Best Welding Helmets for your Safety and Productivity

The highest 1-1-1-1 optical clarity in all four categories.

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It comes with great shade variability for every light condition.

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level five shade side windows.

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It comes with a solar power function with auto shut-off.

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It is interchangeable with other Jackson shells.

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An adjustable lens in darkness.

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It has eight different memory settings.

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Features X-mode clearlight technology.

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The Lowest light level shade of 2.5.

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A good and low price.

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Top 5 Selling Features

Reasons To Acquire:

  • Solar cells lens with auto darkening that enables a better vision when the sparks fly.

  • Made of hard plastic so you do not have to worry about damaging it.

  • Has ADF controls that lets the user switch to different sensitivities.

  • There is no internal power source so there is no bother of damaging internal batteries, its completely solar powered.

  • There is a wide range of view for maximum visibility.

Reasons To Acquire:

  • Stylish patriotic design for die hard American welders.

  • The lens shade is 8 to 13 for clearer vision to see where you are welding.

  • Fitted with the finest electromagnets that are fireproof.

  • The switching speed you will find in this is 1/25,000 sec.

  • Available with lithium-ion batteries.

Reasons To Acquire:

  • Exhaust vents are a commendable feature for long welding sessions.

  • The helmet is quite lightweight for its size.

  • With the side windows your peripheral vision increases by more than 100%

  • Various sensitivity settings for different welding processes.

  • It has an adjustable and comfortable foam fit.

Reasons To Acquire:

  • Has a dual power source with Lithium batteries and solar cells.

  • It provides full face and neck protection to give you that added safety.

  • Great industrial usage as it can handle various plasma cutting processes and pretty much every other light and heavy-duty welding fields.

  • Interference Suppression Technology stops false switching and makes the helmet less sensitive to any form of light other than welding sparks.

  • Is available in several different colours and patterns if you are not a fan of the plain black.

Reasons To Acquire:

  • High quality auto darkening from ambient light sources is better than most comparable helmets.

  • You have option to change between different Jackson shells depending on your convenience.

  • Industry grade sensitivity and adjustment that earns the title of industry favourite.

  • The helmet features HaloX headgear which adds value for the price.

  • Is quite reliable since it meets the CSA and ANSI standards.

Reasons To Acquire:

  • There is a cheater lens with a compatible design that allows you to magnify according to need.

  • There is a large field of view with four different sensors for clearer vision.

  • Plasma application, mig, tig and so forth are easier to handle with this helmet.

  • An adjustor for fibre metal hard hat makes it easier to wear the helmet for long sessions.

  • Powered by a CR2 battery that provides extensive timing.

Reasons To Acquire:

  • New and highly effective shell design with high-impact resistant nylon enables a stronger and more durable helmet.

  • Allows for elevated comfort as the entire helmet is ergonomically adjustable.

  • Comes in different designs including a graphic design that has received many positive reviews.

  • With a central pivot point maximum head and neck coverage is ensured.

  • Touch screen settings with several memory settings for customizable usage.

Reasons To Acquire:

  • Lightweight high impact nylon that is resistant against wear and tear.

  • Longevity of the product is ensured through durable manufacturing.

  • Inside and outside cover lenses protect your eyes from harmful rays.

  • High yield lithium batteries ensure long lasting usage with easily replaceable battery option.

  • It is a market favourite as it has received top notch positive feedbacks from a wide array of customers.

Reasons To Acquire:

  • The ADF on this helmet breaks world records which customers are a huge fan of.

  • The grind mode on this device provides perfect view for those looking for the best in the market.

  • Fitted with the latest optic technology that enables for a brighter vision in lighter rooms and the most accurate shading while welding to provide you the true colours of the process.

  • Lightweight yet durable for longer usage spans.

  • Quality of vision justifies the hefty price tag.

Reasons To Acquire:

  • Upholds the standards of ANSI, GS, CE and other various standard protocols.

  • A large view span with automatic adjusting and a resting shade of 4.

  • Graphic and colourful design that appeals to a large customer-base.

