If you are into a welding job then you must know how dangerous the work is because in this job you are exposed to different ultraviolet and infrared rays which are very harmful. And also the arc flash and many kinds of small particles which can harm your face and eyes.
Thus you must need the best welding helmet to protect your face from different kinds of harmful rays and particles. This Welding helmet is also known as the Best Auto Darkening Welding Helmet.
To ensure your safety at the best level we made a list of 10 best welding helmets that are available in the market. The person who is sensitive to his eyes and wants safety for his eyes for them we have enlisted best welding helmet for eye protection.
You will find two types of welding helmet one is the Best variable shade welding helmet and the other one is the Best fixed shade welding helmet both will provide comfort when you will wear it but fixed shade is usually a #10 shade on the other hand variable shade is #5 to #13.
These helmets feature auto-darkening so that you can adjust how much to dark in which type of job. The sensors of the helmets automatically increase or decrease according to outdoor lighting conditions and welding process. And don’t forget to check the size of the viewing screen.
In our article, you will find the Best Auto Darkening Welding helmet in the various price range from Best Welding Helmet Under $50 to Best Welding Helmet Under $200. So you can have your favorite Best Welding Helmet Headgear according to the budget you have in your pocket.
We have written these ten best welding helmet after researching thoroughly and keeping in mind all the safety measurements and affordability. Also, read the buyer’s guide to know how to make an excellent purchase according to the best need for your job. To make the best job a great welding helmet and a great plasma cutter makes it all.
Here is the comparison table of ten best Welding Helmet 2021
| Image | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | 3M Speedglas 9100 30SW Badge Text
| PriceRead our Review |
 | 3M Speedglas 9100 30iSW
| Price |
 | Optrel VegaView 2.5
| Price |
 | Optrel Crystal 2.0
| Price |
 | Lincoln Electric K3034-4
| Price |
 | Miller 281000
| Price |
 | Miller 280045
| Price |
 | Jackson 46101
| Price |
 | Antra AH6-260-0000
| Price |
 | YESWELDER
| Price |
Description of the ten best Welding Helmet
3M Speedglas Welding Helmet 9100 06-0100-30SW Review
Best welding helmet for the money
The 3M speedglas welding helmet 9100 is a great welding helmet made for professional grade usage and is always ready for working with stick, MIG and TIG welding processes. The viewing area is of 12.11 sq inches with auto darkening process in 0.1 second is awesome and always covers your eyes from any kind of ultraviolet and infrared rays with making your eyes suitable for working with hardcore wielding environment.
Weighted 2.09 pound the 3m speedgla 9100 wielding helmet is designed ergonomically that fits suitably in the head and you can work for a longer time continuously without feeling any pain. he Speedglas lens features user-selectable dark shades 5, 8, 9 through 13, and a light shade of 3. Three sensors in the lens activate the auto-darkening filter when an arc is struck. This 9100 series also offers tack welding comfort zone which helps to reduce eye strain, that makes this welding helmet an excellent helmet for those who have sensitive eyes.
The auto darkening feature of this welding helmet offers not to flip the welding helmet up and down between the torch placements in which the productivity of welding work gets much higher when compared with the passive lens helmets. The helmets battery life is approximately 2000 hours. The two Cr2030 3V lithium batteries that power the Auto-Darkening filter are easily accessible and replaceable. By setting up properly for each task you can reduce eye strains and improve the quality of every tasks.
Though initially it looks as higher priced welding helmet, but if you use this properly then you can find that the best value for money welding helmet is this helmet. So if you are ready to spend some bucks for a great quality welding helmet and for a value for money welding helmet then this is a must buy welding equipment you can go for.
Let’s check the technical descriptions :
Pros
- Large viewing area of 12.11 sq inch
- Two Cr2030 3V lithium batteries offers 2000 hours of display.
- 0.1 second darkning process.
- Thress sensor lens for darkening to lightning and vice versa process.
- Weighted 2.09 pounds.
- Build for professional usage.
Cons
- Price is on higher side.
- No solar panel setup only depends on batteries.
