Last reviewed: May 2026 · MLC editorial team · UK trade workshop perspective
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A £200 multi-process inverter from Amazon will weld 6mm mild steel adequately. Try TIG on aluminium with it and you'll discover what 'AC TIG' actually costs. In UK workshops, welders face a range of tasks that require different welding processes - TIG for precision work like bicycle frames or automotive parts, MIG for quicker production jobs such as fabrication or repair, and multi-process machines for versatility in smaller shops with limited space. Prices span from budget-friendly models under £200 to high-end units over £1,000 that offer advanced features like pulse welding or digital displays. This article reviews the best options available on UK marketplaces, focusing on performance rather than bells and whistles.
How we picked these
- Duty cycle: 60% at rated amps is workshop-standard. Sub-30% means the machine cools longer than it welds.
- AC TIG: required for aluminium. DC-only TIG won't break the oxide layer.
- MIG voltage steps: stepped switches limit settings to factory presets. Synergic / inverter MIG is smoother.
- Generator-friendly: PFC (power factor correction) lets the inverter run on a 5kVA petrol generator without damaging it.
- Brand support: ESAB and Murex have UK-based service; budget inverters often have no UK service network at all.
Reviewed picks
ESAB Rebel EMP 215ic (Multi-process)
Price: £1,400-£1,900 | Best for: workshop multi-process - fabrication + on-site repair
The ESAB Rebel EMP 215ic offers a versatile multi-process solution for UK workshops with its 5-235A output and MMA, MIG, and TIG capabilities. At £1,400 to £1,900, it packs in generator-friendly PFC and real ESAB support but lacks AC TIG functionality for aluminium work. Its synergic MIG setting simplifies setup, making it a premium choice for fabrication and on-site repairs.
| Output | 5-235A |
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| Processes | MIG/TIG/MMA |
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| Duty | 60% @ 150A |
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| Input | 230V or 400V |
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| PFC | Yes |
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Pros
- Synergic MIG (one-knob setting)
- Generator-friendly PFC
- Real ESAB UK support
Cons
- No AC TIG (aluminium TIG limited)
- Premium pricing
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Check ESAB Rebel EMP 215ic (Multi-process) on Amazon UK →
Parweld XTT 202DV AC/DC TIG
Price: £1,500-£2,000 | Best for: aluminium and stainless TIG, motorsport / fabrication
The Parweld XTT 202DV AC/DC TIG welder offers a versatile output of 5-200A for both AC and DC TIG welding plus MMA, making it ideal for aluminium and stainless steel work in motorsport and fabrication settings. With a duty cycle of 35% at 200A and adjustable AC frequency from 40 to 200Hz, this UK-made unit excels at high-frequency arc starts but lacks MIG capability and has a lower duty cycle compared to some rivals like ESAB. Priced between £1,500 and £2,000, it’s a solid choice for demanding TIG applications.
| Output | 5-200A |
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| Processes | AC/DC TIG + MMA |
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| Duty | 35% @ 200A |
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| AC freq | 40-200Hz |
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| Pulse | 0.5-200Hz |
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Pros
- AC TIG handles aluminium
- High-frequency arc start
- UK-made
Cons
- No MIG
- Duty cycle lower than ESAB
Murex TradeMig 250 (MIG)
Price: £1,100-£1,500 | Best for: daily fabrication MIG up to 6-8mm steel
The Murex TradeMig 250 (MIG) is a reliable welding inverter for daily fabrication tasks, offering an output of 30-250A and handling up to 6-8mm steel with ease. Priced between £1,100 and £1,500, it boasts a robust 4-roll wire feed system that ensures smoother operation. However, it lacks TIG functionality and doesn't include power factor correction for generator use.
| Output | 30-250A |
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| Processes | MIG/MAG |
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| Duty | 30% @ 250A |
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| Input | 230V |
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| Wire feed | 4-roll |
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Pros
- 4-roll wire feed (smoother)
- UK brand with parts
- Industrial duty cycle
Cons
- No TIG
- No PFC for generators
Sealey INVMIG200LCD (Multi-process)
Price: £480-£650 | Best for: budget workshop multi-process
The Sealey INVMIG200LCD is a versatile welding inverter priced between £480 and £650, suitable for budget-conscious workshops needing MIG, TIG, and MMA capabilities. It boasts an LCD readout and synergic MIG control but lacks AC TIG functionality and has plastic wire-feed rollers. Sealey’s UK customer service can be inconsistent with inverter support.
