Best TIG Welders For The Money – 2022 Buying Guide

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If you are looking for quality TIG welders for the money, brands like Lotos and Lincoln come into mind. Compared to MIG, TIG welding is more precise and uses inert tungsten gas. Such professional level equipment ought to be a bit pricier, but you shouldn't spend more than you have to.

After valuable assistance from welding professionals, we were able to identify some of the best TIG welders available in the market that are cheaper than most and worth the money! These are exceptional professional welding devices, and their importance in your welding career cannot be unseen!

Choose TIG Welder For The Money

What is TIG Welding?

Tungsten inert gas welding or gas tungsten arc welding is a method of creating a weld using a non-consumable tungsten electrode. 

During the welding process the person welding will create an arc between the non-consumable electrode and the material they are welding. At the precise position where the arc comes into contact with the material a weld pool forms. During the process the welder is slowly hand feeding a thin wire into the weld pool as it forms.

TIG welding gives the welder more control over the heat being applied to the metal and the amps. This control is established using either a thumb remote or a foot pedal. The resulting welds are perfect for times when a detailed design or a curve is being created. This process is frequently used in airplane construction and maintenance, and by automobile enthusiasts. 

This welding process is excellent when you are working with thinner metals, but it does require you to have excellent hand to eye coordination, and steadiness, No fluxes are used during the process so the welds are lower profile and less noticeable.

Best TIG Welder Reviews - 2022

1. Weldpro Digital TIG 200GD Dual Voltage Welder

WeldPro welding machine is an inverter-based TIG welding machine that implements the most advanced inverter technology to offer quality welding capabilities. It is a powerful machine that can be used to execute welding for decoration, car modification, industry and factory maintenance, hardware, and many more.

All of your welding operations will be smooth and easy because of the machine's compact size and lightweight. You will receive high-efficient welding operations because of the involvement of the PWM technology along with IGBT circuits.

The advanced inverter technology offers quality welding and allows the user to operate after going through a better range of settings for each specific weld. Besides, the inverter welding machine allows both AC and DC which enables the user to choose DC welding for copper, carbon steel, stainless steel, and many other metals.

Also, you can switch to AC welding easily to weld aluminum. It comes along with a professional design foot pedal that allows immediate amperage control. Moreover, you can execute excellent MMA stick welding along with TIG welding characteristics. WeldPro Welding Machine comes in a compact size and is lightweight which enables the user to execute convenient welding operations and provides exemplary features.

Pros

Cons

2. PRIMEWELD TIG225X 225 Amp IGBT AC DC Tig/Stick Welder

A powerful welder for helping out professionals – this unit is greatly favored for many reasons. The 225A welding power will help welders work with more complicated tasks with thick and very thin materials. It is more powerful than what you will get with the same budget from PRIMEWELD’s competitors.

It was a tough decision for us to rank this welder in number 2. This is an identical twin of Weldpro Digital TIG 200GD having all same features. We chose Weldpro 200GD as the champion product instead of PRIMEWELD TIG225X only because it does not come with as many accessories like a gas hose, electrode holder, clamp as Weldpro includes. 

The control panel may be somewhat scary to beginners as there are 10 different dials that ensure precise welding. Such precision makes this welder very good for thin materials that can be hard to weld.

Like most modern welding devices, this one also offers the dual voltage feature, making it suitable to work with either 120V or 240V. It is a bit on the heavier side, but it’s understandable seeing the range of functionality and precision it gives.

Pros

Cons

3. 2018 AHP AlphaTIG 200 Amp IGBT

This is a powerful 220 amp AC/DC machine. This unit is powerful enough to meet the expectations of any experienced welder and it is designed simply enough that any beginning welder will be able to operate the controls and set up the device to weld on any metal.

You can get precision welds on thin metals, on copper, on stainless steel, or mild steel, on aluminum, or other materials. It even comes with a foot pedal so you can control the heat while you are doing TIG welding.

It is a dual power device that operates on both 110v and 220v circuits. Most appliances with this capability offer very little power when the 110v circuits are used. This machine has a 150 amp output when it is running on a 110v circuit. The machine weighs less than seventy pounds and is easy to move or transport. It is ideal for homeowners, hobbyist, crafters, ranch hands, and professionals. 

It comes with two different TIG control switches so you can add a trigger switch to the torch if you would like. The torch that comes with the machine is a WP17 flex hose torch.

Cons

4. LOTOS TIG200ACDC 200A AC/DC Welder

This is the ideal welder for anyone who will be doing any aluminum welding. Really tough to compare with the Weldpro Digital TIG 200GD as both have the almost same features. However, the price is almost 20% lower than the WeldPro since this is considered as one of the best TIG welders for the money. WeldPro is slightly ahead only for its brand value and longevity. 

This welder has a maximum output of 200 amp and can be used to weld aluminum, stainless steel, or other metals with precise accuracy. The square wave inverter enables you to make the aluminum welds you need to make.

You have a foot pedal that allows you to maintain the exact heat you desire so your welds go on smoothly with less splatter or slag created. It is an automatic dual voltage machine so you can use it anywhere you have a 110v circuit or a 220v circuit.

