Best 120V MIG Welder: SUNGOLDPOWER 140A
This might shock you, but a high number of MIG welders by lesser-known manufacturers are dominating the market.
Case in point: our best overall pick, the SUNGOLDPOWER 140A. Although limited in welding capacity, the 140A is incredibly versatile and portable.
Here’s a quick look at the 140A’s key specifications—
- 16-gauge Welding Thickness
- 5 Positions/Infinite Voltage Settings
- 60% Duty Cycle @ 120A
- 120V/220V Voltage Input
Basically, from a 120V receptacle, you can weld 16-gauge steel sheets together with a single pass. This, by 120V MIG welder standards, isn’t all that powerful, but for most household repair jobs, this should suffice.
The 140A has two knobs that control voltage output and wire speed. Without synergic adjustability, users are free to select the pace and welding heat necessary for light-duty welding jobs.
If the need arises, you can take this machine to weld aluminum sheets together (spool gun not included).
This MIG welder is equipped with inverter technology to regulate voltage conversion. Essentially, this lets you take the 140A out into the wilderness and weld by plugging it into a portable generator.
Pros
- Extremely portable
- Excellent duty cycle efficiency
- Works on aluminum
- Easy-to-setup controls
Cons
- Could weld thicker materials
All in all, the SUNGOLDPOWER 140A is our top pick for its versatility, portability, and user-friendliness. There are more powerful models out there, which you’ll see in a second, but the 140A deserves more recognition than it gets.
With more homeowners trying their hands in DIY home repair tasks, we’ve seen an influx of home-grade tools at the ready.
One of these is 120V MIG welders, which, once were a specialty tool, have become commonplace in many garage workshops.
Today, we’re showing you our pick of the best 120V MIG welder and how it surpasses over 40 home-grade some of the best MIG welders we’ve researched.
Top 120V MIG Welders Compared
Here’s a comparison between Top 120V MIG Welders:
| Product Image | Product Name | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall - SUNGOLDPOWER MIG Welder |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Best Premium -Hobart 500559 Handler 140 MIG Welder 115V |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Best Budget -KICKINGHORSE F130 |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Forney Easy Weld 261, 140 FC-i MIG Welder |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Lincoln Electric K2185-1 Handy MIG Welder |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Weldpro 155 Amp Inverter MIG/Stick Arc Welder |
| Check Today's Price |
Reviews of the Top 120V MIG Welders
Best Premium - Hobart Handler 140
During our testing phase of over 40 120V MIG welders, we’ve uncovered several gems we’d like you to see.
Key Specifications
- ¼-inch Welding Capacity
- 5-Position Voltage Settings
- 20% Duty Cycle @ 90A
- Wire Feed Tracking
The Hobart Handler 140 is a popular MIG welder used by novice and veteran welders alike. It offers a welding capacity on mild steel of up to a quarter-inch in thickness.
With 5 voltage settings, the filler metal can be as spread out as you’d like to produce the best weld possible.
It has a 20% duty cycle at 90A, which isn’t all that great, but it’s more than enough for first-time buyers to get accustomed to things.
Its non-synergic voltage and wire speed dials let you fine-tune your welding capacity to your exact specifications.
What this video to see what we mean:
Pros
- Fine-tuneability
- Excellent power output
- Easy to set up
- Durable cast aluminum construction
Cons
- Could have more efficient duty cycle
The Hobart Handler 140 is our premium pick for a reason—it can handle more welding jobs compared to several other 110V to 120V MIG welders on the market. Plus, being so user-friendly only adds to its appeal.
Best Budget - KICKINGHORSE F130
Key Specifications
- 9-gauge Welding Capacity
- Infinite Voltage Settings
- 15% Duty Cycle @ 90A
- Inverter Technology
The KICKINGHORSE F130 is another top contender for the best 120V MIG welders, despite being from a lesser-known manufacturer.
However, as our budget pick, it’s a decent-performing model with limited welding capacity but low-energy consumption.
At most, the F130 can weld 9-gauge metal sheets with a single pass of the MIG gun. Despite its low cost, this has a higher output power than countless other home-grade MIG welders.
On the control board are two dials that independently regulate voltage and wire speed. The F130 also comes with inverter technology to reduce the amount of power it needs to operate.
Take a quick look-see at what the F130 is all about:
Pros
- Easy to set up and start
- Decent welding performance
- Energy-efficient
- Compact design
Cons
- Power cord could be longer
The F130’s price tag reflects its entry-levelness, but for first-time DIY welders, this inexpensive model is a great model to begin with.
