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Multi-process welders save space, labor, time, and hence money.
They do that by simply combining multiple welding processes into a single box.
But not every shop has the same needs. Some may not see enough of the benefits of a multi-process welder to make a real difference.
And how do you find one for the right price that can work all day?
Well, we made it simple, and below are ten multi-process welders worth taking a look at.
| Img | Product | Price | Voltage | Processes | Current | Controls | Screen | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yeswelder MP200 |
Yeswelder MP200 |
$$$ | 120/220V | MIG, DC TIG, Stick, Flux-cored, plasma cutting | DC | Digital | Color LCD | |
Eastwood Elite MPi200 |
Eastwood Elite MPi200 |
$$ | 110/220V | MIG, TIG, Flux-cored, Stick | DC | Digital | Digital | |
Weldpro Omni 210 |
Weldpro Omni 210 |
$$$$ | 110/220V | MIG, AC/DC TIG, Flux-cored, Stick | AC/DC | Digital | Digital | |
Klutch MP251SiLCD |
Klutch MP251SiLCD |
$$$ | 220V | MIG, TIG, Flux-cored, Stick | DC | Digital | LCD | |
Yeswelder MIG-205DS |
Yeswelder MIG-205DS |
$ | 110/220V | MIG, TIG, Flux-cored, Stick | DC | Digital | Digital | |
ESAB Rebel EMP 205ic |
ESAB Rebel EMP 205ic |
$$$$$ | 120V/230V | MIG, AC/DC TIG, Flux-Core, Stick | AC/DC | Digital | TFT LCD | |
Forney Easy Weld 140 MP |
Forney Easy Weld 140 MP |
$ | 120V | MIG, DC TIG, Flux-cored, Stick | DC | Analog | None | |
Hobart Multi-Handler 200 |
Hobart Multi-Handler 200 |
$$$$ | 120V/240V | MIG, DC TIG, Flux-cored, Stick | DC | Digital | LCD | |
Lincoln Electric 210 MP |
Lincoln Electric 210 MP |
$$$$$ | 120V/230V | MIG, DC TIG, Flux-Cored, DC Stick | DC | Digital | LCD | |
Miller Multimatic 215 |
Miller Multimatic 215 |
$$$$$ | 120V/240V | MIG, DC TIG, Flux-cored, DC stick | DC | Digital | LCD |
Here's ten of the best multi process welding machines on the market:
4.5 Weld Guru rating
The Yeswelder MP200 brings 5 capable processes in one machine for a fair price. You get all the equipment needed to start using MIG, TIG, flux-cored, stick welding, and plasma cutting right out of the box (except for consumables), making this the most versatile machine right out of the box. Need AC/DC? Check out 7-in-1 Yeswelder FIRSTESS CT2050.
This inexpensive but powerful Yeswelder MP200 5-in-1 welder/cutter allows one machine to tackle most tasks that require MIG, DC TIG, stick, or flux-cored welding, plus plasma cutting. We did a full review that can be found here.
Not only can you make your cuts, but the welding power offered goes up to 200 amps, and the duty cycle is decent for a welder that is light enough to pick up and move around.
A nice LCD screen, a streamlined control panel, and two dials and one button make setup fast and easy. With other features like smart memory and synergic MIG, this qualifies as a user-friendly welder.
Also, unlike some multi-process units, this one does not skimp. The stick welder can handle the difficult 6010 electrodes, and decent torches and accessories for the MIG, TIG, flux-cored, stick, and plasma processes are included. This machine is unique and should be on the shortlist for anyone who needs maximum versatility from one machine.
If you want AC/DC capabilities with a built-in plasma cutter, check out the new 7-in-1 Yeswelder FIRSTESS CT2050. It will cost you a bit more, but this machine is as close as you’ll come to a true all-in-one welder and cutter. And in all honesty, nothing on the market comes close to value for money.
4.5 Weld Guru rating
The Elite MP200i is a versatile, powerful, and user-friendly multiprocess welder. Add in the great price, and this is a machine that shines in most small to medium-sized shops. Plus, if you spring for the spool gun, it gets even better.
