Best 110v Stick Welders – Top Picks for 2023

The Hobart Stickmate 160i Arc Welder is a versatile, dual-voltage machine that can run on either 110 volts or 240 volts, letting you plug in and weld just about anywhere there’s electricity. This particular model is made for Hobart in China, something to think about if you’re wanting a genuine American-made machine by an American maker. It’s built and inspected to meet Hobart standards, however.

There is a lot to like about this machine, including a weight under 20 pounds, an included shoulder strap, and the ability to run most rod compositions that matter. The Hobart 500570 Stickmate 160i easily handles 6010, 6011, 6013, and 7018 rods by most makers. Owners report better performance on 6010 with lower current settings. This machine has a reputation for smooth welding quality overall.

The Hobart Stickmate 160i features an infinitely adjustable amps setting, and it works well on metal from 24 gauge sheet up to 1/4-inch thick. Hobart machines are known for industrial build quality and smooth welding. This model delivers in that regard and Hobart backs the Stickmate 160i with a 5-year warranty.

The YesWelder Arc Pro 165A Stick Welding Machine is an impressive 11-pound machine that features dual 110v/240 volt input power. It’s got a flip-up front dust cover to keep the settings panel clean. This welder features an automatic settings feature where you select your rod diameter and the machine handles the current settings for you.

The YesWelder Arc Pro 165A Stick Welding Machine is designed to run 6010 sticks when you’re using it on 240-volt power. It also handles 6013 and 7014 rods and owners report that it’s a smooth-welding machine. Some owners complained of cheap ground clamps and felt the electrode clamp was also a little too cheap, but it’s not real expensive to replace the clamps and the rest of the machine makes the purchase worthwhile.

This welder can also run TIG process, but you’ll need to purchase a torch, regulator and a few other pieces to add that to your arsenal. The YesWelder Arc Pro 165A Stick Welding Machine has a 60 percent duty cycle at max rating on 240 volts and can run 100 percent duty cycle on 128 amps in 110 mode.

The Forney Easy Weld 298 Arc Welder 100ST is a great little welder for beginners. At just under 10 pounds and about 12 by 10 by 6 inches, it’s compact and lightweight. For someone without a lot of extra shop space, it’s easy to store and it’s easily carried to get things done around the house.

This is a 110v only machine and the power output tops out at 90 amps, good enough to run 1/8-inch rods. Owners of the Forney Easy Weld 100ST mention smooth welding on 6011, 6013 and 7018 electrodes, although with 7018 it’s recommended that you stay below the 1/8-inch max diameter. Forney suggests running 3/32 rods when welding with 7018.

One of the nice things about the Forney Easy Weld 298 Arc Welder 100ST is its ability to convert to TIG capability, a great feature for this price range. You’ll need to buy parts like an argon regulator and a TIG torch. The only real negatives to this machine are short 8-foot leads, and the grounding clamp has an unusual contact design. These things won’t stop you from welding, and they’re inexpensively fixed.

The Eastwood ARC 80 Inverter Stick Welder is a 110-volt machine that will weld up to 1/8-inch steel with its 80-amp top end. The 20-amp lower limit will let you get down to 24 gauge sheet metal. Eastwood designed it with a 20 percent duty cycle at max power and kept the weight at 11 pounds for easy portability into places that are hard to reach.

This machine has a built-in anti-sticking feature, handy for beginners. The Eastwood ARC 80 Inverter Stick Welder also has a Hot Start feature that momentarily raises the current to simplify striking an arc. It runs 6013, 7014 and 7018 rods easily, but owners report that 6010 isn’t recommended. One nice feature is TIG capability with a few extra pieces like a torch and gas regulator.

The 14-gauge lead wires could stand to be a little thicker, but the Eastwood ARC 80 Inverter Stick Welder will run rods from 1/16-inch thickness up to 3/32-inch for a wide range of useful repairs, especially in the automotive realm, giving the ability to do sheet metal body work as well as fabricating brackets and mounts.

The Miller Maxstar 161 S Series Stick Welder is a premium professional machine with industrial build quality. It features a specific setting to accommodate 6010 rods, neatly taking care of one of the main complaints with lightweight inverter-type welders. You can be certain you’re able to run 6010 rods and it’s CSA certified, qualified to work on government jobs.

The primary buyers for the Miller Maxstar 161 S Series Stick Welder are professional welders and repair workers. One complaint offered by these users is that the digital controls can wear out or break under hard use. Professionals pay extra money to avoid this kind of problem. For the average DIY shop it’s probably not a major concern.

The Miller Maxstar 161 S Series Stick Welder gives up to 90 amps output on 110 volts, is known for smooth welding and sports a nice anti-sticking feature to avoid problems with sticking electrodes when running low current. This machine also cuts the power if you do get stuck. There’s also a power factor correction feature that yields the same arc characteristics and current level when switching between 110 volts and 240 volts.