If you are interested in giving welding a try, you won’t want to drop a ton of money on a welder. Luckily, there are plenty of inexpensive options out there. In this article, we review a selection of machines to find the best budget welder in 2021.
COMPARISON CHART
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
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Dekopro 110/220v Mma Welder
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CHECK PRICE ▼ |
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Forney 298 Arc Welder
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CHECK PRICE ▼ |
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Super Deal Pro Mig
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CHECK PRICE ▼ |
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Polyvance 5700ht Mini Weld
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CHECK PRICE ▼ |
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Xtremepower Us Mig Series
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CHECK PRICE ▼ |
Specification
| Input Voltage | 110v or 220v |
| Output | 10-160A |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs |
The DEKOPRO welder is a versatile machine with a range of applications. It has a variable input and output range and is just under $130.
WHAT WE LIKE
This welding machine is designed to work with a variety of metals. It features an LCD digital display, carrying handle and a current adjustment knob. It comes with an electrode holder, work clamp, power adapter and a wire brush.
This welder is energy efficient which means you won’t have to spend as much on an increased electrical bill. However, the company does not list a warranty for this machine.
PROS
- Energy efficient
- Portable
- Easy to use
- Adjustable current
CONS
- No warranty
- Might need to upgrade cheap attachments
Specification
| Input Voltage | 110v or 220v |
| Output | 10-160A |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs |
The most expensive welder on our list, the Forney Easy Weld is an arc welder with many applications. It is portable with a built-in handle though it doesn’t have a digital current display. Instead, it has two indicator LED lights.
WHAT WE LIKE
This welder comes ready for stick welding, but can easily be converted for TIG welding with additional attachments that are sold separately. Forney offers a generous 12 month manufacturer’s warranty.
PROS
- Easily TIG-capable
- 12 month manufacturer’s warranty
- Adjustable current
CONS
- Expensive compared to other budget welders
- Oddly shaped carrying handle
Specification
| Input Voltage | 110v or 220v |
| Output | 10-160A |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs |
The SUPER DEAL welder is an automatic feed welding machine with an easy carrying handle. It comes with a kit including a face mask, wire, brush, extra metal tips and fuses.
WHAT WE LIKE
Ideal for a welding beginner, this machine extrudes flux wire at an adjustable rate. It is worth noting, however, that the control panel and instructions are a bit inscrutable.
Even with the accessory kit, the SUPER DEAL welder is the same price as the DEKOPRO, $129.99. It is significantly heavier, though, weighing in at 38 lbs.
PROS
- Convenient
- Portable
- Affordable
CONS
- Heavy
- Difficult to understand
- No warranty listed
Specification
| Input Voltage | 110v or 220v |
| Output | 10-160A |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs |
The Polyvance welder is actually used to weld plastic, such as nylon. If you are interested in learning the basics of welding on plastic first for the lower cost, or if you simply want to work on automotive or other plastics, this is a great option.
WHAT WE LIKE
This is a different kind of welder than the others on our list, and as such it has different benefits. It is very lightweight and portable as it comes in a carrying case and doesn’t need a large box to run. It comes with two swappable tips, instructional videos, brush and plastic welding rods.
It is a bit expensive at $177.50 as you could get a welder meant for metal for significantly less money. Polyvance also doesn’t list a warranty for this product.
PROS
- Good for working with plastic
- Portable
CONS
- No warranty listed
- Expensive compared to metal welders
Specification
| Input Voltage | 110v or 220v |
| Output | 10-160A |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs |
The XtremepowerUS welder is another automatic feed welding machine that is pretty much identical to the SUPERDEAL welder. However, it has slightly different specifications, such as the input voltage being slightly higher at 115v versus 110v for the SUPER DEAL.
WHAT WE LIKE
This machine comes with a kit including a mask, brush and flux wire. It is about $10 cheaper than the SUPER DEAL at $119.95. The manufacturer does not list a warranty for this product.
Like the SUPERDEAL, this welder’s controls and manual can be difficult to understand. It seems the manufacturer neglected to list the output range for this machine, but it’s probably similar to that of the SUPERDEAL welder.
PROS
- Portable
- Cheap
CONS
- Difficult to understand
- No warranty listed
- Cheap
How to Maximize the Potential of a Cheap Welder
Finding a decent welding machine doesn’t have to break the bank. However, making a cheap welder work for you all depends on how you use it.
Before you go searching for your machine, you need to know what you will be using it for. Think about the type of metal you will be welding and consider its reflectiveness. Will you be welding thin or thick pieces of metal? How much time will you need to get the job done and what is your skill level?
An arc welder is the most common type as well as the least expensive to use in general. This option is great if you’re just starting out in welding.
If you are planning on working with car parts, aluminum, or steel, MIG welding will be the way to go. It is the quickest method of welding and can be used in a variety of circumstances.
Stick welding is a simple and versatile method that uses a manual arc welding technique. This is good for steel projects and is a great way to learn welding.
TIG welding is more complicated and takes more time than other techniques. However, it can be used with a broad range of metals.
There are other welding methods, but these are the most common. Any budget welding machine will generally stick to these technique applications. Welders will often be multi-purpose, so be sure to choose one that can do what you need it to do.
Comparison
The world of welding machines is quite varied, and as such we have a variety of welders on our list. That is, with the exception of the XtremepowerUS welder which is very similar to the SUPER DEAL welder. They even have the same external housing.
That being said, all of these machines are designed for portability and value. Some are less affordable than others, though. The Polyvance plastic welder and the Forney Easy Weld are the two most expensive machines on our list but provide good quality for the expense. These would still be considered budget welders and are still significantly cheaper than professional grade machines which can run upwards of $3000.
The most limited welder on our list would be the Polyvance, as it is designed for welding automotive plastic. It is still a good option if you’re seeking a machine to practice your welding skills with, or if you just want to work with plastic rather than metal.
The top two welders we’ve selected are going to be the Forney and the DEKOPRO. These machines are great budget welders with features that make them versatile for even experienced welders.
Although the Forney offers a manufacturer’s warranty while the DEKOPRO does not, the design of the Forney leaves something to be desired. For one, the handle is oddly shaped, presumably to wrap the cables around, but this aspect can make it difficult to travel with and carry. It also doesn’t have a digital display.
Conclusion
While the Forney machine is also a good option, the best budget welder has to be the DEKOPRO. At $129.99, it is quite a bit cheaper than the Forney with the addition of some features that push it to the top.
The DEKOPRO is the only welding machine on our list that features a digital LCD display. This feature increases the ease of use for this welder tremendously. Combined with the adjustable voltage and amperage settings, you know exactly what you’re doing with this machine.
The housing on the DEKOPRO is sturdy but not too heavy to limit portability. It can fit anywhere you need it, which is great when you’re taking it to jobsites or outbuildings to work. The carrying handle is convenient but unobtrusive.
This welder is also the only machine on our list to feature energy efficiency. That’s an important factor when considering your budget in welding. The less power you can use, the less you can spend in the long run. This machine is also versatile enough to allow you to use both cheap and expensive materials depending on your preferences and requirements.
Overall, the DEKOPRO is definitely the best budget welder in 2021. Not only does it provide great value for the money, it’s also a welder that both beginners and professionals can use extensively. You can take it anywhere without hassle, and it’s easy to use and understand.
If you would like to read more reviews of some great products, check out our other articles.
