Welders are typically expensive, so you need to be keen when choosing one so you end up with a product that will work well for a long time.
You can’t afford to get a cheap product that will stop working in a few months; a good welder should work for years without significant issues.
You only buy an excellent welder if you choose from a reputable brand like Hobart. Hobart manufactures many products, and you might need help narrowing it down to the best one. Let us look at some of their best products and see what they offer;
The Top Three Best Hobart Welder
Top 7 Best Hobart Welder Reviewed
1. Handler 140 MIG Welder
This welder will be a good choice for someone looking for a versatile tool for small projects around the house without spending too much money.
- Self-resetting motor protection
- Industrial cast aluminum wire-drive system
- Quick select drive roll
- Five-position voltage control
- Self-resetting motor protection
- Industrial cast aluminum wire-drive system
- Quick select drive roll
- Five-position voltage control
Specs
- Processes: Flux-cored, MIG
- Input voltage: 110V-120V
- Input frequency: 60Hz
- Wire feed: 40-700 IPM
- Weight: 57 lbs.
- Amp range: 25-140A
- Current: DC
Features
Voltage control selector. This welder has a 5-position controller for its arc, allowing smooth control over it to produce a stable arc that can work well with all thicknesses based on your settings.
High base metal compatibility. The Handler 140 MIG welder will make your work easier since it is compatible with many materials. You can use it up to 24 gauge with steel, aluminum, and stainless steel.
High quality for durability. Hobart assures you of high quality when you get this product, and you can be sure it will serve you well for years. An aluminum drive system ensures superior quality and performance with minimal damage.
It is flexible in welding processes. You need a welder that gives you the freedom to use more techniques to achieve the results you want, and this is a good choice for you.
It can work comfortably with standard MIG welds, but you can also use it for Flux-cored welding.
This choice makes it highly versatile, and you could use it for anything from vehicle body works, house maintenance, or farm projects. Changing the processes makes it easier to work on more projects depending on how skilled you are.
It operates with 115V. This welder works with the standard household current, about 115V, making it a good choice for homeowners who don’t need heavy welding jobs. It can, however, fail to hold up in industrial use since it is not that heavy-duty.
If you are looking for a heavy-duty welder, you might have to consider a more powerful option that operates at 240V since that is the industrial standard.
Wire feed speed of 40-700 IPM. This welder has a considerable wire feed speed with a wide range, allowing users of different skill levels and rates to work with it.
2. Handler 210 MIG Welder
This excellent MIG welder will suit you for various tasks since it is easy to transport, install and use; therefore, it will be worth looking into. It can work on auto body repair, home welding, and small-scale industrial projects.
- Built-in contactor
- Standard inbuilt spool gun circuitry
- Dual voltage input
- Self-resetting thermal overload protection
- 10-foot HR-100 gun
- 10-foot work cable with clamp
- User manual
- Internal gas solenoid valve
- .030 in. (0.8mm) contact tips
- Power cable with plugs.
- Material thickness gauge
- .030 inch sample spool and a self-shielding flux-cored rod
- Quick Select drive roll for .024 inches and .030/.035 inch flux-cored wire
Specs
- Processes: Flux-cored, MIG
- Input voltage: 110V-240V
- Input phase: 1-phase
- Input frequency: 60Hz
- Wire feed: 40-770 IPM
- Weight: 79 lbs.
- Amp range: 25-140A
- Current: DC
Features
It has a wide range of input voltages. This welder can work with most currents from 110V to 240V, making it highly versatile.
You can use it with nearly all generators, and all standard power outlets will run it and help you do your job.
These voltages use the same port to connect it quickly, and you won’t need to change any settings for it to work.
This setup is excellent for beginners who cannot master how everything works in connecting welders.
Flexibility in base metal thickness. Welders have a lot of control over how well your base metal will handle the heat, and this product has you covered. It can weld anything from a quarter of an inch to 3/8 inches.
