7 Best Pulse MIG Welders (2023)- Budget Buyer Guide

The world of welding has come a long way. We have shifted to TIG and MIG Pulse welders from traditional welders that maintain the constant current throughout the operations. These innovative welders, especially the MIG Pulse, allows the users to shift the temperature back and forth, between the highest and the lowest to not only reduce the input heat but also save material from getting burn-through.

For a welder, the best pulse MIG welders that I recommend that have the best specs are either the Everlast Power MTS, the HZXVOGEN HBM2280, or the MILLER ELECTRIC. These three models are good in terms of overall specs and are priced reasonably. These are great options for serious welders, as all three models have a dedicated pulse varying system, which will help you do hours of welding efficiently.

Whether you are a beginner planning on making an entry in the innovative field of welding or you a professional looking for a high-tech tool to make your welding jobs better, you have come to the right place. In this guide, we are going to be reviewing the best MIG Pulse welders in the market. Continue reading to find out which one is the best option for you.

What is Pulsed Welder and Why it is used?

Before we move on to the products, let us first give a basic understanding of what a pulsed welder is and why it is used by welding professionals these days. For beginners, the best way to understand a Pulse MIG Welders is to think of it as advanced equipment that is designed to carry out a specific type of transfer method for welding, which allows users to carry out their welding tasks efficiently and effectively.

Instead of opting for the same current throughout the process, the power source of the Pulse MIG Welder continuously shifts between the high and low peak current to promote fusibility and reduce warping and burn-through. What makes it amazing is that it allows you to transfer aluminum effectively without worrying about its high thermal expansion.

Uses of Pulse MIG Welder

You must be wondering, what are the uses for it or what makes it a great investment. As mentioned above, you might be able to transfer other metals through welding but when it comes to aluminum, pulse MIG Aluminum Welder is the key solution to all your problems. The high and low motion of the current offers the following advantages;

• Since the metal filler isn’t directly in contact with the welding plate or the parent plate, you can enjoy a near-spatter-free welding experience.
• The low heat input prevents the metal from wrapping, producing a smooth layer without any burn-throughs.
• The design allows you to carry out out-of-position welds.
• The continuous shift between temperatures leads to a lower level of fumes.
• One also doesn’t have to worry about burn-back, bird-nesting, and other kinds of wire feeding issues.

Best Pulse MIG Welders 2023

Now that you understand what a Pulse MIG Welder is, let us go ahead and look at the top five welders in the markets. We have chosen these after hours of research and have tested out a few ourselves as well add additional credibility to the reviews. Let us go ahead and jump right into the detailed reviews.

1. Everlast Power MTS 251Si (Best Pulse MIG Welder)

The Everlast Power MTS 251Si is the best choice amongst all the MIG welders in the market for professionals. Based on the professional reviews and ratings, this multi-purpose welder comes with one of the most digitally controlled inverter designs which make it perfect for heavy-duty tasks.

The welder offers multiple welding operating modes including Synergic and Pulse MIG, Pulse TIG, and Stick welding to enhance your performance. The touch-less lift start, power-packed design, easy-to-navigate settings menu, and dual voltage make it user-friendly for all. Invest now and have yours delivered to your doorstep.

Features;

• Dual Voltage 120/240V
• 030″-.045″ Wire diameter
• 35% Duty Cycle @ 250 Amps
• Controls and Connections On The Console
• High-Frequency Start With 251SI MTS Power
• Multiple Advanced Operating Modes – Synergic MIG, Pulse MIG & Pulse TIG

Pros;

• User-Friendly Design
• Easy To Navigate Menu
• Additional Accessories Included

Cons;

• Heavyweight
• Not for Beginners

2. HZXVOGEN HBM2280 Pulse MIG Welder – Best Value

In terms of value, the HZXVOGEN HBM2280 Pulse MIG Welder offers the best value for money. The welder comes with 4 in 1 multifunction operating system that allows you to carry out MIG, ARC, Twin Pulse MIG, and regular Pulse MIG welding. Using the full digital control system displayed on a wide LCD, stabilize the arc length, control the fire feeding and choose your welding settings with ease.

