantages
- Fantastic duty cycle
- Considering the price, this welder is quite powerful
- Suited for 120V and 220V outlets
- Also great for Stick welding
Special Considerations
- Not suited for aluminum welding
Sun Gold Power’s Best Cheap Welder: Overall Assessment
In sum, the Sun Gold Power MIG 200 packs a lot of power into such a low price. With a great duty cycle, this cheap MIG welder should be enough for most home welding needs and even a few light industrial applications. To be frank, it performs almost as well as more expensive welders.
Reviews of the 3 Best Cheap Mig Welding Machines Under 300
Pro-Series MMIG125 Mig Welder Kit
Best Small Mig Welder Review
For even more affordable MIG welders, there are some great options under $300. In fact, we think they’re the best small MIG welders for sale. First, we’ve reviewed the Pro-Series MMig125, which is great for lighter duty work around the farm or house.
Pro-Series Mig Welder Specs
- Processes: MIG Welding, Flux-core Welding
- Welding Amperage Range: 80-125A
- Duty Cycle: 20%@80A
- Input Voltage: 120V 60Hz
- Wire Feed Speed Range: infinite
- Weld Thickness: 18ga to 3/16”
- Weight: 10.39lbs
- Height: 16.8in
- Length: 20in
- Width: 11.2in
- Best Price: Check Current Discounts
- Warranty: 90 days
Parts Included
- Ground cable with clamp
- Welding gun
- Face shield
- Brush hammer
Pros
- Lightweight & portable
- Ultra user-friendly
- Can accommodate a range of wire sizes
- Good for beginners
- Since all the welding machine parts come together, there aren’t hidden costs.
Special Considerations
- Unless you buy additional attachments, this isn’t ideal for welding aluminum.
- Simply put, this welding rig doesn’t pack enough power for larger projects.
Overall Assessment
At this price point, it can be tricky to find a decent MIG welder. On the other hand, the Pro-Series MMIG-125 offers amazing portability and performance for the cost. With it’s small size, it can fit in places large MIG welders can’t.
Basically, this Pro Series MIG welding machine performs beautifully on most light to medium welding work. For example, light fabrication, repairs, and even automotive body work.
Lincoln Electric K2278-1 Handy Core
Lincoln Electric Handy Mig Review
Commonly, consumers recognize Lincoln Electric as a very respectable brand. And, for those looking for the best cheap MIG welder reviews, the Handy Core could be your new best friend.
Lincoln Electric Welder Specs
- Processes: MIG Welding,
- Welding Amperage Range: 35-88A
- Duty Cycle: 20%@70A
- Input Voltage: 115V
- Wire Feed Speed Range: infinite
- Weld Thickness: up to 1/8”
- Weight: 45lbs
- Height: 11in
- Length: 15in
- Width: 10in
- Best Price: Check Current Price
- Warranty: 12 months
MIG Welder Parts Included
- Welding gun/cable assembly
- 10 ft Work cable/clamp
- 1-lb. spool of .035in. flux-cored wire
- 2 Contact tips
- Welding hand shield with #10 filter plate and clear glass cover plate
- Chipping hammer/brush
Parts Sold Separately: Utility Cart
Video: Unboxing My New Lincoln Electric Handy Mig Welder
Handy Core Small Welder Review: Advantages
- Very easy to set up
- Compact and relatively lightweight
- Good quality and durability
- 120V outlet-friendly
- Perfect for small projects
Special Considerations
- Not ideal for heavier projects
- No gas option
Overall Assessment
Lincoln Electric is one of the most trusted brands out there, and the K2278-1 Handy Core MIG welder doesn’t disappoint.
It takes mere moments to set up, making it an excellent option for beginners. Once it’s up and running, its ready to handle most light, do-it-yourself jobs around the home, shop, or farm. It’s not the most powerful MIG welder out there, but it’s a great hobby welder.
Campbell Hausfeld WG216001AV MIG Welder for Sale
Best Dual Voltage Cheap Welding Machine
Finally, at just over $200 we’ve reviewed the Campbell Hausfeld WG216001AV. Now, this best budget MIG welder offers excellent quality and performance at an amazingly low price. Also, you can use it with gas.
Best Cheap MIG Welder Specs
- Processes: MIG welding, flux core welding
- Welding Amperage Range: 30-100A
- Duty Cycle: 20%@30A
- Input Voltage: 115V
- Wire Feed Speed Range: infinite
- Weld Thickness: up to 1/4”
- Weight: 48lbs
- Height: 11.5in
- Length: 17.5in
Stock up on a cheap Mig welding helmet and gloves combo pack for less than $100! (Amazon Link) - Width: 11in
- Best Price: Check Current Discounts
- Warranty: 5 year limited warranty
Welding Machine Parts Included
- Starter spool of flux core wire
- MIG regulator with hose
- Additional tips
Campbell Best Flux Core Welder Review: Advantages
- High “ease of use” rating
- Great duty cycle
- Excels at light duty work
- Lengthy warranty
Special Considerations
- Some reviewers state that the clamp is sub-par. (However, that’s part of paying such a low cost.)
Overall Assessment
If you’re looking for the best budget welder, the Campbell Hausfeld WG216001AV is a great machine. Powerful enough to weld steel up to 1/4 inch, it’s ideal for light welding work around the home or shop. Users are frequently satisfied with it’s performance and usability, and it performs well whether the job is light repairs or even making sculptures! Plug it in to any standard 120V outlet and start welding with ease.
