Welding Electrode Comparisons

Side-by-side comparisons of common welding electrodes with specification differences and application guidance.

Choosing between two welding rods usually comes down to three things: what machine you have (AC or DC), what condition the steel is in (clean, rusty, or painted), and whether the weld needs to pass code inspection. Each comparison below covers the spec differences, explains what those differences mean in practice, and identifies the common mistake people make when picking between the two.

If you are not sure where to start, the most common decision is E6010 vs E7018 for pipe and structural work, or E71T-11 vs ER70S-6 for MIG and flux-core process selection. For a broader overview of how electrode numbers work and what they tell you, see the guide to reading welding rod numbers.

Stick Electrode Comparisons

28 comparisons covering the stick welding electrodes most commonly confused with each other. These include structural vs non-structural pairings, AC vs DC considerations, and penetration depth trade-offs.

Wire Comparisons

17 comparisons covering MIG wire and flux-core wire selection. The main decision points are gas vs no-gas, indoor vs outdoor use, and surface cleanliness requirements.

All 46 Comparisons