We’ve all heard of TIG welding, right? Of course, we have. But… do we know what it means?
TIG welding is Tungsten Inert Gas welding in short. People also call it Tungsten Welding as well. The best thing about this form of welding is that the job can be more precise. Also, this type of welding distributes heat more evenly than others. Not to mention, TIG welders cool off quickly as well.
Guess what? When it comes to aluminum, these types of welding machines are what you need to get the job done. Aluminum is a lightweight material that needs “Just the right amount of heat” and care when welding.
To achieve all these things, you need to have the Best TIG Welders for Aluminum. Yes, these machines are aplenty in the market but only few of them make ideal devices. It just so happens that I’ve got a list of top products here in this article.
Let’s explore these short reviews to see which one matches your requirements. If none of these do, there’s a buying guide in place that should help you in your own research.
Contents
- Best TIG Welders for Aluminum – Comparison
- Top-Rated TIG Welders for Aluminum to Find on the Market
- 2018 AHP AlphaTIG 200X 200 Amp IGBT AC DC TIG/Stick Welder
- Lotos TIG200ACDC 200A AC/DC Aluminum TIG Welder
- Weldpro Digital TIG200GD ACDC 200 Amp TIG/Stick Welder
- Hobart 500551 EZ-TIG 165i AC/DC TIG Welder 230V
- 2019 Everlast PowerTIG 200DV 200amp 110/220 Dual Voltage PULSE ACDC Welder
- Mophorn TIG200 200A AC DC Aluminum TIG Stick Welder TIG Welder
- Things You Might Want to Consider While Buying Something Like This
- How to Use These Machines?
- Parting Words of Wisdom
Best TIG Welders for Aluminum – Comparison
| Model | Volts | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRIMEWELD TIG225X | 225 Amp | 110/220 volts | Check Price |
| YESWELDER TIG-205DS | 205 Amp | 110 & 220V | Check Price |
| S7 Tig Welder | 200 Amp | 110 & 220V | Check Price |
| 2018 AHP AlphaTIG | 110v 220v | 69 pounds | Check Price |
| Lotos TIG200ACDC | 110v 220v | 58 pounds | Check Price |
| Weldpro Digital TIG 200GD | 110v 220v | 60.9 pounds | Check Price |
| Hobart 500551 EZ-TIG | 230V | 60 pounds | Check Price |
| 2019 Everlast PowerTIG | 110v 220v | 60 pounds | Check Price |
| Mophorn TIG200 | 110v 220v | 64 pounds | Check Price |
Top-Rated TIG Welders for Aluminum to Find on the Market
The following list represents some of my top choices when it comes to TIG welders. You’ll find these machines adept when it comes to welding aluminum (and other metals). Feel free to compare them with your budget and the performance you want from them.
2018 AHP AlphaTIG 200X 200 Amp IGBT AC DC TIG/Stick Welder
Let me tell you, this might be a 2018 model but it still hasn’t lost its charm nor the awesome performance. This powerful 200-amp AC/ DC TIG welder also comes with a stick function that makes it suitable for both hobbyists and professionals.
Due to its versatility, it has a wide range of usage opportunity which can rarely be found. Now let’s get into the product itself.
Even if you are a part-time user you won’t be deprived of the premium performance qualities with this one. Not to mention, you are getting it all within a reasonable budget.
PWM or power with modulation is paired with IGBT technology offers the best sort of reliability, long-lasting power and optimum performance that can’t be beaten.
Get 2018 AHP AlphaTIG at Amazon
I have used quite a few welders in my long working experience and I have learned that high performance comes at a cost of power.
This product offers powerful output on 110 volts 150 amp to be exact. You’ll be glad to know that it also comes with a complete range of pulse features and cleaning controls even or AC.
These features make it more versatile than the other contenders by a long shot.
Now let’s get into the “Torch Capacity” a bit. The WP17 flex hose torch uses standard TIG torch consumables. To make the functionality even more efficient, a TIG switch is provided as well. Just in case you are someone like me who wants to add a trigger switch to the torch.
