Head to head
How the Everlast Thunder 255 MTS stacks up
Compared with the 200–250A single phase pulse MIG welders sold in New Zealand, ranked on each maker’s published specs.
275A at 60% dutyPulse MIG + DC TIG + stick30 program memoryLowest price in its class
| Spec |
#1 OUR PICK
 Everlast
Thunder 255 MTS
|
#2
CIGWELD
CIGWELD
BlueVenom XF252
|
#3
Kemppi
Kemppi
Master M 205
|
#4
 Strata
AdvanceMulti205P
|
#5
Helvi
Helvi
TP220-XL Pulse
|
#6
Xcel-Arc
Xcel-Arc
Evolve 200 Pulse (UNIMIG)
|
#7
Xcel-Arc
Xcel-Arc
Evolve Pulse MIG300 (UNIMIG)
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NZ price (incl GST) |
$3,099 BEST Lowest listed price
|
POA | POA | $3,674.25 | $4,939.25 | $3,832.95 | $7,993.65 |
| In the box | MIG torch, TIG torch, foot pedal, stick holder, earth clamp, regulator | — | — | — | — | MIG torch, earth + arc leads, regulator | Machine + trolley |
| Max MIG output | 275A BEST | 250A (on 25A input) | 200A | 200A | 220A class | 200A | 250A on 240V (300A on 3 phase) |
| Duty cycle at max MIG amps |
60% @ 275A
|
35% @ 250A
|
40% @ 200A
|
25% @ 200A
|
35% @ 200A
|
15% @ 200A
|
15% @ 250A
|
| MIG amps at 100% duty | — |
148A
|
140A
|
100A
|
140A
|
78A
|
97A
|
| Wire size | 0.6–1.2 mm | — | 0.8–1.2 mm | 0.6–1.0 mm | — | 0.6–1.2 mm | 0.6–1.2 mm |
| Wire feeder / spool | 300 mm spool | 4-roll, 300 mm spool | 200 mm spool | — | 300 mm spool | 200 mm spool | 5 or 15 kg spool |
| Single pulse | ✔ Yes | ✔ With optional PulseMate pendant | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Double pulse | ✘ No | ✔ With optional PulseMate pendant | — | — | ✘ No | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Synergic programs | PowerSet synergic | QuickSet | 37 | — | 29 programs | 100+ | 100+ |
| Aluminium | Spool gun + push-pull ready | Spool gun or push-pull optional | Aluminium programs | Spool gun ready | — | Spool gun ready | Push-pull ready |
| TIG | DC TIG, HF + lift, pulse | DC lift TIG | DC lift TIG | AC/DC TIG, HF + lift | Lift TIG | DC TIG, HF | Optional module |
| Stick | 220A | 230A | 175A | 200A | ✔ Yes | 180A | 200A |
| Input power | 240V single phase | 240V, 15A or 25A plug | 240V single phase | 240V, 15A plug | 240V single phase | 240V, 15A plug | 240V 32A plug, or 3 phase |
| Display | 4.3" colour | Dual digital | 5" colour LCD | 5" colour | 3.3" | 5" touchscreen | — |
| Program memory | 30 | — | 6 | — | — | 100 | — |
| Weight (machine) | 41.7 kg | 55 kg | 16.2 kg | 21 kg | — | 17 kg | 44 kg |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years | 3 years | 3 years | 2 years | 3 years | 5 years |
Ranked best to worst. Tap “All specs” on any machine to see everything.