3M Speedglas Welding Helmet Review
Best professional welding helmet
The 3M Speedglas Welding Helmet 9100, 06-0100-30iSW is a color welding helmet made for professional heavy duty works. The sensor used , the 9100XXi ADF allows you to more readily recognize colors which are less in green. The viewing area is 2.8″ x 4.2″ that offers a wide viewing area. The 9100XXi also offers auto-darkening feature and also delay function to control dark to light opening time that makes this helmet a auto darkening welding helmet.
Weighted 1 pound the 3m speedglas 9100 welding helmet is a lightweight welding helmet to use and it is designed with adjustable head design and ergonomic design that feels comfortable wearing in the head and for a prolonged period of time.
The auto darkening filter with the speedglas helmet is ready to work with Stick, MIG, TIG welding process and it offers auto darkening in 0.1 milliseconds with multi control display setting. The display has color adjustment filter which offers display which much less green and you can setup multiple controls like darkness and light adjustment, memory settings etc. Selectable Shades 5, 8-13 and Shade 3 light state to work with perfection. If you are into professional welding then this welding helmet is the product that is considered to be the best professional welding helmet under $500.
Let’s check the technical details :
Pros
- Large viewing area of 12.11 sq inch
- 0.1 second darkning process.
- The display has color adjustment filter which offers display which much less green
- Big display with multiple control and color full display.
- Thress sensor lens for darkening to lightning and vice versa process.
- Weighted 1 pound.
- Build for professional usage.
Cons
- Price is on higher side.
- No solar panel setup only depends on batteries.
Optrel VegaView 2.5 Review
Best lightweight welding helmet
The Optrel Vegaview 2.5 is a lightweight yet very powerful color welding helmet from Optrel. The helmet weights only 482gms and very comfortable while working with this. The ergonomic design of this welding helmet is excellent and fits smoothly in tighter places so that you can work for a prolonged hours without any difficulties and provides you complete protection from harmul UV and infrared rays.
This helmet is powered by 2 exchangeable CR2032 batteries which provides approximately 3000 hours of operation. The display is excellent display with 0.100 ms time taken from light to dark and vice versa. The shades offers 8-12 and world record ADF with 3 sensors. The control of the display and the ADF is just excellent and comfortable that offers a beautiful work atmosphere and help your eye from strains especially those who have a sensitive eyes. This helmets is also great for grinding mode.
This welding helmet is ready to work with plasma cutting, gas cutting, TIG welding, plasma arc welding and lot more the screen automatically darken within 0.100 MS which is world record for any Auto darkening function. This helmet is very lightweight welding helmet . If you are in fond of welding helmets that are light in weight then this welding helmet is the must buy welding tool that you can purchase.
Let’s check the technicals descriptions :
Pros
- Pretty durable.
- battery life of over 3000 and also the batteries are replaceable.
- 0.100 ms darkening time.
- weighted 482 Gm very light and durable.
Cons
- Grinding indicator is some time invisible when working.
- Plastic material.
Optrel Crystal 2.0 Review
Best true color welding helmet
The Optrel Crystal 2.0 comes with crystal lens technology with shade 2.0, from where the name of this welding helmet came into. The lens offers amazing features like autopilot that detects arc brightness and automates brightness level from 4 to 12. Adjust automatically to changing brightness condition of the current welding process keeping your eye and welding job smooth. To provide eye fatigue it changes its dark mode to light mode automatically by its Twilight feature. A complete welding helmet with featuring beautifully crafted lens design.
Wighted 1.72 pounds and operated by 2 batteries this welding helmet offers auto darkening and a wide angel view glass. You can switch easily between weld mode and grind 2.0 mode with its external control, so that you don’t need to change the helmet, one helmet ready to work for multi purpose welding jobs. True color vision-enabled this helmet offers you brilliant crystal clear vision just like looking out of a window.
The true color offers the color perception in light state is almost like looking through clear window glass and in the dark mode, you enjoy a detailed and high-contrast view of the welding pool with a never-seen-before clearness.
Let’s check the technicals descriptions :
Pros
- Pretty durable.
