If you are familiar with the different welding types out there, then you must know that MIG welding requires a continuous wire which then gets used for welding. Because this continuously fed wire plays an important role, choosing the right welding wire for MIG welding is quite important. Hence, today we are here with the best MIG wires that have been chosen specifically as per these factors:
- Spool Weight: As you would know, welding is something that can require a lot of welding wire especially when you are working on larger projects. Because you can end up using a lot of wire in such projects, going with a larger MIG wire spool is always a great idea. Usually, this spool size is given in terms of the spool weight, which can include options like 1-pound or 2-pound spools where a higher weight is better if you want more welding wire.
- Wire Diameter: To get the proper welding results from your MIG wire, you will not only need a lot of wire, but also a high-quality wire that offers a large wire diameter. This MIG wire diameter rating can include options like 0.025 inch, 0.030 inch, and even 0.035 inch where a larger wire diameter is better for heavy-duty usage.
- Core Type: You should also check the core type of your MIG wire since it determines whether you will need a shielding gas for using your MIG welding machine or not. This is due to the reason that MIG wires that come with a flux core do not require any shielding gas to prevent oxidation and corrosion during welding which makes it better for heavy duty usage as compared to solid core type MIG wires.
Despite being some of the most important factors regarding MIG wires, you still need to consider quite a lot before picking the right one for your needs. Therefore, all of the best MIG wires stated here also have their key specifications and features listed next to them. In fact, we have also given an extensive “Buying Guide” and the primary FAQs for the best MIG wires so that you can go with the best one by the end of this list.
Best MIG Wires List
| Best MIG Wires | Spool Weight | Wire Diameter | Warranty | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forney Mig Wires | 2 pound spool | 0.030 inch | 90 day long | Check On Amazon |
| YESWELDER Mig Wire | 2 pound spool | 0.030 inch | 90 day long | Check On Amazon |
| WeldingCity Mig Wire | 11 pound spools | 0.030 inch | 1 year long | Check On Amazon |
| PGN Mig Wire | 10 pound spool | 0.035 inch | 1 year long | Check On Amazon |
| LINCOLN Mig Wire | 2 pound spool | 0.030 inch | 1 year long | Check On Amazon |
| ARCRAFT Mig Wire | 2 pound spool | 0.023 inch | 1 year long | Check On Amazon |
| Hynade Store Mig Wire | 2 pound spool | 0.030 inch | - | Check On Amazon |
| HEROCUT Mig Wire | 2 pound spool | 0.035 inch | - | Check On Amazon |
| US Forge MIG Wire | 2 pound spool | 0.035 inch | 90 day long | Check On Amazon |
| ARCCAPTAIN MIG Wire | 2 pound spool | 0.035 inch | - | Check On Amazon |
Best MIG Wires Reviews
1. Forney Mig Wires
Forney is definitely a highly popular and a fairly affordable option when you are talking about products and accessories related to welding which also includes a few MIG wires.
The Forney 42300 MIG wire is present in the 1st position in this list since this can be a great entry level option for most users out there. Considering that this is a fairly affordable MIG wire spool, you get a fairly decent spool weight of 2 pounds with it. Not only that but you also get a standard MIG wire diameter of 0.030 inch with this MIG wire resulting in great welding performance.
Another great thing about this MIG wire is that it is a flux core type MIG wire which means that you don’t need any shielding gas while using it. And while the included 90 day long warranty period is definitely not the longest, it is certainly decent considering the given affordable price of this MIG wire.
Best Features:
- Offers a 2-pound MIG wire spool inside the box
- Uses a 0.030-inch diameter MIG wire
- Based on a flux core type MIG wire
- Includes a 90-day long warranty period for your peace of mind
Pros:
- Highly affordable and budget-friendly MIG wire spool
- Decent performance thanks to given size and core type
- Large spool size for working on larger welding jobs with ease
Cons:
- Included warranty period is a bit short because of the entry-level price tag
2. YESWELDER Mig Wire
You can also consider Yes Welder and all of its welding products and accessories if you are on a budget and looking for products like MIG wire in the market.
