If you require a quick answer, the best MIG welder is the Sealey Mighty MIG 100, which can be switched to operate gasless by a simple change of polarity. The brand also offers 5 other Mighty MIG models but the 100 model combines performance with value for the money. Alternatively, if you are on a tight budget, the Display4top MIG 100 is perfect.
To rate the MIG welders within our roundup, we based our recommendations on testing, our experience of using multiple welders, the latest research and several factors. Some of the factors we considered included the welder’s build quality, performance, power settings, features, supplied contents, warranty and value for money.
Best MIG Welder Overview
- Best Overall: Sealey Mighty MIG 100
- Best Professional: Clarke MIG151EN Turbo Welder
- Best All-Rounder: Rohr Inverter 200FI
- Best Budget: Display4top MIG 100
- Best Beginner: Dirty Pro Tools™ MIG 130
- Best Budget Runner Up: Autojack MIG130
MIG welders are very versatile and can be used for tackling various bodywork repairs and car restorations. Whether you have just treated a section of rust or welded a differential, a MIG welder is the easiest and most effective option.
Below is a list of the best MIG welders that are suitable for car restorations, bodywork repairs and all budgets.
The Best MIG Welders
1. Best Overall: Sealey Mighty MIG 100
Sealey is a highly reputable tools brand in the UK and they dominate the market with their MIG welders. The Mighty MIG series in particular is the brand’s most popular MIG welder and it’s available in a range of models to best suit your requirements. However, for using a MIG welder for car restorations, the 100 model is the best option.
A great feature that we found with this model is its ability to increase the duty cycle. This has been made possible by the brand integrating a forced air cooling system, which directs air over the transformer and slows down the heating process.
- Welding current between 55 and 100A
- 0.9 KG wire capacity
- Intuitive forced air cooling system
- Duty cycle of 60% @ 55A and 20% @ 90A
- Thermal overload protection
- Backed by a manufacturers warranty
- During testing, we found that the earth clamp's quality was pretty poor (this can be easily replaced if it becomes an issue)
To conclude, the Sealey Might MIG 100 is an excellent all-round MIG welder that combines performance with value for the money. However, if you do require additional power, the brand offers more powerful models at an additional cost.
2. Best Professional: Clarke MIG151EN Turbo Welder
The Clarke Turbo is a professional MIG welder that’s ideal for car bodywork repairs and hobby use. It’s a dual-purpose welder that can be used with or without gas and can be easily converted to best suit the task at hand.
- Gas and gasless mig welder
- Professional style torch
- Full on/off control of power
- Powerful wire drive motor with multiple settings
- During testing, we liked the simplicity of the rotary power selection
- Power settings from 30 to 150A
- Thermal overload protection with auto reset
- Thoroughly tested and backed by a 12 month warranty
- One of the most expensive MIG welders within this article
Whether you are a professional or a beginner, the Clark Turbo is an easy to set up and use MIG welder that won’t disappoint. Clarke is well-known for their superior build quality and this welder is a great example that’ll last years.
3. Best All-Rounder: Rohr Inverter 200FI
Rohr is another brand that produces a wide range of welders and their 200FI model is a great option to consider. It’s designed for hobby, car restoration and DIY use and comes as a complete kit that includes an earth clamp, clipping hammer and a wire brush.
During testing, it was easy to set up and use and it packed plenty of power for welding multiple materials. In terms of what we welded with this MIG, we repaired a jacking point that had rusted through.
- Power settings range from 50 to 200A
- 60% duty cycle
- 0.6 and 0.8 mm collets
- Plastic spool with metal bar
- Housing protection grade IP21
- ARC Force and Hot Start functionality
- Anti-stick technology
- Relatively expensive when compared to the alternatives
Overall, the Rohr 200FI is a high-quality inverter MIG welder that’s produced by the reputable Rohr brand and backed by a 12-month warranty for complete peace of mind. The only drawback is that it does come with a premium price tag but it’s packed full of functionality to make it a worthwhile investment.
4. Best Budget: Display4top MIG 100
If you are on a tight budget and require a cheap MIG welder that’s actually worth buying, the Display4top 100 is an excellent option. It’s a compact welder that’s housed within a heavy-duty stainless steel body and can withstand even the toughest of environments. It’s also highly portable with a lightweight design and ergonomic carrying handle.
Alongside the welder, also included within the kit are a mask, wire brush, earth clamp, welding spool and accessories.
- Current range of 48 to 90A
- Power factor of 0.9
- Automatic thermal protection
- 4 levels of current adjustment
- Internal fan cooling system
- Ergonomic carrying handle
- Not suitable for extended use on the highest power setting
To conclude, the MIG 100 by Display4top is by far the best budget MIG welder that comes as a complete kit and offers outstanding value for the money. Although it’s not produced by a well-known brand, it’s a fraction of the price when compared to other big branded welders on the market in the UK.
5. Best Beginner: Dirty Pro Tools™ Gasless MIG 130
Another budget-friendly MIG welder is the Dirty Pro Tools MIG 130 and it has been designed for beginner and DIY users. It comes as a complete kit that includes a mask, clamps, wire brush, clipping hammer and accessories.
- Current range from 50 to 120A
- Variable wire speed control (4 settings)
- 3.5 metre welding cable
- Automatic thermal protection
- Turbo fan cooled
- Supplied accessories aren't built to a high standard
Overall, the Dirty Pro Tools MIG 130 is another great budget MIG welder that can be used for car restoration, hobby and DIY use. It also comes as a complete kit with everything you need to get started straight out of the box.
6. Best Budget Runner Up: Autojack MIG130 MIG Master
The Autojack MIG130 is the brand’s new and improved DIY MIG welder that offers a gasless operation and is designed with portability in mind. It also comes as a complete kit that includes a mask, wire brush, chipping hammer and wire.
- Current range from 50 to 120A
- Internal turbo fan cooling system
- Variable wire feed speed control
- Carry handle for improved portability
- Supplied with 0.9 gauge flux core wire
- Comes as a complete kit
- Wire speed may not be fast enough for certain welding tasks
Overall, the Autojack MIG130 is a great option to consider that offers great value and won’t disappoint. It isn’t the cheapest when compared to other budget MIG welders but nevertheless, it’s still worth the money.
How We Rated
As we have carried out a number of car restoration projects along with bodywork repairs over the years, we have gained plenty of experience using several welders. The MIG welder is our favourite type of welder to use when it comes to working with cars and this is primarily because it can handle thicker metals.
To give you an idea of how we test the MIG welders, below are before and after photos of a recent test using the Sealey Mighty MIG to repair a rear arch that we cut out before the car went for a respray.
During our testing of the MIG welders, we analyse their performance, functionality (modes/power settings), usability and the features it has to offer. To keep up our commitment to reviewing and testing the latest MIG welders (for this article), we are continually testing out the latest offerings from top brands in the UK. This means that when we notice a brand has released a new MIG welder, we will attempt to upgrade our current machines for testing.
As well as testing and our experience using multiple MIG welders, we also based our recommendations on the latest research and several factors. Some of the factors that we took into consideration included the welder’s build quality, performance, power settings, features, supplied contents, warranty and value for money.
Conclusion
Whether you need a MIG welder for car restorations or household DIY tasks, there is a wide range of models available. All of our recommendations above are suited for both beginner and professional use and are easy to set up and use.
To avoid disappointment, we advise that you invest slightly more in a higher-quality model with additional features. This is because MIG welders are generally long-lasting machines and you may regret choosing a budget MIG welder.
If you require further information regarding our MIG welder recommendations, feel free to get in touch and we will try to provide our assistance where possible.
