Last updated on November 20th, 2023
The welding market right now is huge, filled up with a large number of competitors. It might be frustrating when you’re trying hard to find out the best one for money. Don’t panic!!! Our guide has everything whether you’re searching for the Dc unit or Ac unit. Go through the complete guide and you will find the best tig welder as per your needs in 2023.
We evaluated dozens of welders coming from Weldpro, Lincoln, Eastwood, Everlast, and others. We selected the best TIG welder based on their result, product features, manufacturer’s reputation value, and most importantly, user feedback. Ac output is a salient attribute of today’s machines, and it was our principal focus.
All products reviews are explained with proper pictures that we taken while testing to help all our readers and customers.
Comparison Table
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FACTS | PRICE |
---|---|---|---|
OUR PICK
| Weldpro Digital TIG 200GD |
| |
FAVORITE PICK
| Everlast PowerTIG 200DV |
| |
PROFESSIONAL CHOICE
| AHP AlphaTIG 200X |
| |
BEST VALUE FOR MONEY
| Eastwood TIG 200 AC/DC |
| |
Everlast PowerArc 161STh |
| ||
BEGINNERS PICK
| Yeswelder TIG 205 DS |
| |
EXPERT PICK
| Lincoln Electric Square Wave TIG 200 |
| |
USERS FAVORITE
| Primeweld TIG 225X |
| |
| Lotos TIG 200 |
| |
MOST BUDGET PICK
| S7 TIG 200A |
|
Contents
Top 10 Best TIG Welders Tested and Compared for 2023
1. Weldpro Digital TIG 200GD – #1 Best TIG Welder in the World
Weldpro is well known for making excellent machines with the latest demands. Here’s a dual voltage operation machine designed in a way to meet all modern TIG welding requirements. It uses the most advanced technology IGBT circuit and PWM technology to enhance productivity in your welding job. Moreover, it’s well-known for aluminum welding.
I have been using it for the last two years and am extremely satisfied with it. For our audience and readers, we tested it in all modes, and it quickly passed all trials. An exciting feature is that it offers a full 40% duty cycle at 200 amps for DC and a 60% duty cycle at 200 amps for AC.
Specs do not define the product’s quality, so here are some experiments to make it easier for you to understand the product performance.
We welded thinner 3/8″ thickness aluminum and stainless steel metals, and without any hesitation, the result was satisfactory. Check the images that how clean and precise the result is.
People who complain over 120v are lacking basic knowledge. If your 120V supply wiring is not up to the mark, surely it will not work for any model or brand. We burned a two-year-old rod and a brand new rod, the machine ran all of them very fine. At 110v, it was running smoothly, and without using a pulse, we welded thin aluminum.
The 2T/4T touch control helps you in the long run, especially when you’re planning to make beads. The biggest challenge with a TIG welder is learning how to set the setting on it to do what you want to do, so if you are quite an expert or pro, this machine is a piece of cake.
What’s the unique in this welder?
The main thing is that this product offers a wide range of features at this price which others have least. 2T-4T touch control, start amps, end amps, upslope, downslope, pulse AC balance, and dedicated foot control pedal. buttons, connection ports, and knobs are placed at a commonplace. Its post-flow and pre-flow help you weld precisely and very cleanly.
- Comes with all accessories
- Compact display
- User-friendly controls
- Hf arc start
- Irregular performance of the gas regulator
- No lift start option
This machine is a fine stick welder as well and is able and capable of HF TIG. It comes in two versions, the CK version, and the euro version, but the main difference is the TIG torch, it’s your choice which one you like, but both don’t have much difference. Without any doubt, it is the most featured welder for this price.
2. Everlast PowerTIG 200DV – Best TIG Welder by Everlast
This machine is for you who want a welder that can weld stainless steel and aluminum. It has the same features as PowerTIG 200DX but enlarges its adaptability by adding dual voltage and a digitally controlled IGBT inverter, which can employ 120v or 240v single phase 50/60 hertz.
According to welding instructor Bob Moffatt, it is the fine TIG unit in this price bracket, so you get a lot of features without spending thousands of dollars. The quality of the machine is excellent.
If we talk about performance, it is leading all others. One of our senior team member welded and joined the aluminum intercooler fabrication of his sports car and all results were awesome. The images speak better, so here it is:
After welding on four pulses per second, we’ve got a lot of ridges stacked adjacent together and they are good compared to one pulse per second.
The PowerTIG 200DV has the advantage of dual voltage, long duty cycle, fully adjustable pulse frequency, 2T/4T control, pre/post flow, color-coded controls, and much more.
One appealing feature is that it can work with generators rated at 3500 and more, allowing for outside welding. In the current market, the least welders are generator friendly.
