6 Top Picks
4 Reviewers
26 Hours of Research
22 Products Considered
At A Glance: Our Top Picks for TIG Welders
- AHP Alpha TigOur Top Pick
- Everlast PowerArcRunner Up
- Forney 324
- Lotos CT520D
- Miller Electric Maxstar
- Primeweld CT520D
Any welder worth his salt knows how difficult and how rewarding TIG welding is.
TIG welding is a very fine art and produces the cleanest and the most beautiful welds. But to be able to pull off, you’ll need a lot of patience, skill, and, of course, a the best TIG welding machine, which Crom Weld knows is the AHP Alpha.
By Gregory Sanders: This article has been updated to reflect the most accurate information regarding tig welders available for those who are interested in welding. The best 6 available have changed, and information has been added to assist individuals in finding the best tig welders currently available on the market. The FAQ has also been updated.
Top Rated TIG Welders For 2020
We looked at many of the TIG welders on the market currently and scoured the reviews. We focused on the best tig welder for home use as many of our readers needed something practical, affordable and a machine they could use at home.
After much research, we believe we have come up with the 6 best TIG welders for the money.
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Features To Look For In A TIG Welder
For a TIG welding machine to be top notch, it will have to have a certain set of characteristics. Of course price will always be top of mind, and you can get more affordable ones here.
These characteristics will determine what kind of material you can work with, and how solid your weld will be.
Best TIG Welder Reviews
#1 - 2017 AHP Alpha TIG 200x 200 amp Welder
AHP AlphaTIG 200X 200 Amp Welder Pros
If you’re looking for power, then look no further than the AHP Alphatig. Dishing out a whopping 200 amps and with a range of 100-220 V, this machine is one of the most flexible on the market.
Combine that with amazing arc stability, AC/DC capability and 60% duty cycle, and you get an excellent tool for even the finest of welds with great power output.
The machine can handle anything between 1/4’’ aluminum to 3/8’’ mild steel.
This is certainly the best tig welder for home use we could find.
AHP AlphaTIG 200X 200 Amp Welder Cons
Though the welder is an astounding product in itself, the accessories aren’t the greatest.
We are talking here mostly about the regulator.
It seems that the factory regulator is not precisely calibrated, and you will get a discrepancy between how much argon you think you have left, and what you actually have left.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this is a splendid machine, save for the regulator. AHP Alpha is still the best TIG welder for the money with an emphasis on versatility. It's no surprise since AHP is one of the best brands in the welding space.
You can read our in-depth review of this welder by clicking here.
#2 - EVERLAST POWERARC 140 WELDER
Everlast Powerarc 140 Welder Pros
The Everlast PowerArc does not have quite as much power as the APH Alpha but is a fine welder with great controls.
This unit operates at peak 140 amps, but has incredible arc control, making it perfect for very fine welds.
The welder has an automated hot start, which disables the electrode and prevents it from sticking and ruining your weld.
It is one of the lightest and the most portable welders on the market so is perfectly placed as the best tig welder for home use.
Everlast Powerarc 140 Welder Cons
Unfortunately, the welder is a DC only.
That being said, you will not be able to do a great job welding aluminum, but for steel, it is more than capable of delivering high-quality welds.
Final Thoughts
If you’re planning on doing fine welds on steel and want portability, then Everlast PowerArc is your machine.
While The DC limits it a bit, it is a very good choice for steel welds.
We've reviewed the 160STH version of this welder. You can read the review here.
#3 - FORNEY 324 190-AMP WELDER
Forney 324 190-Amp Welder Pros
If you require flexibility operating in the extreme, then Forney 324 is just the one.
This 190-amp welder can perform stick, MIG, and TIG, so you get three machines for the price of one.
Incredible arc control and good amperage also make Forney a very desirable welding machine.
Forney 324 190-Amp Welder Cons
However, all those good qualities are overshadowed by the machine’s lack of DC mode.
This welder is not meant for a heavy duty welding process, but should do a fine job for aluminum. The machine’s duty cycle is only 20% at 190 amps, which limits it to smaller, lighter jobs.
Final Thoughts
If you want a versatile light duty machine, then Forney has got what you need. A good choice for the hobby welder but it is not meant for industrial use.
You can read our in-depth review of this welder by clicking here.
#4 - LOTOS CT520D WELDER
Lotos CT520D Welder Pros
Need a little cutting done as well as welding?
Then look no further than the Lotos CT520D Welder.
This amazing machine combines a stick and TIG welder with an incredibly ample 50A plasma cutter.
This welder packs a punch, delivering a power outage of 200 A for both stick and TIG welding.
Lotos CT520D Welder Cons
Unfortunately, this machine is DC only.
Considering the amperage on the machine, welding aluminum is impossible, as the metal will twist and probably be burned through. Of course, if you intend to use it for steel, then you’ve found your welder.
