Lincoln MIG Welders: 90i, EasyMig and Power MIG Compared

Best for
Beginners wanting MIG and flux on 120V

The Lincoln Electric 90i MIG and Flux, model K5256-1, is the entry point to Lincoln’s wire feed range. It plugs into any 120V outlet and runs either flux-cored wire, up to 1/4 inch material, or solid MIG wire, up to 3/16 inch. That makes it a good fit for hobby fabrication, brackets, garden gates and the thin steel frames often used under foam cosplay armor.

At 15 pounds with a shoulder strap and a protective metal case, it is easy to carry to the job. Control is kept to two knobs for wire speed and voltage, and the listing highlights infinite voltage adjustment for fine-tuning the arc. The inverter design is described as more efficient and smoother than traditional transformer welders. A welding gun, nozzle, contact tip, work cable and clamp are included, and the warranty is one year. The listing does not specify the duty cycle or amperage range.

Choose it when you want the option to add shielding gas for cleaner welds later. If you only ever plan to run flux-core, the 90i FC kit below adds useful extras.

• 120V input, solid MIG and flux-cored wire
• 15 pounds with shoulder strap and metal case
• Two knobs with infinite voltage control
• Gun, nozzle, contact tip, work cable and clamp included

Best for
Serious hobbyists welding thicker aluminum

The Lincoln Electric Power MIG 211i MIG, model K6080-1, is the performance pick for builders who have outgrown 120V. Its auto-sensing input detects 120V or 230V without adapters, and its output runs from 20 to 211 amps. The listing rates it for steel, stainless and aluminum up to 3/8 inch thick, with a 30 percent duty cycle at 175 amps.

A seven-segment display and easy-turn knobs speed up setup, and a cast-aluminum drive feeds wire from 0.025 to 0.045 inch. It ships with the Magnum PRO 100L gun, which has an over-molded handle and flexible cable to reduce hand fatigue. It is spool-gun ready for soft aluminum wire, though the spool gun is sold separately. At 41 pounds and about 22 by 10.75 by 15.5 inches, it lives on a cart or bench more than on your shoulder.

• Auto-sensing 120V/230V input, 20-211 amp output
• Up to 3/8 inch steel, stainless and aluminum
• Magnum PRO 100L gun included
• Spool-gun ready

Best for
Garage welders on 120V mild steel

The EasyMig 140 Wire Welder, model K2697-1, is a traditional 120V MIG and flux-core machine. The description lists a 30 to 140 amp DC output range, a rated output of 90 amps at 19.5 volts with a 20 percent duty cycle, and 50 to 500 inches per minute of wire feed speed. It handles mild steel from 24 gauge to 3/16 inch, and aluminum from 22 to 10 gauge, with wire from 0.025 to 0.030 inch.

The listing details are thin and partly inconsistent. The description calls it handheld portable, yet the spec sheet lists 62 pounds, and the two sets of dimensions do not match. Features such as a gun or cable kit are not specified. It suits garage welders who want a conventional 120V machine for mild steel, while the 90i models are far lighter for mobile work.

• 30-140 amp DC output on 120V
• Mild steel 24 gauge to 3/16 inch
• Aluminum 22 to 10 gauge
• 50-500 IPM wire feed speed control

Best for
Fabricators wanting MIG, Stick and TIG

The Lincoln Electric K4876-1 POWER MIG 215 MPi is the multi-process machine of the lineup. It welds MIG, flux-cored, stick and DC TIG, and accepts both 120V and 230V input. A built-in TIG solenoid and foot pedal adapter mean it can accept a TIG torch without extra installation, though the listing does not say a torch is included.

The listing aims it at general fabricators, small contractors and repair personnel, with a robust wire drive, an ergonomic case with multiple lift points and simple weld setting selection. It carries a 3-year manufacturer warranty, the longest listed here. The listing does not specify the output range, maximum thickness or weight. If you are weighing it against other all-in-one machines, our guide to multiprocess welders explains what these do well.

• MIG, flux-cored, stick and DC TIG
• 120V and 230V input
• Built-in TIG solenoid and foot pedal adapter
• 3-year manufacturer warranty

Best for
Flux-core starters wanting a ready kit

Best for
Stick welding thicker steel outdoors

The Lincoln Electric Weld-Pak 225i Stick Welder, model K5419-1, is not a MIG welder. It is a dual-voltage DC stick welder with Touch Start TIG capability, so there is no wire feeder. We include it because many shoppers comparing Lincoln machines need its extra muscle. It offers 10 to 225 amps, welds 12-gauge sheet up to 5/16 inch steel in a single pass, and has a 30 percent duty cycle at 225 amps on 230V.

It takes mild steel electrodes from 5/64 to 5/32 inch, and the kit includes a shoulder strap, 13-foot work cable and clamp, 13-foot electrode cable and holder, and a 6-foot input cable with a 6-50P plug and 5-15P adapter. The tool-box top stores cables. The description says 20 pounds, while the spec sheet says 25, so expect somewhere in that range. TIG needs additional accessories.

• 10-225 amp DC output on 120V/230V
• 12 gauge to 5/16 inch steel in one pass
• Full cable kit with plug adapter
• Touch Start TIG capable

The Lincoln Electric Weld-Pak 90i FC Flux-Cored combo, model K5387-7, bundles the 90i FC welder with extra-large metal working gloves and a 1-pound spool of 0.035 NR211 flux-cored wire. It runs on 120V, weighs 18 pounds and has a shoulder strap, a top-loading spool and easy-turn knobs with infinite voltage.

The listing gives a 20 to 120 amp range and a 30 percent duty cycle at 90 amps, and an automatic thermal protector shuts off output until the machine cools. It is flux-core only, so it cannot run shielding gas like the 90i MIG and Flux. For beginners who want to weld outdoors on day one, that is fine, since flux-core needs no gas bottle. Pair it with a lincoln welding cap to keep spatter off your head.

• Gloves and 1 lb NR211 wire spool included
• 18 pounds with shoulder strap
• 20-120 amp range, 30 percent at 90 amps
• Automatic thermal protector