Best Welding Helmets – Top Picks & Reviews
Contents
- 1 Best Welding Helmets – Top Picks & Reviews
- 1.1 Here is Our Top Choice
- 1.2 Our Favorite Top 3 Welding helmet On The Market
- 1.3 Best Welding Helmets Reviews
- 1.3.1 1. Miller Digital Elite welding helmet
- 1.3.2 2. Lincoln 3350 Welding Helmet
- 1.3.3 3. Esab SENTINEL A50 welder helmet
- 1.3.4 4. 3M Speedglas 9100 welding helmet
- 1.3.5 5. Hobart 770756 Impact Variable Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet
- 1.3.6 6. Antra AH7-860-0000 Welding Helmet
- 1.3.7 7.Jackson Safety BH3 Welding-Helmet
- 1.3.8 8. Jackson Safety 46131 Insight Variable Auto Darkening Welding Helmet, HaloX, Black
- 1.3.9 9. Antra AH6-660-0000 Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
- 1.3.10 10. Flexzion Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
- 1.3.11 11. Tanox Auto Darkening with Welding Gloves
- 1.3.12 12. YESWELDER Anti Fog Up True Color Solar Powered Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
- 1.3.13 How to choose a welding helmet:
- 1.3.14 FAQs:
The process of welding denotes joining two metal body or part employing excessive pressure or heat. This sounds simple enough and straightforward too. Joining two metals through the process of welding is risky, and once anything goes wrong, it can cause serious hazards. So taking protection while doing welding, as a hobby or as the professional task, is always advised. It is an essential part of the manufacturing process and for the beginner or the expert, taking protective measures is necessary.
Safety accessories are there to save the welder from any mishap. Both the viewer of the process and the welder should use the accessories like goggles, helmets and scarves during welding. The reasons for wearing a helmet are many, such as;
The excessively bright light that emits during the welding process makes the viewer and the welder uncomfortable. Also, our bare eyes shall get harmed due to the light. In fact, that harsh light can even burn the cornea and eventually cause blindness.
The eyes are a sensitive organ, and so they should be kept shielded from the flying sparks. The welding helmets are photochromatic, which is otherwise clear, but darkens at the visible area when the welding light is detected.
Now from the variety of brands offering welding helmets which are full of various features, we are selecting a few, to save you from the confusion. If you are a professional welder or a hobbyist, you will be much served by this article, read on to know-how.
Here is Our Top Choice
3M Speedglas 9100 welding helmet
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Auto Darkening Filter Reacts Quickly After Striking an Arc
Three sensors in the lens activate the auto-darkening filter when an arc is struck. The lens then switches from light to dark shade in approximately 0.1 milliseconds (1/10,000 of a second)
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The comfort with a headband that shapes for a customized fit
Two adjustable crown straps for increased stability and weight distribution.
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Breathable Helmets
Aerodynamic vents allow stale, exhaled air to freely exit the helmet to reduce heat, humidity, and fogging.
Our Favorite Top 3 Welding helmet On The Market
Best Welding Helmets Reviews
1. Miller Digital Elite welding helmet
Miller Digital Elite welding helmet brand claims that the helmets they offer come with some unique features like digital control. Along with that, it is proved to be having an apprehensive design like large buttons which are easier to push or adjust. The item weighs2.15 pounds and it comes with 1 C Lithium-ion batteries to get operated.
Item has a plastic body which is pretty durable, and its dimensions are 10.5 x 12 x 9.8 inches.
The lens of this helmet is clear enough to see through the process. This one is lightweight and comfortable to wear, and it has won acclaim from the users and thus is entirely satisfactory a product. The grind mode is available in this helmet. Another unique feature of this helmet is it is solar assisted. The batteries are used as a power source, but along with that, it gets charged from the solar panel when you are working under normal sunlight. But if the helmet is kept in a bag for too long, the battery tends to die quicker.
