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Best MIG Welder for Beginners | Starter & Entry-Level Units 2023

Last updated on November 20th, 2023

MIG Welding is an excellent hobby that can also be pursued as a full-time career. A recent survey claims that the world is experiencing a severe lack of skilled welders. Mig welding is neither tough nor challenging for novices when they have the correct machine with the right features and we actually know this. Beginners always need a user-friendly and economical machine to build up their confidence and skill level. That’s where we talk about the best MIG welder for beginners in 2023.

Buying your first welder is a fantastic moment and you won’t ever forget it. We’ve gathered up a list of the best mig welder for beginners, along with their flaws and perks. These welders were chosen for a variety of reasons, including ease of use, reliability, functionality, and the machine’s brand value. The guide is optimized to get you started on the right track and help you get the ideal tool.

Comparison Table for Best Beginner MIG Welders [2023]

IMAGE PRODUCT FACTS PRICE
Bright PICK
Yeswelder MIG 205 DS -

 

Yeswelder MIG 205 DS
  • New Model
  • Versatile
  • 3-in-1
EDITOR PICK
Hobart Handler 140 MVP Welder-

 

Hobart Handler 140 MVP Welder
  • Fixed Voltages
  • Stable Arc
  • Heavy
PRO CHOICE
Forney Weld 140 MP Welder -

 

Forney Weld 140 MP Welder
  • For Artists
  • Design
  • Flawless results
BEST FOR EVERYONE
VIVIOHOME 130 MIG Flux Core

 

VIVIOHOME 130 MIG
  • Cheap
  • Gasless Unit
  • Easy Controls
Lincoln Electric K2278-1 Handy Core Lincoln Electric Handy Core
  • Cold Contactor
  • Gasless
  • Fine Welds

Contents

Top 5 Best MIG Welders for Beginners Reviews in 2023

1. Yeswelder MIG 205 DS – #1 Best MIG Welder for Beginners in 2023

Yeswelder MIG 205 DS

For incredible welding skills, it’s time to invest in Yeswelder MIG 205 DS! Very few units are perfectly designed for newcomers and it’s one of them. The machine uses inverter technology for high power and is capable to perform tig and stick welding.

The unit runs on 110v and an adapter is provided by the company that helps to use it on 220v. The duty cycle is outstanding and allows users to complete tasks quickly. Moreover, you can shift to any other welding process with a single click.

Most noteworthy, the machine’s front panel is outstanding and allows you to quickly adjust settings and different parameters according to material thickness and type of project. The digital display assists you to adjust the correct settings.

You can benefit from the synergic control option by setting down the amperage range or material thickness, then the machine will automatically change the wire feeding speed and voltage range.

Many consumers have complained about two pounds spool and we have not faced anything like that. The model can operate a two-pound spool as well as a ten to twelve-pounds spool without any issues.

yeswelder mig 205ds machine welding result

Performance-wise, the welder delivers the best results and fine beads. Although, it can’t weld aluminum but can weld ⅜” steel stocks. You can check the result of my weld in the image. In terms of mig welding, the unit works very well.

As it’s a versatile unit and offers different methods, you’ll face some hurdles while tig welding aluminum with this machine because a torch and other accessories are not provided by the company. Another positive aspect is the pretty quiet fan as compared to other machines.

What We Like
  • 3-in-1 unit
  • Two digital displays
  • Fine duty cycle
  • Synergic control
  • Not heavy
What We Don’t Like
  • TIG accessories are not included
  • Manual isn’t helpful

The 2T/4T feature makes the work easy because they allow users to draw long beads without holding the trigger for so long. Using this machine, beginners will notice the ideal combination of performance and durability.

 

2. Hobart Handler 140 MVP Welder – Best Aluminum MIG Welder for Beginners

Hobart Handler 140 MVP Welder

The kind of performance by the Hobart welders is amazing and because of this, a large variety of Hobart brand is available in the market. The Hobart Handler is fully created and developed in the U.S, which is the core reason behind its popularity.

The amperage range is from 25-140 amperes and the lowest range allows aluminum welding. Users can weld ¼” mild steel and stainless steel at high amperes.

The equipment comes with a hook for welding aluminum with a spool gun. Simply place the plug in the hook and use it. It’s a unique thing that many brands don’t offer.

Why it is best for beginners?

