The best welding electrodes, compared.
Top pick: EATBALE TIG tungsten Best value: GYS E6013 1.6 mm – A listed pack of 50 at about £7.63, for light mild steel when 1.6 mm E6013 is the rod you need. Updated October 2026.
These nine listings are covered stick rods for manual metal arc on mild steel, plus one mixed pack of TIG tungsten. A sound pack states the classification and the diameter, the coating is dry, and the rod strikes on an ordinary inverter without being asked to do structural work. Is the easy, all-position rod for clean mild steel and practice. It is not a low-hydrogen, not a deep-dig, and not a stainless filler, even when a bullet mentions. The [welding electrodes buying guide](/hub/soldering-and-welding/welding-electrodes/sub/welding-electrodes-buying-guide) sets the order: product type, classification, then diameter against the steel and the machine. One listing is a different product: the pack is TIG tungsten, 1.6 mm by 150 mm, ten pieces. It does not melt into the joint as filler. Keep covered MMA rods and TIG tungsten when that is what you searched for. An electrode holder, or a laboratory reference electrode, is a different buy.
These nine listings are covered stick rods for manual metal arc on mild steel, plus one mixed pack of TIG tungsten.
32 products checked · 58 hrs invested · +21,400 readers
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Personal buying guide
Question 1 of 2
What are you welding?
This ten-piece EATBALE set is for TIG welding, not an alternative to the E6013 stick rods elsewhere in the comparison. Each 1.6 mm by 150 mm tungsten carries the arc and is not consumed as filler in the same way as an MMA electrode. The mixed pack lets a TIG user compare pure, ceriated, lanthanated and thoriated types, which is its main practical appeal. Its 4.8-star amazon.co.uk average comes from only 30 reviews, and one UK buyer had not yet used the product. Another says the ends needed sharpening as usual, so it is not a ready-ground convenience pack. Buy it only if you deliberately need mixed TIG tungstens and understand that the red thoriated pieces require suitable dust controls when grinding.
Pros
Cons
Best for: TIG users deliberately comparing several tungsten compositions.
Less suitable: MMA stick welding or anyone shopping for mild-steel filler electrodes.
Specifications
Common questions
Are these stick welding rods?
No. They are TIG tungsten electrodes, 1.6 mm by 150 mm, ten pieces. They are not filler.
Which colours are in the pack?
Two each of pure tungsten, 2% ceriated grey, 1.5% lanthanated gold, 2% lanthanated blue, and 2% thoriated red.
Do they arrive sharpened?
A UK review says the ends had to be sharpened as usual. Another UK buyer had not used them yet.
Saker supplies 50 E6013 rods at 2.5 mm for mild and low-carbon steel, with AC and DC compatibility claimed in the bullets. One UK reviewer received the rods in a hard plastic tube, which is more reassuring for storage than the bags reported with several rivals. Its 4.7-star average is the highest among the stick packs, but it rests on only 64 reviews and should not outweigh better-established evidence on its own. At £19.99, it is also the most expensive E6013 pack in the comparison. A buyer notes that the 2.5 mm rods burn down quickly, so 50 pieces may disappear sooner than a novice expects during practice. Consider it when protective packaging matters, but it is not the best-value route to a routine 2.5 mm electrode.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Occasional mild-steel work where protective tube packaging is worth paying for.
Less suitable: High-volume practice or a price-led purchase.
Specifications
Common questions
What current does the seller claim?
The bullets say AC and DC, including low-voltage AC. The power-source field says hand powered, which is not a welding current.
How many rods, and what diameter?
50 rods at 2.5 mm. Item weight is 850 g. One review says this diameter burns down quickly.
Is a case included?
The listing does not state a case. One UK review says the rods arrived in a hard plastic tube.
GYS's 2.5 mm E6013 is the strongest all-round choice here for gates, brackets, practice and other non-structural mild-steel work. UK reviewers repeatedly mention easy striking, light spatter and successful use on jobs such as gates and stair sets. The 4.6-star average from 6,085 amazon.co.uk reviews is the deepest feedback base in this comparison, and the recognised GYS name adds confidence. The listing claims 110 rods, but buyers report receiving counts closer to 60 or 90, so the apparent per-rod value is uncertain. No official current range is shown in the listing, and a reviewer's use at about 60 A is only an individual starting point. It is our top pick for a conventional 2.5 mm E6013, though you should check the delivered count promptly.
