Unlike a solid wire, a flux core wire can offer better results in various welding applications and welding types. This is made possible thanks to the flux added to these wires which makes it great for gun welders, vertical welding, flat welding, welding harder steels, welding rods and much more. Because of these reasons, we have already given some of the best flux core wires down below that have been selected as per these points:
- Spool Weight: If you wish to have enough flux core wire for all your welding and soldering needs, then consider checking the spool weight since more flux core wire results in more spool weight. While most flux core wires come as 2 pound spools, you can also find 10 pound spools with much more flux core wires.
- Wire Diameter: Apart from having enough flux core wire, you would also want the wire to be of high quality. In general, a thicker wire with a higher diameter is generally stronger and better for welding. Thankfully, almost all flux core wires have a wire diameter of 0.030 inch or similar which should be quite good for most.
- Tensile Strength: Once you have welded a joint using flux core wires, you would want the weld to last for as long as possible. And to ensure that you are getting a strong and durable flux core wire, you can check the tensile strength of your wire which should be around 70000 PSI to 80000 PSI for the best results.
Surely these points are some of the most important ones regarding the best flux core wires. But to ensure that you are going with the right one, we have also given all the significant features and options of these best flux core wires. You can also find a detailed “Buying Guide” and common FAQs for the best flux core wires to help you pick the right one by going through this listicle.
Best Flux Core Wires List
| Flux Core Wires | Spool Weight | Wire Diameter | Tensile Strength | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forney Flux Core Wires | 2 pound | 0.030 inch | 79000 PSI | Check On Amazon |
| Yeswelder Flux Core Wires | 2 pound | 0.030 inch | 79000 PSI | Check On Amazon |
| Blue Demon Flux Core Wires | 2 pound | 0.030 inch | --- | Check On Amazon |
| INE Flux-Core Wire | 2-Pound | 0.35-Inch | --- | Check On Amazon |
| LINCOLN ELECTRIC Flux-Core Wire | 1 pound | 0.30 inch | --- | Check On Amazon |
| Hobart Flux-Core Wire | 2 pound | 0.030 inch | --- | Check On Amazon |
| Cuwiny Flux Core Wire | 2 pound | 0.030 inch | --- | Check On Amazon |
| Kiswel USA Flux Core wire | 10 pound | 0.035 inch | 70000 PSI | Check On Amazon |
| PGN Flux Core Wire | 10 pound | 0.035 inch | --- | Check On Amazon |
| ARcraft Flux Core Wire | 2 pound | 0.023 inch | --- | Check On Amazon |
Best Flux Core Wires Reviews
1. Forney Flux Core Wire
Forney is a highly popular brand of welding products since most of its offerings perform quite well especially for the given price tag which is also true for its MIG core wire options.
The Forney 42300 flux core wire is present in the 1st position in this list since it offers an excellent value for money as it is one of the strongest options in its class. Taking a look at its specifications, this flux core wire comes in a 2 pound spool which is quite good. But the best thing about this flux core wire is that it offers a wire diameter of 0.030 inch similar to premium options.
Thanks to its given wire diameter, Forney is able to offer a tensile strength of 79000 PSI which is quite good for the given price tag. In fact, Forney also offers a 90 day long warranty with this flux core wire which is better than nothing.
Best Features:
- Comes as a spool weight of 2 pounds
- Rated wire diameter of 0.030 inch
- Offers a tensile strength of 79000 PSI
- Includes a 90 day long warranty
Pros:
- High value for money flux core wire
- Pretty thick wire with a high tensile strength rating
- Decent warranty period for your peace of mind
Cons:
- Spool’s construction is a bit on the average side
2. Yeswelder Flux Core Wire
Yeswelder has been offering all kinds of welding products and related accessories like flux core wires where most of its products are quite practical and offer great build quality.
This yeswelder E71TGS flux core wire is present in the 3rd position in this article because this is one of the strongest options out there especially at the given price tag. Starting with the total amount of flux core wire that you get, this flux core wire comes as a 2 pound spool. And since this flux core wire has a wire diameter of 0.030 inch, you can expect it to be quite strong.
As you would expect from the given thickness, this flux core wire offers a tensile strength of 79000 PSI which should be quite good for most users. Although, if you want something for long term usage, you should look elsewhere since this one does not offer any warranty.
