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No matter what kind of welding you do, it’s important that you choose the best welding helmet for the job. We want to ensure that you buy the right one for your needs. So we reviewed and ranked 10 models for your consideration.
You will also find an informational buyer’s guide immediately following the reviews. It will help you determine what you require in a helmet so that you end up with only the best.
But before we move on, we’d like to share a couple of our favorites. These entries impressed us with their excellent construction and advanced features.
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Our pick for the best welding helmet overall went to Lincoln Electric’s Viking 3350. It provides a large viewing area and excellent visibility. Equipped with 4 arc sensors, your eyes are protected with the fastest switching time in the industry.
As the most innovative helmet we reviewed, 3M’s Speedglas is packed with advancements. You can easily adjust its settings and save modes to make welding jobs faster and safer.
There are plenty of other options ahead. We reviewed some truly impressive models that will forever change the way you weld. There are even some budget-friendly entries that are easy on your wallet.
Lincoln Electric’s Viking sports a really nice viewing area. It is quite tall compared to other models, providing you with ample visibility. You’re getting a total of 12.5 square inches of lens, making it easier to see the work in front of you.
Using 4C technology, images are superb and clear. Your arc and puddle appear vivid, with auto-darkening protecting your eyes. There’s no blurriness, and no strained vision.
On top of that, comfort is king. Inside the helmet, your fit is completely adjustable, with soft padding that works to keep your head secure at all times.
And with an external button for grinding, you can switch jobs on the fly without having to remove your gloves or helmet.
With a switching speed of 1/25,000 of a second, your eyes are protected at the highest level. It doesn’t get any faster than this. Combine an easily adjustable head unit, and you’re looking at one of the best available.
3M’s Speedglas is certainly one of the most impressive helmets we’ve come across. It sports an incredibly detailed user interface. And yet it’s easy to learn, providing you with plenty of modes for optimal protection of your eyes.
We admire the large viewing area, too. 3M gives you excellent visibility, with images coming through in vibrant clarity. Your total viewing area measures 4.2 x 2.8 inches, ample room to clearly see your work.
We really like the ratcheting system inside the helmet. It’s a breeze to use and offers some of the best comfort around.
The auto-darkening mode is quick, coming in at 1/10,000 of a second. You can save your own modes, too. So it will remember your settings for some of the best safety around. Switching from welding to grinding with a button press is great, too.
We really like the clarity and visibility that Miller Digital provides. The Elite is packed with plenty of modes for quick adjustment to your jobs. The auto-darkening mode is fast and responsive, with a switching time of 1/20,000 of a second.
The inside of the lens is equipped with a handy digital display that works wonders for usability. Miller Digital’s ClearLight technology is a fast and effective way to give you visual clarity not found in many other welding helmets.
If you’re looking for a comfortable fit, the Elite is right up your alley. However, we were constantly adjusting the fit every time we put it on. But once you do, it feels absolutely wonderful. Your head is secure and safe, with plenty of padding where you need it.
Aside from the fit resetting, we really enjoyed the Elite. The digital display is a huge plus, making mode and setting adjustments easy and straightforward.
Jackson Safety went a different route for getting the perfect fit, and it works quite well. A large knob is affixed to the back of the helmet. All it takes is a quick turn to tighten the strap, giving you a great fit whenever you need.
This is a fine choice if you wear glasses, as the helmet lets you adjust the distance from the lens to your face. We also appreciate the curvature of the mask, as it covers your neck really well, protecting you from rogue sparks.
The switching time isn’t as fast as other models we reviewed. In fact, it’s the ‘slowest’ of the bunch, measuring in at 1/6,667 of a second. So it is a bit limited in that respect. But the coverage helps to make up for its shortcomings.
We would have liked it if there were a battery-powered option, as well. As it stands, you only get solar. Not the biggest deal in the world, but a caveat nonetheless. But adjusting your fit is about as easy as it gets. So if you’re looking for user-friendliness, the BH3 delivers.
