Best Multi Purpose Welder of 2021: Complete Reviews With Comparisons

For every welding job, there is a specific machine that would give you the best results you’re aiming for.

The problem is that most projects require you to switch from one type of welding machine to another.

While there are several welding processes, there is no need to buy several machines.

The best multi purpose welder will offer diversity in terms of functionality, regardless if you need to do MIG, TIG, stick, and arc welding.

Best Multi Purpose Welder Reviews

1. Eastwood Elite MP200i

Eastwood is one of the more recognizable names in the welding community.

It is a mainstream brand that offers high-quality machines at a reasonable price.

The Elite MP200i is a mid-tier offering from Eastwood’s line of multi-process welders.

It’s an advanced 200-amp inverter welder for professionals and weekend DIY warriors looking for a reliable three-in-one welder.

Product Highlights

The Elite MP200i boasts the latest IGBT inverter technology, which produces the most stable arc there is.

It features a maximum amperage of 200, allowing it to weld heavy-gauge metals up to 3/8-inch thick.

Depending on your project’s needs, you can use the MIG, TIG, or stick torch that comes with every shipment.

There’s also an assortment of common consumables to use with this professional-grade welding machine.

What separates it from its competitors is that it provides its users with unrivaled control.

For instance, it comes with digital displays that take all the guesswork out of controlling the settings.

It also has infinitely adjustable knobs that allow for more precise tuning of the welds.

With its built-in spot weld timer, you can make flawless spot welds for your automotive restoration projects.

No one would be able to tell the difference between your work and those that came out of the factory.

On one of its sides, you will see an adapter that accepts four-inch and eight-inch spools. Just add a spool gun, and you will be able to weld aluminum too.

Lightweight and compact, you can effortlessly move this machine around. What’s more, finding a storage spot for it won’t be a problem.

All in all, there’s no doubt that this welding machine will make a great addition to any shop or garage.

The Good

One of the Elite MP200i’s biggest strengths is its IGBT technology, which increases the frequency of the primary supply.

It also allows manufacturers to make the machine smaller without compromising its power.

The Bad

This welding machine’s scratch-start TIG is a bit rudimentary.

Also, you’ll find that it is not foot pedal-ready, though this is a minor issue. Most welders do not like the clutter that comes with one anyway.

Pros:

• Compact but powerful
• Easy to use
• Has provision for spool gun
• Allows for precise tuning

Cons:

• Not foot pedal-ready
• Crude scratch-start for TIG

2. Forney Easy Weld 140

Forney Industries has an extensive history as one of America’s longest-running family-operated tools and equipment brands.

It is known for making the very first arc welder, which was made available to the public in the 1940s.

Today, it has thousands of metalworking products, including welding equipment, abrasives, PPEs, and shop tools.

The Easy Weld 140 is one of Forney Industries’ more affordable models. Nevertheless, you should not underestimate its quality.

It is ideal for DIYers and hobbyists, but professionals and metal artists can use it as well.

People who love the color green will also like this machine, as it bears Forney’s signature color.

Product Highlights

The Easy Weld 140 is capable of three different welding processes: TIG, MIG, and stick.

Moreover, it takes convenience to the next level with its easy-to-use three-position switch.

Using this, you can change processes quickly and easily. The only thing you have to set manually is the polarities.

Another feature that gives this machine a leg up on the competition is its TIG lift arc start.

This option is much better than the scratch-start in the Elite MP200i from Eastwood.

While the maximum amperage for this welder is only 140, it is enough to weld a 1/4-inch metal sheet with a single pass.

It is more than sufficient for hobbyists and is acceptable even for professional applications.

In terms of build quality, you can’t deny that the Easy Weld 140 is well put together.

You would not get a sense of its low price tag just by looking at its plastic and metal parts.

Its all-metal wire drive system is also solidly built, making its MIG/Flux welding more reliable.

The MIG function is capable of flux and gas shielded welding.

However, the gas regulator does not come with the package, so you will have to buy it separately.

Also, you can only do TIG welding in DC mode, which means you could not weld aluminum using this machine.

Still, with all its other features, the Easy Weld 140 offers excellent value for a low price.