Final Thoughts
Like we said, this welder is powerful but limited. Its 200A is too powerful for aluminum, as the welder does not operate with alternating current.
When steel is in question, well, that’s an entirely different story.
#5 - MILLER ELECTRIC MAXSTAR TIG WELDER
Miller Electric Maxstar TIG Welder Pros
There are few manufacturers so well known and highly regarded as Miller Electric.
Their Maxstar welder is a true testimony of how simple, powerful and durable welding machines can be.
For steel work, it is hard to find a better machine, and the Maxstar can handle anything from 0.020’’ to 3/16’’. It can also do stick welding in addition to TIG welding.
Miller Electric Maxstar TIG Welder Cons
Unfortunately, the machine only operates on direct current, making it unsuitable for welding aluminum of any kind.
Final Thoughts
If steel is your deal, then the Miller Electric Maxstar is the machine you’ll want - Miller is well respected brand name so there's additional trust with this model.
It is exceptionally powerful and has amazing arc control, making it a good choice for a job shop or industrial use.
#6 - PRIMEWELD CT520D COMBO WELDER
Primeweld CT520D Combo Welder Pros
Lastly, we have another combo machine – the Primeweld CT520D.
This welder combines a 50-amp plasma cutter and a 200A stick, TIG torch, and welder.
Besides its incredible power, Primeweld is also exceptionally efficient, offering a duty cycle of 60% at max amperage.
Primeweld CT520D Combo Welder Cons
Again, this is a DC only welder.
That being said, it will do well for steel, and the 200 amps will easily weld 24 gauge stainless, but it is not a good choice for thinner materials.
Final Thoughts
Again, this is an excellent and versatile machine, much like the Lotos, but it has the same drawback.
The welder is only DC, and it will not do well if you intend to weld aluminum.
#7 - Everlast PowerTIG 255 EXT TIG STICK Pulse welder 220 Volt Inverter-Based AC and DC
Specs and Features
- Very low start for TIG in AC/DC
- Great flow control for full gas protection
- Control reduces spatter and improves performance
- Improved start circuit for more reliability
- Digital display
Everlast Powertig 255 Ext Pros
The Everlast 255 EXT is a great ac dc tig welder with great versatility. With fully adjustable pulses, and stick for great arc function control, you have great precision to work out any details of a project.
It also works great at 240V, both on single and 3 phase for flexibility. With that voltage, it is pretty powerful.
With an IGBT inverter module, it's able to be relatively small, making it easy to transport from station to station on your welding cart.
The 10Hz Advanced AC Pulse mode greatly improves penetration on thicker metals. It also reduces warping and burn through on thinner metals.
Everlast Powertig 255 Ext Cons
Although it's a GREAT option, it does cost a pretty penny. Additionally, the foot pedal isn't amazing and is one thing that could be improved. That said, it's still usable and will do the job.
Any other cons is just that it doesn't have every feature imaginable (so not much to complain about).
Final Thoughts
The Everlast 250EX is a mildly expensive option, but it is certainly one of the choices you should consider getting. With enough power to weld thick metal, and enough control and variable settings for smaller projects, this is a great choice for anyone running a shop and for professional use. It'll be fine for beginners, but it may be a bit of an overkill if you're not experienced enough to make full use of it.
#8 - Lotos TIG200ACDC 200A AC/DC Aluminum Tig Welder with DC Stick/Arc Welder, Square Wave Inverter
Specs and Features
- Great for aluminum
- 200AMP AC/DC output
- Advanced cooling system ensures high performing plasma cutter
- Includes everything you need to start GTAW
Lotos TIG200ACDC Pros
The Lotos TIG200ACDC is an affordable welder that will provide solid results. Although it doesn't necessarily stack up to some of the better choices, it definitely has some redeeming qualities.
It is one of the more affordable AC/DC options and has great value for the money. The duty cycle doesn't affect welds even if used entirely on 220vac. Each setting has its own knob so you don't have to rotate through a bunch of different settings just to find the right one.
Lotos TIG200ACDC Cons
It doesn't have all the features you need such as pulse & variable frequency, but at this price range you're not exactly expecting all the bells and whistles. The pedal also isn't amazing - it seems buggy and not too responsive, which is the case for a lot of machines. It seems like a lot of manufacturers don't pay too much attention to the pedals.
Final Thoughts
The Lotos is a great option if you're looking for an affordable AC/DC option. It's definitely worth the price, but if you have more than a few notches under your belt then you'll want something more robust and high-end.
#9 - Lincoln Electric Square Wave TIG 200 K5126-1
Specs and Features
- Great for aluminum
- Tig and stick options
- Extremely portable
Lincoln square wave 200 Pros
The Lincoln square wave 200 is extremely portable because of its light weight and input voltage, making it easy to plug into almost any power source.