  • Low Duty Cycle
  • Fast Wire Speed

Instead of infinite voltages, it has the five fixed voltages option that provides enough adjustability, thus makes the arc very stable and smooth throughout the weld.

It has more than 85% positive reviews at Amazon.

In terms of welding results, the unit is amazing and finishes the project with fine tacks. You need to follow instructions and do proper settings. Here is the cart which was designed by this unit for moving around.

Hobart Handler 140 MVP mig welder welding result in the form of welding cart

With these superclass features, it also has some flaws such as its weight and fixed voltages. You need a cart to move Hobart 140 due to its weight. Moreover, the fixed voltages trend has been gone. Nowadays, new machines are coming with infinite adjustable voltages, which are more stable.

What We Like
  • Industrial machine
  • Flux core welding is possible
  • Good wire speed
  • Five years warranty
What We Don’t Like
  • Low duty cycle
  • Fixed voltages Heavy

Its wire feed mechanism is outclass and you can quickly change the roller for different wires. Moreover, the brand also provides customer support along with five years warranty. Check its complete review for more details.

 

3. Forney Weld 140 MP Welder – Best Home MIG Welder for Beginners

Forney Weld 140 MP Welder

Forney has a reputation for crafting some finest machines for welding, and we have found Forney 140 to be no different: it’s beautifully designed with a compact size that makes it the best mig welder for beginners in order to achieve perfect results.

The welder is great for learning purposes and comes with a proper instruction manual that guides you in the best way that is equally beneficial for beginners and experts.

Instead of Hobart 140, this one has infinite voltage with awesome wire feed speed options that provide you the opportunity to control your welds precisely. Moreover, users can shift to another welding process with just one click.

The mig gun is designed with quality material with a hook on the upper side for hanging it. Check the gun in the image.

forney easy weld 140 gun for welding

If we talk about the roller and wire feed mechanism, it’s really impressive. The machine has the ability to run 10-pounds spools. The wire feed mechanism gives you a wire wheel with a smooth groove around it for welding with mig wire. It gives you the ability to run 0.30 or 0.35 wire. We observed that this mechanism is of really high quality as compared to cheap plastic mechanisms.

forney easy weld 140 mp welder roller & wire feed mechanism

According to a performance perspective, the unit offers amazing performance with thick materials and can easily weld up to ¼” metals. This machine can work without gas or gas depending on the mig wire type.

What We Like
  • User-friendly
  • Multipurpose machine
  • Impressive wire feed
  • Beautiful design
What We Don’t Like
  • Only 30% duty cycle

The 140 MP welder can also run on 110v when working outdoor or a 140-volt power switch isn’t available. Overall, the unit has a one-year warranty with free technical assistance in case of any issue with the machine.

 

4. VIVIOHOME 130 MIG – Best Gasless MIG Welder for Beginners in 2023

VIVIOHOME 130 MIG

Here is our next suggestion that is the most economical on this list. It’s absolutely a simple unit with plenty of features that appeals to beginners and hobbyists. The unit is using insulated wire which efficiently shields the welds without the usage of gas.

An adjustable welding speed feature is unexpected in this unit that allows workers to adjust current feed control with ten variable options. This setting will help you to weld thin and thick steel pieces. If you don’t know much about GMAW, give a read to What is MIG Welding?

Most beginners have no idea how to utilize gas for welds, therefore they look for simple alternatives. Because it is gasless, it can be used to weld quite effectively. Remember that gasless welders create more spatter as compared to gas units.

The maximum current range of this MIG Welder Machine is 120-130A.
vivohome mig welder 130 -welding result on steel metal

If we talk about its performance, it works very well for little home tasks and light hobby projects. Deep penetration is an issue for us and we’re unable to get deep penetration. Skilled guys can efficiently achieve penetration with this model. Although, the weld result is not according to our standard but more practice will result in better.

Another thing to keep in mind is that extension cables didn’t work sometimes, so you’ll need to set up near an outlet to avoid trouble. The manufacturer includes a complimentary mask with it, however, the lenses aren’t up to par, thus best welding helmet is recommended.

What We Like
  • Oxidation resistance
  • Gasless unit
  • Most affordable
  • Best for small tasks
What We Don’t Like
  • Low quality accessories
  • Not suitable for heavy projects

The unit is portable and can be used outside. However, the company only offers a return policy instead of any warranty and I think they are already providing the best features in this price range.