Best Features:
- Comes as a spool weight of 2 pounds
- Rated wire diameter of 0.030 inch
- Offers a tensile strength of 79000 PSI
Pros:
- Pretty strong and durable for the given price
- Thick and high tensile strength flux core wire
- Comes vacuum sealed for a better shelf life
Cons:
- Misses out on an included warranty period
3. Blue Demon Flux Core Wire
Similar to the previous offering from Forney, Blue Demon and its welding products are also quite affordable making them a great entry level option if you want to try out different flux core wires.
Blue Demon’s E71TGS flux core wire is present in the 2nd position in this listicle as this can be a great budget friendly option for many. Even for the given price tag, this flux core wire still comes with a spool weight of 2 pounds which should be plenty for most users. Unlike most other budget oriented options, this flux core wire has a wire diameter of 0.030 inch.
While this wire might be quite strong thanks to its given thickness, it does not mention any tensile strength rating. Thankfully, you do get a 6 month long warranty with this Blue Demon flux core wire making it a great long term option.
Best Features:
- Comes as a spool weight of 2 pounds
- Rated wire diameter of 0.030 inch
- Includes a 6 month long warranty
Pros:
- Great entry level flux core wire for budget buyers
- Longer warranty period than most others
- Small and compact spool size for easy storage
Cons:
- Does not mention a tensile strength rating
4. INE Flux-Core Wire
This flux-core wire is one of the best choices for welding, ensuring smooth and efficient results. Unlock your welding abilities with this wire, which can be used in any position. A key feature of our product is that it completely covers the slag, ensuring there are no gaps or flaws in your welds. Furthermore, it’s made with care to be free from holes, ensuring your welds stay strong and last a long time.
The wire is excellent at creating clean and professional welds. These welds will not only last a long time but also make your projects look more refined. This welding wire that represents the finest Italian craftsmanship. It ensures consistent quality, reliability, and an outstanding user experience. This gasless flux-cored wire is your reliable partner for perfect, high-quality welds.
Best Features:
- High-quality Italian craftsmanship
- Easy welding in all positions
- Low spatter
- Full slag coverage
- Porosity-free
- Professional bead appearance
Pros:
- Reliable for both beginners and professionals
- Ensures clean and flawless welds
- Long-lasting and durable
- Minimal spatter for a tidy work area
- Easy to use in various positions
- Crafted for a professional look
Cons:
- Limited availability or higher cost compared to other welding wires
5. LINCOLN ELECTRIC Flux-Core Wire
LINCOLN ELECTRIC is a flexible welding wire that will make your welding better. This welding wire is perfect for welding thin steel and plates in any position. It gives good results when you weld. This wire is strong with a diameter of 0.030 inches, so it will last a long time and won’t break in your welding projects.
It is made for welding jobs using plates from 5/16 inch to 1/2 inch thick. This wire is perfect for various projects like welding light steel, thin plates, using copper for support, working with sheet metal, propane cylinders. It helps you make precise, reliable, and high-quality welds for various welding jobs.
Best Features:
- Versatile for various welding tasks
- Good for thin plates and light steel
- Low spatter for clean welds
- Strong with a 70,000 PSI tensile strength
- Works with various applications, including robotics
Pros:
- Wide application range
- High strength and reliability
- Low spatter, easy to use
- Suitable for automated welding
Cons:
- Not suitable for heavy-duty welding
- May not be the most economical option for occasional users
Also Check: Basics of Electric Flux and Gauss’s Law
6. Hobart Flux Core Wire
Hobart is one of the smaller and a fairly new brand when you are talking about welding products and related accessories which still manages to offer a few great flux core wire options.
This Hobart H222106-R19 flux core wire is on par with most other flux core wires in its class especially if you are looking for a high quality one. For starters, this flux core wire from Hobart also has a spool weight of 2 pounds which is the same as most others. Similarly, its given wire diameter is also 0.030 inches which happens to be quite good.
However, if you are interested in the exact tensile strength to know more about the quality of this flux core wire, you are out of luck since unfortunately it does not mention one. That being said, Hobart does offer a 1 year long warranty which makes this option much better for long term usage especially considering it’s given price tag.
Best Features:
- Comes as a spool weight of 2 pounds
- Rated wire diameter of 0.030 inch
- Includes a 1 year long warranty
Pros:
- Quite a strong flux core wire for most users
- Decently long warranty period for reliability and your peace of mind
- Standard wire thickness for using in most welding applications
Cons:
- Does not mention any tensile strength rating
7. Cuwiny Flux Core Wire
Cuwiny is another brand of flux core wires which is on the affordable side and makes a viable option for many users because of the same especially for the given price tag.