This capability makes it a perfect choice for home projects since most metals are in between that thickness range.
If you have to weld thicker metals, you will need to get a more powerful welder to be sure of the weld’s structural integrity.
Small size for ease of transportation. If you do a lot of fieldwork, this will be a suitable welder for you since it is considerably small, allowing you to carry it easily. You can put it in the trunk of your car and lift it with one hand into remote places.
This mobility, along with its wide range of operating voltages, means it can work in areas where you have to use a generator. The Hobart Handler 210 welder will be a great asset for small tasks or heavy-duty shop welds.
User safety features. An electric shock is a common risk when welding or using any electrical equipment. This welder ensures you don’t risk it since it keeps the wire cold until you pull the trigger.
This feature makes the device easier to operate, and it is safer for the user since you have more control over the current.
Additional use control. This welder has settings that allow you to tune the output parameters to best get the perfect arc performance in your circumstance.
This customizability ensures you attain a better bead appearance with fewer spatters, so it is easier to clean up after.
Ease of maintenance. This welder is an American product, so it is easy to maintain and repair as you can find its spare parts relatively quickly in most stores.
It also comes with a warranty, so you will get a replacement if it breaks down within the warranty time frame.
3. Hobart handler 190 MIG Welder
This highly versatile welder is an excellent option for users who want to install and use the welder easily. It has numerous voltage settings to make its setup easier as it works with most power outlets.
- Industrial cast aluminum wire drive
- Easy to install
- Seven voltage settings
- Convenient polarity changeover
- 10 foot H100S4-10 gun
- Gas solenoid valve and regulator with gas hose
- User manual
- 10-foot HR-100 gun
- 10-foot work cable with clamp
- Welding guide and material thickness gauge
- .030 inch sample spool and self-shielding flux-cored wire
- Quick Select drive roll
Specs
- Processes: Flux-cored, MIG
- Input voltage: 220V/230V/240V
- Input phase: 1-phase
- Rated output: 30% @130A
- Wire feed: 40-770 IPM
- Weight: 68 lbs.
- Amp range: 25-190A
- Current: DC
Features
It can weld many base metals easily. This welder works well with any metal from 24-gauge to 5/16 inch steel, making it a choice for many projects. With this fantastic tool, you can weld anything at home or at a construction site.
It can weld mild steel, stainless steel, flux core, and aluminum, making it practical for most welders regardless of their working environments.
You can make strong welds on strong metals with one pass and expect high quality that will last long.
It is powerful. This tool can operate optimally at 230V, making it an excellent option for most heavy-duty welders, but it also has challenges.
You might not be able to power up and use this welder if you have a 120V power outlet or generator.
Its high power requirements limit its versatility, but it will be an excellent option for a shop or large-scale welding project.
It has a wide range of output amperes. Despite its limitation in input, this welder is quite versatile in output, and it will serve you well. It has an output amperage of between 25 and 190 amps, making it compatible with many rods.
This compatibility with rods will allow you to work with many kinds of rods; thus, you can weld metals of different thicknesses and properties.
It has refined speed control. This welder has top-level speed controls that allow you to manage its output parameters, so you only get it to burn as hot as you need it to. This change ensures you get the best arc performance with fewer spatters.
Having better arc performance means that the rod will not burn as brightly, which reduces the chances of accidents and makes the whole process much safer. It has seven voltage options that make it even easier to control how the welder works.
It can weld aluminum. This welder has space for an optional spool gun that allows you to weld aluminum.
You can plug the spool gun directly with the 100 spool runner and eliminate the feeding problem that most welders have when dealing with aluminum.
You won’t need to purchase an external adapter or control box to weld aluminum, and you can always switch back to your standard welding when you need to.
It is easy to install and use. You can connect all the cables and be ready to weld in a matter of minutes if you have basic knowledge of how welders work.
If this is hard for you, there is a detailed guide in the package to help you figure it out and do the best project you can.