- Clear, great color and awesome visibility
- CLT offers you a brilliant vision that is excellent.
Cons
- The headgear is lousy, some times which can be a problem.
- The screws to the headgear become loose very easy so the helmet gets constantly falling so need to tight them often. It makes a bit annoying.
Lincoln Electric Welding Helmet Review
Best Welding Helmet For Beginner
The Lincoln electric K3034-4 comes with an ergonomic design in which the weight distributes evenly and feels comfortable while using it for a longer period of time. The improved balance eliminates pressure points helping you forget about the helmet thus completely focusing on the welding job. Additionally innovative external button to offer you instant change from grind mode to welding mode and vice versa without having to remove the helmet or gloves which you can work efficiently.
The 3350 series lens which comes with this helmet offers advanced 4c lens technology which offers crystal clear and true-color view of the arc puddle that helps you to gain more control over the welding job. This lincoln welding helmet is an excellent welding helmet for eyes which are sensitive because the advance technology enabled lens offers you to reduce eye strain by constantly reducing bluriness and offers clear view and brightness at an angle.
The lens of this welding helmet features an extra large display of 12.5 square inch with auto darkening feature offers large area of display and offer versatile job with this lincoln auto darkening wide area display enabled welding helmet. This helmet works on 2 CR5 batteries and additionally works on solar cell to work on even without the batteries. This is an exceptional helmet for beginners. If you are new into welding helmet then this is a must buy beginner welding tool.
Let’s check the technicals descriptions :
Pros
- Pretty durable.
- Clear, great color and larger visibility
- Battery powered and also solar cell backed up.
Cons
- The headgear is not good, some times which can be a problem.
- The screws to the headgear become loose very easy so the helmet gets constantly falling which need to tight them often. It makes a bit annoying.
Miller Welding Helmet Review
Battery powered welding helmet
The Miller 281000 welding helmet offers a great view display and excellent weight adjustment that feels excellent and great view so that you can work for a prolonged period of time. The display offers Clearlight lens technology that allows more visible color to come through the lens and offer a more natural color and accurate tone.
The helmet got four arc sensors that offers four modes you can control and they are grinding mode, welding mode, cutting mode and X mode. The X mode offers a unique feature that prevents sunlight from darkening the helmet display before the welding starts. So, that you can use this helmet in a welding job where you get exposed in bright sunlight.
The headgear is designed in such an ergonomic way that multi control offers you super manual adjustment of your helmet to distribute the weight properly and also you can fit the helmet manually according to your comfortability. The digital control of this helmet allows you to control shades, delay and sensitivity. This miller welding helmet also offers Auto on off features that darkens the display when in strike of an arc and brightens automatically.
Let’s check the technicals descriptions :
Pros
- Pretty durable.
- Great lens.
- Miller ClearLight Lens technology works very well.
Cons
- You need to get adjusted with the helmet, till you get used to it.
- The suspension is ok type.
Miller 280045 Black Welding Helmet Review
Best welding helmet headgear
The Miller 280045 welding helmet offers the largest display in the industry of 13.4 sq inch with clear Light lens technology that offers more visible color to come through the lens and offer a more natural color and accurate tone.
The helmet got four arc sensors that offers four modes you can control and they are grinding mode, welding mode, cutting mode and X mode. The X mode offers a unique feature that prevents sunlight from darkening the helmet display before the welding starts. So, that you can use this helmet in a welding job where you get exposed in bright sunlight.
The headgear is designed in such an ergonomic way that multi control offers you super manual adjustment of your helmet to distribute the weight properly and also you can fit the helmet manually according to your comfortability. The digital control of this helmet allows you to control shades, delay, and sensitivity. This miller welding helmet also offers Auto on-off features that darken the display with the strike of an arc and brighten automatically, also protects darkening automatically from the reflection of the sun or from any bright light sources.
Let’s check the technicals descriptions :
Pros
- Pretty durable.
- Largest display.
- Miller ClearLight Lens technology works very well.
Cons
- You need to get adjusted with the helmet, till you get used to it.
- The helmet is a bit heavy.
