The 110v welder produced a nice bead and was easy to use. You just plug it into a household socket and start welding. However, 110v welders create significantly less current than 220v models limiting them to smaller jobs. 110v welders are good for hobbyists and beginners but not for heavy jobs.

110V stick welders are an excellent option for those looking for an economical welder. But are they as good as the higher-priced welders? In this blog post, we’ll examine the pros and cons of using a 110V stick welder.

We’ll also help you decide if it’s the right welder for you. I discuss the benefits of 110V stick welders, how thick they can weld, and also review the best 110V stick welders on the market. So, whether you’re just starting out in welding or looking for an affordable option, read on to learn more about 110V stick welders.

Are 110V Stick Welders any Good?

The beauty of 110v stick welders is that they are compact and lightweight, making them portable and ideal for outdoor repairs. Their price is also low, making them an excellent choice for DIY enthusiasts, hobbyists, etc.

Many beginners wonder if 110v stick welders can weld thicker metals. The great news is that there is no thickness a 110v stick welder cannot handle.

Sure, manufacturers do put down a maximum thickness in the device’s specification list, but that only means the thickness the stick welder can handle in a single pass. 

A good stick welder can handle thicker metals – just that you’d need more than one pass. When welding thicker joints, you might need a bit more preparation of the surface (beveling, pre-heating, etc.).

Whenever we talk about a stick welder’s performance, we must always consider its duty cycle. A small stick welder with a lower duty cycle will need longer rest periods. But if you go for high-end 110v stick welders, even that problem can be tackled. So, always consider the stick welder’s duty cycle when choosing one.

How Thick Can a 110v Stick Welder Weld?

The answer to this question depends on various factors:

• Your welding expertise
• The prep work you’re willing to put in
• The kind of rod you’re burning.

For example, a 110v stick welder could max out around 85 Amp. But a skilled welder can easily penetrate around 1/4th inch with a 1/8th 6010. Needless to say that the job would be a lot easier with a more powerful welder.

Don’t confuse amperage with watts. For example, even if a 110v welder uses the same amperage as its 220v counterpart, it will produce about half the wattage. The amount of wattage produced is critical when welding.

To calculate wattage, you multiply the voltage by amps. So a 110v using 85 amps equals 9,350 watts. The same amount of amps with a 220v machine creates 18,700 watts, double the output of a 110v machine.

The thickness a stick welder can weld also depends on the type of weld. In the case of a single square groove, you might not be able to get a proper weld thicker than 1/4th of an inch.

A skilled welder who is good at stacking beads can weld any metal thickness so long as they prepare the joints correctly and use proper rods. Often the welding rods used for this method are ⅛ or 5/32 diameter thickness – however, the process is slow.

The answer to the question: how thick can a stick welder weld also depends on the design and quality of the 110v welder and the circuit powering it. Having said that, if you want to weld more than 3mm and have the budget and expertise, then go for a 150W or 200W unit.

10 Best 110v Stick Welders

YESWELDER ARC 125 DS Stick Welder

YESWELDER specializes in state-of-the-art welding machines, and the ARC-125 DS has received hundreds of 5-star reviews for several features.

It features the automatic hot start, making it easy to start and reliable. Its intelligent high-speed cooling fan also prevents it from overheating.

Secondly, its reliable IGBT-powered device ensures further reliability. 

Thirdly, it comes with all the accessories you need, such as a 10-ft electrode holder, clamp,10ft ground clamp and cable, a 220V to 110V adapter, and a brush- everything you need to get started. It even includes a foot pedal for you to TIG weld.

Yeswelder’s customer service is also reliable. They send replacement parts at no extra cost if you have any issues.

Features

• 70% duty cycle
• 20-125 amp
• Ideal for 6010, 6011, 6013, and 7018 rods.
• Can weld stainless steel, mild steel, and other metals
• Overheat and overload protection
• Water rating IP21
• Compact – 13 x 4.92 x 8.27inches and 10 lb. weight

Pros

• Easy to use
• Portable and lightweight
• Durable
• Value for money
• Great for beginners

Cons

• The electrode holder keeps separating from the power cord. It tends to fall while welding resulting in sparking.

 HONE Stick Welder

The high-efficiency MMA140 Dwelder from HONE is safe, stable, and ideal for beginners and veterans. It is easy to operate and lightweight for portability.

The welder also has a hot start for quick arc starting. It is also forceful for deep penetration and smoother operation. HONE MMA140D welder also has an anti-stick easy electrode removal and auto protection for over and under voltage, over current, and overheating.

Features

• Electrode type – AWS E6013, E7018, E6011, E6010, E308 
• Built-in MCU smart control
• Water protection IP21
• High no-load voltage 85±5V, 
• Workpiece thickness – Min. 1/32 in (0.8mm) in fit with welding rod 1/16 in 
• Welding current 10-120 A
• Duty cycle – 25%120A (110V) / 30%140A (220V)

Pros

• Great for beginners
• Lightweight
• Portable
• Durable

Cons

• Needs cooling off after a couple of minutes of use.
• You need to use an amp circuit in your house and not GFI or GFCI

Hobart 500570 Stickmate 160i

Hobart Stickmate is dependable, easy to use and carry, and reliable. It is designed to give you a smooth, stable arc for a consistent weld bead. Hobart’s industrial-grade drive system and durable wire feed cast aluminum provide professional performance guaranteed to stand the test of time.

The best part about Hobart Stickmate is that it weighs around 100 lb lighter than other stick welders and comes with a convenient carrying strap – so you can carry it to work. Also, it is a dual voltage welder, so you can even run it anywhere there is electricity!