  • Improved optics that focus on minimizing eye fatigue for longer welding and cutting sessions.

  • The auto darkening filter substantially reduces the need for grinding and rework resulting in saving time, effort and funds.

Whether you’re a hobbyist or a full-fledged professional welder, having a proper welder’s helmet is necessary for your personal safety.

Welding helmets are crucial for working in dangerous environments where you have hot sparks that can cause burns and permanently damage your eyes.

A good welding helmet can protect you from harmful sparks and ultraviolet and infrared rays generated during the welding process.

A tough, rugged material that withstands harsh environments and provides comfort is the main quality of the best welding helmet.

Another crucial function of welding helmets is to provide a clear and clean view of the area. This means the helmet should work in both light and dark modes without creating glare.

The best welding helmets are those that can achieve all of these functions while still being comfortable.

We have prepared a buying guide to showcase the top 10 welding helmets available today.

Table of Contents

Specifications

  • 3.74 x 3.34 inches lens size
  • 1/1/1 optical clarity lens
  • 0.1 – 1.0 delay control
  • 2,000 hours of battery life
  • Side windows
  • 1 Cr2450 lithium-ion battery 3V
  • 3-year warranty

What's in the Box?

  • Helmet bag
  • 5 lenses for the lens changes
  • 1 bandana
  • 2 internal cover lenses
  • Sticker sheet

This Lincoln Electric 3350 is a pivoting welding helmet that allows the wearer to move easily and weighs only four pounds. It’s lightweight and comes with sensitivity active technology to reduce the tension and pressure on the user’s head. This is further achieved with padded cushioning and adjustable straps.

The 4C lens technology provides clarity of vision in both inactive and active states. The auto-darkening time is only 1/25,000 seconds.

The design of this Lincoln Electric Viking 3350 series welders helmet provides superb comfort and proper ventilation to prevent exhaustion. It features the X6 innovative headgear technology and is optimized to give the best performance in all working environments.

The helmet comes with 5-13 variable shade controls with 3.5 internal and external grind on a magnifying cheater compatible lens.

The gear can work with a variable temperature range from 10 to 55 degrees Celsius and can be stored in -20 to 70 degrees Celsius.

The helmet provides an adjustable vertical position to the welder with a clear sightline and a switch to change from weld to grind setting.

The 4C lens technology also provides a wide range of hues and colors visible in both dark and light modes. The clarity of the lens omits blurriness and distortion while providing angle uniformity, increased visibility, and shade consistency.

The helmet is composed of nylon and polycarbonate. It has a solar power auto-backup source. It also has four arc sensors and provides ADF control knobs along with auto-darkening.

Pros:

  • Highest optical clarity lens
  • 4C lens technology
  • Large viewing area
  • Helmet bag and lenses provided
  • Adjustable sensitivity settings

Cons:

  • Comes with a hefty price tag
  • Quite heavy
  • Prone to scratches

Specifications

  • 7.05 square inches viewing area
  • Clear lens
  • Grind button
  • Long battery life
  • 2-year warranty
  • ANSI Z87.1-2010, CE, CSA Certified

What's in the Box?

  • 2 CR2450 Batteries
  • 2 clear protective lenses of dimensions of 4.25 x 2 inches
  • 5 outside lenses of 4.5 x 5.375 inches
  • 2 inside replacement lens of 4.25 x 2 inches

This is one of the best welding helmets with extra comfort and good ventilation to keep the wearer cool and comfortable.

The sleek and comfortable helmet is made from thermoplastic, making it extremely lightweight (around 2.25 pounds), preventing extra pressure on the head.

The clear lens shades on the helmet come in a range of 8 to 13 with a 3.0 light state, and the wide viewing screen provides a clean and clear vision for maximum productivity.

The helmet comes in three colors of red, blue, and white, with stripe and star graphics.

The welding helmet has an auto-darkening mode to protect the eyes, and the screen has analog controls that make it useful in both industrial and commercial settings.

There’s a magnifying cheater lens in the hood. The shell of the helmet is relatively thin. It is made from polyamide nylon and protects you from sparks, collision, debris, dust, and slag.