Jackson Auto Darkening Welding Helmet Review
Best auto darkening welding helmet
The Jackson Welding helmet 46101 is a great helmet that’s fit your budget perfectly with a good display to offer you a great viewing area. The viewing area is distributed in such a great manner that you don’t need to lift the hood for different jobs, with keeping the display you can change the view setting and focus completely on the job.
The Jackson welding helmet is the best welding helmet for the beginners with great auto-darkening feature enabled viewing area and very budget-friendly that suits great for beginners. The display offers 3.93 x 2.36 inches viewing area which is great viewing area and you can easily focus on your work without removing the hood. 4 independent sensors and variable shade of 9 to 13 offers a great viewing area that you can get with this budget welding helmet from Jackson.
The headgear is designed in an ergonomic way that makes it lightweight which weighs around 2 pounds only. You can adjust sensitivity and delay with external digital control. You can use this helmet for a prolonged period of time without getting any stress or pain in your shoulder, neck and ears. The display is designed in such a way that that you don’t need to open the hood for changing of job. The suitable design and with external controls with great display is excellent for beginners and professionals. You can buy this helmet easily as this helmet is very affordable and budget friendly. And this helmet considered to be the best auto darkening helmet you can purchase
Let’s check the technicals descriptions :
Pros
- Pretty durable.
- Clarity is amazing.
- Compact and lightweight welding helmet.
Cons
- The lenses are not sturdy enough.
- The Hood is a little flimsy around the chin
Antra AH6-260-0000 Welding Helmet Review
Best Budget Welding Helmet
The Antra AH6-260-0000 is a great welding helmet from Antra and is the durable and a great welding helmet in our list. The antra welding helmet is very lightweight, it comes within 1 pound weight that feels no pressure in your head, shoulder and neck. Meets ANSI Z87. 1 Standards.
This affordable and lightweight Antra welding helmet runs on solar power and also includes two battery, that helps you to never run out of power. The helmet offers complete automatic On/OFF system and convenient self darkening test button that helps you to test the darkness before you start your job. The display got built in passive filter which protects your eyes from UV rays helps reduce eye strain.
The solar cell backed welding helmet is always ready to work with TIG, MIG, MAG, Flux Core, MMA, plasma cutting, and more. With quick grinding button for changing quickly to grinding mode before welding. The element gt backed by 4 arc sensors that provide faster auto switching to dark mode and light mode minimized harmful radiants. Double-layered auto-dimming LCD shutter, providing sufficient and accurate shade range within 4/5-9/9-13 to visible lights that helps you to focus better on the welding job. A great lightweight solar power backed budget friendly personal protection equipment designed for industrial use that can handle multiple processes of Plasma cutting.
Let’s check the technicals descriptions :
Pros
- Pretty durable.
- Clarity is amazing.
- Compact and lightweight welding helmet.
Cons
- The lenses are not sturdy enough.
- Some times the auto-darkening start working in sun. With external manual control setup, you can control it.
YESWELDER Welding Helmet Review
best welding helmet under $100
This Yeswelder welding helmet is a true color enabled auto darkening welding helmet with a larger viewing area from YESWELDER. The headgear is designed in such an ergonomic way that you don’t feel pressure in your head, shoulder, neck etc.
This amazing low-cost welding helmet backed by solar cell and one CR2450 battery which is a replaceable battery, so that you never run out of power while you are in your work. you can make a good view even better. Upgrading the welding helmet with True Color technology preserves the existing 1-1-1-2 optical clarity rating, but improves visibility by reducing the lime green tint.
The DIN-5 supported non auto darkening lens give you full vision in the welding area which in turn enhance operation control. The element gt backed by 4 arc sensors that provide faster auto switching to dark mode and light mode minimized harmful radiants. Great For TIG MIG MMA, Plasma Applications with Grinding Feature. The pivot style headgear is designed to provide you a comfort while using it for a prolonged period of time. This Welding helmet is considered as most demanding and great quality welding helmet under $100.
Let’s check the technicals descriptions :
Pros
- The helmet is quite comfortable due to its pivot design.
- Clarity is amazing.
