The best welders, compared.
Top pick: Reboot RBM2100 MAX 210 A 6-in-1 Best value: H HZXVOGEN ARC200 stick and lift TIG – About £59.99, 2.7 kg, and 4.3 from 672 reviews, with a clear 13 A versus 16 A supply note. Updated October 2026.
A welder here is a 230 V inverter for stick welding, or a small multi-process set that runs gasless flux-cored wire. You are buying it for gates, brackets, farm repairs, exhausts and light steel, often from a BS 1363 13 A plug. Judge the set by process, by whether 2.5 mm or 3.2 mm rods and 0.8–1.0 mm wire will actually run, and by what the supply can feed. A 200 A or 250 A title on a 2–5 kg inverter is a stated maximum, not continuous output. Mild-steel welding fume has no known safe level. A 13 A plug is an intermittent DIY limit, and a 13 A fuse must not be swapped for a 20 A fuse. The [welder buying guide](/hub/soldering-and-welding/welder/sub/welder-buying-guide) puts process, thickness and the socket in that order before the model table. Stick uses a coated rod and no gas. Gasless flux-cored wire is the portable mild-steel process when you do not want a cylinder. Gas MIG or MAG applies only when the listing includes a gas hose.
A welder here is a 230 V inverter for stick welding, or a small multi-process set that runs gasless flux-cored wire.
42 products checked · 58 hrs invested · +21,400 readers
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Personal buying guide
Question 1 of 2
Which process do you need?
The Reboot RBM2100 MAX is the broadest machine in this comparison because it supports gas MIG, gasless flux-core, stick, and optional lift TIG, and it is the only listing here that clearly includes a gas hose. Its synergic digital controls and support for larger wire spools make it better suited to a growing workshop than the small gasless-only sets. The 4.9-star average is excellent but rests on just 21 reviews, so it carries less review evidence than the HITBOX or H HZXVOGEN. The listing also conflicts on weight, and aluminium requires an optional spool gun that one reviewer struggled to source. It earns the highest score and our top-pick badge for capability and current owner sentiment, with the clear caveat that the sample is small and heavier work may require a 16 A supply.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A home workshop wanting genuine gas and gasless MIG flexibility in one machine.
Less suitable: Buyers prioritising a large review base, included TIG, or confirmed 13 A performance at high output.
Specifications
Common questions
Can this one use shielding gas?
Yes, on the listing. A gas hose is included. A reviewer set it up with 0.6 mm wire and an argon/CO2 mix. Gasless flux-cored wire is also claimed.
Does the box include a spool gun for aluminium?
No. The seller says aluminium needs the optional LBT-150 spool gun. One reviewer could not find a spool gun that fits.
Which weight should you plan for?
The bullets say 7.7 kg. Technical details say 12.7 kg. Both figures are on the listing.
The FEIFANKE ARC200 provides adjustable stick welding, a digital screen, and optional lift TIG, with protections against over-current, over-voltage, overload, and overheating stated. Its 4.6-star average is high, although it comes from only 38 reviews. One owner reports using it at 60–80 A but tripping the domestic supply above roughly 110 A, which is a useful real-world warning against chasing the 200 A headline on a household circuit. The listing contradicts itself on both weight and dimensions, so portability cannot be judged confidently from the published data. At £85.49 with no TIG torch included, it makes most sense as a stick machine for someone who accepts the listing inconsistencies and keeps within the limits of their supply.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Moderate-current stick work where a digital interface and protection features matter.
Less suitable: Buyers needing dependable size data, included TIG hardware, or full output from a domestic socket.
Specifications
Common questions
Why are two weights listed?
The description says 4.8 kg and 28.2 x 18.1 x 9.7 cm. Technical details say 2 kg and 2 x 2 x 2 cm. Both are on the listing. They are not combined.
Is the TIG torch included?
No. The listing says a WP17V torch is sold separately.
What did a reviewer do about the house supply?
One owner runs it at 60–80 A and says more than about 110 A trips the domestic supply.
