Are you looking for a MIG welder? Well, the question is not whether the best MIG welder out there is $500 or not. Rather, what kind of MIG welder do you want? The question of what kind of MIG welder you want is a big question to answer. There are a ton of benefits and drawbacks to the welding machines on the market today. So, we’ve compiled an extensive list for you with our favorites, so you can consider what’s most important for your needs.
3 Best rated MIG welders under $500
Table could not be displayed.The 5 Best MIG welder under $500
1. Hobart 500559 Handler 140 MIG Welder 115V
The most important aspect of any welding project is the design. The welder you get should be able to handle the thickness of material that you’re welding and have great construction as well. The Hobart 500559 Handler 140 MIG Welder 115V is known for its ease of use, durability, and suitability for several types of materials.
We’re impressed with this machine’s construction 15 AMP AMPERES. This provides the adequate power and capabilities to weld up to 1/4 inch mild steel. The Handler 140 welder comes with a run-start feature, which means that it will always start when the trigger is pulled. The protection from overheating helps ensure that your welder runs smoothly, making over-heating instances a rare occurrence.
The Handler 140 is also equipped with an auto-tune, which allows it to adjust to the type of material you are welding. Once the material becomes too hot, the machine will automatically stop and allow you to cool down. The Handler 140 also comes with a 25 foot extension cord and spark saver device.
Read more: 10 Best Dual Voltage MIG Welders – A Comprehensive Guide
2. Lincoln Electric K2185-1 Handy MIG Welder
If the Handler 140 is a little too high of a price for you to consider buying, then the Lincoln Electric K2185-1 Handy MIG Welder may be more affordable. At under $500, we’re confident you won’t find a more affordable welder for sale. This welder can weld up to 1/8 inch thick aluminum, making it suited for a great variety of projects.
Offering 20 AMP AMPERES, you’ll be able to weld up to 2/0 AWG. The Lincoln Electric K2185-1 Handy MIG Welder comes with an on/off switch and an adjustable trigger to control the welding procedure. The run-start feature will not let you weld or start the welding machine if it is not completely charged. You can also adjust the gas flow with this well performing MIG welder.
Read next: 7 Best Budget 220V MIG Welders – Top Picks & Overview
3. YESWELDER Digital MIG-205DS MIG Welder
The YESWELDER Digital MIG-205DS MIG Welder is the most powerful and reliable welder in its class. It’s ideal for heavy duty industrial and professional welding projects. Its IGBT inverter technology provides high power in a light, compact unit (33 lbs). It’s designed for hardware, decoration, car modification, equipment and factory maintenance. This unit is capable of performing mig and stick welding. It also can weld 1/8″～3/16″ metal thickness up to 3.0 MPA (2200 W) simultaneously.
The MIG/MAG/FLUX Welding can take up to 035″～0.9mm MIG solid wire (Gas MIG) and .035″～0.9mm MIG flux wire (Gasless MIG). The YESWELDER Digital MIG-205DS MIG Welder is built with safety in mind. It has an automatic over-current, over-voltage and over-heating protection circuit with a digital readout that’s easy to understand. It also comes with a free mig stand and takes 1/8″～3/16″ electrodes for the clamp.
4. W Weldpro MIG155GSV MIG Welder
This compact, portable welder is an extremely capable unit that can run on either 110/115 or 220/230 volts. It comes complete with everything as pictured and is ready to weld. With a welding range of 30A to 155A, this versatile welder can be used for all types of welding jobs, from MIG, flux-cored and stick welding. This model also has infinitely adjustable wire speed and heat settings making it perfect for any project size up to 1/4″ mild steel using 220 volt input in both MIG and flux-cored mode.
The use of advanced IGBT inverter technology with automatic overheat protection means you’ll never have to worry about expensive repairs or accidents due to overheating when this welder is in use. The model 155 also uses advanced compact IGBT inverter design with extra large heat sink and auto-ground clamp system, meaning you get a premium welder without paying the premium price.
The advanced wire feed system makes MIG welding easier and more efficient, saving you money and materials. The patented wire feeder design allows you to feed the wire at a variable speed from 78 in./min. to 396 in./min., allowing you to use a wider range of materials than most competitors’ welders on the market today. This welder also comes with 4T mode which is useful if you have a long weld to do, as it saves you having to hold the trigger down the whole time.
5. Forney Easy Weld 140 MP
Forney EASY Weld 140 MIG is an Advanced multi process welder which combines functionality, ease-of-use, and affordability. This machine can weld up to 10 lb of mild steel in stick or arc fashion in just one pass. It is the perfect machine for hobbyists and pros alike! The EASY Welder has a large steel case with three-position switch, easy start, infinite voltage and speed control, integrated handle with torch wrap, and an extra contact tip.
One of the most advertised features of this welder is the well-known reputation it has for being easy to use. We may not know everything about welding, but we do know that it takes a lot of skill and practice to weld with confidence. This welder’s reputation for ease-of-use will hopefully allow you to start learning much faster than you ever could have imagined.