The Eastwood MP200i will please DIYers to small professional shops with its good arc quality and ease of use. A full review can be found here.
This Eastwood welder plugs into 120 or 240 volts with a 30-amp breaker circuit and features professional-quality welding MIG, TIG, and stick welding. Running on 240 volts, MIG and TIG reach 200 amps and stick to 170 amps, and it can weld from 22 gauge sheet metal up to 3/8-inch steel. If you need more juice, check out Eastwood’s Elite MP250i, which is designed for professional shop use, includes casters, and adds more punch at the top end.
The Eastwood Elite MP200i Multi-Process Welder also comes with a digital display. This makes it easy to monitor and precisely set your output numbers.
As a DC TIG machine, it’s not intended for welding aluminum, but Eastwood offers an optional spool gun to weld aluminum using the MIG process.
The Eastwood Elite MP200i Multi-Process Welder ships with a gas regulator for TIG shielding gas, a Trafimet ERGO PLUS 24 MIG gun, WP-17v TIG Torch, both with 10-foot connections. The arc welding electrode clamp is 13 feet long.
All in all, you get a lot for the price and most users will never feel like they skimped or are missing something with this unit. It is well-built and includes useful features at a reasonable price.
4.5 Weld Guru rating
The Weldpro Omni 210 is squarely focused on welding tasks, packed with features, and well built. Also, with the included AC TIG process, professional aluminum welds are possible, and this will be a key feature for many potential buyers.
If your work includes aluminum, then you should consider the Weldpro Omni 210. It can AC TIG, which is hard to find in a multi-process welder in this price range.
Out of the box, this welder can MIG, AC/DC TIG, flux-cored, and stick weld and you get all the equipment needed (minus most of the consumables) to start working. Plus, you get nice touches like a decent foot pedal, high-frequency starts, inductance adjustment, and pulse control. So, it compares well, minus the plasma cutting, to the Yeswelder MP200, but is more expensive.
But it puts out 200A and is also robustly built, as displayed by the weight. The 74 lbs. for the core unit is high for an inverter-based welder, but it’s still light enough to transport if needed. And with the ability to use 120 or 220-volt inputs, you can take this machine to work when needed.
The control panel has been simplified, and most will be able to figure it out in short order. Quickly change from one process to another. Plus the MIG and TIG torches can stay connected simultaneously, as can two gas tanks, further minimizing your setup time.
So, with a 3-year warranty, those who need a multiprocess welder that includes AC TIG should give the Omni 210 a look.
Note: If AC TIG is not important to you, Weldpro offers a similar, less expensive welder, the Weldpro 200 Amp Inverter Multi-Process Welder which offers similar Omni 210 features. But it only does lift DC TIG and comes without a foot pedal.
4.0 Weld Guru rating
The powerful Klutch MP251SiLCD fits beginners' needs nicely, especially those who don’t work much with aluminum. But professionals will find the included features at this price interesting, too. Purchase the separate spool gun, and you have a versatile multi-process machine (but it makes the price less attractive).
The Klutch MP251SiLCD provides a user-friendly, multi-process machine that beginners will appreciate. The intuitive, large LCD screen and included features like duel shielding gas connections and regulators make changing processes easier. Klutch has included auto presets that apply when entering the metal thickness and a few other parameters like metal type.
The MP251SiLCD also can put out up to 250A when needed and weld up to 1/2 in. steel. For the thin stock, it can also go as low as 15A. So when it comes to steel, this machine will take on almost anything a rookie or welding enthusiast can throw.
But when it comes to aluminum, the TIG option only outputs DC, so that is not a choice. If you work with aluminum, you can add a spool gun (sold separately) since this welder will accept the Klutch 150 Spool Gun.
Klutch also has two other multi-process units you could consider for less money. The Klutch MP230SiDV also has an LCD screen and accepts 120V and 220V inputs, includes a spool gun but has a lower 200A max output. The MP140Si is a more basic unit with simple digital displays and only outputs 90A, but it is very budget-friendly.
