7 Best MIG Welders Under $1000

Img	Product	Duty Cycle	Voltage	Processes	Screen	Controls	Where to Buy
Best for beginners Eastwood 180 MIG	Eastwood 180 MIG	60% at 130A, 100% at 100A	120/240V	MIG, Flux-cored	None	Analog	Visit Eastwood
Best overall Firepower FP-200	Firepower FP-200	60% at 100A, 15% at 200A	115/230V	MIG, Flux-cored	Digital	Digital	Visit Northern Tool
Best value for the money YesWelder 250A	YesWelder 250A	60% at 250A, 100% at 193A	220V	MIG, Flux-cored, Stick, DC TIG	Digital	Digital	Visit Yeswelder
Best multi-process pick Klutch MP230SiDV	Klutch MP230SiDV	40% at 90A, 20% at 200A	120/230V	MIG, Flux-cored, TIG, Stick	LCD	Digital	Visit Northern Tool
Best cheap option Everlast Cyclone 200E	Everlast Cyclone 200E	60% at 90A, 25% at 180%	120/240V	MIG, Flux-cored	LCD	Digital	Visit Amazon
Best by popularity Hobart Handler 210 MVP	Hobart Handler 210 MVP	30% at 150A	120/240V	MIG, Flux-cored	None	Analog	Visit Amazon
Cheap transformer MIG welder Lincoln Easy MIG 140	Lincoln Easy MIG 140	20% at 90A	115V	MIG, Flux-cored	None	Analog	Visit Northern Tool

1. Eastwood 180 Amp MIG Welder

Best for beginners

Eastwood 180

4.5 Weld Guru rating

Weld Guru’s rating is determined by a variety of factors including features, performance, independant research and real user ratings. Scoring is not influenced by the manufacturer.

This welder is a good choice for first-time welders because of its arc quality and low cost. Plus, its ease of use and additional features are beneficial for rookies.

Check Latest Price (via Eastwood)

Brand:

Eastwood
Model:

180 MIG
Weight:

25.3 lbs
Price:

$
Duty Cycle:

60% at 130A, 100% at 100A
Voltage:

120/240V
Processes:

MIG, Flux-cored
Max Thickness:

Mild steel up to 5/16 in.
Screen:

None
Controls:

Analog
Max Output:

180A
Warranty:

3 Years

The Eastwood MIG 180 is one of my favorite welders for beginners and is one of the best inexpensive welders on the market. Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of this machine. Its build and arc quality impressed me, and it’s not far off the Hobart Handler 210 and Lincoln Easy MIG 140. It beats the Hobart and Lincoln models in my opinion because of the price-to-quality ratio.

It uses the latest IGBT inverter technology, making it lightweight and portable. The added features like 2T/4T modes let you weld without keeping the torch trigger depressed at all times (4T). Plus, the tack welding feature enables you to make consistent tack welds, making it a good choice for sheet metal work.

The Eastwood MIG 180 is great for beginners because it’s inexpensive, has a great arc quality, infinite adjustability, and added features. The combination of these lets you learn how to properly weld on a budget, and from your home thanks to its dual voltage support.

If you are looking for a machine to learn how to weld, don’t buy a random cheap welder with poor arc quality. If you do, you’ll have to re-learn most of the techniques. That’s why this inexpensive Eastwood is a good choice for rookies.

But if you need more power and are willing to sacrifice some portability, the Eastwood MIG 250 can weld up to 1/2 in. thick and remains below $1000.

Pros

Inexpensive
High-quality build
USA brand
Upgraded with the latest IGBT inverter technology
Smooth, stable arc
Good duty cycle
2T/4T and tack welding modes
Infinite adjustability
Native spool gun support for welding aluminum
Supports dual voltage input
Lightweight and portable
3-Year warranty

Cons

No display
Ground clamps are not the best quality

2. Firepower FP-200 MIG Welder

Best overall

Firepower FP-200

4.5 Weld Guru rating

Weld Guru’s rating is determined by a variety of factors including features, performance, independant research and real user ratings. Scoring is not influenced by the manufacturer.

Competing with Hobart and Lincoln lines, this inverter MIG welder from ESAB's brand is excellent value money and can be compared to the ESAB EM 210. is the best MIG welder under $1000, thanks to its exceptional arc and built quality.