- Smooth stable arc
- Color-coded controls
- Flawless welding with thinner materials
- Versatile machine
- Power cable is not included
- Only for experts
With its five-year warranty, you can easily understand the durability, trust of manufacturers in a product, power structure, and long-lasting of this machine.
3. AHP AlphaTIG 200X – Best AC/DC TIG Welder
It’s an updated version of the previous machine. Ahp AlphaTIG 200X is getting more fame because of its rapid set function.
This feature attracted a large number of people towards it, completely changing the welding industry’s landscape. The performance of this updated version is tested in every mode and function.
If you open the DC menu and click on the rapid function button, you will get different configurations here. By rapid set function, you can also change diameter and electrode just by switching options.
Users can choose the thickness of the base metal, and the machine will suggest a range of amperes to use, but you can adjust it.
In AC TIG, you have a number of functions here, and in the rapid set function, you can customize different settings. You may adjust the tungsten diameter, let’s say you want to run eight-inch material with 332 tungsten, and you can adjust the 332 with an option of a foot pedal. It will suggest the necessary amperes for that material.
In AC, 332 tungsten on 14 gauge material with foot pedal and high frequency, it recommended 85 amps. It performed very well without any glitches and had good arc stability throughout the puddle. Here is its results:
It has advanced inverter technology with PWM using IGBT technology. This unit contains an HF start tig and includes a foot pedal for welding control & operation and a Novo rotaflex tig torch.
Quality welding on stainless steel and precise welding of thinner gauge materials is within reach through this device. In new machines, the most common issue is arc instability. However, this one has no such problems.
- Flexible machine
- Best in the long run
- User-friendly controls
- Three years warranty
- Complex setting for newbies
- Few complaints about regulator
Overall, it’s a fine welder with almost all the specs and components that are essential for starting the work. The item comes with a three-year warranty and free technical assistance from the manufacturer.
4. Eastwood TIG 200 AC/DC – Best TIG Welder for the Money
Eastwood made some big technological leaps with its other models, but the TIG 200 is more conventional. Eastwood will no doubt have wanted to make sure that its owners will be able to produce excellent results.
For precise aluminum welding, a square wave inverter is installed in the device. That’s the favorite pick of vehicle restoration shops.
The machine uses only the 2t function and comes with a high-frequency start. You can comfortably adjust the pre and post-flows to properly target the weld without wasting the argon gas.
It has a clearance knob instead of pulse mode. With this knob, users can easily adjust the cleaning and penetration amount. The unit has a 60% duty cycle at 190 amperes.
How was our experience?
We built a welding cart and the smooth arc and all other functions made it easy. Use the pre-flow and post-flow functions in your favor carefully. Moreover, working with it isn’t a tough job, you only need to be focused during work.
This device can handle up to 200 amps, which means you can weld 1/4″ thick material in a single pass and go as low as 10 amps.
Another main thing is the foot pedal, the company has provided responsive and accurate angles, according to users’ demands. This welder can be powered by a generator and requires 7200 operating watts.
The current update includes a highly responsive foot pedal, gas flow meter, a wp-17 torch replaced by a flex head torch, and a gas lens kit. With these improvements, I think it’s going to be one of the popular and useful unit in near future.
- Clearance knob
- Best for starters
- User-friendly controls
- Economical unit
- Excellent duty cycle
- 4T button is not included
- No pulse mode
It’s an amazing TIG device with high-frequency no-touch arc control, wp-17 torch setup, and an easy user interface. The company is offering 3 years warranty plus a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee with 24/7 free technical support.
5. Everlast PowerArc 161STh – Best Budget TIG Welder
If you want to pick a well-structured, well-balanced, and powerful DC TIG welder, you may consider it. The big feature of 161 is pulse setting, it just has a button that easily switches over to that. The manufacturers added some new features to it, which are discussed below.
In my shop, it runs 3/32 6011 and 7018 on 110v all day with no overloaded or popped breaker issues. It is worth noting that on 161STH in the pulse setting, the amperage control is pulse amps, depending on if you’re using a finger switch to start. However, if you’re using the pedal, you are setting that peak amperage.
The machine has a new feature called ‘live arc,’ a little bit different from what we commonly used for manual torch start with the gas valve. As it is a new feature, it was given a trial.
I adjusted the machine to 100 amps, live arc, and five-second post flow to weld carbon steel. The machine started very quickly. In a live arc, a gas valve is not required for a torch.
It has HF start, 2T/4T switch operation, pre-flow, post-flow, and downslope features. Lift arc and live arc are new functions that have been included.
The device has a simple to use pulse function, which sets it apart from other variants in this price range. The bottom line is that PowerArc 161 STH has everything you need in a small DC TIG welder.