The ANDELI MIG-135 Plus stands out as the most complete starter bundle, with gasless wire, a hood, auto-darkening glasses, gloves, an electrode holder, and a welding torch listed. Its pulsed gasless MIG and synergic control target beginners working on mild steel, for which the seller claims up to 5 mm. A 4.5-star average from 347 ratings gives it stronger review depth than most premium-priced machines in this set. However, only one written UK review is available beside that rating line, and lift TIG still requires a separately sold torch. At £142.49 it is best considered when included PPE and consumables matter more than obtaining a gas connection or the lowest machine-only price.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A first-time gasless MIG buyer who values an unusually complete PPE and consumables bundle.
Less suitable: Gas MIG, ready-to-use TIG, or shoppers who already own all protective equipment.
Specifications
Common questions
What PPE does the seller include?
A welding hood, auto-darkening glasses, and leather gloves, plus wire, an electrode holder, and a torch.
Is the lift TIG torch included?
No. The listing says the TIG torch is sold separately.
How much written review text sits behind the 347 ratings?
The listing line says 4.5 from 347 ratings. One UK review reports a week or two of hobby use, with the wire feeding.
The DEKO 120 A gives you a compact stick-welding setup for light repair work without paying for wire-feed hardware. Its 4.5-star rating from 52 amazon.co.uk reviews is encouraging, and the LED display and hot start should make basic current setting and arc starting less awkward for a beginner. At roughly 2.3–2.59 kg, it is easy to carry between a bench, gate, or shed job. You need to budget for rods and a proper welding helmet because neither is listed in the box. The listing also gives no duty cycle and does not confirm the plug type, so the 120 A title should not be read as a promise of continuous full-output work from any UK socket.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Low-cost occasional stick repairs where you already own suitable PPE and consumables.
Less suitable: Wire welding, long high-current runs, or buyers wanting a complete starter kit.
Specifications
Common questions
Does this DEKO include welding rods?
No. The included list is the 120 A welder, 1.5 m holder and earth leads, a power lead, a fuse, a brush, a strap, and a manual. A reviewer says to order rods separately.
Is a welding helmet in the box?
A helmet is not in the included-components list. The listing asks whether a face mask is included, and the parts list does not name one.
What output does the listing state?
The size and title say 120 A. No duty cycle is printed. One reviewer notes that gap and still ran 2 mm and 3.2 mm rods.
The SSimder MIG-140 has credible user examples on the sort of thin mild-steel repairs a hobby flux-core machine is bought for, including van-floor patches, sills, an exhaust bracket, and tube. Its 4.4-star rating from 270 reviews and £79.99 price make it one of the more convincing mid-priced gasless options here. The included flux-core wire, MIG gun, earth clamp, and electrode holder let you use wire or stick once you add proper PPE. A reviewer says there is no gas port, so this is not a gas MIG set, and lift TIG still needs a separate torch. Reviews also caution against thick material, so the 140 A label should not obscure its stronger fit with light fabrication and repair.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Gasless mild-steel patches, exhaust brackets, sills, and light tube work.
Less suitable: Gas MIG, thick structural work, or buyers wanting a complete PPE kit.
Specifications
Common questions
Is there a gas connection?
A reviewer says there is no gas port, so gas MIG and gas TIG are not available. The process in the box is flux-cored wire, stick, and a separate lift TIG torch.
Which polarity do flux-core reviews mention?
One reviewer says the earth clamp goes on the positive terminal for flux-core, as the instructions describe.
What did buyers weld with it?
Reviews mention van-floor patches in 1 mm steel, sills, an exhaust bracket, and mild-steel tube. A longer review says it is not for thick material.
The XIAZIR is a stick-only inverter with an LED display, hot start, and ten rods listed, so it can get a prepared buyer practising quickly. Its 4.4-star average from 247 reviews gives it a broader evidence base than several similarly priced alternatives. One reviewer reports welding 10 mm rail and 50 mm box section at a 150 A setting without an over-temperature trip, but that does not verify the 250 A title figure. Other reviews say the leads become very hot and describe the braided earth strap melting after two rods. The claimed 110/220 V operation is also uncertain because one UK reviewer found only 220 V usable, so this is better viewed as a 220 V hobby stick set with notable lead-quality caveats.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Occasional stick work for an owner willing to inspect leads and connections closely.
Less suitable: Continuous high-current use or anyone relying on the dual-voltage claim.
Specifications
Common questions
Did the 110 V setting work for a UK reviewer?