Pros
- X- Mode to lessen sunlight interference
- Four arc sensors for better lens response during obstructed or low-amp welding
- Weld operating mode, cutting mode and grinding mode to support welder
- Replaceable batteries without the use of iron shouldering
- A big and wide screen
Cons
- Adjustability problem due to imbalance and instability
- No auto darkening facility
2. Lincoln 3350 Welding Helmet
Electric has brought some real good welding helmets which are both exceptional in features and standalone in functionality. The Lincoln 3350 welding helmet series of come with 4C lens technology that gives you the clarity in view while welding. The eye strain is reduced along with the chance of imperfection in work.
It comes with an extra-large lens of 12.5 square inches and that too with an auto-darkening feature. All these features increase productivity and make you feel safe while welding.
It is one of a kind X6 headgear which is best fitted with the operator’s head and makes this helmet comfortable while worn. The balance is maintained, and pressure points are eliminated, and thus it ensures concentration and better quality of work. The low profile grind button is easily operated so the weld and grind mode can be switched between without removing the gear.
Pros
- 3 years warranty on the product
- Great fit and flawless functioning
- Exceptional auto- darkening lens
- Very durable
- Wide view field
Cons
- Uncomfortable harness
- Ill-fitted back pad
3. Esab SENTINEL A50 welder helmet
Esab SENTINEL A50 welder helmet is another well made and featured welder helmet to serve you the purpose rightly. The plastic made helmet comes with 1.4 pounds weight, and it is available in black. The optical class rating of this product is 1/1/1/2, and it comes with true colour technology to provide clarity of view while welding.
You can control and adjust the helmet efficiently along with the shade 5-13 ADF. There are shade three grind modes that you can switch among. You can easily change from grind modes without removing the gear. The viewing area is quite large, specifically 100 x 60 mm wide.
The control panel is backlit to give you an advantage while operating it. You can read that even in low-lit circumstance. The design is simple enough to operate it also if you are a first-timer, and the manual is not needed much to know the nuances.
Pros
- Supreme clarity
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Hardy makes with a stiff shell
- Easy cleaning
Cons
- Expensive lenses
- Need to work from 12 inches distance
- The curved lens gets glare
4. 3M Speedglas 9100 welding helmet
3M Speedglass 9100 welding helmet
Welding helmet is a lightweight one with the 2.5-pound body. This large black helmet comes with 1 Lithium-ion battery which is included in the package. The product comes with 9x9x13 inches dimension, and it is very much user-friendly.
This item offers a larger viewing area, three arc sensors to detect arc minutely, two different modes for welding and grinding, and a wide range of shade settings. The outcome will be well fabricated due to the flexibility and professional, which you will find surprising.
The reaction time is 1/25,000, and the delay control is between 0.1 to 1.0 seconds. The CR2450 Lithium battery is replaceable, and the helmet is made of durable polyamide. The sensitivity control has infinite adjustment options, and it can be tuned to get ambient light.
Pros
- 2 years warranty
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Auto darkening facility
- Heat resistant hard hat shell
- Moderate price
Cons
- Eye strain due to long hours of working with auto darkening
- The steep price
- Heavier than other helmets
5. Hobart 770756 Impact Variable Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet
This Welding helmet is a lightweight one with the 2.5-pound body. This large black helmet comes with 1 Lithium-ion battery which is included in the package. The product comes with 9x9x13 inches dimension, and it is very much user-friendly.
This item offers a larger viewing area, three arc sensors to detect arc minutely, two different modes for welding and grinding, and a wide range of shade settings. The outcome will be well fabricated due to the flexibility and professional, which you will find surprising. The reaction time is 1/25,000, and the delay control is between 0.1 to 1.0 seconds. The CR2450 Lithium battery is replaceable, and the helmet is made of durable polyamide. The sensitivity control has infinite adjustment options, and it can be tuned to get ambient light.
