Best Welder Generator Combo Review For 2022

Last Updated on January 14, 2022 by Antonio H. Johnson

In this guide, we’re going to talk about what the welder generator combo is, how they work, what you need to look for in the best welder generator combo and we also have a list of the best welder generator combos that you can choose from. So, sit back, relax, and make sure that you read this article till the end.

The fabrication process that involves using heat energy to apply pressure on two or more parts to have them joined together after cooling down is known as Welding.

Welding is usually applied on thermoplastic and metal structures but it can be used on wood too. Now, to do welding we need a substantial amount of heat energy. But it’s not possible to find an electrical source everywhere. Generators can convert chemical energy to heat energy, that way welding becomes more portable and efficient. Such an innovative invention is the Welder Generator Combo.

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What is a welder generator?

A welder generator is a form of generator that produces electricity for welding purposes. Just fill up its fuel tank and the generator will convert chemical energy into electric energy, anywhere, anytime. This combo invention has made the lives of workers and mechanics safe and comfortable. The delay means wastage of money and unsatisfied customers.

But when it’s possible to work in any situation, profit rolls in, and lives become better. That my friend is the goal behind the invention of the Welder Generator Combo.

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Now, it’s very necessary to pick a proper welder generator that will give you the best efficiency as well as have an affordable cost. Here we have chosen the best picks through intense testing for you.

What is your preference, Portability, or Power?

Welder generator combos mentioned above are the best in their own ways. Some excel at being more versatile and portable while others excel at power and fuel savings. So it all depends on your work and lifestyle.

We will provide you with the pros and cons of these best welder generator combos that will help you to choose easily. But it is to be noted that power and portability oppose each other. So choose what you prefer and roll out with comfort and ease!

Power Section

1. Champion Elite 260 Welder/Generator
2. Lincoln Electric, K2857-1, Engine Driven Welder, Ranger 225
3. Engine Driven Welder, Bobcat 225

The Best Welder Generator Combo Comparison Chart

Our 6 Best Welder Generator Combo Machine Reviews For 2021

Hence, these are the best welder generator combos in the present market:

• Elite 260 Welder/Generator
• Lifan Pro Series WeldPro AXQ1-200a
• Lincoln Ranger 330MPX Engine Welder Generator K3459-1
• Lincoln Electric K2857-1 Engine-Driven Welder Generator
• Multiquip GAW135H Gasoline Powered Welder
• Bobcat 225 Engine Driven Welder

1. Elite 260 Welder/Generator

This powerhouse is one of the most efficient welder generator combos in existence. As the name says, it produces a 260amp DC welder with an 11,000-watt generator. It also has the capability of performing general scratch-start DC TIG.

It produces more than enough energy to light up other electronic objects such as lights and grinders too. Made by the well-known Hobart Welding Products, it’s one of the best of its class.

Product Specifications:

Details:

The Champion Elite 260 Welder Generator is a robust and powerful piece of machinery for mechanics. The machinery has both welder and generator at the most affordable price possible because a generator is the same price as this model.

It consists of a whopping 12-gallon fuel tank that is absolutely massive. Which means it can give output for a huge amount of time. A dependable engine conserves fuel and provides long operation before refueling.

Additional features

• Lead Acid Battery Cell: The lead acid battery cell is best at providing high energy for longer durations. It can provide better power at a uniform rate and less fuel consumption.
• Auto Idle Feature: This feature helps to make the welder generator conserve fuel when not in direct use. It helps to lower the power by itself even when the machinery is on.
• Superior Noise Reduction: Welder generators usually make large noises when they startup and are being welded. But the Champion Elite 260 makes lower noise compared to others of its class.

Pros

• Very Affordable
• Easy set up
• Auto Idle feature available
• Reduced noise
• Greater fuel savings
• Comes with a big time warranty

Cons

• Transportation is harder because of being heavyweight.
• Warranty may be provided for 1year or less.

2. Lifan Pro Series WeldPro AXQ1-200a

The Lifan pro series Weldpro AXQ1-200a welder generator combo is by far one of the most efficient pieces of machinery. It even has wheels for portability which makes the customer’s work easy. It even has the perfect size for use in farms, garages, construction sites, and other job sites.

This welder generator is gas-powered and has 50-200amp of weld while having 4000 watts. Made by the company Lifan, this is their best welder generator when compared to all the other generators in the market. It is more affordable as well as more efficient and fuel-saving.

Product Specifications:

Details:

The Lifan pro series Weldpro AXQ1-200a welder generator combo is compact and portable machinery. It is the best choice for workers who move around a lot. The machinery provides enough power to weld the needs of the worker. The American company Lifan has very well support and service for their customers too.

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This welder generator combo has an industrial-grade OHV gas engine with a 100% copper wound alternator. The duty cycle of the engine is 50%. The amp can be controlled from 50-200 amps and provides up to 3/16 inch welding rods.