The helmet has dual adjusting options from the top and the rear, and it has several dials that make it user-friendly.

There are three arc sensors on this welding helmet, and LED technology protects your eyes every time an arc flashes. This gives it an excellent low light capability for all welding applications.

Pros:

  • Best shade variability for different light conditions
  • Great ventilation and comfort
  • Eye protective LED
  • 3 arc sensors for auto-darkening control

Cons:

  • Complicated setup
  • The fitting can be a problem

Specifications

  • 2.8 x 4.2 inches viewing area
  • 1/1/1 TrueView lens classification
  • 0.1 ms switching time
  • 2,500 hours of battery power
  • 40-800 ms delay control
  • Cr2030 replaceable lithium battery 3V
  • 3-year warranty

What's in the Box?

  • Welding bandana
  • Helmet bag
  • Decals
  • Speedglass toolbox
  • Instructions

This 3M Speedglas welding helmet is one of the best welding helmets suitable for MIG, Stick, and TIG welding applications. The helmet’s design mimics the shape of the human head to provide comfort over long periods.

The helmet provides a 100% increase in peripheral vision using side windows. This is a super lightweight product weighing just 2.9 pounds. The insides are made from nylon to provide comfort. At the same time, the structure is sturdy and made from thermoplastic.

The three arc sensors located in the lens areas activate the auto-darkening mode in just 0.1 milliseconds. They can increase their darkness automatically to protect your eyes. At the same time, the exhaust on each side provides ventilation to reduce humidity.

The lens used is the Speedglas lens that provides variable shade color options of 5, 8, 9,10, 11, 12, and 13, along with a lighter shade of 3. The welding helmet provides a large, clear field view to allow optimum productivity.

The ergonomic design features two crown straps that are adjustable for stability and weight distribution. The front section of the helmet is padded to distribute the pressure evenly. A snap adjustment system is available for adjusting nine different angles to comply with different welding jobs.

This 3M Speedglas welding helmet is a good investment for professional welders as it is loaded with the best gear while providing high durability. Large knobs are present on the sides to allow the welder to move the position easily.

Pros:

  • Ultraviolet and infrared radiation protection
  • Exhaust vents for reducing fog, heat, and humidity
  • Locked light or dark mode
  • A large viewport size
  • Fits everyone perfectly
  • Lightweight

Cons:

  • No backup power supply
  • A bit on the pricey end

Specifications

  • 1/25,000 reaction time
  • Variable eye filters from 5-13
  • 4 welding arc sensors
  • 1/1/1/2 lenses of optical clarity rating
  • A switch for grind mode
  • Auto-darkening glass filter
  • 1-year warranty

What's in the Box?

  • User manual
  • 6 exterior lens covers
  • 3 Cr2032 lithium metal batteries
  • 1 internal lens cover
  • Additional replacement lenses cover plate

This lightweight auto-darkening Antra welding helmet maintains a high comfort level. It comes with a lens color filter of shade level 13 combined with an auto-dimming double-layer LCD screen shutter. The shutter operating mode provides a shade range of 4/5-9/9-13 in the visible light region.

The helmet model protects your face, neck, and eye from radiations and splatters. This welding mask complies with the ANSI Z87.1 safety standard and is fitted with 4 redundant premium arcs. These arcs have a high response time that enables the controlling units to provide a fast switching time. This reduces eye stress, minimizes harmful radiations, and enhances auto-shading.

This welding helmet can work with multiple cut mode like plasma cutting, abrasive wheel cutting, DC TIG, MIG, AC TIG, grinding, stick, and MAG welding techniques.

Despite having several high-tech features of the helmet, it is relatively cheap. The build material is high-impact polyamide-nylon that can work at -10 degrees to -55 degrees Celsius.

This welding equipment uses a dual function of two lithium batteries and solar energy to perform its tasks and has an amperage rating of 2. The helmet uses Cheater lenses to improve the viewing area’s quality, 98mm x 44mm with fully automatic darkening.

