The Best TIG Welders – A Complete Guide

tig welder

Unarguably, Tungsten Inert Gas or TIG welding is one of the more difficult types of welding processes. It becomes more challenging without the right welding equipment. A good welding machine ensures a quality weld finish with sufficient structural integrity and enables you to develop your project by industry standards and codes. Unfortunately, market findings reveal that the best TIG welders are pricey and “over the roof” expensive. 

However, there are still TIG welders that offer the best quality at a reasonable price – these machines will be the focus of this article. All welders to be reviewed in this post are not only under $1000, but they are suitable for every user: beginners and professionals. 

But before we delve into the main discussion, let’s explore 5 crucial factors to take into account when buying a TIG welder.

Factors To Consider When Buying the Best TIG Welder 

When scouring for a TIG welding machine to purchase,  it is essential you choose a unit with specifications and performance that align with your needs. The following considerations will enable you to make the right choice:

The Work To Be Done 

tig welding

This is the first and perhaps the most critical factor to consider when in the market for a TIG welder. You must be able to determine what type of welding equipment the project you are working on requires. If you are working on a car welding job, for instance, you’ll be dealing with a considerably small assembly, and the car engine is made from 1/8 aluminum. So a stick welder will be a bad choice as it will lead to poor welding results. While a MIG welding machine will complete the project faster, you’ll need the precision that can only be delivered by a TIG welder. 

Quality and appearance of the job 

For high-end or precision manufacturing or jobs such as piping, nuclear, and consumer goods where high visibility is involved, and the weld appearance is a priority, TIG welding is the best option. In other words, TIG welders are the best choice if you’re looking for superior-looking quality. 

Metal Thickness Being Welded 

Another important consideration is the thickness of the metal being welded. TIG welders are suitable for welding thin and delicate metals as they can offer high performance at low amperage. On the other hand, for metals with a thickness of ½” or more, MIG or stick welding works best. 

Power Source: DC/AC or a combination of both

If you typically work with magnesium and aluminum, you’ll get the best results with DC output. As far as steel and stainless steel are concerned, the key to optimal performance lies in an AC output power source. For maximum versatility, consider purchasing a combination AC/DC machine.

The Best TIG Welders 

If you’ve decided to opt for a TIG welder,  these are the best products available:  

Eastwood TIG 200 AC/DC Welder

The first on our list is the Eastwood TIG 200 AC/DC Welder. As its name implies, it a true AC/DC TIG Welder, which means it is suitable for welding both aluminum and steel and, by extension, great for restoring and repairing engine accessory brackets. The machine offers dual 120 and 240-volt input and pulse width modulation, has a 60 percent duty cycle at 90 amps, and consists of an industry-standard WP-17 torch with a 12-foot connection to make reaching your work easier. 

ProsCons
It offers a 60 percent duty cycle at 90 ampsConsists of a cheap quality gas regulator
Features pre-flow-post flow gas controlIts foot pedal doesn't have smooth control
Contains an industry-standard WP-17 torch

YesWelder TIG 205DS

The aim of the YesWelder TIG 205DS is to offer higher value at a lower cost. In fact, it the best TIG welder at its price point. This TIG machine is designed to be easy to set up and use and can be applied to almost any type of work, making it perfect for beginners and professionals alike.  Besides being an AC and DC TIG welder, it offers various professional features, including upslope and downslope settings, pre and post-flow settings, and it supports a low 5 amp start is crucial for thin metal.

ProsCons
It has AC balance controlIt works only on 220 volts
Easy to assemble and use
An efficient Aluminum TIG welder
Provides good customer service support

AHP Alpha TIG 200X 110v 220v IGBT TIG/Stick

This welder machine ushers superior inverter technology – when combined with PMW and IGBT inverter technology, the result is a one-of-a-kind welder that can cut metal and aluminum with great success. As a portable machine, AHP Alpha TIG 200X is suitable for jobs that require a lot of movement. Its price is often considered its most attractive benefit.  AHP Alphatig 200X TIG welder added technology allows it to can provide unmatched performances.  It is also known for its width modulated inverter and AC frequency control.

ProsCons
Offers greater control options than its peersIt's a heavy machine
It has the ability to High-Frequency start
The device works on 120 and 220v power source
Offers 3 Year warranty

Everlast PT-250EX Power TIG, 220 Volt Inverter, Based Pulse Welder

ProsCons
Best welder for aluminumIt is heavy, so not very portable
Well suited for beginner and professional precision welding jobs
Offers Low 5 amp and high-frequency Start 
Consists of adjustable settings from amp start to features like spot weld timer
It comes with a 5-year warranty

Primeweld TIG225X TIG Welder

Inverted-based power, high-frequency arc start, 10/90 pulse ratio to clean the weld with one side of the AC sine wave, and full pulse width modulation for controlling bead width and quality are some of the most prominent features of this TIG welder. Further,  as an AC and DC TIG machine, the Primeweld TIG225X TIG Welder can weld aluminum, and the wide power range allows welding sheet metal as thin as 28 gauge as well as metal up to 1/2-inch thick. 

ProsCons
It has a metal foot pedal6010 or 6011 rod can't be used with this machine
Offers 200 HZ pulse width frequencyIts manual is incomprehensible
Features additional finger-operated heat control
Comes with a US-made CK17 torch
It also offers a wide range of adjustment options

Lotos TIG200 Welder

The Lotos TIG200 is a dual 120/240-volt input machine that offers several advanced and vital features. Its no-touch high-frequency arc start saves your tungsten electrode from contamination, while its settings memory lets you save up to 10 different profiles, handy when switching between different processes or working on different pieces to assemble a project. However, there have been some complaints about the TIGmachine’ss quality.

ProsCons
It has high-frequency no-touch arc startsQuality control is inconsistent
A foot pedal with heat control is includedIts manual is incomprehensible
It features a 24 gauge sheet to 3/8-inch plate
Pre-flow/post-flow components allow for cleaner welds

Miller Electric Maxstar 150

This TIG welder is the right solution for you if you are searching for a light and easy move-around device that facilitates precision welding. The Maxstar 150 from Miller Electric has an amperage range of 5A to 150A, allowing you to weld metal as thin as 0.020″ and a duty cycle of 30% at 150A. At 100A, the duty cycle of the machine goes to 100%, which means that you get a prolonged performance.

ProsCons
Miller Electric Maxstar 150 is light and portableNot ideal for heavy-duty use
It can weld a wide variety of metal thicknessNot suitable for welding aluminum
It offers high power delivery at low amperage
High-quality and durability

Conclusion

We hope this helps you in your search for the best TIG welders. The options provided above are guaranteed to simplify the welding process; they are easy to use, allow for optimal performance and quality results, and helps users save costs. Remember to consider the type of work to be undertaken, metal thickness, level of quality and appearance required, and the power source when looking for a TIG welder to purchase.  If a MIG welder might be something more suitable check out our Best MIG Welders article.