Every amateur and professional welder needs a portable welding machine. Welders often have to move around a lot for their work, hence the necessity for portability. If you’re in the market for a portable welding machine, then you have a lot of options at hand. The abundance of options isn’t always good, though, especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for. You could get lost and end up buying something you don’t like.
To help you out, we’ve created a list of the most outstanding portable welding machines money can buy. The list includes MIG, Stick, TIG (gas), and Flux-Cored Welders. MIG welders are a favorite with novices because they are so easy to learn, Stick welders are good for work on rusty surfaces, TIG welders are good for precision and Flux-Cored welders are good for thick metals.
The most reliable, exceptionally-made portable welders around
1. Amico Power DC-160A Dual Voltage Welding Machine1
The Amico Power DC-160A Dual Voltage Welding Machine1 is a stick welder. It is suitable for light metal work, the kind you do around your home or at the farm. It can also be used for light industrial work, and for maintenance and repair. The welder – according to many customer reviews – is affordable, is well-made, and is reliable. You should probably avoid it if you’re a novice welder, though; stick welders are hard to learn.
The Amico Welder works with both 115V and 230V outlets. It provides a consistent output even on lower voltage settings. It comes with a work clamp and 10 feet cable, which is convenient. If you need it for work, though, you’re probably going to have to buy an extra extension cord.
The welder is a little heavy, at 8.18kg, but nothing you can’t handle. It has a handy LED meter which lets you control the amperage. You can cut metals of sizeable thickness, especially if you’re willing to make more than one pass.
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2. Goplus MIG Flux Core Wire Automatic Feed Welding Machine
The Goplus MIG Flux Core welding machine uses a simple wire-feed design. It can be a great practice tool if you’re just starting out with welding. You can weld all kinds of thin metals with this, or even rubber tubing. The welder has a max output of 105AMP, which isn’t very powerful, but it does get the job done.
You need a 110V socket to operate this welder. It comes bundled with a 72.5” power cord and a welding gun. You also get some welding wire, a brush for light cleaning, and a welding mask. The welder – at approximately 16kgs or 35lbs – is on the heavier side. There’s a plastic handle on top of the steel frame for you to grasp.
The Goplus has 4 heat settings as well as an infinite wire speed feature. While it’s not as good as a professional machine, it’s still worth the asking price – which is very low, to begin with. According to customers, the welder holds up well after extensive use, making it a steal at the price.
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3. C.M.T Pitbull Ultra-Portable 100-Amp Electric Arc Welder
The C.M.T Pitbull Ultra-Portable 100-Amp Electric Arc Welder is another simple stick welder. If you’re looking to do some simple work, then this welder might be right for you. The welder has a max output of 100 Amp, and a minimum of 45. It’s not too powerful – it doesn’t produce enough heat for steel – but it’s enough for welding thin metal.
The welder can be operated on a current of 110V. You will need to buy a welding rod to go with it, as well s a mask and gloves. The welder comes packaged with a handful of welding sticks, but they are of average quality and you’ll wear them down soon. It’s best if you buy some more locally.
The Pitbull welder, 12 kgs, is heavy and will require some serious lifting. However, it’s solidly made and will last for a long time. The cost is very low. If you’re looking for an Arc Welder to get you started with welding, then this will make a great investment.
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4. Hiltex 10910 Electric Arc Welding Machine
The Hiltex 10910 Electric Arc Welding Machine is portable and easy to use. It has a maximum output of 100 Amp, with a minimum of 40. It’s perfect for light use at home or at work. It can be used for welding thin metal and alloy steel. If you need a welder for an art project, you could use this one.
You can get it to run with a power current of 110V as well as 220V. It has a plug with a ground prong, making it safe to use. The machine is portable and – at 11.5kgs approx -you won’t have too much trouble carrying it around.
You’ll have to buy a separate power cord with this welder; they don’t include it with purchase. You will also have to wire the included plug yourself. While the machine won’t work out-of-the-box, like most of the other ones on this list do, it is still a good purchase. It’s available at an economical price and made from some high-quality materials.
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5. Lotos LTPDC2000D Plasma Cutter Stick Welder
Lotos is the first company to come up with a “multi purpose” welder. The Lotos LTPDC2000D is an all-in-one welder. It includes a plasma cutter, a stick welder, and a TIG welder. You can choose between the three at your will, depending on your requirements. This is not a machine for a novice, but it might be a worthwhile buy if you’re a professional.
The Lotos welder works on both 220V and 110V. You have to wire the included plug for yourself; they provide the instructions for it. The accessories you get include a cutting torch, the power supply, a tig torch, stick/MMA welder torch, a ground clamp, air filter and regulator, connections, and an Argon regulator.
