The best welding inverters

The Zenit ZSI-255 series of welding inverters is addressed to ordinary people who are at least superficially familiar with the principles of manual arc welding. The devices in the line are as simple to use as possible and are equipped with everything necessary for operation out of the box: a set of wires with clamps, a mask and a shoulder strap. The version with the additional index K is supplied with a practical transport case.

The device operates with currents from 20 to 250 A. It is made even more clear by a digital display to display the set current strength. In close proximity to the screen there are lamp indicators for power and thermostatic protection (overheating of the device). The selection of electrodes for the model is made according to tables depending on the materials and thickness of the parts being welded. The welding machine is suitable for electrodes with a diameter of 1.6 to 5 mm.

Among the useful options, the Zenit ZSI-255 K kindly included the Anti-Stick function - in case the electrode gets stuck, the device’s automation reduces the welding current, which makes it easy to disconnect the electrode. But the brand’s engineers left the prerogative of a “hot start” to the older model in the series - Zenit ZSI-300 Profi .

The number of negative reviews about the model from operators tends to zero. Only low-quality “clothespin” mass is classified as such. Otherwise, the device leaves, after a close acquaintance, a purely positive impression, which is what is required from a welding inverter of adequate cost, balanced on all fronts.

The Ronix RH-4692 portable inverter, packaged in a very compact case with a carrying handle, is designed for manual arc welding (MMA) using stick electrodes. The main purpose of this device is welding metal structures made from medium-thick rolled products (the power may not be enough for high-quality welding of thick metal). Depending on the type of electrodes used, carbon steel or stainless steel can be welded. The manufacturer claims that this device can work with electrodes with a diameter of up to 4 mm.

Under the hood, it's clear that Ronix pays close attention to the quality of its products. The design uses good materials and components: busbars and lugs are made of normal copper, electronic elements are clearly marked, and the quality of soldering is satisfactory. The electronic circuit is protected against overheating and voltage fluctuations in the electrical network (the device will operate even at 170 V). The only thing we didn't like was the cooling system. Despite the presence of a fan that extracts hot air from the case, the small size of the radiators does not allow for effective heat removal. Because of this, at high currents (that is, when using electrodes ⌀ 4 mm), the warning lamp often lights up, indicating overheating. Therefore, we recommend using the Ronix RH-4692 primarily for working with 1.6 – 3 mm electrodes, so that you do not have to take long pauses for cooling.

The control panel consists of one digital display showing the ammeter reading and a rotary control that allows you to set the welding current in the range from 10 A to 160 A. Functions designed to facilitate and speed up the welding process (hot start, arc force and anti-stick protection), are “hardwired” into the electronic board, so it is impossible to disable or configure them.

Inexpensive household inverters such as the Ronix RH-4692 are well suited for small projects in a home workshop or garage. If you need more powerful equipment, then in the Ronix line of welding machines you can, without going beyond the family budget, choose good options with an operating current of 200 - 250 A.

The Kende IN-265 inverter, as you can guess from its name, works with welding currents up to 265 A (if this is not enough, then there is exactly the same model, but at 285 A, it is a little more expensive). This is quite enough even for doing some construction and installation work with your own hands. In particular, using this device, you can build a fence, weld a gate, or cut the required piece from a steel profile with a wall thickness of up to 5 mm.

In operation, the device has proven itself to be excellent. Thanks to the hot start, the electrodes ignite instantly. The arc force and anti-stick functions work just as well. During operation, the device does not drain the network and does not cause voltage surges. If there is no way to connect to an outlet, then you can power the inverter from a mid-power gas generator(you need at least 6 kW). The strength of the current produced by the device is smoothly adjustable. There is a digital display for monitoring indicators.

The manufacturer claims that this inverter can work with fairly thick electrodes (5 mm in diameter). User opinions on this matter are mixed. Some say this is not true. Others claim that everything works, you just need to take not budget electrodes, but buy more expensive branded ones.

