Tig vs Mig Welder: Which One Should You Buy?

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tig vs mig welder: the short answer

Buy a MIG welder if you want to weld mild steel fast with the gentlest learning curve. Buy a TIG welder if you want precise, clean welds on thin metal, stainless steel or aluminum. Many machines now do both: the BESTMIG 135A states MIG, Lift TIG and Stick in one 110V box, and the S7 200A states DC TIG and Stick with dual voltage.

How TIG welding works

TIG uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode and, usually, a separate filler rod fed by hand. The welder controls the arc with a foot pedal or torch switch, which is why TIG gives the most control over heat and the weld puddle. The listings show what TIG machines state: the PRIMEWELD TIG225X states 225 amps AC and DC TIG with a pulse function, a CK17 flex torch, 200 Hz pulse frequency and AC frequency, HF start and foot pedal heat control. It states quarter-inch aluminum and three-eighths-inch mild steel, on 110 and 220 volts, and states it welds 7018 and 6013 stick electrodes too.

TIG is the process for thin metal and clean work. The PRIMEWELD states it works great with aluminum, stainless steel and thinner metals. The Weldpro 200A states AC TIG and DC TIG with pulse modes, including high-frequency AC TIG and DC pulse TIG, plus Stick, in a 5-in-1 multiprocess machine with a TIG torch and foot pedal. The S7 200A states DC TIG and Stick for garage repairs, stainless steel welding, mild steel work and light metal fabrication. DC TIG handles steel and stainless; AC TIG, which the PRIMEWELD and Weldpro state, handles aluminum.

How MIG welding works

MIG feeds a consumable wire electrode automatically through the gun, with shielding gas or flux core protecting the weld. It is the quickest process to learn and the quickest to lay metal down. The BESTMIG 135A states a 3-in-1 flux core welder with MIG, Lift TIG and Stick, a true current of 135A, welding materials up to an eighth of an inch thick on 110V. It states a ground clamp, electrode holder and welding torch included, plus an auto-darkening welding helmet convertible to goggles and leather gloves, though the TIG torch is not included.

MIG wins on speed and simplicity for mild steel, and beginners usually find it the faster process to pick up; TIG demands more practice for the same joint. The trade is control: MIG is harder to dial in on thin sheet without burn-through, and the welds are rarely as clean as TIG. For a garage that welds mostly mild steel brackets, patches and repairs, MIG is the practical pick.

Which one should you buy

Buy MIG if your work is mild steel, speed matters and you are new to welding. The BESTMIG states the beginner case: 135A, up to an eighth of an inch thick, with a helmet and gloves in the box. Buy TIG if your work is thin metal, stainless or aluminum, or you want the cleanest welds. The PRIMEWELD states 225 amps AC and DC with pulse for aluminum and thinner metals; the Weldpro states 200A AC and DC with five modes including pulse TIG.

Buy a multiprocess machine if you want both. The S7 200A states DC TIG and Stick in one portable inverter with 110V and 220V input, simple controls and a digital current display for beginners and hobbyists. The Weldpro states five modes: high-frequency AC TIG, DC TIG, AC pulse TIG, DC pulse TIG and Stick MMA, with automatic dual voltage detection and switching. One machine, two processes, one learning curve at a time.

The gear: four machines that cover both processes

The S7 200A TIG Welder states a DC TIG and Stick machine for garage DIY, with 110V and 220V dual voltage, simple controls and a digital current display, for garage repairs, home projects, stainless steel welding, mild steel work and light metal fabrication. It is the straightforward TIG pick.

The PRIMEWELD TIG225X states 225 amps of AC and DC TIG and Stick with a pulse function, a CK17 flex torch with flex head, 200 Hz on pulse frequency and AC frequency, HF start and foot pedal control. It states quarter-inch aluminum and three-eighths-inch mild steel capability and 7018 and 6013 stick electrodes. It is the most capable TIG machine of the four.

The Weldpro 200A states an AC and DC TIG welder with pulse in a 5-in-1 multiprocess machine: high-frequency AC TIG, DC TIG, AC pulse TIG, DC pulse TIG and Stick MMA, with a TIG torch and foot pedal and automatic 110V and 220V detection. It is the multiprocess TIG pick for aluminum and steel.

The BESTMIG 135A states a 3-in-1 flux core welder with MIG, Lift TIG and Stick, 135A true current, up to an eighth of an inch thick, on 110V, with a ground clamp, electrode holder, welding torch, auto-darkening helmet and leather gloves included. The TIG torch is not included. It is the MIG-first pick that also states Lift TIG.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TIG or MIG better for a beginner?

MIG is better for a beginner: faster to learn and faster to weld. The BESTMIG states a 3-in-1 MIG machine with a helmet and gloves included for new welders. TIG takes longer to learn but gives more control.

Can one machine do both TIG and MIG?

The BESTMIG 135A states MIG, Lift TIG and Stick in one machine. The S7, PRIMEWELD and Weldpro state TIG and Stick but no MIG. For true MIG plus TIG in one box, the BESTMIG is the only one of the four that states both.

Which process is better for aluminum?

TIG, specifically AC TIG. The PRIMEWELD states AC and DC TIG with pulse for aluminum, and the Weldpro states AC TIG modes for aluminum. The S7 states DC TIG only, which the listing aims at steel and stainless.

What thickness can these machines weld?

The BESTMIG states up to an eighth of an inch thick at 135A. The PRIMEWELD states quarter-inch aluminum and three-eighths-inch mild steel at 225 amps. The S7 and Weldpro state 200A with no thickness figures.

Do I need 220V for these welders?

The S7, PRIMEWELD and Weldpro all state 110V and 220V dual voltage, so they run on a standard household outlet. The BESTMIG states 110V only.

Related: the stick welder vs wire feed comparison and our best stick welder picks. Also see our best stick welder for farm use picks.