If you are a newbie in welding or you want to improve your current equipment, you should stick to the basics to get the best results.
Having plenty of additional features might be too much for your skills and make it more challenging to work.
The only thing you need at the beginning of your welding process is a solid, reliable welder.
You can find a lot of excellent options on the market for welding.
Here is a list that focuses specifically on beginner-friendly welding kits, that will help you to improve your skills and achieve your tasks with no fuss.
Highest Rated Best Welder Starters Kits for Home Use (by Customer Reviews)
- 1Campbell Hausfeld 115V Arc/Stick Welder
- 2Chicago Electric Welding Systems MIG/Flux Wire Welder
- 3Detroit Torch & Mfg. Welding and Cutting System
- 4Sun Gold Power Multifunction Welder
- 5Blue Demon Bluearc-90STI
- 6Lincoln Electric K2185-1 Handy MIG Welder
- 7ESAB Thermal Arc Inverter Portable DC Welder
- 8Hobart 500495 Handler 125 MIG Welding Package
- 9ESAB Thermadyne Stick/Lift TIG Welding System
- 10Stanley Power 119 DC Inverter Stick Welder
1
Campbell Hausfeld 115V Arc/Stick Welder
The welder by Campbell is more powerful than it seems at first glance.
It has a duty cycle of 20%, and the welder is rated at 50 amps.
However, it is still suitable for a variety of home welding tasks, small around-the-house repairs, and beginners in welding.
It is easy to use and a reliable stick welder.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Runs on the regular household circuit
- Has thermal overload protection
- Provides good arc
- Starts smoothly
Cons
- You might need to use an extension cord
Michael's TakeThis Campbell welder offers a fun welding experience for beginners.
Once you develop basic welding skills, this welder will be a great solution for a variety of tasks.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
2
Chicago Electric Welding Systems MIG/Flux Wire Welder
If you believe that you can get a more powerful welder to work, despite your experience, I recommend this Chicago Electric welder.
Still, it is easy to use welder, that can help you significantly improve your skills and get used to MIG welding.
The unit works at a 240-volt outlet.
Further, it provides up to 170 amps of power that is suitable enough for a variety of welding projects.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- The duty cycle of 60% at 60 amps
- Built-in thermal overload protection
- Great for welding mild and stainless steel
- Suitable for more advanced projects
Cons
- No dual-voltage operation
Michael's TakeYou probably have a 240-volt outlet around the dryer, so you can use an extension cord if you need to weld outside.
This Chicago Electric welder is a powerful and durable machine that can help you with a wide range of welding projects.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
3
Detroit Torch & Mfg. Welding and Cutting System
The Detroit Torch welder is an excellent advanced option that can be suitable even for TIG welding beginners.
It features a convenient pistol grip on the welding and has a powerful cutting torch that reduces hand fatigue.
Therefore, a user can concentrate on clean cuts or welds.
The unit uses 4-pound oxygen and acetylene, which can be found in local service shops.
The trigger is placed conveniently on the grip of the handle, and the controls are within fingerprint reach.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Better precision when welding and cutting
- Less waste
- Less blowout
- Suitable for advance projects
Cons
- Pricey
Michael's TakeThis Detroit Torch welder will be useful long after you achieve basing TIG skills.
Therefore, you can rely on this unit to help you in many upcoming years for plenty of welding tasks.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
4
Sun Gold Power Multifunction Welder
The Sungold welder is an inverter-type welder that makes use of more advanced technology.
Still, it comes with an affordable price tag.
The welder features an HG easy-start arc, that will improve the lifespan of the tungsten.
Moreover, the cooling system is improved to increase the duty cycle and ensures a smooth start every time.
The welder is suitable for TIG and MMA welding and has high-frequency DC capabilities.
The power is 200 amps.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Powerful welder
- Offers plenty of growth opportunities
- User-friendly
- Advanced cooling system
Cons
- Heavy
Michael's TakeThe Sungold welder is a safe choice for all those welders who want to make sure that they won’t have to buy a new device every couple of years.
