Last reviewed: July 2026 · MLC editorial team · UK trade workshop perspective
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TIG pricing splits on one letter: DC-only machines weld steel and stainless beautifully for modest money, while AC capability - what aluminium demands - is where the price doubles. The inverter generation means a garage 240V supply now runs machines that out-weld the transformer units workshops paid five figures for.
How we picked these
- AC/DC if aluminium is in your future; DC-only saves real money for steel-only work
- HF (high-frequency) arc start - lift-arc is workable, scratch-start is a false economy
- Pulse function for thin material control
- Duty cycle at the amperage you will actually run, not the headline maximum
Prices shown are typical street prices in £ at review time and move with promotions. Links are affiliate links - MLC earns a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you, which funds the free reference charts on this site.
Reviewed picks
R-Tech TIG161 (DC, 160A)
UK-based support and a properly sorted HF arc - the domestic steel/stainless answer with a company behind it you can phone.
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Typical price: £450-£550 · Check price on Amazon (ad)
R-Tech TIG201 AC/DC
The hobbyist-to-pro UK AC/DC staple - aluminium capability, pulse, and again, real UK backup.
Typical price: £800-£1,000 · Check price on Amazon (ad)
Sealey TIG200S
Trade-catalogue DC inverter TIG at accessible money; the entry ticket for steel work.
Typical price: £350-£500 · Check price on Amazon (ad)
YESWELDER TIG-205DS
The budget DC pick with HF start and a surprisingly stable arc. Consumables and support are the compromise.
Typical price: £250-£350 · Check price on Amazon (ad)
GYS TIG 200 AC/DC HF
French-made, CE-certified through and through, lovely arc characteristics - the premium European alternative.
Typical price: £900-£1,200 · Check price on Amazon (ad)
Recommendations at a glance
| Pick | Typical price | Link |
|---|
| R-Tech TIG161 (DC, 160A) | £450-£550 | Amazon |
| R-Tech TIG201 AC/DC | £800-£1,000 | Amazon |
| Sealey TIG200S | £350-£500 | Amazon |
| YESWELDER TIG-205DS | £250-£350 | Amazon |
| GYS TIG 200 AC/DC HF | £900-£1,200 | Amazon |
Related reference on MLC
Frequently asked questions
Do I need AC to TIG weld aluminium?
Yes - aluminium's oxide layer melts far above the base metal, and AC's electrode-positive half-cycle blasts that oxide off while the negative half does the welding. DC-only machines cannot do this; no setting works around it.
What can a DC-only TIG welder do?
Mild steel, stainless, chromoly, copper, titanium - everything except aluminium and magnesium. If your projects are steel, a DC machine saves several hundred pounds that buys a lot of argon and filler.
How much amperage do I need?
The working rule is one amp per thousandth of an inch of steel - so 125A handles 1/8in (3mm), 200A covers 1/4in (6mm) with headroom. Aluminium wants roughly 30% more due to its conductivity.
Why do TIG welders need argon, and what does it cost?
TIG shields the molten pool with pure argon - no gasless option exists, unlike flux-core MIG. A UK hobbyist cylinder rental plus refills runs a few pounds a week averaged; US users typically buy an 80cf bottle outright and swap it.