Pros
- Latest LCD lens technology
- Durable and comfortable
- 7.05 square inch view area
- Auto on/off
- Extra lenses available
Cons
- Difficult inside control with gloves on
- No on/off button
- Sensor messes with sunlight
6. Antra AH7-860-0000 Welding Helmet
9 inch welding helmet weighs 1 pound which means it is very comfortable to wear and work. This is certified to be frustration-free and is sourced by solar power. A very eco-friendly gadget to work with, this helmet comes with the passive filter, and the permanent shade is of 13 to UV/IR. It has double layered auto-dimming LCD shutter which allows a sufficient range of shades. The helmet has full neck and face protection so the sparks can never touch the welder. The clear view offers a more accurate look at the joints of metals and molten puddle.
The lightweight product saves the welder from the neck stress. This has four premium redundant arc sensors, so it detects the arc responsively. The controlling units switch the accurate modes super fast. The auto shading minimizes the harmful radiation and thus, eye strain is also lessened. Plasma cutting, abrasive wheel cutting or grinding are done successfully with this helmet on. Welding in schools, shops, ship industries or repair industries can get benefitted from this helmet.
Pros
- One year of free service from the company
- Great wide ranges
- Well fitted even for a wide head
- Wide view area
Cons
- Cheap material
- Not very comfortable
- Non-working “check battery function.”
- Not perfect for long term professional use
7.Jackson Safety BH3 Welding-Helmet
Welding helmet weighs 2 pounds and it is made of Zytel ST 801 AVG. the black helmet comes in a universal size which fits all. The safety BH3 auto-darkening filter lens (ADF) provides eye protection from the blistering lights. The lens has EN379 ratings (1/1/1) which ensures it will get you maximum clarity, light diffusion, luminous transmittance variation along with angular dependency. The shade varies between 9 to 13, which ensures the shielding of wearer’s eye.
The item is high density and made of plastic shell which is meant to protect the face, forehead and neck area. The front cover plate is curved, and it is aerodynamic and that means the helmet heats less during extreme heat. Also, reflections and fogging is taken care of by this feature to ensure better visibility. It also offers high mass impact protection, and the DIN Plus production quality is maintained. The headgear can be adjusted into three notches, so this is suitable for all the welders.
Pros
- Perfect delay
- Adjustable shades
- Better view with a great lens
- Face protection ensured
Cons
- No warranty available in the US
- Battery replacement not possible
- Overpriced
- Eye protection poor
8. Jackson Safety 46131 Insight Variable Auto Darkening Welding Helmet, HaloX, Black
2 pound heavy helmet is functional with nylon body, and It comes with 1 Lithium-ion battery. The variable ADF helmet comes with a wide viewing area and perfect delay adjustment. There are four auto-dimming sensors which are independent. The digital control is also easy to use.
There are grind and weld modes to choose from, and the modes can be worked on for MIG welding, TIG welding and arc welding. To know more about tig welders, you may refer our guide on best tig welders review. This is a perfect value-centric welding helmet which offers multipurpose usage. This helmet offers an auto-darkening feature which ensures eye protection during welding. This is also compatible with HLX100 and HSL 100 shells. This one is made according to ANSI Z87.1+ standards as well as compliant with CSA protocol. Welders can work in different adverse environments thanks to the ADF as they can change the shade of the lens and adjust the sensitivity. The ambient lighting sources offer many options on this aspect.
Pros
- Lightweight and durable
- Well adjusted with all
- Headgear angle adjuster available
- Clear visibility
- 4 position height adjustment
Cons
- Flimsy material
- Short jaw line
- Not much durable
9. Antra AH6-660-0000 Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
This helmet is ready to help the welders with their work as it comes with passive filter and permanent shade with the power of 13 to UV/IR. The double-layered auto dimming LCS shutter is present in this Antra helmet like the one we have discussed before. The shade range is accurate and efficient as provided by the 4/5-9/9-13 to clear light. The helmet covers the face, neck and a large area which is safe from the spatter and flying sparks. The helmet meets the set standard of ANSI Z87 standards as well, so your safety is ensured. You can get the clear view of the molten puddle as well as the melting point and joints through the visible area.