Pros
Cons
Best for: General mild-steel fabrication and practice where a 2.5 mm E6013 is specified.
Less suitable: Buyers who need a guaranteed rod count or low-hydrogen structural certification.
Specifications
Common questions
How many rods are claimed?
The included line says 110 GYS E6013 rutile rods at 2.5 mm. UK reviews report counts around 60 and around 90.
Where are they made?
Country of origin is Italy. Part number is 085138. Item weight is 2.11 kg and item length is 35 cm.
How do they run, according to reviews?
UK reviewers praise an easy strike, light spatter and use on gates and stair sets. One novice mentions about 60 A. The listing does not state a current range.
Weld Right offers a low-cost E6013 pack that many UK buyers have used successfully with DIY and compact inverter welders. At £9.99 for a title-stated 30 rods, it makes sense when you need a small quantity rather than a trade carton. Its 4.6-star rating from 1,511 amazon.co.uk reviews is encouraging, yet the product data contains a serious buying trap. The title says 2.5 mm while the model number says 1.6 mm, so the actual diameter should be confirmed before you rely on it for a set current range or joint. Reviews also describe bagged delivery and one short count rather than consistently robust packaging. It is a practical small pack only if the seller confirms the size you will receive.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Occasional mild-steel repairs when the supplied diameter has been confirmed.
Less suitable: A job planned around an exact diameter without checking the pack first.
Specifications
Common questions
What diameter does the title state?
The title says 30 rods of 2.5 mm E6013, 300 mm long. The model number says 1.6 mm. Those two fields disagree.
How are they packed?
The seller says small quantities come in hard cardboard. UK reviews often say a plastic bag, and one buyer was two rods short of 30.
Will they strike on a small welder?
Many UK reviews say they do the job on DIY and mini welders. At least one buyer could not get a spark and went back to another brand.
These 1.6 mm E6013 rods give you an inexpensive route into light mild-steel repairs and practice, with 50 rods listed for £7.63. UK feedback includes successful work on thin sheet, although striking the arc can be sensitive to the current setting. The 4.5-star rating across 2,624 amazon.co.uk reviews is substantial, but the listing itself is less dependable than that number suggests. One bullet calls the rods stainless 316L, while the E6013 classification and buyer feedback point to ordinary mild-steel electrodes. That conflict means you should buy them only for a job where E6013 is the intended consumable, not for stainless work. Kept dry and matched to a suitable low current, they are our best-value option in this comparison.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Budget practice and light mild-steel jobs where a 1.6 mm E6013 rod is appropriate.
Less suitable: Stainless steel, structural work or buyers who need unambiguous certification.
Specifications
Common questions
Are these stainless rods?
The included line says GYS rutile E6013, 1.6 mm, 50 rods. A bullet also says stainless 316L. UK reviews say they are mild-steel 6013, and one reviewer says GYS pointed them to a different part for stainless.
What diameter is the pack?
The listing states 1.6 mm and a pack of 50. Item weight is 300 g.
Do buyers find them easy to strike?
Some UK reviews say they strike and do the job on thin sheet. Others say the arc is hard to start and sensitive to the power setting.
The MKGT 2.5 mm pack is a practical general-purpose format for mild-steel jobs that suit E6013, with 50 rods listed at £14.97. It is specified for AC or DC inverter and transformer machines and for flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead positions. UK reviews frequently describe easy striking and satisfactory results on basic repairs when the rods are kept dry. Complaints include sticky starts, plastic-bag packaging and reluctance to use the rods for structural steel. The displayed 4.5 stars from 2,421 reviews are shared with the 1.6 mm variant, so they should not be counted as a separate body of evidence for this exact diameter. This is a sensible everyday option, provided you need general fabrication rather than a specified low-hydrogen structural electrode.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Routine mild-steel fabrication and practice with a suitable MMA welder.
Less suitable: Structural or coded joints that specify a low-hydrogen consumable.
Specifications
Common questions
What is in the pack?