One reviewer says 110 V was useless and 220 V worked. The listing still claims dual voltage.
Are there reports of the earth lead overheating?
Yes. One review says the braided earth strap was melting after two rods. Another says the leads get very hot.
How was it used below the 250 A title figure?
One reviewer welded 10 mm rail and 50 mm box section at 150 A, used the 10 included rods, and reports no over-temperature trip.
The H HZXVOGEN ARC200 is a portable stick welder that combines a 2.7 kg body, 1.5 m leads, and a useful 4.3-star record from 672 amazon.co.uk reviews. At £59.99, it offers the strongest balance of price, review depth, and practical specification among the stick-focused machines here. The seller says intermittent welding is possible from a standard UK 13 A socket, while continuous full-power use needs a 16 A supply; that distinction matters more than the 200 A headline. Lift TIG is available only after buying a separate torch, and no eye protection is included. For ordinary stick repairs with proper PPE and sensible supply limits, this is our best-value pick rather than a complete multi-process kit.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Home stick repairs where portability and value matter more than wire-feed capability.
Less suitable: Thin-sheet MIG work, continuous full-power use on a 13 A socket, or buyers wanting TIG ready from the box.
Specifications
Common questions
Is the lift TIG torch in the box?
No. Included parts are the welder, a 1.5 m electrode holder, a 1.5 m ground clamp, a brush, and a manual.
What does the seller say about a UK 13 A socket?
The listing says intermittent welding on a standard UK 13 A socket, and a 16 A supply for continuous full-power work.
Is eye protection included?
Not in the included list. More than one UK review says you still need goggles or a mask.
The HITBOX HBM145 combines synergic gasless MIG and stick in a 4.5 kg machine, with 0.45 kg of flux-core wire and five rods included for early practice. Its 4.3-star rating from 573 amazon.co.uk reviews gives it the deepest evidence base among the gasless multi-process models in this basket. The straightforward menu and low weight attract praise, while complaints mention a chemical smell, uneven panel fit, cheap-feeling parts, and some returns. Lift TIG and spool-gun use both require extra hardware, and the listing does not establish aluminium capability. It is our preferred gasless all-rounder for a newcomer who wants wire and stick, but the Reboot takes the overall top-pick badge because it adds a confirmed gas path.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Newcomers wanting one portable machine for gasless MIG and stick on mild steel.
Less suitable: Gas-shielded MIG, aluminium work, or buyers sensitive to finish-quality complaints.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the listing say it welds aluminium?
The page asks the question. The bullets name carbon steel, iron, galvanised sheet, and stainless steel, up to 4 mm. A spool gun is sold separately. That is not a yes for aluminium.
Is the TIG torch included?
No. Lift TIG and the spool gun are sold separately. One reviewer could not match a torch they had bought.
What do reviews say about finish and smell?
Praise centres on weight and easy menus. Complaints include a chemical smell, poor panel fit, and cheap-feeling parts, with some returns.
The HAXIAOER MIG145 arrives with 0.5 kg of 1.0 mm flux-cored wire, ten electrodes, and several nozzles, giving you more useful consumables than many budget multi-process sets. Synergic gasless MIG, stick, and optional lift TIG cover the common mild-steel routes without requiring a gas bottle. The seller claims 1–4.8 mm material in flux-core mode and up to 6 mm with stick, though those figures are not independent test results. Its 4.2-star score from 131 reviews is respectable, and £79.99 is competitive for the included kit. You still need proper eye protection, the TIG torch is extra, and the listing does not establish whether a gas connection exists.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A beginner wanting a reasonably complete gasless mild-steel starter set.
Less suitable: Gas-shielded MIG, ready-to-use TIG, or work requiring verified duty-cycle data.
Specifications
Common questions
Which processes does the listing include?
Flux-cored MIG, MMA, and lift TIG. The TIG torch is sold separately.
What thickness does the seller claim?
Flux-cored wire on low-carbon plate from 1 mm to 4.8 mm, and E6013 on iron plate up to 6 mm.
Is an eye shield included?
Not in the included-components list. A reviewer says the kit does not include an eye screen.
