When looking for welding machines, we all have come across companies like Hobart and Miller Electric. Both of these franchises belong to the upper echelon when it comes to welding devices.
MIG welders are mostly portable and cater to a wide range of operations. Be it “At Home” DIY projects, Hobby projects or industrial work, these two brands stack up neck and neck with their machines. This is exactly the case with Hobart 210 MVP and Miler 211.
Both of these machines have an impressive array of features. Hobart 210 provides you with fast welding capabilities and a number of optional accessories. Miller combats that with the “AutoSet” feature and of course, automatic spool gun detection.
But then again, which of these tools are the best when it comes to fine-tuning and saving some bucks while prioritizing performance? This is the question I’ll be seeking an answer to in my Hobart 210 vs. Miller 211 comparison article. Without further ado, let’s get into the meat of the article.
Contents
Hobart 210 MVP vs Miller 211 Comparison chart
| Features | Hobart 210 | Miller 211 |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-Set | No | Auto-Set |
| Dual Voltage Support | Yes | Yes |
| Product Weight | 79 lbs | 38 lbs |
| Input Voltage | 115v | 120v |
| Dual Cycle | 20% @ 90 A | 20% @ 115 A |
| Amperage Range | 25 to 140 ampst item | 30 to 230 amps |
| Wire Feed Speed Range | 40-700 ipm | 60-600 ipm |
| Weld Thickness | 24 ga to 3/8 inch | 24 ga to 3/8 inch |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Looking Deeper into the Two Competing Devices
Let me be honest with you: We can’t compare the two devices in question unless and until we look into both the machines. We have to do a brief rundown of what benefits each of the machines offers in individual short reviews before moving into finding similarities and actual points of comparison. So, let’s put our reading glasses/lenses on and do just that in the next segment.
Dissecting Hobart Handler 210 MVP MIG Welder
Before I go into the nitty-gritty of the piece, let me get a small hitch out of the way. This little welder (pun intended) has what we in the welding industry call, “An MVP Plug” or “Multi-Voltage Plug.” Thanks to this, the welder can function in 115V and 230V locations and requirements.
You know what this means, don’t you? People can use it within and outside the USA. Users won’t have to buy an extra adapter or design an entirely new electric system just to use it.
If you decide to buy this thing online, you’ll have quite a lot of options. Buy just the core machine or buy it with additional supplies like pliers and the welding gel, your choice. Be prepared to shell out some extra bucks though. In any case, we’ll soon figure out why it’s one of the best deals around.
What I liked about the machine is that it doesn’t clutter when it comes to the control panel. Everything is laid out perfectly so that even first-timers can get what it is and how to use it.
What you have is an On/Off switch, a knob to regulate voltage, another to regulate the amp count, and a temperature monitor onboard. I enjoyed working with as many as seven voltage settings to help fine-tune my welding performance. The power cord is sheathed to prevent accidents as well.
If someone buys it with pliers, there’re 12 multi-use pliers provided with the package. With all these accessories, Hobart Handler 210 has a range of 25 to 210 Amps which it can work with. This is handy when we use the machine in DIY projects of ours (at home) and do some mild heavy-lifting jobs.
So, what type of materials can we weld with it and to what extent? Well, as it turns out, one can weld normal Steel, Stainless Steel, and Aluminum with this thing. To what thickness, you ask? This device can weld from 24ga up to 3/8 inches when it comes to thickness.
Before I forget, I’d like to mention that Hobart 210 MIG welder provides a 30% duty cycle or duty factor at a power level of 230 volts. This is a spool feeding welding machine. My advice would be to use Spool Runner 100 spool gun for wire feeding. I just think it’s the best welding gun pairing with it.
It features the “Quick Roll” drive change system to change the wire spool. This takes a lot of hassle away from us users. While we’re on the topic of changing wire spools, I must mention the fact that you need to keep the wire loosened up. Keeping it too tight might result in arc instability or burn back.
Get Hobart Handler 210 MVP at Amazon
What I Like about the Machine
- I’d say Hobart 210 MVP is relatively easy for the beginners to get a grip of and use.
- It’s a cheap version of Miller 211 if there ever was one. Also, it doesn’t cut corners in any way.
- The spool feeding system in the case of Hobart MVP 210 doesn’t jam in any way shape or form.
- You’ll be able to work with dual voltage system of 115V and 230V with the MVP adapter.
- I liked the fact that this thing doesn’t produce too much spatter when welding and lasts long.
What I Don’t Like about the Machine
- Make no mistake, this machine is quite heavy with the weight of around 80 pounds or so.
- You’ll find the ground wire that comes with the machine to be stiff and hard to move around.
Dissecting Miller Electric 120/240VAC MIG Welder
There’s a reason for Miller’s 211 MIG welder to cost more than that of Hobart’s. Actually, scratch that. I found several reasons. Trust me, I’ll get into the minute differences in my Hobart 210 MVP vs. Miller 211 comparison. For now, let’s focus on what this little welding machine has to offer.