The Lotos uses a special Pilot technology that allows it to cut through surfaces without leaving too much slag. It’s capable of cut sheets of 1/2 inch thickness and has a severance thickness of 3/4 inches. The Lotos welder is not cheap. It comes with several handy accessories, though, and might make a smart buy for some.
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6. LifBetter 300 Amp Mini Arc Welder
The LifBetter Mini Arc welder is small, but it packs a serious punch. The welding current can be adjusted between 20 to 300A, which is good enough to cut through carbon steel, stainless steel, and low alloy steel. You should be able to cut plates of up to 7.00 mm thickness. It’s has a high-frequency AC, 33Khz.
You get welding clamps, 2 electrodes, a ground clip, protection glasses, and quick connectors with the LifBetter welder. The welder is heavy, at approximately 6kgs, but you can carry it easily with the help of a shoulder strap (also included). You need a 220V input to use this, though you can also pair it up with an inverter for use on a 110V connection.
This welder is expensive, but it’s well worth the asking price, according to users. It’s sturdy and the included accessories, like the ground clamp, are of good quality too. If you’re into welding as a hobby, there are cheaper machines around.
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7. Lincoln Electric K2185-1 Handy MIG Welder
The Lincoln Electric K2185-1 Welder is a dual MIG and flux-cored welder. You need to buy the shielding gas separately if you want to use it as an MIG, though. This machine can produce a current of about 70 Amps and requires a 110V socket.
This isn’t the most powerful welder around, by any means, but it’s handy for light metal fabrication. You can use it at home or outside. The welder weighs in at 49 pounds – which is very heavy, so that could be a concern for some. The package includes an 8-feet long clamp cable, a power cord, a regulator, and gas hose.
You don’t need gas to use this – it works as an electric welder. You can weld mild steel up to 1/8 inches thick. They throw in a handy chipping hammer and brush for cleaning slag. This is a handy, affordable welder that is good for hobbyists. The build quality is good and the manufacturer offers a 1-year warranty with it.
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8. SUNGOLDPOWER 200A ARC Welder
The SUNGOLDPOWER 200A Arc Welder is very durable and made from high-quality materials. The company backs the product by offering an attractive 1-year warranty. If something goes wrong with the machine, they’ll ship you replacement parts. They also offer a 3-month full money refund guarantee.
The SUNGOLDPOWER Arc Welder operates on both 110V and 220V inputs and delivers an output of 200A. This welder is surprisingly light weight – only 6.8 kgs. You won’t have any problems with taking this with you everywhere. You get a user manual, a cable wire, a ground clamp, a cable joint, a spanner, and an electronic holder.
This welder includes several nifty features. You get over-voltage protection and under-voltage protection. It also protects you from overloads and currents. If you’re looking for a welder that is safe and easy to use, this will meet your expectations.
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9. SUNGOLDPOWER 50A Air Plasma Cutter
The SUNGOLDPOWER 50A Air Plasma Cutter is a powerful welder that can cut through stainless steel, alloys, carbon steel, copper, and aluminum. It can run on 110V as well as 220V and provides an output of up to 50A (with a minimum of 10A). If you’re looking for a useful air plasma cutter for work or use at home, this is a good choice.
The Air Plasma welder is shipped with an air regulator, a gas hose, a hose clamp, 2 nozzles, a ground clamp, and a plasma cutting torch. The machine itself is portable, though it is reasonably heavy at 13kgs approx. The machine has features like a digital display and a built-in pressure gauge that makes it easy to control.
It lets you switch currents, depending on the material you are cutting, for more precision. You can cut sheets of up to 15mm with it. It’s a little on the expensive side, but the build quality is above-average and it should last for a while.
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10 ARKSEN 250AMP Welder
The ARKSEN 250 AMP Welder is made for heavy-duty, serious use. If you’re looking for a machine for professional-grade work, this is a good fit. The machine can operate on both 110V and 220V and can cut through 18 Gauge metals that are 3/16 inches thick.
Included with the pre-installed welder are an Auto Darkening Welding helmet and 3 replacement lenses. The welding helmet is a nice touch and it will protect your sensitive eyes against bright flashes. This machine isn’t easy to carry, at 24 kgs, so watch out for that.
The unit is fan cooled, so there’s no danger of overheating. It includes thermal overload protection, making it safe. The quality of construction is solid. It’s a little expensive, but it’s a machine that’s made to last.
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Buy a Welding Machine According to Your Skill Level
You should buy a welding machine that’s usable at your skill level. If you’re a novice or a hobbyist, you will probably not want to invest in pricey stick welders. For those starting out, electric arc welders are a great option: they are easy to use and produce clean welds.