Best Dual Voltage Mig Welder: How to Choose the Right One

In this article, we rounded up the best dual voltage MIG welders, as well as a whole section on how to choose the right one.

Quick Comparison Table

MIG Welding Process: Popular and Easy To Learn

MIG welding is the popular middle ground between neat TIG welding that requires plenty of skill and rough Stick welding that’s rather easy to do.

But a MIG welder is also quite versatile, as it can be used on a wide variety of metals and alloys, as well as workpiece sizes. Its beads are often aesthetically pleasing, even with a moderate level of training. We regularly see MIG welding machines in DIY projects, auto shops, farms, metal artisan workshops, in addition to various other applications.

To add more functionality to a MIG welder, several manufacturers added the option of dual voltage. This increases the flexibility of the welder, offers a more precise adjustment of the output power, and lets users plug it in any available outlet.

The 5 Best Dual Voltage MIG Welders Reviewed

Finding the right MIG welder isn’t an easy task. And quite often see welders buying a shiny new machine, only to discover that it doesn’t match their usage. 

To make sure that you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for, you can browse through this list of fine machines and check whether one of them fits the bill. The MIG welders below have different power capabilities, sizes, and price points. 

They’re all prime-quality picks, but they cover a wide range of individual needs.

1. Weldpro 200 Amp Dual Voltage 220V/110V

If you have limited space in your workshop, then you should consider this 3-in-1 welding machine. It’s also quite versatile, and you can use it in a broad range of projects.

The Weldpro 200 is a powerful and efficient machine that readily weld many metals. You can select the welding technique, power, and wire diameter that best suits the project at hand.

In addition, it’s not too heavy or bulky. So you can keep it inside the workshop or work with it on site. This feature is highly appreciated if you work on different types of projects.

The rated duty cycle for the Weldpro is 30%, but it’s worth noting that this value is measured with the highest power of 200 amps. If you’re working with a lower setting, you should expect a much longer duty cycle.

The Weldpro has a hefty price tag, yet, the extra cash feels justified. It’s a reliable multi-process welding machine, and it can carry out the full set of welding methods. This combination might not be the best fit for beginners. Still, pros and semi-pros will find its capabilities quite useful.

Features and Specifications

• Multiprocess Mig/Tig/Arc Stick
• 110V/240V
• Max power of 200 amps 
• True lift TIG 
• Flux Core welding
• Weight 30 lb
• 30% duty cycle at 200A
• Welding thickness 19 gauge
• Thermal and electric overload protection

Pros

• Versatile welding options
• High power
• Long duty cycle for continuous work
• Dual digital display
• Safety protection from thermal and electric mishaps
• Comes with a power adapter, flow meter, and gas hose
• Warranty period 3 years

Cons

• The front display panel appears to be a bit flimsy

2. Hobart 500553 Handler 210 MVP MIG Welder

The Hobart is a compact, practical, and dedicated MIG welder. It’s made for high accuracy work and massive bonding of thick pieces. Being fully portable, you can use it in auto repairs, domestic DIYs, boats, construction work, and various other applications.

This welding machine is impressive in that it offers 11 different voltage adjustments; you can set it to 110/115/120 volts – 220/230/240 volts. The Hobart can handle material thicknesses ranging from 1/4” to 3/8”.

A limited length of spool gun cable often specifies the range of motion you have around the machine. That’s why it’s nice to see that the Hobart comes with a 10-ft gun and power cable. Additionally, the spool gun is ready for action, with no “bird-nesting” effects.

You can easily move around a large workpiece, like in auto repairs. And if you have an extra bit of talent, you can also access hard-to-reach locations inside the frame.

This welding machine has all the standard safety features, plus one more that seriously enhances the operator’s safety while working. The wire is kept cold while not used and only gets power when the trigger is pushed.

The high price of the Hobart might imply that it’s not suitable for beginners, but that’s not the case. This welding machine is easiest to adjust, operate, and maintain. That’s why it’s a fine choice for someone who has a generous budget and appreciates a fine device.