4. Hobart handler 125 MIG Welder
Are you looking for a reliable and high-quality welder that is easy to use? Then the Hobart handler 125 MIG welder is the best choice for you since it offers you a fantastic combination of features and user-friendliness that will make a beginner weld like a pro.
- Four output voltage ranges
- Built-in gas solenoid
- Wide output range 25-130 Amps
- Built-in contactor
- 8-foot H100F2-8 gun
- Clamped work cable
- User manual
- (2) – 0.030 contact tips
- Power cord with molded plug
- Weld set -up chart
Specs
- Processes: Flux-cored, MIG
- Input voltage: 110V-120V
- Input phase: 1-phase
- Rated output: 25% @80A
- Wire feed: 88-545 IPM
- Weight: 57.5 lbs.
- Amp range: 25-190A
- Current: DC
Features
It has a wide output range. This welder has an output range of between 25 and 130 amps, allowing welds for up to 1/8 inch steel using flux-cored rods. This flexibility will enable you to work on many different metal bases as it is easy to change.
4 Output voltage settings. These settings allow users a wide operating window for each rod they choose. You can make quick and easy adjustments in thickness and joints to get the output you want.
It has an inbuilt gas solenoid. This feature makes it easier for a user to switch flux-cored and MIG welding, making the whole experience more user-friendly. This makes it a good choice for a beginner or experienced welder.
It is safe and easy to use. Welders handle a lot of electricity, and you need to have everything as simple as possible to ensure you can connect it and use it without risking an injury. Connecting complicated electrical equipment could quickly get messy, and Hobart knows this.
The Hobart Handler 125 is an impressive piece of machinery that is amazingly easy to use, even for beginners.
If you have issues with the connections, you could always check the user manual to get a better idea of getting around it.
In-built contactor. This electrical safety feature keeps you safe from an electric shock since the wire will not have a current in it until you pull the trigger.
If you touch the welder’s wrong part, you will not get an electric shock unless the welder is working, keeping you safe.
It has a high-quality build. This product has high-quality parts that ensure you will use it for over a decade without replacing it. Hobart offers you a 5-year warranty to assure this quality if the system fails.
If you the product with any form of damage, you can return it to Amazon and get a new product that fits your needs and standards.
5. Hobart stickmate 160i Welders
This welder is a fantastic choice for many users, and it will suit you well regardless of where you want to use it. It is small, making it perfect for you to go welding in a remote area.
- Hot start technology
- Infinite amperage technology
- Adjustable shoulder strap
- Dual voltage capabilities
- 10-foot electrode cord with a holder
- 6.5-foot power cable with MVP™ adapters for 120V and 240V
- Work cable with clamp
Specs
- Processes: Stick (SMAW)
- Input voltage: 110V-120V & 220V-240V
- Max open circuit voltage: 91 VDC
- Duty cycle: 30% @160A
- Weight: 57.5 lbs.
- Amp range: 25-190A
- Current: DC
Features
Dependable. When you get a product for $450, it is fair to expect high-quality performance from it, and this device offers you that.
It will offer fantastic performance without stutters, and you can be sure to get high-quality welds that won’t fall apart under pressure.
It has a heavy-duty holder that allows you to carry it around without worrying about breaking the handle. Everything about this welder is to make it last, and you will love it for its superior quality.
Easy to carry and store. This device weighs only 20 pounds, making it incredibly easy to carry or store.
It has a compact size that allows you to fit it into small places around your garage or shop, so you have a clean setup when you aren’t using it.
The small size is convenient since it ensures you store the welder correctly at all times and you don’t risk damage to it.
You can carry it with one hand for field projects and use it with a generator if you work in a remote area without electricity.
Hot start technology. This technology allows the welder to start quickly and reliably each time, and this ensures you get a stable arc that makes your work more refined.
This technology also makes it easy for beginners since they will have a better chance to focus on welding rather than the welder.