4.5 Weld Guru rating
With MIG, flux-cored, and stick welding at a low price (DC TIG is an optional expense), and features like a 4T trigger mode, the Yeswelder MIG 205DS is an obvious choice for many beginners who want to start welding on a unit that will help them learn good habits.
The Yeswelder MIG-205DS allows you to start with MIG, flux-cored, and stick welding on the cheap. You get a MIG torch, a stick electrode holder, a ground, and not much more. You can then purchase a separate TIG torch later when you are ready.
That keeps the initial price down. But you still get a lot. For instance, you can use 110V and 220v to power it, and it’s very light and easy to move around.
With the MIG-205DS, you also get a digital display, so the settings are precise. Also, a 4T option for long welds helps keep your hand from cramping. Features like this are surprising at this price, and it lets rookies get into welding with a machine where they can learn good habits.
But there is no spool gun support and only DC TIG capability. So, you can only weld with aluminum stick electrodes, which will be inadequate for some users. So, keep that in mind.
The MIG-205DS makes our list for the price-to-features ratio. It brings decent MIG, DC TIG, flux-cored, and stick welding to beginners without a price barrier.
5.0 Weld Guru rating
Incredible arc quality, versatility, build quality, and so many top-rate features. The Rebel 205ic is among the best welders in the consumer market, but you pay more for the added features and quality.
With a large TFT LCD, incredible arc quality, almost infinite adjustments, and top-notch build quality, the ESAB Rebel 205ic is one of the best welders in the consumer market. Not just among the multi-process welders but all of them.
Features like burn-back protection to keep wires from freezing to the nozzle and amplitude offset are nice to see in a multi-process unit. And the DC TIG can go as low as 5A (AC TIG goes down to 10A) for thin stock.
Plus, you have more control over your MIG welds with the sMIG feature that adapts the settings to your technique as you weld. These are features usually found on “pro” grade welders.
Even the stick welding process is first-rate. The Rebel 205ic handles all electrodes, and it is your best inverter-based choice if you use 6010 sticks often.
In short, this machine shines over the other consumer-grade units but is not quite an industrial welder. The one thing keeping it from being an industrial-grade machine is the 230A max output.
So, it fits into the gap between pro and consumer, which is good for those who cannot afford the pro-grade equipment but still are willing to pay a high “consumer” price to get some of the pro benefits.
You can find our full review here if you are interested in more details.
3.0 Weld Guru rating
With a solid build and the features included in the Fourney Easy Weld 140 MP, this welder fits the home user's needs well. DIYers will find this 120V-powered machine meets their needs without spending too much for a reliable multi-process machine.
Like the Yeswelder on our list, the Forney Easy Weld 140 can MIG, flux-cored, DC stick, and DC TIG weld, but only with 120v of input power. But that makes it convenient to use any place with a household current available.
An all-aluminum wire feed drive holds both 2-pound and 10-pound wire spools. Plus, the 10-foot torch and electrode clamp leads allow plenty of choice for placing the machine in the work area.
But a drawback with this particular machine, you have to buy a gas regulator to use the MIG process (detailed Forney 140 mp review here). The TIG process also requires an additional torch, electrodes, gas mixture, etc. purchases.
With infinite wire feed speed and amperage settings, the Forney Easy Weld 140 can use its included processes on sheet metal as thin as 32 gauge up to 1/4-inch plate steel. Forney also backs up the Easy Weld 140 with a 1-year warranty, making this unit perfect for DIYers, handymen, or home users who require an extremely portable, versatile 120V unit.
4.0 Weld Guru rating
At under $1,500, the included feature set is quite remarkable for a light, versatile, quality welder. The price-to-feature ratio for this welder heavily favors you, the buyer. Plus, you get a strong 5/3/1 warranty from one of the most respected names in the industry.
The Hobart Multi Handler 200 is the company’s first multi-process machine for the consumer market. If you like the Miller 215 but can’t justify the price, the Multi Handler 200 offers a good alternative. This dual-power machine runs on 120 or 240 volts and includes an all-metal wire feed drive that accommodates either 4-inch or 8-inch wire spools.
