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10 Best MIG Welders in Canada in 2024 – Top Picks & Reviews

Last Updated on Jan 03 2024

There are different welding options depending on the materials or specifics of the metals to be welded. These include MMA (manual arc welding) and TIG (tungsten inert gas welding). However, MIG welding is the most popular method among professionals and DIY holiday welding enthusiasts.

Whether you want to repair a classic car or need to fix your kid’s bicycle, MIG welding provides accurate and efficient welding services in the fusion of two metals. This method is particularly widespread because it uses advanced technological developments that are higher than MMA.

MIG may not produce some of the cleanest welds like TIG; however, a brief evaluation of MIG welding indicates that it’s the most feasible in terms of speed, effectiveness, and viability. It gives the users more versatility to perform a variety of welding functions. Moreover, MIG welding is easy to learn and perform both for novice and experienced users.

These advantages attract users to purchase MIG welders for both commercial and household applications. However, choosing a MIG welder that suits your needs and preferences in the current market is not an easy decision. There are a lot of options available with many confusing features that could increase your choice paralysis.

We have narrowed the list of available options to the best MIG welders in Canada in this year. Read on for a detailed description of each of our top 10 picks and reviews as well as a buying guide that should help you make a worthwhile purchase decision.

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A Quick Comparison of Our Winners (2024)

The 10 Best MIG Welders in Canada 

1. Hobart Handler 140 MIG Welder — Best Overall

The Hobart Handler 140 is one of the best welding machines in the market, and with good reason. It is budget-friendly and easy to use, even for the most inexperienced of users.

This welder can function with a current ranging between 25 and 140 amperes, meaning it can run with the normal household current of 115 volts. It also features a duty cycle of 20% at 90 amps. Therefore, it can run continuously for about two minutes with only 8 minutes of rest time.

This welder is suitable for welding steel with a thickness of up to ¼ inches. It can also weld other materials such as aluminum and stainless steel.

It is also one of the most versatile welding machines retailing in Canada. This is due to the availability of a 5-range voltage selector and wire current. The wire speed is adjustable and helps stabilize welding to produce smooth arcs regardless of the thickness of the metals.

The Hobart 50059 can be used as a gasless MIG welder, or you could also opt for one that uses gas. The Gas MIG welder is suitable for reliable wire welding indoors, while the gasless welder is best suited for outdoor welding practices.

It is also lightweight and made up of the best steel, which makes it a sturdy welder. It may have a low duty cycle, but it more than makes up with excellent features and welding functions.

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2. Lincoln Electric Handy MIG Welder — Best Value

The K2185-1 welder is one of the most portable MIG welders from Lincoln and can be used with a gasless flux or argon gas flux. Its small and compact size makes it ideal for home usage and auto body panels.

This machine uses a low input voltage of 115 V, which produces excellent weld results. It also features 88 amperage output voltage suitable for professional welding endeavors. With four different voltage settings, you can weld different metal thicknesses, including 1/8-inch-thick steel. When you adjust the voltage to a higher setting, the thicker the metals you can weld.

The K2185-1 welder also features a 20% duty cycle at 70 amps, which produces clean welding results. In applicability, this welder provides versatility to its users. It can also be used either as a flux-cored welder or a MIG welder.

The welder is equipped with safety features that help cool down the wire. These features not only protect the welder from welding-related injuries but also increase the lifespan of the welder.

In general, the welder offers great features at a reasonably budget-friendly price making it our top pick for value.

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3. Millermatic 141 MIG Welder – Premium Choice

Even though Millermatic has always produced welders with a minimalistic design, it doesn’t skimp on quality. The 141 MIG welding machine is one of the highest qualities and most reliable welding machines. It is powerful, easy to operate, and suitable for professional and novice welders.

The welder is designed with an auto-set feature that automatically sets up the unit to take away the guesswork of finding the right parameters. It uses sensors to set the welder to the correct parameters required for optimum welding. When using the manual mode setting, you get more flexibility in your welding endeavors.

The welder also features a solid aluminum drive system with a sturdy wire drive and a quick-select drive. The quick select drive feature assists users in easily setting the welder up with its three grooves option. The auto-set mode allows users to set the machine up with minimal spattering. Moreover, it helps protect the welding unit from short circuits.

With a 140-amp maximum power input, you can fuse metals of up to 3/16 inches thickness and aluminum from 14 up to 18 gauges.

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4. ESAB Rebel 205ic EMP

The ESAB is one of the top brands in the welding field that is specially built for novice users but also great for experienced users. It features smart technology, which improves the quality of welds due to enhanced stability and accuracy.

This welder is very versatile and capable of supporting AC TIG welding. Users can utilize it for TIG operations on a variety of materials during MIG welding. You can also combine Smart MIG technology with stick welding to produce stable welds. The stick welding capability can even work with E7018 and E7018-1 electrode types.