It's great for smaller projects such as pipefitting, and you the quality for everything is pretty great - you know it'll last year for years.
There are little issues running the AC/DC, with no bad starts and no overheating. Customer support is also very responsive so you know that if you're dropping money on this, you'll hear back about issues.
Lincoln square wave 200 Cons
The most glaring issue to our team was the 15 second, unadjustable purge time. Not being able to adjust it is a huge pain and wastes gas.
Unfortunately, we don't think this is in the league for best tig welder for home use so wouldn't recommend it.
Final Thoughts
The Lincoln Square Wave 200 comes at a hefty price tag, but isn't necessarily worth it. While it's not the most powerful option, it is great with smaller objects. It's decently reliable and extremely portable, so if you want something that'll do the job and you move around quickly then the Square Wave 200 might be for you.
TIG is very versatile, and, provided you have the right machine, you can weld anything from ¼’’ aluminum to 24 gauge steel. Some of them double up as a stick welder, making them work for multiple processes.
Amperage
The first thing to look out for is the amperage range of the machine.
The bigger the amperage range the machine offers, the more versatile will it be. A machine that has an output range of 5 to 230v A will allow you to weld pretty much anything.
That being said, a good machine should also have a good performance at low amperage. For the machine to be truly flexible, stability at low amperage is vital, as it will give you more control over the arc.
At low amperage, the arc can get bouncy, and you will be tempted to up the amperage to steady it. However, if you’re working with thin pieces of metal, higher amperages may cause you to burn right through it. A great machine will have good amperage control.
AC/DC Capability
Another thing the machine needs is AC/DC capability.
If you’re working with steel, then DC is quite enough, but if you’re working with aluminum, you will want your welding machine to be able to use AC current.
AC current allows the welder to clean the oxidization on the material and weld it at the same time.
Of course, if working with AC, you will also want to have a balance control for the AC, as it will allow you to attune the welding to the metal itself by lengthening or shortening the cleaning and welding cycles.
Heat Control and Duty Cycle
The last two features important for a TIG welder are heat control and good duty cycle.
Heat control will allow you to work on thinner materials without burning through them and your own equipment, while a good cycle will allow the machine to work longer on any given amperage.
Good Plasma Cutter
You also want one with a good plasma cutter to help cut through metals. Although this isn't a necessity it doesn't hurt to have one. However, you can also just buy a separate one, in which case you probably want the best plasma cutter available which will cut despite the thickness of the material.
The Differences between TIG and MIG Welders
Ah, an age-old question, isn’t it?
Usually, this comes down to which one do you prefer more.
However, there are some actual differences between the two types of welding.
First off, the difference between the two is the way they weld.
MIG (metal inert gas) welding is performed by feeding a wire constantly into the weld - find the best MIG here.
TIG (tungsten inert gas) welding uses a long welding rod that is fed into a welding puddle.
In essence, an MIG machine allows you to operate with one hand. With a TIG machine, you will need two hands to operate the head and the rod you’re feeding into the pool.
Another difference with the two is the speed at which you weld using these methods.
TIG welding is very slow. It may produce an excellent finish, and you will never have to do any cleanup, but for greater weld lengths, you will probably turn to MIG.
That being said, MIG is faster, and you will be able to cover more ground more quickly, but for a very fine finish, MIG is not so great.
In essence, you may look at them as art vs. functionality.
What is the advantage of TIG welding?
The advantage of TIG welding compared to other methods include using less energy (known as amperage), can weld smaller metals, and better to finish off work for clean welds and aesthetics.
TIG is used for shorter stretches of welding and finer materials, while MIG welding is used when you want a strong weld that will hold a large construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between GAW and TIG welding?
There is no difference between GAW and TIG - they are in fact, the same. It typically involves using filler metal, but when doing an autogenous weld you don't need any filler.
What is a TIG welder used for?
A TIG welder is used to join metals by using heat controlled shielding gas to create an arc between tungsten electrodes of the two pieces to put them together. It can also be used for more technical welds such as on rounded objects or s-curves because of the great precision.
How do TIG welders work?
TIG welders work by utilizing a tungsten electrode to join metals by melting them. It uses gas as a shield and a protective nozzle, granting the user more control for a clean finish.
What materials can be TIG welded?
The following materials can be TIG welded: titanium, copper, two different metals, aluminum, and steel.
Is TIG welding easy?
TIG welding is relatively easy, but MIG is easier to learn and is faster. However, you get more control with TIG welding so you can work on smaller metal pieces than you would MIG.
Why is the Hobart 500551 EZ TIG not included?
Simply because it wasn't good enough to make the cut. It's pricey and has mediocre results at best.
Conclusion
Remember, the most important thing about choosing the right type of welder for the job is focusing on the type of material you’re intending to weld and the environment you plan to weld in.
Thoroughly assess what you’re welding first, and then choose one of these awesome machines accordingly.