6 Best Multi-Process Welders Under $1000

The YesWelder Firstess MP200 is the best multi-process welder under the $1000 mark. It packs so many features that no machine can match it at this price range. But most importantly, it’s the only multi-process unit with a plasma cutter.

This is a hobbyist-grade multi-process welder with dual voltage support. Most people will run it at 110V because you will rarely need the full 220V power. That’s because it outputs 160A of welding power and 30A for plasma at 110V. But it welds at 200A and cuts at 40A with a 220V input.

It supports DC Lift TIG, Synergic MIG, Flux-core, stick, and plasma cutting. You can easily modify each process’s behavior on the 4.3” front display with many advanced settings. The MP200 supports pre/post flow time, 2T/4T, burn back, and other useful adjustments. Plus, you can save your settings and recall them whenever you want.

Overall the MP200 is ideal for DIY and new welders who want to experience as all processes. You can usually find this welder on offer, however, if you can’t, just use the coupon code: WELDGURU10 for 10% off.

The Eastwood Elite MP200i Multi-Process Welder is a 3-in-1 welder that lets you work 22 gauge sheet metal and will go all the way up to 3/8-inch steel plate. It’s a dual-voltage machine that runs on either 120 or 240 volts. The MIG and TIG hit 90 amps and stick mode 70 amps on 120 volts. Stick mode will go to 170 amps on 240 and MIG/TIG processes reach 200 amps each.

This welder offers a great feature for sheet metal work. It’s got a spot-welding timer that lets you duplicate factory spot welds on automotive and appliance projects. This feature lends an important professional detail to this type of project. Digital displays and infinitely adjustable settings dials give you precision control over your power levels. An optional spool gun lets you weld aluminum in MIG mode.

If you don’t need this much power, want to save some cash or don’t have 220-volt capability, you might be better served by the Eastwood Elite MP140i, also a MIG/TIG/stick machine but powered on 110-volt household current, able to handle steel up to 3/16-inch thick and with many of the same features. The Elite MP140i also includes the spot-welding timer.

The WeldPro MIG155GSV Inverter Multi Process Welder offers advanced features like infinitely adjustable heat level and wire feed speed control and automatic settings control that changes your settings dynamically as you weld to maintain favorable arc characteristics. On 120-volt power you can run up to 140 amps to reach 3/16-inch thick capability. On 240-volt power it can reach 155 amps, enough to get you welding 1/4-inch steel plate.

Although this welder can be set up to run as a TIG machine if you purchase a proper TIG torch, regulator and some argon, you’re going to be scratch-starting the arc and there’s no provision for a heat control pedal. With MIG and flux core, users love this machine’s performance. The WeldPro MIG155GSV Inverter Multi Process Welder gets high praise for smooth welding and good penetration.

On the downside, the WeldPro MIG155GSV Inverter Multi Process Weldera only mounts the smaller 4-inch wire spools for MIG and flux core use. As a stick welder, this machine lets you run 6011 sticks with ease, as well as 7018 rods.The dynamic arc settings control system makes for a smooth and easy arc when stick welding.

The YesWelder MIG-205DS MIG/flux core/TIG/stick Welder features dual digital displays and dynamically modified arc control in MIG mode. This is called synergic settings or synergic arc control, and it modifies the arc settings while you weld to maintain good arc quality under
changing conditions. This machine has TIG, MIG, flux core and stick welding on tap, all chosen easily by a single digital button on the control panel.

One issue with the YesWelder MIG-205DS MIG/flux core/TIG/stick Welder as shipped is that it doesn’t include a TIG torch (full review here), but it does come with a MIG gun and an electrode clamp for stick mode. The TIG mode is a true lift-type arc start. YesWelder designed this machine with a plastic dust cover that flips up to protect the digital control panel from the hazardous welding environment, a thoughtful feature.

The YesWelder MIG-205DS MIG/flux core/TIG/stick Welder is equipped with a 2T/4T trigger lock to enable making long welding runs without hand fatigue. It’s not compatible with a spool gun, so you can’t use the MIG for aluminum. Aluminum electrodes can be used to arc weld aluminum if you really want to.

The Lincoln Electric LE31MP Multi-Process Welder features an internal gas solenoid for the TIG process and also includes a regulator for MIG shielding gas. This machine features MIG, TIG, stick and flux core processes, all with the convenience of 120-volt household power. It comes with a solid aluminum, adjustable drive mechanism and accepts both 4-inch and 8-inch spools.

While the TIG process on this machine receives high praise from owners, the Lincoln Electric LE31MP Multi-Process Welder doesn’t come with TIG equipment and you’ll need to buy your TIG torch and heat control pedal separately (full LE31MP review here). It’s not only the TIG process that owners like. Users offer similar praise for the MIG, flux and stick processes as well. This welder is a favorite in fabrication shops for quick work like tack jobs and tight work such as exhaust systems and building custom headers.

The Lincoln Electric LE31MP Multi-Process Welder comes with a 3-year warranty. Lincoln is one of the premier welding brands, seen just about anywhere there is welding going on. With an output range of 30-140 amps, you can work on 24-gauge sheet metal up to 3/16-inch thick steel plate. And with this machine, you can do it with any generator bigger than 4KW output.

Recently, Harbor Freight has added more American-made products and changed its tool offerings to a three-tier structure with inexpensive tools, better tools and “best” tools and quality competitive to famous brands. The Titanium Unlimited 200 Multi Process Welder is dual-voltage input capable, ready to run on either 120 volts or 240 volts. It can put out from 30 to 140 amps on 120 volts and up to 200 amps on 240-volt power.

The Titanium Unlimited 200 Multi Process Welder is in the middle of Harbor Freight’s price structure and offers MIG/TIG/stick/flux-core, inductance setting to control MIG bead width and a digital display. It’s got an all-metal wire drive and includes a TIG torch as well as a MIG gun. This welder only weighs 24 pounds and it’s compact enough to get into pretty tight spots.

Although the TIG process is DC and not suitable for aluminum, the MIG portion of the machine is spool gun-ready and all you have to do is buy one and plug in for aluminum capability. It’s a scratch-start TIG, but owners say it does a good job at TIG welding and it’s also got a 2T/4T trigger lock to make those long bead runs less tiring.