Forney Easy Weld 140 FC-i
Key Specifications
- ¼-inch Welding Capacity
- 10 Positions/Infinite Voltage Settings
- 30% Duty Cycle @ 90A
- Multi-Process Unit
If you’d like versatility and high-quality welding performance in one machine, we highly recommend looking at the Forney 140 FC-i.
This machine can penetrate up to a quarter-inch of mild steel in a single pass, making it a hard-hitting 120V MIG welder for home and light-industrial purposes.
Adjusting the voltage and wire speed settings are done by turning two different knobs, allowing for optimal performance on any thickness (up to ¼ of an inch).
If you need to TIG or stick weld, the 140 FC-i has you covered. Make sure you get a TIG gun and stick consumables before attempting to do so.
This video will show you what the 140 FC-i can do:
Pros
- 3-in-1 welding machine
- Easy to set up and use
- Lightweight and portable
- Durable construction
Cons
- Adjusting the drive system could be easier
Overall, we think any first-time user would be happy with the incredibly versatile 140 FC-i, regardless of whether you plan on TIG or stick welding in the future.
Lincoln K2185-1
Key Specifications
- 1/8-inch Welding Capacity
- 4-Position Voltage Settings
- 20% Duty Cycle @ 70A
- Complete Accessory Kit
If there’s one brand experienced welders will swear by, it’s Lincoln Electric, and their K2185-1 is definitely something everyone should consider.
It has a 1/8-inch welding capacity in mild steel and can also weld aluminum sheets with ease. 4 voltage positions let you adjust the amount of heat needed for optimal penetration, though it takes some getting used to.
With the K2185-1, you’ll receive a kit of all the necessary hardware and supplies needed to begin MIG welding immediately.
There’s even a neat welding helmet that works great for infrequent welding. If you’re going to this machine regularly, consider investing in another face shield.
Pros
- Great for first-time welders
- Durable construction
- Long MIG gun hose
- Welding supplies included
Cons
- Duty cycle could be better
The Lincoln K2185-1 is a top-selling MIG welder that many customers swear is the best for novice welders, and we’re inclined to agree.
Weldpro 155
Key Specifications
- 1/8-inch Welding Capacity
- Infinite Voltage Settings
- 30% Duty Cycle @ 155A
- 3-in-1 Welder
The Weldpro 155 is another dual-voltage machine that runs on either 120V or 240V power. At 120V, it offers up to 1/8 of an inch of penetration in mild steel for lighter-duty projects at home or around your barn.
With an infinite number of voltage settings, you’re free to play around with the tool until you’ve found the correct configurations for whatever material thickness you’re welding.
Its versatility is what makes the machine shine—if you need to swap to TIG (gun sold separately) or stick welding (consumables not included), you have the options to do so.
This video will show you everything included in the box:
Pros
- User-friendly machine
- Great penetration on 120V power
- Wire spool included
- MIG, TIG, and stick welds
Cons
- Construction could be more durable
The Weldpro 155 is another 3-in-1 machine that many buyers would find fascinating.
FAQs
Here, we’ll address some of the most frequently asked questions about 120V MIG welders.
One of the most confusing things buyers will face is choosing between 110V, 115V, and 120V appliances. Despite their technically different input ratings, they’re the exact same thing. We won’t get too technical about their differences, but in a nutshell, the difference in voltage between the three is minute, and plugging a 120V welder into a 110V receptacle will not result in a significant loss of power.
That’s entirely up to you. Back in the day, the dominating forces in the welding industry were Hobart, Everlast, Lincoln, Miller, and Forney, but today, you’ll find MIG welders from unknown companies with similar performances as name-brand models. The benefit of going with a widely-used manufacturer is their after-sales service; many Chinese-made MIG welders don’t offer such services, so finding replacement parts is close to impossible.
We can’t speak for every model on the market, but the two dual-voltage MIG welders listed above—the SUNGOLDPOWER 140A and Weldpro 155—have auto-sensing features to adjust its max power output based on its voltage input. However, accidentally plugging it into the “wrong” receptacle is impossible since they use different types of plugs. The 220V plug adapters come with both of these models.
Anywhere where a 120V receptacle is available or, if you need to weld in the open air, wherever a portable generator is accessible. 120V MIG welders are mainly used for light-duty welding jobs, and thus, may not be up to the challenge of most commercial-grade jobs. However, it depends on how thick the material you’re working with. Even auto parts fabricators can make use of a 120V MIG welder to recreate or patch up corroded parts.
Summary
In order to create this guide on the best 120V MIG welder, we personally tested over 40 different MIG welders from various brands and countries to see which of them are top-performers.
Based on our test results, we’re confident you’ll find value in each and every model we listed above. Our comments section is open to feedback, questions, and anything else on your mind.
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