The 60% duty cycle paired with a dual voltage of 110V or 220 V along with precise control settings, makes it applicable for everyday home projects and heavy-duty industrial tasks. The cooling fan and the smart chip added to the design, keep the temperature in check to enhance its overall performance. Get this cheap pulse MIG welder that delivers exceptional performance within your budget range.

Features;

• Protection class – IP23
• Rated input voltage (V) – 110V/220V
• Frequency (Hz) – 50/60
• Adjustable Current and Voltage Range
• 25% Duty Cycle @ 200 Amps
• In-built Cooling Fan
• Wide LCD with Precise Controls
• 4 in 1 Multifunction Inverter Welder – ARC, MIG, Twin Pulse MIG, Pulse MIG

Pros;

• Large Capacitor
• Adjustable voltage and current
• Lightweight and Portable
• High-Efficiency

Cons;

• No Spool Gun
• Complex Control System

3. MILLER ELECTRIC MIG Welder

The MILLER Electric is considered the first-rate Pulse MIG Welder for non-heavy fabricating and repairing tasks for professionals. The welder is equipped with the latest technology, offering four different welding processes to offer versatility and ease to diverse users.

The welder comes with a dual input voltage of 120V/240V, which allows you to plug into any power supply and enjoy constant current and smooth performance. Also, the 150 A output, 40% duty cycle, and 40 Hz pulse frequency make it perfect for welding wire sizes ranging from 0.023 to 0.035 inches. Get your Miller Pulse MIG Welder now to enjoy versatility, ease, and customizable welding as per your needs.

Features;

• Welding Processes – Flux Core, MIG, & Pulsed MIG
• Input Voltage 120/240V AC
• Rated Output 150A @ 21V DC
• Duty Cycle: 40 Percent
• Frequency: 40 Hz
• Wire Size: 0.023 in to 0.035 in

Pros;

• Customizable Controls & Settings
• Pre-defined Welding Settings
• Comes With Additional Accessories

Cons;

• Expensive

4. Forney Easy Weld 140 MIG Welder

The Forney Easy Weld 140 is another highly impressive multi-process MIG pulse welder in the market. It might not work for heavy industrial work but works wonders when it comes to fixing little things in your garage, fabricating metals as a hobby, or do some automotive work. Fabricate metal, maintain your equipment and structure, make small repairs here and there with this all-metal-case, highly portable MIF Welder.

Adjust the infinite voltage and wire feed speed control, power up the machine to 140 Amp, and enjoy gasless, flux-core welding for a steel plate up to ¼ inches. The good thing is that it comes with its own MIG gun, ground clamp, integrated handle, torch wrap, and an adapter. Plus, it is backed by 12 months of warranty which makes it worth the investment.

Features;

• Welding Processes: Flux Cored, MIG, STICK, TIG
• Dual Input Voltage: 230V 1ph/ 400V 3ph
• Weld Thickness Range: Plate thickness, 24 gauge up to 1/4″.
• Weldable Materials: Mild Steel.
• Input Voltage: 120v
• Input Phase: 1-Phase
• Current Type: DC
• Rated Output: MIG 30% @ 90A
• Amperage Range: 10 – 140 AMP output
• Wire Feed Speed: 79 – 197 ipm
• Weight: 24.8 pounds

Pros;

• Multi-process units
• Lightweight & Portable
• Customizable Welding Controls
• Great Value For Money

Cons;

• Not For Heavy-Duty Welding

5. Lincoln Electric POWER MIG 210 MP Pulse MIG Welder

The Lincoln Electric POWER MIG 210 is simply an outstanding MIG Welder for everyday hobbyists, contractors, and commercial users working with non-heavy equipment. This multi-process welder is constructed using sturdy sheet metal and comes with an all-metal wire drive that makes it strong and rugged to tackle any welding job.

In terms of features and operations, the welder is splendid. The dual voltage input (120V or 230V), a large colored display for simple and advanced control setup, intuitive push and turn digital controls and the included Magnum PRO 100SG Spool Gun make it one of the best portable welders.