Forney EASY Weld is designed for the beginner to intermediate MIG welder, who wants a reliable machine at a reasonable price under $500. This machine has been developed to satisfy the needs of those who want to weld up to 1/4″ of steel with ease at an affordable cost.
The EASY Welder is one of the most affordable welding machines in its class, loaded with a number of features that most buyers will find valuable. At its core, this MIG welder is a stick welding machine with three-position switch, which allows you to change process quickly by simply moving the switch from one position to another.
Buying Guide For Serious Buyer’s
Know what your needs are. This is definitely a crucial step that many people overlook. Before purchasing something, there are some questions you should ask yourself to determine what you will use it for and how often. This will help narrow your list down to the best possible options. Know how much power you need.
Weight
Weight is one of the most important factors when choosing a MIG welder. As many of you know, welding can be a very physically demanding job, depending on the type of project. Having a light weight welder will allow you to work for much longer without getting tired. Of course, there is an optimal weight that should be considered as well. The perfect welder would be lightweight while still remaining powerful and capable enough to handle any project.
Power
The power of the MIG welder is also a major factor, as you need something that is going to be able to handle the jobs you are working on. The power of the welder can tell you exactly how powerful it is and how capable it will be for your needs.
Ease of use
Ease of use is another factor that should be considered when you are looking for the best MIG welder under $500. Of course, there are plenty of options on the market for something that is easy to use and doesn’t require a lot of adjustment. Simply put, if you don’t have enough knowledge about welding and find it difficult to use something, it will be frustrating and not worth your time.
Durable
Welders are definitely a tool that you want to be able to use for quite some time. It’s best to get something that is durable and will last you a long time without having to replace or upgrade it.
Brands
If you’ve been looking for the right MIG welder, you might have noticed the brands that are always on top. So you should check the brands first and then next steps to configure their quality as per your work requirements.
Warranty
Warranty is a must, if you want to buy something that will last long enough to be worth the price. You should definitely check the warranty as it’s basically a guarantee of your product and any issues that come up will be solved promptly.
Accessories
Accessories are basically all the extra items that come with the welder. This can include things like hoses, nozzles, and even hand grips. These extras are extremely important because they help you to get the best results possible.
Price
Yes, price is one of the most important factors that you need to know about when looking for a MIG welder. Of course, welding is not cheap and there are plenty of ways to make it cheaper. However, this also means that there are also plenty of ways to overpay for things as well, so you need to be careful with what you choose.
MIG welder has some basic duties of welding metals, iron and steel. As one of the most important components used in manufacturing, MIG welders are essential for a number of industries that require their work to be done. There are a variety of MIG welders on the market today and figuring out what to buy is no easy task. Here are a few things you should consider before buying any MIG welder under $500 .
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is a Mig Welder?
A Mig Welder is a machine used with a wire feed that allows you to weld two pieces of metal together. It melts the metals at high temperatures and then fuses them together.
Q. What are the Benefits of Using a Mig Welding Machine?
Precise welding are easy with this machine.
It is flexible, and can be used on multiple types of materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, and even titanium.
MIG uses less amount of fumes than most other machines that use gas, so it is eco-friendly.
It is ideal for smaller projects.
The only tools needed to operate this machine are a ground clamp, mig welding gun, and gas regulator.
Q. How do Mig Welders Work?
Mig welders are like the glue of the welding world. They take two wires with an electrode at the end of each wire and feed them through a spool that melts the metals together at high temperatures.
These machines are very popular with automotive shops and they use them to weld together bumpers and grill components. They even use them to weld engine parts. However, MIG welders can be used to do a lot more things besides these types of applications.
Q. What are the main components of a MIG Welder?
The main parts of a mig welding machine include gas and air supply, feeder cable, power cord, work clamp, electrode holder guide and electrode holders. A good quality machine should have comprehensive accessories to go with it.
Q. Which is the best MIG welder under 500?
Recently I’ve discovered five awesome welder that will help you get your projects done quickly and effortlessly. These welders are very powerful and efficient, making welding easy and accurate. They also have excellent warranties, allowing you to have a tool that’s absolutely reliable.
Conclusion
This list of welding equipment is not all inclusive, but represents a very good sampling of the different types of welding equipment available on the market today. Whether you are just starting out and trying to hone your skills or looking for a new workhorse for your shop, this list should help you find the perfect welding machine for your needs. The majority of these welders have received glowing reviews from satisfied customers and we suggest you take some time to research each model so that you can determine which one is the best fit for you.
With the proper tools, you can make any repairs or modifications that you need. Welding is a very useful skill to have, especially if you are like me and live off-grid. It gives you the ability to fix things without having to spend tons of money at a garage or in the store. Of course, there are going to be instances where something still needs to be replaced.
Never forget to share if you like these welders.
Note: ElectroWeld is reader-supported. If you click a link and buy something we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you., learn more on disclaimer.
Walton M. Edwards was born in 1994 in a coal mining town, he has worked as a welder, a hardware salesman, and as a pipe fitter and has been employed as a laborer for about fifty years. Walton is a native of Wabash County in Indiana, but he now resides in Bloomington, Indiana.