It is easy to use as well.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
5
Blue Demon Bluearc-90STI
The Blue Demon welder is an inverter-based stick welder, that allows you to do TIG welding.
It is an inexpensive welder, that provides value for the money.
The welder is suitable for use on plenty of hard surfaces as well.
However, stick welding is the best part of this device.
Moreover, the 90 amps power output is consistent.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Quality stick welder
- Comes with a shoulder strap
- Lightweight
Cons
- To improve duty cycle, you need to work in well-ventilated workspace
Michael's TakeIf you follow the instructions precisely, you can expect a lot of this little welder.
Moreover, because it is lightweight and has a convenient shoulder strap, you can use it as a portable device.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
6
Lincoln Electric K2185-1 Handy MIG Welder
Those who want to start learning MIG welding needs forgiving equipment such as this Lincoln Electric welder.
It also provides power for more advanced welding projects.
The Lincoln Electric welder is suitable for both beginners and professionals.
You can use it to weld 1/8-inch mild steel.
Moreover, it offers flux core and shielded gas application, that will be appreciated by beginners.
It runs on a 115V outlet and provides 70 amps of power.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Suitable for beginners and experienced welders
- Versatile
- Runs on regular household outlet
Cons
- Pricey
Michael's TakeLincoln Electric devices are always a safe choice for investments.
This welder will last you a long time and help you improve your skills as well.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
7
ESAB Thermal Arc Inverter Portable DC Welder
The ESAB welder is an inverter-type, DC portable welder.
It is reasonably priced and allows you to choose TIG welding for the first time without complex instructions.
Moreover, it is an effective stick welder, so those who never tried welding at all might have issues until they get used to the basic principles of welding.
The device has a short warranty of one year.
Moreover, it delivers 95 amps of power, which is suitable for light maintenance work and small repairs.
It weighs less than pounds as well.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Lightweight
- User-friendly
- Allows the user to be precise
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Limited power
Michael's TakeThe ESAB welder comes with an adapter for both 110V and 220V outlet
With all features and quality, this welder is definitely worth your attention.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
8
Hobart 500495 Handler 125 MIG Welding Package
Plenty of welders start by learning the MIG welding discipline, and this Hobart welder is the right choice if you are a beginner.
It will help you to achieve basic welding skills with a user-friendly design and controls.
The Hobart welder has a variable power output from 30 to 130 amps.
It can use .025 to .035 wire and allows you to gradually improve your skills and complete different welding projects.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Easy to use
- Great power range
- Works on standard household circuit
Cons
- Setting for flux core can be challenging
Michael's TakeThis Hobart welder is a quality MIG welder that plenty of beginners will highly appreciate.
It can help you to perform small repairs around the house.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
9
ESAB Thermadyne Stick/Lift TIG Welding System
This ESAB TIG welder is very affordable and offers stick welding capabilities as well.
It offers 95 amps of power and weighs around 20 pounds.
The welder makes use of the lifting process for the TIG welding discipline and has an electrode holder and a quality ground clamp.
Additionally, this ESAB welder comes with an informative DVD, which can be great for beginners.
It is suitable for light repairs or sheet-metal fabrication.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Lightweight
- Informative DVD included
Cons
- Can have issues if the power source isn’t stable
Michael's TakeThis ESAB welder comes packet in an easy-to-carry case.
Moreover, it is one of the best and most affordable welders for light tasks.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
10
Stanley Power 119 DC Inverter Stick Welder
This Stanley welder has a variable amp output and can produce up to 80 amps of power.
You can use it to weld mild or stainless steel.
The welder uses electrode rods of up to 1/8-inch.
Next, it is extremely lightweight and weighs only 8 pounds.
Therefore, you can take it with you anywhere you need it.
Moreover, it uses a standard household circuit and has a hot start with air force technology.
