Weldguru.com is dedicated to providing industry knowledge and research support to our readers. To support us, we carefully select products and provide affiliate links that may earn us commissions.
Importance of MIG Welding Wires
When it comes to weld quality and ease of welding, MIG welding wire plays a crucial role. Using the wrong wire can lead to feed problems, gun jams, and disruption in your setup. Opting for poor-quality wires not only wastes money but also results in expensive long-term consequences. That’s why we’ve taken the time to find the best MIG wires available, saving you from potential headaches.
To ensure consistency, we focused on ER70S-6 mild steel wire, the most commonly used wire in the industry. All the options we present here come in 10 lb rolls, and 2 lb rolls are also available. These wires have a 0.030 size, but 0.035 wire gauge is similarly priced.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Image | Detail | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infer ER70S-6 |  |
– Copper Plated .030 Wire – Made in Italy using state-of-the-art technology – Low Splash Performance |
Check Prices |
| Lincoln SuperArc L-56 |  |
– Copper Plated .030 Wire – High quality – Reliable wire feeding and consistent burning |
Check Prices |
| Field welding machine ER70S-6 |  |
– 0.030″ and 0.035″ carbon steel wire – Great for construction work – Well received by users |
Check Prices |
| Hobart ER5356 |  |
– 0.030″ and 0.035″ aluminum wire – For welding 5000 series aluminum base metals – Perfect performance |
Check Prices |
| Harris E70S6E5 | No Image Available | – Copper Plated .030 Wire – Low carbon steel general welding wire – Smooth feeding |
Check Prices |
Here’s a list of some of the best MIG wires we found:
1. INEFIL ER70S-6 .030 MIG welding wire
- Copper plated for easy feeding
- High-quality wire made of high-quality steel
- Utilizes high-tech process control
- Contains a manganese silicon deoxidizer for dirty steel
- Made in Italy since 1950
Advantages:
- Known for low-splash performance
- Ideal for single or multi-pass welding
- Wires spread out nicely without crossing
- Consistent diameter
- Users love its beads and penetration
Shortcomings:
- Sometimes difficult to find in stock
- Does not meet US MilSpec standards
Overview:
Users have a lot of positive feedback about the INEFIL ER70S-6. Professional welders praise its excellent feedability, good wetting, and excellent bead appearance, which reduces the need for post-weld touch-ups. They also appreciate the wire’s light copper coating that protects it from rust, lubricates feed performance, and prevents flaking common with thicker coatings.
Compared to Lincoln wire, the INEFIL wire is produced in Europe according to EU standards, so it may not qualify as “buy American” for government contract work. However, this wire is of very high quality, and if you don’t require military or other safety certifications, it will likely perform just as well, if not better, than other wires on the market.
INEFIL rates this wire for 80% argon/20% carbon dioxide mix, but a US representative from INEFIL suggests that it works well with 75% argon/25% carbon dioxide, which can save you some money on cylinders.
2. Lincoln SuperArc L-56 .030 MIG Welding Wire
- Copper plated for better feed quality
- Consistent diameter throughout the spool
- Contains high manganese and silicon content
- Handles medium to heavy mill scale
- Meets Military and Shipbuilding Standards
Advantages:
- Lincoln Premium Steel Wire
- Chemical quality control instead of heating samples
- Meets US standards and exceeds EU grades
- Suitable for short circuit and spray methods
- Excellent wetting properties
Shortcoming:
- More expensive than competitors
Overview:
We chose the Lincoln SuperArc as our Pro Choice because it is the most commonly used wire in the welding industry for mission-critical applications. Lincoln SuperArc wire is the preferred choice for meeting Military Standards and Lloyd’s Registry shipbuilding requirements. It’s trusted by NASCAR, Formula 1, and NHRA race teams for their safety cages, as well as roller coaster and thrill ride manufacturers.
What sets this wire apart? It’s not necessarily better in terms of quality. The key difference lies in the level of process monitoring to ensure that it meets extremely stringent standards.
For repairing household appliances or door hinges, it’s not a big deal if your electrical wiring doesn’t meet Buy American standards or Lloyd’s Register standards for tensile strength. However, if you’re welding trailer tongues, suspension components, or building roll cages, you’ll be glad to know that this wire is certified and inspected for applications where safety is paramount.
Many professionals also find that this wire feed works exceptionally well, allowing them to make the most of their hard-earned skills.