The PLASMARGON MIG-200 puts gasless MIG, stick, and optional lift TIG into a £69.99 package, making it one of the cheaper ways into wire welding in this comparison. Its synergic MIG control and included flux-cored wire should reduce the amount you need to buy before a first practice bead. The stated ranges cover 0.8–4 mm in MIG mode and 1–5 mm in MMA, but these are seller claims rather than measured results. Reviews report that some boxes paired 1 mm wire with a 0.8 mm nozzle, preventing MIG use until the correct part was obtained, and one expected mask was missing. The 4.1-star score from 58 reviews is acceptable rather than outstanding, while the analogue display and separately sold TIG torch further limit the 3-in-1 label.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Budget gasless MIG practice and occasional mild-steel repairs.
Less suitable: Buyers wanting gas MIG, a complete TIG setup, or consistently checked box contents.
Specifications
Common questions
Is this a gas MIG welder?
The listing is gasless flux-cored MIG, plus stick and lift TIG. It tells you there is no shielding-gas setup.
Does the wire match the tip?
Reviews say a 0.8 mm nozzle arrived with 1 mm wire, so MIG could not be tried until another nozzle was bought.
Is the TIG torch included?
No. The listing says the lift TIG torch is sold separately.
The DEKO 135 A offers synergic flux-cored MIG, stick, and optional lift TIG in a digital 6.9 kg package. In principle that is a useful combination for a garage user moving between wire and rod work. In practice, the supplied setup appears poorly resolved: the seller notes 1.0 mm wire with a fitted 0.8 mm nozzle, and a reviewer says there is no gas connection despite the broad MIG wording. More seriously, another reviewer found a 20 A fuse fitted in a 13 A plug and moved the machine to an industrial circuit. A fuse above 13 A is not acceptable in a BS 1363 plug, so this machine should not be used in that condition and cannot be recommended without the supply and plug being checked.
Pros
Cons
Best for: No recommendation until the plug, fuse, and supplied consumables have been made safe and compatible.
Less suitable: Unsupervised beginners or anyone expecting gas MIG from the box.
Specifications
Common questions
Can you attach a gas bottle?
A reviewer says there is nowhere to attach gas and that MIG is flux-cored only. The same review says ordinary wire was in the box.
What fuse did a reviewer find in the plug?
A 20 A fuse in place of the 13 A fuse. That reviewer moved the welder to a 20 A industrial circuit.
Does the contact tip match the wire?
The seller says the fitted nozzle is 0.8 mm and the included wire is 1.0 mm, and that you should change the nozzle before use.
The TRQWH packages stick welding and an LED display into a small, inexpensive unit, but its UK review record raises concerns that outweigh the low price. Separate reviewers report a shock on switch-on, a flame or bang from the housing, and household protection tripping. An experienced reviewer also judged its usable output nearer 100 A and did not regard 3.2 mm rods at the advertised 200 A as realistic. The 3.9-star average across 98 reviews is the weakest rating in this comparison. With the plug type unconfirmed and multiple electrical-fault reports, this is not a machine we would recommend treating as a budget bargain.
Pros
Cons
Best for: No clear recommendation given the repeated electrical-fault reports.
Less suitable: Beginners, domestic-garage use, or anyone choosing primarily on price.
Specifications
Common questions
Do UK reviews report electrical faults?
Yes. Separate reviews describe a flame and bang from the housing, a shock when switching on, and the house fuse or consumer unit tripping.
Will it run 3.2 mm rods at 200 A?
The listing claims 200 A and those rod types. One experienced reviewer says it behaves nearer 100 A and that 3.2 mm rods are not realistic.
Is lift TIG included?
No. The listing is a stick welder. Lift TIG is not claimed.
We compared 12 welder listings on amazon.co.uk. Scores use the listing data and review signals captured for this set. They are editorial comparison scores, not laboratory weld tests. Title amperage is not treated as measured output, and no listing here publishes a complete duty cycle. Electrical-fault reports take a substantial deduction. The weights below sum to 100.
Amazon rating and review depth
35%Star rating is read with the number of amazon.co.uk ratings, so a very high average from a small sample does not automatically outrank a well-reviewed machine.
Process capability and supplied equipment
25%Useful, clearly stated capability counts: stick, gasless MIG, a confirmed gas path, synergic control, leads, consumables and PPE. A lift-TIG socket is not a complete TIG kit when the torch is absent.