- Comes with two extra clear lenses for the helmet.
Cons
- It is not dark enough while you are working with 1/4 inch steel.
- The strap quality is not good enough.
Buyers Guide Of Best Auto Darkening Welding helmet 2021
Now, while you set up your mind to purchase one you need to check various measures carefully while buying a great welding helmet for yourself. Only difference in pricing cannot make a huge difference on how much great the helmet is for you or for your job. Thus we have discussed few key points you should consider for a great welding helmet experience.
Auto Darkening :
This is the most important feature you should look while you are purchasing your welding helmet. This feature allows you to detect automatically the sparkling and bright light and changes to dark mode accordingly making visible for work. And when the sparkling or your welding job ends it automatically makes the display bright so that you don’t need to remove your helmet.
Reaction Time :
Reaction time is the time to make the display dark after sensing a spark, and helps your eyes from strain. The quicker the reaction time the faster it darkens when detecting a spark. Check the reaction time before purchasing one.
Arc Sensors :
Arc sensors are the reason for your screen darkness and brightness, this arc sensors senses the spark and lightnings and changes the display accordingly. The low quality helmet comes with one to two arc sensors while a good quality auto darkening helmet consist of up to four arc sensors. So check the numbers of arc sensors before purchasing one.
Comfort :
You are going to use this helmet for a longer period of time. Those helmets which are heavier and are not designed well can cause you pain in neck, shoulder etc. Choose the helmets which are light in weight and are ergonomically designed so that after using a prolonged period of time you don’t feel pain.
Power Source :
The welding helmets powered by batteries, solar power or battery and solar power. Generally combined of battery and solar power offers more battery life. Many battery-powered helmets come with replaceable batteries and few comes with non-replaceable batteries. Check the features which suits you the best before buying.
Lens Shade :
Lens shade provides the darkness level, the more the shade level the more darker it can be and more the lens shade the more variable shade it can make. Those with much more lens shade can slightly make dark in sun, darker when detect flash. A helmet with 9-13 shade is normal, but if you’re working on low amperages where it’s harder to see the arc then a 6-13 shade is a good option. Choose this before purchasing for yourself.
Grinding Mode :
While you grind you have to deal with dust, thus you need just a full face mask which can protect your face from dust. Few welding helmets comes with grind mode that makes your visibility normal and safe guard your face from dust. Check this configuration while choosing one.
Cheater Lens :
Cheater lens is a small magnifying lens that gets to attached with the clamp in the helmet so that you can see magnified what you are working on. Many helmet comes with pre attached cheater lens. Check this feature according your needs before purchasing.
Safety Standards :
ANSI standards require that welding helmets provide full and enough protection to people wearing them from ultraviolet, infrared, impact, and temperature. There is rigorous testing that a welding helmet has to pass to achieve ANSI national safety standards including protection from ultraviolet, infrared, impact, and temperature. The current safety standards are ANSI Z87.1 – 2003, and you should check careful before making a purchase.
Wrapping Up:
Thanks for reading the article, as you come to this far of the article so you have a good knowledge of what to look before purchasing a welding helmet. Here, we have written the ten best welding helmet available in the market after researching a lot. Just check the buying guides and purchase what suits you the best from the list of our ten best welding helmet.
Few FAQs :
There are few things you should look for like lens shades, battery powered or solar powered or both, switching speed, etc. Read our buying guide to understand more about how to buy the perfect welding helmet for yourself.
Read the detailed description written on our website to get the detailed description of the ten best welding helmets.
It is recommended to use 10 to 13 shade lens to prevent your eye from sudden flash. That’s determines how dark you should choose.
One with a replaceable battery and solar backup support lasts much longer. And welding helmets with non replaceable battery last somewhere around 7 years.
With a shade range of 12 or higher, you can easily look at the sun.
Yes, they are safe but not as safe as passive ones. But auto darkening helmets are quite well, nowadays with greter technologies these welding helmets are great.
First, you need to check the viewing area, the more the viewing area the more area you can see. Nextly, grinding modes, safety and many more features you should look. Please read the buyers guide before purchasing one