7 Best Welders for Aluminum (TIG & MIG) – Buying Guide In 2022

Looking for the best welders for aluminum?

I know, welding aluminum is a tough job. Because of the low melting point, the welders always suffer while welding thin aluminum. It is harder to weld than steel and other materials. To be honest, It is really hard to pick just the perfect one. Isn't it?

Here is the deal,

I will make it easier for you. I have done some research and I exactly know what type of unit is needed for the perfect aluminum welding. I will make this easier for you by giving you my 7 best findings. These aluminum welders will make your welding really easy.

Welding aluminum is not as difficult as it may seem. In fact, with the right welder and a little practice, anyone can do it. 

So, which welder is best for aluminum?

That depends on a few factors, including the type of aluminum you're working with, the thickness of the material, and the welding process you plan to use.

The answer may surprise you. There are a few different types of welders that can be used for aluminum, but the best one for the job is actually a stick welder. 

Why is a stick welder the best choice for welding aluminum?

Stick welders are more versatile than other types of welders and can handle a variety of different metals, including aluminum. They are also easier to use, which makes them a great choice. 

But if you are a beginner, MIG welders are the best choice for you. Because of its ease of use and versatility.

However, TIG welders can also be a good choice for more experienced welders. 

No matter which welder you choose, be sure to read the instructions carefully and practice on some scrap aluminum before you start working on your project. With a little practice, you'll be welding like a pro in no time.

7 Best Welders for Aluminum (TIG and MIG)

1. AHP Alpha TIG 200 Amp IGBT AC DC TIG/Stick Welder - Best Overall Aluminum Welder

The AHP AlphaTIG 200x is one of the smoothest welding machines out there. It is the most affordable unit for aluminum welding.

Not only TIG, the features allow you to do stick welding as well.

There are some great features at the front of the body. You get the pulse frequency setting and 2T/4T settings if you want to use the pedal.

If you are inexperienced, you might find the dashboard a little bit overwhelming, but once you look at the manual it isn’t that hard to learn. The digital amperage meter shows where your output amperes are while welding. 

Don’t worry if there is a need for carrying the machine here or there for your working needs. It is only 50lbs. This is because of the low inverter technology.

This welder also has IGBT technology installed in it. This controls power consumption and you get a broad control of the pulse settings once you know the PWM (Pulse width modulation) well. 

With this welder, you can initiate the arc very smoothly by a simple touch or strike on the metal. Once it starts the arc, it is really easy to control or manipulate. If accidentally you long arc at the start the machine won't damage your work. 

You can use a wide variety of rods while doing the stick. The machine is capable of welding 6011, 6013, 7018 and 3081 stainless rods while working on ¼" aluminum and ⅜" mild steel. The voltage was somewhere between 110/220V. 

You get to use the AC in stick mode too. The Hz of the machine is really adjustable and you are sure to find this pretty awesome. 

Now let's focus on the main feature, the TIG welding of the machine. There is HF start and easy to start with. You can do some real thin metals as the machine goes down to 10amps. Doing a .20mm thick stainless steel turns a little bit tricky but still doable if you can weld using the right method. The AC mode while TIG welding works as it should. Using tungsten on the machine can be a good start for you. 

You don’t have to be a professional welder even to bring out the quality welds. Look at the versatility of the machine for once. You get to do both TIG and STICK welding. This means you can switch between both of the methods that suits your situation. I hope you have already understood the value for money. Even if you are a professional welder you can use this as a backup in case of emergencies. 

If you are a hobbyist or noob welder and looking to invest less money and get quality welds then you should definitely go for The AHP AlphaTIG 200x. The machine is easy to set up and easy to use. You have read already what you will get and probably you won't regret it.

2. Hobart Handler 210 MVP MIG Welder - Best Aluminum MIG Welder

The Hobart Handler 210MVP holds up the reputation of the HOBART manufacturers. If you are looking for an industrial grade finish, then you better look into the features of this machine. The machine is impressive despite its small size. The power output and the convenience of the machine makes this a great release from the brand. 

The seven voltage positions of the machine makes this a highly attractive aluminum welder for the experienced welders. The options allows you to do precise welding and also ensures that you get your desired high quality welds. 

You can consider the machine as a heavy unit. It weighs 79lbs. If you want to move it around your working area it can be very tiresome. A wheel cart can be a solution to this mobility issue. 

When it comes to usability, The Hobart 210 MIG is the most convenient MIG welder you will find in the market. You can use the machine to weld materials within the thickness limit of ¼”-⅛”. It is ready to use right out of the box and can weld up to 24 gauge ⅜ inch mild steel in single pass.

