10 Best TIG Welders Reviews 2021 – Top Picks and Expert’s Guide

1. AHP AlphaTIG 200X 200 Amp TIG Welder - Best Overall Pick

We were impressed by plenty of devices, but none stood out as much as the AHP AlphaTIG 200X. It is, by far, the most versatile TIG welder on this list for producing high-quality welds at an affordable price. The machine has both AC and DC modes, operates at both 110V and 220V, and has an amp range of 10A to 200A.

Whether you are an amateur or an experienced welder, the AHP device is easy to use and set up. It is one of the most accurate welding machines for thinner materials and is equally good at welding steel and aluminum. It can handle anything between ¼-inch and ⅜-inch of aluminum and steel.

It is sturdy and reliable, but that comes at the expense of its weight, which is 69 pounds. At a size of 19 inches long by 23 inches wide by 12 inches high, it is not highly portable and will excel in a more stationary setting, like a workshop or factory.

The device has plenty of presets for voltage levels and welding modes, making it extremely versatile but easy to use even for beginners. The duty cycle of 60 percent at 200A makes it highly efficient for heavy-duty welding, and it will blast through lighter tasks.

All of its features and the reasonable price make the AHP AlphaTIG 200X our top overall choice. It’s hard to go wrong with this fantastic machine, which can be the cornerstone of your welding needs and your go-to choice for aluminum welding.

2. Mophorn TIG200 200A TIG Welder - Best for the Money

Our recommendation for a budget TIG welder is the Mophorn TIG200 200A. This dirt-cheap multipurpose welder targets people who can’t afford the established brands or need something for a quick task and don’t intend to make a habit of welding. At this price, plenty of compromises are typical. Still, this device offers its fair share of value.

The features are super-basic and limited, but performance is surprisingly stable and consistent. Dual power options of 110V and 220V offer flexibility, as does the 20A – 200A amperage range. A bonus is ability to TIG and stick weld.

It’s hard to talk about reliability and longevity at this price range. Still, most user reviews pit the Mophorn TIG200 as great value and one of the best TIG welders under $500.

3. Lincoln Electric K2535-2 Precision 225 TIG Welder - Premium Choice

If you’re looking for the absolute best performance and impeccable build quality, there is only one TIG welder that can answer the call. The Lincoln Electric Precision TIG 225 K2535-2 is an incredible piece of machinery if you can finagle the expense and are looking for industry-leading quality and durability.

Precision TIG 225 K2535-2 is a multipurpose welder that can handle both Stick and TIG welding. The reliability and durability of this machine are legendary, with older models putting in decades of quality work when they are properly maintained.

It has an adjustable voltage up to 230V and a low amperage start. The TIG machine has a full duty cycle of 100 percent, which offers uninterrupted welding at 90A. While there is no digital display on this device, it is easy to set up and use.

The primary downside – besides the price – is its weight of 240 pounds, making it a stationary welder only. Otherwise, Precision TIG 225 K2535-2 is the absolute best TIG welder in the class and should serve you well your entire career.

4. Miller Electric Maxstar 161 STL Series TIG Welder

5. Hobart 500551 EZ-TIG 165i TIG Welder

Hobart 500551 EZ TIG 165i TIG Welder is our choice for those looking to equip a home workshop or take up welding as a hobby. It is, by far, the most effortless TIG welder to set up and use while offering terrific quality and performance at an affordable price.

Hobart did compromise in some areas, including the thickness of the material for welding, which makes out at ³/₁₆ inches with a 20-percent duty cycle. But the company more than makes up for this shortfall with its quality user interface, durability, and quality welding. All these features make the Hobart 500551 EZ-TIG 165i a perfect choice for those just starting in welding, or for small home workshops that don’t take on heavy-duty welding jobs.

This is an AC DC TIG welder that works at 230V, with an amp range of 10A to 165A. It has excellent versatility in welding various metals, including aluminum, steel, stainless steel, and other specialty metals. Hobart 500551 EZ TIG 165i is the best TIG welder for beginners.

6. Forney 324 190-Amp 3-in-One TIG Welder

If you’re looking for a welder that is a true all-in-one solution for welding, then Forney 324 MIG/Stick/TIG 3-in-1 190A is our choice. A real multi-process welder with unmatched versatility, this might be the only welder you will ever need. Whether you are doing TIG, MIG, or stick welding, this puppy has you covered.

It is a portable device, at just more than 40 pounds, and has a place in a home, small workshop, or at a job site. Switching between welding modes is seamless and easy, and the Forney 324 comes with dual input power options, at 120V and 230V, and an amp range of 10A to 190A. The duty cycle of this TIG machine ranges from 20 percent to 100 percent, depending on the amperage. A 60-percent duty cycle, at 60A, is more than enough for most welding tasks.

This welding machine does come with a ³/₁₆-inch thickness limitation, but that’s fine for this multipurpose device. Its flexibility and affordable price make the Forney 324 hard to pass up.

7. Razorweld 200 Amp Digital ACDC TIG Welder

Another TIG welder that blew us away with its all-around appeal is the Razorweld 200A Digital AC DC TIG. This device just missed the sweet spot on price and performance to earn our recommendation for the top pick in those categories, but it’s still a great TIG welder for the right person.

Razorweld Digital TIG 200A is a dual voltage welder, with both 110V and 220V modes, and a 10A to 200A amp range. The duty cycle at 200A is 35 percent, while a full duty cycle at the lower power output is feasible. Where this device excels is in its reliability and fantastic customer support. Produced in the USA, Razorweld quickly handles any issues you might have and makes spare parts readily available.

If you are looking for a reliable all-around TIG welder, with a three-year warranty and fantastic customer support – and you can afford it – the Razorweld Digital TIG 200A might be for you.