I have seen folks who are quite concerned about the foot pedal control and the material used to build it. Well, you can rest at ease because the AHP alpha is rigged with a high-quality metal foot pedal that makes work a whole lot easier.
This machine works great with a ¼-inch aluminum and 3/8-inch mild steel as well. Impressed?
You should be because the voltage enables welding 7018, 6013. I have welded stainless-steel with pinpoint accuracy and even thinner gauge materials with precision without having any trouble whatsoever.
This welding unit has an HF start TIG and offers impressive control and operation with consistency. The operation quality of many welders deteriorates with time but I guarantee that this one will serve you far better than the average TIG welders available out there.
What I Like about this Welder
- One can weld with a smooth welding arc when using this machine even for the first time.
- Don’t worry about setting everything up. It’s simple and easy to follow along for everyone.
- One gets to choose between 2T and 4T modes as per the demands of the project and convenience.
- I enjoyed handling the controls of this machine. They are easy to understand and get used to.
- It sits at an affordable price when you consider the performance it delivers to you.
What I don’t Like about this Welder
- You won’t be able to do MIG welding with this machine. Only TIG or Stick welding can be done.
- You’ll get only one display with this machine. That’s why, you’ll be jostling with the machine a lot to read the current set values.
- I expected the ergonomics of the foot pedal to be better than it currently is.
Lotos TIG200ACDC 200A AC/DC Aluminum TIG Welder
As a professional welder myself, I prefer versatility and variety when it comes to the capabilities of my hardware. The TG-200 offers an array of controls that offer the simplicity of use and at the same time performs like a beast.
These controls allow the welder to work with a variety of metals under any circumstances.
The square-wave inverter makes it possible to weld fine aluminum with acute precision. This one is bound to be a personal favorite of many hard-working welders who like some extra quality features from their machine.
Even if you are a weekend enthusiast you will be amazed to see the unique premium and, in some cases, industrial level features that this welder has.
I found it rather easy to weld a various number of metals which include stainless steel, mild steel, aluminum and of course other variants of materials. The welding capacity of this baby is 3/8 inches for stainless steel, mild steel, and aluminum. Sounds good, doesn’t it?
The Lotos TIG200ACDC welder has some special features that make it a specialist when it comes to welding aluminum. The accuracy that is sure to impress can be achieved thanks to the square-wave inverter.
Welding has never been more fun with the HF start hand torch control. Speaking of control, the foot pedal welding heat control is amazing as well and it comes with an impeccable build.
I also found that the device is capable of Dual Voltage / Dual-frequency (110 V/220 V 50/60Hz). This capability enables the machine to run on 220 V 50/60 Hz power, or on 110 V 50/60 Hz directly by using a pigtail.
The welder is rather large in size with the dimensions of 28 x 13 x 17 inches and weighs about 58 pounds. Along with the welder I got a set of accessories that are not only useful but essential too. The power supply, TIG torch, stick clamp, and argon regulator were of superior quality.
Lotos even provided a set of consumables that came along with the pigtail, ground clamp, and of course a super handy instruction manual. Even if you are rather new to welding the instruction manual is written in a way that it will make your job far more efficient and easier than you had hoped for.
What I Like about this Welder
- With LOTUS, it’s easy to get started on a welding arc. This is not difficult to handle or operate.
- If you’re a beginner, you’ll have fun handling the torch of this device.
- There’s a foot pedal in place to make your welding tasks easier and enjoyable.
- Even as a beginner-friendly device, it can weld any metal you throw at it. Circumstances don’t matter at all.
- This is a “Dual-Frequency” welder suitable for variable voltage counts.
What I don’t Like about this Welder
- I wasn’t able to MIG welding with this device.
Weldpro Digital TIG200GD ACDC 200 Amp TIG/Stick Welder
Flagship is a flagship. No matter how you put it. When you are going to buy the best stick welder for aluminum for your day to day welding work, this machine from Weldpro is definitely worth looking at.
It is beyond a welding machine that’s capable of just welding steel and aluminum. It’s a powerful work of art.