3. YESWELDER ER70S-6 .035 Mild Steel MIG Welding Wire
- Copper coating feeds well
- Contains high manganese and silicon content
- Runs on 100% CO2
- Suitable for steel with slight rust or scale
- Available in .030″ and .035″
Advantages:
- Users praise its feed quality
- Good splash control
- Great welding and penetration
- Consistent spool quality
Shortcoming:
- Origin in Hong Kong does not comply with EU/US government regulations
Overview:
YesWelder, based in Boulder, Colorado, has won over American welders with their welding equipment sourced from Hong Kong. After starting as a third-party product supplier, they began sourcing their own helmets and welders directly from Hong Kong in 2018. Recently, YesWelder ventured into offering consumables, and American welders have been very pleased with the quality of their MIG welding wire.
This wire is known for its excellent feedability. The thin copper coating prevents rust and ensures smooth passage through the torch liner. Users often comment on the consistent quality throughout the spool and compare it favorably with more expensive American brands.
If you don’t need to meet military, government, racing agency, or marine requirements for certification processes, YesWelder’s welding wire will likely work well for any MIG welding tasks you have.
There are no reports of spattering issues, crimping, or diameter inconsistencies along the length of the spool. Users report that their welds have plenty of penetration and strength, and the wire’s quality is generally praised. YesWelder also has great reviews for buyer customer service.
4. Hobart ER5356 .030 Aluminum MIG Wire
- Excellent corrosion resistance to saltwater
- 30-day warranty
- High shear strength
- Designed for 5000 series aluminum
- Uses 100% argon shielding gas
Advantages:
- Users report that the wire feeds well
- Produces clean and strong welds
- Provides good wetting properties
- Less prone to weld cracking
- Glossy finish requires less cleanup
Shortcoming:
- Requires aluminum tape PTFE liner and argon gas
Overview:
We felt it necessary to include at least one aluminum wire option for those interested in welding aluminum, as information on this topic may be scarce.
Hobart wire is the preferred choice when it comes to welding aluminum, appreciated by many professionals in the field. Hobart aluminum wires are especially popular in marine welding due to their excellent resistance to saltwater corrosion.
This specific wire is alloy 5356, which is best suited for welding 5000 series aluminum. While a wire with slightly less silicon might provide better wetting properties for prettier beads, 5356 offers excellent shear strength, making it suitable for applications like truck bumpers and tool boxes.
If you’re using 6015, 4043 wire is recommended for excellent results on high-strength items such as motorcycle handlebars and ski boat towers.
When working with aluminum wire, it’s important not to contaminate the copper-plated aluminum equipment with steel wire. You’ll need to replace the liner in the torch lead and use a spool gun to reduce the electrode distance. Additionally, replace the torch tip and guard for cleaning purposes, and use separate clips, brushes, and other tools.
5. Harris E70S6E5 .030 MIG Welding Wire
- Copper coating provides good feed
- Designed for 100% CO2 operation
- Manganese and silicon content makes steel prone to dirtiness
- £10 for £11
- Designed for low-splash performance
Advantages:
- Users report that it welds similarly to well-known brands
- Harris is owned by Lincoln Electric
- Buyers report good feed quality
- Great value for the price
Shortcoming:
- Made in China, does not meet US or EU government standards
Overview:
Harris is a brand owned by Lincoln Electric, which suggests good quality since Lincoln has a leading reputation in the industry. While it’s worth considering, it’s important to note that this wire does not qualify if you need to meet US or European government or military standards, as it is made in China. This wire may not have the necessary certifications to meet certain inspection standards, resulting in its lower price compared to high-end wires that pass inspections.
However, this doesn’t mean that the wire itself is of inferior quality. The vast majority of users report positive results for welding and wire feeding. Many welders are pleased with its low spatter rates, especially at lower amperage settings when using 100% CO2 or 75% Argon/25% CO2 mixtures.
The wire meets AWS’s ER70S-6 standard for silicon and manganese deoxidized compound content. Users have experienced great results when welding lightly rusted or moderately scaled materials.
For repairing items such as fences, engine mounts, and machinery, this wire provides a great, inexpensive alternative.
About Jeff Grill:
Jeff Grill is from Long Island, a 118-mile stretch of land that extends from the shores of Manhattan to the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. He developed an interest in welding from a young age, as evidenced by the scars on his body from working with various metals.
Note: This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you make a purchase through these links.