After completing my engineering studies, I worked on numerous process engineering projects, including welding aluminum and fabricating related materials. During those times, I found the best MIG welder for aluminum that works on the principle of metal inert gas (MIG) and is used for welding larger and thicker metal components. MIG is one of the faster welding techniques, and that is why working with MIG welders will be producing excellent results in a shorter period and lower manufacturing costs.
MIG welder will be welding the trickier aluminum in the best way only if you have opted for the right kind of product to accompany you. You may be in a difficult phase in deciding the best MIG welder because of the super-saturation of the welding market with MIG welders. However, you need not worry because I have blended my experience, the opinion of other regular users, and the results obtained from rigorous testing. After that, I wrote this review and buyer’s guide for you. Therefore, please keep reading to know more!
Best MIG Welder for Aluminum
1. Lincoln Electric POWER MIG 210 MP
9.7
PROS
- Durable metallic construction
- User-friendly operation
- Strong metal wire drive
CONS
- Slightly costlier
Lincoln Electric POWER MIG 210 MP Multi-Process Welder has left the other market-worthy welders behind because of its super lightweight, excellent portability, and user-friendly construction design. I have also purchased the best MIG welder for aluminum. I admire it for its efficient functionality, which is attributable to the advanced design capable of flux-cored welding.
This MIG welder arrives with only 11.97 pounds weight and 29.02 inches x 10.51 inches x 5.98 inches dimensions. The good news about the Lincoln MIG 210 is its efficient functionality on the dual voltage inputs, i.e., 120 V or 230 V. Therefore, plugging it inside any standard power supply will be fine. Another best thing about this welder is that the manufacturers have added a spool gun for you in the package, and it is referred to as the ‘Magnum PRO 100SG Spool Gun’.
When I purchased this aluminum MIG welder, I loved it for the digital controls. It comes with controls that are intuitive in action for pushing and turning on. If you are a beginner in aluminum processing and welding, then Lincoln MIG 210 is best for you because it has a color display instructing you throughout the welding process. In addition, different settings and options are easily accessible and more uncomplicated to use.
Finding the best MIG welder for aluminum is no more a dream because Lincoln MIG 210 is available for you with a unique blend of features that will save you1 time and energy due to its excellent functionality and speed. So, choose any color of your choice offered by the manufacturers and enjoy easier use. Also, the durability of this MIG welder is matchless.
2. LOTOS MIG175-175 AMP MIG Welder – Best Aluminum Welder For The Money
9.7
PROS
- Multiple welding options
- Innovative transformer technology
- Facile set-up procedure
CONS
- Compatibility with only 220 V outlet
LOTOS MIG175-175 AMP MIG Welder for Aluminum is a premium quality option that has made its mark among other welders because of its highly efficient spool gun, superior quality wire feeder, and excellent durability. These features make LOTOS MIG175 the best MIG welder for aluminum that you must not miss purchasing. The good thing about this welder is that it has the capacity for welding other materials besides aluminum.
The best feature of this welder is its transformer technology which plays a vital role in its long lifespan and durability. Thanks to the metallic and plastic components making up, this welder is more robust than others in the market. You will be at ease in moving this welder around because it only weighs 85 pounds. Also, the flow rate of the spool gun arriving with this welder is 12 liters in one minute.
Another best feature associated with the LOTOS MIG175 is its more effortless setup procedure which only wants you to plug it in and start using it. You will be able to use this welder with any wall outlet having 220 V voltage. The spool gun will be welding aluminum, and other materials plate up to 3 to 8 inches. Therefore, the precision of this MIG welder is admirable.
If you are looking for an aluminum MIG welder with remarkable durability, portability, and excellent welding rate output, then you must not look beyond a superior quality choice like LOTOS MIG175. The multiple-usability of this MIG welder will be excellent for you and ease your tasks. Therefore, we strongly recommend you go for this fantastic MIG welder to enjoy a more effortless operation with a good welding speed.
3. Hobart 500559 Handler 140 115V Aluminum MIG Welder – Best Cheap Aluminum Welder
9.8
PROS
- Additional accessories in the package
- Minimal welding amperage requirement
- Admirable versatility
CONS
- Safety gear absent
If versatility and highly advanced features are your preference factors, you must consider purchasing Hobart 500559 Handler 140 Aluminum 115V MIG Welder. This best MIG welder for aluminum is outstanding in terms of voltage control because it offers five positions for selecting voltage, leading to a smoother and considerably stable arc.
The good news is that Hobart 500559 is capable of welding aluminum with a variable thickness. In addition to aluminum, you may also use it for welding other materials like mild steel and stainless steel. The versatility of this MIG welder is reflected in the fact that it offers dual welding options, and they are MIG-(GMAW) and Flux Cored-(FCAW).