Check Latest Price (via Northern Tool)

Brand:

Firepower
Model:

FP-200
Weight:

28.7 lbs
Price:

$$$
Duty Cycle:

60% at 100A, 15% at 200A
Voltage:

115/230V
Processes:

MIG, Flux-cored
Max Thickness:

Mild steel up to 3/8 in.
Screen:

Digital
Controls:

Digital
Max Output:

200A
Warranty:

3 Years

The Firepower FP-200 is an inverter MIG welder by an ESAB owned brand and is almost identical to the ESAB EM 210. It has an exceptional build and arc quality for the price, and includes many useful features. It’s the best MIG welder overall under the $1000 price tag and is designed for work in construction, automotive, agricultural, and fabrication fields.

The biggest shortcoming of the FP-200 is the low-duty cycle. But this is the case with most high-end welders with a lower price tag. It’s challenging to include useful features and excellent arc quality for a low price. Even so, if your shop handles high-volume thick metal welding, the Firepower’s 15% duty cycle at 200A will not suffice your needs. In that case, the Eastwood MIG 250 is your best bet.

Asides from a low duty cycle, the welder offers exceptional weld quality, ease of use, and adjustability. The 2T/4T welding modes let you weld in regular or 4T mode that doesn’t require you to keep the trigger pressed at all times. While the MIG inductance and wire burnback time let you modify arc intensity and how long the wire is energized after it stops being fed.

Pros

Firepower is a brand by ESAB
Great arc quality
Built well like all ESAB welders
Dual voltage support
Digital display
Multiple advanced functions like inductance control, 2T/4T, and wire burn back time
Lightweight and portable
Spool gun support
3-Year warranty

Cons

It doesn’t automatically detect the input voltage. It requires a manual switch
Low duty cycle

3. YesWelder 250A MIG Welder

Best value for the money

YesWelder 250A

4.0 Weld Guru rating

Weld Guru’s rating is determined by a variety of factors including features, performance, independant research and real user ratings. Scoring is not influenced by the manufacturer.

Lightweight, powerful, feature-rich, multi-process welder with emphasis on MIG welding. Made for hobbyists and provides excellent value for the money.

Check Latest Price (via Yeswelder)

Brand:

Yeswelder
Model:

250A
Weight:

21.72 lbs
Price:

$$
Duty Cycle:

60% at 250A, 100% at 193A
Voltage:

220V
Processes:

MIG, Flux-cored, Stick, DC TIG
Max Thickness:

Mild steel up to 1/2 in.
Screen:

Digital
Controls:

Digital
Max Output:

250A
Warranty:

1 Year

The YesWelder MIG 250 is a powerful, inverter-based multi-process welder focusing on the MIG welding process. It provides many features for a fraction of the competing models’ cost, making it the best value MIG welder.

With 250A of welding power and a 60% duty cycle, the MIG 250 satisfies the needs of hobbyists but also that of a welding shop. However, since this is an inexpensive welder from a brand known for hobbyist-grade equipment, I wouldn’t be pushing its limits daily.

It offers a decent build quality for the price. The cast aluminum wire feeding system, digital display, quality MIG torch, and a pretty good ground clamp at this price make it a bargain.

The included lift DC TIG and stick welding are a welcome addition, allowing you to work on more clean projects using TIG or weld dirtier metal outside with stick mode. The YesWelder MIG 250 is easy to use thanks to the large digital display and the infinitely adjustable settings.

It supports the flux-cored wire up to 0.045 in. diameter, which is excellent for high filler metal deposition rates and thick metal welding. This is one of the rare welders that support the 0.045 in. wire at this price. So if you weld thicker metals often, it’s worthy of your attention.

Pros

Inexpensive
Good build quality considering the cost
250A of power with a high duty cycle
Supports MIG, stick, and lift TIG
Automatic and manual welding modes
Digital display
Infinite adjustability for all settings
Native spool gun support
Accepts wire up to .045”
Lightweight
Front panel transparent cover protection
Cast aluminum wire drive system
1-Year warranty

Cons

220V current input only
TIG torch not included
Spool/MIG gun switch located inside the unit
The wire feeding system is a bit hard to access with fingers because the side panel housing partially covers it

4. Klutch MP230SiDV LCD Multi-Processes Welder

Best multi-process pick

Klutch MP230SiDV

5.0 Weld Guru rating

Weld Guru’s rating is determined by a variety of factors including features, performance, independant research and real user ratings. Scoring is not influenced by the manufacturer.

The included spool gun and LCD with advanced menu settings separate this welder from the crowd. It supports all major arc welding processes and comes with everything included, making it one of the best multi-process welders at this price.

