With so many great options available on the market it was hard to narrow down the list to a few select choices for the best MIG welders of 2023. We looked at several different criteria to make our decision including price, power, range of features and durability. This allowed us to eliminate a lot of subpar choices and narrow down the choices.
After careful consideration we settled on seven MIG welders we felt struck the right balance between values and features. Whether you’re a professional or amateur welder, you’ll find something in our reviews that fits your needs. You can also check our recommendations for the best welders for home use and the best TIG welders to buy.
These are the Best MIG Welders for 2023:
1. Lincoln Electric Weld-Pak 140HD
The best MIG welder of 2023
We didn’t have too many complaints with the Lincoln Electric Weld-Pak 140HD. The warranty is a bit disappointing, but the manufacturer has a reputation for reliability so this wasn’t a major concern. We were happy to see that the Magnum 100L gun was included. We also liked the simple 2 knob control system and with a 4-position volt selector, this welder has everything you need for a reliable end result every time.
What we were looking for in a MIG welder was a product that combined the best features at a price that wouldn’t be considered excessive for this type of product. After reviewing a lot of different products, we felt the Weld-Pak 140HD was the best MIG welder of 2023 overall.
There are several reasons we were impressed with this product and it started with the more than adequate 140 amps of power it relies on – it’s easily enough to get the job done. It comes with a Magnum 100L gun and enough sample spools to get you started right out of the box.
This Lincoln weld is also capable of welding up to 3/16 of an inch with each pass and that’s pretty impressive. There won’t be a long learning curve with this machine either as it uses a simple 2-knob control system with a 4-position volt selector.
A major disappointment we had with this welder was the complicated manufacturer’s warranty. Lincoln advertises a 3-year warranty with this product, but that doesn’t cover the gun and cable assembly – for those you’re only covered for 90 days. Also when feeding the spool it does have a tendency to jam if you’re not careful.
- Reliable 140 amps.
- Magnum 100L gun included.
- Simple 2-knob control system.
- 4-position volt selector.
- Confusing warranty.
- Spool will jam on occasion.
2. Century 255
The best professional MIG welder
We think the Century 255 MIG welder is one of the best products on the market today. It’s powered by a powerful 255-amp motor that’s hard to beat and it has a sturdy metal design. We love the simple controls as well and the 250L Magnum gun allows for a steady and reliable weld every time you turn this machine on.
If you’re looking for a truly professional-quality MIG welder, we feel the Century 255 is the best professional MIG welder on the market in 2023. It is a bit expensive at just under $1500, but it has everything you need to create a reliable and consistent weld when needed. This is also one of the best overall options available in all categories of MIG welders.
There aren’t many MIG welders on the market today that draw on 255 amps of power, but the Century 255 is one of them. It also comes with a Magnum 250L gun which is ideal for a steady consistent feed. This Century machine features a sturdy all-metal design and it’s set on wheels to make it highly portable as well. Controlling the welding process is straight forward with a simple 2 knob control system and a tap select voltage control system.
One area we do see room for improvement is with the warranty of the machine – for some components, you’re only covered for 90 days. We also thought the ground clamp was a little on the short side and that can limit you.
- 255 amps of power.
- Includes a 250L Magnum gun.
- Sturdy all-metal design.
- Easy to use 2-knob control system.
- Hybrid warranty only covers some components for 90 days.
- Short ground clamp.
3. Amico MIG-130A
The best MIG welder for beginners
The Amico MIG-130A isn’t a great choice for commercial use, but it is a good option for beginning welders to get their feet wet without having to break the bank on tools. It’s a capable machine with a simple control system and we like the fact that you can control the wire feed speed. As a beginner you want a machine that’s easy to use, but capable which the Amico MIG-130A is.
If you’re new to the world of welding you probably don’t want to spend a fortune on your first MIG welder – fortunately, you don’t have to. The Amico MIG-130A is a reliable machine at an unbeatable price. If you can spare $200 on your budget for your first MIG welder then you can afford the MIG-130A.
For an inexpensive machine, this Amico machine is pretty impressive. It uses a respectable 130-amp power supply and you control it with a simple 2-knob control system and a wire speed button for speed control. This is a gasless welder which makes for nice clean welder and excellent arc stability. Its lightweight design means it highly portable as well making this a great welder for home use. When you purchase this machine it comes with a 7-foot power cord, the torch assembly and a ground clamp assembly.
As you might expect for the price the build quality of this machine isn’t the best on the market. It also doesn’t have a great warranty at just 1-year. It does a decent job of welding, but for major jobs or professional settings, there are better options on the market.
- Priced under $200.
- 130-amp power source.
- Simple 2-knob control system.
- Wire speed control.
- Questionable build quality.
- Limited 1-year warranty.
4. Campbell Hausfeld DW313000
The best budget MIG welder
A budget welder isn’t going to have the best build quality on the market and that is true of the Campbell Hausfeld DW313000. This is a capable machine, but it’s not the most durable on the market. If you’re looking for a machine for light welding duties or home use this budget model is a good choice.
The Campbell Hausfeld DW313000 MIG welder is a step up from a beginner machine and it makes a great budget choice if you’re not looking to spend a lot. Priced under $300 it’s one of the most affordable MIG welders on the market today. Its portable design makes it ideal for home use, but it’s powerful enough for commercial use as well.