You’ll feel like a real-life Iron Man wearing the Sentinel. It’s equipped with a touchscreen display inside the helmet. This lets you switch different visibility settings on the fly. Talk about being user-friendly and convenient.
There’s plenty to secure your head, too. We liked the Sentinel’s fit, as it’s comfortable and doesn’t weigh you down. At only 1.4 pounds, you’ll have greater flexibility to safely complete your work.
The lens switching speed is the fastest available, coming in at 1/25,000 of a second. This gives you assurance that your eyes are getting the best protection possible.
You get a total of 8 memory modes to save different profiles. This lets you quickly get to work using the same settings for better safety.
The touchscreen helps tremendously in allowing you to easily control your helmet’s settings. The only issue we ran into was when welding too closely. The lens began to warp and melt. You’ll want to stay a good foot back in order to avoid this.
If you’re strapped for cash and in need of a reliable welding helmet, Hobart has the perfect solution. As one of the most affordable models we reviewed, there’s a lot to like about this entry.
We were mighty impressed by the build-quality of the 770756. You’re getting a sturdy, solid, and durable welding helmet that offers plenty of protection. It has a really nice weight and feel to it, with good comfort, to boot.
Getting the perfect fit is easy thanks to a fully-adjustable headband. The helmet’s viewing area isn’t the greatest, as it only measures 3.81 x 1.85 inches. That being said, the switching time is the fastest around, coming in at 1/25,000 of a second.
This is a great choice for those welding often and for long periods throughout the day. We wished there was a solar backup in the event that the battery croaks. But considering the low price, some concessions are expected.
An easy ratcheting system works to give you just the right fit. The high comfort level ensures you’re getting a safe and secure helmet that is a breeze to manage.
Jackson Safety makes the list again with the HSL100. If you’re on a tight budget but in need of great protection, this is the helmet for you. Its digital controls work really well and are quite user-friendly.
We were pleased with the viewing area, and its arc sensors do an excellent job of protecting your eyes. It boasts a lens switching time of 1/15,000 of a second. For the price, this is really impressive and fast.
We like the coverage of the HSL100, as well. It safely protects your neck, and the lightweight design helps add to its comfortable fit.
The headband feels safe and secure. However, there are times that it pulls on your hair, making for a painful experience. You can remedy this by putting something over it, but it’s still an issue we’d rather not see.
Antra delivers the most affordable welding helmet in our guide. You can pick this one up for a fraction of what other entries cost. And yet it’s loaded with plenty of beneficial features. You’re getting prime protection with lots of coverage.
Switching between welding and grinding is a cinch. And the lightweight construction helps add to its overall user-friendliness.
You won’t want to use this for industrial work, as it likely won’t stand up to it. But it is a solid helmet for personal applications.
The viewing area is pretty small compared to most others, measuring at just 3.86 x 1.73 inches. However, the switching time is some of the best around, coming in at 1/25,000 of a second. Your vision is protected by the fastest reaction time you can find.
We love the lightweight design of Antra’s helmet. For personal use in your garage, it’s a great fit for your needs. Just don’t expect to use this for heavy-grade work and you’ll be fine.
DEKOPRO offers another budget-friendly welding helmet that’s best suited for personal use. It looks great and is quite comfortable. But it isn’t the most durable of models. So you will want to keep it away from industrial-grade jobs.
It boasts an excellent switching time of 1/25,000 of a second. Your eyes are protected with the fastest reaction time in the business. The viewing area is also impressive, considering the price. You get a total of 3.85 x 3.15 inches; plenty of room to clearly see the work in front of you.
As sturdy as this helmet is, there’s some flexibility in the material. As long as you set the proper expectations and don’t try to use it beyond its capabilities, you’ll be pleased.
For such an affordable helmet, the viewing area is mighty impressive. We had no trouble seeing out of it. If you’re limited on movement, you will find this one to serve you well.