Check Latest Price (via Northern Tool)

Brand:

Klutch
Model:

MP230SiDV
Weight:

33 lbs
Price:

$$$$
Duty Cycle:

40% at 90A, 20% at 200A
Voltage:

120/230V
Processes:

MIG, Flux-cored, TIG, Stick
Max Thickness:

Mild steel up to 5/16 in.
Screen:

LCD
Controls:

Digital
Max Output:

200A
Warranty:

3 Years

If you are interested in other welding processes besides MIG and want to stay in a $1000 range, the Klutch MP230SiDV is probably your best bet. While slightly more costly, it supports many advanced features and includes a spool gun for aluminum. Almost all other brands require purchasing a spool gun separately, adding to the price.

The Klutch MP230SiDV comes in a massive package. Everything is included, and all accessories are of good quality for the price. The foot pedal has an extra-long 26-feet cord, and torch/clamp leads are also long.

Its 200A of power lets you weld up to 5/16 in. thick mild steel at a 20% duty cycle. While better than Firepower FP-200, the Klutch’s duty cycle is still low for high-volume welding. However, a small fab shop or a welding professional who doesn’t often weld thick metals will benefit from this welder, thanks to all of its functions.

Offering the four most essential welding processes with many adjustabilities for each, an LCD, very good build quality, and 3-year warranty, make this one of the best multi-process welders at this price.

Pros

Very good build quality
Lightweight and portable
Offers MIG, Flux-cored, Stick, and TIG welding in one unit
Supports dual voltage input
It comes with all necessary accessories, including the MIG spool gun and TIG foot pedal
Good quality MIG and TIG torch
Large LCD screen with multi-language menu support
It supports auto settings and allows you to fine-tune the wire feeding speed and voltage
Infinite adjustability for all settings
IAdvanced functions like 2T/4T, spot, and inductance control
3-Year warranty

Cons

Low duty cycle
DC TIG only
It doesn’t officially recommend E6010 stick electrodes

5. Everlast Cyclone 200E

Best cheap option

Everlast 200E

4.5 Weld Guru rating

Weld Guru’s rating is determined by a variety of factors including features, performance, independant research and real user ratings. Scoring is not influenced by the manufacturer.

Including an LCD display, auto and manual settings, and a 5-year warranty, at a low price, makes it the best cheap MIG welder in our comparison.

Check Latest Price (via Amazon)

Brand:

Everlast
Model:

200E
Weight:

26.5 lbs
Price:

$
Duty Cycle:

60% at 90A, 25% at 180%
Voltage:

120/240V
Processes:

MIG, Flux-cored
Max Thickness:

Mild steel up to 1/4 in.
Screen:

LCD
Controls:

Digital
Max Output:

200A
Warranty:

5 Years

The Everlast Cyclone 200E is an inexpensive MIG/flux-cored inverter welder offering decent arc and build quality for the price. It’s one of the cheapest welders with an LCD, a dual voltage input, and a 200A output.

Its duty cycle of 25% at 180A satisfies the needs of hobbyists and professionals who need a cheap but reliable welder. However, the lack of any advanced functions puts this welder in an entry-level category. Nevertheless, the provided LCD is helpful for beginners because it allows you to read the output values and use the auto “PowerSet” mode for voltage and wire feed control.

The welder is built well for the price. It uses a cast aluminum wire feeding system, a good MIG torch, and a decent ground clamp. However, the knurled groove drive roll is sold separately. So, you can’t weld with a flux-cored wire out of the box. Additionally, the back of the welder is rather flimsy. The on/off button, gas inlet, and cooling fan aren’t nearly as well made as with the Eastwood MIG 180 that’s similarly priced.

The Everlast Cyclone 200E is a good machine for the price, but it’s best if used by hobbyists or for light shop welding. The 5-year warranty is impressive. So, unless you push this welder too much, you should get a great return on investment.

Pros

Inexpensive
Good built quality
Digital display
Lightweight
Dual voltage input support
Easy to use
Spool gun ready
Auto and manual modes for voltage and wire feeding settings
5-Year warranty

Cons

Knurled drive roll for flux-cored wire is not included
Duty cycle on the low end
It doesn’t support any advanced features like 2T/4T, burnback, or inductance control

6. Hobart Handler 210 MVP

Best by popularity

Hobart 210 MVP

4.0 Weld Guru rating

Weld Guru’s rating is determined by a variety of factors including features, performance, independant research and real user ratings. Scoring is not influenced by the manufacturer.