You can plug it inside any outlet with the 115 V standard voltage and enjoy excellent welding with this MIG. The speed range of this MIG welder spans around the range of 40 to 700 IPM. While in case of no load, it will be reaching the range of 50 to 740 IPM. One of the most prominent aspects that we must not forget to tell you is that Hobart 500559 can work even at the industrial level showing supreme design and functionality.
Suppose you need a MIG welder for aluminum with an excellent range of features. In that case, you must consider Hobart 500559 because it offers you an array of unique features that are difficult to find in another product. Enjoy these features by purchasing this fantastic MIG welder. If you invest your money in this welder, we assure you that it will deliver its best performance.
4. Forney Easy Weld 261 140 FC-i
9.7
PROS
- Gasless capabilities
- Highly portable
- Economical pick
CONS
- Plastic components
Forney Easy Weld 261 140 FC-i MIG Welder for Aluminum is unbeatable in its powerful action and highly durable design. In addition, you will be able to use this MIG welder without any worries because of its user-friendly design. Thanks to the Forney manufacturers for making the best MIG welder for aluminum with an efficient flux core wire. This is also considered as one of the best MIG welders under $500.
This wire has a thickness of 0.30 inches, ensuring an excellent duty cycle no matter whether you are welding aluminum or iron with it. In addition to these features, the speed control aspect for the wire feed will be unique for you because you can vary it as per your requirement by dialing it. This welder weighs only 19.4 lbs. with 16.7 inches x 12 inches x 8.1 inches dimensions. Therefore, it is the best lightweight MIG welder you can grab.
Another excellent factor that we must not forget to tell you is its body is made with the entire metallic housing. Therefore, frequent use will not be affected, and you won’t see any signs of wear. In terms of the output, Forney Weld 261 can produce 140 Amperes, and therefore, you can use it for welding a 1/4-inch plate of steel in addition to the aluminum.
Finding an efficient and powerful MIG welder for processing your aluminum is indeed a stroke of luck. Enjoy this good luck by purchasing the high-rated Forney Weld 261. You will love this lightweight, compact, and durable welder. In addition to aluminum, you can also use it for welding steel. Considering our experience with this incredible welder, we strongly suggest you go for it.
5. MTS-205 205 Amp MIG/TIG Aluminum Voltage Welding
9.4
PROS
- Overload protection design
- Minimal spattering
- Temperature control technology
CONS
- Vague manual instructions
MTS-205 205 Amp MIG/TIG Aluminum Voltage Welding is the best MIG welder for aluminum because it comes with matchless durability, multi-purpose utilization, and highly innovative IGBT technology. MTS-205 has remained in my use for quite some time, and I admire it for its premium wire feeder, which makes it a highly functional welder with smoother operation.
The best feature associated with the MTS-205 is the adjustability that it offers. You can make the desired adjustment for the feeding speed of wire in addition to the welding current amperage by using the MIG/MAG/Flux-core welding feature. In addition, you can also vary the settings for getting desired thickness and polarity by altering the type of the wire.
We must be grateful to the manufacturers of the MTS-205 for adopting an intelligent approach to design it. The power supply system of this welder is incredibly distinctive. This system comes with the capacity of automatic detection of the input voltage. As a result, it can quickly adapt the voltage of 110 V and 230 V. The power cord coming with this MIG welder is 700 feet.
MTS-205 is the perfect example of the durability, wave-form control system, and excellent wire feeding system. You will also be able to enjoy these features if you purchase this fantastic machine. Based on the results I obtained in testing it many times, I am highly satisfied with its result, and thus I strongly advise you to go for this fantastic MIG welder.
Related: Steps to MIG Weld Aluminum
6. Hobart 500553 Handler 210 MVP MIG Aluminum Welder
9.8
PROS
- Compact and lightweight design
- Seven voltage output
- 3-year official warranty
CONS
- Messy spool holder
Excellent portability, user-friendly design, and powerful action make Hobart 500553 Handler 210 MVP MIG Aluminum Welder as the best MIG welder for aluminum that you must consider purchasing in 2021. In addition to these distinctive features, you will love Hobart 500553 for its convenient use because it is compatible with multi-voltage plugs.
The remarkable portability of this MIG welder is attributable to the lightweight design having only 79 pounds weight and 10.2 inches x 19.7 inches x 12.6 inches dimensions. If you are wondering about the input voltage, we must tell you it can work with the 110/ 115/ 120 V – 220/ 230/ 240 V. Another best feature associated with the Hobart 500553 is its minimal spattering.
Thanks to the manufacturers for making it with efficient parameters for output control. With the help of these output controls, you will be getting improved arc performance with minor spattering. In this way, you will also be observing considerable improvement in the physical appearance of the bead requiring comparatively lesser cleaning.
If you prefer a safe MIG welding machine with excellent performance, we must suggest you go for Hobart 500553. This MIG welder is known for keeping the cord in the colder phase until and unless you pull the trigger. Therefore, it is highly safer to use. In addition to this, the package arriving with the Hobart 500553 is filled with all the necessary items that you will need for smoother welding.
