Advances in welding technology mean it’s possible to buy a high-quality MIG welder for under $500. And purchasing a MIG welder for less than half a grand doesn’t mean compromising quality. On the contrary, some of the brand leaders in the welding industry produce excellent affordable welders, suitable for most people’s budgets. We have 8 of the Best MIG Welders Under 500.
Suppose you do occasional welding in your garage or home workshop. In that case, the chances are that you don’t have an unlimited budget to invest in a welder. Therefore, for most DIY welding enthusiasts who want to do auto repairs, create metal artwork, or fix things around the house, buying a MIG welder for less than $500 is an ideal solution.
This article reviews the best MIG welders you can buy for less than $500. You will find unbiased opinions on welders for a wide range of welding jobs. In addition, you will learn about the pros and cons of each welder machine.
The 8 Best MIG Welders Under 500
Did you think buying a cheap MIG welder would mean sacrificing performance for the price? If so, please read on. Here you will find eight top-quality, affordable MIG welders that won’t break the bank.
1. Forney Easy Weld 140 MP Multi-Process Welder
One of the best entry-level welders for less than $500 is the Forney Easy Weld 271 140 MP. This powerful 3-in-1 welder is suitable for gas MIG welding, TIG welding, and stick welding. Some of the outstanding features of this 120V welder are portability, wire-speed feeding adjustment, and an output range of 43 to 110 amps. In addition, the three-position switch allows you to change welding processes fast.
The portable welder includes all you need to get started. You get a 10-foot MIG welding gun, an 8-foot electrode holder, a ground clamp, and a spare 0.030” contact clip.
Forney Easy Weld Features:
- Welding capacities: 24 gauge up to 1/4-inch thick
- Duty cycle: 30% at 90 amps
- Arc output power: 10 – 140 amps
- Weldable metals: Mild steel
Pros:
- Compact, portable machine
- Easy wire load and adjustable wire feed settings
- Built-in live fan
- Takes up to 10 lbs. spools
- Plugs into a household power outlet
- Weighs 19 lbs.
Cons:
- No TIG equipment included
- Flux core welding only
Who is this welder for? The Forney Easy Weld is ideal for a novice welder who wants a reliable, cheap welder.
2. Sungold Power MIG Welder 140A
The Sun Gold Power is a high-performing affordable MIG welder for less than $500. Even with its low price, there are plenty of positives about this welder’s performance. You can use the machine for gasless flux-cored and gas-shielded MIG welding. The welder uses IGBT inverter technology to produce good-quality, clean welds.
The double voltage welder works on a standard household current has a typical output amperage of 140. It also features a wire feeder and amperage output display. Even though this welder costs less than $150, it gets many positive online reviews for its quality and precise welding capabilities.
Features:
- Duty cycle: 60% at 85% efficiency
- Arc output: 50– 140 amps
- Weldable metals: Iron and steel
Pros:
- It comes with accessories like a welding mask
- Stable arc and wire feed
- One of the cheapest welders in its category
- Work on 110 and 220 volts
- High duty cycle and efficiency
Cons:
- Cables and welding gun could be of better quality.
Who is this welder for? The SunGold Power welder is a budget MIG welder, suitable for occasional home and vehicle repairs.
3. Lincoln Electric K2278-1 Handy Core MIG Welder
The Lincoln MIG welder is an excellent welder if you are a beginner or novice. Costing less than $500, the flux core welder comes with a good-quality welding gun, ground clamp, and power cable. Also included is a spool of flux core to get started. One advantage for beginner welders is that all the cables are pre-assembled for easy setup.
Taking the portable compact machine out of the box, you’ll be impressed with its compact size. However, the build quality is reasonable and better than you’d expect for less than $400. The price includes a welder’s mask, clamp, spool wire — everything you need to get started.
Features:
- Welding capacity: 18 gauge to 1/8-inch steel
- Duty cycle: 20%
- Arc output: 35 – 88 amperage range
- Weldable metals: Mild steel
Pros:
- Factory assembled and suitable for beginners
- Ideal for thin gauge metals
- Easy to use
- Lightweight machine and compact design
- Good build quality for an affordable price
Cons:
- The grounding clamp could be of better quality
Who is this welder for? The Lincoln K2278-1 MIG welder is one of the best welders for beginners for under $500.
4. Weldpro MIG155GSV 155 AMP Inverter for MIG and Stick Welding
The Weldpro is a mid-range welding machine that performs exceedingly well. The powerful welder has dual voltage settings and has an amperage range of up to 155A. The advanced IGBT inverter design ensures a stable welding process without overheating. The welder comes with a wide variety of accessories and incorporates 2T and 4T models for long welding.
One of the advantages of the Weldpro MIG welder is that its suitable for novices and professionals. The automatic wire feed has infinite settings, and you can use the welder for MIG, stick, and flux-cored welding. Additionally, it also has TIG welding capabilities.
Features:
- Weld thickness range: Up to 1/4-inch steel
- Duty cycle: 30% at 120 amps
- Arc output: Up to 155 amps
- Weldable materials: Steel and stainless steel
Pros:
- Dual voltage for 115 or 230 volts
- Also suitable for flux-core, stick welding, and TIG welding
- Includes gas regulator and hose
- Good quality welding gun
- Excellent price point
- Three-year warranty
Cons:
- Ground and torch leads could be longer
- It may be too complicated to use for beginners
Who is this welder for? An experienced welder who is looking for a high-quality welder for under $500 that can handle a range of welding jobs.
