Best Professional MIG Welder: HITBOX MIG 200
Though HITBOX isn’t as well-known as the likes of Miller or Hobart, the company deserves some credit if only for their MIG 200.
This hard-hitting machine offers deep penetration and multi-functionality to help you with whatever challenge lies ahead.
Here’s a quick overview of the MIG 200’s key specifications—
- 5/16-inch Welding Capacity
- 220V Input Voltage
- 30% Duty Cycle @ 200A
- Multi-Function
With such an inexpensive price tag, the HITBOX MIG 200 is a difficult MIG welder to beat. It’s a straightforward machine that welds up to 5/16 inches deep in mild steel, but it’s hiding much more under its sleeve.
A simple press of a button will convert this MIG into a TIG or stick welder for welding thinner sheets with appealing beads, or add final touches to metalwork outdoors. The TIG gun and stick consumables are sold separately.
The dials on the control board adjust voltage and amp settings independently. The flexibility the 200 offers lets you work at your own pace while producing high-quality beads with every pass of the MIG gun.
Pros
- Extremely user-friendly
- Top-notch power output
- Can use MIG and flux-cored wires
- Customizable to your workpiece
Cons
- Could come with wire feed adjustment system
Overall, there’s not a lot about the HTIBOX MIG 200 that needs improving. And at such a ridiculously low price, you’ll have a tough time finding a 200A machine that works at the same level as this.
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Welding as a professional is all about having the right equipment at all times. You might need a heavy-duty MIG welder for large projects, or a smaller one for more delicate tasks.
Whatever the case, we have the perfect welder for you. In this guide, we’ll convince you why our overall best professional MIG welder is the tool to go with.
After comparing more than 30 models, we’re confident you’ll love it just as much as us.
Top Professional MIG Welders Compared
Here’s a comparison between Top Professional MIG Welders:
Product Image | Product Name | Features | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Best Professional MIG Welder – HITBOX MIG 200 |
| Check Today's Price |
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Best Premium - Hobart Handler 210 MVP |
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Best Budget - Goplus MIG 130 |
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Hobart Handler 140 |
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Forney Easy Weld 125 FC |
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Lincoln Electric K2185-1 |
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Reviews of the Top Professional MIG Welders
We didn’t test out 30 different pro-grade MIG welders just to tell you about the best overall model. Here are our reviews of some the best professional MIG welders the market has to offer.
Best Premium - Hobart Handler 210 MVP
Key Specifications
- 3/8-inch Welding Capacity
- 115V/230V Input Voltage
- 30% Duty Cycle @ 150A
- Infinite Control Parameters
The Handler 210 MVP is a versatile, high-powered MIG welder that will come in handy in all sorts of situations.
This machine draws power from either a 115V or 230V outlet, allowing you to take advantage of its awesome welding performance at home or at the job site.
The 210 MVP can handle plates as thick as 3/8 of an inch with a single sweep of the gun.
With infinite control parameters, you can adjust the voltage and wire speed to the exact specifications of your workpiece for binding, spatter-free welds every time.
This videos shows exactly why we love the Handler 210 MVP:
Pros
- Ultra-high amp output
- 7-position voltage settings
- Durable, lightweight design
- Can weld aluminum (spool gun not included)
Cons
- Power cable could have been longer
Whether you need a MIG welder for simple home-repair jobs or for welding thick sheets in a metalworking shop, the Handler 210V will take care of everything.
Best Budget - Goplus MIG 130
Key Specifications
- ¼-inch Welding Capacity
- 110V Input Voltage
- 10% Duty Cycle @ 105A
- Uses Flux-Cored Wire
The Goplus MIG 130 is a super-compact model that, surprisingly, packs some serious heat. With a pull of the trigger, the Goplus can weld quarter-inch plates together with ease.
Although it’s a 110V MIG welder, its deep-penetrating performance would tell you otherwise.
The voltage knob has 10 different settings, while the wire speed is adjustable independently. With both customizable settings at your fingertip, users have full control over the final results of their weld.
Obviously, experienced users will understand the intricacies of MIG setup, but it’s also a great way for beginner welders to learn.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Great for at-home DIY and light-commercial jobs
- Compatible with flux-cored wire
- Portability
Cons
- Could be more durable
Whether you’re in search of an entry-level machine or a heavy-duty 110V MIG welder, the Goplus MIG 130 is for you.
Hobart Handler 140
Key Specifications
- ¼-inch Welding Capacity
- 115V Input Voltage
- 20% Duty Cycle @ 90A
- Wire Feed Tracking
The Hobart Handler 140 is one of many MIG welding machines that pro welders swear by for its medium-range output power at just 115V input.
The Handler 140 has the ability to weld quarter-inch mild steel sheets with a single sweep of the gun.