The auto-darkening lens works automatically, and no manual direction is required. The high responsive unit checks the controlling and detecting of switching time. Auto shading takes place with utmost accuracy. A harmful radiant bypass is minimized by this helmet, and thus eye stress is minimal. False triggering is minimized and the helmet is less sensitive to sun rays. This is more sensitive to welding arc and it can detect the hardest DC TIG, which is less than 2 amp.
Pros
- Affordable product
- Nice and wide adjustment range
- Good response time
- Great for low amp welding
- 4 position height adjustment
Cons
- Problematic headband adjustment
- Cheap tension adjustment of suspension
- Too much power consumption
10. Flexzion Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
One can safely be called a universal self darkening welding helmet. This is great for any welding assignment. The filter can be in the light or the dark environment; the helmet will work fine. It offers face and neck coverage of the welder from the spars and fires. This one is made from flame-retardant PP material which makes it durable too. It also offers eye protection from UV IR radiation as the auto darkening shade filter gets changed from light to dark within 1/30000 second. As it has the welding mask feature, the switchback time adjustment time is delayed.
The risk of Glassblower’s cataract is lessened by the function of auto-darkening sensitivity. The arc and solar-powered electronics are pretty lightweight, so the chance of neck pain is lessened as well. The one size fits all shape and design is well adjusted by the help of straps. The view area is crystal clear and this is a fatigue-free comfortable headgear for the professional and hobbyist welders.
Pros
- Ideal for MIG to MAG welding
- Great Stick and gas welding equipment
- Cool fire skull pattern
- Battery not required
Cons
- Loose shade adjustment knob
- Flimsy suspension harness
- Auto darkening worsens after few uses
11. Tanox Auto Darkening with Welding Gloves
This is the perfect duo you need to be a professional welder or a DIY enthusiast. This set will save you from any accidental situation during MIG, TIG, Arc, MMA, or even in plasma projects. The optical class rating is 1/1/1/2, and this one has a wide view area. The solar shade lens is an eco-friendly feature of this helmet. The grinding is at 0000 and the fast response time is adjusted by 4-9/9/13 range.
The dimensions are 8x9x12 inch and it weighs 1 pound. The switching between light to dark mode is done within 1/25000 of a second. The optical class rating is 1/1/1/2 and so the welder is protected against UV/IR radiation. The viewing area is 3.86 x 1.73 inches wide and the welder never fails to see any joint or angle difference. This helmet is padded with hard head adapter, and thus it fits all. The automatic on/off grinding, arc grinding, MMA, MIG, MAG/CO2, TIG and plasma cutting offers much flexibility and diversity. If you are more interested in mig welders, the guide on best mig welders reviews is here. This one has ADF self-check and as well low amperage TIG.
Pros
- Low volume alarm
- Extra set of a lens cover
- Grade A 16 inch welding gloves
- Two years lifespan of Lithium battery
- Solar cells
Cons
- Bitless durable
- Inadequate tension knob
- Non-adjusted head basket
12. YESWELDER Anti Fog Up True Color Solar Powered Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
True colour technology is something new among the welding helmet features and it enables the welder to see more precisely and clearly. As the visibility is increased, the eye strain is reduced and the traditional lime green colouring disappears from the helmet view screen.
This one also has an anti-fog design which lets the welder work for a longer time while no fog is deposited on the inner filter. The two non- darkening side viewing is done to provide the welder full-range vision. In the welding area, it means a lot as the operation control is enhanced by this feature. There are two premiere arc sensors, and the pivot style headgear offers superior comfort. This item is great for TIG, MIG and MMA style welding. The optical clarity is at 1/1/1/2. The battery life is increased with two CR2450 Lithium batteries.
Pros
- Storage bags and 3 replacement lens with 1 replacement Lithium battery
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Amazing clarity of view
Cons
- Light leaks through the lens
- Sporadic sensor
- Not well fitted headgear
How to choose a welding helmet:
There are a few factors that help to choose the right helmet to serve your purpose. The difference is initiated by the comfort level, security, welding ability, price range and better protection. However, these factors also depend upon personal choice and comfort.