Power output for the Multi Handler 200 ranges from 20 to 200 amps. So, you have a good power range for various work. For example, in MIG mode, it can weld 24-gauge to 3/8 in steel.
Unlike the Fourney and Yeswelder on our list, this unit also includes a 12.5-foot TIG torch. But unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a foot pedal. (It accepts an optional Hobart foot pedal as an additional purchase.) Also, as a DC TIG machine, it’s not intended for aluminum. You can add the optional Spoolrunner spool gun to weld aluminum, though.
The welds produced by this multi-process unit are excellent in all modes, as good as “dedicated” machines. So, it provides reliable welding options for diverse tasks, and the resulting beads are top-notch. That makes the Multi Handler 200 a good choice for small shops, automotive garages, farms/ranches, etc. and it should be on your shortlist if you fall into one of these demanding categories that require a multipurpose machine
4.5 Weld Guru rating
For users who need a quality welder from a well-known manufacturer, the Power MIG 210 MP will check all the boxes. The bottom line, this is an easy-to-use, quality machine for serious users with cash. If you weld lots of aluminum, this unit with a spool gun is hard to beat.
The Lincoln Electric PowerMIG 210 MP is a versatile and powerful machine. It offers MIG, DC TIG, DC stick, and flux core processes with a very wide output range, 20 amps up to 140 amps when running on 120-volt input and 210 amps on 240-volt input.
At 20 amps, you can weld as thin as 28 gauge with MIG and flux-cored, even thinner with TIG. At the other end, using a 240-volt input, running 210 amps handles up to 5/16-inch thick steel.
Plus, setup and switching processes is greatly simplified with a large, color LCD screen. Users will find the minimal knobs and buttons easy to use and understand.
If you add a spool gun, you have a true multi-process welder (separate purchase). In fact, the aluminum welds produced with a spool gun on this rig are so fast and good we ranked this Lincoln machine as the best for aluminum.
One quality control issue is the wire feed spindle can show up out of round, causing wire jams. Lincoln will replace it. But you must make your claim while the machine is under warranty. The other major drawback is the lack of a TIG heat control pedal.
On the plus side, Lincoln Electric is well-known for its excellent build quality and durability. The Lincoln PowerMIG 210 MP continues these traditions, and Lincoln backs this impressive multi-process welder with a 3-year warranty.
4.5 Weld Guru rating
For the price, we would like to see a spool gun included, especially with the TIG package. But if you have the cash, this welder is user-friendly, has a strong reputation in the industry, and comes from one of an established, well-respected manufacturer. Oh, and it produces great welds, too.
The Miller Multimatic 215 brings a similar list of features to the Lincoln PowerMIG 210 MP. But it also adds touches to everything that make it user-friendly for a price.
So, yes, it’s expensive, and that gets you no spool gun or the TIG “package.” If you opt for the TIG package, it almost doubles the price, and you still don’t get the spool gun.
But you get a lot, and the user features will appeal to many. A large LCD screen with minimal knobs and buttons makes setup easy and fast. It also has an auto set function built-in to make the settings quick and easy for the specific job. No hunting for a chart.
Also, you get dual shielding gas inputs, which reduces tank swapping greatly. And the MIG process has a Smart Start™ feature for cleaner welds. Plug in a spool gun (sold separately), and the machine recognizes it immediately, with no switch to find and flip. Miller just fine-tuned the usability of so many features; it takes the user experience to a new level. This accounts for the strong reputation this unit has.
Being a Miller machine, it’s no surprise the reliability and build quality are great. The welds produced are professional grade, and anyone in the welding business for a while will know the Miller name and perhaps have already heard of this great unit.
The price will be a barrier for many, and other options on our list would be a better fit for less money (e.g., Eastwood Elite MPi200). But if you have the cash and want a top-shelf multi-welder, this one is worth a look.
