Best TIG Welder Under $500 2024 Reviews – Welding Judge

Welding is among the age-old arts that people enjoy and utilize to this day. If you’ve never tried your hand at welding, it may seem like an expensive and complicated task, however, it does not have to be. Want to know how? Read on! In this article, we will be reviewing the Best TIG Welder Under $500.

Regardless of the budget you have, we have got options for you to help you pursue your chosen career path or hobby. Looking at all the available options will be a long and confusing process. Therefore, we took on the hard work and compiled the best options for you. Let’s go!

1. Amico TIG-200 – DC Inverter Welder:

Looking for the best of the best? We’ve got just the right product for you. Volt control, arc quality, and good duty cycle all at an affordable price, the Amico TIG-200DC is definitely our favorite low-budget welder. Copper, alloy steel, mild steel, stainless steel, and chrome, this welder can weld all types of metals with ridiculous ease. It can weld easily up to 3/8 inches width of metals which makes it quite useful.

Not only can it weld various metals, but it also offers two different kinds of welding operations: stick and TIG welding, all in one unit. The Amico TIG-200DC has been optimized for delivering a flawless weld. This helps minimize spatter and also reduces effort on post-weld cleanup. The dual voltage input allows you to plug the welder into any easily available power supply and start working.

The reason for its efficient and smooth welding is the inverter technology that has been employed in its construction. The unit comes with a work clamp and cable, an electrode holder and cable, and also a 13 feet TIG torch and cable. With a lightweight design, this TIG welder is super portable and easy to move around the workplace. Last but not the least, it is backed by a 1-year warranty by the company. This is one of the best TIG Welder under $1500.  On the downside, this does not allow users to use flux core

In conclusion, for TIG welding operation, the Amico TIG-200DC is a great budget option.

 

2. PrimeWeld CT-520D – Welding and Cutting Combo:

The PrimeWeld CT-520D is a multi-purpose welder that can perform all three of stick welding, TIG welding, and plasma cutting. This versatile welder can be used with a variety of metals including mild steel, cast iron, copper alloys, copper, magnesium, stainless steel, and aluminum etc.

The input power frequency is rated at 50 to 60 Hz which is easily available even from household outlets. The power efficiency of this welder is rated at 85% which is among the highest available and this helps cut down on the power costs. The TIG welding operation offers an amperage of 200A which is suitable for most projects.

Consuming less energy, the PrimeWeld CT-520D helps in lowering operating costs. The 60% duty cycle makes the operation quick and efficient to make it more convenient for you. Switching between operations is also very easy which makes this welder so user-friendly. It is quite lightweight which means you can easily lift it and put it where you’re working without putting in too much effort. PrimeWeld has great customer service and this particular model comes with a 3-year warranty which ensures its durability.

One issue with this welder is that it cannot be used to weld aluminum.

Apart from that, the PrimeWeld CT-520D is the perfect budget TIG welder for all uses.

 

3. Forney 291 Easy Weld 180 ST – 120v/230v:

Forney is a popular welder brand that manufactures quality products for all its users. If you’re looking for an easy-to-use compact design model, the Forney 291 Easy Weld 180 ST Welder will prove to be a great choice for you! This welder is very lightweight which makes it much easier for you to move it around the workplace or carry it along on the road.

The rugged metal case makes this unit much more durable and helps protect the internal components of the welder from wear and tear. Even though the Forney 291 Easy Weld 180 ST Welder is compact in size, it offers a remarkable powerful operation. With an output amperage of 180A, it can weld stainless steel up to a depth of ½ inches.

It has a dual voltage operation so you get an amperage range of 10-90A at 120V and up to 180A at 230V. The power adaptor automatically switches voltage settings according to the power outlet being used. You can use the control panel to change any settings according to the requirement of your project. It has an easy start feature which makes beginning work super easy and stress-free. For TIG processes, it also offers a lift start. Finally, it comes with a few accessories including an electrode holder and ground clamp.

However, it only offers DC TIG welding which means it cannot be used with Aluminum.

In a nutshell, if you’re working with metals other than aluminum, the Forney 291 Easy Weld 180 ST Welder will offer smooth and affordable welding.

 

4. Welding Machine – Portable Inverter TIG Welder:

The next product on our list is the Welding Machine, 200 Amp HF TIG&ARC Portable Inverter Welder. This is a 2 in 1 welder which can be used for both TIG and ARC welding. This means you can use it for a variety of different projects. The dual voltage operation means that you don’t have to worry about looking for the right power outlet because this welder operates on both 110V and 220V.