There’s a conveniently placed external switch for the grinding mode. This can easily switch from grind to weld operating modes. Overall, this helmet offers exceptional features and performance for this helmet’s price point without compromising quality.

Pros:

  • Extremely lightweight
  • Automated solar power source
  • It can be used with glasses
  • Comparatively cheaper
  • Ability to protect the users from UV rays and Infrared light radiation
  • Wide viewing area

Cons:

  • Not suitable for heavy-duty industrial use
  • Made from thin material
  • There are control problems
  • Auto-dark mode doesn’t always work

Specifications

  • Auto-darkening glass filters of WH40 series
  • 1/15,000 reaction time
  • Variable eye filters from 9-13
  • 4 welding arc sensors
  • 2-year lens warranty
  • A shade 4 for grind mode button
  • Magnification lens holder

What's in the Box?

  • Jackson Safety 46131 Insight Helmet
  • 2 Lithium Batteries
  • Protective lens to see clearly

Jackson Safety is a known manufacturer of quality helmets. The Jackson Safety 46131 Insight Digital Variable Welding Halo headgear is one of the most sought-after products for professional and personal use. This welding mask’s shell design is compatible with the HaloX 100 and HSL 100 shell, which follows the 370 industry headgear standard.

The helmet also follows the ANSI z87.1 and CSA standards. It has a rather short viewing window of 3.9 to 2.3 inches and weighs just around 2.6 pounds.

The auto-darkening filter allows the welder to work in different environments by managing the lens’s shade, which has variable filters in the shade range of 9-13 with ambient light sensitivity adjustments.

The Jackson Safety Helmet has weld and grind operational modes used in TIG, MIG and ARC welding. The welding mask runs on 2 lithium batteries with low battery indicator light. It also has a built-in magnification lens holder and a shade 4 grinding mode.

To provide added protectiveness to the welder, the helmet is made from nylon, making it breathable and comfortable to wear. Overall, this helmet provides pretty much everything you need for a safe and efficient welding job.

Pros:

  • Interchangeable shell
  • Made from very comfortable nylon
  • Adjustable lens
  • Built-in control panel
  • Scratch-resistant

Cons:

  • The lens is quite small, which can be an issue
  • Low reaction time
  • Low amount of ventilation
  • Heavy case

Specifications

  • Passive IR and UV ray filter
  • 2 arc sensors
  • 1/1/1/2 Optical Clarity Class Lenses
  • Quick Grind mode switch
  • Auto-darkening filter
  • 1/25,000 second reaction time
  • Variable lens filter of 5-13 range

What's in the Box?

  • User manual

Antra AH6-660 welding mask is made from high-impact polyamide nylon and comes in six styles; black, skulls, a flaming tiger, an American eagle, a mechanized skull, and carbon fiber. It is compatible with cheater lenses added to the editing lens to increase the magnification for far-away objects.

The helmet doesn’t come with a defined control panel. However, it has automated lens brightness adjustment with four sensors. There’s a knob on the side that can be used to adjust the lens filter with a variable shade of 5-13 range, compatible with multiple lenses.

Other than that, the knob can be used to switch from the weld to the grind mode, and it can also be used to adjust the sensitivity and delay time.

The device offers a wide viewing range of 3.78 x 3.50 inches and can work with different welding jobs, including MIG, TIG, ARC, and plasma welding.

The helmet uses a 1 Cr2 battery charged by solar power with an automatic shut-off system, so it doesn’t overheat.

Pros:

  • Solar-powered charging with auto-shutoff
  • Useable with eyeglasses
  • Lightweight

Cons:

  • The overall build quality is not so good
  • Accidental mid-weld flash
  • Unreliable auto-darkening

Specifications

  • 0.1 s switching time
  • 1/1/1/2 lens to see clearly
  • 3.93 x 2.36 inches screen
  • 3-year warranty
  • Lightweight, only 1.4 pounds
  • Power supply through the solar cell and 2 lithium batteries
  • Color touchscreen control panel

What's in the Box?