Powered by awesome welding features, the 200 model brings to the fold a digital design that can easily overthrow the competition. All this comes at a competitive price point that is indeed very hard to resist.
The IGBT technology that is combined with PWM ensures performance that allows the welder to walk with the giants and thrive. I was amazed to see how well it worked when the welding got serious.
An extra 30 percent efficiency is gained just because this machine is smaller in size and lighter in weight. I got access to a far more superior range of settings due to the advanced circuitry that this ac/dc machine could offer.
Get Weldpro TIG200GD at Amazon
The superior control over DC current makes this welder an amazing MMA/Stick welder.
It works great with steel, stainless steel, copper and many other metals too. A switch to AC current will instantly make it efficient for welding aluminum and aluminum alloys.
This beast of a machine adapts to the High-Frequency technology and enables pure square wave output, excellent arc force and a wide range of options in aluminum cleaning.
The 200 Series of welding machines are popular for their amazing “Torch Control” system as they simply excel in that.
The 2t-4t torch control combined with start amps, end amps, upslope, downslope, pulse, AC Balance and a completely dedicated foot control pedal with no interim current control turn this machine into a flawless performer for professionals.
The design of this welder was formed with keeping the thought strictly in mind that adept welders do not prefer inadvertently changing amperage over and over again.
Changing weld positions and readjusting the foot pedal can be really tiresome. This is now a thing of the past as this welder’s amperage control settings are all included in the machine’s console.
The welder itself is a masterpiece by Weldpro as it offers so much more than the apparent value. This device gets things right where it has to and excludes the unnecessary bells and whistles. This one is one of the best TIG welders I have used by far.
What I Like about this Welder
- You can do “Pulse Arc Welding” using this TIG welder when it’s at the peak of its capacity.
- As a user, feel free to operate it with AC or DC current if you want.
- WeldPro TIG 200GD starts at full power and highest frequency from the get go.
- I found the foot pedal to be designed well. As a user, I was comfortable with the mechanism.
- This little welder comes with a “Sloping” function to help you weld under 200 Amps of power.
What I don’t Like about this Welder
- You won’t be able to do proper welding when using 110V of power.
- This little device hardly scores any points when it comes to stick welding.
Hobart 500551 EZ-TIG 165i AC/DC TIG Welder 230V
Of all the TIG welders I have used so far, this one is probably the easiest to use. From my experience of using TIG welders, I would most certainly call this one a complete welding package that can do it all.
The EZ-TIG 165i has a single knob control and that makes it the easiest 230v AC/DC and quickest to use and set up. Starting from 22-gauge to 3/16-inch, it performs like a charm.
This thing welds way better than the contenders and its features make operation very much easy.
All you have to do is plug it into a 230 VAC, select the thickness of the material, connect the shielding gas and you are ready to go.
The device has a lightweight inverter-based design that has two carry handles to add to it. This makes it quite portable and easy to handle. The box doesn’t include just the welder itself; it comes with a complete set of accessories that are bound to come in handy while welding.
Aluminum is much easier with this one because of the superior AC output that it offers. Plus, the DC output won’t let you down when you are dealing with mild or stainless steel either.
The issues that arise with annoying dust or debris will become a thing of the past with the Fan-On-Demand feature that comes with the machine.
The amperage control literally being infinite I got to access a broader operating range and refined control. The best thing I have to say for this TIG welder is that it has an amazing and consistent arc that utilizes less power than I had expected.
Furthermore, the HF start allows a non-contact arc start. Which means you can bid farewell to tungsten and material contamination.
Temperature management can be an issue as the safety of the machine and both the user is a matter of concern. There is an auto high temperature shut down and as you have already guessed it shuts down the machine when the temperatures are too high.
Plus, optimum shielding is ensured through Auto-post flow based on amperage without the necessity of adjustment.
The welder has a stainless-steel based construction and weighs about 60 pounds. Reliable and sturdy build quality grants the finishing touch to this one as it is indeed one of the best welders for aluminum welding available.
All in all, a must-buy for those who want something premium for their welding needs.
What I Like about this Welder
- As a welder, I can very easily switch between TIG and MIG welding thanks to this machine.