It can be used for welding metals with a maximum thickness of 35 mm which is incredibly impressive. The arc puddle it produces is very easy to control so it doesn’t mess up your weld. The Welding Machine, 200 Amp HF TIG&ARC Portable Inverter Welder works well with the majority of the rods which include the 3/32 and 1/8 which are used commonly.

Inverter frequency can go up to 100KHZ which makes the welding speed super-fast. This helps in delivering a flawless weld with reduced spatter for minimum maintenance and clean-up. It has a duty cycle of almost 80% which makes the operation quite efficient so that you’re saving time and energy. The unit comes with a TIG torch, electrode holder, earth clamp, and welding tong. It is lightweight and hence, easy to carry.

One issue is that it is only for precision works. For other projects, it won’t be as suitable.

In conclusion, if precision works is your thing, the Welding Machine, 200 Amp HF TIG&ARC Portable Inverter Welder is perfect for you.

 

5. Everlast PowerCool W350 – TIG Cooler:

In 5th place, we have chosen a product from Everlast, the Everlast PowerCool W350. It operates at 110-115V for efficient operation. The compact design makes it easier for you to store in tight spaces so that it doesn’t take a lot of storage space. The stainless-steel pump is sturdy and quite durable so that you can use the welder for a long time to come.

The welder also has an overall copper construction which is a strong material that protects the inner machinery of the welder from any damage. The Everlast PowerCool W350 has a lightweight design which makes it more portable and easier to handle.

It is water-cooled which means it holds around 2.2 gallons of water to prevent overheating and maintains an optimum temperature. This helps make the welding more pleasant and also ensures that the Tungsten electrode lasts longer. It has an easy setup so you can use it right out of the box.

On the downside, it does not have a dual voltage operation which might make it less convenient to use.

All in all, we are all praises for the Everlast PowerCool W350 and we would definitely recommend it.

 

6. SUNGOLDPOWER TIG200 – DC Inverter Welder:

Don’t want to invest in an expensive TIG welder? The SUNGOLDPOWER TIG200 with great features and advanced technology. It is the most suitable for High-frequency TIG and MMA welding on DC power. The strength and lightness of the components of this welder make it quite reliable for personal or professional use.

The High-frequency start ensures that the welder starts at 100%. This is also particularly useful in increasing tungsten life. The fan cooling system is very useful in preventing the overheating of the system to avoid damaging the system.

The SUNGOLDPOWER TIG200 is lightweight which makes it easier to move it around. It can be used for welding various metals including copper, stainless steel, steel, nickel alloys, bronze, and brass, etc. It has various safety features including under and over-voltage protection. It offers automatic compensation in case of fluctuation which prevents damage to the unit. With an amperage of 200A, this unit offers a duty cycle of 60% which makes sit efficiently.

However, it does not offer AC welding so you won’t be able to weld Aluminum.

Despite that, the SUNGOLDPOWER TIG200 is a great and you should give it a go.

 

7. Reboot TIG Welder 200A – High-FrequencyWelder:

Another option for affordable TIG welding is the Reboot welder. It offers a decent amount of arc control. It has quality gas valves that work perfectly well so there’s no issue there either. This unit also offers some other amazing technological advantages that we would like to mention.

High-frequency soft switch technology has been incorporated into this machine which makes it more efficient and delivers a quality weld. It also offers compensation for power grid voltage fluctuation which helps prevent damage to the welder.

The Reboot TIG welder features a digital control panel with convenient HMI and adjustment. It offers an amperage of about 200A which is suitable for most TIG welding projects. The amperage range varies from 5-200A which is wide and gives you greater control over the operation.

With a 60% duty cycle, this is quite efficient for its price and size. You also get various accessories with the package for added convenience. Finally, it is backed by a 2-year warranty which ensures that this product is durable. However, the cables are quite bulky and difficult to carry around.

 

Final Verdict:

We have offered to you all the best options. We hope our reviews were useful to you in your search. If you have any queries, please do reach out to us! With that, we wish you the best of luck in your welding adventures.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Are cheap tig welders any good?

If they have great features, they will serve you well.

2. What should I look for when buying a TIG welder?

Portability, efficiency, and quality welding ability.

3. Can all TIG welders weld aluminum?

TIG welders that support AC power can weld Aluminum.