- Less power consumption
- Simple to use
- Hf and lift start options
- Superb pulse feature
- Only DC output
- Not suitable for industrial work
The bottom line is that 161 STH has everything you need in a small DC TIG welder. This item has a 5 years warranty with dedicated customer support.
6. Yeswelder TIG 205 DS – Most Reliable TIG Welder
The Yeswelder 205DS is a high-frequency starting machine. HF start is the best deal in this price range, and welding users are well aware that HF is the ideal arc start method in TIG welding, and we mostly see this feature in most advanced machines.
I welded two hydraulic jack parts on 120/240 volts and tried out the high-frequency arc starting several times. Due to its performance, this welder proves us wrong. Here are the clear outcomes of welding.
Then, on steel at 120 and 160 amps, it gives an accurate result. Pleasant and consistent running made it easy for me. Similarly, on 1/8 inch thick coupons and high-frequency arc, and got quality beads.
HF arc start worked well for me, and it is better than using lift arc or scratch start TIG. Some of its excellent qualities are Lcd amperage display, automatic temperature control, steeples amperage adjustment, and a 60% duty cycle.
This machine comes up with finger control, it is pretty beneficial in the long run, especially when working on vehicles or truck bumpers.
- Durable and lightweight
- Compact display
- User-friendly controls
- Hf arc start
- Welds Tig/Stick
- No AC output
- Only for newbies
Individuals or beginners who’re looking to jump into the welding profession should start with this unit, make a grip over the weld and then move to high-grade machines.
7. Lincoln Electric Square Wave TIG 200 – Ideal Welder for Aluminum
When we say it is an industrial machine, there’s a reason why it is industrial. It means this machine has been thoroughly examined. It has side load impacts. It has cleared the environmental test and salt spray test. It’s heavy-duty and designed to weld several parts in a row. Lincoln 200 is a certified heavy-duty and industrial device.
A great TIG machine for aluminum. It is rated at 200 amps, if you’re using 200 amps, you will get only a 25% duty cycle, but it’s still acceptable.
On a thin aluminum sheet at 30 amperes, it does a perfect job, and I observed that it was spotless and stable, and everything was according to my expectations.
It’s pretty fine for hobbyists. If you’re trying to get an artsy-crafty weld, then turn on the pulse. Set the AC balance to 71 percent -73 percent to get even more cleaning. Set the AC frequency carefully; 120 hertz is standard for me as it goes up, and noise starts.
- Simple interface
- Portable
- Very responsive to foot pedal
- 20pulses per second for heat control
- High-frequency no-touch arc starting
- Fixed pre/post flow
- Less duty cycle
Easy-to-use settings and dual input voltage make this one flexible welding equipment that can be used anywhere. It comes with a 3-year warranty by Lincoln Electric. Some users have complained about its failure after only a few days of use, so a three-year warranty is a good thing.
8. Primeweld TIG 225X – With Customizing Options
This one has a lot of options for customizing the arc quality. Surely, professionals and enthusiasts alike will admire the Primeweld 225X’s flexibility of use. You can simply handle every aspect of the equipment, from starting the arc to making a precise weld.
At first, we welded a thin aluminum sheet on 120 volts at 100 amperes current, the outcome was beautiful. Then, on 16 gauge aluminum at 64 amperes, it performed an excellent job.
In an operational test, heat control and the foot pedal was perfect, and I believe they are excellent for any kind of project. These are some of the amazing and brilliant welded metals by the team.
Other functions like hf arc start, pulse frequency, and torch worked fine. Its outcomes on 110/220 volts with a full range of pulse features and cleaning control for AC were brilliant.
What sets it apart from competitors?
The Primeweld 225X is a dual voltage versatile model with a high level of flexibility, and the front panel offers a lot of customizing options. The machine can clean the weld puddle on one side of the AC cycle with the help of 200-hertz pulse frequency.
This unit features 225 amps AC/DC TIG welding with stick function, PWM with IGBT technology, a complete US-made torch setup, and a high-quality foot pedal. It has a duty cycle of around 40% when operating at full power but it has a 100% duty cycle at 100-110 amperes.
- Hf start
- Responsive foot pedal
- Budget-friendly
- Excellent duty cycle
- Outdated machine design
The company gives 3 years warranty with full technical support 7 days a week. It is very hard to find a machine with top-notch features at this price.
9. Lotos TIG 200 – For Beginners
A long-lasting and reliable machine that can weld thinner gauge materials. Lotos 200 works well with steel welding and its square-wave inverter enables accurate aluminum welding.
It supports dual current operations AC/DC, and it comes with an exemplary cooling system that prevents the device from overheating.
Let’s have a look at the performance. It was examined for three months in a fabrication shop, the duty cycle hasn’t impeded any of my welds. For ac balance, I usually set ‘-3’, which is 30% electronegative and 70% electropositive, which is perfect. Set AC balance according to your requirements.