It is likely that you have never heard the name Kende before and are in doubt whether to buy this device or not. Let's lift the veil of secrecy: this is a Chinese manufacturer. But Kende does not hide its origin. This company has nothing to be ashamed of, because it does not produce consumer goods, but good and inexpensive welding machines, which are used by many professionals.

The characteristics of the Tekhmann TWI-355 TB inverter look very impressive, for a not very large and not at all expensive welding machine. It produces a high current - up to 355 A (from 20 A to 300 A - in nominal mode, and another 55 A can be added on top for five minutes if you press the button labeled “Turbo”). Therefore, it cooks with high quality and can work not only with standard electrodes (diameter 3 - 4 mm), but also thick ones (5 mm or more up to 7 mm). Naturally, to connect this device to a 220 V network, it is necessary that your home, garage or workshop have the appropriate machines, and for autonomous operation you will need a decent generator (with a power of at least 8.5 kW). But even if your electricity situation is not good, the inverter will be able to work, because it is capable of cooking at a reduced voltage (you need at least 160 V).

All this power contained within the equipment is easy to handle. Even beginners can lay seams smoothly and work quickly, because the device has hot start, afterburner and anti-stick functions. Welding currents throughout the entire operating range are clearly and accurately regulated, so the inverter can be easily adjusted to any diameter and type of electrode. The current value can be conveniently monitored using a digital display. The supplied cables are long enough (working - 3 m, ground - 2 m) to reach the welding site. Thanks to effective cooling (and despite class F insulation, which no longer fully meets modern standards for the protection of welding equipment), the device has a very high switching frequency factor (80%), allowing you to weld metal with virtually no pauses.

The Tekhmann inverter is not only powerful, but also a little “smart”. He himself monitors the temperature inside the case and turns off the fan when it is not needed, so as not to buzz in your ear. And when the electrode does not touch metal, the VRD function reduces the open circuit voltage to a safe value (35 V in this case) to protect you from accidental electric shock.

Taking into account all of the above, this device can be safely recommended to anyone who is looking for good equipment for manual arc welding in a garage, home workshop or at a construction site. But if its capabilities exceed your needs, then in the Tekhmann line of welding machines you can also find slightly less powerful models with operating currents of 280 A or 300 A.

The Paton ECO-160 welding inverter, belonging to the Eco model line, is intended for amateur or semi-professional use. It has moderate power (5.5 kVA) and is well protected from power surges (working with input voltages from 170 V to 260 V is allowed), so it works great with middle-class generators and in power grids with unstable parameters (which is typical for garage cooperatives and holiday villages ). This model is lightweight (only 3.7 kg excluding accessories) and comes with a shoulder strap, so it is well suited for traveling construction and repair teams. Welders of any skill level will appreciate that the machine has useful functions that make work easier: “hot start”, “arc force” and “anti-sticking”.

The welding current is adjustable in the range from 20 A to 160 A. Therefore, Paton ECO-160 can be used for manual arc welding using stick electrodes of all the most common sizes: from ⌀ 2 mm to ⌀ 4 mm. High open circuit voltage (80 V) ensures easy and reliable ignition even when using low-quality electrodes. Good protection from dust (all electronic boards and connections are covered with two layers of varnish) allows you to work in unfavorable conditions, such as dusty workshops and workshops. Forced cooling of the “internals” using a fan provides protection against overheating (practice shows that when using electrodes ⌀ 3 mm, you can work without stopping if the welding current does not exceed 101 A). Users also praise the high-quality accessories (electrode holder and “crocodile” mass) and say “thank you” to the manufacturer for the fact that the company does not skimp on cables - they are long (3 m) and made of pure copper.

There are no devices in the Paton line of welding equipment that are produced outside of Ukraine. Despite the presence of foreign parts (we are primarily talking about European and American electrical and electronic components), all assembly processes, testing and adjustment of each product are carried out at the plant in Kyiv. This sets Paton apart from other brands (which, as a rule, place orders for the production of welding machines in China).

Note that the same device can be bought under the name Paton ECO-160-C - it differs only in the presence of a plastic case for carrying the inverter with all welding accessories.