It works with 120V and 240V input. This welder can work with the 120V you get from a standard home outlet; thus, you can use it for light welds at home. It also works with 240V industrial grade; it can do heavier tasks with thicker metals.
The flexibility in its power usage, along with its small size and lightweight, make it an excellent choice for a long list of jobs. You can connect the receptacles for 120V or 240V without any tools; thus, it saves your time.
DC output. This welder produces a powerful DC output with advantages, including fewer arc outages, less spatter, and less ticking. All these advantages come down to mean they give you better arc control as you weld.
DC is the best output current for stick welding, making the Hobart Stickmate an excellent choice for anyone looking for a stick welder.
Ease of use and increased user control. Welding is an art, and you need to have as much control over the process and output to get the result you want, which is what Hobart offers you. This welder allows you to change settings to precisely what you need for your project.
You can easily make adjustments by as little as one amp to give you precisely what you need. The connectors and general operations for the welder are simple to use, and if you get stuck, you can always use the user manual that comes with the product.
6. Multi-Handler 200 Multi-process Welder
This welder is the best choice for you if you are looking for an option that will weld different styles and allow you to weld a wide range of metal bases. It is user-friendly and has dual voltage capabilities to increase its flexibility in operation.
- User-friendly interface
- Multi-process- MIG, DC TIG, TIG, & Flux-cored
- Dual voltage capabilities
- Run in technology
- 12.5-foot TIG torch with back cap, nozzle
- Material Thickness Gauge
- 10-foot work cable with clamp
- .030 inch sample spool (0.8 mm) solid wire
- Power cord and MVP plugs for 120 and 240 V
- 10-foot HR-100 gun
- Quick Select (TM) drive roll
- 10-foot electrode cable with heavy-duty holder
- Internal gas solenoid valve and gauge regulator.
Specs
- Processes: Flux-cored, MIG, TIG DC, Stick
- Amp range: 30-300 A
- Input phase: 1-phase
- Welding mode: CC/CV
- Wire feed: 40-770 IPM
- Weight: 38.4 lbs.
- Current: DC
Features
It has multi-process capabilities. This incredible welding machine can do MIG, DC TIG, and Stick welding, making it a highly versatile option that will suit you if you have a big project. It can weld a wide range of metals; thus, it is a solid option if you haven’t decided on specifics.
Its capabilities will give you more prospects if you have a shop, and it is always a good idea to have a tool that can do several jobs at hand to make everything easier on you.
Dual voltage operation. This device will allow you to connect receptacles for 120V and 240V inputs without any tools.
This flexibility in input voltage further extends the welder’s practicalness, offering more use environments.
You can use it in high-level construction works if you have a 240V outlet, or you could opt for a lighter task and use the 120V option. Both these offer high-quality output that will last long in the correct situations.
Easy to use. This welder features a process button and two knobs that allow you to set up and change the machine quickly.
You don’t need the expertise to shift from one mode to another; as long as you know what you want, you can get it with the push of a button.
Spool gun ready. The spool guns make it easier to feed the welder, and they allow you to weld aluminum which would be otherwise troublesome.
You have to get an adapter or control box to connect a spool gun with most welders, but this company has your back.
You can connect the spool gun directly to this welder, allowing you to weld aluminum which is usually softer and hard to work.
It comes with a 5-year warranty. The transformers, stabilizers, and main rectifiers all have warranties, so you can have the company replace them for you within the time frame.
The generators have warranties of three years, and the company will incur all costs if it breaks.
The gun, MIG, Plasma, and TIG torches all have a one-year warranty that shows how much the manufacturers of this welder believe in their product’s quality.
It’s lightweight and easy to carry around. When people think of a welder, they imagine something over 100 pounds, which makes it impossible to carry it, but this is not the case with the Hobart Handler 200 Multi-process welder.
This welder is light and easy to carry, so you can move it around more quickly as you work on the field. It has sturdy handles to give you firm support as you move it.