One of the most popular welders for DIY hobbyists, the Handler still keeps its legacy as a machine with the best arc and build quality.

Check Latest Price (via Amazon)

Brand:

Hobart
Model:

Handler 210 MVP
Weight:

79 lbs
Price:

$$$$$
Duty Cycle:

30% at 150A
Voltage:

120/240V
Processes:

MIG, Flux-cored
Max Thickness:

Mild steel up to 3/8 in.
Screen:

None
Controls:

Analog
Max Output:

210A
Warranty:

3 Years

The Hobart Handler 210 MVP is an iconic welder by one of the best welding machine manufacturers. It’s transformer-based, has a beautiful arc, and has a strong warranty. At the time of its launch, it was one of the best portable welders, but newer technologies provided by other brands have taken its throne.

Today, 79 lbs can’t be deemed portable, even if you can physically move it. Its outdated 7 fixed voltage system is good enough, but infinite adjustability is simply better. It doesn’t have a display and costs much more than welders that do. And to put the cherry on the cake, it integrates the ground clamp and doesn’t use the standard DINSE plugs. This makes polarity change more complicated, and replacing the ground clamp requires rewiring inside the unit.

This is still a very good welder. But it’s definitely overpriced, judging by today’s standards. However, if you want the best build quality, Hobart is still a leader in that arena. Plus, its quick select wire drive may be helpful for people who switch wire spools often. But even if we take all positives into account, welders like Eastwood MIG 180 still provide much better value

Pros

Excellent build quality
Smooth, stable Hobart’s arc
USA brand
Quick select drive roll for easy wire switching
Intuitive front panel interface
High maximum wire feeding speed
Has a native spool gun support
The lowest output of 25A for stock as thin as 24 gauge
Best cast aluminum wire feeding system of all welders in the review
Hobart’s 5/3/1 warranty

Cons

Heavy compared to inverter welders
Low duty cycle
It doesn’t use standard DINSE connectors, requiring you to switch polarity inside the machine
Uses outdated fixed-voltage output points instead of the infinitely adjustable knob
No display
It doesn’t support any advanced functions
Integrated ground clamp
Relatively expensive compared to other brands

7. Lincoln Electric Easy MIG 140

Cheap transformer MIG welder

Lincoln Easy MIG 140

3.5 Weld Guru rating

Weld Guru’s rating is determined by a variety of factors including features, performance, independant research and real user ratings. Scoring is not influenced by the manufacturer.

If you value old transformer technology and don’t want to get something overly heavy, this welder may fit the profile.

Check Latest Price (via Northern Tool)

Brand:

Lincoln
Model:

Easy MIG 140
Weight:

54 lbs
Price:

$$$
Duty Cycle:

20% at 90A
Voltage:

115V
Processes:

MIG, Flux-cored
Max Thickness:

Mild steel up to 3/16 in.
Screen:

None
Controls:

Analog
Max Output:

140A
Warranty:

3 Years

Similar to the Hobart Handler 210 MVP, the Lincoln Electric Easy MIG 140 is slowly being run over by time. But unlike Handler 210, it can still be considered portable. If you are looking for a transformer MIG welder, this model has the least weight and can be used for welding on the go.

It has a low amperage output and a duty cycle, so it’s a good choice for hobbyists and light welding tasks only. Unfortunately, it also doesn’t use the DINSE plugs, making the polarity switch more difficult. In addition, there are no extra features like wire burnback or inductance control, and it doesn’t offer infinite adjustability for voltage either. This means that you won’t be able to perfectly dial in your welds like with the YesWelder, Eastwood, or other welders above.

However, Lincoln Electric is one of the best brands in the welding world, and its welders are built to last. The Easy MIG 140 has a very good build quality for the price, so it’s a good budget option if you don’t need any additional features.

Pros

USA brand
Very good build quality
Smooth, stable arc
Easy to use
Portable
Angled cast aluminum wire feeding system for better wire feedability
Inexpensive
Supports a spool gun for welding aluminum
3-Year warranty

Cons

While portable, it's heavy for a low amperage 115V welder
Low duty cycle
Low amperage output for the price
No display
No additional functions like inductance, 2T/4T, or similar
Uses fixed-pints voltage adjustment system
The welding gun is a bit cheap
Integrated ground clamp and absence of standard DINSE plugs
Polarity change requires rewiring the leads inside the welder