The best welding inverters

Good welding requires a high-quality arc power source that will maintain it in a stable state even with inappropriate current parameters in the network. It is a must-have machine for both home and professional use, and for such purposes only one of the best welding inverters should be purchased. For this, a rating was compiled with a detailed analysis of all possible advantages and disadvantages of each model.

Which company is better to buy a welding inverter

Most of the devices considered in this TOP belong to Russian companies. Basically, they are sold at low to mid-range prices, but there are also more expensive options for industrial applications.

Here is a more detailed description of each company:

• Bison - a large Russian manufacturer of hand and power tools, materials and equipment for repair and construction. The company started its work in 2005. Among the main characteristics of its devices are the ability to work at low voltage, protection against overheating and short circuits, ease of ignition of the arc and the stability of its support.
• Resanta - one of the directions in the company's activity is the production of welding equipment. The inverter-type models of this company have an average power of 5 kW and are neat in size, weigh a little (about 5 kg) and are sold with a 24-month warranty. The duration of the continuous load is 70%, depending on the specific application.
• Caliber Is a Russian trade mark under which garden equipment, equipment and power tools are produced. Basically, they are designed for use in everyday life, for example, in the country. Welding inverters of the company are equipped with a convenient belt for more comfortable operation and transportation of products. They can be connected to almost any household power supply, since electrodes with a diameter of 1.5 to 5 mm are used and because of the average power of 5 kW.
• Aurora Is a Russian brand whose products are manufactured in China. Its range includes inverters and semiautomatic devices mainly for industrial applications. This led to the possibility of their operation in a network with a voltage of 380V, although there are also models using 220V. They fulfill their tasks in relation to any metal parts: aluminum, cast iron, copper, etc. Some of them require direct current, while others require alternating current in an argon medium.
• Fubag Is a manufacturer of welding equipment, headquartered in Switzerland. The company's workshops are located on three continents of the world, and products are manufactured at 19 factories. Its devices are used most often at industrial facilities due to their high power - about 15 kW, but the company's catalogs also contain simpler, household devices.
• Elitech Is another Russian brand of electrical equipment, whose welding inverters are recognized as the best for TIG welding in an inert gas atmosphere under alternating or direct current. The brand's devices have useful hot start, anti-stick and anti-stick options. They are characterized by stable operation even when the voltage drops to 160 V.
• FoxWeld - the company supplies the market with electrical equipment, including welding. The assortment of the company includes budget models designed mainly for operation in single-phase networks with a voltage of 220V.They are designed for manual arc welding with a consumable coated electrode. Their average weight is 2.9 kg, which makes the products easy to transport. They have the following features - intuitive control panel, continuously adjustable current, built-in thermal protection.
• Wester Is a brand of pneumatic, compressor and power equipment, which belongs to the Impulse company. Their key features are: excellent power of the devices - about 8 kW, support for a stable arc, a high degree of protection against electric shock and dust exposure. Devices of the brand perform their functions at an operating voltage in the network in the range of 140-250V.
• Svarog Is a Russian brand of welding equipment operating in this niche for over 11 years. This is one of the few companies that offers an unconditional guarantee for their products for up to 5 years. The brand has inverters for TIG, MMA, MIG, SAW welding. The reviews note the high quality of the seams, durable cases, rubberized regulators, stable operation in conditions of reduced voltage.
• Cedar - the trade mark under which the equipment is produced, adapted to work in the Russian latitudes. Its key advantages are the ability to operate at high voltage drops, high temperatures, and excessive humidity. They are also characterized by compact dimensions, low weight, equipped with various indicators, reliable protection against dust and a minimum noise level during operation.
• Brima - the company offers everything for household and professional welding. Many devices of the company operate in several modes - MMA, TIG, AC / DC. They are chosen because of the wide range of regulated voltage in the network, approximately 140-220V, functions "hot start", "arc forcing", "electrode sticking". The efficiency of these inverters is at least 85%, and the period of continuous load is about 65%, depending on the specific model.
• The fast and the furious - the manufacturer offers to buy good welding inverters for amateur and professional welders. The devices are protected from overheating and overload, have a smooth ignition of the arc, and support it stably, including in the event of a voltage drop in the network. If it completely disappears, then the devices operate on diesel or gasoline generators with a capacity of over 6 kW.