7. Hobart Ironman 240
This welder is the final product on our list, yet it is among the best since it combines several unique features to give you a fantastic experience. Efficiency is crucial in a welder, and this product is all about efficiency and quality output.
- Infinite wire feed control
- Run in technology
- Reversible drive rolls
- Hinged feeder panel
- I5 feet MICH gun
- Power cable with plug
- 10-foot cord with clamp
- 5-foot gas hose flow gauge regulator
- .035 and .030 contact tips
- .035 and .030 inch drive rolls
- In-built running gear.
Specs
- Processes: MIG, Flux Cored (FCAW)
- Amp range: 30-280 A
- Input phase: 1-phase
- Wire feed: 0-700 IPM
- Weight: 186 lbs.
- Current: DC
Features
Infinite voltage control. The more control you have over a welder, the better. This welder has an infinite voltage control system that allows the user to fine-tune the output and get what they want from the welder.
This allows you to get the best settings based on the base metal, how dirty it is, its position, and environment to ensure you have a fantastic arc performance. A stable arc means you don’t worry about spatter or clean up after the weld.
It has arc optimization features. This welder delivers up to 280 amps of power in DC form, which is more stable; thus, it produces a flawless weld. An arc optimization feature gives you the perfect arc to reduce spatter and simplify clean-up.
Flexible spool hub assembly. This product’s spool hub can take 2-, 33-, 10- and 45-pound spools, and changing between them is a task that will take a few seconds and doesn’t need any tools. This feature makes the process simpler for beginners and a time saver for pros.
In-built cooling system. This welder has an intelligent cooling system that only comes on when the welder gets hot.
This on-demand power up cuts power consumption and ensures the fan does not draw unnecessary contaminants into the welder.
It can weld aluminum. This welder has space for an optional spool gun that allows you to weld aluminum.
You can plug the spool gun directly with the 100 spool runner and comfortably handle aluminum which is a problem for most welders.
You won’t need to purchase an external adapter or control box to weld aluminum, and you can always switch back to your standard welding when you need to.
What Makes Hobart Welders Stand Out?
Hobart is a fantastic brand, and it can be an excellent choice for you if you are looking for a reliable welder.
They have some features that make them stand out from the competition, and we have to look at them to help you see if this is the best brand for you;
1. User-friendliness
Hobart creates products that their users can connect and use with ease. All their welders come with a detailed user manual, but chances are, you won’t get a chance to use it since you can set up the welder with basic electrical knowledge.
Their control interface is also highly reliant on the user to adjust the settings and get what you want for the best welding experience.
You can be more at ease as a learner with Hobart since you don’t need too much time to figure out their welders.
2. Arc optimization features
The arc is the most crucial part of the welding process, and getting it right will make your work better.
Hobart welders emphasize this and add features that make the process much easier for you to get a better arc.
For most of their welders, you have a lot of control over the output parameters to ensure you fine-tune the arc to your situation for the best result.
3. Its warranties and high product quality products
All Hobart welders come with a standard warranty of between 3 and 5 years.
The specific parts also have separate warranties to assure you of the product’s high quality and durability.
Hobart doesn’t hold back when producing their equipment. You will get a small-sized, easy-to-carry yet high-performing and durable welder that will last you for decades. It is always crucial to use and store the welder correctly for it to work as you expect.
4. Multi-voltage input
A good welder should allow you the freedom to connect to as many voltages as possible. This flexibility ensures you can work in many environments without carrying a generator or adapters.
All Hobart welders work with various input voltages from the standard 120V to 240V for industrial use.
This ensures you can use the same welder in the shop, at home for light welds, and in heavy-duty construction projects if the need arises.
5. Aluminum welding
Aluminum is tricky to weld since it is softer than other metals; thus, it requires special conditions.
Most welders don’t have such capabilities, so you have to get another welder specifically for aluminum.