Check the current price on Amazon >>
Pros
- Seamless results any time you use it
- Lightweight
- Compact
Cons
- Only suitable for small jobs
Michael's TakeIf you want something reliable and compact for occasional use, you will hardly find a better welder from this Stanley device.
You can expect great performance and a smooth start anytime you use it.
>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<
Best Welder Starters Kits for Home Use Buying Guide
Those who are just starting in the welding discipline can check my tips on how to find the best welder suitable for their needs.
There are some key elements to have in mind when choosing your welding machines.
Reviews can also be useful, as they can show the good and the bad sides of each machine for those who have experience in using different welders.
Brand-Name Welders are Safe Choice
If you have never used a welder, you cannot go wrong with a company with a proven reputation in welders manufacturing.
Those include Lincoln, Miller Electric, Hobart, etc.
Experienced welders can experiment with some indie brands because they have skills and knowledge that will help them make every machine to work.
Be Aware of your Circuit
Welders with 135 amps of power or less can operate at standard household outlets – 110V.
Those more powerful need 220V outlets.
Sometimes, older homes have a four-prong outlet for a 220V circuit.
If that is the case, you will have to buy a 3-prong adapter for your welder to make it work.
Be Aware of your Skills
The majority of hobbyist welders start with the MIG welding discipline.
It is more affordable and allows you to adapt to welding thicker materials.
Stick welding is also an option.
On the other hand, TIG welding is considered as more advanced options and suitable for those who have already achieve basic welding skills.
Features to Look for in Beginners-Friendly Welder
The first thing to look for in your welder is the inclusion of dial-in settings.
Some welders available on the market make it easy to input the thickness of the materials, as well as the metal type to provide you with a suitable arc or output.
With this feature, it is much easier to set and use every welder and weld different metals.
It reduces the guessing from the welding process and allows you to gradually learn more about correct welding settings.
Voltage Settings
Another useful feature is output adjustments based on voltage.
The beginners-friendly welders can notify you if your current conditions are not acceptable for the amount of power received.
That way, you can adjust the welder.
Portability
Lightweight, portable, and welders who can work with AC and DC are more versatile.
You can take them with you on the site, and store them easily.
TIG welders are the heaviest welders with more than 100 pounds of weight.
Amperage Rating
When choosing a welder, you need to check the amperage ratings.
It will tell you how thick metals your machine can weld.
For example, a welder with 140 amps of power is suitable for 1/4-inch steel.
A more powerful welder, with 250 amps of power is great for welding 1/2-inch steel.
Hot Start
When you check the technical specifications of some welders, you might notice something called a hot start.
It is a convenient feature that frees up the rod or specific wire, which makes starting much easier by boosting the current.
Once the arc is established, the feature shut off automatically.
Inverters are useful for some projects.
Having an inverter-based welder allows you to dig off the weld and create a stiff arc.
Therefore, it makes overhead welding much easier.
Shielding Gas
If you decide to start with a MIG welder, you can choose to use a shielding gas.
In general, different metals need different shielding gases.
The majority of hobbyists’ tasks can work great with 100% carbon dioxide and it makes the penetration on thicker metal more effective.
However, it creates more splatter.
If you weld on a short-circuit you will need a 75/25 combo of argon and carbon dioxide.
It is the combination that makes less splatter.
Next, to weld aluminum, you will have to use 100% argon for the best results.
Stainless steel needs a 90/7.5/2.5 mix of helium, argon, and carbon dioxide.
Price Range for Hobbyists and Beginner Welders
Beginners-friendly welders are usually affordable.
Those with 130 amps of power can cost you around $100.
They can be suitable for the majority of light repairs around the house.
More powerful welders cost around $200 and they can come with additional features.
Conclusion
The best welders for beginners will simplify the learning curve and help you achieve more in less time and with less effort.
The suitable welder will be user-friendly and versatile enough to help you learn more anytime you use it.
The models from my list can be an excellent starting point for all beginners and hobbyists welders.
