Different welding jobs require different welding processes. If you think you might work with all three main types of welding process, then a multi process welder is definitely worth the money. It will save you money as you get one machine to do three processes instead of three separate machines for three processes. They also use up much less space in your workshop, which is important if you only have a small workspace or want a portable all-round unit.
All the multi process welders listed can perform MIG, TIG and Stick.
- Best multi process welder with AC TIG
- Best multi process welder for the money
- Best multi process welder under $1000
- Best multi process welder under $2000
Most multi process welders are DC TIG only. This means you won’t be able to TIG weld aluminum if you have a DC multiprocess welder. If you want to TIG weld aluminum you’ll need a multiprocess welder with AC/DC TIG
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Best Multi Process Welder Comparison Chart
Below is a comparison chart of the best multi process welders on the market today.| Welder | Image | Max Amps | Volts | Process | MIG Duty Cycle | Weight (lb) | Rating | Price | More |
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ESAB Rebel 205ic Best with AC TIG |  | 235 | Dual | MIG/Flux/ Stick/DC TIG/AC TIG | 25% @ 205A | 49 | 4.6/5 | $$$$$ | Review |
| Lincoln PowerMIG 210MP Best under $2000 |  | 220 | Dual | MIG/Flux/ Stick/DC TIG | 25% @ 200A | 40 | 4.6/5 | $$$ | Review |
| Everlast PowerMTS 251s |  | 250 | Dual | MIG/Flux/ Stick/DC TIG | 30% @ 150A | 70 | 4.6/5 | $$$ | Review |
| Esab Rebel EMP 215ic |  | 240 | Dual | MIG/Flux/ Stick/DC TIG | 65% @ 175A | 40 | 4.6/5 | $$$ | Review |
| Miller Multimatic 215 |  | 230 | Dual | MIG/Flux/ Stick/DC TIG | 40% @ 150A | 38 | 4.6/5 | $$$$ | Review |
| Everlast PowerMTS 211si |  | 210 | Dual | MIG/Flux/ Stick/DC TIG | 30% @ 130A | 55 | 4.5/5 | $$$ | Review |
| Weldpro 200A Multiprocess Best for the money Best under $1000 |  | 200 | Dual | MIG/Flux/ Stick/DC TIG | 30% @ 130A | 30.9 | 4.3/5 | $$ | Review |
7 Best MIG/DC TIG/Stick Multi Process Welders
1. ESAB Rebel 205ic AC/DC
Best multi process welder with AC TIG
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(4.5 / 5)
(5.0 / 5)
(4.0 / 5)
(4.6 / 5)The ESAB Rebel 205ic is an amazing machine, its biggest selling point is its ability to perform quality AC/DC HF TIG, allowing you to TIG weld aluminum. It can also performs well with challenging 6010 stick electrodes. It’s more expensive that the ESAB 215ic and is less powerful, but if you’re looking for the ultimate all-in-one welder, this is the one for you with the ability for MIG, Stick, Flux-Core, DC TIG and AC TIG.
It has Smart MIG technology for increased welding performance and results. The arc control is amazing and the machine adapts to your welding technique to help produce quality results with less training. You don’t need to set all your parameters, just the metal thickness and wire diameter and you’re good to go.
The TIG output is also great. With DC TIG for steel and AC TIG to aluminum. The welds are smooth and you can use lift start TIG or a foot pedal with adjustment up to 400 Hz.
This machine is also pretty compact and portable at just 49lbs. It’s a multi process welder made to handle any job around your workshop or to take out on-site. It’s the ultimate all-round welder.
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2. Lincoln Electric PowerMIG 210MP
Best under $2000
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The 210 is one of our favorite multiprocess welders with an excellent on screen display which lets you key in your figures for metal thickness, wire thickness and gas mix and then applies the settings automatically. This is perfect if you’re not that experienced at choosing the welder settings. The welds are typical from a Lincoln machine – smooth and great quality. The 210 is also very light for a powerful multiprocess welder, and is just 40lbs. The weight and versatility of this machine makes it a popular choice for contract welders. This is a quality machine that’s easy to use for beginners and gives you the option to expand with a TIG kit and spool gun down the line once you get more experienced. It’s also great as a MIG/Stick machine if you already have a TIG machine.
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3. Everlast PowerMTS 251si
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Everlast have built a multi process welder that’s powerful, versatile and available at an excellent price. There’s loads of options with this welder which allows you to produce quality welds. It doesn’t just have the standard MIG, TIG and Stick, it comes with Synergic MIG, Pulse MIG and Pulse TIG available with a high frequency start not just lift start. These modes are super smooth and I’m really impressed with the overall build quality of this welder. The stick mode also offers hot start intensity and duration controls. The front panel might look intimidating because there’s a lot of options, but the user manual explains the settings very clearly. making it easy to understand. The price point makes this a very attractive model compared to similar brands and it comes with a TIG torch, TIG pedal and consumables included making it the best bang for buck option.
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4. Esab Rebel EMP 215ic
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The Esab Rebel 215iC is great for beginners and professional as it offers different modes for different abilities. I really like the user interface on this, it’s intuitive and easy to use with a large 4.3 inch color display. Beginners can use the new Smart MIG feature to quality achieve nice welds. When using Smart MIG, all you have to set is the metal thickness and wire diameter it will automatically adapt the arc to your specific weld regardless of other parameters such as the metal or gas you’re using. They also offer an advanced mode where you can really fine tune your settings, perfect for more experienced welders. This makes the Esab Rebel great for beginners who are looking to improve and perfect their skills. The arc on this is smooth and it comes ready to TIG and MIG weld right out the box and comes with 6010 electrodes which it handles easily.