The Good

There are many good things about this machine, but at the top of the list is its affordability.

It is also surprising to see TIG lift arc start in a product with this price tag.

The Bad

Some of the attachments are not included, like the TIG accessories and gas regulator.

In turn, this could slightly raise the cost on your side.

Pros:

• Great value for money
• Easy to use
• Lightweight

Con:

•  Some accessories not included

3. YesWelder Digital MIG-205DS

YesWelder is relatively a newcomer in the industry, but it is already one of the more popular brands among hobbyists and professionals.

It uses third-party platforms to establish a presence in the welding community but produces high-performing tools nonetheless.

YesWelder has been operating as a direct-to-consumer business since 2018, allowing it to be more responsive to customer feedback.

The Digital MIG-205DS is an example of why the company works closely with its end-users.

This machine ticks many of the items in a welder’s list. What’s more, it comes with a very reasonable price tag.

Product Highlights

The Digital MIG-205DS has the ability to do MIG, flux core, and stick welding.

It is TIG-ready, but you need to buy the torch separately because it does not come with the package.

You also have to buy most of the consumables, as this machine only arrives with a couple of tips.

These items are available from YesWelder, so you can get them for a great price.

One of the biggest selling points of the Digital MIG-205DS is its synergic control setting.

It helps beginners achieve the optimum result that experienced welders are capable of.

It also has a respectable 200-amp maximum output, which is impressive if you consider its excellent duty cycle.

There are other welders in the same price range that offer the same amperage. However, most of them end up cooling after a short time.

In comparison, you can trust this machine to allow you to work uninterrupted for longer periods.

The Digital MIG-205DS comes with a good LCD screen, and it has very intuitive controls.

Again, this plays right into the advantage of entry-level welders who are still trying to gain experience.

The machine is compact and lightweight, too, allowing you to carry it around the shop or garage.

Even better, the handle is ergonomically designed and easy to grip.

Overall, this welder will work great for mid to advanced projects. It is also an excellent backup machine for professional applications.

The Good

The Digital MIG-205DS offers many features you could not find in even some of the more expensive brands.

Worth mentioning is the synergistic control setting, which beginners will find extremely helpful.

The Bad

This welder comes at a low price range, but you will have to buy the consumables separately.

Also, you could not weld aluminum with this machine.

Pros:

• Great value for its price
• Has synergistic control setting
• Lightweight and compact

Cons:

• Consumables not included
• Does not weld aluminum

4. Weldpro 5-in-1 Multi-Process Welder

Weldpro is another name that many professional and DIY welders know very well.

It uses the latest technology and most advanced engineering methods in all its welders, plasma cutters, and accessories.

The Weldpro 5-in-1 Multi-Process Welder is at the lower end of its selection of flagship models.

Being in this unique position allows it to offer much value without putting too big of a dent in your budget.

It is designed for beginners but is versatile enough for professional use.

Product Highlights

The Weldpro 5-in-1 Multi-Process Welder has many of the things that welding enthusiasts and professionals are looking for.

It comes ready for four welding processes, such as TIG, MIG, flux core, and stick.

If you hit the remote button and disconnect the TIG torch, you can hook a spool gun to it and weld aluminum.

This level of versatility alone makes it a great addition to shops and garages, but it has more to offer.

When prepared properly with 220 volts, you can use it to weld up to 1/4-inch of steel.

It also features the synergistic control design, which allows you to adjust the wire speed and voltage simultaneously.

In turn, this eliminates all the guesswork when it comes to basic fine-tuning.

You can also adjust the voltage further by increments of 20 percent if you press the menu button.

With these features, you can easily produce a flawless weld every time. It also comes with a full manual control option, if this is what you prefer.

You would need to move this machine often from one part of the shop to another to get the most use out of it.

Thankfully, this would not be a problem because the machine is surprisingly lightweight.

It also has a reasonably small footprint, so it won’t eat up much valuable space.

The Good

The Weldpro 5-in-1 Multi-Process Welder lets you do multiple processes, which means that you save on both cost and shop space.

It also features the lift-type arc start and locking trigger function, allowing for extended periods of uninterrupted welds.

The Bad

Unfortunately, the package does not include the TIG gas regulator, so you would have to buy that separately.