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Rating of the best welding inverters

When choosing reliable equipment, we took into account its efficiency, versatility, functionality, ease of use, safety and other similar parameters.

These are the characteristics that were taken into account during the selection of nominees for the TOP:

• Type - household, professional, industrial;
• Power and efficiency level;
• Overheating, dust, splash protection;
• Dimensions, weight and materials of manufacture;
• Welding type - manual argon and / or semi-automatic;
• Suitable types of materials;
• Diameter of electrodes compatible with the equipment;
• Recommended areas of application;
• Control method - mechanical or by means of a remote control;
• Arc stability and ease of ignition;
• Possibilities of adjusting idle speed and voltage;
• Availability of functions "hot start", "arc afterburner", "anti-stick";
• Complete set, including cable length and quality.

We also paid attention to the service life of the devices promised by the manufacturers and their actual behavior in difficult operating conditions, we also took into account the possibility of repair in the event of a breakdown and its complexity. An important indicator here was the ratio of the price and quality of goods and the duration of the guarantee.

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The best household welding inverters

On average, the power of such devices is 6 kW, therefore, they are not designed for long-term and active welding. Usually, these devices are powered from single-phase networks with a voltage of 220V and their cost fluctuates approximately in the range of 6000-10,000 rubles. Out of 10 analyzed products, the best equipment was selected in terms of quality, efficiency, and operational safety.

Bison "Master" M1

Bison "Master" M1 is intended for manual electric arc welding of MMA (fusible electrodes). It quickly adapts to any working conditions due to smooth adjustment of the welding current in a wide range using microprocessor control. Here, the start-up ignition system has been improved thanks to the hot start option, which speeds up the process.

In the rating of the best welding inverters Zubr "Master" M1 stands out with a power of 6.6 kVA, which is very good for domestic use. Small dimensions and an acceptable weight of 4.5 kg without packaging provide the device with mobility and the ability to use in hard-to-reach places. Reliable dust protection guarantees a longer service life. The equipment has a good performance, supported, in particular, by high-quality forced cooling.

Advantages

• Low power consumption;
• High class of protection against electric shock;
• Voltage jump protection;
• Brews softly;
• Does not overheat even with prolonged use without interruption;
• The electrode does not stick;
• Good control room.

disadvantages

• Not a low price.

The reviews note that direct current welding gives a slightly better seam quality, in contrast to the use of alternating current.

Resanta SAI-190

This is another inverter MMA arc welding machine that works even at low voltages in the range of 140-260 V. That is why it is convenient to use it in the country and in the daytime, when power surges are especially noticeable. The model is universal and can weld both thin sheets and a channel up to 1 cm thick. The device quickly catches an arc and supports instant ignition.

The equipment is connected to the mains, but due to the short 1m wires it may need to be carried. They are thick enough to withstand extreme temperatures well. Durable metal body for longer service life; despite its materials, the product weighs no more than 5 kg. In general, the inverter is safe for humans, the main thing is to protect it from getting various debris into the cooling holes in order to avoid short circuits.

Advantages

• You can safely work for 5-6 hours without a break;
• The power is 5500 W;
• Doesn't make noise;
• Excellent cooling
• There is an easy-to-carry handle;
• Dimensions - 32 x 33 x 38 cm.

disadvantages

• No carrying case.

Caliber Micro SVI-205

A simple household inverter for performing simple work - welding wickets, gates and other non-massive structures. The quality of the seam is pretty good, but the Caliber Micro SVI-205 still does not take the stainless steel very well. The equipment is powerful enough for home use, 3.6 kW, and if necessary, this indicator can be adjusted taking into account the corresponding scale.

Those who want to choose a good welding inverter for the home should pay special attention to Caliber Micro SVI-205, in particular, because of its 2.6 kg weight and small size, ease of transportation. With its small dimensions, it has a wide current adjustment range of 10-205A. Thanks to this, almost all types of work can be carried out, which guarantees their efficiency both in the case of thin parts and bulky, thick workpieces. It allows the use of electrodes with a thickness of 1.6 to 5 mm, which is typical for manual arc welding.