Features

• 10-ft electrode cable with holder
• 160 Amps with 110/240V
• 10 ft. work cable with clamp
• 6.5 ft power cord
• Hobart 5/3/1 warranty

Pros

• Portable
• Easy to use
• Lightweight
• Robust hardware

Cons

• It is a basic unit for hobbyists – not for heavy-duty work.

TOOLIOM 195A Stick Welder 

This impressive unit from TOOLIOM comes with a hot-start, amperage adjustment, and smart digital display. It is also equipped with multiple protection such as overload, overheating, etc. The easy-to-operate TOOLIOM TL-195A unit is ideal for beginners. It is also portable and lightweight and comes with a carrying case for taking it for repairs.

Features

• It can be used with E6010 cellulose electrode as well as 6011/6013/7018
• Hot-start, anti-stick arc force
• Dual voltage
• Suitable for MMA and TIG

Pros

• Multiple features make it ideal for beginners
• Portable
• Affordable

Cons

• Adjusting amperage is not precise as it jumps too much and cannot select to a predetermined setting.

Miller Electric Stick Welder

USA-made Miller Electric stick welder is a professional-grade unit for the DIY weekend welder. It is CSA-certified and can easily handle 6010 rods and up to a quarter of an inch of metal.

Features

• 15.6″ L x 13.2″ W x 13.3″ H
• 6.5-ft power cord
• 10-ft each No.4 electric cable and work cable with clamp
• Hot start technology
• Weighs just about 23 lb.
• 100 Percent Duty Cycle 35 A, 85 A

Pros

• Super reliable
• Portable
• Powerful
• Anti-sticking; cuts power if stuck
• Clean, strong welds

Cons

• Expensive

WETOLS Arc 160 Stick Welder 

WETOL ARC 160 welder is designed for beginners and comes with IGBT technology that enhances efficiency and dependability. This sturdy welder is also lightweight and portable and can be used with dual voltages for inside or outside repairs.

DIY or home welders can expect professional-grade welds with this machine.

Features

• Adjustable welding voltage
• Low noise due to on/off frequency
• Stable welding arc and superior control
• Overheat, overcurrent, and overload protection

Pros

• Low splatter
• Affordable
• Easy to use and great for beginners

Cons

• short ground and electrode leads are only 5 ft which can be an issue for some welders

DEKOPRO 200Amp Dual Voltage Stick Welder

DEKOPRO 200Amp 110/220V Welder is a powerful and reliable welder with stable IGBT technology. It also saves on power consumption compared to other dual voltage welders.

The DEKOPRO’s hot start and arc force design make it easy to start and convenient for beginners in welding. The dual voltage welder gives reliable welds with minimum splatter. This enhances efficiency and reduces time spent on cleaning.

Features

• 110V – Welding rod 7018/6010/6011 and max electrode size 3/32”
• High-speed, low-noise cooling fan
• Suitable for various ferrous metals like low carbon steel, alloy steel, and medium carbon steel

Pros

• Portable
• Lightweight
• Easy to use
• Affordable price

Cons

• Poorly translated instruction manual
• Inadequate wiring.

S7 Store 250A 110/220V Stick Welder 

The S7 250A 110/220V Stick welder machine has a built-in hot start for smooth and easy starting. It also features anti-stick technology that shuts off power if it sticks. The compact and portable mini welder has an 85% duty cycle making it more efficient than most DIY welding units.

It also has less splatter and a powerful thrust.

Features

• 110/120V & 220/230±15%V 
• 85%(250A)
• IP21 S protection
• Weighs 12.87 lb.

Pros

• Lightweight and compact
• Portable
• Easy to use and easy to learn

Cons

• Very poor instruction manual
• Struggles with 1/8th inch 7018

S SIMDER Dual Voltage ARC-160 Stick Welder

S SIMDER is a strictly tested ARC welding machine that offers over-current and overheat protection. The reliable machine also features IGBT technology and a portable and compact size for ease of use.

The Dual Voltage wedding machine has a clear LCD display that makes it easy for beginners. It is the perfect unit for beginners and those interested in DIY repairs.

High efficiency, energy saving, environmental protection, and stringent testing make this one of the best stick welders on the market.

Features

• 110V/220V Dual Voltage
• IGBT inverter
• Voltage and arc force control
• Suitable with  E7018, E6013, E6011, and rods below 4.0 mm

Pros

• Easy to start
• Portable design
• Easy to learn, easy to use, easy to maneuver

Cons

• Welding with 6011 or 7024 is not easy at any amperage

Reboot Dual Voltage Stick Welder

Reboot products ensure that you can quickly weld with ease and efficiency. It works great with many different sizes of welding rods (stainless steel rods, too) and has a 60% duty cycle.

It is also easy to start because of the hot start. Its VRD protection reduces no-load loss and reduces the output voltage to below DC 15V. You can also weld TIG. Reboot welder comes with a 1-year warranty.

Features

• 110- 220V / 60Hz
• 60% duty cycle
• Compatible with 6015, 6013,7018 in 1/16, 5/64, 3/32, 1/8

Pros

• Lightweight
• Easy to use 

Cons

• Included cables are too short

Conclusion – Best 110V Stick Welder

110 V stick welders are ideal for light-duty work. These small welders can be useful tools outdoors and indoors as they are compact and portable. Many dual voltage 110 V stick welders also work on 220V, which is convenient.

We recommend the YESWELDER Stick Welder for its 70% duty cycle. It is also equipped with overload and overheat protection. Others like Hobart 500570 Stickmate 160i, DEKOPRO 200Amp Dual Voltage Stick Welder, and Miller Electric Stick Welder are bestsellers in this category as well. Do check out our other recommendations.

Below is a good YouTube video showing how you can get the most out of your 110v.

FAQs – Best 110V Stick Welders