Also, the machine does not accept a foot pedal.

Pros:

• Offers multiple functions
• Easy lift-type starting for TIG arc
• Lightweight and portable

Cons:

• TIG gas regulator not included
• Not foot pedal-ready

5. Weldpro 200-Amp Inverter Multi-Process Welder

Weldpro makes a second appearance in this best multi purpose welder list with the 200-Amp Inverter Multi-Process Welder.

This model can do MIG, TIG, and stick welding and weld aluminum with an optional spool gun.

It is similar to the other Weldpro machine in terms of value and is one of Weldpro’s flagship products.

The best thing about it is that it can stand up to the demands of DIY and professional projects alike.

Product Highlights 

The 200-Amp Inverter welding machine is designed to make the life of any beginner welder much easier.

Its controls are intuitive, allowing you to switch from one process to another quickly and effortlessly.

It also comes with everything that a novice welder needs, such as a starter set of collets.

Moreover, the displays are bright and prominent, making it easier for you to monitor the amp rating and wire speed.

The machine has an amperage range of up to 200, which means that it packs enough power for bigger tasks.

The fact that it can also handle TIG and flux core is a great plus for professional welders.

This capability allows pros to skip buying multiple machines for various applications.

The Good

The Weldpro 200-Amp Inverter Multi-Process Welder offers versatility at a reasonable price range.

It is an excellent option for entry-level welders but will also serve its purpose in professional applications.

The Bad

Unfortunately, it does not come with a spool gun, so you’ll need to buy it if you want to weld aluminum too.

This could mean an additional expense on your part.

Pros:

• Great value for its price
• Easy to use
• For beginners and pros
• Includes collets
• Can handle bigger projects

Con:

• Spool gun not included

Buyer’s Guide

If you are in the market for a welder, you will come across many brands and models to choose from.

Fortunately, there is a way to shorten the list. Here are some of the features you should consider before making a decision.

1. Multi-process

Most construction or restoration projects are complex and include multiple base materials.

More often than not, you need different types of welders to get the job done the right way.

In this regard, having a multi-process welding machine will make things a lot easier.

You won’t have to purchase several welders to finish the task, making it the more cost-effective route.

Also, you won’t have to worry about having enough space if you get one machine with multiple functionalities.

2. Power Supply

It is important to find out what power supply is available in your shop or garage before choosing a welding machine.

Find out if you need 110V, 220V, or 415V.

3. Amperage

A welding machine’s amperage indicates how much power you can weld with when you use it.

The general rule of thumb is that you need 40 amperes for every millimeter of the base material.

It is important to note that you need to switch to a 400V power current for machines with over 200 amperes.

Multi Purpose Welder FAQs

1. Are multi process welders worth it?

Multi-process welding machines allow you to do different types of welds, so they are worth investing in.

It offers a cost-effective way to finish a DIY project or smaller professional welding jobs.

2. Are combo welders any good?

A combo welder is very effective, especially if you are working on a restoration project and other similar-sized tasks.

However, you would need dedicated welders when it comes to industrial-type applications.

3. Are cheap welding machines worth it?

Technology has evolved over the years, and more and more brands now offer cheap but high-quality products.

Essentially, this means you can also find cheap welders that are worth investing in.

However, you need to do your due diligence and research a particular brand or product before buying.

4. Do I need an expensive welder?

Most expensive welders offer premium quality.

Even so, this does not mean that the only way to get a good welder is to pay a lot of money.

As mentioned, you can now find quality welders for a reasonable price.

5. What is the best welding method for beginners? 

MIG welders are among the best options for beginners.

These machines have a wire welding electrode wound on a spool and then fed into a welding gun at a preselected speed.

What Is the Best Multi Process Welder?

All of these products offer much value.

For instance, the two Weldpro welders are flagship models of similar quality and price with excellent amperage and duty cycle.

The YesWelder machine is a budget-friendly alternative designed for hobbyists and professionals.

However, we think that the Forney Easy Weld 140 is the best option, beating its competition by a very narrow margin.

It is easy to operate and features the TIG lift arc start, which is impressive for a product in its price range.

In terms of return on investment, this welding machine has the most to offer.