  • Helmet bag
  • 3 external cover lenses
  • User manual for the ESAB sentinel A50
  • ESAB bandana

The ESAB Sentinel A50 auto-darkening welding helmet comes with a contemporary shell design made from nylon, resistant to high impact variables. There’s an option for using the hard hat adapter with the ESAB hard hat.

Weighing at just 1.4 pounds, this helmet comes with the Halo headgear technology that incorporates comfortable plastic straps in the helmet to keep it secure.

The viewing area is 3.9 x 2.3 inches, which is not that wide. The purity of the lens is adjustable from the inner side of the helmet via LCD technology.

The company incorporates optical clarity class rating lenses of 1/1/1/2 to provide low distortion, high diffusion, and luminous light transmission.

The auto-darkening lens filter ranges from shade 5-13, controlled by eight memory settings on the four sensors. There are additional external buttons for grind shades 3 and 4.

The ESAB Sentinel A50 has a low profile is designed to provide a central pivot point that allows maximum head clearance to the welder and makes it easier to move. This makes for an ergonomic design.

Pros:

  • Good shape for welding jobs in small spaces
  • Hard hat adapter option
  • Easy to maneuver with high impact variable auto-dark option
  • Control panel inside of the helmet

Cons:

  • Slight sun glaring issues with the lens
  • Comparatively expensive
  • The curved design of the lens might cost a lot to replace

Specifications

  • 1/20,000 s switching time
  • Indicator for low battery
  • 4 sensors
  • 9.22 square inch wide view screen
  • 3-year warranty
  • Lightweight, only 1.13 pounds
  • Power supply through 2 lithium-ion batteries.
  • 4 operating modes

What's in the Box?

  • 2 lithium-ion batteries
  • Magnifying lens holder
  • 5 external cover lenses
  • Helmet bag
  • 2 inside cover lenses

Miller Electric Digital Elite Welding Helmet is designed with a nylon construction that features additional adjustability settings and supports to enhance comfort and make the helmet fit better.

Weighing just 2.80 pounds, the Miller electric is one of the lightweight welding helmets on the market. The low weight design ensures that there is no strain on your head, neck, and face and allows you a comfortable working environment without leaving you sore or in pain.

The welding hood comes with four arc sensors that do not need angle dependence to provide an extensive response from the lens for low ampere and obstructed welding. The lenses themselves are high-definition for optimum clarity and fast arc recognition. The lenses are automatically turned off when an arc strikes.

The helmet has four operating modes for welding, cutting, and grinding. The fourth one is the X-Mode, which provides versatility to perform multiple jobs. The X-mode has electromagnetic sensors that monitor the welds and eliminates sunlight interference, and allow the arcs to be detected even if the sensors do not work.

The 9×9 inch viewing area gives a superb view of the working area, while the digital design is optimized to save battery and provide lens clarity. The lithium-ion-powered batteries can run for hours, and since they are not solar powered, they will let you work even if there’s no sunlight nearby.

The auto-darkening filter comes in the shade range of 8-13 and allows the lens to darken on the detection of an arc.

Pros:

  • Wide viewing lens
  • Sensitivity settings are adjustable
  • Accessories included in the box
  • Lightweight design

Cons:

  • The hood is loose and can come down during work.
  • The helmet may turn off on its own.

Specifications

  • The auto-darkening feature with a range of 8-12
  • Grind mode feature with a good view
  • EN379 optical glass lens
  • Headgear adjustments in switching time from 0.05-1.0 s
  • 3000 hours battery life
  • 3 sensors
  • 3-year warranty
  • UV and IR filter
  • 2 Cr2032 3V batteries

What's in the Box?

  • Instruction manual
  • Helmet bag
  • 2 Cr2032 3v batteries
  • 1 front cover lens

The VegaView 2. 5 welding mask is made from sturdy plastic that reduces weight and provides a dependable build quality and a good fit.

The high-definition optical glass lens protects the eyes and the face from infrared and ultraviolet rays and reduces eye strain.

The lens comes in the shade adjustment of 8-12 in the dark mode to adjust with the welding job. In the light setting, this helmet has a shade of 2.5, which is the lightest shade available on the market, giving superior visibility in grind/weld mode.