The Best Mig Welder Under 200
Forney Easy Weld 299 125FC Flux Core Welder, 120-Volt, 125-Amp
The Best Mig Welder for Beginners
Now, the Forney Easy Weld is an all around best cheap welder for MIG, especially if you’re a beginner with home projects. Although technically a flux-core welding machine, it’s also great for MIG welding. Notably, gas may not be used with this welding rig.
Budget Mig Welder Specs
- Processes: Gasless Flux Core Welding, MIG Welding
- Welding Amperage Range: 65-80A
- Duty Cycle: 20%@80A
- Input Voltage: 120V 60Hz
- Wire Feed Speed Range: N/A
- Weld Thickness: up to 1/4”
- Weight: 32.6lbs
- Height: 18.5in
- Length: 24.6in
- Width: 12.6in
- Warranty: 6 month
- Best Price: Check Current Discounts
The Best Cheap Mig Welder for the Money Reviews: Video Tour
Forney Easy Welder Review: Advantages
- Amazingly portable, since it doesn’t use gas and fits compactly into tight spaces
- Works with common household 120V outlets
- Stellar spool storage
- Packs enough power to weld stainless steel
Special Considerations
- Due to limited amperage settings, the Forney Easy Weld isn’t ideal for experienced welders
- Short ground wires and wire feeder
Overall Assessment
Overall, the Forney Easy Weld 299 is easily a best 110v Mig welder. On the one hand, it doesn’t have as much “oomph” as a more expensive welder. However, it performs light welding beautifully.
So, if you’re a novice looking for an easy Mig welder for projects around the house, consider the Forney Easy Weld 299.
The Best Cheap Mig Welders Under 100
Most importantly, we want to be honest in these Mig welder reviews. So, to put it bluntly, you aren’t going to find the best Mig welder for sale for less than $100. That being said, you can still find a good welding machine that won’t break the bank.
Go Plus MIG 130 Welder Flux Core Wire Automatic Feed Welding Machine
Best 110v Mig Welder for Penny Pinchers
First, we’ve reviewed the Goplus 130 Mig welding machine for sale. In a nutshell, this is a good portable welder for hobbyists.
Go Plus Welder Specs
- Processes: MIG welding
- Welding Amperage Range: 50-120A
- Duty Cycle: 15%@105A
- Input Voltage: 110V
- Wire Feed Speed Range: Infinite
- Weld Thickness: up to 1/4”
- Weight: 35lbs
- Height: 11.4in
- Length: 13.4in
- Width: 7.3in
- Best Price: Check Current Discounts
- Warranty: 90 day
Welding Machine Parts Included
- Welding gun
- Wire
- Weld mask
- Brush
Go Plus Mig Welder Review: Advantages
- Lightweight, easy to travel with
- Four idiot-proof amperage settings
- Comes with extras which are great for getting started
Special Considerations
- First, wire is always live in use, so you must be hyper vigilant for safety
- And to be frank, the duty cycle isn’t anything to write home about. But for less than $100, this is a steal of a deal.
Best Cheap Mig Welder Under 100:
Overall Assessment
Basically, if you’re a beginner with $100 or less, this is a great option! Since the Go Plus 130 comes with accessories like a welding mask, it’s the perfect Mig welding starter kit.
Super Deal Commercial MIG 130 Automatic Feed Welder w/ Free Mask
Best 110v Mig Welder Review: “Amazon’s Choice”
Yet another best cheap Mig welder with a welding mask included. Like the previous welding machines, this manages to be both cheap and great for beginners.
Superdeal Budget Mig Welder Specs
- Processes: MIG Welding, Flux core welding
- Welding Amperage Range: 50-120A
- Duty Cycle: 10%@105A
- Input Voltage: 110V 60Hz
- Wire Feed Speed Range: variable
- Weld Thickness: up to 1/4”
- Weight: 38.1lbs
- Height: 14.9in
- Length: 20.2in
- Width: 14.9in
- Best Price: Check Current Discounts
- Warranty: 90 day
Welder Parts Included
- Welding Spool Wire
- Face Mask
- Chipping Hammer and Wire Brush
- 2.5M Torch
- Spare tips
- Ground Cord
Video: Super Deal Commercial Black MIG 130 AC Flux Core Automatic Feed Welder
Super Deal Budget Mig Welder Review: Advantages
- Easy to carry and travel with
- 4 no-fuss settings
- Thermal overload protection
- Plenty of parts included in the price
Special Considerations
It’s important to realize that there are 3 slight shortcomings to the Super Deal Mig 130. Here they are:
- Can’t function with gas
- Not for aluminum
- Interestingly, some reviewers report an unhelpful owner’s manual.
Overall Assessment
For such a cheap welding machine, the Super Deal 130 is a steal of a deal. Unsurprisingly, it can’t compete with more expensive models. For example, a 10% duty cycle prevents heavy duty work.
Finding the Best Cheap Mig Welder for Any Budget: Shopping Tips
As can be seen, striking the right balance between cost and performance is challenging. Especially when you’re looking for the absolute best cheap Mig welder for sale.
Below, you’ll find 3 tips for selecting the best MIG welder under 500 dollars:
- For light home repairs, choose one of the best 100v MIG welders for the money.
- If you want versatility, opt for a 220v MIG welder.
- Likewise, be selective when buying a cheap aluminum welder. In other words, make sure it’s compatible with spool guns and can use the right gas.
Check out our handy “What to Look for in a Mig Welder” checklist for a more detailed guide.
For more inspiration, check out these blog posts:
2018’s Best Mig Welder Under 1000
The 12 Best Rated Welding Helmets for Mig