Value for the stated price
20%Value is judged inside the relevant process group. A cheap stick-only inverter is not marked down merely for lacking MIG. An expensive multi-process claim needs the connections and hardware.
Review sentiment and practical evidence
20%Repeated reports of usable repairs, straightforward controls, portability or reliable feeding help. Recurrent faults, mismatched consumables, poor fit, missing parts, overheating leads, shocks or an unsafe plug fuse reduce the score.
Choose the process and the socket before the amp number on the title. Stick, gasless flux-cored wire and gas MIG are different jobs, and a 13 A plug is an intermittent limit.
A welder in this comparison is a 230 V inverter for stick welding, or a small multi-process set with gasless flux-cored wire and sometimes a lift-TIG socket. UK buyers use one for gates, brackets, farm repairs, exhausts and light steel, often from a BS 1363 13 A plug. Stick uses a coated rod and no gas. Gasless flux-cored wire is the portable mild-steel process when you do not want a cylinder. Gas MIG or MAG applies only when the listing includes a gas hose.
A 200 A or 250 A title on a small inverter is a stated maximum. Without a duty cycle, it is not continuous output, and it is not a promise that a 13 A plug will feed that current.
PLASMARGON reviews and the DEKO 135 A seller note both describe a nozzle or tip that does not match the included wire. MIG cannot start until the tip matches the wire.
A DEKO 135 A review found a 20 A fuse in a 13 A plug. That is not an acceptable BS 1363 condition. Do not copy it, and do not use the machine until the plug and fuse are right.
Process comes first. Stick is for rusty or outdoor mild steel and thicker repairs, with no gas. Gasless flux-cored wire is for portable mild steel without a cylinder. Gas MIG or MAG only counts when a gas hose is in the listing, which here means the Reboot. Aluminium is not a default job for DC lift TIG. Jasic’s distinction is AC for aluminium and DC for steel and stainless. A lift-TIG socket without the torch is not a TIG kit.
A 13 A plug is an intermittent DIY limit. Continuous high output needs a properly designed higher-current circuit. The H HZXVOGEN seller splits intermittent use on a UK 13 A socket from 16 A for continuous full power. Never replace a 13 A fuse with a 20 A fuse. Prefer a published duty cycle: on-load minutes in a 10-minute period at a stated current, as in the arc-welding power-source standard. If the listing omits it, do not treat the title amps as continuous.
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
You have mild steel and no cylinder, and you want wire as well as stick. The HITBOX HBM145 is about £149.99 and 4.5 kg, with 4.3 from 573 reviews, synergic gasless MIG, and a little flux-core wire in the box. Buy a real helmet first. Skip it if you need a gas hose or aluminium.
You already stick-weld and want a light second inverter. The H HZXVOGEN ARC200 is about £59.99 and 2.7 kg, with 4.3 from 672 reviews. Judge the earth clamp, the 1.5 m leads, and whether 3.2 mm rods are realistic on your supply. Skip it if you need wire feed or a torch in the box.
You want self-shielded stick for gates and field work, not a gas MIG that only behaves in still air. The DEKO 120 A is about £33.99, with a shoulder strap and 4.5 from 52 reviews. Rods and a helmet are not included, and no duty cycle is stated. Skip it for wire welding or long high-current runs.
The top pick is ANDELI MIG-135 Plus gasless 4-in-1, with the highest score in this comparison (9.1 out of 10, from 347 amazon.co.uk reviews). For portable stick repairs, the best value is the H HZXVOGEN ARC200 at about £59.99, with 4.3 from 672 reviews and a seller split between intermittent 13 A use and 16 A for continuous full power. Neither score is a laboratory weld test. The TRQWH and the DEKO 135 A are not recommended on the electrical-fault reports in their UK reviews.
H HZXVOGEN ARC200 stick and lift TIG
About £59.99, 2.7 kg, and 4.3 from 672 reviews, with a clear 13 A versus 16 A supply note.
Editorial
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Public UK sources and the amazon.co.uk listings in this set, last checked on 17 October 2026.
This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices and review counts are from amazon.co.uk listings. We did not lab-test these welders.
