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Best welding rods UK: picks for different jobs

Updated: October 2026

If you are choosing the best welding rods UK shoppers can buy from this particular amazon.co.uk set, the answer changes with the job. A 1.6 mm rod can help on lighter sheet, while 2.5 mm is a more useful general-purpose size for many shed repairs. Brand, classification and reliable pack information matter more than the largest star number. The [welding electrodes comparison](/hub/soldering-and-welding/welding-electrodes) contains all nine displayed products. This guide narrows them by use case. It does not claim that one packet is best for every welder, and we did not perform laboratory weld tests. Shelf prices are GBP figures from amazon.co.uk. A qualifying purchase through our links can earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

If you are choosing the best welding rods UK shoppers can buy from this particular amazon.co.uk set, the answer changes with the job.

Our top picks

GYS GYS E6013 2.5 mm

Best overall

GYS GYS E6013 2.5 mm
9.2/10about £16.65
View offer
GYS GYS E6013 1.6 mm

Preis-Tipp

GYS GYS E6013 1.6 mm
9.0/10about £7.63
View offer
MKGT MKGT E6013 2.5 mm, 50

Alternative

MKGT MKGT E6013 2.5 mm, 50
8.8/10about £14.97
View offer
On this page
  1. 1.Best for what: the shortlist
  2. 2.Picks for thin sheet and low-current practice
  3. 3.Everyday 2.5 mm choices
  4. 4.Products to skip for the wrong job

Best for what: the shortlist

The GYS E6013 2.5 mm is the top pick for general mild-steel work in this set: a recognised brand, 4.6 from 6,085 amazon.co.uk reviews, and UK buyers who mention easy striking and light spatter. The listing claims 110 rods, but reviews report totals around 60 and around 90. For best value, the £7.63 GYS E6013 1.6 mm pack lists 50 rods for light practice. A stainless 316L bullet conflicts with the E6013 name. MKGT’s 2.5 mm 50-pack at £14.97 states AC and DC, but its 4.5 from 2,421 reviews is shared with the 1.6 mm variant. Saker’s £19.99 pack has a reported hard tube and only 64 reviews.

Picks for thin sheet and low-current practice

GYS 1.6 mm is the starting point for lighter mild steel. Buyers have used it on thin sheet, and 2,624 reviews outweigh the newer thin-rod options. Some users find the arc hard to start or sensitive to the power setting. It suits someone willing to practise current and arc length. MKGT’s 30-pack costs £10.97 and has 33 reviews, several of which discuss 2.0 mm rods. The 50-pack costs £14.97 and claims AC, DC, inverter and transformer use. One report mentions about 40 A. That is a buyer’s example, not a setting for every joint. A thin rod burns down quickly and is not for foil-like sheet. Diameter and maker current bands are in the welding rod size guide.
GYS GYS E6013 2.5 mm

Testsieger

GYS GYS E6013 2.5 mm
9.2/10about £16.65
View offer

Everyday 2.5 mm choices

Reviews of the GYS 2.5 mm describe gates and stair sets, with one novice starting near 60 A. That figure is not a specification, and the listing gives no current range. MKGT 2.5 mm lists 50 rods, all-position use and AC and DC at £14.97. Basic welds are often satisfactory if the rods stay dry; sticky starts and plastic bags recur. Weld Right is £9.99 for a title-stated 30 rods, but the title says 2.5 mm and the model number says 1.6 mm. Saker is £19.99 for 50 rods, and the tube only helps if you keep it closed and dry. The welding rods buying guide covers pack codes and quantity before price.

Products to skip for the wrong job

TRQWH is labelled E4303 (J422), not E6013. Its selected size is 3/32 inch, while the listing also names 1/8 inch. The £24.99 EATBALE pack is ten 1.6 mm TIG tungstens, including thoriated pieces, not a stick filler. A 4.8-star average from 30 reviews does not make it an MMA rod. None of these products is E7018. If a drawing or competent designer specifies a low-hydrogen electrode, buy that consumable and apply its storage rules. An easy-striking 6013 can suit a garden gate or practice coupon without being right for a trailer chassis. Read 6013 vs 7018 before treating a general-purpose pack as a structural winner.

Common questions

Which pack is the sensible default?
For general non-structural mild-steel work, GYS E6013 2.5 mm is the most convincing default in this set because it combines clear classification, established feedback and a familiar brand. Check the delivered count, and choose a smaller diameter instead if your material and machine require it.
Is GYS worth more than Weld Right?
GYS 2.5 mm costs more, but its diameter and brand identity are clearer and its review base is larger. Weld Right can be economical for a small job, although its title and model number disagree between 2.5 mm and 1.6 mm. Confirming the supplied size is essential.
Are the two MKGT review counts separate?
No. The 1.6 mm and 2.5 mm MKGT products both show 4.5 stars from 2,421 reviews, and the available review text is shared. Do not add them together or treat them as two independent samples. Read variant-specific comments cautiously.
Is a higher star rating always a better rod?
No. Star averages reflect the listing’s buyers, variants and expectations, not a controlled comparison of weld quality. Classification, diameter, storage condition and suitability for your procedure come first. A 4.8-star TIG tungsten is still the wrong product for an MMA welder.
Which option suits a small inverter?
A 1.6 mm E6013 can suit lower-current practice, while many small inverters also run 2.5 mm rods within their rated range. Check output, duty cycle, polarity and the electrode maker’s current band. Do not rely solely on “inverter compatible” in a marketplace bullet.
What if the weld carries a safety-critical load?
Stop using a consumer ranking as the specification. Structural or coded work needs an approved design, suitable material preparation, the specified consumable and a competent welder. None of the displayed stick packs is E7018, and this comparison does not establish structural suitability.

Related pages

How to use welding rods

Welding electrodes

6013 vs 7018 welding rods: which one you should use

Welding rods buying guide before you compare prices

Welding rod size: 1.6 mm or 2.5 mm on mild steel

Sources

Public UK sources and the amazon.co.uk listings in this set, last checked on 17 October 2026.

  1. HSE, mild steel welding fume (retrieved 17 October 2026)
  2. HSE, health risks of welding (retrieved 17 October 2026)
  3. HSE WL3, welding fume control (retrieved 17 October 2026)
  4. ESAB OK 46.00 (retrieved 17 October 2026)
  5. ESAB, storing and redrying stick electrodes (retrieved 17 October 2026)
  6. TWI, thoriated tungsten electrodes (retrieved 17 October 2026)
  7. TWI, rutile and cellulosic electrodes (retrieved 17 October 2026)
  8. The Welding Store, ESAB OK 46.30 2.5 mm (retrieved 17 October 2026)