The included line says 50 E6013 rods at 2.5 mm. Item weight is 1.02 kg. Length is not stated.
Mild steel, and which current?
The seller says mild steel, all positions, and AC or DC on inverter or transformer machines.
What do UK reviews repeat?
They often strike and do basic jobs if kept dry. Complaints include a plastic bag, a sticky start, and one buyer who would not use them on structural steel. The review text matches the 1.6 mm MKGT file.
MKGT's 50-pack gives you more 1.6 mm E6013 rods than its newer 30-pack and claims compatibility with AC, DC, inverter and transformer welders. The seller also names flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead positions, making the specification broad for light mild-steel work. One relevant buyer report mentions running light 1.6 mm electrodes at about 40 A, but that is a user example rather than a universal setting. The displayed 4.5-star score from 2,421 reviews cannot be read as evidence solely for this diameter because the available review text matches the 2.5 mm listing. At £14.97, it costs nearly twice as much as the GYS 1.6 mm pack in this set. Choose it for quantity and claimed machine compatibility, not because the shared review count proves this exact variant is better.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Regular light mild-steel practice where you want 50 rods and broad stated machine compatibility.
Less suitable: Buyers relying on variant-specific review evidence.
Specifications
Common questions
What is the diameter?
The title and included line say 50 E6013 rods at 1.6 mm. Item weight is 460 g.
Which machines does the seller name?
The seller says AC, DC, inverter and transformer welders, and all positions.
Are the reviews only about 1.6 mm?
The star line is 4.5 from 2,421. The 50 reviews in the file match the 2.5 mm MKGT listing. One review is titled 1.6 mm electrodes and cites about 40 A.
The TRQWH pack is labelled E4303 (J422), so it should not be treated as an E6013 or low-hydrogen E7018 simply because it appears in the same search. The seller describes a calcium-titanium electrode for mild and carbon steel and claims all-position use. Its selected option is 3/32 inch, roughly 2.4 mm, but the same listing also mentions 1/8 inch, leaving the exact variant presentation unclear. A 4.5-star average looks positive, though there are only 74 reviews and just three UK reviews in the available file. One overseas reviewer thought the rods looked damp, making dry storage worth checking as soon as the pack arrives. This is a cautious alternative for someone specifically seeking E4303, not the clearest general-purpose buy in the set.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Buyers who specifically understand and want the stated E4303 classification.
Less suitable: Anyone looking for a clearly documented E6013 or E7018 pack.
Specifications
Common questions
Is this an E6013 rod?
The listing says E4303 (J422), a calcium-titanium carbon-steel electrode. It does not print E6013.
Which size is selected?
The selected size is 3/32 in and 1 lb. The same listing also names 1/8 in. Item weight is 499 g.
How should they be stored?
The seller says a cool, dry, ventilated place. One US review thought the rods looked damp. Only three reviews in the file are from the UK.
This MKGT pack lists 30 E6013 rods at 1.6 mm, a useful format for light sheet and low-current practice. The technical field states AC compatibility, although it does not confirm DC operation, so check it against your welder before ordering. UK buyers say the rods arrived intact despite simple plastic-bag and rubber-band packaging. The 4.5-star average is based on only 33 amazon.co.uk reviews, which gives less confidence than the older packs in this comparison. Several reviews discuss 2.0 mm rods rather than the advertised 1.6 mm option, so the feedback is not a clean match to the selected product. It suits a small trial purchase, but the GYS 1.6 mm pack offers clearer value and a much larger evidence base.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Trying 1.6 mm E6013 on light mild steel with an AC-capable welder.
Less suitable: Buyers who need well-matched reviews or sealed long-term storage.
Specifications
Common questions
How many rods are in the pack?
The title says 30 E6013 rods at 1.6 mm. Item weight is 260 g. Several reviews in the file talk about 2.0 mm instead.
Which current does the technical field name?
The technical field says AC. It does not state DC.
How did they arrive?
UK reviews describe a plastic bag and a rubber band, with rods that arrived unbroken.
We compared 9 welding electrode listings on amazon.co.uk. The score uses the listing and the review data, not a laboratory weld. Points come off for conflicting diameter or material claims, reviews shared across variants, low UK review coverage, disputed pack counts and irrelevant marketplace attributes. A high star average from a small sample does not outrank a well-supported product on its own. TIG tungsten is scored down for category fit because it is not an MMA filler electrode. The weights below sum to 100.