8. Weldpro Digital ACDC 200GD TIG Welder

Another close-but-no-cigar candidate is the Weldpro Digital AC DC 200GD. This TIG machine hit out of the park for features, value, and reliability.

Weldpro Digital TIG 200GD is a flagship unit from Weldpro and has a dual power input option of 110V and 220V. It has a 10A to 200 amp range and a 40-percent duty cycle at 200A. This device is versatile and can weld aluminum or steel and handle various thickness levels.

If you can get used to its Euro-style torch and layout, this device is a perfect welding machine, outside of our top choice. It’s a bit of a coin toss, but we have our favorite.

9. EVERLAST PowerARC 160STH TIG Welder 

If you’re looking for a TIG welder that is versatile, makes high-quality welds, and comes at a fraction of the price of some other welding machines, EVERLAST PowerARC 160STH is the right welder for you. The overall value of this machine is undeniable.

This one comes with dual input power options, at 120V and 240V, and an amp of 10A to 160A. This welding machine comes with low-duty modifications, so it won’t weld aluminum but should easily handle steel and other less-dense metals.

This device is lightweight and portable with carry case to easily grab and go wherever you need to do your work.

EVERLAST PowerARC 160STH comes with a 35 percent duty cycle at 160A, which is excellent for low-power tasks. With a five-year warranty and fantastic portability, EVERLAST device is a tremendous value and a top choice for home use.

10. Everlast PowerTIG 250EX TIG Welder

If you’re looking for a TIG welder that delivers value through high performance on heavy-duty tasks, our pick is the Everlast PowerTIG 250EX. This 250A TIG welder offers excellent performance under heavy workloads at high outputs, at 240V of AC DC power.

At 250A, this device has a 40-percent duty cycle. But at lower output levels, it can easily hit the full duty cycle of 100 percent. The IGBT technology keeps this heavy-duty unit portable, at 60 pounds, making it one of the lightest heavy-duty TIG welders we’ve seen.

Everlast hasn’t had a perfect customer-service and reliability record in the past, the only downside to our recommendation. Still, the value that the Everlast PowerTIG 250EX brings in its price segment is phenomenal, making it an excellent choice if you need a bit more power from your TIG welder.

Final Verdict: Our Overall Winner

AHP AlphaTIG 200X 200Amp

It’s been quite a journey. We’ve put a lot of hours into preparing this TIG welder guide and looked for the products that offer value at various price points and niches. All of the TIG Welder machines we’ve recommended have a place on the list, but the AHP AlphaTIG 200X is our clear top choice. Its combination of advanced features, superior weld quality, ease of use, versatility, and the affordable price is impossible to beat.

There are better welders on the market and welders that can do more, but the overall value of AHP AlphaTIg 200X is rare in a single product, and reviews show it.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Right TIG Welder for You

TIG welding is one of the most important and complex parts of fabrication, and it requires a great deal of expertise and appropriate equipment to produce quality welds. Whether you are new to welding or an experienced TIG welder, choosing the right TIG welder for you is one of the most important decisions you will have to make.

Doing thorough research is a must, but don’t worry about it. We’ve done the legwork for you. It’s been a long and tiring process, scouring the internet for TIG welder reviews and using our industry contacts to get professional feedback from welders.

For starters, we have come up with a set of universal criteria to apply when deciding which TIG welder is right for your specific needs. From hobby welding to small home workshops to businesses that require a lot of metalwork in the field, welders' requirements vary significantly.

Input Power

One of the key technical attributes of your TIG welder is its input power. The input power of a TIG welder directly influences the type of work you will be able to do with your welder. If you intend to use the TIG welder for lighter tasks, then a machine with lower input power might be suitable for you.

The type of material you will weld dictates the kind of TIG welder you purchase and the type of input power it has. Most of TIG welders have automatic AC DC (alternating current and direct current) adjustability to alter power phases, depending on the type of work required.

A good rule of thumb is to go for high-input-power TIG welders for fusing hard, denser metals, including steel and aluminum, while opting for low-input-power options for softer metals, such as magnesium.

Direct current is more suitable for dense metals, while alternating current is better for less-dense ones. Choose the welder that will fit the majority of jobs you do.

Duty Cycle

Duty Cycle is the ability of a TIG welder to work without interruption, and it’s a portion of the total active time, which usually is ten minutes for most welding equipment. The duty cycle of a TIG welder is a percentage of that total active time. For example, a TIG welder with a duty cycle of 30 percent can work for three continuous minutes.

The higher the duty cycle, the more time a TIG welder can work without breaks. Breaks are required to avoid overheating of the welding equipment, which drags down the efficiency of the entire welding process. The quality of the cooling system in a TIG welder determines the duty cycle of the machine.

For commercial and industrial use, TIG welders with a duty cycle of at least 60 percent are the right choice. Home workshops and hobby welders should be okay with having duty cycles of 20 percent to 30 percent.

Size and Weight

The weight and size of a welder are crucial, especially if you are looking for a portable machine that you can take with you to job sites. Most welders prefer lighter machines that are easy to store, move around the shop, or take to a job. The weight of a TIG welder depends mostly on the size of its transformer. The bigger the transformer, the heavier the device.

Portability is challenging to define because anything less than 100 pounds is considered a portable welder. But don’t focus solely on the weight of the machine. Look at the quality of handles and carrying mounts, and the presence of wheels for pulling. Light machines can contain low-quality materials that will not last.

Always go for sturdiness and quality handles over just its weight.

Advanced Features

The number of features your machine has should reflect the level of experience you have as a welder. Most beginners should opt for machines that have plenty of presets and automized processes, so they can focus on the quality of the weld.

More experienced welders should choose TIG welders that give them more control of the welding process and the ability to program the presets manually.