Features;

• Welding Options: MIG, Stick, TIG, and Flux-Cored
• Dual Input Voltage: 120V/ 230V
• Large Digital Colored Control Display
• Magnum PRO 100SG Spool Gun

Pros;

• User-friendly
• Comes with Pre-Programmed Settings
• Adjustable Features
• Perfect for Digital Readouts

Cons;

• Foot Pedal Not Included
• Limited Plugins’ Wire Length

Buyer’s Guide – How To Choose the Best Pulse MIG Welder?

Choosing a single Pulse MIG Welder out of the many can be quite a stressful task, especially for first-time buyers. But not to worry because we got you covered. Here is the list of the most important features that you need to consider before making the purchase. These will help you distinguish between the products and tie them with your needs to find the most suitable welder out of all.

1-     Working Materials

The first thing that you need to consider is the type of materials you plan to work with using the welder. You can go with the regular MIG welder or the synergic pulse MIG welder depending on your needs. Make sure to check out which materials the welder is compatible with, its AMP range, and power supply before you make the purchase.

2-     Current Type

You can choose between the type of input current that you wish to operate with. DC is the most common as it works well with steel welding and reduces the splatter to a relatively low level as compared to AC. But depending on your needs you can go with anyone or get an advanced welder which runs both on AC and DC.

3-     Pulse Frequency Settings

Pulse Welders provide you with consistent control over your welding task at hand. Depending on the pulse frequency, you can select how much current passes through every second. Check for the pulse frequency to get the welder that comes with an adjustable one.  depending on your current type and requirements.

4-     Welding Capacity

The next thing you need to consider is the welding capacity of the machine. For this, you need to check the duty cycle of the welder. For beginners, 40% would work great, whereas, on the other hand, we suggest professionals go with 60% duty cycle systems for best results. The higher the duty cycle, the smoother the outcome.

5-     Voltage Performance

In today’s time, it is best to go for a dual voltage system in a welder. Depending on your needs, choose the input voltage requirement and go for the maximum amperage output. 220/110V is the most suitable whereas, 200 AMPs work best for most operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions by first-time buyers. Have a look as they might be the solutions to questions hovering in your mind.

1.     Why Do I Need A Pulse MIG Welder?

In the welding world, MIG is the latest technology. The advancement has led welders to enjoy minimum spatter, controllable heat function, fume reduction, higher productivity, low wastage of wire, and versatile use. In short, it is a must-have for a professional. You can use it for fabricating and repairing almost anything. It is basically a lifesaver!

2.     What is the difference between a Regular MIG and a Pulse MIG?

The MIG technology has hit the market like a storm. Initially, the Regular MIG Welders were introduced to the masses. The technology allowed one to conjoin two metals by generating constant heat to melt both the parent and child metal.

But it came with a lot of hard work resulting from increased splatter, more fumes, intense heat, and hefty after work. To overcome the issue, Pulse MIG Welder was introduced. Instead of using constant DC voltage, the welder fluctuates the current from high to low, which makes the fabricating and repairing process smoother, less time-consuming, efficient, and safe.

3.     How to set up Pulse MIG welder?

There is no straightforward way to set up your Pulse MIG Welder. Although the good thing is that most recent and advanced welders do come up with pre-defined adjustable settings. But they only work best for beginners since they are new to the world of welding.

Professionals on the other hand have to test run the welder on different metal plates with varying thicknesses using various speed, voltage, wire, and inductance settings to find the setting that works best for you. It will take time, but it would be worth it.

4.     How to improve the efficiency of a MIG Welder?

A MIG Welder is a long-term investment, that doesn’t come cheap. So as the owner, who regularly uses the equipment, enhancing the efficiency and life is highly important. Here are a few tips that will help you enhance the quality of your work and the life of your welder;

• Prepare the metal before using it.
• Clean the welder after usage.
• Ensure a smooth flow of current when operating.
• Adjust the heat input based on the beads’ reading.
• Keep the welding sound in check.
• Keep your workspace clean and smooth.

Buying Guide

Pulse MIG Welders are a must-have for every professional or beginner-level welder today. We hope that our detailed guide has helped you get a better insight into the MIG welders. By now you probably understand the technical know-how, so use your knowledge and understanding to choose the welder that you find best suitable for your welding needs. Let us know which one you choose and how it worked out for you. Good Luck!