The Cuwiny E71TGS flux core wire is one of the cheapest options out there making it the perfect pick for buyers on a budget. Even with a lower price tag, this flux core wire still offers a standard spool weight of 2 pounds resulting in a high value for money. Another great thing about this flux core wire is that it uses a wire diameter of 0.030 inches making it great for all kinds of applications and uses.
Although, one area where this flux core wire certainly reflects its lower price tag is its tensile strength rating as it does not have one. While it also lacks an included warranty, that is to be expected at such an affordable price tag.
Best Features:
- Comes as a spool weight of 2 pounds
- Rated wire diameter of 0.030 inch
Pros:
- Superb budget friendly option with a high value for money
- Decent quantity of flux core wire for the given price
- Pretty good wire thickness for strength and compatibility
Cons:
- Lacks a tensile strength rating regarding its quality
8. Kiswel Flux Core wire
If you do not have any budget restrictions and want to go for a flux core wire which is ideal for heavy duty and industrial scale usage, then Kiswel USA and its offerings can be a great pick for you.
Kiswel USA’s K-NGS E-71TGS flux core wire is the perfect option for all those who want something for large scale applications. For making the same possible, Kiswel offers a spool weight of 10 pounds which is much higher than all other options out there. But more importantly, this flux core wire has a wire diameter of 0.035 inch which is on the higher side for most.
As you would expect from such a thick wire, the given tensile strength rating of 70000 PSI is to be expected. And since this is a premium flux core wire, Kiswel USA also includes a 1 year long warranty making it the perfect option for heavy duty usage.
Best Features:
- Comes as a spool weight of 10 pounds
- Rated wire diameter of 0.035 inch
- Offers a tensile strength of 70000 PSI
- Includes a 1 year long warranty
Pros:
- Amazing flux core wire for industrial usage
- Offers a large quantity of high quality flux core wire
- Pretty long warranty period for your peace of mind
Cons:
- A bit on the expensive side
9. PGN Flux Core Wire
PGN and its offerings for welding products and accessories can be another viable pick for all those who are looking for something that can be used for all sorts of large scale applications.
This PGN E71T-11 flux core wire is the perfect option for all those who want something made for heavy duty usage. Starting with the amount of flux core wire that you get, this flux core wire comes as a 10 pound pack which is on the higher side when compared with most other options. In fact, you also get a wire diameter of 0.035 inches making it perfect for industrial usage.
While this flux core wire from PGN is certainly quite strong, it does not mention any tensile strength rating which is a downside at the given price tag. Thankfully, you do get a 2 year long warranty with this flux core wire which is to be expected at the given price tag.
Best Features:
- Comes as a spool weight of 2 pounds
- Rated wire diameter of 0.035 inch
- Includes a 2 year long warranty
Pros:
- Pretty great flux core wire for industrial usage
- Superb warranty period for your peace of mind
- High quantity of flux core wire to last for a long time
Cons:
- Misses out on a tensile strength rating
10. ARcraft Flux Core Wire
Arcraft is one of the smallest and newer brands when you are talking about welding products such as its flux core wire stated here.
The Arcraft ER70S-6 flux core wire happens to be the cheapest option given here which makes it the perfect for those who are on a tight budget. Despite being the cheapest option listed here, the Arcraft flux core wire still offers a spool weight of 2 pounds which is similar to much more premium options out there. However, in order to keep its price tag lower, this flux core wire has a much lower wire diameter of 0.023 inches.
To get the most strength out of this flux core wire, you will have to use it with shielding gas which is quite common in entry level options. While it might not be the longest, this flux core wire only has a 30 day long warranty which is better than nothing.
Best Features:
- Comes as a spool weight of 2 pounds
- Rated wire diameter of 0.023 inch
- Includes a 30 day long warranty
Pros:
- Perfect option for budget buyers
- Quite good quantity and spool weight for given price
- Included warranty for peace of mind on a budget
Cons:
- Requires shielding gas
Buying Guide For The Best Flux Core Wires
Since flux gets used in all kinds of welding processes, using it with your welding wire is highly important. And to make this process much easier and faster, a flux core wire can be used in many welding processes.