Moreover, the ESCB technology allows users to create more efficient welds using 6013 electrodes which would have otherwise been difficult without the ESCB tech. It also offers an AC wave balance of 60% to 90%, and high-frequency start and frequency control of 25Hz to 400Hz. All these features aid in producing high-quality and very accurate TIG welding.

This welder also offers a 4.3-inch TFT screen, which allows the user to view the conditions and status of the weld. This innovative feature also makes it easier for welders to understand and control the MIG welding process.

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5. Lotos MIG 175AMP Welder

Lotos is a household brand name among welding enthusiasts. The MIG 175 is one of the brand’s products that offers reliability, durability, and versatility. It can weld aluminum, steel, stainless steel, and other metals. It is also powerful enough to weld steel up to ¼ inch in thickness with control of up to 18 gauges.

One of the most impressive features of the MIG 175 is a high-speed spool gun, 4-prong end connection, and 1-pound aluminum wire with a diameter of 0.9 millimeters that comes with the unit. At 10 feet and 4 inches long, the spool gun is used to weld aluminum plates up to 3/16 inches or thicker. It also comes with a high-quality aluminum wire feeder, which produces strong and better welds.

The welder is also equipped with temperature sensors that provide safety for its users. The sensors typically turn it off when it overheats. It also features transformer technology which makes the unit dependable and durable. It is also easy to install. You can effortlessly connect it to a 220V wall outlet in just 10 minutes.

This welder is best suited for fusing thick sheets of metal. This capability, combined with a spool gun, makes the Rebel MIG Lotos 175 amp welder the best option for welding aluminum with its alloys.

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6. Weldpro 155 AMP

Many types of MIG welding units tend to be very heavy and bulky, and this affects portability. However, the Weldpro MIG 155GSV155 amp model is very compact and lightweight. It even offers a footprint to assist in the portability of the unit.

Besides being lightweight, it also offers one of the most comfortable welding experiences. The unit can weld up to ¼ inches of steel with a power input voltage of 220V. It offers both flux-cored and MIG welding, which supports wire spread settings.

Also, the controls are easier to operate, unlike other cheaper variants of MIG welders. Moreover, Weldpro also utilizes both 2T/4T sequencer functions to assist with welding operations. 4T functions allow a user to continuously weld, saving the time expended during a welding operation.

For safety purposes, the MIG 155GSV offers a protection system that ensures the welding unit is safe at all times. The protection system includes overheating sensors that automatically shut down the welder when the devices exceed a certain temperature.

Another exciting feature you can expect is the IGBT inverter technology which permits fast switching of the welder. This tech, which is also energy-saving, reduces electricity costs. It is best suited for home operations.

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7. SereneLife Inverter Welding Machine

The Serenelife Inverter welder is easy-to-use, has sufficient voltage amperage and duty cycle, and is very portable. It has 130 amperes output, which makes it ideal for welding steel and aluminum.

This welder uses flux-cored wire of 0.6–0.8 mm and can weld up to a 0.08-inch thickness of a steel plate. It also features a duty cycle of 60%, which permits the user to continuously weld for 6 minutes, then cool down for about four minutes. The high duty cycle allows welders to produce clean and efficient welds. It is by far the best duty cycle on our top picks of MIG welders in Canada.

The Serenelife Inverter features dual voltage. This capability allows the welder to work on a voltage of 110/220V, which makes it suitable for both novice and experienced welders in aluminum and steel welding. You can also adjust the speed of the welder using closed-loop control, up to 6.7 millimeters per minute to get a clean and precise weld.

Another noteworthy addition to this welder is the water-resistant anti-corrosion machine core. This significantly improves the welder’s lifespan while improving its durability.

At 21.3 pounds, this welder is also very portable, making it convenient for transportation and storage.

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8. Weldpro 200 Amp Inverter

This multi-process dual voltage welder is specifically designed for equipment, hardware, car restoration, decoration, and other maintenance welding jobs. The welder is very versatile and can easily support MIG, TIG, and stick welding. This is because it operates on both AC/DC.

You can work with DC for welding on a variety of materials, including copper, carbon steel, and stainless steel. On the other hand, the AC mode permits welders to work with aluminum and its alloys. Both AC/DC welding offer more versatility to the users.

Another exciting feature is the CK-17 torch and tubing system. The core function of these systems is to support the welding unit when welding arc spots. They offer more control of the arc welding process, which improves the overall welding experience.

Also, with PWD and IGBT technology, the Weldpro Inverter will ensure that the weld is more precise and accurate, especially for those looking for fast switching capabilities.