As usual, this thing does everything Hobart 210 MVP would do. It welds Mild Steel, Stainless Steel, and Aluminum just like the other contender. However, it welds through different thicknesses of metals in all these cases.
For example, it welds Aluminum from 18ga thickness to 3/8 inches. In the case of Mild steel, the thickness changes. You’ll get smooth welding from 24ga to 3/8 inches. For stainless steel, you’ll have a smooth experience with a material thickness of 20ga to 1/4-inch. Cool, right? Wait, there’s more.
Users will get everything needed to MIG weld things when they buy this device. For example, you’ll have a 10-feet power cord to help you move around when welding. The length of the cord is rather short for me. Yet, it helps people take care of DIY projects at home or heavy workload in job sites.
Did I mention you’ll have a MIG welding gun with a 10-feet cord as well? Paired together, these wires give us the flexibility we need for any type of industrial-grade welding we have in mind.
This is a “Gas Type” MIG welder. You can use it for gas shielded welding as well. Just so the gas isn’t wasted and the flow is constant, makers included solenoid gas valves. Also, you have a dual-gauge system for the thing to interpret stats better.
This little machine has dual-voltage capabilities just like our previous device in contention. Users will have as many as two contact tips and hook and cord wraps to go with the machine. Of course, the wire sleeves are thick enough to prevent any kind of accidents that might take place.
I found the control panel to be rather simple as well. What we have is an Overload detector that flashes if the temperature reaches too high for comfort. You have two separate regulators for controlling wire speed and material thickness. This thing can operate within 120 – 240 volts.
Millermatic 211 comes with .030-inch wire spool for people like us to take advantage of. However, if you don’t like the wire spool, feel free to switch to a different spool gun. This little machine has an “Auto Spool Detection” system that recognizes the type and sets up accordingly for a smooth weld.
I must commend the guys for taking care of the thermal overload which is an annoyance, to be honest. This device comes with a cooling fan that keeps things under control. Thanks to this, the machine is super quiet when going about the business of welding as well.
The process is rather simple as well. You already know about the spool gun detection thing. When working with it, I found that Millermatic 211 goes one step beyond. It sets the voltage and output level of the amp count depending on what type of wire you’re using.
The duty cycle is 40% in the case of Miller 211. This is a definite step-up from Hobart’s competing product in this article. This thing selects your wires automatically to feed into the gun. So, you’ll be able to go quickly about the welding process rather than spending an extra 15 – 20 minutes on it.
I’d say that this thing is a beginner-friendly product in the sense that welders won’t have to do the majority of the tasks by hand. They’re automatic. Glare at me for the cost as much as you like but the price is justified as well. Bringing in all the benefits in a 35-pound or so portable box takes work.
Get Miller Millermatic 211 at Amazon
What I Like about the Machine
- The machine sets up voltage parameters for different types of welding tasks automatically.
- Millermatic 211 supports dual voltages as well. Thanks to this, you can do DIY stuff and jobs.
- The weight for the machine hovers around 50 pounds or so thanks to the inverter technology.
- I’m a fan of “On Demand” fan that kicks in whenever the temperature rises alarmingly.
- The moment this device gets past its designated duty cycle, overload protection kicks in to save it from self-destruction.
What I Don’t Like about the Machine
- Personally speaking, I’d like to have a better duty cycle considering the price of the device.
- For many of us, (especially beginners) the price is on the higher side of things.
Similarities Between the Two MIG Welders
Now that I’m done dissecting the two machines, I can easily move to find a common ground between them and tell you what are the aspects these two things are neck and neck in. I’ll go over the matters that both these things handle with an equal level of expertise, care, and finesse.
For starters, both Hobart 210 MVP and Millermatic 211 support dual-voltage operation. People can work at home or at job sites thanks to this capacity. Even if someone is planning to take these babies abroad, they can thank the adapters that seamlessly adapt to the voltage around the world.
Although makers propagate these machines as quote-unquote MIG welders, these can handle a multitude of welding tasks thanks to all the welding and contact tips you get with them. For example, you can do flux core welding with both the machines.
Take care of ferrous and non-ferrous metals however you see fit with these babies at the helm. No, it doesn’t take that much time since feeding different wires and wire guns are rather “Easy” into the system. It takes as little as two or three minutes to do that effectively.
People can enjoy working with a 10-feet power cord and 10-feet MIG welder cord with both the machines. This is decent enough length if you ask me. The length allows you a much-needed room when working with the machine even in cramped spaces and bigger sheets of material.
While we’re talking about welding methods and metals, I must mention that both the machines have solenoid gas valves and gas hoes to take care of gas shielded welding if the need arises. At this price,
you expect your welding machine to be tough. And that is exactly the case with these babies as well.