Additional features:

• Copper Wound Alternator: The copper wound alternator used in the generator plays a crucial role based on its low electrical resistance, resistance to corrosion, and high conductivity.
• Flexible warranty and support: Unlike other companies Lifan Power USA provides a 1year warranty for outdoor usage and a 3year warranty for indoor usage.
• Attached Wheels: The attached wheels at the bottom of the welder generator make it a very convenient welding machine to move around easily.

Pros

• Portable and comparatively light weight.
• Best use for emergency backup.
• Premium quality with an outstanding value.
• Very helpful service and support.
• A well timed warranty.

Cons

• Can’t weld for long even with a full tank.
• Requires to be filled up every now and then.

3. Lincoln Ranger 330MPX Engine Welder Generator K3459-1

One of the best companies to provide welder generator combo for years with the top reviews is Lincoln Ranger company. Its present model Lincoln Ranger 330MPX Engine Welder Generator K3459-1 is powerful and compact at the same time.

It is more eco-friendly and 25% more lightweight than other machinery of its class. But that doesn’t stop it from being one of the best welder generator combos out there. The welder has a digital user interface and advanced technology which improves weld performance and productivity.

Product Specifications:

Details:

The Lincoln Ranger 330MPX Engine Welder Generator K3459-1 is a one-of-a-kind welder generator with advanced technology. The design is compact and portable but the efficiency is surprisingly high.

It produces up to 10KWs of clean energy which can plenty source of power at 330A/28V with 100% duty cycle to weld ¼ inch 7018 electrodes. The Magnum PRO 250 LX GT Direct Connect Spool Gun Arc has the capability of gouging 3/16″ carbon electrodes.

Additional features:

• Superior Noise Reduction: The Lincoln Ranger 330MPX Engine Welder Generator K3459-1 makes 60% less noise level while welding and startup with the help of advanced technology.
• More Eco-friendly: The welder produces 20% less CO2 (carbon dioxide) compared to other machineries of its class. Hence making it exclusively eco friendly.
• Digital User Interface: This welding machine is built with advanced technology and is capable of identifying low fuel and overheating. The digital user interface is a more effective function.

Pros

• Smaller but provides extraordinary backup.
• Better performance and productivity.
• Provides better safety.
• Eco-friendly compared to others.
• Good warranty period and service.

Cons

• Can’t provide continuous power for long periods.
• Digital User Interface is not waterproof or shockproof.

4. Lincoln Electric K2857-1 Engine-Driven Welder Generator

The K2857-1 from Lincoln Electric is one of the best welder generator combos of its class. The machinery looks simple in structure compared to its competitors but so much more powerful and efficient. It runs on 23hp and provides quality performance in lesser time.

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It delivers smooth DC welding output for a broad range of stick electrode types or provides power to run lights, tools, plasma cutters, and inverter generator welders. Along with the three-year warranty, this machinery is reliable and comforting for its user.

Product Specifications:

Details:

The Lincoln Electric Engine Driven Welder, Ranger 225 is a powerful and durable piece of machinery. It’s an absolute beast with its 10,500 watts of peak and 9,000 watts of continuous power.

Such an enormous amount of power is enough to light up lights for a very long time. It runs on the 23Hp Kohler 2-cylinder, 4-cycle gasoline engine with an overhead valve air-cooled design. It’s made of thick stainless steel and a red and black beautiful body finish.

Additional Features of Lincoln Electric:

• Auto Idle Feature: This feature helps to make the welder generator conserve fuel when not in direct use. It helps to lower the power by itself even when the machinery is on.
• Circuit Breakers: The circuit breaker works as the last line of defense for the machinery. When the Lincoln Electric machine overheats, the circuit breaker destroys itself to protect the machinery from further internal damage or explosion.
• Air Cooler: The air cooler built in the welder generator helps to cool down the machinery when in extensive use. Therefore, it improves efficiency.

Pros

• Tough and Rigid body.
• Less noise pollution.
• Quality generator performance and output.
• Enclosed space to protect the engine.
• Painted body, stylish.

Cons

• Very heavyweight, so lacks portability.
• Setup is quite complex so read the manual well.

5. Multiquip GAW135H Gasoline Powered Welder

The power surging lightweight Multiquip GAW135H is a very versatile piece of machinery. It has a substantial amount of power to weld as well as move around with it quite easily. The creators of this machinery is the Honda Motor popularly known for their Automobile Industry.

You can surely expect best-in-class machinery when you look up to this automobile giant. The permanent magnet design lightens the machinery. The weight of the welder is maintained perfectly by the quality output contractors demand.

Product Specifications:

Details:

The best-in-class Welder Generator combo from Honda Motors is the GAW135H. It has a compact and powerful exoskeleton to protect itself from external damage. It is an easily portable generator because of its handling design and weight lesser than a fully grown man.

This hybrid welder generator combo has SMAW/GTAW/FCAW/ACAC welding process which is almost impossible to find. It has the capacity of 40-135 amps depending on your usage.