Rating and review volume
30%The amazon.co.uk star line and whether the review count is large enough to lean on. A small sample does not outrank a deeper set of reviews.
Category fit and classification
25%Whether the pack is a covered MMA rod or TIG tungsten, and whether the classification and diameter are stated without a contradiction.
Review sentiment
20%What UK buyers say about striking, the job they did, packaging and whether the rods arrived as described.
Value at the GBP price
15%The amazon.co.uk shelf price against pack size and usefulness, without dividing a disputed rod count into a per-rod price.
Specification and packaging
10%Stated current, positions and how the rods are packed. Moisture protection and a readable specification score higher.
Choose the classification and the diameter before the star rating. E6013, E4303 and a TIG tungsten are different products. Then check that the coating is dry and that the job is within ordinary mild-steel practice.
A welding electrode in this comparison is a covered rod for manual metal arc on mild steel. Manual metal arc is the stick process. One listing is a different product: the EATBALE pack is TIG tungsten, 1.6 mm by 150 mm, ten pieces. Tungsten carries the arc. It does not melt into the joint as filler. Keep covered MMA rods and TIG tungsten when that is what you searched for. An electrode holder, or a laboratory reference electrode, is a different buy.
The GYS 1.6 mm included line says rutile E6013. A bullet says stainless 316L. UK reviews describe mild-steel 6013. Buy the pack for an E6013 job.
Reseal the pack. ESAB’s storage guidance does not put 6013 through a low-hydrogen oven. A damp coating is a reason to stop, not a reason to invent a bake cycle.
A 4.6 from thousands of amazon.co.uk reviews is buyer satisfaction. It does not qualify a joint. Trailers, lifting gear and anything that carries people need a competent welder and the consumable they specify.
Product type comes first. This set keeps covered MMA rods and one TIG tungsten pack. A packet that says E6013 is the general mild-steel rod. A packet that says E4303 (J422) is a calcium-titanium carbon-steel grade for similar general work. Do not relabel E4303 as E6013, and do not treat it as low-hydrogen. When a European designation is printed, read it.
E6013 is normally AC or DC. Use the current the packet states. The MKGT 30-pack technical field says AC and does not state DC. Several other E6013 packs claim AC and DC. Ignore marketplace power-source lines that say solar powered or hand powered. Compare price per rod only when the count is stable. The GYS 2.5 mm line claims 110 rods and buyers report fewer, so the title is a poor divisor. A 30- or 50-rod pack suits someone who welds rarely. Reseal the packet.
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
You want a 2.5 mm E6013 for mild-steel gates, brackets and practice on an ordinary inverter. GYS E6013 2.5 mm is about £16.65, with 4.6 from 6,085 reviews. Buyers dispute the claimed count of 110. Skip it for a low-hydrogen structural joint.
You want 1.6 mm rods for light mild steel and a low shelf price. GYS E6013 1.6 mm lists 50 rods at about £7.63, with 4.5 from 2,624 reviews. A stainless 316L bullet conflicts with the E6013 name. Skip it for stainless or structural work.
You want to compare tungsten types, not buy stick filler. The EATBALE pack is ten 1.6 mm by 150 mm electrodes at about £24.99, with 4.8 from 30 reviews. Two are 2% thoriated. Skip it for MMA mild-steel repairs.
For general mild-steel fabrication and practice, the top pick is the GYS E6013 2.5 mm at about £16.65. UK reviewers mention easy striking and light spatter, and 4.6 from 6,085 amazon.co.uk reviews is the deepest feedback in this set. Buyers report rod counts nearer 60 or 90, not the claimed 110. For light practice, the best value is the GYS E6013 1.6 mm at about £7.63 for a listed pack of 50. A bullet that says stainless 316L conflicts with the E6013 name and with UK reviews. These scores are amazon.co.uk listing comparisons, not a procedure qualification.
GYS E6013 1.6 mm
A listed pack of 50 at about £7.63, for light mild steel when 1.6 mm E6013 is the rod you need.
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 electrodes.