Read Also: What’s Inside Lincoln Pro MIG 180
7. VIVOHOME 130 Flux Core Wire Automatic Feeding MIG Welder
9.4
PROS
- Highly economical
- User-friendly design
- Multi-purpose utility
CONS
- Few fragile components
VIVOHOME 130 Flux Core Wire Automatic Feeding MIG Welder is a supreme quality aluminum welder that offers you an array of features inclusive of gasless operation, storage space, and complementary accessories. I love this best MIG welder for aluminum for the freedom of adjustability that it offers. Significantly, the welding speed adjustability made my welding tasks easier.
The best feature of the VIVOHOME 130 is its suitability for a wide range of materials. By this, we mean that you may use it for welding steel and other materials besides aluminum. The type of finishing that it provides will allure your eyes because it is flawless. With only 33 pounds of weight, you will be able to transport it easily without any worries.
In terms of speed variation, this MIG welder is outstanding because it offers ten controls for speed. Therefore, doing flux core type welding, this welder is at the peak of perfection compared with the other conventional welders. The VIVOHOME manufacturers offer you a package of accessories if you buy this fantastic MIG welder for working with aluminum.
If you are looking for a premium quality MIG welder product, you must not ignore an excellent item like VIVOHOME 130. This MIG welder comes with powerful action, excellent speed control settings, effortless welding, and ease of transportation. You will love the smooth and flawless welding with the ideal current flow settings. Therefore, you must go for this fantastic product!
MIG Welder for Aluminum: Pre-Purchase Considerations
The best MIG welder for aluminum will be helping you in accomplishing your welding tasks with perfection in a short period. However, it is only possible if you make the proper selection of the MIG welder. There are plenty of products available in the market which will make your welding tasks easier. However, you need to be mindful of the factors that dictate the quality and functionality of the welder.
If you are curious about those factors, then sit back, relax, and keep reading because we are here with the complete guide on welder quality and performance-related factors that will influence your welding tasks. Therefore, glance at these tips and tricks and make sure not to forget them before clicking the ‘Purchase’ option. Here we go with these options!
Always Go for the Portable MIG Aluminum Welders
One of the essential pre-purchase considerations is to assess the portability of the MIG welder for aluminum processing. This tip is a must for all welding equipment because if you opt for the heavy-weight welder with minimum portability, then you might not be able to carry it around the home, office, or any place where it is needed. Luckily, the MIG welders are lightweight and portable. However, to be on the safe side, you must check the item specifications before making the final purchase.
MIG Aluminum Welders’ Duty Cycle
Another essential factor that you must not miss while purchasing the aluminum MIG welder is to check the duty cycle. The duty cycle of any welding machine is indicative of its potential for the period where you may use it safely and continuously. After the duty cycle is complete, you will need to give your MIG aluminum welder some break. For example, if your welder comes with the 30% duty cycle, this indicates that you can use it for 3 minutes and then stop using it.
Suppose you don’t check the aluminum MIG welder for the duty cycle specifications. In that case, you will be damaging the device, and ultimately, you won’t be able to use it for completing your aluminum welding tasks. Therefore, you must be very clear about the frequency of the use you will need for a particular project, and then you should decide on a suitable welder with a relevant and excellent duty cycle.
Automatic Overload Protection
Among other tips, the prep-purchase consideration regarding overload protection is highly essential. If you opt for the best product with the automatic overload protection feature, you will see that it will last for many years. The reason behind this fact is that protection from overloading increases the lifespan of a machine.
With this feature, your MIG aluminum welder will be saved from overheating. In response to the increment in the heating and temperature, your welder will be shutting down by itself. As a result, cooling will be started automatically, and you will be able to use it for a longer duration. Therefore, you must go for such efficient devices which offer you protection from overheating.
FAQs
Wrapping Up On MIG Welders
Aluminum processing can be great fun if you own the best MIG welder for aluminum. Such MIG welders will not only be easing your life by making you accomplish welding tasks speedily and efficiently, but also they will be giving you excellent products with the best finishing. After reading the review and pre-purchase considerations, you must be better positioned to decide the best product for yourself. We have specified the top four products, and they are:
- Lincoln Electric POWER MIG 210 MP Multi-Process Welder due to its durable metallic construction, user-friendly operation, and strong metal wire drive
- LOTOS MIG175-175 AMP MIG Welder due to its multiple welding options, innovative transformer technology, and facile set-up procedure
- Hobart 500559 Handler 140 Aluminum 115V MIG Welder because it has additional accessories in package, minimal welding amperage requirement, admirable versatility
- Forney Easy Weld 261 140 FC-i MIG Welder for Aluminum due to its gasless capabilities, higher portability, and economical price
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