You get the utmost flexibility using 115v or 230v power. You will get the best arc performance as the machine adjusts itself automatically to the input power. You can also plug in the spool gun runner at the front panel of the machine and weld aluminum with less spatter. 

The user manual of the machine comes with such clear instructions that you can set the machine up with ease. The information is real specific and to the point so that you can know about the various parts with ease and maintain the machine. 

The best feature about this welder is that you get the options of two separate input voltage receptacles. The power output range is from 25A to 210A at 230V and 25A-140A at 115V. You will get a duty cycle of 20% at 90A and 30% at 150A. This dual voltage feature is really handy.

Besides the infinite wire feeding features the machine is a great one within this price range. The smooth arc penetration is sure to surprise you. This is the best valued machine for the money as it only means business. 

You will get the great out of the box experience once you start using the Hobart Handler 210MVP. The machine also features good light duty flux core welding. As the machine is heavy you can't carry it here and there if you want. This versatility of the machine is really admiring. 

This machine is sure to be a dream to use for you. This is a great deal for you if you are looking for a welder within $$$$ budget. As days pass you will start to like the machine more as you will get more than expectations.

3. PRIMEWELD TIG225X 225 Amp IGBT AC DC TIG/Stick Welder - Best Beginner Aluminum Welder

The primeweld TIG 225X is the perfect machine for a beginner, a hobbyist and a professional welder. The quality of the machine is better than the other ones available in the market.

It fits just in the middle of a tool for a beginner or experienced welder. You will get so many features compared to the price and the performance is just satisfying. 

If you have just started welding the dashboard will seem like just a couple of knobs and switches to you. The versatility and the efficiency will be clear to you once you start understanding the machine. You can toggle between AC/DC mode by pressing a simple switch. The AC frequency range is 40 to 200HZ. 

There is another switch that gives you the option to switch between TIG and MMA welding options. The digital meter indicates the ampere. There is a knob which can set the current from 10-225amp. There you will find the 2T/4T switch. 

There is an advanced pulse feature in the machine. You can select the feature from low to high by this feature. The AC pulse TIG feature provides you an outstanding control over aluminum. The arc characteristics of the machine are fully adjustable and you can control the output as per your needs.

It should be stated clearly that the primeweld 225x is an aluminum TIG welder. The machine is capable of welding aluminum with ease on AC mode. The versatile machine allows you to weld other materials such as stainless steel, metal sheets thick up to ½ inches. You can use this to weld T joints or Lap joints with ease. Its performance in the both low or high pulse mode is really satisfying. The arc and the pulse setting is really smooth and satisfactory. 

If you aren’t looking for the TIG welding for now and your work requires DC TIG welding then just press a simple switch. You will be switched into DC stick welding with ease. You will get the output up to 180amps by primeweld 225x. It costs less to repair as it lessens the costs of shielding gas and you can work on any .5mm thick metals with ease. 

Finally It is a great deal if you are looking for TIG and Stick welding features for your aluminum projects. You can weld both thick and thin metals and the performance of the machine is satisfactory. The longevity and the versatility will impress you for sure. Give it a try! You might not regret it.

4. Lincoln Electric Square Wave TIG 200 TIG Welder K5126-1 - Best Portable Aluminum Welder

If you are looking for a powerful yet portable machine then Lincoln Electric Square Wave 200 can be mentioned. This machine provides AC TIG for your aluminum works. The machine gives you an output up to 200 amp for TIG welding. The building quality of the machine makes it a unit to provide you with such power for welding. 

This portable yet powerful machine can be a good asset for the hobbyists, craftsmen, artists etc. As time passes your experience with the machine will grow and you will be able to take more benefits of the machine.

The AC/DC machine is capable of welding 24 gauge sheet metal up to 3/16 inches. The AC TIG process has a pulse system installed in the machine that gives you smooth filler metal disposition. It offers a lot of versatility by stick welding too. This opens the doors to welding a variety of materials including aluminum. Use the TIG welding when you need precise beads and the stick welding when you need to weld thicker metals. 

The power of the machine is completely adjustable. You get the options to select from 120v or 230v. Depending on the power you need you can select either of the two options. At 120V you get TIG: 10 to 125A, stick: 10-90A. On the other hand if you choose 230V you get TIG: 10-200A and stick: 10-170A. 

Instead of a constant output, the machine offers you to have a pulse current. For the Lincoln square wave 200, the range is .1-20 pulse per second. While welding thinner metals the AC frequency provides better control. 