Yes Welder’s E71TGS MIG wire is present in the 2nd position in this listicle as this is another entry level option which can be a great pick for most buyers on a budget. Similar to the previous Forney MIG wire, this one also comes as a 2 pound wire spool which is pretty amazing for the given price. In fact, you even get the same wire diameter or wire size of 0.030 inch with it which results in amazing performance.
Taking a look at other features of this MIG wire, you will be glad to know that this is a flux cored MIG wire which is always great for getting amazing welding results. Although, similar to the previously mentioned Forney MIG wire, this one also comes with only a 90 day long warranty period which does make it fall a bit behind than others.
Another great thing about this MIG wire is that it is a flux core type MIG wire which means that you don’t need any shielding gas while using it. And while the included 90 day long warranty period is definitely not the longest, it is certainly decent considering the given affordable price of this MIG wire.
Best Features:
- Offers a 2-pound MIG wire spool inside the box
- Uses a 0.030-inch diameter MIG wire
- Based on a flux core type MIG wire
- Includes a 90-day-long warranty period for your peace of mind
Pros:
- Quite a budget-friendly and affordable MIG wire spool
- High-quality MIG wire with great welding results for the given price
- Easy to use MIG wire thanks to its flux core which prevents the need for a shielding gas
Cons:
- Not as durable and reliable as other premium and high-end MIG wires out there
3. WeldingCity Mig Wire
Welding City is one of the major brands when you are talking about welding related products that are made for heavy duty usage which is also true for its MIG wire options given here.
This Welding City ER70S-6 MIG wire is present in the 3rd position in this article because this is hands down the best MIG wire when you are talking about heavy duty usage. To be more exact, this is the only MIG wire option given here which not only offers 2 wire spools in the box, but both of these spools weigh 11 pounds each resulting in 22 pounds of MIG wire in total. Apart from offering a large quantity of MIG wire for larger welding projects, this MIG wire also features a diameter of 0.030 inch for solid welds.
And to further offer the best possible welding results, this MIG wire also uses a flux core design for perfect welds. Because Welding City and its MIG wire is on the premium side, you also get a 1 year long warranty which makes this MIG wire hands down the best pick for heavy duty usage.
Best Features:
- Offers two 11 pound MIG wire spool inside the box
- Uses a 0.030 inch diameter MIG wire
- Based on a flux core type MIG wire
- Includes a 1 year long warranty period for your peace of mind
Pros:
- Best in class MIG wire option for heavy duty and industrial usage
- Offers a large amount of MIG wire for large scale welding jobs and applications
- Long warranty period along with an amazing build quality for longevity
Cons:
- Quite an expensive and premium MIG wire compared to other options
4. PGN Mig Wire
PGN Bearings and its MIG wire offerings can be a viable option for those who want a large quantity of MIG wire but don’t want to go with the most premium options available out there.
The PGN E71T-11-0.035 MIG wire is mentioned in this list since it is a great value for money option for all those who are looking for MIG wires for large scale welding jobs. When compared with other MIG wires out there, this one comes with a fairly higher spool weight of 10 pounds. But the most important thing about this MIG wire is that it has a wire diameter of 0.035 inch which makes it great for even stronger welds.
Thanks to the larger diameter of this MIG wire, it is also able to use a flux core design which is always great to have. And while it is a great value for money option, it is still a bit on the expensive side which means that you also get a 1 year long warranty with this MIG wire.
Best Features:
- Offers a 10 pound MIG wire spool inside the box
- Uses a 0.035 inch diameter MIG wire
- Based on a flux core type MIG wire
- Includes a 1 year long warranty period for your peace of mind
Pros:
- One of the best value for money MIG wires out there for heavy duty usage
- Ideal for large scale applications thanks to a high quantity of MIG wire
- Thick and large sized MIG wire for strong and high quality welds
Cons:
- Slightly on the expensive side for some buyers looking for basic MIG wire options
5. LINCOLN Mig Wire
Even though Lincoln Electric is one of the major mainstream brands of welding related offerings, its MIG wire offerings are fairly affordable and can be a viable option for many buyers.