Features and Specifications

• Multiple voltage settings in the 115V and 240V ranges
• Polarity changeover 
• Comes with a gas solenoid valve in the unit
• Power range 25–140A at 115V, 25–210A at 230V
• 20% duty cycle at 115V, 30% at 230V
• Steel thickness 24 ga.–3/8 in.
• Weight 79 lb
• Quick Select drive roll

Pros

• Adjustable power
• Portable with a compact size
• Capable of handling various metal thicknesses
• Spool gun is easy to use 
• Long duty cycle, especially at 230V

Cons

• It’s a bit heavy for a portable machine

3. MILLER ELECTRIC MIG Welder

Miller is a vintage brand that’s closing in on its 100th anniversary. The company was founded in 1929, and it’s been a market leader ever since. It’s perfectly suited for auto works, metal art, restoration, DIY projects, domestic usage, ranch repairs, in addition to education and training. 

The Millermatic 211 is among the best devices in class and is definitely a prime-quality welding machine. It’s a compact welder with high accuracy, safety, and durability. You can work with it on steel and aluminum pieces of various thicknesses so that it will serve you well on many types of projects.

This welder doesn’t weigh much, and it’s roughly the size of a microwave oven. Being that compact and lightweight makes it a perfect companion for onsite work. It also comes with lengthy cables, so welding large pieces, like car frames, would be a breeze. 

Among the advanced features that we rarely see in welders is the Fan-On-Demand cooling system. With this addition to the design, you can cool off the power supply, which extends the duty cycle significantly. Or at least, you wouldn’t have to wait too long for the next cycle to start. 

Another ingenious design feature that the Millermatic has is the Smooth-start system. This is a process that minimizes, or even eliminates, spatter as you press the trigger. This is especially beneficial for delicate welding, where the surfaces need to remain clean. It’s also useful to work on a metal frame adjacent to upholstery or other sensitive material.     

The list of special features in the Millermatic is pretty long, so we’ll just say that it’s well worth the high price.

Features and Specifications

• MIG and Flux core
• 110V-240V multi-voltage plug 
• Material thickness is approximately 24 ga to 3/8 in
• Auto-Set accessories dedicated to car repairs
• Fan-On-Demand cooling system
• Quick-Select drive roll
• Smooth-start system  
• Mild Steel 24 ga. – 3/8 in
• Aluminum 18 ga – 3/8 in
• Power range 30-230A
• 40% duty cycle at 240V, 20% at 120V
• Weight 38 lb

Pros

• Reputable brand
• Versatile applications
• Easy operation
• Two essential modes of welding
• Clean and accurate
• Compact and lightweight
• Power source cooling to conserve energy
• Minimal spatter and sparks on startup
• 3-year warranty period

Cons

• Limited compatibility of consumables
• It’s a pricey welder

4. YESWELDER 110V/220V Stick Welder

A budget-friendly stick welder is the best way to learn the ins and outs of welding. It’s also a practical welder to keep around the house or farm for quick repairs. 

This arc welder with a lift TIG option is a versatile machine that is especially clever with thin sheet metals. It wouldn’t be too strong for the delicate pieces the way a MIG or TIG would be. The various power settings of this welder and the inverter stage make it among the best choices for light metal works.

The YESWELDER is fully portable, and it doesn’t have the extra requirements of a shielding gas or extra clean surfaces. Thus, you can carry it around to any location that needs improvement, repairs, or modifications. Even rusty or uneven surfaces weld nicely with Arc welding.   

The presence of the IGBT tech in this welder comes as a bit of a surprise, as it’s often found in more sophisticated and pricier machines.

We are glad to find it here, though, as it takes the stability and consistency of the output power to a new level. In other words, you get clean welding without fussing too much with the settings. 

Overall, this is a simple machine that gets the job done. And it’s offered at an incredible price.