The stick welding technology of this machine has an easy arc start and it maintains a stable welding arc throughout your project. The hot striking arc current is adjustable so you can easily weld using a variety of acids of basic electrodes.

It comes complete with everything you need to get started. It has a TIG torch, a power cord, an MMA  clamp, the foot pedal, an Argon regulator, a converter pigtail to switch it from 110v usage to 220v usage, a ground clamp, a consumable set and a detailed instruction manual.

It is easy to maneuver and only weighs 58 pounds. You can take it anywhere you need to go around your home, farm, or business.

Pros

Cons

5. EVERLAST PowerARC Dual Voltage TIG Welder

One of the features that cause this TIG welder to be so impressive is the DINSE 25 mm connectors. These connectors make the setup process for your welding tasks easy and fast.

Now, this is one is surprisingly half of the price than LOTOS TIG200, however, not considered the best value for a few reasons. This machine complies with almost the same features as Weldpro Digital TIG 200GD Dual Voltage Welder, LOTOS TIG200 and AHP AlphaTIG 200 but not as user-friendly as the mentioned models. Besides, it is a lightweight welder but not sturdy like other standard models that we reviewed. 

The manual gas valve that is built into the handle of the torch, will save you a lot of bending, stooping, and time. When you need your gas changed the control is already within reach of your fingers so your work never gets interrupted.

The machine is a dual voltage machine so you can operate it on a 110v electrical circuit, or when you need a little more power than you can operate it on a 220v circuit. When running on a 110v circuit it has a maximum output of 85 amps, and when running on a 220v circuit it has a maximum output of 140 amps.

It consumes very little power, and it has an automatic hot start so you have fewer instances of your electrode sticking or slag building up while you are working. You get a smoother weld that is more precise, and possibly stronger.

Pros

Cons

6. Lotos CT520D 50 AMP 3 in 1 Combo Welder

This is a fantastic machine that replaces three machines. You get the power of a 50 amp plasma that has an ideal cut thickness of ½” but maintains a maximum severance cut of ¾”. It also has a convenient handle that allows you to move it around easily, or take it with you when you go out to work. You get a 15-200 amp TIG welder that can be used on stainless steel, mild steel, and other metals. If you like to have foot pedal heat control you can buy one that will work with this machine.

You get a 15-200 amp  welder that has an easy arc start and an adjustable hot striking arc current so you are in complete control while you are working. This amazing machine also operates on both 110/120v or 220/240v electrical circuits. You will not have a problem finding an electrical source to power this machine.

You get a machine with the regulator and type D plug already in place so you can connect your air compressor in less than a minute. The set up for this machine is easy, and time saving.

Pros

Cons

7. PrimeWeld 3-in-1 Welding and Cutting Combo Machine

This machine is ideal for homeowners, hobbyist and craft workers because it is light and easy to move. It is perfect for ranch owners, and experienced welders because it provides 200 amp output power and has 85% power efficiency.

The machine has a 50 amp plasma cutter so you can make precise cuts in metal that is up to ½” thick. You can repair equipment, repair trailer hitches, or work on metal furniture with just one machine. You will have a machine with a duty cycle that provides 60% of the maximum amperage on all processes. This is truly a powerhouse of a machine that is going to allow you to do all the cutting, fabricating, metal repair, and engineering you have to do.

Expert welders will love the efficiency and beginning welders will love the simplicity of the machine. It is designed to make any welding project go smoothly and look its best when completed.

Pros

Cons

8. LOTOS LTPDC2000D Non-Touch Pilot Arc Welding Machine

One of the amazing features of this welding machine is the non-touch plasma cutter. You get precise cuts that are clean and smooth because the tip of the cutter does not have to come into contact with the metal you are cutting.

This allows you to cut rougher metal surfaces and still get a precision cut. It allows you to cut dirty metal without causing slag build up or skips in your cuts. It also allows the tip to function efficiently for a longer period of time.

The plasma cutter will do ideal maximum cuts on metals that are ½” thick but it can be used on metals that are as thick as ¾”. It can cut alloys, aluminum, stainless steel, mild steel, copper, and more. 

You get stable welding, precision welds on thin materials, deep weld pools, and an adjustable striking arc current so your heat is right from the moment you begin. It is quick to set up, and portable so you can take it anywhere you need to go with no hassles.

Pros

Cons

9. Lincoln Electric K5126-1 Square Wave TIG 200

We are sorry to rank a Lincoln machine at the bottom of our post. Having some similar features of other standard TIG machines the price of this welder is too high, which we don't like at all.

Many users also reported that they arrived either broken or in a harsh condition that they stop working after a few hours. The warranty covers everything but the customer service is not good at all.

It can be operated on 110v or 220v so everyone is going to have an electrical outlet that can power this machine. If you have it plugged into the 110v circuit then you will have the power to weld steel that is up to 3/8” thick. If you are powering it with a 220v current then you can weld steel that is up to ½” thick.