Getting Down to Miller 211 vs Hobart 210 Comparison
| Features | Hobart 210 | Miller 211 |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-Set | No | Auto-Set |
| Dual Voltage Support | Yes | Yes |
| Product Weight | 79 lbs | 38 lbs |
| Input Voltage | 115v | 120v |
| Dual Cycle | 20% @ 90 A | 20% @ 115 A |
| Amperage Range | 25 to 140 ampst item | 30 to 230 amps |
| Wire Feed Speed Range | 40-700 ipm | 60-600 ipm |
| Weld Thickness | 24 ga to 3/8 inch | 24 ga to 3/8 inch |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Now that I’m done with explaining the benefits and similarities of these two brands and models, let’s get down to the topic of this article. Yes, it’s the part where I compare these two machines and tell you the distinct advantages each of them offers. Let’s take a bird’s eye view of the points first.
The AutoSet Feature for Miller 211 Takes the Cake.
Make no mistake, both of these devices are super easy to use. However, with Miller’s device, you’ll have the “AutoSet” feature. This is the reason it costs more than what you’ll have with Hobart 210.
You’ll have to go manual from feeding the spool of wire to set up the machine for the job. In the case of Miller 211 however; just select the diameter of the wire and that’s it.
Then, select the metal thickness and the welding process you want to follow. The machine determines what voltage you need for the job at hand. This will grant ease of use for newbies.
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Weight is a Concern for Us
As you can see from the chart above, Hobart’s MVP machine will weigh around 90 pounds. This is “Heavy” no matter how you look at things.
On the other hand, Millermatic 211 weighs only around 40 pounds. That’s a big difference in these machines. It’s what determines the machine is portable or not. There’s a handle on top of Miller’s device as well. Just to make sure you carry it easily.
Thanks to the difference in weight, the 211 can be moved around easily without you flustering and dropping it when taking it to different job sites or working at home in different rooms or in a garage.
Don’t worry, both the machines are durable and sturdy when it counts. So, there’s no fear of accidents.
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Spool Gun Detection Feature
Yes, both these machines can weld various types of metals. But as you can see from the brief reviews, the thickness of these objects varies ever so slightly. Also, you can use different spool guns. However, you’ll need to feed welding materials manually in the case of Hobart’s device.
In the case of Miller 211, there’s a mechanism in place to detect what type of spool gun you’re using. This makes it easy to use different types of spool gun and manually feeding the gun to make sure the wire actually connects to the welding gun itself.
There’s a significant difference in how both the machines handle the welding wire itself. Namely, both the devices feed wire at different speeds to the welding gun (40 – 700ipm for Hobart and 60 – 600ipm for Miller 211). Hobart does things quickly whereas Millermatic is suited for delicate tasks.
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Difference in Power Requirements
We all know that different work environments require different power plugs. With Hobart MVP, changing these power adapters is rather easy. The same is the case for Miller 211. But there’s a tiny difference in the voltage counts each of the machines needs for operation.
Guys at Hobart made it so that the device can function both in 115V and 230V environments. This is good for home use, hobbyists, and job sites. But Miller 211 is slightly better in this case. It can handle 120 to 230 volts. It can take heavier applications like it’s nobody’s business.
In the case of Hobart 210, you can actually fine-tune the voltage settings thanks to a regulator. Milleromatic goes the “Automatic” route here as well. It’s a “Hands-off” experience.
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Sheets These Machines Can Weld
The power output both these machines produce is slightly different when you take things into consideration. From the reviews, it’s evident that Hobart gives us a range of 25 to 210 amps. But Millermatic edges out by providing welders 30 to 230 Amps of power when you need it.
I’d say Hobart’s MVP 210 is better when you need low heat in case of welding thinner sheets like Aluminum. For the heavier metals, I’d take Millermatic without any question whatsoever. It produces a good result when you’re welding stainless steel or mild steel sheets than Hobart.
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Cooling Fan is An Extra Addition for Miller 211
Make no mistake, both the models have thermal overload protection. This much is expected when you’re shelling out more than 500 bucks in a welding machine. The internals of these machines will be safe no matter the voltage or temperature spikes that we frequently encounter in the tasks.
What I designed this subhead for is the cooling “On Demand” cooling fan that the expensive counterpart of Hobart offers. This little fan turns itself on whenever the machine gets overheated. This takes the worry away from users. We don’t have to consider the machine short-circuiting.
Concluding the Comparison and Analysis
As you can see from my Hobart 210 vs Miller 211 analysis, both the tools are quite diligent and tick all the right boxes when it comes to handling different projects. However, Miller 211 does feature some advanced perks that’ll add to your welding experience and make the tasks easier for newbies.
The crucial thing to consider here is the price tag. Miller 211 will cost you more than 1000 bucks. Hey, the price is justified when you take all the benefits into account. Having this baby by your side will cut down on your welding time as well. It holds your hands throughout the process.
Call it an “Auto-Pilot” to some degree if you wish. Buy this if you have money to spare and have a workload that’s otherwise hard to manage.
Hobart 210 on the other hand, has amazing features as well. It can fine-tune different voltages and Amp outputs if you know your way around welding. The spool guns you pair with it fit “Just” right with the mechanism as well. It’s a cheaper alternative with a price of under 1000 dollars.
Buy this if you don’t mind doing things manually and have a lesser budget to work with.
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