Features and Specifications

• Arc and optional lift TIG 
• AC/DC inverter 
• IGBT soft switch technology
• 110V to 220V adapter
• Overheat and overcurrent protection
• 10-ft cables
• 6-ft power cable
• Plate thickness 1/2″-1/4″
• Power range 20A-125A

Pros

• Fully portable with an easy-carry belt
• Suitable for thin metal sheets
• Stable Arc output  
• Efficient use of power through inversion 
• Beginner-friendly operation
• Clear LCD display 
• Affordable price

Cons

• Has some issues while running a 6010 electrode
• The actual amperage might be a little less than the indicated value

5. Forney 291 Easy Weld 180 ST 120V/230V

This is a hugely popular welder that’s fully portable, versatile, and easy to use. The Forney 291 can weld various metals, both inside the workshop and onsite outdoors.

As the name implies, the Forney 291 Easy Weld is designed to take the guesswork out of the welding process. It doesn’t employ excessive power, so you can use it on fairly thin metal sheets, as well as the regular domestic repair projects.

The Forney machine works only on DC power, so it’s customary to hook it up to gen. It’s equipped with the necessary signal cleaning circuits to be affected by any inconsistencies in the current coming out of the gen.

This welder is best used with an air-cooled 150-amps TIG torch, electrode holders, ground clamps, and suitable gas control accessories.

Features and Specifications

• DC Stick and TIG
• Input power 120V/230V
• Amperage range: 10A-90A at 120V – 10A-180A at 230V
• Works on Thickness from 1/4″ up to 1/2″ mild steel
• Easy Start technology
• Weight 14 lb

Pros

• Versatile functionality
• High-strength all-metal case and frame 
• Clean, stable power generation 
• Lift start capability 
• Portable and easy to store
• Sturdy handle 
• Moderately priced

Cons

• Works best with DC power, so it often needs a gen
• Not compatible with foot pedals

Factors To Consider When Choosing a Dual Voltage MIG Welder

The main factors you should consider are your general usage and available budget.

Once these are decided, you should check out the following points:

Multi-Process or Dedicated MIG Unit

Depending on the types of projects you often work on, you might consider buying a multi-process welder. This should cover a wider range of materials, thicknesses, and accuracy. 

The price of one multi-process machine is often much lower than three separate welders. Also, installing a single unit in the workshop instead of three saves plenty of space. 

However, these perks might not work out in a busy workshop, as one welder would occupy the machine that performs all the functions, and the other welders would need to stand in a queue. Clearly, individual machines would be more appropriate in that setting. 

A dedicated MIG welder could also be a wise choice if most of your work is mostly thick pieces. Or if it’s your method of choice. 

Size and Weight

A large welding machine won’t be an issue if you have a spacious workshop and no plans on working anywhere else.

On the other hand, if you regularly work on various onsite projects or in different places around the house, a portable unit becomes necessary.  

Duty Cycle 

The duty cycle is the time the welder is on compared to how long it needs to stop and cool off. For example, a 30% duty cycle means that a machine running for 10 minutes would be on for 3 minutes then rest for 7. 

A cooling system would help increase the duty cycle and ensure your productivity and consistent work. 

Brand, Price, and Warranty

It’s preferable to choose machines that come from a well-known brand. And even though they might be a bit more costly, they’re often well worth the extra cash. 

However, it should be noted that the accessories and parts are usually exclusive for the big brands, even specific for certain models from the same manufacturer. We rarely see these compatibility issues with generic machines. 

Conclusion and Best Offer

A reliable MIG welder that’s also easy to use, compact, and powerful is hard to find. But the Hobart – 500553 Handler 210 MVP MIG Welder crosses all the boxes with ease. It’s one of the best models to use both inside the workshop and in other places. 

Hobart 210 MVP MIG Welder

Its power settings add a lot to its versatility so that you can use it in auto work, hobbyist projects, domestic repairs, in addition to a host of other applications.  

It’s a bit heavy, though, but not to the point that would make carrying it around too hard. And it does have a hefty price tag attached to it. But, we still believe that it offers a lot of value for the money. 

The Alternative

Another good choice is the MILLER ELECTRIC MIG Welder 120/240VAC.

MILLER ELECTRIC MIG Welder 120/240VAC

It’s a premium quality machine famous for its accuracy, multiple safety features, and ruggedness.