The welding helmet is extremely lightweight, as it weighs just about 1.06 pounds. This means that the helmet doesn’t strain the back, head, and face. It also doesn’t induce any sores.

3 arc sensors allow variable detection with a movable slider to protect the wearer from glare.

The helmet holds a world record for its auto-darkening technology. The helmet can operate in both weld and grind modes. According to customers, this is the best helmet for plasma cutting, as the lens provides exceptional visibility.

Pros:

  • High build quality
  • World record auto-darkening
  • The lowest light shade of 2.5
  • Lightweight design
  • Large viewing area

Cons:

  • The quality of the knobs is low
  • There’s no mount for a cheater lens
  • Not a budget helmet
  • Not enough shade levels

Specifications

  • The auto-darkening shade range of 9-13
  • 3.36 x 1.65 inches wide viewing size
  • 1/1/1/2 optical glass lens
  • Switching time of 1/25,000 s
  • 2 sensors
  • Low voltage indicator
  • UV and IR filter of DIN 16
  • 2 Cr2032 lithium batteries
  • Sensitivity controls
  • 0.1-1.05 delay control
  • 1-year warranty

What's in the Box?

  • User manual
  • 2 Cr2032 lithium batteries

Our last review is the Instapark ADF GX-500S Welding Helmet has a custom design incorporating a ratcheting headband with a padded interior composed of lightweight composite materials. This makes the helmet fit properly, while the padding provides comfort and stability.

The Instapark ADF series mask incorporates a 1/1/1/2 optical clarity glass lens that provides supreme clarity to allow the welder to do their job properly. The lens is designed to protect from harmful ultraviolet and infrared radiation. There’s plenty of shade range from 9-13, which helps the user see their job site properly.

This comfortable headgear is good for ARC welding, metal welding, inert gas welding, and tungsten welding and can operate in both weld and grind modes.

The helmet’s weight is around 1.6 pounds, giving it a lightweight finish and reducing strain. A solar cell powers the helmet in conjunction with 2 lithium manganese dioxide batteries for backup.

The auto-darkening filter in the lens provides a means for the wearer to perform their job properly without being affected by the bright arcs. Two sensors switch on when they sense an arc.

The device has knobs on the outside to control the light-to-dark filter’s sensitivity, with a delay time of 0.1-1.05 seconds, making it one of the best auto-darkening welding helmets.

Pros:

  • High visibility from the lens
  • Good touch controls
  • Comfortable cushioned shell
  • Good safety standards for eye protection
  • Solar-powered helmet

Cons:

  • Slightly slower response time
  • Complex adjustments
  • Touch controls are quite sensitive
  • The power dims on its own
  • Quite small and doesn’t fit different head sizes

Frequently Asked Questions

Choosing the safest welding helmet depends on the work environment and the type of welding you’d be doing. If you only need the helmet as a hobby for home improvement, then the Antra AH6-260 Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet is a good option. It is lightweight, offers decent build quality, has a variable auto-dark filter and offers good value for money.

If you’re looking for something that can be used in the professional setting, then the 3M Speedglas 9100 Welding Helmet is a popular name in the welding industry. It is suitable for different welding types, provides ample protection, and has a decent build quality with good features. Our welding helmet reviews will help you choose the best one for yourself.

Basic protection of an auto-darkening helmet ranges from shade 10 to shade 13 that is the minimum for a helmet to ensure protection from sparks. However, the darkness depends on the amperage.

If you’re working in an environment that would generate high amperage from the welding, then you’ll need high-quality auto-darkening helmet models to make sure you don’t have any accidents. These helmets are quite safe and protect your eyes and skin from harmful UV and IR radiation.

Conclusion

There you have it, our top pick of the best welding helmet you can buy this year. These top welding helmets offer high-class features while still being light on your pocket.

To choose the best welding helmet, it is necessary to assess the environment and the kind of work you’ll be performing so that you can buy the helmet that best fits your needs.

Hopefully, our list of welding masks will expedite your buying decision.