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5. Miller Multimatic 215
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The Miller Multimatic 215 is a really reliable machine. The build quality on Miller welders is excellent. They’re built to last and run a really nice bead. It doesn’t include as many accessories as you might have hoped for the price, but Miller are premium brand. It does come with a spool gun but not a TIG torch. The digital display is helpful, however, the user interface isn’t as nice as the Esab Rebel. It’s still easy to use and they walk you through the setup really clearly on the small digital display. You can pretty much plug it in and it’s ready to go. I like the two gas inputs, which you don’t get with other multi process welders of this class. This means you won’t have to switch your gas tank over when you want to change between TIG and MIG because you can hook up both tanks.
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6. Everlast PowerMTS 211si
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(4.4 / 5)The 211si is the smaller brother to the 251si, which is our favorite all round multi process welder. This is an equally great value all round performer and is ready for TIG with a TIG torch and pedal included. These machines are really well built with great care taken with the components and their arrangement. A few years ago people were unsure if these welders would be able to compete with Miller and Lincoln, but these Everlast welders have been proven to stand the test of time.
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7. Weldpro 200A
Best for the money
Best under $1000
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(4.3 / 5)If you’re looking for a decent budget option this is our top pick. It’s lightweight, dual-voltage and lets you perform MIG, TIG and Stick at a super low price! It weighs just 30lbs so it’s really portable and the digital display is easy to use for beginners. So far these are standing the test of time and are built more solidly than the price suggests, so if you’re on a lower budget this is worth checking out. It’s also a popular choice as a secondary or backup welder in case your main welder breaks down.
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Factors for Choosing a Multi Process Welder
Below are some of the things to factor into choosing the best multiprocess welder for you.
Welding Aluminum
Most multiprocess welders only weld in DC, so you won’t be able to TIG weld aluminum. You’ll also need a spool gun to MIG weld aluminum. The best way to think of a multiprocess welder is that you’re buying a MIG welder that’s great for stick welding and has the added ability to TIG weld steel and stainless steel when you need to. TIG machines are expensive, so if you’re not TIG welding aluminum it will save you a lot of money and give you the option to work on more precise welds without having to invest a huge amount extra on a designated TIG machine. Obviously, if you want to TIG aluminum then you’ll need a TIG machine unless you have an AC/DC multiprocess welder.
Price
The best multi process welders retail at between $1000 and $3000. This will save you money as it’s not that much more expensive that a good TIG welder. If you’re not planning on using TIG welding, then you might be better off getting a cheap inverter stick welder for around $150 and a good entry level MIG welder for between $500 and $1000. If you do go for a multiprocess welder, I’d go for a high value multiprocess welder from a trusted brand. If you only have one welder then you don’t want it to break and be left with nothing.
Lift Start
When doing TIG you’ll have lift off starting. This is OK and you can still TIG weld fine with lift arc. Basically, you’ll need to touch down the Tungsten and lift off to start the arc. It won’t give the precision of a High Frequency start professional TIG welder but you can still get good results.
Voltage
There are two types of input voltage for welders, 120v and 240v. Welders with 120v input can be plugged into your normal household power outlet. This is perfect if you’ll be welding round the house and don’t require a huge about of power. 240v welders will need to be run off a generator, but will give you more power.
Dual voltage welders are units that offer both 120/240V input, which means you’ll be able to plug it in anywhere. The best dual voltage welders allow you to switch between these with minimum effort. Dual voltage multi process welders are the ultimate versatility unit because you can use them on any household power source or a generator with all the major welding processes.
Plasma Cutting
Some multi process welders will come with plasma cutting capability. All of the multi function machines here are combined MIG, TIG and Stick welders.
Shielding Gas
Don’t forget to change your welding gas when you change welding process. Your CO2/Argon mix won’t be suitable for TIG welding. You’ll need to change over to Argon as well as fixing up your TIG torch when you want to TIG. Some machines, like the Multimatic 215 have two gas inputs so you won’t need to change the cylinders over.
Pros and Cons of a Multi Process Welder
Pros
- Maximum versatility. Can perform lots of different welding processes in one place.
- Uses less room in your workshop.
- Can be cost effective as it’s cheaper than buying three separate welders.
- Handy if you’re move about for welding jobs and need to transport the machine.
Cons
- Not as good quality as having 3 dedicated machines
- More of a risk to just have one welding machine if the machine breaks.
- Machines are heavy, where you could just have a small stick machine for stick welding.
We hope you liked our article “The Best Multi Process Welders in 2020” if so, we’d really appreciate it if you could rate and share it.
Fyi, the Miller on Amazon does have the Tig kit included. I’d rather get the Lincoln but could not find their Tig kit. To break down names, Miller is the equivalent of Harley Davidson and Lincoln is the equivalent of a chopper. They’re both great brands but I’ve found the Lincoln last longer. You can rig it up for continued use whereas once the board goes out of the Miller, it costs an arm n a leg to get it back up. Great article though.