Lincoln Electric’s ED030631 L-56 MIG wire is mentioned in this listicle as this is one of the best all rounder MIG wire options for most buyers. Starting off with the amount of MIG wire that you get, this one also comes in a 2 pound spool which is similar to others. Another similarity between this and other MIG wires is that it has a wire diameter of 0.030 inch.
Because this Lincoln Electric MIG wire uses a flux core design, it does not require any shielding gas which makes it a highly versatile option for most. But the best thing about going with a brand like Lincoln Electric is that despite offering an affordable MIG wire, this mainstream brand still includes a 1 year long warranty along with it.
Best Features:
- Offers a 2 pound MIG wire spool inside the box
- Uses a 0.030 inch diameter MIG wire
- Based on a flux core type MIG wire
- Includes a 1 year long warranty period for your peace of mind
Pros:
- Great entry level and all round MIG wire option for most users
- Pretty great welding results considering the given price tag
- Fairly long warranty period along with a decent build quality for peace of mind
Cons:
- Might not be the best option for heavy duty usage out there
6. ARCRAFT Mig Wire
Arcraft is a comparatively smaller brand of welding related accessories that you can consider if you are looking for something different while talking about MIG wires and other similar products.
This Arcraft ER70S-6 MIG wire is mentioned in this article because it is one of the only options out there which is made specifically for smaller and more precise welding jobs and applications. The major difference between this and other MIG wires out there is that this one uses a much smaller and finer wire diameter of 0.023 inch. And even with the thinner wire diameter, you still get a standard spool weight of 2 pounds which results in a decent amount of welding wire.
Unfortunately, the thinner wire diameter of this MIG wire means that it does not have a flux core which means that you will need to use a shielding gas along with it. That being said, you do get a 1-year warranty with this MIG wire which is not common with such small brands like Arcraft.
Best Features:
- Offers a 2-pound MIG wire spool inside the box
- Uses a 0.023-inch diameter MIG wire
- Based on a solid core type MIG wire
- Includes a 1-year-long warranty period for your peace of mind
Pros:
- Best in class MIG wire for working on detailed and smaller scale welding applications
- Standard warranty period for great longevity and reliability
- Decent amount of MIG wire when considering the given thickness
Cons:
- Requires a shielding gas for the best possible results due to its lack of a flux core
7. Hynade Store Mig Wire
Hynade is another brand of welding wires which is pretty new in the market because of which most of its offerings are also fairly affordable including its MIG wire model given here.
The Hynade MIG wire is given in this list since this can be a great option for all those who are looking for viable entry level options. Despite being an entry level MIG wire, you still get a decent and standard spool weight of 2 pounds with it. In fact, you even get a fairly high and definitely a usable MIG wire diameter of 0.030 inches with this MIG wire.
Moving over to other great things about this MIG wire, you will be glad to know that it even uses a flux core design for the best possible welding results. Although, because Hynade is a pretty small brand of MIG wires, it does not include any warranty period with it.
Best Features:
- Offers a 2 pound MIG wire spool inside the box
- Uses a 0.030 inch diameter MIG wire
- Based on a flux core type MIG wire
Pros:
- Quite an affordable and budget friendly MIG wire offering for most
- Great welding results thanks to the given diameter and core type
- Fairly good amount of MIG wire included in the box for the given price
Cons:
- Lacks any form of included warranty period from the manufacturer
8. HEROCUT Mig Wire
If you are talking about fairly new brands in the world of welding products, then herocut and its offerings can be another viable option that you should consider especially at the given price tag.
Herocut’s E71TGS MIG wire is given in this listicle as one of the best picks in case you are on a budget restriction. Starting off with the basics, this MIG wire comes in as a spool of 2 pounds which is on par with other options. Although, unlike other other MIG wires in its class and category, this one offers a higher wire diameter of 0.035 inch which certainly results in the best possible welding results.
To further make this MIG wire a more practical and viable option for most, Herocut has also used a flux core design with it. That being said, similar to Hynade, Herocut also lacks any form of manufacturer’s warranty as this is a fairly new brand of welding products.