 

5. Lincoln Electric Handy Core – Best Lincoln MIG Welder for Beginners

Lincoln Electric Handy Core

The Lincoln Electric K2278-1 has been one of the industry’s go to beginner options for a long time. The mig unit is excellent for artists and crafters that always lay down attractive beads. Instead of a Vivohome welder, you can get decent penetration with this unit.

It has a set of some great specs and some of them are impressive while others can be disappointed. The machine has the capacity to run on 115 volts with a standard home power outlet.

The cold contactor is an impressive feature that has amazed us. As long as you push the mig gun trigger, this feature keeps the electrical wire cold. so, accidentally touching the wire will not cause any burn.

Lincoln Electric Handy Core

Because of the low amperage range, the stated unit can only weld mild steel up to ⅛”. Most users can’t weld thicker materials above ⅛ inches, but we’ve welded thicker parts with proper settings. According to our experience, it gives nice results on thin materials.

What We Like
  • Lightweight & Portable
  • Can be operated on 115V
  • Produce clean welds
  • Cold contactor feature
  • Perfect for hobbyists & artists
What We Don’t Like
  • Low amperes Gasless welder
  • Not for large projects

For novices and learners, a gasless machine is nice because it’s easy to operate but for metal workers, it’s not suitable as it creates more spatter. The unit has a 1-year warranty with free technical assistance.

 

How to Select the Best MIG Welder for Beginners? A Guide

Before buying one of the best entry-level mig welder, there are a few factors that every buyer should consider. There’s a large variation among the welders in the metal inert gas welding category, from traditional to modern – so it’s essential to know your requirements.

Some welding machines use gas, while others do not. Think whether you require only mig welder or a flexible one with multiple functions. There are many factors to consider, so we’ve narrowed down some basic attributes that should be available in the unit you purchase.

Versatile

It’s up to you whether you want a machine that simply does mig welding or one that is multitasking. Without a doubt, mig welding is a simple and straightforward technique in which you may learn the fundamentals of welding as well as other aspects such as a molten puddle, arc, and much more.

If you wish to master new welding tactics, we recommend getting a multifunction machine. Many machines are featured in the list that only allows mig welding.

It’s also a better technique that master one skill, then move to other ones like tig and stick. Check the 110v mig welders, if you don’t want dual voltage machines.

Duty Cycle

If the welder runs for 4 minutes and six minutes are required to cool down, it means the duty cycle is 40%. For beginners, a 20-40 percent duty cycle is enough as it provides you enough time to draw beads and complete tasks. For high-end tasks, go for industrial welders that offer more than a 60% duty cycle.

Your Budget

How much you can spend is an important consideration. Some advise focusing on the low-cost machine at first, while others recommend investing in high-quality equipment. We’ll advise you to opt for a quality machine according to the budget. Believe me when I say that you can learn with a low-cost machine and that learning is based on your passion, not a machine.

Welding Capacity

You know the feats that which material you’ll weld. Most units here can weld up to ⅛” steel pieces. Every unit contains a chart that shows machine capability against the material size.

Performance

You might wonder how I can evaluate performance before making a purchase. Checking the machine’s feedback and reviews is a feasible approach. Users share their experiences with these gadgets, allowing you to quickly assess their performance and select the best mig welder for beginners.

Accessories

List a unit whose parts should be available nearby. Big brands like Lincoln and Hobart are common because their parts are available at local stores.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Which is the easy welding process for beginners?

MIG welding is always at the top when it comes to the easiest welding process for novices. Tungsten inert gas welding is complex and slow whereas stick also needs practice. So, the mig process is fast with a simple wire feed mechanism.

Q2. Is gasless welding best for outside?

Yes, because it releases more fumes and creates more spatter than using a shielding gas. So, it’s best to use it for outdoor projects.

Q3. How can I weld aluminum with mig?

You can weld aluminum with mig welding by using a spool gun. Many machines can weld around 3mm aluminum sheets and for more thin pieces a specialist tig or mig welder with a pulse feature is required.

Conclusion

There are a number of welders to choose from the entire list. All of these units are closely judged by us to offer you the best equipment. As you are looking for the best mig welder for beginners and all units clearly fulfill the requirements of novices.

To make your decision easy, here are our suggestions:

Forney Weld 140 MP WelderFor Weekend Warriors 

Hobart Handler 140 MVP WelderHelps Beginners

Vivohome MIG 130 Especially For Newbies

Josh Rogers

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