Mastering TIG welding can earn you a handsome amount in the welding business, and those days are long gone when you need a hefty amount to buy a TIG welder. You can buy a tig welder at a considerable price, thanks to the increasing competition in the market.
But, you may not know what features need to be in a tig welder to satisfy your welding cravings. So, We decided to come up with the best TIG welders under $500 that are reputable. This list is made up after testing and reviewing different TIG welders. Make sure to read to the bottom to get the one that suits you the most.
YESWELDER 205DS is a durable TIG Welder that can flawlessly handle any professional or DIY project without any hassles. It’s a high-Frequency TIG machine that can weld the most rigid metal pieces without compromising on the weld quality.
The Amperage range of this machine is around 15-200 amps, which is excellent for versatile applications. It’s also a portable welding machine that you can carry anywhere for professional use. If you are looking for a cheap and reliable machine, you must consider it without wasting time.
It offers an impressive duty cycle of 60%, which is outstanding as TIG welding is a very slow process, and it’s not a bad idea to consider a machine with a high duty cycle.
Compared to other TIG Welders, it’s an easy-to-use machine with the most convenient controls, such as the on/off switch and amperage setting buttons.
It uses the latest IGBT soft switch technology that offers excellent Arc stability for any working environment. The automatic temperature control is another worthwhile feature of this model that makes it a suitable option for multiple welding jobs at a time.
It’s a portable welder that weighs only around 10lb. However, it doesn’t underestimate its performance because it delivers the most exceptional performance that no other TIG welder can give in this price range.
It’s also an energy-efficient machine that will reduce your electricity bill, especially if you are already running a workshop and using a TIG welder machine from any other brand.
The dual voltage capability of this machine allows you to operate this machine on 120V and 240V power, depending on the job requirements.
It’s also equipped with a standard 17-series gas valve torch to ensure the most precise welds without compromising quality. You can also look at the list of best Everlast TIG welders.
The S7 200Amp TIG Welder is a durable machine that offers a wide range of amperage for various welding applications. It provides excellent value for its price as compared to other brands available in the market.
It offers a remarkable inverter frequency of up to 100KHZ that will also ensure the fast and accurate welding process… It’s a versatile welding machine that can easily weld different metals such as stainless steel, alloy steel, mild steel, cast Iron, chrome, and copper.
It’s a portable machine with a handle on its body to make it easier for you to operate and transport it on the worksite. The 2 years manufacturer warranty and excellent customer support will provide full value and security to your hard-earned money.
The 80% duty cycle of this Welder will improve the welding performance and make it a viable option for multiple welding jobs without any hassles of cooling.
Overall, it’s a great machine that might not be powerful enough for large-scale jobs, but in this price range, it’s quite a reasonable option to consider, especially for hobby-related use.
The PrimeWeld CT520D 200 Amp TIG Welder is an excellent multi-purpose welder and cutter that can cut through a variety of metals up to 1/2″ thickness due to its plasma cutting capability.
It’s a highly versatile welder that works flawlessly with several metals with utmost accuracy. The input power frequency of this powerful machine is almost 50Hz/60Hz, which makes it a power-efficient TIG welder that saves up to 85% power.
This 3-In-1 Welder/Cutter can be used for a variety of materials, including cast iron, copper, aluminum, mild steel, and many others. With its 200A TIG torch, you can also weld magnesium and stainless steel without any hassles.
The lightweight design of this welding machine makes it a portable choice for professionals who want to carry it anywhere, while it only weighs around 32lbs which is quite impressive in this price range.
The Forney Easy Weld 140MP is a reliable multipurpose welder that works on 140Amp to handle the most complex welding jobs like a pro. You don’t have to buy a separate welder for MIG or Stick Welding because this welder supports MIG and stick welding with minor alterations.
Moreover, the 120V input power of this welder makes it a perfect option for professional and DIY-related projects. It’s a lightweight welder which weighs around 24lbs. You can conveniently carry it around the working site without extra effort.
It’s a versatile machine that allows users to do multiple welding processes with this single machine. The infinite voltage and wire feed speed control system will enable you to perform the most precise welds with maximum accuracy.
Price is a significant concern of every buyer, luckily, the Forney 140Amp, the multipurpose welder, is available in a reasonable price range, and it includes all those advanced features that are only available in expensive models.
The Mophorn Tig Welder 140 Amp is an excellent 2-in-1 welder that offers ARC/ stick and argon welding capability in a single portable box. The ergonomic design of this machine makes it an ideal option for professional and DIY related-use without any inconvenience.
It can easily weld a variety of challenging metals, including carbon steel, copper, stainless steel, titanium, exhaust pipe, chrome, and aluminum alloy.
The dual voltage system offers the most flexible compensation of 110/220V Input to handle the complex situations of voltage fluctuation.