We are here to make you aware of some such factors which will be the deciding point while you will be going to buy the welding helmet.
Single fixed shade/variable shade lens:
The usual welding helmet, or passive welding helmet, as you may call it, comes with the lens that has static ultraviolet and infrared filter and it is often the #10 shade. The filter is rightly called static as it offers an equal level of protection in any environment. The amp of light can be less or more during the welding process, and the welder has to flip the helmet down with a snap at the neck, and after the completion, he has to lift it manually. The fixed lens is less expensive, but the problem with this is, it takes some practice to flip the helmet down while hands are busy holding the torch.
Also if the welding is being done is a small space, then there may not be room enough to flip the neck to slide down the helmet. But if you are doing some welding job, then you may not need any other than shade #10 helmet.
Welding helmet with variable shade works with auto-darkening feature by electric filter lens. ADF or auto darkening filter works through liquid crystal display and it has a light sensor attached near the lens to detect the welding arc. Without the activation of sensor, the lens will act as a #3 or #4 lens. But during the welding process sensor will affect the lens and it will become #9 to #13 shade. So you can keep the helmet on all through the welding process.
Switching speed:
The switching speed refers to the change of shade from #3 to #9 or more, whichever is the range of the lens. Usually, the rating is like 1/3600 second to 1/25000 second. If you are working for long hours in welding, then you need the intermediate or professional level switching speed in your helmet, or else your eyes will feel fatigued and strained real soon.
Battery/solar power:
Power options for helmets can be variable. Some have non-replaceable batteries and another run by a solar panel. The ones that offer extended battery life usually comes with a Lithium battery. Solar pane powered helmets need charging period and Lithium battery-operated ones are a bit high on cost. AAA battery operated ones are easily available, but if you wish to look for longer usability, go for the Lithium battery-powered helmets.
Helmet weight:
Helmet weight is a decisive factor. If you work long hours on welding, then a heavy helmet will cause you neck pain. So if you are a long-time welder, choose the lighter one to work comfortably for long hours.
FAQs:
1. What makes a good welding helmet?
From the lots of welding helmets available in the market we have handpicked a few, but that does not mean that you have to go by our list. You may or may not like the ones we have shortlisted, so here is the actual criteria for a good welding helmet. It should be padded inside to ensure comfort, lightweight for the same reason, side windows to get you a better view and full-field vision, large knobs so you can grab them with your gloved hands, adjustable straps, so the size of head does not cause a problem and most importantly a good price. Along with these, you can check the length of the helmet which ensures that it will sufficiently shield you from the flying sparks.
2. What is the cheapest welding helmet?
The Miller251292 Welding Helmet is the best welding helmet with the cheapest price tag. This lightweight model comes with a clear and wide lens and it fits every head comfortably. Also, you can take a look at the affordable welding helmets that comes under $200.
3. Are Antra welding helmets good?
Based on the market survey, we have found that Antra has provided us with the best welding helmets. These are an all-rounder in terms of functionality. The weight is much less, the lens is clear and wide and the extensive shade settings are 4/5-9/9-13, which ensures a professional level of comfort.
4. Why is my auto darkening welding helmet not working?
Auto-darkening welding helmet users may find the flickering light in the side sensor or shaky filter which often signals that the battery of the helmet needs to be recharged or replaced. If the helmet does not come with replaceable batteries, then consider purchasing a new helmet.
5. Do auto-darkening welding helmets have batteries?
The idea that an auto darkening welding helmet which is solar-powered does not consist of replaceable or any other kind of battery. The battery pack provides power supply to the initial arc and the low powered cells can be recharged by PV panel.
6. What is the lightest welding helmet?
Speedgals SL welding helmet is the lightweight one with the maximum comfort level. It is super light and offers auto darkening filter. 3M has come up with the best welding helmet, which is best suited for low to moderate amperage welding jobs. This has three shades of light shade and five dark shades. This is auto on/off the helmet and comes with replaceable ADF batteries.
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