Advantages

• Convenient to use;
• Light;
• Compact;
• Simple arc ignition;
• Brews softly and confidently.

disadvantages

• The wires are a little hot and not long enough.

Aurora Stickmate 200

The main advantage of this welding machine is its versatility, it successfully performs both MMA and LIFT TIG welding. The equipment is energy efficient and maintains a stable arc even with not very stable voltage, which is especially important in private houses.It is used for welding copper, non-ferrous metal, hydrocarbon and stainless steel, various alloys.

This model is compatible with cellulosic, basic and rutile coatings, and also supports various types of electrodes. Thanks to the ForceArc function, the likelihood of their sticking is reduced to zero and the quality of the seams is improved, and the Antistick option is responsible for automatic reduction of the amperage in emergency cases, provided that the previous parameters are maintained.

Advantages

• Smooth start;
• Works effectively in power grids with strong voltage fluctuations;
• Can be used with cables up to 50 m long;
• Wide operating temperature range: -20 to +50 ° C;
• The diameter of the used electrodes is 1.6-5 mm;
• Sophisticated cooling system.

disadvantages

• Weighs 6 kg.

Reviews show that the electrode rarely sticks, but this can happen if it gets very hot.

The best professional welding inverters

Such devices are used both at home and at small production sites. Compared to household models, they are somewhat more powerful and have advanced functionality - they are supplemented with the option of arc stabilization, automatic current change, etc. An analysis of 10 products showed that 4 welding inverters presented in this category are best suited for their tasks.

Fubag IR 200

The professional welding inverter Fubag IR 200 is included in the rating because of its stable arc, good performance even in low voltage conditions and ease of use. Like previous models, it is designed for manual welding (MMA), which is the most common today. The equipment is designed for 200 amperes, that is, there is a small margin that allows it to make holes even in thick metal workpieces.

The most suitable electrode for this model is the rutile-cellulose OK46.00. The welding inverter itself calmly withstands the "five", and the "three" is given to him in general easily, while during the operation of the device, users do not notice overload. The product with good performance does not overheat, although it has only one cooler in the back.

Advantages

• Affordable price;
• Can work without interruption for a long time;
• Insulation materials are temperature resistant up to 180 degrees;
• The optimum open circuit voltage for manual arc welding is 65 V;
• High quality seam;
• Confident ignition.

disadvantages

• Power wires are short;
• The fans make a little noise.

Fubag IR 200 resists dirt well, but over time, dust can still settle on equipment components, which can lead to the need for equipment repair.

Elitech IS 250PN

The Elitech IS 250PN inverter machine is designed to produce strong seams with three types of welding: semi-automatic flux-cored wire and conventional in a shielding gas environment, as well as manual arc welding. The maximum diameter of suitable electrodes here is 5 mm, the consumable is fed using a special mechanism built into the body.

The Elitech IS 250PN semiautomatic device stands out in this rating for its ease of operation and compactness, which is especially useful in small rooms. It weighs 12 kg, so it can create some difficulties during transportation, although a special handle is provided for such a case. The device is well cooled by air, which prevents overheating of the case.

Advantages

• It can work with a mains voltage of 160-240 V;
• A plastic screen that protects the controls from dust and moisture;
• Cooks well both with gas and without it;
• Easy ignition of the arc;
• Suitable wire diameter - 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 mm;
• The power is 5.3 kW.

disadvantages

• Not found.

In the rating of the best Elitech welding inverters, the IS 250PN is also interesting because the basic set includes a 3 m network cable with an electrode holder. The reviews note that it is quite elastic, does not curl and almost does not get warm even during prolonged operation of the device without interruption.

FoxWeld Master 162

Functional inverter device with additional options: Hot Start, Arc Force, Anti-Stick. All this makes it possible to use it as efficiently as possible when processing materials of various thicknesses. The minimum electrode diameter here is 1.6 mm, the maximum - 4 mm when focusing exclusively on the hand arc. A good seam quality is guaranteed by the use of direct current.