We find a lot of welding machines these days are a little too complicated. Campbell Hausfeld has kept things simple with the design of the DW313000 – it features two control knobs that are clearly labeled and a duty cycle indication light. You don’t need to use gas when using this welder which is a nice plus as well. There’s also built-in thermal overload protection to prevent the machine from overheating when you’re welding.
The DW313000 in only powered by a 120-amp motor which may not be suitable for all tasks. The body construction of this machine has a bit of a cheap feel to it as well. This machine isn’t meant for heavy-duty jobs, but for quick welding jobs, it’s more than capable.
- Simple 2-knob design.
- Duty cycle indication light.
- No gas needed.
- Built-in thermal overload protection.
- Only a 120 amp motor.
- Cheap build quality.
5. Longevity Migweld 140
The best MIG welder under $500
The Longevity Migweld 140 is a capable machine for light-duty, welding jobs or home use. We do have some concerns with its build quality, but it’s a good option if you have a budget of $500 or under. It comes with a ton of great accessories so that you can get started welding right out of the box.
As you increase your budget the quality of the MIG welder options available to you increase dramatically. The Longevity Migweld 140 is well under $500, but it’s still a great machine with some features you’d typically find on much more expensive models. It’s capable of holding its own in an industrial setting and its an ideal option for home use as well.
This welder from Longevity operates at a respectable 140 amps and that’s enough amperage for most standard welding applications. The control panel includes a 2-knob setup that allows you to adjust both the wire speed and the welding arc. You won’t have to change spools ofter either as it holds a maximum of 11 pounds of spool at a time.
There are a ton of accessories that ship with this welder as well – Longevity includes a MIG gun, the ground clamp, a gas nozzle, gas hose and a spool of wire to name just a few of them.
This welder does come with a 3-year warranty and that’s a good thing because parts do tend to wear out quickly with excessive use. Many of the moving parts are made from plastic components and that is one of the main reasons they tend to wear quickly. Some users have experienced issues with the fan as well.
- 140 amps.
- Simple 2-knob controls.
- Comes with several accessories.
- Holds up to 11 pounds of spool.
- Parts wear quickly.
- Issues with fan durability.
6. Metal Man MIG 180DVT
The best MIG welder for home use
For a MIG welder under $400, the Metal Man MIG 180DVT is an impressive machine. The warranty is a little below industry average and the design’s a bit bulky but we didn’t have any other complaints. We loved the dual voltage capability and the advanced inverter technology is a great feature. When you combine all that with an impressive 180-amp input you get a great welder for at a midrange price.
If you’re looking for an affordable MIG welder with extra power for home use then the MIG 180DVT is a great choice. This welder retails for under $400, but the manufacturer hasn’t cut a lot of corners to create a great product. The MIG 180DVT comes with a ton of great accessories so that you can begin welding as soon as you take it out of the box.
As the name suggests, this welder has an impressive 180-amp input capability. It also has dual voltage capability allowing you to switch between 120 volts and 230 volts as needed. Combine that with its advanced inverter technology and you get great arc performance for consistent welds at the highest standard. This is a great tool for welding both mild and stainless steel. It also comes with an inert gas regulator, grounding clamp and many other accessories.
We were disappointed to discover that Metal Man only offers a 2-year warranty with this welder – the industry standard is 3-years so this is a shortcoming. We also found the overall design to be a bit bulky and less than eye-pleasing.
- Impressive 180-amp input.
- Dual voltage capability.
- Advanced inverter technology.
- Works with mild and stainless steel.
- Limited 2-year warranty.
- Bulky design.
7. Lotos MIG175
The Lotos MIG175 was a close runner-up for our choice as best overall MIG welder for 2023. This is a great machine with tons of available power at 175 amps. It’s also packed full fo extras such as built-in overload protection, arc volt and wire speed controls. If it wasn’t for the poor warranty it would have merited serious consideration for the top spot in our reviews.
While we didn’t choose the Lotos MIG175 as our top choice overall, we gave it serious consideration for the spot. It makes a great addition for any welding shop or as a home welding machine. For a model that’s priced under $600 it comes with a ton of great features that would traditionally be found on much more expensive welding machines.
With 175 amps to draw on this Lotos welder is a powerful machine and it produces a nice reliable weld with every use. It’s equipped with arc volt and wire speed controls and it can be adjusted to operate at either 120 or 220 volts. The Lotos MIG175 also comes with overload protection that increases its overall operating life. It’s also compatible with industrial-strength 4-inch or 8-inch wire spools.
Surprisingly, this welder doesn’t have a very good warranty – Lotos only offers a 1-year limited warranty which is much less than most of its competitors offer. Also, the leads and ground cables are a little on the short side so you may want to replace them with longer versions down the road.
- 175 amps.
- Arc volt and wire speed controls.
- Built-in overload protection.
- Compatible with 4-inch and 8-inch wire spool.
- Limited 1-year warranty.
- Leads and ground cables are too short.
Conclusion
If variety is the spice of life then there’s plenty of spice in the MIG welding market for 2023. It wasn’t easy picking one overall favorite, but we ended up choosing the Lincoln Electric Weld-Pak 140HD welder because it combined great features with a great price. It isn’t necessary to spend a fortune to find a great MIG welder for work or for the home these days.
Any one of the products we’ve included here deserved strong consideration and we almost went with the Lotos MIG175 and we might have if it wasn’t for there limited 1-year warranty which made us have second thoughts about its overall quality.
The bottom line is that there are many great MIG welders on the market that are highly capable machines and any one of them is a great choice.