1. Labor savings from multiple processes are immediately available.
2. Space savings by combining multiple machines.
3. Cost less than purchasing several single-purpose machines.
Multi-process welding machines make the most sense for small fab outfits, auto body specialists, and home DIY craftsmen.
One-man operations can save a lot with one main and one backup machine that still costs less than a whole set of specialized machines.
Related: Best Multi-Process Welders Under $1000
There is no single standard that determines which welding processes are included. Some only have MIG and stick processes; others have TIG, flux core, and MIG; others will add a plasma cutter.
TIG is the best process for sheet metal, hands down. MIG and flux core can perform well with sheet metal, but only when the arc is easily controlled, and the minimum output is below 20 amps. Many sheet metal professionals prefer TIG welders that get below 5 amps.
Stick arc and MIG processes get the best penetration if you intend to weld a thick steel plate. Plasma cutters are extremely useful to fabricators. It saves labor money when you only have to flip a couple of switches and connect a torch to cut metal right where you’re working.
Saving that walk across the shop to pull a cut adds up to a lot of saving over two separate machines.
The nature of welding technology is that any welding power source can run just about any process. The difference between high-end machines offering every process and multiple settings compared to cheaper machines with two processes and basic settings is simple. One costs more.
You should decide which welding processes carry the highest priority. Each manufacturer will emphasize a primary welding mode to keep costs down. Be sure the primary function of a given machine is in line with your priorities.
Do you need to do heavy-duty welding, cut quickly, and keep moving? You need a MIG or arc welder with a plasma cutter.
If you’re not cutting frequently, it might be more cost-effective to buy a plasma cutter separately and get a multi-process machine with MIG, TIG and stick.
If you want to TIG weld aluminum, you need a machine with AC TIG welding. The best-looking welds on aluminum with the greatest strength are from AC TIG machines.
If you’re going to do a lot of outdoor work, you need to put a priority on flux core or stick arc processes.
Accessories should be considered when comparing prices if you don’t already have the proper TIG or MIG torch, or if you need a heat control pedal for a TIG machine. Some machines have features like lift-type arc starts or high-frequency no-touch arc starting for plasma or TIG electrodes. These features help to save money by reducing the rate at which consumables wear out. You may find you don’t need dual voltage input and get by with 120 volts of input power.
Also read: Reviews of MIG welders
For most people, the best multi-process welder for the money is the Eastwood Elite MP200i. It’s got great features, a nice set of accessories, good build quality, and Eastwood’s 3-year warranty, extendable to 2 more years at extra cost.
If you need the option to do plasma cutting, then the Yeswelder MP200 is the best option for a 5-in-1 solution.
If TIG welding is your preferred process, then you will want to consider the two AC/DC multi-process welders… The cheap option: Weldpro Omni 210, or if you have the budget, then the ESAB Rebel EMP 205ic.
The Hobart Multi Handler 200 Welding Machine gives you big-name peace of mind, a five-year warranty, and the Hobart reputation for customer service. Along with an extensive national dealer and service network, you get big power, spool gun capability, and the option of plugging in a foot pedal for TIG work.
YesWelder’s MIG-205DS is our budget choice for a multi-process welder with 200-amp MIG, TIG, flux, and stick power. It’s got great design choices, like the flip-up dust cover on the front panel and single-button switching for ease of use. It’s versatile, has dynamic arc settings, and it offers a lot of flexible power for the money.
Have any other recommendations? Let us know in the comments below.
Comments are closed.
I’ve owned an Everlast 210EXT Tig welder and Power Plasma 60S for about seven years and have had no complaints with build quality or customer service issues. So I gave myself an Everlast 253DPI Mig welder for Christmas, no problems with it either, when you can run a 100% duty cycle @ 200 Amps you know your welding with lead in your pencil!
In my world a true “Multi process machine includes AC TIG or it is not multi process totally. Many are duped by the omission of AC . My humble opinion of course..
At the basic level I believe a multi-process welder should be capable of at least 3 processes. But I agree, if you comfortable with all arc welding processes, the added availability of AC TIG really does make it a “true” multi-process welder.