Unlike other MIG welders, the Weldpro 200AMP inverter unit offers a duty cycle of 40% while running on AC and at full power. You can increase the duty cycle value when the output voltage is decreased. Also, it features dual voltage support that can operate on 110V and 220V.

This welder’s 2T-4T sequencer function improves the user’s ability to set up and use the unit. With this function, you can control upslope, downslope, and the starting and ending amperes.

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9. Forney Easy Weld 261 MIG Welder

The Forney Easy Weld 261 MIG welder is one of the most popular Flux-core welding units in Canada. It is ideal for both experienced and first-time welding enthusiasts. Its applications range from DIY weekend home usage, automotive work, farm and ranch, general maintenance, and melt fabrication. It is capable of handling both MIG and Flux-core applications.

At only 19 pounds, it is a very lightweight welding unit allowing for portability. It even offers a built-in carrying handle to improve portability.

This welder comes with an 8-inch ground clamp and 8-inch welding gun that can easily connect to a gas pump with all the stability that you may require during the welding process. It also comes with a torch wrap which allows the user to weld materials up to ¼ inch thick.

The Forney Easy Weld works best with accessories such as clips and nozzles that come from the Forney Company.

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10. Everlast Model Cyclone 140E MIG Welder

The Everlast Power 140 MIG welder features a unique design with the IGBT inverter technology. This welder offers high ampere output compared to other transformer-based welding brands. It also offers a great duty cycle, making it ideal for both professional and home usage.

With this welder, you get step-less control of the wire speed and the unit’s voltage. In this regard, you can easily shift between MIG and stick welding mode. This model also offers more control options and accessories than other MIG welders that fall into the same price range.

There is a burn-back control that can be adjusted to set the wire length at every start. It is equipped with standard drive rolls that can feed between .023 inches and .030 inches of wire diameter. Everlast Power 140 also has a 4- and 8-inch wire spool.

Most MIG welders tend to offer a 20% duty cycle at 90 amps. However, the Power 140 Welding Unit goes a little further to offer a 25% duty cycle at a maximum output of 140 amps. Also, it is significantly lighter than most MIG welders and retails at an affordable price.

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Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best MIG Welder

Now that you are aware of the best MIG welders in the market, the next step is making a purchasing decision. Choosing a MIG welder that suits your preference and welding needs can be quite exhausting. This is because there are myriad options retailing in the market. You can make your purchase decision based on several aspects, including:

Duty Cycle

The Duty cycle determines a welder’s ability to run continuously without the need to cool down. It’s usually given as a percentage of a 10-minute period for the available amperage. It is an important consideration because it will determine the time spent on a welding project.

Thicker materials require more welding time, hence the more the power you will need. For instance, if a welder has a duty cycle of 60%, it will run continuously for 6 minutes and will need 4 minutes of rest time. High duty cycles offer more work time and decrease heat damage to the welder.

Spool Gun

If you want to weld aluminum with a MIG welder, consider looking for one that retails with a spool gun. Many MIG welders tend to lack this useful feature, so it’s important to first check before making the purchase.

Input Power

The input power determines the location that you will be using the welder from. Most welders offer 110/115/120V, which can work with typical electrical outlets found in most homes. Other welders offer 220/225/230V, which can only work in industrial grade welding workshops. So, buy a welder that can fit into an electrical outlet of where you intend to weld from.

Weight of Machine

The weight of a MIG welder determines the portability of the unit. Bulky welders are restricted to perform duties at specific positions. Lightweight welders, on the other hand, are portable and allow users to work from any location that they may want to work from. So, consider going for MIG welders that are lightweight enough to allow portability if you intend to move around.

Amperage Range

You have to check the amperage range before purchasing a MIG welder. Welders that have a comprehensive amperage range will allow you to work with a variety of materials to produce clean and accurate welds compared to those with a narrow amperage range.

Additional Considerations

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Conclusion

We may have provided you with a list of the best MIG welders in Canada this year; however, the final purchase decision lies solely with you. You can choose a MIG welder depending on your personal preference and the nature of your welding needs. All the welders on our list offer the best features and accessories at a reasonable price.

The Hobart 500559 handler clinches our top choice because it is powerful and superior to other welding units. It is portable, easy to use, and produces clean and accurate welds. The Lincoln Electric K2185-1 is very versatile, affordable, and easy to set up, making it ideal for home usage and auto body repair, and offers the best value. The Millermatic is our premium choice owing to its high quality. It also offers aluminum and steel welding capabilities and an auto-set feature that helps reduce guesswork when setting welding parameters.

After checking out our top picks of MIG welders in Canada, you can comfortably choose a welder that fits your budget. Our buying guide will also help you understand the factors you should consider before making a purchase decision.

You may also be interested in: 

• 10 Best TIG Welders in Canada
• 10 Best Welding Helmets in Canada

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Featured Image Credit: MKvarda, Pixabay