6 Best MIG Welders for Aluminum (in 2023)

The Eastwood MIG 180 comes with a spool gun at a cut-rate price. Plus, it’s made by a reputable USA brand and includes a 3-year warranty.

The dual voltage support allows you to weld wherever the job takes you, especially since the Eastwood MIG 180 is also generator-friendly. You can weld up to 1/4 in. thick aluminum with the provided 180 amps. This is enough for most DIY projects and light shop work. But, if you need to weld thicker aluminum, please consider other welders in our review.

Tack welding mode is included, and it’s handy for sheet metal work. If welding thin aluminum, you’ll have first to tack weld everything together. Since aluminum expands from heat input significantly, the last thing you should do is input your heat unevenly. That’s why the tack welding setting is so beneficial. You can create consistent tack welds with the same heat input every time.

With its low weight, latest IGBT technology, decent duty cycle, dual-voltage input, 3-year warranty, included spool gun, and low price, the Eastwood MIG 180 is the best bargain MIG welder for small shops and hobbyists focused on aluminum.

The YesWelder MIG-250 PRO is an excellent choice for beginners thanks to its intuitive menu, easy-to-read digital display, and a plethora of valuable features like automatic settings. But it is also a multi-process welder, so you can perform basic DC TIG and stick welding. If you are just starting, the YesWelder MIG-250 PRO will get you hands-on experience with more processes.

However, the spool gun is sold separately. While the YesWelder MIG-250 PRO is cheap considering the number of included functions, it doesn’t represent a great value like the Eastwood MIG 180. Both of these options are good for beginners and light shop use. But, YesWelder offers more features without the spool gun, while Eastwood has a longer warranty and a lower price.

Beginners will also benefit from YesWelder’s automatic settings, thanks to MIG synergic mode. The machine synchronizes the wire feeding speed with the voltage output to automatically provide the best results.

The YesWelder MIG-250 PRO supports 2T/4T, and you can use 4T mode to maximum capacity thanks to the extended duty cycle. This welder can output 250A for six minutes straight, which is rare at such a low price. You can save 10% with the discount code “WELDGURU10” that was found online.

The Klutch MP230SiDV is an excellent MIG welder with only one flaw — it has a short duty cycle. If you are a professional who performs high-volume welding of thick aluminum, skip the Klutch. Otherwise, it’s a great budget alternative to the more powerful but pricey welders.

Klutch is a Northern Tool brand, and the MP230SiDV provides almost everything a professional needs. The large digital display with an intuitive menu lets you easily fine-tune everything from voltage to inductance and shielding gas flow times. Plus, the display quality matches the well-known ESAB Rebel’s LCD. But, this Klutch offering costs a fraction of Rebel’s price.

The most impressive aspect of the Klutch MP230SiDV is that everything is included. You get the spool gun, TIG/MIG/MMA torches, and the TIG foot pedal control. Many people have had great experiences with these Klutch machines. A low price coupled with a 3-Year warranty from a USA brand makes it a bargain for professionals.

The Hobart IronMan 240 is a transformer-based MIG welder with an excellent spool gun. The 280A output provides enough power to start the puddle when welding thick aluminum. Plus, Hobart’s SpoolRunner 200 spool gun provides complete shielding gas coverage.

Designed for demanding hobbyists and welding shops, the Ironman 240 was created as an affordable high-end welder. Essentially, it’s a stripped-down version of Millermatic 252. So, the Hobart Ironman lacks advanced features to keep the costs down but retains a high build quality. However, it’s expensive compared to the Eastwood MIG 180 or the Klutch MP230SiDV.

Unfortunately, the Ironman 240 doesn’t have a digital display or advanced functions like 2T/4T, tack welding, inductance control, or wire burnback time selection. Plus, it’s not portable. The main advantages of this Hobart’s model is its excellent build and arc quality. The welder is made in the USA, and Hobart offers a five-year warranty. So, if you run a welding shop and need a lot of power for thick aluminum, the Ironman 240 may be a good option.

If you need maximum quality and portability, the Lincoln Electric Power MIG 210MP combines both well. It’s inverter-based and built to Lincoln’s high standards.

The Power MIG 210MP is a multi-process machine loaded with numerous valuable features. Some examples:

• Large digital display
• Automatic/manual settings
• MIG inductance control
• Wire run-in
• Spot timer
• Arc force
• Hot start
• TIG foot pedal support
• Angled cast aluminum wire feed system

Not surprisingly, the Lincoln Power MIG 210MP is quite expensive. It’s a USA brand welder assembled in Mexico by strict standards and has a 3-year warranty. Plus, the arc quality is fantastic, so it’s natural for this machine to cost more.

However, for the price, the MIG gun is not up to snuff. Plus, the TIG torch and foot control pedal are not included, and the duty cycle is too short. The Power MIG 210MP is marketed as a “beginner” welder for DIY, but it is capable of shop-grade welding, too. Unfortunately, Lincoln Electric limited its duty cycle to DIY work only. Still, the Power MIG 210MP will do great for professionals who need a portable, reliable MIG welder for aluminum.

If you prefer transformer-based welders, but need portability, the Hobart Handler 190 may be a solution. It’s a relatively old machine, far surpassed by competing models in many vital areas. But, it does offer superior build and arc quality.

The time-tested transformer core ensures longevity. Plus, it’s made in the USA by one of the largest, most-respected welding brands. And Hobart covers it with their industrial 5/3/1 warranty, so you are protected if something breaks.

However, the Hobart Handler 190 is overpriced, in our opinion. It has a scant duty cycle, fixed voltage selections, and doesn’t include advanced functions or a digital display. In comparison, the Eastwood MIG 180 offers a 3-year warranty at a much lower price, and while it’s not transformer-based, the Eastwood MIG 180 provides similar arc stability with far more features.

Additionally, since the Handler 190 doesn’t use standardized DINSE connectors, you must manually rewire the polarity inside the welder when you switch to FCAW. Since this is not a professional welder like the Ironman 240, this is a big issue. Also, it supports 220-240V input only. If you need a dual-voltage input, the Hobart Handler 210 is a better choice.