Best Features:
- Offers a 2 pound MIG wire spool inside the box
- Uses a 0.035 inch diameter MIG wire
- Based on a flux core type MIG wire
Pros:
- Higher than standard wire thickness for the given price for amazing results
- Does not require any shielding gas thanks to its flux core construction
- Comparatively cheaper and affordable MIG wire option for most buyers
Cons:
- Does not offer any kind of warranty from the manufacturer for your peace of mind
9. US Forge MIG Wire
US Forge and all of its welding products have been around for quite some time now that are generally quite affordable and a viable option for all those who are looking for budget friendly options.
This US Forge 00672 MIG wire is given in this article because it is the cheapest option given here and makes for the best picks if you are on a budget. Unlike what you would expect from such an affordable MIG wire offering, this one still offers a standard spool weight of 2 pounds. In fact, this MIG wire even features a wire thickness of 0.035 inch which is even higher than other premium options.
However, in order to keep the price of this MIG wire affordable and cheap, this US Forge MIG wire does require a shielding gas since it lacks a flux core design. That being said, what this entry level MIG wire does not lack is its 90 day long warranty period which is better than nothing especially at the given price tag.
Best Features:
- Offers a 2 pound MIG wire spool inside the box
- Uses a 0.035 inch diameter MIG wire
- Based on a solid core type MIG wire
- Includes a 90 day long warranty period for your peace of mind
Pros:
- Hands down the cheapest and most affordable MIG wire option given here
- Comparatively amazing welding results thanks to the given wire thickness
- Decent wire spool weight and size despite an entry level price tag
Cons:
- Misses out on a flux core design which means that it requires a shielding gas
10. ARCCAPTAIN MIG Wire
Arc Captain primarily deals with a large number of tools and accessories related to arc welding methods like MIG welding because of which Arc Captain even offers a few MIG wire options.
The Arc Captain E71T-GS MIG wire is stated in this list as it is another viable all rounder option for most users out there when you consider the different features offered by it. For starters, this MIG wire also comes in as a 2-pound spool that offers great performance for most. In case that is not enough for you, then you will be glad to know that it even has a standard wire thickness of 0.030 inch.
And to further offer the best possible welding results, this MIG wire even uses a flux core design which makes it quite practical since you don’t need any shielding gas. That being said, if you also need something highly reliable, then you should look elsewhere since this one misses out on any form of the included warranty period.
Best Features:
- Offers a 2-pound MIG wire spool inside the box
- Uses a 0.030-inch diameter MIG wire
- Based on a flux core type MIG wire
Pros:
- Fairly practical and an all rounder MIG wire option for most buyers
- Decent welding performance thanks to the given weld size and wire diameter
- Lasts for a fairly long time considering the given quantity and spool weight
Cons:
- Not the best MIG wire in terms of reliability due to lack of a warranty period
Buying Guide For The Best MIG Wires
Just as you can tell by the name, a MIG wire is a welding wire that is made specifically for use with a MIG welding machine. And similar to any other welding type that uses a continuously fed wire, the quality and type of MIG wire used with your MIG welding machine will affect the end result quite a lot.
For the same, you can consider getting one of the best MIG wires that we have discussed earlier in this list. With all of these best MIG wires, we have also given their significant aspects and factors. But if that’s not enough, then you should also check out this complete buying guide for the best MIG wires:
1. Spool Weight
Whenever you are buying something like a welding wire, it is quite important to ensure that you are getting enough welding wire as per your needs. This is due to the reason that whenever you are working on large-scale welding projects, you will go through a lot of welding wire within a short period of time.
And the last thing you would want during a welding job is to run out of welding wire for the same. Thus, checking the total weight or the spool weight of your MIG wire is quite important to ensure that you have enough MIG wire for welding. Talking about the spool weight options that you can find while going with MIG wires, it generally includes 1 pound and 2 pound MIG wire spools. And if you want something for heavy duty usage, then you should definitely go with 2 pound MIG wire spools.
2. Wire Diameter
Even though it is definitely important to have enough MIG wire for your welding requirements, you should also have the right amount of MIG wire in terms of the welding quality it offers. In simpler words, you should go with a MIG wire that is thick enough to offer proper welds with your MIG welding machine. Usually, you will find most MIG wires to include a wire diameter of 0.025 inch, 0.030 inch, 0.035 inch, and other similar options. Since a thicker MIG wire is better for heavy duty welding jobs, going with a thicker option like 0.035 inch is going to be the better option if you want a high quality MIG wire for your MIG welding machine.