If you also want something similar, then simply go with one of the best flux core wires mentioned above in this article. This article also has all the significant specifications and details of these best flux core wires. And if you want to know even more about flux core wires for picking the right one, make sure to check this extensive buying guide for the best flux core wires:
1. Spool Weight
Those of you who use welding wire quite often will most likely run out of your flux core wire within a short period of time. In other words, checking the total amount of flux core wire offered in a given pack is highly important.
Since checking the length of such a thin and long wire is not very practical, you can simply check the spool weight since a higher weight rating will result in much more flux core wire capacity. In other words, while most flux core wires out there offer a spool weight of 2 pounds, you can also find heavier options at 10 pounds which are much better for heavy duty and industrial usage.
2. Wire Diameter
Whether you have a lot of flux core wire or not, making sure that you are using a high quality flux core wire is highly important. Without having a strong and durable flux core wire, all of the welding jobs done with it will be quite weak.
Fortunately, almost all the flux core wires given above have a wire diameter of 0.030 inch or similar which should be plenty for most. Apart from the strength, the wire diameter of your flux core wire will also determine its compatibility with different welding machines and processes.
3. Tensile Strength
As mentioned earlier, having a strong and durable flux core wire is highly important if you want your welds to last for as long as possible. To ensure the same, you can also check the tensile strength of your flux core wire.
This is due to the reason that a higher tensile strength will result in a stronger and more durable flux core wire. For example, if you are going with a flux core wire with an 80000 PSI tensile strength, then it will be comparatively stronger than a 70000 PSI tensile strength flux core wire.
4. Spool Size
Unlike the spool weight, the spool size has nothing to do with your flux core wire. Instead, the spool size rating tells you about the physical dimensions of the spool itself. While some flux core wires may come with a 4 inch or a 6 inch spool diameter, others can even have an 8 inch spool diameter. Checking the spool size of your flux core wire is highly important regarding storage needs and using the spool directly inside a welding machine.
5. Warranty and Shelf Life
In case you do not want to use your flux core wire for industrial usage, then it is highly likely that you won’t be using it as often. And because the flux inside your flux core wire can get corroded over time, checking the warranty shelf life is highly important.
While not all flux core wires may come with a warranty or shelf life rating, the ones which do generally offer a 90 day, 6 month, or a 1 year warranty and shelf life rating where a longer rating is always the better one.
Flux Core Wires FAQs
Ans: Just as you can guess by its name, a flux core wire simply has flux on the inside for much better welding results. Because the wire itself has flux, you do not have to apply additional flux while welding which is one of the biggest issues with using a standard solid welding wire in applications where you need to use flux.
Ans: Since flux core wires have flux inside them, the flux may go bad over time due to oxidation and other types of corrosion. Fortunately, if your flux core wire is vacuum sealed, then it can last for a much longer time period.
Ans: If you are not familiar with flux core wires, then you may also want to know about its ideal applications. While flux core wires can be used in a wide range of welding processes, some of the most common ones include vertical up welding, welding galvanized surfaces, welding harder steels, flat welding, and much more.
Conclusion
In case you use a welding machine quite often for either your personal projectos or for industrial usage, then you must know that having the right welding wire is highly important. But since standard solid welding wire cannot be used in all cases, we have already stated some of the best flux core wires earlier in this list. In this list, all of these best flux core wires also have their important aspects and factors.
To further help you in picking the right one, we have already discussed a complete buying guide and some of the popular FAQs for the best flux core wires. However, if you are still confused, you can simply get one of the best flux core wires that we have listed down below as our recommendations:
- Starting with one of the best flux core wires for heavy duty usage, the Kiswel Flux Core wire is a great industrial grade option. Unlike other options out there, this one offers a spool weight of 10 pounds which can last for a pretty long time. Apart from coming in a large sized pack, this flux core wire is also quite strong thanks to the given wire thickness of 0.035 inch and a tensile strength of 70000 PSI.
- But if you have tight budget restrictions and want something for basic usage, then the ARcraft Flux Core Wire can be a great pick since it is the most affordable option mentioned here. Even with the much lower price tag, this flux core wire still offers a spool weight of 2 pounds. As for its wire diameter, it uses a lower 0.023 inch wire diameter which is to be expected at the given price tag.
- When compared with most other flux core wires out there, the INE Flux-Core Wire is much stronger. While it may only offer a spool weight of just 2 pounds, it is certainly a highly durable option. This is due to its given wire diameter of 0.030 inch which offers an excellent tensile strength of 82700 PSI which is much higher than the other flux core wires given above