It has many applications, including machinery, manufacturing, sheet metal processing, iron processing, large industries, and many others.
This machine’s over-voltage and heat protection feature makes it a suitable choice for those looking for a durable machine or beginners.
Besides, it’s a highly portable welding inverter that is easy to transport anywhere and ideal for home-based projects.
Toolium is a dual voltage TIG welder equipped with HF, capable of performing clean welds on thinner gauge metals. A 2-in-1 unit welder means you can also stick weld with it.
We heard many welders call it a low-quality Chinese tig welding machine, which we found wrong upon testing. We ran it on 90 amps for welding 3/32 inch steel using 7018, and the result was incredible.
Using the adjustable control knobs and current digital display benefits a lot. Advanced inverter technology and HF arc starts to improve tungsten life and avoid metal contamination. Additionally, its equipped with both over-voltage and over-current protection.
We didn’t find any significant drawbacks. Anyhow foot pedal is something that could satisfy.
A good TIG welder supports the user with a wide range of features. Every user requires different features befitting his welding job. We have discussed some important features to consider while buying a TIG welder.
Power: It solely depends on the nature of your welding job. If you want to use it for domestic jobs like a small shop or home, the one with lower power (120V) is suitable. Contrary, if your jobs are of heavy nature, you need to opt for one with more power(240) and voltage.
Though some welders provide dual voltage, which helps a variety of metals with different outlets, amperage depends on the thickness of the metal you intend to weld. One providing you with the stable arc at low amperage is considered a good TIG welder, as it aids in welding thin metals without burning.
If you want to weld numerous metals, you’ll have to buy a high amperage range machine. A TIG welder capable of maintaining arc stability on low amperage is best suited to weld thin metals. On the other hand, metals like aluminum need a high amperage range.
Pulse:
The second most important to keep an eye on while shopping for a TIG welder. Controlling heat going to the workpiece is crucial for cleaners’ welds. The pulse welding feature plays a vital role by letting you control the heat more efficiently, preventing metal burn through, and increasing the weld penetration. Unfortunately, none of the aforementioned TIG welders has this feature because machines mostly offer it for over 500$.
So, If you want high-quality cleaner welds, make sure to opt for one with a pulse feature.
Portability: TIG welders under 30-40 lbs are considered portable, while over 100lbs are hard to carry around. The smaller ones offer more power and versatility to get done small jobs that don’t require a long duty cycle. It should be on your priority list after pulse and power. Like Yeswelder-TIG 205DS only weighs 23 pounds.
Warranty:
Some TIG machine manufacturers don’t offer any warranty on their machines, which is unjustified. Though you intend to buy something under $500, you should still opt for one offer at least 1 years warranty. Surprisingly some of the welders above offer a warranty of more than 3 years. In the above welders, Everlast PowerArch 140ST offers 5 years warranty.
Foot Pedals: TIG welding requires good skills, but that does not mean it is complicated to use. A good TIG welder is equipped with a foot pedal, allowing you to control the heat going to the workpiece. So it’s a must-consider factor. In the above ones, both PrimeWeld CT520D and Yeswelder-TIG 205DS have foot pedals.
HF (High Frequency) or Lift Start Option: It’s essential to have HF to control the TIG welder’s arc easily.HF frequency initiates the arc by touching the metal. On the other hand, for the lift start, you need to slightly touch the metal to initiate the arc. Prefer ones that feature HF start. In aforementioned TIG welders under 500 YESWELDER 205DS, S7 200Amp TIG Welder, Mophorn Tig Welder 140, andTOOLIOM 135A come with an HF feature.
AC/DC Output:
The AC units are comparatively more expensive than DC units.AC output is used for welding metals like Aluminum. On the other hand, metals like mild steel, stainless steel, cast iron, and copper can be welded using DC modes. None of the above-mentioned welders have AC output because it comes in machines with a higher price tag.
The Verdict
Most of the units we listed above can perform welding jobs expected by a TIG welder for under 500$. Now you can select the one accordingly with your welding task.
Every welder listed above has different features. However, while using it, I liked the YESWELDER 205DS most. An HF machine is capable of welding rigid metals. Additionally, the easy user interface and 60% impressive make it worthwhile.
The second one the most is PrimeWeld CT520D, the fourth on the list because its price is a bit higher than the others. It’s capable of producing the cleanest welds for its price. A multipurpose welder saves you from the hassle of buying a separate Arc & Stick welder beside 50- amp plasma cutter cast iron, mild steel, and more.
Dave Walker, a professional welder who has been welding from an early age. Now aims to help others by making them learning skills and finding them new opportunities. He has written for many welding blogs and helped many pursue their welding goals by helping them in choosing the best welding tools of the time.