3. Core Type
Another factor which can affect the performance or the welding results of your MIG wire quite a lot is the core type used by it. If you are not familiar with the same, welding wires like MIG wires can either have a solid core or a flux core. In case your MIG wire has a flux core, it simply means that you don’t need to add any external flux. Instead, you can simply weld using such a given MIG wire without needing to use a flux or shielding gas. And despite not using any shielding gas, such MIG wires with a flux core will offer great results without any issues related to oxidation or corrosion which will result in better welds.
4. Number of Spools
As mentioned earlier, if you are working on large scale welding projects with your MIG welding machine, it is quite common to quickly run out of welding wire. And while going with a 2 pound MIG wire spool should be enough for most users out there, some of you may need even more welding wire.
While you can always buy multiple MIG wire spools, that can be a little expensive. Because of this, some MIG wire options out there offer more than a single spool inside the box. When compared with separately buying multiple spools, such MIG wires with multiple wire spools in the box offer a better value for money while being more practical for large scale welding jobs.
5. Warranty
Just as you would expect, something like a MIG wire has no moving parts or anything which may have a shelf life. Because of this, you can mostly expect your MIG wire to last pretty much forever. However, for your peace of mind, you should also consider checking the warranty of your MIG wire if you are looking for something highly durable and reliable.
Coming to the same, you will generally find different MIG wire options out there to either include a 90 day long or a 1 year long warranty period. Out of these two options, the longer 1 year long warranty is definitely the much better option if you want peace of mind with your MIG wire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans: Those of you who are going with a solid core MIG wire will need to use a shielding gas along with your MIG wire to prevent any oxidation and corrosion issues. For the same, you can consider using CO2 which is perfect for thicker metals. But if you want to weld thinner metals, then you should go with a mix of Argon and CO2 with 75% and 25% quantity respectively for the best possible results.
Ans: In case you are using a MIG wire for the first time, then you might be curious about the materials used to make the same. And if you are going with a flux core MIG wire, which is the more common type, then you will mostly find them to be made out of mild steel. In some cases, these flux core MIG wires can also have nickel and other alloys in them in the form of a mix.
Ans: If you are using a MIG wire along with a MIG welding machine to weld different joints and pieces together, then you can expect to get an amazing tensile strength out of this weld. To be more precise, most MIG wires offer a tensile strength of up to 70000 PSI which is much higher than any steel that you will weld using your MIG wire.
Conclusion
MIG welding is considered as one of the practical welding processes out there and is most likely the one that you use the most. But to get the best results from your MIG welding machine, it is highly important that you are also using a high quality MIG wire with it. And to help you pick the same, we have already talked about some of the best MIG wires earlier in this list. More importantly, all of these best MIG wires also have their major features and options given next to them. Apart from this, you can also find a detailed buying guide and some common FAQs for the best MIG wires in this list. After considering all of this information and detail, here are our personal recommendations for the best MIG wires:
- Just in case you are trying out a MIG wire for the first time, then you may want to get something affordable and budget friendly. For the same, you should consider the US Forge MIG Wire wire since it is the cheapest option given above. Despite that, it comes with a standard spool weight of 2 pounds. Another great thing about this MIG wire is that it has a wire thickness of 0.035 inches for the best possible welding results.
- But if budget is not an issue for you and want an MIG wire which is ideal for large scale welding projects, then you can consider going with the WeldingCity Mig Wire. Not only does this MIG wire offer an amazing spool weight of 11 pounds, but it comes with two of these spools results in a total of 22 pounds of MIG wire. And because this MIG wire has a wire diameter of 0.030 inch, you also get pretty great results while using this wire.
- Even though a thicker and larger sized MIG wire is always better for heavy-duty usage, some of you might be looking for something which is ideal for detailed welding jobs. In that case, you can consider going with options like the ARCRAFT Mig Wire. This is due to the reason that this MIG wire has a wire thickness of just 0.023 inch which is much smaller than others. Thankfully, even at the given thickness, you still get a standard spool weight of 2 pounds with this MIG wire.