Hobart welders are more flexible in this regard, and they will allow you to add a spool gun so you can weld aluminum without spending more cash. This is advantageous, especially since the device is easy to connect, and you won’t need any tools.
MIG Welder Maintenance
Welders are relatively expensive, and when you get one, you need to take good care of it so it lasts longer and you don’t have to repair it constantly.
Here are some essential maintenance tips you could use on your MIG welders to ensure they stay in optimal condition;
- Turn off the power and unplug the welder. When you aren’t using the welder, follow its turn-off procedure according to the manual and once it is off, disconnect it from the power source. This is important to ensure there is no voltage passing through the welder and the parts inside the welder get to cool down. It will also make the work environment safer as there will be fewer cables, and the welder will be safe to touch.
- Cover the unit when you aren’t using it. Most welding happens in gardens, construction sites, or other outdoor environments with many pollutants. It would be best to cover the welder when you aren’t using it to keep all the dust and debris out. Dust can settle inside the welder components and jam them up, which impedes your welder’s cooling and general operation. There will be higher chances of a dirty welder breaking down, so keep it as clean as possible.
- Turn off the gas and purge the lines. The gas cylinders for MIG welders have tremendous air pressure, and this pressure can be a problem for your system if you don’t use it correctly. Purging the lines will take the pressure out of your welder, which will allow it to last longer without needing servicing. Continuous pressure on the welder can damage it and cause leaks, leading to a gruesome accident.
- Wrap the gun safely. When you aren’t using the welder, please don’t leave the gun lying on the floor since it can trip someone or get damaged. Instead, wrap it and hang it on the welder where it won’t be a problem. Don’t wrap it too tightly since this could damage the gun liner and force you to replace it in several weeks. Make the loop loose so the cable doesn’t twist up and the machine can work the following day.
- Make sure your ground clamp is tight. You must do this maintenance practice every month to ensure your MIG welder is safe to use. There are constant temperature changes in welding, which can cause the clamp to loosen, which is problematic. Every three months, check the weld cables and replace or repair those with issues. Breaks in lines can increase resistance which puts a more significant workload on your welder and could bring the need for a repair closer.
How to Choose the Best Welder For Your Application
There are many brands of welders on the market, and this flood of options can make it impossible to choose the right product. Here are some factors that could help you pick out the best welder for your application;
- Input power. There are several options for input voltages ranging between 120V and 460V, which is one of the most important considerations when choosing a welder. You have to consider the power supply option and how much power it can deliver, then choose a welder that works with it. You also need to think about the kind of work you want; the welder for heavy-duty welds generally needs more power to work on stronger welds.
- How much space do you have for the welder? This is another crucial factor you have to consider when choosing the generator, and it compounds weight size and portability. If you want a welder for use on the field, you should consider getting a smaller, more portable welder that will be easy to carry around. If the welder is for a shop and doesn’t need moving, you can get a more prominent option with more power.
- The material thickness you want to weld. The welder you choose will determine what you can weld; therefore, you must keep the welding materials in mind. Powerful welders are suitable for thick metal welding. If you want to weld thin metals, you can have a 120V welder and get high-quality work. If the metals are thicker, you need a more powerful welder to penetrate the metal enough to form a thick weld that can withstand heavy-duty work.
- Welder features and your budget. You look at the price tag in the product since you can only get what you can afford. After you have a price range, look for the product within the range that best suits your needs. All welders can do the basics, so when thinking of a final choice, get a product with some additional features that help make your job easier. Automation and user-friendliness should be at the top of your list
Conclusion
Getting a welder might be complicated if you don’t know what you are looking for, so sometimes it is best to go through a list of the best products on the market. Having a reliable manufacturer will make the selection process even simpler.
One choice for a reliable manufacturer is Hobart, and they have a fantastic line of high-performance welders in a wide price range. These welders will offer high-quality welds, and they are easy to use; you have to choose the best one in your price range.