- This is one of the easiest machines to wrap your heads around and use. It’s portable as well.
- Be a professional or a beginner, Hobert 500551 works perfectly for both the sects.
- There’s an “Auto Shutdown” feature that guards the machine from overheating and malfunctions.
- This little device adjusts automatically to the amperage needed for the operation.
What I don’t Like about this Welder
- If you’re into cast iron welding, I wouldn’t suggest this machine to you.
- If you’re a home user, this thing might prove to be too pricy for you.
2019 Everlast PowerTIG 200DV 200amp 110/220 Dual Voltage PULSE ACDC Welder
It’s time to introduce you to the Everlast PowerTIG 200DV! This is one monster of a machine that proves itself to be one of the very best out there through sheer performance and efficiency. The 2019 edition of the device provides all the welding goodness that it used to and more.
The efficiency of this device has been further expanded by adding versatility through dual voltage along with an IGBT converter that can be digitally controlled. The dynamic performance it already had has kept its standards by still having the capacity to operate o 120v or 240v single phase 50/60 Hz.
Portability has been given high priority which is quite obvious with the design that it has. Plus, it can be used with any generator provided that it is rated for 3500 watts sustainability and has a ‘clean power’ certification.
The fact that it offers reliable functionality and portability at the same time, it is definitely one of the best choices for aluminum welders who weld regularly.
This baby is capable of welding steel to a variety of measurements in single and multi passes. And the same can be done with aluminum as well. The messages from the manufacturer as written in the manual describes its capability in detail which I found to be rather impressive.
The PowerTIG 200DV has color-coded controls that are very easy to understand, identify, and use. It has an arc force control or DIG for stick welding that helps in the reduction of splatter and greatly improves arc performance.
Only a 5-am2019 Everlast PowerTIG 200DVp start is needed for TIG in DC and a minimum of 20 amp in AC. Now, these are what I call impressive numbers!
Just in case you think that you need the WC300 water cooler, it has a 240V outlet in the rear. Well, heat dispersing technology is used in this device that guarantees optimum performance without any sort of unnecessary hassle.
Having a total weight of 60 pounds and the dimensions being 24 x 9 x 17 inches, this welder is super easy to take out wherever you need to do your welding work. It might be a bit on the heavy side but that much is expected for the stainless-steel body that is solid in every sense.
What I Like about this Welder
- The welder gives you a clean power. That means minimal wastage and maximum energy output.
- The controls of this device are color coded. You can understand what they do pretty well.
- Everlast PowerTig comes with a “Arc” controller as well. You can control the welding force.
- Yes, it is a welder weighing 60 pounds. Few will consider this heavy but you have means to move it around.
- I like the IGBT digital controller. You’ll be able to get a measure of what is happening every time.
What I don’t Like about this Welder
- For me, the weight is a bit of an issue. 60 lbs. are too much if you have to move around with it.
Mophorn TIG200 200A AC DC Aluminum TIG Stick Welder TIG Welder
We have been discussing a lot of formidable options for the best TIG welder for aluminum and this one is the last but in no way the least.
The Mophorn TIG 200 has to offer some unique features that are meant to impress. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking to have proper value for their money. Because I found this beast to be worth every penny.
Versatility is something I simply adore and this one has it all. It can be used not only as a TIG welder but as an arc stick welder too. It can be used by hobbyists for repair work and even professional tasks too. High-quality components that have been installed in this one can take on any task and excel in them.
This is a welder that isn’t that much heavy but has a solid steel construction. Speaking of steel, this welder is great for aluminum steel processing. Whether it be automotive purposes, machinery manufacturing or even iron processing, this little monster of a machine won’t say no to excellence.
This has a 5-knob interface in the front so you can adjust your settings to your welding needs. The efficiency level of this AC/DC inverter machine is super high, and when I say high, I mean 85 %. Additionally, it has advanced PWM settings that are very effective in power saving and noise reduction.
The basic dual voltage input includes a voltage compensation function that handles voltage fluctuation like the pro-grade device that it is.