The controls on the machine are made so that a person wearing TIG gloves can adjust the controls without taking off their gloves. It also comes with a foot pedal for heat control so you have instant control of heat settings without having to stop welding and adjust a knob on the machine.

This square wave welder is great for beginners and experienced welders. It can be used on most metal surfaces, and it provides clean welds with less splatter than many machines produce.

For a lower price, we recommend investing in LOTOS TIG200 or EVERLAST PowerARC to get smooth finishing and satisfaction.

Pros

Cons

10. 2018 EVERLAST PowerARC TIG Welder

This welder is a good choice for both beginners and professionals, but the features of the machine were designed with the professional welder in mind. It produces 200 amps of DC welding power.

You get two welding machines in one compact package. There is a dedicated connection port on the front of the machine that will provide you with E6010 welding ability so you can use this item when working on pipelines, in shipyards, on container vessels, at construction sites, and most places where a welding machine is needed to make repairs or fabricate items.

The adaptive hot start on this machine will virtually eliminate the problem of your rod sticking to your metal when you are welding. This means you will have the ability to produce smoother welds that are more precise and attractive. There are ports that allow you to use E7018, E7024, and E7014 stainless class electrodes, and another port that gives you the option of using a wide variety of other rods.

This is a dual voltage machine that operates on 110v and on 220v electrical currents. The  entire machine weighs only 30 pounds, so it is easy to take with you wherever you go to work.

Pros

Cons

11. Forney 324 TIG 3-in-one Welder

It has a simple switch with three positions that allows you to choose the welding technique you will be using, and change techniques if you want.

There is a single stage piston on the flow meter that controls the regulation of the gas being consumed by the welder so you can weld at the speed that you want. You can create the flawless welds that other machines simply cannot produce because of the precise flow control of the gas. The machine is built with an all metal case so it is rugged and can withstand working in construction sites, shipyards, on pipelines, around the ranch, and out of your garage.

It comes complete with a ten-foot lead, a ten-foot ground cable and clamp, an electrode holder, an input power cord that measures fifteen foot, an adaptor plug so it can be used with a 100v or 220v outlet, a gas hose and regulator.

Pros

Cons

TIG Welders Buying Guide

When you are considering purchasing a TIG welder you want to consider all of the pertinent features that could apply to the welding projects you might perform with the machine.

Some newer welding models are three in one machines that combine the abilities of  a combo of 3 different types of welding. Having three machines in one is excellent for some people, but many people do not need all three machines, so they might be better served by a machine with fewer features and a lower price. A few things to consider when you are shopping for TIG welders are:

The Arc

A high quality arc is crucial in creating arc stability. Some lower priced machines simply do not provide you with adequate arc stability. When the arc is not stable you will get a messy looking weld that might be strong but is aesthetically displeasing.

How is the Torch Cooled

The torch on your  welder will either be air cooled or water cooled. Most of the time air cooled torches are just fine, but there are times when you are going to wish you had a water cooled torch. The water cooled torch has a smaller head than the air cooled torch. This smaller head allows you to get into tighter places to do your work.

The water cooled torch also prevents some of the extreme heat the torch can put off when it is being used to create higher outputs. The water cooled torch stays cooler and often makes the welding job more comfortable to complete.

Foot Pedal or Thumb Control

The foot pedal and the thumb control help you to create and maintain the perfect heat ratio so your welds are more precise and consistent. Both of these heat control methods are efficient, but some people simply have an easier time with one control or the other.

This feature boils down to personal preference. Many machines claim to be foot pedal operated, but when you get home you discover that the foot pedal is sold separately. Read the box carefully to discern which heat control is included with the machine.

Dual Voltage

The dual voltage welding machines can be plugged into a 110v outlet or into a 220v outlet. For most of these appliances the amperage they put out is lowered when they are used with a 110v electrical current. This feature does make it possible to use your machine in more places with fewer power supply concerns.

Controls

You want a machine that has easy to use controls. Some devices have control knobs and dials that are small and you have to remove your welding gloves to make any adjustments to the machine. Look for a machine that has large, easy to turn knobs and dials. You also want a machine with easy and quick connectors so you can set up to do your work faster, and the putting away of the machine is made easier.

Most of the things that make one TIG welder better than another are simply personal preference items. Pay close attention to the amperage output the machine is capable of and to the thickness of the metal that it can weld.

Multi-process TIG welder: Does it work?

Whenever you consider whether a tool or device is good or bad you have to remember that everything has both positive and negative aspects. You also have to consider that something you think is positive may not appear to be a positive aspect to someone else. 

Positive Aspects

Negative Aspects

Final Note

Have you decided about which welder should you purchase? If you are still not sure about what to get, you should go for the Lotos TIG200ACDC. It is an incredible TIG welder with 200amp maximum output that can do most of your tasks with precision. Moreover, it comes in a complete package so everything you need to get started is there!

TIG welding is an excellent skill you can learn. And with an exceptional welder, you can do most of the welding tasks with comfort. Make sure to do your research properly and go through the buying guide points we have provided.