When creating FoxWeld Master 162, materials with good insulating properties were taken, which protect the product from overheating, overloading and, accordingly, failure. A wide and long enough strap allows you to fix the device on the shoulder. It also has a secure handle for easy transport, which is greatly facilitated by the 5.5 kg weight. Information about the current settings is displayed on the digital display.

Advantages

• Large numbers on the screen;
• Easy to read display
• Brews softly;
• Works quietly;
• Strong and long rubber wires.

disadvantages

• Welding quality may deteriorate at temperatures below -12 degrees.

The reviews say that over time, the fan may start buzzing, and to eliminate such a problem, it is enough to lubricate it.

Wester MMA-VRD 180

An inexpensive inverter that is used both at home and by professionals. It continues to work confidently even with a voltage drop in the network, and also has a digital display that displays settings data. Working with the device is comfortable even for an inexperienced specialist due to the built-in Anti Stick and Hot Start functions. With its help, almost any weld seams are made with a variety of electrodes. He cooks stainless steel, aluminum, copper, cast iron.

Advantages

• Diameter of compatible electrodes - 1.6-5 mm;
• Weight - 6.3 kg;
• High quality electrode holder;
• High class of insulation - H (180 C °);
• Withstands heavy loads - 70%;
• Supports current from 10 to 180A.

disadvantages

• Under a 3-year warranty, service is not possible in all situations.

The Wester MMA-VRD 180 is powerful enough, but this figure depends on the load, for example, at 100% it is equal to 8.5 kW.

Best industrial welding inverters

This section has added the 4 best welding inverters in terms of performance. The main criteria for their selection were power, high level of efficiency, safety, functionality and ease of use. The key difference between industrial options from household and professional ones is power supply from a three-phase network with a voltage of 380V.

Svarog ARC 315 (R14)

The device is designed for intensive use in industrial conditions, which can withstand due to the high power of 12.8 kVA. Unlike previous models, this device is designed to operate in three-phase networks with a voltage of 380V (± 15%). It consumes about 20A when welding with an electrode with a diameter of 3 mm. Due to the wide range of 20-315A in the MMA mode, even thick sheets can be welded with high quality.

The device has a well-thought-out cooling system, which includes two fans at once. It is distinguished by its reliable ignition of the arc due to the "hot start" technology, which also ensures its stability. The device carries out welding with any kind of electrodes and is equipped with an LCD display with an informative control panel, which simplifies its use.

Advantages

• The warranty is given for 5 years;
• No-load voltage - 69V;
• Sheet steel body.
• Almost no splashes;
• High degree of protection against electric shock.

disadvantages

• Weighs 22 kg;
• High price.

Since this welding inverter is a production one, it requires connection to an industrial network.

Foxweld VD-400I

The industrial type of the inverter is indicated here by its power supply from a three-phase network at 380V and expanded functionality. The device has reduced energy consumption and, thanks to the tunnel ventilation, is ready for use in difficult conditions. It also protects it from dust, dirt, snow, splashing water and increases its service life.It is characterized by flexible settings, you can control the arc parameters and adjust the current.

Setting the current parameters is quite simple due to the digital display of considerable size. There are also two regulators on the body for changing the settings, but you can also control the device using the included remote control, which is rarely offered by other companies. Good results are guaranteed by a high efficiency of 85%. Foxweld VD-400I is inherent in the function of ignition and afterburner, which makes the use of equipment more efficient.

Advantages

• Safe when working in wet conditions;
• Suitable for high-rise installation work;
• Cooks with any electrodes;
• Takes stainless steel, cast iron, steel, aluminum;
• High-quality electrode holder;
• The cable does not heat up.

disadvantages

• Oversized;
• High price.

In the rating of the best welding inverters, Foxweld VD-400I has a well thought-out safety system, so, when working in wet conditions, the device automatically switches to VRD mode and reduces the open-circuit voltage to 13V instead of 72V, reducing the likelihood of electric shock.