Additional features:

• Recoil Starter Welder: This means that the welder generator has a recoil rope starter system. After starting the machinery, simply pulling the rope more will increase combustion and power of the welder.
• Air Cooler: The air cooler built in the welder generator helps to cool down the machinery when in extensive use. Therefore, it improves efficiency.
• Robust Exoskeleton: The GAW135H has a factory built robust exoskeleton. The metal structure is built in a box shape around the machinery to protect it from external damage.

Pros

• Long lasting power supply.
• Easy to control. All controls wired to the front.
• Wire welding available.
• Reasonable price.
• Powerful performance and output.

Cons

• Quite noisy.
• Requires at least a half full tank to run properly.

6. Bobcat 225 Engine Driven Welder

The Bobcat 25 is a high-powered welder generator with high ratings in the market. It has a really sturdy body and a dependable stand-alone generator. This machinery is worth every penny spent behind it because of its efficiency and long life. 

It is easily the best welder generator for farm, steelwork, and ranch applications. Made by the well-known Miller Electric, this model of the Bobcat series is desirable machinery. It uses gasoline as its main power source which is cheaper than most other fuels.

Product Specifications:

Details:

The Engine Driven Welder, Bobcat 225 is easily one of the most long-lasting welder generators of the present market. With a peak power of 11,000W with auxiliary power or 9500W, it can serve as backup for hours on end. It intakes gasoline which is also cheap.

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Miller Electric has provided their best in class machinery with this welder generator. The engine startup is electrical and consists of air coolers for more output. As a result, the 23Hp Kohler engine works more efficiently and gives more energy.

Additional features:

• OCV-80: OCV (Open Circuit Voltage) is like a regulator of voltage passing through the machinery. It helps regulate a uniform flow and makes the machinery more long-lasting. The OCV of Bobcat 25 is 80V.
• Air Cooler: The air cooler built in the welder generator helps to cool down the machinery when in extensive use. Therefore, it improves efficiency.
• Electrical Engine Startup: The Bobcat 25 is built with advanced technology hence making the engine electrical. The engine starts up at the single press of a button and power can be regulated using buttons.

Pros

• Digital user interface.
• Comes with maintenance alerts.
• Solid and durable body.
• Low decibel rating.
• Quality clean generator power.

Cons

• Heavyweight, so costly transportation.
• Generator makes quite a lot of loud noise.

How to Choose the Best Welder Generator Combo?

There are a few factors to consider when looking for the best welder generator combo. Safety is foremost on this list because electric generators can be dangerous if there is no safety guard around them. You should also look for a high power rating and capacity so that everything you are working with stays powered up, regardless of how many devices you have running simultaneously.

One other important consideration is compatibility not just with your own tools but also with the power outlets at your worksite or home. Make sure it will plugin before you do something that will prevent its use in other places in the future!

What to Consider Before Buying the Best Welding Generator Combo?

You should check the following things before buying a welder generator combo:

Protection

Equipment safety is very important to consider and companies usually have the same standards. When picking a welding generator, consideration should be given to the structure of the enclosure including its ability to withstand pressure when air-cooled types are used.

Voltage and Frequency

Changing voltage can cause damage or even an explosion in electrical devices so usage indicates compatibility with your equipment’s requirements. The right frequency will depend on intended usage including spot welding, molten metal removal, cladding, etc., though DC would be best for most of these applications. 

Size and Portability

It is important to consider the size of the generator and its portability. Look for a lightweight welding generator that can fit in your vehicle. Consideration should also be given to how many welders will be using the generator at once, so a larger generator may be necessary if there are more than one welder on site.

Frequently Asked Question(FAQ) About Best Welder Generator Combo

Are all units with equal welding/power generating capabilities?

No. Each unit has different power generating capabilities, and those are expressed in what is called a “volt-ampere or VA”. For instance, a 100VA generator will only be able to produce 33% of the performance of a 120VA generator.

What is the standard warranty period on the most popular Compressor/Generator/Welder units?

The standard warranty period is 1 to 3 years depending on the manufacturer but typically ranges anywhere from one year to two years for gas generators. For welders, it would depend entirely on the manufacturer.

What Are The Best Welder Generator Combo?

The best welder generator combo is determined by the specifications of your needs for the welding equipment.

What size generator do I need to run a 180 amp welder?

You’ll need a generator that ranges from 8 kva to 10+ kva to run your 180 amp welder.

Final Words

Welder Generator combos are hybrid types of machinery that are capable of welding anywhere, anytime. The generator can also help as a dependable backup in the event of a power outage. In this article, we have chosen the best welder generator combo for welding available in the present market.

They were chosen to keep the two factors, efficiency and affordability in mind. This article’s goal is to make your life easier so that you can choose the best welder generator combos for the most affordable price.

If you have any more questions about The Best Welder Generator Combos please contact us through our online forums so that we can help you find the best fit for your needs.

Antonio H. Johnson

Hi, this is Antonio. I’m a welder. I Love welding and writing blogs about welding. I know, choosing the best welding tools is very difficult. That’s why I have created this blog to teach people the basics of welding, what the best welding tools are, and where they can find it at a cheaper price.