This also features an easy arc start and footswitch for free control and stable welding. For those who are concerned with safety, you’ll feel assured to know that, this has an over voltage, over current, and overheat protection built-in.
Being on the small side this Mophron welder is easy to carry, transport and store. It even has a carrying handle that is rather sturdy so you can just take it anywhere to accomplish your day to day tasks.
This is very much suitable for working on stainless steel, alloy steel, carbon steel, other non-ferrous metal, aluminum products like scooter, bicycle, etc. Diverse workable materials make it a considerable purchase in comparison to other high-grade contenders that fall short.
After all, is said and done, I personally had a very good welding experience with this one and I am pleased with the performance so far and I bet it will be the same for you.
What I Like about this Welder
- People can use it for Arc Stick Welding or TIG welding alike without any problems.
- There’s a knob to adjust the output current of the machine so that it matches your requirements.
- Besides welding aluminum, one can weld a host of other materials using this machine as well.
- People can use it with variable voltage counts of 110V and 220V respectively.
- The cup this machine uses to weld things cools down fast. Within a few minutes to be exact.
What I don’t Like about this Welder
- Warning: This is a noisy piece of machinery. You shouldn’t use this in places where sound is a concern.
Things You Might Want to Consider While Buying Something Like This
I have already suggested some TIG welders that are great for aluminum welding. But if you still want to check out some welders for yourself, here are a few tips that might come really handy. So, go through these factors to make a successful purchase!
-
The Input of Power
What kind of performance you are going to get out of your welder is highly dependent on the power input. For heavy-duty crafting, you usually need high power outputs. Usually, TIG welders have an auto AC/DC adjustability.
Materials that have high density require DC current and higher power outputs. AC current is often preferred for Aluminum in many cases. But if you want to get the best out of your TIG welder you really should balance out the numbers before you make your purchase.
-
Note the Duty Cycle
The duty cycle is basically the ability of a welder to work continuously. It is calculated through a percentage or ratio of the total active time. Tasks that are fit for home usually demand TIG welders that have lesser duty cycles. Professional and heavy tasks normally demand the opposite.
Cheaper variants can have DC up to 20%. And it is good enough if you are a hobbyist looking for common repairs. But keep in mind that power surges decrease duty cycles due to increased rate of heat that it causes.
-
Weight and Size that Fits
Weight and dimensions can have a real impact on your productivity. Too much weight, especially something that is above 100 pounds can really rain over your plans for welding. Too much weight results in difficulties in portability.
We often need to take our welding tasks beyond our home. So even if your welder is a bit on the heavy side, look for carrying sturdy handles. This might help you out a lot in your tasks wherever they might require you to be.
-
Digital and Auto Functions Matter
Welding is without a doubt an engaging task. Some extra help can really make things go a lot more efficiently. A digital display is especially useful while setting things up and changing the way you want to work on the fly.
Plus, heat and wattage can have automatic safety features that are very necessary for your protection overall.
There are adept welders out there who can accomplish their tasks just fine with manual welders. But that doesn’t mean they can’t use the extra help.
-
Build Quality for Extra Assurance
It might not sound like much, but build quality does matter. Why spend your hard-earned money on something flimsy or poorly built? Steel and stainless-steel constructions are the best way to go.
A bit of external adversity like shocks can easily be withstood by the welders that are solid in their construction and design.
Steel welders can get a bit heavy but are very strong. Choose the construction material wisely with which your welder is manufactured. Trust me, broken toys are not fun at all.
How to Use These Machines?
I understand if you’re new at welding and want to go through the basics first. That’s why the video below will be of great help. Make sure to watch both the parts to learn how to handle these things properly.
Parting Words of Wisdom
As you can see, TIG welders are different beasts when compared to MIG or normal welders. They need special care and a professional pair of hands operating them. The Best Tig Welders for Aluminum work well to minimize the hassle and put things in order for the users.
For me, it’s always been a choice between Everlast and Mophorn when it comes to these machines. Both are energy efficient and fast when it comes to welding aluminum.
Which of these machines worked best for you? Or, did you go for an entirely different brand than what I have in the article? Please let me know in the comments!