The Handler 140 is also one of the most user-friendly MIG welders we’ve ever tried. Setting everything up is simple, and the manual tells you everything you need to know.
With wire feed tracking, you don’t need to change the wire speed based on the voltage rating.
Before you choose the Handler 140, we suggest taking a look at the manufacturer’s descriptive video:
Pros
- Built-in thermal protection
- Flexible welding speed with near-zero spatter
- Easy to set up and use
- Great machine for large-scale DIY jobs
Cons
- Duty cycle rating could be higher
Everything you need to get the Handler 140 up and running is available in the box. Just plug it into a 115V outlet, turn the machine on, and let the self-configuring MIG welder do the thinking for you.
Forney Easy Weld 125 FC
Key Specifications
- ¼-inch Welding Capacity
- 120V Input Voltage
- 20% Duty Cycle @ 125A
- No Shielding Gas Required
The 125 FC is another entry-level MIG welder that pro welders find themselves relying on for simpler jobs around the workshop.
It can weld up to quarter-inch mild steel like many other models, but what sets it apart is the switch mechanism that alters the voltage and speed based on the type of material you’re welding, between sheet and plates.
With flux-cored wire compatibility, you don’t need to worry about picking up a tank of shielding gas to protect the weld.
Instead, the gas in built into the wire and releases when heated. This is a great start-wire for beginners, but more experienced users might want to rely on steel wire and argon.
Pros
- Great for pros and beginners
- Efficient duty cycle for lighter tasks
- Small footprint
- Flexible wire speed
Cons
- Flux-cored wire has its limits
The 125 FC is an excellent MIG welder for novice and experienced welders, specifically for lighter-duty welding jobs around the home or barn.
Lincoln Electric K2185-1
Key Specifications
- 1/8-inch Welding Capacity
- 115V Input Voltage
- 20% Duty Cycle @ 70A
- Thermal Protection
Although the Lincoln K2185-1 has its limitations, professionals will definitely find some value out of this MIG welder. At just 1/8-inch welding capacity, it’s the weakest on our list, but this does not make it a bad welder.
In fact, reviews left by professional welders commend the K2185-1 for its flexibility, lightweight design, and suitability for light touch-ups on partially corroded workpieces.
Admittedly, the 88A max output isn’t great for auto fabrication, but making gates and canopies aren’t out of the question.
It a single-voltage 115V unit that plugs into any wall outlet. If your clients don’t have a dedicated 220V receptacle at home, this is a great tool for on-site welding.
Pros
- Durable construction
- Lightweight and easy to transport
- Good for thinner workpieces
- Built-in overheating protection
Cons
- Voltage settings could be more flexible
Undoubtedly, the K2185-1 has its limits, but its incredibly low cost and portability are too good to pass up.
FAQs
Here, we’ll take some time out to address the most FAQs about professional MIG welders.
We’d like to tell you that a higher price tag means better output and cleaner welds, but that isn’t always the case. As you can see, our top pick is from a relatively unknown company that sells budget-friendly models despite their awesome performance ratings. To answer the question, you should find a model within your budget and see which models are best for that price category. Check out our guides on the best MIG welders under $500 and $1,000.
Once again, we can’t answer that with certainty. However, if you mean which are the most popular brands, they’d be Miller, Lincoln, Hobart, Everlast, and Forney, just to name a few. Their lineups of MIG welders range from entry-level to high-end, though obviously, their high-output models can cost a pretty penny. If you don’t mind giving the little guy a try, we suggest seeing what the not-so-well-known brands are making. As our list clearly shows, they might surprise you.
Without getting too technical, here’s how they differ in a nutshell. MIG welders are better for thicker pieces of metal (up to the model’s max capacity), whereas TIG welding is done mainly on thinner pieces where you’re not attempting to hide the weld. As for stick welding, their main advantage is their usability outdoors since air does not interfere as much with the arc. However, if you’re looking for all three in a single machine, might we suggest the HITBOX MIG 200?
While searching for a good MIG welder for any purpose, you might come across numerous models from obscure companies. More often than not, these are Chinese-made MIG welders, and if their reviews mean anything to you, they can work extremely well in certain settings. In fact, the HITBOX MIG 200 is a Chinese-made MIG welder by Shenzhen Unitweld. This would have been a surprise about a decade or two ago when cheap, high-quality welders weren’t a thing.
Summary
Professional-grade MIG welders aren’t just about melting the thickest material imaginable.
If you’ve ever worked in the field, you’ll know how important it is to have the flexibility to handle all sorts of metal thicknesses.
Our list of the best professional MIG welder gives you that and much more. We’ve researched over 30 different pro-grade MIG welders to see which you would appreciate the most.
If we missed anything, you can let us know by leaving your thoughts in the comment section.
Last update on 2024-10-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API