The arc characteristics of the machine are really great. You don’t need to contact the machine with the metal to start the arc. This advanced feature of the machine reduces contamination of the metals. 

The inverter technology allows more power in that small machine. The machine weighs only 46lbs and can provide up to 200amps. You can carry the machine anywhere you want. Don’t underestimate the machine by its small outlook.

The bottom line of the machine can be its value for money. Though the price is high. You get a respectable device with a warranty backed up. Its ability to weld aluminum and other wide ranges of metals make this machine a great deal to have. 

5. LOTOS MIG175 175AMP MIG Welder - Best Budget Aluminum Welder

The Lotos MIG175 is one of the aluminum welders designed to make your welding tasks less challenging. It is designed with the latest technology which makes this machine more versatile. You will get good quality aluminum MIG welding if you use the Lotos MIG175.

The exclusive feature that makes welding aluminum more easy is the high speed MIG spool gun. You can deliver your aluminum welding wire like an expert by dint of the spool. You might prefer using this rather than using the feeder of the machine as it gives you the opportunity to control the power that you are using.

The spool gun is really long and this makes it convenient to use. This increases the efficiency of using the gun a lot. It is capable of welding aluminum up to 3/8 inches thick.

There is an advanced transformer technology in the machine. You can adjust the secondary voltage of the MiG welder. This technology has proven to be very consistent and durable. The macro adjustments allows you to connect the machine to your regular 220V circuit. The setup is really easy that you can do it all by yourself.

Talking of versatility and durability, Lotos MIG175 is one of the machines which can be used for multiple purposes. You can do MiG welding on mild and stainless steel to 1/4 inch and aluminum up to 3/8 inches.

You will get an output of 175AMPS by operating between 200 to 240 volts ( 50-60Hz). The design also includes a safety feature that is resettable. You can reset the system and prevent the overloading.

In case of flux-core and aluminum gas shielding slag system protects the molten metals from getting contaminated. This prevents the vapor from tampering the welding.

The weight of the machine is really light. It is only 85 pounds. You can carry it with ease from one place to another.

The arc of the machine won't fail you even for once. This is the most satisfying fact about this machine. The arc functions properly and you get the best quality welds.

6. Eastwood TIG 200 AC/DC 20565 Aluminum Welder

If you are looking for an industrial TIG welder, then let me tell you that the Eastwood TIG200 is a specially designed TIG welder for aluminum. The machine is capable of welding mild steel, stainless steel and aluminum very professionally. This TIG welder can weld thicker gauge materials up to 1/4 inch.

The AC/DC TIG welder offers industrial TIG features at low cost. The machine has a versatile design and is also powerful. It comes with a WP-17 torch that can be run by normal amperage and the duty cycle is 60%. An adapter cord of 240v/120v makes it simple to switch between AC and DC. You can weld aluminum in AC mode, on the other hand in DC mode you can weld steel and stainless steel.

In outdoor conditions you can use the stick welding feature as well. You can do stick welding on copper alloys, iron or nickel. Its ability to produce 200 amps makes this a real good welder for welding aluminum.

The Eastwood TIG 200 is a complete aluminum TIG welder. It can be run with 110v to 240v power sources. The HF start mode and Ac inverter will assist you in controlling the machine.

The machine comes with complete packages of welding equipment. You will get a shielding gas regulator and a hose. The foot pedal is really smooth and you can use it to set the amperage anywhere from 10 to 200 amps depending on your needs.

Another good thing about the Eastwood TIG 200 is that the machine is really easy to use. You don't have to be an expert to operate the machine. The dashboard of the machine is really easy to understand and you can operate the unit with ease if you have basic understanding of TIG, Stick welding. Regardless of the 110v and 220v input voltage the duty cycle remains at 60%. It doesn't change if the parameters don't exceed 145amps on 110v or 190 amps on 220v in AC mode.

The only disappointing thing about this machine is that the machine has less safety features. It has only a light installed that indicates overheating. If your calculations go wrong you might end up overheating the machine and damaging it.

This machine is a great help if you are a hobbyist or noob. But don't judge the performance by this. The machine is really a great industrial finisher. Just trust the tool and get started. You wont regret it for sure.

7. LOTOS TIG 200A AC/DC Aluminum TIG Welder

To be honest, this is an expensive welder best for your aluminum welding task. In Spite of not being the cheapest, it is a great value machine. The dual voltage makes this machine suitable for aluminum and steel. If you are a person who wants to learn every aspect of your welding then you can consider buying the LOTOS TIG 200.