Cedar MultiARC-3200

The Cedar MultiARC-3200 apparatus is industrial and combines multitasking, high performance and ease of use. It has arc afterburner and hot start functions to increase work efficiency, and the VRD mode is useful when performing complex welding. The device uses materials with good insulating properties that can withstand the effects of negative environmental factors.

With the help of Cedar MultiARC-3200 it is possible to process products with both thin and thick walls due to the extended current range - from 20 to 320A. It operates at 11.16 kVA for high performance. Such parameters make it possible to apply it in the field of energy, oil industry, etc.

Advantages

• Two handles on the sides;
• Advanced cooling system;
• 100% performance at low voltage;
• Reliable MMA and Lift TIG welding;
• Display protection with transparent cover;
• High quality electronic components.

disadvantages

• High price;
• Weight is 19 kg;
• The control panel is not very large.

Brima ARC 400-1

The Brima ARC 400-1 inverter machine is used for manual high melting point arc welding (MMA). It is intended for use in mechanical engineering, chemical, oil and gas industries. The device requires connection to a three-phase network with a voltage of 380V. The equipment is convenient in operation - the sticking of the electrode is excluded due to the increase in current at its first contact with the surface, the probability of splashing is minimized.

This model gives a high-quality seam, which, in particular, is possible due to the hot start function and the ease of current control through the IGBT technology and the corresponding regulator. This happens smoothly, on a scale from 40 to 380A, which eliminates the risk of overheating and failure of the device. In the event of a deviation from the norm, the user receives an alert on the front panel.

Advantages

• There is a simple control panel;
• Robust network cable;
• Reliable grounding of the source;
• Withstands high loads well;
• Automatically turns off when the permissible values ​​are exceeded.

disadvantages

• Insufficiently large handle on the body;
• Considerable size.

Brima ARC 400-1 operates at a power of about 16.5 kVA, which ensures a high level of quality of work.

Fast & Furious 301 NAKS

The welding inverter in the rating of the best models is distinguished by high power, good seam quality, easy ignition and stable arc support. It is suitable for continuous operation without interruption in difficult conditions and can be powered by autonomous power plants with a capacity of 20 kVA. The device is reliably protected from dust, the accumulation of which prevents the body tightness and efficient operation of the built-in fan. He is also responsible for the timely cooling of parts, which does not allow this model to fail.

Furious 301 NAKS is suitable for professional manual arc welding and non-consumable electrode processing in a protective atmosphere of inert gas. Due to its small dimensions, it is easy to transport, and the length of the electric cables can be increased to 105 m, which is especially convenient when working in the field. Low power consumption provides cost savings, it contains all the necessary functions for efficient operation - "hot start", "arc afterburner", "anti-stick", etc.

Advantages

• Remote control;
• Automatic shutdown when the permissible parameters are exceeded;
• Wide functionality;
• Electronic stabilization of the welding arc;
• Good performance;
• Two information displays.

disadvantages

• It's not easy to figure out the settings the first time;
• High price.

Which welding inverter is better to choose

For home use, models with a power of 4 kW or more are most often chosen, powered by a single-phase network with a voltage of 220 V. At industrial facilities, devices are used to connect to three-phase 380V networks. In production conditions, they use semi-automatic devices operating in a protective gas environment, which are the most expensive. In order to operate in a country house or in a city house, they buy inverters for manual welding with covered electrodes.

Here is which welding inverter is best to choose depending on many factors:

• At home, Bison "Master" M1, Resanta SAI-190, Caliber Micro SVI-205 are suitable for manual direct current welding.
• For performing simple work by professionals, you can choose Fubag IR 200, Elitech IS 250PN, FoxWeld Master 162.
• In order to carry out more complex welding, you can buy a rather powerful Wester MMA-VRD 180.
• Svarog ARC 315 (R14), Foxweld VD-400I and Brima ARC 400-1 are used for operation in three-phase networks with a voltage of 380V.
• High-quality argon-arc and manual arc welding will be provided by Furious 301 NAKS.
• For semi-automatic execution of works, it is recommended to purchase Cedar MultiARC-3200.

By choosing the really best welding inverter, you can make your job much easier and do it better.