The main attributes of this device are an ac square wave inverter, HF start hand torch control, welding heat control, dual voltage and frequency, and more.
For those who ask about its result on aluminum, these results should be enough for your satisfaction.
Why you should buy it?
The device setup is easy, and once you learn the controls, you will be an expert at beads. It is suitable for professional and weekend hobbyists looking for industrial-grade skills in a low-cost welder.
A compact and multi-skilled machine, one can operate on both AC and DC. It delivers 10-200 amps output for both TIG and stick welding. Users can weld mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and other metals.
- Precise welding performance
- High-Frequency start
- Easy-to-use controls
- Effective heat control
- Only few knobs
- No pulse feature
- Replacements parts are tough to find
This economical unit has all the necessary components for welding with easy controls. It has one year warranty with free technical assistance.
10. S7 TIG 200A – Best Affordable TIG Welder
The low-cost welding unit in the list, but offers such quality features for the money that it simply can’t be left out. It allows users to weld different metals like steel, copper, and iron. Remember, it’s not for aluminum welding.
During working, the machine produces a magnetic field, and the arc produces radiation or ultraviolet arc, so safety precautions should be taken.
Its inverter frequency is up to 100khz, rated frequency is 50/60 Hz and an 80% duty cycle raises the performance of the unit. Handle at the top makes it easier to operate and carry.
This blue color unit features over and under-voltage protection, over-current & over-load protection, and automatic compensation for voltage fluctuation. It is optimized in such a way to deliver a flawless and fast welding process.
The object is best for fabricators and newbies who want to learn tig practically. It is the cheapest machine on the list and included in the top 10 best-selling tig equipment on amazon. At this price, it offers many features according to other models. You can check more tig welders by visiting Weld Empire.
- Good duty cycle
- Less power consumption
- User-friendly controls
- Fast welding speed
- Can’t weld aluminum
- Material quality
Buying Guide – Choosing the Best TIG Welder in 2023
Anyhow you’re a weekend welder or professional welder or you want to purchase an industrial-level welder, it is necessary to buy a model with performance and specifications that fulfill your needs. Here are some points you should remember before buying the best TIG welder:
Thickness of Metal
If you are going to weld thin metals, you should go for a welder that gives high performance at low amperage. For thin metals, TIG is the best. For thick metals, amperage capabilities are important.
Pulse Frequency
Thin metals are very sensitive to heat, excessive heat can burn them. The pulse feature protects the slim metals from burning. Pulse function increases the penetration and quality of welding.
Technology
Mostly two types of technologies are used in machines: IGBT inverter technology or square wave inverter technology. IGBT allows the unit to pick enough current and convert utility power to high voltage. A square wave inverter is used in the Ac setting of the machine and allows the precise ac cleaning of the weld.
Duty Cycle
Let’s suppose, if a welder has a 60% duty cycle, it means out of ten minutes, its on-time is six minutes, and off-time is 4 minutes.
High duty cycle ratio welders are suitable for commercial and industrial use. For home projects, and less intensive tasks, a low duty cycle is acceptable.
Beginners should go for a 20% duty cycle because of their cheap rates and classic for lighter projects and soft metals.
Combination of AC/DC
DC output gives ideal results and performance when working on steel and stainless steel. For aluminum and magnesium, you should use AC output. For maximum advantage, acquire the versatile combination AC/DC machine.
Foot Pedal
Some projects need both hands to work on them, in this case, you need a reliable foot pedal for proper welding. The foot pedal helps you to manage the heat.
Sometimes, the foot pedal can cause discomfort or pain in your foot. So, before buying, check the sensibility and foot adjustment. If the foot pedal is not included in the package, don’t forget to buy it.
Weight
For high-level usage, heavy welders are acceptable because of their parts and extra features. But for little tasks and home use, always choose the lightweight welder.
Other accessories
Some units do not include foot pedals, TIG welding gloves, tungsten, water coolers, or helmets, so you have to buy them. Sometimes higher quality accessories are vital for a unit to perform better.
Warranty
Order the model which is offering more warranty period. In our listed products, most units have a 3-5 years warranty. It shows the manufacturer’s trust in the product. Don’t forget to take the length of the warranty into your account.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Conclusion: What is the Best TIG Welder in 2023?
It was a pleasant experience. Overall, selected TIG units are suitable for anyone, and I believe these reviews will help you. Every product has its importance and versatility. You can also choose the best tig welder from these recommendations.
Weldpro Digital TIG 200GD – great for home or small shop use
AHP Alpha TIG 200X – ideal for hobbyists or entry-level welders
Lincoln Electric Square Wave TIG 200 – supreme for heavy usage or industrial use
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- Ahp AlphaTIG 200X(updated 203XI) Review for 2023 - February 7, 2023