The machine is really robust and it weighs 58lbs. You can carry it easily by the handle attached to the machine. You will find this carrying feature very handy as the heavy machines are really hard to carry from one place to another. 

The control panel will surely impress you a lot. You won't have to haunt the machine looking for switches as all the knobs and switches are right in the front of the machine. The design doesn't inspire you to buy the machine, there are more than this in it. 

One of the main features of this machine is the foot pedal that it comes with. At first it is really hard to grab control, but once you get the control of it you will be happy with the job. You get the automated change between 110v and 220v. The machine auto adjusts the voltage as per the need. It works for both TIG and Stick welding jobs. You can weld aluminum, steel, and stainless steel easily. 

The Lotos TIG 200 has an ac/dc square wave inverter of 200amps that helps you acquire perfect welding on aluminum. All the accessories come with the machine are of decent quality. You get a TIG torch, stick electrode holder, a ground clamp with cable, and an argon hose. 

The Lotos manufacturers have a good reputation for reliability. The price makes this an ideal for a person who is a beginner or wants to work in DIY projects. With a maximum output of 200amps this TIG welder can weld materials up to 9.5 mm .

It has 80% power efficiency, and can be relied on in case of welding strong materials. You can do MMA welding by 15-200amp DC stick welding. The arc function requires striking electrodes. Switching from TIG to stick might require you to turn off the machine completely and make adjustments of the knob. If you don’t, the amperage won't change. 

While working with the Lotos TIG 200 Ac/Dc welder always keep in mind the duty cycle of the machine. Don't over do it, otherwise you might end up ruining your breaker. 

At the bottom line it is a great aluminum welder which is easy to use. This can work on all types of materials and neatly gets your aluminum TIG welding's done. You don't have to worry about the duty cycle as it is excellent.

Before buying any welder for aluminum there are certain things you should know. It is as important as your reputation. You should know 9 things about the aluminum welders before making the purchase. This knowledge will be an asset for you in buying the best welder for aluminum.

Power source:

Decide on the basis of the power source you have at your home and your workshop. An welder for aluminum can be run by various supplies : as in 110v, 240V etc. Be careful if you have the accurate power to run the welding machine.

Thickness and the type of material:

The thickness and type of material you want to weld plays a vital role in your making the decision of buying a welder. Depending on the thickness of your material the output changes. Based on that you have to choose from 130amp to 220v welders.

The process of welding required:

Depending on your material you have to choose the process of welding the machine offers. For example, If you want to weld steel you will need the one that offers TIG welder, stick welder, and MIG welder. For aluminum, you will need a TIG welder that offers MIG welding as well.

Portability: 

Weight of the machine can be the deciding factor for you. If your work requires the machine to be carried then you have to look for a welder that is of light weight. Otherwise the carrying cost of the machine might prove to be costly.

Duty cycle: 

Always take into account the duty cycle of the machine. If you need 160amps then at least a 35% duty cycle is needed.

Accessories: 

The accessories are also important. The complementary accessories (torches, filler rod etc.) that come with the welder are of good quality too. The more you get the more you cut the cost of extra accessories.

Warranty: 

The manufacturers back you up with warranted services. 2-3 years of warranty is a good deal.

Parts availability: 

The manufacturing region of the machine is important as you will be needing parts for your machine too. Look if the parts are available in your area otherwise it will be wise not to buy the machine.

What Type Of Welder Is Best For Aluminum?

As aluminum has lower melting points, TIG welding is best on thicker aluminum but its needs to be expert. Furthermore, MIG welding works good on thinner gauge aluminum sheets and its beginner friendly.

What Shielding Gas Is Used For MIG Welding Aluminum?

Commonly two gases are used to MIG welding aluminum. They are argon and helium. They are used as pure argon, pure helium and mixture of them. Argon is the most popular shielding gas among all of them. It is used in both gas metal arc and gas tungsten arc.

What Polarity Is Used For Welding Aluminum?

Using the exact polarity is necessary to weld aluminum as the oxide layer reforms and blocks your progress. This is why it is crucial to use alternating current (AC) while TIG welding aluminum.  

The sole purpose of this review of aluminum welders is to help you find the welder you have been looking for. Read the guide and it will surely make it easier for you to understand and make the proper decision.

I have tried to keep it simple and specific and came up with the best aluminum welders in the market. The purpose of writing will be met if you can find yours from the list. Best wishes with those aluminum sheets!