| Output | 30-200A |
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| Processes | MIG/TIG/MMA |
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| Duty | 40% @ 200A |
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| Input | 230V |
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| Wire | 0.6-1.0mm |
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Pros
- Sub-£500 multi-process
- LCD readout
- Synergic MIG
Cons
- No AC TIG
- Plastic wire-feed rollers
- Sealey UK service patchy on inverters
Check Sealey INVMIG200LCD (Multi-process) on Amazon UK →
GYS PROGYS 200A DC TIG
Price: £700-£950 | Best for: steel + stainless TIG, motorsport fabrication
The GYS PROGYS 200A DC TIG is a reliable welding inverter for UK trade workshops, priced between £700 and £950. It excels at steel and stainless TIG welding with its French craftsmanship and genuine warranty, offering HF start to prevent contamination. However, it’s limited to DC processes, ruling out aluminium work.
| Output | 10-200A |
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| Processes | DC TIG + MMA |
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| Duty | 35% @ 200A |
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| Input | 230V |
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| HF start | Yes |
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Pros
- French-made, real warranty
- HF start (no contamination)
- Pulse and pre-flow settings
Cons
- DC only - no aluminium
- No MIG
Stahlwerk AC/DC TIG 200 ST IGBT
Price: £550-£780 | Best for: hobby aluminium TIG / occasional trade
The Stahlwerk AC/DC TIG 200 ST IGBT offers a versatile welding solution with an output of 10-200A for both AC and DC TIG plus MMA processes. At £550 to £780, it delivers a solid pulse function and pre/post flow at half the price of similar Parweld models. However, its German brand status means UK service is limited, and build quality lags behind ESAB or Murex. Ideal for hobbyists and occasional trade use, especially for aluminium TIG work.
| Output | 10-200A |
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| Processes | AC/DC TIG + MMA |
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| Duty | 60% @ 200A |
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| Input | 230V |
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| Pulse | Yes |
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Pros
- AC TIG at half the Parweld price
- 60% duty cycle
- Pulse + pre/post flow
Cons
- German consumer brand, UK service limited
- Build quality below ESAB / Murex
Check Stahlwerk AC/DC TIG 200 ST IGBT on Amazon UK →
Recommendations at a glance
| Best overall (trade multi-process) | ESAB Rebel EMP 215ic - synergic MIG + DC TIG + MMA, generator-friendly |
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| Best aluminium TIG (trade) | Parweld XTT 202DV - UK-made AC/DC TIG with pulse |
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| Best dedicated MIG (trade) | Murex TradeMig 250 - 4-roll feed, industrial duty cycle |
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| Best budget multi-process | Sealey INVMIG200LCD - sub-£500 with LCD and synergic MIG |
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| Best budget AC TIG (aluminium) | Stahlwerk AC/DC TIG 200 - half the price of Parweld |
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Related reference on MLC
Frequently asked questions
MIG, TIG or MMA - which do I learn first?
MMA (stick) for outdoor / structural / dirty steel. MIG for fast production fabrication. TIG for thin material, stainless, and aluminium where finish matters. Most fabricators end up with MIG + DC TIG.
Do I need AC TIG?
Only if you weld aluminium or magnesium. DC TIG handles all steels (mild, stainless, tool steel), copper, and titanium. AC TIG inverters cost roughly 50% more than DC-only.
What's PFC and why does it matter?
Power Factor Correction smooths the inverter's current draw so it doesn't damage a petrol generator. A non-PFC inverter on a 5kVA generator usually trips or fries the generator inside an hour.
Is multi-process (MIG/TIG/MMA in one box) any good?
Yes, but only at trade brands (ESAB, Lincoln, Miller). Budget multi-process boxes do one process well and the other two badly. The ESAB Rebel is the trade exception.
Synergic MIG - what is it?
The machine reads the material thickness and wire diameter you've set and automatically chooses voltage, wire speed, and inductance. You turn one knob to dial up amps. Old-school stepped MIGs require 3-4 knob adjustments to switch material.
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