While you won’t find the high level of durability that you do with premium helmets, Tanox still delivers a commendable entry. It has a secure and comfortable fit, providing you with great coverage.
We like the visual clarity of the ADF-210S. Although the viewing area is rather limited, its switching time of 1/25,000 of a second is most excellent.
For hobby work, you won’t find much better. This is a fine welding helmet to keep in your garage. It offers ample protection and even comes with Kevlar gloves.
It’s a bit heavier than other models we looked at. But you’re likely not going to be using this for long periods of time anyway.
For hobby work and light use, we found this to be one of the best around. Its auto-darkening mode is fast and responsive, offering plenty of protection where you need it most.
Regardless of your line of work, there’s a lot to consider before investing in a welding helmet. We want to make sure you spend your hard-earned money wisely. That’s why we compiled this handy buyer’s guide.
It will point you in the right direction by showing you what you want to watch for. Although many models might look very similar, there are actually many differences between them. It’s important that you are aware of these so you get the best unit for your needs.
Let’s start with some key factors that come into play with every helmet. Knowing these aspects will ensure you’re getting the protection you need.
This greatly depends on the type of welding you do. Not every helmet offers ample viewing. Those that are better suited for personal use will typically have a very limited viewing area. If you’re doing industrial applications, you’ll likely want the most visibility that you can get.
A welding helmet that has a viewing area of around 4 x 3 inches is going to be geared toward industrial work. On the other hand, a window of 3 x 2 inches is more for hobby work and personal applications.
Some projects simply might not require much visibility. But if you want as much versatility and freedom as you can get, go with a larger lens area. It’s also important to factor in your working environment. You may be really limited on movement. If so, you’re better off with more visibility.
As you probably read in our reviews, each welding helmet has arc sensors. These are what work to limit bright lighting from damaging your eyes. As soon as a flash is detected, the lens will immediately darken, protecting your sensitive vision.
A helmet with 4 arc sensors is going to provide the best protection. This is especially true when working on more intense jobs. There are some units that have just 2 arc sensors. This isn’t inherently bad, but there is the risk of the lens not darkening in time.
You might pay more for helmets with more sensors. But if your job is pretty demanding, the difference in cost is worth it.
A 3-pound helmet may not seem like much, but it’s important that you consider your workload. After a few hours, that 3-pound helmet can start to feel like a lot more. Your neck will likely be mighty sore by the end of the day.
Do yourself a favor and always think about how often you’ll be wearing the helmet. Some units weigh only a pound. If you’re doing industrial-grade work for several hours a day, you’ll need a helmet this light.
Now, if you’re a hobbyist who does some occasional welding in your garage, the most lightweight isn’t necessary. You can easily get away with a 3-pounder. You likely won’t have it on for more than a few minutes anyway. So you won’t be affected by the couple extra pounds.
Most of the models we reviewed are powered by both batteries and solar energy. This is the best option for a welding helmet, as it ensures that you have a backup to fall back on in the event that one source isn’t available.
You want the most protection possible. If your batteries die on the jobsite, you don’t want to risk not having a way to shield your eyes.
Throughout our reviews, you likely saw switching times. This is how fast a helmet’s lens darkens during welding. A lens with a higher switching time will darken faster than a lens with a lower time.
For the best protection, go with a helmet that’s equipped with a switching time of 1/25,000 of a second. This is presently the fastest you can get. If you’re just doing some hobby work here and there, you can get away with a lower switching time. But if you do a lot of welding every day, it’s important that you get the best.
This is another feature listed in our reviews. Depending on your working environment and what you’re welding, you may need a lens with a certain shade.
A greater number of shades will allow you to work with a lot more applications. Choosing a helmet with a range of 5-13 is going to be a good fit for more welding jobs.
If you’re a hobbyist working in your garage, you can probably go with a shade range of 9-13. This is fairly normal and should serve you just fine.