#1 OUR PICK
EverlastThunder 255 MTS
NZ price (incl GST)
$3,099 BEST
Lowest listed price
Max MIG output
275A BEST
Duty cycle at max MIG amps
60% @ 275A
MIG amps at 100% duty
—
Double pulse
✘ No
Input power
240V single phase
Warranty
3 years
All specs
In the box
MIG torch, TIG torch, foot pedal, stick holder, earth clamp, regulator
Wire size
0.6–1.2 mm
Wire feeder / spool
300 mm spool
Single pulse
✔ Yes
Synergic programs
PowerSet synergic
Aluminium
Spool gun + push-pull ready
TIG
DC TIG, HF + lift, pulse
Stick
220A
Display
4.3" colour
Program memory
30
Weight (machine)
41.7 kg
#2
CIGWELDBlueVenom XF252
NZ price (incl GST)
POA
Max MIG output
250A (on 25A input)
Duty cycle at max MIG amps
35% @ 250A
MIG amps at 100% duty
148A
Double pulse
✔ With optional PulseMate pendant
Input power
240V, 15A or 25A plug
Warranty
3 years
All specs
Wire feeder / spool
4-roll, 300 mm spool
Single pulse
✔ With optional PulseMate pendant
Synergic programs
QuickSet
Aluminium
Spool gun or push-pull optional
TIG
DC lift TIG
Stick
230A
Display
Dual digital
Weight (machine)
55 kg
#3
KemppiMaster M 205
NZ price (incl GST)
POA
Max MIG output
200A
Duty cycle at max MIG amps
40% @ 200A
MIG amps at 100% duty
140A
Double pulse
—
Input power
240V single phase
Warranty
3 years
All specs
Wire size
0.8–1.2 mm
Wire feeder / spool
200 mm spool
Single pulse
✔ Yes
Synergic programs
37
Aluminium
Aluminium programs
TIG
DC lift TIG
Stick
175A
Display
5" colour LCD
Program memory
6
Weight (machine)
16.2 kg
#4
StrataAdvanceMulti205P
NZ price (incl GST)
$3,674.25
Max MIG output
200A
Duty cycle at max MIG amps
25% @ 200A
MIG amps at 100% duty
100A
Double pulse
—
Input power
240V, 15A plug
Warranty
3 years
All specs
Wire size
0.6–1.0 mm
Single pulse
✔ Yes
Aluminium
Spool gun ready
TIG
AC/DC TIG, HF + lift
Stick
200A
Display
5" colour
Weight (machine)
21 kg
#5
HelviTP220-XL Pulse
NZ price (incl GST)
$4,939.25
Max MIG output
220A class
Duty cycle at max MIG amps
35% @ 200A
MIG amps at 100% duty
140A
Double pulse
✘ No
Input power
240V single phase
Warranty
2 years
All specs
Wire feeder / spool
300 mm spool
Single pulse
✔ Yes
Synergic programs
29 programs
TIG
Lift TIG
Stick
✔ Yes
Display
3.3"
#6
Xcel-ArcEvolve 200 Pulse (UNIMIG)
NZ price (incl GST)
$3,832.95
Max MIG output
200A
Duty cycle at max MIG amps
15% @ 200A
MIG amps at 100% duty
78A
Double pulse
✔ Yes
Input power
240V, 15A plug
Warranty
3 years
All specs
In the box
MIG torch, earth + arc leads, regulator
Wire size
0.6–1.2 mm
Wire feeder / spool
200 mm spool
Single pulse
✔ Yes
Synergic programs
100+
Aluminium
Spool gun ready
TIG
DC TIG, HF
Stick
180A
Display
5" touchscreen
Program memory
100
Weight (machine)
17 kg
#7
Xcel-ArcEvolve Pulse MIG300 (UNIMIG)
NZ price (incl GST)
$7,993.65
Max MIG output
250A on 240V (300A on 3 phase)
Duty cycle at max MIG amps
15% @ 250A
MIG amps at 100% duty
97A
Double pulse
✔ Yes
Input power
240V 32A plug, or 3 phase
Warranty
5 years
All specs
In the box
Machine + trolley
Wire size
0.6–1.2 mm
Wire feeder / spool
5 or 15 kg spool
Single pulse
✔ Yes
Synergic programs
100+
Aluminium
Push-pull ready
TIG
Optional module
Stick
200A
Weight (machine)
44 kg