5. Forney Easy Weld 261 140 FC-I MIG Welder
The Forney 261 easy weld MIG machine is a powerful, portable welder that uses a flux-core wire electrode. This entry-level welder is suitable for beginners or welders who want a quality weld without using shield gas. The lightweight welder has a rugged design with an impressive 140-amp output that easily handles steel up to 1/4-inch thick.
One of the excellent features of the Forney 261 is that the arc is one of the most stable from any budget welder. Even though it doesn’t have gas line support, its performance in flux-core welding is second to none.
Features:
- Weld thickness range: Up to 1/4-inch mild steel
- Duty cycle: 30% at 90 amps
- Arc output: Up to 140 amps
- Weldable metals: Steel
Pros:
- High-quality MIG gun for the price
- Infinite speed controls for the wire feed
- Suitable duty cycle rating
- Accepts wire spools up to 10 lbs.
- It only weighs 19 lbs.
- Safety features and multiple built-in vents to prevent overheating
Cons:
- It uses a plastic feed system that doesn’t always perform well.
- Short leads, only 8 feet long.
Who is this welder for? The Forney 140 FC-I 261 is ideal for beginners, light fabrication work, and DIY projects.
6. HZXVOGEN MIG Welder
The HZXVOGEN welders is a multi-functional 4-in-1 welder suitable for a wide range of welding projects and welds metals. This dual-voltage welder has an impressive output of up to 200 amps and can weld stainless steel, steel, and aluminum — a feature rarely found on welders under $500.
In addition, the welder comes with all the welding tools you need to get started, including graphite wire feed tube, gas tube, welding brush, clamps, and a good quality welding gun.
A nice feature of the HZXVOGEN is the large, easy-to-read LCD screen. This provides helpful information on all the parameters you need to set for any type of weld
Features:
- Weld thickness range: 1/4-inch steel with MIG or TIG welding
- Duty cycle: 20% at 200 amps, 100% at 130 amps
- Arc output: Up to 200 amps
- Weldable metals: Aluminum, iron, steel, stainless steel
Pros:
- LCD smart control
- Excellent gas MIG welder
- Suitable for welding aluminum
- Has features only found in more expensive welders
- Up to 80% efficiency
- Produces a smooth weld with little spatter on steel, aluminum, carbon steel, copper, and stainless steel
Cons:
- Adjusting the wire speed can be tricky
- The LCD control sometimes works intermittently
Who is this welder for? Although packed with excellent features, the welder can only tackle small welding jobs.
7. Mophorn MIG Welder 270 Amp TIG Arc Welder
The Mophorn MIG welder is a robust, high-performing welder for less than $500. The welding machine is suitable for MIG, MMA, and TIG modes. This arc welding machine is ideal for welding iron, stainless steel, carbon steel, and other metals. Additionally, the robust welder can be used for indoor or outdoor welding because it has a good water-resistance of IP21.
Other handy features of the Mophorn MIG welder include dual voltage capabilities, wire-speed control, easy-to-read LCD, and built-in overheating protection.
Features:
- Weld thickness range: Up to 1/4-inch mild steel
- Duty cycle: 60% at 120 amps
- Arc output: Up to 270 amps
- Weldable metals: Iron, steel, stainless steel, carbon steel
Pros:
- Long welding gun and clamp lead – 10 feet
- Easy to set up and get started
- Excellent for beginners or experienced DIY enthusiasts
- Ideal for MIG welding, TIG welding, and MMA welding
- Weighs 21.7 lbs.
Cons:
- The instruction manual can be hard to understand
- No aluminum welding capabilities
Who is this welder for? The Mophorn is an excellent MIG welder for a home workshop and someone who has welding experience.
8. Reboot MIG Welder Machine for Gas or Flux-Core Welding
If you are looking for a high-quality welder for under $500, the Reboot MIG welding machine is a worthy choice. The powerful MIG welder features an excellent duty cycle of 80%. The welder has gas input and is suitable for solid and flux-cored wires. Additionally, the powerful welder can handle various types of metal up to 1-inch thick.
The Reboot MIG welder is popular because of its ease of use and flexibility. You can use the welder for gasless welding, gas welding, stick welding, and Lift-TIG welding.
Features:
- Weld thickness range: Up to 1-inch mild steel
- Duty cycle: 80% at 140 amps
- Arc output: 30 to160 amps
- Weldable materials: Stainless steel, carbon steel, mild steel
Pros:
- Suitable for gasless flux-core welding and gas solid wire welds
- Works with a power generator
- Produces clean welds with minimal spatter
- Lightweight design and easy to carry
- Free consumables guarantee
Cons:
- It doesn’t contain a spool gun, even though the welder supports spool torches
- Only operates on 220V
Who is this welder for? The Reboot MIG welder is ideal for beginners who want to try out various types of welding.
Best MIG Welders Under 500 — In Conclusion
Several MIG welders for under $500 offer outstanding features, some of which are typically found on high-end machines. Some of the MIG welders we reviewed also come with TIG welding and stick welding capabilities. After looking at the pros and cons of each welder, you will be able to make an informed choice.
From all the welders in our review, our recommendation is the Forney Easy Weld 271. Although it’s not as powerful as the Mophorn welder or has the handy LCD of the HZXVOGEN MIG welder, it produces some of the best welds in the price range. The welder has a stable arc output, is easy to use, and has MIG, TIG, and Stick welding capabilities.
